The Yankees will contact down in San Diego for the Winter Meetings on Sunday with a number of areas that want enchancment.
While bringing again Aaron Judge is the primary focus and offers a lot of the headlines, Brian Cashman has loads of different objects on his to-do checklist for a franchise that has now gone 13 years and not using a World Series look.
Even with Judge’s heroics and the historic begin to the season, the Bombers as soon as once more fell wanting the last word objective. And after dropping to the Houston Astros for the fourth time within the postseason since 2015, the Yanks have loads of areas that may be upgraded.
In addition to bringing their franchise participant again to the Bronx, listed below are three key areas the Yankees should look to handle this offseason.
CATCHER
It could seem odd as Jose Trevino did simply win the platinum glove award, nonetheless, the Yankees want to handle areas the place they’re getting poor offensive manufacturing as they’d means too lots of them final season.
With the automated strike zone rumored to be nearing, framing could quickly be a misplaced artwork. Looking to the obtainable free brokers and commerce targets, the Bombers ought to strike and improve certainly one of their net-negative offensive positions.
Willson Contreras is the highest free-agent catcher in the marketplace and the Astros are rumored to be certainly one of his high suitors — giving all of the extra purpose for a Yankee pursuit. The 30-year-old posted 22 homers with a .815 OPS final season.
While the free agent checklist for backstops is scarce, the highest obtainable catcher of the offseason is on the market through commerce. A’s catcher Sean Murphy might be the subsequent participant on the transfer out of Oakland.
The 28-year-old slashed .250/.332/.426 with 18 homers and 66 RBI. If Cashman doesn’t wish to lose a lot protection however improve offensively, Murphy would be the man.
LEFT FIELD
The Bombers are presently and not using a left fielder and have been since Andrew Benintendi went down with a hamate harm in August.
Rookie super-utility man Oswaldo Cabrera ended up taking part in left discipline within the postseason which solely confirmed how a lot the group missed Benintendi when it counted.
There are three wise free-agent choices for the Yanks to fill their want. Benintendi — who nonetheless stays as probably one of the best match for his or her membership, Japanese sensation Masataka Yoshida and Brandon Nimmo of the Mets. All three are lefty bats which is one thing Cashman should prioritize.
An surprising commerce may all the time present a plug-in for left discipline, nonetheless, the three recognized choices all look like wise matches for what the Bombers want.
BULLPEN
We noticed it in October, Aaron Boone had simply three relievers that he totally trusted: Jonathan Loaisiga, Wandy Peralta and Clay Holmes. Adding to this group is important.
While Michael King’s harm did play an enormous position in shortening the Yanks secure of elite arms, including extra depth to the pen can solely assist when accidents do come about.
Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman and Chad Green are all free brokers and it’s laborious to see any of them making their means again — particularly Chapman after the best way his Yankee tenure ended.
However, one goal to look at right here is former Yankee Tommy Kahnle. Kahnle posted a 2.83 ERA in 13 appearances with the Dodgers in his first stint again from Tommy John surgical procedure. The 33-year-old’s fastball performed at a median of 95.5 mph.
While Cashman is infamous for locating gems in different organizations through commerce that find yourself being elite within the bullpen, they need to discover all avenues to make sure what occurred this October by no means performs out once more.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com