The Yankees want some assist.
They definitely don’t must demolish all the things from their 99-win workforce and begin over, however the daybreak of a brand new period could also be upon them if Aaron Judge makes use of his free-agent standing to depart for extra peaceable pastures.
No matter what, one of the best transfer the Yankees can presumably make this offseason is convincing Judge to remain. Re-upping Anthony Rizzo could be good too, and inking Andrew Benintendi to a brand new deal would forestall Aaron Hicks from having to play greater than he ought to.
But for the aim of this train, we’re not speaking about bringing anybody again, we’re exploring potential matches for individuals who could be becoming a member of the Yankees for the primary time. Also, for the aim of this train, let’s assume DJ LeMahieu is the beginning third baseman subsequent season, with Gleyber Torres at second and one of many children at shortstop. That may all clearly change earlier than the season really begins. But we’re assuming right here that, for the second 12 months in a row, the Yankees is not going to go after any of the marquee center infielders.
Every workforce has wants, and a few will all the time be bigger than others, however there are 5 free brokers of various expertise ranges and presumed wage calls for that might be a logical enhance for the 2023 Yankees.
BRANDON NIMMO
The longtime Met checks a ton of bins on the Yankees’ wishlist.
He’s a left-handed hitter, and he’d be becoming a member of a workforce that gave 71% of its plate appearances final season to righties. He’s bought pace and defensive acumen in droves. There’s some slug in his bat too, however he’s not the feast-or-famine kind that has doomed the offense in recent times.
With Harrison Bader now entrenched in heart discipline, Nimmo could be compelled again to the corners that he used to occupy in Flushing. After proving himself to be a extremely expert heart fielder, Nimmo’s glove would translate properly, significantly to left discipline in Yankee Stadium, which is way more spacious than proper discipline.
Nimmo is in line for a $100 million deal, and he’s earned that, because it’s very doable that he’s a greater model of Benintendi. The two outfielders debuted simply two months aside in 2016, and through their careers, Nimmo has the sting in on-base share, slugging share, OPS, stroll fee, wRC+ and Wins Above Replacement. Benintendi is a greater match for the workforce’s plan of lowering their strikeouts, however Nimmo is a greater general hitter, defender and base runner.
CARLOS RODON
Imagine changing Jameson Taillon with Carlos Rodon.
Taillon, one of many Bombers’ unsung heroes final season, is a free agent now. While Rodon would price way more cash, these are the literal Yankees. They can afford him.
It’s not precisely a super plan, however the Yankees may hitch their wagon to beginning pitching and attempt to make up for a possible Judge exodus by successful a bunch of low-scoring video games. Rodon was the second-most priceless beginning pitcher in Major League Baseball final season, in accordance with FanGraphs. He simply struck out 237 hitters in 178 innings, completed his second straight season with an ERA underneath 2.90 and for the final two years has held hitters to a .197/.260/.307 slash line.
He’d be an enormous addition for any squad, however particularly one which fancies itself as a World Series contender and has some query marks after Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes and Luis Severino.
WILSON CONTRERAS
The finest accessible backstop will command a variety of consideration. The Yankees ought to be a part of that.
The saying usually refers to quarterbacks, however it may be utilized right here as properly: you probably have two catchers, you don’t actually have one.
Aaron Boone started final season referring to his catcher state of affairs as a tandem somewhat than naming a definitive starter. But Jose Trevino shortly established himself out of the gate. Nobody will ever be capable to take Trevino’s All-Star Game look away from him, however he was dreadful within the second half, posting numbers which might be doubtless way more indicative of who he’s.
A profession .245 hitter with a .634 OPS heading into the season, Trevino launched himself to Yankee followers by batting .263 and rocking a .749 OPS within the first three months of the season. From July 1 on, as he racked up probably the most taking part in time of his profession, these numbers sank to .238 and .620. He went 1-for-22 within the playoffs.
If that’s certainly what Trevino goes to offer offensively (and his profession numbers give us no motive to not consider that), the Yankees may stand to enhance. Kyle Higashioka would seemingly be the odd man out if the Yankees do pursue an exterior catcher, because it’s arduous to totally quit on a man like Trevino who was simply an All-Star and Gold Glover.
Higashioka is a superb defensive catcher as properly, however he’s by no means discovered the right way to constantly hit, and he’s two and a half years older than Trevino. A non-tender state of affairs wouldn’t be out of the query for Higashioka, however the Yankees should make that call by Nov. 18, sometimes properly earlier than the recent range really will get going.
JOSH BELL
Despite his imposing bodily stature and previous historical past as a Home Run Derby participant, Bell is way more well-rounded than most followers may suppose.
He maintains an above-average contact fee, has lowered his strikeout share in every of the final two seasons and supplies some versatility as a change hitter. Bell, a primary baseman, can be three years youthful than Rizzo and has slashed .264/.353/.475 over the past 4 years with a 120 wRC+.
If they relinquish Rizzo, the Yankees may do quite a bit worse than Bell.
ANDREW CHAFIN
The unsexy (however smart) last member of this group is a lefty reliever who simply surpassed 400 profession innings.
You can by no means have too many relievers, and Chafin had good strikeout numbers in 2022 whereas pitching in obscurity for the Tigers. Lefties don’t hit him arduous in any respect, and righties had a decrease batting common off Chafin in 2022 than their left-handed contemporaries. Chafin can be a safer guess, health-wise, than bringing again Zack Britton.
The Yankees may and may take a look at different bullpen arms (Taylor Rogers, Robert Suarez, Nick Martinez), however Chafin may in all probability be acquired for much less cash. Former Yankee Adam Ottavino is an attention-grabbing possibility too, and so is newly-minted World Series champion Rafael Montero, however Chafin’s 2.29 ERA and 1.04 WHIP throughout the final two seasons may discover a good residence within the Bronx as properly.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com