The New York Yankees season ended earlier then they anticipated but with all things considered, the Yankees had a great season. With the huge addition in the offseason when the Yankees traded for Giancarlo Stanton to having two rookies play a huge part during the season. The Yankees won the wild card game at home before losing to the rival Red Sox’s in the next series. New York finished with the third best record in the majors and having a new head coach who had some ups and downs. The Yankees will look to add a couple pieces this offseason and make another run in the playoffs to bring home another world series trophy. I will be breaking down potential free agents and trade targets that the New York Yankees will be interested in this offseason.
Free Agents:
1B: Steve Pearce
The New York Yankees had a disappointing season with first base production this season before acquiring Luke Voit at the trade deadline. When the Yankees acquired Voit they didn’t know what his production was due to him being in AAA all season long but he brought energy to this team with his production and his overall play. New York will have to make a decision on Greg Bird who has been injury prone and nonexistent when he is in the lineup. Luke will have to a chance to win the job in spring training and depending what they do with Bird, Steve Pearce makes sense as a role player who can split time with Voit and brings average defense and power to Yankee Stadium.
2B: Daniel Murphy
The New York Yankees have most of their infield settled in for the next couple of years but with the unexpected surgery for Didi Gregorius, the Yankees have a hole to fill. Gregorius recently had Tommy John surgery which will most likely keep him out for the season or at least most of the season. If the Yankees decide to move Gleyber Torres over to his natural position at shortstop while Gregorius is injured then Daniel Murphy makes a lot of sense for New York. The Yankees could sign Murphy to a one year deal and he can come in play second and he would fit in with this line up perfectly. Murphy is a guy who will hit for average and get on base with some power and being in the middle of the lineup without Gregorius would be a huge positive as well as Murphy being a veteran who has proven himself during the playoffs.
2B: Brian Dozier
As stated with Daniel Murphy if the Yankees look to move over Gleyber Torres then signing Brian Dozier to a one year deal would be helpful as well with his veteran presence and his on the field abilities. Dozier is currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers after being traded theirs around the deadline. Dozier is a great fielder as well as a great hitter which could work out for the Yankees at the top of their lineup to get on base for the middle of the lineup.
SS: Manny Machado
Manny Machado and the New York Yankees have been connected to each other for the past couple of seasons now. Machado played his entire career in Baltimore before being traded this season to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Machado and the Yankees make so much sense now with the injury to Gregorius and having Machado play shortstop where he wants to play and leaving Gleyber at second where he was great last season. Machado would be a prized free agent target for the Yankees with his gold glove in the field and his ability at the plate. Machado would be a perfect fit in the Yankees lineup with the ability to bat for average and get on base. I would look for the Yankees to pursue Manny Machado hard this offseason and there are rumors that Machado has New York on the top of his list which makes it a perfect fit for both sides.
SS: Adeiny Hechavarria
The New York Yankees acquired Adeiny Hechavarria late in August for his defensive abilities for the playoffs. Hechavarria made some huge defensive plays late in the season and into the playoffs as well as his bat coming along which was a pleasant surprise. I would be surprised if the Yankees didn’t bring back Hechavarria even if he is a role player. Hechavarria is a great role player to have off the bench and in case of an injury which every team needs an insurance policy.
CF: Adam Jones
The New York Yankees have an interesting situation with their outfielders this offseason. The Yankees have their mainstays in Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton but then there are some question marks. Brett Gardener is a free agent this offseason and there is speculation that he may not return to the Yankees although I think he will. Aaron Hicks has grown as a player since he arrived in New York but he has been injury prone as well which is the downside of Hicks. It will be interesting to see if the Yankees keep Hicks or move on from him via the trade market. The Yankees also have Clint Frazier who missed all of last season due to concussions so nobody knows what will happen with Frazier. Adam Jones is a veteran who has been there and done that and could be an interesting name for the Yankees in their outfield whether they move on from Aaron Hicks or not.
RF: Bryce Harper
Now, Yankee fans here is Bryce Harper who has been connected to the Yankees since he entered the league. This is an interesting free agent for many ways especially with the fact that Harper has stated his love for the pinstripes. As already stated with the New York Yankees outfield situation, Harper would be a huge addition and if they were to sign Harper then I would expect either Gardener not returning or Hicks being the odd man out. Harper has been one of the best players in the majors since his arrival and he is still only 26 years old which is remarkable. Bryce will most likely look to sign a huge long-term deal which is what he will deserve. Harper would form a deadly outfield with the Yankees which would include Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and potentially Clint Frazier.
RF: Andrew McCutchen
The Giants traded Andrew McCutchen to the Yankees towards the end of August which was a nice addition for New York. Andrew was a pleasant surprise in the outfield as well as at the top of the lineup. If the Yankees end up pursuing Machado over Harper then resigning McCutchen should be towards the top of their list with his production and his gold glove in the outfield. Keeping McCutchen with this outfield unit could have the Yankees back as one of the top teams in the majors and back to the playoffs.
SP: Patrick Corbin
The New York Yankees need to address their starting rotation this offseason with only two guys under contract for next year. Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka are the only two starters under contract for next season. Patrick Corbin has been a trade candidate for the Yankees the past 2-3 seasons and now that he is a free agent it makes more sense. Corbin is one of the top lefties in the majors and would be a huge addition to New York. Corbin has always wanted to play in New York as that is his dads’ favorite team and he is from the upstate New York area.
SP: Dallas Keuchel
Dallas Keuchel was the main guy is Houston a few seasons ago and was one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. When the Astros acquired Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, Keuchel moved down to the third pitcher on the team and just didn’t seem like a fit anymore. Houston took an unexpected loss to the Red Sox’s in the playoffs and may look to make a couple moves and Keuchel could be the odd man out in the rotation. Keuchel could be looking to move on from Houston this offseason and New York should be a destination with their need at starting pitching and he could come in and be one of the main guys in New York.
SP: Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw is one of the best pitchers to ever play in the majors and he has remarkable numbers. His one downfall is his inconsistency during the playoffs, Kershaw has the most innings pitched without winning a world series. Kershaw is going to be one of the top pitchers on the market and it will be interesting to see how his free agency plays out. Kershaw and the Dodgers are back in the world series for a second consecutive year and if they end up losing again then he may be looking elsewhere. The Yankees would have the money and need for a high-end pitcher who could help their rotation and Kershaw could be the answer to their pitching woes.
SP: JA Happ
The New York Yankees acquired JA Happ at the trade deadline last season and he was a huge addition to their staff. Happ was the Yankees best pitcher down the stretch winning games and giving them long outings. Happ was 7-0 with the Yankees and was as dominant as anyone during that span. The Yankees have been rumored to have interest in bringing Happ back which would be a wise decision to bolster the back end of their rotation and have one of the best starting five rotations in the majors.
SP: Charlie Morton/Matt Harvey
The Yankees could also take a look at some back-end rotation guys who can be cheaper and effective. Charlie Morton has had a couple good back to back seasons in Houston and with him being the fourth starter he may look for a better opportunity. Matt Harvey was one of the most dominant pitchers in the league a few years ago with the Mets but with injuries, he couldn’t get it going. Harvey ended the year with the Cincinnati Reds and finished out the season strong going into free agency which could have landed him a nice deal with a contender.
Trade Candidates:
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been rumored to possibly be selling and Paul Goldschmidt and Zach Greinke are two of the guys who would be at the top of their list. The Yankees could be interested in entertaining the idea of acquiring Goldschmidt with question marks at their first base position. Goldschmidt has been one of the best first basemen’s in the majors over the past 4-5 seasons and would be a perfect addition to this lineup and this team. Goldschmidt would give the Yankees lineup a spark with his ability to bat for average and power. Goldschmidt would also bring a gold glove caliber player to the Yankees.
SP: Madison Bumgarner
The San Francisco Giants seem to be on the way to rebuilding after their experiment failed last season. Madison Bumgarner could bring in a haul for the Giants to start their rebuild and the Yankees have one of the deepest farm systems in baseball. The Yankees are in need of a top end starter and Bumgarner has proven himself in the regular season as well as the postseason. Bumgarner could come in and be the number one guy to take some pressure off of Severino and Tanaka and give the Yankees much-needed depth. The Giants and Yankees seem like a perfect match to make this trade happen and both teams would be on the winning side of any deal that is put on the table.
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