2021-2022 Yankees Offseason Discussion

[jon abbey]

As a side note, if you keep in mind that it was not so easy for Cashman to upgrade this winter if he both needed to stay under 270 and not sign guys with QOs, and that the team was already fairly loaded on paper, this is pretty impressive.

View: https://twitter.com/HoodieMaybin/status/1505321600769478660

 

[jon abbey]

(I believe those are team fWAR numbers for all AL teams, from the end of the season and now).

 

[EvilEmpire]

What I like about the current roster construction beyond the WAR estimate is that it seems like they've been able to build in some flexibility without being tied to long contracts. Better defense that will help the pitchers too.

Positional flexibility with IKF and an ability to trade for or sign a piece or two if they get slammed by the injury bug again could be meaningful.

Of course they aren't done yet.

 

[jon abbey]

What I've been impressed by is Cashman's ability to improve the team (on paper obv) even with those restrictions while at the same time actually adding to the farm system. Arias and Lange are both top 20 prospects for NY right now, both added in 2022, and they have yet to move anyone. As EE said, they're not done yet, but as it is they have a lot of ammunition.

 

[jon abbey]

Also one thing I keep meaning to say is that we will know that Cashman is done making moves when he brings back Gardner. If that wasn’t agreed upon already, I have to think Gardner would have signed elsewhere by this point.

 

[Murderer's Crow]

Also one thing I keep meaning to say is that we will know that Cashman is done making moves when he brings back Gardner. If that wasn’t agreed upon already, I have to think Gardner would have signed elsewhere by this point.

Is there a market for Gardner anywhere?

 

[jon abbey]

Is there a market for Gardner anywhere?

Certainly as a 4th OF.

 

[jon abbey]

Also this is telling:

https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/yankees-keeping-brett-gardners-spring-151033956.html

 

[jon abbey]

FG scarily has him as the 4th best position player FA remaining, after Story, Conforto and Pham.

https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=0

 

[jon abbey]

Also for the money discussion, it was all the way back in November but NY did offer Verlander at least 1/25, which he matched from HOU plus a second player option at 25 again which kicks in (as Verlander's choice) if he pitches 130 innings.

 

[jon abbey]

As Story is the only big impact guy left out there, it's worth noting a couple of NY-relevant things.

One is that he spent the offseason training at Cressey Sports Performance, run by Yankees Director of Player Health Eric Cressey, with other non-Yankees like Scherzer and Goldschmidt, so presumably NY has as good an idea of his health as anyone.

Also NY is in a specifically good position if he wants a short deal, he will want to showcase that he can still play SS defensively well and NY can let him do that right away, but also they would have both IKF and Peraza behind him if he can't. Also they can offer a 2B alongside him who he would immediately be very comfortable with, his old teammate DJL They played together at 2B/SS in COL from 2016-2018.

If they did somehow sign Story (I do not know how the money and possible penalties would work but assuming those wouldn't kill it), Gleyber would presumably be traded pretty quickly, like Voit after Rizzo but hopefully for decidedly more back. Marlins for pitching?

Anyway, Story would slot in at SS, Gleyber would be traded, DJ would go to 2B, IKF would go to utility guy, Cabrera and Peraza waiting in AAA if not dealt. Best NY infield since the Tex/Cano/Jeter/A-Rod one...

Rizzo 1B
DJ 2B
Story SS
Donaldson 3B

 

[Murderer's Crow]

As Story is the only big impact guy left out there, it's worth noting a couple of NY-relevant things.

One is that he spent the offseason training at Cressey Sports Performance, run by Yankees Director of Player Health Eric Cressey, with other non-Yankees like Scherzer and Goldschmidt, so presumably NY has as good an idea of his health as anyone.

Also NY is in a specifically good position if he wants a short deal, he will want to showcase that he can still play SS defensively well and NY can let him do that right away, but also they would have both IKF and Peraza behind him if he can't. Also they can offer a 2B alongside him who he would immediately be very comfortable with, his old teammate DJL They played together at 2B/SS in COL from 2016-2018.

If they did somehow sign Story (I do not know how the money and possible penalties would work but assuming those wouldn't kill it), Gleyber would presumably be traded pretty quickly, like Voit after Rizzo but hopefully for decidedly more back. Marlins for pitching?

Anyway, Story would slot in at SS, Gleyber would be traded, DJ would go to 2B, IKF would go to utility guy, Cabrera and Peraza waiting in AAA if not dealt. Best NY infield since the Tex/Cano/Jeter/A-Rod one...

Rizzo 1B
DJ 2B
Story SS
Donaldson 3B

I think it's going to be next to impossible to stay under $270m unless Story really gets a number in the low 20s high teens AAV. Gleyber is making $5m, so it basically leaves absolutely no room for anything else if they can even manage to get under. I bet my foot that if they go for Story, it has a domino effect where they trade Green also.

For the record, Montas + Murphy is basically a wash with Gleyber. So basically, if they get Story and want to stay under $270m, Gleyber has to go and probably someone else. You can't get Montas or Murphy without unloading more money so I would guess its Green.

 

[Murderer's Crow]

So, combine my posts from earlier today on Cashman's reluctance to sign free agents in general, I'm really thinking Story isn't happening given the amount of moves they would need to make.

While I was driving earlier today, I was thinking about that Correa contract and how insanely tradable it is for the Twins. If you're a reloading team, I would be all over these short superstar deals. Take on short term money to buy prospects at the deadline.

 

[jon abbey]

While I was driving earlier today, I was thinking about that Correa contract and how insanely tradable it is for the Twins. If you're a reloading team, I would be all over these short superstar deals. Take on short term money to buy prospects at the deadline.

"Correa’s deal includes a limited no-trade clause this season, which becomes a full no-trade clause in 2023 and 2024 if he chooses to opt in to those contract years, per Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY"

 

[jon abbey]

NY could theoretically clear money by attaching a prospect to Britton and his $14M, maybe this is what Chaim is waiting for.

It would be tricky, they love Britton the person and he is on the MLBPA executive committee, but he is out most or all of the season and it would just be business.

 

[Apisith]

Based on the projections, which I think everyone trusts, Cashman has done really well. You’re projected to be the best team in the league, no long term commitments have been made, and you’ve added prospects. I really don’t see how he could have done better, everyone knows rings aren’t won in the off-season. Signing Freeman would have been a nice splash but he doesn’t fit your window and he’s already past his peak.

 

[jon abbey]

So hypothetically:

Currently at 246.6

Add:

Story 1/30, no options

Trade:

Britton 14
Gleyber 5.9

That would leave them at 256.7, still room for a SP and another C.

 

[Murderer's Crow]

This made me laugh. Might need its own thread

View: https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1505209015353188355?s=20&t=EHn8rt6W0P7Kabv6VT1XXw

 

[jon abbey]

everyone knows rings aren’t won in the off-season.

I genuinely admire your ability to live without Twitter.

 

[jon abbey]

OK, today is Michael Corleone day for Brian Cashman. Story signing, one trade with Gleyber, maybe other trades too, maybe even the Gardner signing that will mark the end of NY's winter.

All family business gets settled today, I have willed this into existence with this post and I am going back to sleep now.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Sounds like Marwin Gonzalez on a minor league deal is all we will get instead.

 

[Wingack]

Sounds like Marwin Gonzalez on a minor league deal is all we will get instead.

Awesome response signing to Story in Boston.

 

[cromulence]

They were never giving Story six years to play 2B. The arm trouble scares me anyway, fine by me.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

OK, today is Michael Corleone day for Brian Cashman. Story signing, one trade with Gleyber, maybe other trades too, maybe even the Gardner signing that will mark the end of NY's winter.

All family business gets settled today, I have willed this into existence with this post and I am going back to sleep now.

Well, hopefully the sleep went well

 

[Murderer's Crow]

They were never giving Story six years to play 2B. The arm trouble scares me anyway, fine by me.

Yea totally. Scared of sounding like sour grapes but there is nothing about this that upsets me. We were interested on a Correa type contract, not a 6 year deal.

 

[Max Power]

Sounds like Marwin Gonzalez on a minor league deal is all we will get instead.

And the world mourns the loss of one of baseball's greatest beards.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Oswaldo Cabrera just got scratched.

 

[jon abbey]

Well, hopefully the sleep went well

It did, thanks!

 

[Wingack]

View: https://twitter.com/jonheyman/status/1505569915574665217?s=21

 

[jon abbey]

Don’t want Manaea at almost any cost, his splits to RHH are scary. Montas would be awesome,

 

[Wingack]

Don’t want Manaea at almost any cost, his splits to RHH are scary. Montas would be awesome,

Totally agree. I want Montas bad.

I hope Cash doesn't feel like he is being pushed into an overpay though because of the fanbase or media.

 

[jon abbey]

Totally agree. I want Montas bad.

I hope Cash doesn't feel like he is being pushed into an overpay though because of the fanbase or media.

I don’t think he’s ever felt like that, listening to the fan base would have him in Orioles territory pretty quickly.

 

[Murderer's Crow]

I’m glad someone else said they don’t want Manaea. Montas is the target now and if we added a catcher with him, even better. Offense is basically set and there’s nothing to complain about.

 

[jon abbey]

Murphy from OAK is the dream C acquisition (and maybe possibly now that he is down to 4 years of team control and OAK got Langeliers) but Haim from TEX would be a nice fit too.

 

[E5 Yaz]

... there’s nothing to complain about.

The difference between Yankee and Red Sox posters

 

[Murderer's Crow]

The difference between Yankee and Red Sox posters

Ha. I spent all yesterday basically complaining. But truth is this team in order to get Story would have had to make multiple moves right after to accommodate. That was a good deal for the Sox and would have been, IMO, a non-ideal contract for the Yankees.

 

[jon abbey]

Oswaldo Cabrera just got scratched.

Came in mid-game, so not traded yet.

 

[jon abbey]

And Cabrera just hit a go-ahead grand slam, 7-4 NY now.

 

[jon abbey]

View: https://twitter.com/TalkinYanks/status/1505621684191125520

 

[jon abbey]

NY claims hard throwing/poor control lefty reliever Yoan Aybar from COL, only notable because he is (temporarily) on the 40 man in the spot cleared when Voit was dealt.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

Former Red Sox farmhand

 

[jon abbey]

Yep and a converted position player.

Cashman must have more moves coming because I’m pretty sure he’s still going to sign Gardner and there’s no reason to waste anyone’s time with this signing if other 40 man spots aren’t about to open up.

 

[jon abbey]

Also he's got to add another catcher to the 40 man with Rortvedt unlikely for Opening Day.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

Any chance they just invite Gardner to camp as a NRI to buy themselves some time?

 

[jon abbey]

Any chance they just invite Gardner to camp as a NRI to buy themselves some time?

I would think the league would not look kindly on that, maybe this is one of those deals where they claim him (Aybar), then drop him from the 40 man pretty quickly and hope no one else claims him and he wants to stay.

 

[jon abbey]

It depends how guys look the next few weeks but I might try this lineup:

1. Anthony Rizzo 1B L
2. Aaron Judge RF R
3. Josh Donaldson 3B R
4. Giancarlo Stanton DH R
5. Joey Gallo LF L
6. Gleyber Torres 2B R
7. Aaron Hicks CF S
8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa SS R
9. Kyle Higashioka C R

That's with DJ sitting, I don't think that given NY's options they should put a lefty in the middle of the three big boys there, maybe if Gallo looks impressive but I hate to push any of those other guys down to 5th.

 

[Murderer's Crow]

I crap on Gleyber but I think this is a big part of why Story isn't here.

Steamer projects:
Gleyber Torres: 118 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
Trevor Story: 108 wRC+, 3.6 WAR

 

[jon abbey]

Story is I think as difficult as any established star to project because 1) the COL factor, 2) his arm issues and 3) COL were basically mailing it in all season last year and Story knew he was gone. But let's keep Story talk to the main board.

 

[jon abbey]

Cabrera is part of this middle infield picture too, he is overshadowed by Volpe and Peraza as prospects, but he’s a switch-hitter who destroyed righties in AA/AAA last year, I did not realize this.

“Playing mostly at Double-A Somerset last year, Cabrera slashed .290/.350/.612, with 26 home runs in 335 at-bats as a left-handed hitter in 2021. Add in his 26 doubles and two triples from the left-hand side, and Cabrera had an extra base hit every 6.2 at-bats on the season when facing righty pitching.”

https://www.pinstripealley.com/platform/amp/2022/1/24/22897528/yankees-prospect-oswaldo-cabrera-scranton-shortstop-infield-switch-hitter-home-runs

 

[EvilEmpire]

It would be great to have him as the utility infielder, but I understand they are probably going to want him to get more ABs at AAA. But I hope to see him brought up at some point this season.

This team is more fun when they've got a young prospect or two running around with the big club. One of the most enjoyable parts of last season.