New York Yankees: Front office still has big decisions to make
Entering the offseason, the New York Yankees didn’t have a flood of issues needing to be solved. Now, halfway through the winter, the team still has plenty of decisions to make.
The offseason is far from over, and the New York Yankees still have moves to make.
General manager Brian Cashman secured the deal of the winter meetings by bringing in Giancarlo Stanton. Some All-Stars signed following the blockbuster trade, but overall the hot stove season has been rather dull.
But for New York, the front office still buzzes with choices to be made. The club desires another starting pitcher, as it was linked to Yu Darvish for the previous few weeks. The infield situation isn’t exactly set in stone either, with the hot corner another questionable position as of now.
Teams competing for the same free agents and trade pieces made themselves relevant this past week.
The Astros are now in contention for Gerrit Cole, who was seemingly supposed to be in pinstripes by now, and Darvish. The Cubs contacted the Japanese hurler as well and might be able to offer him more money than the Yankees due to their salary cap.
New York has a studded roster, but it still wants to add another valuable player. Todd Frazier is the primary target, according to sources, but others are on the radar.
Gleyber Torres is a step away from the majors, but he might not be ready immediately after Spring Training. And multiple younger players – Miguel Andujar and Tyler Wade – come with question marks.
Ultimately, fashioning the lineup and rotation at this point could be another cause for concern, due to the team’s depth in both areas. Cashman maneuvered his way around the first half of the offseason.
Now he and the rest of the front office have to continue making meaningful changes as necessary. But of all the lingering queries that remain, some overshadow the others.
Should the Yankees give Todd Frazier what he wants?
Frazier admitted he’s in contact with both New York squads. And surely after enjoying much of his half-season with the Yankees last year, he wants to return.
The only variable standing in between the two at this point is money. New York has a spot on the roster for him as a Matt Holliday-like platoon guy, but it isn’t in dire need of a starter in the hot corner. Miguel Andujar is the starter as of now.
That doesn’t mean Frazier – if signed – cannot play third occasionally. Andujar was good during his handful of games in the big leagues, but that is a small sample. He may need more time to adjust to MLB pitching.
But the front office also has to weigh whether the “Todd Father” is worth the contract he desires. Sources note he requested a multi-year deal but provided no guesstimate for how much money he wants.
Frazier is a veteran bat that can occupy third and first when needed. Being that the designated hitter spot will be taken by whichever outfielder gets rest, Frazier might be nothing more than a platoon guy for the Yankees.
Of course, that depends on whether they buy in on Andujar or not. If New York can cajole Frazier into accepting less than $10 million a year for a maximum two-year deal, he may submit.
However, should Frazier ask for a three-to-four-year contract in between $12 and $15 million, the Yankees would be wise to shop elsewhere. There are much cheaper options on both the free agent and trade markets if they feel they need more depth in the corner infield.
Will New York finally give in and acquire Cole?
The trade seemed inevitable when sources first reported it. Analysts expected the Yankees to give up a decent prospect – Clint Frazier possibly – in exchange for the Pirates’ ace. Pittsburgh fans didn’t seem dissatisfied with the plan.
Now the trade looks less likely as the offseason trudges along.
Stories on the deal mentioned Frazier, Gleyber Torres, and Chance Adams as the centerpieces in a possible swap. Torres is out of the picture, as he is the team’s top prospect and potentially the starting second baseman. Adams could be the next pitching prospect to sport pinstripes in 2018.
That leaves Frazier, who, as of now, will probably not own a spot on the big-league roster. The outfield already has four capable starters and Jacoby Ellsbury, who looks to rebound and become relevant once again.
Just my two cents: I think the #Yankees would be better off trading for Gerrit Cole than signing Yu Darvish to any sort of long term deal.
— Dan Federico (@DanJFederico) January 11, 2018
It is essentially time for the Yankees to move on.
Pittsburgh and New York butted heads for several weeks over the situation, and it looks like neither will budge. Houston called the Pirates in regards to Cole, meaning there are more competitors involved for the former UCLA star. But that shouldn’t make a difference.
There are several pitchers that fall within general manager Brian Cashman’s current budget. Whether it be via trade or free agency, he can find a serviceable pitcher to add to the rotation.
Patrick Corbin garnered the front office’s attention mostly because the Diamondbacks said they were interested in Ellsbury. But the southpaw is still a back-end starter that could be utilized in the current staff.
Call to the Pen delved into short-term options nearly two months ago, and every pitcher noted in the article is still up for grabs. Granted, fans won’t dub some of them worthy of a minuscule amount of money for just one season.
The point is that the Yankees still have several routes open to acquire another piece in the rotation. Trading a top prospect for a mixed bag like Cole could backfire.
But that’s just another choice the front office has to make – maybe quicker than expected.
What does the team do with Jacoby Ellsbury?
This is a rather simple choice, as there are three options.
The front office moves him to a team willing to take him despite an enormous contract – Yankees can pay for it. Cashman keeps him and hopes the outfielder rebounds in 2018. Or New York dumps him, eats up his contract and allows a minor-leaguer the opportunity to take his spot.
None of the options are spectacular, as the club will have to pay him the millions they owe him no mater what. But the question surrounds whether the team would rather have him on the roster or another player stuck in Triple-A, like Clint Frazer or Jake Cave.
Thus far, only three teams knowingly disclosed their interest in the 34-year-old veteran – Baltimore, San Francisco, and Arizona. All are virtually in need of an extra outfielder and could benefit from a guy that used to hit better than .280 and swipe more than 40 bags a year.
But Ellsbury’s no-trade clause also stands in the way between him and a new home.
Ellsbury’s numbers with the Yankees are not appalling, but they aren’t impressive either. He sports a .264 average and has racked up 102 stolen bases during his four years in the Bronx. His speed is no longer-game changing, and his ability at the plate is diminishing.
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Nevertheless, Ellsbury motivated himself to improve based on rumors this offseason. He wants a shot to become the everyday center fielder once again.
That might not be an option, as Aaron Hicks’ defense propelled him into the starting spot. However, Hicks isn’t a consistently productive hitter so that Ellsbury can work his way into the lineup in that way.
But the outfielder won’t be worth more than $21 million sitting on the bench. If the Yankees had to rank their options, a trade might be the best one. They could receive a starting pitcher in return for Ellsbury, even if they have to pay most of the left-handed hitter’s contract. A roster spot would open up as well.
Next: The Yanks won't get Yu Darvish
New York should be able to get something in return. But for all anyone knows, Ellsbury could become relevant again in the big leagues. The Yankees may give him one last chance.