New York Yankees: five free agents team should re-sign
By Manny Gómez
Much of the focus surrounding the New York Yankees is on who they will sign in the offseason. Here are five free agents already on their team they should re-sign.
With the World Series over, the MLB Hot Stove is officially underway. After another disappointing loss in the postseason, the New York Yankees will look to revamp the team in an effort for another run in 2020.
First, however, the team has to sort out what to do with their own free agents. Who stays and who goes?
To begin, let’s take a look at a few players that have probably seen there last days in pinstripes. At least, for now.
Entering this offseason, 12 Yankees players have either player options, club options, or are unrestricted free agents. CC Sabathia has chosen to officially retire, therefore that number reduces to 11.
The 37-year-old DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion has a club option which includes a $5M buyout. If the team chooses to pick up his option, he is to be paid $20M for the 2020 MLB season.
My prediction is that the team will opt to buyout Encarnacion and he will thus become an unrestricted free agent.
Aroldis Chapman, on the other hand, is due $30M over the next two seasons ($15M AAV). His contract does, however, include a player option, which if he exercises will make him an unrestricted free agent.
My prediction is that Chapman will opt-out, but will resign with the Yankees for either more money per season or an extension at the same rate.
Finally, we have there is Cory Gearrin, Cameron Maybin, Erik Kratz, and Cliff Pennington, all of whom will more than likely find other teams to play for.
Maybin was certainly valuable to the Yankees, however, given the depth of outfielders this team currently has, there just isn’t enough room for him anymore.
And now, here are the top five free agents the team must bring back.