New York Yankees: five free agents team should re-sign

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.

Five Free Agents the New York Yankees Should Keep

Didi Gregorius

Didi Gregorius is in many ways the glue that keeps the New York Yankees together. By all accounts, he is a great clubhouse presence and is beloved by the entire Yankee organization.

The Yanks could not have imagined a better replacement for Derek Jeter than Gregorius. In his four seasons prior to 2019, he hit .274 with a .447 SLG and was considered one of the best defensive shortstops in the game.

However, this season, the left-handed shortstop struggled mightily at the plate and on the field. What’s more, his aggressiveness at the plate in the postseason, made his performance pale in comparison to previous postseasons in pinstripes.

Fortunately for Didi, the free-agent market for shortstops is pretty pathetic this offseason and the Yankees are in need of retaining a lefty bat or two. Given that Didi has excelled as a member of the organization in the past, the team should feel comfortable that another season removed from Tommy John surgery will benefit the 29-year-old infielder.

PREDICTION

As stated in a previous piece, Didi Gregorius will likely remain on the team and receive a deal worth somewhere around $14M AAV over three or four years.

Five Free Agents the New York Yankees Should Keep

Brett Gardner

Entering the 2019 MLB season, many believed it would be Brett Gardner‘s last as a member of the New York Yankees. Having spent his entire career in pinstripes, Gardy was 35 going on 36 and his hitting had suffered some in previous years.

No one could have imagined, however, that Gardner was about to have his best offensive season in MLB. So much so that he would beat out the team’s premier slugger, Aaron Judge, in home runs 28 to 27.

What’s more, he’d post a .829 OPS which is a career-high for the veteran left fielder.

Now, after an early exit in the postseason, Gardy wants to return and, quite frankly, I don’t blame him.

Fortunately for Gardner, Aaron Hicks will miss much of the season due to Tommy John Surgery, leaving the Yankees with an opening in the depth chart for an outfielder. And who better than Brett Gardner, right?

He still fields his position at an elite level, can suddenly hit for pop. and is perhaps the peskiest hitter in the Yankee lineup. What’s more, his veteran presence, especially after CC’s departure will mean a lot to an organization that has placed a high premium in team chemistry.

PREDICTION

Brett Gardner will sign a 1-year deal worth close to what he made in 2019, $7.5M – $8M.

Five Free Agents the New York Yankees Should Keep

Dellin Betances

Dellin Betances has the unique experience of being New York City-born and a home-grown member of the New York Yankees. What’s more, for his career, he is arguably the best relief pitcher of his era.

Don’t believe me?

How many relief pitchers have struck out 100 or more batters in five consecutive seasons? None.

Between 2014-2018, how many relievers have a higher fWAR than Betances? One; teammate Aroldis Chapman, even though Betances has appeared in 64 more games and tossed close to 100 more IP in that time span.

His ERA (2.22) and AVG against (.165) rank in the top 10 among MLB relievers, and his FIP (2.26) and K/9 (14.63) rank in the top five.

No one knows how the right-hander will look after missing just about all of the 2019 MLB season. However, given his prior experience, it would be foolish not to give him a shot.

PREDICTION

Dellin Betances will receive a deal worth around $10M (AAV) with options attached. The Yankees will not want to commit themselves to a relief pitcher with such a disturbing history with injuries. Do not be surprised if Betances decides to walk, thereby ending his time with the Bronx Bombers.