New York Yankees aren’t done; 3 moves the team still must make

The New York Yankees finally have their ace. Now the focus shifts to these three moves team must make to prepare for the 2020 MLB season.

After signing Gerrit Cole to the richest contract for a pitcher in the history of baseball, it seemed as though the New York Yankees were finished making any major moves. With over three months remaining until the start of the 2020 season, however, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

While, for the most part, the pitching staff is set to go, some other areas are in need of being addressed sooner rather than later. Also, given the nature of Cole’s deal, the team would be wise to seek ways to shed some payroll.

So, here are three moves the New York Yankees must make before the coming season kicks off in March 2020.

First, they must find a center fielder; second, they must shed salary in order to negate as best as they could Cole’s incoming $36M salary; and finally, the team must settle on the corner infield positions.

These moves will not only enable the Yankees to field a complete team for the coming season, but it will also address the lack of depth the team suddenly has after Didi Gregorius’ departure.

Shed Happ’s Salary

I think it’s fair to say that J.A. Happ‘s tenure with the New York Yankees wasn’t quite what the team had hoped it would be. Having been brought at the 2018 trade deadline to combat the surging Boston Red Sox, Happ helped the Yankees make a postseason run that season. In fact, he was undefeated, going 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA and 1.052 in his 11 starts with the Yanks.

His postseason performance, however, against those Red Sox left people wondering why he was being referred to as a Red Sox neutralizer. In his only appearance of the 2018 postseason, against Boston Happ only managed to go 2 innings, allowing 4 H, 1 BB, and 5 ER.

Nevertheless, the Yankees opted to reward the veteran starter for his regular-season performance giving him a 2-year, $34M deal. For a while, the deal seemed to appear a fail. Through 25 starts, Happ had a 10-8 record with a 5.58 ERA and a .276 BA against.

His final six starts, however, showed a more polished pitcher. In that time, Happ went 2-0 with a 2.23 ERA and a .177 BA against. What’s more, the 2019 postseason featured the same type of pitcher, albeit from the bullpen. In 3 appearances, he allowed just a single run while posting a 2.45 ERA.

Given the nature of pitcher salaries, Happ’s $17M for one season is quite minuscule. Teams like the Los Angeles Angels, who were in on Happ last season and struck out on Stephen Strasburg and Gerrit Cole this season could use his services. Especially since they just awarded Anthony Rendon with a 7-year, $245M deal.

Happ’s deal is short, relatively inexpensive – Cole Hamels just got $18M by the Atlanta Braves – and manageable.

Settle on Corner Infielders

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After Didi Gregorius agreed to a 1-year, $14M deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, the writing was on the wall. Gleyber Torres was to move to shortstop and DJ LeMahieu back to his natural position at second base. The problem here is that the team lost their super-utility man in LeMahieu, who filled in at third base and first base at times and actually surprised folks at how good he was in both positions.

Now, sure, the New York Yankees do have options at both first base and third base. There’s Luke Voit, who has one of the fiercest bats in the lineup; Gio Urshela, who surprised both defensively and offensively at third last season; and then there’s the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Miguel Andujar. to the 2020 MLB season, the team will have to decide how to proceed at these positions. Before that, they’ll have to answer two essential questions.

1. Can Voit (-6 DRS) and Andujar (-25 DRS, 2018) improve defensively?
2. Can Urshela sustain the level of play he displayed in 2019?

An interesting option the team can take next season if the aforementioned questions are answered in the affirmative is to…

• Keep Voit at first
• Keep Urshela at third
• Seek trades for Andujar, for prospects or a DH bat

Now, while all of these are good problems to have, it is essential for Brian Cashman and the front office to settle these three questions before the start of the 2020 season. The good news, he’s got 3-months to do it.