3 moves for the New York Yankees this offseason
The New York Yankees have a certain standard to uphold. Reaching the postseason is not enough – they are expected to reach the World Series. While George Steinbrenner is not there any longer, and his constant demands to win are not being vocalized, the expectations are still the same amongst the fanbase.
However, the Yankees have not made their way back to the World Series since 2009. Although they managed to win 92 games last year, the season was marked more by their insistence on dipping under the luxury tax than in getting the pieces needed to take a run at a championship.
Three moves for the New York Yankees this offseason
This offseason should be different. The Yankees are under the luxury tax, and no matter what it may be in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, their penalty has been reset. They are ready to spend and to be the force they had been in free agency in the past. At least, as long as ownership does not get in the way.
The New York Yankees are in the midst of one of their longest championship droughts in franchise history. Let’s look at three moves they can make to get back there.
Move on from Gary Sanchez
The New York Yankees have been dancing around the Gary Sanchez question for years.
During the previous offseason, there were questions as to whether or not he would even be tendered a contract. Ultimately, he was brought back, but again lost playing time to Kyle Higashioka. The constant movement in and out of the lineup, and the questions about his future with the team, have eroded his performance.
Frankly, the time to trade Sanchez was during the previous offseason. He only has one year of team control left, and his continually waning performance is not going to get the Yankees much of a return.
But he could be useful as part of a trade package. There are enough teams in need of a catcher that someone may take a chance that Sanchez can rediscover his form with a change of scenery. A team such as the Marlins, for example, could work as a landing spot.
The New York Yankees need to make a decision behind the plate. It is time for Gary Sanchez to head elsewhere.
Sign Corey Seager
The New York Yankees have been linked to Corey Seager since the start of the offseason. They need to make that happen.
General manager Brian Cashman specifically pointed out that shortstop was an area that needed to be addressed in free agency. Gleyber Torres is being shifted to second, leaving short wide open for a key addition.
Seager would be exactly that. Although he may never be a Gold Glove winner, he would be better defensively at short than Torres. His power bat is sorely needed in the Yankees’ lineup, as is his ability to work a count and make contact. While the Yankees as a whole were reliant upon the home run last year, Seager would give the team a different dynamic in the lineup, and one that they need more of.
There are some concerns. Seager has struggled to stay healthy at times, although his broken hand last season can be considered a fluke. Nonetheless, his left handed bat would help balance the lineup, and with the short porch at Yankee Stadium, he could have a truly explosive breakout season.
The New York Yankees have made it a point to say that shortstop is a priority and they have been considered the most likely landing spot for Corey Seager. It is time to make that happen.
Bring Masahiro Tanaka back to the Bronx
It was a shock when Masahiro Tanaka and the New York Yankees parted ways last offseason. It was even more of a shock when Tanaka signed a two year deal to return to Japan. Even though pitchers usually return to Japan to finish out their career, Tanaka does not seem to have that mindset.
That deal may not have been what it seemed at the time. There is an opt-out clause where Tanaka can void the final year of his contract, presumably with an eye towards returning stateside. Considering his frustration with how the season ended for the Rakuten Golden Eagles, and that he feels he has unfinished business stateside, a return is possible.
It is also a chance for the Yankees to right a wrong. Instead of keeping Tanaka, they opted for Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon, hoping that two arms for that price would make more of a difference. Taillon battled bouts of ineffectiveness while Kluber missed a large chunk of the season due to injury.
There is certainly an opening in the rotation for a pitcher such as Tanaka. They need a solid second option behind Gerrit Cole, and Tanaka can be exactly that. While they may still need another arm for the rotation, bringing Tanaka back would be a great start.
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The New York Yankees never should have let Masahiro Tanaka leave last offseason. They may have a chance to right that wrong this year.