Yankees 2020 offseason thread

[Bellhorn04]

Outside of a rumor that the Yanks were expected to re-sign Lemahieu, there has been absolutely no Yankee chatter. This is a weird, weird offseason

 

The last few offseasons have been slow. This one probably will be even more so. It's only December 2, though.

[jacksonianmarch]

Yanks are rumored to be close with Kluber.

 

This is both intriguing and terrifying as a Yankee fan. This early in the offseason, it makes me wonder if we are paying for the Kluber of 18 and not the one who has been a zero for two years runnings.

 

The other terrifying issue here is that, this early in the offseason, Kluber would presumably be penciled into the rotation. That’s entirely fine on a losing team, but on a team primed to contend for the WS, counting on him from day 1 seems like a fools errand. My hope is they’re signing him to compete with Garcia, Montgomery, and German for the final 3 spots in the rotation and we sign an eventual number two (or even just bring back Tanaka).

 

The upside here is clearly tremendous. He’s had one fluke injury followed by a wear and tear injury. His ability to bounce back will be interesting for sure, but if we see even some flashes of his CY capability, then any deal for him is a home run. Really interesting to see this rumor come out so early. Very intrigued

[jacksonianmarch]

Zach Wheeler expected to be dangled due to Phillies financial crunch. This is the kind of deal the Yanks should make

[notin]

Zach Wheeler expected to be dangled due to Phillies financial crunch. This is the kind of deal the Yanks should make

 

Update.

 

Zack Wheeler reportedly not available...

[jacksonianmarch]

Yanks are apparently claiming covid losses as a reason for fiscal frugality. Expected to let Tanaka walk. Planning to sign a lower cost starter to fill his void. f*** you Yanks if true

[moonslav59]

Yanks are apparently claiming covid losses as a reason for fiscal frugality. Expected to let Tanaka walk. Planning to sign a lower cost starter to fill his void. f*** you Yanks if true

 

Closing the window, when bargains should be plentiful is unforgivable for a team like the Yanks.

[jacksonianmarch]

Closing the window, when bargains should be plentiful is unforgivable for a team like the Yanks.

 

100%.

[moonslav59]

100%.

 

So, you switching to the Mets or Sox?

[jacksonianmarch]

Of course not. It’s just not forgivable

[Bellhorn04]

Yanks are apparently claiming covid losses as a reason for fiscal frugality. Expected to let Tanaka walk. Planning to sign a lower cost starter to fill his void. f*** you Yanks if true

 

It's a little early to be thinking that way, no? They did exercise that rather expensive swellopt thing on Britton.

[notin]

Yanks are apparently claiming covid losses as a reason for fiscal frugality. Expected to let Tanaka walk. Planning to sign a lower cost starter to fill his void. f*** you Yanks if true

 

Or it's a negotiating ploy to encourage Tanaka to lower his price tag...

[Kimmi]

Yanks are apparently claiming covid losses as a reason for fiscal frugality. Expected to let Tanaka walk. Planning to sign a lower cost starter to fill his void. f*** you Yanks if true

 

I am sure that Yankees (and most other teams) can afford whatever/whomever they want. That said, I am a little bothered by any team that has laid of everyday regular type employees because of the 'need to cut costs', then goes out and spends tens or hundreds of millions on players who don't need the money.

 

I'm still not happy about Sale getting his TJS during a crisis.

 

OK, end of rant.

[jacksonianmarch]

Still intrigued by the absolute lack of any rumor beyond speculation that DJ is the priority this offseason.

 

While he’s the offensive straw that stirs the drink, pitching wins championships. We’ve got arguably the best pitcher in the game to start the rotation and a pretty solid 3-6, but unless someone from that group ascends to the 2 slot, we are gonna struggle again in the POs when Cole isn’t pitching. Montgomery is a solid 4-5 guy. German, when the rust is kicked off, is a solid 3. Garcia will likely begin the year as the 5, and maybe he ends up as a 2, but 2021 is essentially his rookie campaign. I sincerely hope Cashman isn’t putting all his eggs in the Severino basket. With TJS, setbacks happen. While his timeline suggests he should be fully recovered and back to normal (18 months) by the playoffs, you cannot count on that in December for a playoff bound team. I enjoyed Tanaka. He’s been really good in the playoffs. Maybe they want power rather than finesse?

[Bellhorn04]

Still intrigued by the absolute lack of any rumor beyond speculation that DJ is the priority this offseason.

 

While he’s the offensive straw that stirs the drink, pitching wins championships. We’ve got arguably the best pitcher in the game to start the rotation and a pretty solid 3-6, but unless someone from that group ascends to the 2 slot, we are gonna struggle again in the POs when Cole isn’t pitching. Montgomery is a solid 4-5 guy. German, when the rust is kicked off, is a solid 3. Garcia will likely begin the year as the 5, and maybe he ends up as a 2, but 2021 is essentially his rookie campaign. I sincerely hope Cashman isn’t putting all his eggs in the Severino basket. With TJS, setbacks happen. While his timeline suggests he should be fully recovered and back to normal (18 months) by the playoffs, you cannot count on that in December for a playoff bound team. I enjoyed Tanaka. He’s been really good in the playoffs. Maybe they want power rather than finesse?

 

Hal sets the budget for Cash quite rigidly. Wouldn't let him do a thing at last year's deadline.

 

It's not really a big surprise if there's only enough room in Hal's big dollar pie for DJ.

 

So Cash might have to roll the dice on the rotation. Or maybe he'll swing a trade for a starter.

[jacksonianmarch]

Rolling the dice on the rotation is what we’ve done since CC became mortal in 2012. Hasn’t really worked out in our favor

[jacksonianmarch]

Yanks rumored to Taillon and Bell. First off, that would mean dealing Voit, which I am not opposed to. Bell had a hell of a 2019, then fell off in 2020. Hard to say if that is due to the shortened year or not, but it would be a risk. Also, Bell really should be a DH. He is one of the worst 1b's defensively in baseball. But he would balance out a RHH lineup and lefties in YS seem to shine. Taillon would be an intriguing guy to go after, seeing as he missed all of 2020. He is a power righty with good command, reasonable HR numbers and good but not elite K numbers. The issue for me is that he's only had one really healthy year (2018) where he threw over 190IP. He would enter 2021 fully healthy and ready to roll, but dealing a HR champion who is under control on the cheap for a definite downgrade at 1b and a hopeful #2 in the rotation with major question marks seems difficult for me to process. The Pirates want a motherlode for Taillon, but dealing 3 yrs of Voit might be an overpay. I am sure they would throw Bell in for mostly anyone since it's PIT, he is going into his second to last arb season and sucked ass in 2020

[moonslav59]

I have high hopes the Sox somehow acquire Taillon. Maybe we take on Polanco's contract to sweeten the deal. Bell to the Sox could also be part of a trade, but Adam Frazier could be a more reasonable addition to a deal with the Sox.

 

On the BTV site, I proposed a 3 way deal with TB, Pitt & the Sox, where the Sox get Kiermaier from TB and Taillon & Frazier from Pitt. TB gets Vazquez, and Pitt gets Baz or Fleming and someone from us- maybe Chavis, Chatham or Groome or 2 of the 3.

[jacksonianmarch]

Luis Castillo is on the market. High price, but that’s an arm I’d want

[notin]

Luis Castillo is on the market. High price, but that’s an arm I’d want

 

He'll cost you Torres, Garcia and probably another. Although taking back, say, Moustakas, might soften the blow a little...

[jacksonianmarch]

Torres is worth more than Castillo.

 

It’s cost us Garcia, Schmidt and more, but we could get it done. I just don’t know if it’s worth it

[moonslav59]

Torres is worth more than Castillo.

 

It’s cost us Garcia, Schmidt and more, but we could get it done. I just don’t know if it’s worth it

 

Castillo >>> Torres

 

Castillo >>> Garcia, Schmidt, Dominguez & Severino

 

[jacksonianmarch]

That’s insane.

[Bellhorn04]

Castillo >>> Torres

 

Castillo >>> Garcia, Schmidt, Dominguez & Severino

 

 

Per Baseball Trade Values?

[jacksonianmarch]

If so, then the site is rubbish. Torres is 24 vs Castillo’s 28. Torres is a middle infielder vs Castillo being a pitcher. Torres is coming off a down shortened season, but his last full season saw him slugging 38 HR with a near .900 OPS as a middle infielder. Torres also carries an extra year of control. It’s literally mind boggling to consider Castillo as having more value

[moonslav59]

Per Baseball Trade Values?

 

Likely, yes. I didn't check.

 

I'm pretty sure Cincy would say no to the first one.

[Bellhorn04]

BTV says:

 

Luis Castillo 114.8

Gleyber Torres 73.0

[mvp 78]

If so, then the site is rubbish. Torres is 24 vs Castillo’s 28. Torres is a middle infielder vs Castillo being a pitcher. Torres is coming off a down shortened season, but his last full season saw him slugging 38 HR with a near .900 OPS as a middle infielder. Torres also carries an extra year of control. It’s literally mind boggling to consider Castillo as having more value

 

Castillo had higher fWAR in 2018, 2019, 2020.

 

Torres was the 60th percentile for fWAR for 2b (qualified) over that timeframe worse if you use SS. Castillo was 72nd percentile for fWAR for SP (qualified) over that timeframe.

[mvp 78]

Other players better than Torres 2018-2020: Polanco, Chris Taylor, Segura.

 

Torres is basically Jonathan Villar just on a more marketable franchise.

[notin]

Other players better than Torres 2018-2020: Polanco, Chris Taylor, Segura.

 

Torres is basically Jonathan Villar just on a more marketable franchise.

 

Well, Torres just finished his age 23 season with a career total of 8.3 fWAR. After his age 23 season, Villar was worth -0.3 fWAR....

[mvp 78]

Well, Torres just finished his age 24 season with a career total of 8.3 fWAR. After his age 23 season, Villar was worth -0.3 fWAR....

 

For their age 24 season:

 

Torres had a .2 fWAR

Villar had a .2 fWAR