Yankees 2021-2022 Offseason Thread

[jacksonianmarch]

Another Ottavino type deal?

 

No, I think it could be bigger. They have a lot of guys with huge arms who would do well in short stints. I think Chad Green is as good as gone, IMO. And his return could be added to the pile for a guy like Castillo, if they want to add to the rotation, or could be used for Reynolds who Cashman apparently has a massive hard on for

[jacksonianmarch]

Right now, the Yanks are backwards in terms of their usual. They have historically been top heavy in the pen, shallow in the rotation and deep in the lineup. They're deep as hell in the pen, deep in the rotation and really shallow in the lineup with multiple glaring holes and nobody ready to fill them.

 

Our rotation right now is

 

Cole

Severino

Taillon

Montgomery

German

 

with Gil, Cortes, Schmidt and others in the wings. We can definitely improve on it, but that is a deep rotation with many options, a surefire ace in Cole, a wild card former ace in Sevy, and two solid mid rotation arms who could peak above that in Taillon and Monty. German is no slouch either.

 

But the lineup has no true CFer (Cash has admitted it), no SS (Cash has admitted that), and a very concerning, injury prone (and maybe chronically injured) 1B. Three major holes at spots with historically big production for the team. Heck, you can rattle off multiple HOF or near HOF level players from each of those positions.

[jacksonianmarch]

Heck, add catcher to that list as well. The guy I wanted was dealt to Detroit in Barnhart. I would love to see the Yanks bring in a veteran catcher with solid catching chops who can swing it a bit. Yan Gomes makes sense. We have some depth in Higgy and Sands, but we would need someone who could take the lions share of the starts and have the younger guys earn the job.

[jacksonianmarch]

Another trade partner would be Oakland for Olson. Yanks and A’s have dealt with each other many times in the past and Oakland is under pressure to lower salary

[moonslav59]

Another trade partner would be Oakland for Olson. Yanks and A’s have dealt with each other many times in the past and Oakland is under pressure to lower salary

 

Who do you trade for Olsen?

 

Could you try to get a pitcher, too?

[jacksonianmarch]

Who do you trade for Olsen?

 

Could you try to get a pitcher, too?

 

Depends. A's are one of the early investors in multi inning relievers. They always seem to like things that others dont

[notin]

Another trade partner would be Oakland for Olson. Yanks and A’s have dealt with each other many times in the past and Oakland is under pressure to lower salary

 

If the Yankees sign Corey Seager, Olson becomes less of a priority, especially since they still have Luke Voit lumbering around the clubhouse.

 

Until then, certainly I epxect the Yankees to be linked. But now that we have seen Detroit make a move, i would suspect the offensively-challenged Tigers to be linked to Olson as well, especially given their poor performances from the first basemen last off-season. (Superstar prospect Spencer Torkelson might have to move to DH.)

 

The Brewers are another team that could clearly use Olson, but unlike the Tigers and the Yankees, the cupboard below the MLB team is pretty barren.

 

If the Yankees make Jasson Dominguez untouchable (which might be a deal-breaker), BTV accepts a package of Oswald Peraza, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt (or another aof a few names).

 

Detroit could offer Tarik Skubal and Akil Baddoo, which BTV accepts. And probably better fits the A's needs

 

Milwaukee could offer Luis Urias (who has regained some of his lost luster) and 2021 first-rounder Sal Frelick. Urias plus Bryce Turang is an overpay per BTV, but probably more realistic. Although overall, it doesn't make me all waarn and fuzzy...

[moonslav59]

If the Yankees sign Corey Seager, Olson becomes less of a priority, especially since they still have Luke Voit lumbering around the clubhouse.

 

Until then, certainly I epxect the Yankees to be linked. But now that we have seen Detroit make a move, i would suspect the offensively-challenged Tigers to be linked to Olson as well, especially given their poor performances from the first basemen last off-season. (Superstar prospect Spencer Torkelson might have to move to DH.)

 

The Brewers are another team that could clearly use Olson, but unlike the Tigers and the Yankees, the cupboard below the MLB team is pretty barren.

 

If the Yankees make Jasson Dominguez untouchable (which might be a deal-breaker), BTV accepts a package of Oswald Peraza, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt (or another aof a few names).

 

Detroit could offer Tarik Skubal and Akil Baddoo, which BTV accepts. And probably better fits the A's needs

 

Milwaukee could offer Luis Urias (who has regained some of his lost luster) and 2021 first-rounder Sal Frelick. Urias plus Bryce Turang is an overpay per BTV, but probably more realistic. Although overall, it doesn't make me all waarn and fuzzy...

 

Wouldn't Seager play SS, Torres 2B and LeMahieu 1B? (Voit in the wings)

 

Why Olsen?

[notin]

Wouldn't Seager play SS, Torres 2B and LeMahieu 1B? (Voit in the wings)

 

Why Olsen?

 

I did state that acquiring Seager would lessen their interest in Olson, as he is the left-handed hitter they desperately need to replace Rizzo. I also suspect Torres might consider terminating his lease in the Bronx, and I suppose he might be part of a package for Oakland, either going directly there (extremely unlikely) or to a third team to get an enticing prospect (more likely, although probably not to Boston despite the fit). BTV doesn't give him much surplus value ($10.8mill), but he also does carry some name value and it's not like 2021 is representative of his entire career.

 

Maybe something like

 

Yankees get: Matt Olson (from A's), SS Yolbert Sanchez (from White Sox)

White Sox get: Gleyber Torres (from Yankees)

A's get: SS Oswald Pereza (from Yankees), OF Yoeklis Cespedes (from White Sox, younger brother of Yoenis), RHP Luis Gil (from Yankees)

 

BTV accepts it, and it clears up the Yankee infield problem you mentioned. It also makes some sense for all three teams, with the possibility that some players like Yolbert Sanchez can be substituted for by any of a bunch of others...

[jacksonianmarch]

I do not see the Yankees dealing Dominguez or Volpe. Every single other prospect is on the block, IMO.

 

And yes, Voit is still on this team, and yes, if healthy, he is a really solid 1b. But a few red flags here. He is an enormous human and is not a kid as he turns 31 in February. He had a meniscal tear repaired (ie they removed part of his meniscus). You don't generate new cartilage, once gone, it's gone forever. So he now has less cartilage in that knee and twice this past year, he "bruised his bone" running the bases. That tells me that, while they had to remove the flap of meniscus, he is dealing with an arthritic or repetitive use condition that his enormous body cannot handle. So, if he shows up to camp a slender 220lbs and running without pain, then I will happily eat my words. But I think Cashman is very much aware of the possible chronicity of his knee issues and will not go into 22 leaning on Voit to be a starter. I actually think there is a better chance that Voit isnt on the team (non tendered or traded) than there is he is on the team.

 

With that being said, Seager mans SS and Torres mans 2B. Lemahieu can handle either 3B or 1B. Yanks can go after Chapman or Olsen to fill out their infield. I think Urshela either stays on as a pure IF utility guy (unless a good trade partner is found) while Wade stays on as the swiss army knife. Worst case, you stick Urshela at 3b where he can play pretty sweet D, have Lemahieu play 1b. But I would rather add another lefty beyond Seager.

 

I also do not deal off Volpe. Volpe, IMO, looks like a strong bet to be a really good big league 2b. Torres has three more years of control and comes with his own concerns. I think it makes little sense to deal off Torres when his stock is low, but Volpe is the internal replacement if Torres falls off the face of the earth.

 

So that brings me to Olson. He is young, big power, good eye, really cleaned up his K issue and played half his games in the canyon of Oakland Coliseum. Coming to NY, he could be a 40+HR guy. Oakland likes certain qualities in prospects. They typically do not like long range prospects (like Dominguez). They are going to want to prioritize long term control, so no true veterans. They like velocity from their pen arms (Albert Abreu), versatile high impact position player prospects (Peraza) and a starter (Schmidt).

[jacksonianmarch]

I did state that acquiring Seager would lessen their interest in Olson, as he is the left-handed hitter they desperately need to replace Rizzo. I also suspect Torres might consider terminating his lease in the Bronx, and I suppose he might be part of a package for Oakland, either going directly there (extremely unlikely) or to a third team to get an enticing prospect (more likely, although probably not to Boston despite the fit). BTV doesn't give him much surplus value ($10.8mill), but he also does carry some name value and it's not like 2021 is representative of his entire career.

 

Maybe something like

 

Yankees get: Matt Olson (from A's), SS Yolbert Sanchez (from White Sox)

White Sox get: Gleyber Torres (from Yankees)

A's get: SS Oswald Pereza (from Yankees), OF Yoeklis Cespedes (from White Sox, younger brother of Yoenis), RHP Luis Gil (from Yankees)

 

BTV accepts it, and it clears up the Yankee infield problem you mentioned. It also makes some sense for all three teams, with the possibility that some players like Yolbert Sanchez can be substituted for by any of a bunch of others...

 

I doubt the Yanks would prioritize a guy like Sanchez when Volpe is still there. Also, I do not think Cash would sell low on Torres. Torres, when he is right, is an all star starter and not someone you should have to package two of your top 5 prospects with to get a guy with less control and similar upside.

 

If the Yanks deal Torres, it will be for someone willing to pay for the 2019 Torres and not the 2021 Torres. This is why I think Torres is going to man 2b for us this year. Getting him off SS is helpful and since he switched to 2b, he hit over .300 and had an OPS around .850.

[moonslav59]

I do not see the Yankees dealing Dominguez or Volpe. Every single other prospect is on the block, IMO.

 

And yes, Voit is still on this team, and yes, if healthy, he is a really solid 1b. But a few red flags here. He is an enormous human and is not a kid as he turns 31 in February. He had a meniscal tear repaired (ie they removed part of his meniscus). You don't generate new cartilage, once gone, it's gone forever. So he now has less cartilage in that knee and twice this past year, he "bruised his bone" running the bases. That tells me that, while they had to remove the flap of meniscus, he is dealing with an arthritic or repetitive use condition that his enormous body cannot handle. So, if he shows up to camp a slender 220lbs and running without pain, then I will happily eat my words. But I think Cashman is very much aware of the possible chronicity of his knee issues and will not go into 22 leaning on Voit to be a starter. I actually think there is a better chance that Voit isnt on the team (non tendered or traded) than there is he is on the team.

 

With that being said, Seager mans SS and Torres mans 2B. Lemahieu can handle either 3B or 1B. Yanks can go after Chapman or Olsen to fill out their infield. I think Urshela either stays on as a pure IF utility guy (unless a good trade partner is found) while Wade stays on as the swiss army knife. Worst case, you stick Urshela at 3b where he can play pretty sweet D, have Lemahieu play 1b. But I would rather add another lefty beyond Seager.

 

I also do not deal off Volpe. Volpe, IMO, looks like a strong bet to be a really good big league 2b. Torres has three more years of control and comes with his own concerns. I think it makes little sense to deal off Torres when his stock is low, but Volpe is the internal replacement if Torres falls off the face of the earth.

 

So that brings me to Olson. He is young, big power, good eye, really cleaned up his K issue and played half his games in the canyon of Oakland Coliseum. Coming to NY, he could be a 40+HR guy. Oakland likes certain qualities in prospects. They typically do not like long range prospects (like Dominguez). They are going to want to prioritize long term control, so no true veterans. They like velocity from their pen arms (Albert Abreu), versatile high impact position player prospects (Peraza) and a starter (Schmidt).

 

The last couple years, you couldn't stop gushing over Urshela.

 

You give up, real quick, on your guys.

[jacksonianmarch]

I like Urshela, but am also realistic as to his abilities. He was a utility guy for awhile for a reason. When he was hitting .290 with 20HRs, he was someone you could pencil in without worry. When he is barely OPSing .700 and missing games due to injury, you cannot. Yanks need to go for it this year and cannot risk having a typically productive position (3b) be manned by a bit of a wild card offensively.

[Bellhorn04]

The last couple years, you couldn't stop gushing over Urshela.

 

You give up, real quick, on your guys.

 

Red Sox fans are no different. Probably no fans are.

[jacksonianmarch]

Red Sox fans are no different. Probably no fans are.

 

Depends on where you are in the contention cycle. I expect the Yanks to make a massive push towards a title while overhauling their offense. I do not think you can rely on Urshela to be a solid contributor. Now, if you have him as a utility guy, someone gets hurt and he kicks ass, awesome.

[jacksonianmarch]

I am expecting the Yanks to trade for a CFer as well. Reynolds makes sense and as with Taillon, the Pirates value different credentials than the ranking systems do.

[Meh]

I like Urshela, but am also realistic as to his abilities. He was a utility guy for awhile for a reason. When he was hitting .290 with 20HRs, he was someone you could pencil in without worry. When he is barely OPSing .700 and missing games due to injury, you cannot. Yanks need to go for it this year and cannot risk having a typically productive position (3b) be manned by a bit of a wild card offensively.

 

I love Gio, but id sell on him too. I think you could get something pretty good for him while you can.

[Meh]

Rumors of Pereza, Voit, Garcia, and Wells for Matt Olson. Nothing confirmed.

[jacksonianmarch]

I am seeing that nowhere, BUT, it wouldnt surprise me at all. Oakland is all about value. If Voit can recover his value in 22, he will be dealt by 23 and they'll get value. Garcia would be a tougher loss, IMO. His mechanics failed him this year and maybe he has the yips now, but his stuff is superb. Not overly fast, but movement galore and enormous strikeouts for a kid his age. He would turn into something nasty in Oakland, might even become a CY candidate.

 

Wells isnt a big loss since he isnt really a catcher long term. But he is one of the few big power guys we have in the minors. Peraza would be the "prize" return, but honestly think the others in the deal have higher upsides.

[jacksonianmarch]

Now listen, beyond Volpe and Dominguez, everyone is on the table. We are at an apex point for this run that started in 17. We are now 5 years complete on our return to prominence after the lost in the woods years of 13-16 (I know they made a wild card play in, but we all knew they were not good enough). We have some big contracts that will need to be doled out (Judge being one) and if you go out and sign Seager and deal for another big player, you are all in. You've got maybe another 3-4 years of greatness from Cole at the top of the rotation. 40% of our rotation will be an FA after 22 with a third member possibly going that route if the Yanks decline the option (Sevy). You maximize 22-24 as the three years on top of the mountain, exceed all caps, deal with all penalties before you start breaking it down. You gotta win a title here and there is zero excuse for skimping at all.

[jacksonianmarch]

Or do the Yanks bite the bullet, save the farm a bit and sign Freeman? It seems Atlanta is playing hardball with him

[Bellhorn04]

Or do the Yanks bite the bullet, save the farm a bit and sign Freeman? It seems Atlanta is playing hardball with him

 

Needless to say he's a perfect fit. How high do you have to go to get him is the question.

Edited November 17, 2021 by Bellhorn04

[jacksonianmarch]

Looks like the Braves have offered a Goldschmidt extension at 5-135. He wants 6-200. I’d go 6-150 and call it a day.

 

Yanks need to maximize these next three years. Call it a cliff thereafter, whatever, they have to win while Judge is still a force

[notin]

Looks like the Braves have offered a Goldschmidt extension at 5-135. He wants 6-200. I’d go 6-150 and call it a day.

 

Yanks need to maximize these next three years. Call it a cliff thereafter, whatever, they have to win while Judge is still a force

 

Freeman, not Goldschmidt...

[notin]

I am expecting the Yanks to trade for a CFer as well. Reynolds makes sense and as with Taillon, the Pirates value different credentials than the ranking systems do.

 

And what will the Yankees be giving up for Reynolds?

 

Ben Cherington is a notorious prospect hoarder. If you have a player you think is off-limits, that will be undoubtedly what he wants and it will be non-negotiable.

 

Per BTV, Reynolds has a surplus value of $85mill. Using their system, the Yankees would need to trade Volpe and Dominguez and Gil to get Reynolds...

[jacksonianmarch]

Cherington didnt request a top 100 prospect for Taillon, even though the package netted fringe top 100 guy Contreras and really promising lower level player Escotto. As I have said many times and the trades Cashman keeps making bears out, the Yankees system is really, really deep. We might not have a top 20 prospect in all of baseball, but we back it up with plenty of INTL signees who bring the goods

[moonslav59]

Do we know what any other teams offered for Taillon?

[notin]

Cherington didnt request a top 100 prospect for Taillon, even though the package netted fringe top 100 guy Contreras and really promising lower level player Escotto. As I have said many times and the trades Cashman keeps making bears out, the Yankees system is really, really deep. We might not have a top 20 prospect in all of baseball, but we back it up with plenty of INTL signees who bring the goods

 

Those situations were completely different.

 

Taillon was frequently injured and eligible for arbitration for the second time, and was getting more and more expensive, and had missed all of 2020 with his second TJ surgery. And was only controlled for 2 years. Reynolds shows up for work every day and still makes minimum wage for another year, and is not eligible for free agency for 4 more years.

 

If the Yankees want Reynolds, the price will definitely include at least one player you don't want to give up...

[jacksonianmarch]

Wade, Odor, Frazier DFA’d. Surprised about Wade, to be honest.

[jacksonianmarch]

Nelson and Sands dealt for a bag of s***