ORLANDO, Fla. — Last year at this time, the New York Yankees’ offseason was being held hostage by Scott Boras and Juan Soto. The club watched Willy Adames and Blake Snell, two players it had interest in, sign deals with other teams because the Yankees did not know what Soto would do and how much he would cost. This year, they are not waiting for one player to decide before figuring out the rest of their offseason.
They are interested in retaining outfielder Cody Bellinger, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman reaffirmed Sunday night at the Winter Meetings. Cashman spoke with Boras, Bellinger’s representative, on Saturday, the latest conversation in an ongoing dialogue with the super agent. The GM would not comment on whether he has made any offers to Boras, but he continues to state that a Bellinger return would be best for the Yankees.
“He was an impactful player for us last year, and we’d love to have him back,” Cashman said. “The one thing with (Trent) Grisham signing, we had two free agents that had left us in a very productive outfield between (Aaron) Judge, Cody and Grisham. We’ve got two of those three back. So that gives us some comfort, because obviously I have a lane that I can go with if the markets dictate that, but if I can find matches too that make enough sense — whether it’s free agents or challenge trades that pull me in a different direction — then we’re open-minded to that as well.
“Cody Bellinger would be a great fit for us. I think he’d be a great fit for anybody. He’s a very talented player that can play multiple positions at a high level and hits lefties, hits righties. He’s a contact guy, and I think our environment was a great one for him.”
But one issue with retaining Bellinger is that it would exacerbate the Yankees’ lineup imbalance with handedness. If Bellinger returns, six of the Yankees’ nine projected Opening Day starters would be left-handed hitters. That doesn’t include Jasson Domínguez and Oswaldo Cabrera, two switch hitters who fare considerably better from the left side of the plate, or J.C. Escarra, currently the backup catcher.
Last season, the Yankees had the second-fewest plate appearances by right-handed hitters against left-handed pitchers. Only the Washington Nationals had fewer plate appearances from their righty hitters versus lefty pitchers. Cashman tried fixing that problem by acquiring Amed Rosario, whom the Yankees have checked in on this offseason, and Austin Slater at the trade deadline.
Having a platoon advantage is generally a winning strategy, and it’s something the reigning American League champion Toronto Blue Jays heavily use game to game. When the Yankees did have a platoon advantage, their offense greatly benefited. Their 127 wRC+ was the second-best in the sport, behind only the Detroit Tigers and just in front of the Blue Jays.
The best right-handed hitters on the market this offseason are Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette and Pete Alonso. The problem for the Yankees is all three play positions that are occupied, and each player figures to be costly. That means to import quality right-handed hitters, the Yankees will likely explore the trade market.
“We are open-minded to challenge trades on a lot of our talented players because, yes, we are left-handed. That is a problem,” Cashman said. “Is it a problem that can be solved in the near term, or does it have to try to get solved over time? Last year, it took us till the deadline to add to what we had, which was (Giancarlo) Stanton and (Paul) Goldschmidt. Belli hits both lefties and righties, even though he’s left-handed. (Same with) Judge. But the deadline allowed us to bring in some other choices and give our manager some legitimate choices.”
“So we are evaluating potential challenge trades. They would be hard to pull off. … But because of the imbalance, yes, I’m certainly exploring if there are options.”
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Wilson Contreras is open to waiving his no-trade clause. Contreras had a 124 wRC+ last season and is one of the best righty bats who could be on the move this offseason. Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte could be traded, but second base is occupied with Jazz Chisholm Jr. Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm and Cincinnati Reds utilityman Spencer Steer could be fits on the trade market. But in general, the trade options appear limited, especially with Minnesota Twins star Byron Buxton not expected to be dealt.
J.C. Escarra had a .629 OPS in 84 at-bats last season with the Yankees. (Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
An obvious left-handed-hitting trade candidate for the Yankees to consider is Escarra. The Yankees had three lefty-hitting catchers last season with Austin Wells, Ben Rice and Escarra. Escarra is an elite framer and has pop in his bat. The Yankees traded Jose Trevino last offseason and were able to land Fernando Cruz, who became one of the club’s best relievers. But Cashman said he’s not going to bring in a righty catcher to simply have another righty on the bench.
“I’m not going to import a terrible right-handed-hitting catcher that can’t catch,” he said. “Catching is a very thin market.”
Cashman mentioning the possibility of “challenge trades” means that Chisholm could see his name pop up in trade rumors. He is entering the final year of team control before becoming a free agent at the end of next season. Generally, the Yankees do not agree to contract extensions before free agency, so it’s not expected they’ll sign Chisholm to a long-term deal this offseason.
But depending on whom the Yankees would get in a possible trade, they might be worse off if they did make a move. Chisholm became just the third player in franchise history to have a 30-30 season. By fWAR, only Nico Hoerner and Marte were more valuable second basemen.
“He is somebody who I think is currently part of the solution, someone who has made us better by getting him two deadlines ago and giving us athleticism,” Cashman said. “He’s above average. He’s an All-Star second baseman. Great defense. Steals bags. Power. All that stuff. So he’s been a good get. But at the same time, the collection of all, whether it’s third base, second base, first base, catcher, center field … they’re all left-handed. Again, we’ll be open-minded. My default is that these are all individually good players. We acquired them for a reason — because we wanted them — and they have been productive with us. … But the job is to be open-minded to anything, everything, regardless.”
If the Yankees plan on improving a clear roster weakness, Cashman will certainly need to be open-minded in both the free agency and trade markets.
