The New York Yankees have had a very passive approach during the offseason.
Because of it, they have lost many, many free agent targets that have signed with other teams.
However, they still have the chance to save their offseason if they sign these three players after the lockout.
3. Carlos Rodon
The Yankees needed to improve the rotation after losing Corey Kluber to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Yes, they are getting Luis Severino back as a rotation piece, but he hasn’t had a regular workload since 2018.
The Yankees’ rotation currently has Gerrit Cole, Jordan Montgomery, Severino, Jameson Taillon, Nestor Cortes Jr., and Domingo German.
German is inconsistent and there are injury or workload questions surrounding Sevy, Taillon, and Cortes.
The group needs at least a couple of talented arms.
Now, they missed out on Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Kevin Gausman, Robbie Ray, Marcus Stroman, Noah Syndergaard, Eduardo Rodriguez, Anthony DeSclafani, Jon Gray, and many more top pitchers; but Carlos Rodon remains unsigned.
The talented lefty had a 2.37 ERA in 132.2 frames, but had some injury issues of his own late in the season.
If his medicals check out positively, the Yankees should definitely consider him.
2. Freddie Freeman
What are the chances Freddie Freeman signs for a team that is not the Atlanta Braves?
They have to be lower than five percent.
However, the fact that he remains unsigned at this point has to give other teams hope.
Yankees are definitely interested in Freddie Freeman but like most they have a hard time seeing the Braves let him get away (me: and if he does go, his hometown Dodgers make the most sense)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 30, 2021
The Yankees have Luke Voit at first base, and while he is talented and powerful, he is injury-prone and very bad defensively.
Freeman, 32, is one of the premier sluggers in the game and a model of consistency and durability.
He is coming off a season in which he hit .300/.393/.503 with 31 home runs, 120 runs scored, and 83 RBI.
He helped bring the first World Series title to Atlanta since 1995.
He is not what he used to be with the glove, but he is competent and much better than Voit.
He is said to be seeking a six-year deal worth at least $180 million.
If the Yankees don’t sign the guy ranked number one in this exercise, they should, by all means, make the effort and try to lure Freeman out of Atlanta.
1. Carlos Correa
Shortstop is the Yankees’ biggest need: they have recognized this, and they have stated that they will bring one in during the offseason.
They have also said they will spend if necessary.
That’s why it’s so baffling to see the Yankees take such a passive approach with so many clear needs and areas to improve.
They let the rest of the league sweep the market, and risk finishing the offseason empty-handed at the position.
Of the big five shortstop targets – Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Trevor Story, and Javier Baez – there are only two remaining: Correa and Story.
The Yankees should stop their passive ways and sign Correa when the lockout ends.
Correa is a major upgrade over Gleyber Torres, Tyler Wade, Andrew Velazquez, Gio Urshela, and every player the Yankees fielded at the position last season.
He is one of the very best shortstops in MLB at both facets of the game: he just won a Gold Glove, and he hit .279/.366/.485 with 26 homers, 104 runs, and 92 RBI.
Yankee fans, repeat after me:
The Yankees can afford BOTH Freddie Freeman and Carlos Correa. https://t.co/n61RNyHyFR
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) December 1, 2021
He will be expensive, yes, but he is the first step toward saving the offseason.
NEXT: Why Did The Yankees Move On From Clint Frazier?