The New York Yankees should be able to bring in some reinforcements for the 2022 campaign after a Wild Card exit in 2021.
Fans are getting anxious, as the franchise hasn’t won a title since 2009.
They need a few talented players in specific positions to gain a competitive edge.
These free agents can provide that extra the team is missing.
3. Carlos Correa
The New York Yankees need a shortstop.
General manager Brian Cashman said it himself: the team will look for a shortstop this offseason because Gleyber Torres, who opened the season there, is a better fit at second base and will stay there.
Torres, who hit .259/.331/.366 in 2021, was much better after moving to second, presumably because he was more loose and relaxed without the pressure of handling a position that it’s obviously not his best.
The Yankees have Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe in the minor leagues, but they likely won’t be ready for the start of the season and will need more seasoning on the farm.
The Yankees also need an impact bat and a superior defender in short, and Carlos Correa fills those needs.
He hit .279/.366/.485 with 26 home runs, 104 runs, and 92 RBI in 2021, and was one of the best defensive shortstops in the league.
Granted, there is some beef between Correa and the Yankees from his playoff appearances with the Houston Astros (and the 2017 sign-stealing scandal), but if New York wants to win, they need the best players.
Correa is one of the best players available, and fills a position of need.
The final four shortstops of the 2021 season.
Carlos Correa: 134 wRC+
Corey Seager: 147 wRC+
Xander Bogaerts: 130 wRC+
Dansby Swanson: 98 wRC+Two are available. The Yankees need to get one. pic.twitter.com/U71PsrN6uV
— Joe (@Yankeelibrarian) November 3, 2021
2. Chris Taylor
The Yankees need a center fielder, because there are no guarantees about Aaron Hicks’ health and Brett Gardner doesn’t profile as a regular anymore.
Chris Taylor is a well-above average hitter (.254/.344/.438, 20 homers, 13 steals with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021) who can play lots of positions defensively, including center field.
If they sign Taylor (or a worthwhile alternative, albeit more expensive, in Starling Marte), the Yankees shouldn’t need to play Aaron Judge or Joey Gallo at center should something happens to Hicks.
They can also send Hicks to a corner if his defense isn’t good.
Taylor can provide the Yankees with some much-needed stability without damaging their offense or defense.
He also performed very well in the playoffs, and has lots of experience there.
He should definitely be a name to watch for the Yankees.
1. Kevin Gausman
The Yankees have Gerrit Cole, Jordan Montgomery, Domingo German, Nestor Cortes Jr., Jameson Taillon, and Luis Severino under contract for 2022.
However, there are workload concerns with Severino, since he hasn’t pitched a lot since 2018, and injury issues with Taillon, who may not be ready for Opening Day.
The Yankees need more depth anyway, but given Sevy and Taillon’s situations, they need to make sure to bring in at least a top arm.
Robbie Ray and Carlos Rodon are options, but they should be very, very expensive as Cy Young candidates.
Kevin Gausman was brilliant for the San Francisco Giants, and his mediocre second half (4.42 ERA) could actually lower his value.
He was brilliant in the first half (1.73 ERA in 114.2 frames) so he could have just shown the effects of fatigue.
In any case, his full season numbers were very attractive: 2.81 ERA in 192 episodes, and he was brilliant in 2020 too (3.62 ERA).
Kevin Gausman has to be a Yankees free agent target this winter, he's familiar with the AL East from his years in Baltimore, has a track record of good health
— Isaac (@isaacfromFL) October 11, 2021
The Yankees should be interested in him if the price (and, above all, the commitment length) is right.
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