3 Shortstops Yankees Can Acquire This Offseason

Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros celebrates his three-run home run against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning in game four of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 17, 2019 in New York City. — (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said, in a media appearance, that the team will look for an upgrade at shortstop during the offseason.

That means they will stick with Gleyber Torres, who started the year at the position, at second base, and he will not return to shortstop in 2022.

Torres wasn’t good with the bat nor the glove in 2021, so the Yankees are left looking for alternatives.

Top prospects Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza are very promising, but are a year or two away.

The Yankees do have several alternatives in a strong free agent market for shortstop.

They could target these three.

3. Carlos Correa

At least a portion of Yankees fans have some beef with Carlos Correa because he was part of that 2017 Houston Astros team that stole signs, not to mention he has hit several crucial hits against them in the postseason.

But the best players put teams in position to win, and Correa is one of the best shortstops in the league.

This year, he slashed .279/.366/.485 and a .850 OPS with 26 home runs and 92 RBI.

He is also hitting .324/.410/.500 with a .910 OPS during the 2021 playoffs.

For his career, Correa has 18 postseason home runs and 55 RBI.

He is 26 years old, which makes it all the more impressive.

With top-end offense and incredible defense at shortstop, Correa makes for a perfect option to take over as the Yankees shortstop.

Yankees have begun their offensive. They want Correa. He could transform that team.

— Terry Gaschen (@gaschen) October 21, 2021

He will command at least an eight or nine-year deal, though.

2. Javier Baez

The Yankees were, according to Andy Martino of SNY, very interested in Javier Baez at the trade deadline.

They ended up swinging and missing, opting to upgrade other positions instead.

Baez went to the Mets, where he had a stellar showing: .299/.371/.515 with nine homers and a .886 OPS.

He is expected to prioritize the Mets in contract talks this winter.

However, if he fails to come to an agreement to stay in Flushing, he could be an option for the Yankees.

It remains to be seen how far the Yankees go when it comes to years of commitment, but he is an option.

Baez is a top defensive shortstop with power and speed, albeit with issues getting on base.

1. Corey Seager

Corey Seager is perhaps the best fit for the Yankees lineup: a sweet-swinging lefty-hitting who plays in a position of need.

Seager, the 2020 World Series MVP, hit .306/.394/.521 with a .915 OPS in 2021 and has some pop, too.

The problem with Seager is that he is not seen as a good defensive shortstop.

In fact, he may require a move from the position in the short-term.

For the Yankees, it would be perfect because he could be the shortstop for a couple of years until top prospects Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza are ready.

But it remains to be seen if the Los Angeles Dodgers let Seager walk, as they rarely lose on top free agents of their own.