Here are some of the hot stove-related highlights from Yankees GM Brian Cashman’s chat with reporters (including ESPN New York’s Wallace Matthews and MLB.com’s Barry M. Bloom) on Monday…
- Acquiring a shortstop is atop Cashman’s list, but he says, “I think it’s a limited market to be honest, and I say limited in terms of availability and acquisition cost.” Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News has a source saying that beyond Troy Tulowitzki, the Yankees are “kicking the tires” on the Rangers’ Elvis Andrus and the Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins. “I don’t think this past season reflects what his true ability is,” said Cashman of free agent Stephen Drew, and the GM has already spoken with Drew’s agent. Beyond Drew, Feinsand says the Yanks don’t seem inclined to pay up for Hanley Ramirez and Asdrubal Cabrera and Jed Lowrie aren’t high on their list.
- The Yankees have had “a brief conversation” with Chase Headley and “we’re certainly looking forward to continuing the dialogue,” says Cashman. Given doubts about Alex Rodriguez’s ability to play third base every day in 2015, the Yankees are making a “strong push” to sign Headley, according to Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com.
- Cashman thinks Hiroki Kuroda is going through his standard post-season “mental cleansing process” and will soon make a decision about whether or not he wants to return in 2015. Cashman would “be surprised if he doesn’t play,” though isn’t sure if Kuroda will pitch in MLB or Japan.
- Cashman will speak with David Robertson’s agent during the GM Meetings, and was hesitant to discuss the Yankees’ closer situation until those talks had taken place. “I would have no clue what [Robertson’s] market value is going to be,” Cashman said. “Certainly, they’ll have an idea. They turned down the qualifying offer based on a lot of parameters, I’m sure, [and] some discussions they’ve already had. It’s hard to tell.“
- Two of the club’s statistical analysts pushed Cashman to re-sign Chris Young. “They felt, from an analytical standpoint, his year wasn’t as bad as it played out, that there was a potential bounce-back situation with it. We signed him up on what we think is a fair-market value, fourth-outfielder type contract,” Cashman said.
- Young’s signing may be the last outfield-related move the Yankees make this winter. “I think right now, we’re kind of settled in the outfield unless something surprising happens in the case of a trade, which I wouldn’t anticipate,” Cashman said. As Bloom notes, this would seem to close the book on any chance of Ichiro Suzuki re-signing with New York.
I predict Kuroda goes back to Japan for one last year before retiring. IIRC, that was something he said he would like to do.
Beltran all year in right field? I don’t see that.
Prado and Young will get plenty of reps in RF, I’m sure of it.
Most likely they ride him until he gets injured. He has remained surprisingly healthy over his career. If they can get a ss and 3b, then they will have flexibility as the season goes on. Flores/Austin can fill in there later on, and Ref can cover 2B for prado early if he goes down.
I don’t Beltran playing more than 100 games in RF this year. They can DH him, play Young and Prado, and move A-Rod to first a bit to play Headley more if they sign him. Austin is playing well in the fall league his time has come. I also like Judge, but he needs some more minor league playing time at higher levels. Bird has also looked great in the fall league.
Maybe someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I just don’t see the point in giving Robertson a multi-year deal, possibly worth $30-50MM. Why not use Betances as your closer? It’s not as if the Yankees are hurting for bullpen pieces anyway, they’ll have plenty especially if they decide to bring up Jacob Lindgren in 2015. Robertson is nice yes, but why spend the money on him when you could potentially use it bring back McCarthy or someone else to plug in at shortstop?
1.) Betances has never closed before,
2.) Moving Betances to closer would probably cost the team a few wins because he’s their best fireman.
3.) D-Rob is excellent and has proven himself in NY and having Delin before him shortens the game considerably.
4.) Do you really want Warren or Kelley in the 8th inning all year?
Warren had a great year, I’d have no problem with that.
He was good, then he blew up due to arm fatigue and it took a bit to get back on track. I’d prefer to not have him as the primary 8th inning man all year.
They Yanks can get a guy like Gregerson for about 3/15, I would get him whether they get Robby or not.
I’ve thought the same thing, Gregerson would be a good grab, or perhaps Miller.
I also hope Lindgren makes the team.
I like your point #2 the best. There are some that believe a closer shouldn’t be used in innings only labeled with a 9, but instead in the highest leverage positions late in the game. Having two pitchers capable of closing essentially gives you the freedom to employ both of those strategies. Betances puts out the fires, Robertson closes the door. You would think Yankee fans of all people would recognize the importance of a strong, dependable bullpen.
What if, and of course this is hypothetical, the Yankees signed Andrew Miller to set up and use Betances as the closer? I understand Robertson has proven himself in NY, but Miller would be far cheaper. Plus, he could even close if need be. I’m not opposed to the Yankees re-signing Robertson, I’m not, but I don’t think it’s in their best interest at the moment.
The only thing it would change would it shifts everywhere else. Moving Betances to the 9th suddenly opens up all those situations where he was the fireman. Something else to consider is that Betances becoming closer now is going to cost several million more in payroll when he heads through arbitration. Honestly though I think they need focus on other spots before that much money for Drob.
It’s going to be along winter….were out worrying about 4th outfielders meanwhile, no SS no 2nd 2/5 rotation and no RF (assuming Beltran DH/Prado 3rd.) we need a big winter. Yankees have money take advantage of it, why not… We always spend $$ for championships now all of a sudden cashman isn’t
Prado’s our 2B. Why in the world do you think he’d play 3rd?
He was a third baseman
he became the 2B with Headley already at 3B, Arod will be involved in the 3B/DH now too.
Refsnyder is the most rooted guy for 2b and prado will be shifted between 3rd,2nd and outfield and might DH too sometimes. He is to help reduce the wear and tear of older guys!
Prado is a good player to have on your team, he is a professional. I saw Refsnyder when played for Arizona in college. He is a Jeter type make up guy who can hit, but his fielding has held him back.
Can’t blame refsnyder for his defence as he was a outfielder but for the need of the team he changed his position!
I doubt Prado will see many at bats for DH. Teix, Beltran and A-Rod will see most of those while Prado can sub in for them in the field.
It’s not happening but I wouldn’t mind it if they made Prato a SS (assuming they re-signed Headley and put Refsnyder at 2B).
Prado will probably see the most at bats at SS, the Yankees don’t really seem too interested in what’s out there for SS, they seem more interested in 3B and getting Headley (or secretly Hanley). Prado could stick it out at short until they find a better long term solution. In a sense it’s like when they handed over the reign from Mo to Robertson and even then the FO wasn’t to set on doing that at first. Prado really should be our super utility player tho not a set position player, he can pretty much give every one a chance to rest without using the DH slot as a day off in seasons past.
Also still have Brendan Ryan on the roster so in the latter innings at least he can be there for defense.
Hopefully their defense looks something like this
C – McCann
1B – Tex/A-Rod
2B – Ref
SS – Prado
3B – Headley
L/C/R – Gardner/Ellsbury/Beltran/Young
DH- Beltran/A-Rod
Bench – Young, Cervelli, Ryan and probably another IFer.
But again, I just don’t see them making Prado the SS.
Though if they re-sign Drew, then that puts Prado at 2B, Drew at SS, and Ref probably to the bench.
The Yankees have been pretty quite on the SS front, they have been linked to maybe seek a trade for Andrus and Alexi. They definitely want an offense boost and Lowrie, Drew, and Cabrera don’t seem to be on the Yankees radar for that reason. I guess they figure Prado/Ryan can handle the load and for glove first SS might as well stick with Ryan and keep payroll down and spend in other areas of need.
Andrus isn’t much of an offensive player, especially at that price.
True but the Yankees may be trying to see if they can get Texas to eat some of that contract if he comes cheaper then the free agent SS’s. But Andrus has a higher oWar then Lowrie, A. Cabrera, and Drew recently do.
Wish knew how much they were willing to spend.
I would like the Yanks to take a look into signing a guy like Melky or Tomas. I just can’t see Beltran as the everyday RF next season. He’s built to DH. Also start Refsnyder at second because Prado’s real value is that he can play everywhere and that will definitely come in handy. He’ll still get his at-bats
Yanks are not going to spend any more money on outfielders this year. They have Beltran-Prado this year, with Austin as a possible back up. Next year they will have Austin and Judge ready to take that spot.