The Yankees aren’t known for having quiet offseasons, yet their relative lack of moves this winter isn’t just the calm before the storm, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News writes. “There’s a reason they haven’t been attached to any big free agent. They’re not in on them,” one Major League executive tells Feinsand. Another exec says the Yankees are being truthful when they say they’re not planning to add to their payroll, as “that’s what they’ve been telling everybody publicly and privately.” Here’s some more from the Bronx…
- The Yankees “said they had a real interest in [Chris] Davis” earlier in the year, a source tells George A. King III of the New York Post, but backed off since “he wants Teixeira money.” Mark Teixeira’s eight-year, $180MM deal would certainly seem to be well above the Yankees’ current comfort zone, and it could be a stretch in general as MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes projected Davis for a six-year, $144MM deal. (Then again, Davis’ agent Scott Boras was also the one who negotiated Teixeira’s contract back in 2008.) King hears that the Blue Jays have been linked to Davis in “chatter.”
- Also from King, the Marlins “have liked” Yankees pitchers Bryan Mitchell and Adam Warren, with Miami looking at Mitchell as a starter and Warren in the bullpen. While both arms are interesting trade chips, King notes that it would obviously take a lot more for the Yankees to obtain a major Marlins player like Marcell Ozuna.
- If the Yankees are to meet their goal of obtaining a quality starter in his pre-arb years, an AL executive tells King that dealing Andrew Miller might be the only way. “Nobody else they have, especially if they aren’t going to trade their top prospects, brings that young starter back but Miller,” the exec said. Joel Sherman of the New York Post opines that in return for Miller, the Bombers would demand a pitcher at least as well-regarded as Eduardo Rodriguez, who the Red Sox obtained for Miller at the 2014 trade deadline.
- Also from Sherman’s piece, he hears from a rival executive who asked the Yankees about Nathan Eovaldi this winter, though “talks did not progress far.” The fact that GM Brian Cashman was willing to discuss Eovaldi at all is a sign, Sherman opines, that the club is truly open to hearing all options to upgrade the roster.
- Sherman notes that the Cubs still consider Brett Gardner one of several backup options if they’re unable to land another center field target. A Gardner-for-Starlin Castro rumor surfaced last month though the Yankees were said to want pitching in a Gardner deal.
No more George to get out there swinging the checkbook. I think the FO is looking rationally at the past. Most of their major signings just haven’t performed at anywhere near a level that they were priced at, and the Yankees seem less willing to go all in for one championship. As a fan, I’d be more jazzed up with younger players. A thirty-something signing–not all that much.
I don’t really see how Davis makes sense, but I’m sure this was the case before Bird emerged since it happened earlier in the year. I also don’t really see the fit with Ozuna, but acquiring young talent that could break out is never bad. Still wondering how the Yankees are going to find this young cost-controlled starter that they’ve been looking for. I also doubt it will be Jose Fernandez 😛
What’s the point of moving eovaldi. He’s young and pitched fine last year and a lot better in the middle till he got hurt.
George gave us the dig days of 82-94 then stick build those core 5 teams. Hal and Cashman doing the same now. Not signing over priced free agents is a good think. George to emotional I loved his enthusiasm but he knew nothing about baseball just reacted
Stick did it while George paid for by far the highest payroll in baseball. Hal is spending far less in comparison.
*dog
Baloney Stick build the farm system best Yankee years were a result of Georges suspension.
You are right my friend
sure, all credit to stick michael for building the system, but don’t kid yourself: george signed off on the highest payroll in baseball through the dynasty years, too.
Davis on the Blue Jays would just be nuts. Four 40 home run hitters.
Stick’s influence still carries a lot of weight in the organization. It’s good Cash is thinking along the same lines as Michael did in the early 90s when the Core guys were coming up. I’d rather see this crop get a shot rather than trading them away. With the money coming off in the next couple seasons, the team can add as it sees fit without spending a ton. As a fan, I’m used to the “title or bust” mantra, but realize that the organization is going to take some lumps to get there. Getting through these bad contracts over the next couple seasons will hopefully lead to the same type of team Stick built: mostly homegrown with smart (O’Neill, Key, Martinez, Cone, Nelson, Stanton, Raines, etc.) additions.
I would think Betances would bring back more than Miller. Plus, Sanchez should have rebuilt some value after last year and his performance in the AFL. With Kaprielian predicted to be challenging for a slot in the rotation as early as 2017 and with Strasburg being available next offseason, I just don’t see the Yankees truly chasing much until they shed some contracts. Their bullpen got them to the wild card last year and shouldn’t be messed with. With one signing (Strasburg next year) Kaprielian, Eovaldi, Tanaka, Severino and Pineda, they would have a very good rotation all under the age of 30 for 2017. The Yankees are staying pretty quite because in reality, they don’t need much (they obviously could use some replacements but large contracts already at those positions prevent it).
George’s Money did little he was a showman new little about the game. he hired and fired and angry ( about as angry a human I ever saw) drunk manager over and over. He got a few with Reggie ,Catfish etc. But it wasn’t till he was suspended that Sitck ( I sat at bar and drank with Stick, Pete Sheney, Steve Balboni in Oakland) a great man and great GM. Hal is having Ashman do the same. No more Caralpolooza tours and signings of the useless. There is no free agent pitcher so far signed this off season that will be throwing well by mid contract no less the end.