The Yankees have had trade discussions with the Twins and Diamondbacks about their available outfielders, reports Joel Sherman of The New York Post.
The Yankees already have two of their outfield positions accounted for, with Harrison Bader in center and Aaron Judge in right. There’s less certainty in left field, however, with Andrew Benintendi having departed via free agency. That leaves Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Cabrera as the remaining in-house options. Hicks is now 33 years old and has hit a combined .211/.322/.317 over the past two seasons. For a team in win-now mode like the Yankees, it’s understandable that they don’t want to rely on him as an everyday option. Cabrera just made his major league debut and only has 44 games under his belt. He fared well in that time but is a natural infielder who was learning outfield on the fly, meaning he’s probably best utilized as a utility option as opposed to an everyday player.
The desire for the Yanks to upgrade there is logical, as is their choice of trade partners. It was recently reported that the Twins had received some trade interest on Max Kepler, given that they have a large number of other outfield options on the roster. Trevor Larnach, Alex Kirilloff, Kyle Garlick, Gilberto Celestino, Royce Lewis, Nick Gordon, Matt Wallner and Mark Contreras are all options to join Byron Buxton in the Minnesota outfield. Since all of those guys apart from Buxton and Kepler have less than three years of MLB service time, it’s likely that the Twins would have some reluctance to parting with them.
Kepler, on the other hand, has one year remaining on his extension, though with a club option for 2024. He’ll be making a salary of $8.5MM in 2023 with a $1MM buyout on the $10MM option. Kepler has hit right around league average for his career, as his .232/.317/.427 batting line amounts to a wRC+ of 101. However, his defense has allowed him to be a consistently productive player. He’s produced at least 2.0 wins above replacement in each of the last six full seasons, according to FanGraphs, in addition to adding 1.1 fWAR in 2020.
As for the Diamondbacks, they are also flush with young outfielders that have reportedly been popular in trade talks. Corbin Carroll is considered one of the best young players in the game and is the least available of the group. But aside from him, the club has Daulton Varsho, Jake McCarthy, Alek Thomas, Pavin Smith, Dominic Fletcher and Kyle Lewis in their outfield picture. Aside from Lewis, those guys all hit left-handed, as does Kepler.
A left-handed hitter would be a good fit in the Yankee lineup for a couple of reasons. First of all, the lineup skews right-handed, with Anthony Rizzo the only lefty who is currently likely to get regular playing time. Secondly, the club’s “short porch” in right field traditionally boosts the value of lefty hitters. With the upcoming ban on infield shifts for 2023, a lefty in pinstripes could sell out for hard contact and not have to worry as much about watching liners and grounders get swallowed up by the defense.
As for their preferences for a target, Sherman suggests the Yankees would prefer Varsho to Thomas. That’s not a surprising choice to make, given Varsho’s strong breakout campaign in 2022. He hit 27 home runs and stole 16 bases, producing an overall batting line of .235/.302/.443 for a wRC+ of 106. Varsho was also excellent in the field, with his all-around game leading to a 4.6 fWAR tally on the year. Thomas, meanwhile, hit just .231/.275/.344 in his MLB debut, leading to a wRC+ of 71. He was also strong on defense and was only 22 years old, turning 23 in April. He could still blossom into a great major leaguer but it might still take some time.
Of course, the Yanks won’t be alone in calling these clubs about their attractive outfielders. The previous reporting on the D-Backs had already listed the Brewers, Blue Jays, A’s, Marlins, White Sox and Reds as interested, while Sherman notes that the Mets were on the phone as well. They reportedly were trying to acquire Thomas, but when Arizona asked for prospect Brett Baty, the Mets decided to hang onto him and just sign Nimmo instead. If the Mets found the asking price on Thomas to be too high, it’s fair to wonder if the Yanks would want to pay it or go even higher for Varsho.
If the Yankees don’t find a deal to their liking on the trade market, Benintendi is still a free agent. Though he’s not quite the superstar who seemed to on the way to becoming earlier in his career, he’s still a solid regular. He only hit five home runs in 2022 but was solid in the field and hit .304/.373/.399 for a 122 wRC+ and 2.8 fWAR. MLBTR predicted he could land a contract of $54MM over four years, or $13.5MM per season. Sherman reports that Benintendi is looking for a five-year deal and it wouldn’t be a shock to see that come to fruition. Many players have landed much longer deals than expected this offseason, with each of Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Brandon Nimmo getting deals at least three years longer than projected. With Judge and Nimmo off the board, Benintendi is arguably the top remaining outfielder on the open market, which might lead to his market picking up soon.
It’s possible that the competitive balance tax might play a factor in a free agent pursuit, as Sherman opines that the Yankees might prefer to stay under the third CBT tier of $273MM. By crossing that line, the financial penalties would go up and the club would see its top 2023 draft pick pushed back by ten slots. Roster Resource currently pegs their CBT number at $266MM, meaning that adding Benintendi or any other notable player could lead to the club attempting to find ways to shed salary, such as trying to trade Hicks or Josh Donaldson.
Good for Arizona, maintaining a high asking price. They don’t “need” to trade any of them. Baty for Thomas would’ve been cool though.
I can definitely see a trade based on Gleyber for Varsho. I’d rather have Zac Gallen though.
Yankees don’t have a package for Gallen unless they trade Volpe and 3 Top 10s.
Same with Varsho, Yankees gonna need to depelete farm for him.
@ssowl- the Yankees have plenty to give up for Gallen. Let’s see if Gallen can stay healthy for a whole season lst? A big if. Varsho for Gleyber is plenty fair. Torres hit 26 home runs last season. The D-Bags would be lucky to get em’ Stop overrating Varsho!
I hope you’re trolling. Gallen made 31 starts in 2022 and Varsho has team control and is straight up better than Torres. I’m a Yankees fan as well.
CaptainJudge99
Lol, the only Yankees pitcher that threw more innings than Gallen was Cole; you’ll have to give specific examples of desirable commodities that the Yankees have that could pull Gallen. I’m not seeing it.
Varsho has 4 seasons of team control left and got robbed of a Gold Glove (he was a finalist for two different GGs) while hitting slightly above average; he’s the DBacks OF with the LEAST team control.
It’s highly unlikely that the Yankees (or anyone for that matter) will like what they’d have to give up.
P.S. I fail to see how Gleybar hitting 26 HRs adds anything when Varsho hit 27; btw HRs aren’t everything.
@highheat- I was basically saying Varsho for Gleyber seems fair for both teams. Yes, home runs are not everything I agree. I’m fine with just keeping Torres truthfully.
CaptainJudge99
That’s the thing, though; it’s nowhere close to a fair trade for the DBacks.
Varsho was and is projected to be the better player than Torres, so swapping them with equal team control wouldn’t even be a fair trade. You’re proposing 2 years of Torres for 4 years of Varsho. And that’s before considering the DBacks don’t need a 2B.
That trade is nowhere remotely close to happening.
Gleyber is terrible defensively at SS and is a very streaky hitter. There is zero chance that the Diamondbacks would trade Varsho for Torres straight up.
highheat, 2 years for 4 years is a step in the right direction. Previous proposals for the D-backs OFs have been closer to 2 years for 10+ years.
Fair point, it’s old though.
There are legitimately fans from half of the teams in the league throwing out ridiculous lowball offers. Saying it’s getting to be annoying is an understatement.
@Rsox- Gleyber plays 2nd base now. He’s no longer a shortstop. The Yankees would be off getting a starter like Pablo López or Lucas Giolito instead of Varsho.
Gallen made 31 starts and threw 184 innings in 2022. That’s pretty healthy by starting pitcher standards.
How about Gleybar to the White Sox for Gavin Sheets? Just kidding. If only it were so.
Diamondbacks are looking for a SS not a 2B (they already have Marte) so that makes Torres redundant for them
@highheat- The Yankees are loaded with top prospects Jasson Dominguez, Austin Wells, Trey Sweeney, Everson Pereira and Randy Vasquez among others. They could definitely get one of those lefty hitters from the Diamondbacks for sure. No denying Zac Gallen’s talent, my point is he spends more time time on the IL then anyone. It would be nice to see him healthy for a change before making a deal with Arizona.
CaptainJudge99
The DBacks are only interested in current, affordable MLB contributors; there technically is no need to deal anyone from the MLB roster, so any player dealt would require greater value back. Especially since the only comparable player left on the CF market is, what? Bryan Reynolds? And he has less team control and was worse than Varsho (I’d also argue the same was true for Reynolds compared to McCarthy).
And saying Gallen misses more time than most pitchers is patently untrue; he’s gone less than 150 IP 4 times in his career. One was his draft season, then the season after (which was 145 IP; a normal development timeline), then the 2020 season, and finally the 2021 season (you know, the season everyone was limited due to the short prior season).
He just pitched 184 innings; he was healthy. He was more valuable than Gerritt Cole on a rate basis. Don’t sell him short.
Sorry, missed the 18 season for under 150 IP. That was when he dealt with the majority of his injury concerns, but also went 135 IP. Regardless, those are still reasonable IP counts for development and nowhere close to “more time on the IL than anyone”
26 HRs from a 2nd baseman is far more valuable than 27 from a corner OF. LF is where a decent hitter goes that has a noodle arm and RF is where the bulky guys that are too athletic for 1st. Varsho is worth more than Torres because of his years of control not his bat. To think he will bring back Volpe plus 2-3 other top 10s is laughable. Volpe has a monster bat for a MI. Too bad he won’t stick at SS cause he would be a similar player to Tatis if he could. Right now would be the best time to get Volpe because he will get a call up next year and will cost twice as much. I have seen him play several times. He is a very special player. Sweet fluid swing. Too bad Cashman gave away all of their best pitching prospects for an overrated Montas. There was definitely a deal to be made with Arizona with them. Now I don’t see one getting done.
You are correct to state that 26 HR is more valuable from a 2B than 27 HR from a RF and I’ll agree that Torres was a better batter than Varsho, but defense is valuable regardless of position; Varsho was worth 4.9 bWAR (4.6 fWAR) and Torres was worth 4.1 bWAR (2.7 fWAR), and he wasn’t worth more than Torres in 2022 because of his years of control.
Varsho contributed more value this season by any evaluation than the most favorable evalution of Torres’s best season. Then you can consider the years of control advantage as well. And WAR does factor a positional adjustment, so those numbers include a penalty for value while playing LF/RF.
Then you consider that the DBacks have Ketel under an extension, and there is no reason that Torres would be a desirable chip in negotiations.
I never stated that I thought Volpe was an undesirable prospect, I think he’s a great prospect; however, he doesn’t fit the DBacks current needs of immediate contributors enough to offset the cost of dealing Varsho, and is thus an undesirable trade target in these discussions. Maybe he’s a desirable chip for Varsho next offseason.
DBacks are already essentially locked in on their starting rotation, unless a steal falls in their lap (highly unlikely). SPs aren’t the primary focus right now.
You think Gallen is worth Luis Castillo’s haul? IDK, about that.
Two years younger than Castillo was at the time, three years of team control left instead of 1.5, and had a better ’22 than Castillo’s ’21 (and his ’22 for that matter).
He doesn’t have the same velocity, but he still has above average to plus stuff across the board with better command/control. Also coming off of a Top 5 Cy Young finish.
Gallen would absolutely command a comparable (or better) haul if he was dealt right now.
You may right. But 4 top 4s from an organization is a mighty haul.
That’s pending the organization, but I generally agree. That’s why we won’t see him dealt this offseason.
Seems to me, you Arizona fans also said the same regarding Corbin, who signed a ridiculous contract and now is worth a bag of ball…….
Gallen is a similar ceiling to Taillon or Bassitt. Yankees want an upgrade. They could have had those other guys for money.
As usual, over the top value of prospects except for Gallen……Volpe and 3 top 10’s would net the entire Arizona team……..being facetious but so are you with your scenario regarding a trade return….
rocky7
In regards to Corbin, that’s a poor example because he reached the open market with multiple suitors driving his price up. Completely different than talking about 4+ years of team control at affordable rates in a thin CF market.
Yep, you caught us all. It was all a huge ploy to make you think you wouldn’t be better off with what the Yankees have in house already.
You’re good; stop worrying about upgrades. All those rankings from all those “experts” and all those “projections”? They’re irrelevant; all because you said they’re overvalued. You’re argument was just too sound. (that’s being facetious, everything before that was just factual.)
*your 🙁
“Yankees don’t have a package for Gallen and Varsho unless they trade a package that they actually do have for Gallen and Varsho.”
Varsho has more years of control than Gleyber so not sure why Arizona would do that.
I would hope the Yankees do better than Kepler.
Kepler could easily be 30 HR hitter at Yankee Stadium
I don’t tihink their is a major upgrade at left field this year. It might be the weakest position in baseball. Hicks and Cabrera will do as well as any of these players.. I would stand pat, Yanks should get a 3 WAR in leftfield with Hicks and Cabrera.. If the Yanks can move Hicks for some relief pitching then I would look at these players.
Yeah, he’s like a mildly improved Hicks but with more Ks. It makes no sense for the lineup, imho.
Just put Hicks out there cause we already despise him. Don’t earn us another story by baiting us into booing yet another player for performing poorly….. please?
Yankees are on the hook for Hicks at a tune of $29 million still so they may as well just play him and hope for anything good
Yeah, or just use him as the fans’ piñata, so all the other players are protected.
I like that idea clipper. But seriously, I wouldn’t mind Hicks as a fourth outfielder, as long as they get a real outfielder. And I said it previously, but we know that Cashman checks in on everyone and everything, so this does not mean anything. Eventually will hear about some incredible dumpster diving pick up that he has made, that fits under their self impose salary cap. Aaron Judge, though should’ve known what he was getting into, when he requested improvements to the team lol.
Nope, find an better outfielder to replace him. Then trade Hicks and some cash to the Reds for Moose. Reds and Yankees salaries don’t change but both rid themselves of a player they don’t want. Hicks immediately starts for the Reds, Moose becomes the backup IF’er and first lefty off the bench for the Yanks.
That’s chump change in this market. A 1 WAR player is worth about what Hicks is getting and Ozzie is a bonus.
Who cares? 29 million is nothing. Yankees paid A-rod that much to be a special advisor to the GM. The Yankees aren’t the Brewers. Hicks makes 10 million a year or something. Donaldson makes 25 million. Their 35 million of wasted salary makes Judge’s 40 million look like a steal. None of that to the Yankees. It is sunk cost. The best player should play, and that won’t be Hicks. The fact that he was in the lineup, so often last year, was exhibit A for firing Boone. Let the kids play!!!!
Also, I’m hearing Yankees “big move” beyond Rodon is Tatis Jr trade. They’re discussing options with the Padres who are looking to move the contract, reportedly. Not sure how close anything is to coming together, however.
Thats interesting. I wonder what a trade like that would look like. Has anyone ever been treated with that long of a term left on contract.
I have no clue. I imagine that the PEDs and injuries reduced his value on the market, but how do you begin to evaluate that value?
I guess if it happens it could only happen with someone like AJ Preller involved.
I heard about that Clip. Here’s why I can’t see it happening: Tatis has a shoulder issue, a PED suspension, a crap load of money owed to him and most of all, he has a major immaturity problem. Honestly I’d rather have Correa and I’ve made my feelings on Correa well known.
I hear you, Joe. Although he crossed my mind, I almost dismissed him outright because of that. But, you know Cashman, as long as he feels he wins the individual trade, he will take on that regrettable contract.
True Clip but if it happens I see a Jackson Frazier x1000 poop show.
Hey Clip. Where are you hearing it from regarding tatis,hopefully not heyman.haha.unless they are giving him away, i seriously doubt the Yankees could acquire him.But hey, we can dream, right?
Well, I heard this posited via several podcasts; I also read a story about a trade on PSA, although they did not suggest it was in the works. However, I’ve been trying to drill down and determine the origin of the rumor. I *think* I may have done so.
I believe this {may have} originated with a guy name Rick DiPietro. Name sounds familiar but I don’t know anything about his accuracy in reporting.
Well I guess we will find out. Despite his issues, tatis is a talent. I wouldnt mind him in pinstripes.
@clip. According to the New York post today, John Heyman ha ha, is reporting that the Yankees have been in talks ,and are making a serious offer imminently to Carlos Rodon. I don’t know what kind of a serious offer, since he is acknowledging in the article that they’re not offering him what he wants, something in the range of 200 million, lol. But despite that, are seriously pursuing him ?
Just a friendly reminder that Tatis has a full NTC through ’28.
Yes, there is that too. I’d be shocked if this was an actual thing to be honest. It’s so hard to figure out where these rumors emanate from.
I could see a guy waving NTC for a trade to the Yankees though, because they compete every year, especially since he may actually play SS. But, I still am very, very reluctant to believe this (without crack).
Since Heyman is not the first guy reporting this, I do believe the Rodon rumor. I haven’t heard a specific amount yet, but keep in mind, Heyman is also a Boras mouthpiece, so when it comes to Boras, Heyman {can} be slightly more reliable.
Although it wouldn’t surprise me if he also talked to a stone outside his house and got the information either.
True, anything can be bought and paid for, even his NTC. I highly, highly doubt there is smoke to this rumor… just prose ruminations by somebody on Twitter… and quite honestly, we’d have to be blown away. Less than $7m salary this year, 24.2m CBT hit through ’34, MVP talent, superstar at any relative position, we don’t WANT to move him, he loves this city that loves him… the Yanks would really have to knock our socks off. Be prepared to pay more than we did for 3 years of Soto. The price is astronomical and maybe, just maybe, unobtainable. Cheers Clip, and Happy Holidays to you and yours amigo. 😉
Max Kepler to the Yankees? Only if they take Donaldson or Hicks back.
no thanks.
Derek Falvey- “No givsies backsies”
I can’t imagine Buxton leaving Minnesota
Buxton isn’t going anywhere. Twins are committed to him long term
Looking at Varsho, Kepler, and other highly-valued defense guys makes me think you should divide Bref defensive runs above average by 2. Other sites don’t value guys like Kiner-Falefa that highly, and it is absurd how defense is considered this important. I have seen guys like Semien vs Seager, and there really isn’t that much of a different. Keeping the lineup going is more important. However, I figure they would ask for a Soto-type ransom for a guy like Varsho.
Twins outfielders are spare at best and injury prone. Buxton will never earn his pay and is a hangnail away from end of career.
I’d agree if he was getting paid 36 million a year or whatever super stars get now. But he isn’t. He’s getting half? I think. Players that are worth a fraction of his value get paid the same. I’d be hard pressed to look at his stats or actually watch him play and say he isn’t worth that.
Buxton is tough. He’s worth his contract 10000% but you can’t rely on him to be on the field when you need it.
Whatever time he’s playing—he’s worth every penny. He’d be great on a deep team like Houston that could get by without him and be even more lethal when he’s out there.
With all that said would still rather have Buxton then Kepler. Unless Donaldson or Hicks are going back to Minnesota.
I remember 2 seasons ago people were saying Buxton was hands down the best player in MLB…Where does he rank these days? Haven’t seen him play in a while.
Talent wise Buxton is still there. It’s just infuriating that he can’t seem to make through a full season
I feel the same way about that Trout fella.
The difference is Trout has already put up 8 hall of fame seasons!
Only 8?
Buxton just signed an extension last offseason, he’s not exactly on the trade market. Then the other thing, Kepler doesn’t have much value but it is plus value by tiny bit. Why would the Twins trade that for negative value in Donaldson or Hicks? If you’re saying that the Yanks should try and offload a contract and add in more prospect capital than I’d agree, but likes not act like Donaldson or Hicks are positive assets.
I would have given Buxton 3 years 15 mil TOPS!
I wouldn’t exactly call his contract a bad contract. People are always disappointed because he gets hurt, but his extension factored that in. He gets 17 million a year before incentives which don’t factor in unless he gets to like 500+ ABs and/or places in MVP voting. I know WAR isn’t the perfect metric, but he finished with 4 WAR and only got paid 17 million….I wouldn’t be complaining if I’m the Twins.
My grandma will play before Twins bring back POS Donaldson.
But according to Heyman…….
I’m sure teams will be lined up to get Aaron Hicks. No one but the Yankees think he’s any good!
Not even Yankees think he is any good. Hence, the Yanks trying to get an outfielder.
Cashman hugging all his prospects again until he has to go dumpster diving.
That’s a joke right? He does nothing but trade prospects like all the pitchers he let go last year at the trade deadline.
Frankie Montas, great job.
Yankees don’t lose a trade to Twins challenge: impossible.
Only Bad things happen to the twins when they trade with the Yanks… so its a no brainer for them… Kepler and Arraez for tomorrows used Jocks..
I would rather have had Urshela than Donaldson last year and this. Twins won that trade hands down. Donaldson is washed. Can’t hit a high fastball. Any pitchers throwing those much lately!!!
Oh, boy. There’s a low probability that this ends well for the Yankees. Cashman has a tendency to significantly overpay. Not every trade goes bad, but….
If conversations were offseason goals, the Yankees would win, hands-down.
For sure!
Varsho for Torres and Sweeney?
Lesser side
Kepler for IKF or Donaldson and low level prospect. And PU half of Donaldson contract
Twins just dumped those guys on the Yankees. They’re not taking them back.
Half those OF pieces for MN are infield guys who had to switch to OF due to Sano and Correa being there. I see Lewis playing SS in the future if Correa signs elsewhere. Larnach could be a part-time 1B.
Varsho has value as an outfielder that can also catch. From a roster standpoint that opens up some options. I don’t however see him being the missing piece. I’ve said it a bunch of times. The Yanks need a hard reset. Let some of these contracts fall off the books before spending more money on aging stop gaps.
Varsho led all outfielders with 18 Outs Above Average in 2022 and put up a 109 OPS+ and 4.9 bWAR with 27 HR, 16 of them on the road. Since 2020 he ranks sixth in OAA among all outfielders.
The only way he’s not “a missing piece” is that he can’t pitch, and the Yankees need a starting pitcher. But Varsho would be a tremendous addition — and he bats left-handed.
Fun fact, he only started playing OF in MiLB in 2019 and only got 11 games of minor league experience in CF before making his debut in 2020. All of his professional experience in LF and RF has come in MLB.
Dave McKay is an Outfield Maestro.
Lucky for the D-backs that McKay didn’t retire as previously planned. There’s no substitute for knowledge born of experience.
I think you may be thinking about Strom, the pitching coach? I don’t remember talks of McKay (1st base coach and OF instructor) leaning towards retirement; although, I wouldn’t have blamed him after missing a lot of last from falling in the dugout at 70+ years old.
Definitely glad both are around, though. All the players are very receptive to everything they have to say.
@ highheat
“A close friend of LaRussa’s, McKay had intended to retire from baseball when LaRussa did. When LaRussa announced his retirement in 2011, McKay realized he was not ready. “
That explains it, that was a while ago! Thanks for that. That dude must just breathe baseball.
@Pink. A huge upgrade over Anemic, over the hill hicks.addition by subtraction, anyway.
Just dumping Hicks would be addition by subtraction.
@pink. You got that right.
2 years of Kepler for 1 year of Isiah Kiner-Falefa? Maybe NY throws in a lotto ticket? Twins just need a stop gap SS for Lewis, Brooks Lee, or Martin.
So what. They check in on everyone and everything. Cashman does doing his due diligence before he goes in the dumpster to look for someone who he can actually afford to bring in
If conversations were championships, Yankees would have a million!
@clipper.thats for sure! Haha
I can’t see the snakes dealing Varsho, but if Cashman can pull it off, great.
They still need a starting pitcher.
I wonder what kind of SP Gleyber could fetch in a trade.
Paired with a prospect, possibly Pablo Lopez of the Marlins.
Pablo Lopez. We almost saw it at the Trade Deadline.
Agreed. I like Varsho.
Sign Nintendo and take a flier on Conforto. With Cabrera showing he can be a positive utility player capable of manning playing every position besides C and CF (and wouldn’t shock me if he looked good in center too) they are fine with Judge, Bader, Nintendo, Cabrera, Conforto.
I won’t be surprised if Cashman has now shifted back to bargain-hunting mode after handing Judge his massive contract. If he can unload Hicks and bring in Kepler, that would be an upgrade. Kepler is a far superior fielder if the metrics mean anything. And as weak as he’s been at the plate lately, he’s still better than Hicks.
The Yanks could do worse than an outfield of Kepler, Bader and Judge. The run prevention could potentially compensate for Kepler’s shortcomings at the plate.
I’d much rather they could swing a trade for Varsho, but I doubt that’s in the cards. It would take a massive package to pry him loose.
Donaldson for Ozuna
Here’s a thought: why don’t the Yankees take a look at Jurickson Profar?
He played left field for the Padres and batted leadoff for them, he’s very patient at the plate, had the ninth-most walks in the National League and was fourteenth overall this year, he has a lot more power than Benintendi, he’s on the right side of 30, and he’s a switch-hitter.
No, he doesn’t have super sexy batting averages like Benintendi, but he would be a quality player for less money.
Profar grades as a poor left fielder if Statcast OAA and Fangraphs’ Def are to be believed. DRS, on the other hand, likes his fielding well enough. Offensively, he’s been inconsistent and the OBP doesn’t scream leadoff hitter to me.
Also, Benintendi has more power. His 162-game HR average is higher, and so is his average exit velocity.
Yes, Profar would be cheaper, but between the two I’d take Benintendi easily — unless the rumors that he doesn’t like New York have a basis in fact. I want players who want to be here. Apart from that dubious possibility, I’d be glad to have him back. I really liked his aggressive baserunning, another feature of his game that’s much better than Jurickson’s.
I would like to have Benintendi back too, but he could easily go to a different team who will pay him more money. If he does, the Yankees will have to go for the next best option.
Since The Martian’s ETA is 2024, maybe take a chance on Conforto, for whom Boras suggested a two-year contract for his client with an opt-out after the first year. If Conforto was great in 2023 and didn’t opt out, terrific. If he did opt out, Domínguez takes the job and it’s all good.
I’m not a Yankees fan, but it doesn’t seem like a terrible fit at first glance. He was only graded out positive by DRS due his arm, and that’s the only thing that kept his UZR in positive territory. His range was bad, but if you think he can cover the smaller RF and get value out of his arm still it makes some sense.
Plus, he had an above average batting line from both sides, but he hit for more pop and lifted more flyballs as a LHH, so he might be able to Didi a few out of there (he was also particularly victimized by the shift).
He had better plate discipline numbers and a slightly better BABIP as a RHH and his OBP was .352, so he’d be at least decent as a Leadoff option against LHP.
He would also be cheaper than Benintendi and not affect the farm. It’s definitely not a terrible idea.
There’s no way they’re moving Judge out of right field to accommodate Profar.
I don’t doubt that at all, that was just a musing on one strategy to make an attempt at mitigating his defensive deficiencies. In all honesty, though, Aaron Judge crushes balls so hard that positional considerations are mere afterthoughts, so essentially any position is his most valuable position. But can’t blame the team for guaranteeing their best player a set position.
The offensive points still stand, though. Going by his xHR, if Profar played full-time at Yankee Stadium he was expected to hit 20 HR based on batted ball data (only Cincinnati would’ve been more favorable to his offense).
I’m a bit confused, hh. How does Judge’s exit velocity bear upon his fielding?
It doesn’t; it was a poor joke on how his offense was so stratospheric that the scale of what’s considered average for a position pales in comparison.
I get it: “He hits so well, who cares if he can field?”
Kidding aside though, he’s a lot more than a DH. Since his rookie year, he ranks third in OAA and second in DRS in right field. He’s an elite defender.
Never trade with the Yankees. Never.
Twins may not win on the field against the Yankees, but I can think of several trades over the last 40 years that have favored the Twins against the Yankees, from Roy Smalley for Greg Gagne, to Twins receiving Christian Guzman & Eric Milton for Chuck Knoblach, Twins unloading Aaron Hicks as well as Josh Donaldson. Without those trades, the Twins would have had inflated contracts with a declining player. A big thank you to the Yankees front office – Yankees keep gobbling up those bad contracts!
Off the field, the Twins win vs the Yankees, on the field, not so much.
Lots of discussions, bug very little action unfortunately.