Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke with the media this week and addressed various topics. Notably, he downplayed the possibility of an extension for either outfielder Juan Soto or infielder Gleyber Torres, both of whom are impending free agents. He also indicated it’s still possible for roster additions, with pitching a likely target area.
“The odds are this is a one-year situation,” Cashman said about Soto, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. “I don’t see too many things stopping him from reaching free agency.” That assessment of the situation tracks with publicly-available information, as well as logic. Soto is just 25 years old but already has six years of elite production in the major leagues. Most free agents don’t reach free agency until they are around 30 years old but Soto is on track to get there around his 26th birthday, which will be at the end of October.
Despite his youth, he’s already hit 160 home runs in 779 career games, while also drawing walks more often than he strikes out. He’s hit .284/.421/.524 overall for a wRC+ of 154 and has never posted a wRC+ lower than 143 in any individual season. That combination of youth and talent has long made it seem as though a trip to free agency would be fairly inevitable. While with the Nationals in 2022, Soto reportedly rejected a $440MM extension offer, which is what led to him being dealt to the Padres.
The Yankees sent five players to the Padres this winter to get Soto and Trent Grisham, likely knowing full well that it was probably going to be a one-year proposition, with Cashman’s comments today reflecting that. Now that Soto has moved closer to free agency, his earning power has only increased since he turned down that $440MM offer, making the odds of keeping him from the open market even lower. The Yanks will have a chance to bring him back via free agency, but they will have to compete with the other clubs around the league in what is sure to be a hotly contested market.
As for Torres, it was reported back in November that the club had not engaged Torres on any extension talks. The infielder even replied “I wish” when asked about the possibility. Cashman confirmed to Greg Joyce of The New York Post this week that the club has not had any extension talks with him. Torres has been a solid player for the Yanks, hitting 123 home runs in his 734 contests thus far. His .267/.334/.454 batting line translates to a 116 wRC+. His defense at second base has been passable at times, though it was graded poorly last year.
While he’s set to be a key piece of the 2024 club, the Yanks likely feel they can pivot to a post-Torres era fairly easily. Oswald Peraza was still considered a top 100 prospect before he exhausted his rookie status last year, but he’s blocked from his natural shortstop position by Anthony Volpe. Peraza still has one option year remaining and could perhaps take over the keystone when Torres hits free agency. They also have multi-positional guys like Oswaldo Cabrera and DJ LeMahieu who could factor in at that spot.
As for the rest of the roster, Cashman said that it’s not “pencils down,” per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. “I guess it’s always pitching,” he added about a concerning area. The Yankees project to have a rotation of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt. That’s a good rotation if healthy but that’s a big “if” as each of Rodón, Cortes and Stroman missed significant time last year. The club also subtracted from their depth when they included four possible starting pitchers in the Soto deal.
Adding to that group would be sensible but the finances may be tight. Roster Resource has the club’s competitive balance tax number at $307MM right now, well beyond the top tier of $297MM. As a third-time payor at that level, any additional spending comes with a 110% tax. Since they have five rotation spots allocated and they effectively have to pay double on any future signings, they may stick to depth signings on minor league deals, though a significant injury can always change that calculus.
Brian Cashman lol
Yeah laugh, All he’s done as GM is win 4
WS titles..
Which statement seems more accurate to you?
1. The Yankees won 4 World Series because Brian Cashman was GM.
2. The Yankees won 4 World Series despite Brian Cashman being GM.
@slibb, because or despite winning 4 World Series is winning 4 World Series. And if you are gonna blame one for their failures you should also praise their successes. Otherwise it comes across as verbal diarrhea.
I am anything but a Yankees fan, but can deny the Yankees won 4 World Series with him at the helm.
Those championship teams weren’t built by Cashman. That’s the point he’s trying to make. Cashman didn’t draft Jeter, Williams, Rivera, Pettitte, trade for Paul O’Neil and sign Tino Martinez. Those guys were already there in 1998. Cashman was promoted when Stick Michael retired. He did bring in El Duque and flip David Wells for Roger Clemens he deserves credit for that. Have to live and follow baseball in NY to really know about the situation to prevent the verbal diarrhea you speak of.
11 teams have won World Serie in last 15 years. Regardless how much credit you want to give him for the first few he has helped win a Championship when nearly 2/3’s of league haven’t since.
I wish the tests I had when I was in school were this easy Slibb. it’s obviously alternative too, for anyone who has followed the Yankees for any period of time.
you forget Bob Watson was instrumental as well 95-98 Gene “the Stick” Michaels was 90-95. Each built upon what Gene did without the interference of ‘THE BOSS”
Took over a team that was already in place thanks to the prior GM. Then bought a WS title with a bunch of steroid players (A rod, Cano, Cabrera. Pettie etc.) And hasn’t been to the WS since. Red Sox, giants and Astros all won more WS this millennium during his time as GM but keep defending him. He’s great I get it I know nothing.
yes, it seems that last statement you made is correct!
Did he draft the core 4 or build the team before they starting winning?
Now, Pettites stigmatized as a steroid user too? he admitted taking them one year, when he was injured. He was trying to get back to playing from injury,something most players nowadays could learn a thing from. That is ,the effort to get back from injury. Not the steroid part. But I’ll bet this guy is oblivious to any steroid use among the team he follows or any other team. I guess the Yankees now are the only team that ever had a player use steroids. It was an epidemic during that time period. In baseball.
Cashman only has the one championship in 2009. Stick Michael and Bob Watson built and drafted those championship teams from the 90s. Cashman inherited a team that was already built to win. This is common knowledge among baseball fans in NY. The last 15 years is a more accurate depiction of what Cashman has done as a GM.
too bad the new wave fans don’t study up on the history of this franchise. Cashman is best at wasting money and talent! Steinbrenner deserves him !
I agree with this message. Although, I am no Cashman supporter, he was there mostly during that time of winning championships, and did contribute to it to some degree from all reports,although he wasn’t the primary architect, we should at least give him that. The architect was Gene Michael, and Bob Watson, of course.
And never had a losing season. He’s going to the HOF.
Couldn’t agree more!
If joe mauer got into the Hall of Fame which is laughable then it will be an outrage if they really do actually end up rejecting Trout and Albert and Ichiro, which is being talked about.
Is complaining about Mauer in the HOF like a hobby of yours or something?
“Which is being talked about”…I agree that Mauer is a very borderline Hofer and most certainly not a first ballot guy. All that being said, the only one I’ve seen or heard “talking about” rejecting sure-fire Hofers like Trout and Ichiro is YOU.
Talked about by who?
This is fake news if I’ve ever heard it.
1) This is a laughably stupid comment.
2) What does it have to do with this article?
It’s his 3rd-4th time with this cut n paste trope.
Just looking for attention on this beautiful Friday morning….
Tell me who is talking about those three players not making the HOF. Tell me some names so I can look them up.
if they really do actually end up rejecting Trout and Albert and Ichiro, which is being talked about.
=======================
Whatever you are ingesting, maybe it is time you stop.
1-No one is talking about it.
2-No one is doing so.
Just for fun, show up with ever nickel and dime you have, and I will cover your bet that Pujols makes it on the first ballot.
Those guys are locks,that will not be rejected for the Hall of Fame. Period period. they are very popular, which seems to be the most important ingredient these days, in addition to their undeniable world-class talent.
Mauer in the HoF is far from laughable. Anyone that doesn’t see him as belonging was 2 years old in 2010 or doesn’t understand baseball. Yes, he sucked as a 1st baseman after the injuries but before, he was elite.
Ok then explain why Trout Albert and Ichiro might well be rejected
Barry Bonds is better than all 3 of them.
Explain where you are seeing this
In his drug-induced hallucinations.
I agree with the first paragraph. Anyone thinking Boras won’t ride his golden goose to free agency hasn’t been paying attention. I could see Grish going for an extension.
What’s not mentioned in the article is that the Yankees rarely do extensions. Hicks and Severino are the only two I can think of. The only other is when they offered Judge an extension.
Robbie Cano
Did they offer Cano an extension or just make an offer after he hit FA?
He signed it on his third year and the Yankees were able to delay his free agency by three years.
Good call then. That’s one I was never aware of for some reason.
What a great job they did with those two Joe. How ironic. The only two they gave extensions too,totally crapped the bed. And Severino was out injured. Almost the entire duration of the contract. Hicks was injured a lot also but unfortunately, he also played and stunk.
I just watched the Cashman interview with Jomboy; it was a good interview and Cashman seemed really candid in his answers. I thought he was being real for once.
I also don’t see Soto signing with the Yankees happening….ever. He’s going to command too much and based in Cashman’s verbiage, it seems that they will try to duck under at least the third and second tiers of the LTT.
I heard it as well clipper, and I agree with you. I actually enjoyed the interview, which I didn’t think I would. Cashman seemed that ease and relaxed, and his answers did appear natural and honest, and most importantly, non- defensive. Surprising that he even went on the show, since Johnboy are active and known critics of Cashman.
However, they were quite welcoming and easy-going with him, and perhaps, when he doesn’t feel attacked, he responds more naturally, and honestly
I was curious about what Clipper and Creature were discussing (like adults because that just doesn’t happen enough here) and I found this:
“New York’s three extensions in 2019 came on the heels of only six extensions in the previous 18 years.’
The reason for this lack of extension action is simple — it was against team policy. “I just don’t believe in contract extensions, and that’s throughout the organization, no matter who it is,” managing partner Hal Steinbrenner told the Associated Press and other reporters in 2010. “Hopefully nobody takes that personally. It’s just business.”
This is actually MLBTR quoting the AP. Never knew this about the Yankees
Clipper: Any idea where Soto would sign of not the Yankees? The Dodgers?
If not the Yankees then the Mets for sure.
Good point, Joe. Yankees, Mets and Dodgers are spending the most these days.
Suit: That’s a great question, and honestly I think it will depend on how MLB proceeds with the Bally’s debacle in terms of participating teams’ revenue.
That aside, I can only really see four major players – those teams with the financial might/flexibility that could easily spend it next season, if not the Yanks: Giants (pursued Judge); Mets (wouldn’t surprise me); LAD (seems obvious, but he’s a Boras client who will command a long, expensive contract and the LAD does not normally contract with Boras guys…especially top-of-the-market guys); and the Red Sox.
Clipper: Good points. I get the feeling that most teams have a lower appetite for spending this offseason. Do you get that feeling? Maybe it’s because of the Bally’s mess. The Yankees are spending for sure.
No, I completely agree. Perhaps Bally’s exacerbates the situation, but it certainly has a more universal feel to me (LAD excluded, of course). Even the teams that historically spend aren’t spending like they normally do. I wonder if it’s a concerted effort (not implying collusion, but more a common understanding) that teams won’t be used to keep the market swelling to unsustainable levels.
I don’t know, it does feel different this year though.
@Suit Giants still have all that money they didn’t spend on Correa and/or Judge.
Listened to it while driving after you posted. It was a good convo they had. Sounds to me that they didn’t really make an official offer to Snell.
That’s what it sounded like to me as well. Cashman did say it got blown up in the media as they often do.
Agreed, YBC & Dr. Sounds like it was a casual conversation where he may have given them a “hey, what are you thinking” response for Snell.
It was enlightening to me to hear him discuss some of the more nuanced details of offseason negotiations from his perspective too.
It also seems that there’s a very different feeling with the Yankees as a whole – almost as if they realized that their arrogance bit them.
Yes, I mostly agree clipper. Although, I don’t think they’re changing their philosophy of how they approach these things with the media. Cashman has a lifetime appointment, I don’t think he cares about how he is perceived, but it’s just my opinion. It just seemed to me he was very comfortable with this particular interview and the hosts treated him with kid gloves, they announced tat they outset they would not be attacking him or asking him tough questions like the fans might have wanted .
@Dr2020 They also prefaced the interview by saying 2023 is behind everyone. As far as pitching depth, Warren and Beeter are in the mix. I’d like to see them interview Cashman again closer to the deadline.
Yes that’s true YBC. And I would also like to see it,as well. I’m sure Cashman would like to think that 23 is behind them, since it was an abomination from Yankee standards.
They’re putting a lot of trust and faith ,as their windows with Aaron Judge, Garrett, Cole, and even Soto are closing, and Cashman even used that word. And they are aware of it ,but yet they’re gambling anyway, on a bunch of unproven depth pitchers , as well as the return to some facsimile of competency ,from the likes of Stanton, DJ, Rodon,, and others. The latter which may or may not materialize.
Cashman also did say he wanted to get those guys championships, yet this is a funny way to show it. They are gambling on Hope prayers, and dreams in many cases.
At the trade deadline, they again hope, they can get what they need. At that time, should all these flimsy plans, fail, and at a discount price. yet as we’ve seen many times, before, there’s a very short window, in which to make deals at the trade deadline, and the Yankees often are unable to get what they want as a result. Maybe it’s me, but it seems like a poor plan to me.
@DR He kept mentioning it would be “criminal” if Cole and Judge didn’t win a ring. The plan was to get Soto and Yama and it sounded like he was confident of signing him. He blamed it on Ohtani lol.
Yes, that’s true bleacher creatures . He appeared also to blame it on the California weather, stating that New York could not compete with it ,lol . And he did use the word ‘criminal,’which is funny since what is also criminal, is not having a back up plan should Yama not be signed. and the chance for a world championship was within reach this year, with the acquisitions of Soto, Verdugo, Stroman, etc. they just stopped a little bit too short as we could still use a reliable, starting pitcher that is not derived from the garbage bins.
What’s criminal is the way he constructed a roster for almost ten years straight. What is also criminal are the trades that he’s made over the past several years.
Quite true Clipper. and even more criminal than all those things, is that Cashman is still at the helm after all these blunders, and all these years, he always unabashedly blames his mistakes on everyone else. or circumstances, but we don’t buy it. But unfortunately, his boss, the one who counts, does.
And let us not forget, the team is going to be vastly improved this year, because they have suddenly recognized the value of bunting
Torres hitting FA at only 27 also isn’t mentioned. Any other team would offer him an extension. Especially since he seems to really enjoy being a Yankee. Instead it seems like Hal/Cashman will let him walk for a cheaper rookie that won’t replace his bat. I wasn’t a fan of how George signed every big name vet he could while seeing the farm as nothing more than trade chips but I despise how little Hal seems to care about solid players who perform well in NY and are happy to be here. The way they treated Brett Gardner was infuriating.
Torres is a DH with an above average bat. Last season he put up -4 drs at 2B. He’s worse as a shortstop which probably isn’t a surprise in lite of his fielding and the second bag. That’s just really not that valuable.
Torres isn’t a bad defender. He’s bad between the ears. I’ve never seen anyone lose focus on the field (and the base paths too for that matter) more than him.
I think what’s between your ears, such as focus, has a LOT to do with being a good or bad defender.
What I’m getting at is that he has ability. Just calling him a DH implies that he lacks the skills to play second.
It can just as easily imply he doesn’t have the mentality which would also imply he can’t play second base. He could be a DH only for that reason as well.
I imagine you know Torres better than I do so if you tell me he has the skill but not the mentality than I believe you. But what this really demonstrates is someone could be a DH only because of what is going on their head or what their body is capable of.
Soto will be a DH by age 30. I think he will be lucky to get $440 million. I expect more home runs this year but at a slight cost to on-base percentage.
“Soto will be a DH”..Juan Soto is obviously an above average hitter but is not even close to the very best all-around players in MLB. Players like M.Betts, Ohtani, Trout, F.Freeman, C.Seegar, R.Acuna and K.Tucker. It’d be fairly easy to name another dozen or so all around players better than Soto. And actually Juan Soto is best suited to be a DH right now
Soto will be a recent 26 y.o. when he signs his next deal. Over last season and this, he’ll have made $53MM in arb salary. You don’t think he’ll top the $387MM/12 which he left on the table from the Nats’ offer? That’s an AAV of $32.25MM or less than what Anthony Rendon signed for in 2020 at 30 y.o.
Soto rejected a 440/15 deal with Nationals and rightfully so since the 15 yrs only $29 million avv annually. Surprised National did not counter to 440/12 that equates to $36.5 avv that Soto may have signed with 2 opt outs in the deal. If Soto puts up same numbers as 2023 with Yankees he will easily get 13/500-550 million deal from some team even being a defensive liability, DH. Not sure Hal pays that but let’s remember Soto will be 7 full years younger than Judge whom they can build a superior team around him with the likes of Jones, Dominguez, Volpe, Wells, Peraza, Warren and Hampton making the Yankees a playoff contender for the next decade.
15 years is just a red herring.
$440 million is $40 million a year for 11 years. In the current market, in my humble opinion, Soto is worth close to that sum, but not more, given that he will be a DH maybe 7 of the 11 years.
440/15 so my math was off and even further lowers his AAV.
I got nervous thinking that this article was about an extension FOR Brian Cashman
Legendary username
He doesn’t need it extension, the Teflon Cashman is a Yankee for life
Then what was the point of the trade? As solid as this team has the potential to be, you are betting on way too many things going right to even sniff a deep playoff run. Seems like the much smarter play would be a quick reset – trade Gleyber, see if there’s any prospect return value in retaining $ of Rizzo, LeMahieu. Full time jobs to Volpe, Cabrera, Peraza. Holmes & Schmidt should provide decent return.
I can’t say I’m surprised with Cashman’s process, but I’m still f’ing dumbfounded.
Cashman is running out of time. That was the point of the trade. He seems to be going all in on this year. Unfortunately for him his moves for other players like Snell and Yamamoto haven’t worked out. Hal has to be pissed at the Rodon signing. All of baseball laughed at Cashman for that one 5 minutes after the contract was signed. Pennypinching Hal has got to be tired of spending all that money without a single trip to the WS. Cashman and his talent evaluation is definitely the weak link.
hopefully soto loves the nyc spotlight and is motivated to stay. how many teams can even afford 500M and how attractive would they be for him? cubs? giants? blue jays?
If anyone should be in the hall who isn’t … don Mattingly is tops… as far as Cashman saying it’s not pencils down, I hope they don’t get snell … not worth it
Hard agree. Snell would be the ultimate dead weight contract for this team.
I have to agree. But they really need depth, a solid number four or five pitcher, Major league caliber. innings eater .Not the garbage bin pick ups they have been stockpiling, right or left, which may amount to nothing.
Depends. If they could get Snell for a similar contract to Rodon he would be a solid #2. Yes, he only goes 5 innings but the Yankees always seem to have the perfect bullpen to pick up that slack.
Some of these comments are so dopey not one of you posting these dopey comments, know anything about major league baseball
Enlighten us.
Cashman is such a joke of a GM. Yankees, after all the pitching they traded are just going to let Soto walk. I wish Hal would just sell the team. Besides for Soto and Stroman, they did nothing major like they said they were. What a joke.
Dear Yankee fans. How many organizations would still have cash man at the helm w his recent body of work? This is a what have you done lately/can do for me going forward league now. Not the spend spend spend and figure it out later mentality of yesteryears.And I like some of the moves he’s done recently. But if you wanna be the champion you gotta act like it and perform on the field when it matters most. And baseballs been waiting on that for what seems like years now.
If you are the Yankees you play the season out, no extensions. See how things go. Win or lose, Cole, if he’s healthy, may opt out, looking for a bigger contract, maybe getting one. But possibly not from the Yankees.. Soto goes with his big salary, Torres goes with his big salary. Between the three you just dropped $77M. Rizzo leaves, $6M buyout, savings of $11M, now you are at $88M. Verdugo is 8.7M, he’s a free agent, I know, it’s nuts, you are wasting what’s left of Judge’s prime, but if they can’t win with $300M payroll, may you cut your CBT
@Mikenmn Cole is 99.9% opting out barring a catastrophic injury. The Yankees can negate his opt-out by exercising his tenth year option which they’ll 99.9% do. He’s not going anywhere. If Rizzo bounces back, his ’25 contract for $11MM is a good deal.
The fact that Cashman knows Soto is a 1 year deal, and knows who his agent is, completely shows how incompetent he is as Yankees GM. He gave up pieces that they are now having issues replacing.
Cashman needs to go
The fact the Yankees refused to give Yamamoto more than Cole. Soto not staying because his contract worth more than Judge
They replaced King with Stroman. Their bullpen, as always, is in good shape. They added Soto.
Don’t overthink it. They’re a stronger team.
For one year, possibly. After this year? How many years of control did we give up on good pitchers to get one guy for one year?
“He’s not 25 – more like 28 or 29.”
Where do you get that idea?
Because it happens occasionally and “Soto looked 25” is a pretty weak argument for such a definitive statement as “He’s not 25 – more like 28 or 29.” He looks young in this photo from his rookie year:
milb.com/news/washington-nationals-juan-soto-being…
Also, this English kid is 16 with a full beard:
people.com/luke-littler-16-defeated-world-darts-ch…
People look different at various ages. Let me know when you have something concrete to support your accusation.
Now you’re just being a d*ck.
You made an accusation with zero evidence beyond something circumstantial and weak, and you’re accusing me of not providing evidence when the burden of proof is on you. Not everyone looks the same at the same age, a concept you apparently aren’t able to grasp.
I will be preparing for my fantasy league because that’s one of many ways I enjoy the game. To each their own, which for some includes making totally unfounded accusations and character assassinations.
Obviously, you clearly can’t because you’re completely wrong.
And your descent into childish insults instead of providing any evidence to support your statement says a lot.