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What was supposed to be a transitional year for the Yankees instead nearly resulted in a World Series berth, as breakouts from Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Luis Severino (among others) propelled the club to a 91-71 record. With an excellent young core and a still-stacked farm system, the Yankees look like a powerhouse for years to come.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Jacoby Ellsbury, OF: $68.4MM through 2020 (full no-trade clause)
- Masahiro Tanaka, SP: $67MM through 2020
- Aroldis Chapman, RP: $65MM through 2021 (may opt out after 2019, full no-trade protection through ’19)
- Starlin Castro, 2B; $22MM through 2019
- Chase Headley, 3B/1B: $13MM through 2018
- Brett Gardner, OF: $13MM through 2018 (includes $2MM buyout of $12.5MM club option for 2019)
- David Robertson, RP: $13MM through 2018
Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; projections via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)
- Adam Warren (5.036) – $3.1MM
- Didi Gregorius (4.159) – $9.0MM
- Dellin Betances (4.078) – $4.4MM
- Sonny Gray (4.061) – $6.6MM
- Austin Romine (4.045) – $1.2MM
- Aaron Hicks (4.041) – $2.9MM
- Tommy Kahnle (3.015) – $1.3MM
- Chasen Shreve (2.155) – $900K
- Non-tender candidate: Romine
Free Agents
[New York Yankees Depth Chart | New York Yankees Payroll Outlook]
The Yankees traded their top two relievers and their designated hitter in July 2016 and played the uncharacteristic part of a deadline seller. Despite ponying up to pay Aroldis Chapman on a record-setting five-year contract, they weren’t viewed as a major threat in the AL East. Aaron Judge didn’t even enter Spring Training with a surefire spot on the big league roster — and certainly no one forecast an 8-WAR, MVP-caliber season from him — while their rotation came with injury question marks and inexperience. Could CC Sabathia endure another full, healthy season at age 37? Would Luis Severino bounce back after posting a 5.83 ERA and losing his rotation spot in 2016? Could Jordan Montgomery serve as a viable rotation member at age 24 with just 37 Triple-A innings under his belt? The answer, across the board, proved to be a resounding yes.
The Yankees’ first-half results were impressive enough that GM Brian Cashman elected to begin a good portion of his offseason shopping back in July. Even with the success in their rotation, the Yankees were cognizant of the fact that Sabathia’s contract was expiring, as was that of Michael Pineda (who had already undergone Tommy John surgery). Acquiring Sonny Gray gave the Yanks two and a half years of control over an arm that can slot comfortably into the second or third slot in their rotation. Picking up David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle (along with rental piece Todd Frazier) in a massive trade with the White Sox ensured a deep and talented bullpen and left the club with little need to pay top-of-the-market prices for additional relief help this winter.
While some of their needs are already filled, the Yankees have one gaping hole in the organization that few would’ve predicted: manager. After a decade-long run at the helm of the Yankees, Joe Girardi was informed by the team that his contract would not be renewed. Reports since his fairly stunning dismissal have suggested that the Yankees want more of a “player’s” manager and that Girardi’s relationship with Cashman wasn’t particularly strong toward the end of his tenure.
Whoever succeeds Girardi will be inheriting an enviable roster that is backed by a deep farm system. However, he’ll also have to contend with the largest and one of the most critical media markets in the country and extremely high expectations from a fanbase that is now dreaming of a World Series run. To date, Eric Wedge is the only reported candidate with prior experience as a big league manager. If the Yankees do go with a rookie skipper, it will be baptism by fire in every sense of the cliche.
Looking to the Yankees’ roster, there aren’t many glaring deficiencies — as one would expect from a team that won 91 games. Greg Bird has yet to prove himself over the life of a full season at first base, but Cashman has stated on-record that he expects Bird to be their first baseman next year as the team looks to drop under the luxury tax barrier. Despite plenty of speculation over the summer, there won’t be a pursuit of Eric Hosmer.
Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius, Aaron Hicks, Brett Gardner and Judge are all but assured of regular playing time. Chase Headley once again rebounded from a slow start to finish with decent numbers, though he’ll be pushed by prospects Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar at some point in 2018. Gary Sanchez will hold down regular catching duties, though the team could certainly stand to explore the possibility of adding a better backup — potentially allowing Sanchez to spend some more time at DH.
Austin Romine’s batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage all fell shy of the .300 mark, and he threw out just 3 of 29 potential base thieves. Alex Avila would make for a nice left-handed complement to Sanchez (not that he needs platooning) and could also handle some first base if needed. Chris Iannetta would be another affordable veteran coming off a nice year in Arizona.
Plenty of Yankees fans have speculated about the possibility of a Starlin Castro trade on the heels of two decent but unspectacular seasons in the Bronx. The 27-year-old (28 in March) has been a roughly league-average bat with questionable second-base defense in two years with the Yankees, and he’s owed $22MM over the next two years. Trading him could allow the Yankees to play both Andujar (third base) and Torres (second base) with regularity on either side of Gregorius. However, there’s not much in the way of surplus value on Castro’s contract, and it’s a poor time to be selling a second baseman. Neil Walker stands as a quality free-agent option, and the trade market also features the likes of Ian Kinsler, Dee Gordon and Cesar Hernandez, among several others. Beyond that, there aren’t that many clubs seeking second-base upgrades in the first place. It’s certainly not impossible to envision a Castro trade, but it is difficult to imagine too much of a market for his services developing.
If there’s one contract that Yankees fans are clamoring to move, however, it’s that of Jacoby Ellsbury. The 34-year-old still has a whopping three years and $68.5MM remaining on his contract, to say nothing of a full no-trade clause. The Yankees will play Gardner in left, Hicks in center and Judge in right even with Ellsbury in the fold, but his presence makes it more difficult to carry Clint Frazier on the roster and also limits the team’s financial flexibility moving forward.
Unfortunately, Ellsbury hasn’t performed anywhere near well enough to make his contract movable in its current state. It’s difficult to envision him receiving even three years and $30MM on the open market right now, and I’d wager that the Yankees would need to be open to eating as much as $40-45MM to facilitate a deal. The Mariners are an oft-speculated fit given Ellsbury’s Oregon roots, but they have a crowded payroll as it is and better options to pursue in free agency.
One completely speculative possibility would be a swap involving Ellsbury and former Yankee Ian Kennedy, who is still owed $49MM over the remainder of his own undesirable deal. The Yankees would likely need to include some decent minor league talent to pique Kansas City’s interest — there’s no reason for the Royals to simply take on Ellsbury’s larger contract, especially when they need to fill their rotation — but adding an upper-level minor league arm that could affordably replace Kennedy is an intriguing concept. The Yankees would still have an overpaid fifth starter in Kennedy, but they’d lessen their luxury tax ledger considerably and open a spot to more easily fit Frazier onto the roster. (More broadly, the Yankees will again look for ways to take advantage of their overstuffed 40-man roster while also opening room for the next wave of prospects in need of protection.)
The 2018 rotation outlook was the most significant question for the Yankees heading into the season. Back in Spring Training, I noted that with Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka and Pineda all potential free agents at season’s end and Severino/Montgomery both unproven, there was potential for a truly murky outlook. What a difference six months makes.
Severino looks likely to be the team’s Opening Day starter next year, and he’ll be trailed by Gray, Montgomery and Tanaka. The 29-year-old Tanaka made the rather surprising decision to remain with the Yankees rather than opting out of the final three years and $67MM on his contract. While it’s true that Tanaka’s ERA isn’t exactly sparkling, the righty was excellent from early June through season’s end, shined in the postseason, and generally delivered sensational K/BB numbers over the course of the season. Topping $67MM on the free-agent market looked like a clearly attainable goal (unless medical reports on his elbow are more troubling than we know), but Tanaka called the decision “simple” in announcing the move and voiced a love of New York City and the Yankees’ fans. The feeling should be mutual, as it’s a nice price for a quality player at a position of need.
With Severino, Gray, Tanaka and Montgomery all penciled into the rotation, there’s little cause to pursue a high-priced starter. A reunion with CC Sabathia makes some sense on a short-term deal, though Yankees fans are almost universally fixated on a deal with a pitcher that is nearly a decade and a half younger. Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani will be posted by the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters if the league, the players union and Nippon Professional Baseball all agree to a new posting system. It’s not yet a guarantee that’ll happen — there’s a Monday deadline to find out — but if Ohtani becomes available, the Yankees will be among the teams favored to land him.
New York can currently offer a $3.25MM bonus, though there’s still time to trade for additional international money. The Rangers ($3.535MM) can offer the most, while the Twins ($3.245MM) are right behind the Yankees. It’s early to pencil Ohtani into their starting five, but doing so would give the Yankees a powerhouse rotation on paper and could allow the club to more freely entertain the notion of including pitching prospects like Chance Adams and Justus Sheffield in trades.
Turning to the bullpen, there’s no need for a significant overhaul. The Yankees’ pen will once again be anchored by Chapman, and the setup core currently projects to include Dellin Betances, Robertson, Kahnle, Chad Green, Adam Warren and Chasen Shreve. Another lefty could be of interest for matchup purposes, especially since most of the Yankees’ upper-level arms are right-handed, but many of the Yankees’ right-handed setup options shut down lefties as well as righties last year.
Given the depth of that group, it’s worth wondering if they’ll all return. Specifically, Betances comes to mind as a particularly obvious trade chip. The bizarre manner in which Yankees president Randy Levine called out Betances after last year’s arbitration hearing drove somewhat of a wedge between the two sides, and while Betances remains a supremely talented reliever, he also battled serious control issues in 2017 (6.6 BB/9 during the regular season plus five walks in four playoff innings).
Betances has two years of arbitration remaining and has averaged better than 15 punchouts per nine innings in the past two seasons, so he’d certainly appeal to other clubs. It doesn’t seem likely that the Yankees would simply trade Betances for a prospect(s) given their desire to compete, but they could use Betances to fill another need — such as a solid left-handed setup option with more team control, perhaps from a team looking for a shorter-term upgrade at the back of its ’pen. Doing so could also spare the Yankees a slight bit of luxury tax concern, and while that wouldn’t be a main factor in a theoretical swap, it could be a bonus.
After all, both Cashman and Steinbrenner have plainly stated that their firm plan is to get under the $197MM luxury tax line. Doing so would reset the Yankees’ penalty level — tax penalization is compounded for each consecutive year that a team is over the threshold — in advance of next year’s class of free agents. At that point, both Manny Machado and Bryce Harper will be available at the respective ages of 25 and 26. Clayton Kershaw, too, figures to be a free agent once he opts out of the remaining two years on his contract.
The Yankees still have some wiggle room — roughly $25MM or so in average annual value — to make some additions to next year’s roster. However, their proximity to the luxury tax line and stated desire to stay south of it makes it exceptionally unlikely that they’ll be a player for a major item such as Giancarlo Stanton. Even if the Yankees could acquire Stanton and ever-so-slightly stay under the luxury tax line, they’d be leaving themselves with little room for making in-season moves to address injuries and other unforeseen circumstances that arise over the course of a given year.
Rather than a major item like Stanton, it’s possible that the Yankees will instead look to beef up their bench with an improvement at backup catcher or utility infielder — they’re reportedly interested in Texas’ Jurickson Profar, for instance. They could also poke around the left-handed relief market and talk to names like Mike Minor, Jake McGee and Tony Watson.
Certainly, if the team could somehow find a way to jettison some of Ellsbury’s contract or move Headley, there’d be more flexibility for a big ticket item. It seems likelier, though, to expect a more reserved offseason in the Bronx prior to a more aggressive offseason approach following the 2018 campaign.
Hypothetical if the Yankees were to dip below the luxury tax threshold on opening day, then they make a trade and take on salary at the trade deadline, putting them back over the luxury tax, would that count as resetting the luxury tax? At what point does the Yankees salary have to be under 197 threshold for the luxury tax to be considered reset?
They would have to spend 40mil this offseason to get over the tax line, they might honestly stay down the whole year even with an addition.
They calculate the team payroll at the end of the season to account for additions and subtractions to the 40-man roster. Teams will get their luxury tax bills the first week of December.
Also, player benefits are added to the raw salary numbers (approx $13M).
It’s not the amount of payroll at the start of the season, it’s the amount at the end. So no, that would not reset the CBT.
Good luck, Cashman.
Splendid job, so far.
Take your time picking that manager, No worries.
Yeah because you just fired the man who finished 4th in the AL manager of the year vote. A man who was a true Yankee. Your job depends on the next hire because firing Girardi may cost us a ring or 2
Please stop. Girardi was a terrible manager
Please watch the game!!!
Explain how he was a terrible manager?
My issue with Girardi was his handling of the bullpen. Relied on the same guys dipping into the well too much. Otherwise he’s a good manager and I am surprised he was let go.
I don’t mind seeing Girardi go, but to not have someone in mind once firing Girardi is what’s bizarre. The longer we wait, the more I think the Yankees should have kept Girardi who is indeed a good manager.
Yankee fan, here. My gut says Rob Thompson.—28 years with the team and got the first interview.
He was Yankees’ bench coach since days of Torre (2008) Yankees’ third base coach 2009-2014 and bench coach again the past thee seasons. If anyone should get it, should they decide to hire within, it’s him. The only other person considered a serious candidate that they were considering hiring from within the organization: Joey Espada, Yankees’ third base coach the past 3 seasons (2015-2017) probably didn’t want to wait long to hear an answer with no guarantees—left to become Astros third base coach.
Honestly, out all the people interviewed and with all these crazy names thrown out, I hope he gets it.
edit: —become the Astros’ Bench* coach.
I was So Close. ^^^
Profar as a super utility guy, a backup catcher, Otani and CC and lets win a championship boys
Please GOD no Otani!!!
Why not?
Cat there’s a couple guys clogging this thread with this junk…
Why not?
^^^Sorry meant this comment to you not myself^^^
What’s wrong with Otani?
One of Minor or McGee make a lot of sense. I’m thinking the Astros get one of the top 3 lefties this winter but betting against the Yankees to get one as well would be foolish
I’d pay down Ellsbury’s contract until he’s a 5 million per year player and swap him for a good loogy or an interesting low level prospect or 2. It’s addition by subtraction as he’s going to block Frazier and continue to provide Gardner light kind of performance. I would also try and see if Castro has any market value he should be able to slide back over to SS so there might be some interest. I would do these moves not to drop payroll but to clear the way for talent, it just so happens it would also work with ownership’s goal of dropping salary.
Because the Yankees are in a real playoff hunt, they won’t trade anyone who could help them win the division, if not the WS. If a trade is made of Castro, Headley, or Ellsbury, it will be because their prospects look to good to hold back, because the last thing a team needs, that is doing well is to trade away a player who does better after he is traded, while being replaced by someone, who is struggling. No matter how good they become in subsequent seasons.
1. This is #1 past couple offseasons but hard to do. Get rid of Ellsbury(won’t happen).
2. Sign Otani if he gets posted.
3. Resign CC
4. Sign Mike Minor
5. Trade for Profar
6. I’m begging you Cashman sign Cargo Gonzalez to be our DH his swing is so perfect for that short porch.
7. Only cuz of the rumors but it would be incredible if we could get Joe Panik for Starlin Castro n a little more. (Prob won’t happen).
“Cashman sign Cargo Gonzalez”………….I really doubt the Yankees will be signing any outfielders with Gardner, Judge, Hicks and Ellsbury all on the team and Clint Frazier waiting in the wings to take Ellsbury’s place if he is moved….
I said get him to be our DH. I understand we have 5 outfielders for 3 spots. By keeping Cargo at DH he won’t have to play the field unless an injury or two. Or sometimes to give couple guys a rest. His stat line would come alive again being a DH.
Cargo has declined last 2 years. A rotational DH makes is more likely.
Yanks would be better served leaving the DH spot open. I’d rather see them bring back Frazier on a 2 or 3 year deal and have some sort of rotating DH made among Bird/Headley/Frazier and maybe one of Torres, Andujar of Clint Frazier in the mix.
KnicksCavsfan. I like your thinking. Rotating DH is the way to go to no block players or clog up more of a logjam.
Clint Frazier should be replacing Gardner, not ellsbury.
Why the hate for Gardner?
Gardner is probably the most underrated Yankee on the current roster.
He’s probably the most underrated player in baseball. Only 2 OFers in baseball the last 5 years have a 3+ WAR in each season. One is obviously Mike Trout. The other….is Brett Gardner.
Gardner is out performing Ellsbury, so why?
Forget profar, hell no to Otani and Cargo sucks
I love the first 5 bullets, couldn’t have said it better myself. Not so much the last two.
Cargo would clogged the DH spot plus he could command a multi year contract. Yanks really need a cheaper left handed platoon bat
I am very impressed by Adams’ article and assessment. I think the Yanks stick with Romine as backup catcher. If at mid season 2018 they feel the need to upgrade they will at that point.
The Yanks have been interested in Profar for years. I’d they could land him, it would be a great move. He has a lot of upside. He can backup at any infield position except catcher and switch hits.
Ellsbury is not tradable. I’m curious if the Yanks would entertain the idea of dealing Gardner—his stock is high now. Doing so would shed salary.
I see a Headley staying put as protection in case Andujar and Torres are not ready.
Will be interesting to see if they can sign Otani. If not, do they let Adams and Sheffield get some starts?
Gardner is a Yankee for life, being Andujar, Floral, and Torres up. Forget about Otani, keep an eye on Maitan if he is declared a FA, bring Sheffield and Adams up sign CC
Gardner, Yankee for life. Lol. He’s gone.
Kind of wish you were gone off this thread.
You never answered why you obviously can’t stand Gardner when the rest of us see him for what he is…..the current veteran heart of this team, a former gold glover (losing on a stacked vote for KC outfielder), and a true leadoff batter that sacrifices for the team at all times. And he is better than league average for average and pop with the bat.
Florial isn’t anywhere near ready to face MLB pitching. He spent most of the year in Low A ball.
I see Romine as a non-tender candidate then I scroll up to see which random newish mlbtr writing has penned the post…and it is Steve..
Romine is not a non-tender candidate. Shreve could be.
Romine had a 49 OPS+, hes no good. You can sign a good defensive catcher who cant hit for like 1M or 2 and dump the guy whos hardly ever been replacement level
Curious as to what makes you certain that they wouldn’t non-tender Romine when he’s projected to earn more than $1MM and slashed .218/.272/.293. I don’t think he’s a slam-dunk nontender, but backup catcher is one of the easiest spots for the Yankees to make an upgrade of at least one full win.
He’s never been very good, and this past season was genuinely one of the worst hitters in baseball. His 49 wRC+ was the fourth-lowest among players with 250 PAs. If he were a lights-out defender, perhaps, but he went 3-for-29 in throwing out baserunners and is a good-but-not-elite framer/blocker.
I had Shreve on the NT list initially, but we have him at less than $1MM, and the Yankees have no other left-handed setup/middle relief options on the 40-man roster outside of Caleb Smith. Even their Triple-A bullpen is entirely right-handed.
Why would they non-tender Shreve? He’s the loogy on the team and he was effective vs lefties.
Both could be?!?
Terrific and thorough article, thank you.
Don’t know why gardener is “assured” playing time. He needs to be cut loose. With Jackass Joe gone maybe the new manager will not jerk Ellsbury all over the lineup and bat him leadoff, like he was signed to do. Gardner is a 4th OF atbbest and needs to move on. Brings nothing to the table other then a gigantic head.
You’re clueless. Ellsbury over Gardner? Just go away
At first I thought you were being serious,but Now I see you’re just trolling….
If Ellsbury hit like he was signed to do we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Hating on Gardy because Ellsbury sucks is weird way to go about solving this problem. Wrap Ellsbury in bubble wrap and ship him and 45 million off to Seattle.
A 20/20 guy, who provided amazing defense, and you want to bench him? You must be a troll.
It’s really not a Ellsbury vs Gardner argument, It’s more of a Ellsbury vs Hicks, Gardner and Frazier one,
First off, Ells was doomed from the get. Never ever….ever, ever ….should be have been signed to the contract he has. You never allocate that kind of money to a guy whose game is predicated on speed. You take his production at $13 mil a year and you’re a some-what happy camper. Ells got hurt, missed half of the month of May, all of June and half of July, Hicks had an incredible month of .May going 299/.423/.506 flashing power, speed and most importantly, a great glove in CF and it’s a wrap. They GAVE Ells back his starting spot after returning and he struggled to the tune of .463 OPS in June. Hicks proved he deserved to be the starter.
Ells is Gardner right now with less pop and a bit more fragile health. But if you can get better production for half the cost then you try and move the more expensive and less productive player.
I would like to see the Yanks get Ohtani and either McGee or Minor, that’s all they really need this off season. They have 35 million to stay under the cap and these guys would only cost 13 million. After that Cashman will try and move Ellsbury and I like the Kennedy move. give the Royals Mitchell or Cessa.. Give them both of them to pay down the contract more.
Cashman could also lower salary by moving Gardner or Betances, they will be easy to move and give the Yanks 19 million to get Stanton. Yanks could give Jeter Frazier, Sheffield, Estrada, and Solek to pay down the contract to 25 million a year.
Will you please stop posting this same stuff on every article.
Hey Cereal—These posters are making believe that it is 2012. They didn’t get the point of the past two seasons; successful baseball has become a younger sport.
So let’s throw all of cash’s good work out the door and trade all of our top talent?
Some of them maybe Mets and Red Sox fans. Just sayin.
Come on
Mikey…This guy right here is actually a Diamondbacks fan. He’s posted this almost exact same paragraph on multiple teams articles since the trade deadline. These other idiots trashing Gardner seem to be either clueless or like you said Sox or Mets fans. Hey how about those Jays fans and playoff viewership the other day. Yea let’s all cry and not support our views with facts,then downvote together. Truly pathetic!!!
How about waiting until the Marlins are desperate to move Stanton’s contract and package Betances Adams Frazier and Ellsbury to Miami for Stanton. Yankees absorb all of Stanton’s contract. Then sign Ohtani.
Woodlawn is funny. I literally laughed out loud. Don’t we know a secret Bostonian when we see it. Either that or he is an idiot.
More then likely he’s both…
I’m curious. If Ellsbury were a free agent … I know he isn’t but go with me here … what would he get on the open market for a three year deal? Three years 30 million?
Couldn’t he be tradeable if the Yankees ate the rest?,
Ellsbury had a 1.6 WAR last year with some injury time, a 1 WAR player is worth about 8 million a year. He might get a 2/20 million contract. He could play LF or CF for about 10 of the bottom teams .
New Yankee lineup
1 Gardner 2 Judge 3 Didi 4 Stanton 5 Bird 6 El Gary 7 Castro (Torres) 8 Headley 9 Hicks
I think Stanton to NY is more realistic then people realize, but like all trades there would have to be pain on both sides. First, the only way it happens would be for Ellsbury to head to Miami to allow for the Yanks to stay under the Lux Cap. That means both players would have to waive their no trade clause which is likely (Stanton gets the chance to win, Ells gets the chance to play and a raise since no income Tax in FL, win/win). Miami is facing the real possibility of eating part of Stanton’s contract anyway, so taking on JE would be them eating money, and they would still get a small salary relief for the next three years, and then no further payroll burdens after that. In return Miami would need a player that could be the new face of the franchise, and here’s where it would hurt, but I’d dangle Gleyber. I think if Jeter got baseball’s top prospect in the trade, he might look like a winner in the deal. The yanks would also need to throw in a pitching prospect or two, possibly one of Adams or Sheffield and a lesser prospect. I’m sure Denbo has a list. Lets face it, Gleyber is a luxury and the Yanks have a ton of infield prospects ready to take over 3rd or 2nd or whatever infield spots open up over the next few years. Gleyber or a luxury. Then again so is adding another power hitting righty outfielder. I’m also not saying it will happen, I’m just saying this is one realistic way the Yanks could get the deal done.
There are several realistic ways it could get done. The Yankees probably have one of the best, if not the best set of players to offer if they chose to make them available.
They have the financial might to take him on simply release Ellsbury and take the luxury cap hit if they chose to do so.
As much as I think it’s a sexy idea to have Stanton in a lineup with Judge and Sanchez I love these kids we’re bringing up. This year was the most fun I’ve had as a Yankee fan in several years.
so as a response here as an indirect response to re-tweeted cleats above here is my lineup for next year … sort of.
1. Gardner (CF/LF/DH), 2. Torres (2B/3B/SS), 3. Judge (RF), 4. Bird (1B), 5. Sanchez (C/DH), 6. Didi (SS) 7. Hicks (CF/LF/DH), 8. Frazier (/LF/CF/DH) 9. Andujar (3B)
Gardner – Primary LF but spends time in CF and at DH
Torres – Primary 2B but splits time at SS and 3B
Hicks – Primary CF but splits time in the other OF positions
Frazier – Primary 4th OF who sees good playing time in LF and can fill in at DH
Castro – Super Utility guy (screw profar) go plays a zobrist role at 2B and SS
Headley – Role p;layer getting occasional 1B/3B and DH time
Some of this is wishful thinking. This means Andujar and Torres come into camp raise the bar and force their way onto the team. May/May not happen but as a Yankee fan I hope they do.
Ellsbury is hopefully off the team or reduced to Matt Holliday’s role of designated cheerleader at the end of last year.
This team is young and versatile. It gives our new math genius manager whomever that may be the ability to shift people around, play hot hands, rotate the rest and rotate at bats.
This gives them flexibility to plug Ohtani into the DH mix and get him at bats too should get hit the jackpot and sign him.
This gives them a change to see if Frazier and Andujar are good enough for the future to decide to pursue/not pursue Machado or Harper while also building their value should they choose to pursue one of them and need to trade them later.
I like your scenario also. I just believe with the addition of Stanton for 2018 that the Yankees are immediately favorites for WS championship. Also they get a 100 million discount if you believe they would need 400 million to acquire Harper.
I like your lineup as well. I just think that with Stanton in the lineup T he Yankees are the favorite to win the 2018 World Series. There won’t be a better offense in the big leagues. We could still bring up Torres and also have the DH for Ohtani. If Torres shows he’s big league ready, Castro could be dealt at the July trade deadline. Also I see Stanton as a 100 million $ discount instead of overpaying for Harper at 400 million.
More realistic the Yanks trade Headley and Gardner to the Giants for prospects and trade for Stanton. Line-up Hicks, Judge, Sanchez, Stanton, Bird, Didi, Castro, Ohtani, and Torres.
The Yankees already have the prospects to trade for Stanton if they wanted to. No need to trade your MLB ready players in Gardner/Headly just to acquire prospects to trade to Miami. Also, the very last thing the Yankees would probably do is trade Gardner. Everyone says it every year that theyll end up trading Gardner because his value is as high as itll be but Gardner is an essential part of a contending team. Trading less essential people in Headly/Ellsbury is a better option for teams trying to go on a playoff run.
Not a chance the yankees offer Gleyber for stanton. I would offer them frazier and betances and some lower level players. The marlins could then flip betances for some good players.
Sure Tray…it’s time to print photos of all of these players. Then cut them out with left handed scissors. Finally Glue then to your bedroom door. I will text your mother so she lets you keep them up.
Apologies for the double post. I thought my first post did not post.
They should trade Gardner now that his value is at an all-time high. Make Frazier the everyday left fielder and Ellsbury is the backup.
Gardner would return quality low level prospects along with some slot money they could use to lure Ohtami. Subtracting his salary would also give them more breathing room to make deals.
Yanks are contending for a title and Gardner is both a big contributor to on field success and is only owed 1/$13 mil. Why trade him? Frazier isn’t proven and doesn’t deserve to play over Gardner until he shows he’s ready. Move Ellsbury. He’s never going to be worth his pay. If the Yankees can reduce his cost to a team whereas he becomes a player earning 3/$24 then they would’ve saved more money than getting rid of Gardner and still have the best players on the field. The Yanks will and most compete for a title and figure out how to integrate new talent at the same time. I say the Yanks should hold on to Gardner, Castro and Headley until one of Andujar, Torres and Frazier force their hand to give them playing time.
KCF…I totally agree with you on Gardy,not only does he play GG defense he’s the only real table setter they have at this point. I don’t get the venom I see some of these people have against Gardner and the trade ideas make no sense. Frazier is not ready and might just start the year at AAA and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him dealt…not that I’m suggesting trading him. Ellsbury was hurt a good portion of the year and did at times play well,but not good enough for any team wanting him. Finally I’ve got to disagree with you on keeping Castro he should be packaged for something. Second base can be handled by Wade/Torreyes and for third resign Todd-Father for 2 years if possible.
Im not so sure Wade is ready either. I say let Castro play out his contract and let him walk/trade him on his last year and resign if he somehow does incredible. The only way i’d be comfortable with dealing Castro is if Torres is ready to come up as a 2B. If thats the case then i would suggest a Headly/Castro package being dealt so that you can bring Andujar up at 3B and Torres at 2B. I have no clue who theyll try to acquire with that package since theyre MLB roster is pretty solidified as it is so maybe get prospects out of it?
If the Giants are dumb enough to trade Panik for Castro then Yanks should do it,even if it means sweetening the deal with Cash. Third should and could be manned by signing Todd Frazier and he could DH if the kids are ready. There’s still work to be done on the MLB roster,starters-CC maybe,and catching perhaps.
Although this sounds like a fantasy or video game scenario, it could very well be possible. in no particular order….
-sign otani (rely on him as a pitcher, maybe 10 at-bats a week.)
-sign cc
-trade for schwarber (maybe betances?)
-trade for Stanton (include ellsbury…eat some money. No need to worry about machado or Harper for 300+ million anymore.) If you don’t trust him or Judge in left field, don’t trade for schwarber, instead get Profar.
2018 lineup
1. Gardner
2. Stanton
3. Judge
4. Bird
5. Sanchez
6. Gregorious
7. Castro/Torres
8. Schwarber/Otani
9. Torres/Headley
Vs lefties you dh Stanton or judge and platoon hicks.
Rotation
1. Severino
2. Tanaka
3. Gray
4. Sabathia
5. Otani
Bullpen
The same. Maybe a McGee or Minor to replace Shreve? And obv no Betances if they trade him.
Wishful thinking, but it’s not as unreal as it may sound. IMO
RIPCookies just HOW do you plan on trading for Stanton? Ellsbury?!?! Why wouldn’t the Marlines just keep Stanton then if they will trade one pricey long term contract and get burened with a bad contract…I know you’re just having fun with this but there’s no way you’re going to have at least two of those big names in that “fantasy” lineup that you had left if you intend on getting him.
Gotta sign toddfather, move headly to dh(also good first base back up, trade Castro and ellsburys with betances to anybody for anything. Bring up andujar and torres and Clint frazier
I absolutely LOVE the idea of the Yankees pursuing Jurickson Profar–it’s incredible how easily people forget guys like him were once MLB’s top prospect—injuries and the fact that Elvis Andrus, Adrian Beltre and Roughned Odor are the starters have cut into his development and have given him less opportunities. The Yankees bought low on Aaron Hicks, a former #1 Draft Pick and look at what he has done this year–you can never have enough talent. Castro will either be traded or the Yanks will let his contract run out and I can envision a Didi/Profar double play combo–two players from Netherlands-fellow countrymen could be very intriguing! Unrelated to this, maybe I’m crazy but what does everyone think of a straight up swap, Delin Betances for Kyle Schwarber—maybe throw in a few pitchers on the 40-man roster from the Yankees to sweeten the deal . Kyle Schwarber is the ultimate DH—left bat-huge power-huge upside and some defensive abilities if necessary. Betances has so much talent and is a two time All Star but I don’t think he can be trusted to throw another pitch in a key situation in pinstripes again.
If you can’t start in front of Odor, you can’t play a lick.
Just because Odor had one off year doesn’t mean he won’t rebound—reminds me of Robinson Cano after he had his worst season with the Yankees in 2008 after hitting above .300 the previous 4 years–fans were writing him off and ready to trade him. Then in ’09 he showed his power potential and went on to have one of his best offensive year and won a championship.
Avoid getting a permanent DH in Shawrber. Having a rotational DH is the best for this roster and getting Shwarber would just create a bigger jam. Also, everytime the Yankees get somebody specifically for the short porch they end up getting shifted on 24/7 and you get Brian McCann’s output.
As much as I hate to say it,because I’ve given Cubs fans a hard time about Schwarber he’s definitely a great fit for the Yankees. In Chicago under that clown and hitting coach he became to pull happy. With a new hitting coach and approach this kid indeed can go to left and beat the shift. He did it in College at Indiana…
Brett Gardner will be easier to trade than Jacoby Ellsbury, So will Chase Headley and Starlin Castro. The Yankees are in need of a catcher upgrade. The Yankees don’t do what “experts” think they’ll do anymore..
I’ll propose the Yankees trade OF Jacoby Ellsbury and IF Chase Headley to the Tigers and in return they get DH/1B Miguel Cabrera and C James McCann.
There is zero reason to trade Gardner, Headley or Castro. Why do people assume that Torres, Andujar or C. Frazier are going to automatically take over and hit the ground running. The Yanks have the luxury of allowing them time to progress and force their way on to the roster. It’s also safe to assume that someone will get injured. In a case where the Yanks are trying to save money, you don’t trade the players that are moderately priced and EARNING their pay. You cut your losses on the one who is under-performing and blocking the way of your young players.
Gardner is owed 1/$11.5 and an option or buyout of $12.500,000 or $2 mil for 2019. Gardner was also a tad shy of a 4 WAR OF next year. He ranked 19th among all major OF in WAR and 7th among all LFers (min 300 AB). Ellsbury on the other hand, ranked 60th amoung ALL OFers with a 1.6 WAR and 30th overall among CFers. Plain and simple, Gardner is much better at his job than Ells is right now,
If the idea was to trade Gardner for prospects, I still wouldn’t do it unless it was overwhelming. Never would I move Gardner so Ells could play instead.
I think the Yanks have to reduce Ells cost to about 3/$24 mil. He’s still a useful player if healthy but not enough of player to start on
While I agree with you about Castro and Gardner, i think there are some reasons to trade Headley. Prospect blocking is one reason, his 13 mil salary is another, and Ellsbury needs to be packaged with somebody to make a deal work and Headley is the most expendable option on the team aside from prospects (probably the most important reason out of the three i mentioned). So while Torres and Andujar might not just have a breakout season immediately it would give them a chance at 3B. Besides, if they dont seem ready you could always fall back on Torreyes.
Headley is good to have bc he’s on a 1 year deal and provides insurance in case Andujar and Torres don’t get promoted or Bird gets hurt.
How do you propose the Yankees go about reducing Ellsbury salary ? Gardner is a good example for the young guys and heart of the team. If they get anybody to give them 10 million a year for Ellsbury thy should pay balance and move on. Will save money still with Frazier for duration of contract. As for machado and Harper, or Stanton, I vote to sign none of them and keep money to sign our own guys as they become superstars. Let someone else get the big contract lockdown. Otani is a no brainer if you get him. He will be cheap first couple years and if he’s a bust no big deal. If not you have Japanese babe hruth
If the Yankees target Stanton, there is an obvious reason to trade Gardner. They aren’t going to abandon the plan to reset the luxury tax. If MLBTR expects Cain to get $70M/4yrs, Gardner is a steal for $11.5M/1yr with an option for a 2nd year at $12M if he doesn’t decline. This wouldn’t be a salary dump, the Yankees would actually get a decent prospect back too.
You don’t pass up on Stanton because you want to keep Gardner on the team. Stanton almost had as many HRs last season as Gardner did in his career prior to last season.
You can also pay down Ellsbury’s salary to around $21M/3yrs to save another $7M next year. They’ve also got a stacked bullpen and could decide to trade Robertson and his $12M salary for a good haul of prospects. When the Yankees have Chapman, Betances, Green, Kahnle, and Warren, is Robertson a more important piece than Stanton?
Robertson, Gardner, and Ellsbury could easily be moved to make room for Stanton without a significant loss of production at those positions because of depth. If Torres and Andujar force their way onto the team, the Yankees could consider trading Castro or Headley as well during the season.
As for what the Yankees would give up, I think a package of Clint Frazier and a pitching prospect would probably beat other offers.
Lineup – Hicks, Judge, Stanton, Bird, Sanchez, Didi, Castro, Headley, Iannetta/Ohtani/Austin
Rotation – Severino, Tanaka, Gray, CC, Ohtani, Montgomery
Bullpen – Chapman, Betances, Green, Kahnle, Warren, Shreve, German
“If MLBTR expects Cain to get $70M/4yrs, Gardner is a steal for $11.5M/1yr with an option for a 2nd year at $12M if he doesn’t decline.”
If he doesn’t decline? Gardner has no choice in the matter.
2019 option is $12.5M club option with $2M buyout.
If the Yankees want to go back to their pre-rebuild ways of thinking then they should go out and commit 10+ years to a guy and a boatload of prospects, of which I’m SURE either one or more of Judge, Sanchez, Bird wouuld be demanded, who is prone to injury year after year. The Yankees already have their big man who already has done better in his first full season than Stanton had in his first 2 years for a millifraction (I made that word up) of the cost. There is so much demand for that guy,…let the Red Sox cleajn out their farm system for him. We have Judge…let’s not get greedy here and basically throw their whole youth movement which hasn’t even fully been developed yet still was one win away from the World Series!!! Be patient…no one will want Ellsbury’s contract and with the amount of money any interested team would want it would just make sense to keep him as an overpriced 4th possibly 5th outfielder. Do NOT trade Garder…he is clutch and a veteran presence. The Yankees will have to find a way to get Clint Frazier in there —he should be their 4th outfielder.. Hicks needs to stay–he broke out big and his defensive prowess in center has and will continue to save games and also has been a lineup force. I really think the Yankees should re sign Todd Frazier—another veteran presence who I believe had a lot to do with the Yanikees late season success. He has personality, plays hard, is a vacuum at the hot corner and has and will continue to provide clutch hits in big spots. I DO believe that the Yankees should get what they can out of trading Castro once Gleyber Torres is major league ready but also have him compete with Andjuar to win a backup infleld job–maybe try some first base because we don’t know if Bird will always be healthy or if Toddfather underperforms slip one of those guys in the the starting role.. If Tores is ready, they resign Toddfather and everyone is healthy then I’d see what I could get out of trading Andujar but I wouldn’t pull the trigger too quickly because guys do get hurt. Which is why also Torreyes should be their super utility guy—he’s this generation’s Luis Sojo and is a fan favorite. Will never get a starting job on this team but he needs to stay. I feel good about this Ohtani kid—he might be more of a bargain than say Machado or Harper. As for those two the Yankees will have the flexibility to sign either one but we forget Kershaw can opt out and if he’s available you gotta snatch him up. With all the depth the Yankees have, they really shouldn’t have to overpay or commit long term for any position players—let this current team get better internally, grow together, improve together and if they need to spend money, spend it on pitching. Let the Red Sox commit to Harper long term—remember he is injury prone too….Machado had a bad year last year and I’d rather invest in Torres than him so use those dollars to pry Kershaw away from the Dodgers.
Other then Otani what Pitchers should the Yanks target? Starters and or Relievers. Curious to see who everyone would like to see the Yanks go out n get or try to get.
This offseason will b all about trying to fix the payroll by any means possible to go after both Harper and Machado. And figure out how they fit in the roster if they can get them. So as a big Yankees fan don’t expect too much and b disappointed.
Offseason Todo list; ellsburys contract, headleys, and what to do with Betances.
Season todo list; c if Torres, C. Frazier, Andujar, Sheffield and Adams can play…. And obviously get back into the playoffs