The Yankees face a number of big decisions this offseason, though one of their more immediate bits of business will be figuring out Zack Britton’s status for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Britton is two years into a three-year, $39MM deal that contains a $14MM club option for 2022, and a clause in the contract states that the Yankees have to decide whether or not to exercise that option now, rather than after the 2021 campaign. If the club option is declined, Britton can opt out of his contract and hit free agency this offseason.
More details are provided by Britton himself, in an e-mail to George A. King III of the New York Post. According to the left-hander, “the Yankees have until the third day following the end of the World Series” to exercise or decline the 2022 option. If they decline, Britton has until five days after the end of the World Series to decide whether or not to opt out or remain playing under his 2021 obligation.
“I have not had any discussions regarding my contract with the Yankees,” Britton said, adding that he will soon be touching base with his agent Scott Boras to discuss the situation.
Given that New York’s season only just ended last Friday, it perhaps isn’t surprising that the team hasn’t yet fully explored all of their offseason matters. It is also quite possible that in Britton’s case, the Yankees might not have much to discuss — the southpaw delivered another superb year, with a 1.89 ERA, 2.29 K/BB rate, 7.6 K/9, and elite 71.7% grounder rate, and zero home runs allowed over 19 innings of work.
Retaining Britton for the cost of $27MM over 2021-22 seems like a relatively easy yes for the team. One potential complication could be the Yankees’ overall payroll picture, should they decide that Britton’s salary could be better spent on other pressing issues, like re-signing DJ LeMahieu or adding to the rotation. But, as King notes, Britton was an important stabilizing force in a bullpen that had its share of inconsistency in both the regular season and in the playoffs.
On the off chance that the club option is declined, it’s probably also safe to assume that Britton would choose to opt out of his 2021 deal. Britton turns 33 in December, and he would be leaving $13MM on the table to enter one of the most unpredictable free agent markets of all time. The Yankees could also attach a qualifying offer to Britton, further impacting his market. Even with those obstacles, however, it’s quite easy to imagine Britton scoring more two years and $27MM considering his track record as one of the sport’s better relievers.
Yanks have to exercise the option. They need to fortify bullpen depth beyond Chapman, Britton and Green. They can’t go backwards.
I’m thinking of the trades that didn’t result in the best outcomes, like getting Sonny Gray and J.A. Happ. Were there truly no better pitchers available, or were the Yankees being held up at gunpoint by the other teams? I’m thinking of the Yankees getting Giancarlo Stanton the same year that Christian Yelich was available. Could they not have come up with a package for Yelich? I’m thinking of the talent that was available if they would have moved Andujar and Sanchez a few years ago, and now they have to sell low on both of them.
What was wrong with the Happ trade? They traded Drury and McKenney to get him. Ask Toronto fans their thoughts on those two guys. Re-signing Happ is a different story.
The Yankees also don’t “have” to sell low on Andujar or Sanchez. Andujar has options and I think Sanchez might have options as well but even if he doesn’t, he can be benched.
Exactly
The Marlins were trading one outfielder at a time. Mozeliak has stated this and Cashman has hinted at it. They were only interested in dealing Stanton. Then they were interested in trading Ozuna. Then Yelich.
Also, nobody knew who Yelich was, until he got to Milwaukee. Then he went to another level…
“held at gunpoint”. Those poor Yankees. Either make the trade or don’t.
Given the current free agent class…. it’s a non-decision. Exercise the option.
The Yankees are clearing a lot of space with Tanaka, Paxton, Happ and Gardner coming off the books. Granted, they will have to replace those guys but given the uncertainty free agents are facing, the Yankees could find some pretty decent deals, IMO.
Forbes
“But in a pandemic world – where owner Hal Steinbrenner has said his team lost more money than any other (this is a franchise that has always printed money, so fans likely won’t be sympathetic to his plight) that may not be feasible. A payroll reduction seems likely. It may require more internal solutions than desired, or it may require dealing Voit or Urshela.”
Why not? The reality isn’t JUST that the Yanks can afford a 250M payroll…they can afford a 400M payroll. THAT’S the reality of revenue disparity. And you can expect the Luxury Tax either have the dollar amounts greatly increased, or have it done away with entirely.
I know that is tongue in cheek but it’s not even remotely accurate with the leagues profit sharing program.
Very interesting clause. Great for the player and agent as it buffers injury risk and the likelihood a team will over use a guy in his walk year.
The Yanks are in constant win now mode and Britton is as known of a quantity as exists in the perpetually volatile bullpen world. I think they exercise it.
Lets be completely honest, the Yankees are going to make Lindor priority number one after next season so the need to re-sign DJ LeMahieu is a luxury, not a necessity.
Also, exercising Brittons option is an obvious decision. Even if the Yankees were facing payroll issues, you exercise his option and trade him.
If I’m the Yankees, I do not go crazy with LeMahieu, I’d offer him 3 years at a 14.5 million AAV. If he declines I would simply turn my attention to Tommy LaStella who is the type of guy who would also thrive in Yankees Stadium. Some of the rumored dollar amounts for DJ is insane, where Tommy would cost you a fraction and his value will not be that far off.
Why are people talking like Gary Sanchez is trash? Because he had a poor third of the season? He provides value behind the plate and has a lot of power. You can live with his poor OBP, the dudes a catcher.
No way the Yankees go after Lindor. That would put three 300 million dollar players on the team. Even if he doesn’t get 300 million, his AAV will be at least 35 million.
And yeah, Sanchez sucks. If his defense was at least average, yes you can live with a low OBP but his defense is the worst in their league.
Have to love Yankee fans…
It’s absolutely asinine to suggest that a 27 year old who AVERAGES a .823 OPS and a 116 OPS+ as a catcher “sucks”. Also, with the exception of this season he has posted a positive dWAR each season so his defense is actually better than average.
You can hit me up in two years when Lindor is in pinstripes.
It’s not just fans that are down on Sanchez. Per articles on The Athletic, there are more than a few FO execs and scouts that don’t think Sanchez’s future is behind the plate.
His “future” isn’t behind the plate but as it stands right now, he can play out his arbitration years behind the plate just fine.
Sanchez isn’t the superstar that the prospect rankings made him out to be but he is a capable backstop now and for a couple more years to come.
2020 effect several players negatively but its not an accurate reflection of their game. Sanchez will make what? Roughly 8 million next season via arbitration. That is a gamble worth taking even if his defense continues to slide.
The Yankees bigger concern is not Sanchez but their inability to keep their outfielders on the grass.
The last thing I’ll say before I’ll have to put a pin in today,
Sanchez’s hard hit rate are barrel percentage are elite. His exit velocity is also near the top in the league. His BA on OBP is getting killed because he continues to hit into the shift, that should be a correctable action.
Just to clarify, the future is now. I meant that going forward starting next year, Sanchez is not a catcher. In fact the execs and scouts weren’t so sure he could do anything but DH.
Maybe Yankees’ fans have actually been watching games and not just relying on a stat sheet. Sanchez is trash on both sides of the ball. Yanks could either grab McCann or just let Higgy start. OBP getting killed bacusew he’s hitting into the shift, that’s hilarious. The man stroke out every other AB this season. He has had 3 horrible seasons in a row now. Hits a HR in CLE because the wind was blowing out to right field, at like 50 mph lol.
Agree 100% !!!!! “Correctable Action”!!! what the heck is Marcus Thames doing…..? Like i mentioned in my post below !!!!
Defense – better than average? LOL
ROTFLMAO!!!!!
That would really be lowballing DJ. He is going to get at least $25mil per year on a 3 year deal. His $12m per year he is on now was based on hitting 280 and 12 homers. And Lindor would be tough to go after when they have starting pitching needs, plus by 2022 they’ll likely need to decide on Judge, Sanchez, and Torres as far as free agency or buying out arbitration.
I love Judge but the Yankees would be foolish to extend him.
I understand it’s lowballing DJ. He’s a great player and his hit game will play but 25 million per is a huge overpay and any team that is willing to give it to him is going to rue that signing.
I agree with that. I wouldn’t sign Judge yet either. And as far as DJ, right middle infielders do not age well. But it should be relatively safe if you keep it short in terms of years. Plus the fact he can play 1b or 3B should help extend his career. He is also the type of bat they need since the entire lineup relies on homers and he puts the ball in play. In fact if they didn’t have 5 OF I wouldn’t mind Brantley as well on a short term. Left handed, contact, doesn’t strike out. Just to balance out the lineup. They could also look to trade Gleyber or Voit. Because of their controllability their values wouldn’t be any higher.
drasco036 Going after Lindor would be a huge mistake that I would hope Cashman is smart enough to avoid. Yankees don’t need to commit big money to Lindor unless he can pitch. They need to go get a legit #2 or a ‘Co Ace’ to pair with Cole. Tanaka and Paxton will never be that for them.
Risky to bet on Severino returning and being able to be that guy for them too.
I can’t at all see why the Yankees wouldn’t exercise the option. The last thing they should be doing is turning away quality pitching depth, and Britton certainly seems worth keeping around for another couple of years at that price.
13th most innings on the ballclub, pay those millions!
No talks are needed between the parties. The Yankees either exercise the 2022 option and he remains under contract for 2 more years or they don’t exercise it.There is nothing to discuss.
Very interesting contract scenario. I might decline and tell him “good luck in this market.”
I’ve been saying all along the Yankees are always reluctant to trade for the top pitcher. Cliff Lee, Verlander, and Cole. The Yankees did trade for the wrong outfielder. Definitely Yelich instead of Stanton. Cashman and his team has no clue when it comes to develop starting pitchers. That’s why the Yankees normally have to overpay for Cole and others because they can’t draft and develop an ace.
mlbnyyfan How do you know Cole would’ve became the elite pitcher he is if he never went to Houston? Assuming the results would be the exact same no matter what team they went to is a bit foolish. That completely changes the environment and coaching staff they thrived with. Cole was not a top pitcher at the time of the trade.
I’ve already called out your Stanton/Yelich take in the past with no reply so I expect you’ll ignore this and continue repeating that forever as well.
The Yankees have to get younger. I am not totally confident that Britton will be that effective during the next two years. Not an easy decision. Could go either way.
“The Yankees could also attach a qualifying offer to Britton”. That’s a 18.9m for one season. Britton would take that in a heartbeat. It would be better to just give him 27m for 2 years, if it came to that.
Britton > Chapman
This is definitely not any defense for Sanchez….but I find I interesting
Last 3 years, including this mess of a year….Sanchez batted .200. UGHHHH’
The previous 2 years he batted .284
Basically he was a .275 minor league hitter.
How does he fall off to .200 ????
….here is the interesting thing .Marcus Thames has been the new batting coach for the NYY the past 3 years…..
Why isn’t he ‘correcting whatever ails Sanchez.?? Something is wrong with this picture.
Maybe management doesnt look deep enough at hitting and/or Pitching coaches ????
@Rocket you can hate all my suggestions all you want. I know the Yankees need to make changes plain and simple. The lineup strikes out too much. Cashman has made good but more bad moves. He doesn’t have an eye for pitchers like he has for hitters. Maybe it’s time to blame Steinbrener because he’s not getting angry enough for a team over haul and fire Cashman. I don’t know why he’s not angry enough but he’s definitely not his father. He’s too laid back and acts like he doesn’t care
Spring 1977, I was 110 lb, 95 mph thrower in HS, I guy came up to me in the locker room and said I had to take “this stuff” if I wanted to make it. So, I am just a fan. What is the point: re=think what we are looking at these days; after 40+ years of juicing, value is back at what is was in the mid 70s. Granted, why do any of these punks make more than the Mick ever make is crazy; inflation i guess. That said, he appears to be able to fill the position as it now stands. . period. PS: Chapman has moved himself to the 6-8 innings along with his new pitches…
Easy call here for Yanks.