Yankees general manager Brian Cashman once again indicated Wednesday that re-signing free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu is the team’s No. 1 offseason priority, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News relays. The Yankees are “certainly not dipping our toes in various waters until we get a feel for how declares himself,” Cashman said of LeMahieu. The club is at least keeping an eye on the free-agent and trade markets as it waits for an answer from LeMahieu, but Cashman seems fairly optimistic New York will be able to retain the 2020 AL batting champion and MVP finalist. “The atmosphere is good, the fact that he wants to stay and we’d like to keep him,” Cashman said. “But that doesn’t guarantee anything because in free agency, you know, anything can happen. So, you know, we’ll see what happens over the course of time but our intent is to try to find a way to make it happen.”
- Also from Ackert’s piece, Cashman stated he’s “confident” the Yankees will again boast the majors’ top payroll in 2021. There has been speculation that the Yankees will try to get under the $210MM luxury-tax threshold, which would mean a significant cut compared to last year’s budget, though Cashman declined to go into detail on how much the team will spend.
- The Yankees have gotten “a lot of calls” from teams on outfielder Mike Tauchman, according to Cashman (via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). It seems unlikely the Yankees will part with Tauchman, though, especially with Brett Gardner currently in free agency. Tauchman’s under affordable control through 2024 and could be an important reserve for the Yankees next season, considering he’s capable of playing all three outfield positions. Of course, it’s worth noting that Tauchman’s offensive production plummeted last season after a terrific showing in 2019. The 30-year-old hit just .242/.342/.305 and went without a home run in 111 plate appearances.
- The team has shown interest in free-agent reliever Ryne Stanek, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com tweets. The Yankees are familiar with Stanek from his time as a member of the division-rival Rays, with whom he pitched from 2017-19. The hard-throwing Stanek held his own in a couple of those years, but he fell apart after the Rays sent him to the Marlins at the 2019 trade deadline. Stanek put up such poor production last season that the Marlins non-tendered him earlier this month.
Do you mean the Marlins when you mentioned Stanek was non tendered ?
Yes, thanks. Just fixed it.
Mlb owners who don’t have a foolish or inept gm(we all know who they are) might be able to get 3 mlb players on their roster for 25 mil.
Of the 53 free agents available this year I think only 27 will get a contract of 8/mil a year or higher.
You can get 50 MLB players for $25M and there are way more than 53 FA’s.
Yeah… what? Haha… what is the point you’re even trying to make? You can get as many players as you want for $25M but none of them (other than guys on rookie deals etc.) will hit as well as LeMahieu. And also… where is the “53 Free Agents” thing coming from? There are 100s of free agents…
I am officially declaring myself as the 54th free agent. I’ll sign for under $1M.
And I’m the 55th. I will only require $500,000 to sign, so any team would be able to get me with the $25 million they have.
Honestly, I think the OP probably had a good point they were trying to make, but they didn’t do a good job of explaining it.
56th!
But…my price tag is higher these days, fellas. Do I need to call Boras?
I think he meant a decent GM could get 3 FAs that would actually improve the team for $25M. Not replacement level players, or worse.
Am I crazy for wanting a Gardy reunion? I think I am, but still want it.
not as crazy as Gardy himself
It’s been quiet on that front. I don’t think they should resign him but would hate to see him in another uniform.
Right now I’m banging my bat on my ceiling reading this…
. Gardy is awesome. Look, at least he plays every time he’s called on to do so. If this year is going to be an austerity budget year, then we really aren’t going for it all. They aren’t signing anyone new. Just let him play it out. I don’t know, just my thinking.
You’re crazy! I think its time to let Clint Frazier have the playing time.
DannyECO Definitely not. Gardy’s a respected career Yankee (so far) who’s a good clubhouse guy and leader. I could easily see him giving them another year of decent production too. He shouldn’t start every day anymore, but he can be fine as a backup behind Judge, Stanton (likely DH), Frazier, and Hicks
And the odds of Judge and Stanton missing time at some point are pretty good, so you need viable OF options behind them. Is Tauchman a clear upgrade over Gardy now? I’m not really convinced yet that he is.
You could do worse than Brett Gardner for sure, but does his presence on the roster block guys like Estevan Florial?
larkraxm Florial hasn’t even played in AA or AAA yet, and his stock as a prospect has fallen since 2018. Assuming he does ever make it, he’s probably still at least 1 more year away from the majors.
Florial is blocked by Hicks.
Having both Tauchman/Gardner/Florial in center is fine by me.
I’d move Hicks Voit and make a run at Lindor or Didi
Rocket.. He played in the majors last year. Only three at bats but still he definitely played in higher than AA or AAA.
Joe Says… I know that. I don’t think them giving him 3 little MLB AB’s in a year where there was no chance for him to get his first real experience at AA or AAA means he’s viewed as an MLB ready guy now, that’s my point. He’s mostly likely gonna need some time in higher minors levels first.
I don’t think so, @Dannyeco.
Tauchman looked really bad this year. It’s probably a given that Hicks, Stanton, & Judge will all hit the IL at some point.
So that 4th outfielder is actually a pretty important role on this squad. That’s why I’ve wanted to see the Yanks in on Pederson for that role.
But if that’s not in the cards, I’d feel way better with Gardy than I would Tauchman.
Yeah Hicks (and Severino) have hardly played since they signed their contracts in March 2019. Hicks is always injured.
“I’d feel way better with Gardy than I would Tauchman.”
I wouldn’t. Not unless they can keep Gardner at a substantial discount.
The thing about Tauchman is that he’s been much better in the second half throughout his career and 2020 was no exception — only there wasn’t a normal second half. The entire season was essentially the first half of a normal season.
For his career, his first-half OPS is .635 and his second-half OPS is .940, with 9 more AB in the second half.
Now, that could be a problem if it’s going to be another shortened season, unless Tauchman figures out how to get going out of the gate. But he was one of the best outfielders in 2019, with 18 DRS in just 694.1 innings. He had a better DRS and UZR/150 than Kiermaier in 2019. That doesn’t necessarily mean he was better or even as good, because fielding metrics are iffy. But as a rough-sketch picture, they at least tell us he was above-average defensively.
If the Yankees weren’t up against a self-imposed luxury tax limit, Brett’s salary wouldn’t be an issue. But I’d rather roll the dice with Tauchman for an estimated $575,000 than see them go cheap on, say, an arm for the bullpen so they could pay the salary of a 37-year-old fourth outfielder.
Tauchman’s career hasn’t been long enough to extrapolate such conclusions, he’s barely played a full season in his entire career and has only really been a major leaguer for two seasons, one of them shortened
The best place for Garner is 2021 is coaching with the GCL Yankees.
didn’t hit a home run while playing in the AL East bandboxes? Wow.
Approaching Juan Pierre status
Ouch!
You’re crazy! I think its time to let Clint Frazier have the playing time.
Gardy still had an OPS+ of 104 or so, in line with his recent productions. The clubhouse influence is there, at least according to reports. He’s worth a 3M deal to keep him from “workin at the car wash, babe”….
Stanek’s worth a (cheap) shot too; there were times when he was with the Rays that he looked absolutely unhittable. Not sure what happened in Miami, but that’s why the FO guys make all the money. Give him a 1M deal; tell him to get a haircut and get rid of that ugly facial hair.
I don’t know. I was initially intrigued by Stanek. He seemed to always throw pretty well against us.
However, I was just looking at his last couple years. It’s some really ugly stuff, man. Yankees middle relief needs some buttressing. On a minor league deal?
Yeah, sure. But why not just pay a couple million more & sign a guy like Melancon who’s actually pretty good.
Ya know?
You’re probably right about Stanek; there’s so much RH-relief capital out there that’s more reliable, even if Stanek is, as you say, “intriguing”.
So many good relievers out there right now. Holland signed for less than 3 mil. Claudio is a decent lefty arm & he got just a shade over a mil earlier today.
I don’t see how the Yanks can compile much more than a mediocre rotation this year. To elevate it above that would require some wild spending. Ya know? It’d have to be something like…Bauer, Tanaka, & signing a bounce back guy. And that still wouldn’t be a guarantee.
In light of that – & I know it hasn’t worked completely in the past few years – but I’d ensure we’ve another top 3 offense again. I’d also put together another bullpen that goes 6 or 7 deep. That’ll require at least a couple outside additions. This is a good year for that which is why I’m in support of it as a realistic approach.
This core may just never have a good rotation. This was our year to have one. But Sevi went down & Pax was hurt.
Sucks.
But there it is.
His facial hair looks fine Bob.
His quasi-beard and quasi-mustache look full of snot.
Sure does, @tillman. Right there with you. Imagine how decent Keuchel would look if he was a Yankee.
#geezaswithattitude
#realgeezas
#taxinvestigatakilla
I’d keep Gardner, but that 104 OPS+ was skewed due to a late streak. For most of the 60 games, Gardy was awful. He’s only a backup, but still a great defender.
Tauchman is a really underrated player… granted not hitting a single home run last year is a little rough… but he’s a guy who probably should have been given a bigger shot in the majors long before the Yankees wound up giving him significant playing time in 2018. I understand he didn’t hit well in his 30-something ABs in 2016 and 2017 — but he was putting up VERY solid numbers in the minors and obviously when he was finally given the chance… it translated well to the majors as well. I’m not sure he’s really an ideal starting OF on a playoff team BUT he could certainly be pretty much any teams 4th OF and maybe even make a case to start on many teams. The only thing working against him is he is already 30/31… so it’s not like he’s going to have another decade to play and improve — he pretty much is what/who he is now… and that’s about what you can expect from him going forward. A .275+ average 10-15 HRs and a very solid OBP. A player most teams would be happy to have under contract.
The Yankees have gotten “a lot of calls” from teams on outfielder Mike Tauchman, according to Cashman.
Teams are clamoring for a 29 year old with 104 hits in 414 at bats. Really.
It’s time to say good bye to Gardy. The Gardy party is closed.
“Turn out the lights the Gardys over”
Arb eligible in 2022, free agent in 2025, left handed bat with power, steals bases, good baserunner, and can play all 3 outfield positions well above average…..yeh, I would think with the number of “fringe” players clubs are signing these days that Tauch is going to attract some attention as a 4th outfielder or possibly a starter in case of injury!
Might wanna back off a bit on that “with power” business. Tyler Wade hit more jacks than Tauchman did.
Tauchman is hard to evaluate… bad year last year but small sample size… on the other hand his value comes from only one half season of very good play, plus he’s what? 29? 30?
Yeah.
I just don’t know what to think of him. Last year this time I was convinced Urshella was the mirage & Sockman was the Real Deal.
Blew that one.
@whyhayzee
They’re probably more interested in the 2019 elite fielder with an .865 OPS and 13 HR in 260 AB.
Good to hear that NY is not definitively trying to get below the CBT this year. That would really hurt their chances to re-sign DJL with the other holes remaining on the team, mostly in the pitching department. They will probably try to stay below $230M where the tax penalties really increase, especially for 3 time offenders.
I agree, and it means filling at least two of the three spots vacated by Tanaka, Paxton and Happ, even if it is with Tanaka and Paxton. Not sure if Bauer is inthe conversation, but he and DJ would push them really close to the $230 limit
Big yankee fan and hope they sign DJLM. But of they don’t, the yankees might be better long term if they can get Lindor for the next 5+ years. Am I crazy to think this?
What’s wrong with having both Lindor and DJLM
You think they’re taking on $40MM plus getting another SP?
Only so many positions to put players at
It ain’t my money, @mlbnyyfan.
Hell, let’s sign Bauer, Tanaka, Hendricks, Hand…why not…Kluber, too.
Ducky down.
I’m afraid – however – we may run into a snag getting this all by Hal.
Get him drunk & steal his checkbook? Not sure if that’ll work. But it’s the best I can come up with, man.
Where is voit or Torres going to play if we have both? We need both Torres and Voit as they are both very good players and both are cheap. Just don’t see them getting both Lindor and DJLM. The cost of DJLM and Lindor are pretty similar year to year, if DJLM really is asking for 25 mil a year.
Only happens if they trade Voit, Andujar and young pitching for Lindor.
Cleveland’s biggest need is outfield help. They will try to fill that need in a Lindor trade. Andujar is not an OF. He is not an IF. He is a DH and the Indians already have a DH.
With Cole and Stanton, I personally don’t think the Yankees are going for what could possibly be another $200M+ contract.
You need 30 starts, Stanek is your guy. You need 80, probably your guy too.
If teams are calling then Cash should trade away Tauchman. He’s got to have ok value to bring back an ok piece
Only way to shed salary is to try and deal Hicks.
The article was implying that the Yanks weren’t looking to shed payroll, though. That’s what I took away from Cashman stating that the Yankees would “boast the majors top payroll in ’21”.
& Hicks at 10 mil AAV is a pittance for the production he provides.
I just don’t see how that would help very much. You’d then need to bring in a replacement which would more than likely negate any potential savings & you’d also now have an inferior player on top of that.
We’ll see what Hicks production is at this point. He didn’t look particularly good in ’20.
Guess that’s not exactly how I saw his performance last season. He recorded a .379 OBP(!) to go along with 6 jacks & he swiped 4 bags (w/ just 1 CS).
Offensively, he was good. Man. He *still* sees ~ 6 pitches/AB.
Guess I’ve a difficult time seeing that as anything other than “good production”, uh.
His defensive numbers took a pretty big hit.
Couple things to note about that however:
– Sample size. 60 games is nothing in the world of defensive metrics. Generally those are best viewed through multi-year lenses.
– Came back from TJS. Long layoff, lotta rust, and he probably wasn’t completely recovered physically.
I’m good with Hicks in CF.
Hicks is a good player and plenty of teams would be interested in him for 2021 at $10+ million. They’d probably even be ok with shelling out 10+ million for his age 32 season in 2022.
It’s hard to imagine though a whole lot of excitement around the league at the prospect of paying $32 million to watch his age 33/34/35 seasons, considering his body type and injury history.
The article was implying that the Yanks weren’t looking to shed payroll, though. That’s what I took away from Cashman stating that the Yankees would “boast the majors top payroll in ’21”.
& Hicks at 10 mil AAV is a pittance for the production he provides.
I just don’t see how that would help very much. You’d then need to bring in a replacement which would more than likely negate any potential savings & you’d also now have an inferior player on top of that.
Inputs better article
Dan55
You’re right I got distracted typing the post and didn’t explain as well as I would have liked.
I do apologise for not including the poster’s kindergartener’s classmates in the 100’s of free agents.
Thanks
The Yanks need to sign both Yadiar Molina and Adam Wainwright right now. Great Veteran leadership. A ton of playoff and World Series experience. Both still are able to contribute, not just on the playing field, but in the clubhouse plus coaching younger up and coming Stars. Both want to play on the same team in 2021. The combination of each of their salaries would be about a half of what you could get with their talents and all of the extras that come with it!!!
I’d love for them to go to the Yanks and win another World Series ring in the process!!!
I wonder if the Yankees could swing a deal with Colorado for Trevor Story and German Marquez. There has been a lot of Lindor ideas floated, but Story and Marquez would address a couple needs, if LeMahieu does not re-sign. Yankees could work on an extension for Trevor as well. Seems like the Rox would want some combination of the usual suspects: Frazier, Schmidt, Garcia, et al
– Sign Schwarber and give him a LF semi-platoon with Tachmann.
– Package guys like Frazier, Andujar, Schmidt in a deal with Colorado for Story and Marquez
Cole, Marquez, Montgomery, Severino, Garcia
C Sanchez
1B Voit
2B Torres
SS Story
3B Urshela
LF Schwarber/Tachmann
CF Hicks
RF Judge
DH Stanton
To my mind, Mike Lupica has lost a few steps in recent years, but I think his Daily News piece — “A pinstriped dilemma: Could Aaron Judge eventually be the odd-man out with the Yankees?” — deserves attention.
Obviously Judge is a fan favorite, and the franchise jumped on the promotional possibilities immediately, but I don’t think it’s crazy to ask if the wisest course is to trade him now.
The gamble is obvious: if you trade him now and he stays healthy, you lose a big force in the lineup and an elite defender — not to mention his being the face of the franchise. Cashman would have to ride to work in an armored car.
But if he gets hurt again, his value will drop even more. And, let’s face it, he hasn’t been durable. Thanks to the foolish trade for Stanton, as Lupica points out, the Yankees will soon be saddled with three massive contracts if Judge does stay healthy and they choose to keep him when he hits free agency in 2023.
Should they trade him now? If so, which player(s) should they aim for in a trade?
Is Cashman just pretending they’re poor all of a sudden to help negotiations or do the Yankees really want to cut payroll??
Every interview with him this off season he sounds like he’s managing the Pirates or something
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Yankees lose a player to free agency that they really wanted to keep. They seem willing to let Tanaka walk but they clearly want to keep Lemahieu.