Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met with reporters at the GM meetings this afternoon. When asked about areas of the roster that need to be addressed, he responded directly that the club “needs two outfielders.”Video provided by SNY).
The longtime baseball operations director pointed to the rookie centerfielder’s season-ending injury Jason Dominguez, who will be out until mid-summer following Tommy John surgery. “Now I need a center fielder, I need a left fielder, preferably left-handed,” Cashman said.
Cashman also pointed to the possibility of making a move that comes with what he called an “infield surplus.” The Yankees have the Gold Glove winner Anthony Volpe at shortstop, at age 23 Oswald Peraza is probably ready for an everyday look at second or third base. The former standout struggled to hit a .191/.267/.272 line in 52 MLB games this year, but had a more impressive .268/.357/.479 performance in Triple-A. Combined with his reputation for excellent defense throughout the infield, Peraza could take a step forward in 2024.
The Yankees have Gleyber Torres as the starting second baseman. The right-hander was New York’s second-best offensive player last season, hitting .273/.347/.453 with 25 home runs. Torres hasn’t played particularly well on defense and is entering his final year of arbitration, projected at a salary of $15.3 million, according to MLBTR’s Matt Swartz.
“Are you trying to find a way to get Peraza involved?” Cashman asked rhetorically. “We have Gleyber Torres in the final year of his contract. He had a heck of a year.” The GM pointed to a strong second half DJ LeMahieuwho will likely serve as the starting third baseman.
To be clear, Cashman stopped short of saying the Yankees would acquire Torres. But marketing the veteran second baseman could be a way to balance the roster. In addition to the outfield needs, the GM noted an annual desire to strengthen the pitching.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner also met with reporters this afternoon (submitted by Bill Ladson of MLB.com). “When it comes to free agents, everything is on the table,” he said. Steinbrenner called the lack of run scoring the team’s biggest problem heading into 2023.
This all points to a possible run with a top-tier bat Shohei Ohtani And Cody Bellinger Leading the free agent class. Bellinger would certainly fit the roster on paper as a left-handed centerfielder who drastically reduced his strikeout rate this year. In fact, Jon Heyman of the New York Post writes that the club is exploring the top of the offensive market – and points out that he was in contact with Bellinger’s camp in the early stages of the offseason.
Juan Soto is the biggest topic of trading speculation this winter. It remains unclear how seriously the Padres might consider moving their star left fielder, although the Yankees would certainly be in the mix if the Friars made Soto available. Looking further down on the trade front, such as Max Kepler or Trent Grisham could be on the block. Grisham is the superior defender, while Kepler has more potential offensively.
As things currently stand, this is only the case in New York Aaron Richter tied to an outfield spot. A short-term acquisition — Kepler is a year away from free agency, for example — could allow the Yankees to preserve future flexibility if Dominguez returns in the second half. Everson Pereira is a highly prized talent who could play to left or center field but hit just .151/.233/.194 in his first 27 big league games.