Inbox: Will Yanks ‘let the kids play’ in 2023?
It has been a busy offseason so far for the Yankees, who’ve re-signed Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo to new contracts whereas bringing Carlos Rodón and Tommy Kahnle into the fold. General supervisor Brian Cashman says there may be nonetheless extra to do, and we’ll stay up for what’s subsequent in a brand new version of the Yankees Inbox.
Do you assume the Opening Day left fielder is on the present roster? — Nick V.
No. Phew, that was simple! If the Yankees’ season started right now, their most probably decisions in left area could be Aaron Hicks or Oswaldo Cabrera, since they’re persevering with to view Giancarlo Stanton largely as a delegated hitter to maintain his bat within the lineup. Cabrera may even see time in left area amongst his duties because the Yanks’ jack-of-all-trades utilityman, however as of now, he is not being penciled in as a beginning outfielder. The identical is true for Hicks, who appears to be a major candidate for a change of surroundings; he mentioned as a lot late within the season, questioning his future in pinstripes.
Now, if it isn’t Cabrera or Hicks, then whom? With Andrew Benintendi off the board, revealed studies have linked the Yankees to Bryan Reynolds of the Pirates, Max Kepler of the Twins and free agent Michael Conforto. The asking value will probably be extraordinarily excessive for Reynolds and extra affordable for Kepler, although Conforto might be searching for solely a short-term contract to rebuild worth after lacking all of 2022 following shoulder surgical procedure.
If the rookies play nicely sufficient, do you assume the Yankees will make a run at Shohei Ohtani within the offseason? — Reese M.
Remember when the Yankees drafted Gerrit Cole, misplaced him to UCLA, then tried to commerce for him once more as soon as he’d reached the Majors with the Pirates? Cashman referred to as Cole his “white whale,” and Ohtani might be the identical. If Ohtani reaches free company, each critical crew needs to be knocking on his door; he’s a unicorn expertise. But there is a private connection for the Yanks, who’ve had eyes on the two-way star since dispatching then-assistant common supervisor Billy Eppler to Japan in 2012.
They absolutely supposed to signal Ohtani, too, with Cashman and assistant GM Jean Afterman even flying to Japan to see him pitch and hit whereas the Yankees had been in the course of a pennant race. Ohtani ultimately crossed the Yankees off his checklist, saying on the time that he did not wish to play in a big market like New York, however the Yankees want to search out out if that stance has modified.
Will Anthony Volpe be the Opening Day shortstop subsequent 12 months? — Joshua W.
The Yankees’ shortstop competitors may be what I’m wanting ahead to most this coming spring. It figures to be fascinating, with managing common companion Hal Steinbrenner outlining his imaginative and prescient of getting Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe within the center infield — if not on Opening Day, then quickly after. To me, it is in all probability between Peraza and Isiah Kiner-Falefa popping out of camp, since this will probably be Volpe’s first large league camp; he is 21 and has solely has 99 plate appearances at Triple-A. Peraza will get an actual likelihood to win the job, and if he does, they will need to commerce Kiner-Falefa. He’s incomes $6 million this 12 months, which is an excessive amount of to maintain him on the bench as a fill-in.
What’s the probability that DJ LeMahieu’s toe is not going to be a problem subsequent 12 months? — Bobby L.
It’s unimaginable to say that the damage will not flare up once more, however for now, the Yankees are inspired that it seems like LeMahieu will keep away from surgical procedure. LeMahieu has been performing baseball actions in Tampa, Fla., together with working, hitting and fielding.
The subject was a fractured sesamoid bone in LeMahieu’s proper large toe that led to ligament injury in his second toe; surgical procedure could be a sophisticated process with a prolonged restoration interval, possible knocking him out for the beginning of the season. Boone spoke with LeMahieu not too long ago, noting, “I felt like it was the first time where he was a little optimistic about [what] he was experiencing.”
Are the Yankees going to stay with Clay Holmes as their nearer, or is there a risk of them buying and selling to get a brand new one? — Steven R.
Cashman not too long ago mentioned that he believes the Yankees have their nearer in Holmes, noting that does not essentially imply they will not look into different decisions. Cashman pointed to the December 2015 commerce for nearer Aroldis Chapman, whose arrival bumped Andrew Miller right into a setup position.
“I feel really good about Clay Holmes being our closer, but it doesn’t preclude us from entertaining any outside players via trade or free agency, if it makes us better,” Cashman mentioned. “I’ve carried out that earlier than. At the time [of the Chapman trade], there was no perceived want for a more in-depth. There was a possibility that introduced itself, so we’re at all times open-minded.”
The shoulder subject that affected Holmes late final season has resolved, in keeping with Cashman, who mentioned that Holmes will probably be coming to Spring Training as a completely wholesome participant.
