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Brian Cashman addressed reporters, together with The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, for the primary time following the Yankees’ ALCS defeat to the Houston Astros. Cashman’s future was among the many matters mentioned, however the GM additionally took time to offer some perception on numerous areas of the enjoying roster.
Aaron Judge’s future with the group would be the largest query heading into the low season, and Cashman says the staff would ideally get a deal executed quickly in the event that they’re to re-sign him. Choose is a robust favourite for AL MVP after hitting 62 residence runs and posting a .311/.425/.686 slash line. A worst case state of affairs for the Yankees can be for them to overlook out on Choose after his free company drags lengthy into the low season and sure replacements have since signed elsewhere, so it is sensible that Cashman would favor enterprise to be utterly swiftly.
“He’s gonna dictate the dance steps to his free company as a result of he’s earned the appropriate to get there,” Cashman mentioned. “We’ll see the way it performs out. He’s crucial. If he got here in right here immediately and mentioned, ‘I’m signing up. Let’s go,’ there’s nonetheless work to be executed.”
Cashman wouldn’t provide a lot perception into the method, providing a “no remark” when requested if the Yankees and Choose had engaged in dialogue for the reason that finish of the season. He additionally famous it’s extra of a choice for Yankees proprietor Hal Steinbrenner as effectively. Cashman’s clearly said he desires Choose again, however the final resolution will land at Steinbrenner’s toes as to how huge of a contract he’s keen handy out.
DJ LeMahieu struggled with a foot harm late within the common season and wound up lacking your complete post-season. The Yankees haven’t settled on a path ahead for managing that harm within the low season, however surgical procedure stays on the desk. LeMahieu posted a .261./.357/.377 line with 12 residence runs this season, effectively in need of the MVP-level offensive output he produced for the Yankees throughout 2019-20. The Yankees will hope a full restoration from the harm will permit LeMahieu to put up higher offensive numbers, however he’ll additionally flip 35 in 2023 and it’s maybe unreasonable to count on a lot bounceback for the veteran. With 4 years and $60MM remaining on his contract, he’ll actually be again in pinstripes although, however simply the place he suits in is up within the air and will rely on how the low season performs out.
LeMahieu’s performed loads of first base with the Yankees, however that’s turn out to be much less of a necessity since Anthony Rizzo joined the staff final season. It’s already been reported that Rizzo is predicted to say no his $16MM participant choice for 2023. It’s not a lot of a shock given Rizzo had a robust season and is predicted to learn from shift restrictions subsequent 12 months. Cashman said the Yankees will search to re-sign Rizzo if he opts out. That might come within the type of a qualifying provide, however it appears possible Rizzo would decline that in favor of a multi-year deal.
The left aspect of the infield drew loads of criticism all through the season, and notably through the playoffs, however Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are each managed for 2023. Donaldson is owed $21.75MM whereas Kiner-Falefa is into his remaining 12 months of arbitration and is predicted to make $6.5MM per MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz. Donaldson ranked eighth amongst certified third basemen in Outs Above Common, however scuffled with the bat, hitting simply .222/.308/.374 with 15 residence runs. Kiner-Falefa was by no means anticipated to be a serious offensive contributor, however defensive metrics have been combined on his glove work at shortstop, starting from twenty eighth in Outs Above Common to seventh in Defensive Runs Saved. Whereas a change at third is likely to be tough given Donaldson’s important wage, Cashman’s left the door open for change at shortstop, notably given the spectacular exhibiting rookies Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza made down the stretch. The Yankees even have prime prospect Anthony Volpe getting near the majors.
“I feel Kiner was alongside the traces of what we anticipated,” Cashman mentioned. “It gave us a chance to bridge the hole whereas the youngsters continued to develop as a result of everyone within the business, followers and groups alike, acknowledge that we’ve got some fairly impactful prospects that we’re creating and wanted some extra time.”
In different bits of information from Cashman’s press convention, he mentioned he wouldn’t talk about buying and selling gamers however famous that outfielder Aaron Hicks can be again and that the staff felt he nonetheless had one thing to supply. Hicks hit .216/.330/.313 in his age-32 marketing campaign, and has $30.4MM and at the very least three years remaining on his contract. It’s price including right here that supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned immediately he desires to make the most of Giancarlo Stanton within the outfield a few instances every week subsequent season. Stanton has largely performed as a delegated hitter of late, however factoring him into the outfield depth chart extra often would have an effect on Hicks’ enjoying time.
The Yankees are additionally hoping to carry again pitching coach Matt Blake. Employed out of Cleveland after the Yankees parted methods with Larry Rothschild in 2019, Blake is out of contract. The Yankees ranked third within the majors in staff ERA with a 3.30 mark this 12 months, behind solely the Dodgers and Astros.
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