The Yankees weren't at the top of the free agent market to fill out the rotation.
But for the annual price of one of these top starters, they could potentially add both Marcus Stroman and a bullpen arm.
For now, with at least a month before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the batting lineup and rotation seem pretty much set in stone, with the Yankees looking to add relief pitchers to strengthen what was one of the best bullpens last season. We may be prepared to add one more person.
Whether that means bringing back left-handed Wandy Peralta or acquiring a right-handed setup man like Hector Neris or Robert Stephenson, the Yankees' next move will be directed by manager Aaron Boone. It could give us another tried-and-true rescue weapon.
The Yankees finished last season with the lowest bullpen ERA in the majors at 3.34, but they slumped slightly in the second half due to injuries.
The Yankees lost Michael King from the core of that group and were going to move into the rotation full-time anyway before Juan Soto's blockbuster sent him to the Padres — and potentially lose Peralta, who remains a free agent. There is sex.
So far this offseason, they acquired left-hander Victor Gonzalez in a trade with the Dodgers and re-signed Luke Weaver, who is expected to be a long man in the bullpen.
Clay Holmes is expected to return as the closer for his final year before free agency, with Jonathan Loaisiga and Tommy Kahnle as the primary setup men. Ian Hamilton was exposed last season after being a non-roster invitee to spring training, and Scott Efros is scheduled to return after missing all of 2023 rehab from Tommy John surgery.
If all of these relievers can stay healthy in camp, there will be seven spots in the eight-man bullpen.
As currently constructed, that final spot could go to either Ron Marinaccio, Nick Ramirez, Matt Kruk, or Cody Morris, all of whom have minor league options.
They have the potential to be a strong group again, and the Yankees have been good lately at unearthing unknown weapons and developing them into useful relievers, which is why they won't spend a lot of money on a bullpen. There is a possibility that it will become. However, there are some doubts that additional signings could be cemented.
Loaisiga has proven to be a top reliever when healthy, but due to elbow surgery to remove a bone spur and subsequent further inflammation in his elbow, Loaisiga only pitched 17 times twice last season. He has battled quite a bit with an arm injury, limiting him to three innings. end of the season.
Kahnle performed well for the most part in his first year with the Yankees, but missed the first two months with biceps tendonitis and ended the season on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation.
And it remains to be seen how long it will take Efros to return to top form after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
(Also worth noting: Holmes, Loaisiga, and Kahnle are all scheduled to become free agents next offseason.)
Peralta, 32, would give the Yankees a known amount (and a second left-hander out of the bullpen) after being one of the Yankees' most valuable weapons over the past three seasons. Since he joined the team via trade in 2021, he has pitched 153 innings with a 2.82 ERA. He also suffered injuries in late September in each of the past two seasons (a strained thoracic spine in 2022, a triceps strain in 2023), but while he was loved by his teammates, he was primarily used as a strong arm. He has been active.
Neris, 34, spent the past two seasons as the Astros' setup man and had the best year of his career in 2023, posting a 1.71 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 68¹/₃ innings.
Stephenson, 30, is coming off a breakout season with the Rays, posting a 2.35 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings.
The Yankees may also choose to reunite with Keiynan Middleton, who was their only real addition at last summer's trade deadline. The relief pitcher, who appeared in 12 games with a 1.88 ERA (he missed September with shoulder inflammation), expressed interest in returning after the season.
