Despite the wild performance over the past week, there are plenty of question marks on the Yankees' roster, likely at first base (if Cody Bellinger doesn't end up there) and second base (if Jazz Chisholm Jr. doesn't hit. case) would be the largest. Shift from 3rd place.
General manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that he remains engaged with agents for most of the “above average” options available in the outfield as well as spots.
He said that list also includes Pete Alonso.
Alonso is one of the biggest remaining free agents, and the Yankees also have deals with Christian Walker, Carlos Santana and Paul Goldschmidt, according to sources.
Santana and Goldschmidt wouldn't cost that much, but given the prices of Bellinger and left-hander Max Fried, that might be the Yankees' preference.
Signing any of these players would likely put Bellinger in center field, with Aaron Judge moving back to right field and possibly Jasson Dominguez moving to left field, where he struggled in September. .
The GM made it clear that Dominguez will play every day in the majors or Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, depending on how the rest of the offseason goes in the Bronx.
“I want to see Dominguez shoot right now,” Cashman said. “He's young. He's got to earn it and keep it.”
The Yankees also remain in contact with switch hitter Anthony Santander, who primarily played right field in Baltimore and has little experience as a first baseman.
Cashman initially touted Ben Rice repeatedly as an in-house possibility, but Rice underperformed for most of last season in the majors.
And when it comes to second base, Cashman said he could add internal candidates like Oswaldo Peraza or Oswaldo Cabrera and incorporate them into the infield if he's not available through free agency or trade. .
Manager Aaron Boone said Devin Williams, who was traded from Milwaukee last week, will be the regular closer.
The manager added that he has discussed his potential role with Luke Weaver after Weaver emerged as a top closer late in the regular season and heading into the playoffs.
Boone added that Weaver will still close games from time to time.
Williams and Weaver will be eligible to become free agents after the season.
Cashman said the team has not yet discussed extensions with either pitcher while trying to put together the 2025 roster.
The Yankees are looking for infield help, but Cashman said they haven't forgotten about DJ LeMahieu, who is coming off another disastrous injury-plagued season.
“He's a professional and will do everything he can to get himself in a position to contribute,” Cashman said of LeMahieu, who has two years and $30 million left on his contract.
“I believe he will be healthy coming into camp and will try to put the painful memories of the past two seasons behind him,” Cashman said. “The injury drove him crazy.”
Last season's regular second baseman Gleyber Torres remains a free agent, and Cashman said he has talked with his agent, but the Yankees don't seem interested in a reunion.
Pitching coach Matt Blake said the Yankees had never talked about Clay Holmes becoming the starter, but the right-hander, who signed a three-year, $38 million contract with the Mets, was interested in a move. He said he wasn't particularly surprised that he was there.
“His arsenal is getting wider and wider,” Blake said. “He's got two breaking balls and a four-seamer and always talked about his changeup. I think he's smart enough to know how to add to his arsenal. … I think he and others I understand the team’s thought process.”
The Yankees have not yet chosen a replacement for assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, who left to take a similar role with the Mets.
Blake called recently re-signed right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga a “high-leverage” reliever, but the team won't be rushing him back to the mound.
— Additional reporting by Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman
