SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Amidst a fierce defense against the Yankees on Tuesday, Brian Cashman took a short break to explain what he needed to do in the offseason.
The Yankees have two outfielders on the market, one in left field and one in center field, “preferably left-handed,” Cashman said. He also said that he is always trying to “strengthen our pitchers,” and that the Yankees have a surplus in the infield that could be used from there.
Given that the Yankees are coming off a disappointing 82-80 season, at least one industry giant believes the Yankees will be aggressive in free agency.
“I watched the interview yesterday and they said they might be aggressive,” agent Scott Boras said Wednesday, referring to Cashman’s meeting with reporters during a general managers meeting. “I did,” he said with a wry smile. “Look, they have two players who are top-five in this game.” [Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole].
“They’re the New York Yankees. They have the biggest in-game revenue, so why wouldn’t they? Why wouldn’t they want to reward their fan base with New York Yankee acts?”
Of course, Boras just happens to represent the top outfielder on the free agent market (Cody Bellinger) and the top outfielder who may or may not be available on the trade market (Juan Soto).
The fact that they are both left-handed hitters only adds to their potential value to the Yankees.
Two more left-handed center fielders (former Blue Jays and Rays veteran Kevin Kiermaier and KBO posted Lee Jung-hoo) are also options for the Yankees, who are looking to complete Judge and a center outfield position. . Fielder Jason Dominguez (Tommy John surgery) is expected to be out until at least June.
“I can’t wait to get him back with the tourniquet on,” Cashman said Tuesday. “We need to resolve it now, so I hope we can do that.”
Bellinger, who was the Dodgers’ MVP in 2019, missed 2021 and 2022 due to injury, but he just finished a strong season with the Cubs with a batting average of .307, an OPS of .881, and 20 stolen bases. .
Boras said most teams interested in Bellinger (his father played for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001) are looking at him as a center fielder, but he could also play first base or a corner outfield. He’s only 28 years old.
“You have a five-tool player,” Boras said. “Really, I think Chicago has found comfort in their full plate. So they’re going to have to loosen the belt to keep Bellinger around.”
As for Soto, who is in the final year of his contract with the Padres, it remains to be seen whether the 25-year-old left fielder will be available this offseason.
Padres GM AJ Preller said Wednesday that he plans to discuss Soto’s interest in a long-term contract with Boras and make a decision from there.
“At this point…we could get a team.” [that] If you want to come and talk, we’re a group that’s always open to listening to any scenario,” Preller said. “But winning a championship and having a strong lineup will depend on Juan Soto.”
The Padres are hungry for starting pitchers, and the Yankees could offer the Padres a starting pitcher (Michael King, Clark Schmidt, or some of their top pitching prospects) as part of a potential deal.
The Yankees are well aware of what the defensively gifted Kiermayer can do, having played against him in the AL East for the past decade, but Lee may be more of an enigma. .
But Boras believes the 25-year-old Lee’s success in South Korea could lead to MLB.
“Jonfu, probably close to half the league has already reached out to me about him,” Boras said. “We have a mid-level player in Jeong-hoo. He can play defense and has power. So I think Jeong-hoo will bring K-pop to MLB.”
