What will the Yankees do this Hot Stove Season ?
Harper ? Machado ? Madbum ? Goldy ? Murphy ? The Yankees will be linked to so many big names this winter and will look to make some big moves. Expect them to try to retain some players already on the team now who will be free agents. Some earlier reports have indicated the Yankees may not be in on the Bryce Harper sweepstakes and the Manny Machado interest may be getting smaller. It’s possible they pass on both but despite some early reports I think they will at least give the duo a look. Let’s take a look at 10 players who could be options in trade or free agency for the Yankees.
Bryce Harper - OF (Free Agent)
Harper is probably the biggest name on the free agent market and he is a generational talent. Harper is a former MVP and has 184 career home runs despite being only 26 years old. He has a career 27.4 WAR. Harper could play all three outfield positions for the Yankees. He would be the huge lefty bat the Yankees have missed.
Manny Machado - 3B/SS (Free Agent)
Manny Machado is another generational talent. Machado can play both third base and shortstop. Machado profiles as a better third basemen despite preferring to play shortstop. Machado could fill in at short with Didi injured. He could also provide better defense at third then rookie slugger Miguel Andujar did. If the Yankees made this move they could move Andujar to DH or to another position. Machado tied a career high in home runs with 37 in 2018.
Paul Goldschmidt - 1B (Trade)
Paul Goldschmidt is arguably the best first basemen in all of baseball. Goldy is a power hitter however he is a high batting average, high contact hitter who can hit to all fields. He is also a great base runner and an excellent defender. Goldschmidt would fit in perfectly with the Yankees. He has one year left on his contract with the Diamondbacks and will be a very affordable $14 million in 2019. The Yankees have Luke Voit and Greg Bird. Bird has been injury plagued and played poorly with the Yankees. Voit was great for the Yankees after spending time between the majors and Triple A with the Cardinals.
Patrick Corbin - SP (Free Agent)
Corbin is the top pitcher on the Free Agent market. Corbin is a young lefty starting pitcher who grew up a Yankee fan and has expressed interest in pitching with the Yankees. Corbin threw 200 innings for the Diamondbacks in 2018. He pitched to a 3.15 era and had 246 strikeouts. Corbin could be an ace or he could be more of a number 3 starter but that remains to be seen.
JA Happ - SP (Free Agent)
Happ split time between the Yankees and the Blue Jays. Happ was traded to the Yankees in the July trade deadline and went 7-0 with the Yankees. Happ was just what the Yankees needed however he had a bad postseason start in Boston. The Yankees should not let that one bad outing be the deciding factor in letting him walk. Happ should be a top priority for the Yankees to resign this winter.
Corey Kluber/ Carlos Carrasco - SP (Trade)
The Indians have discussed the possibility of trading either Kluber or Carrasco. Both could be the ace the Yankees are looking for that is not available in free agency. It would seem to take a lot to acquire either of the Indians aces. Kluber had 20 wins a 2.89 era and had 222 strikeouts in 215 innings in 2018. Carrasco had 231 strikeouts, 3.38 era and 17 wins in 2018. It remains to be seen if the Indians would actually deal one of the two.
Marwin Gonzalez - Utility (Free Agent)
Gonzalez has been has played all over the field for the Astros and was a huge part of the 2017 World Series championship team. Gonzalez can play pretty much every position besides catcher for the Yankees. Gonzalez had a down year compared to his 2017 season but had a strong second half and playoffs in 2018.
Daniel Murphy - 1B/2B/DH (Free Agent)
Murphy continues to age and battle injuries but still continues to be one of the more productive hitters in all of baseball. Murphy has averaged a 317 batting average and a 367 on base percentage over the past 3 seasons. Murphy would provide a nice lefty bat and a nice contact hitter to the Yankees lineup.
David Robertson - RP ( Free Agent)
Robertson has been such an important part of the Yankees the last two season after spending some time with the White Sox. Robertson has shifted from closer to a reliever who can pitch in any situation since his return to the Yankees. He has decided to represent himself this winter in free agency and some believe that means he will certainly return to the Yankees this winter.
Some other Options
Madison Bumgarner - SP (Trade)
Michael Brantley - LF (Free Agent )
Zach Britton- RP (Free Agent)
Adam Ottavino - RP (Free Agent)
Andrew Miller- RP (Free Agent)
Nathan Eovaldi - SP (Free Agent)
Andrew McCutchen- OF (Free Agent)
Charlie Morton- SP (Free Agent)
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