After a disappointing season, it is clear that general manager, Brian Cashman, the Yankees general manager, will need to make a lot of moves in order to bolster their “championship caliber” roster. From offensive sensations to Japanese aces, the Yankees have their work cut out for them this offseason, but what does The Eagle’s Cry think? Let’s find out!
- Resign RP Wandy Peralta, 2 yr. $12 million
Peralta has been a force coming out of the Yankees bullpen over the last 3 seasons, and at many times, he was the only lefty on the staff. He has posted impressive numbers with the Yankees sitting at an ERA of 2.82 in 153 innings pitched. Peralta is seen as a durable relief pitcher with a solid 3 pitch mix led by his changeup. As he heads into his age 32 season a 2 year deal suits both him and the Yankees well as a low risk-high reward signing.
- Extend 2B Gleyber Torres, 8 yr. $120 milion
Gleyber Torres, the Yankee who continuously puts up good numbers but always takes the hate for the team’s struggles. Torres will become a free agent after next season but he’s made it clear that he wants to be a Yankee for life. Coming off of a stellar 2023 season where he hit .273 with 25 home runs, many hope for him to get extended. A current 26 year old, the 8 year contract will guarantee him a $15 million dollar salary up until his age 34 season.
Yes, the second baseman will run you out of an inning or too, but his impressive bat to ball skills on a team full of players who struggle in that category make him a necessity for the Yanks.
- Trade for UTIL Brendan Donovan
The Yankees and the Cardinals are frequent fliers when it comes to trade rumors and it appears that they may be doing business again. With the Cardinals in need of young pitching, and the Yankees having an abundance of it, it would be no shock if the Yankees could snag the lefty utility man in exchange for some prospects. In Donovan’s 2 big league seasons he has shown impressive contact with a career average of .283. While he lacks significant power he has shown that he can hit the ball to right field and with the short porch in right at Yankee Stadium, many believe his power will increase in NY. Donovan, who is under team control until the 2028 season, is a super utility man who will give the Yankees a high average for years to come. With the departure of UTIL Isiah-Kiner Falefa, the Yankees could seek and upgrade in the role heading into next season.
Cardinals Receive: RHP Randy Vasquez, RHP Chase Hampton, and C Kyle Higashioka
Yankees Receive: UTIL Brendan Donovan
- Trade for LF Juan Soto
It’s not often that a generational talent like Juan Soto becomes available, and for a team that struggles with offencive production, who better to add. Numerous reports are coming out that the Yankees are interested in the trade and it is clear why, Soto is an offencive beast posting a career .284 batting average while averaging around 30 home runs a season. Although he has just one year of team control left on his contract, he will come at a price. We predict that the Yankees will need to send both young pitching and position player talent to the Padres in exchange for Soto. Additionally, the Yankees will need to eat the $6,000,000 owed to Matt Carpenter by acquiring him as well in the deal.
Padres Receive: UTIL Oswaldo Cabrera, OF Everson Pereira, RHP Drew Thorpe, and LHP Kyle Carr
Yankees Receive: LF Juan Soto, UTIL Matt Carpenter
1. Sign SP Yoshibo Yamamato, 9 yr. $225 million
Yamamato is a 25 year old Japanese pitcher currently playing in the NPB. After this season he will be posted for free agency to MLB teams and the Yankees are the perfect fit. Yamamoto has accumulated an impressive resume in Japan with 2 MVP Awards, 2 Eiji Sawamura Awards (Japanese Cy Young Award), 2 no hitters, and a 3 time pitching triple crown award. On top of that he has a 1.72 career ERA in just under 1000 innings in his 7 year career. With numbers like that, it is clear that he will have an impressive career with the Yankees.
With Yamamato added to the already impressive Yankees rotation, the staff will become a force to be reckoned with. A 9 year contract will guarantee Yamamato a large pay boost with a salary of $25 million up to his age 34 season. It’s a win win for both sides, and a must do for the Yanks!
The Eagle’s Cry’s Predicted Roster
Catcher: Austin Wells, Jose Trevino
First Base: Anthony Rizzo
Second Base: Gleyber Torres
Shortstop: Anthony Volpe
Third Base: Dj LeMahieu
Left Field: Juan Soto
Center Field: Estevan Florial (Until Dominguez returns)
Right Field: Aaron Judge
Designated Hitter: Brendan Donovan
Bench: Matt Carpenter, Giancarlo Stanton, Oswald Peraza
Rotation: Gerrit Cole, Yoshibo Yamamato, Carlos Rodon, Michael King, Nestor Cortes Jr.
Bullpen: Yoendrys Gomez, Scott Effross, Lou Trivino, Wandy Peralta, Jonathan Loaisiga, Johny Brito, Ian Hamilton
Closer: Clay Holmes
Conclusion
All in all, the Yankees roster is filled with a ton of talent, but something has been missing over the last few seasons. With a couple of changes, the Yankees could once again set their sights on a World Series. Additions to the offense like Soto and Donovin, and help from starters like Yamamato, the Yankees will quickly change from almost last place in the division, to World Series favorites. So before the stove gets hot, let’s all hope that Cashman wakes up, Hal opens his pockets, and deals get made because the Yankees need to make a big splash this offseason in order to re-establish themselves as “The Evil Empire.”
