Most of the prime New York Yankees’ free agent targets in 2024 haven’t panned out as anticipated. The Bronx Bombers didn’t find yourself with Shohei Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which went towards among the MLB offseason predictions pundits had been making heading into the winter.
However, there are many nice gamers nonetheless out there, in addition to Yankees free company rumors nonetheless circulating.
Free Brokers the Yankees Ought to Pursue
To their credit score, the Yankees pulled off trades for Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo to utterly revamp their outfield. However that most likely gained’t be sufficient after such a disappointing 2023 marketing campaign. Let’s take a look at among the remaining gamers out there who needs to be among the many Yankees’ free-agent targets in 2024.
Tommy Pham
By including Soto and Verdugo, the Yankees ought to resolve most of their outfield woes from final season. However there’s nonetheless room for a participant like Tommy Pham. Remember that Soto, Verdugo, and fourth outfielder Trent Grisham are all left-handed batters.
Pham would offer a right-handed bat to assist stability New York’s outfield, particularly if Verdugo finally ends up needing a platoon accomplice in left area. Additionally, Pham is coming off a productive 2023 season, in the end serving to the Diamondbacks attain the World Sequence. There’s a lot he would convey to the Yankees, whilst a part-time participant.
Jordan Montgomery
Primarily based on the best way he’s carried out since they traded him, it’s protected to say the Yankees regret parting ways with Jordan Montgomery. Fortunately, they’ve an opportunity to right that mistake by signing him as a free agent.
Montgomery was excellent with the Cardinals and Rangers after being traded and went 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA within the playoffs final 12 months. As a fallback possibility after failing to signal Yamamoto, Montgomery can be a wonderful addition to New York’s rotation alongside Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Nestor Cortes.
Gio Urshela
Gio Urshela is one other former Yankee who could possibly be helpful within the Bronx this season. Whereas he doesn’t present a ton of energy, that’s not an enormous want after buying and selling for Soto.
As a substitute, Urshela would convey nice protection and a few versatility to the Yankee infield. He would play principally third base, permitting DJ LeMahieu to maneuver round to totally different positions. Urshela might even play a bit of shortstop if kids Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza don’t work out. Clearly, he wouldn’t be a serious addition, however Urshela would convey worth to the roster.
Jordan Hicks
The Yankees can’t afford to disregard their bullpen this offseason, which makes Jordan Hicks an apparent goal. To be honest, the likes of Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, and Ian Hamilton type a reliable trio late in video games. However the Yankees will certainly want extra depth in the event that they plan on placing collectively one of many prime bullpens within the huge leagues.
After all, his harm historical past is a priority. Nevertheless, Hicks averted the IL in 2023 and pitched to a 3.29 ERA in 65 appearances, so maybe his harm woes are behind him. Equally necessary, he’s solely 27, has expertise as a better, and is likely one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in baseball. That makes Hicks an intriguing funding alternative for a group just like the Yankees that has cash to throw round.
Blake Snell
Amongst pitchers, Blake Snell is one of the best out there and the pitcher the Yankees ought to goal in the event that they’re severe about bettering their rotation. The value tag on Snell is greater than for Montgomery and among the different rotation choices which might be nonetheless out there. However pairing Snell with Cole on the prime of the rotation would give the Yankees the 2 reigning Cy Young winners.
He might give the Yankees co-aces, taking a bit of strain off Rodon and Cortes. If the Yankees can land Snell after already including Soto, they might arguably have one of the best offseason of any group apart from the Dodgers and reshape the outlook of the AL East heading into the 2024 season.
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