Off Season Hot Stove Thread

Continuing with meandering thoughts of next season, the position of catcher must be addressed. Higashioka is a solid defensive back-up who can run into a fastball over the plate and deposit it into the bullpen. But, Higgy ain't a starter. He just doesn't have the swing or the eye to be more than a once or twice per week player.

Gary Sandwich has returned to his interstate numbers of a batting average. Except for a wonderful June, Sanchez was awful offensively. His second half numbers: .183/.273/.373/.646. Nearly identical to his 2018 numbers, when everyone thought it was just a bad year: .186/.291/.406/.697.

Compare that with Higashioka's numbers: .181/.246/.389/.635. Even without regular playing time, the numbers are strikingly similar. Did I already mention that Higgy isn’t a starter? Sanchez actually stands to have a salary increase next season through arbitration, which would be north of 6.35 million dollars he made this season. The only reason Sandwich has an OPS+ of 99 is that one good month of June. Unfortunately, there are not many catchers on the market who can catch and hit. But, what of Sanchez' catching? Our eyes tell us that Higashioka is superior defensively. There is a reason Cole wants Higgy behind the plate.

The Yankees have Sandwich on one knee, which was supposed to help his pitch framing. Sandwich finished in the 17th percentile in pitch framing this season. According to Baseball-Savant, Sandwich was 55 out of 59 catchers in assisting pitchers with close pitches becoming strikes. Higashioka, even with far fewer innings and pitches received, was 13th out of 59. And, Sandwich's caught stealing percentage - once a strength - was a career low 17 percent. (Granted, Higgy's percentage was also abysmal).

If Sanchez cannot be traded - and the Yankees should try really hard to do so - they need to think about releasing him; however, I have this vision of the Red Sox picking him up and balls launching over the Green Monster - albeit with a .200 batting average. Realistically, Sanchez will likely get another chance next season in Pinstripes before being released. If it were me, I'd trade him for whatever I can get, but I would hesitate to pay him to play for someone else. Evidently, one good month will still allow a catcher to be no worse than right at league average these days.

Throw away the juiced ball 2019, and this is who Gary Sanchez is offensively and defensively since 2018, heading into 2022.

Thank you for that one good start against Boston. And nothing else...

I would never go an entire off season without an upgrade to the starting rotation. Some of our current arms are expendable to help with acquiring offensive and defensive help that we need.

I agree with Rizzuto that our pitching is a strength, but I also know that you should trade from your strength to correct weaknesses.

I don’t believe our offense is as bad as it appeared this season. Some players had off seasons. Add to that the awful base running, and that many players performed below expectations in terms of hitting into DPs and having unusually poor luck hitting in the clutch, and I would expect more of the same group next season.

That said, I would still make changes. I wish we had made the move for Realmuto a couple of seasons ago, and had dealt for a real SS. Sanchez has become a tired old war horse. I don’t mind the Gallo/ Judge corners in the outfield, but if anyone is dreaming that Hicks / Gardner is a good center field talent combo, they need a whipping. I’d like to a Cedric Mullins type in CF. One that hits and runs well. Maybe with a better arm than Cedric…


My faith in Stanton is restored, even though I realize the risk that entails. I’m still quite concerned with his occasion obvious inability to run and that very stiff-looking posture he carries.

Best news of the day!

We can easily get Carl Schwarber.  I don’t think a single team will be interested.  In fact, I’d be surprised if anyone has even heard of him.  

There's a guy named Ty Young that we may want to give a workout.  Here in Texas, Roland Ryan is available, as well a Ron Drysdale and a little known baggage checker named Randy Kofax, who may not be able to pitch on Saturdays.  Inger may be on to something.   

First base. The future looked bright several years ago with Judge, Sanchez, Bird, Andujar, and Torres as the next core of what would surely produce multiple championship rings. The sound you just heard was that of a crash and multiple-car pileup.

When healthy, Judge is an MVP candidate. But, this season would mark only his second truly healthy season. And, he was an old rookie, and no one knows how a guy his size will age because there has never been a 6'7" 282 pound gold glove caliber right fielder who can also play centerfield. Will he eventually need to move to first base?

A cerebral athlete and hard worker, Judge could probably become quite serviceable at the position and a tough target to miss. Of course, this is likely four or five years down the road, but other than Teixeira, the Yankees have had a turnstile of inadequate first basemen ever since the acquisition of Jason Giambi twenty years ago. Either they can hit and not field, field and not hit, or cannot stay healthy.

Freddie Freeman can hit and field and is left handed. Seemingly around forever, he just turned 32, having started his career in MLB at just 20 years old. He's more durable than Rizzo (same age), who has been losing playing time and power to a chronically bad back. Is it realistic that the Braves would let Freeman walk? Seemingly, no, but they are reportedly far apart in negotiations.

For me, the Yankees' greatest position of need is shortstop, and the Yankees' brass has apparently given up on Torres, who has cemented himself at second base due to his play at short. Of course, that leaves LeMahieu without a position, which was the scenario when the Yankees first signed him as an everyday utility man. If the Yankees make the big splash at shortstop (Correa, Seager), I expect LeMahieu to become the everyday first baseman.

Will the Yankees wait on Peraza, who is supposedly only a year or two from becoming the everyday shortstop? Evidently, his defense at the position is already major league ready (I read that on another Yankee forum yesterday from someone supposedly plugged into the minor league system - T. Marino?), and barring an injury or a collapse, Volpe will likely begin converting to second base because while his defense is okay at shortstop, it apparently is not on the same tier as Peraza.

As I have said elsewhere, I like Rizzo a lot. But, he's probably looking at his last big payday, while his back holds up. Unless he really enjoyed Pinstripes, I doubt he forgoes the highest bidder, which is not likely to be the Yankees, especially with a hole at short and too many second basemen currently on the roster (Torres, LeMahieu, Wade, Odor).

One thing is certain. The Yankees need to be more athletic defensively and on the bases, and since you cannot get out of the contract for Stanton without his permission, bulkheads like Sanchez and Voit need to go. If I am the GM, I pencil in LeMahieu at first base next season, Torres at second, and land a difference maker at shortstop.

Is an infield of LeMahieu at third, Urshela at shortstop, Torres at second, and a true first basemen like Rizzo or Freeman the best way to go? LeMahieu is not a natural third baseman, Urshela is not a natural shortstop, and Torres is not gold glover caliber at second like LeMahieu or Wade. That's a serviceable infield, but being out of their best positions, is it special? Not likely, but it would be a more inexpensive option while Peraza and Volpe near the wall of success or failure between AAA and The Show in a year or two, rather than signing Correa at 7 years and 250+ million dollars.

Would the Yankees pay 100 million for only three players (Correa, Cole, Stanton) with Judge needing to be signed after next season?