Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |
The Yankees left the Winter Meetings having secured their big fish by inking Gerrit Cole to a record deal. They also brought back Brett Gardner.
But while GM Brian Cashman has checked off his biggest needs, there is still some work to be done.
Here's what should still be on the Yankees' agenda with about two months to go until spring training begins in Tampa...
Add one more reliever
The Yankees are expected to enter the 2020 season with a bullpen that features Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Chad Green, and Adam Ottavino. But they could be saying goodbye to Dellin Betances.
If Betances does walk, the Yanks -- who have been linked to Josh Hader and were linked to Blake Treinen before he signed with the Dodgers -- should be looking to add one more arm to an already-staked bullpen.
Among the names still available on the free agent market in addition to Betances: Will Harris, Daniel Hudson, and Craig Stammen.
There's also the possibility of swinging a trade for a reliever not named Hader.
Trade Clint Frazier
With Gardner back in the fold, Aaron Judge in right field, Giancarlo Stanton on the roster, the emergence of Mike Tauchman, and the expected midseason return of Aaron Hicks, there doesn't seem to be room for Fazier.
And even if there was room, Cashman's actions the last few seasons have made it clear that Frazier is not in the Yankees' future plans. So there's really no need to prolong things.
Frazier is still only 25 years old and is under team control through the 2023 season, so he should have a decent amount of value.
But because of his up-and-down performance at the plate during his first three seasons and his struggles defensively, the Yanks should not expect Frazier to be a headliner in a deal for an impact piece.
Whether the Yankees trade Frazier or not, they'll need to clear spots on their 40-man roster for Cole and Gardner since it's currently full. So moves are coming one way or the other.
Find a backup catcher
With Austin Romine signing a one-year deal with the Tigers, the Yanks -- who still have Kyle Higashioka on the roster -- should be looking to add a backup catcher.
That search could land on free agent Martin Maldonado, who the Yanks have been showing interest in.
Maldonado, who was traded to the Astros this past July 31, worked well with Cole, who had a 1.57 ERA in 10 starts with Maldonado catching him.
The 33-year-old Maldonado hit .220/.298/.391 in 101 games in 2019 with the Royals, Cubs, and Astros.