Brian Cashman is ready to wheel and deal.
Of course, the No. 1 item on the New York Yankees general manager’s to-do list is to re-sign newly-minted American League MVP Aaron Judge.
Cashman also will scour the open market for pitching help, with needs in the starting rotation and bullpen.
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But free agency isn’t the only avenue available to Cashman as he constructs the roster for 2023.
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman identified several Yankees players on the trade market, starting with third baseman Josh Donaldson and outfielder Aaron Hicks, both of whom underperformed this year, making them overpaid veterans heading into next year. Trading them could be seen as addition by subtraction.
The Yankees will work hard to get rid of the $29 million ($21 million next season and $8 million due on the buyout of a 2024 option) owed Josh Donaldson and the three years at $30.5 million (plus another $1 million in an assignment bonus if there is a trade) owed Aaron Hicks.
Of course, to move Donaldson and/or Hicks, Cashman might have to throw some sweeteners into the deals as an enticement.
The Yankees at this point will be very open to seeing if there is any lingering interest in Albert Abreu, Deivi Garcia and/or Luis Gil as part of an enticement. … Those three pitchers have basically no future with the Yankees. All three are out of options.
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Cashman also has some decisions to make with his middle infielders. The club remains high on top prospects Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera, making Gleyber Torres and Isiah Kiner-Falefa expendable.
I think it would be more surprising if both were back next year than if both were gone — and I would be shocked if at least one was not moved. The Yankees let executives at the GM meetings know they were open for business with their middle infielders.
An immediate decision needs to be made Friday as the Yankees ponder whether to non-tender the arbitration-eligible Kiner-Falefa, who struggled mightily in the playoffs.
MORE MLB:
– Yankees’ Aaron Judge AL MVP fun facts include a nod to Mickey Mantle
– Will Yankees’ Hal Steinbrenner increase payroll? Starting rotation or bullpen help? What about booing fans? More takeaways
– Early signs bode well for Yankees re-signing Aaron Judge, MLB insider says
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected].