OT: NY Yankees 2025 Season Thread (Hal is cheap, Brian is dumb)

[KnicksGadfly]

We won 2 out of three from 76-78? We never won again until the team was built without George. Then we spent our way to nowhere until the year he died. The dynasty would never have happened if George was in control.

That said....we have Judge. We had Soto. We had a bullpen and pitching to add to by going all in George Steinbrenner style with the money. But that really never worked the entire time George was in control. It's funny how that gets lost on people.

Point? We never had much success with George but, we could have won by now if we at least tried to spend to fill out the team. Like the Dodgers.

Oh well. We could always be the Guardians...OR THE METS!

RIGHT WINGO?

I'll say this, though. George had his flaws, but you knew he really wanted to win, and if you gave him a chance to spend to win a championship, he'd do it without hesitation. It's a different set of challenges in itself, definitely, but to him, zero championships since 2009 would have been a crisis, not an excuse to talk about "baseball variance."

Hal's main objectives are his profits. That will never come before a championship with him. He's taken the Yankees backwards since joining. Our definition of success is now making the playoffs. Not the championship. Not even the division. The Wild Card. Participation trophies. Aaron Boone going 82-80 to keep our winning seasons going. We've ceded the Japanese market to the Dodgers. We vote against our own baseball interests, to save money. We keep costs down, raise ticket prices, and pocket the excess profits. Not sure how much you can do with an owner that doesn't care and does his best not to care. I'm just hoping the next Steinbrenner actually loves baseball and loves this team.

[moocow007]

Can't wait to see what stupid moves Cashman makes with the $70 million coming off the books that would still keep them under $300 million.

[moocow007]

My takes on all the rumors...

Trading for Tarik Skubal

Yes Skubal is an elite pitcher. But...

Trading a lot of Skubal would be a stupid Soto like move. So hopefully some other team offers more to save Cashman from himself. The first sign that trading for Skubal would be a bad idea was the reported $250 million gap between what the Tigers were willing to offer and what Skubal reportedly wanted. It tells me that Skubal will be looking for AT LEAST $400 million in a new (very) long term contract. At which point, let's be honest, Hal isn't going to go there. Not with so much money already invested in Fried, Cole and Rodon.

So we're very likely looking at a 1 year rental. And I don't trust for one second that the Yankees will be able to make enough moves if they trade a ton of assets for a 1 year rental. Nor does it make sense for the Yankees to pay $40 million a year for another starter that will be on the wrong side of 30 for all but likely 1 of those years cause you know Hal won't do whatever it takes elsewhere to field a Dodger like team.

If they can get him without having to give up a kings ransom then sure. But chances are high that some other team, with a lot more assets, will be willing to offer them more for that same 1 year rental.

If not Skubal then who?

Freddy Peralta might be an option. He's got the same 1 year left before he hits UFA but since he's not as talented as Skubal and doesn't have a great a track record (Cy Young) so that should mean that the asking price will be less. More importantly, resigning Peralta is probably more realistic for the Yankees.

I really am not willing to trade a ton of assets for a 1 year rental. If were going to have to empty a good portion of the asset tank I'd rather they look to just go all in and give up even more assets for a return that you know will be around for many more years and that can be foundation pieces. An example is Paul Skenes. Yes I know it's extremely unlikely the Pirates would even entertain, but I'd be willing to nearly empty the asset tank for a mega trade involving Skenes and, say, Oneil Cruz. Rice, Gil, Rodriguez-Cruz, Dominguez, Lagrange and Jones.

Short of that, there are A LOT of front end starters that will be on the free agent market. This is another reason that short of trading for Skenes, I don't see why you would want to give up a ton of assets in a trade for a 1 year rental I don't care how good they are. It stinks of trying to save money and punt.

Rather than trading for a Skubal or a Peralta, you have Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Jack Falherty (who likely will opt out), Michael King, as front end starters.

If the goal is insurance just in case or shorter term contracts, then there's a HUGE pack of real good starters beyond that that could be available for shorter team contracts. Guys like Nick Martinez, Shota Imanaga (maybe), Chris Bassitt, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Zack Littell, Parick Corbin, Justin Verlander, Zach Eflin, Tyler Mahle, Shane Bieber, Lucas Giolito.

There's literally a TON of qualify starting pitchers that will be on the market that can provide solid middle of the rotation innings eaters and replacements for Rodon that could also with the right tweaks from Matt Blake see an uptick in their production.

[moocow007]

The Japanese Babe Ruth

I'm really not a fan of Munetaka Murakami.

He's exactly the type of player the Yankees don't need. A big swing and miss guy with questionable defense. Yes, if he connects it's great but he's shown he has problems with fastballs above 94 mph and his strikeout rates in Japan is already pretty scary (this to me is a huge concern). Plus defensively, most scouts that I've read said that he's nothing but a 1B/DH type. The Yankees already have a lot of those types of guys. Plus Murakami is projected to be looking at $220 million.

That descriptive is more reflective of Kazuma Okamoto. Okamoto's advanced numbers indicate that he actually does better against 94mph+ fastballs. he's also strikes out less, makes more contact and gets on base. He doesn't have the same type of power as Murakami but overall he's a much better fit. Based on what I've read he's probably more viable as 3B than Murakami (who is technically also listed as a 3B but most see as a 1B/DH in the majors). Because he's also older, he's projected to land a contract that will be quite a bit smaller than Murakami (have heard 5 years $80 million).

If the goal is for a hefty power hitting likely 1B/DH (if they feel they can use Rice in a big trade), the Yankees might as well just sign Josh Naylor. Naylor is coming off a season where he stole 30 bases which for a 265lb guy is amazing. Naylor also hits for power, doesn't strike out a lot. You know he can handle major league pitching and has the type of personality and intensity that the Yankees really don't have. Plus Naylor is coming off a playoff run where he was sizzling .417/.481/.792/1.273 (BA/OBP/SLG/OPS).

Kyle Tucker a Yankee?

It's going to be real curious what the Yankees actually do. I'm not sure that they'll do what it takes to sign Tucker. My guess is Tucker ends up with the Dodgers (lol). I can't see Hal being willing to commit $400 million to Tucker. More likely the Yankees will go 5 years $135 million on Bellinger and get outbid, then try for Tucker and not come close.

They'll then pivot and try to make a trade for someone like Steven Kwan or Bryan Reynolds...or maybe a swing for the fences trade for someone like O'Neill Cruz. Cruz has his warts at the plate and in the field, but I'd be interested in seeing what playing for his favorite team and under arguably a better system will do for his hitting. He started off real rough after they moved him from SS to CF but started looking real nice as he got used to the position. His arm and range in the OF are huge pluses. Then you have his ability to be a terror on the bases and the thought of him launching moonshots into the short RF porch should make Cashman cream his pants. Cruz is the swing and miss type lefty that Cashman seems to love but he actually has the looks of a potential gold glove CF and the ability to steal 30-40 bases. If they can figure out a way for him to make more contact they could hit absolute gold.

[Synciere]

Lotta good shyt in the Moo…. I learned something.

[moocow007]

Here are some players that I wouldn't mind see being added to the Yankees. Obviously not saying all of them but some combination.

INFIELD

Josh Naylor (free agent signing) -- always been a fan of Naylor (even when he was mocking the Yankee fans as a member of the Guardians lol) and I've explain why I think he'd be perfect 1B for this team. If the Yankees are thinking of using Rice in a big trade or feel Rice is more a C and want to use him there, Naylor would IMO be the best option. I'm not sure Hal will want to go near the Pete Alonso range of money.

Ha Seong Kim (free agent signing) -- has been injured but at his best he's a perfect fit for everything the Yankees need at SS without breaking the bank (see Hal). If and when Lombard gets to the big leagues you can move him around as he can play 2B and 3B. He's a GG caliber defender, can steal bases and is an excellent clubhouse energizer.

OUTFIELD

Oneill Cruz (trade) -- he looked terrific in CF in the 2nd part of the season, he's got the strongest arm in baseball, would cost a bit and is risky but if the Yankees can turn him around at the plate in terms of more contact (his one weakness is the AVG and OBP which is not good lol), this guy is still a monster everywhere else, super electric player. He's still go multiple years of control.

Clay Bellinger (free agent signing) -- they really need to get him back

Lourdes Gourriel Jr. (free agent signing) -- if they fail on Tucker and Bellinger, Gourriel is a possible option on a short term deal. He's able to play multiple OF positions, has power, can steal a base here and there and gets on base. He also performs very well in the playoffs historically which like Naylor is something that the Yankees really can use lol.

Tyler O'Neill (trade) -- O'Neill is a gold glove caliber LF'er, has a lot of power and was even in the running for NL MVP a few years back. Nagging injuries have been his problem. Coming off an awful season, the low budget O's may be looking to move the 2 years left on it at a AAV of $16.5 million. He may be able to be had for cheap if the Yankees are willing to take his contract.

STARTERS

Zac Gallen (free agent signing) -- Gallen is coming off the worse season of his career which could be a benefit for the Yankees as they may be able to sign him to a short term higher AAV option filled deal. He's a workhorse and has been in the running for CY awards in the past. If he turns it on and you have an excess then you can deal him (something that the Yankees should but never seem to do). At the very least if you can sign him to the right deal he'd give the Yankees insurance against Cole and/or Rodon recoveries.

Joe Ryan (trade) -- Similar to Gallen, he's a front end rotation guy with proven track record that can act as hedge against Cole and/or Rodon complications. He was rumored to be on the trade market and the Yankees reportedly did check in then. He has a couple more years of control left and is coming off a season where he only made $3 million.

Shota Imanaga (free agent signing) -- a long shot that he'll hit the free agent market (a weird mutual option) but Imanaga is a very crafty and composed pitcher that brings a reported terrific clubhouse presense and energy. He also can help the Yankees in future attempts to attract other Japanese players as Imanaga is reportedly also very popular among other Japanese players.

RELIEVERS

Cade Smith (trade) -- was on the trade market before the deadline and the Yankees were reportedly interested. A top end closer that's got a ton of years of control and is only 26. Will be costly but if they want a top line guy that based on advance stats is the "best reliever in baseball" to some, then it may be worth it.

Luke Weaver (free agent signing) -- with the absolute dirth in reliever options on the free agent market, I think absolutely the Yankees need to try and bring Weaver back. He's shown he can handle pitching in NY and be successful. Will probably be a little expensive given the lack of other options and multiple teams interested, but this is a safe bet IMO.

Michael Kopech (free agent signing) and Jordan Romano (free agent signing) -- both these guys have high end stuff but need some major mechanics work as they've been brutal this past season or two. That's what the Yankees is paying Matt Blake for right? Romano was a 2 time AS reliever (latest in 2023) before an injury threw him completely out of whack. Kopech can routinely hit triple digits and was once considered the top pitching prospect in baseball but control still is an issue. They probably can be signed for cheap which should fit Hal perfectly. Both guys still have tread left (Romano is only 32 and Kopech is 29). Both probably can be had for cheap (in Romano's case maybe a minor league contract cause, yeah, he's been awful lol). I've been looking at Romano and the take is that his issues is almost 100% mechanical. if that's true then he could be a perfect reclaimaition project for Blake.

Devin Williams (free agent signing) - I'll be honest, I think Williams may be one of the rare cases where a guy that looked shell shocked actually manages to adjust to pitching in NY (kinda like Edwin Diaz who looked absolutely brutal his 1st year with the Mets, worse than Williams looked this past season with the Yankees). I think it's worth considering. And Williams comments recently actually was very positive. He admitted that he was essentially bat **** psyched out pitching in NY but then said he's loving it at the end (have to appreciate the honesty and candor). I think it's worth considering if the money isn't too much. Maybe a short term deal to see if the late season performance can be carried over. Again, there's not a lot of other options (when it comes to setup/closer/high-leverage relievers) unless they do a trade for someone like Cade Smith or they hit gold with a reclaim like Kopech or Romano or go with an old guy like 41 year old Kenly Jensen (and hope that his end of life isn't when he's on your team).

[knicks94]

Seriously, will anyone give a crap if the Blue Jays win it all this season? I recall no one caring when they won back to back titles in the early 90's.

[thebuzzardman]

Seriously, will anyone give a crap if the Blue Jays win it all this season? I recall no one caring when they won back to back titles in the early 90's.

I just care they beat the Dodgers

[knicks94]

Seriously, will anyone give a crap if the Blue Jays win it all this season? I recall no one caring when they won back to back titles in the early 90's.

I just care they beat the Dodgers

You do have a point. I know the Yankees have a bitter rivalry against the Jays, but I feel that the way the media sucks the Dodgers off it is only fitting that another team puts LA in their place.

[blue and orange]

Come to think of it Jays beating the Dodgers would a ton of heat on Hal and Cashman. I'd like to see Donnie baseball get a ring even it would be as a coach.