2021-2022 Off Season Thread

[Yankees1962]

Exactly. That would be my plan and why Seager is my top guy in this year's FA class. The offensive fit is too perfect to ignore and prior to this year where he came back from a fluke injury he was a perfectly average or slightly better SS capable of filling the immediate need there and well suited to slide over to 3B where he could be potentially be a plus defender for many years. And unlike Gleyber he's not a error magnet at SS, so I think the cries to move him off of SS will be more driven by the prowess of prospects like Peraza and Volpe than true limitations on Seager's part. I think Seager is a better, younger, left handed version of someone like Semien.

I agree with those comments, but I still want Peraza and Volpe as my SS/2nd base combo.

[False1]

When Cashman comes for more money, Hal's first response should be why the Rays won the division the last two years with a 1/3rd of the payroll.

I get your underlying point, but if Hal's not going to fire Cashman but prefers to rinse and repeat, he needs to write some checks regardless of what the Rays have done.

[False1]

I would love to have Correa on the team. He's a money player. Has that killer instinct needed to thrive in NY.

Either Correa or (my preference) Seager needs to be wearing pinstripes in '22. This must happen.

[False1]

Here we ago again looking to spend on what was done rather then what we could have coming up the pipe line...We are fine at SS... PITCHING AND CATCHING ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE GAME!!

Please explain to the board how we are fine at SS. I presume you mean the mL depth? I'm as excited about that as you are, but Peraza is going to spend next season at AAA and Volpe at AA. We'd be extraordinarily fortunate as fans if we were buying Peraza or Volpe jerseys at some point in 2024. One or both of those guys could easily come back to earth as they progress in the minors or even flame out. This team does not need nor should it deploy a "hope strategy." Get Seager or Correa, and if Peraza/Volpe continue to emerge, use one as an elite chip to address a need next year or beyond, or shift your FA SS or your prospect to 3B. We need to create "good problems to have".

Waiting for Peraza or Volpe even under the most optimistic scenarios costs you at least one and more likely two prime seasons of Cole and Judge.

Incidentally, I agree that catcher is an area of desperate need. Signing a SS doesn't mean they can't upgrade C. I personally think the SP could use a good arm to replace Kluber, but it's in pretty decent shape with decent depth. If you're worried about spending, that's not where I'd put my money right now.

[Zimmer's Helmet]

I agree with those comments, but I still want Peraza and Volpe as my SS/2nd base combo.

If they pan out, that would be my preference and from a cost-control/payroll standpoint, it makes all the sense in the world.

But it also raises the question of what to do with LeMahieu and his $15 million a year that remains on the books through 2026. Do you stash him at 1B and accept sub-par offensive production at that position or do you end up eating a substantial amount to move him? Does Peraza even get a crack at 2B if they determine DJ is the 2B moving forward because of his contract?

[False1]

Good stuff, indeed. I like both. I know there's talk of Volpe moving off of SS which I think is concerning for his long term value, but I actually like him to be able to stay at SS based on what I've seen and heard he makes all the plays and does so fairly consistently and its supported by low errors for a player his age. Peraza has the defensive upside to be top notch, so he's my untouchable of the two just because I feel strongly SS is one of the few positions you really have to source from within for any long term value and two-way potential plus players are gold. In FA I love Seager, but see him more as a short term SS (2-3 years) and long term 3B with the left handed bat this team needs. Correa is great, but will be overpaid in the grand scheme of things. Semien is better at 2B already and the team has too many 2B. Story I could get behind if the length of his deal is not crazy. Seager though is the right fit.

If the right opportunity arose I might trade Volpe just because I think its very possible he may be nearing his maximum trade value or at least there's potentially more downside value risk than upside after his 2021 season, but only if it was for a truly elite player (Jose Ramirez, etc.) that could put them over the top. I'd try to move Gleyber first though, but his value may be scorched at this point where the best course is to hope for a rebound. And we have to be realistic if they're not going to go all in on 2022 and 2023, than we need to keep these guys like Volpe to have a legit shot at the next home grown core to build a championship team around. So again it would have to be the right circumstances where its for an elite player that might put them over the top in the next few years otherwise, hold tight.

Agree with all of this. I'd sign Seager with the idea (if not the plan) that he can move off SS if one or both of Peraza/Volpe can crack the club by 2024. The Yankees can leverage one of the two prospects to address other critical needs, or heck - if they are convinced these guys are the goods there's nothing wrong with a 2024 infield that includes Volpe 2B, Peraza SS and Seager 3B.

[jnewmark]

Either Correa or (my preference) Seager needs to be wearing pinstripes in '22. This must happen.

Re: Correa : From MLBTR : Despite his involvement in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal and the negative public sentiment that’s followed him since, expect Carlos Correa to cash in big this winter, writes The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

[False1]

If they pan out, that would be my preference and from a cost-control/payroll standpoint, it makes all the sense in the world.

But it also raises the question of what to do with LeMahieu and his $15 million a year that remains on the books through 2026. Do you stash him at 1B and accept sub-par offensive production at that position or do you end up eating a substantial amount to move him? Does Peraza even get a crack at 2B if they determine DJ is the 2B moving forward because of his contract?

Or does he go back to the role he had when Cashman astutely decided to sign him in the first place... he backs up all infield spots except SS. He'd be an expensive utility guy to be sure, but ironically he wouldn't be earning that much more than he was when he signed his first deal with the Yankees for that job. He's insurance against injury and with the ability to play three IF roles he'd be fairly certain to get plenty of innings.

Bottom line though, I wouldn't let DJL's $15MM get in the way of investing now. As exciting as Peraza and Volpe are, the odds are that they are not both lockdown, set 'em and forget 'em roster spot holders for a team that is going to make a multi-year championship run. If they pan out, great - there's ways to solve for that. DJL should not be a blockade.

[False1]

Re: Correa : From MLBTR : Despite his involvement in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal and the negative public sentiment that’s followed him since, expect Carlos Correa to cash in big this winter, writes The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

Oh, definitely. Both Correa and Seager are getting PAID. Semien too. Correa and Seager are probably circa $300MM deals just waiting to be signed. One of signatures needs to be on Yankee letterhead.

[Bauer]

They O's have lost at least 108 games each of the last 3 full seasons and have finished 5th in the AL east 4 of the past 5 years, the only time they didn't was the COVID 2020 year where they finshed ahead of Boston. With that kind of dreadful track records, they should have a stocked minor league.

Indeed, e.g., if only the Yankees had, waiting in line at AAA to catch, Adley Rutschman.

[Yankyfan]

Please explain to the board how we are fine at SS. I presume you mean the mL depth? I'm as excited about that as you are, but Peraza is going to spend next season at AAA and Volpe at AA. We'd be extraordinarily fortunate as fans if we were buying Peraza or Volpe jerseys at some point in 2024. One or both of those guys could easily come back to earth as they progress in the minors or even flame out. This team does not need nor should it deploy a "hope strategy." Get Seager or Correa, and if Peraza/Volpe continue to emerge, use one as an elite chip to address a need next year or beyond, or shift your FA SS or your prospect to 3B. We need to create "good problems to have".

Waiting for Peraza or Volpe even under the most optimistic scenarios costs you at least one and more likely two prime seasons of Cole and Judge.

Incidentally, I agree that catcher is an area of desperate need. Signing a SS doesn't mean they can't upgrade C. I personally think the SP could use a good arm to replace Kluber, but it's in pretty decent shape with decent depth. If you're worried about spending, that's not where I'd put my money right now.

I know Peraza is glove ready now. I believe he will do just fine if called up and Vasquez can hold the fort. CC is not a great Ss and he will cost way too much.I have no answers in the short term for a reciever. As far as arms go , you never have enough. Bullpen will require some help.

[Yankee Tripper]

Please explain to the board how we are fine at SS. I presume you mean the mL depth? I'm as excited about that as you are, but Peraza is going to spend next season at AAA and Volpe at AA. We'd be extraordinarily fortunate as fans if we were buying Peraza or Volpe jerseys at some point in 2024. One or both of those guys could easily come back to earth as they progress in the minors or even flame out. This team does not need nor should it deploy a "hope strategy." Get Seager or Correa, and if Peraza/Volpe continue to emerge, use one as an elite chip to address a need next year or beyond, or shift your FA SS or your prospect to 3B. We need to create "good problems to have".

Waiting for Peraza or Volpe even under the most optimistic scenarios costs you at least one and more likely two prime seasons of Cole and Judge.

Incidentally, I agree that catcher is an area of desperate need. Signing a SS doesn't mean they can't upgrade C. I personally think the SP could use a good arm to replace Kluber, but it's in pretty decent shape with decent depth. If you're worried about spending, that's not where I'd put my money right now.

100% agreement with this post.

[Paul Zuvella]

Either Correa or (my preference) Seager needs to be wearing pinstripes in '22. This must happen.

I would take Correa over Seager because he is so clutch but both of these guys combined have put up maybe 3 good major league seasons in their entire careers. Theyre gonna get a ton of money too. I’ll pass.

[Yankee Tripper]

I know Peraza is glove ready now. I believe he will do just fine if called up and Vasquez can hold the fort. CC is not a great Ss and he will cost way too much.I have no answers in the short term for a reciever. As far as arms go , you never have enough. Bullpen will require some help.

Vasquez can’t hit and shouldn’t be taking up a 40 man spot this winter that should go to protect a higher ceiling player who might be lost in rule 5.

[Yankee Tripper]

I would take Correa over Seager because he is so clutch but both of these guys combined have put up maybe 3 good major league seasons in their entire careers. Theyre gonna get a ton of money too. I’ll pass.

Correa has a career 127 OPS+ and Seager 131. Seager was a terrific fielder when he came up but has been slowed by injuries, he rated just average sine then. Correa has been up and down a bit defensively but better in later seasons.

the only thing that worries me about either in injury history of which both have had a few.