General manager Brian Cashman is concentrating on the best starters who are still on the market. But worry is growing as the pool of talent that is available keeps getting smaller. One source with knowledge of the Yankees’ thinking speculates that they may be absolutely locked out.
The source claims that there is a growing belief among the club members that Jordan Montgomery, a left-hander, would return to the Rangers instead of the Yankees.
Other perilous situations in which the Yankees find themselves:
Blake Snell is a free agent who the Yankees will not be able to sign unless agent Scott Boras lowers his compensation expectations.
According to the source, there is a growing perception within the team that left-hander Jordan Montgomery will be going back to the Rangers rather than the Yankees.
Other precarious circumstances facing the Yankees:
Unless agent Scott Boras reduces his salary expectations, the Yankees will not be able to sign lefty Blake Snell, another free agent.
Another Japanese talent who has been posted, left-hander Shota Imanaga, is not a fit for Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees have no interest in him.
Regarding the two aces that are being shopped, right-hander Dylan Cease of the White Sox and right-hander Corbin Burnes of the Brewers, it’s unlikely that either will be traded before spring training because the asking prices are too high.
The Yankees may look to the next class of unrestricted free agents if they miss yet another opportunity. Marcus Stroman, who is reportedly not on the Yankees’ radar, is probably on the list.
Lefties Sean Manaea, Alex Wood, and Hyun-Jin Ryu, as well as righties Mike Clevinger and Michael Lorenzen, are other free agents worth considering.
A starter from the Marlins could also be acquired in exchange for Miami’s interest in Gleyber Torres, a second baseman who has been available recently. The 25-year-old Dominican righty Edward Cabrera, who went 7–7 with a 4.24 ERA in the previous season, is liked by the Yankees. He has five years of team control.
This off-season, the Yankees have seen a startling decline in starting pitching from their previous abundance.
After Domingo German was suspended in August of last year due to an incident involving alcohol in the clubhouse, it was inevitable that he would be waived in November. In the sensational trade for outfielder Juan Soto, the Padres received three more starters. Randy Vasquez and Jhony Brito, two 2023 rookies who excelled in fill-in starting jobs, were included in a deal that featured Michael King, who transformed from a standout reliever to an excellent starter late in the previous season.
These losses might give Luis Gil, who has only played in seven career games and is recovering from Tommy John surgery, the No. 5 spot. Of course, at the top of the rotation is Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole. Cole will be followed by Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt.
The Yankees’ top choice to improve the rotation, according to the person with knowledge of their thoughts, is Montgomery. However, there is little chance of a reunion because Montgomery wants to join the Rangers after they win their first world championship in 2023. Montgomery grew close to his teammates in the postseason and played a significant role in Texas’ success.
The source stated, “I’m told Montgomery’s first choice is the Rangers.” “He adores Texas.” In reality, he wants to go there.
Montgomery’s money would go farther in Texas because there is no state income tax.
According to the source, Montgomery remains unsigned because his agent, Boras, is demanding a higher deal than the six-year, $162 million deal Rodon inked with the Yankees when he was the team’s top-ranked free agent last winter.
According to the source, the Yankees are among the teams keeping an eye on Montgomery in case his value decreases and he chooses to sign with a team other than the Rangers.
Montgomery might not definitely choose the Yankees as his next team, even if he moves on. The reserved left-hander might still be angry that Cashman traded him to the Cardinals in exchange for center fielder Harrison Bader in 2022, despite the fact that Cashman didn’t think he was good enough for a postseason start.
If Montgomery is still hurt by the pass, he might demand a hefty price from the Yankees to return it to him. In the end, Texas’s Montgomery finished 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA in six postseason appearances, proving Cashman to be mistaken.
The Yankees still favor Montgomery over Snell, the 2023 NL Cy Young Award winner, despite the steep learning curve. Despite being more prone to bad performances, Snell led the National League in walks in 2023.
The individual stated, “Snell’s inconsistent, but they’re still looking at him.” “They’re also examining other free agents and the trade market.”
Teams are shying away from 2022 AL Cy Young runner-up Cease and 2021 NL Cy Young winner Corbin due to their exorbitant prices. While Corbin is about to begin his walk year, Cease has two more years until he becomes a free agent.
According to trade rumors, the Orioles are the favorites to sign Cease for a deal that excludes shortstop Jackson Holliday, the top prospect in the majors.
The individual projected, “I don’t think Chicago trades Cease, and the Brewers aren’t trading Burnes.”
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