About the Off-season: Who’s on First?

About the Off-season: Who’s on First?

By Tim Kabel

November 7, 2024

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The Yankees will have a different team in 2025 than they did this year. Many of the same players will return, of course, but, there will be a few new faces. The Yankees did not pick up the option on Anthony Rizzo’s contract, making him a free agent. While it is possible the Yankees could bring him back on a reduced salary, I don't believe they will. He declined offensively and defensively over the past few years and missed significant stretches of time due to injuries in the past two years. It is time to move on. The question is move on to whom?

The Yankees have two internal options for first base for next season and beyond. The first would be Oswaldo Cabrera, and the other one is Ben Rice. Oswaldo Cabrera was a solid player last season. He was improperly used by Aaron Boone and was often jerked in and out of the lineup haphazardly. There were times where he played for long stretches and did well but later in the season, he was pushed aside for Jon Berti. I believe Oswaldo will be back next season but, will most likely occupy the utility role-playing multiple positions. I think his effectiveness will be determined in large part by who the manager is. As I noted multiple times, Aaron Boone does not do a great job in developing young players for the most part. It seems young players only get the chance when Boone's hand is forced.

Ben Rice showed some promise but then struggled, which is not uncommon for a rookie. He was then banished to the bench and then back to the minors. He returned after Anthony Rizzo broke his fingers but did not play in the postseason. I think he could develop into a very solid player who hits well and provides a lot of power. I think he would be a perfectly acceptable choice for the role. However, there may be other options which are better than perfectly acceptable.

Looking at the free agent market, there are a few options, but I would like to focus on two. Christian Walker, late of the Diamondbacks, is a free agent. He is a right-handed hitter, who puts up good numbers. Last season he hit .251 with 26 home runs and 84 RBI. He has been a productive player throughout his career. There are two primary issues that I can see. First, we don't know how he would respond to playing in New York City. He might do well, or he might become Joey Gallo. Another issue is the fact that he will be 34 years old in March.  I don't believe the Yankees need to bring in more players in their mid-30s. It could be argued that Walker is already on the decline. Ideally, the Yankees will re-sign Juan Soto. With Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm, Jr., and presumably Jasson Dominguez, the Yankees will have multiple players in the lineup who are young. It would be nice if they could continue that trend with any new acquisitions.

Another option in free agency is Pete Alonso. Alonso is very familiar to Yankees’ fans, as he has played his entire career with the Mets. He will be 30 years old in December so, he is a younger alternative to Christian Walker. He also hits for tremendous power but does usually not have a high batting average. Another issue is that he will probably be expensive. Scott Boras is his agent, and he will want to squeeze every last dime out of whichever team signs Alonso. I think Alonso would be a good choice but, if the Yankees could avoid sinking a lot of money into him, there might be better options.

At the trading deadline this year, there were rumors that the Yankees were trying to acquire Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays. While it didn't happen, it could happen this offseason. The Blue Jays will probably not be a very good team again in 2025.  The Blue Jays might be inclined to trade Vladi. In 2024, he batted .323 with 30 home runs and 103 RBI. He is a tremendous baseball player. He will not be 26 years old until March of 2025. He is even younger than Juan Soto. The Yankees had a lot of problems with left-handed pitchers last year. Guerrero would help in that regard. In the past, he stated that he did not want to play for the Yankees, ever, but he softened that stance this year. I don't know what it would take to acquire him, but the Yankee should explore that option.

Of the three players I mentioned, he is the youngest by far and the best by far. The Yankees lineup would be extremely formidable with Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. in the middle of it. There are other areas that the Yankees need to address but, this would be one way to help put them over the top so that next season, they are the team with the World Series parade.