About the Off-season: Who’s on First?
By Tim Kabel
November 7, 2024
***
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.
While I would love Alonso or Guerrero, can’t see either happening. Definitely don’t see it if Soto returns. Hal just won’t spend the $. Both will carry a 25-30 million salary. Also, the Jays are on record saying Vlad will not be moved. They appear to prefer contending sooner rather than later.
For a reasonably priced free agent addition that will fit the budget, Carlos Santana is an excellent option. He is older than methusala but still mashes lefties and is about league average vs righties as a switch hitter. His power plays in the stadium. Despite his age, he just won the gold glove. So he is no “bat only” statue despite his age. He should come i…
As I said in another thread: First base is a platoon. Rice/Rumfield battle in spring training for the lefty side, and either Berti or (ideally) low-cost masher for the righty side. I'll add Alonso would be the best option (obviating the platoon and having Oswaldo as a pure back-up), but the cost for him may be prohibitive, particularly because I think Cohen would pay through the nose to keep him in Queens.
it hinges on Soto.
first base, traditionally, is a place where teams prioritize offense and seek big and powerful players. defense in the corners is, traditionally, a secondary concern.
the Yankees, should they retain Soto, will have a plenitude of offensive power with
Judge
Stanton
Soto
Dominguez
last season, the Yankees hit more HRs than any other team
and this season they will be adding Dominguez
retain Soto and the Yankees will have some flexibility in how they choose to man 1B.
they could opt to trade for a young, right-handed power hitting 1B, an expensive one
they could opt not to trade for another slugger and use one of two or three good-glove infielders
or
they could opt to…
Internal options as of right now in my opinion: 1) DJ, 2) Rice, 3) Rumfield 4) Escarra
Free Agents: 1) Walker 2) Alonso 3) Goldschmidt
Trades: 1) Vlad 2) the rest of the unknowns, including a position switch
I honestly believe as of right now, neither Berti nor Cabrera are being thought of realistic options unless they are going to be part of a hodge podge of a collective to handle 1B. It is way too early to think like that as a real Plan A, B, or C. You think of something like that on about March 15, about 10 days before the regular season opener. Too bad that Escarra, Rice and Rumfield are all LHB.
Signing a free…
Cabrera: not an every day player, doesn't have the bat for 1B, can't hit lefties
Rice: not sure he's a major leaguer; 1B is kind of a secondary position for him
Alonso: Nah
Guerrero: the best choice of the bunch; Yankees should at least find out what it would take to get him