Cashman's Latest Transactions Add to His Fantastic Off-Season.
By Derek McAdam
December 24, 2024
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The momentum has only been building for the New York Yankees this off-season since the departure of Juan Soto to the New York Mets. Brian Cashman’s first big splash was signing Max Fried to an eight-year contract to bolster the starting rotation. Then he brought over Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers to help replace several free agents from the bullpen and give the Yankees a high-leverage reliever.
Then, Cashman acquired Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs to play the outfield and possibly first base. I liked all three of these transactions, but it only seemed to get better. On Friday, Cashman traded Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Fernando Cruz and Alex Jackson.
Trevino seemed to be a great player to have in the clubhouse. He always seemed to have a positive attitude and clearly loved wearing the pinstripes. But the Yankees want Austin Wells to be their everyday catcher. And, it isn’t as if Trevino had a great season last year. It was always stressful when opposing players got on base, because it was evident they were going to run on Trevino.
However, I think the Yankees got a solid return for Trevino. Cruz has, arguably, the filthiest pitch in the entire league and Jackson may end up being Wells’ backup. Cashman may have downgraded at the backup catcher position, but he added a solid bullpen piece simultaneously.
While the Yankees missed out on Christian Walker, who agreed to a three-year contract with the Houston Astros, they did not waste much time in finding their new first baseman. Paul Goldschmidt agreed to a one-year, $12.5 million deal with the Yankees, yet another solid signing for Cashman.
It seemed to me as if many Yankees fans had mixed feelings about Goldschmidt. Of course, Walker was a top choice for many, which is understandable. But the Yankees also did not have to give up anything to acquire the former NL MVP and there’s no harm in just a one-year deal. It was the correct decision to move on from Anthony Rizzo and I don’t think Ben Rice is prepared to be an everyday player. He was a nice story for a while, but it got hard to watch his at-bats once opposing pitchers got accustomed to him.
And the best part about all of this is that Cashman may still have another move or two up his sleeve. The Yankees are still looking for another infielder, and Alex Bregman has been the big name that continues to come up in the rumors. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman estimates that Bregman will get a contract in the $170 million range, which is definitely feasible for the Yankees.
The Yankees have also met with Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, who will be posted next month. Similarly to when Shohei Ohtani came over, Sasaki will have to sign a minor-league contract due to his age. But that would be a great pickup for the Yankees, if they are able to win his services. It would just add on to Cashman’s great off-season that he is having.
There was no question that the Yankees were going to have several holes to fill, especially with the many free agents that were departing. And with the Yankees not tying up $760 million in Soto, they have been able to fill those holes and create a lineup that is not too top-heavy. And since they will likely add another bat, whether it be Bregman, Nolan Arenado, or possibly someone else, the lineup is going to become even better.
By no means am I saying that the lineup is stacked from top to bottom, but the Yankees don’t exactly need that. They need more good hitters that can hit for average and get on base. Sometimes, it isn’t always about the home runs.
But what the Yankees have also been able to simultaneously improve is their defense. With Soto gone, Judge can move back to his natural position in right field, while it seems likely that Bellinger will play center (although I would not be surprised if he plays left and Jasson Dominguez plays center).
At this point, Goldschmidt is probably an upgrade to Rizzo, who seemed to struggle over the past couple of years at first. And if the Yankees are able to acquire either Bregman or Arenado, it would be a major upgrade at third base. The Yankees have not been a great defensive team over the past couple of seasons, but it seems as if they are going to improve this season in that category.
I have to give credit where it is due. Cashman has, so far, done a tremendous job with assembling the 2025 team. Fried may have been slightly overpaid, but the Yankees learned in the World Series that having a solid starting rotation is crucial, and Fried will provide help in that area. But I have really liked all the other moves that he has made, particularly since he isn’t giving up much to acquire players.
With the new year approaching, I can’t imagine it is going to take long to figure out where Bregman or Arenado will be playing next year. It is very possible that the Yankees have one of the two on their team next season. Buckle up, because I don’t think Cashman’s off-season is over quite yet.
Ha-Seong had right shoulder surgery in October and won't be starting the season, plus I'm sick of Cashman dealing for IL players who never seem to make it back. As for Hye-seong, making a KBO import the starting 2B feels a bit like buying a pig in the poke. His glove should play very well, especially as compared to Torres, but I have no idea how KBO slash lines (here, .326/.383/.458) translates to MLB.
What about those Kim’s…Hyeseong and Ha Seong…both free agents…no great shucks with the bat but good defense and speed. Haven’t heard much about them.
This is a process.
I know that they don't have a third baseman yet, but it's not even 2025 yet and the Yankees have been very busy and very active improving the team.
They're a better team right now than last year. Absolutely.
Bellinger is greater than Verdugo
Goldschmidt is better than Rizzo
Fried is better than Stroman (or anyone, maybe even Cole)
Williams is better than Holmes
Chisholm (at 2b) will be better than Torres
Granted, we don't know what Dominguez brings
And they still need a third baseman
And a back-up catcher
But, my goodness. They lost out on Soto and have made solid moves.
Tucker - they didn't get because they wanted to keep Gil. That make…
the Yankees have done rather well thus far in the off-season, after seeing Soto move on
they have made excellent additions to a team that had several positions of need
and have added well-rounded players, not bat-only types.
they done acted intelligently, recognizing that they had a need to hold fast to their developing players and using their abundant money to add talent.
there is room for questioning the worth of adding Goldschmidt and Bellinger
Goldy is, obviously, good but, also obviously, a short-timer who is here for a year
Bellinger is more likely to hang around, and not necessarily as a centerfielder
because the Yankees used mostly money rather than prospects, the Yankees still have kids to trade
even…
A little generous using the word "fantastic". My 2 cents, he lost out on Tucker. He lost out Walker, didn't look too far into Lowe or Crochet, traded Narvaez to Boston, and still has a hole at third base.