ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite their best efforts, the Yankees were unable to generate the traction they sought during the Winter Meetings, with general manager Brian Cashman describing an offseason that has seemed to move at “glacial speed.”
“We’re just staying engaged, trying to match up with some things, but it’s been tough so far,” Cashman said Wednesday. “I don’t like the asks coming our way, and I guess the opposing teams don’t like what I’m trying to pull from them on the trade stuff. We do have some conversations that possibly could lead somewhere, but clearly if we had something, we would have done it.”
The Yankees arrived in Orlando with Cody Bellinger atop their wish list, and that hasn’t changed. They have plenty of competition, as Scott Boras creatively detailed, painting the picture of a marketplace where as many as eight teams could be bidding for the free agent outfielder.
Unlike a year ago, when the team pivoted from Juan Soto toward moves that brought Bellinger, Max Fried, Paul Goldschmidt and Devin Williams to the Bronx, the Yankees are expressing confidence that they have most of their necessary answers coming off a 94-win season that ended in the American League Division Series.
“We have a strong team. The job is to make it better and make it stronger,” Cashman said. “But [saying] it and doing it are two different things. We’re trying to pull that off, and it takes time. There’s a lot of time on the board, and there’s a lot of inventory still there. A lot of possibilities are in play.”
BIGGEST REMAINING NEEDS
- Cody Bellinger: The Yankees have been open about their desire to re-sign Bellinger, who was a strong fit with his athleticism, versatility and a demeanor that manager Aaron Boone has described as “blue collar-ish.” Bellinger would solidify left field while adding a potent bat capable of putting up big numbers against left-handed pitching. While Kyle Tucker is arguably the top free agent position player available, the Yanks appear primarily focused on a reunion with Bellinger.
- Starting pitching: With Carlos Rodón not expected back until April or May and Gerrit Cole targeting May or June, the Yanks’ rotation is thin entering the season. They have some insurance by bringing back swingman Ryan Yarbrough, but are looking for more depth. They have been in contact about Tatsuya Imai, though Boras said they are allowing that market to develop further. Published reports have linked the Yanks to free agents Brad Keller and Michael King, and trade discussions for the Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore and the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta.
- Right-handed bat/bullpen help: Cashman has said the Yankees are “without a doubt” too left-handed, and they might seek a similar solution to last year, when they picked up Amed Rosario ahead of the Trade Deadline. Rob Refsnyder is another free agent option who offers versatility and a solid bat. Cashman also said “it would be nice” to pick up a right-handed-hitting catcher. As for the bullpen, the Yankees need to bolster a late-inning mix that is shouldered by David Bednar, Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval and Tim Hill. Boone added he sees Brent Headrick taking on a larger role.
HE SAID IT
“I think it’s important to know that this isn’t the end of the winter. We’ve got two months until Spring Training. Whatever happens between now and then, I think we’re going to be really good. That’s the expectation. We’ll see how it unfolds. There’s still some runway to do some things, which I’m sure we will.” -- Boone
RULE 5 DRAFT
The Yankees selected right-hander Cade Winquest from the Cardinals in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, marking the organization's first such selection since 2011.
Yankees assistant general manager Michael Fishman said the team has been targeting Winquest since the 2022 MLB Draft, when he was selected in the eighth round by St. Louis.
"He's got big velocity," Fishman said. "He has characteristics that our pitching group is good at working with. We'll get him with our pitching department and make a few tweaks. He's somebody who hopefully could help us."
Winquest, 25, was a combined 5-7 with a 3.99 ERA in 25 games (23 starts) for High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield this past season. In 106 innings, he permitted 105 hits with 39 walks and 110 strikeouts. Fishman said Winquest will likely come into the spring competing for a bullpen spot.
Clubs pay $100,000 to select a player in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, but if that player doesn't stay on the active Major League roster for the full season, he must be offered back to his former team for $50,000.
In the Minor League phase, the Yankees selected right-hander Hansel Rincon from the Brewers and catcher Abrahan Gutierrez from the Athletics. New York lost three players: right-hander Adam Stone (Cubs), right-hander Sean Hermann (Mariners) and left-hander Matt Turner (Mets).
MORE FROM THIS WEEK
- Cashman said he has received no firm payroll cap from ownership, and mentioned several times that he is exploring “challenge trades,” where significant talent moves in both directions. More >
- If the season started today, Jasson Domínguez would be the heir apparent in left field. Is “The Martian” finally ready for a starting role? More >
- Jim Hendry, a special assistant to Cashman, was honored Wednesday as one of Major League Baseball’s Scouts of the Year. More >
- The 2018 Trade Deadline resurfaced following Sonny Gray’s comments that he “never wanted to go” to the Yankees. Cashman offered his version of events surrounding Gray’s unsuccessful Bronx tenure. More >
GM’S BOTTOM LINE
“Ultimately, what we want is to have a team that is going to rack up the win totals to push themselves into the postseason and win it all. Everything adds up, everything counts. We’re an aggressive franchise, but we already have some very large commitments. The more of those you have, the more it affects you in other areas. Everything’s tied together.
“Our ownership has obviously demonstrated, year in and year out, how massively committed they are. At the same time, that’s not an open blank checkbook, either. So you try to navigate it the best you possibly can.” -- Cashman