Now that the World Series is over, the New York Yankees can start planning for the 2022 season. Well, those would be tentative ideas, since a new CBA deal has to be negotiated between players and owners in order to have a campaign next year.
The Yankees have nine players hitting the free agency. Here is every individual case, explained:
RHP Corey Kluber
Kluber is a candidate to return to the Yankees after pitching to a 3.83 ERA in 80 innings. He lost several months with a shoulder injury.
LHP Andrew Heaney
It’s highly unlikely Heaney is in the Yankees’ radar after struggling mightily since arriving in New York via trade in July. He had a 7.32 ERA in 35.2 innings.
1B Anthony Rizzo
Rizzo was a good fielder (depending on the metric of your choosing) and while he took walks and had a couple of timely home runs, he disappointed a bit offensively, boasting a 113 wRC+. He may be too expensive for the Yankees’ liking.
LHP Joely Rodriguez
Rodriguez was a solid contributor from the bullpen, with a 2.84 ERA in 19 innings. He has a $3 million club option for 2022 that the Bombers should pick up.
OF Brett Gardner
Gardner didn’t have a good year with the Yankees, slashing .222/.327/.362. He will most likely be back because he has a $2.3 million player option. If he declines it, the Yankees have a $7.15 million club option that they won’t pick up.
RHP Darren O’Day
O’Day’s season was cut short by a leg injury. He had a 3.38 ERA in 10.2 frames in 2021, and could be back if he decides to exercise his $1.4 million player option for 2022. If he declines it, the Yanks have a $3.15 club option.
RHP Brody Koerner
Koerner chose to be a free agent after the Yankees wanted to outright him to Triple-A and he refused. He will find a new team, after pitching three innings with the big league club. He did out good numbers in Triple-A, with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.
OF Ryan LaMarre
Like Koerner, LaMarre rejected a Triple-A assignment and will hit the market. He had 24 plate appearances with the Yankees this year, hitting 190/.292/.476 with two homers and one stolen base.
RHP Adam Warren
Warren regained full health this season but was never an option to receive a call-up and help the big league bullpen. He had a 3.59 ERA in Triple-A this year and could find himself back in the Yankees’ minor leagues if he doesn’t find an MLB roster spot elsewhere.