The New York Yankees might have secured Gerrit Cole this offseason, but that doesn’t spell the end for general manager Brian Cashman and his eternal quest to build a World Series caliber team. The Yankees have had the talent in recent years to win it all, but a lack of efficiency in specific positions or timely injuries have hurt their chances.
Last season, it was the fatigue of the starting pitching and lack of depth in the bullpen that hurt the Bombers against the Houston Astors. Factor in the absence of run production and Cashman’s head was probably about to explode, especially after trading for Giancarlo Stanton the year prior. The former Marlin logged just 59 at-bats last season, resulting in a lost campaign and millions of dollars slowly swirling down the drain.
However, Cashman has done a stable job retaining essential talent and adding the best pitcher in baseball, even if he overpaid handsomely and offered nine-years. Now, with Dellin Betances signing on with the New York Mets, a team he was rumored to for weeks leading up to the conclusion, the Yanks now have to consider adding another depth piece to the bullpen.
Talks with Josh Hader and the Brewers have been ongoing, but the latest rumors have added Miguel Andujar to the mix, a factor that could have been assumed.
MLB Marathon -Â #Brewers will more than likely move Hader. #Yankees at the forefront of talks. #Phillies #Dodgers #Dbacks all said to have checked in. Deal could fall as soon as the holidays wrap up.
Consider the source above as you will.
Do the New York Yankees need to replace Betances, even if it’s Hader?
The Bombers managed to win 103 games last year, with Betances pitching in just one contest before tearing his Achilles. Realistically, they don’t necessarily ‘need’ to add another quality arm to the bullpen, but it would undoubtedly help their World Series efforts.
If they can get away with unloading minimal starting talent, that would be the ideal scenario, but the left-handed pitcher is still under team control for four years, increasing his value. Expect the New York Yankees to offer Andujar, Clint Frazier, and a prospect/cash considerations for Hader.