Sep 20, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) smiles at the dugout between innings against the Philadelphia Phillies at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
I have said before that with the acquisition of Gerrit Cole, the Yankees might be done with any significant changes to the team. They already have their back up catcher in Kyle Higashioka and have gotten a reserve in Scranton Wilkes/Barre, by signing Erik Katz.
Considering this, you could say that they are all set. This is especially true due to comments made by Yankee Manager Aaron Boone and General Manager Brian Cashman, having both said they are satisfied with their bullpen and satisfied as well, with Gleyber Torres in the shortstop position. After all, it’s difficult to improve a team that has won 100 games in the past two years, with the lineup and defense they already have in place. But at the same time, there are all kinds of suggestions and rumors that they are still looking to improve the team by strengthening the bullpen and adding a left-hand bat to the lineup.
The New York Yankees are looking into lefty hitters:
There are reports that the Yankees may be looking at adding the likes of Joe Panik, a lefty to the lineup. Panik spent the season last year with the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets. The 29-year-old is a former Gold Glover at second base and an All-Star. There are also reports that the Yankees may be looking at Cesar Hernandez. Hernandez comes from the Phillies, where he was non-tendered after the season. Hernandez, like Panik, is also 29 years old. One of the things that make Hernandez attractive is that he is a very similar player as last year’s acquisition of D.J. LaMahieu, although not of the same caliber. He hit .279 with the Phillies last year and drove in 71 runs while hitting 14 home runs. In 2016 and 2017, he was one of the most dynamic second basemen in the game. He is a switch hitter, so that may also factor into his worth to the Yankees, adding another player that can break up the Yankee’s heavy right-handed lineup.
The big prize out there is Francisco Lindor of the Indians. If the Yankees are interested in Lindor, it will probably involve money and giving up some critical assets. If they are genuinely intrigued by Lindor, they will have to make their best offer for him this weekend, as the Indians have made it clear that they want any team interested in him, to submit their best offer this weekend, so that they can evaluate if they will move Lindor at all. Lindor is 26, has been an All-Star and an MVP candidate in all of the past four years, and has hit 30 homers in each of the last three years. Lindor batted .284 with 74 RBI’s. Lindor is also a switch hitter.
Cashman may decide to further strengthen the infield with any of these players, as all of them would add a lefty bat to the lineup. Cashman is probably on a timeline to act since multiple teams are interested in the three players, which may force his hand. My guess, in the case of Lindor, is that the Indians will reject all the offers they receive this weekend and wait until just before spring training when Lindor’s value will be even higher. As far as Cashman is concerned, he may act soon or demonstrate his narrative and do nothing at all. With Voit or Ford at first, stars D.J. LeMahieu at second Gleyber Torres at short, and Gio Urshela at third, they remain with an extra infielder with Miguel Andujar. It is unlikely that the Yankees will trade Andujar, in favor of trying him out at different positions during spring training, as they don’t want to lose his hot bat.
