The New York Yankees are gearing up for an active free-agent market, but they’ve also been taking calls about potential trades for star players like Matt Olson of the Athletics and Bryan Reynolds of the Pirates. While it is a longshot either of those opportunities come to fruition, general manager Brian Cashman stated he is evaluating every opportunity and the value it could bring to the team.
Precisely, Cashman hit on the prospect of signing former first overall pick in 2012 Carlos Correa this off-season, which would solve a significant vulnerability at shortstop.
Cashman made it clear he’s evaluating Correa the same as any other free agent talent despite the cheating scandal in the past:
“Is he a great player? Yes. He’s a free agent, so my job is to assess him and act accordingly.”
Correa would provide a massive upgrade at a spot housed by Gleyber Torres the past few seasons. In 2021, he finished with a .279 average, including 26 homers and 92 RBIs. He had a career-low 18.1% strikeout rate and career-high 11.7% walk rate, indicating fantastic patience at the plate. It seems as if he’s a good player outside of the cheating, after all.
The Yankees are undoubtedly in the mix to land the most prominent name available, but he will cost a fortune — the front office has financial flexibility.
Cashman is also on the prowl for centerfield help, which is why Reynolds was connected via potential trade. Another option is Starling Marte, who hit .308 last season over 120 games. He recorded 12 homers, 55 RBIs and logged 102 singles and 27 doubles.
Of course, shortstop remains the priority, but Marte is a solid hitter and versatile defender in the outfield. He recorded a .990 fielding percentage this past season with three errors. He’s an above-average defensive player and would be a fantastic addition to a group that frequently gets injured.
In addition, the Yanks have also connected with the A’s about first baseman Matt Olson, who’s coming off his best season yet. They are keen on lowering their salary cap hit this year, and moving Olson for cheaper players and prospects to eventually sell is in their sights.
The Bombers have plenty of young talents to offer up in a prospective deal for Olson, who would solve their 1B position for years to come. Of course, many believe retaining Anthony Rizzo is the ideal move, which is hard to disagree with. Rizzo was a consistent force for the Bombers in the lineup this past season, and an entire year’s worth of reps would prove to be significant, especially when considering the short-right porch.