Work stoppage or not, the Yankees must keep their eye on the ball this winter.
If upgrading the shortstop position is the priority it appears they’re making it, that’s a good start.
“It’s certainly the year of the shortstop, with a lot of high-end talented players coming out at the same time,” General manager Brian Cashman said. “It’s an impressive group of players, no doubt. I’m sure that they’re excited about the opportunities that are going to present for them. I’m sure the agents are looking forward to doing business.”
Cashman has a way with words, the fan base know this. However, he’s spot-on with his assessment of this winter’s market for shortstops.
Free agents Corey Seager and Carlos Correa are two of the top available names on the market.
Marcus Semien, Trevor Story and Javier Báez are also names we’ll hear often this winter as the Hot Stove warms up.
Moreover, teams will be primed to make a strike before the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement on Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The market for Seager and Semien reportedly is moving fast, both could sign with new teams ahead of the expected work stoppage.
Which makes this all the more intriguing for the Yankees, should they decide to go all gas no brakes with pursuing Correa.
The Yankees want to upgrade their defense and get more pop from the shortstop position. Correa could bring both to the table. His time with the Houston Astros would his potential arrival easily the lead story in New York sports.
None of the aforementioned will come cheap for the Yankees, specifically Correa. He reportedly received a five-year, $160MM offer from the Astros that seems more for show than anything.
Cashman gave the impression he’s going to be big-game hunting this winter, and that’s to be expected after how last season ended.
For Correa, the Yankees will need to come heavy or don’t come at all. But, it’s the type of splash many around the sport are anticipating them to make.
Image: USA Sports / Troy Taromina
