Here’s the latest Yankees free agency and trade buzz during the 2023-24 MLB offseason…
Nov. 8, 11:07 a.m.
According to The New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Yanks have reached out to Cody Bellinger this offseason who is reportedly at the top of their free-agent list.
That list also includes Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, all left-handed hitters, but Heyman notes that the player most likely to land in New York is Bellinger, followed by Soto then Ohtani.
A former MVP and Rookie of the Year, Bellinger signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs last offseason and revitalized his career after three consecutive down years. In 130 games, the 28-year-old had 26 home runs and 97 RBI while batting a career-best .307 with an .881 OPS.
While all three play the outfield – a major area of need for the Yankees – Bellinger likely adds the most value to New York as he can play both center field and first base at an elite level.
Nov. 7, 11:30 p.m.
Luis Severino is looking to get back on the mound after his 2023 was cut short due to an oblique injury, but it looks increasingly like the Yankees won’t be bringing him back.
Severino, who is an unrestricted free agent this winter, is back to throwing and is “feeling good,” according to The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty. The report also states that there has been interest from as many as eight teams for Severino’s services in 2024, but the Yankees aren’t believed to be one of them.
Last season, Severino had a career-high 6.65 ERA over 19 games (18 starts). His 1.65 WHIP was also a career-high and his 79 strikeouts were his lowest since 2016, when he started just 11 games.
Of course, Severino’s career with the Yankees has been marred by injuries. After bursting onto the scene in 2017, he had his high-water mark the following year by going 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA in 32 starts. The next three seasons saw Severino appear in just seven games and make three starts due to a number of different injuries.
After a solid 2022, Severino was poised to solidify his spot in the rotation before he hit free agency. However, his poor numbers and injuries may have spelled the end for the 29-year-old’s tenure in The Bronx.
The Yankees rotation is filled with a number of arms including Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes and newcomers Clarke Schmidt and potentially Michael King. With the Yanks also looking into bringing Frankie Montas back, Severino will seemingly have to go to a new team.
Nov. 7, 9:26 a.m.
The Yankees are considering a reunion with free agent right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas, per Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Montas, whom the Yanks acquired from the Athletics at the 2022 trade deadline, was limited due to shoulder injuries the last season and a half.
He threw just 39.2 innings over eight starts after being acquired in 2022, while pitching to a 6.35 ERA.
In 2023, he pitched in just one game (in relief) late in the season after missing the bulk of the year following arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder in February.
Entering his age-31 season and with serious injury concerns, Montas — who has a career 3.90 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in eight seasons in the majors — will likely have to settle for a one-year deal.
Nov. 2, 7:00 p.m.
The Yankees placed Domingo German, Franchy Cordero, Billy McKinney, Matt Bowman, Jimmy Cordero, and Ryan Weber on outright waivers.
All six players had been arbitration-eligible.
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
