Cashman discusses the Soto trade, the current free agency and trade markets, possible Yankee targets, and what MLB might look for in a new commissioner.
MLB Rumors: Darragh McDonald’s Trade: For the first time in a few weeks, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman addressed the media when pitchers and catchers reported to spring training this week. In these sessions, he divulged a great deal about the Yankees’ pursuit of left-handed bats this winter. He mentioned that the team was initially using Alex Verdugo and Juan Soto to play the Red Sox and Padres off each other before figuring that since the prospects in both deals were different, they might as well add both.
Cashman also revealed that he expected Soto to hit free agency, and that they would have conversations from there. Lastly, he said that, even though the spring has started, it’s not “pencils down,” and he’s still looking to add — particularly on the pitching front.
YES Network: Yesterday afternoon, the Yankees made a small move by grabbing Phillies pitcher McKinley Moore off waivers. The organization placed Lou Trivino, who they signed earlier this week, on the 60-day injured list in order to create space when he recovers from Tommy John surgery in May 2023. Andrés has a piece scheduled for later today, so stay tuned for more on, um, Moore.
Dan Szymborski | FanGraphs: FanGraphs released its mainly yearly ZiPS Top 100 Prospects list, a prospect rating solely based on ZiPS projections, as part of its Prospect Week. Jasson Domínguez is ranked 21st by ZiPS (as opposed to 53rd overall) in contrast to the site’s scouting-based rating, which leaves out Austin Wells, Spencer Jones, and the other Yankees entirely on FanGraphs.
Jorbit Vivas and Jared Serna, two infielders, enter in positions 67 and 77, respectively, to take their places. Though Szymborski only looks at the Top 100 in his position-by-position analysis, he also gives some love to Agustin Ramirez, who comes in at number ten on the list (142nd overall).
Brendan Kuty at The Athletic: (subscription required) Thus, where may Cashman be going if he hasn’t set down his pencils and handed in his scantron (I love these comparisons, Cashman, because I’m a teacher). In light of the general manager’s statement that “pitching is always the key to the kingdom,” Brendan Kuty determined that the Yankees will now most likely make investments in the rotation and the back of the bullpen. Nevertheless, the organization may still try to sign a player to take up the last bench place, which would mean that Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza would have to begin the season in Triple-A.
Wall Street Journal | Lindsey Adler and Jared Diamond: Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, disclosed earlier this week that his current contract, which ends in 2029, will be his last. Diamond and Adler break down the potential issues that the league may prioritize when looking for its next commissioner, acknowledging that Manfred was initially hired because of his experience as the labor attorney for the league, which was a result of the fact that ownership and the Player’s Association were headed into a period of labor unrest.
While it’s impossible to know exactly what we will be dealing with next month, let alone in five years, their analysis — which highlights revenue streams endangered by the collapse of streaming rights as the biggest potential concern for ownership — seems about as good a projection as you can get this far out.
