For the first time in what feels like forever, the New York Yankees did not make a big free agent signing in the offseason. They missed out on All-Stars like David Price and Justin Upton, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sure, players like this could be the difference between a World Series championship and just a league pennant, but they aren’t what the Yankees need right now.
The Yankees needed to get younger without sacrificing 2016, and they needed to compete in 2016 without sacrificing the future. A tough thing to do, especially in New York. General manager Brian Cashman made some interesting moves, dealing for Starlin Castro, Aaron Hicks and Aroldis Chapman, with both concepts in mind.
Castro fixes the hole at second base, which has been a problem since Robinson Cano left for the Seattle Mariners after 2013. He isn’t quite Cano, but at just 25 years old, he gives the Yankees a solid bat and glove through the 2020 season. He should have been the future face of the Chicago Cubs, but fell out of favor, prompting Cashman to take advantage. Castro has the potential to be a star in New York without the pressure he had in Chicago.
Chapman gives the Yankees an even better bullpen than they had in 2015. It was a gamble that Cashman had to make. Before the domestic violence incident came to light, it would’ve taken a few top prospects to land him. Cashman was able to get him by dealing just a few spare parts. This will give the Yankees an unfair bullpen with Chapman, incumbent closer Andrew Miller and future closer Dellin Betances.
The first move Cashman actually made was for Aaron Hicks, a fourth outfielder to replace Chris Young. He also landed some extra pitching with Tyler Olson and Kirby Yates in trades with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians, respectively. Nothing too flashy, but allows them some wiggle room for the future.
Cashman made these moves with future offseasons in mind. Mark Teixeira and Carlos Beltran’s $48 million come off the books after 2016, and Alex Rodriguez and C.C. Sabathia’s $46 million follow after 2017. That is just under $100 million to spend on the future, which is much brighter than now. The past Yankees would’ve used every penny this offseason with a boom-or-bust mentality on free agents. This new mentality actually puts them in a good place for 2018 and beyond.
That offseason will feature Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson, Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, Jose Fernandez and Matt Harvey as free agents. That’s not even close to all of them; Clayton Kershaw, Price and Jason Heyward all have opt-out clauses that could go in effect then. It will be the most historic free agent class ever, and the top-spending Yankees will be at the head of the class.
The Yankees are expected to win every year, and they could do that this year. But their best chances come in the next three-five seasons, and by Cashman showing some restraint this year, it allows them to splurge in two years. Imagine a Yankees team featuring Harper in right field and Harvey on the mound. It looks a lot better than wasting the money now.
