New York Yankees Top Three Agenda Items

As the club retools in order to get their 28th World Series, these are the three biggest assignments on the agenda.

Acquire a Shortstop

The number one option for shortstop is Carlos Correa from the Houston Astros. Although he is solid in the playoffs and is good on both sides of the ball, he has an injury history. Would the Yankees pay over $300 million on his contract given the risk?

This author does not think so, since the club did not spend last year and also has Aaron Judge‘s salary to consider. It is more likely the front office will sign someone who has a one year gap before giving the reins to Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe. Another shortstop option is Ranger Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Falefa is a solid defensive shortstop who would not cost the Yankees as much as Correa would.

Resign Anthony Rizzo

Last season, Rizzo had 22 homeruns and 61 runs batted in between the Chicago Cubs and the Yankees. His batting average was .242 with the Yankees, which is decent but not great. Although his exit velocity was down from 91.1 to 88.4 miles per hour, he is excellent as a defensive first baseman with his outs above average in the 96th percentile. Outs above average is a defensive metric that records how many outs a player has saved. The 32-year old should be brought back because of his veteran presence and defensive skills at first base.

Figure out the Infield Situation

Gleyber Torres, who started out at shortstop last season, ended up playing second base due to his defensive struggles. When the Yankees signed D.J. LeMahieu for six years and $90 million dollars, the vision was to have him play second base. Due to injuries, Gio Urshela did not have a good 2021 season.

At first base, if the Yankees resign Rizzo, what will the team do with Voit? The best answer is to trade Torres and Voit. As a National League reportedly scout said, “Voit doesn"t fit there anymore, they need a lefty first baseman, He"d be a good DH in the NL. Torres is still young and he played well at second base (in 2018-19), there would be interest in him."

Let"s see what the Yankees do this offseason before the season starts!

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