Here is the latest free agency and trade buzz surrounding the Yankees..
Nov. 15, 6:15 p.m.
The Yankees have reached out and are looking at Brandon Nimmo as an outfield option, The New York Post’s Jon Heyman said on his podcast, “The Show” with Joel Sherman.
“They have reached out, at least, for Brandon Nimmo. … The Mets would obviously like to get Nimmo back, we heard there’s a majority of teams interested,” Heyman said. “I think it’s interesting, too, that the Yankees have looked at him. They are looking at two outfielders, presumably, and hopefully, that’s [Aaron] Judge and one other.”
Sherman noted that he believes the Yankees are just doing their “due diligence” by looking into Nimmo as a free agent option.
Heyman went on to discuss possible SS options for the Yanks, saying they’ve “checked in” on Xander Bogearts, Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, and likely Dansby Swanson too.
“I have heard they have checked in on the big shortstops,” Heyman said. “At least Bogaerts, Correa and Turner and presumably Swanson, though I haven’t heard that. …I don’t know if that’s a hedge in case Judge goes or if they are actually going to consider a potential run at one of the shortstops.”
Nov. 15, 9:17 a.m.
Writing that Justin Verlander seemed like a “good bet” to quickly re-sign with the Houston Astros, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that Verlander might not have re-upped “perhaps because Verlander sees the potential for lucrative opportunities with the Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers, among others.”
Verlander, who is entering his age-40 season and is about to win the 2022 AL Cy Young award, could be a replacement for Jacob deGrom if deGrom signs elsewhere.
As far as the Dodgers, Rosenthal notes that they could pursue Verlander if Tyler Anderson rejects their qualifying offer — or even if Anderson accepts.
It seems likely that Verlander could be had on a high average annual deal for one or two seasons.
Nov. 14, 8:15 p.m.
The Houston Astros have “identified” Anthony Rizzo as their No. 1 free agent target at first base, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
After he opted out of his contract, New York extended Rizzo a qualifying offer to stay for another season at the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium.
With the elimination of most infield shifts in 2023, the left-handed-hitting Rizzo is likely to see his batting average get a boost when facing more traditional defensive alignments. The question is whether Rizzo, who will garner more interest in the market because of the removal of the shift, can get a better contract now or later.
Rosenthal notes the Astros are considering re-signing Yuli Gurriel and pursuing free agent Jose Abreu at first. And signing Rizzo would see them not only bolster the World Series-winning roster but also weaken the team they swept in the ALCS.
Nov. 10, 4:55 p.m.
The Yankees have expressed interest in Japanese OF Masataka Yoshida, according to The New York Post’s Jon Heyman.
Yoshida, 29, has a career slash line of .326/.419/.538. with 135 home runs, 164 doubles, and 474 RBI over 781 games in seven seasons.
In 2022 with the Orix Buffaloes, Yoshida slashed .335/.447/.561 with 21 homers, 28 doubles, and 88 RBI to go along with a career-high 80 walks and just 41 strikeouts at the plate.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that he’s “aware of him,” while another person with the Yankees told The Post that they are interested in the lefty.
Nov. 10, 2:15 p.m.
The Yankees announced a few roster moves on Thursday afternoon, including outfielder Tim Locastro electing free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment.
The 30-year-old Ithaca College product was traded to the Yankees from Arizona in July 2021 and then re-signed with the Yankees last offseason. In 38 big-league games in 2022, Locastro slashed just .186/.239/.349 with two homers and four RBI.
Additionally, the Yankees added RHP Jhony Brito and LHP Matt Krook to the major league roster.
Nov. 9, 8:20 p.m.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman told MLB Network’s Jon Morosi that he has been “listening and engaging” on multiple trade possibilities during the GM Meetings in Las Vegas this week.
Cashman added that includes inquiries about the team’s many infielders.
With Anthony Volpe waiting in the wings, the Yankees would have to make room for him or one of the free-agent shortstops on the market. Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera have appeared in the big leagues and could have some value, while Gleyber Torres‘ name did come up in trade talks at this season’s trade deadline.
After Anthony Rizzo opted out of his contract, the confirmed infielders on the roster for the Yankees include Peraza, Cabrera, Torres, Josh Donaldson, DJ LeMahieu and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Nov. 7, 8:34 p.m.
Anthony Rizzo opted out of his 2023 contract with the Yankees and is now a free agent, according to MLB Network.
He signed a two-year, $32 million contract with the Yankees on March 17.
The deal included a $16 million player option for the 2023 season.
In 130 regular-season games this past year, the 33-year-old Rizzo slashed .224/.338/.480 with 32 home runs and 75 RBI.
Nov. 7, 10:53 a.m.
The Yankees are picking up the $15 million option on RHP Luis Severino for the 2023 season, the team announced Monday.
The move was expected, with GM Brian Cashman saying this past Friday that the team planned to exercise the option.
“I haven’t talked to anybody yet about it, but he’s a really impactful pitcher, so the answer to that would be an easy yes,” Cashman said at the Yankees’ end-of-season news conference.
Severino, who will turn 29 in February, had a 3.18 ERA (3.79 FIP) and 1.00 WHIP while striking out 112 in 102 innings in 2022, but injuries limited him to just 19 starts.
In two appearances in the 2022 postseason, Severino allowed six runs in 11 innings.