Here’s the latest Yankees free agency and trade buzz during the 2024-25 MLB offseason…
Nov. 22, 7:23 p.m.
The Yankees and right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler have “at least some mutual interest,” according to a report by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
“I’ve been told there is at least some mutual interest between Walker Buehler and the New York Yankees,” Morosi said on MLB Network. “And while that would be an amazing storyline, certainly it’s not unprecedented that you would see someone join the team that they vanquished in the World Series the previous year. … The New York Yankees, with some comings and goings in their rotation, they are looking for rotation help.”
Buehler, 30, pitched in Games 3 and 5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ late-October World Series win over the Yankees.
After allowing two hits while striking out five and walking two in five scoreless innings of an eventual 4-2 Game 3 win that put the Dodgers up 3-0 for the series, Buehler’s perfect Game 5 ninth inning two days later earned the save and sealed the series.
A two-time All-Star, Buehler went 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts this past season. In the postseason — his first playoffs since 2021 — he was 3-1 with a 3.60 ERA over four games (three starts).
Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2022 and missed the 2023 season before avoiding arbitration for 2024 with the Dodgers on a one-year contract that was reportedly worth $8 million.
Nov. 14, 8:26 p.m.
While the Yankees try and re-sign Juan Soto, the team is also looking at other ways to improve this offseason, including potentially adding a top starter to the mix.
According to The Post’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees are “in on everyone” including Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, along with the top free-agent relievers.
How seriously the Yankees will pursue the likes of Snell and Burnes will depend on whether they get back Soto. If Soto goes elsewhere, the Yankees will have more money to spend on other pieces and will likely push for these top-flight arms more.
The Yankees were tied to Snell last offseason but could not agree on a contract. New York pivoted to Marcus Stroman and Snell eventually signed with the San Francisco Giants in mid-March.
The report also states that the Yankees like Alex Bregman and Willy Adames at third, but are not opposed to bringing back Gleyber Torres for second base. They are letting the infielder “look around” but could consider him later depending on what Torres finds in free agency.
Nov. 8, 1:10 p.m.
The Yankees are showing interest in right-hander Carlos Estevez, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
Morosi noted earlier this week that New York had been one of the more aggressive teams talking with the reps for numerous free agent relievers during the GM Meetings — and now Estevez is the first name to be revealed.
It certainly doesn’t comes as a surprise that the defending American League champs are looking into bullpen additions early on as they could lose Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, and Tim Hill to free agency this offseason.
Estevez is one of the top arms available and he certainly would be a nice addition coming off another strong season in which he pitched to a 2.45 ERA and 0.90 WHIP while closing out 26 games with the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies.