The New York Yankees will do everything they have at their disposal to bounce back stronger next season. They are coming from a terrible season this year. It has been a tremendous shame as they failed to make the postseason. Moreover, the Bronx Bombers finished the season with an 82-80 record. It is a record that would like to erase from their memories. The NY side knows very well that they had a much better team than how they ended up performing.
Perhaps certain players don’t fit in their roster. The Yankees must get rid of those players to create more cap space. They must have utilized the extra month they got due to failing to make the postseason. Moreover, the 27-time champions have already made their first move in the free agency. The Yankees signed Yerry de Los Santos. It was a sneaky pickup but not a major splash. Moreover, the two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff can be a potential target for Brian Cashman’s team this free agency.
Why Yankees Should Target Brandon Woodruff?
Woodruff has a career of 3.10 ERA. But there is a good possibility that he might miss the whole of the next season. It is because he had shoulder surgery. While he recovers completely, several teams might inquire about a two-year contract, as per Jon Heyman on X (previously called Twitter).
Moreover, the Milwaukee Brewers did not tender Brandon Woodruff. In the last half-decade, Brandon was among the best-starting pitchers available. Heyman is right about the option of a two-year deal. The only way any team can acquire him is a two-year deal. It is because he’ll need the first season of the contract for rehab, and in the next, he might be able to play. He was supposed to earn $11.6 million in his fourth year. But the Brewers non-tendered him. In 2023, he had 11 starts when he had 2.28 ERA (189 ERA+), 3.60 FIP, 5.9% BB%, 1.4 fWAR, 3.63 xFIP and 29.2% K% along with 67 IP.
The Bronx Bombers Might Look Forward To Signing Star Outfielders
This time, the New York Yankees must chalk out a plan ahead of free agency regarding the hitters and pitchers they need to sign and what’s available in the market. There are certain free agents in the market who are viable options for the Yankees. For a long time, the NY side has had their eyes on Cody Bellinger, who last played for the Chicago Cubs. Moreover, the 27-time champions are desperate for a lefty outfielder who can play alongside their captain, Aaron Judge.
Speaking of Judge, the Yankees might opt for a superstar lefty slugger like Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres. They are over-dependent on the captain for a long time as their only superstar. Perhaps Soto can solve that issue for Brian Cashman’s roster. Anyhow, the Yankees also have eyes on the superstar Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.