New York Yankees

The Cincinnati Reds reportedly wanted the New York Yankees to include shortstop Gleyber Torres in a trade package for pitcher Luis Castillo, according to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network. 

Per that report: "That makes sense as both are young stars, and Cincinnati needs a shortstop. Yankees said no. Also not a surprise. Now Castillo very likely stays in Cincy."

Reds are telling teams now they intend to hold onto Luis Castillo. They tested the waters on Castillo and other stars but understand they have an excellent shot to win their division as is.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 18, 2021

Reds general manager Nick Krall also poured cold water on any potential trade rumors regarding Castillo.

"[The rumors] are completely false," he texted Mark Sheldon of MLB.com on Sunday. "We intend to have [Castillo] as a member of our rotation for 2021."

Torres, 24, hit .243 with three homers, 16 RBI and 17 runs in 42 games this past season for the Yankees. It was a bit of a disappointing campaign after he was an All-Star in each of his first two campaigns, including a brilliant 2019 showing (.278 with 38 homers, 90 RBI and 96 runs). 

Getting that level of power and production from a shortstop is rare, and Torres seems poised to be a member of the Yankees for a long time. If the Reds indeed targeted Torres in Castillo talks, it isn't a surprise that the Yankees cut off those conversations. 

Btw: anybody that knows me knows how much I love me some Luis Patino.

But don't even try to compare a pitcher with 17 innings under his belt to a 2x All Star shortstop who hit 38 HR two seasons ago.

— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) January 18, 2021

Castillo is a burgeoning star in his own right, however. The 28-year-old finished 2020 with a 4-6 record and a 3.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 89 strikeouts in 70 innings (12 starts). He misses bats—in 519.2 career innings across four seasons and 90 starts, Castillo has whiffed an impressive 578 batters, posting 6.4 strikeouts per start.

By all accounts, it it appears he'll continue doing so for the Reds.   

Reports of Luis Castillo's impending trade to the New York Yankees have been greatly exaggerated.

"[The rumors] are completely false," Cincinnati Reds general manager Nick Krall told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "We intend to have [Castillo] as a member of our rotation for 2021."

Rumors of a potential Castillo trade had been floated across social media over the weekend, largely circulated under false pretenses and then picked up by fans. No credible reports of the impending trade existed, but the rumors reached such a fever pitch that Krall felt the need to pour water on the fire.

Castillo, 28, went 4-6 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.23 WHIP during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He does not become a free agent until 2024 and will make just $4.2 million in 2021 after avoiding arbitration to sign a one-year contract.

While the Reds have been active in trade discussions this winter, Castillo is likely low on the list of players they're seeking to move. He's still cheap, highly effective and under team control, so barring an offer that bowls them over, it makes sense to wait out the market.

The Yankees have largely been quiet in this slow-moving winter but have glaring needs in their starting rotation behind Gerrit Cole. They signed Corey Kluber to a one-year contract last week, a move that comes with heavy risk because of the two-time Cy Young winner's recent history of arm trouble. Kluber has made only eight starts the last two seasons.

Jordan Montgomery and Domingo German are penciled into the projected rotation but also come with major questions. Montgomery has failed to impress throughout his four-year MLB career, while German missed all of 2020 while serving a suspension for domestic violence.

It seems almost certain the Yankees will continue to explore adding more pitching help, with Masahiro Tanaka's return seeming like a solid bet.

Adding a potential co-ace like Castillo appears increasingly unlikely as the offseason progresses. 

Free-agent pitcher Masahiro Tanaka and the New York Yankees have been in "contact," but there "appears to be a good chance he pitches elsewhere."

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, there is "said to be strong interest in Japan and the likelihood of a much bigger deal there."

Andy Martino of SNY reported Sunday that Tanaka was seeking a one-year deal worth between $15 million-20 million and that "a reunion with the Yankees was unlikely."

It became even more unlikely after the team signed veteran starter Corey Kluber to a one-year, $11 million deal, likely solidifying the rotation around Gerrit Cole, Kluber, Jordan Montgomery, Deivi Garcia and Domingo German. Michael King and Clarke Schmidt are also options to make up the bottom of the rotation, though the team could add another option via free agency.

Martino added that the "San Diego Padres have been engaged with Tanaka's camp, but sources say those negotiations have not heated up. It remains a real possibility that Tanaka will return to Japan."

Tanaka, 32, signed a seven-year, $155 million with the Yankees in 2014, spending his entire MLB career with the club. He's gone 78-46 in that time, registering a 3.74 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 991 strikeouts across 173 starts. He helped the Yankees reach the postseason five times in his seven years with the team.

He was a steady force for the club in 2020, going 3-3 with a 3.56 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 48 innings (10 starts). But after seven productive years, it sounds like Tanaka's time in New York—and potentially the major leagues—is coming to a close.

Corey Kluber reportedly did not sign with the highest bidder in free agency. 

The New York Yankees were just one of several teams that were interested in the star, but they ultimately won the sweepstakes on a day that saw them win big with another free agent, re-signing D.J. LeMahieu. And they did so with a cheaper offer than those of some of Kluber's other suitors. 

SNY's Andy Martino reported Sunday that "multiple teams" were ready to pay Kluber above $10 million, but the Yankees won out with a one-year, $11 million deal. 

"It came down to a desire on the part of Kluber and the Yanks to work together," Martino wrote.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner (2014 and 2017) is still looking to get back to his days of success. He threw just 18 pitches in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season before he tore his right shoulder muscle, abruptly ending his first start since he broke his right forearm when he was hit by a line drive in May 2019. 

His dominance came during his time with Cleveland, where he played for the first nine seasons of his career up until he was traded to the Texas Rangers last offseason. The Rangers did not pick up his option for the upcoming year. 

Through his nine seasons with Cleveland, Kluber amassed a 3.16 ERA with a 98-58 record, earning three All-Star nods and making five consecutive starts on Opening Day.

Kluber provides stability to a Yankees rotation that is topped by Gerrit Cole but gets messy afterward. Luis Severino is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, Jordan Montgomery had a 5.11 ERA in 2020, and Domingo German hasn't pitched since 2019 after a suspension caused him to miss the 2020 season.

Masahiro Tanaka may suit up for a different team than the New York Yankees for the first time in his major league career.

According to Andy Martino of SNY, a reunion likely isn't in the cards for the Bronx Bombers and the free agent. That is especially true since New York added Corey Kluber this offseason.

As for Tanaka, Martino reported he is looking for a one-year contract worth between $15-20 million.

The report suggested the right-hander may return to Japan if he cannot land the deal he is looking for this offseason.

The two-time All-Star has been solid but unspectacular of late. He appeared in 10 games during the shortened 2020 campaign and finished with a 3.56 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 48.0 innings, which was a drastic improvement from 2019 when he posted a 4.45 ERA in 32 games.

Tanaka's bounce-back effort before free agency was notable, and he is still just 32 years old and figures to have at least a couple of years of prime production remaining.

A one-year deal seems like a low-risk, high-reward move for a pitcher who is postseason-tested and a multi-time All-Star, but Martino suggested negotiations with the San Diego Padres have been tepid and the New York Mets may not be serious suitors.

Perhaps he will have to come down on his asking price, but he has proved himself in the past.

While the New York Yankees may be the team from the Big Apple that historically lands the biggest free agents and trade pieces, they reportedly did not make a formal offer to Cleveland before it traded Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported the news, noting "the Yankees never countered with a formal offer" even though they had discussions with Cleveland about the shortstop.

Instead, they were focused on re-signing DJ LeMahieu, and Cleveland traded Lindor to the Mets.

It is no surprise that the Bronx Bombers wanted to keep LeMahieu, and ESPN's Jeff Passan reported they are finalizing a six-year, $90 million deal. After all, he helped anchor their offense the past two years and was among the best offensive players in baseball during the shortened 2020 campaign when he slashed .364/.421/.590 with 10 home runs. 

Olney also pointed out they can always look for a long-term answer at shortstop next offseason when Lindor, Trevor Story, Carlos Correa, Javier Baez and Corey Seager could all be available via free agency.

Still, Lindor is just 27 years old and one of the best two-way players in the league. He is a four-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and two-time Gold Glover who brings power, speed and impressive defensive ability to the table.

Should the Mets re-sign him to a long-term deal after trading for him, he could help them compete for National League East crowns and World Series titles for years to come. They missed the playoffs in each of the last four years, but that could change in 2021 given their aggression this offseason.

As for the Yankees, they may just have to wait until next offseason if they want LeMahieu and Lindor in the same infield.

Corey Kluber will get a fresh start after reportedly agreeing to a free-agent contract with the New York Yankees on Friday. The deal is pending a physical, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported Kluber's one-year agreement is worth $11 million. 

Kluber pitched just one inning in 2020 with the Texas Rangers before suffering a Grade 2 strain of the teres major muscle. The shoulder injury shut him down for the rest of the season after he was acquired in a December trade for Delino DeShields and Emmanuel Clase.

His time in Texas resulted in just three batters faced with zero runs allowed.

The Rangers declined his $18 million option for 2021, instead paying the $1 million buyout as he hit free agency.

It was the second straight injury-filled season for Kluber, who only made seven starts in 2019 while dealing with arm and oblique issues. It creates significant question marks about the 34-year-old's durability going forward.

The right-hander has been a dominant pitcher when healthy, however, especially from 2014 to 2018 with the Cleveland Indians. He won two Cy Young Awards during those five seasons, adding three All-Star selections and one ERA title.

Kluber had an 83-45 record during this stretch, adding a 2.85 ERA, 1.016 WHIP and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

The hope is he will return to full strength by the start of next season.

If he can replicate anywhere near his previous production, the Yankees will have gotten a steal in free agency.

New York is in need of pitching depth in 2021, and Kluber can provide a lot of help next season if he can stay healthy.    

The New York Yankees reportedly have interest in veteran free-agent pitcher Corey Kluber.

According to Bob Klapisch of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Yanks are "definitely in" on Kluber, but a source said the player "has a lot of options right now."

Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Kluber held a showcase in front of representatives from about 25 MLB teams Wednesday in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Kluber reportedly "commanded his pitches well and flashed typical velocity for this point in the offseason."

Injuries have plagued Kluber in recent years and prevented him from seeing extended playing time since 2018.

In his final season with the Cleveland Indians in 2019, Kluber suffered a fractured throwing arm, which limited him to just seven starts.

Kluber was traded to the Texas Rangers last offseason, but he suffered a torn teres major muscle in his throwing shoulder in his first start and didn't take the mound again.

Before injuries started to mount, Kluber was one of the best pitchers in baseball from 2013-18, and he was named to the All-Star Game in three consecutive seasons from 2016-18.

Kluber won the American League Cy Young Award in both 2014 and 2017, and he logged third-place finishes in 2016 and 2018.

In his first Cy Young season, Kluber went 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 235.2 innings. When he took the honor for a second time in 2017, Kluber went 18-4 with a 2.25 ERA and 265 strikeouts in 203.2 innings.

Overall for his career, Kluber is 98-58 with a 3.16 ERA and 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings in 10 seasons.

Kluber is 34 years old now, so his age and injury history could mean that his best days are behind him, but he may be worth a roll of the dice for a team like the Yankees.

New York has a clear ace in Gerrit Cole, but there are major question marks behind him.

Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton and J.A. Happ are all free agents after being part of the starting rotation last season. SNY's Andy Martino reported Thursday that there is "informed speculation" that Tanaka could pitch in his native Japan in 2021.

Behind Cole, the Yankees have Jordan Montgomery, Luis Severino and Domingo German as their top starting pitching options.

Montgomery is inconsistent, Severino is coming off Tommy John surgery and won't be back until at least the summer, and German hasn't pitched since 2019 after getting suspended for violating MLB's personal conduct policy.

The Yankees desperately need depth behind Cole, and Kluber could prove to be a worthwhile gamble if New York lands him for a reasonable price.

Evidently aware that they would have been in a tight spot if DJ LeMahieu had signed elsewhere in free agency, the New York Yankees aren't letting that happen.

As Jon Morosi of MLB.com was first to report, the Yankees and LeMahieu are going to reunite after spending the 2019 and 2020 seasons together. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, it will be via a six-year deal worth $90 million.

Once LeMahieu's deal is finalized, the Yankees will have fulfilled by far their biggest need and boosted their World Series window accordingly. Yet they'll also still have work to do.

     

DJ LeMahieu's Resume

• 32 years old
• Second-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2009
• MLB debut on May 30, 2011
• .305 career batting average
• Led MLB in batting average in 2016 and 2020
• Three-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner
• Two-time Silver Slugger
• Top-five finisher in American League MVP voting in 2019 and 2020
• .336/.386/.536 slash line in two seasons with Yankees

      

A Long, Yet Fair Contract for Arguably the Best Hitter in Baseball

It was only a few days ago that LeMahieu seemed poised to move on from the Yankees. Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reported the veteran had asked his representatives to reengage with other teams.

That bunch was headlined by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets, yet also included the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta. In short, LeMahieu's list of options outside New York was long.

The Yankees had to have LeMahieu back, however, because there was no better way to fill their hole at second base than with the best hitter in baseball.

Or at least, such is the opinion of slugging first baseman Luke Voit: "I think he's the best hitter in baseball. I'm literally sitting next to a printer right now, and it makes me think of DJ because he's a freaking machine. We need him!"

Debatable? Absolutely. As good as LeMahieu is with a bat in his hands, he doesn't have the same combination of patience and power as, say, Mike Trout, Juan Soto and Mookie Betts.

But when it comes to the actual act of hitting the baseball, LeMahieu indeed stands apart.

Out of all hitters who've taken at least 800 plate appearances over the last two seasons, LeMahieu ranks fifth with a 12.7 strikeout percentage. Moreover, only Jose Abreu has collected more hard-hit (i.e., with an exit velocity of at least 95 mph) batted balls since 2019.

After hitting just 49 home runs through his first eight seasons, LeMahieu also racked up 36 in 2019 and 2020. That speaks to how well Yankee Stadium's short porch accommodates his opposite-field power, as he hit 16 of his 19 homers to right field—a high among right-handed hitters—at home.

The obligatory catch is that six years is too long for a 32-year-old, much less one whose defense and speed are already cracking. But according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, it was the cost of doing business for the Yankees:

Blue Jays offered $78M for 4 years for LeMahieu, showing they meant business. Yankees had been in that ballpark for 4 as well, but the sides agreed on a longer agreement instead. Helps Yanks AAV, and thus their tax.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 15, 2021

Had they simply matched the Blue Jays' offer, they would have incurred a $19.5 million hit to their luxury-tax status for 2021 and future seasons. By opting for a longer deal, they ensured just a $15 million tax hit annually.

LeMahieu thus did the Yankees a solid even as he satisfied his own interest by accepting a larger overall guarantee, in that they now have more leeway to pursue further additions.

      

Where the Yankees Stand Now

Even though their deal with LeMahieu is their first major move of the offseason, the Yankees might be the best team in the American League right now.

If nothing else, this starting lineup sure looks like the best the Junior Circuit has to offer:

1. 2B DJ LeMahieu
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. CF Aaron Hicks
4. DH Giancarlo Stanton
5. 1B Luke Voit
6. SS Gleyber Torres
7. LF Clint Frazier
8. 3B Gio Urshela
9. C Gary Sanchez

These are the same nine guys who led the charge to AL-best marks for runs per game (5.3) and OPS+ (117) in 2020. That was despite down years from Torres and Sanchez, as well as injury-shortened seasons on the parts of Judge and Stanton.

Overall, FanGraphs projects the Yankees to produce the most WAR of any AL team this year. Assuming Major League Baseball plays a full 162-game slate after the pandemic shortened last season to 60 games, that points the Yankees in the direction of their third 100-win season out of the last four.

Still, whether the Yankees are good enough to win or even make it to the World Series—something they haven't done since 2009—remains a fair question.

     

Up Next for the Yankees? Pitching

Though LeMahieu's absence at second base stood out the most, it was also hard to ignore the massive hole in New York's rotation once Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ and James Paxton became free agents.

That hole still exists, yet at least there's now greater clarity on how the Yankees might fill it.

For luxury-tax purposes, their projected 2021 payroll is barely north of $195 million. That's about $15 million short of this year's $210 million threshold for penalties, which is enough to sign at least one veteran starter in free agency.

Though reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer is out of the question at that rate, it could be enough to lure back Tanaka. Or the Yankees could pursue a replacement, such as two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber.

The Yankees are interested in him, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden, as well as a high-profile trade candidate in the person of Cincinnati Reds ace Luis Castillo:

What's next for the @Yankees? pic.twitter.com/xxzvP4qp0m

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) January 15, 2021

Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, two more trade possibilities for the Yankees include Pittsburgh Pirates righties Joe Musgrove and Jameson Taillon.

The Yankees should be able to land at least one of these guys, in which case their chances of returning to the Fall Classic would look that much better. Indeed, they'll only improve once hard-throwing righty Luis Severino makes his return from Tommy John surgery in the summer.

Ultimately, the Yankees might look back on their reunion with LeMahieu as the first sign that 2021 would be a very good year.

       

Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Savant.

DJ LeMahieu is reportedly "finalizing" a contract to return to the New York Yankees.

The Yanks and the free-agent infielder are working to complete the deal as early as Friday, per Jon Morosi of the MLB Network.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the deal would be for six years and worth $90 million. 

The 32-year-old was excellent for the Yankees in 2020, hitting a career-high .364 with 10 homers, 27 RBI, 41 runs and a career-best 1.011 OPS. He also offered the team a lot of versatility, playing at second base, first base, third base and one game as the designated hitter. 

For a Yankees team that has dealt with more than its fair share of injuries the past two years, LeMahieu has been a lifesaver. He was also excellent in 2019, with career bests in homers (26) and RBI (102).

The question for New York was whether the veteran might have priced himself out of the Yankees' range, given the money they owe elsewhere and the presence of other players at first (Luke Voit) and third base (Gio Urshela) all worthy of starting. Granted, losing LeMahieu at second base would have hurt big time. 

It's a moot point now, though. LeMahieu will return to New York, likely armed with a deal worthy of his production the past two years. He's found a home with these Yankees.