Yankees: 3 players who've likely played their last game in New York

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These three Yankees have likely played their final game in New York now that the 2020 MLB season has concluded.

Once upon a time, it felt safe for us to fantasize about the Yankees making power moves to solidify their core in the 2020-21 offseason.

Masahiro Tanaka and DJ LeMahieu returning? That was the easy stuff. Once those slam dunks were finished up, then we could move on to bigger and better maneuvers.

Except, eh, apparently the Yankees plan to go the impoverished route, post-pandemic (mid-pandemic?). LeMahieu and Tanaka deals now seem more difficult to fit in, and it seems likely that any shopping the team does outside of essentials will be coming from the two-for-one rack.

Also, we must add that a few of the team’s narratives, as they pertain to established players, were definitely altered in this 60-game campaign.

All things considered, these three players probably aren’t coming back.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Masahiro Tanaka

It’s starting to feel like Masahiro Tanaka isn’t long for the Yankees.

It’s all about the vibes.

When Summer Camp broke and Masahiro Tanaka was on the shelf battling back from a terrifying incident where he was struck by a line drive, who among us thought we’d be witnessing his final sprint in pinstripes? He felt more intrinsic to the club than even Didi Gregorius did the previous offseason.

And yet, Tanaka returned to very little fanfare, then posted a string of farewell-type messages after his final regular season start intended to celebrate the end of a seven-year deal. They sounded like they were doing far more than that.

Playoff Tanaka didn’t come to pass this year, either, as the 31-year-old righty scuffled both in a monsoon and in perfect San Diego weather in his pair of outings.

Once upon a time, the post-2020 conversation generally regarded which Yankees free agent starter would return, with Tanaka seeming a more likely target than James Paxton. Now, though, the more prudent question is whether either has a chance to return.

James Paxton #65 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

2. James Paxton

If the Yankees can’t afford Masahiro Tanaka, then they won’t pursue James Paxton.

If James Paxton is willing to accept the qualifying offer, then he may accidentally find himself a Yankee again after what was mostly a lost season.

However, as the dollar value of that offer rises and the Yankees grow stingier, will they even extend such an olive branch? Especially considering no one can guarantee Paxton won’t need Tommy John surgery in the not-so-distant future.

Paxton’s numbers have always been fantastic, yet also abbreviated. He’s never posted an ERA over 4.00 in a full season, but also has never made more than 29 starts in a season — that was 2019 with the Yankees, and even the most diehard fan can admit that he wasn’t at his best during that campaign.

It was always assumed that Paxton, following what was supposed to be a big year in 2020, would leave for a higher dollar value on the one large free agent contract of his career. Now, it seems more likely the Yankees will pass on him, considering even a mid-range expenditure could be too big a risk based on his health outlook. Sad, but true.

Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Gary Sanchez

Does anyone think Gary Sanchez is a long-term fit in the Bronx?

Is this even controversial anymore? After Sanchez started one of the five ALDS games against the Tampa Bay Rays, are we even stirring up emotions at this point by claiming his future is not in the Bronx?

Plugged-in insider Mark Feinsand, who covers the entire league but used to specialize in Yankees coverage, seems to believe the team will be a JT Realmuto suitor this offseason, and hinted that they laid the framework for a Sanchez trade back in August.

If you’re willing to consider dealing Gary Sanchez in the middle of a 60-game regular season sprint, then you’ll certainly be willing to do so after Kyle Higashioka took over behind-the-plate duties for the team’s ace.

After a superstar run in 2016 and an All-Star ’17 in the era of good feelings for these Yankees, Sanchez underwhelmed in full seasons in 2018 and 2019, often unavailable due to groin issues, and generally a strikeout monster when he did play. That regression continued in 2020, when we all sort of collectively realized that Sanchez’s all-or-nothing hacks had gotten hacky. A contact-hitting catcher with moderate power and a good glove could do wonders for this roster; a redundant Sanchez clearly hasn’t done the trick.

Don’t be shocked if he’s gone.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 22: Austin Romine #7 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on September 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Tigers 5-4 in ten innings. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

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Yankees: 3 players who’ve likely played their last game in New York