3 high-profile signings Yankees need to avoid this offseason

If we can all agree on one thing, it’s that the Yankees shouldn’t pay big money for these players.

It’s probably safe to assume that the New York Yankees aren’t going to splurge on free agents (aside from maybe one or two of their own) in this unpredictable offseason, but fans can’t really rule anything out until we hit Opening Day in 2021.

Some are calling for general manager Brian Cashman to make momentous signings and acquisitions, but all the Yankees need is a few more experienced players who can put the ball in play and eat innings. They can’t keep relying solely on the home run ball or constant relief from the bullpen.

What they don’t need is another high-priced superstar to further hamstring them financially (or, better put, to further give the team that as an excuse to be financially hamstrung) when they have contract extensions for their own players to worry about. Plus, some of the premier choices on the open market out there right now won’t move the needle much for the Yankees, so what’s the point in splurging for that?

Here are three high-profile signings Cashman needs to avoid this offseason, regardless what the fan base is telling him.

3. Marcus Semien

Former A’s shortstop Marcus Semien is not the answer for the Yankees.

We get it, Gleyber Torres might not be the shortstop of the future and Cashman didn’t exactly give him a vote of confidence at his end-of-the-year press conference. However, that doesn’t mean you go out and splurge on a shortstop after a 60-game sample size and shake up the infield in a colossal way.

And to think some people want Marcus Semien, who’s had one season of note so far in his eight-year career is crazy. Not to mention, 2021 will be his age-30 season. Spending top dollar on a guy who has spent a good majority of his time in Oakland as a project in his transition to shortstop (he mostly played third base with the White Sox because of his .947 fielding percentage at short in the minors) couldn’t be further away from the right move.

Outside of Semien’s incredible 2019 campaign, his track record has shown he doesn’t really hit for power … or average … and doesn’t even really get on base. He’s slashed .254/.322/.425 since making his MLB debut and owns a .969 fielding percentage for his career at shortstop.

If you want to move Torres off short, that’s fine, but this isn’t the move to make.

1. Trevor Bauer

Dream on, Yankees fans. Trevor Bauer to the Yankees is not a thing.

Trevor Bauer is the antithesis of the New York Yankees. He’s excessively outspoken. He has a massive ego. He melts down under pressure. He makes silly decisions (drone incident, throwing ball over center field wall in Kansas City). He’s overly active on social media. He brings the attention you don’t want to your team.

Am I fine with that? Honestly, yeah, I don’t really care. I like when players are themselves and feel comfortable in their own skin. It’s admirable, if we’re being honest.

But if we’re talking investment and fit, Bauer is not the guy for the Yankees. They already paid $324 million for Gerrit Cole, who was apparently at odds with Bauer during their time at UCLA together. Why even think about rehashing that drama in any capacity when you already have your ace for the next decade?

On top of that — if we’re going by MLBTR’s contract projections — why would the Yankees pay $128 million in the four-year range for a guy who’s really only put together around 60 impressive starts out of the 205 games he’s pitched? His 2018 All-Star season (12-6 with a 2.21 ERA in 28 games), two-thirds of his 2019 season (9-8 with a 3.79 ERA in 24 starts), and his abbreviated 2020 campaign (1.73 ERA in 11 starts) are really all Bauer has to bring to the negotiating table. Outside of that, he’s sported ERAs of 4.18, 4.55, 4.26 and 4.19 across full seasons of work. And if we throw in his 10 awful starts with the Reds after the 2019 trade, then that 3.79 ERA we just mentioned actually balloons to a 4.48.

The Yankees do desperately need a No. 2 starter, but Bauer, who will be entering his age-30 season in 2020, has hardly proven to be that across his nine-year career. Does he have the potential to be that? Without question. But the Yankees aren’t paying for something that might pan out. They need a sure thing.

And Bauer is yet another high-profile target that is very much not that.

3 former Yankees Brian Cashman should avoid signing in free agency

The New York Yankees have the opportunity to reunite with a few former members of their roster in free agency in 2021. They should not do that.