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.

2. JT Realmuto

Stop it. The Yankees do not need JT Realmuto.

You don’t like Gary Sanchez? That’s understandable. He’s been downright bad since the start of 2018 sans his home run totals. We’re with you there.

But replacing him with a backstop in JT Realmuto who only bests him in dWAR by 4.2 for his career just isn’t what the Yankees are looking for. He’s only a one-time Gold Glover and next year will be his age-30 season. Want to go deeper into the stats? Realmuto has -4 DRS (defensive runs saved) for his career — and much of that is inflated from his career campaign in 2019 — while Sanchez has +1. For the advanced stats lovers out there, that’s typically the most important defensive metric.

So splurging for Realmuto would mean the Yankees are paying for 40 batting average points and better defense, but not by a wide margin, it seems.

Another big thing to note? Realmuto really isn’t ahead of Sanchez that much offensively.

• Realmuto career: .278/.328/.455 with 380 runs scored, 95 home runs and 358 RBI in 732 games
• Sanchez career: .236/.320/.502 with 245 runs scored, 115 home runs, 286 RBI in 421 games

MLB Trade Rumors is predicting Realmuto will fetch a $125 million contract. The Yankees would be out of their minds to pay that and not invest in other, more dire areas of need.