Yanks Go Yard exclusive Interview with Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch

Aug 2, 2020; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher James Paxton (65) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2020; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher James Paxton (65) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will James Paxton return for the Yankees in 2021? Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Will James Paxton return for the Yankees in 2021? Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

This will shape up to be a huge offseason for the New York Yankees, and we sat down with Bryan Hoch from Yankees.com to discuss.

The 2020 New York Yankees did not reach their ultimate goal, as they fell short of winning a World Series when they were beaten by the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series. As we turn the page and eye the 2021 campaign, there is a lot up in the air, including what they plan to do with the rotation, veteran players, and pending free agents.

With free agency and the Winter Meetings on the horizon, we sat down with Yankees.com beat writer Bryan Hoch to discuss.

YGY: Do you think the Yankees bring back either J.A. Happ or James Paxton this offseason?

Bryan Hoch: I would say there’s a better chance of James Paxton, depending on what he’s looking for coming off yet another injury-plagued season. That has really been the story of his career – fantastic stuff but an inability to get out there for a full year.

It sounds like Scott Boras is trying to bang the drum that Paxton would be fully recovered and ready to go by spring 2021, so maybe the Yankees take a flyer if his asking price sits somewhere around one year and $6 million – half what he would have made in an uninterrupted 2020.

I don’t see a J.A. Happ reunion in the cards; I think there’s too much ill will after this year. He’d probably love to go back to the Philadelphia Phillies, and they could use the pitching help.