Yankees: Top free agency priorities for Brian Cashman after 2021 season

New York Yankees fans spent the first four months of the season wondering how good this team could truly be if they were able to make a couple of additions to fill holes that were created due to injuries and/or underperforming players.

General manager Brian Cashman did just that at the trade deadline, but he couldn’t patch up every deficiency, which is what will need to happen this coming offseason, regardless of what happens over the next two months.

The Yankees can become a dominant team again like the old days with a few strategic acquisitions during the upcoming rich free-agent market. They’ll need to make both short- and long-term decisions, though.

The following sections identify the best free agents by position the Yanks should aggressively pursue in order to improve a number of areas of the roster and keep the World Series window open through the 2022 campaign.

5. Starters and Relievers to Target

Given present uncertainties, the Yanks should pursue at least one (and probably two) quality starters in free agency for insurance heading into 2022. Fortunately, there will be free-agent pitching candidates on the market who have performed exceptionally well, are not at the end of their careers, and can be expected to throw effectively in future years.

Right-hander Kevin Gausman is my top choice. The 30-year-old is in the race for the NL Cy Young award with the San Francisco Giants and was previously believed to be a fit for the Bombers. My other preferences in rank order are Robbie Ray, Carlos Rodon, and Marcus Stroman.

But right-hander Noah Syndergaard deserves a close look, too. He’s still only 28 years old and is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The Bombers should first see how well he pitches in September for the New York Mets before deciding whether to pursue him. Syndergaard should be affordable, and he’ll likely be worth the risk.

My top choice for acquiring a relief pitcher is Raisel Iglesias, who is currently with the LA Angels. My second choice is RHP Kendall Graveman, the former Mariner who was traded to the Astros at the deadline. Both are enjoying career seasons.

4. Target Yan Gomes as Starting Catcher?

While the boys in Pinstripes have promising catching prospects in the minor leagues, none are ready to replace the erratic Gary Sanchez next year. Assuming that the Yanks want to make a change behind the plate, the list of this year’s good free agent catchers is unfortunately thin.

At the very least, the team should consider pursuing Yan Gomes during free agency. Gomes played for the victorious Washington Nationals during their 2019 World Series run and he has a career dWAR of 10 and has 42 Defensive Runs saved over his 10 MLB seasons. Only Yadier Molina and Salvador Perez have a higher defensive WAR during their careers.

Gomes recently turned 34 and is playing well with the Oakland Athletics. This year he produced a .267/.311/.459 slash line while hitting 12 home runs and driving in 45 RBI. He has a 2.4 WAR in 2021. He probably has two or three more years of premier play ahead of him, but at the very least, he can be a short-term stopgap as the Yankees wait for one of their prospects to hit the MLB level.

The decision to tender Sanchez a contract this offseason will be a tough one and since he’s enduring another trying campaign, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bombers cut him loose rather than pay close to $10 million for his services in 2022.

3. Re-Sign Anthony Rizzo

Luke Voit contributed to the success of the Yanks at first base during his first two years with the team. Unfortunately, he has spent a lot of time on the IL ever since his arrival in the Bronx. While he’s a tremendous hitter, he has limited range and is a below-average defender … though he has improved on that front.

The team was fortunate to pick up first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs before the trade deadline, and he has helped the team significantly, even despite his lack of production after a bout with COVID-19. As a left-handed hitter, Rizzo adds much-needed diversity to the lineup. He has leadership skills and can easily handle playing in New York.

Rizzo is a significant improvement over Voit, especially when he’s playing to his full potential. He’s a three-time All-Star and a four-time Gold Glove winner, and he’s also received a Platinum Glove Award and a Silver Slugger Award. He led the Chicago Cubs to victory in the 2016 World Series.

Rizzo is a better all-around first baseman than Voit. Still, Voit is a solid hitter and probably should be retained as a designated hitter/part-time first baseman. If not, he should be traded for pitching. Worst-case scenario? Rizzo leaves and the Yankees have to stick with Voit. Not a bad outcome.

Freddie Freeman also will be a free agent this offseason. However, he will likely want to remain with the Atlanta Braves … but one can dream, right?

2. Explore Marcus Semien Deal

Whether the Yanks shop for a new shortstop will depend on the price they will have to pay and the extent to which they believe Gleyber Torres can improve in both facets of the game after his underwhelming 2020 and 2021.

While the Bombers have three excellent minor league shortstop prospects (Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, and Trey Sweeney), none are ready to play major league baseball in 2022.

Thus, the Yanks should be open to exploring the shortstop free agent market to see who might be available for the short term (allowing them to promote from within over the next couple years) or the long term (allowing them to spend big bucks, lock down the position, and then trade from their surplus in the farm system). The top three candidates to consider are Marcus Semien, Carlos Correa, and Corey Seager.

Semien is my first choice. He’s versatile and can handle either second base or shortstop. Thus far, he’s had the best year of the anticipated free-agent shortstops. This late bloomer has produced a .269/.335/.532 slash line with 34 doubles, 32 home runs, and 77 RBI in 2021. He also has stolen 13 bases in 14 attempts, and his fielding has been rock solid. Plus, he’s durable and rarely lands on the IL. He has a 5.9 WAR and will be 31 next month.

Correa, who will turn 27 next month and has a 5.6 WAR, is a close second preference for me. Like Semien, he, too, is having a terrific year. We should expect him to receive a lot of interest during the offseason, especially since he said this is his final season with the Astros.

My third pick is Seager, who will turn 28 next April and has a 1.3 WAR. He had a broken hand and missed 65 games this year. However, he was the NLCS and World Series MVP last year. He also is a valuable clutch hitter. Then again, the Dodgers might be keen on retaining him to pair him with Trea Turner. That’d keep their offense as lethal as ever. He won’t be cheap as a Scott Boras client, either.

What about Trevor Story and Javier Baez? The home-away splits for Story should give GM Brian Cashman pause, and Baez lacks discipline at the plate. We’d pass on those guys.