Yankees: 3 non-shortstops NYY should pay big money for this offseason

The New York Yankees officially moved Gleyber Torres off shortstop starting Monday afternoon, and not a moment too soon.

Unfortunately, based on the current construction of their infield, they also had to move two other players off their positions to accommodate the switch; the struggling Gio Urshela is now at short, and the powerless DJ LeMahieu is now at third. Less than ideal.

It doesn’t take a lot of dot-connecting to realize why New York is being mentioned with every marquee middle-infield free agent under the sun, from Carlos Correa to Flushing’s own lip-flapper Javier Baéz.

But remember: this team really likes its top shortstop prospects, and with good reason.

Both Oswald Peraza and the fast-rising Anthony Volpe now outrank The Martian Jasson Dominguez on Baseball America’s latest Top 100 rankings, and Volpe has crept tantalizingly close to the top of the whole damn list. It’s very possible Brian Cashman spends on a stopgap option rather than clogs the position with those two names jockeying just below the surface.

So, for the purposes of our experiment, let’s spend the Yankees’ money on a few different positions entirely. No shortstops. We’re looking elsewhere. Because, if there’s one thing we know about this team, it’s that there are plenty of other holes that require addressing. Good teams pile up depth. They don’t discourage it from existing. That’s why Luke Voit should stay.

Oh, right — and Corey Seager not included! People still seem to think he’s a shortstop.

Kidding! Kind of.

These 3 non-shortstop free agents would be worth big money for the Yankees this offseason.

3. Max Scherzer

We are going to scream about the Yankees signing or acquiring Max Scherzer until the moment they actually go out and do it.

Please. Don’t make us advocate for this again several years down the line when he’s 40. Just make us happy.

The Yankees already whiffed on this one back in 2014, then again at the 2021 deadline by not being appealing enough back in 2014 for Scherzer to remove them from his no-trade list. Presuming he likes cold, hard cash, Brian Cashman can change the narrative this time around.

Scherzer will be at his next home for a good time, not a long time, which might sway the Yanks in his direction. After all, they will have gotten themselves under the luxury tax threshold this offseason, and might be amenable to fat, short-term commitments, especially if it absolves them of another long-term decision (as Aaron Judge’s mid-range extension looms).

Though he’s going to turn 38 midway through the 2022 season — don’t say we didn’t warn you — there are no signs of Scherzer slowing down whatsoever. He’s been at his absolute best since heading to Hollywood at this year’s deadline, posting an unfathomable 0.88 ERA in eight starts, along with 72 Ks in 51 innings. This isn’t some small-sample-size Luis Gil-type stuff. This is the realest of deals.

Maybe he looks so comfortable because they let him keep Trea Turner as his teammate, too. Huh. Perhaps the Yankees should also consider that?

Max Scherzer’s Projected Contract: Three Years, $90 Million

2. Starling Marte

This might shock you, but the Yankees’ solution in center field does not involve playing Aaron Judge there everyday.

It also shouldn’t involve relying on Aaron Hicks, who might bounce back and once again be an OBP-reliant power threat after yet another surgery, but also hasn’t been quite the same player since a large sample size since 2018. Anything the team gets from Hicks next year will be a blessed bonus.

Thirdly — and we can’t believe we have to say this — don’t put off signing someone because you don’t want to “block Jasson Dominguez.” Things happen! We hope the teenaged Dominguez becomes elite. But you cannot worry about that for 2022. Development isn’t linear, and he’s got a ways to go.

Starling Marte caught our eye at the trade deadline, and he’s going to do so this offseason, too. In case you weren’t interested the last time he hit the market, maybe the way he’s been running and gunning in Oakland has caught your attention? Plus, he’s available for dollars only now.

In the midst of his best big-league season (137 OPS+, a career high, at the age of 32), Marte’s most eye-popping statistic has to be his stolen base total. On the year, he’s 45/48. Impressive! Game-changing, as far as Yankee fans are concerned. But since arriving in Oakland on July 31? 23 bases nabbed in 23 attempts. It’s taken him just 39 games.

Marte would be a perfect bridge and eventual fourth outfielder, presuming Dominguez, Brandon Lockridge, and maybe even Estevan Florial reach their potential. He also won’t require a long-term pact.

Starling Marte’s Projected Contract: Three Years, $50 Million