Yankees: 6 big whiffs from Brian Cashman before lockout

If you’re an overly angry New York Yankees fan, we get it. General manager Brian Cashman and the front office making just one move (re-signing Joely Rodriguez) before the lockout commenced really doesn’t feel like a winning formula.

On the flip side, there’s plenty of time for the Yankees to strategize over these next few months as the owners and MLBPA work on coming to terms on the next collective bargaining agreement. Yes, a reason for optimism … but it comes with the caveat that they’ll have to act extremely quickly because just about every other contender will be looking to do the same.

The issue here is that they could’ve made it a lot easier on themselves by trading for or signing a single impact acquisition to address one of their many voids. They had a month. But why do that? The Yankees have made a living of keeping their fans in panic mode over the last few years, whether it’s in the offseason or playoffs.

It’s understandable why the organization’s dedication to gaining a competitive advantage over their most hated rivals as been put into question. The Astros and Red Sox feel like they’re always two steps ahead. The Rays’ formula exists to combat the Bombers. Meanwhile, Cashman and Co. have yet to truly respond. Signing Gerrit Cole was the first step, but it wasn’t enough.

There were ample opportunities for the Yankees to bring someone new to the Bronx, make a statement before the sport shut down for a few months, and instead leave other teams worrying about their next move.

Did we go over the list of team needs? First base, shortstop, center field, bench depth, starting rotation and bullpen. That’s a lot! Let’s pray there’s a master plan in place when this is all over, because the team really let these

The Yankees whiffed on these six opportunities before the MLB lockout.

6. Kendall Graveman

The Yankees love bullpen help … especially when it’s fairly cost effective. So where were they when reliever Kendall Graveman signed with the Chicago White Sox on a three-year, $24 million contract? That’s $8 million AAV through 2024 when the Yankees will be losing Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton and Chad Green after 2022. Are they even thinking ahead?

But forget about who they’ll lose. This bullpen is far from stable. Britton is out for all of next season. There is no way Green can be a trusted option in the later innings right out of the gate after he did in 2021. How many other guys can realistically handle high-pressure innings for an entire 162-game slate?

Graveman transitioned to a full-time relief role last year and finished with a 1.77 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 53 games between the Mariners and Astros. He’s entering his age-31 season, but has plenty of mileage left on his arm having appeared in just 147 career games since 2014.

This seemed like a team-friendly deal Cashman whiffed on, especially since we’re looking at a relatively weak relief market.

5. Starling Marte

Marte was linked to the Yankees as early as last year’s trade deadline, but they didn’t strike then, and this time around they lost him to the New York Mets, who signed the veteran to a four-year, $78 million contract. Steve Cohen was arguably the only smart owner to take advantage of the impending lockout.

You might look at Marte’s contract and deem it too costly … and we wouldn’t necessarily disagree. But the Yankees needed more speed, contact hitting, and better outfield defense. Aaron Hicks starting in center on Opening Day, at this point, is the antithesis of all of that. He’s lost his range and arm strength and he’s a low average/high OBP guy. The Yankees made their bed with that terrible seven-year extension, and there’s no reason Hicks should be anything but a fourth outfielder in 2022. Either that, or he should be traded if they can find a suitor.

Marte stole 47 bases in 120 games last year. He batted .310 with an .841 OPS and 132 OPS+ … and he has a long, long track record of this kind of production. So what if he’s 33 years old? He clearly wasn’t affected by age in what was one of his best career seasons.

If the Yankees have bigger plans to spend their money, so be it. But Marte was there for the taking. Only for cash. Which this organization is supposed to have an endless supply of.

4. Jacob Stallings

Now this one depends on how you feel about paying Gary Sanchez $8 million to be your starting catcher in 2022. Are you still optimistic about his offensive upside? You’re welcome to be, but how much longer are going to wait for it to pan out better than we’re expecting?

So if he’s not mashing 30+ homers and sitting around 90-100 RBI … he better be playing good defense. Only problem? He doesn’t! He constantly fumbles routine plays, and the team’s ace doesn’t prefer to use him when he pitches. That says … something. In fact, it says a lot!

If your “starting” catcher isn’t on the field for a number of the team’s most important games, then should he be your starting catcher?

That’s why when Jacob Stallings was traded to the Marlins for a relatively reasonable package, many questioned the Yankees’ motives, since they were also linked to the Pirates’ backstop. The Red Sox nearly made a move here had Miami not sweetened the pot, too. Again, it feels like a classic case of the Yankees shaking in their boots in fear of one of their players going elsewhere and “making them pay” somehow. They could’ve just non-tendered Sanchez, saved $8 million, traded from your farm system depth, and brought in Stallings, a defensive stalwart and mediocre hitter, for $2.6 million.

We thought this team wanted to save money and upgrade in certain capacities? This was the move to do so.

2. Corey Seager/Marcus Semien/Javier Baez

Sure, Trevor Story and Carlos Correa are still available, but what makes you think the Yankees will pay more money than they need to after a down year for Story (plus previous elbow issues) OR dish out the largest contract of the offseason for Correa? If you think that, then great. We like where your head’s at. However, there’s just no indication that’s going to happen.

Was Corey Seager too pricey? At 10 years and $325 million, you could argue yes. But you know the theme here. The Yankees are supposed to spend in a prohibitive manner. That’s a big aspect (or at least once was) of their competitive advantage. Seager, a lefty bat, would’ve helped diversify the lineup as well. In a worst-case scenario, he could’ve been moved to third base to make room for one of the Yankees’ top shortstop prospects, who they reportedly value a ton.

But what about Semien and Baez? Seven years and $175 million for Semien and six years and $140 million for Baez really don’t sound that bad for elite versatile defenders and threatening bats. They can both play second base and shortstop, which helps with the Yankees’ potential flexibility. Neither are 10-year deals, either!

You want Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza at short in 2023 and 2024? Great, Semien and Baez could’ve filled the gap at short and then maybe moved over to second base (do we think Gleyber Torres will be here beyond 2023? Really not sure about that). They both hit for power (as above-average hitters) and can steal bases.

If you want to talk about shrewd spending for a big market, this might’ve passed the test. And either addition would’ve positioned the team to make both short-term and long-term adjustments with their middle infield.

We’ll wait to see what happens with Story and Correa — both of whom cannot play another position to our knowledge. So what would be the plan with the top prospects if we added one of these high-profile options?

1. Max Scherzer

Yup, another “expensive” deal. But this is supposed to be what the Yankees do. Max Scherzer went to the crosstown Mets on a three-year, $130 million contract in what was a clear “win now” move. You know who else needs starting rotation help and has to win now? The Yankees.

Time and time again, we heard how Scherzer didn’t want to play in New York, which was reportedly a reason the Yankees were unable to acquire him at the 2021 trade deadline. But everybody has a price. And Cohen throwing money at his problems further proved that.

You might call $43.3 million per season a prohibitive amount for a 37-year-old starter, but Scherzer had one of his best seasons in 2021. He’s an everyday difference-maker and would’ve provided great protection for Cole, who, at this point, may not be able to solely carry this rotation by himself and take control of enough must-win games as the fans would prefer. Still a great pitcher, but maybe not a $36 million per year ace. Nothing wrong with it, just a possible reality.

The Yankees made the mistake of passing on Scherzer years ago when he signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Washington Nationals. What happened for the next seven years? New York was held back due to a lack of elite pitching/deep rotation.

Let’s put it this way. If this organization was serious about winning in 2022 — remember, a ton of players are hitting free agency after next year — they would have no issue spending short-term money to make it happen. Instead … we’re hearing about them saving up money for an Aaron Judge extension? Yeah, that’s paramount too, but that doesn’t change the status quo.

And neither did the Yankees’ first month of the offseason.

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