4 former Yankees players New York can still reunite with in free agency

The New York Yankees’ heavy lifting is done for the offseason, but general manager Brian Cashman could stand to make a few more roster moves before the 2023 season begins — ones that allow the team to remain under the Steve Cohen Tax Threshold.

Options exist, too! Even more intriguing? Some former Yankees options exist! How about that? Bringing back some former guys who were either very comfortable in the Bronx or have emerged in bigger ways since their days in New York.

As it stands, the Yankees could use another reliever (or two), a backup infielder (first base, middle, or third base) and a left fielder. We can expect one of those needs to be fulfilled on the trade market, either before Opening Day or before the August deadline.

For now, though, the Yankees can address one or more of those areas with some cost-effective free agency signings of former players. Some are appealing. Some are … questionable. But nonetheless, they exist and they can help!

4 former Yankees players New York can reunite with in free agency

4. Didi Gregorius

What a world this would be. Didi Gregorius has fallen off a cliff ever since the Yankees let him walk in free agency to the Phillies after the 2019 season. Outside of a productive, shortened 2020 season, he’s logged a very, very below-average 166 games since the start of 2021, and now his contract with Philly is up.

Heading into his age-33 season, Gregorius may no longer be a starting option for a majority of teams out there. Would he take on a veteran backup role in the Bronx, as the Yankees usher in a new era with Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe? At this very moment, Oswaldo Cabrera is the backup shortstop, which is a good option, but if they don’t address left field, then he might be out there to start the year.

Plus, you’d always prefer a veteran glove, especially one with some lefty pop (no matter how much is left) as the backup option to impart wisdom and provide a jovial, knowledgable voice. Gregorius’ best days were in New York. Nobody’s expecting a rerun of that. But maybe a mini revival after being brought back to a familiar setting?

Unlikely but … not entirely out of the question.

3. Ben Gamel

Last on the Yankees back in 2016, Ben Gamel has been all over the place. He’s since seen MLB reps with the Mariners, Brewers, Guardians and Pirates. He was a productive player in 2017-2018 with the M’s before falling off during his two years in Milwaukee. Things didn’t go as planned in Cleveland, but he rediscovered his form in Pittsburgh.

Primarily a left fielder, Gamel is pretty much a league-average hitter (and bats on the left side of the plate). His defense isn’t anything special, but he can cover ground and make decent contact (career .253 hitter).

Gamel is by no means a desired option, but he’s a low-cost one that would at least spur some competition in spring training. At that point, fans just want to see the best man win the job. And if it means fully sealing Aaron Hicks’ fate in New York, then nobody is going to complain about that.

Additionally, for his career, Gamel hits .274 with runners in scoring position and has similar splits vs both left- and right-handed pitching. Just sayin’, it wouldn’t be the worst gamble.

2. Brandon Drury

There were high hopes for Brandon Drury when he was acquired in a trade with the Diamondbacks prior to the 2018 season, but concussion issues plagued him and he never settled in with the Yankees.

After just 18 games, he was traded to the Blue Jays, and has been in Toronto (2018-2020), back in New York with the Mets (2021), and then Cincinnati and San Diego (2022). This past season was really when he burst onto the scene.

After an All-Star-caliber first half, he was a sought-after trade candidate, landing with the Padres in time for their second-half surge and NLCS run. Between the Reds and Pads, he logged reps at first, second, third, shortstop and right field. On the year, he hit .263 with an .813 OPS, 122 OPS+, 28 homers and 87 RBI.

Will that production be replicated, should he join the 2023 Yankees? We wouldn’t bank on it. But that defensive versatility, accompanied by his clutch bat, could give the Yankees a much-needed element in a lesser role. Or who knows … maybe he supplants Josh Donaldson at third base as the year goes by.

That’d be the dream scenario.