Yankees Rumors: Carlos Correa trade buzz, Roki Sasaki, relief pitcher target

There's yet to be significant movement in free agency or on the trade market so far this offseason, but you just never know when the first domino is going to fall. Though the New York Yankees might be waiting it out a bit longer than others because of Juan Soto, there are still moves to be made in the meantime.

The rumor mill is heating up and fans are getting a lot of ideas planted in their heads, with Joel Sherman of the New York Post riling up some folks over the weekend.

With the Minnesota Twins up for sale and the organization likely slashing payroll, he suggested the Yankees and Mets should "test the waters for a possible Carlos Correa trade." Correa is on the hook for four more years and $128 million, but is coming off a career-worst 2023 and an injury shortened 2024.

Sherman suggests this could be a way to offload DJ LeMahieu's or Marcus Stroman's money while giving the Yankees a new third baseman with edge and baseball instincts — something the team lacks. Don't forget, Correa reportedly wanted to be a Yankee when he hit free agency after the 2021 season, but the Yankees opted for Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa instead as they inadvertently paved the way for the Twins to clear enough salary to sign Correa.

Would we be against this? Not at all. But it does seem like this could be a "too little, too late" blockbuster that may not turn out in New York's favor. Then again, Correa at four years with a potential salary dump might be a more enticing option than signing someone like Willy Adames for six or seven years (and for more money).

Yankees Rumors: New York expected to be in Roki Sasaki bidding

We must say, it's definitely not the perfect option, nor is the pursuit of star Japanese free agent Roki Sasaki. Sasaki is going to be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines very soon, which will allowed MLB teams to pursue him.

However, it's essentially a fait accompli that he will sign with the Dodgers, which has long been the rumor. Japanese players have seemingly made the West Coast their second home when switching leagues, and the recent batch of stars feel like they need extra convincing to come all the way to New York.

Nonetheless, the Yankees will reportedly be involved in the Sasaki sweepstakes, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

The Yankees, in theory, could put a bow on their offseason with Soto and Sasaki alongside some defense/contact-first options for the lineup as well as some low-cost bullpen additions, but it's easier said than done.

Speaking of the bullpen, which will need a lot of work following expected offseason departures, the Yankees are reportedly eyeing former Angels and Phillies reliever Carlos Estevez, per Morosi. Estevez was traded from Anaheim to Philly at this year's deadline and hit free agency at the beginning of the month.

The right-hander had a career 2024 season in which he logged a 2.45 ERA, 3.24 FIP and 0.91 WHIP with 26 saves and 50 strikeouts in 55 innings. That, coupled with the fact he's fastball-slider dominant, make him an ideal Yankees target.

However, Estevez lacks swing and miss in addition to ranking in the bottom percentiles for average exit velocity, barrel percentage and hard-hit percentage. The biggest issues with the Yankees' bullpen was that it gave up a ton of hard contact and didn't record enough strikeouts.

Then again, all of Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Loaisiga, Lou Trivino and Tim Hill are free agents, so Estevez serving as a higher-leverage replacement as the Yankees find other hard-throwing, whiff-inducing arms wouldn't be a bad start to revamping the relief corps.