This is going to be a tough off season; one of the toughest for the Yankees in particular. They simply don't have the money to shell out this year given the salaries in tow and the ones they will have to payout in order to keep their prized players on the roster. So what does this mean? Brian Cashman will have to go fishing and find that diamond in the rough to keep the team on course for post season success.
"I am going to speculate that Hal Steinbrenner will order a payroll that drops beneath the $210 million luxury tax threshold for next season. So you can scratch off signing J.T. Realmuto and Trevor Bauer in free agency and trading for Francisco Lindor, especially since re-signing DJ LeMahieu likely will be a four-year, $100 million-ish proposition. And the Yankees pretty much have to do that," said New York Post writer Joel Sherman earlier this month.
There is no doubt that DJ LeMahieu deserves to be paid for his tremendous contribution to this team. And he himself is a diamond in the rough, finding his way to top of short list of consistent players, who just happen to also win the batting title. But paying LeMahieu means we simply can't offer top dollar for others who need to fill the gaping holes in the Yankee roster.
"The Yankees talk up (Gary) Sanchez, but the reality is they seem to be trying to talk themselves into thinking he can be salvaged. What are the chances here? Maybe he will reemerge elsewhere. The Yankees should see if they can get anything for him and, if not, he is a strong non-tender candidate," said Sherman.
And removing Sanchez makes room for another diamond in the rough and another positive consequence: perhaps the Yankees starting pitching improves because of the renewed faith in the catching ability of the next guy in. Maybe that next guy is Gold Glove finalist from Cincinnati, catcher Tucker Barnhart or White Sox backup catcher James "Mac" McCann. Either would instill some confidence in pitching and both with a consistent bat.
Without a bunch of money to spend and a lot of contracts to draw up, the Yankees need a diamond or two in the rough and be willing to give up a diamond in the rough himself, Luke Voit to get there. This is going to be a tough off season, and the Yankees have to be open to a variety of deals to get to where they need to be. Let's hope Cashman can use some of his magic to get there.
--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
