The NY Yankees could have one more major move up their sleeves this offseason as a Cole Hamels trade could be an option, while Yoan Moncada is a free agent from Cuba, but it's more likely Brian Cashman stays put and this comes as Alex Rodriguez met with the team and apologized for his actions over the past year and half.
According to ESPN.com, Rodriguez and the Yankees met this week and he apologized for the actions he has taken over the past couple years. Rodriguez has been embroiled in the Biogenesis scandal, was suspended and he also sued the team doctor and had other issues with the Yankees. Rodriguez had hoped to clear the air before spring training and after some back and forth, the sides finally met.
The Yankees have tempered expectations for the season and if they don't pull off any major moves, it will be hard to make the playoffs. The Red Sox and Blue Jays have improved in the division and now Cashman is hoping some of the small moves he has made will pay off down the road. The team will need to win near 87 games to make the playoffs and that could be on the low end of things.
The Yankees are coming back after dealing with injuries to CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda last season and that doesn't even include Ivan Nova and his Tommy John surgery. Adding a player like Hamels would help deepen the rotation and since he has been on the trade market so long, it's likely his price has gone down at least a little bit, but the Phillies won't give him up easily.
According to Andrew Marchand at ESPN.com, the Yankees could take a look at Moncada, as he is a free agent option after coming over from Cuba. Moncada can play multiple infield positions and while the Yankees signed Stephen Drew and Chase Headley this offseason, they have a bit of a hole at second base. The team has the money to spend if they want to and Marchand writes that one scout said he would be the number one pick in the draft if he was in it this year.
The Yankees have been reluctant to go crazy this winter, instead bringing in Andrew Miller and Headley on deals along with Did Gregorius in a trade. Marchand writes that the 19-year-old has been compared to Robinson Cano as well and that he could end up blossoming into a very strong player. Cashman and the Yankees have been cautious this year and that means it's likely this deal doesn't happen.
The Yankees previously reportedly did not want to meet with Rodriguez before spring training, with the NY Daily News reported that they would meet him in Florida like every other player. Either way with the apology out of the way, Rodriguez can try and get things back to normal. While there has not been that much support from those in the organization, A-Rod wanted to clear the air and now he has done that. Rodriguez still likely has to repair some relationships after the way the past year has gone for him.
