The NY Yankees could spend a bit in free agency this offseason and players like Yoenis Cespedes, Ben Zobrist, David Price, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija could be potential targets for Brian Cashman. Andrew Miller and Brett Gardner have both been mentioned in trade rumors and there is a chance that the Yanks could explore deals for those players.
The Yankees have multiple needs coming into the offseason and the main areas of concern include second base and the starting rotation. The team is basically set with their field positions apart from second base heading into next year and that is one area they expect to make a move, while the starting rotation also should get some attention. The team has Dustin Ackley and Rob Refsnyder as options for second base, but the team also could look at Ben Zobrist or Daniel Murphy on the free agent market.
ESPN New York pegs Murphy and Zobrist as the top players at the position on the market, while Howie Kendrick, Chase Utley and Sean Rodriguez are also options. Zobrist is getting a lot of attention on the market and teams like the Mets, Yankees and Cubs have been connected with the versatile infielder. According to Tim Rohan at the New York Times, Zobrist has at least "10 teams interested" and he is "hearing them out." Rohan reports that Zobrist wants a four year deal and "to play for a winner."
The Yankees could go after Zobrist, but his age at 34 could be a concern for the team if Zobrist pushes for a four year deal. Zobrist is a versatile player and he has a solid bat and he would be a nice fit at second base for the Yankees. Cespedes could be a target, but with the way the Yankees have been operating the past couple years, it's unlikely they will go after him. Cespedes is going to be asking for a decent amount of money and after shelling out a ton for Jacoby Ellsbury, the Yankees will likely pass.
The Yankees are also expected to take a look at some starting pitchers and players like David Price, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmermann and Jeff Samardzija could be options. In the past Price would likely be a Yankee because the team would just throw a ton of money at him, but Cashman may not want to do that this time around. Price is going to command a big contract, while Cueto is also expected to be expensive. ESPN New York reports that the Yankees could look at Samardzija as an option, as people in the organization like his makeup and Cashman could sign him for less than players like Price or Cueto after he had a down season for the White Sox.
According to Jon Heyman at CBS Sports, Cashman is "willing to listen" for deals on Andrew Miller and Brett Gardner. Jayson Stark at ESPN wrote on Wednesday that one baseball executive said that he thinks the Yankees "will move" Miller this offseason and that if a deal happens, it will be "for a big, Kimbrel-like package built around big-league ready starters."
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