The NY Yankees are heading into the offseason after making the playoffs this season and there is a chance Brian Cashman could dip into free agency this winter. Players like David Price, Zack Greinke, Daniel Murphy, Jeff Samardzija, Chris Davis, Howie Kendrick, Ben Zobrist and Jordan Zimmermann are hitting the market and could be potential targets for the team.
The Yankees were not projected by many to make the playoffs this year, but the team was in contention all season and earned a wild card berth. The Yankees had a decent lead in the AL East division at the end of July, but the Toronto Blue Jays blew up at the trade deadline and ended up vaulting ahead to win the division title. The Yankees now head into the offseason with some big holes to fill and free agency could be one area they look to fill them.
The pitching rotation and second base appear to be the most likely targets if Cashman decides to spend and there are options at those spots on the market. Even if the Yankees don't spend big money, it's very likely they will try and add another starter, as the rotation was inconsistent around Masahiro Tanaka with CC Sabathia, Nathan Eovaldi, Adam Warren and Ivan Nova. Price is going to command some big money on the market along with Greinke, but players like Samardzija, Mike Leake or Scott Kazmir could be more affordable.
The Yankees need a true ace and that is what Sabathia used to be and what the team hoped Tanaka could be. Tanaka has the talent to be an ace, but with his elbow potentially needing Tommy John surgery one day, it's hard for the team to rely on him as a number one. Price had a strong season with Detroit and Toronto and while the Yankees would love to have him in the rotation, they may not want to pay $150 to $200 million and that could be the price range Price is looking at.
Greinke just put up some historic numbers in a Cy Young worthy season and reports have him opting out of his contract and he also could be in the same range as Price. Second base is expected to be a main focus for Cashman with how Stephen Drew and Rob Refsnyder played last
There's always the chance the Yankees could look at making a trade to get a top flight pitcher, but right now that is not something that appears to be close to happening. Wallace Matthews at ESPN threw out the idea of using Brett Gardner, Rob Refsnyder or Adam Warren as trade bait to add a top of the line starter or another second baseman.
CC Sabathia spoke publically about his struggles with alcoholism, sitting in with Robin Roberts for an interview on "Good Morning America." It was the first interview since Sabathia completed rehab and he said that he was "tired of hiding" when he entered treatment.