With the Yankees having to watch the hated Boston Red Sox when their 4th World Series in 15 years last Sunday the question for the Yankees coming into this offseason is will they spend big on Free Agents of the likes of Harper, Machado, and Kershaw or will the continue to build their young core which has brought them success the last two years.
The biggest weakness of the Yankees in 2018 was their starting pitching and it was a huge reason they were eliminated by the Red Sox in the ALDS. It will be interesting to see if they resign CC Sabathia or J.A Happ. Happ was really good for the Yanks when he was acquired at the trade deadline in late July having a record of 7-0 with an ERA at 2.69. CC struggled down the stretch for the Yankees and at 38 years old it's looking like his career is very close to being over. The Yankees will need to go out in Free Agency and get starting pitcher if its Patrick Corbin, Dallas Keuchel, Charlie Morton or Clayton Kershaw (if he ops out) adding one of these guys this offseason is a must.
Two of the best position players in the game will be on the market this year Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. The question is will the Yankees go after either of these guys. With DI DI Gregorius having Tommy John Surgery and is expected to be out until the July many think the Yanks will make a big run for Machado but if the Yankees do sign Machado they would probably have to trade Miguel Andujar who has a great chance to be the AL rookie of the year. If they don't want to sign Machado they could sign Daniel Murphy who would cost them a lot less move Gleyber Torres to shortstop and when DI DI comes back Murphy can platoon with Luke Voit at first base. As of right now, it looks like the Yankees are out on Bryce Harper but they are probably going to have an opening in Left Field with Andrew McCutchen and Brett Garnder both being free agents and the Yankees resigning either is very unlikely. The big question is do they make a run at Byrce Harper or do they continue to keep the youth movement going and have Clint Frazier be the starting Left Fielder at the beginning of the 2019 season.
With all the options the Yankees have this offseason it should be really interesting to see which way they go do they continue to build this young core which has gotten them to the postseason the last 2 years or do they spend big on free agents to make sure the road to the World Series in 2019 runs thou the Bronx.