5 Yankees Players Set for Departure
The New York Yankees are gearing up for a busy off-season to address and analyze their recent lackluster acquisitions. October has been designated as a month for evaluation, with owner Hal Steinbrenner bringing in a third-party evaluator to dissect the challenges faced in 2023.
While the Yankees have the resources for a quick turnaround, the journey ahead involves more than just a basic rebuild. The roster features aging veterans with hefty contracts alongside young prospects ready for 2024 promotions. The upside? Some departures will free up salary space, providing much-needed flexibility in the free agency market.
Here are five Yankees likely to depart:
1. **Luis Severino**
– **Overview**: Luis Severino’s time with the Yankees might be ending. At 29, he struggled in the 2023 season, recording a 6.65 ERA over 89.1 innings, with career lows in strikeouts per nine innings (7.96).
– **Financial Impact**: Severino’s $15 million adjusted salary and $12.25 million luxury tax hit could be redirected to acquire fresh talent, such as Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
2. **Frankie Montas**
– **Overview**: Frankie Montas, acquired in 2022, may also be exiting. He pitched only 1.1 innings in 2023.
– **Financial Impact**: His $7.5 million salary could be better utilized elsewhere. General Manager Brian Cashman might consider a budget-friendly deal, but significant offers from other teams could lead to a clean break.
3. **Domingo German**
– **Overview**: Domingo German’s time with the Yankees has been turbulent, marred by a domestic violence case and personal challenges. Despite pitching a recent Perfect Game against the Oakland Athletics, his inconsistency has been notable.
– **Roster Implications**: With emerging talents like Clarke Schmidt and Michael King, the Yankees have flexibility in this decision.
4. **Kyle Higashioka**
– **Overview**: With a surplus of catchers entering 2024, Kyle Higashioka’s position is precarious. Despite being a reliable backup for three seasons, the Yankees might shift focus to the promising 24-year-old Austin Wells.
– **Strategic Move**: Wells’ growing defensive and offensive prowess suggests the Yankees might prefer youth and potential over Higashioka’s experience.
5. **Isiah Kiner-Falefa**
– **Overview**: Trade rumors surrounded Isiah Kiner-Falefa during the trade deadline, though no deal materialized. His 2023 performance, including a .242 batting average and a .306 OBP, indicates he might not be in the Yankees’ long-term plans.
– **Financial Impact**: As an ideal backup in case of injuries, his $6 million salary could be redirected to other areas of need.
The Yankees’ off-season decisions will be critical in reshaping the team’s future, addressing past shortcomings, and capitalizing on new opportunities.
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