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Jim Mone/Associated Press
Shortstops continue to dominate the conversation in MLB free agency, with rumor and speculation running rampant about which team will be the first to cut a fat check for the services of Carlos Correa, Trevor Story or Corey Seager.
Not every franchise, as it turns out, has its eyes on the three gems of this offseason period, though.
Might the mighty Yankees, with their history of spending to acquiring big names and championship titles, be more content to sit back and watch how things unfold before targeting a particular player at that position?
Perhaps players like Marcus Semien and Javier Baez will benefit.
That topic, and the moving pieces involved, headline the recent innuendo surrounding free agents in the bigs.
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Charles Krupa/Associated Press
The ghost of last offseason haunts the New York Yankees and the team’s willingness to sign the top of the market free agents at the shortstop position, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
“The shortstop contracts signed last offseason by Fernando Tatis Jr. (14 years, $340 million) and Francisco Lindor (10 years, $341 million) provide a top of the market total — notably Carlos Correa and Corey Seager — for which to shoot. And the Yankees, according to multiple sources, have shown no desire to go into that realm,” the report states.
As a result, the organization is more likely to monitor the market in hopes of it bottoming out so it can swoop in and nab a talented player below expectations.
This is not because the team feels as though it can skate through another season with the players it has at the position. General manager Brian Cashman was clear that Gleyber Torres is not the answer at shortstop: “The bottom line is shortstop is an area of need and we have to address it. Gleyber is best served at second base, in reality.”
The need is there, but the team also has talented young prospects nearing the majors and the idea of paying a king’s ransom for a top-tier shortstop at this point, potentially slowing the development of those players, doesn’t seem to make sense.
If the Bronx Bombers don’t see a possible deal for Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Trevor Story or any of the other in-demand shortstops available this offseason, do not be surprised if they take a shot on a talented, less-expensive player or complete a deal with another club for one.
That way, they can bridge the gap between the upcoming season and the impending arrival of Anthony Volpe and/or Oswald Peraza to the bigs.
Prediction: Patient Cashman waits for Volpe, signs/trades for veteran stopgap
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Speaking of shortstops, the Detroit Tigers are also in the market, though the organization is not willing to pay the astronomical amount it would take to convince a Carlos Correa or Corey Seager to sign on the dotted line. Instead, the team is eyeing Toronto Blue Jay Marcus Semien, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
Detroit is not alone on Semien as the Texas Rangers, also in need of an upgrade at the position, have their eyes on him as well, per Jon Morosi, also of MLB Network. Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports reported the San Francisco Giants are also in the hunt for the services of Semien.
With good reason.
Semien knocked in 102 RBIs and 45 home runs, and generated 115 runs, a season ago. Defensively, he committed just a single error all season, was responsible for 63 putouts and amassed a fielding percentage of .984.
He finished third in AL MVP voting behind teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and winner Shohei Ohtani and two spots ahead of Correa.
Semien is predicted to garner half of what Correa does and, according to TC Zencka of MLBTradeRumors.com, is looking for a shorter-term deal. Both of those make him mighty attractive to teams looking for a potential game-changing player without the financial commitment the higher-end free agents are going to command.
The Tigers have already invested a significant amount ($77 million guaranteed) in starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, making Semien more feasible than Correa or Seager. The Rangers have more financial availability and are willing to spend upwards of $200 million if they are confident they have the right player, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
Considering Semien hired super-agent Scott Boras to represent him, Texas’ willingness to pay more may prove the difference.
The key may be Semien’s relationship with Toronto and the Blue Jays’ willingness to fight to keep him.
The team has already committed substantially to pitcher Jose Berrios so the prospects of a bidding war with Detroit, Texas, San Francisco or any other team that may enter the picture may not be appealing to them. The offensive output would be certainly missed, and one cannot help but think there is something magical brewing up north with the one-two punch of Semien and Guerrero, but the price tag may prove too costly, forcing the team to head in a different direction.
Prediction: Semien finds a new home, signs with high-bidder Texas
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Jeff Chiu/Associated Press
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Oakland A’s are looking to slash payroll.
With two years left until he hits free agency, first baseman Matt Olson figures to play into that desire, per Heyman.
Olson is a great player with a strong bat and equally impressive defensive skills. In 2021, he blasted 39 homers, added 111 RBIs and had an OPS of .911. He also finished eighth in AL MVP voting, evidence of just how strong a season he actually had.
And the A’s know it.
The organization most synonymous with money ball has a history of moving players in exchange for prospects, aging vets or young major leaguers to free up money. With two years of club control remaining on Olson’s contract, it has the opportunity to strike while he is hot and get something in return for him.
CBSSport’s Mike Axisa suggests a deal like the one brokered between Miami and Philadelphia for JT Realmuto, in which the Marlins received a young major leaguer, top-tier prospect and secondary prospect makes the most sense.
The Yankees could certainly use help at the position. Inconsistency due to injuries has kept the team from having a tried and true No. 1 at the position. Giving up a high-value prospect may not be something Brian Cashman wants to do, particularly as the team eyes one of its two shortstops as the future of the organization at that position, but strengthening that position with a slugger and defenseman like Olson may be worth it.
This feels like a potential value pick for the Yankees, the sort that comes from out of nowhere while everyone else is fixated on the shortstop position.
Prediction: New York makes a play for Olson
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