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Yankees: 3 free agents to sign and 1 to avoid this offseason

By Rucker Haringey

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 17: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies throws the ball to first base against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 17: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies throws the ball to first base against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Aaron Boone, New York Yankees
(Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

The Yankees need to make big changes this offseason. Here are three stars they should sign to bolster their roster and one free agent to absolutely avoid.

The days of the Yankees entering the offseason with a blank check to improve their roster are over. Instead, general manager Brian Cashman needs to work carefully within the parameters of the team’s hefty budget to build a World Series contender on an annual basis.

Big changes are required this year. The Yankees won 92 games during the regular season but were summarily dispatched from the playoffs by the rival Red Sox in a one-game Wild Card playoff. The organization surprised some fans by keeping Aaron Boone in his role as the team’s manager, but he needs more pitching, speed, and flexibility if he’s going to end the franchise’s lengthy World Series drought.

As usual, the Yankees are going to be linked with every high-profile free agent on the open market. Here are three free agents New York should sign and one they should avoid if they want to enter Spring Training as World Series favorites.

Yankees free agency rumors: Sign Kevin Gausman

Gausman isn’t the sexiest free agent on the open market, but the Yankees have been interested in acquiring him for several years now. The fact that he’s available without the need to give up any draft compensation will appeal strongly to the team’s front office.

He ate up 192 innings pitched for the Giants last season and pitched to a sterling 2.81 ERA with strong peripheral numbers. If he repeats that kind of performance in the Bronx he’d likely end up being the team’s ace ahead of incumbent Gerrit Cole.

Even with some (likely) regression, he can be an elite No. 2 option atop the team’s rotation. Gausman should be near the top of Cashman’s shopping list when free agency begins.

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