These three New York Yankees free agents won’t be back for more fun in 2023. On expiring contracts, these are their final weeks in the Bronx.
There will be some major New York Yankees free agents in the coming offseason. This could be a winter where the team makes some drastic changes. While we might not see Brian Cashman officially leave his post or Aaron Boone get fired, the roster could undergo a major makeover.
The Yankees remain well-positioned to compete beyond this year even if all of their free agents leave. They are a destination ball club. Replacing the free agents they do lose will be a priority of the front office. Rarely is there an offseason where they don’t at least try to get better.
In these final weeks of the MLB season — and into the postseason where the Yankees will find themselves — we’re likely looking at the final days of at least these three free agents in the Bronx.
1) Yankees are ready to move on from a fading Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman is going to have to settle for a Kenley Jansen-type deal this winter and probably for a lot less money. Even if he regains the closer job for the rest of this season, there are a lot of doubts about what’s next for him.
The Yankees have successfully built up a strong bullpen this year despite a whole lot of injuries. Someone, whether it’s Clay Holmes or another arm, should take over as the closer for good. Chapman, now a much less effective pitcher than his prime years, is destined to land elsewhere.
Between the injuries and the inflating ERA, the relationship between these two needs to come to a close. He gave the ball club some fantastic years. It’s someone else’s turn to take a chance on him.
For the New York, it’s their opportunity to find someone more reliable.
2) Yankees acquired Andrew Benintendi as a rental, not a long-term option
Maybe it’s because he is best-known for playing with the Boston Red Sox, but the idea of Andrew Benintendi staying with the Yankees by choice doesn’t seem right. His slow start hasn’t helped make him a fan favorite. He just doesn’t seem to be having enough fun to want to stay.
It takes two to tango on a major league deal. It’s not only Benintendi who should have some second thoughts. The Yankees, too, should move on.
New York knew exactly what they were getting when they acquired Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals. He came to the Yankees as a rental. It’s a rental he shall stay.
In searching for their next starting left fielder, the Yankees might want to consider a few other options. Do they move Aaron Hicks there and seek a center field option? Is Giancarlo Stanton even a factor on defense? What about Aaron Judge? Will he be back?
Benintendi just doesn’t seem like the right long-term fit for the Yankees. He’ll have suitors out there. A team like the Chicago Cubs who are looking to build but do so a little slower could come calling. Benintendi won’t break the bank with his free agent contract, so even the more frugal ball clubs ready to spend even a little bit could be an option.
3) Yankees will let Jameson Taillon walk away
Let’s get it out of the way right now: Aaron Judge will be back in the Bronx next year!
As much as this has dragged out, we’ll eventually be able to thank tax dollars and how much more he could lose by playing for a California team like the San Francisco Giants. Sure, they make sense, and the Giants will make him an offer. Between endorsements, familiarity with the Yankees already, and all of the other ingredients, it’s hard to picture Steinbrenner letting Judge leave them for anywhere else.
As for Jameson Taillon, a quality pitcher also heading to free agency, the Yankees will let him walk.
Taillon has been a good arm for them, but not one they necessarily will need to spend money on to bring back. Subtract him from the equation and hope Luis Severino is healthy; the Yankees already have a nearly full rotation. Trade for a guy. Call someone up. Find a cheaper alternative than Taillon. Whatever it is they do, Taillon just doesn’t seem destined to return to the Yankees.
A lot of what the team does will depend on how far they can go in this year’s postseason. A World Series victory could have players feeling nostalgic and a little more eager to stay. A tough loss might have them thinking differently. The front office, too, could feel a greater need to change things up.
Chapman, Benintendi, and Taillon will be three of the more important Yankees free agents headed elsewhere in the winter. Meanwhile, the Judge’s Chamber will stay put.