Inside the Clubhouse: Why Adam Duvall makes sense for the Yankees

This week, Inside the Clubhouse looks at Adam Duvall’s appeal to the Yankees, the Miguel Rojas trade, Chad Pinder and more.

The New York Yankees are among teams seeking an additional outfielder, making calls on both the trade and free-agent markets, and have been linked to Bryan Reynolds and Jurickson Profar.

But an outfielder who makes sense for the Yankees on numerous fronts is Adam Duvall.

Duvall, 34, is fully healthy after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. He’s compiled 58 Defensive Runs Saved and 28 Outs Above Average throughout his career. He’s hit 163 home runs, including 38 in 2021 with the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. And from June 1 until his last game on July 23, he had a 20.5 barrel percentage and an .891 OPS — an indication he was back in form after a slow start.

Duvall, who’s expected to command a short-term contract, could also benefit from MLB banning the shift, as he was shifted 71.7 percent of the time last season. His power would certainly play well in the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium and he would form a platoon in left field with Oswaldo Cabrera.

Perhaps the Yankees prefer to add a left-handed hitter to a right-handed heavy lineup. But adding Duvall on a short-term contract would address their need for another outfielder and bolster an offense that averaged 4.98 runs per game last season, which ranked second in baseball.

Why the Dodgers traded for Miguel Rojas

After losing Corey Seager and Trea Turner in back-to-back offseasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired shortstop Miguel Rojas from the Miami Marlins for infielder Jacob Amaya.

Rojas, 33, is entering the final year of a two-year, $10 million extension. While he is coming off a season in which he posted a career-low .605 OPS, he recorded 10 Outs Above Average and has graded as a plus-defensive shortstop throughout his career. His presence will allow the Dodgers to keep Gavin Lux at second base, a position he thrived in 2022, as well as allow Chris Taylor to bounce between second base and the outfield.

Willy Adames was another player of interest to the Dodgers, according to major-league sources, but the Brewers have been adamant that they want to build around their star shortstop.

“We get phone calls on these guys all the time, and that’s a great thing,” Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said regarding Adames, Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff on MLB Network in December. “That being said, this is a group we’re excited about. We want to put a really good product on the field in 2023, and those guys have to be part of that if we’re going to do that.”

Chad Pinder still has plenty of suitors

Among the teams that make sense for free-agent utilityman Chad Pinder include the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Reds had success signing Tyler Naquin in 2021 and Brandon Drury in 2022 to one-year contracts and could have similar hopes for Pinder. The Tigers are a left-handed heavy lineup and their new addition, Matt Vierling, has only played 151 games in the majors and has minor-league options remaining. The Red Sox need shortstop depth with Trevor Story out indefinitely after undergoing elbow surgery. The Marlins struggled against left-handed hitters in 2022 and the Diamondbacks are left-handed heavy even after adding Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Pinder, 30, has lost 15 pounds this offseason and is said to be in “outstanding shape.” He has taken reps in center field and shortstop to increase his versatility (he’s played every position defensively except catcher throughout his career) and is one of 16 players in baseball to have 150 batted balls and a 40+ percent hard-hit rate in every season since 2017.

Pinder is coming off a season in which he posted an 86 OPS+, which was his worst since 2016, and likely will command a one-year contract that will allow him to hit the market once again after the 2023 season.

Nelson Cruz wants to win a ring with the Padres

Free-agent slugger Nelson Cruz had more lucrative offers elsewhere but elected to sign with the San Diego Padres on a one-year, $1 million contract because he wants a chance to win a World Series.

Cruz, 42, has been on the Padres’ radar in recent years. They tried trading for him two years ago and expressed interest as a free agent last offseason. While he is coming off his worst season in more than a decade, Cruz and the Padres are optimistic that he will bounce back after undergoing eye surgery to address the inflammation that impacted his vision.

In San Diego, Cruz figures to be the team’s primary designated hitter. He should also step into a prominent leadership role, having relationships with Manny Machado and Juan Soto, and add another power bat (459 home runs) to an already deep and talented lineup.

Carlos Correa’s contract incentives with the Twins

Carlos Correa’s six-year, $200 million contract with the Minnesota Twins includes four club options for $25 million in 2029, $20 million in 2030, $15 million in 2031 and $10 million in 2032.

Each option can vest if any of the following awards are won or plate appearances are reached in the immediately preceding season, according to a source:

• World Series MVP.
• LCS MVP.
• MVP (1st through 5th).
• Silver Slugger.
• 575 plate appearances in 2028, 550 plate appearances in 2029, 525 plate appearances in 2030 and 502 plate appearances in 2031.

Red Sox

• Left-hander Josh Taylor and the Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $1.025 million contract to avoid arbitration, according to a source. Among other Red Sox players who have not avoided arbitration in 2023 include Ryan Brasier, Abraham Almonte, Nick Pivetta, Alex Verdugo, Rob Refsnyder, Christian Arroyo and Reese McGuire.

• A note on Rafael Devers’ 11-year, $331 million contract extension, per source: the deal contains a $20 million signing bonus that is paid out in $5 million increments in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.