MLB Rumors: Marcell Ozuna’s future, Yankees offseason misfire, Cardinals trade idea
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: Do the Yankees already have a major offseason regret?
Matt Carpenter had a 5-RBI night earlier this week, marking his first big game as a member of the San Diego Padres. Carpenter’s resurgence with the New York Yankees last year made for one of the stories of the season. Were it not for Aaron Judge, Carpenter would have received even more credit for carrying the Bronx Bombers lineup at times last season.
Nonetheless, the Yanks opted not to afford Carpenter this offseason, as he signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Padres that (with incentives) could pay him even more.
Despite a breakout game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Yankees fans should not overreact to losing Carpenter. Cashman only has so much money to play with, and he opted to use it towards bringing back Aaron Judge and signing Carlos Rodon, among other key decisions.
Yanks Go Yard’s Adam Weinrib summed up why the team didn’t bring back Carpenter this offseason:
"“If the Yankees were allowed to carry a 46-man roster with an endless budget, Carpenter would’ve been welcomed back for 2023. In the roster’s current state, though, it’s not hard to see why Brian Cashman passed on guaranteeing $12 million over two years (which could escalate to $21 million) while passing the Steve Cohen Tax threshold just to add a bench bat who can’t help fill the left field vacancy.”"
Unfortunately, the Yankees left field vacancy remains relatively unaddressed, which is Cashman’s fault. But as Weinrib says, re-signing Carpenter wouldn’t have helped much, either.