By Derek McAdam
December 8, 2021
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Now that Major League Baseball is one week into its first lockout in over 25 years, there is not much news to report throughout the league. Free agents cannot sign anywhere, no trades can be made with players on the 40-man roster and players cannot use team facilities.
But there are still several top names on the free-agent list that have been linked to the Yankees. Here are the latest rumblings for each player that could potentially become a New York Yankee.
Freddie Freeman
While the Yankees were still in the “bidding” process for the Braves’ first baseman before the lockout began, it is still likely that he will re-sign with Atlanta. If he leaves Atlanta the more natural fit seems to be either of the Los Angeles teams, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Freeman’s hometown is in southern California, where he lives during the off-season.
Trevor Story
Story has been linked to the Yankees before the 2021 Trade Deadline, so there has been plenty of interest in the 29-year old shortstop. But there is now a possibility that he may end up having to take a one-year deal, which is exactly what Brian Cashman and the Yankees are looking for.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel believes that one top player will end up taking a much smaller contract than expected, which may be Story because of his throwing issues. He would be an upgrade to Gleyber Torres defensively, but this may still be an area of concern.
Carlos Correa
Univision MLB Insider Mike Rodriguez posted a tweet last week reporting that the Cubs and Yankees were the most likely teams to sign the 27-year old shortstop. Not only does this go against what the Yankees are pursuing in a stopgap shortstop, but they would also have to fork over more money than they ever have before.
Correa is still expected to get a contract higher than Corey Seager’s 10-year, $325 million deal and could potentially pass Francisco Lindor’s $341 million deal. The Red Sox, Braves and Dodgers were the other teams that had reported interest.
Seiya Suzuki
The Yankees are one of the more aggressive teams pursuing the services of Suzuki, who has played his entire career in Japan according to Boston Sports Journal’s Sean McAdams. But Brian Cashman did not elaborate on the situation.
Centerfield is one of the positions the Yankees have been looking to upgrade, but Suzuki would most likely sign for at least five years with an AAV of over $10 million. This may be too much for the Yankees to take on, with Aaron Judge set for a contract extension.
Next week we will look more into the latest rumors relating to more free agents that are linked to the Yankees.
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