Trade Yankees Trade Talks 2016/2017

Yankees casting wide net on free agent market

The Yankees are targeting star free agent closer Aroldis Chapman, but they’ve checked in on several relievers, the top free-agent starters and a whole host of hitters as they try to improve on their rare off year of 2016.

In addition to the previously mentioned Chapman and Kenley Jansen as Yankees targets, plus hitting stars Carlos Beltran, Edwin Encarnacion, Yoenis Cespedes and Jose Bautista, the Yankees have called upon several more top free-agent hitters, including Dexter Fowler, Matt Holliday, Mike Napoli and Brandon Moss, and are believed to have checked in with the better starting pitchers on the market, including Rich Hill and Jason Hammel.

The Yankees did well to save $23 million of the $34 million remaining through 2018 (while adding two pitching prospects) in the deal that sent catcher Brian McCann to the Astros, and they are said to be fielding interest in Brett Gardner and Chase Headley now in hopes of creating more flexibility for their free-agent and other trade pursuits. While one rival GM opined that the Yankees might not have the same luck with Gardner and Headley (they tried to move Gardner previously), Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that “there’s interest in our players.”

The Yankees’ interest runs all over the board, though Chapman appears to be at the top of their list, with him getting the edge over another top free-agent closer, Kenley Jansen, at least for the Yankees, because they had Chapman last year and especially because their trade of Chapman means he wouldn’t cost the signing team a draft choice. Chapman expressed interest in a return in an interview with New Sportsday that was done by Ray Negron, who also happens to be a longtime Yankees employee. Cashman said he read the piece but assumes most free-agent deals come down to the contract anyway, which seems to be a pretty fair assumption. Jansen also remains of interest to them, too, though.

- See more at: http://www.fanragsports.com/mlb/heyman-yankees-casting-wide-net-free-agent-market/

 

Aroldis Chapman ‘would love to be a Yankee again’ as GM says team will pursue potential return



The Yankees want Aroldis Chapman back. Apparently, the feelings are mutual.

Since the day the Yankees traded him to the Cubs in late-July, the flame-throwing closer hasn’t hidden his love for New York, but Tuesday he told NY Sports Day that he “would love to be a Yankee again.”

“The organization treated me first class,” Chapman said in an interview with Ray Negron, a former Yankees employee and long-time adviser to Hank Steinbrenner. “And the fans were like no other.”

When Chapman was traded on July 25, he posted a photo on Instagram with a message that read, “thanks to the NY Yankees fans, that from the first day, they made me feel at home. Thanks to the Yankees organization for the support they gave me.??#newyorkyankees bye for now.”

For now. Interesting choice of words.

“I think most players have had real positive experiences playing for us,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “I think we take care of our players and provide a lot of excess for them to be comfortable and successful. I know he had a great experience while he was here, as did we.”

Chapman is reportedly seeking a five-year contract worth $100 million, though multiple sources estimate he won’t reach nine figures with his contract despite big-market teams including the Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs all in pursuit of his services.

The highest average annual value for a closer’s salary has been $15 million, which the Yankees paid Mariano Rivera between 2008-12. Jonathan Papelbon’s four-year, $50 million contract with the Phillies remains the largest total deal ever given a closer.

- See more at:http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/aroldis-chapman-love-yankee-article-1.2883452

 

Yoenis Cespedes not part of Yankees’ free agent plans

After the Yankees dealt veteran Brian McCann to the Astros last week, Brian Cashman said the move opened up the possibility of pursuing some lumber while the team still focuses on its main goal of strengthening the rotation and bullpen.

But don’t expect free-agent Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes to be one of the Yankees’ targets, despite Cashman saying last week that he’s “talked to Cespedes’ agent (Brodie Van Wagenen)” and that the two sides would talk again.

The Daily News has learned that Cespedes — who earlier this month opted out of his three-year, $75 million deal with the Mets — is not part of the Yankees’ winter spending plans despite speculation that the Bombers could make a run for the 31-year-old outfielder. The main three priorities for the Yankees, according to sources, are bringing back Cuban lefty reliever Aroldis Chapman, acquiring a starting pitcher and signing a designated hitter. Cespedes is reportedly looking for a five-year deal in the $125-135 million range.

“Tis the season to engage and find out,” Cashman said last week at the Covenant House in Manhattan during a charity sleep-out event, referring to scouring the free-agent and trade markets. It makes sense that Cespedes is not on the Yankees’ radar since the team continues to build upon its youth movement, the pinstriped outfield is already filled at every position, and Cespedes would be a costly DH-only addition if he were acquired for that role.

- See more at: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...rt-yankees-free-agent-plans-article-1.2883832

 

Yankees have heavy company in Carlos Beltran sweepstakes



The perception of executives inquiring is the Yankees, Red Sox and Astros are the most competitive teams for Carlos Beltran, with perhaps the Rangers lurking to try to retain him.

The executives say that beyond the obvious – Beltran, even with his 40th birthday approaching in April, remains a high-end switch-hitter – he is attractive because he has no draft pick compensation attached to him and probably could be had on a one-year deal that falls in the $15 million-to-$18 million range.

Of course, if the bidding is intense, perhaps a team will have to distinguish itself by adding an option or multiple years.

For the Yankees, Beltran would be the regular DH and provided some right field protection should Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks be unable to handle the responsibility.

For the Red Sox, Beltran would succeed David Ortiz as the DH. He also would be the DH for the Astros and join newcomers Brian McCann and Josh Reddick in giving Houston lefty diversification and a more veteran presence in the clubhouse.

- See more at: http://nypost.com/2016/11/22/yankees-have-heavy-company-in-carlos-beltran-sweepstakes/