{"id":1534,"date":"2016-11-06T14:05:21","date_gmt":"2016-11-06T19:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=1534"},"modified":"2016-11-06T14:05:21","modified_gmt":"2016-11-06T19:05:21","slug":"new-york-yankees-2016-offseason-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2016\/11\/06\/new-york-yankees-2016-offseason-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Yankees 2016 Offseason Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Yankees<\/b> are a team\u00a0going through a\u00a0rebuilding\u00a0stage.\u00a0This process was put into motion\u00a0at the 2016 trade deadline, when they dealt away some of their key players. Players\u00a0traded\u00a0included Andrew Miller<\/a><\/b>, Aroldis Chapman<\/a><\/b>, Ivan Nova<\/a><\/b>, and Carlos Beltran<\/a><\/b>. With the\u00a0fire sale past them, the Yankees have work to do this offseason to fortify their rebuilding efforts.<\/p>\n

New York Yankees 2016 Offseason Needs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Trade Away the Veterans\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

While the Yankees did already deal away a bevy of players, multiple veterans still remain on their roster, including catcher Brian McCann<\/a><\/b> and outfielder Brett Gardner<\/a><\/b>. Both McCann and Gardner have received diminished and unclear roles.\u00a0McCann is currently the number two catcher behind rookie phenom Gary Sanchez<\/a>, who’s not coming out of the lineup for anyone; his arrival makes McCann’s departure inevitable, and the Washington Nationals <\/b>would be a great trade partner.<\/p>\n

The Nationals could offer the Yankees veteran southpaw Gio Gonzalez<\/a> <\/b>in return for McCann.\u00a0<\/b>While not the stellar arm\u00a0he once was, Gonzalez can get through innings, and is still serviceable. On the other hand, McCann would give the Nationals a temporary replacement for catcher Wilson Ramos<\/a><\/b>, and would provide a power lefty bat. As for Gardner, the Texas Rangers<\/b> would be a great fit.<\/p>\n

<\/b>Carlos Gomez<\/a><\/b>, Beltran, and Ian Desmond<\/a><\/b> are all hitting the open market this winter, leaving the Rangers in need of outfield help; Gardner would be a welcome addition. While not the speed demon he once was, Gardner can get on base and is a great fielder. In a potential deal, the Yankees could ask for first baseman Joey Gallo<\/a><\/b>, who has showed some potential, but has been in and out of the majors. Gallo could add to what already is a great Yankee farm system.<\/p>\n

Trading away their veterans is a necessity for this Yankee team, but it’s also imperative that they rebuild what was a great bullpen.<\/p>\n

Remodeling the Bullpen<\/b><\/h3>\n

When the Yankees traded away both Chapman and Miller, they created holes in their bullpen. They had aspirations of reliever Dellin Betances<\/a><\/strong> stepping in and becoming the full time closer, but he struggled immensely. As a result, the Yankees need to sign one of the premier closers on the free agent market.<\/p>\n

Headlined by Aroldis Chapman, the reliever market is filled with talent; however, the notion that Chapman would return to the team who traded him is unlikely, so the Yankees should look at Los Angeles\u00a0<\/strong>Dodgers<\/b> closer Kenley Jansen<\/a> <\/b>and Nationals closer Mark Melancon<\/a><\/b>. Jansen and Melancon are both top-five relievers, so they will have a bevy\u00a0of teams trying to pry them\u00a0away from their respected teams; however, the Yankees have money to spend, and their lackluster second half bullpen should be\u00a0motivation for them to spend big bucks on a reliever.<\/p>\n

Don’t Overspend in a Weak Free Agent Market<\/b><\/h3>\n

While it’s imperative that the Yankees shell out for a reliever, they can’t overspend at other positions. In what is a very weak free agent class outside of the reliever market, the Yankees can’t make unnecessary moves, like giving Edwin Encarnacion<\/a><\/b> a seven-year mega deal. While a force at the plate, Encarnacion is a player who only a team in a contention should be spending big money\u00a0on, not a team\u00a0like the Yankees. Another panic move the Yankees could make would be signing New York\u00a0<\/strong>Mets<\/b>\u00a0outfielder Yoenis Cespedes<\/a><\/b>\u00a0to a long term deal. Like Encarnacion, Cespedes is a player who only a contending team should be going all in\u00a0on.<\/p>\n

Both Encarnacion and Cespedes are high profile players who would benefit any team that they’re on, but with what is a very weak free agent class, players such as these two will be immensely overpaid. They’re good players, but the Yankees can’t be the team to give them that massive deal; they must refrain from signing players to massive contracts, and focus on developing their youth.<\/p>\n

The New York Yankees are a team in rebuilding mode. As a result, they need to trade away the veterans that remain, sign an elite reliever, and not spend big when it comes to high profile free agents.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n