Left field is still a question mark for the Yankees even as the Bombers report to spring training, but the defending AL East champions aren’t done looking to improve their position.
SNY’s Andy Martino said on Baseball night in New York Tuesday night that the Yankees were still looking outside the organization for a left fielder, even going so far as to make a trade to accommodate an upgrade.
“Left field is where I hear and feel vibes that the Yankees are still in a trade conversation with teams trying to address that point from left field,” Martino said.
Martino added that the Yanks have had conversations about the possibility of signing Jurickson Profar, but there are pay issues.
Currently, the Yankees’ 2023 payroll is just under $289 million. The Yanks are looking to avoid the $293 million “Steve Cohen tax” and the addition of Profar could put them on short notice if they get creative.
Profar, entering his 30-year-old season, hit .243 with 15 homers and 58 RBI in 152 games for the San Diego Padres last year. However, the asking price for Profar may discourage the team. Profar declined an $8.3 million option to test free agency. If the Yankees want to add him, it will get them very close to, if not above, that $293 million level.
Martino notes that one way to keep the payroll below that level is to offload one of their players, and Gleyber Torres is a name to watch.
Torres and the Yankees agreed to a $9.95 million contract to avoid arbitration for 2023. Moving that money in a trade would free up space to add Profar or another outfielder like Max Kepler.
While the trade market for outfielders like the Pittsburgh Pirates Bryan Reynolds, who Martino says the Yanks have had discussions with but is unlikely to be moved before the trade deadline, may take assets New York is unwilling to part with, the agency free may be the best option at the moment for GM Brian Cashman to upgrade left field at this point.
However, as Martino notes, Cashman is able to make an unpredictable “stealth” trade like the Josh Donaldson March agreement.
The Yankees also have inside options in Aaron Hicks And Oswaldo Cabrerabut the team is looking at all avenues to fill their hole in left field.
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