The New York Yankees Are Playing A Dangerous Game In Free Agency

After getting embarrassed by the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS, the Yankees entered an offseason with a long list of work to do. So far, the Yankees have done absolutely nothing and are sitting on their hands waiting for Cody Bellinger to make his decision. Instead of being aggressive and trying to add the best players to the roster, Brian Cashman is waiting on a single player to let his offseason plan begin.

Yankees Have Done Nothing

There have been countless reports linking New York to nearly every player on the market, but so far, the team has yet to add anyone from outside the organization this offseason aside from Cade Winquest, picked up in the Rule Five Draft.

Even if they manage to bring in Bellinger, the Yankees would essentially be returning the same lineup that struggled throughout the postseason against the Red Sox and Blue Jays. Bellinger is a solid player, but he isn’t the kind of difference-maker who would elevate the Yankees to the top of the American League.

There’s another free agent hitter who could be more valuable than Cody Bellinger: Bo Bichette. Brian Cashman has admitted that the lineup is too left-handed. With Anthony Volpe expected to miss the start of the season after shoulder surgery, Bichette could step in as the everyday shortstop.

While Bichette is a below-average defender at shortstop, his offensive production more than makes up for it. Even when Volpe provided elite defense, it was his struggles at the plate that drew the most attention from the fanbase.

Bichette ranks among the best hitters in baseball and would fill the leadoff role the Yankees desperately need. Trent Grisham was a non-factor in the leadoff spot during the postseason, and when Aaron Judge was crushing the ball, there was rarely anyone on base for him to drive in.

This Feels Like 2021 All Over Again

Back in 2021, there were plenty of high-profile free agents who would have been ideal fits in the Bronx, but the Yankees chose instead to focus on one of their own. DJ LeMahieu, then one of their most reliable hitters, brought valuable versatility to Aaron Boone’s lineup, capable of playing anywhere on the field as needed.

The team rewarded him with a six-year, $90 million contract, which was a deal that has since become one of the franchise’s most criticized moves of the last decade. Rather than targeting top names like Corey Seager or Freddie Freeman, Brian Cashman opted for the safer route, choosing a player who ultimately didn’t elevate the team.

Now, fast forward to today, and the Yankees find themselves in the same position as they were in 2021, on the verge of repeating the very same mistake.It’s remarkable how much the Los Angeles Dodgers’ success has influenced the Yankees organization. After the 2024 World Series, New York has shifted its focus to prioritizing defense over offense.

Yet this past season showed that the Dodgers, despite not being a defensive powerhouse, captured the title with their stacked lineup. With many decisions still ahead, only time will tell what moves Brian Cashman makes and how the Yankees will look by Spring Training.