It may be only the middle of November, a few weeks ahead of the start of the MLB Winter Meetings, but the New York Yankees have already made an interesting slew of moves this offseason. Just a few days ago, the team traded all-star catcher Brian McCann to the Houston Astros for two young pitching prospects in Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman.
That was not all Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner decided to do with their club. The team also decided to unconditionally release 1B/OF Dustin Ackley, trade pitcher James Pazos to Seattle, outright pitcher Brandon Pinder to Triple-A Scranton, and designate LHP Nathan Eovaldi for assignment. Some fans were surprised to hear the move on Eovaldi, but he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and would be a free agent following the 2017 season anyway, so no true loss there.
Hal Steinbrenner has also expressed interest in re-acquiring DH/OF Carlos Beltran, whom he traded to the Texas Rangers during this past season, as well as closer, and 2016 World Series champion, Aroldis Chapman. According to Jon Heyman, the club is also interested in free agent Edwin Encarnacion, after he declined his qualifying offer to the Toronto Blue Jays now that they have money remaining after the McCann trade. Steinbrenner has mentioned that “building the bullpen comes first.”
The MLB Winter Meetings are scheduled to take place from December 4-8 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. With many teams having their fair share of free agents out on the market, anything can happen, and maybe the Yankees can finally get the boost their team needs to reach their 28th world title!
