The success of the New York Yankees was one of the biggest surprises in the MLB this season and the team thinks they're only a piece or two away from being the World Series favorite going into next season. After all, they nearly made it this season.
New York has been linked to several players via trade - namely Giancarlo Stanton - and want to save money in order to splurge on the stellar free agency class next winter, but still plan to sign a key free agent or two in the coming months. New York will target a few their own free agents, but here are three players from other teams they could chase.
1. Shohei Otani, RHP/DH, Japan
Japanese star Shohei Otani is making the transition to the MLB this offseason and is one of the biggest prizes available. Scouts believe that the 23-year-old will be a star as either an everyday position player or as a pitcher. He is 41-15 with a 2.56 ERA in his career as a pitcher, but also has a .332/.403/.540 batting line with eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 65 games. The Yankees are one of the teams that hold the biggest international allotments this offseason, meaning they can offer him as much money as anyone else. Expect them to do just that.
2. Alex Cobb, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will be back with the team next season, but with CC Sabathia set to hit the open market, there's a good chance the Yankees could be trying to sign a starting pitcher this offseason. Sonny Gray, Jordan Montgomery, and Luis Severino are known to be key cogs in New York's rotation next season and they'd love to add Alex Cobb to that group. New York likes that Cobb has experience in the AL East, has been successful in the division, and would be a good bargain for a mid-rotation guy.
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3. Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals
The Yankees interest in Moustakas has already been reported. Chase Headley will be back, but he's not exactly a great option at third base. The Yankees have the payroll, though other teams will give chase for Moustakas as well. The Yankees could take themselves out of the running if they re-sign Todd Frazier. Still, the 29-year-old would be a huge addition for the Yankees. Coming off an All-Star year, Moustakas hit .272 with career-highs in homers (38) and RBIs (85).
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