Decisions, decisions
After the Yankees were knocked out of the ALDS by the Red Sox a year ago, general manager Brian Cashman summed up the season this way: “We want teams that are not forgotten. And the only way to do that is to be the last team standing and raising a championship flag.”
They came up short again this season, falling two wins short of the World Series. Now, the process starts of preparing for 2020, when the Yankees will continue with their pursuit of their first title since 2009.
No matter what they do, the team will look differently as the Yankees will have to make decisions about several free agents. Here’s a look at what they could do:
DELLIN BETANCES
The right-hander seemed to be in line for a lucrative, multi-year deal when he got to spring training a year away from his first free agency. But instead of following in the footsteps of fellow elite relievers such as current teammate Adam Ottavino and ex-teammate David Robertson, Betances had a wildly unfortunate season. Sidelined during the spring by a right shoulder impingement, Betances then suffered a strained lat. He finally returned Sept. 15 and looked like his old self in an appearance in Toronto, but he suffered a freak Achilles injury as he left the mound, ending his season. Betances figures to be able to avoid surgery, but he is still much more of a question mark on the market than he would have been if he’d stayed healthy.
AROLDIS CHAPMAN
Chapman can opt out of the final two years of his contract this offseason. He’s owed $30 million, and despite the season-ending homer he allowed to Jose Altuve in the ALCS, the left-hander had a fantastic year. He figures to be able to get more years and money if he decides to become a free agent, but the free-agent market for relievers can be tough, and Chapman will turn 32 in February and has dealt with injuries in the past.
EDWIN ENCARNACION
Encarnacion has had an interesting time with the Yankees. He was an absolute force at times and suffered two key injuries — a fractured wrist and a strained oblique. When he was healthy, Encarnacion was as good a hitter as the Yankees had, but he had a horrific postseason after returning from the oblique injury. After a shaky series against the Twins in the ALDS, Encarnacion went 1-for-18 with 11 strikeouts in the ALCS versus the Astros. Encarnacion is due $20 million next season, but the Yankees could buy him out for $5 million and they already have plenty of right-handed power.
BRETT GARDNER
Gardner (right) enters the offseason the same way he entered it last year: Not knowing what his future holds. He ended up back in The Bronx and when he arrived in spring training, even Gardner wasn’t sure what his role would be. But while injuries sidetracked other outfielders like Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton — not to mention Jacoby Ellsbury — Gardner had his best season in years. He also was one of the lone left-handed bats in their lineup. With CC Sabathia headed to retirement, Gardner’s presence in the clubhouse could be even greater moving forward if he were to return.
CORY GEARRIN
The right-hander didn’t make the postseason roster, but he appeared in 18 games after coming over from Seattle.
DIDI GREGORIUS
The shortstop admitted he had no idea what to expect after the season ended. Coming off Tommy John surgery, Gregorius returned in June, but had his least productive season at the plate since his first year with the Yankees in 2015. He played a solid shortstop, but never found a rhythm at the plate. That figures to cost him this offseason and he could still end up back in The Bronx. The Yankees could slide Gleyber Torres over to short if they decide to let Gregorius sign elsewhere, but Torres wouldn’t be a natural fit, so they might have to find another free agent to take Gregorius’ spot.
CAMERON MAYBIN
Not much was made of the acquisition of Maybin, who was in the minors with Cleveland when the Yankees’ injury woes forced Cashman to find a replacement quickly. Maybin was fantastic for the Yankees after his arrival, but was bothered by a left wrist injury the latter part of the season.
AUSTIN ROMINE
The longtime backup catcher is a well-respected presence in the clubhouse and was productive at the plate. Still, Romine figures to be able to get a multi-year deal somewhere, and the Yankees could opt to go the cheaper route and use Kyle Higashioka as Gary Sanchez’s fill in.
CC SABATHIA
Any thought the lefty might change his mind and come back for one more season was effectively erased when he suffered a separated shoulder during his final appearance out of the bullpen against the Astros in the ALCS.