Monday, December 12, 2022

The abrupt shift in strategy if the Yankees were to suddenly chase Carlos Correa

Over the weekend, some top Gammonitic influencers suggested the Yankees might still chase the top free agent shortstops remaining on the dance floor. Specifically, that means Carlos Correa or Dabney Coleman Dansby Swanson. 

The big buzz came from Robert "Breathless Buster" Olney, who -on the subject of Correa - said he's "picking up a lot of vibes" that the  Yankees are "working on something big." 

Like, wow, "vibes? "Dude, that's way wicked cool. Icandigit. Canyoudigit? Icandigit.  

I don't mean to dis Buster, or, for that matter, Prince Hal, who - having re-signed Aaron Judge - still retains immunity from my otherwise righteous fan wrath...

But but BUT... a coupla things...

If Brian Cashman is really thinking of signing Carlos Correa: 

1. It'll come after the big SS horses, Trea Turner and Xander Bogaertes, left the corral. 

2. He'll need to eat all his past indignation over Houston's cheating.

3. He'll need to explain why he passed on Correa last winter, when the guy signed a one-year deal.

4. He'll be sorta roped into trading the Yankees' top SS prospects, Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza. That's a risky move, the kind Cash has been loathe to do. (Generally, he bundles second tier prospects.) 

5. He'll have less money for the real need: pitching, pitching, pitching...

Let's hope the vibes mean Carlos Rodon, the best pitcher on the market. The Yankees must once again outbid SF, and they're still spoiling over Judge. But surely, Olney heard something, and here is what I believe moved the vibes... 

The Yankees face a distinct existential threat in Mets owner Steve Cohen, (though his spending does have a Peter Angelos in 1995 quality to it.) Their hold on Gotham won't last forever. If they simply return the team that floundered throughout the second half and then flopped in October, it will be like running Herschel Walker again in 2028. 

The Mets aren't holding back. They could be vastly improved over last season, when they won more games (101 to 99) than the Yankees. Something big must happen. But a shortstop? That doesn't make sense.

19 comments:

Celerino Sanchez said...

A Correa signing would be equal to signing Ellsbury. A panic move designed to compete with the Mets for the back page of the NY papers.

Mildred Lopez said...


Cashman more likely to be chasing Chick Corea, who may not pass the physical because he has some overall "tightness", thus negating the deal. Hal is happy to put away his wallet and think of other, more vanilla things, Cashman tells the media he made what he thought was a "fair offer" to Corea but the Yankees' "medical" staff didn't clear him, and one of the best shortstops in the league takes his rightful place again on opening day.

The Archangel said...

If Yanks get Correa they may move him to 3B, or move Volpe or Peraza to 2B and trade Torres for a SP. Trade whomever does play 2B for a young LF, preferably a LH batter or SH.

I would be all aboard on that actually.

There would be lots of capable hitters to support young guys at 2B and LF and we would get a SP for Torres.
If Donaldson and/or Hicks could be traded for a mostly salary dump that would open the needed roster spot and maybe save 5-10 Mil or so.
We would have Nester, the Ace, a #3 SPS from that trade, Severino and a host of decent #5 starters from our 40man. Tallion replaced by new #3 and, I believe, an overall better team.

el duque said...

Interesting, Arch, and definitely reasonable.

One issue is whether they can get anything at all for the Higgs Boson (Hicks/Donaldson), and what they'll do if both return. I can't see Cashman waving them outright and paying their salaries on another team. They'll stay as bottlenecks - especially Donaldson, who might be done. (Could he reinvent himself without over-shifts?) We've still got DJ to play somewhere, and adding a star SS to the crowd - to me - it just doesn't make sense as best use of funds.

The Archangel said...

El D,

I would add the proven star SS. We don't have a proven SS now.
Keep the best kid, move him to 2B, trade other rookie and Torres while they are at the zenith of their marketability. Get a SP with several years left and a LF with many years left.
It would seem better than getting older guys like we usually do, whom you are paying for past stats and nearing their expiration date.
Get younger, faster and more athletic.
Correa wanted to come to the Yankees, so we might as well get someone who wants the big stage as opposed to Gallo, Benny and similar guys. Plus, he ain't exactly old!
If we sign him and then delete 10mil by dumping Donaldson or Hicks, Correa becomes less crazy expensive.

JM said...

I still don't believe Donaldson or Hicks are going anywhere. Cashman will fuck this up as usual.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Rodon first. But yeah, after that, I would definitely consider Correa, at least.

Trade Donaldson for lottery tix—if possible. Trade The Gleyber for what you can get. Put Oswaldo in left, and Oswald at second. IKF at third for now, while letting Volpe—who hit all of .249 in the minors last season—mature for another year.

If and when he's ready, bring Volpe up, and move Correa to third. Back-ups will be DJ and maybe IKF, both ready, willing, and able to play everywhere.

Worth a shot!


Carl J. Weitz said...

Everyone knows Donaldson is pretty much shot. So the chances of finding a bigger sucker than Cashman to take him off our hands is next to impossible even if we pay a decent portion of his salary. The only place Cashman can off load Donaldson is at the Elmer's Glue factory.

And now, for bigger questions in the universe, thumbs up or thumbs down for the finale of White Lotus???

BTR999 said...

Why would any team want Hicks or Donaldson at any price?
There’s no way the team will sign Correa.
Not sure if the team is really actively pursuing Rodin either.
I think the remainder of our moves will be fairly minor.

The Hammer of God said...

If we don't sign Correa, that's a good thing! I didn't want Correa a year ago, and there is zero need to change my opinion now. Put Peraza at SS and Cabrera at 2B. Peraza is supposed to be an elite defender. Take a chance on him and throw him in there. Trade Gleyber Torres for whatever you can get.

They should waive Donaldson, but the cheapskates have already said they intend to start him at 3B next year. All right, but they'll end up waiving him anyway when Donaldson is 0 for 280 with 180 strikeouts.

They should try to get Rodon, but I agree borntorun999. It's probably just fantasy. We'll get Rich Hill and maybe Ryan Yarbrough.

MJH said...

Nothing wrong with Dick Mountain - 42 year old crafty leftie with plenty left in the tank.

BTR999 said...

Dick Mountain? sounds like a porn movie

The Archangel said...

I think that Unknown is referring to Rich Hill, whom Cashman will equate to a "Mountain" rather than a "Mole-HILL." after he signs him.

The Archangel said...

Correa will play almost the entire 2023 season as a 28-yr.old.
Who ever gets him gets someone in their prime. Career .280 hitter with a .836 OPS. manageable amount of SO in this day and age. Plus ,he he makes other hitters better as he lengthens the lineup much better that Donaldson did.
Plug him in for 8 years and trade either Peraza or Volpe while their stock is high. Esp., with Yanks record on their MILB development. i.e., see Sanchez. Move one to 2B trade Torres for SP.

Correa at SS or 3B, Peraza at 2B, new starting P back for Torres. Trade Volpe for equally ranked young LF. Both Peraza and new LF would be low on salary totem pole for several years to offset Correa money. Instantly a better team.

BTR999 said...

I love seeing our prospects make it big in the majors. But...we...don't...really...know if they'll succeed, do we? I would be in favor of signing Correa and using one of the prospects as trade capital for a position of need.

ranger_lp said...

Michael Kay said the Yanks are working on something bigger that Rodon. He also said that they are not interested in Correa. All those roads point to Ohtani...

DickAllen said...


OH, that's just great. We'd win a lot of softball games in the regular season and flame out again against superior pitching.

Same as it ever was...

13bit said...

Got on board a westbound 747….

The Archangel said...

I'm under loved, I'm underfed, I wanna go home.