Yankees' potential trade targets, free agency news heading into MLB Winter Meetings 2023

It’s been eight weeks since the Yankees’ crashing disappointment of a season ended, with little in the way of sizzle.

Well, there was Brian Cashman’s defensive stance at the General Managers meetings, followed by owner Hal Steinbrenner’s promise to be “active, as we always are, in the free agent/trade market.’’

Those targets should be more defined as MLB’s Winter Meetings begin Monday at Nashville, Tenn., with the sprawling Opryland Resort hosting baseball’s annual four-day bazaar.

As an offseason strategy, the Yankees – as usual - have the board covered in possibilities, yet their willingness to spend excessively both in dollars and coveted prospects remains to be seen.

State of the Yankees: Who's on the hot seat?

This is a critical offseason for the Yankees, coming off their first playoff miss since 2016 and approaching the 15th anniversary of their last World Series appearance.

Ticket prices have increased, and the overall product has been mediocre since mid-2022.

Cashman, his front office lieutenants, and manager Aaron Boone are squarely on the hot seat, and Steinbrenner faces the prospect of having to commit tens of millions more to right the ship.

Yankees' winter needs: What are their top priorities?

Left-handed hitting outfielders

This was an unfulfilled need last winter, and Cashman has already stated a desire to add two lefty-hitting outfielders to a club that received next-to-no production from left field.

The status of promising rookie Jasson Dominguez’s status (he’s expected back by July, following elbow surgery) might only require a short-term solution in center field.

But the Yankees desperately need an impact lefty bat at the heart of a lineup that ranked 25th among all MLB clubs in runs scored and 24th in OPS last season.

Another frontline starter

You’d have thought last year’s addition of $162 million free agent Carlos Rodon to serve as Gerrit Cole’s wingman might have suppressed this need heading into 2024.

But injuries, ineffectiveness, and some disconcerting episodes (providing a sense that he might not be built for New York) dotted Rodon’s inaugural Bronx season.

In 2023, the Yanks posted a 69.7 winning percentage in games started by Cole (the unanimous AL Cy Young Award winner) and a 45.7 winning percentage the rest of the time.

Left-handed relief

Perhaps a reunion with Wandy Peralta is possible.

But even then, the Yankees’ overly right-handed bullpen could really use another strong left-handed presence.

In recent seasons, the bullpen has been a consistent strength, but injuries began piling up late in the year, inviting the possibility of winter reinforcements (preferably left-handed).

Yankees' potential free-agent targets

Cody Bellinger, OF-1B

The lefty-hitting, former MVP would fill the Yankees’ most pressing need, following his bounce-back season with the Chicago Cubs.

Bellinger, 28, is also a solid, versatile defender, though his deep three-year slide following shoulder surgery is something to ponder before making a $200 million-plus commitment.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, RHP

He’s only 25, he’s got dynamic stuff, the Yankees have closely followed his career in Japan, and he’s not lacking for suitors in a market heavy with starters.

By all accounts, Yamamoto’s contract will exceed $200 million, with a posting fee tacked on. His signing, and the addition of an impact lefty bat, should improve season ticket sales.

Jung-Hoo Lee, OF

Due to be posted by his Korea Baseball Organization team, the 25-year-old lefty hitting center fielder is celebrated for his high contact/low strikeout rate, and his outfield defense.

Plenty of clubs have interest, though there’s always a question about how even a .340 hitter in the KBO might profile against MLB pitching. He's coming off season-ending surgery for a fractured ankle.

Yuki Matsui, LHP

Might the Yankees play on free-agent closer Josh Hader if they miss on some other big-ticket targets?

Matsui, 28, a star closer from Japan (and not subjected to the posting system) has been scouted by the Yankees and provides a reasonable target for a setup role.

Kevin Kiermaier, OF

Entering his age-34 season, the lefty-hitting veteran of the heated Rays-Yankees wars remains a superior defensive center fielder and could be a solid addition on a short-term deal.

Shota Imanaga, LHP

Missing on Yamamoto might send the Yankees into the trade market or lead them toward this 30-year-old lefty starter noted for his excellent control, low ERA, high strikeout rate and a wide arsenal. He’s expected to be posted by Japan’s Yokohama BayStars.

Shohei Ohtani, DH-RHP

The current payroll situation, last winter’s massive Aaron Judge contract, and Giancarlo Stanton’s DH presence has clouded any pinstriped pursuit of the game’s most dynamic player.

Add in Ohtani’s recent elbow surgery (he won’t pitch until 2025), plus Jeff Passan’s report that the Yanks are not believed to be in the mix for Ohtani, and a union here seems a longshot.

But the Yankees’ past interest, their resources, and Ohtani’s superstar status suggest the never-say-never rule applies.

Yankees' potential trade chips

Having lost Luis Severino and Frankie Montas to free agency, the Yankees still have controllable starting pitching to offer, beginning with Clarke Schmidt.

Michael King’s anticipated transition to the rotation might make him more untouchable, but there are close-to-MLB ready arms in Chase Hampton, Drew Thorpe and Will Warren – all top-10 rated Yankees prospects per MLB Pipeline - who could be part of an impact trade.

Oswald Peraza’s presence could make Gleyber Torres, entering his free agent walk year, expendable in the right deal, though it’s difficult to see the value of such a trade.

With an excess of catching to offer, Kyle Higashioka and Ben Rortvedt might net some minor league depth.

Let's make a deal with...

San Diego Padres

Juan Soto’s status as an expensive, elite hitter entering his free-agent walk year (at age 26) will keep the Padres busy.

If he’s truly available, a Soto trade requires key prospects and controllable big-league pieces moving to San Diego and includes the issue of how to secure him for the long term.

Ballpark figure? In 2022, Soto turned down a $440 million offer by the Washington Nationals.

St. Louis Cardinals

Having aggressively signed three free-agent starters (led by Sonny Gray) ahead of these meetings, St. Louis might now be active in trade discussions for its outfield surplus.

The Yankees have previously been tied to interest in switch-hitting Dylan Carlson, 25, a versatile defender and former first-round draft pick whose performance has slipped since 2021.

Milwaukee Brewers

Eligible for free agency after the 2024 season, Corbin Burnes’ status will invite more speculation about the Brewers’ winter strategy.

Any club that misses on Yamamoto might pivot toward conversations for Burnes, a true frontline starter and a workhorse at age 29.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees trades, free agency rumors ahead of MLB Winter Meetings