Yankees' January to-do list: What they still must do before spring training arrives

Before the Yankees’ executive crew exited MLB’s Winter Meetings, GM Brian Cashman said “we still have more work to do’’ before spring training.

In landing superstar Juan Soto and fellow lefty-hitting outfielder Alex Verdugo in trades, “we off-boarded pitching to make these deals,’’ Cashman said. “On-boarding pitching is going to be important.’’

Nearly a month later, the Yankees’ to-do list remains the same: Add pitching.

Having swung big, and missed, at coveted free agent starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees still have a glaring vacancy in their rotation.

Six weeks away from spring training, here’s where the Yankees could strike next:

Trade target: Shane Bieber

Among the name starters who might be on the move, let’s start with Cleveland Guardians’ right-hander Shane Bieber.

Heading into his free agent walk year, Bieber, 28, already has an AL Cy Young Award on the shelf (2020) and he’s had an excellent working relationship with Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake.

As a pitching instructor in Cleveland’s system, Blake had a hand in Bieber’s first All-Star season in 2019, which included an emphasis on using the curveball more frequently.

“Matt had a lot of ideas of how to add that to my repertoire and the pitch had a lot to do with the success I had,’’ Bieber told the New York Post right after the 2019 season.

Since 2019, Bieber – with a mainly four-pitch arsenal - has posted a 3.07 ERA (139 ERA plus) with 820 strikeouts over 716 innings and a 1.083 WHIP.

Other potential Yankees trade targets

Even after trading several young starters – including Michael King, the key to the Soto deal – the Yankees have the inventory to make another big deal.

But it might take more than they’re willing to give to land the Milwaukee Brewers’ ace Corbin Burnes, also entering his free agent walk year, or one of the Miami Marilns’ controllable young arms such as Jesus Luzardo.

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Another subject of trade conversation, the Chicago White Sox’s Dylan Cease, 28, has two more seasons of team control.

Cease has averaged 32 starts per season over the past three years, including a runner-up Cy Young Award season in 2022.

But he’s coming off a rough 2023, with a 4.58 ERA, and his high walk totals (he has twice led the league in that category) are something to consider.

Jordan Montgomery and the free agent field

As a Scott Boras client, it’s no surprise that Jordan Montgomery’s free agency has moved into the new year.

Plenty of clubs could use Montgomery in their rotation, including the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers, the team he just helped guide to their first world championship.

Montgomery’s market timing is great here, and the Yankees’ is not.

And that parting shot of Montgomery not being in the Yanks’ 2022 postseason rotation plans, when they traded him to St. Louis for now ex-Yankee center fielder Harrison Bader, still echoes.

Even at Carlos Rodon prices (six years, $162 million), at least Montgomery is a known quantity, comfortable in pinstripes and a popular figure in the Bronx.

With two Cy Young Awards on the shelf, the more-expensive free agent lefty Blake Snell (also a Boras client) hasn’t much been linked to Yankees interest, either before or after their pursuit of Yamamoto.

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Starter or reliever? One intriguing target

Perhaps the most intriguing available free agent is Yariel Rodriguez.

After the World Baseball Classic last March, the Cuban right-hander did not pitch in 2023, and there’s division on whether he best profiles as an MLB starter or reliever.

The Yankees have been among several clubs interested in Rodriguez, who auditioned for MLB scouts in the Dominican Republic. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently reported that the Toronto Blue Jays were in active pursuit of Rodriguez.

Based on the Yankees’ recent bullpen construction strategy, it would be a departure to spend lavishly on lefty closer Josh Hader, even with his big strikeout rates and an All-Star pedigree.

Is Robert Stephenson’s breakout 42-game showing with the Tampa Bay Rays enough to warrant a multi-year investment?

How big of a risk is hard-throwing Jordan Hicks, with a big arm and a history of injuries?

Cashman has already addressed some areas of the bullpen with signings and trades, and there are pitchers – such as Scott Effross – coming back from injury who could bolster the bullpen.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees to-do list for roster before spring training 2024