Go big or go home.
That’s how some teams approach MLB free agency, including the New York Yankees, who are just two years removed from handing ace Gerrit Cole a record-setting nine-year, $324 million contract.
Expect general manager Brian Cashman to do some more spending this winter, according to SNY MLB insider John Harper, who predicts the Yankees will sign free-agent shortstop Corey Seager.
Carlos Correa is a better shortstop defensively, but the Yankees’ need for a strong left-handed bat makes Seager the perfect fit. In addition, scouts see him moving to third base eventually, which could work well in the Bronx if the organization’s two highly-regarded shortstop prospects -- Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza -- continue to develop as the Yankees hope.
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But that’s not all. Harper sees Cashman taking a chance on former Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander.
If Hal Steinbrenner is in go-for-it mode ... Verlander could help put the Yankees over the top as he returns from Tommy John surgery. The two-time Cy Young winner was an important influence on Gerrit Cole when they were together in Houston, and that could be a good reason as well after Cole finished the season in a funk.
What about first baseman Anthony Rizzo, you ask? Harper thinks the left-handed slugger will be packing his bags and signing with the Yankees South, aka the Miami Marlins.
He’s a good fit in the Bronx, but if the Yankees do sign a shortstop, it makes sense to slide DJ Lemahieu to first base. And at age 32, with his offense showing signs of decline, Rizzo will be looking for a bigger deal than Brian Cashman’s analytics team will deem worthy.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
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