The Athletic | Ken Rosenthal & Will Sammon: ($) In a roundup of where many clubs stand as the offseason moves into January, Rosenthal and Sammon report that the Yankees are focused on adding a starter
via the trade market. GM Brian Cashman has talked with the Marlins about Edward Cabrera and the Brewers about Freddy Peralta. He’s also reportedly scouring the bargain bin for bullpen help, while his top priority remains re-signing outfielder Cody Bellinger. Cashman has checked in on former Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, but his signing would need to be accompanied by a move of either third baseman Ryan McMahon or second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., as the Yankees do not view Bichette as a viable shortstop moving forward.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: After a slow start to the offseason for the Yankees, Cashman is still actively engaged in the free agent market, waiting out the super-agent whose clients include Bellinger. “Scott Boras has a very deep roster of players he’s looking to place,” Cashman said. “How and when he strategically decides to do that — we just stay in touch with the marketplace and see where that takes him, and therefore us.” The Yankees have reportedly made multiple offers to the outfielder, who is also being courted by teams including his two other former clubs, the Cubs and Dodgers. A reunion with Bellinger would allow the Yankees to keep Jasson Domínguez, who had a promising but uneven rookie campaign, in reserve instead of relying on him to start every day.
MLB Trade Rumors | Mark Polishuk: The Yankees signed two free agents to minor league contracts back in December, as noted on the club’s transactions page. Adam Kloffenstein, a right-hander who pitched one MLB inning with the Cardinals in 2024, posted a 6.26 ERA in 82 innings with the Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate last year, his age-24 season. Payton Henry is a 28-year-old catcher who appeared in 20 games with the Marlins in 2021 and 2022. He’s bounced around the minors since then, including posting a .738 in 269 plate appearances with the Phillies’ Triple-A squad last year. Kloffenstein’s deal includes a spring training invite (it’s unclear if Henry’s does as well).
MLB.com | Todd Zolecki: The Phillies officially announced the hiring of Don Mattingly as their new bench coach on Monday, confirming what had been intimated by president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski last month. Mattingly’s son, Preston, currently serves as Philadelphia’s GM, creating a unique chain of command within the organization. The former Yankee captain most recently served as the Blue Jays’ bench coach last season during their run to the World Series. Mattingly previously managed for the Dodgers and Marlins after coaching for the Yankees from 2004-2007.
