The Athletic | Jim Bowden: ($) After this week’s GM meetings in Las Vegas, some of the Yankees’ offseason priorities are coming into focus. Perhaps most notable is that a reunion with free agent starter
Michael King, who the team shipped to San Diego as the centerpiece of the Juan Soto deal, is “a real possibility.” The Yankees are also among many in the mix for Tigers starter Tarik Skubal, who is the subject of trade rumors, free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker (the best hitter available), and Japanese corner infielder Munetaka Murakami. Several executives expressed surprise that New York extended the qualifying offer to Trent Grisham given his defensive regression and over-reliance on the long ball last season. If this consensus holds true throughout the game, he could be backed into accepting the one-year, $22.025 million deal, perhaps impacting the Yankees’ pursuit of Cody Bellinger and others.
ESPN | Multiple Contributors: Another post-GM meetings debrief, this one cataloguing insights about all 30 teams. Replacing or re-signing Bellinger or Grisham to join organizational incumbents Aaron Judge, Jasson Domínguez, and Spencer Jones in the outfield is priority number one for the Yankees. With Devin Williams and Luke Weaver hitting free agency, restocking the bullpen will be key as well. The team will likely want to add right-handed bats at catcher and/or first since all their options at both bat from the left side of the plate. And, with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt all expected to start the season on the IL, starting pitching depth will be on their radar too.
NJ.com | Bob Klapisch: After winning his third MVP, Aaron Judge drew the focus back to the one thing missing from his résumé. “I would trade every award and All-Star Game appearance to win one championship,” the Yankees captain said when reflecting on his defeat of Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh in a fairly close race for baseball’s highest individual honor. “Hopefully, next year will be the year. It’s my main focus. It’s why I’m trying to finish the job.” Klapisch encourages Yankees fans to compartmentalize the team’s inability to get to the mountaintop from their appreciation of its brightest star, since the 33-year-old’s peak won’t last forever.
