MLB Rumors: Yankees Among 'Most Aggressive Teams' Eyeing Relievers at GM Meetings
November 6, 2024
The New York Yankees are "among the most aggressive" MLB clubs pursuing free-agent relievers during this week's annual General Managers Meetings in San Antonio, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported.
The Yankees have so far worked on shoring up their starting rotation, as general manager Brian Cashman spent "much of Saturday" negotiating starter Gerrit Cole's return to the roster, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Cashman will now turn to rebuilding the Yankees bullpen, which could lose Tim Hill, Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle this winter. The trio became free agents following the team's elimination by the Los Angeles Dodgers from Game 5 of the 2024 World Series.
Tanner Scott, who is coming off of an All-Star season split between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres, is hitting free agency after ranking in the 100th percentile with an average exit velocity of 84.3 miles per hour.
The Yankees were one of the teams interested in Scott at the 2024 trade deadline, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. He would be one of the more expensive options on the market, as Spotrac expects him to ink a deal in the range of four years and $65 million.
Another All-Star in Jeff Hoffman, who earned the nod last season with the Philadelphia Phillies, is hitting the market this winter after posting a 2.17 ERA in 66.1 innings. He is projected to earn a two-year, $12 million contract by Spotrac.
The Yankees could alternatively decide to pursue a reliever via trade if Cashman is not able to fill in the bullpen on the open market.
Two relievers expected to hit the trade block this winter are the Milwaukee Brewers' Devin Williams and the St. Louis Cardinals' Ryan Helsley. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, executives believe both are on the market.
Williams recorded a 1.25 ERA, striking out 38 and recording 11 walks in 21 2/3 innings through 22 games after returning from a back injury. He is expected to make around $8 million in his final season of arbitration, per Passan.
Helsley, who set a franchise record by recording 49 saves in 65 games for the Cardinals last season, is meanwhile expected to net around $7 million in arbitration, Passan reported.
Trades resumed on Oct. 31, while free agency officially began on Nov. 4. The Yankees will be making moves, one way or another, to revamp their bullpen while working on negotiations with star free agent Juan Soto.
