I Want To Believe... But I Can't: The Official 2023 New York Yankees Off-season Thread
- Thread starter tremonthustler1
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Some Mailbag questions on The Athletic:
Is there actually a chance Anthony Volpe could start at SS opening day, barring injuries? The Yankees made it seem like he’d be given a fair shot, but I cannot foresee any situation that he starts. — Jonathan B.
Volpe has been nothing short of outstanding this spring. His hit tool has been fully on display. His baseball IQ, for being just 21, has already shown itself on defense and on the basepaths. Importantly, the leaders inside the clubhouse, Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo and Gerrit Cole, have all been impressed with Volpe’s ability, poise and how he carries himself. Not that this part matters to the equation of whether he can play or not, but he’s also extremely gregarious with the old Yankees who’ve been in camp, like Willie Randolph. From talking with Volpe this spring, I can confidently say that he’s going to become a fan favorite because he’s truly in that Derek Jeter/Judge mold of how they carry themselves. I mean, he’s already beloved to those who closely watch spring training but for those fans who don’t tune in until the regular season, they will be impressed when his time comes.
But I would be stunned — absolutely stunned — if Volpe is the Opening Day starter at shortstop. There’s no question Volpe has owned spring training, and he has as good of an argument as anyone on the Yankees about being the team’s best player so far. The issue is it’s such a small sample size to actually make important decisions like this one when he has just 99 at-bats in Triple A and didn’t necessarily light it up at that level. He’s not on the 40-man roster, so the Yankees would have to make a corresponding roster move. It’s also the antithesis of how the Yankees usually operate.
Before the Yankees elevate one of their top prospects to the big leagues, they almost always do so with that player having enough seasoning in the minor leagues. Volpe doesn’t have that just yet. But I do think it’s possible that he could get called up before the summer starts.
If Volpe is truly as good as he’s been in spring, he could be an immediate difference maker that would help the Yankees close the gap with the Astros. — Kirschner
In your opinion as a beat writer, do Volpe and (Jasson) Dominguez look like they could start in Yankee Stadium on March 30? — Josh H.
There’s a difference between looking the part, actually being able to play the part and whether there are spots for Volpe and Dominguez in the Bronx. Let’s start with Volpe: Yes, I feel the 21-year-old would be capable of playing in the majors on Opening Day. All-around, he has impressed. And he’s done it while bouncing between his natural position of shortstop and second base. As for Dominguez, who just turned 20? He’s been every bit as unflappable and impressive as Volpe. But he’s played just five games above A ball and there’s less of an obvious path to the majors for him. There’s an obvious need in the Bronx for a shortstop, and Volpe fits the bill. While the Yankees could use a left fielder, Dominguez has never played there during the season and would need more game reps. (No, Dominguez shouldn’t be in the conversation yet as the stand-in for center fielder Harrison Bader, who’s slated to start the season on the IL. — Kuty
The Martian is hitting better than any outfielder not named Aaron Judge this preseason. (He’s been) getting at-bats against likely minor-league pitching, but so are others. Is the plan to give him lots of innings at Triple A in left field? — Steve T.
No. Dominguez will start the season at Double-A Somerset, where he’ll be the everyday center fielder. He might play some left field to begin priming him, but it’s unlikely he’ll get much of a run at the position until the Yankees see him as an obvious call-up candidate, and that’s unlikely to happen until he actually spends time at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. So, yes, you’re right: Dominguez has looked very good — and he has the numbers to back it up. But it’s going to be a little bit before Mars attacks. — Kuty
Is there actually a chance Anthony Volpe could start at SS opening day, barring injuries? The Yankees made it seem like he’d be given a fair shot, but I cannot foresee any situation that he starts. — Jonathan B.
Volpe has been nothing short of outstanding this spring. His hit tool has been fully on display. His baseball IQ, for being just 21, has already shown itself on defense and on the basepaths. Importantly, the leaders inside the clubhouse, Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo and Gerrit Cole, have all been impressed with Volpe’s ability, poise and how he carries himself. Not that this part matters to the equation of whether he can play or not, but he’s also extremely gregarious with the old Yankees who’ve been in camp, like Willie Randolph. From talking with Volpe this spring, I can confidently say that he’s going to become a fan favorite because he’s truly in that Derek Jeter/Judge mold of how they carry themselves. I mean, he’s already beloved to those who closely watch spring training but for those fans who don’t tune in until the regular season, they will be impressed when his time comes.
But I would be stunned — absolutely stunned — if Volpe is the Opening Day starter at shortstop. There’s no question Volpe has owned spring training, and he has as good of an argument as anyone on the Yankees about being the team’s best player so far. The issue is it’s such a small sample size to actually make important decisions like this one when he has just 99 at-bats in Triple A and didn’t necessarily light it up at that level. He’s not on the 40-man roster, so the Yankees would have to make a corresponding roster move. It’s also the antithesis of how the Yankees usually operate.
Before the Yankees elevate one of their top prospects to the big leagues, they almost always do so with that player having enough seasoning in the minor leagues. Volpe doesn’t have that just yet. But I do think it’s possible that he could get called up before the summer starts.
If Volpe is truly as good as he’s been in spring, he could be an immediate difference maker that would help the Yankees close the gap with the Astros. — Kirschner
In your opinion as a beat writer, do Volpe and (Jasson) Dominguez look like they could start in Yankee Stadium on March 30? — Josh H.
There’s a difference between looking the part, actually being able to play the part and whether there are spots for Volpe and Dominguez in the Bronx. Let’s start with Volpe: Yes, I feel the 21-year-old would be capable of playing in the majors on Opening Day. All-around, he has impressed. And he’s done it while bouncing between his natural position of shortstop and second base. As for Dominguez, who just turned 20? He’s been every bit as unflappable and impressive as Volpe. But he’s played just five games above A ball and there’s less of an obvious path to the majors for him. There’s an obvious need in the Bronx for a shortstop, and Volpe fits the bill. While the Yankees could use a left fielder, Dominguez has never played there during the season and would need more game reps. (No, Dominguez shouldn’t be in the conversation yet as the stand-in for center fielder Harrison Bader, who’s slated to start the season on the IL. — Kuty
The Martian is hitting better than any outfielder not named Aaron Judge this preseason. (He’s been) getting at-bats against likely minor-league pitching, but so are others. Is the plan to give him lots of innings at Triple A in left field? — Steve T.
No. Dominguez will start the season at Double-A Somerset, where he’ll be the everyday center fielder. He might play some left field to begin priming him, but it’s unlikely he’ll get much of a run at the position until the Yankees see him as an obvious call-up candidate, and that’s unlikely to happen until he actually spends time at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. So, yes, you’re right: Dominguez has looked very good — and he has the numbers to back it up. But it’s going to be a little bit before Mars attacks. — Kuty
It seems the Braves, Guardians, Rays are the exceptions in promoting some players with minimal Triple A experience and/or giving extensions to high-ceiling young players. The Yankees never do this. I get the player control angle and that there’s a risk-reward calculation for extending mostly unproven young players, but wouldn’t the Yankees be able to absorb that risk more so than Cleveland and Tampa, in particular? — Anonymous
Yeah, the Yankees can absorb a bigger risk than the Guardians and Rays when it comes to giving out pricey contract extensions simply because they’re a higher-revenue team. The Yankees do always have to worry about tax penalties though, unlike Cleveland and Tampa. That’s likely one reason why the Yankees tend to avoid those pre-arbitration extensions. They did buy out Luis Severino’s arbitration years by giving him a four-year, $40 million extension when it looked like he was on the verge of becoming an ace. But for the most part, the Yankees operate in wait-and-see mode. Sometimes, it costs them a fortune like it did with Judge this past winter.
I certainly sense the frustration in not calling up prospects earlier when other teams have had success. The Astros, the bane of the Yankees’ existence since 2017, replaced Carlos Correa with rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña, who also happened to be the MVP of both the American League Championship Series and the World Series this season. — Kirschner
Why don’t we see more stories discussing how poor the Yankees have been at developing players — and starting pitching in particular? Since 2000, outside of (Alfonso) Soriano, (Robinson) Cano, (Aaron) Judge and (Luis) Severino, who are the above-average position (players) and starters they have produced? That’s over two decades! — Sean M.
The Yankees haven’t developed quite as many stars as other clubs, but you’re also leaving a lot out. Sure, there have been failures — the disappointment of most of the Baby Bombers comes to mind. But then there’s been Phil Hughes, Brett Gardner, David Robertson, Dellin Betances and others. The starting rotation has been a particularly difficult place for the Yankees to develop talent. That’s something the organization is keenly aware of. Other franchises have clearly coveted the Yankees’ pitching talent in recent years, though. The Yankees did trade seven pitching prospects at the deadline in 2022. In 2021, they traded away four pitching prospects at the deadline. — Kuty
Yeah, the Yankees can absorb a bigger risk than the Guardians and Rays when it comes to giving out pricey contract extensions simply because they’re a higher-revenue team. The Yankees do always have to worry about tax penalties though, unlike Cleveland and Tampa. That’s likely one reason why the Yankees tend to avoid those pre-arbitration extensions. They did buy out Luis Severino’s arbitration years by giving him a four-year, $40 million extension when it looked like he was on the verge of becoming an ace. But for the most part, the Yankees operate in wait-and-see mode. Sometimes, it costs them a fortune like it did with Judge this past winter.
I certainly sense the frustration in not calling up prospects earlier when other teams have had success. The Astros, the bane of the Yankees’ existence since 2017, replaced Carlos Correa with rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña, who also happened to be the MVP of both the American League Championship Series and the World Series this season. — Kirschner
Why don’t we see more stories discussing how poor the Yankees have been at developing players — and starting pitching in particular? Since 2000, outside of (Alfonso) Soriano, (Robinson) Cano, (Aaron) Judge and (Luis) Severino, who are the above-average position (players) and starters they have produced? That’s over two decades! — Sean M.
The Yankees haven’t developed quite as many stars as other clubs, but you’re also leaving a lot out. Sure, there have been failures — the disappointment of most of the Baby Bombers comes to mind. But then there’s been Phil Hughes, Brett Gardner, David Robertson, Dellin Betances and others. The starting rotation has been a particularly difficult place for the Yankees to develop talent. That’s something the organization is keenly aware of. Other franchises have clearly coveted the Yankees’ pitching talent in recent years, though. The Yankees did trade seven pitching prospects at the deadline in 2022. In 2021, they traded away four pitching prospects at the deadline. — Kuty
Does a trade of middle infielders for pitching help seem more likely and who may be available? — Phil B.
I wouldn’t say it seems more likely. Considering how good Anthony Volpe has looked, it could give the Yankees more motivation to trade either Isiah Kiner-Falefa or Torres. But I think both of those players were on the trading block before spring training began. If the Twins were to fall out of contention, Pablo López could pique the Yankees’ interest again. The Yankees talked to the Marlins about a potential deal for López last trade deadline, and then this offseason, Miami sent him to Minnesota. The Yankees would love to get their hands on the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes, but so would everybody. What about Luis Giolito of the White Sox? He’ll be a free agent at the end of the season. — Kuty
What do you think is the Yankees’ long-term plan at third base? Even if they’re being honest that they think Donaldson can bounce back (I’m skeptical, to put it politely), he’s 37 and a free agent after this season. Does LeMahieu become the everyday third baseman instead of the super-utility role? Does one of Peraza or Volpe profile well if they were to switch to third? Or maybe if Cabrera can hit like he did toward the end of last season, does he move into that position? — Mac Q.
Donaldson certainly isn’t the future. This will be his final season in The Bronx. LeMahieu is under contract for three more years but I think the Yankees will be very cautious with his workload. I see him staying in the super-utility role that he’s in now. I don’t think Cabrera will end up at third base long term. Manny Machado would have been the perfect free agent target for the Yankees but he signed an extension with the Padresearlier this month. There’s not a prospect in the Yankees’ farm system that projects as a long-term viable option at third. Andres Chapparo has popped with his bat this spring but he might be more of a first baseman in the big leagues. I think both Volpe and Peraza could handle third if needed but I also don’t think that’s their best position long term.
There’s a Japanese superstar third baseman, Munetaka Murakami, who’s 22 and will be posted after the 2025 season. He slashed .318/.458/.711 with 56 home runs last season and is widely considered the best professional hitter not in the major leagues.
That’s the guy the Yankees should have their eyes on as their future third baseman. — Kirschner
I wouldn’t say it seems more likely. Considering how good Anthony Volpe has looked, it could give the Yankees more motivation to trade either Isiah Kiner-Falefa or Torres. But I think both of those players were on the trading block before spring training began. If the Twins were to fall out of contention, Pablo López could pique the Yankees’ interest again. The Yankees talked to the Marlins about a potential deal for López last trade deadline, and then this offseason, Miami sent him to Minnesota. The Yankees would love to get their hands on the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes, but so would everybody. What about Luis Giolito of the White Sox? He’ll be a free agent at the end of the season. — Kuty
What do you think is the Yankees’ long-term plan at third base? Even if they’re being honest that they think Donaldson can bounce back (I’m skeptical, to put it politely), he’s 37 and a free agent after this season. Does LeMahieu become the everyday third baseman instead of the super-utility role? Does one of Peraza or Volpe profile well if they were to switch to third? Or maybe if Cabrera can hit like he did toward the end of last season, does he move into that position? — Mac Q.
Donaldson certainly isn’t the future. This will be his final season in The Bronx. LeMahieu is under contract for three more years but I think the Yankees will be very cautious with his workload. I see him staying in the super-utility role that he’s in now. I don’t think Cabrera will end up at third base long term. Manny Machado would have been the perfect free agent target for the Yankees but he signed an extension with the Padresearlier this month. There’s not a prospect in the Yankees’ farm system that projects as a long-term viable option at third. Andres Chapparo has popped with his bat this spring but he might be more of a first baseman in the big leagues. I think both Volpe and Peraza could handle third if needed but I also don’t think that’s their best position long term.
There’s a Japanese superstar third baseman, Munetaka Murakami, who’s 22 and will be posted after the 2025 season. He slashed .318/.458/.711 with 56 home runs last season and is widely considered the best professional hitter not in the major leagues.
That’s the guy the Yankees should have their eyes on as their future third baseman. — Kirschner
tremonthustler1
aka bx_representer
holidayinn21
:SmugMoneyMike:
Seriously, Hicks and this bum have done nothing to earn a roster spot, much less start on opening day
Cashman is one of the most reactive, laziest GM's I've ever seen
VegetasHairline
Veteran
thelonious21
I like my women tall
They not ready for that thread title 
tremonthustler1
aka bx_representer
Even the most pessimistic person wouldn’t have expected Donaldson’s decline to fall off a cliff like this.
Unfortunately the Yankees have few options. They probably live with Donaldson at 3B, hoping he is still solid defensively. Then play LeMahieu at 3B later in the season.
Yankees now worth an MLB-leading $7.1 billion as team values keep rising
Team values increased about 12% over last year across Major League Baseball.
The Yankees still top the list and are now worth $7.1 billion. That’s up 18% from last year.
VegetasHairline
Veteran
g-ice
aka #DiamondNightmare
VegetasHairline
Veteran
April fools