Aaron Boone, Brian Cashman in the Yankees moves before 2021

The Yankees list represents an incomplete puzzle according to Brian Cashman, who remains open to alterations and updates. However, in the collection of players who will have to appear at Spring Training, the veteran general manager once again sees the characteristics of a quality club. In the last two weeks, Cashman’s

The Yankees list represents an incomplete puzzle according to Brian Cashman, who remains open to alterations and updates. However, in the collection of players who will have to appear at Spring Training, the veteran general manager once again sees the characteristics of a quality club.

In the past two weeks, Cashman’s front office has reformed the roster, incorporating DJ LeMahieu, his coach, as he imported starting pitchers Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon, and then pulled off a rare trade with the Red Sox. An agreement with reliever Darren O’Day should be formally announced in the coming days.

“I’m not sure if the list is complete,” Cashman said. “At the same time, we are ready to continue with what we have. I think we have quality in all positions and we have depth in the initial rotation with additions like Taillon and Kluber. We are definitely excited about the current crew we have. “

While there is logistical uncertainty about spring training due to the pandemic, Cashman and manager Aaron Boone said they expect the camp to start on time, with pitchers and pickers scheduled to report to the George M camp. Steinbrenner of Tampa, Florida, in February. 16.

“We definitely feel like we’ve been one of the best teams and rightly so, we have championship expectations, which we’ll have again this year,” Boone said.

Cashman and Boone spoke to reporters via Zoom on various topics Friday afternoon. Here are five takeaways:

1. Health plan
‘Next Man Up’ has been the Yanks ’cry of concentration for more than two seasons, with injuries leading to a review of the club’s strength and conditioning programs last winter. Cashman said the team performed its due diligence Corey Kluber i Jameson Taillon, relying heavily on the input of player health and performance director Eric Cressey, who has worked extensively with Kluber for years.

“Hoping is definitely an appropriate word,” Cashman said. “We made the commitment because we believe that, despite the risk, it was a position worth taking. Now we will try this, for better or for worse. When placing a bet, we will count on the best than the worst, but I cannot rule out that there is a risk. I believe and I hope they have a positive impact. “

2. Insufficient balance
With changer Aaron Hicks, potentially the only Yanks starting player who can bat from the left side of the plate, Cashman said the team is still interested in opportunities to address this situation, though he said they have not found no one representing an update the current line. A meeting with Brett Gardner it is still possible.

“Obviously we’ve been a big fan of Brett for quite some time, and I think Brett has honored that assessment,” Cashman said. “He is a great Yankee. We’ll see how things transcend here over the next few weeks, but obviously it’s still on the board. At the moment I just have to add ”.

3. Goodbye, Masa (for now?)
Cashman and Boone threw verbal bouquets to the right Masahiro Tanaka, who returned to the Rakuten Eagles of Nippon professional baseball league this week, concluding his seven-year career with the Yankees. Cashman said the theory was “two for one,” as Kluber and Taillon cost roughly what Tanaka would have earned. Cashman called Tanaka “a huge competitor with class and dignity,” and did not rule out a possible return of Tanaka in the future.

“We are always open to evaluating the opportunities that present themselves,” Cashman said. “There are never closed doors, so to speak from my perspective. I wish him the best of luck and he will miss you. And it will be difficult to replace it at the same time. Our players related to him and for good reason. It was the top shelf.

4. What is Kraken?
Gary Sanchez recently told ESPN that he was confused about his lack of playing time during the 2020 postseason, when the safety receiver Kyle Higashioka he started five of the team’s seven games. Sanchez said he asked Boone for an explanation after the season ended, and they made the air clear in a conversation. Boone said Sanchez would probably have started the first game of the American League Championship Series if the Yanks had advanced.

“The postseason was a completely fluid situation,” Boone said. “I didn’t make any decisions to say,‘ Gary is on the bench. ’He would go home literally every night arguing and sleeping about who was going to start the next day. One of the reasons for that was how good he was. I think we’ve all seen how great a defender he is, but at that time of year I was also batting the game incredibly well and getting some power. “

5. Shipping
Adam Ottavino was part of the Yankees ’first deal with the Red Sox since 2014, exchanged in Boston with potential Frank Germán in exchange for a player being named or cash considerations. Cashman said his preference would have been to find another business partner, but the Red Sox offer the greatest financial flexibility, assuming they had to pay most of the $ 9 million Ottavino.

“[Ottavino] it was actually at Yankee Stadium when Cash completed the deal, had a pitching session and exercised, “Boone said.” It was there when Cash told him, and then he and I had a chance to to talk. It was a little weird. He is someone for whom I have great respect and he will be missed. It will be tough against us. “