Kyle Schwarber to the Yankees is a discussion seemingly every fan and pundit has had over the past few years, and now that he has been non-tendered by the Cubs, there’s an even bigger possibility that the slugger could spend at least a year in pinstripes (as discussed by Moose & Maggie in the open of Thursday’s show, available below).
He and Carlos Rodon, a power lefty who has struggled and could be worth a one-year arbitration flier, are the two sexy names that will come up, but here are three other non-tenders that could make sense whether or not the Yankees plan to be cost-conscious.
ARCHIE BRADLEY
Bradley would probably be No. 3 on the fans’ wish list from the non-tender list, and there’s really no need to squint to see how he fits; fans were upset on social media last year when the Reds got Bradley for a very slight return at the 2020 trade deadline, but now he’s available for just money.
The Yankees have Zach Britton and Aroldis Chapman at the back end and both Chad Green and Adam Ottavino in the middle, but need to replace Tommy Kahnle (something they realistically never did last year) and now Jonathan Holder after he was non-tendered.
Bradley was a consensus Top 100 prospect for five years and a league average starter for two before moving to the bullpen in 2017 in Arizona – and he has done nothing but excel since. Last season, he struggled early but was dominant after the trade to Cincinnati, allowing one earned run and pitching to a 0.522 WHIP in 7 2/3 innings. Before that, he pitched to a 2.95 ERA in three full seasons in the D-Backs’ pen, averaging more than 10 K/9 and notching 18 saves as a part-time closer in 2019.
The 28-year-old was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to make anywhere from $4.3 to $5.7 million based on their different projection levels (which are, in normal year, usually very close to accurate), so the Reds cut him loose. Even $4 million may be a little rich for the Yankees, but if they can find a way to deal Adam Ottavino as has been rumbled, could Bradley step right in as the seventh-inning weapon?
NOMAR MAZARA
Schwarber is the sexy outfield name, and Eddie Rosario and Adam Duvall are also big sluggers, but Mazara was a bit of a surprise non-tender by the White Sox and could be the better fit overall. The 25-year-old had a really down season in 2020 (.589 OPS, 15 RBI in 42 games) but averaged 20 homers and 77 RBI with an OPS in the mid-.700s in his first four full seasons, and is a lefty bat that can take advantage of the short porch. He’s also a better defensive outfielder than any of the other sexy non-tender names.
The potential issue here is salary and position; Mazara was projected for $5.6-$5.9 million, and he has been exclusively a right fielder the last two seasons. Yes, that’s good given Aaron Judge’s past injury history, but Mazara has never played center field (and left field in the AL East is rather difficult), and given the roster, the Yankees have a much cheaper option in Mike Tauchman and could also bring back Brett Gardner – who is better defensively and has a similar enough offensive profile, even at 37 – for similar money.
RYNE STANEK
Ah yes, the man who pretty much invented the concept of “the opener” in Tampa is now a free agent…and given the Yankees’ need to use the opener-bulk pitcher format in years past, why not take a shot?
Ryno was brutal in Miami last year, but in two-plus seasons with the Rays, he pitched to a 3.55 ERA in 142 innings with a 10.5 K/9, and as an opener, he has a 2.71 ERA and .192 batting average against. The best thing about Stanek, though, is that at a projected salary of $800K, he’s actually slightly cheaper than what Holder would have been, plus he has a minor-league option left and is only in his first arbitration year, so he could be kept under team control for two more years beyond 2021.
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