The Yankees’ end-of-season press conferences didn’t bring any bombshell player news, like Didi Gregorius needing Tommy John surgery a few years ago, but we did get some updates on injured players, pending free agents, coaches who may or may not be back, and more:
DJ LEMAHIEU
The Yankees’ Gold Glover missed the entirety of the playoffs and was compromised much of the season due to a foot injury that manifested itself in his toe, and as of Friday, it was still being determined whether he would need surgery or would go for a more conservative rehab route.
“We’re still unknown on surgery. That’s something that’s in front of DJ right now as the specialists walk through the best course of action,” Aaron Boone said.
ANTHONY RIZZO
Brian Cashman noted on Carton & Roberts Friday afternoon that he thinks Rizzo will “probably” opt out of his deal because “like all players, he wants to acquire as much guaranteed money as possible,” but
“Rizzo may be a formality, but we’re going through our pro scouting meetings this week. Really impactful for us and did a great job, and we’d love to have him playing first base for us going forward. That will declare itself, and we’ll stay engaged if it’s an opt-out.”
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LUIS SEVERINO
The Yankees have a team option on Severino, who had a 3.18 ERA in 102 innings last season, and Cashman flat out said he expects that option to be picked up.
“Yes. I haven’t talked to anyone about it yet, but he’s a really impactful pitcher.”
AARON HICKS
He’s currently down for six-to-eight weeks because of a knee injury suffered in the ALDS, but Hicks is still under contract for three more years.
Cashman will “never talk about players who may or may not be on the market,” and said only this of Aaron’s future:
“He’s signed to a deal. He unfortunately got hurt in the postseason. He got the chance when Andrew Benintendi went down and he was going to be in position to impact things in the postseason, but he’ll be back and healthy. He does have ability; we weren’t able to tap into it consistently this year, and I know he was frustrated by that, but he’ll come back and try to earn his position.
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GIANCARLO STANTON
The Yankees’ DH spent some time on the injured list with an Achilles issue and took some time to get going after returning – but he was a force in the playoffs, even if he was maybe still compromised a bit, and Boone thinks he’ll be back in the outfield more (hopefully) in 2023.
“I think he was playing thru something that wasn’t significant enough to keep him out. We saw him start to look the part towards the end, but I do think he was compromised a little bit, although nothing I felt like put him in jeopardy. He went through struggles, but to his credit, I think that was him in his way figuring out how to perform at a high level while a little bit banged up, and I think he did that. I respect how he went about it and his process; he took some lumps along the way, but he started to right the ship along the way. And, it’s my hope (he plays the outfield more in 2023). I maintain that I think it’s something that, at its best, keeps him healthier and more athletic.
You have to be smart about that and pick your spots with it, but him being able to play the outfield gives us flexibility and also serves him well.”
JOSE TREVINO
Trevino wasn’t even a Yankee on April 1, but by November 1, he was an All-Star and a Gold Glover in pinstripes, and Boone said he was certainly surprised by Trevino’s ascent.
“Obviously we traded Gary (Sanchez) and brought in Ben (Rortvedt) who got hurt, and we knew we had to fortify. To get him at the end of Spring Training, we knew we were getting at least a quality catcher, at worst we knew we were getting a really good defensive catcher, but he blew away expectations. First of all, offensively, becoming an All-Star, the amount of big hits he got for us. He was banged up down the stretch and it hurt his offense a little bit, but he blew us away with the impact he had.
Defensively, we knew he was good, but we didn’t know we were getting this impactful of a person. He’s great and so at home at the position, he leads and takes charges and is really prepared. He loves the game, loves to prepare and study and find ways to have an edge. He was beloved in the room, and in a way, became very much one of the leaders in the room. We were really lucky to have him come here and be an integral part of our team."
MATT BLAKE
Boone said the team is “working through” the coaches whose contracts are up, one if which is pitching coach Matt Blake. Multiple MLB pitching coaches have left to go back to the college ranks for big raises, but the GM is hopeful Blake returns to the Yankees.
“That’s our hope. I think Matt’s done a great job, and like anything else with your coaches, you want them to have great knowledge and the ability to share that and impact players in a positive way. He builds great relationships with these guys, has a great bedside manner, and has a lot of knowledge to share. That’s worked well with us, along with (bullpen coach) Mike Harkey and (pitching coordinator) Desi Druschel and the support staff behind them, so I’d like to (retain Blake) if we can.”
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