The New York Yankees Mailbag: Offseason Plans, Priorities, and Captaincy Assessment

The New York Yankees are yet to schedule their post-mortem news conference to discuss the 2023 season. While we wait for that, let’s dive into a mailbag to answer some questions. This mailbag will be in three parts, with Part 1 covered here. Please note that submitted questions have been edited for clarity and length.

Question 1: Would the Yankees pursue Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jung Hoo Lee from Japan and South Korea?

Chris G. asks if the Yankees would be interested in signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto from Japan and Jung Hoo Lee from South Korea.

The Yankees have shown interest in Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as their general manager Brian Cashman visited Japan to watch Yamamoto pitch a no-hitter for the Orix Buffaloes. Yamamoto, a 25-year-old right-hander, had an impressive record with a 1.16 ERA in 24 games. He is expected to be a highly sought-after pitcher in the free-agent market and could command a deal worth over $200 million.

Jung Hoo Lee, a 25-year-old outfielder, is another player the Yankees will monitor. He was the Korean league’s MVP in 2022 and showcased solid defense. Although he suffered an ankle injury that shortened his season, he still performed well with a .319 batting average, six home runs, and 45 RBIs in 85 games. Other teams, such as the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants, have also been linked to him.

Question 2: What are the Yankees’ priorities in terms of fixing their team?

Stan H. asks about the Yankees’ priorities and how they should be ranked. The options provided are drafting, player development, trades and free-agent signings, health maintenance and injury prevention, and game coaching.

Here is the ranking in order of priority:

1. Health maintenance and injury prevention
2. Player development
3. Drafting
4. Trades and free-agent signings
5. Game coaching

Health maintenance and injury prevention are the top priorities for the Yankees, as they have consistently dealt with numerous injuries. In the past season, the Yankees had several players on the injured list and spent over $82 million on injured players, the highest in MLB. The lack of availability due to injuries has negatively affected the team’s performance and depth.

Player development and drafting go hand in hand. The Yankees’ previous Baby Bombers did not live up to expectations, and the team has struggled to develop its own talent. They need to focus on nurturing their young players, such as Gleyber Torres and Aaron Judge, while also identifying strong prospects through drafting.

Trades and free-agent signings are essential for strengthening the team but have been hit or miss for the Yankees. They have made successful acquisitions like Gerrit Cole but also had their fair share of misses. The team needs to carefully evaluate their options and make strategic moves.

Game coaching is the lowest priority. While it is challenging to judge the impact of coaching decisions, it is clear that Aaron Boone is not the team’s biggest problem. Replacing the manager alone would not bring about significant positive change if other underlying issues persist.

Question 3: Will Aaron Boone be fired or change his ways?

Eoin H. wonders if Aaron Boone will be fired or make changes in his coaching approach.

Aaron Boone is not facing termination, so there won’t be a change at the top of the clubhouse. It is possible that the Yankees may suggest adjustments in how Boone handles players, but overall, his players appreciate him and play for him. Boone’s positivity and skill in handling poor performances without publicly criticizing players have garnered mixed reactions from fans. While it may seem ideal to have a more authoritative approach, sudden drastic changes in Boone’s personality could come across as inauthentic. Thus, it is likely that Boone will continue with his current coaching style.

Question 4: How would you assess Aaron Judge’s first year as captain?

Gregory C. asks for an assessment of Aaron Judge’s first year as captain.

Judge mentioned that each season presents different challenges for leadership, regardless of how the team performs. He stated that there was no noticeable difference in how he led in the clubhouse, and his teammates felt the same way. Judge’s leadership style was highly regarded, and he was looked up to by his teammates.

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