New York Yankees to Target ‘Elite Free Agents’ to Fix Weaknesses Ahead of MLB 2022 Season
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Nov 12, 2021 | 10:10 AM EST
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Sep 16, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (left) looks on as =relief pitcher Albert Abreu (84) prepares to warm up on the pitcher’s mound during the seventh inning off the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Sep 16, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (left) looks on as =relief pitcher Albert Abreu (84) prepares to warm up on the pitcher’s mound during the seventh inning off the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Sep 16, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (left) looks on as =relief pitcher Albert Abreu (84) prepares to warm up on the pitcher’s mound during the seventh inning off the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Sep 16, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (left) looks on as =relief pitcher Albert Abreu (84) prepares to warm up on the pitcher’s mound during the seventh inning off the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
New York Yankees faced heartbreak in 2021, as they were knocked out by arch-rivals, Red Sox, in the Wild Card games. Notably, the team is now working on covering their shortfalls for the next season.
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One of the major areas the team lacked was the shortstop position. As the season ended, many elite shortstops like Carlos Correa and Corey Seager have entered free agency.
New York Yankees’ top priorities include Elite Free Agents
The New York Yankees are on the lookout for the perfect candidate to fill their shortstop positions. During the 2021 season, the Yankees struggled a lot in this position as their player Gleyber Torres failed to produce a decent outing for the team.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 5, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) pulls starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in the American League Wildcard game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Yankees have their eyes on elite shortstops like Carlos Correa and Corey Seager. Buster revealed, “After conversations at the GM meetings the last couple of days, some evaluators in the industry believe that the Yankees’ pursuit of a shortstop will be focused on the elite free agents — Corey Seager, etc.”
After conversations at the GM meetings the last couple of days, some evaluators in the industry believe that the Yankees' pursuit of a shortstop will be focused on the elite free agents — Corey Seager, etc.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 10, 2021
Interestingly, according to sports analyst Jim Bowden, the team is already in contact with Corey Seager and Carlos Correa’s agents. Although some other shortstops like Trevor Story, Marcus Semien, and Javier Baez are also entering the market.
According to sources #Yankees are in conversation with agents for both Corey Seager and Carlos Correa #Confirmed
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) November 10, 2021
Read More: “Had an Impact on Him”: Gerrit Cole’s Agent Reveals Why His Performance Dropped for New York Yankees
Carlos Correa vs Corey Seager
Both the players, Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa and Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager, have proved themselves as ace players during the 2021 season. Although, coincidentally, both of them also faced injury issues this season.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 31, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Atlanta Braves in game five of the 2021 World Series at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Despite missing matches, Corey smashed 16 home runs, 57 RBI’s, and 54 runs in the 95 games he played. Whereas, Carlos Correa played the World Series with the Houston Astros, smashing 28 home runs and recording 92 RBIs.
If New York Yankees need to sail their way to the World Series in 2022, they would need to sign a strong shortstop. Carlos Correa or Corey Seager, who do you think has more chances of joining the team?
Read More: New York Yankees Make Promising Progress on Carlos Correa After Houston Astros Fallout