Yankees captain and star outfielder Aaron judges received the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award in Arizona yesterday and spoke to the media (including Newsday’s David Lennon) then regarding the upcoming offseason in New York. Judge told reporters at the scrimmage that he spoke with Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner yesterday about changes to the organization and that they would have another in-person conversation when Judge returns to New York. Although Judge indicated his preference to keep the details of his discussions with Steinbrenner private, he noted that there are many ways the organization could look to change this offseason.
“You know, changes can mean a lot of different things,” Judge said, “Philippies, players, coaches, everything. (The Yankees) haven’t been to the big ball in several years, so we had to work to be done, even on the players’ side.
The judge has previously spoken on the desire to see the club’s communication of analytical information to players improved, hinting at one area the club may look to improve in 2024. Beyond that, the Yankees have at least one spot to fill in the coaching team, like hitting coach rental in season Sean Casey will not return to the club in 2024. The club has also often been a topic of discussion in the trade rumor mill last month, with a rumored connection to the Padres star Juan Soto. The possibility for the club to move on from certain referee level players, including a member of its catch the body and maybe even second baseman Gleyber Torreswas also discussed.
Learn more about the MLB Eastern Divisions…
- THE Dishes I have not yet scheduled an interview with the Brewers manager. Craig Advisor, who officially interviewed the Guardians yesterday. That being said, Jon Heyman of the New York Post indicates that although the meeting between the parties is not yet “confirmed”, it is expected that a meeting will take place soon. Additionally, Heyman adds that the Mets are the highest bidder for Counsell’s services in terms of salary. Although Heyman suggests the Mets are unlikely to offer a salary at Joe Torre’s record $8 million figure as Yankees manager, he notes that still leaves plenty of room for the Mets to offer Counsell a richer contract than the Guardians manager’s $4.5 million salary recently retiree Terry Francona received in 2023, which was the highest of the year. major this year.
- Nationals right-handed Kyle Finnegan plans to resume his role as the club’s closer in 2024, as noted MASN’s Mark Zuckerman. Zuckerman suggests the club hopes Finnegan will continue to play with the club as a late-inning option out of the bullpen until 2025, when they hope to return to contention. That being said, Zuckerman also suggests that, in the event the Nationals are out of contention next summer and Finnegan is pitching well, the club would consider moving Finnegan again, as they did. before the trade deadline earlier this year. Of course, no deal was made at that point, and Finnegan struggled throughout the season with a 5.18 ERA and 5.52 FIP in 24 1/3 innings in August and September. That being said, Finnegan entered August with a 3.00 ERA, leaving him with solid overall numbers for the season, including a 3.76 ERA (115 ERA+) and strikeout rate batting rate of 21.9% in 67 appearances.
