Who Stays, Who Goes? Questions Abound for Yankees Offseason

There are many questions facing the New York Yankees this offseason. Chief among them has to be whether or not Joe Girardi will continue as manager. The 2017 Yankees far exceeded expectations, reaching the ALCS and a game 7 in Houston, but Girardi managed the entire season without any guarantees of staying in pinstripes. His 4-year contract is set to expire at the official end of the 2017 season and neither the Yankees organization nor Girardi have tipped their hand too much on what the future might hold. Girardi did, however, say he loves what he does after that game 7 loss to the Astros and the Yankees, in my opinion, would be crazy not to want his steady leadership with a group of budding stars.

On the field, CC Sabathia, Todd Frazier and Matt Holliday are all set to be free agents this winter. Sabathia mirrored these Yankees, performing better than anyone would've guessed with a 14-5 record and a perfect 10-0 record following a Yankees loss in the regular season. Frazier seemed to quickly assume the emotional leadership role in the clubhouse and in the dugout after the trade that brought him to the Bronx from Chicago. Bringing Frazier back will be more tricky than securing another season of Sabathia, but they are both big keys for 2018. Holliday battled injuries all season and his at-bats essentially disappeared down the stretch. Chase Headley and Jacoby Ellsbury saw the bulk of the swings at DH.

Then, there's the outfield. The crowded outfield. The two Aarons feel like everyday options, Hicks in center and Judge in right. Ellsbury's contract may prove too difficult to move which leaves you with a Brett Gardner-Clint Frazier dilemma. Gardner is going into the final year of his contract and if you're okay with platooning a young player like Frazier, you could use Gardner or Frazier in left field based on matchups. Others would argue a young guy like Frazier should play everyday given the impact he has defensively and on the basepaths from speed alone.

YES broadcaster Ryan Ruocco joined Big Board Sports to sort through it all (YouTube link below)

And check out Ryan's podcast with CC Sabathia here: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/r2c2-podcast/