CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 14: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees reacts after giving up a single to the Chicago White Sox in the ninth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 14, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
These three New York Yankees free agents won’t be back for more fun in 2023. On expiring contracts, these are their final weeks in the Bronx.
There will be some major New York Yankees free agents in the coming offseason. This could be a winter where the team makes some drastic changes. While we might not see Brian Cashman officially leave his post or Aaron Boone get fired, the roster could undergo a major makeover.
The Yankees remain well-positioned to compete beyond this year even if all of their free agents leave. They are a destination ball club. Replacing the free agents they do lose will be a priority of the front office. Rarely is there an offseason where they don’t at least try to get better.
In these final weeks of the MLB season — and into the postseason where the Yankees will find themselves — we’re likely looking at the final days of at least these three free agents in the Bronx.
1) Yankees are ready to move on from a fading Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman is going to have to settle for a Kenley Jansen-type deal this winter and probably for a lot less money. Even if he regains the closer job for the rest of this season, there are a lot of doubts about what’s next for him.
The Yankees have successfully built up a strong bullpen this year despite a whole lot of injuries. Someone, whether it’s Clay Holmes or another arm, should take over as the closer for good. Chapman, now a much less effective pitcher than his prime years, is destined to land elsewhere.
Between the injuries and the inflating ERA, the relationship between these two needs to come to a close. He gave the ball club some fantastic years. It’s someone else’s turn to take a chance on him.
For the New York, it’s their opportunity to find someone more reliable.