From denial to desperation? Yankees finally address third base gap a month later Cashman said “No”

After every fan complained on the internet, the New York Yankees finally looked at a significant deficits on the roster: the lack of upgrading the quality of their defense at third base. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Yankees are among six teams that have expressed interest in Matt Chapman of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Who is Matt Chapman?

Matt Chapman, a hot commodity in the free-agent market, stands tall as the second-highest-ranked position player up for grabs. With a trophy cabinet overflowing with four Gold Gloves in just five major league seasons, Chapman’s defensive prowess is the stuff of legend, clinching awards like the Platinum Glove and the prestigious Wilson Overall Defensive Player of the Year.

As stated by Fangraphs, Chapman’s durability shines through, having missed no more than 23 games in a season since 2018. Boasting a career wRC+ of 118 and an average of 29 home runs per 162 games, Chapman’s value is undeniable. Despite the recent $45 million deal for Jeimer Candelario, Chapman’s contract projections swing wildly, with estimates ranging from $24 million annually for five years to a median crowd prediction of 4 years at $20 million per. However, Chapman’s unconventional profile as a high-strikeout, moderate-power, glove-first player poses an intriguing gamble for potential long-term contracts well into his mid-30s.

Did Cashman say the Yankees would not hire any third baseman?

The Yankees could consider upgrading their defense at third base. Does it look like a good cue? It would be a good sign if it weren’t tragic and contradictory. Still, the pinstripes nation should remember that last month, the Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman said that signing the top available third baseman was not on his radar.

“No,” Cashman said Wednesday during the Winter Meetings last month. “It’s not an area of need. We have third base covered.”

Why have the Yankees changed their mind?

To answer that question, we’d have to add some drama into the story, as the Yankees have had the worst campaign in the MLB since 2016. The pressure is all on their shoulders after the iconic club lost the chance to qualify for the playoffs. The disaster was terrible, but maybe the only mirthful reminder was that the Boston Red Sox also achieved this awful mark.

Sports is an unpredictable world. One day, the general manager could have a harsh opinion of a player, and the other, after many poor results, could be at risk of outsourcing your club or even your job. 

To make matters worse, the Yankees still need to sign the Japanese duo Ohtani and Yamamoto Yashinobu — who went to the Los Angeles Dodgers. And what should we say? Maybe the Yankees have been dodging more than the Dodgers, or the pressure is all on the head of Brian Cashman, the general manager who has suffered criticism from the media and the fans for at least two years.

In 2023, chants such as “fire Cashman” were heard out loud during the regular season in the MLB. Because of them, even though Cashman would not have thought to sign a third baseman, he is almost forced to do so if he still wants to save his job and his agenda at the Yankees.

It’s far from abnormal that Cashman wants to tuck into his comfort zone at the Yankees, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But he may already be aware that the pinstripe nation won’t be as benevolent or serene as it was in the past seasons. And this shows that things must change for good.

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