Zack Britton has started his normal throwing program for the off-season and should be ready to go for spring training. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic says that the Yankees’ free-agent pitcher, who is turning 35 on December 22, wants a one-year deal. Britton was able to come back from Tommy John surgery in time to pitch for the Yankees in three games near the end of the season, but the team shut him down before the playoffs because his shoulder was tired.
For Britton, who came back in just over a year, the problem was that he tried to do too much, too soon. Before his elbow problems started in 2021, Britton’s ERA in his first two years with the Yankees was 1.90.
Hicks and Donaldson on their way out
Josh Donaldson and Aaron Hicks are both up for trade, according to Ken Rosenthal. Also, the Yankees want to get rid of both of them so badly that they would be willing to include money in a deal and maybe even take on another “inflated” contract.
Hicks’ deal with the Yankees has three years and less than $30 million remaining, while Donaldson’s contract has one year and $21 million remaining, plus a $6 million option.
Miguel Castro first to leave the Yankees’ bullpen
When Miguel Castro signed with the Diamondbacks on Friday, the Yankees lost the first member of their bullpen for 2022.
Arizona is giving the right-handed pitcher a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. Jon Heyman of the New York Post said that the contract also has incentives and a clause for 2024.
Castro won’t be missed too much by the Yankees, since he only pitched 29 innings in 34 games for them after being traded from the Mets in April. The 27-year-old pitcher had an ERA of 4.03 and missed a lot of time because of a shoulder strain.
Rodon or Verlander: Who will land in New York
MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted, “Yankees are in on Rodon and Verlander (close Gerrit Cole relationship doesn’t hurt but NYY isn’t necessarily optimistic there). Not as much in on deGrom for what he seeks — $40M plus. Judge remains the main guy but seems to be room to add a big starter, too.”
This year, Justin Verlander won the AL Cy Young Award, and Carlos Rodon led the Giants’ rotation.
What do you think about the Yankees’ chances to land one of the pitchers? Leave a comment below.
