New Yankees Rumors Reveal MLB Free Agency Plans Ahead of Potential Lockout

Jack Cury of Yes expects the New York Yankees, along with most MLB teams, to be active in free agency ahead of the likely Dec. 1 lockout and offered his take on which positions the team may look to improve upon.

"When I look at the Yankees, I look at that bullpen as an area of need," he said during an appearance on The Michael Kay Show. "I look at third base as an area of need. I think they're looking at second and centerfield as well, figure out what they want to do in those spots. So yes, I do expect the Yankees to be active."

While the Yankees went 93-68 and reached the ALDS, getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in that series ultimately rendered the season a failure, at least according to most fans. There seems to be a real desire to see the Yankees fundamentally retool the lineup around Aaron Judge and improve the bullpen as well.

But perhaps the team could also view a major splash and enter the Tarik Skubal market.

As ESPN's Kiley McDaniel reported, "The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are the primary bidders, the Detroit Tigers are monitoring for a discount, the Yankees are thinking about it (and then trading from their pitching stockpile if they land Skubal), and the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres are the sleepers with ownership changes behind the interest."

Skubal is probably a long shot. Adding him would limit the other moves the team could make, and plenty of moves are likely needed. But there isn't a safer—or more expensive—bet this winter than the perennial ace.

ESPN's David Schoenfield believes Japanese third baseman and outfielder Teruaki Sato would be a good potential fit and target for the Yankees, and he may be the top player on the market not named Skubal. We already know that Pat Murphy believes Jake Bauers will end up on the Yankees. And John Harper of SNY predicted the Yankees to end up with catcher Ryan Jeffers and second baseman Luis Arráez.

The theme here is that the Yankees could go in a lot of different directions as they seek to improve their roster. Expect them to be in the mix for a number of prominent free agents over the next month.