LAS VEGAS – Fixing an underperforming Yankees’ lineup is a winter priority, though GM Brian Cashman sees one built-in advantage for 2027.
“We think we have a healthy Aaron Judge,” Cashman said Tuesday. “That’ll lengthen and add depth to our lineup.
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“But it’s my job to improve on all aspects of it.”
And that includes a widening coaches search along with additions or upgrades at third base, second base, catcher and center field.
We’re open minded (toward) what we can do to…improve the production of lot of different spots if we can,” Cashman said at the Aria Hotel, hosting this week’s MLB general managers’ meetings.
Max Fried procedure, Yanks’ lacking lineup
Cashman revealed that Max Fried recently had a bone spur removed from his left elbow, adding that the lefty starter would resume a throwing program during the second week of December.
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That “should” make Fried ready to begin spring training on time, if there is a normal spring training.
Due to a rib fracture and a calf strain, Judge played in just 66 games in 2026, none after Sept. 16.
That contributed to the Yankees’ drop from 849 runs scored in 2025 to 739, and they were ultimately shut down by Tampa Bay Rays pitching in a Division Series sweep.
Yanks owner Hal Steinbrenner has provided budget parameters, which Cashman naturally wouldn’t specify.
“I’m approaching business as usual here until told otherwise,” said Cashman, until a likely Dec. 1 lockout would suspend trades and free agent signings.
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Meanwhile, there was no ringing endorsement of hitting coach James Rowson and his assistants.
Recently, Steinbrenner specified the Yanks’ lack of offense as one reason why their title-less streak is at 17 straight years.
Cashman noted that Rowson is a “free agent” and the team is “engaged in the marketplace and also internally, determining what’s next and best for us” on the hitting side.
But pitching coach Matt Blake and his staff are returning, along with third base coach Luis Rojas and first base coach Dan Fiorito.
Bench coach Brad Ausmus is a candidate for Houston’s managerial post, and the Yanks elevated Aaron Gershenfeld to MLB field coordinator and catching coach after highly regarded Tanner Swanson accepted the Seattle Mariners’ bench coach job.
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Judge-ing the Yankees’ 2027 outlook
Judge is “currently in a good place” said Cashman, after a follow-up with a specialist regarding the rib fracture that cost him over three months.
But there was acknowledgment by Cashman that Judge’s DH time should increase at age 35, to further guard against injury and wear.
The problem is a current mix of DH-types, led by Giancarlo Stanton, with one guaranteed year left on his deal but coming off another injury-marred year.
Lefty-hitting first baseman/DH Luis Garcia Jr. seems as much of a candidate to be traded as he is for an audition at second base, where the defensive metrics haven’t been kind.
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Plus, “I liked what I saw,” Cashman said of Anthony Volpe’s late season move from shortstop to second base, though “my job is to explore outside options as well.”
That will happen at third base, where Ryan McMahon is owed $16 million in 2027, his final guaranteed contract year.
Though playing Garcia at second base is something the Yanks will explore, Cashman said that third base isn’t a consideration for the player acquired at the trade deadline from Washington.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees’ winter to-do list starts with an offensive upgrade
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
