3 Moves Yankees Can Make to Shed Payroll After Gerrit Cole Signing

The New York Yankees threw down the gauntlet and picked up the biggest free agent out there on the market, signing former Houston Astros starter Gerrit Cole to a nine-year, $324 million deal that will pay him $36 million per season until 2028. While bringing Cole in is undoubtedly excellent news, the Yankees are so far into the luxury tax that they are over the $40 million overage mark that could see their draft pick moved back several spaces. These moves need to happen to prevent such a disaster from happening.

3. Start Shopping Bullpen Pieces

Could Britton be on the move? / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

The Yankees' bullpen will remain their strength, even if it loses a member. What about Zack Britton? He's one of the best left-handed relievers in baseball, as he posted a 1.91 ERA last season, but that doesn't guarantee him safety on the 2020 Yankees. Britton will make $13 million this season, and he still has two years left on his deal. The Yankees can afford to deal an elite reliever given the depth they have in the bullpen with Adam Ottavino (also a possibility) and Tommy Kahnle, as the Cole signing could force Brian Cashman to make some difficult choices.

2. Let Brett Gardner Walk

Bringing in Cole could mean the end of Gardner's time in New York / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

With multi-year offers on the table, it's possible there wasn't going to be a spot for Gardner in New York before the Cole signing. After it, there is slightly less chance he returns, even though he's a perfect fit to fill Aaron Hicks' shoes early next year. Giancarlo Stanton is anchored to this team, Aaron Judge isn't going anywhere, and Hicks just signed a seven-year deal last offseason. Given Gardner's implied cost and the luxury tax burden squeezing the Yankees financially, Gardner's time in the Bronx could still come to a close.

1. Trade JA Happ

Happ's $17 million salary could be out the door / Leon Halip/Getty Images

Admittedly, it will be hard to find a buyer on Happ given the poor performances he had week in and week out last year, but it's widely anticipated he'll be leaving as a flip side to the Cole move. With a 4.91 ERA that was over 5.00 for the majority of the season, the 37-year-old Happ will be paid $17 million this season, which trails only Cole, Stanton, Masahiro Tanaka, and Aroldis Chapman on the Yankees. If anyone is clamoring to trade for him, be my guest.