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3 Free Agents Yankees Should Target Next After Gerrit Cole Deal

By Steven Kubitza

After signing Gerrit Cole, the Yankees should target the likes of Yasiel Puig in free agency.
After signing Gerrit Cole, the Yankees should target the likes of Yasiel Puig in free agency. / Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

The New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to a $324 million contract to be the ace of their starting rotation for much of the next decade. The team is sparing no expense to win a World Series for the first time since 2009 and the moves cannot stop with Cole. The team with an unlimited budget would be wise to target a few more free agents before the offseason comes to an end.

3. Rich Hill

The Yankees could add Hill for depth.
The Yankees could add Hill for depth. / Will Newton/Getty Images

Rich Hill had some recent postseason success and will likely be affordable this offseason on a prove-it deal this offseason. The Yankees can sign him as a fifth starter or as someone to eat up innings out of the bullpen. A potential J.A. Happ trade to save money would free up a starting spot. Hill has a career 3.82 ERA and 12 postseason starts.

2. Yasiel Puig

The Yankees could target Puig if his price tag drops.
The Yankees could target Puig if his price tag drops. / Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

The Yankees should keep an eye on Puig's market. If no team offers him a multi-year deal, the Yankees could get him on a one-year deal under $10 million. Aaron Judge is already in right field, but the Yankees could get creative and move Puig around. The career 20.0 WAR player would add more talent to the team and his power numbers should see a jolt in the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium.

1. Scooter Gennett

With the loss of Didi Gregorius, Scotter Gennett would be a nice Yankees pickup
With the loss of Didi Gregorius, Scotter Gennett would be a nice Yankees pickup / Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images

With the loss of Didi Gregorius to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Yankees need to sign a middle infielder for depth reasons. Gennett would be a very solid signing given his presence at the plate and steady glove at second base. While his production dipped a bit last year, a resurgence back to the norm shouldn't be unexpected given the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium.