Insider Reveals Yankees’ $4 Million Offer Turned Down Prior to Key Shortstop’s Injury
The New York Yankees have bolstered their batting order in the offseason with the acquisition of Juan Soto, but certain key positions remain unaddressed following a disappointing 2023 season.
While the team has been connected to acquiring a premier starting pitcher, agreements with players like Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery have yet to materialize. Moreover, they now confront uncertainties at shortstop, with projected backup Oswald Peraza dealing with shoulder problems.
As reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees attempted to rectify the lack of depth at this critical position by initially extending a $4 million offer to Enrique Hernandez, who ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Subsequently, they made the same offer to Amed Rosario, who opted instead for a $1.5 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Privately, the Yankees conveyed their belief in Peraza by attempting to sign Hernandez during spring training, a move made public, and later pursuing Rosario, revealed here for the first time. If Peraza is indeed sidelined from the competition, the Yankees find themselves without an apparent backup at shortstop, and also at second and third, unless they have confidence in Oswaldo Cabrera bouncing back from struggles in 2023.
Although the addition of Soto is anticipated to increase the team’s run production, a solid infield is essential for a successful postseason run. Falling short on Hernandez and Rosario could potentially impact the team’s performance.
Anthony Volpe, nicknamed “Tony Fox” by fans, is expected to be the primary shortstop, a 22-year-old who made history as the first rookie in team history to win a Gold Glove last season. Even before Peraza’s shoulder issues surfaced, Cabrera was likely to spend most of his time at the plate in the minor leagues.
According to Sherman, the Yankees believe that without injury, Volpe will start around 150 games this season. Their reluctance to have a young player like Peraza, who they see as having upside but needing refinement in hitting, play infrequently off the bench has contributed to the uncertainty surrounding Peraza’s role.
It appears that the Yankees’ free-agent shortstop targets were not interested in joining the team’s current roster. Hernandez was determined to return to the Dodgers, where he played from 2015 to 2020 and then again in 2023. Rosario, on the other hand, was uninterested in serving as a backup behind Volpe.
“Rosario’s representative Ulises Cabrera told The Post that what Tampa Bay could provide was a clearer route to regular at-bats, including at shortstop where Tampa Bay is currently lined up to go with Jose Caballero,” Sherman added.
The Yankees seem to be actively seeking shortstop depth in the market, possibly leading to a shuffle of current infielders, a promotion for Peraza if he’s healthy, or an acquisition before the 2024 trade deadline.
