Even after a flurry of activity over the past week, the Yankees roster has plenty of question marks, perhaps the biggest at first base — if Cody Bellinger doesn’t end up there — and second base — if Jazz Chisholm Jr. doesn’t get shifted from third.
General manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that he remains engaged with the agents of most “above average” options available at the spots, as well as in the outfield.
And he said the list includes Pete Alonso.
Alonso is among the biggest free agents left and the Yankees are also engaged with Christian Walker, Carlos Santana and Paul Goldschmidt, according to sources.
Santana and Goldschmidt wouldn’t cost as much, which may be to the Yankees’ liking, given the price tags of Bellinger and lefty Max Fried.
Signing any of them would likely put Bellinger in center, with Aaron Judge moving back to right field and perhaps Jasson Dominguez in left, where he struggled in September.
The GM made clear Dominguez would play every day, either in the majors or at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, depending on how the rest of the offseason goes in The Bronx.
“I’d like to see Dominguez get his shot now,’’ Cashman said. “He’s young. He’s got to earn it and retain it.”
The Yankees have also remained in contact with switch-hitting Anthony Santander, who was primarily a right fielder with Baltimore and has minimal experience at first base.
Cashman repeatedly touted Ben Rice as an internal possibility at first, but Rice slumped for much of his time in the majors last season.
And as for second base, Cashman added internal candidates like Oswald Peraza or Oswaldo Cabrera could factor into the infield mix if he doesn’t get one via free agency or trade.
Aaron Boone said Devin Williams will be the regular closer after his arrival in a trade from Milwaukee last week.
The manager added that he talked with Luke Weaver about his potential role after Weaver emerged as a top closer in the latter part of the regular season and into the playoffs.
Boone added that Weaver would still close games on occasion.
Both Williams and Weaver are eligible to be free agents following the season.
Cashman said the team has not discussed extensions with either pitcher while they are still trying to put together the 2025 roster.
While the Yankees look for infield help, Cashman said they haven’t forgotten about DJ LeMahieu, who’s coming off another miserable, injury-riddled season.
“He’s a pro and he’s gonna do everything in his power to be in position to contribute,’’ Cashman said of LeMahieu, who has two years and $30 million remaining on his contract.
“I believe he’ll be healthy going into camp and will look to erase tough memories of the last two seasons,” Cashman said. “Injuries have derailed him.”
The regular second baseman from last season, Gleyber Torres, remains a free agent and Cashman said he’s spoken with his agent, but the Yankees don’t seem very interested in a reunion.
Pitching coach Matt Blake said the Yankees never discussed Clay Holmes becoming a starter, although he’s not especially surprised the right-hander, who signed a three-year, $38 million deal with the Mets, is interested in making the transition.
“His arsenal has been getting wider,” Blake said. “He has two breaking balls, a four-seamer and he always talked about a changeup. I think he’s smart enough to know how to add to his arsenal. … I understand the thought process for him and for other teams.”
The Yankees have yet to replace assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, who left for a similar role with the Mets.
Blake called recently re-signed right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga “a high-leverage” reliever, but they won’t rush him back onto the mound.
— Additional reporting by Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman
