The Yankees are among the teams that have inquired with the Cardinals about finding infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. The Yankees joined the Dodgers, whose interest in Edman’s services was discussed earlier today, in asking about the versatile change-up hitter.
Edman, 29, has yet to start a season in the majors after undergoing wrist surgery last fall. Recovery from that surgery took longer than expected, and while he began assignment at the Double-A level, he remained a full-time DH. It seems unlikely that Edman, who hit .248/.307/.399 in 137 games for the Cardinals last year, will get much interest from either team as a DH-only player. Any fan would need to be convinced of Edman’s ability to play on the field this year to make a deal.
The Yankees love Tommy Edman
July 28, 2024 at 7:49 pm CST • By Nick Deeds
The Yankees are among the teams that have inquired with the Cardinals about finding infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. The Yankees joined the Dodgers, whose interest in Edman’s services was discussed earlier today, in asking about the versatile change-up hitter.
Edman, 29, has yet to start a season in the majors after undergoing wrist surgery last fall. Recovery from that surgery took longer than expected, and while he began assignment at the Double-A level, he remained a full-time DH. It seems unlikely that Edman, who hit .248/.307/.399 in 137 games for the Cardinals last year, will get much interest from either team as a DH-only player. Any fan would need to be convinced of Edman’s ability to play on the field this year to make a deal.
Although his health status is a question mark, it is not surprising that the Yankees would be interested in Edman’s services. After all, a versatile pitcher has experience in all areas of the diamond except first base and catcher and has demonstrated the ability to be a versatile glove at each of those positions. The combination of versatility and defensive efficiency is rare and, combined with a bat that has produced a nearly 99 league wRC+ throughout his career, would make Edman a valuable asset to almost any team. The Yankees, who have received below-average production in every area of the lineup that doesn’t feature Juan Soto or Aaron Judge this year, are no exception.
It may seem like the recent deal that sent center/outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the Bronx will leave the Yankees without much incentive to get Edman. After all, Chisholm is a versatile hitter with experience in both shortstop and center field, and his 103 wRC+ is significantly better than the 92 wRC+ Edman posted with the Cardinals in 2023. It’s easy to imagine both players being on the same list, though. After all, manager Aaron Boone told reporters (including Brendan Kuty of The Athletic) earlier today that the team plans to use Chisholm at third base if he plays the infield. It’s a position Chisholm didn’t play before in the majors, but Boone has expressed a preference to keep sophomore Gleyber Torres (who has no experience at the hot corner) where he is, at least for now.
The addition of Edman, who has 94 games at third in the majors under his belt, will allow the Yankees to add a more experienced glove to the lineup at the hot corner while also providing a major offensive upgrade on other infield options like DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera. By adding Edman to the conversation at third base, the team can use Chisholm as a tool to increase the team’s offensive production through rest players like Torres and Alex Verdugo against tough games, or maybe the club can look to tackle the group. A bat like Torres or Trent Grisham for bullpen help as they say is under consideration. Edman could also pair with Chisholm to provide more certainty for the Yankees heading into the 2025 season when Soto, Torres, Verdugo, and Anthony Rizzo could all hit in free agency, leaving plenty of holes to fill.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be obstacles to a potential deal, especially if Edman is healthy enough to handle it. According to Woo, the Cardinals are believed to be targeting “major league control money” in return for Edman’s services, with Woo suggesting that St. Louis will target Yankees southpaw Nestor Cortes in return. Cortes, 29, is controlled through the 2025 season as Edman and has posted a 4.13 ERA with a 3.99 FIP in 22 starts this year. It’s unclear if the Yankees would be willing to part ways with Cortes or any of their starting options, even as rumors swirl that they could acquire another arm that would allow them to manage Luis’ second-half bullpen innings. Gil. share.
Leave a Reply