Ex-Diamondbacks All-Star Slugger Could Sign With Yankees This Offseason After Stellar Year

Should the Yankees pursue the former Diamondbacks All-Star slugger?

The New York Yankees need to improve their offense this offseason if they want to make it back to the postseason next year.

New York won just 82 games in 2023 despite high expectations. The Yankees were widely expected to compete for a World Series title last season but injuries and inconsistent play ruined their season. Now the Yankees are at a crossroads and need to make major changes this offseason.

One position the Yankees really need to improve this offseason is the outfield. New York has been linked on numerous occasions to Chicago Cubs star Cody Bellinger, but if New York can't land him, another player it could target is former Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Lourdes Gurriel Jr., according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

"I thought Lourdes really helped his value and you saw it up close in the World Series and the way that he played in the postseason," Morosi said. "Whether it is the (Atlanta Braves) or another one of the teams that are not going to get (Cody Bellinger) because we know the Yankees want that outfield. The (San Francisco Giants) want that outfield. The Giants got a chance to see him up close in the National League West. Those three teams to me stand out: Braves, Giants, and Yankees. We know there is some interest there in Bellinger but whoever doesn't land Cody Bellinger I believe becomes a very strong favorite to land Lourdes Gurriel Jr."  

Gurriel would be a very solid pickup for the Yankees no matter what this offseason. He clubbed 24 home runs and drove in 82 runs in 2023 to go along with a .261/.309/.463 slash line in 145 games. He is exactly the type of player that could help the Yankees out. Plus, he is just 30 years old and could help the Yankees for the foreseeable future. 

New York should pursue Bellinger first but if he signs elsewhere absolutely should consider Gurriel.