Yankees Reportedly Considered One Of Favorites For Upcoming Free Agent Star Slugger

New York could add one of the best third basemen in baseball this upcoming offseason

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees will need to make a major move or two if they want to compete for a World Series title in 2024.

New York currently is in last place in the American League East with an abysmal 64-68 record and the end of the 2023 regular season can't seem to come fast enough. The Yankees have plenty of talent, but inconsistent play and injuries put a massive damper on the 2023 campaign.

The Yankees likely will be one of the busiest teams in baseball this upcoming offseason and one player the club reportedly could be a favorite to sign in free agency is Toronto Blue Jays slugger Matt Chapman, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. 

"Only four years ago, Chapman was seen as one of the game’s rising stars, earning his first All-Star selection, his second Gold Glove, and his second top-seven AL MVP finish," Feinsand said. "His offensive production dipped in 2021 and ’22, though he remained a solid power hitter (27 home runs in each season) while continuing to play a stellar third base, earning his third Gold Glove in '21. Chapman’s home run total is down this year (15 in 125 games), but his .338 on-base percentage is his highest since '19, and he leads the AL with 36 doubles.

"Chapman is on pace to finish with an fWAR of more than 4.0 in 2023, a mark he has reached in each of his previous four full seasons since '18. The third-base free-agent market is thin this winter, putting Chapman in position to cash in with a nice deal. Potential fits: Blue Jays, Mets, Yankees."

If the Yankees could land Chapman in free agency, he certainly would fill a hole for the club. New York could use another power bat and Chapman certainly fits that description. Chapman is one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball and very well could help the Yankees out. New York recently released former American League Most Valuable Player Josh Donaldson so there's definitely room on the roster. 

It's certainly early, but Yankees fans should keep an eye on the Blue Jays star.