Yankees Remain Engaged in Pitching & Platoon Markets
- Matthew Nethercott
- Feb 1
- 4 min read
As New York prepares for Spring Training, the Yankees remain engaged with Free Agent Starters and Relievers and Platoon Options
The Yankees might have another trick up their sleeves this offseason. The team is Tampa Bound in less than two weeks and Cashman is working the phones, looking for pitching and right-handed hitting platoon.
The Yankees have expressed interest in a number of free agents on the market over the past few days, looking to bolster this roster, and possibly prove Cashman’s point that this roster is different than the 2025 roster.
Tommy Pham
The Athletic reported that Outfielder Tommy Pham is among the outfielders that the Yankees could seek for platoon help.
In his 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pham slashed .245/.330/.370 across 120 games, contributing 10 home runs and 52 RBIs. While his overall production hovered slightly below league average with a 95 OPS+, he remained a disciplined presence at the plate, maintaining a walk rate that helped bolster his on-base percentage despite a dip in slugging.
Regarding the Yankees' reported interest in him as a platoon option, Pham’s 2025 numbers against left-handed pitching (LHP) saw a significant drop-off compared to his career norms; he hit just .216 with a .651 OPS in 122 plate appearances against southpaws. However, analysts point to his career .802 OPS against lefties and elite plate discipline —ranking in the 97th percentile for chase rate — as evidence that he could still provide veteran value in a specialized role, potentially platooning with Trent Grisham.
Starling Marte
The Athletic reported that Outfielder Starling Marte is also among the outfielders that the Yankees could seek.
in 2025 with the cross-town Mets, Marte slashed .270/.335/.410 with 9 home runs and 7 stolen bases in 98 games played. While his speed and durability have continued to decline as he nears age 37, his 111 OPS+ showed he remained a productive bat, even as he transitioned into a heavy DH role (starting there in 77 games).
Marte’s performance against left-handed pitching in 2025 remained a distinct strength, as he batted .263 with a .754 OPS across 147 plate appearances, including 4 home runs. These splits align with his career-long reputation as a reliable right-handed weapon.
Paul Goldschmidt
The Yankees and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt have been in communication in recent days. The interest was first reported by Jack Curry.
While the door is open for a reunion, with the feeling being mutual, a reunion with the Arizona Diamondbacks, his original organization, can’t be ruled out at this point.
Goldschmidt had an extremely hot start, but fell off drastically in the second half. Where the Yankees roster is financially, Goldschmidt might not be the best allocation of funds.
Austin Slater
Another player from the 2024 Roster that the Yankees should stay away from. The Yankees acquired Austin Slater at the trade deadline to hit lefty pitching, and hitting is something he did very little of.
The Yankees need to bring someone in who can hit lefty pitching to justify sitting regulars, not someone who didn’t make the Yankees 2025 postseason roster.
Category | Statistic |
Games (G) | 14 |
At Bats (AB) | 25 |
Hits (H) | 3 |
Home Runs (HR) | 0 |
Runs Batted In (RBI) | 2 |
Batting Average (AVG) | .120 |
On-Base Percentage (OBP) | .120 |
Slugging Percentage (SLG) | .120 |
On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS) | .240 |
The Yankees made a major league offer to Slater earlier this offseason, according to The Athletic.
Jon Heyman of the Post was first to report the interest.
Randal Grichuk
The Yankees have shown interest in outfielder Randal Grichuk, according to Jon Heyman.
In 2025, Grichuk continued to serve as a specialized threat against left-handed pitching, though his overall season saw a dip in production compared to other years. Facing southpaws, he posted a .227 batting average and a .703 OPS over 184 plate appearances.
While his average was lower than in previous years, he remained a power threat in those matchups, launching 7 of his 9 total home runs on the season against lefties. Over 172 at-bats against left-handed pitchers, he recorded 39 hits — including 12 doubles and 1 triple — and drove in 18 runs, finishing the year with a .430 slugging percentage in those specific splits.
While it might not be the flashiest name on the market, given his remaining power against lefties, he is worth a look for the Yankees on a one year deal.
Nick Martinez
The Yankees have expressed interest in free agent starter Nick Martinez, per Jon Heyman.
In the 2025 season, Martinez set new career highs across several categories, including innings pitched (165.2) and starts (26), while finishing the year with an 11-14 record and a 4.45 ERA. He was particularly dominant in a relief role, posting a stellar 1.86 ERA over 53.1 innings out of the bullpen compared to a 4.72 ERA as a starter.
His season was highlighted by a historic September where he earned National League Pitcher of the Month honors after recording a minuscule 0.83 ERA with 30 strikeouts across five starts, including a stretch of 26 consecutive innings without issuing a walk.
Martinez has been exactly what the Yankees have been looking at all offseason, a pitcher who provides depth in both the starting rotation and the bullpen. As we have seen with other teams, you can never have too much depth.
Michael Kopech
If I had a choice of anyone on this list for the Yankees to sign, it would be reliver Michael Kopech.
While he only pitched 11 innings in 2025 due to injury, Kopech is a very good option for the Yankees, who seek velocity in their bullpen. With experience in high leverage for the Dodgers, Kopech would be perfect for the Yankees bullpen that is hunting for someone who can pitch in the final nine outs of a game.
While the risk of injury will be a concern, with the rest of the question marks in the Yankees bullpen right now, Kopech would be a welcome addition.
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