Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Yankees Offseason Plans

Date: November 22, 2025
Episode Theme:
This episode focuses on the New York Yankees’ offseason strategy, with hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg analyzing current roster moves, free agency challenges, trade rumors, and structural concerns around the team’s competitiveness for the upcoming season. The conversation includes critical takes on management decisions, speculation about high-profile player moves, and broader Major League Baseball (MLB) trends affecting the Yankees and their city rivals, the Mets.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Yankees’ Offseason Priorities

[00:43 - 01:39]

• Brian Cashman’s Update:
  • Cashman outlines that regaining outfield certainty and replenishing the roster after significant free-agent departures (notably Bellinger) remains the front office’s top concern. Talks are underway with agents Scott Boras and Casey Close, exploring both trades and free agency.
  • Quote:

    “The team that we had last year, which was really good on paper but fell short of our ultimate goal, is now depleted because of free agency. So we got to find a way to at least get back to where we were. But the ultimate goal is to make it better.” — Brian Cashman ([01:22])

2. Roster Moves and Minor Contract Details

[01:48 - 02:36]

• Departures and Arbitration:
  • The Yankees part ways with pitchers Mark Lighter Jr., Ian Hamilton, Scott Effross, and Jake Cousins.
  • One-year deals to avoid arbitration are granted to Clark Schmidt and Oswaldo Cabrera, with surprise voiced at Cabrera’s cheap, utility-man agreement.

3. The Grisham Move and Outfield Questions

[03:00 - 03:35]

• Fan Discontent:

  • Rosenberg notes confusion among fans about prioritizing Trent Grisham, suggesting it may block playing time for younger outfield prospects (Dominguez, Jones).
  • Quote:

    “I found it interesting the comments about like celebrating getting Grisham back when the fan base is like, what are you doing? You're landlocking two of your young star outfielders...” — Peter Rosenberg ([03:01])

• Bellinger's Likely Departure:

  • There’s an undertone that Cody Bellinger is as good as gone, given Cashman's comments and general tone.

4. Trade Rumor Mill: Corey Seeger Speculation

[03:52 - 05:05]

• Seeger to NY?
  • A speculative discussion arises about Corey Seeger, who, per some rumors, could be available from Texas. The hosts dissect the context: Seeger’s no-trade clause, willingness for a move, and fit with the Yankees.
  • Rosenberg and Hahn debate if acquiring a superstar shortstop like Seeger justifies letting Bellinger leave.
  • Memorable Moment: Peter physically reacts (“rubbing his eyes”) at the depth of hypotheticals being explored ([05:03]).

5. Cashman on Outfield Competition

[05:42 - 06:13]

• Outfield Options:
  • Cashman states the team plans to let young prospects Dominguez and Spencer Jones compete alongside Grisham and Judge, with the option to make further moves if the right trade or signing arises.
  • Quote:

    “Worst case scenario, those two kids fight it out and may the best person win.” — Brian Cashman ([06:11])

6. Bellinger and the Mets: What Should the Mets Do?

[08:29 - 10:53]

• Mets’ Big-Game Hunting:
  • Talk shifts to the Mets’ own ambitions, with Rosenberg emphatically saying yes to the idea of signing Bellinger and Scubal, signaling a strategy of pushing “all in” for the upcoming season.
  • Speculation over possible changes to the Mets’ core, with moves involving Pete Alonso (“the polar bear”) and possible involvement of Soto, Lindor, and Nimmo.
  • Quote:

    “This core has not proven to you that it's championship worthy for an entire season.” — Peter Rosenberg ([10:08])

7. Pitching Staff Uncertainty and Injury Concerns

[11:02 - 13:09]

• Cashman’s Cautious Outlook:

  • The Yankees have pitching vulnerabilities due to Cole and Rodón’s recoveries, possibly out until May. Cashman highlights organizational pitching depth but admits rotation needs “fortifying.”
  • Hahn queries the severity and expected timeline of the injuries.

• Trade Targets & Contract Situations:

  • Scubal is discussed as a possible high-risk, short-term addition, akin to the Soto situation—underpinning the uncertainty in the coming market climate (potential labor stoppage, new cap rules).
  • Hahn foresees MLB possibly introducing an amnesty or buyout provision to address long-term, unwieldy contracts should a hard salary cap arrive.

8. Seeger’s Durability & Volpe’s Future

[16:14 - 17:12]

• Player Availability:
  • The hosts double-click on Seeger’s injury history (rarely reaching 140+ games/year) and weigh whether the Yankees should move on from Anthony Volpe at shortstop.
  • Quote:

    “At some point you've got to... spit or get off the puck.” — Don Hahn ([17:06])

• Yankees’ Early-Season Depth Puzzle:
  • They explore the dilemma: should the Yankees “overload” on pitching to start the season or rely on offense to tread water until the staff is healthy? Reference to injury-prone, rotating cast points to early setbacks but late-season advantage.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Yankees’ “Certainty” in Outfield

  “Now we have a lot more certainty. And so I can play with making even more certainty by bringing another free agent. If we can find the matches we want or a trade...” — Brian Cashman ([05:55])

• Debate on Seeger’s Fit and Health

  “He’ll fit right in... He hasn’t had a—he had 151 games that first year in Texas, and then 95 the last in Dallas... Availability is an issue.” — Peter Rosenberg & Don Hahn ([16:21])

• Yankees’ Roster Philosophy and Unsettled Future

  “Are you as a Met fan saying, go get him, Bellinger?” — Don Hahn ([08:29])
  “At the end of the day, it’s... still a toilet, right?” — Don Hahn, on selling gold toilets/fan priorities ([08:54])

• On Mets’ Instability

  “There has not been a lot of stability with this team. 101 wins, then you finish with 90 losses the next year...” — Peter Rosenberg ([10:08])

• On Salary Cap & Contract Amnesty

  “I still think MLB, if they’re going to do a salary cap, especially a hard cap, you have to do an amnesty provision that gets you out of at least one massive contract...” — Don Hahn ([13:09])

Important Timestamps

• Main Yankees offseason priorities and Cashman’s state of play: [00:43 - 01:39]
• Roster departures, arbitration notes: [01:48 - 02:36]
• Trent Grisham controversy / fan reaction: [03:00 - 03:35]
• Corey Seeger rumor breakdown: [03:52 - 05:05]
• Cashman on outfield plan: [05:42 - 06:13]
• Mets free agent strategy/Bellinger: [08:29 - 10:53]
• Yankees pitching depth and injury report: [11:02 - 13:09]
• Discussion of Seeger’s durability and Volpe’s future: [16:14 - 17:12]

The Episode’s Tone & Style

The hosts combine hard-nosed New York sports skepticism with playful, sarcastic jabs, especially regarding management “spin” and perennial woes of both city franchises. There’s a strong undercurrent of fan perspective and frustration, sharpened by Rosenberg’s directness, Hahn’s sportswriter’s knowledge, and La Greca’s classic broadcaster demeanor.

Episode Summary:

With an uncertain roster and pressing injuries, the Yankees’ offseason narrative is marked by fan discontent, trade speculation, and the financial/labor climate’s looming unpredictability. Critical points include whether the outfield can reach championship caliber, if the franchise should gamble on a big Seeger deal, and how both the Yankees and Mets will use their financial pull to solve persistent instability. The episode closes with Knicks talk, but the focus is squarely on the unpredictable baseball landscape this winter.