Yankees Rumors: Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Justin Verlander, Matt Olson On NY’s Radar For 2022

At the start of the offseason, the New York Yankees are at least acting like a team that’s ready to make significant improvements to the roster. The Yankees have shown an interest in the top players in free agency and on the trade market.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been in contract with the agents of Carlos Correa and Corey Seager, according to reports. New York is among the teams that has scouted Justin Verlander, and the team has reportedly discussed trying to trade for Matt Olson.

It’s been rumored for some time that the Yankees would aggressively pursue the best shortstops in free agency. Correa and Seager are at the top of that list with two All-Star appearances apiece and success in the postseason.

Correa has 18 playoff home runs in 79 games with the Houston Astros, while Seager won both the NLCS and World Series MVP award during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2020 championship run. Correa led all position players with a 7.3 WAR in the 2021 MLB season. Seager’s .915 OPS in 95 games would’ve been the seventh-best in the National League if he had enough at-bats to qualify.

Gleyber Torres’ regression over the last two years has put the Yankees in the market for a shortstop. Torres was moved to second base in the latter part of the season, and there is speculation that New York could look to move him in a trade.

After SNY’s Andy Martino reported that the Oakland Athletics might make Olson available, NJ.com’s Brendan Kuty reported that the Yankees have held internal discussions about making an offer for the first baseman. Olson had a career year in 2021, hitting .271/.371/.540 with 39 home runs and 111 RBI.

A season after leading the league in home runs, Yankees’ first baseman Luke Voit was limited to 68 games because of injuries. Signing Anthony Rizzo, who played well for New York after being acquired at the trade deadline, is also an option for the Yankees.

Olson is under team control for two more seasons.

Verlander is a free agent after making just one start in the last two years. The 2019 AL Cy Young winner is among the best pitchers in baseball when healthy, though he’s coming off Tommy John Surgery and will be 39 years old on Opening Day 2022.

About half of MLB teams, including the Yankees, sent a representative to Verlander’s showcase earlier this week. Verlander had a 2.45 ERA in 74 starts with the Astros from 2017-2020.

The Yankees lost to the Boston Red Sox in the 2021 AL Wild-Card Game. New York hasn't reached the World Series since winning the 2009 Fall Classic.