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3 Low-Budget Free Agent Signings That Would Really Help Yankees

By Brendan Balsamo

After stints with the Mets and the Diamondbacks, Wilmer Flores is still on the free agent market.
After stints with the Mets and the Diamondbacks, Wilmer Flores is still on the free agent market. / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

There's no question that, as of now, the New York Yankees are probably the most well-off team in baseball. Without any improvements to their team at this point, they're still the front runners to win the World Series. However, with a budget like Brian Cashman's, they still have the ability to go out and pick up a few more players for cheap.

There's still plenty of talent left on the market, and the Yankees shouldn't be afraid to add depth pieces. Here's some talent that could make a real difference on the team in 2020:

3. Collin McHugh

The Yankees already nabbed a former Astro this winter. Why not two?
The Yankees already nabbed a former Astro this winter. Why not two? / Tim Warner/Getty Images

Bullpens win championships, and even though the Yankees already have a good one, it can never be too good. That's why signing Collin McHugh would be a great move. McHugh is for sure going to be cheap. He's coming off a limited 2019 in which he had elbow issues, and he's entering his age-30 season. However, when fully healthy, McHugh has shown to be elite. In 2018, he pitched to the tune of a 1.99 ERA and 4.48 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 58 games. He has a very high ceiling despite the injury-riddled 2019, so to bolster the bullpen, the Yankees should definitely consider taking in McHugh, who can truly eat up some innings.

2. Wilmer Flores

Wilmer Flores has consistently exceeded expectations regardless of what team he's on.
Wilmer Flores has consistently exceeded expectations regardless of what team he's on. / Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Wilmer Flores is a crosstown fan-favorite in Queens. However loved he is, though, the New York Mets seem to refuse to add him back. He's still on the block if a team wants to pick him up, and after hitting .317 in scattered appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019, Flores could be a valuable piece for any team. If either Gleyber Torres or DJ LeMahieu go down at any point in 2020, the only option they have up the middle would be to put Tyler Wade in the field, who has shown that he's not the most capable at the Major League level. Flores is only entering his age 28 season, and could prove to be a player similar to LeMahieu last year; a utility man picked up for cheap, but when given the opportunity, comes through in a big way.

1. Russell Martin

A reunion with Russell Martin could be a great move for the Yankees.
A reunion with Russell Martin could be a great move for the Yankees. / Rob Carr/Getty Images

Catcher is the position that the Yankees lack the most depth in. Besides Gary Sanchez, the only other option is Kyle Higashioka, who has yet to prove himself in the big beagues. Not only do the Yanks need a backup, but they also could use a veteran player to mentor both young catchers. Who better than Russell Martin? Martin is no stranger to the Bronx, having been the Yankees starting option in 2011 and 2012, and his 14 years of MLB experience could be invaluable to guys like Sanchez, who has consistently shown a need for leadership, and Higashioka, a player with limited appearances in MLB and may need help adapting. Martin would bring not only a decent bat to the team, but an innumerable amount of intangibles that can't be measured by any sabermetrics.