With Manny Machado and Bryce Harper still available on the open market, it seems as if the Yankees have pivoted to taking care of their own.
Last week, Luis Severino signed a four-year, $40 million contract extension with an option for a fifth year. Now, there are rumblings that Dellin Betances‘ agent, Jim Murray, has had conversations with Brian Cashman about a new deal.
Betances said Jim Murray, his agent, has had discussions with the Cashman about a possible contract extension. But Betances wouldn’t specify when those talks occurred. He did say he loves being a Yankee and would like to stay here.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) February 18, 2019
Betances, who turns 31 on March 23, is entering his final year before free agency. The New York City native has been one of the best relievers in baseball since 2014. In 2018, he became the first reliever in MLB history to strike out at least 100 batters in five straight seasons.
Cashman said recently to Joel Sherman of the NY Post that the organization is “open for business” regarding players who are just short of free agency. Along with Betances, keep an eye on walk-year guys like Didi Gregorius, Aaron Hicks and Austin Romine, and even Aaron Judge, who isn’t arbitration eligible until 2020.
