As of last month, the New York Yankees were not considering signing free-agent right-hander Trevor Bauer. Unless their stance suddenly changes, The Athletic's Chris Kirschner doesn't expect Bauer to end up in the Bronx. The 32-year-old former Cy Young winner finished with a 2.59 ERA and 25.2 percent strikeout rate in 156 2/3 innings for the DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball in 2023 and is looking to return to the U.S. this offseason. He's likely looking for a one-year, prove-it deal, but the Yankees are apparently looking elsewhere on the pitching market. It remains to be seen if any MLB team will take a chance on him after not pitching in the U.S. since 2021 for the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a domestic-violence incident.

The Athletic's Chris Kirschner believes that New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is essentially untradeable. Since the 2022 All-Star break, Stanton has hit .182/.268/.400 with 31 home runs and an 84 wRC+ in 549 plate appearances. He's owed over $98 million over the next four years and has a full no-trade clause. Not many teams will be rushing to trade for that kind of salary given Stanton's high injury risk. He has one of the worst contracts in the game. The only way the Yankees might be able to deal him is by paying a sizeable portion of the money he's owed while also attaching prospects. Another thing going against Stanton is that since 2022, he has hit .175/.258/.337 with only eight home runs and 77 strikeouts against fastballs 95 mph or harder.

The Athletic's Brendan Kuty writes that it doesn't seem likely that the New York Yankees will look to keep infielder Gleyber Torres around long term. Torres has said he wants to remain with the team for the rest of his career, but the Yankees have discussed dealing him at each of the last two trade deadlines and haven't started any kind of extension talks with him. New York could also consider trading him at this year's deadline before he becomes a free agent next winter. The Yankees will want to extend outfielder Juan Soto next year, and ace Gerrit Cole will almost certainly use his opt-out in his nine-year, $324 million deal, but the Yankees will counter by activating their 10th-year option. The 27-year-old was a bright spot for the Bombers in a disappointing 2023 campaign, so if Torres has another good year in 2024, he'll certainly want to see what he can get on the open market.

The New York Yankees have interest in trading for Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo, according to a team source. Luzardo is under team control for three more years, so he's going to cost a lot, and the Marlins would likely ask for Yankees' No. 1 prospect, Spencer Jones, in any deal for Luzardo. Miami could also be interested in Oswald Peraza, as they need a shortstop. The Fish could also want to keep Luzardo around, as former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara (elbow) will miss all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Youngster Eury Perez will likely be on an innings limit. The Marlins need Luzardo in their starting rotation, so they might have to be blown away by a trade offer to even consider shipping him away this offseason. In 2023, Luzardo went 10-10 with a 3.58 ERA (3.55 FIP), 1.21 WHIP and a career-high 208 strikeouts in 32 starts (178 2/3 innings).

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco will likely not be allowed to enter the United States while facing accusations of sexual abuse of a minor, an aggravated felony in his native Dominican Republic, according to two immigration attorneys who have worked with major-league teams and players. Based on this, Franco's presence at spring training and his availability for at least the start of the 2024 season appear to be in doubt, even before MLB considers any action amid their separate investigation. "Barring a full exoneration in this case, where it comes out that this was all made up, I don't see him very likely coming back anytime soon, if ever," said Javad Khazaeli, a former prosecutor for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The 22-year-old will most likely open the 2024 season on the restricted list and could have to forfeit the remaining $174 million left on his 11-year, $182 million he signed in November of 2021.