I was really hoping to have a lot to write about the Yankees during this Winter's Hot Stove but other than signing CC to a new contract and minor deal for Freddy Garcia for 1 year, Cashman has given me nothing to write about. In a way that's good since they Yankees have already over spent on A-Rod, Tex, CC, Mo, and Jeter. I'm not saying that those players aren't worth the money, but they do tie up a lot of payroll.
A-Rod's contract is the worse and he definitely is not going to be worth the money in a year or two as his production declines even more. I think the Angels will have the same problem with Pujols towards the end of his contract but they figure he has at least a good 5, maybe 6 years before the numbers start dropping to mediocrity like A-Rod numbers. Of course, Pujols can always become a DH in a few years to help his bat out.
The Yankees still need a starting pitcher to shore up the rotation. Garcia is 1 year older and getting into Phil Niekro territory if his "fast" ball slows down anymore. I think a trade for a young pitcher who is not arbitration-eligible would be a good move but there aren't many available. The free agent pitchers left are really not worth spending money on when you already have an overpaid #2 in Burnett. Rumor has it that the A's may part with Gio Gonzalez which is great if the Yankees can work out a deal without giving up too much. This means that Gio will go to another team for a steal while Cashman will be asked for Montero, Betances, and two other rookies he won't give up. Another decent alternative I mentioned earlier would be Justin Masterson from the Indians. He is not as good as Gonzalez, but he's young, cheap and has experience in the AL East coming up with the Boston Red Sox.
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My first topic about the Yankees is going to be C.C. Sabathia's option. The Yankees want to keep him locked up for longer and Sabathia seems happy to be here although losing to the Tigers and the lack of starting pitching depth might give him pause. Best case scenario, is that the Yankees sign him to a new contract to keep him locked up for longer. Worse case scenario would C.C. opting out and signing with another team. In between would be Sabathia playing out the rest of his contract - this could mean putting up monster numbers until the end of his contract and signing for even more money with a new contract with the Yankees or perhaps he has an injury which causes him to be albatross for the rest of the contract (which could also happen if he signs a new long-term deal with the Yanks).
I think it would be in the Yankees best interest to take a gamble and NOT give him a new long-term deal. Now, IF C.C. gets the ball rolling about a negotiation for a new contract, the Yankees have to get a deal done like they did with A-Rod. However, I certainly wouldn't go to C.C. and ask him to negotiate a new deal. The Yankees need to concentrate on getting C.C. some help in the rotation. A.J. isn't doing it and Nova is still unproven though he does have a lot of upside right now. Hughes is a big question mark at this point. The great thing is that the bullpen is in great shape right now. Soriano can replace Mo eventually and Robertson showed he has what it takes for the 8th inning. With Joba healthy, that's lights out from the 6th inning on when necessary. It certainly bodes well for a mixing and matching for the late innings with so many dependable bullpen arms.
Available starting pitcher free agents: the list is pretty thin. C.J. Wilson will be a free agent but don't count on him coming to New York if the Rangers win the World Series. I doubt that Nolan Ryan will let him leave that easily. Cashman is going to need to be creative. Garcia and Colon will not be coming back and Cashman may have to trade to get someone to help fill the rotation. Maybe he can pry Justin Masterson from the Cleveland Indians.
The Yankees have other needs besides the starting rotation to address as well. I will get into that in later posts. Those are my thoughts so far. Let me know what you think - just don't hate on the Yanks!
Brian Lau I think C.C. will be back with the Yankees. The Yankees are a better team with him, they'll offer him a really good contract. To let him walk, and not offer any deal would be a surprise. If he does walk, then I think it will because he want...s to be back on the West Coast. I'm fine with a Championship in his three years here.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to deal A.J. He's become a real distraction. Let the Yankees eat a portion of the contract and trade him for prospects. Let's try to trade for a Matt Garza, and maybe sign CJ Wilson. I'm not sold on CJ, but he might be able to do well here, if he's not considered "the guy".
I don't think Soriano has the makeup to do well here. My money is on Robertson. I think when he hits free agency, he'll get big money to close rather than stay with the Yankees and be Soriano's 8th inning guy. Soriano hasn't done anything to earn it, while Robertson has proven that he should be considered. Unfortunately, Hughes is going to need to prove himself all over again.
As much as the pitching held their own this year, I would count the same performance next year. On another note, this offseason is going to be fascinating. I think the story will be the Red Sox and what they do to the team. Should be interesting.
Soriano was lights out towards the end of the season when called upon. I think he can do just fine. I don't think that Garza will be available and he's not that great for the money 6M per year - we already have a 10-10 guy in AJ. Justin Masterson only made 500k last year and his era was 3.21 and baa was .257 while going 12 - 10. I know 12 -10 isn't much better than 10 - 10 but he's 4.5M cheaper and has more of an upside I think since he's younger. Masterson also pitched for the Red Sox and pitched lights out against the Yankees in his rookie year.
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