After the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade last season, there was a tremendous sense of urgency and the organization acted accordingly. In arguably the biggest offseason in baseball history, the Yankees went out and spent over $400 million in free agents. The pricey additions – starters C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixeira – have paid off thus far. A year ago, the Yankees were a team on the brink with some serious question marks. Now, they’re a game away from the World Series. Sabathia and Burnett bolstered the rotation and Teixeira proved to be the missing piece in the heart of the lineup. However the Yankees’ revival was reliant on a lot more than adding a few new pieces. Veteran stalwarts Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon drastically improved upon their 2008 campaigns, A-Rod overcame his playoff failures, and Mariano Rivera continued his ninth-inning domination.
Things are once again looking rosy for the Yankees as they make their push for their 27th World Series Championship, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some concerns looming on the horizon. The Yankees will have a number of issues to address this offseason including how to address 60% of their starting rotation, what paths to take with prized arms Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, and potentially having to fill all three outfield positions for 2010. I wouldn’t expect an encore performance of the Yankees’ free-spending offseason of 2009, but I do anticipate a series of moves to address the aforementioned issues.
As a result, these are the moves I’d make this offseason if I were Brian Cashman…
The 2010 New York Yankees Fantasy GM
1. Sign SP Erik Bedard
After the Mariners’ success without Bedard this season, it’s highly unlikely they’ll offer him arbitration and pay him upwards of $8 million to come back and pitch for them again next season. Bedard, for all intents and purposes, has become the left-handed Rich Harden. A dominant pitcher when healthy, but rarely ever healthy. He made only 30 starts in his two years as a Mariner and underwent season-ending shoulder surgery this past August. There are some positive signs here, though. He was fairly dominant when he was healthy in 2009, posting a 2.82 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 82 innings pitched. Also, the shoulder surgery was considered relatively “minor,” only repairing a frayed labrum, which means – barring any unforeseen setbacks – he should be ready to go for spring training. The starting pitching free agent pool is rather thin this offseason and especially light on effective left-handed starters. The Yankees may lose Andy Pettitte and though they have Sabathia as their ace, they could use another lefty in the back-end of the rotation. The Yankees took a gamble on signing A.J. Burnett last offseason, who was stigmatized as a fragile pitcher, but it paid off. The Yankees could take a gamble again this offseason on Bedard for a fraction of the price. If I were the Yankees, I’d give Bedard a one-year, $8 million deal with a team-option for a big payday in 2011 ($12-15 million) if he can prove that he’s once again healthy.
2. Re-sign OF Johnny Damon, do not resign DH Hideki Matsui
There were times where the $52 million contract the Yankees gave to Johnny Damon was going to backfire on them, but Damon proved to be worth the money in the end. Damon looked worn down in 2007 and nearing the end of his career, but has since given the Yankees two very productive campaigns in 2008 and 2009. He’s aged well. What he’s lost in speed, he’s made up for in power, base-running savvy (12 SBs in 12 attempts this season), and improved plate discipline. Sure, he may have the worst throwing arm of any starting outfielder in baseball, but he’s flourished in the #2 spot in the lineup and infuses the team with excitement. I’d bring him back as the team’s left fielder in 2010 by giving him a 3-year, $30 million deal, which is a little risky for a 36-year old, but he hasn’t shown signs of slowing down recently and his offensive value over the last two years has been worth the money. Given that you’re bringing back one hitter pushing 40, I’d have to let the other one – Matsui – walk. Matsui is still a reliable power hitter, but he’s aging much quicker than Damon and is limited to strictly to being a DH. He still has some value, but the Yankees can absorb the loss without having to bring back another hitter pushing 40.
3. Trade SP Chien-Ming Wang & RP Damaso Marte to Indians for DH Travis Hafner & RP Kerry Wood
This is basically two teams swapping players who no longer fit their roster. The Yankees get more upside, but have to take on more salary. The Indians get rid of some dead weight on the payroll to further the rebuilding process, but lose their closer. Both teams would benefit, however. The Yankees plan on non-tendering Chien-Ming Wang, which means they’d outright lose him if they don’t find a trading partner in the coming months. Damaso Marte’s career in New York has been a complete bust and he’s been phased out. Hafner has hit a brick wall in his early thirties as many stiff power hitters of his prototype have in the past, but he showed signs of rediscovering his stroke in 2009. If he’s even 75% healthy, the damage this left-handed power-masher could do in Yankee Stadium next season is very tempting. His power has waned, but given his massive size and bulk, he’s still capable of tanking any pitch he can get a hold of and he’s still capable of drawing walks at an above-average rate. Meanwhile, Wood gives the Yankees another power arm in the bullpen and a potential set-up man depending on what the team decides to do with Joba and Hughes. They’d be taking on a good amount of payroll, but Wood has become a very effective reliever who would likely thrive in a mid-relief role and Hafner would give them a younger alternative to Matsui at DH.
4. Trade 1B Juan Miranda and RP Brian Bruney to Rockies for RF Brad Hawpe
With the emergences of Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler, and Seth Smith, Hawpe has become expendable for the Rockies, who are always looking to get younger. Hawpe has been a model of consistency for the last four years for the Rockies, hitting 22 or more HRs driving in 84+ RBIs, drawing 74+ walks, and hitting at least .283 in each season. At age 30, he’s still in his peak years and just set a career-high with 42 doubles in 2009. Hawpe is a stranger to the disabled list and can be relied on as an everyday starter. Additionally, despite playing in Coors, his home and away splits are nearly identical. He’d be a great fit in the Yankees lineup and Yankees stadium and would give them a reasonably priced RF. Acquiring Xavier Nady paid dividends prior to his unfortunate injury making him a non-factor in 2009. Hawpe offers the same type of potential for production with more power and less risk. The Yankees would give up Juan Miranda, who has flashed good offensive upside in AAA (think Kendry Morales-lite) and would be a potential heir to 1B when Todd Helton’s time comes to an end. Miranda’s future prospects are drawing dead in New York, however, with Teixeira firmly entrenched at 1B. Bruney, a serviceable righty, is another player with modest upside, but would have a tough time fitting onto the roster as is. With the depth in the bullpen, he is certainly a tradeable commodity.
5. Sign CF Mike Cameron
I’ve been calling for the Yankees to acquire Mike Cameron for the last three offseasons now, and though he’ll be 36 next season, I still think he’d be a good fit for them. The Yankees nearly acquired him for Melky Cabrera last offseason but weren’t able to hammer out the details with the Brewers and the trade fell through. Now Cameron is a free agent and the Yankees can add him without having to give up any personnel. Despite being 35, Cameron posted the third-best range factor of all centerfielders in 2009 and provided his usual offensive output. He’s not a great hitter, by any means, but he has pop and still has some speed. He’s a poor-man’s Johnny Damon at the plate, but due to his high strikeout rate, will never hit much better than .250. Cameron’s addition, nonetheless, would give them a veteran power hitter at the bottom of the lineup, a tremendous defensive presence in center field, and allow Melky to flourish as a fourth outfielder. Given Cameron’s age, I’d give him a 1-year, $8.5 million deal (which is a modest raise from his 1-year, $7 million deal from last season).
6. Resign SP Andy Pettitte
I know I already gave the Yankees Erik Bedard, but there’s nothing wrong with having three effective left-handed starters in your rotation in the AL East. Pettitte looked like he was on the verge of retirement last offseason, but the Yankees lured him back on a 1-year $5.5 million deal and Pettitte was worth every penny of it (or at least for a team with unlimited payroll like the Yankees, he was). He gave them 32 starts, posting a solid 4.16 ERA, a near 2:1 K:BB rate and being a rock of consistency behind Sabathia and Burnett. The rest of the rotation would’ve been a complete liability without him. Additionally, he’s shown he can still take the ball on the big stage and can still thrive under pressure. His season could’ve been ever better if he didn’t make half his starts in the Yankees’ pinball machine of a stadium, as evidenced by his 3.71 road ERA. I’d bring Pettitte back on another 1-year deal in the neighborhood of $7 million, as he’s likely earned the raise for his 2009 performance. He’s always been good for 30+ starts and even at age 37, can still reliably take the ball every fifth day.
7. Sign SP Jon Garland
It appears as if the Yankees can rely on 30+ from Sabathia, Burnett, and Pettitte next season, but will have the roll the dice with Bedard. Signing Garland would give them a reliable, quality fifth starter. Garland, all things considered, is a pedestrian arm, but as a fifth starter, he offers pretty good value. Garland’s best asset, and quite possibly the only thing he offers at an above-average rate, is durability. He’s made 32 or more starts in every season since 2002. He keeps hitters fairly off-balance and though he’s very hittable, he knows how to use his defense, and can usually get out of jams. He’s not overpowering, but he’s improved his HRA rate and despite bouncing around in recent years, has still pulled in double-digit wins and maintained his consistency. Given all the starting pitching injuries the Yankees have suffered in recent years, Garland’s durability would go a long way. I’d give him a 2-year, $14 million to secure the fifth spot in the rotation and take some pressure off the young arms and the bullpen.
8. Keep RPs Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes in the bullpen
Chamberlain, despite the strong resistance by the Yankees’ brass to use him as a mediocre starter instead of a shutdown set-up man, is a no-brainer. The team gave him the opporuntity to be a full-time starter this season and it didn’t pan out. Not only was he monitored every pitch of the way, babied during every start, and eventually wore down to the point where, down the stretch, he was basically used as a reliever to start games for the first two or three innings. On top of all the maintenance and time invested in the project, the worst part was that he still wasn’t even an effective starter. As a matter of fact, his 4.75 ERA and unsightly 1.54 WHIP were well worse than the league-average numbers for AL starters. His HRA and walk rates soared and he lost his overpowering edge. At no point was he anywhere near dominant. The Yankees learned the hard way this season: Joba belongs in the bullpen. This year, he needs to return to the set-up role and be groomed to replace Mariano Rivera, whose contract is up at the end of next season.
Hughes has a bit more flexibility. What’s keeping him from a spot in the rotation is his need to develop a third pitch, which is something he has been working on and will continue to work on. Hughes has added a cutter to his arsenal, but as seen by his failings as a starter, he still needs to hone it. He’s got an excellent fastball and can change the pace with a solid curve, but if he doesn’t want to be the next Mike Pelfrey and be forced to rely on a fastball, he’ll have to continue to master the cutter. The best way to allow him to do that – besides extensive work in the offseason – is out of the bullpen again in 2010. Once he can establish a more robust repetoire, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be re-inserted into the rotation in 2011. He still has the stuff, makeup, and arm to project as a top-of-the-rotation starter. Unlike Joba, he has the arm durability to handle the workload of a starter. I’d give him one more season to refine his tools in the bullpen – given he’s still so young – and plan on moving him into the rotation in 2011. Also, just think how dominant that bullpen could be next season with Rivera, Chamberlain, Hughes, and Wood, not to mention, David Robertson, who was one of the best strikeout pitchers amongst all relievers this season.
9. Resign IF/OF Jerry Hairston, Jr. & C Jose Molina
Both of these veterans are essential pieces of the Yankees reserve cast. Hairston’s versatility and ability to step into just about any position at any time in the game makes him invaluable as a super-utility player. He’s also been surprisingly productive with the bat and offers great speed on the basepaths. He’d give the team a fifth outfielder, back-up middle infielder, pinch-hitter, and pinch-runner extraordinaire all in one roster spot and for a reasonable price. I’d resign him with a two-year, $4 million contract. I’d also bring back Molina, a fundamentally sound defensive catcher and the perfect complement to Jorge Posada. He’d also likely serve as Burnett’s personal catcher, increasing his value. Francisco Cervelli has some upside, but he can spend another year in AAA and work on his game-calling abilities while the Yankees give Molina another year as Posada’s back-up. I’d resign Molina for one year at $1.5 million.
10. Sign RP B.J. Ryan to a minor-league deal
The Yankees coveted Ryan four years ago as their primary set-up man when he hit free agency, but lost out to the Blue Jays who offered him a whopping contract and the ability to be a full-time closer. Ryan had his ups and downs during his tenure in Toronto. When he was good, he was his an above-average closer; when he was bad, he was usually hurt. Then, he downright imploded last season and became a roster casualty during the Blue Jays’ roster purge. That doesn’t mean he’s finished. If the Blue Jays were still competitive, you can bet they would’ve let him work his problems out in mid-relief. He went to the Cubs and was subsequently cut again, but the Cubs have a history of giving up on pitchers with mechanical issues (see: Rich Hill, Chad Gaudin, etc.). Given Ryan’s accomplishment, he warrants another opportunity and the Yankees can now bring him in practically for free. I’d give him a minor-league deal and let him battle it out with Phil Coke for the lefty-specialist spot in the bullpen.
11. Make OF Melky Cabrera the fourth outfielder; option OF Brett Gardner to AAA
Cabrera is a serviceable starter in centerfield and would probably be held in much higher regard as any everyday player on a small-market franchise. However, while he’s still capable as an everyday player, his skill set would make him a premier fourth outfielder. He can handle all three outfield spot, he’s got great range and a great arm in the field, he can switch-hit, he has some pop, and he’s got speed on the basepaths. He’s the type of guy who does everything well, but not much great. Given the make-up of this roster, he’s the perfect fit for a fourth outfielder. Gardner impressed when he was healthy last year, and has the potential to be a very good fourth outfielder in his own right, but there’s just no room for him right now. Anything he could offer would already be offered by either Cabrera or Hairston, so he’d be best kept in AAA, should an injury occur.
As a result, if I were the Yankees’ GM this offseason, this is the roster I would assemble for 2010:
The 2010 New York Yankees
Starting Lineup:
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jorge Posada, C
6. Brad Hawpe, RF
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Travis Hafner, DH
9. Mike Cameron, CF
Bench:
Jose Molina (C)
Jerry Hairston, Jr. (IF/OF)
Nick Swisher (1B/OF)
Melky Cabrera (OF)
Starting Rotation:
1. C.C. Sabathia
2. A.J. Burnett
3. Erik Bedard
4. Andy Pettitte
5. Jon Garland
Bullpen:
Mariano Rivera (Closer)
Joba Chamberlain (Set-up man)
Phil Hughes
Kerry Wood
B.J. Ryan
David Robertson
Alfredo Aceves
Analysis: The Yankees really only have two major areas of concern: the outfield and the back-end of the rotation. Adding Hawpe and Cameron and resigning Damon fixes the outfield, while adding Bedard and Garland and resigning Pettitte patches up the rotation. Essentially, the Yankees added the foundation to their team with big contracts last offseason and this offseason, they’re peppering in one-year deals to lock up a strong supporting veteran cast to address their deficiencies. If they can get similar production from Damon, Jeter, and Posada in the lineup and Burnett, Pettitte, and Rivera on the pitching staff, then they’ll be in good shape. Adding more talent that’s still at or near the midpoints of their careers, including Hawpe, Hafner, and Wood, makes things even better. They’ll have arguably the best lineup, starting pitcher, and bullpen in all of baseball, all assembled on the same team, which puts them in good position for a division title repeat in 2010.
Posted by James 
Posted by ny3doorsdown 
Posted by ny3doorsdown 