With the Yankees 8.5 up on September 5th, I think it’s safe to look ahead to the postseason.
C (2):
Jorge Posada
Jose Molina
IF(5):
Mark Teixeira
Robbie Cano
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Jerry Hairston Jr.
OF(5):
The Swish
Melky Cabrera
Johnny Damon
Eric Hinske
Brett Gardner
DH(1):
Godzilla
Pitchers(12)
Rotation:
CC Sabathia
Andy Pettitte
AJ Burnett
Joba Chamberlain*
Bullpen:
Mariano Rivera
Phil Hughes
David Robertson
Alfredo Aceves
Phil Coke
Damaso Marte
Sergio Mitre
Mark Melancon*
Thoughts:
-I think the Yankees should only carry 12 pitchers. Matsui’s lack of mobility makes having pinch runners important and more fielders an absolute neccessity.
-I ordered the bullpen in order of importance in a big game.
-Joba could get knocked down to the ‘pen if need be.
-I penned Melancon in, but if Bruney turns it around, he’s back the mix. I just don’t trust him right now.
-Brett Gardner’s in, assuming he comes back okay.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Pinstriper: The Brian Bruney Problem
About a week ago I wrote about the Phil Coke problem. He was not pitching effectively as the main lefty reliever. Now I will talk about Brian Bruney. Bruney is 4-0 with a 4.55 ERA this season. Last season he was 3-0 with a 1.83 ERA. The year before, however, he was 3-2 with a 4.68 ERA. Bruney has shown the ability to be lights-out and started the year as the Yankees set-up man. I felt this was a great idea at the time and that he would be an awesome set-up man. I've changed my mind. Since June 28th Bruney has pitched 16.2 innings with a 4.44 ERA. That is mediocre. Bruney had an 11.81 ERA in July and a 0.87 ERA in August. The August ERA looks great. Here are the facts though:
-Bruney has gone 6 innings without recording a strikeout.
-In Bruney's last 9 appearances, only 2 of them were with a lead of 2 or less runs.
-Joe Girardi has only used Bruney in big lead or low-risk situations.
-Bruney has a 8.71 ERA with runners on when he enters the game.
-Bruney has a 15.00 ERA with runners in scoring position when he enters the game. (The ERA doesn't include runners that were already on base when he entered the game)
-Bruney has a horrific 38.57 ERA with runners in scoring position and 2 outs when he enters the game.
Pete Abraham listed Bruney as a borderline candidate for a postseason spot. If Girardi isn't willing to use him in tight situations....how can he help in the postseason?
I'd like to see Bruney be used in close games this month. If he pitches poorly: no playoff spot, if he pitches well: postseason spot. That simple.
*This post was written by Brandon of The Pinstriper*
-Bruney has gone 6 innings without recording a strikeout.
-In Bruney's last 9 appearances, only 2 of them were with a lead of 2 or less runs.
-Joe Girardi has only used Bruney in big lead or low-risk situations.
-Bruney has a 8.71 ERA with runners on when he enters the game.
-Bruney has a 15.00 ERA with runners in scoring position when he enters the game. (The ERA doesn't include runners that were already on base when he entered the game)
-Bruney has a horrific 38.57 ERA with runners in scoring position and 2 outs when he enters the game.
Pete Abraham listed Bruney as a borderline candidate for a postseason spot. If Girardi isn't willing to use him in tight situations....how can he help in the postseason?
I'd like to see Bruney be used in close games this month. If he pitches poorly: no playoff spot, if he pitches well: postseason spot. That simple.
*This post was written by Brandon of The Pinstriper*
Baseball Hot Corner: Yankees Provide Answers
I was flipping through the Sporting News MLB Preview issue. (March 30, 2009.) A column titled, "What Could Stop The Yanks?" caught my eye: "Sporting News asked three members of the defending World Series champion Phillies to identify the Yankees' biggest weakness: OF Shane Victorino: Defense. OF Geoff Jenkins: Middle relief. Closer Brad Lidge: Too much talent.
A formidable list considering the context of recent seasons. Safe to say, the question marks have been replaced by exclamation points. I'll let the experts provide the graphs but my eyes tell me '08's defensive problems have been solved. Especially noteworthy is the right side of the infield. Teixeira's range and soft hands provide a stark contrast to Giambi's imitation of a fire hydrant. Cano's arm combines with fluid grace to routinely rob potential hits. The pitchers are grateful.
The middle relief hole was shrewdly plugged when Girardi changed Phil Hughes' job description. A struggling starter transformed to a dominant stopper. The Great Rivera finally had company.
"Too much talent?" The New York Yankees are the only team that can afford this unconventional issue. A rich group of disparate mercenaries have gelled into a cohesive unit. The results speak. The questions have been answered.
*This post was written by Mark Serio of Baseball Hot Corner
A formidable list considering the context of recent seasons. Safe to say, the question marks have been replaced by exclamation points. I'll let the experts provide the graphs but my eyes tell me '08's defensive problems have been solved. Especially noteworthy is the right side of the infield. Teixeira's range and soft hands provide a stark contrast to Giambi's imitation of a fire hydrant. Cano's arm combines with fluid grace to routinely rob potential hits. The pitchers are grateful.
The middle relief hole was shrewdly plugged when Girardi changed Phil Hughes' job description. A struggling starter transformed to a dominant stopper. The Great Rivera finally had company.
"Too much talent?" The New York Yankees are the only team that can afford this unconventional issue. A rich group of disparate mercenaries have gelled into a cohesive unit. The results speak. The questions have been answered.
*This post was written by Mark Serio of Baseball Hot Corner
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Yankees Raffle Info
This from a reader named Jon:
Celebrities for Charity is raffling off two premium tickets (section 105) to the September 26, 2009 Red Sox vs Yankees game @ Yankee Stadium. The prize also includes a $500.00 travel allowance as well as a $200.00 gift certificate to Michael Psilakis' Kefi Restaurant in Manhattan.
Proceeds from the raffle go to benefit charity and can be purchased at : https://www.celebritiesforcharity.org/raffles/alphaomega_sox.cfm.
Raffle tickets are only $2.00 a piece with a min. purchase of 5 tickets.
Entry deadline is September 23, 2009 @ 11:00am EDT.
Celebrities for Charity is raffling off two premium tickets (section 105) to the September 26, 2009 Red Sox vs Yankees game @ Yankee Stadium. The prize also includes a $500.00 travel allowance as well as a $200.00 gift certificate to Michael Psilakis' Kefi Restaurant in Manhattan.
Proceeds from the raffle go to benefit charity and can be purchased at : https://www.celebritiesforcharity.org/raffles/alphaomega_sox.cfm.
Raffle tickets are only $2.00 a piece with a min. purchase of 5 tickets.
Entry deadline is September 23, 2009 @ 11:00am EDT.
Baseball Hot Corner: A.J.'s Engima
When the Yankees went shopping for redemption in the off season, caveat emptor was the order of the day. Three big ticket mercenaries have infused the roster with pennant caliber talent but there is a dark side.
CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira deliver as advertised. All Star caliber, ready for prime time performers provide the Bombers a healthy return on over-the-top investment. It didn't take shrewd baseball judgement to pluck CC or Teix. Their notable skill sets matched perfectly with the rickety roster's gaping holes. "Pay the man his money."--(Rounders)
The third purchase, A.J. Burnett wasn't from the no brainer file. Paying $82.5 million for a 10 time veteran of the DL was ominous. There was no denying A.J.'s talent, nasty, eye-popping stuff was intoxicating. The marriage was made.
Burnett's enigmatic '09 performance is a snapshot of his career: stellar stuff, shaky command, mediocre record. Tuesday night in Baltimore, Burnett attempted to stop a skid of six consecutive starts without a win. It didn't work. Six innings pitched, six runs, 11 hits, frustration festered.
A mediocrity mired 10-8 record for the best team in baseball isn't good enough. The injury history speaks. The future is now. Frustration rules. You get what you pay for.
*This post was written by Mark Serio of Baseball Hot Corner*
CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira deliver as advertised. All Star caliber, ready for prime time performers provide the Bombers a healthy return on over-the-top investment. It didn't take shrewd baseball judgement to pluck CC or Teix. Their notable skill sets matched perfectly with the rickety roster's gaping holes. "Pay the man his money."--(Rounders)
The third purchase, A.J. Burnett wasn't from the no brainer file. Paying $82.5 million for a 10 time veteran of the DL was ominous. There was no denying A.J.'s talent, nasty, eye-popping stuff was intoxicating. The marriage was made.
Burnett's enigmatic '09 performance is a snapshot of his career: stellar stuff, shaky command, mediocre record. Tuesday night in Baltimore, Burnett attempted to stop a skid of six consecutive starts without a win. It didn't work. Six innings pitched, six runs, 11 hits, frustration festered.
A mediocrity mired 10-8 record for the best team in baseball isn't good enough. The injury history speaks. The future is now. Frustration rules. You get what you pay for.
*This post was written by Mark Serio of Baseball Hot Corner*
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sommer Frieze: September Call-Ups
From Chad Jennings Swb blog:
There are no major surprises in the initial wave of September call-ups, but there is one significant surprise among the players filling the resulting holes on the Triple-A roster.
First the big league call-ups.
C Francisco Cervelli
SS Ramiro Pena
RHP Mark Melancon
RHP Edwar Ramirez
LHP Mike Dunn
My predictions were pretty much this exact group, with Jonathan Albaladejo instead of Dunn. I’m a little surprised Alby didn’t get a call-up, but those five 40-man relievers were pretty interchangeable in my mind.
Ok I know what you are thinking. Who is Mike Dunn? The only Dunn I know is Adam Dunn.
Pete Abraham has more:
The left-handed Dunn is interesting. He has struck out 99 in 73.1 innings and allowed only 58 hits. But he also has walked 46. Dunn has shown improvement with his control lately. Girardi loves having two lefties in the pen. It could come down to Dunn or Marte.
Dunn is a 24 yr. old lefty who (as can be seen in the stats above) throws heat. He is 4-3, 3.31. Obviously Coke has…to put it nicely…sucked lately. There is little time left in the season for anyone to “figure out” Dunn. Maybe, like K-Rod did for the Angels in 2002, Dunn may be a late season addition whose unknown quantity is a boon for the Yanks in September and October.
More from Abraham, regarding Jarod Washburn (emphasis mine):
Washburn is 1-2 with a 6.81 ERA in six starts for the Tigers. He has allowed 11 homers in 37 innings. Oh, by the way, Seattle wanted Austin Jackson for him.
People who bash Cashman continuously also should praise him for when he does something right.
*This post was written by Mike Sommer of The Sommer Frieze*
There are no major surprises in the initial wave of September call-ups, but there is one significant surprise among the players filling the resulting holes on the Triple-A roster.
First the big league call-ups.
C Francisco Cervelli
SS Ramiro Pena
RHP Mark Melancon
RHP Edwar Ramirez
LHP Mike Dunn
My predictions were pretty much this exact group, with Jonathan Albaladejo instead of Dunn. I’m a little surprised Alby didn’t get a call-up, but those five 40-man relievers were pretty interchangeable in my mind.
Ok I know what you are thinking. Who is Mike Dunn? The only Dunn I know is Adam Dunn.
Pete Abraham has more:
The left-handed Dunn is interesting. He has struck out 99 in 73.1 innings and allowed only 58 hits. But he also has walked 46. Dunn has shown improvement with his control lately. Girardi loves having two lefties in the pen. It could come down to Dunn or Marte.
Dunn is a 24 yr. old lefty who (as can be seen in the stats above) throws heat. He is 4-3, 3.31. Obviously Coke has…to put it nicely…sucked lately. There is little time left in the season for anyone to “figure out” Dunn. Maybe, like K-Rod did for the Angels in 2002, Dunn may be a late season addition whose unknown quantity is a boon for the Yanks in September and October.
More from Abraham, regarding Jarod Washburn (emphasis mine):
Washburn is 1-2 with a 6.81 ERA in six starts for the Tigers. He has allowed 11 homers in 37 innings. Oh, by the way, Seattle wanted Austin Jackson for him.
People who bash Cashman continuously also should praise him for when he does something right.
*This post was written by Mike Sommer of The Sommer Frieze*
River & Sunset: Pettite Power
I hope you didn't buy what Andy Pettitte was selling last night in Baltimore.
Because, contrary to what the rejuvenated Texan may have said, he wanted to straight-up murder poor Jerry Hairston Jr.
Think about it. If your buddy misplayed a routine grounder that cost you a perfecto in wiffleball, you'd be beside yourself. Now picture it happening with two outs in the seventh inning of an actual game to the psychotically-intense Pettitte. Oh boy.
Poor Hairston already has to deal with never being good enough for dad...and now this?
Sometimes life isn't fair. Let's just hope that Hairston isn't soon on the wrong end of a hunting rifle and Pettitte the wrong end of a level-one felony charge because we need both of these guys.
Especially Pettitte, who, let's face it, has been the Yankees' second-best starter this season. How crazy is that?
The left-hander is 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break and is 12-6 with a 4.03 ERA overall. He's on pace for another season of 200-plus innings and he says his body is feeling better than it has in years.
These are all stunning revelations when you remember where this guy was a year ago.
Pettitte seemed cooked by the end of last season. Like, well-done, burnt on both sides cooked. He was a .500 pitcher with a 4.54 ERA; a guy with a chronically tender elbow and a bum shoulder. He seemed primed for the requisite final season where the once-great pitcher dreadfully embarrasses himself—better known as The David Cone—before he headed off into the sunset.
But a funny thing happened on the way to Deer Park. Pettitte has somehow managed to sidestep a cruel demise, like he's been studying the ending of all 14 Final Destination movies.
He came back after an extended dance with the Yankees in the offseason, taking a steep paycut in the process. He was slated to be the No. 5 starter, a guy who could eat some innings, maybe win 10-12 games and keep his ERA around 4.50.
Instead, he leapfrogged over Chien-Ming Wang's decomposing corpse and both Good Joba and Bad Joba. Now, pitching his best baseball in years, is it that insane to think you'd rather have Pettitte in a big postseason spot over A.J. Burnett?
At 37, Pettitte is improbably an essential piece of the puzzle in the Yankees' drive for No. 27. Let's just hope he realizes the personal and team ramifications that would come with poisoning Jerry Hairston's coffee.
*This post was written by Dan Hanzus of River & Sunset*
Because, contrary to what the rejuvenated Texan may have said, he wanted to straight-up murder poor Jerry Hairston Jr.
Think about it. If your buddy misplayed a routine grounder that cost you a perfecto in wiffleball, you'd be beside yourself. Now picture it happening with two outs in the seventh inning of an actual game to the psychotically-intense Pettitte. Oh boy.
Poor Hairston already has to deal with never being good enough for dad...and now this?
Sometimes life isn't fair. Let's just hope that Hairston isn't soon on the wrong end of a hunting rifle and Pettitte the wrong end of a level-one felony charge because we need both of these guys.
Especially Pettitte, who, let's face it, has been the Yankees' second-best starter this season. How crazy is that?
The left-hander is 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break and is 12-6 with a 4.03 ERA overall. He's on pace for another season of 200-plus innings and he says his body is feeling better than it has in years.
These are all stunning revelations when you remember where this guy was a year ago.
Pettitte seemed cooked by the end of last season. Like, well-done, burnt on both sides cooked. He was a .500 pitcher with a 4.54 ERA; a guy with a chronically tender elbow and a bum shoulder. He seemed primed for the requisite final season where the once-great pitcher dreadfully embarrasses himself—better known as The David Cone—before he headed off into the sunset.
But a funny thing happened on the way to Deer Park. Pettitte has somehow managed to sidestep a cruel demise, like he's been studying the ending of all 14 Final Destination movies.
He came back after an extended dance with the Yankees in the offseason, taking a steep paycut in the process. He was slated to be the No. 5 starter, a guy who could eat some innings, maybe win 10-12 games and keep his ERA around 4.50.
Instead, he leapfrogged over Chien-Ming Wang's decomposing corpse and both Good Joba and Bad Joba. Now, pitching his best baseball in years, is it that insane to think you'd rather have Pettitte in a big postseason spot over A.J. Burnett?
At 37, Pettitte is improbably an essential piece of the puzzle in the Yankees' drive for No. 27. Let's just hope he realizes the personal and team ramifications that would come with poisoning Jerry Hairston's coffee.
*This post was written by Dan Hanzus of River & Sunset*
Respect Jeter's Gangster: Posada Problem
Recently we've been treated to a bevy of stories about Posada's supposedly rocky relationship with AJ Burnett. We've also heard a lot of commentary over the course of the season about Joba's tendency to shake Posada off (used to be seen as a virtue, not so much anymore).
What has stuck out to me, however, is the fact that both of the pitchers who supposedly don't care for Posada's game calling are guys who lack control. That is, they don't hit the target, or anywhere near the target, that Posada sets up and then they blame Posada's pitch selection. Hence Girardi's recent comments about execution.
Take Joba for instance. He pitches like a wuss and probably shakes Posada off because he rather not throw strikes, and Posada rarely calls for intentional walks. These things happen, but the story becomes how hard Posada is to work with.
Burnett has great stuff, but no control. Think more talented Jose Veras. He misses all over the place, gets hit, then has the balls to wonder why Posada called this or that pitch (note: he didn't call for it right down the middle).
So, in conclusion, the problem is the inability of these guys to hit their spots, not Posada's inability to call a game. Sure Posada can be a bit stubborn and rough around the edges, but Burnett and Joba can't locate their pitches, and that's a much bigger problem.
*This post was written by Fernando Alejandro of Respect Jeter's Gangsters*
What has stuck out to me, however, is the fact that both of the pitchers who supposedly don't care for Posada's game calling are guys who lack control. That is, they don't hit the target, or anywhere near the target, that Posada sets up and then they blame Posada's pitch selection. Hence Girardi's recent comments about execution.
Take Joba for instance. He pitches like a wuss and probably shakes Posada off because he rather not throw strikes, and Posada rarely calls for intentional walks. These things happen, but the story becomes how hard Posada is to work with.
Burnett has great stuff, but no control. Think more talented Jose Veras. He misses all over the place, gets hit, then has the balls to wonder why Posada called this or that pitch (note: he didn't call for it right down the middle).
So, in conclusion, the problem is the inability of these guys to hit their spots, not Posada's inability to call a game. Sure Posada can be a bit stubborn and rough around the edges, but Burnett and Joba can't locate their pitches, and that's a much bigger problem.
*This post was written by Fernando Alejandro of Respect Jeter's Gangsters*
6Pound8OunceBabyJoba: Offseason Thoughts
Okay, so I know we’re only 6 games up, and we should be focusing on the pennant race, and all the games and whatnot, but I have to take a moment to think about this upcoming off-season.
There are 7 Yankees eligible for free agency after this season: , Johnny Damon (Type A), Hideki Matsui(Type B), Andy Pettitte (Type B), Jerry Hairston Jr (Type B), Xavier Nady(Type B), Jose Molina, and Eric Hinske.
If all of them walk, and the Yanks make no acquistions, the 2010 lineup and rotation would be as follows:
SS Jeter
DH Swisher
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
C Posada
2B Cano
LF Gardner
CF Austin Jackson
RF Melky Cabrera
CC Sabathia
AJ Burnett
Joba Chamberlain
Phil Hughes
Chien-Ming Wang
As you can see, the lineup has a rather inexperienced and light hitting outfield while the rotation has major question marks with Hughes and Wang. So…Here’s my strategy
Offer Arbitration to Pettitte and Hairston. If they accept, Pettitte can be an option in the rotation, and Hairston can continue his superutility role. If they decline, the Yanks get a compensation round pick for both Pettitte and Hairston. If Hairston declines, the Yanks should still try to sign him, he’s a great asset for the team. Matsui and Nady would both likely accept arbitration, and the Yanks can’t afford to have two DH-type players on the roster, not with Jeter, A-Rod, and Posada all getting older. I would not offer arbitration to Damon because he would likely accept. In arb. he could probably get his salary boosted from $13mm to $14 or 15mm. If the Yanks wait to sign him as a free agent, he might settle for $7 or $8mm.
Call up Francisco Cervelli. Cervelli will take on Molina’s role as the backup catcher. The pitching staff loved him in his stint in the majors this year, much like they love pitching to Molina. Cervelli is a nice, cheap option to back up Jorge, and he hit as well as you could have expected him to in his time in the majors. He is only a backup, so he doesn’t have to be Josh Gibson or anything.
Call up Shelley Duncan. Hinske was great on the bench this year, but Duncan can be just as effective. .271/.370/.534 in triple A with 27 homers. Those numbers are worthy of an MLB roster spot.
Call up Austin Jackson. The center fielder of the future needs to make it to the Bronx this year. He might not be “ready” by April, but I’d be shocked if he isn’t manning center field by May 31st.
Decline Sergio Mitre’s 2010 Option: Okay, he had a good start yesterday. Doesn’t mean I want him on the team next year.
Offer Chien Ming Wang for Seth Smith: Look, the Rockies have Brad Hawpe, Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler, Ryan Spilborghs, and Smith in the outfield. They can get rid of one of them, right? Hawpe, Fowler, and Gonzalez will likely make up their starting outfield, and Spilly can be a fine number 4. The Rox will have a rotation of Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jason Hammel, Jorge de la Rosa, and Jeff Francis. Francis is coming back from shoulder surgery and Cook has had problems with his shoulder as well. So their rotation needs some insurance. Okay, I know what you;re thinking, Wang’s had shoulder surgery too, but the Rox could still use him. Think about it, it’s more likely that 2 of 3 players recover from surgery than 2 of 2. Right? Add in that Wang is a groundball pitcher (exactly what is needed at Coors Field) and you have a good fit. A switch to the NL might be a nice change for the Wanger. He’ll get out of the eye of the NY press, he’ll be facing teams that are easier to beat, and Bob Apodaca has a habit of reviving the careers of aging veterans. Meanwhile, Smith gives the Yanks a big bat in left. And he’s a lefty. A lefty slugger in the New Yankee Stadium? Sounds good to me.
Offer contracts to Andy Pettitte, Ben Sheets, Erik Bedard (Type B), and Justin Duchscherer (Type B). The Yanks’ rotation after declining Mitre’s option and trading Wang leaves just CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Joba Chamberlain returning. That is, if Andy Pettitte doesn’t accept arbitration. If he does, then he’d be in there as well. The Yanks will try to move Phil Hughes back to the rotation as well. Don’t forget that Ian Kennedy will be back from his aneurysm trouble and George Kontos is another in-house option. That’s a lot of young arms to depend on though. Pettitte has easily earned himself a contract for next year. Bedard and Duchscherer are interesting options because although both are injury prone, they have both seen substantial success in the bigs. Sheets is my personal favorite. He missed this year due to injury as well, but God he can throw a baseball. Sheets, Bedard, and Duchscherer are all risky pick-ups, but I don’t see any of them making more than $10mm next year, and none of them are likely to sign for more than 2 years, and even that might be a stretch. The Yanks can flex a little financial muscle to take on a risky pitcher like that, because if they stay healthy the Yanks could end up with the best rotation in baseball. Imagine, if all are healthy, trotting out Sabathia, Burnett, Sheets, Joba, and Hughes.
Some might be outraged that I don’t have an Aroldis Chapman signing, or a Matt Holliday or Jason Bay signing. And I understand that. I’d obviously love to have Holliday or Chapman in pinstripes (not a big Bay fan, sorry), but I see my plan as a simpler way of getting another World Series caliber team out on the field next year. That team would, ideally, look like this….
Lineup
SS Derek Jeter
DH Nick Swisher
1B Mark Teixeira
3B Alex Rodriguez
LF Seth Smith
C Jorge Posada
2B Robinson Cano
RF Brett Gardner
CF Austin Jackson
Bench
OF Melky Cabrera
1B/OF Shelley Duncan
C Francisco Cervelli
UTIL Jerry Hairston Jr.
Rotation
LHP CC Sabathia
RHP AJ Burnett
RHP Ben Sheets
RHP Joba Chamberlain
RHP Phil Hughes
Bullpen
Mariano Rivera (CL)
Alf Aceves
David Robertson
Brian Bruney
Phil Coke (Lefty)
Damaso Marte (Lefty)
Mark Melancon
Also Available:
RHP Chad Gaudin
RHP Jon Albaladejo
RHP Anthony Claggett
RHP Ian Kennedy
RHP Edwar Ramirez
RHP George Kontos
LHP Zach Kroenke
LHP Michael Dunn
1B Juan Miranda
3B Yurendell de Caster
IF Ramiro Pena
That’s what my plan would be if I were Brian Cashman. Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Let’s hear it in the comments
*This post was written by Kevin Seefried of 6Pound8OunceBabyJoba*
There are 7 Yankees eligible for free agency after this season: , Johnny Damon (Type A), Hideki Matsui(Type B), Andy Pettitte (Type B), Jerry Hairston Jr (Type B), Xavier Nady(Type B), Jose Molina, and Eric Hinske.
If all of them walk, and the Yanks make no acquistions, the 2010 lineup and rotation would be as follows:
SS Jeter
DH Swisher
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
C Posada
2B Cano
LF Gardner
CF Austin Jackson
RF Melky Cabrera
CC Sabathia
AJ Burnett
Joba Chamberlain
Phil Hughes
Chien-Ming Wang
As you can see, the lineup has a rather inexperienced and light hitting outfield while the rotation has major question marks with Hughes and Wang. So…Here’s my strategy
Offer Arbitration to Pettitte and Hairston. If they accept, Pettitte can be an option in the rotation, and Hairston can continue his superutility role. If they decline, the Yanks get a compensation round pick for both Pettitte and Hairston. If Hairston declines, the Yanks should still try to sign him, he’s a great asset for the team. Matsui and Nady would both likely accept arbitration, and the Yanks can’t afford to have two DH-type players on the roster, not with Jeter, A-Rod, and Posada all getting older. I would not offer arbitration to Damon because he would likely accept. In arb. he could probably get his salary boosted from $13mm to $14 or 15mm. If the Yanks wait to sign him as a free agent, he might settle for $7 or $8mm.
Call up Francisco Cervelli. Cervelli will take on Molina’s role as the backup catcher. The pitching staff loved him in his stint in the majors this year, much like they love pitching to Molina. Cervelli is a nice, cheap option to back up Jorge, and he hit as well as you could have expected him to in his time in the majors. He is only a backup, so he doesn’t have to be Josh Gibson or anything.
Call up Shelley Duncan. Hinske was great on the bench this year, but Duncan can be just as effective. .271/.370/.534 in triple A with 27 homers. Those numbers are worthy of an MLB roster spot.
Call up Austin Jackson. The center fielder of the future needs to make it to the Bronx this year. He might not be “ready” by April, but I’d be shocked if he isn’t manning center field by May 31st.
Decline Sergio Mitre’s 2010 Option: Okay, he had a good start yesterday. Doesn’t mean I want him on the team next year.
Offer Chien Ming Wang for Seth Smith: Look, the Rockies have Brad Hawpe, Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler, Ryan Spilborghs, and Smith in the outfield. They can get rid of one of them, right? Hawpe, Fowler, and Gonzalez will likely make up their starting outfield, and Spilly can be a fine number 4. The Rox will have a rotation of Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jason Hammel, Jorge de la Rosa, and Jeff Francis. Francis is coming back from shoulder surgery and Cook has had problems with his shoulder as well. So their rotation needs some insurance. Okay, I know what you;re thinking, Wang’s had shoulder surgery too, but the Rox could still use him. Think about it, it’s more likely that 2 of 3 players recover from surgery than 2 of 2. Right? Add in that Wang is a groundball pitcher (exactly what is needed at Coors Field) and you have a good fit. A switch to the NL might be a nice change for the Wanger. He’ll get out of the eye of the NY press, he’ll be facing teams that are easier to beat, and Bob Apodaca has a habit of reviving the careers of aging veterans. Meanwhile, Smith gives the Yanks a big bat in left. And he’s a lefty. A lefty slugger in the New Yankee Stadium? Sounds good to me.
Offer contracts to Andy Pettitte, Ben Sheets, Erik Bedard (Type B), and Justin Duchscherer (Type B). The Yanks’ rotation after declining Mitre’s option and trading Wang leaves just CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Joba Chamberlain returning. That is, if Andy Pettitte doesn’t accept arbitration. If he does, then he’d be in there as well. The Yanks will try to move Phil Hughes back to the rotation as well. Don’t forget that Ian Kennedy will be back from his aneurysm trouble and George Kontos is another in-house option. That’s a lot of young arms to depend on though. Pettitte has easily earned himself a contract for next year. Bedard and Duchscherer are interesting options because although both are injury prone, they have both seen substantial success in the bigs. Sheets is my personal favorite. He missed this year due to injury as well, but God he can throw a baseball. Sheets, Bedard, and Duchscherer are all risky pick-ups, but I don’t see any of them making more than $10mm next year, and none of them are likely to sign for more than 2 years, and even that might be a stretch. The Yanks can flex a little financial muscle to take on a risky pitcher like that, because if they stay healthy the Yanks could end up with the best rotation in baseball. Imagine, if all are healthy, trotting out Sabathia, Burnett, Sheets, Joba, and Hughes.
Some might be outraged that I don’t have an Aroldis Chapman signing, or a Matt Holliday or Jason Bay signing. And I understand that. I’d obviously love to have Holliday or Chapman in pinstripes (not a big Bay fan, sorry), but I see my plan as a simpler way of getting another World Series caliber team out on the field next year. That team would, ideally, look like this….
Lineup
SS Derek Jeter
DH Nick Swisher
1B Mark Teixeira
3B Alex Rodriguez
LF Seth Smith
C Jorge Posada
2B Robinson Cano
RF Brett Gardner
CF Austin Jackson
Bench
OF Melky Cabrera
1B/OF Shelley Duncan
C Francisco Cervelli
UTIL Jerry Hairston Jr.
Rotation
LHP CC Sabathia
RHP AJ Burnett
RHP Ben Sheets
RHP Joba Chamberlain
RHP Phil Hughes
Bullpen
Mariano Rivera (CL)
Alf Aceves
David Robertson
Brian Bruney
Phil Coke (Lefty)
Damaso Marte (Lefty)
Mark Melancon
Also Available:
RHP Chad Gaudin
RHP Jon Albaladejo
RHP Anthony Claggett
RHP Ian Kennedy
RHP Edwar Ramirez
RHP George Kontos
LHP Zach Kroenke
LHP Michael Dunn
1B Juan Miranda
3B Yurendell de Caster
IF Ramiro Pena
That’s what my plan would be if I were Brian Cashman. Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Let’s hear it in the comments
*This post was written by Kevin Seefried of 6Pound8OunceBabyJoba*
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