How to salvage the mess for 2009

[jacksonianmarch]

So Gom, you did this last yr. Here's my version. I am gonna go position by position in terms of what we should or shouldnt do.

 

SP:

Locks: Wang, Joba, Hughes (whether you like it or not)

Free Agents: Pettitte and Mussina

What I do...

Well, only 2 spots are open and those are two spots previously occupied by our most reliable starters, so this hurts a bit. To start, we need an ace. Joba is the ace of the future, Wang is more of a #2, we need an ace of the now. CC Sabathia is the way to roll here. That will leave us with a top 3 of CC, Wang, Joba. not too shabby. The money? Well, I was thinking a Johan deal. 7yrs 150 million. For the final spot in the rotation? Why not stay in house?

I offer Pettitte and Mussina both arbitration. I also offer them both a 1 yr deal at 15 mil with a vesting option for 2010 based on 180IP. Whomever stays will fill the 5 hole. Whomever leaves will be a type A free agent and get us 2 draft picks. I have a feeling Mussina leaves for greener pastures and Pettitte stays. So, here is our rotation for 2009.

 

1. Sabathia

2. Wang

3. Chamberlain

4. Pettitte

5. Hughes

 

The net-net in terms of money is as follows. Mussina, Pavano and Pettitte come off the books. That's 37 million dollars. Signing one of the above and CC will cost us 36 mil and our first round draft pick.

 

So we'd net saving 1 million dollars and getting a supplemental 1st rounder

 

Bullpen:

Status quo my friends. No matter how bad Marte has looked, exercise the option at 6 mil. Net-net is a 3 million dollar increase.

 

Catcher: I offer Pudge arbitration but make it fairly obvious that he will be either the backup or the third catcher. He'll walk, and since he'll be a type A FA, you know what that means!! Otherwise, I fill this role internally. Posada should be throwing full strength by then. if not, Molina has been solid and should continue to get the bulk of the PT. If Posada can throw, then he takes the starting gig and Molina slots back into the backup role.

 

Net-Net 1st rounder, supplemental 1st rounder, save 13 million

 

First base: Offer Giambi arbitration and tell him that he'll ride the pine if he accepts. His numbers this yr are solid and he should get a multiyr deal from someone, so I dont think he comes back. Now, if Tex wants to come to NY, do it. I think 20 mil per is what he will get, so cut it off at the head right there. 7yrs 140 mil, but it will cost us our second rounder. So, what does that leave us?

 

Net Net- Lose 2.5 mil per season (Tex AAV vs Giambi's), gain a 1st rounder and a supplemental pick. Lose a second rounder

 

Secondbase: Robby Cano. No change

 

Shortstop: Jeter, no change

 

Thirdbase: ARod, no change

 

Utility: I can live with Betemit as the utility infielder.

 

LF: Damon and Matsui will platoon there with the other playing the DH role. I see Matsui as the full time DH next yr.

 

CF: Melky is the incumbent, but I dont make it easy for him. He and Gardner get to fight it out. Mark Kotsay will also be available as a FA and rather cheap. I'd take a flier on him and have them battle it out. The future is Jackson, but I dont think he is ready to take it in 2009. Lets say we get Kotsay for 4 mil with incentives to go up to 8 total

Net-Net: Lose 4 mil

 

RF: This one is a toughie. Abreu has been awesome for us. But the Nady deal offered us a cheaper, younger, right handed, better hitting option in Nady. I'd offer Bobby arbitration and tell him he'd be welcomed back on a 1 yr deal. But I think a guy who can hit like he can will get a final long term deal in the 3-4 yr range. I am not willing to go that long on him. If he goes, take the picks, and save the money.

 

Net-Net: Savings of 16 mil and a first round pick, plus a first round supplemental pick

 

Proposed Lineup:

LF- Damon

SS- Jeter

1B- Teixeira

3B- ARod

DH- Matsui

RF- Nady

C- Posada

2B- Cano

CF- Kotsay

 

Proposed rotation:

1. Sabathia

2. Wang

3. Chamberlain

4. Pettitte

5. Hughes

 

Total savings from end of yr salary..

20.5 million dollars

 

Total draft pick transactions...

Lose 1st rounder

Lose 2nd rounder

Gain 4 first round picks

Gain 4 first round supplemental picks

 

A boy can dream, right?

[yankee20715]

I agree with a lot of the things you said.

 

But for the OF I would see if Abreu would sign 1 more year for 16 mill, move Damon back to CF and move Nady to LF.

 

Matsui takes over as DH, and Melky is the 4th OF.

 

Lineup:

CF- Damon

SS- Jeter

1B- Teixeira

3B- ARod

RF- Abreu

DH- Matsui

LF- Nady

C- Posada

2B- Cano

[Cityofchampions33]

I agree with a lot of the things you said.

 

But for the OF I would see if Abreu would sign 1 more year for 16 mill, move Damon back to CF and move Nady to LF.

 

Matsui takes over as DH, and Melky is the 4th OF.

 

Lineup:

CF- Damon

SS- Jeter

1B- Teixeira

3B- ARod

RF- Abreu

DH- Matsui

LF- Nady

C- Posada

2B- Cano

 

Don't think that can happen

[jacksonianmarch]

me neither. Damon can barely stay on the field as the LFer

[ORS]

Kotsay will cost a pick, no? I've said it before, but I'll be very surprised if you get Giambi to decline arb. Of the remaining 3 (Abreu, Mussina, Pudge) that you are letting walk, of course they all automatically go to a team with records 16-30. None of those teams that have money but don't spend it wisely and will end up with picks 1-15 will have interest? Some spenders on that list. The Dodgers (unless they win the division), Giants, Orioles, Texas, Cincinnati, Seattle, Cleveland.....all likely to finish with a 1-15 pick.

[ARod2212]

No way Giambi will turn down arbitration. He's not going to get anywhere close to the $20 million+ he'd get in arbitration.

[Gom]

Here is the thing.

 

You don't know about free agents, especially with the village idiot running the team.

 

You guys forgot about Moose.

 

1. Resign Moose. One year deal. He's stated he wants to come back, and his change of pace stuff helps the top of the order Joba. No risk here.

 

2. Offer Pudge arbitration. Hope he walks. Tell him he's the backup even if he wins. I would seriously look to move Posada if at all possible. I don't think it's possible.

 

3. Buy out Giambi. You can't risk arbitration with him. Offer him a one year deal if he wishes to stay, and you don't land Teixeira. If Tex lands with the Yanks, the Yankees should trade Matsui, who has some value and DH Giambi. Tex is really not a priority for the Yankees. They should get into the bidding simply to drive his price up for the Mets/Sox. I'd much rather see CC or Sheets than Tex, as good as he is. I'd rather have Giambi for 10 mil for one year than Tex for 20 million for the next 5-10.

 

4. Open the vault for CC. It's obvious he can pitch, and the Yankees need a dominant lefty. He should be called at 12:01 when free agents are available.

 

5. Bring back Abreu. There are a core of Yankees who will take one year deals to remain. Abreu, Mussina, and Giambi. They should all be back, and if any of them falter, that's their final year here.

 

6. Marte/Nady..if options are available, they should both be picked up. Both players are on next year's roster.

 

7. Package Kennedy and Cabrera for a bona fide player, if even remotely possible. Some team will take a chance on Kennedy. Same with Melky. They may still have some value. I would explore the Mariners with Bedard. He seems to have worn out his welcome, and if you can get him, I'd run with it. I know it would take more than Melky and Cabrera, but it would be a start. I wouldn't trade an star prospect...ok, maybe I would, but I don't think you'd have to.

 

8. Bring back Pettitte, but not at 16 million. Offer him around 10 if he wants to stay. If not, enjoy Texas.

 

9. Shift Nady to CF. The Yankees defense will be weakened, but under no circumstances should Melky start the season in CF. He is back to being a replacement 4th OF, and will most likely be traded with Kennedy, according to my plan.

 

10. Posada, if he remains, should be a 1B/C. Molina should catch the majority of the time.

 

The Yankees lineup [assuming they do not get Tex, should look as follows.

 

LF Damon

SS Jeter

RF Abreu

3B Rodriguez

DH Giambi/Matsui

CF Nady

1B Posada

2B Cano

C Molina

 

Rotation

CC [hopefully]

Joba

Wang

Moose

Pettitte [if he returns]

 

Hughes is given a shot to win the long relief role is ST. With Moose and Pettitte, he's bound to throw a lot of innings anyways.

 

As for the pen, I don't know who will be available, but it doesn't really matter outside of Mo. They are all average at best.

[CrespoBlows]

I'd murder Brian Cashman if I had to pitch in front of that defense.

[Youk Of The Nation]

I'd murder Brian Cashman for a cheeseburger, a pack of menthols and twenty bucks.

[Cocos Disciples]

Hell, I'd pay to murder Brian Cashman.

[ARod2212]

Hughes is in the rotation next year. Period.

[jacksonianmarch]

Nady in CF? Cmon now Gom. He isnt a good corner OFer to begin with. Its a bit of a stretch imagining him in RF. But CF? Jesus, that would be bad.

[TheKilo]

Here is the thing.

 

You don't know about free agents, especially with the village idiot running the team.

 

You guys forgot about Moose.

 

1. Resign Moose. One year deal. He's stated he wants to come back, and his change of pace stuff helps the top of the order Joba. No risk here.

 

Unless they pitch in the same game I fail to see how Moose's slop is going to help Joba. Major league hitters can adjust from game to game.

 

2. Offer Pudge arbitration. Hope he walks. Tell him he's the backup even if he wins. I would seriously look to move Posada if at all possible. I don't think it's possible.

 

Posada's value was for being a very good offensive catcher. He'so longer a catcher, therefore he has no value.

 

If you let Pudge go and try to move Posada, who's your starting C?

 

3. Buy out Giambi. You can't risk arbitration with him. Offer him a one year deal if he wishes to stay, and you don't land Teixeira. If Tex lands with the Yanks, the Yankees should trade Matsui, who has some value and DH Giambi. Tex is really not a priority for the Yankees. They should get into the bidding simply to drive his price up for the Mets/Sox. I'd much rather see CC or Sheets than Tex, as good as he is. I'd rather have Giambi for 10 mil for one year than Tex for 20 million for the next 5-10.

 

I don't disagree but I find it unlikely that the Sox will be in on the bidding for Teixeira's services when they have Youk, Lowell, and Lars Anderson ascending the ranks.

 

4. Open the vault for CC. It's obvious he can pitch, and the Yankees need a dominant lefty. He should be called at 12:01 when free agents are available.

 

No disagreement here.

 

5. Bring back Abreu. There are a core of Yankees who will take one year deals to remain. Abreu, Mussina, and Giambi. They should all be back, and if any of them falter, that's their final year here.

 

Why would Abreu take a one year deal?

 

6. Marte/Nady..if options are available, they should both be picked up. Both players are on next year's roster.

 

Yep.

 

7. Package Kennedy and Cabrera for a bona fide player, if even remotely possible. Some team will take a chance on Kennedy. Same with Melky. They may still have some value. I would explore the Mariners with Bedard. He seems to have worn out his welcome, and if you can get him, I'd run with it. I know it would take more than Melky and Cabrera, but it would be a start. I wouldn't trade an star prospect...ok, maybe I would, but I don't think you'd have to.

 

For the haul the Mariners gave up for Bedard last season you're dreaming if you think Kennedy/Melky/filler prospects is good enough to get him.

 

Jeremy Reed sucks and he's a better player than Melky.

 

8. Bring back Pettitte, but not at 16 million. Offer him around 10 if he wants to stay. If not, enjoy Texas.

 

Doesn't he have another option?

 

9. Shift Nady to CF. The Yankees defense will be weakened, but under no circumstances should Melky start the season in CF. He is back to being a replacement 4th OF, and will most likely be traded with Kennedy, according to my plan.

 

Please please please do this.

 

10. Posada, if he remains, should be a 1B/C. Molina should catch the majority of the time.

 

The Yankees lineup [assuming they do not get Tex, should look as follows.

 

LF Damon

SS Jeter

RF Abreu

3B Rodriguez

DH Giambi/Matsui

CF Nady

1B Posada

2B Cano

C Molina

 

Rotation

CC [hopefully]

Joba

Wang

Moose

Pettitte [if he returns]

 

Hughes is given a shot to win the long relief role is ST. With Moose and Pettitte, he's bound to throw a lot of innings anyways.

 

As for the pen, I don't know who will be available, but it doesn't really matter outside of Mo. They are all average at best.

 

THis is pretty meh overall, Gom. Cashman will do better.

[Mr Crunchy]

wow

on paper these guys will win 120 games.

mussina pitched his way into a multi year deal gentlemen,ny would be foolish to let him walk away.

petitte hasnt been half bad but his heart aint in it anymore,with an option i suspect hes still a yankee in 09 or hes retired.

the yanks new park carries the same dimensions right?lots of outfield to cover and with abreu damon and nady i see a lot of triples,a lot of bloopers and a lot of misery that can be avoided if you sacrifice a hitter for a legit cf..damon cant play center anymore but i dont see ny spending big on a defensive player either....this is one of their problems now.

texiera will be getting offers from ny and anaheim and perhaps even the mets cause delgado is aging.

thats it,there wont be a lot of teams persuing this guy as chicago has derek lee and kevin youkillis has quietly become the best player on the redsox and arguably the best 1b in the a.l,even with tex in the same league...youk handles pressure,plays gold glove defense and brings the hunger,the rage and the refuse to be beat charisma that the sox need...tex may have better power#s but youk just eats up pitchers with his patience and his obp#s are always amongs the best in the game.

is cc sabbathia that enchanting to the yanks?

hes pitched 1000 innings in 4 years and was an absolute pinata in the playoffs last year

he makes david wells look like jessica alba and he will command more money than any other guy out there in 09..sheets on the other hand has been plagued by injuries thru out his career and has yet to perform under the bright lites and stress of a pennant race,this years stretch run could earn him a ton of dough or it could cost him....this milwaukee team could be scary if both their horses show up if and when they get to october....

lots of intrigue in this thread and as a sox fan i can say that the yankees are going to be a pain in the ass as usual next year but this year is in the shitter,of this i am certain