GOM's Plan to Fix the Yankees: 2009 Edition

[Gom]

Well...as you all remember, one of the greatest threads in TalkSox history was the original "GOM's Plan to fix the Yankees from last year. Since under the current regime, even more changes are going to be expected, I once again give you a blue print as to what has to be done to fix this once great franchise and put it back on top of the AL East. The first and foremost thing the Yankees should do is remove the idiot Cashman. However, leaving the GM out of it [and he is out of him league, anyways], I give Cashman a blueprint for success. I hope he listens this year.

 

1. Convince CC to come to NY. I'm not so sure that he's so in love with the West Coast as the media makes him out to be. I think it's part of the gamesmanship to maximize the biggest payday for a pitcher in baseball history. Sadly, it works. He's going to top what Johan made, and he isn't worth it, but that's the price you pay for mismanagement. My call: 7 years, 140 million. [+20 million]

 

2. Blow out the competition immediately for Ben Sheets. The truth is, the Yankees really need two starting pitchers. The best way to win is to put a quality pitcher on the mound every day. However, a lot of teams will wait for the fallout after CC signs, which is why it is imperative to sign Sheets first. Look for 4-5 years at 18 million a year. A rotation that includes CC, Sheets, Wang, Joba, and Moose is the best in the game. Overkill? Yes. However, both pitchers are under 30, so you don't have to worry for a few years about your starters. This will do a few things. It will literally force the Red Sox to ante up for Beckett as well, and the Red Sox have more financial restraints than the Yankees do.[+18 million].

 

3a. Kick the tires on Teixeira. What's not to like about a young, switch-hitting Gold Glove firstbaseman who hits for power and average? Nothing. However, I can't see the Angels letting him go. I'd offer him 17 million a year for 6 years, but my guess is he'll stay in Anaheim. Of course if he takes it, I'd have to revamp some of the thinking. I'm assuming he stays out in the sun in Cali.

 

3b. Release Giambi. Tough call. Mainly because he's been productive, and he wants to come back. However, his bat continues to slow, and he is a poor defensive 1B. At this point, he's a full-time DH. There just isn't any room for him. [- 17 million]

 

4. The sleeper move of the off-season. Go after Milton Bradley. He's a good OBP hitter, with a high average, and a switch hitter. He's having an unbelievable year, but character issues will still scare off a lot of teams. I'd get him and let Girardi worry about it. Considering he made 5 million this year, I think you could get him for 3 years, 24 million. [+8 million]

 

5. Resign Abreu for 2 years, 11 million a season. club option in second year. He claims to want to come back. Let's see if he does. Abreu is one of those players whose value is greater than the first look. He can run, he takes pitches, and can succeed in the pressure cooker of New York. Plus, the Yankees, being an older team, will have injuries. They need to rotate their players to keep them fresh. This will be one of Cashman's big mistakes this off-season. Letting Abreu go. I say keep him. [+11 million, net -6 million]

 

6. Bring back Moose. He also is used to New York, and likes it here. A good guy to have around, and a nice change of pace in the rotation. 2 year contract at 11 million, with the second being a club or mutual option, is the way to go. [Wash].

 

7. Do not trade Cano. If anything, Cano's struggles this year will probably be a bit of a wakeup call. Will he get back to the .330 BA he once had? Doubtful. However, look for him to generate more power next year as he has closed up his stance a bit. Giving up on him at this point is a mistake. This will be Cashman's biggest mistake this off-season if he get's rid of him.

 

8. With Giambi gone, Matsui should become the everday firstbaseman. He's a natural athlete, and he should do ok. Signing Mientkiewicz as an insurance policy is not a bad idea, but not all that necessary either. A rotation of Posada and Matsui at first, with Cody Ransom as the defensive replacement is sufficient. I advocated trading Matsui last year, but you'll get pennies on the dollar now. Better to put him on the field and get some value you may be able to move.

 

9. Sign Brian Fuentes to be the 8th inning guy. You'd have to overpay him a bit, but in Cashman's second worst move of this year, the Rockies asked for Kennedy straight up for Fuentes, and he refused. 3 years at 7 million should do the trick. If you can't get him, bringring back Marte. He had a rough adjustment as a lot of pitchers do when they come to NY. However, he's about as good as anyone else in the pen that's a free agent. Might as well give him a shot next year if you can't get Fuentes. [+1 million if you sign Fuentes, wash if you keep Marte].

 

10. Say goodbye to Pettitte [-16 million], Ivan Rodriguez [-using Farnswoth's salary of 6 million], Pavano [-9 mill [11 million-2mil buy out]. Total saving from this trio: 35 million

 

So there you have it. I may tweak this a bit before the start of the off-season, but when you put it all together, you have a net decrease in payroll of seven million. Not a lot, but a start in the right direction.

 

So, according to my plan, you'd have the following lineup:

 

CF Damon

SS Jeter

DH Bradley

3B Arod

RF Abreu

LF Nady

1B Matsui

2B Cano

C Posada/Molina

 

You can move Posada up in the lineup. The important thing is that you will be able to rotate some of these players out with Brett Gardner, who has shown an ability to be a terror on the basepaths, and will be the defensive replacement CF, taking Abreu or Damon out of the game. He can also spell those guys once a week each to give them a rest.

 

Starting rotation:

 

CC Sabathia

Ben Sheets

Wang

Joba

Mussina

 

You'd have Hughes and Rasner as backups in case someone gets hurt or Moose comes back down to earth. You can never have too much pitching.

 

Bullpen:

 

Mariano

Fuentes/Marte

Coke

Veras

Ramirez/Robertson/Aceves

 

All this and you save 7 million a year from this year. The important thing is that you're bringing back a lot of players who want to come back on reduced contract lengths due to club options. Another overhaul is needed next season for the OF, but at least the rotation is in place. Maybe this Austin Jackson guy pans out, but you have Magglio and Crawford and Holiday as free agents, and Nady, Damon, Matsui, and Abreu [option] coming off the books, the team can be remade on the fly again. With increased revenue from the stadium, this would be a two or three year transitionary period of intense free agent activity until some of the young players who Cashman drafted either come up and make a difference, or he's relieved from duty.

 

Your thoughts?

[ORS]

Condensed version (similar to all other years):

 

Sign the best two FA pitchers

Sign the best FA position player

Get a closer to accept setting up for Mariano

 

Nothing new here.

[Gom]

Condensed version (similar to all other years):

 

Sign the best two FA pitchers

Sign the best FA position player

Get a closer to accept setting up for Mariano

 

Nothing new here.

 

It's how it is done. Also, money is coming off payroll. Option years are given to older players, and a revamp is in order.

[Youk Of The Nation]

PS: Shoot Brian Cashman in the face. Add that to the list and the Yanks are a postseason lock.

[Gom]

PS: Shoot Brian Cashman in the face. Add that to the list and the Yanks are a postseason lock.

I agree. However, it's a decent plan. Plus, although I'd like to sign Tex, I don't see it happening.

[TheKilo]

The Yanks have a better chance of signing Tex than CC.

[Gom]

The Yanks have a better chance of signing Tex than CC.

I doubt it. Boras is the GM, and the Yanks hate Boras. I see Angels first, followed by Mets. I see the Mets going after Krod.

 

If the Yankees sign Tex, you'd probably see the Yankees letting Abreu go. Nady would move to right, Matsui would be the LF, with Gardner filling in once a week or so for all of them. Posada would DH when he wasn't catching, and the other OFs would DH the rest of the time with Gardner as a super sub. It works as well, but for the money, the Yankees would be better off with Sheets or CC then Tex. The problem with this setup is the Yankees offense gets worse. Tex doesn't make up for Abreu and Giambi and the Yankees are depending on injured players staying healthy, which is never a good sign. This would also keep the Yankees from signing Bradley as the DH as well. Overall, a poor allocation of money, which means it is probably the way Cashman will go.

[TheKilo]

CC has said he prefers the NL and wants to pitch on the West Coast.

[Cocos Disciples]

Lol at 1.005 OPS'er being a sleeper.

[yankee20715]

2. Blow out the competition immediately for Ben Sheets. for 4-5 years at 18 million a year.

 

That has all the asking of another Pavano situation....

 

Sheets hasnt had a complete season since 2004. He had a great season this year, but now he is possibly out for the year.

[Mr Crunchy]

congrads to the yanx are in order for they had a great run and deserve accolades for such incredible success over the last 15 years.

seriously that was a great achievment and i think torres best years were 05-6-7 because their staff was toast and he still made the playoffs.

 

i hate the f***ing yankees

today is better than christman morning and a blow job from the fat chick in the mail room.

that said

regarding the 2 main ingrediients on Goms wish list

Ben Sheets is down again and he has f***ed a reeling Milwaukee team in the last 2 weeks.

Call him the JD Drew of the pitchers,love the guys stuff but he tends to get dl'd and often

Unlike beckett who was a dl guy this mans had some bad injuries,though young, he is a risk that will cost a fortune to get.Id klove him here too but would balk at whats gotta be a 100M investment.

Sabby on the other hand is a hoss,1000 ip over the last 4 campaigns and most of them mattered.

he owned the a.l last year and if memory serves me right he had a great alds.

i also saw his ass get bludgeoned in his biggest game ever.

that said

he looks like he ate david wells and how long will those knees support that gigantic set of thighs and ass....another 150M is on the table with this guy and ya,hes young but buyer beware.

he would be huge for ny in the right handed hitters grave yard in left center(new place same dimensions?).id love to see him here too but i cant see theo gambling with all our young pitching depth

 

so youre talking around 250M for sabby and sheets i gotta thing,add 200 for tex and you got a west african nations gnp.

 

im not saying these guys arent going to deliver but i gotta think only the yanks,maybe chicubs and the west coast teams will be bidding in earnest for the 3.

i consider the sox out of the running with all our younguns and youk playing mvp calibre 1st base,5-6 years in the playoffs and almost guaranteed to be favorites to repeat the al east next year and this year we're playing our best ball now.

The owners are entitled to make a few bucks,look for the payroll to stay the same or even decrease a bit and we can almost afford it cause the staff is so young and the old guys play cheap.

beckett is going to be expensive to retain and id say by 11/1 they best have him happy.

[ARod2212]

That has all the asking of another Pavano situation....

 

Sheets hasnt had a complete season since 2004. He had a great season this year, but now he is possibly out for the year.

Word. Sheets scares the hell out of me.

 

Overall I can't argue with most of that. I like Marte a lot more than Fuentes. Since he's adjusted, he's been very good with 2 runs his last 15 appearances. I hope CC's arm doesn't fall off by having Milwaukee pitch him every day.

[Cocos Disciples]

That has all the asking of another Pavano situation....

 

Sheets hasnt had a complete season since 2004. He had a great season this year, but now he is possibly out for the year.

 

I'd count this year as pretty much a complete year. And when you say the rest of the year, you really mean 2 weeks.

[yankee20715]

almost......he could have really helped them into the playoffs. Than I cant imagine Sheets CC losing a 5 game series.

[ARod2212]

I'd count this year as pretty much a complete year. And when you say the rest of the year' date=' you really mean 2 weeks.[/quote']

I don't want him crapping out in the middle of September if I'm going to commit money to him anyway. Huge red flag, and I'd avoid him.

[BoSox21]

1. Convince CC to come to NY. I'm not so sure that he's so in love with the West Coast as the media makes him out to be. I think it's part of the gamesmanship to maximize the biggest payday for a pitcher in baseball history. Sadly, it works. He's going to top what Johan made, and he isn't worth it, but that's the price you pay for mismanagement. My call: 7 years, 140 million. [+20 million]

 

so building a house in California is called gamesmanship to you?

[Gom]

so building a house in California is called gamesmanship to you?

He's actually put it on hold. The rumor I've heard is that he doesn't want to play for the Yankees, but he's open to other locales.

 

You wonder if they Yankees were a playoff team if his interest would have been increased.

[BSN07]

Milton Bradley in NY?:wtf: Hahahahaha That's a match made in heaven....<_ he will have some breakdown before they break camp and head north. bradely is not the type of guy you want in a hi pressure situation day out don get me wrong hes talented but doesn it upstairs.>

 

Besides he like playing for Washington in Texas. He has some daddy issues and Washington seems to sooth Milton's complex disorder. If Washington is gone then Bradely will roll out for the biggest pay day. Gom your on Meth:shock: if you think he signs for 8M a year. He's coming off a career year and hes gonna wannna get payed....holla......

 

My God, Sheets, I wouldn't sign him with some other teams cap space. If he can't stay healthy in a big contract year, theres no hope for him.

 

I honestly think CC has little interest in NY. With NY's ownership issues( Hank is an Issue), plus the overall age of the team, NY isn't the big destination it used to be in years passed. Plus he likes the NL, and if he smart he will stay there and continue to dominate.

 

Bring back Abreu or maybe go after Dunn who can play RF and 1B. or do both and play Nady in CF.

Maybe Blaylock at 1B, if he become a FA.

If I gave a crap about the Yanks, this is what I'd be preaching,

 

Get younger,

Dump Damon, trade Matsui. Let Moose go and collect the picks. He is up right now, but you can't go into next season expecting this years numbers.

Perge the BP, sign some out of the FA pool and see who performs well come spring and go from there.

Sign Burnett(15M), Garland(12-15M) to sure up the roation, keep an ear to the ground and see if Lackey (15M+) or Penny(10-15M) gets out of there option years and become available.

 

Here's a real dark horse for CF. Rocco Baldelli.

[BoSox21]

once he actually sees the money NY throws at him, he'll learn to like it real quick

[BSN07]

Condensed version (similar to all other years):

 

Sign the best two FA pitchers

Sign the best FA position player

Get a closer to accept setting up for Mariano

 

Nothing new here.

 

This was there plan going in to every off season when Steiny was in charge.

 

And with the new stadium and no revenue sharing, the Yanks will be ready to throw tons of money at there problems even if its not the smart thing to do. I bet there payroll approaches 250M next season hahahaha.

[Gom]

This was there plan going in to every off season when Steiny was in charge.

 

And with the new stadium and no revenue sharing, the Yanks will be ready to throw tons of money at there problems even if its not the smart thing to do. I bet there payroll approaches 250M next season hahahaha.

Even if they signed Burnett, CC, Sheets, Tex, Fuentes, and Lowe....it wouldn't. Not unless you brought everyone else back that was a free agent as well.

[Gom]

Milton Bradley in NY?:wtf: Hahahahaha That's a match made in heaven....<_ he will have some breakdown before they break camp and head north. bradely is not the type of guy you want in a hi pressure situation day out don get me wrong hes talented but doesn it upstairs.>

 

Besides he like playing for Washington in Texas. He has some daddy issues and Washington seems to sooth Milton's complex disorder. If Washington is gone then Bradely will roll out for the biggest pay day. Gom your on Meth:shock: if you think he signs for 8M a year. He's coming off a career year and hes gonna wannna get payed....holla......

 

My God, Sheets, I wouldn't sign him with some other teams cap space. If he can't stay healthy in a big contract year, theres no hope for him.

 

I honestly think CC has little interest in NY. With NY's ownership issues( Hank is an Issue), plus the overall age of the team, NY isn't the big destination it used to be in years passed. Plus he likes the NL, and if he smart he will stay there and continue to dominate.

 

Bring back Abreu or maybe go after Dunn who can play RF and 1B. or do both and play Nady in CF.

Maybe Blaylock at 1B, if he become a FA.

If I gave a crap about the Yanks, this is what I'd be preaching,

 

Get younger,

Dump Damon, trade Matsui. Let Moose go and collect the picks. He is up right now, but you can't go into next season expecting this years numbers.

Perge the BP, sign some out of the FA pool and see who performs well come spring and go from there.

Sign Burnett(15M), Garland(12-15M) to sure up the roation, keep an ear to the ground and see if Lackey (15M+) or Penny(10-15M) gets out of there option years and become available.

 

Here's a real dark horse for CF. Rocco Baldelli.

If the Yankees followed what you're saying, they'd finish just above Baltimore. Rumor has it that the Yankees players are openly campaigning for Burnett. I'd take either him or Sheets, I think they are comparable pitchers overall. As for Bradley, I may have devalued him a bit, but he's not getting 15 million a season. He may bet 10 million a year, and even then it's worth it.

 

If the Yankees are to be competitive next year, they need to keep Damon and Matsui. They simply won't get equal value for either, so might as well keep them. Another thing about the draft pick compensation....there are Type A free agents, and there are Type A free agents. In other words, they are not all the same. So if you're going to give up a draft pick or two, might as well go the extra mile and get the star player, since you're losing the picks anyways. I mean come on, Pudge is a Type A. So is Sabathia. Get my point?

 

Baldelli is a terrible idea. The Yankees do not need OF help. With Abreu, Nady, Damon, Matsui, and Gardner as a fill in, what's the point?

[BSN07]

If the Yankees followed what you're saying, they'd finish just above Baltimore. Rumor has it that the Yankees players are openly campaigning for Burnett. I'd take either him or Sheets, I think they are comparable pitchers overall. As for Bradley, I may have devalued him a bit, but he's not getting 15 million a season. He may bet 10 million a year, and even then it's worth it.

 

If the Yankees are to be competitive next year, they need to keep Damon and Matsui. They simply won't get equal value for either, so might as well keep them. Another thing about the draft pick compensation....there are Type A free agents, and there are Type A free agents. In other words, they are not all the same. So if you're going to give up a draft pick or two, might as well go the extra mile and get the star player, since you're losing the picks anyways. I mean come on, Pudge is a Type A. So is Sabathia. Get my point?

 

Baldelli is a terrible idea. The Yankees do not need OF help. With Abreu, Nady, Damon, Matsui, and Gardner as a fill in, what's the point?

 

 

This was only assuming they managed to rid themselves of Damon and Matsui.

 

 

Hes a hi reward/ low risk type of guy.

[Gom]

This was only assuming they managed to rid themselves of Damon and Matsui.

 

 

Hes a hi reward/ low risk type of guy.

You wouldn't get equal value for them, and you'd be taking a major risk injury wise. You'd basically be saying the Yankees should go with an OF of Abreu, Melky/Gardner and Nady. Ouch.

[BSN07]

You wouldn't get equal value for them' date=' and you'd be taking a major risk injury wise. You'd basically be saying the Yankees should go with an OF of Abreu, Melky/Gardner and Nady. Ouch.[/quote']

 

...... Not if they signed the players I mentioned, Dunn/Abreu,Baldelli, Nady, Melky as the 4the and Dunn can play 1B some days if they chose him over Abreu.

[TheKilo]

If the Yankees followed what you're saying' date=' they'd finish just above Baltimore. [b']Rumor has it that the Yankees players are openly campaigning for Burnett.[/b] I'd take either him or Sheets, I think they are comparable pitchers overall. As for Bradley, I may have devalued him a bit, but he's not getting 15 million a season. He may bet 10 million a year, and even then it's worth it.

 

If the Yankees are to be competitive next year, they need to keep Damon and Matsui. They simply won't get equal value for either, so might as well keep them. Another thing about the draft pick compensation....there are Type A free agents, and there are Type A free agents. In other words, they are not all the same. So if you're going to give up a draft pick or two, might as well go the extra mile and get the star player, since you're losing the picks anyways. I mean come on, Pudge is a Type A. So is Sabathia. Get my point?

 

Baldelli is a terrible idea. The Yankees do not need OF help. With Abreu, Nady, Damon, Matsui, and Gardner as a fill in, what's the point?

 

Tampering

[Gom]

Of course it's tampering. What's your point? What are you going to do, fine the players?

[TheKilo]

Impose penalties on the organization in general.

 

Don't you think the Patriots were cheaters? Be consistent, Gom.

[Gom]

You can't silence the players Kilo. They don't hold the purse strings. Go ask anyone on the Yankees or Red Sox if they'd like to have Sabathia. Do you expect any of them to say "No comment". It's different for management than players.

 

It's one thing to video-tape practices to get an advantage. It's another to say you want a player on your team.

 

Murdering someone and driving 10 MPH over the speed limits are both breaking the law. Slight difference in penalty, don't you think?

[riverside sluggers]

Joba in the rotation? Thats up in the air, even Posada has been openly skeptical about him pitching 200 innings