New York Yankees 2010 offseason thread

[26 to 6]

Andy's exact numbers are $11.75m for next year. Not too bad.

 

They won't. If they bring back Damon, the basic lineup would be...

 

C Posada

1B Teixeira

2B Cano

SS Jeter

3B Rodriguez

RF Swisher

CF Granderson

LF Damon

 

The idea, which they've talked about publicly, is to have a rotating DH spot. That means that when all those guys are playing the field, they would have an unknown guy (a Hinske type) DHing, and he would share the time Posada, Rodriguez, and Damon (and maybe Jeter).

I think if they bring back Damon AND keep Melky the best thing would be to DH Damon vs righties and play Granderson and Melky in the outfield along with Swish. Versus lefties sit Granderson, play Johnny in left, Melky in center, and then have a versatile player (i.e. Hinske, Hairston, DeRosa) spell a another regular giving them the opportunity to DH, allowing for still somewhat of a revolving door as well as plenty of AB's for Damon, all while avoiding letting Granderson face lefties.

[26 to 6]

Buster Olney is saying that if Damon is brought back there is a likely possibility the Yanks will try and trade Swisher. We've been hearing Melky may be dealt, but this is the first we're hearing of Swisher.

From Buster Olney: If the Yankees sign Johnny Damon, that will increase the likelihood that they will attempt to trade Nick Swisher. It's increasingly unlikely that the Yankees are going to re-sign Hideki Matsui, regardless of what happens with Damon.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove09/news/story?id=4717538

[jacksonianmarch]

Overall, I am happy with this winter meetings and we could theoretically go to war with the team as is and win 100 games. Andy Pettitte was the key to this offseason. I have said all along that you need to have 3 reliable starters in your rotation. Sabathia, Burnett, and Pettitte are those guys. We proved last yr that you can win 100 games with 3 reliable guys, one inconsistent guy and one scrap heap guy int he rotation. I think we'll be even better in 2009. A couple of starting pitching suggestions..

 

I know we are non-tendering Wang, but re-signing him to a smaller deal with incentives may be prudent. I would also tender a contract to Gaudin, who actually was better than advertised. You put those two in the #6 and #7 roles respectively and you are talking about big league caliber arms as starting pitching depth behind CC, AJ, Pettitte, Joba, and Hughes.

 

In the bullpen, there are a few ways to go. First of all, dealing away Bruney and Coke opens up a few doors. Rivera stays at closer. Marte and Robertson slot into the setup roles. I think Mike Dunn comes up as the second lefty out of the pen, something Girardi was pretty keen on as the season went along. Alfredo Aceves goes back to the setup/swing/everything guy in the middle of the bullpen. That's 5 pitchers slotted into a likely 7 man pen. The means Melancon is pretty much guaranteed a full season spot and a guy like Gaudin or Wang could be carried on the 25 man (obviously once Wang proves he's healthy). Not bad. Or, we could make a deal with Atlanta that gets us Rafael Soriano which would push everyone down a notch sans Mo. I think the pen can be top half without an acquisition, but with a marquee acquisition, we could be top 5.

 

In terms of the lineup, I think Girardi got what he wanted. Flexibility. The top 7 in the lineup is pretty formidable with 8 being Melky and 9 being a mishmash of utility guys and offensive minded minor league players. Adding Granderson also essentially guarantees one hell of a defensive outfield. The lineup as it stands right now is....

 

1. Jeter SS

2. Granderson CF/LF

3. Teixeira 1B

4. Rodriguez 3B

5. Posada C

6. Cano 2B

7. Swisher DH

8. Cabrera RF

9. Gardner LF/CF

 

Now the potential lineups are myriad. You could move Swisher to the OF, push Gardner to the pinch runner/defensive replacement role and push Juan Miranda to DH. You could put Ramiro Pena in as a 3b here and there, moving ARod to DH and moving Swisher to the OF while replacing Gardner. You could get Cervelli some time at catcher, moving Posada to DH. Tons of possibilities. And on top of that, we still should be a 900 run offense, especially if Granderson benefits from yankee stadium and the yankee lineup like some people think.

 

Regardless, like the team for 2010 as is. I dont think we are done yet. But a lot of questions have benn answered in a 24 hour period and a lot of fears allayed.

[26 to 6]

I think for our offense to be as good, or better than last year we need to add another bat. Granderson isn't going to offset the loss of both Damon and Matsui. I think Damon will ultimately be brought back.

 

I also don't see Gardner getting a significant number of starts. If he's on the team I imagine it will be mainly as a pinch-runner/defensive replacement.

[Gom]

Expect regression from Jeter and Posada.

 

Arod will probably improve due to his increased health. Granderson will benefit moving out of Detroit and homerun heaven Yankee Stadium.

 

More of the same from Tex, Cano, Melky, and Swisher.

[yankees228]

Andy's exact numbers are $11.75m for next year. Not too bad.

 

 

I think if they bring back Damon AND keep Melky the best thing would be to DH Damon vs righties and play Granderson and Melky in the outfield along with Swish. Versus lefties sit Granderson, play Johnny in left, Melky in center, and then have a versatile player (i.e. Hinske, Hairston, DeRosa) spell a another regular giving them the opportunity to DH, allowing for still somewhat of a revolving door as well as plenty of AB's for Damon, all while avoiding letting Granderson face lefties.

 

The problem with that is that, at 29 years old when the season begins, they likely still have hope that Granderson will develop into more of a complete player (the ability to hit lefties). I see him playing every day, no matter who else they bring in.

[Gom]

I have a feeling that Granderson might end up being O'Neil-lite.

[jacksonianmarch]

Granderson has more power than O'Neill and more range. O'Neill was the much better contact hitter and after he got to NY, he was the much better hitter vs lefties

[jacksonianmarch]

So, the yankee payroll for 2010 sits somewhere near $185 million right now if you consider that NY started the offseason right at 170 or so and Grandy + Pettitte adds 15 mil to the payroll. We might be at capacity, or we could be players for Holliday. Choices, choices

[26 to 6]

The problem with that is that' date=' at 29 years old when the season begins, they likely still have hope that Granderson will develop into more of a complete player (the ability to hit lefties). I see him playing every day, no matter who else they bring in.[/quote']

I realize that, and agree. But if he's not hitting lefties and we have better options on the bench I wouldn't want to send an inferior lineup out there.

[yankees228]

So' date=' the yankee payroll for 2010 sits somewhere near $185 million right now if you consider that NY started the offseason right at 170 or so and Grandy + Pettitte adds 15 mil to the payroll. We might be at capacity, or we could be players for Holliday. Choices, choices[/quote']

 

If they're at capacity, and this is the team they go into the season with, I think they've taken a step back from last year. I don't see that happening.

[26 to 6]

Steve Henson of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Yankees are planning on taking Marlins righthander Arquimedes Caminero.

 

 

What a great name...I love it

 

He's 21 years old and spent all of last year in Single A bouncing between the Florida State League, NY-Penn League, and the South-Atlantic League. In 40.2 total (between the 3 stops) he struck out 61, but gave up 42 hits, 25 earned runs, 26 walks, and 5 homers. giving him a 5.53 ERA and a .264 BAA. The kid throws hard and should definitely be worth a look in Spring Training if the Yankees do indeed take him. The possibility that they have Washington select Kroenke and return him also exists.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=491708

[26 to 6]

Other reports out of Washington indicate that it will definitely be Kroenke that's selected then offered back to the Yanks. We'll find out tomorrow, but I am very intrigued by this Caminero kid, if not for his K total then definitely for his name. Imagine Bob Sheppard was still active and this kid made the team....what a sound that would be

[26 to 6]

I don't get it for the life of me!!!!

 

The Yankees had the Nationals take Dodgers OF Jamie Hoffmann. Why would they take an OFer? There's obviously no room on the roster for one, and he's just going to be either traded or returned to the Dodgers. It makes no f***ing sense! In doing so they also lost Kroenke to the Diamondbacks. Meanwhile this flame-throwing Arquimedes kid went undrafted. The Yankees could have picked him with their #30 selection but passed. I think he would have been a perfect fit to bring to Spring Training. I just don't get it......

 

It would make some sense if he could catch too, that way when Posada's DHing he could be the backup in case Cervelli gets injured or something, but it turns out aside from the OF the only other positions he has experience playing is third and first.

[jacksonianmarch]

If he cannot pitch well in Single A then what makes you think he will pitch well in the majors? That guy would have been an early casualty. Hoffman, OTOH, helps a lot. WHY? Because he's an above average defender with above average speed, average power and a very good eye. Now that all sounds nice and all, but the biggest asset is his handedness. Him batting right handed gives the yankees the option of starting Melky in CF and Hoffman in LF vs lefties, thereby eliminating Curtis Granderson's biggest weakness. Gom actually called it. Right handed outfield bat with some pop who can be a platoon mate for Granderson. We got him.

[26 to 6]

OK so now either Damon doesn't come back or Melky or Swisher get traded. The numbers don't add up. As for Arquimedes, the kid throws gas. I'm not saying he would have made the team, but he would have been an interesting candidate to bring to Spring Training and let him work with Eiland and some of the other pitching instructors and see if we couldn't figure something out. At the very least they could have taken him with their official pick, which they declined to use.

[jacksonianmarch]

As it works out right now....

 

Granderson is starting CFer vs Righties

Swisher is starting RFer when he isnt DHing

Cabrera is starting LFer vs righties and starting CFer vs lefties

Gardner is the true 4th OFer/defensive replacement for Swisher and pinch runner

Hoffman is starting LFer vs lefties

 

They all have a role. Now, there are two rumors hitting the mill. One is that Damon will be back with NY, which will bump one of the OFers out since Damon will play some ball in the OF. That likely makes either Cabrera or Gardner expendable. The other is that Matsui will eventually resign. That shouldnt change much but it would take away from the flexibility that Girardi has wanted

[riverside sluggers]

Oh i didnt know that Hoffman is already guaranteed a roster spot lol

 

 

There is possibility that the Yanks could resign Matsui

[jacksonianmarch]

He isnt. If Matsui and Damon come cheap, then this kid is going back to LA no questions asked

[26 to 6]

As it works out right now....

 

Granderson is starting CFer vs Righties

Swisher is starting RFer when he isnt DHing

Cabrera is starting LFer vs righties and starting CFer vs lefties

Gardner is the true 4th OFer/defensive replacement for Swisher and pinch runner

Hoffman is starting LFer vs lefties

 

They all have a role. Now, there are two rumors hitting the mill. One is that Damon will be back with NY, which will bump one of the OFers out since Damon will play some ball in the OF. That likely makes either Cabrera or Gardner expendable. The other is that Matsui will eventually resign. That shouldnt change much but it would take away from the flexibility that Girardi has wanted

I love how you just guarantee him a spot in the starting lineup vs lefties, no questions asked. How much do you really no about the kid aside from what you've read TODAY? A lot of Dodger people are convinced that he won't stick and just shrugged off the fact that he was selected. The Dodgers are very confident that he he'll be returned.

 

One Dodger executive said, “I’m glad it is them because we thought we would lose him to a bad team.” Translation: The Dodgers do not think a team as good as the Yankees will be able to keep Hoffmann on their 25-man roster all year, and he will have to be offered back to Los Angeles at some point. So, yes, the Dodgers do want to put Hoffmann back in their system.

 

A second Dodger executive said, “Unless they can fix his swing, he will not be able to stick (with the Yankees).”

 

http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/hardball/dodgers_react_to_losing_hoffman_zHoYNlhg6x4zyqckYtP8OK

 

But yet you have him as a significant player in our lineup. C'mon Jacko lets see the kid take a swing in spring training before you anoint him as the next coming of Joe DiMaggio.

[26 to 6]

http://blogs.suntimes.com/whitesox/2009/12/start_spreading_the_news_sox_e.html

 

The White Sox apparently "covet" Gardner. I've never been much of a Gardner fan, so hopefully with the outfield surplus, especially if Johnny comes back, Gardner is the casualty and not Melky. The Royals have also inquired. I think if Cashman can get anything of value for him he should jump on it.

[BudLight]

After reading these posts, two things that are out of place here:

 

1. Hoffman doesn't even make the 25 man, not on this team

2. Granderson is not a #2 hitter, 6 or 7, but never a #2 with his K ratio

[jacksonianmarch]

I know that he has a .900+OPS vs lefties throughout his minor league career. That and he plays good D and has some speed. All I am asking him to do is continue to hit lefties. If he doesnt do any of that in ST, then send him back. But right now, I think he is the best option in the system for the OF vs left handed pitching. Especially since we sent Duncan packing and since we added a guy who cannot hit lefties at all.

[riverside sluggers]

mlbtraderumors.com

 

Olney heard the Blue Jays' asking price of the Phillies for Roy Halladay "is about the same" as it was in July. That doesn't seem logical, but we are talking about two different GMs here. Olney was able to confirm the reported Halladay demands the Jays made of the Yankees: Jesus Montero, Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes, and more.

 

Damn quite pricey

[26 to 6]

Yeah I'm content passing on Halladay. I just hope the Sox don't get him.

[riverside sluggers]

Sox or the Yankees, it would leave both teams with a considerable drop in farm talent level coming to the bigs anytime soon

[yankees228]

Brian Cashman was just on WFAN and he continues to stand by the statement that their 2010 payroll is going to be less than their 2009 payroll. If this is indeed the case, they don't seem to have a lot of flexibility, and you can already eliminate the possibility of any big name acquisitions.

[Gom]

With all due respect, 228, do you really believe him if an opportunity presents itself? He's not going to come out and say he will spend money, even if he ends up doing it.

[yankees228]

With all due respect' date=' 228, do you really believe him if an opportunity presents itself? He's not going to come out and say he will spend money, even if he ends up doing it.[/quote']

 

I'm taking everything he says about payroll with a grain of salt. I think it's possible that he sticks by his statements, and I think it's possible that he doesn't. I was simply acknowledging that if he is going to stick by his statements, there isn't too much more the Yankees can do this offseason.

[26 to 6]

I don't really see anymore needs. In addition to signing Damon (or Matsui, as reports have Damon and the Yanks "far apart" on any deal) and some added bench depth we don't really need much more. Sure if he wants to add a starter, be it Lackey or Halladay or whoever then the payroll will probably surpass the limit they have in place, but I'm sure they'll cross that bridge when they get to it.