Yankees 2012-2013 Offseason Thread

[jacksonianmarch]

We have a few threads here about the ALCS and the reactive post I made about the destruction of the Yankees. Well, the off-season is here for us, so time to put news in here.

 

The Yankees will be picking up the option on Curtis Granderson. Due to the 2011 MVP balloting, his option is worth $15 million. The Yankees are said to be shopping the slugger, but right now, there are no good leads as the season is still on going.

 

The Yankees are expected to make the qualifying offer to Nick Swisher, but will not be offering him a long term deal. They are content to take the pick knowing that Swish will get a long term deal elsewhere.

 

Rafael Soriano is going to opt out of the final yr of his contract. The Yankees will also be offering the qualifying offer, but will not be extending his contract either, as the Yanks are content taking the pick.

 

In terms of replacements for them, there are a few players in mind on the trade and FA front to replace Swisher, although the Yankees really have no major internal prospect who could fill the RF slot. Their closest OF prospect is Zoilo Almonte, who is at least a half season away and some project him as a platoon player/4th OFer.

 

In terms of replacing Soriano, the Yankees are likely to re-sign Mariano Rivera to take the closer role and see Mark Montgomery get every shot in ST to win a spot in the pen. He struck out 99 batters in 64IP with only 22 walks. His 0.88WHIP was the lowest in the Yankee system and his 13.8K/9IP was the highest.

[jacksonianmarch]

CC Sabathia is headed for elbow surgery, but his UCL is intact. He apparently has a bone spur in the elbow and is visiting James Andrews for consultation. If the initial diagnosis is correct, he should be fine by ST

[OriginalUsername]

I would've declined the option on Granderson, made him a qualifying offer, and let him walk and collect the draft pick.

[jacksonianmarch]

Me too, but they either think a contract yr or a trade will be worth more than a supp pick

[Station 13]

They can't let both Swisher and Grenderson to walk at the same time. Swisher will need a long term, and Grenderson will be on the hook for just 1 year. It is obvious.

[OriginalUsername]

Brett Gardner can take over CF and there will be plenty of corner OF available that could replace Swisher.

[jacksonianmarch]

Exactly

[Behindenemylines]

With both the Sox and the Yanks having a lot of questions unanswered going into 2013 it should be a really interesting HOT STOVE this off season. The WS can't get over fast enough so the interesting off season can get started.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm predicting that the Yankees will make a serious push to move A-Rod. I think they are fed up with him and benching him those last two games, while other guys were slumping just as bad, was the proof. His production and durability have both been in steady decline and he's obviously not the best clubhouse guy either. They're going to have to come up with something creative to move him of course.

[jacksonianmarch]

With both the Sox and the Yanks having a lot of questions unanswered going into 2013 it should be a really interesting HOT STOVE this off season. The WS can't get over fast enough so the interesting off season can get started.

 

AMEN BROTHER!

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Blow up Yankee Stadium

 

/offseason

[mvp 78]

Needs: SP to replace CC for the year, CL/SU to replace Soriano, C, SS, 3b, corner OF

 

anything else?

[jacksonianmarch]

CC isnt out for the yr, he'll be ready for ST. Mariano will be replacing Soriano. Jeter will be back for opening day. C, 3B, and COF are definite needs

[Behindenemylines]

$pankees are looking old with a lot of $$$$ invested in players that were hurt or did not produce during the playoffs. The Daily News had several articles on this subject in today's paper. They have 12 players who played significant roles this season that are 35 or older. That is a major problem.

[jacksonianmarch]

It's not necessarily the age, it's the ability. Jeter was an all-star level offensive player this yr at the age of 38. Mariano was doing well at the age of 42 when he blew out his knee. Pettitte had a solid 12 starts. What we need to do is diminish the roles of the guys who are obviously slipping (ARod) while increasing youth and athleticism around them. We cannot have a bench full of geriatrics while having a lineup full of them too

[Plumpamania]

It's a horrible offseason to have a "hot stove". You guys can take Melky back though.

[jacksonianmarch]

Went over my head a bit, can you explain?

[jacksonianmarch]

Rivera is currently unsure about whether he will pitch again next yr. That would throw a monkey wrench in plans

[Divinity]

Rivera is currently unsure about whether he will pitch again next yr. That would throw a monkey wrench in plans

 

Depends how you look at it, if Rivera retires we have Soriano to fall back on, if Rivera returns, another team will pay Soriano with a multi year contract.

[Behindenemylines]

In the long term it is in the best interest if Rivera retires? What are Yankees fans pulling for? If Rivera plays one more season then Soriana leaves to close for another team.

[jacksonianmarch]

I am okay with Soriano leaving. I think we need one more yr to be able to groom a pen strong enough to survive on their own. Mo would give us that

[jacksonianmarch]

Looks like the Yankees are giving strong consideration towards signing Torii Hunter. He had a good offensive season last yr, would clearly upgrade the defense in RF and would probably come on a 1-2 yr deal. He also won't cost draft pick compensation.

 

I also think the Yankees will be looking hard at Joakim Soria. He'd likely be signing a 1 yr deal with an option and escalators, but he'd be the kind of guy who could fill Soriano's shoes while netting us another pick

[jacksonianmarch]

On the offensive front, I doubt we are going to let Russell Martin get away. You have Brian McCann having his option picked up by the Braves and nothing else really available on the market. You also have your best possible replacement internally in Romine coming off a back injury that took away his season. We need at least one more yr before we could consider Romine a viable option, but then again, Martin sucked ass offensively, so it isnt like we are re-upping him for his offensive prowess. Also, since Martin fell so precipitously to earth this past yr, I think his market will be limited. I would offer Martin a 1 yr deal with a player option for a second that escalates based on performance factors. That gives Martin some security knowing he effectively could be there for 2 yrs no matter how s***** he does, and if he comes alive again, his market next yr for a long term deal will be there. Let's say the Yankees sign Martin to a 1yr $6 mil contract with a player option for $5 million with escalators up to $8 mil. NO matter what, Martin isnt getting a qualifying offer

 

In the infield, I think re-signing Chavez is a priority, but I also dont go ga-ga over his solid yr last yr and give him anything he wants. We need a guy who will split time with ARod between DH and 3b. One name that we should definitely consider is Kevin Youkilis. Yes, I hate him, but we have to be realistic. The guy can play both corners, takes walks, hits for power and is fragile. Shift him between 3b and DH and you prolong the legs and allow for him to get on base at a good clip. I'd actually rather Youk than Chavez, even though Chavez had a better yr. I think it is unlikely Chavy repeats his rejuvenation in the Bronx and we need a guy who can be more than just a part time player without something in his body exploding.

 

In the outfield, my dream scenario is a deal for Justin Upton, but from all reports, he is going to get dealt for a massive haul. And when you are dealing with a guy with question marks, you shouldnt be giving away a package fit for an MVP. I absolutely offer Swish the $13.5 mil qualifying offer and let him walk. I am warming to the idea of Hunter since he can still play D, runs better than Swish and is coming off a good season. He also should come cheaply and on a very short term deal. I'd also like the idea of signing a guy like Ryan Ludwick, but from the sounds of it, he'll be heading back to Cincy. I liked the idea of moving Granderson, but on a 1yr deal, he likely is worth more to us than anyone will give to us in trade. With Gardner and Grandy locked into the OF, a RH hitter is imperative, so that means Ichiro walks unless he is willing to accept a 4th OFer role. In terms of the 4th OFer, I would seriously consider Johnny Gomes. The guy destroys left handed pitching, had a great yr in a terrible hitter's park, and should come pretty cheaply. He's a COF guy, so against lefties, we'd start Gomes in LF, Hunter in RF and either Granderson or Gardner in CF, but it is worth it.

 

On the mound, I do think Mariano and Pettitte come back. This was a bad way to end the yr, and I doubt they want to go out like this. I also think Kuroda would be willing to come back, and I definitely offer him the qualifying offer. Should he want to go back to LA, you get a pick. Should he return, then great. If he is back, then our rotation is effectively set. If he doesnt, I would seriously consider dealing for Dan Haren. He'd come cheaply and would be a pretty good candidate to get his career turned around after a horrid and injury plagued season. And on a 1 yr deal, why the f*** not. That might actually be the best case scenario. Let Kuroda walk, deal for Haren, net out a pick and get younger in the rotation. As good as Hiroki was, I doubt he can repeat that solid season he just had.

 

And in the pen, I let Soriano walk. There are too many back end guys available who could help and I do think Mo comes back for one more push. That leaves us with Mo as closer and KRob as setup. But I wouldnt stop there. I go hard after Soria, and I would do a similar deal as Martin's. 1 yr deal with a player option that escalates. That means we get a pick for Soriano, a closer level pitcher in Soria and get cheaper in the long run. If Soria isnt interested, we could go the Ryan Madson route

[jacksonianmarch]

Holy s***, the Yankees are actually considering moving Granderson to LF and Gardner to CF. We have only asked for this for 2 yrs

[Station 13]

Shouldn't right field be easier to play for Granderson?

[BSN07]

The Soriano situation is interesting. NYY probably would offer him the most $ but he won't go back there if Mo is the closer. But NY has no idea if Mo is coming back.

 

If Mo is really done(I'm not sure one way or the other) then I think you might see a Soria or a Madson in NY for a year. I also think the Sox will be in on these types as well.

 

If only there was some way to get Cashman delusional enough to make Valverde an offer

[ibot2much]

This is what the GLOBE reported this morning about the Yankees:

 

qualifying offers of 13.3 mil to Kuroda, Soriano and Swisher

 

free agents-- P: Mo, Pettitte, Garcia, DLowe, Feliciano, OF: Ibanez, Suzuki, A Jones, C: Martin, IF: Chaves

[Meh]

My friend who is a big Guardians fan always tries to play GM with me every year and ask me deals. Last year it was Chris Perez for Nick Swisher, this year he went a little larger and asked Granderson and Nova for Choo, Lindor, and Sipp. I usually laugh off his deals but this one kind of perked my interest. Guardians get their power hitter to plug between Cabrera and Santana in Granderson who can make short work of their own short porch and a cost controlled pitcher to add to their less than impressive staff. While the Yankees get a top 30 prospect in Lindor, a solid lefty in Sipp to add to Logan(Who I'd look to trade), Cabrera, and Rapada, and then Choo to replace Swisher.

 

I'd re-sign Martin 2 years 11 million, 3rd year team option for 7 million or a one million dollar buyout. So he'll at least make 2/12 which I think is pretty solid. Also re-sign Mo, something like 1 year 12 million? Pettitte again, one year $6 million? Obviously I'm not going to hit these salaries dead on but within a couple of million. I'd be on Dan Haren, one year $10 to 12 million, similar to Kuroda this season. Torii Hunter as well. I've always liked him and he hits well with RISP. One year $8 to 10 million? Same thing for Ichrio. I know, both Ichiro and Hunter seems a little much but with the DH spot open, I think we could get them all enough ABs. Chavez being re-signed as well, one year $2 million.

 

 

CC

Pettitte

Haren

Hughes

Phelps

-Pineda could come up and help as well later on.

 

Pettitte, Haren, and Hughes will be in their final years of their contracts too, so they'd really need Pineda to step up this year. 2014's rotation could very much be CC, Pineda, Phelps and a prayer.

 

C: Martin

1B: Tex

2B: Cano(I'd try to lock him up)

SS Jeter

3B: ARod

OF: Hunter, Gardner, Ichiro, and Choo

DH- spot would be open for Hunter, Jeter, ARod and others.

 

Bench: Nunez, Stewart/Romine, Chavez and Dickerson(I'd look into Nyjer Morgan too)

 

 

Mo, Robertson, Joba, Aardsma, Sipp, Cabrera(Logan traded away), and Phelps/Warren/Eppley

 

The bullpen would have room to grow with a lot of good young arms coming up as well. Joba, Aardsma, and Mo will most likely be in their final years too.

 

Salary would be around 202 to 204 million, again, but you'd again have a lot of money coming off the books for 2014 and could really get under the 189 limit.

[Divinity]

Rivera told Cashman yesterday he'd like to play next year.

.

[redsoxrules]

Rivera told Cashman yesterday he'd like to play next year.

.

 

There's at least 15 MIL