Yankees 2012-2013 Offseason Thread

[26 to 6]

Long time since I've been here. It's nice to see some familiar faces, and just as nice to see a new batch of Yankee fans posting across enemy lines.

 

A lot of the Yankee fans I've talked to are pissed about the Youk signing, but all things considered, I think he was the best available option, and I'm looking forward to seeing him don the pinstripes. I'm not expecting much out of him, but as long as he gets on base and plays with that grit and passion that he's known for, I'll be satisfied.

 

I was very disappointed to see Martin leave (but glad to see him end up in Pittsburgh. Some of you might remember, but for several years I've been closely following the Pirates. It's nice to see them getting closer and closer), but I'm more than content with letting Cervelli & Stewart split time while Romine gets some time in AAA. I know a lot of Yankee fans feel that we need to go out and overpay for a Pierzynski type or something, but I fully disagree. Curious to hear what some of your guys' take is on the catching situation.

 

I'm glad we're (likely) bringing back Ichiro, but I'm a little concerned about the offensive output of our outfield this coming year. Either way though, this has to be one of the top defensive OF's in the game.

 

I'm very curious to see how the Granderson situation plays out. I doubt he'll get traded during the offseason or regular season, but it'll be interesting to see what happens next year. Personally, I think we should resign him, so long as the strikeout numbers improve. But outside of signing Hamilton (which there is probably absolutely zero chance of if they're serious about staying under the luxury tax threshold for next year, which it seems they are, as they should be, and understandably so...paying 50% on the luxury tax is ridiculous), he's the only source of power in our OF.

 

Speaking of power, who else sees Cano leaving town after this season? I'm sure Boras will get him a better deal somewhere, probably with the Dodgers, and since he's already said there will be no hometown discount, he'll probably take it. What do you guys think the odds of us shopping him for an extremely hefty return come July are? It might seem unthinkable now, but it wouldn't shock me. I realize that for now I'm getting ahead of myself, so let's just stick to the current offseason.

 

What other major needs do you guys see? It'd be nice to have another arm for the pen, but I'd be content giving Montgomery every chance to win the job. As for the bench, I know this is probably a very unpopular opinion given his postseason performance, but I don't think we should bring Raaaauuuul back. As for infield depth, it looks like Nunez will be on the roster, and Nix will come to camp with every opportunity to play his way back on to the roster. Another possibility that someone discussed with me is bringing Chone Figgins to camp to try out for a super utility role. Now before you all laugh at me, think about it. Versatile guy, can play almost anywhere, and wouldn't cost us more than a minor league contract and an invite to spring training. If he makes the club, we're on the hook for the league minimum. I think it's worth a shot.

 

Well I look forward to catching up with you guys again, and hearing your opinions.

[jete02fan]

mornin folks, interesting day so far reading the wide-ranging reactions and opinions(fans and media) of Youk's signing with the Yanks

[26 to 6]

I still can't get over how many Yankee fans hate this move

[jacksonianmarch]

Because a lot of Yankee fans are idiots. That's why. I love my Yankees, don't get me wrong, but I don't love all Yankee fans. Every move has to be looked at as a "What can you do for me now" kind of move instead of a "f*** you, you were a Red Sox player, AARGH!". There is tremendous upside to this move.

 

Another interesting development is brewing. Sounds like the Yankees are close to a 2 yr deal with Ichiro for around $12 mil total ($6 mil AAV). That, to me spells out two things.

 

1. The Yankees want Ichiro to be in range of 3,000 hits in a Yankee uni (he needs 397).

2. Granderson is gone after 2013.

 

#2 is more because the Yankees will be able to produce one OFer for 2014, barring a catastrophe, as I have actually left out a few candidates previously. Ramon Flores, Zoilo Almonte, Abraham Almonte, Slade Heathcott, Mason Williams, and Tyler Austin should all be a AA or higher in 2013. One of them should make an impact enough to start the yr in the bigs in 2014. And as my avatar suggests, I think that'll be Tyler Austin. Sounds likely that Gardner is the CFer, Grandy the LFer, and Ichiro the RFer for 2013

[26 to 6]

It's funny you say that, because as much as I love the Yankees, I hate most Yankee fans.

 

You might be on to something with point #1, but I thought of it more as a desire coming from Ichiro, rather than the Yankees wanting to lock him up for 2 years, for whatever reason. It's crazy to think how close he is to 3,000 though. Even crazier to think how close he is to 4,000 when you combine his NPB & MLB hit totals (3,884).

 

As for Grandy, it's really starting to look that way, unfortunately. Postseason struggles aside, not only is he one of the three power hitters who'll be on our opening day roster this year (baring injury to either him, Tex, or Cano), but he's a great guy in terms of character, a great role model for the kids, and a great ambassador for not only the Yankees, but MLB as a whole. You always hear about him going on these goodwill trips. I remember he went to New Zealand a few years back, he's in Asia this year, etc. I know you can't look at those kind of things when building your roster, but it'll be a shame to lose that kind of personality. I'm just concerned with how we're going to replace those power numbers, especially if Cano walks, which as I said in my earlier post, wouldn't shock me one bit.

[MANNYHOF24]

I'd rather have Napoli at 1 yr $12 mil

 

That's not the question though...

[jacksonianmarch]

That's not the question though...

 

I know that isnt the question. At their peak, Youk was a better player than Napoli. The last 2 yrs, Napoli has been the better player. Nap is 3 yrs younger, Youk is coming off injury. From the Yankees perspective, a 3 yr deal isnt feasible, so it's a better deal for the Yanks to go with Youkilis. From the sox perspective, a 3 yr deal is alright, so if Naps is healthy, they're better off with Napoli. From a sheer WAR perspective, Napoli will likely outperform Youk in yr 1

[pinstripezac]

I still can't get over how many Yankee fans hate this move

 

I kinda like the idea of an ex player with an axe to grind

 

playing against his old team 18/19 gms this y

 

plus the fact it bothers so many sox fans ;-)

[Bellhorn04]

Hello zac.

[BSN07]

I'm not one of those fans that gets bothered by this. Like I said if he was in his prime and going to rain terror on the Sox for the next 4-5 years. I'd care more. But the Yankees are trying to scrap the bottom of the barrel with him. I think he will have an ok 1st half and but he will be beat up by the 2nd half.

[Bellhorn04]

I couldn't give a damn about Youk signing with the Yanks. I certainly don't fault him for taking the 12 million. And he's just not the same player he was.

 

Man the Yankees are an old team though.

[pinstripezac]

greetings Bellhorn

 

Man the Yankees are an old team though. :lol

 

 

no they're not

 

they were an old team yrs ago

 

now they are a ''real old'' team ;-)

 

it's NEVER bothered me before

 

but must admit, this yr feels different

 

nothing getting a big bag can't cure

[pinstripezac]

so what do you guys say about dempster ?

 

 

I think most would rather have sanchez

 

that might be the understatement of the yr ;-)

 

but after that I figure the rest,demster, Marcum, Jackson & Lohse

 

were all pretty much a crap shoot

 

so the sox picked dempster over the rest for depth

 

seems reasonable enough

 

if you can keep sanchez out of the conversation

 

bottom line they are a better team with dempster

[jacksonianmarch]

Dempster is the kind of guy the sox needed. They didnt have to commit long term to him and he can help them if he can pitch to his typical 200IP mark without getting destroyed. We seem to hit him well, but the same cannot be said for everyone.

 

BTW, Ichiro finalized a deal with the Yankees, 2yrs $13 mil.

[pinstripezac]

Dempster is the kind of guy the sox needed. They didnt have to commit long term to him and he can help them if he can pitch to his typical 200IP mark without getting destroyed. We seem to hit him well, but the same cannot be said for everyone.

 

BTW, Ichiro finalized a deal with the Yankees, 2yrs $13 mil.

 

I felt alot better about gardner & Ichiro in the same OF

 

B4 we lost martin & arod add swisher, chavez ,ibanez to that

 

and we have lost a lot of power

[jacksonianmarch]

We did lose some power. Chavez' power will be mitigated by the addition of Youkilis. Swisher's loss of power will hurt a little. Ibanez doesnt have a spot right now and to commit resources to him as a DH isnt prudent either. Our 4th OF will be a RHH and I have a feeling it will be internal. I have a feeling Melky Mesa will get all the chances in the world to grab that job and take it as his own. The guy is a switch hitter who really doesnt hit well left handed, but smashes when he hits right handed. He owns a career OPS vs lefties of over .900. He can run and plays elite D as well in all 3 OF positions, and has a cannon. His biggest bugaboo is the K, which he seems to love, but he does limit them a little batting righty

[pinstripezac]

interesting thoughts about Mesa

 

unless he has a big spring, even then,

 

I think it's best for him to play everyday and bring him up

 

when some one goes on the DL and give him a steady chance at that point

 

less pressure for him and he stays sharp

 

 

Ibanez doesnt have a spot right now and to commit resources to him as a DH isnt prudent either

 

not sure what you mean about ibanez

 

who do you see as our DH at this point.....nunez FT?

 

how much do we care about the resourses if we can get him on a 1 yr deal ?

[Meh]

Even though he's older, I like Ronnier Mullister a lot. I'd love to have him on the bench and be a super sub at 3B, RF and LF and maybe even 1B if he could handle it. I'd love to give him a chance. Personally I'd trade some bullpen arms out, Logan and Joba and maybe even Robertson if the right deal comes along.

[jacksonianmarch]

Even though he's older, I like Ronnier Mullister a lot. I'd love to have him on the bench and be a super sub at 3B, RF and LF and maybe even 1B if he could handle it. I'd love to give him a chance. Personally I'd trade some bullpen arms out, Logan and Joba and maybe even Robertson if the right deal comes along.

 

We've got one more yr before the bulk of the pen arms will be totally ready. And while Logan can be frustrating, we dont have a solid lefty reliever who is ready to step in now. That could change if Bleich continues on his pace, Rondon improves or Pazos shoots up the list.

[Meh]

The workload from 2012 will screw Logan this year, thats why I want to dump him more than anything maybe we could get something solid. I like Cabrera, I'd try to sign Perez who was cut lose from the Guardians too to a minor league deal.

[jacksonianmarch]

Who's Cabrera? And Perez would be a decent get, although I think he will end up signing a guaranteed deal

[Meh]

I'm sorry I meant Cabral, not Cabrera. I'd sign Perez to a guaranteed deal, DFA Spence or Rondon.

[BSN07]

greetings Bellhorn

 

Man the Yankees are an old team though. :lol

 

 

no they're not

 

they were an old team yrs ago

 

now they are a ''real old'' team ;-)

 

it's NEVER bothered me before

 

but must admit, this yr feels different

 

nothing getting a big bag can't cure

 

Damn it, I like him already....

[pinstripezac]

Damn it, I like him already....

 

LMAO

 

I can't believe I made that typo

 

ok I can't believe I didn't catch that typo

 

obviously I meant big Bat

[26 to 6]

Even though he's older, I like Ronnier Mullister a lot. I'd love to have him on the bench and be a super sub at 3B, RF and LF and maybe even 1B if he could handle it. I'd love to give him a chance. Personally I'd trade some bullpen arms out, Logan and Joba and maybe even Robertson if the right deal comes along.

I agree with you on Mustilier. Whether or not he can be a serviceable ML backup, but I'd at least give him a look during the spring. I think Nix will find his way back on the roster, though.

 

As for the relievers, you bring up a valid point about Logan's workload, but like Jacko said, now isn't the time to be trading big league arms.

 

As for another lefty, I'm very curious to see what Cabral can do healthy. If I'm not mistaken, the Rule 5 procedure still applies to him, right? Meaning that he needs to be kept on the active roster (or DL) or offered back to Boston? I'd also definitely like to try and sign Perez

 

LMAO

obviously I meant big Bat

I'd rather have a big bag

[jacksonianmarch]

I like Mustelier a lot. His versatility helps us, but he's not a great defender at either position and there is a question as to whether his bat could carry in the bigs. He's hitting, he's walking, he isnt striking out and he can hit for power. Why the hell not? He's also holding his own in the winter leagues against big league level competition.

[BSN07]

LMAO

 

I can't believe I made that typo

 

ok I can't believe I didn't catch that typo

 

obviously I meant big Bat

 

The "bag" was way more entertaining

[jacksonianmarch]

Yankees are in on Hairston. Sounds like he's looking at a 2 yr deal. He's exactly the kind of guy we need in the OF with our trio of lefties in our starting lineup.

[jacksonianmarch]

AJ Pierzynski's agent is trying to get the Yankees into the bidding war for his client, but it sounds like a forgone conclusion that he's gonna have to accept a move to Texas. The Yankees learned their lesson doling out big money for a 36yr old catcher coming off a career season. They appear set on going with Austin Romine. Romine has been a guy I have been following for a long time. He was a 2nd round pick in the 2007 draft and has methodically moved up the system before a back injury really robbed him of 1.5 seasons. He's apparently fully healthy, enough so that he played in the AFL.

 

Romine is likely to have no significant dropoff in terms of defensive skills behind the dish. He's got an above average arm, quick release and very accurate. He's got good feet and can block the ball with the best of them. He's got a good head on his shoulders and calls games well. Obviously, he will need to lean on backup Chris Stewart and his veteran pitchers in terms of figuring out how to pitch to big leaguers, but the skills are there. Offensively, he's not very flashy, but it isnt like he's replacing Piazza here. Martin's OPS was a paltry .722 in the Bronx, and that was mostly weighted by the 39HRs he hit.

 

Romine is a guy who should eventually hit for a good average. Throughout his career, he's mostly been a .280 guy plus or minus about 15 points. He walks a fair amount, enough to see his OBP climb into the mid .300s. His power is mostly on the order of low double digits in HRs and 25+ doubles. Overall, he shouldnt embarrass himself with the stick and shows enough promise with the glove to become a reliable receiver. The question is, will he be healthy, and how will he adjust to the big league level. Fans wont be tolerant of a catcher with less power and less credibility behind the dish if he's hitting .180 come May 1

[a700hitter]

I wonder if Soriano will sign with the Yankee for less than the contract that he opted out of.