2016 Off Season Thread

[Meh]

So what would you do? Trades and free agent signings?

 

I'd put a lot of players on the block, we are in a unique situation, much like the red sox are. They just have more younger talent to deal. I'd put Gardner, Pineda, Headley, and even Tex on the block. Not saying I'd give these guys away, but I'd field offers for them. I wouldn't sign any free agents, except Cesepedes, but I think the Mets will blow their load on him, so meh. I'd like Upton, but he's going to cash in. I could see him to the Mariners for a Robbie Cano type deal, no thanks. i'm not a huge fan of Heyward either. Price, no thanks. I'd also cash in on Adam Warren, he's making next to nothing and we were able to get pretty good pieces for Greene and Phelps last year. I'd try something different and let the kids play a little. Refsnyder at 2B and Severino getting a SP slot. I'd try my best to get Nova a rotation spot as well, contract year and he strikes me as someone who loves money. I'm willing to bet my own money he turns in a solid year. Of course if you can trade him along with prospects for Neil Walker, do it. I want to see Judge up towards the end of July too. He needs more time in Triple-A. I think Jose Pirela is a pretty nice trade piece in a bigger deal too, but he's also excellent minor league depth. I'd try to hold onto him. Should be fun to watch some of these guys get a chance. I want to see an extended look at Heathcott and Williams as well, but not counting on them for anything. Everyone is so hard after Krimbral. I love him and I'd love to have him, but I think we can get our bullpen together from within. I say Kimbral gets dealt to the Red Sox for Devers and Bradley Jr, maybe one other piece, like Brock Holt.

[jacksonianmarch]

Meh, the only offensive piece that looks good from my perspective is Heyward, and he's getting $200mil and costing a pick. I'd try to cash in on the pitching side and avoid the other offensive free agents. I'd go with more of the status quo than anything else. I think our kids coming up are the next wave and we need to foster that. We should be good next yr, but we wont be WS caliber until 2017. I'd rather make all moves to get ready for 17

[Meh]

I'd try to hold onto Judge, Bird, Serevino, and Mateo. Sanchez is playing well in the AFL after a great regular seaosn. I might try to trade him while his value is high. Torrens will be back next year as well, and I look forward to seeing how he progresses. Not sure who I'd go for at the moment though, haven't given it too much thought.

[jacksonianmarch]

One of our catchers is definitely on the block. I think Murphy is going to get some bites from teams looking for a starter. He has the goods to start in this league and he has proven his bat can play at this level too. He has been up for 2 years now and the kid in AAA (Sanchez) has a LOT more potential. Sanchez is obviously a hot topic right now because he finished so hot in AAA and he is so young. I wouldn't mind seeing his right handed stick as an option off the bench or against lefties to spell McCann. That being said, Murphy is a lot better defensively.

 

I definitely hold onto Judge, Bird and Severino. Judge will be in the majors at some point in 2016. Bird should be in a time share between 1b, DH, and PH. Severino might enter the season as our #2.

[Meh]

I'd hold onto Mateo too, I think he will shoot up the ranks next year and have a major break out year. It was great to see Clarkin pitch well in the AFL too. Next year it'll be fun to watch him, Acevedo, and Finley. Not too high on Lail and Davis, but I think Lail could be steady like Phelps. I'd actually shop Warren around, we were able to cash in on Phelps and Greene last year. Mitchell I think could be great in a Warren type role next year. We have a steady flow of solid, but nothing special starters coming up. We could exploit that. The system is flush with options right now and you have to be excited about the potential. Judge, Mateo, Kaprielian, Sanchez, and Refsnyder is a pretty good top 5. Mateo and Kaprielian are farther away but show good promise and Judge, Refs, and Sanchez are knocking at the door with Refs looking to break camp as a starter. I really hope they give him and Ackley the job. As much as I'd love to add Zobrist.

[jacksonianmarch]

Mateo isn't untouchable IMO, but I don't deal him for a fill in. The kid can play. Kaprielian is turning into a great draft pick as his velo has been steadily held in the 94-96 range. He already had the off speed stuff and the command, it was just the velocity he was lacking. Now he has it. I think he starts in Tampa next year and ends up in AA or AAA. By holding pat for a few years in terms of dealing top prospects, we have accumulated some really solid talent.

 

Acevedo might be our best pitching prospect since Hughes. His ceiling is as high as it gets. Plus command, a wipeout slider and change up. He used to sit low 90s and in his last few weeks at SI, he was sitting high 90s and topping out at 101mph.

[Meh]

I'd wait to deal to Mateo if you do, imagine the trade value he'd have if he was producing at Double-A or Triple-A. I wouldn't deal him for Kimbrel, since I don't see Kimbral as an important need. I've said it since July, I think the Sox land Kimbral for a package around Devers or (Benintendi and Johnson).

[jacksonianmarch]

Meh, I have been reading about all these kids in depth and I really, really like what happened this year. That being said, you don't want to sell when the value is low, you want to deal when it is highest. And some guys might never get higher. Heathcott and Sanchez are helium guys right now. I'd definitely listen if someone wanted them, mostly because we have redundancy at their position. Williams will be back next yr and our top prospect in the system is an OFer. Mateo is also a helium guy as his 80+ steals, good D an representative BA and OBP as a kid in long season suggests. Could he go higher? Maybe? Could he follow the Culver's of the world and stagnate next yr? Absolutely. SS is a position of strength in this system after a decade of futility forcing us to keep employing Jeter in that role and not moving him off of it. Didi is 25 and had a 3+ WAR season. The last time we saw that from a Yankee SS was 2009. And the kid is only going to get better. You have Avelino, Estrada, Garcia who actually look like top prospects all occupying SS and then you have our sup pick from last yr in Holder (who I hated btw, but the thought remains). If Mateo gets us a front line, young starter, you do it. If he gets us an impact bat then you do it. It's all about maximizing return.

 

I also agree with you that our upper levels are devoid of a big name front line potential starter. Mostly because he is in the Yankee rotation right now in Severino. That being said, we have a lot of youth in our rotation. Warren was our second best starter to Severino this year. And that is saying something with 26 yr olds Tanaka and Pineda and 25 yr old Eovaldi in the mix. I like Lail and I like Davis. Lail is more of a sinker/slider guy who gets by on command and movement. Davis has the arm to be a top of the rotation starter, he just hasn't put it together. Both of them are future big leaguers so long as they stay healthy. But below the AAA and AA surface lies a few guys who need to be kept on the radar. Campos and German are both coming back from TJS. Campos looked like s*** this yr, but it was his first action coming off the knife. German will be in the same boat next yr. Kaprielian and Acevedo are front line potential starters and both will be in the long season leagues next yr. And I think there is a decent chance Kap is in the upper levels or even the bigs come the end of 2016. And that doesn't even account for the multitude of strong armed guys like Encinas who are coming off injuries or poor seasons who have the stuff to move forward. I liked the Degano and Finley selections as well and think Chance Adams has a "chance" to be a good starter as they convert him coming into 2016.

 

Either way man, the system put a mushroom stamp on Keith Law and the other pundits who hated on the system. A pair of early 20 yr olds came in and dominated in their debut season and they are just the beginning. The 3 yrs of above average play without decimating the farm is about to prove smart as these awful contracts come off the books. I like the way things are pointing in the Bronx

[Meh]

Estrada is no a legit SS prospect at the moment, don't play him up to be one.

[jacksonianmarch]

19 yr old played well in SI against much older competition while showing contact chops and obp skills.

[jacksonianmarch]

I want to get creative this year. I would like to see a deal involving Gardner plus a prospect like Sanchez (who is demolishing the AFL right now) or even a pitcher like Pineda for an ace or ace type coming to the end of arbitration. We have a TON of rotational depth, but nobody has stepped forward to grab that mantle as an ace. All have shown flashes, but I want to see 200IP of dominance next yr and would be willing to move a pitcher or Gardner or both to do it. We have a lot of pieces on this team, but a lot aren't moveable due to contract length or price. I would love to see Harvey moved across town, but I doubt the Mets would be willing to do that.

[Meh]

I would love to deal for Cashner, I think it'd be an excellent buy low option. I wouldn't mind expanding the deal to include Kimbrel with Gardner and more going back to the Padres. They might have interest in Refsnyder to play 2B for them.

 

I'd also look at the Giants to deal Pineda too. I'd love to snip Bickford from them for Pineda.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Meh

[Spudboy]

If you trade Gardner, who remains to play in the outfield?

 

My boy Ellsbury is habitually absent and only marginally effective when he does play. And the other guy can still hit but has bad knees.

 

I'm serious here. Who are the depth players in the outfield for the Yankees?

[Meh]

If you trade Gardner, who remains to play in the outfield?

 

My boy Ellsbury is habitually absent and only marginally effective when he does play. And the other guy can still hit but has bad knees.

 

I'm serious here. Who are the depth players in the outfield for the Yankees?

 

If they trade Gardner, and im not like gung ho about it. I really like him, I'd look into signing Heyward. If not, I mean you have Aaron Judge coming up. Beltran is in right for another year. Ellsbury can play CF for two more years too. I actually like Ellsbury for a bounce back year in 2016. You have solid prospects in Heathcott and Williams as well.

 

Right now the OF is Garder, Ells, Beltran. With Judge, Williams, Heathcott and Gamel in Triple-A. The off season is long too, we could make many moves.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think dealing Gardner is the play, but getting Cashner isn't what I am looking for. I don't want another project, we have enough of them in the rotation.

[jacksonianmarch]

Andrew Miller's name is popping up in trade talks. Would be interesting to see what he could net on the open market. While it would definitely detract from our strength, we have a deep and loaded minor league system in the pen arm category. Depends on what we could get, but I could go along with a Miller trade if the return was good

[Spudboy]

Andrew Miller's name is popping up in trade talks. Would be interesting to see what he could net on the open market. While it would definitely detract from our strength, we have a deep and loaded minor league system in the pen arm category. Depends on what we could get, but I could go along with a Miller trade if the return was good

 

Hanley for Miller straight up!

[jacksonianmarch]

LOL. Nah, I could see Miller being paired with Gardner and getting something really nice from a team.

[Meh]

LOL. Nah, I could see Miller being paired with Gardner and getting something really nice from a team.

Heyman is floating a Starsburg for Miller idea.

idk if I'd even do that, starsburg is such a mystery.

[jacksonianmarch]

I would definitely make that deal. Miller was great, but he is a reliever at 32 yrs old. Strasburg is an otherworld talent with health issues. I would take the risk especially since we have a deep farm when it comes to power arms

[jacksonianmarch]

BTW, everyone and their mother are predicting Heyward to NYY. If he comes to NYY, we would need to offload an outfielder. I could see Miller and Gardner packaged together to a team in need of offense and elite pen help. I wonder if the Mets would be willing to listen should a prospect or two be added to the mix?

[Spudboy]

To me it seems Gardner for Heyward is a lateral move. Throw in Miller and it is lopsided.

 

Why would the Yankees do that? What is the big attraction with Heyward? His power never developed. He plays decent defense and is okay offensively. What does he bring that Gardner does not have?

[jacksonianmarch]

Heyward plays phenomenal defense, is an on base machine, steals bases, has some pop and usually has a bunch of extra base hits. He's a perennial 6 win player. Gardner is a perennial 3-4 win player. Also, Gardy is 32 and Heyward is 26.

 

Plus, I'm not advocating giving away Miller and Gardner. I'm advocating packaging the two and getting an ace. We have the pen depth to absorb the loss of Miller. We acquire a front line starter. Then plug in Heyward in LF and we will be a much better team

[jacksonianmarch]

Yanks deal Pirela to SD for AA pitcher Ronald Herrera.

[Meh]

Yanks deal Pirela to SD for AA pitcher Ronald Herrera.

 

I like Pirela but I don't think he had a place here. Ryan is here and will do a solid job. I like his clubhouse presence too. Refsnyder and Ackley at 2B. No need for Pirela, we have some nice depth. Getting a solid ceiling SP for him, who could turn out to be more is a good deal. Maybe he turns into a Phelps for us. I wish Pirela all the luck though.

 

Yankees also traded Murphy for Aaron Hicks of the Twins. Another move from a depth position. I love Murphy and believed he could have been a starting catcher in the Bronx, but with McCann here I under why he was traded and good for him he will go to the Twins and get the chance to start. Hicks is a nice return too. I hope we can trade Ellsbury now, but I can see us dealing Gardner. This move doesn't even mean we will trade an OFer though, he just replaces Young. Great arm, SB threat, and still a very high ceiling. I actually hope Romine gets the nod behind the plate as the backup. I think he will do well in that role. Sanchez in Triple-A and sign a vet catcher or go with Eddie again I guess to mentor him. Two deals I like, I hate giving up Murphy, but it was a chance Cashman had to take.

 

Would love to see a Gardner plus trade to the M's for Walker now.

[jacksonianmarch]

Meh, I think this means Sanchez breaks camp in the bigs. This is the perfect grooming scenario with 3 yrs left on McCann's deal

[Meh]

I don't think it's that cut and dry to be honest.

[jacksonianmarch]

It may not be. Who knows, we could get some amazing offer for Sanchez and need to sign a vet backup. For right now, it will be Romine and Sanchez battling it out

[a700hitter]

Yankees Acquire Aaron Hicks From Twins For John Ryan Murphy

 

By Jeff Todd | November 11, 2015 at 1:03pm CST

 

The Yankees and Twins have announced a two-player deal involving important young players. New York will add center fielder Aaron Hicks in the swap, while Minnesota receives catcher John Ryan Murphy.

 

It’s somewhat surprising to hear that Minnesota has parted with Hicks, who finally seemed to turn the corner last year after previously having failed to gain traction in the majors. The 26-year-old is an exceptional defender who faced some questions with the bat. But he ended the 2015 campaign with a .256/.323/.398 batting line and swiped 13 bags on the year. That supported a tally of 1.3 rWAR and 1.5 fWAR over 97 MLB games.

 

But the Twins organization obviously has plenty of outfield talent coming, including top prospect Byron Buxton and the well-regarded Max Kepler. Eddie Rosario is another option, as are Oswaldo Arcia and Danny Santana, and the club appears increasingly interested in utilizing young slugger Miguel Sano in left.

 

The real motivation for the deal, from the Minnesota side, was the team’s reported interest in finding an upgrade behind the plate, where Kurt Suzuki had struggled. Murphy will obviously represent a long-term piece in that area, as he comes with five more years of control (two of which will be at a league minimum salary), though whether or not he’ll rate as a solid, full-time regular remains to be seen. Certainly, he figures to be given plenty of opportunity after the team made a significant investment to acquire him.

 

Murphy, 24, has seen at least some MLB action in each of the last three years, but saw his most extensive time last year. Over 172 big league plate appearances, Murphy slashed .277/.327/.406 — approximately league average overall and rather useful for a catcher. He’s never done a ton of damage with the bat in the minors, and tends to be described more as an average future player than a budding star. But Minnesota was looking for reasonably-priced, solid production in this deal, and Murphy could well deliver that.

 

The addition of Hicks is rather interesting for an organization that had been rumored to be weighing a swap of left fielder Brett Gardner. Hicks is a switch-hitter who is better from the right side and is capable of playing center, making him a useful piece even if Gardner is retained. (He could spell Gardner in left, Jacoby Ellsbury in center, and the aging Carlos Beltran in right.) But with the left-handed-hitting Dustin Ackley also a corner outfield possibility, Gardner certainly is much more expendable.

 

But New York will hope that Hicks can ultimately reach his ceiling as a quality, regular center fielder. GM Brian Cashman expressed just that sentiment , saying that the organization views Hicks as a future regular, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports (Twitter link). While he was much better against left-handed pitching last year, Hicks did post a reasonable .235/.302/.359 slash when facing opposing righties.

 

If he can continue to mash lefties and manage even a palatable batting line from the southpaw side of the dish, Hicks probably has enough defensive and baserunning value to play every day. He’ll surely hope to play his way into just such a role over the four years of control he’ll bring to the Yankees.

 

Giving up Murphy probably didn’t come easily, as he was a well-regarded piece of the system for quite some time. But he was blocked by Brian McCann. The same fate befell Francisco Cervelli last year. GM Brian Cashman and co. obviously felt that Murphy had more value as a trade piece than with the club. The Yankees believe that young backstop Gary Sanchez can step in at the major league level behind McCann, GM said, as Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News tweets. And Austin Romine also represents an option.

This is a pretty good deal for the Yankees imo.

[jacksonianmarch]

And we don't lose a thing. Gary Sanchez is going to get the Posada treatment. This kid is the goods and is in the process of winning the MVP of the AFL right now. We basically dumped our backup catcher and made room for a better backup catcher, all the while getting a guy who is on the upswing. Hicks is either a good 4th outfielder or a guy who has the potential to be more depending on how his left handed swing takes to the Yankees park. He destroys lefties, btw, and is a switch hitter. Plus, he plays excellent D at all 3 OF slots and has a cannon