From Joel Sherman (NY Post):
The Yanks have roughly $88 million in salary potentially vanishing, and Yankees officials already are building toward a consensus how to use those dollars. Based on multiple interviews the initial plan looks like this:
1. Sign at least one and, preferably two, starters from among free agents CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.
2. Re-sign either Mike Mussina or Andy Pettitte.
3. With the rotation deepened by free agency, use pitching prospects in particular to obtain a prime-age, high-ceiling player at first or in the outfield. Then use minor trades or free agency to address other areas.
First, before I briefly discuss this plan, I must note that Sherman’s article is bursting from the seams with valid insights and interesting thoughts. In fact, I’ll be discussing it throughout the day in order to touch on every point (he talks about a lot), so be sure to check out the entire thing, as it will serve as an important prologue to ensuing posts.
Now, about the plan–it looks good and it makes sense. When there are proven pitchers available on the free agent market, one has to consider them, especially after injuries and ineffectiveness dominated our starting line. In that regard, signing 2 of Burnett, CC and Lowe, again, makes sense. Adding to that depth by resigning Pettitte or Mussina would also be a proactive move and I doubt that anyone would argue with that notion. Now, the final stage of the plan is where things get tricky.
Sherman unpacks his statement throughout the article:
The Yanks still envision Hughes blossoming as a high-end starter. But for an attractive first baseman, center fielder or right fielder, the Yanks would consider moving any youngster not named Chamberlain. What will make someone attractive to the Yanks: 1) under 30; 2) athletic and sound defensively; 3) controllable into the future; 4) a well-rounded offensive game that preferably includes plate patience.
It has been assumed the Yanks will look specifically for a center fielder. But they anticipate limited options, having learned already that, for example, Pittsburgh’s Nate McLouth will be near impossible to land. So they would consider having Johnny Damon as the primary center fielder with Brett Gardner and/or Melky Cabrera around to play often enough to keep Damon’s legs fresh.
That allows another year to evaluate if Gardner is for real and/or if Cabrera can rebound from a poor season, while also determining if top prospect Austin Jackson at Triple-A is ready for 2010.
The Dodgers’ Andre Ethier, Philadelphia’s Jayson Werth, and Cleveland’s Shin-Soo Choo and Franklin Gutierrez all fit the desired mode. So might Florida’s Jeremy Hermida, a talented player who has yet to fulfil expectations. The willingness of the Yanks to include Hughes and/or Robinson Cano in conjunction with a surplus reliever or two should open many doors.
Currently, the only way the Yanks intend to chase a major positional free agent such as Manny Ramirez or Mark Teixeira is if they are shut out on pitching and have to consider building in a different way and/or the dismal economy drives down prices (which is possible).
There’s a lot going on here, so I’ll start off with who the Yankees would trade in order to acquire a bat (assuming that this is a legitimate claim). I don’t think the Yankees would trade Phil Hughes, even if his standing in the organization has been somewhat tarnished. However, judging from what has happened over the course of the season and the team’s current needs, I think Ian Kennedy is as good as gone. He’ll get dealt, although his value, like Hughes’, isn’t as high as it once was so he would obviously serve as a part of a package of young talent. I also don’t think that Cano will be traded. They would’ve only traded him for a pitcher, I mean, what’s the point of trading one young talent (a premium position talent) for another (that’s not necessarily a premium position)?
Sherman goes on to name a few players that fit the description he outlined, earlier and all of his ideas are outfielders. They’re all good, in theory, but when you dig deep enough you would see that Andre Ethier is pretty much untouchable, Franklin Gutierrez can’t hit righties, Jeremy Hermida can’t keep healthy long enough to play a full season, and Jayson Werth and Shin-Soo Choo are two unknown unknowns that the Yankees simply don’t have the courage to actually trade for (unestablished players). I must say, though, that Shin-Soo Choo would entice me, as he has some serious skills. Based on Sherman’s list, it seems like he’s guessing that any major trades will address the outfield (the impending losses of Damon and Matsui are clearly foregrounded here). Maybe he thinks that the Yankees are going to move Posada to first relatively soon.
Either way, if the Yankees were going to make a trade, I would see them pursuing a first baseman. This becomes difficult, however, since the Yankees are looking for someone specific (under 30, athletic, controllable, offensive threat and patient). In terms of availability, Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder come to mind, but don’t fit the mold presented by Sherman (not to a tee). Also, James Loney, another name that is thrown around occasionally, isn’t a proven hitter yet and doesn’t warrant first base play in the AL East. Could Joey Votto be available? I’m sure the Yankees will check, but I think the Yankees will get “shut out”, a possibility pondered by Sherman, and won’t acquire a first baseman via trade. If this is the case, the funny thing is that Mark Teixeira fits the outline perfectly. Although the Yankees are trying to save money for pitching purposes, I don’t think they’ll back out of the Teixeira talks.
Sherman briefly talks about pursuing a platoon at first base, if all else fails. He refers to Doug Mientkiewicz and Kevin Millar as the possible platoon-mates, which I’m sure will NOT happen. I mean, if they were that strapped, why not just bring Giambi back for another year?
I’ll continue with more thoughts, later in the day.
