Heyman On CC, Holliday

In Jon Heyman’s latest, he notes that CC Sabathia’s chances of becoming a Yankee are increasing with each boring, offseason day. Basically, the consensus is that Sabathia will go for the money, despite his desire to play close to home, in California. Heyman even spoke with Jimmy Rollins, a good friend of CC’s, who also thought that the Yankees would nab the big left-hander. Obviously, there is still a real chance that he would leave some money on the table and end up in Dodger blue, or playing for the Angels, but, as P. Diddy once said, “it’s all about the Benjamin’s, baby.”

Heyman also talks a bit about the recent Matt Holliday rumors and states that the Yanks are somewhat “intrigued” by Holliday. If the team traded for Holliday, you’d see an OF with Holliday in left, Damon in center, and Nady in right (presumably). Of course, the package for Holliday would have to include a top young pitcher (Phil Hughes) and a few other talents, such as Austin Jackson. But, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense for the Yankees to trade for Holliday when he’s nearing free agency, unless, of course, he’d be willing to sign an extension. There’s an obvious parallel here with Johan Santana, except Holliday has no intention of signing an extension, even if he’s traded (Scott Boras client, remember?). And, if you were to trade for him, would you really want to throw bags of money at him, too? The Yankees would be better off waiting for Holliday to hit the free agent market after 2009.

While Heyman indicates actual Yankee-interest in Holliday, he simultaneously mentions that they’re apprehensive of dealing for him (or signing him when he hits the open market), specifically because of his home-road splits. While his career splits are “extreme”, if you look at the stats over the past few years, something I did back in July, the away numbers have gotten better and better. Basically, Matt Holliday has become an elite player and his road numbers are trending upward. At the end of the day, he’ll always be a better hitter at Coors (most people are), however, he’ll still be a fine addition to any team outside of Colorado (a Nick Markakis type). I think the Yankees will take this into account, not now, but next year, when they look at Holliday as an option for their 2010 outfield.

Fielder Available

From the George King & Bart Hubbach (NY Post):

PHILADELPHIA – The Brewers have informed teams they are willing to listen to offers for first baseman Prince Fielder.

“They have put it out there they are will talk about him but it has to be a substantial package,” an industry source said.

The Yankees need a first baseman but aren’t likely to chase after Fielder for two reasons: He is a below average defender and they are going to need first base for Derek Jeter when he re-signs following the 2010 season.

OK, so the Fielder news is substantial, as the Yankees will likely think about him as an option, although Cashman will worry about Fielder’s fielding (17 errors last year) and his athleticism. Then again, he’s still very young (24) and if he was traded to NY, he would only be there for 3-years (his current contract runs through 2011), so the liability involved is somewhat diluted. Also, let’s not forget that Fielder can really hit (.276/.372/.507) despite a “down” year, plus he bats lefty.

Now, the Jeter to first base remark seems rather strange. I doubt the Yankees would move Jeter to first, since he’s not the prototypical corner infielder, and they’ll presumably have the DH slot available in 2011 (this is contingent upon the rest of the lineup, of course). Beyond that, I don’t think that a future position change for Derek Jeter is what really worries the Yankees right now, especially with Mark Teixeira available (multi-year deal), as well.

(Props to MLBTR).

Hoch On Posada

From Bryan Hoch’s mailbag:

I know Jorge Posada says he is healthy, but is there any chance of bringing Pudge Rodriguez back as insurance in case he is not ready to catch? And if bringing Pudge back is out of the question, who will be splitting time with Posada?
– Corey E., Plymouth Meeting, Pa.

For the moment, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that he is keeping his fingers crossed that Posada will make good on his promise to be wearing a chest protector behind the plate on Opening Day at the new Yankee Stadium. Certainly, that would be the organization’s preference, but though Posada can speak as optimistically as he likes, the Yankees won’t really know how to proceed until Posada’s throwing program begins on Dec. 1.

Cashman said that it is not on his agenda to pursue any free-agent catcher right now, which seems to seal Rodriguez’s time in New York as a two-month rental. That could change quickly if Posada experiences something of a setback from the arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder, but during the club’s last road trip of the regular season, Cashman pulled Posada aside and asked how realistic catching 120 games in 2009 can really be.

“He looked me in the eye and he swears that he’s going to be back, as good as ever,” Cashman said earlier this month. “It’s up to us to buy into that or not.”

Having Jose Molina on board for one more season as a more-than-capable backup catcher helps the situation some. Though he said the clubhouse thought is that Posada should be ready for a full workload, Molina said that he is going to alter his offseason training program to be ready just in case he is called upon to play in another 100 games in 2009, as he was last season.

“The preference for me would be if Jorge Posada can catch and return to norm,” Cashman said. “That’s where we’re strongest. He was a huge loss for us. He was a catcher that obviously provided defense. But his offense was so significant and was such a difference-maker for this franchise for so long that when we rolled the balls out there every day, we had a distinct advantage.”

I know some fans are worried about Jorge and wonder whether or not he’ll be able to play his normal position next year (effectively, too). Well, all the information we have seems to indicate that he will be ready for 2009 and won’t have to alternate between first and catcher. Of course, his shoulder surgery was fairly extensive and, until he begins his throwing program, we won’t know for sure, but I wouldn’t worry about it. Posada’s offense and leadership were truly missed in 2008 and the Yankees will do everything in their power to make sure that he’s a major part of the 2009 team.

Blog Bounce: River Ave Blues

Joe, over at RAB, has a solid writeup on Jake Peavy. Basically, Peavy’s agent is looking at potential trades as if Peavy was actually a free agent, a free agent who deserves CC like rewards. Therefore, money and incentives will ultimately play a big part in any trade for the Alabama native, and this will likely cause the Yankees to shy away from Peavy, entirely.