Earlier this month, Rob Abruzzese asked me to join Bronx Baseball Daily. A week later, Steve Lombardi from WasWatching asked me to write for his blog as well. I accepted both offers, so you'll now be able to read my work at both sites. I won't be shutting Pinstripes, Pa. down any time soon, but the majority of my posts will now be on other the other two blogs. Thank you for your support and readership over the years.
The Melky Cabrera/Javier Vazquez trade created a hole in left field for the Yankees, and the options are somewhat limited thanks to a budget restriction. Now that Mark DeRosa, Jason Bay Matt Holliday and Marlon Byrd are virtually off the market, only a handful of options remain in the free agent pool. Let's take a look at the remaining options for left field:
Rick Ankiel
2009 Stats: .231 AVG/11 HR/38 RBI (STL)
2009 Salary: $2.8 million
Comments: Ankiel actually makes some sense for the Yankees in terms of ability and price. He'd slide nicely into the bottom of the batting order and his career 1.7 UZR in left field suggests he would not be a complete embarrassment in the outfield. He's likely to post better numbers in 2010 but I wonder if he has the makeup to play in New York.
Johnny Damon
2009 Stats: .282 AVG/ 24 HR/ 82 RBI (NYY)
2009 Salary: $13 million
Comments: The Yankees negotiated with Damon earlier this winter, but the outfielder's demands were too high. The affable Damon remains unsigned but if he was willing to take a one-year deal, the Yankees would likely bring him back. He'd serve as a major boost to the offense, but would he cause problems because of his reduced pay?
Jermaine Dye
2009 Stats: .250 AVG/ 27 HR/ 81 RBI (CHW)
2009 Salary: $11.5 million
Comments: Although the Yankees have been linked to Dye, I can't see them pursuing a 3X year-old Type-A free agent who is a defensive liability in the field. Dye would likely take a one-year deal, which helps his case, but the Yanks will probably look elsewhere.
Jonny Gomes
2009 Stats: .267 AVG/20 HR/51 RBI (CIN)
2009 Salary: $1.275 million
Comments: Gomes was obviously helped by Cinergy Field in 2009, but he could also serve as a cost-effective option for the Yankees. Gomes would add some power to the lineup and thanks to a career .307 AVG against lefties, Gomes could serve as a platoon partner for Brett Gardner. Mark down Gomes as a solid pick. Especially considering Shelley Duncan is no longer on the team.
Eric Hinske/Jerry Hairston Jr.
Hinske's 2009 Stats/Salary: .242 AVG/8 HR/25 RBI (PIT/NYY) - $1.5 million
Hairston's 2009 Stats/Salary: .251 AVG/10 HR/39 RBI (CIN/NYY) - $2 million
Comments: Both Hinske and Hairston were a great additions to the Yankee bench and performed well at the plate in limited appearances. Either player could act as a serviceable outfielder while splitting time with Gardner and Hoffman, but I worry about Hinske's defense and Hairston's durability.
Reed Johnson
2009 Stats: .255 AVG/4 HR/22 RBI (CHC)
2009 Salary: $3 million
Comments: The Yankees have already been connected to Johnson, and he'd be a good fit in the outfield thanks to his glove. If the price was fair he would be a good addition, but Brett Gardner could probably match Johnson defensively while adding speed to the lineup and at half the cost. Johnson would make a solid platoon option for Gardner.
Xavier Nady
2009 Stats: .286 AVG in 28 AB (NYY)
2009 Salary: $6.55 million
Comments: Nady has allegedly priced himself out of New York, which really raises a few questions. Firstly, how little are the Yankees looking to spend on an outfielder? Secondly, how much could a player who missed the 2009 season honestly ask for? Either way, there does not appear to be a match here, which is probably for the best. Nady would have been an injury concern going into 2010 anyway.
Scott Podsednik
2009 Stats: .304 AVG/7 HR/30 SB (CHW)
2009 Salary: > $1 million
Comments: Podsednik would be another excellent fit for the Yankees, adding speed to the bottom of the order and a solid glove in the field. He's basically Brett Gardner with more power and experience, but with a career .370 batting average against the Red Sox, the Yankees would be dumb to not take a look.
Randy Winn
2009 Stats: .262 AVG/2 HR/51 RBI (SFG)
2009 Salary: $9.6 million
Comments: Winn had an extremely down year in 2009, which could help the Yankees get him at a discount price. He's always had a solid glove and will likely post better numbers next season. The Yankees have shown interest in Winn in the past, so it would not surprise me if they went after him. Still, there are better options available.
It was another enjoyable year for Yankee fans, from the signing of Mark Teixeira to a World Series victory. I wish you a happy and healthy holiday, and I thank you for visiting and supporting this blog. Merry Christmas.
I've gotten a few e-mails about this, so I figured it deserved a post. Apparently, Brian Cashman announced on the MLB Network's Hot Stove Show that the Yankees are close to signing a right-handed outfield bat. No word yet on who it is, but Jermaine Dye and Mark DeRosa are the logical options. My money is on DeRosa.
The Yankees have made two significant moves since my last update: the signing of designated hitter Nick Johnson to a one-year, $5.5 million contract and the acquisition of pitchers Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan from the Atlanta Braves. The Yankees traded Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino for the aforementioned pitchers. Let's break down each of the deals on these former Yanks:
Nick Johnson: .291 AVG/.426 OBP/.405 SLG in 133 G
Comments: Although the Yankees will seriously miss Hideki Matsui's bat in 2010, Johnson is a fine replacement and will slide into the batting order nicely thanks to his keen eye and high on-base average. His durability remain a concern, but at $5.5 million, the Yankees are not investing much in the former first baseman. Thanks to Johnson's unique talents and knack for getting on base, he can bat in the two-hole behind Derek Jeter, or anywhere in the second half of the lineup. He'll also be able to give Mark Teixeira the occasional day off.
Javier Vazquez: 15-10/2.87 ERA/5.4 K:BB ratio in 219 IP
Boone Logan: 1-1/5.19 ERA/1.1 K:BB ratio in 17 IP
Comments: I could not be happier with this trade. Although I'm sad to see Cabrera go, the (re)addition of Vazquez adds serious depth to the Yankee rotation at a minimum cost. Vazquez has posted three consecutive 200+ strikeout seasons and proved to be one of the more durable pitchers in the game. On most teams, he's a number two starter, but with the Yankees he's likely a middle or bottom of the rotation pitcher. He'll likely perform much better than his initial stint with the Yankees, when a shoulder injury and pinkeye destroyed the second half of his season. The 25 year-old Logan could compete for a bullpen role, but will likely start the year with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He's not the best prospect, but he does have the potential to be an average left-handed reliever in the future.
Now, the loss of Cabrera means the Yankees will need to add a left fielder, and it appears as though Jermaine Dye, Mark DeRosa and Johnny Damon are the front-runners. Although, I would prefer to shift Curtis Granderson to left field and use the speedy Brett Gardner in center.
According to reports, negotiations with Scott Boras and outfielder Johnny Damon are becoming difficult and the 36 year-old is planning to investigate other destinations. Per George King of the New York Post:
“I am going to start looking around. Teams are getting better and there are teams interested,” Damon told The Post yesterday. “I can’t wait forever and I am sure [the Yankees] are trying to figure things out. I have to be ready.” (source)Damon reportedly wants a three or four year deal with an annual salary of $13 million. Thats right. A 36 year-old outfielder with shoddy defense and a noodle for an arm is searching for a four-year, $52 million contract. Now, Damon was a terrific hitter in three of the four years he spent with the Yankees and he adds serious depth to the lineup, but to think that he can continue to perform at peak level after the age of 35 is a bit ridiculous. But, this is the way Scott Boras negotiates and he's damn good at his job.
Yesterady, the Red Sox signed both John Lackey and Mike Cameron, adding a projected $25 million to the payroll for 2010. The additions also took the Red Sox out of the bidding for both Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. Although some reports state that the Yankees are not interested in either outfielder, I think that the Bombers will still go after Matt Holliday. They have an open spot in left field and they have money. That makes them a logical destination for the 29 year-old slugger.
The other teams that could logically fit and (or) afford Holliday? The Jays, Mariners Braves, Cubs, Reds, Rockies, Mets, Giants, Padres and Cardinals. Out of that list, only the Mets, Cardinals and Yankees make sense. I expect yesterday's flurry or transactions to inspire the Mets and Mariners to intensify their pursuit of Jason Bay. If either team signs him, it leaves the Mets, Yankees and Cardinals as the most logical destinations for Matt Holliday.
Now, the Cardinals probably need him more than the Yankees for several reasons. Firstly, it'll help persuade Albert Pujols that the team is committed to winning. It will also boost the lineup and solidify the outfield. The Mets are also in dire need of a corner outfield bat. The Yankees can easily get by without Holliday, but with so few teams able to afford and fit the outfielder, expect the Bronx Bombers to be in the mix.
In what will probably be the most exciting day in the 2009-1009 offseason, the Red Sox signed pitcher John Lackey to a five-year deal, the Angels inked outfielder Hideki Matsui to a one-year contract and most importantly, the Phillies acquired ace left-hander Roy Halladay in a three-team deal with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Somewhere in there, the M's got Cliff Lee and the Red Sox signed Mike Cameron.
Although the Mets have not shown any renewed interest in Jason Bay, I expect yesterday's moves to inspire the club to make a strong offer for the outfielder's services. I also think the market for Matt Holliday will heat up once Bay signs. According to some reports, the Yanks have shown interested in both players, but Buster Olney cites an insider that thinks the club has no chance of going after either outfielder. I remember several outlets that reported that same thing about Mark Teixeira last offseason.
The Yankees non-tendered Chien-Ming Wang, who later rejected a contract offer from the Yankees. He'll explore free agency for the first time in his career, but I think he'll end up in the National League. The Dodgers seem like a logical choice, given Wang's rapport with Joe Torre. Before his injury, Wang was the most reliable starter on the Yankee staff, and helped cement the Yankees' youth movement in 2005.
The Yankees are one of several teams interested in pitcher Matt Capps. After three solid seasons from 2006-2008, the 25 year-old reliever struggled in 2009. He'd be a wonderful addition to the bullpen if the Yankees can straighten out his issues.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees have also shown interest in starting pitcher Ben Sheets. I've already stated why Sheets should be the Yankees primary target going forward, and this seems to be a pretty good sign. Hopefully they can sign the right-hander soon, but he's in no rush to sign, according to Rosenthal.
The Yankees took Dodgers outfielder Jamie Hoffman with the first round pick in the Rule V Draft. The 25 year-old Hoffman will likely compete for a bench role in spring training, but the Yankees can now trade Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner, should the opportunity arise. Hoffman posted a .291/.390/.466 line in 97 games split between Double and Triple-A last season, and hit .182 with a home run in 14 major league games with the Dodgers. Hoffman is a strong defender with the ability to play all three outfield positions. The former NHL-draftee has some power, a decent eye and solid baserunning skills.
Both the Royals and White Sox have asked the Yankees about outfielder Brett Gardner. I'm not sure what the team could get in return for the speedy center fielder, but with the addition of Hoffman, I'd prefer to trade Melky Cabrera. That way the Yankees will have a versatile player in Hoffman and terrific pinch-runner in Gardner.
According to Marc Craig of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Yankees have spoken with the representatives for pitcher Ben Sheets. I wrote yesterday that Sheets is the best option for the Yankees because of his high ceiling and possibly willingness to take a short-term deal. Let's hope the Yankees take a hard look at the right-hander.
ESPN is reporting that the Yankees are working on a deal to resign outfielder Johnny Damon. Damon is one of the better options on the market, and the Yankees have some leverage in negotiations thanks to the Curtis Granderson acquisition. Adding Damon on a short-term contract would be ideal for the Yankees.
Now that the Yankees have Curtis Granderson and Andy Pettitte in the fold, the Yankees have made serious headway in sculpting the 2010 roster. Here is what I think the team should do, going forward:
1. Sign Ben Sheets
There are plenty of starting pitchers to chose from this winter, but Ben Sheets should be the Yankees top priority. Roy Halladay would obviously be a great addition to the rotation, but the Blue Jays demands are very high. John Lackey will also be expensive and his declining strikeout rate and elbow issues worry me. Joel Pineiro and Jason Marquis are better suited for the National League. That leaves Ben Sheets as the best option, now that Randy Wolf and Rich Harden have been signed.
Sheets has the highest ceiling of the free agent class, and possibly the best stuff. Yes, his durability should be a cause for concern, but the Yankees won't ride him like an ace and there will be no pressure to go deep into games. Throw in the fact that he is a year removed from elbow surgery and has spent the past few months rehabbing his pitching arm, and you have a low risk/high reward pitcher. Especially if he can be had for an incentive-laden contract with a low base salary.
2. Sign Matt Holliday
Holliday is the bigger name player, and should probably be listed first, but I think the rotation is more important than another bat. Johnny Damon and Mike Cameron are both good options to plug into left field, but Holliday is a truly special player who may want to be a Yankee. He'll add even more right-handed power to the lineup and is a definite upgrade over Damon's defense. Minus the speed, he's an upgrade on the offensive side of things too. If the Yankees can get Holliday on a four or five year deal, they should do so. He'd be a perfect fit behind Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson in the batting order.
Update (12:51 pm): The more I think about it, the more Johnny Damon makes more sense for the Yankees. I'll have to put a bit more thought into it, but adding Damon on a cheap two year contract would certainly help roster and payroll flexibility down the line.
3. Draft Chad Tracy
For a team like the Yankees, the Rule V draft is usually a good time to pick up a bench player or relief pitcher to try out in spring training. Most of the time, they'll get sent back, but in this case, the Yankees could benefit from having the first-round pick in the draft. They should take Chad Tracy with that pick. The 23 year-old catcher hit .279 with 26 home runs for Double-A Frisco last season and has the ability to play first base and left field. He'd make a fine third string catcher, pinch hitter and defensive replacement.
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