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With the offseason slowly drawing to a close, it looks like the Yankees were in fact serious about maintaining a modicum of fiscal responsibility. However, some have suggested that Brian Chasman is just saving his bullets for next offseason, when there is a class of free agents that Cashman has previously professed admiration for. Dayn Perry runs through the big names, and I would like to highlight the players I think the Yankees would have interest in:
1. Joe Mauer, C
Opening Day 2011 Age: 282. Cliff Lee, LHS
Opening Day 2011 Age: 323. Brandon Webb, RHS
Opening Day 2011 Age: 324. Derek Jeter, SS
Opening Day 2011 Age: 37
These four players make up the top tier of talent, and at least one of them (Jeter) is almost certain to be in pinstripes in 2011. I strongly believe Mauer will sign in Minnesota, as their new ballpark and Mauer’s hometown roots makes this a perfect marriage. Regarding Webb, his recent shoulder injuries make him a significant risk. Although he will likely be cheaper than Lee and his groundball ways make him a solid fit for Yankee Stadium, I would stay away from him. Lee is the better option, and I think that the Yankees will be all-in on Cliff to take the rotation spot vacated by either Andy Pettitte or Javy Vazquez. I could see the Yankees offering Lee 5 years at 19 million per year. Jeter will likely get a similar salary for a reduced number of years. 4 years and 75-80 million will get it done.
5. Carl Crawford, OF
Opening Day 2011 Age: 296. Jayson Werth, OF
Opening Day 2011 Age: 328. Josh Beckett, RHS
Opening Day 2011 Age: 31Beckett is good, but let’s be objective: He’s not an ace on most staffs. Beckett’s career ERA of 3.79 is solid enough, but just three times in his career has he managed at least 200 innings in a season. It’s also worth noting that since Beckett arrived in Boston and supposedly achieved “ace-dom,” his ERA is 4.05. That’s a tick or two better than the league average, but the numbers simply don’t rise to the level of Beckett’s reputation. That said, if you’re looking for a No. 2 man, then Beckett is a reasonable choice. Just be sure pay him like a No. 2 man. Lee and a healthy Webb are both significantly better.
10. Adam Dunn, OF/DH
Opening Day 2011 Age: 31
This next tier includes a number of players who might be good fits in NY but have certain flaws that make their acquisition entirely dependent on the market. Dunn would be a bargain on a deal similar to the one he signed with Washington, as he would fit perfectly in Yankees Stadium and 2 years, 20 million would likely be less than his actual value. Similarly, Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth are both versatile players who add a lot both offensively and defensively. However, I would not touch either player if they required a deal more than 4 years, and even then the AAV should not exceed 14M a year. I hate Beckett, and added Perry’s note on him because it illustrates my contention that Josh is slightly overrated. That said, if the market for him bottoms out due to injury concerns and outsized demands, expect Brian Cashman to kick the tires on him.
11. Mariano Rivera
12. Manny Ramirez
13. Huston Street
15. Javier Vazquez
16. Rafael Soriano
If Javy Vazquez has a very strong year, I could see the Yankees attempting to sign the workhorse to a long term deal. However, if he is just solid, he will likely get a 3 year deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 million, a price the Yankees should shy away from. I could see the Yankees entering the 2011 season with Sabathia, Burnett, Hughes, Chamberlain, and either Andy Pettitte or a free agent like Cliff Lee in the rotation. Regarding the bullpen, if Mariano continues to act like a vampire, the Yankees will have to shell out some dough to sign him to a 1 or 2 year deal, depending on his preference. No matter what happens with Mo, I could see the Yankees being in the market for a top reliever, so as to allow both Joba and Hughes to start. If so, Street and Soriano would both be good fits. Finally, I have long advocated bringing in Manny, but unless he is asking for a 1 year deal for 10 million or less, I cannot see Cash biting.
Photo Credit: ESPN.com
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8 Responses to Who Might The Yankees Target From The Next F.A. Class?
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TIQ IQ
I hate Beckett
Well, you speak for all Yankee fans with that one.
As far as this list goes, I’d prefer Werth over Crawford if either of them hit the market and the Yankees have the need, but I agree with Cliff Lee being the top target.
The only reason to be in on Beckett is to drive up his price. I like crawford a lot with his speed and adding him to LF would make a huge upgrade offensively without losing D.
Jeter, MO, Lee and Crawford/Werth would cost 65/70M. With already 144M committed without the arbitration raises and the bullpen and bench guys, I doubt Cash does that.
Agreed. I’m of the belief that he will go cheap in left and go hard after Lee. If he goes cheaper at starter and Crawford/Werth are affordable, he may go that way instead.
The Yankees will very likely only sign there own free agents unless Mauer makes to the market. With a new CBA looming they will want to be as close as possible to the luxury tax threshold of 177 million.
I think there will be more trades then free agent signings going forward.
I really doubt that they only sign their own. Just does not seem to fit their MO.
I agree. Personally, I think Cashman is going to make a Cliff Lee a monster offer and allow the chips to fall with regards to Joe Mauer. Here’s hoping that Mauer re-ups with Minny. I hope we AVOID both Crawford and Werth. I don’t want to tie LF down to a long term contract when expiring contracts on corner OFs aren’t impossible to acquire via trade.
Lets not forget that CC could opt out after the 2011 season, and the chances of that happening aren’t dubious ESPECIALLY if the team wins another championship before then. At that point, CC would have a couple rings and could simply roll the dice at landing a smaller total value contract in order to return to the West. Totally possible; its why we need to land Cliff Lee.
There is a new CBA coming an until it’s been bargained I expect the Yankees to be conservative. So less free agents and more trades for the next 2 years.