Every off season, we as fans make wish lists regarding the Yankees. We look at the possible moves and determine what we want to see happen over the Hot Stove Season. That list is pretty simple this year:
1. Cliff Lee
2. JeMoPet
There are some things, however, that I don’t want to happen. Here’s that list and why:
1. Derek Jeter to be able to essentially name his own contract. Captain or no captain, team legend or journeyman, no player should be able to write the terms of his own deal; Jeter is no exception to this and the Yankees do need to take a stance that has, at the very least, something resembling a line in the sand. I tweeted earlier what I want out of the Jeter deal: I want it to be a two year deal, I’d still be comfortable with a three year deal, and could swallow a four year deal if the average annual value was low or if the contract was front loaded. Anything more than a four year deal is too risky and something from which the Yankees should walk away.
2. Nick Swisher to be traded. Those who want to trade Nick Swisher just baffle me. He’s been nothing but a great producer for the Yankees in his two seasons in New York and guess what? He’s pretty cheap. He only makes $9MM in 2011 and will likely outplay that amount in terms of $WAR. Jayson Werth is a fairly attractive replacement, but he’s 32, isn’t that big an upgrade over Swisher, and will definitely cost a lot more than $9MM. Obviously, Swisher isn’t untouchable, but it’s got to be a hell of a deal if he’s gonna go.
3. Jesus Montero to be traded. I’ve been over this ten times so I’ll keep this short: no matter his position, Montero will provide value to the Yankees. Unless it’s for an absolute stud starting pitcher in his early to mid 20′s, the Yankees shouldn’t be interested in trading Montero.
4. A full time DH. Yeah, I know. I’ve always argued against a rotating DH. But, with the plans the Yankees probably have for 2011, I don’t see a full time DH fitting in with the roster. Maybe they could go with someone until Jesus Montero comes up (to split time with Jorge Posada at C/DH), but I doubt that happens.
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9 Responses to Things I Don't Want
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TIQ IQ
Nice post Matt. I would add is Swisher’s team chemistry is undervalued, but I know not everyone agrees to value that attribute. Also, I don’t want to see the Yankees let go of Kerry Wood. I know, he could wind up being Brian Bruney and stink next year, but I’m going to put a few of my eggs in the Wood basket.
I think the Yankees want Wood back, but not at the price he wants or may command. Someone will pay him enough and give him the chance to close.
Jesus Montero for Matt Cain….let’s do this. San Fran can turn the kid into a stud slugging 1B since they have Posey, and we take on 26 year old Cain as his contract steadily increases. Giants shed payroll, add a young stud slugger, and we take on a very good pitcher. San Fran does it because as we see, they can afford to lose one of their pitchers and not be that hurt by it.
Cain’s good but he’s no ace and I don’t think his stuff will play as well week in week out in the AL and I don’t want to trade Jesus for a number 2 starter, if Montero is the trade chip the pitcher we get in return needs to be in the Josh Johnson Felix Hernandez mold.
I agree with you re: a player, particularly Jeter, writing his own contract. Unfortunately, Alex basically did write his own contract, and Jeter has enough pride to at least wnat to look equal, if not superior, to the man on his right.
I think the Yankees are making noises like DJ isn’t going to be able to get whatever he wants. I’ve been surprised by the number of talking heads that agree with this tactic, and have heard 3 @ 45 and even 2 @ 30 mentioned. I realize the negotiations aren’t going to be done by them, but I think there’s as much sentiment to not paying him a lot more than he’s worth as there is for overpaying him because he’s Derek bleepin’ Jeter.
Jeter will be overpaid no matter what and 2 years at 30 milion would be a god send and even then I think he probably never earns the 15 a year.
Why would anyone want to trade Swish????? Geez. He’s been great the past two seasons. I don’t want Werth.
I have never understood it either but people wanted to trade him last year and once again they are on the bandwagon to trade him again.