The Off-Season: 2011-2012 Edition

[TonyStarks]

Now that the Yankees went into the night with a whimper...it's that time of the year again where the Front Office drools over the biggest Super Star Free Agent.

The Yanks do have some money coming off the books, unfortunately this season does not really have a Free Agent of that caliber that fits the Yanks:

-Sabathia's likely to opt out: $23M
-Posada: $13M
-Swisher: $9M
-Marte: $4M
-Martin: $4M
-Jones: $2M
-Chavez: $1.5M (Could see Yanks bringing him back)
-Garcia: $1.5M
-Logan: $1.2M


--

The Yankees are an old team and they have almost every position locked down for the foreseeable future:
-ARod @ 3B for another 6 Years
-Jeter @ SS for 2 more years, (player option for 3rd)
-Cano
-Tex @ 1B for another 5 years
-Granderson @ CF for another year, plus an option


The only real spots the Yankees can get younger and improve are in RF, C, LF and the Starting Rotation.

LF: I can't see the Yanks really doing much about Gardner. They like him and he's cheap.
Unless something big comes up, I don't see an upgrade here.

RF: Swisher is a free agent now. The Yanks do have an option on him, but I'm not sure if they take it. They can upgrade here, problem is finding the piece.

C: Martin is a free agent and had a pretty good year. I can see him wanting a long term deal now, just not sure if the Yankees give it to him. The Yanks have internal options in Jesus Montero and Austine Romine...then down the pike they still have Gary Sanchez and JR Murphy. Both of the later are still ways away and Sanchez could be possible trade bait.

One thought I'm having is, since the Yanks seem iffy about Montero behind the plate (I can't see why, since Posada has been horrible since forever); what if they try to move Montero to RF?

[quagmire]

I wouldn't mind bringing Posada back if he would accept a $2-$5 million one year contract and a limited bench role.

[jeter2]

I don't want Jorge posada back. He's 40 needs to retire. Yadier Molina might be a free agent he's 29 even though his contract has a club option and his team is deep in the playoffs but who knows. Jesus montero in RF is not bad he's not a good catcher. I've heard James shields might be traded in the offseason maybe trade prospects. There's not alot strong SP in the free agency class. So they have to make a trade.

[NJYankeeFan]

The Yanks have options on Cano and Swisher. Both are no brainers. They will be exercised.

Martin is under team control. He will be back for one more year.

Posada will be let go and replaced by Jesus.

CC will opt out and be resigned.

Soriano will not opt out.

That leaves the rotation as:
CC
Nova
Hughes
Aj
?

That is what needs to be addressed. We got lucky with Colon and the chief but not likely to repeat that.

I might consider bringing back colon. But not likely.

Darvish seems the best bet. Then take a flier on an injury prone vet (Harden?) for depth.

Remember we also have options internally for that. I like Harden as he could be good for awhile and bide time until the best internal options begin with a B.

For the bench, try to bring back Andruw and chavez. Or find similar.

This should be a dull off-season. That's a good thing.

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[quagmire]

I don't want Jorge posada back. He's 40 needs to retire. Yadier Molina might be a free agent he's 29 even though his contract has a club option and his team is deep in the playoffs but who knows. Jesus montero in RF is not bad he's not a good catcher. I've heard James shields might be traded in the offseason maybe trade prospects. There's not alot strong SP in the free agency class. So they have to make a trade.

I would like for him to retire as well so he can retire as a Yankee. But, if he still has the itch to play, why not see if he will accept a bench role and around $5 million? I wouldn't do anything to make sure he is a Yankee for life, but if he will accept a Andruw Jones type deal, why not?

[dominik]

the biggest issue is SP. I think hughes will get better but you don't know if nova can repeat his season (remember there were some solid rookie seasons by yankee pitcher and then...).

So I think the yankees do need at least one good SP. How about buehrle? He will be FA andd if he doesn't want too many years he would be a solid no.2.

[Yankwood]

the biggest issue is SP. I think hughes will get better but you don't know if nova can repeat his season (remember there were some solid rookie seasons by yankee pitcher and then...).

So I think the yankees do need at least one good SP. How about buehrle? He will be FA andd if he doesn't want too many years he would be a solid no.2.

I think Buehrle is a great option. He might also be one of those "fly under the radar" guys who can be had easier and cheaper than a lesser option. Don't know how he'd handle NY but he seems like a good fit being a lefty and all. Call him a Pettitte replacement.

[SD Bomber Fan]

I will be interested to see what happens with the catching responsibilities next year. Martin was a nice defensive addition, but he became an offensive liability as the year progressed, probably due to too much time behind the plate. Cervelli wasn't a bad backup, but he's starting to seem injury prone, he had trouble with baserunners, and has almost no power. I would like to see what he could turn into if he were healthy and had more work, but I don't see that happening. Most have written off Montero as an every day catcher, but he can definitely hit - at least the first time through the league. Romine seems to have the most promise as a defensive catcher, but the jury is still out on his offense. In short, the Yanks have plenty of decent options, but none that are great. I wonder what the Yanks really think about all of their catching options.

[jeter2]

Jorge posada wants to be a bench player I'm okay with that if he thinks he can be a everyday player no I like buerhle he's the fastest pitcher in the game.The yanks play forever so it would be great. Yu darvish is a ??? just look at the history of japanese pitchers in pinstripes irabu and kei igawa both are bust. Harden he's always injury prone so no. Nick swisher he's got to go he has below speed doesn't have any defense and he sucks in the postseason so nope.

[Domenic]

C: Martin is a free agent and had a pretty good year. I can see him wanting a long term deal now, just not sure if the Yankees give it to him.

Just a head's up - Martin is not a free agent. The Yankees have a year of team control remaining, meaning the only way he's not in pinstripes is if the team decides to non-tender him. I can't really see that happening, considering they left him behind the plate for the entirety of the first round despite his subpar series, on the heels of his poor performance in September (.232/.317/.339).

One thought I'm having is, since the Yanks seem iffy about Montero behind the plate (I can't see why, since Posada has been horrible since forever); what if they try to move Montero to RF?

I don't think Montero has the wheels for the outfield ... he's probably a 35 runner at best (20 to 80 scouting scale, 50 is average). I suppose it couldn't hurt to see how he looks out there, as Yankee Stadium's right field is one of the easier outfield assignments in the game, but I sincerely doubt he'd be playable out there.

To me, the best move the Yankees could make would be to hand him the keys to DH. It seems as if they're a bit uncomfortable with having such a young player DH, but I'm not quite sure why - he'd instantly be among the best DH's in the AL. Let him catch a couple of times a week to spell Martin, or even to let Rodriguez and Jeter have a half-day off.

[SD Bomber Fan]

To me, the best move the Yankees could make would be to hand him the keys to DH. It seems as if they're a bit uncomfortable with having such a young player DH, but I'm not quite sure why - he'd instantly be among the best DH's in the AL. Let him catch a couple of times a week to spell Martin, or even to let Rodriguez and Jeter have a half-day off.

I think the problem with that is there are too many aging players on the roster that are going to need that DH spot. How long does A-Rod have at third base? Jeter is going to need a break as well, and possibly Teixeira. The last thing the Yanks need is a young guy coming up who is going to take that spot.

[NJYankeeFan]

I think the problem with that is there are too many aging players on the roster that are going to need that DH spot. How long does A-Rod have at third base? Jeter is going to need a break as well, and possibly Teixeira. The last thing the Yanks need is a young guy coming up who is going to take that spot.

Let ARod DH a couple times a week and Jesus catch. Jeter should never Dh.

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[NJYankeeFan]

I don't want Jorge posada back. He's 40 needs to retire. Yadier Molina might be a free agent he's 29 even though his contract has a club option and his team is deep in the playoffs but who knows. Jesus montero in RF is not bad he's not a good catcher. I've heard James shields might be traded in the offseason maybe trade prospects. There's not alot strong SP in the free agency class. So they have to make a trade.

We already had a Molina. No thanks.

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[dominik]

I think that Montero should really work hiss ass of this offseason defensively and then play DH with about 1-2 times a week catching. Start with easy pitchers (not AJ) first.

In that way you have his bat and can develope his catching skills.

And if it doesn't work out at all he still can play DH. He could also play OF but as someone noted he is not the fastest guy. would certainly a downgrade from gardner, swisher, granderson now defensively.

[Biggtone23]

Molina is going to be looking for a long term starting job not to be a backup to Martin or placeholder for Sanchez/Romine/Murphy or whoever they decide is the actual catcher of the future.

[dominik]

Molina is going to be looking for a long term starting job not to be a backup to Martin or placeholder for Sanchez/Romine/Murphy or whoever they decide is the actual catcher of the future.

molina is an all star catcher. he certainly won't be a backup.

[Domenic]

I think the problem with that is there are too many aging players on the roster that are going to need that DH spot. How long does A-Rod have at third base? Jeter is going to need a break as well, and possibly Teixeira. The last thing the Yanks need is a young guy coming up who is going to take that spot.

It makes sense to give players a few days off here or there - but you can give them the full day off as opposed to DH'ing, as well. If Rodriguez needs to rest his hip or knee or whatever may be ailing him, sitting on the bench is probably a better solution. I don't think you block someone that could be the best right-handed hitter on the roster so the DH can be used as a breather position. That's the sort of backwards thinking that can keep this team from integrating young players and building something of value for the future.

[dominik]

It makes sense to give players a few days off here or there - but you can give them the full day off as opposed to DH'ing, as well. If Rodriguez needs to rest his hip or knee or whatever may be ailing him, sitting on the bench is probably a better solution. I don't think you block someone that could be the best right-handed hitter on the roster so the DH can be used as a breather position. That's the sort of backwards thinking that can keep this team from integrating young players and building something of value for the future.

Isn't Arod too expensive to rest him on the bench?

I would say give Arod 40-50 games at DH (and the rest at 3rd) whille letting montero catch in those games and then give the rest of the DH games to montero and maybe a couple to other hitters.

[Yankwood]

Isn't Arod too expensive to rest him on the bench?

I would say give Arod 40-50 games at DH (and the rest at 3rd) whille letting montero catch in those games and then give the rest of the DH games to montero and maybe a couple to other hitters.

Please...the least of our worries is how many games Arod can catch or play 3rd base. Rather, how many games can he play AT ALL? This guy is breaking down and he's at the point most of these former steroid users usually get to. Hip problems, minor surgery, knee problems, minor surgery, strained ligamaments, a couple weeks rest, possible minor surgery....etc., etc., etc.,

[NJYankeeFan]

Isn't Arod too expensive to rest him on the bench?

I would say give Arod 40-50 games at DH (and the rest at 3rd) whille letting montero catch in those games and then give the rest of the DH games to montero and maybe a couple to other hitters.

Agree with this plan. Lets Montero work into catching and keeps Frankie on the bench.

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[John Shoemaker]

I wouldn't worry about A-Rod. IMO in 6 years he will have the all time home run record passing Bonds.

[NJYankeeFan]

I wouldn't worry about A-Rod. IMO in 6 years he will have the all time home run record passing Bonds.

Hopefully quicker than that.

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[dominik]

Hopefully quicker than that.

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If he stays halfway healthy (not miss more than 20 games a season or so) it will be faster. but if the injuries continue to increase he might take till the very end of his contract creeping to the finish line.

I think the yankees will let him play till the end, but it could be really painful if he needs to hang on to the end.

[lhslancers]

Please...the least of our worries is how many games Arod can catch or play 3rd base. Rather, how many games can he play AT ALL? This guy is breaking down and he's at the point most of these former steroid users usually get to. Hip problems, minor surgery, knee problems, minor surgery, strained ligamaments, a couple weeks rest, possible minor surgery....etc., etc., etc.,

I hope everyone gets this point. These guys always break down at some point. Hopefully Rodriguez can make a comeback next year if not he's done as anything more than a decent player. NY is loaded this with type. Don't expect too many changes this year just some minor tweaking.

[SD Bomber Fan]

I hope everyone gets this point. These guys always break down at some point. Hopefully Rodriguez can make a comeback next year if not he's done as anything more than a decent player. NY is loaded this with type. Don't expect too many changes this year just some minor tweaking.

There's another point here too: these guys take steroids for a reason - it has a positive impact on their playing abilities. You can't pretend that he'll perform the same way without them that he did when he was on them. He was a 50 HR/year guy on steroids, when he was in the prime of his career. Now he's an aging player without steroids who is dealing with frequent injuries. I think the Yanks will be lucky if they see 20 - 25 HR/year from him going forward. At that rate, he might just make it.