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2015 NEW YORK YANKEES OFFSEASON THREAD VOL. Baseball is in the air
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by essential1,
- Start date
- 36,135
- 10,979
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2008
Rough season. Injuries killed us.
Free Agents: David Robertson, Hiroki Kuroda, Brandon McCarthy, Chase Headley, Ichiro Suzuki, Chris Young, Chris Capuano
Holes to Fill (assume FA means hole in Roster) : #1 SP, CP, SS, 3B, RF
Starting Rotation:
Bullpen:
Minor League Pitching
Free Agent Pitching / My Hope For the Staff
Batting Season Ranks (Skip it if you don't want to be frustrated)
Catcher
First Baseman:
Second Baseman
Third Baseman
Shortstop
Outfield
Full Offseason Plan (minus arbitration, and pre-arbitration deals):
My ideal Position Players:
A place where we have something really good to look forward to is the Top 30 International Prospects where we are all over the list. We spent more many than any team in history on International Bidding this year.
Top 30 International Prospects:
Long Term Future
Free Agents: David Robertson, Hiroki Kuroda, Brandon McCarthy, Chase Headley, Ichiro Suzuki, Chris Young, Chris Capuano
Holes to Fill (assume FA means hole in Roster) : #1 SP, CP, SS, 3B, RF
Starting Rotation:
Masahiro Tanaka –
Grade: A
What he should be in 2015: # 2 Starter.
I’m not ready to give him the Ace spot because there is always the chance of a sophomore jinx, but he was much better than advertised. 19 Starts, 13-5, 2.77 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 16 quality starts (6IP 3 or less ER). 84% of his starts were QS, T-3rd with Lester behind Kershaw & Cueto. 136 IP only 21 BBs, 141Ks. Was 5th in K/BB at 6.71 among pitchers with 120IP. 11th K/9 with 9.39. 3 CG. Leaves 79.5% of runners on base. He has impeccable control, good command of his pitches and knows what he wants to do. He knows how to mix his pitches and is a “Chess Pitcher,” he is always adjusting his approach to hitters and the movement on that splitter is ridiculous. 3 of Tanaka’s 5 losses came when he pitched a Quality Start, meaning he really should have been 16-2, if he got run support in those 3 games. Before that debacle of a final start, Tanaka gave up .232/.264/.375. The only runs he really gives up are homeruns. Because he rarely walks guys, he won’t give up many runs. I’m concerned, but not too concerned about the arm. It’s an injury that the PRP will heal, but eventually will give out in the future, and require Tommy John.
Hiroki Kuroda –
Grade: A
32 Starts. 199 IP. 11-9 (Puts him at 79-79 career
} 3.71 ERA. 1.136 WHIP. 146 Ks. Hitters .249/.286/.382. 20 of 32 Starts were Quality Starts. Continued a career of solid fielding. Runners tried to steal only stole 6 times on him the entire season, 4 successful. I’d love to bring him back, and go with an extremely deep rotation, but I think he will retire from the MLB and go back to Japan. If he wants to stay in the MLB, it will only be with the Yankees or Angels, he seems like he has 0 interest in any other market than NY or LA. It’s a damn shame he has never gotten the run support he deserves. He has been consistent his entire career, and pitched like a Great #2 Starter, and rarely if ever got any recognition for it. He has impeccable control, rarely walks anyone about 1 walk every 6 innings. I think he gives up a little bit too much contact, but I think it is because his fastball just doesn’t have that blow past you speed, and makes his great off-speed stuff slightly easier to handle. Nonetheless, his off-speed pitches are all very good, good movement, keeps hitters off-balance. I’m so glad that he was around for Tanaka’s Rookie Year, he had to have learned a lot from him. Also, he is the type of pitcher I want Tanaka to be 8-9 years from now. Yes, I expect him to retire a Yankee lol. When his velocity on the fastball dips a bit, he has the same bag of tricks Kuroda has to pitch well into his late 30s. Kuroda was consistent all year, something that he lost in the 2nd Half of 2013. He still has #2/#3 ability, and is great to watch, even though his offenses have hated him every year for 7 years. His highest run support season was #50 among starters. Usually somewhere between 85-90 starters qualify with IP, in the MLB.
Looking further into quality starts, the idea of quality start has flaws because 3ERs in 6 innings would be a 4.50 ERA. So I put my own criteria. I decided to look at when he had 6- 6-1/3 IP of 2ERs or less as a quality start (3 ERA & 2.84 ERA for the game, 7+ of 3ER (3.86ERA). 6-2/3 of 3ER would not count because it would be 4.05ERA
1. April 2 6 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 5Ks. Loss 3-1
2. April 7 6.1 IP, 2ER, 8H, 0BB, 4Ks. Win 4-2
3. May 6 7.2 IP, 1ER, 5H, 0BB, 8Ks. No Decision. Yankees win 4-2
4. June 3 - 6.2IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 2Ks. No Decision. Yankees lose 5-2
5. June 8 - 7.0 IP, 2ER, 5H, 2BB, 3Ks. Loss 2-1
6. June 20 - 6 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 6Ks. No Decision. Yankees win 5-3
7. July 1 - 8IP, 2ER, 9H, 1BB, 7Ks. Loss 2-1
8. July 11 - 7IP, 2ER, 3H, 0BB, 3Ks. No Decision. Yankees lost 3-2
9. July 20 - 6.2, 0ER, 3H, 2BB, 6Ks. No Decision. Yankees won 3-2
10. July 30 - 7 IP, 3ER, 9H, 1BB, 4Ks. Loss 3-2
11. August 5 - 7IP, 3ER, 6H, 0BB, 5Ks. No Decision. Yankees lost 4-3.
12. August 17 - 6.2 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 1K. Win 4-2
13. August 23 - 6IP, 2ER, 5H, 2BB, 6Ks. Win 5-2
14. August 28 - 7IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 4Ks. No Decision. Yankees lost 3-2
15. September 3 - 7IP, 1ER, 4H, 0BB, 8Ks. Win 5-1
16. September 14 - 7IP, 1ER, 6H, 0BB, 5Ks. No Decision. Yankees lost 3-2
17. September 19 - 6.2 IP, 2ER, 7H, 0BB, 7Ks. Win 5-3
18. September 25 – 8 IP, 2 ER , 3 H , 0 BB, 9Ks. No Decision. Yankees win 6-5
18 Starts. 5-4. 130.2IP. 2.20 ERA. .7959 WHIP. 9 No Decisions. Yankees Record in newly defined Quality Starts 9-9.
This is one of the huge reasons we didn’t make the playoffs. We lost 80% of our rotation for at least 2 months of the season each, but the one who stayed healthy all year, and pitched great for all of maybe a handful of starts, our offense did not capitalize.
Feinsand “Yankees can take bow with Hiroki Kuroda signing”
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...s-bow-hiroki-kuroda-signing-article-1.1946397
Michael Pineda –
Grade: A - when pitching. B for the total season because his injuries show you can’t truly rely on him.
What he should be in 2015: #3 Starter.
What I think he will be: #4 Starter.
13 Starts, 5-5, 1.89 ERA, 76.1 IP, .83 WHIP, 59Ks, 7BB. 2.5WAR. Pineda has truly nasty stuff. An overpowering fastball and a nasty strikeout slider. We saw exactly what we wanted to see from him and it took over 2 years. We had more patience with Pineda than a boyfriend of a celibate church going girlfriend. We clearly won the Montero for Pineda trade. While Montero is throwing ice cream sandwiches at scouts, Pineda shows true #2 starter stuff. The only problem is the injuries. He’s very injury prone, and I get worried when he pitches that at any moment the screws will come loose and he will get injured. It is why we can never have him better than the #3 guy in a rotation, because as a 1 or 2 there would be way too much faith in a guy you can’t trust to stay out there. That’s the stuff that kills entire seasons. I don’t think he gets as many strikeouts as he should, but that’s not too big of a deal. His control is ridiculous, do you realize he averaged a walk about every 11 IP. He has the goods, and at 26 next year to Tanaka’s 25, I have hope for us. Albeit in a guy who will likely miss 10-15 starts a season.
CC Sabathia –
Grade: F
What he should be in 2015: #4 Starter.
What I think he will be: #3 Starter.
Let me preface this by saying I love CC, probably in the Top 10 of Favorite Yankees I’ve seen play. But his velocity is down, his health is on the down swing. In 8 starts, 3-4 1.48 WHIP, 5.28 ERA. In his 8 starts, I saw about 2 good starts (6 & 7 IP, 2ER, 8 & 6 Ks) 2 mediocre starts, a couple subpar starts, and 2 just awful starts. That’s at best a 5th starter, awful starts happen, but he just didn’t even look to have the stuff in his good starts. If he wants to be successful, he can’t rely on the same stuff from 2007-2012 CC, where he was a dominant Ace. That seemed to be his biggest problem, he was trying to reach back for that 96mph fastball, and the speed difference of old CC + movement made his slider unhittable. But when you’re throwing 92, that slider isn’t doing anything, nor is any of his breaking/offspeed stuff. He’s got to be able to take more off his changeup, and get more movement on his breaking pitches. It’s the reason why Andy Pettitte was successful as a #3/#4 Starter in his mid 30s and when he came back at 40-41. He was able to get movement and change speeds to keep hitters off-balanced. It’s entirely different because Pettitte was always a finesse guy, and CC was a power pitcher, so the transition was easier for Pettitte, but CC has to learn to be a finesse guy. There’s 3 years left of CC. He has to be transitioned into the end of the rotation for those final 3 years. If we ever have to rely on CC as the top 3 starters in the rotation, chalk the season up as a loss. If he gets half-where between Cap’n Crunch CC & Calorie Count CC in terms of performance, we’ll have a deep rotation and one of the best back end starters.
Brandon McCarthy –
Grade with the Yankees: A+
What he will likely be in 2015: National League Team on a 4 year $40+mil deal
14 GS. 9 Quality Starts. 7-5. 2.89 ERA. 13 BB. Giving up 10 HR (25 on the year) that’s pretty concerning. 1.151 WHIP. 6.31 Ks/BB. Pitched great for us, I’d love him back. The DBacks really screwed him though. Told him not to throw his cutter, basically made him afraid to pitch. But he played himself into a nice contract after looking like he’d be a fringe rotation guy for the rest of his career. If we didn’t have the salary clogs of Sabathia, A-Rod, Teix & Beltran, he’d be an easy re-sign. But considering he’s a mid-to back end starter, and he wouldn’t move the needle to us being a playoff team, just can’t justify putting money into him that will cost us getting a big name starter. We need an Ace more than we need guys like McCarthy. With a few Aces on the market, Tanaka & Pineda are young studs who fit the bill, not worth the $10mil for someone we are putting at the #4 spot, maybe even #5 if we sign a #1 or 2 starter. I wish the best for him, he deserves it. Also his wife is funny and pretty hot. Has nothing to do with anything, just kudos to Brandon.
Shane Greene –
Grade: B+
What he should be: #5 Starter What he likely will be: #5 starter until Nova gets back, probably would move to a 6 man rotation at that point, and make him #6 starter.
14 GS. 5-4 3.78 ERA. 1.398 WHIP. 9.3K/9. 2.79 K/BB. As a back end starter, he looks great. Good strikeout stuff. His control is shaky, and can be a lot better. I’d like him to develop his change and throw it more to keep hitters off-balance on speeds with his Fastball, and keep guys from sitting on his slider in pitcher counts. Throw the change inside on righties, outside on lefties.
David Phelps –
Grade: D
What he likely will be: Spot Starter / Long Reliever.
When Nova gets back, we need to trade him.
This past year, he hasn’t be great. Part of that seems to be from injury. He’s more of a flyball pitcher than a ground ball guy, and that gets you in trouble at Yankee Stadium. You can pitch well, but a simple walk then a flyball will bite you in the *** a lot of times as a 2-run homerun. In a pitcher’s park, he could have a #3 Starter ceiling. As a Yankee, he will do what a fringe end of the rotation guy does; sometimes looks great, more often looks average, and too often looks bad. I think if he was pitching elsewhere, he might be much better. I’d seriously look at trying to deal him in a package during Spring Training if it’s available. He’ll be 28 in October, and he won’t be more than a Spot Starter, or emergency #5 starter because of injuries for the Yankees. He’s a cheap, MLB ready starter, throw in an Austin Romine or J.R. Murphy & Mason Williams, we could get a decent return.
Ivan Nova –
What he should be when he gets back: #5 Starter
I truly have not given up on Nova, I think he has what it takes to be a middle of the rotation guy, good fastball, and solid slider, good curve when he can place it. His problem is inconsistency. If he’s your #5, he’s one of the best in the league, even with inconsistency. I don’t expect him back until after the All-Star Break. One hopes that with Tommy John, it will force him to work on his mechanics, and get everything working together, and will rejuvenate him as a much more consistent starter. Worst case, he comes back, and is who he has always been, and he’s a good end of the rotation guy.
Starting Rotation Grade: B (CC ruined the curve
)
Starting Rotation Outlook: I think we should strongly consider a move to a 6 man rotation. We have enough quality pitchers to pull it off, even with injuries. Also, we have a road block for new guys to have an opportunity, this gives them the chance with the extra spot in the rotation. Whenever Nova is ready, it’s another guy that can play that role. This allows us some leeway. Tanaka had an injury, Sabathia is much more injury prone and off knee surgery, Pineda is a walking injury, Nova’s timetable is somewhere between early June to the trade deadline, although he thinks he’ll be back early May, don’t think they’ll allow him to rush. We need to take some of the pressure off of our pitchers, and make things easier throughout the season. Or give the Spot Starter more chances to give guys an extra day of rest here and there. I actually wouldn’t even mind carrying 7 starters, 5 in the rotation, a spot starter, and a Long Reliever, although with Warren & Betances, you don’t necessarily need that 7th starter because they can give 2+ IP.
Grade: A
What he should be in 2015: # 2 Starter.
I’m not ready to give him the Ace spot because there is always the chance of a sophomore jinx, but he was much better than advertised. 19 Starts, 13-5, 2.77 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 16 quality starts (6IP 3 or less ER). 84% of his starts were QS, T-3rd with Lester behind Kershaw & Cueto. 136 IP only 21 BBs, 141Ks. Was 5th in K/BB at 6.71 among pitchers with 120IP. 11th K/9 with 9.39. 3 CG. Leaves 79.5% of runners on base. He has impeccable control, good command of his pitches and knows what he wants to do. He knows how to mix his pitches and is a “Chess Pitcher,” he is always adjusting his approach to hitters and the movement on that splitter is ridiculous. 3 of Tanaka’s 5 losses came when he pitched a Quality Start, meaning he really should have been 16-2, if he got run support in those 3 games. Before that debacle of a final start, Tanaka gave up .232/.264/.375. The only runs he really gives up are homeruns. Because he rarely walks guys, he won’t give up many runs. I’m concerned, but not too concerned about the arm. It’s an injury that the PRP will heal, but eventually will give out in the future, and require Tommy John.
Hiroki Kuroda –
Grade: A
32 Starts. 199 IP. 11-9 (Puts him at 79-79 career
} 3.71 ERA. 1.136 WHIP. 146 Ks. Hitters .249/.286/.382. 20 of 32 Starts were Quality Starts. Continued a career of solid fielding. Runners tried to steal only stole 6 times on him the entire season, 4 successful. I’d love to bring him back, and go with an extremely deep rotation, but I think he will retire from the MLB and go back to Japan. If he wants to stay in the MLB, it will only be with the Yankees or Angels, he seems like he has 0 interest in any other market than NY or LA. It’s a damn shame he has never gotten the run support he deserves. He has been consistent his entire career, and pitched like a Great #2 Starter, and rarely if ever got any recognition for it. He has impeccable control, rarely walks anyone about 1 walk every 6 innings. I think he gives up a little bit too much contact, but I think it is because his fastball just doesn’t have that blow past you speed, and makes his great off-speed stuff slightly easier to handle. Nonetheless, his off-speed pitches are all very good, good movement, keeps hitters off-balance. I’m so glad that he was around for Tanaka’s Rookie Year, he had to have learned a lot from him. Also, he is the type of pitcher I want Tanaka to be 8-9 years from now. Yes, I expect him to retire a Yankee lol. When his velocity on the fastball dips a bit, he has the same bag of tricks Kuroda has to pitch well into his late 30s. Kuroda was consistent all year, something that he lost in the 2nd Half of 2013. He still has #2/#3 ability, and is great to watch, even though his offenses have hated him every year for 7 years. His highest run support season was #50 among starters. Usually somewhere between 85-90 starters qualify with IP, in the MLB.Looking further into quality starts, the idea of quality start has flaws because 3ERs in 6 innings would be a 4.50 ERA. So I put my own criteria. I decided to look at when he had 6- 6-1/3 IP of 2ERs or less as a quality start (3 ERA & 2.84 ERA for the game, 7+ of 3ER (3.86ERA). 6-2/3 of 3ER would not count because it would be 4.05ERA
1. April 2 6 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 5Ks. Loss 3-1
2. April 7 6.1 IP, 2ER, 8H, 0BB, 4Ks. Win 4-2
3. May 6 7.2 IP, 1ER, 5H, 0BB, 8Ks. No Decision. Yankees win 4-2
4. June 3 - 6.2IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 2Ks. No Decision. Yankees lose 5-2
5. June 8 - 7.0 IP, 2ER, 5H, 2BB, 3Ks. Loss 2-1
6. June 20 - 6 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 6Ks. No Decision. Yankees win 5-3
7. July 1 - 8IP, 2ER, 9H, 1BB, 7Ks. Loss 2-1
8. July 11 - 7IP, 2ER, 3H, 0BB, 3Ks. No Decision. Yankees lost 3-2
9. July 20 - 6.2, 0ER, 3H, 2BB, 6Ks. No Decision. Yankees won 3-2
10. July 30 - 7 IP, 3ER, 9H, 1BB, 4Ks. Loss 3-2
11. August 5 - 7IP, 3ER, 6H, 0BB, 5Ks. No Decision. Yankees lost 4-3.
12. August 17 - 6.2 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 1K. Win 4-2
13. August 23 - 6IP, 2ER, 5H, 2BB, 6Ks. Win 5-2
14. August 28 - 7IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 4Ks. No Decision. Yankees lost 3-2
15. September 3 - 7IP, 1ER, 4H, 0BB, 8Ks. Win 5-1
16. September 14 - 7IP, 1ER, 6H, 0BB, 5Ks. No Decision. Yankees lost 3-2
17. September 19 - 6.2 IP, 2ER, 7H, 0BB, 7Ks. Win 5-3
18. September 25 – 8 IP, 2 ER , 3 H , 0 BB, 9Ks. No Decision. Yankees win 6-5
18 Starts. 5-4. 130.2IP. 2.20 ERA. .7959 WHIP. 9 No Decisions. Yankees Record in newly defined Quality Starts 9-9.
This is one of the huge reasons we didn’t make the playoffs. We lost 80% of our rotation for at least 2 months of the season each, but the one who stayed healthy all year, and pitched great for all of maybe a handful of starts, our offense did not capitalize.
Feinsand “Yankees can take bow with Hiroki Kuroda signing”
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...s-bow-hiroki-kuroda-signing-article-1.1946397
Michael Pineda –
Grade: A - when pitching. B for the total season because his injuries show you can’t truly rely on him.
What he should be in 2015: #3 Starter.
What I think he will be: #4 Starter.
13 Starts, 5-5, 1.89 ERA, 76.1 IP, .83 WHIP, 59Ks, 7BB. 2.5WAR. Pineda has truly nasty stuff. An overpowering fastball and a nasty strikeout slider. We saw exactly what we wanted to see from him and it took over 2 years. We had more patience with Pineda than a boyfriend of a celibate church going girlfriend. We clearly won the Montero for Pineda trade. While Montero is throwing ice cream sandwiches at scouts, Pineda shows true #2 starter stuff. The only problem is the injuries. He’s very injury prone, and I get worried when he pitches that at any moment the screws will come loose and he will get injured. It is why we can never have him better than the #3 guy in a rotation, because as a 1 or 2 there would be way too much faith in a guy you can’t trust to stay out there. That’s the stuff that kills entire seasons. I don’t think he gets as many strikeouts as he should, but that’s not too big of a deal. His control is ridiculous, do you realize he averaged a walk about every 11 IP. He has the goods, and at 26 next year to Tanaka’s 25, I have hope for us. Albeit in a guy who will likely miss 10-15 starts a season.
CC Sabathia –
Grade: F
What he should be in 2015: #4 Starter.
What I think he will be: #3 Starter.
Let me preface this by saying I love CC, probably in the Top 10 of Favorite Yankees I’ve seen play. But his velocity is down, his health is on the down swing. In 8 starts, 3-4 1.48 WHIP, 5.28 ERA. In his 8 starts, I saw about 2 good starts (6 & 7 IP, 2ER, 8 & 6 Ks) 2 mediocre starts, a couple subpar starts, and 2 just awful starts. That’s at best a 5th starter, awful starts happen, but he just didn’t even look to have the stuff in his good starts. If he wants to be successful, he can’t rely on the same stuff from 2007-2012 CC, where he was a dominant Ace. That seemed to be his biggest problem, he was trying to reach back for that 96mph fastball, and the speed difference of old CC + movement made his slider unhittable. But when you’re throwing 92, that slider isn’t doing anything, nor is any of his breaking/offspeed stuff. He’s got to be able to take more off his changeup, and get more movement on his breaking pitches. It’s the reason why Andy Pettitte was successful as a #3/#4 Starter in his mid 30s and when he came back at 40-41. He was able to get movement and change speeds to keep hitters off-balanced. It’s entirely different because Pettitte was always a finesse guy, and CC was a power pitcher, so the transition was easier for Pettitte, but CC has to learn to be a finesse guy. There’s 3 years left of CC. He has to be transitioned into the end of the rotation for those final 3 years. If we ever have to rely on CC as the top 3 starters in the rotation, chalk the season up as a loss. If he gets half-where between Cap’n Crunch CC & Calorie Count CC in terms of performance, we’ll have a deep rotation and one of the best back end starters.
Brandon McCarthy –
Grade with the Yankees: A+
What he will likely be in 2015: National League Team on a 4 year $40+mil deal
14 GS. 9 Quality Starts. 7-5. 2.89 ERA. 13 BB. Giving up 10 HR (25 on the year) that’s pretty concerning. 1.151 WHIP. 6.31 Ks/BB. Pitched great for us, I’d love him back. The DBacks really screwed him though. Told him not to throw his cutter, basically made him afraid to pitch. But he played himself into a nice contract after looking like he’d be a fringe rotation guy for the rest of his career. If we didn’t have the salary clogs of Sabathia, A-Rod, Teix & Beltran, he’d be an easy re-sign. But considering he’s a mid-to back end starter, and he wouldn’t move the needle to us being a playoff team, just can’t justify putting money into him that will cost us getting a big name starter. We need an Ace more than we need guys like McCarthy. With a few Aces on the market, Tanaka & Pineda are young studs who fit the bill, not worth the $10mil for someone we are putting at the #4 spot, maybe even #5 if we sign a #1 or 2 starter. I wish the best for him, he deserves it. Also his wife is funny and pretty hot. Has nothing to do with anything, just kudos to Brandon.
Shane Greene –
Grade: B+
What he should be: #5 Starter What he likely will be: #5 starter until Nova gets back, probably would move to a 6 man rotation at that point, and make him #6 starter.
14 GS. 5-4 3.78 ERA. 1.398 WHIP. 9.3K/9. 2.79 K/BB. As a back end starter, he looks great. Good strikeout stuff. His control is shaky, and can be a lot better. I’d like him to develop his change and throw it more to keep hitters off-balance on speeds with his Fastball, and keep guys from sitting on his slider in pitcher counts. Throw the change inside on righties, outside on lefties.
David Phelps –
Grade: D
What he likely will be: Spot Starter / Long Reliever.
When Nova gets back, we need to trade him.
This past year, he hasn’t be great. Part of that seems to be from injury. He’s more of a flyball pitcher than a ground ball guy, and that gets you in trouble at Yankee Stadium. You can pitch well, but a simple walk then a flyball will bite you in the *** a lot of times as a 2-run homerun. In a pitcher’s park, he could have a #3 Starter ceiling. As a Yankee, he will do what a fringe end of the rotation guy does; sometimes looks great, more often looks average, and too often looks bad. I think if he was pitching elsewhere, he might be much better. I’d seriously look at trying to deal him in a package during Spring Training if it’s available. He’ll be 28 in October, and he won’t be more than a Spot Starter, or emergency #5 starter because of injuries for the Yankees. He’s a cheap, MLB ready starter, throw in an Austin Romine or J.R. Murphy & Mason Williams, we could get a decent return.
Ivan Nova –
What he should be when he gets back: #5 Starter
I truly have not given up on Nova, I think he has what it takes to be a middle of the rotation guy, good fastball, and solid slider, good curve when he can place it. His problem is inconsistency. If he’s your #5, he’s one of the best in the league, even with inconsistency. I don’t expect him back until after the All-Star Break. One hopes that with Tommy John, it will force him to work on his mechanics, and get everything working together, and will rejuvenate him as a much more consistent starter. Worst case, he comes back, and is who he has always been, and he’s a good end of the rotation guy.
Starting Rotation Grade: B (CC ruined the curve
)Starting Rotation Outlook: I think we should strongly consider a move to a 6 man rotation. We have enough quality pitchers to pull it off, even with injuries. Also, we have a road block for new guys to have an opportunity, this gives them the chance with the extra spot in the rotation. Whenever Nova is ready, it’s another guy that can play that role. This allows us some leeway. Tanaka had an injury, Sabathia is much more injury prone and off knee surgery, Pineda is a walking injury, Nova’s timetable is somewhere between early June to the trade deadline, although he thinks he’ll be back early May, don’t think they’ll allow him to rush. We need to take some of the pressure off of our pitchers, and make things easier throughout the season. Or give the Spot Starter more chances to give guys an extra day of rest here and there. I actually wouldn’t even mind carrying 7 starters, 5 in the rotation, a spot starter, and a Long Reliever, although with Warren & Betances, you don’t necessarily need that 7th starter because they can give 2+ IP.
Bullpen:
Here comes a few late 90s Yankee bullpen references.
David Robertson
Grade: A
What he should be: Closer
They better not ******* play with David Robertson. He proved me wrong, filled those Size 24 Shaq like shoes that Mariano left, and looked like a No Doubt Top Closer. He doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, but when mixed with the curve and cutter, he’s a beast. As of September 20th, he has a 13.43 K/9. To show you how nasty that is, Dellin has 13.5 K/9 with a 98mph Fastball, and 16 mph pitch difference on his breaking ball. Missed a couple of weeks, should have ended up with 45 Saves in 50-51 Save Opportunities. That’s big time closer skill. He gets far too much criticism in my opinion. Any time he blew a save, people would jump down his neck like he was Jonathan Papelbon, and called for him to no longer be the closer. He is great at what he does, isn’t trying to overpower guys, which should translate into a longer career. My only concern is he uses a lot of pitches to get the job done. But if the job gets done, I don’t care how you do it. I swear to god, if the Yankees screw this up, and let him walk, when we could continue having the best 8-9 combo in the league for 5-6 years, Hal needs to sell the team, and Cashman needs to end up working the hot dog stand for Tampa. From what I read, they will offer him the Qualifying Offer, which he should take because it’s $15mil for 1 season, and as a closer, you’re lucky to get that in 2 seasons. But the entire thing stinks, in a way that they want him for 1 more year to see if Dellin has another strong year then give D-Rob the boot. That is ridiculous as well, just sign him to a 4 year deal, and keep your strengths your strengths. He’s a great replacement for Mo, he’ll never be as good as Mo simply because of those playoff numbers, but he can stay in the discussion for top closer for a good amount of time. Hitters .192 / .267 / .321.
Dellin Betances
Grade: A+
What he should be: Set-Up Man / 2 Innings if the 7th brings up the middle of the order
September 2013, he had a horrible outing versus the O’s, and I remember calling it, and said if he can just get some control on his pitches, he will be unhittable because he has a lightning fastball that hits 98 consistently, and 16mph difference with his knuckle curve. That’s so huge that even missing location makes it tough to wait on and hit. Surely enough, Dellin found his control, and had a ridiculous 2014. Over half of his outs were strikeouts. Minimum of 60 IP, he had the 2nd best WHIP of .75. 3.8 WAR, highest among relievers. Didn’t walk too many guys. 13.5 K/9. Rarely gave up a Homerun. Broke the Yankees single season record for strikeouts by a reliever. Since he is a converted starter, can easily give you 2 innings. He’s too good as a setup man, and Robertson is too good as closer to rock the boat, and make that sacrifice throwing D-Rob under the bus. Just continue to amass the pieces for a lights out bullpen. He’s the 1996 Mariano Rivera, 1997-99 Jeff Nelson. He has so much more value as the setup man because he isn’t a 1 inning guy. And if Robertson is gone, Dellin becomes the obvious closer. Joe won’t suddenly start bringing Dellin in for the 8th as a closer. We’ll lose something that makes Dellin great, and that’s being a starter until he was 25.
Read these two articles, they are brilliant, about what Dellin as Setup gives us.
Grantland: The Relief Ace: Where Dellin Betances’s Season Ranks Historically, and What It Teaches Us About Bullpen Strategy http://grantland.com/the-triangle/d...cher-seasons-bullpen-strategy-yankees-royals/
Why You Don’t Make Dellin Betances a Closer http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a...ou-don-t-make-dellin-betances-a-closer-091914
Adam Warren-
Grade: B+
What I think he will be: Jack of All Trades: Sometimes 7th, 8th, Occasional long Reliever.
What he should be: 7th inning guy
Another failed starter converted to the bullpen and looked great. I think we have a good formula for us, if they crap out as a Starter in the Minors, move them to the bullpen, and they become great. 23 Holds, Betances has 22. Puts Warren T-13th in MLB. Decent strikeout stuff (8.61 K / 9), doesn’t let too many people get on (1.11 WHIP), doesn’t give up homeruns (77 IP, 4 HRs). Had bad months in June & July, where his ERA crept up, but he’s settled back down, and has become very solid.
Shawn Kelley -
Grade: C+
What I think he will be: 7th inning guy
What he should be: Righty arm out of the bullpen
He is very up and down. He has the stuff to be a decent set up man, but he is a ticking time bomb. Those terrible innings seem to lurk around him, they are always coming, and he just melts down. Very good strikeout stuff, but has mediocre control over his pitches. I’d much rather NOT rely on him as the 7th inning guy, but I think Joe will use him over Warren due to experience. The lower we move him down the list of importance in our bullpen, the more rock solid our bullpen can be. Same effect as Nova, as a #5 starter, he makes your rotation great because maybe 1 or 2 number 5 starters are as good as him. If Kelley is just a Relief Pitcher, and not a 7th Inning Guy, he’s one of the better ones.
Bullpen Grade: A
Bullpen Outlook: Our bullpen is pretty much solidified; don’t need to add much to Warren - Kelly – Betances – Robertson, with the exception of a Lefty Reliever (I MISS YOU BOONE). David Huff, Tyler Webb or Pat Venditte will have to be the guy. I know Lindgren is a popular choice, but I think we should give him another year in the minors (move him up to Scranton AAA), and make him a September call-up. Then 2016 we can have the old Stanton – Nelson – Rivera combo in Lindgren – Betances – Robertson.
Article about the possibility of Yankees having a bullpen entirely of our own prospects “The 2015 All Homegrown Bullpen” http://www.pinstripealley.com/yanke...llpen-2015-robertson-kelley-betances-lindgren
David Robertson
Grade: A
What he should be: Closer
They better not ******* play with David Robertson. He proved me wrong, filled those Size 24 Shaq like shoes that Mariano left, and looked like a No Doubt Top Closer. He doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, but when mixed with the curve and cutter, he’s a beast. As of September 20th, he has a 13.43 K/9. To show you how nasty that is, Dellin has 13.5 K/9 with a 98mph Fastball, and 16 mph pitch difference on his breaking ball. Missed a couple of weeks, should have ended up with 45 Saves in 50-51 Save Opportunities. That’s big time closer skill. He gets far too much criticism in my opinion. Any time he blew a save, people would jump down his neck like he was Jonathan Papelbon, and called for him to no longer be the closer. He is great at what he does, isn’t trying to overpower guys, which should translate into a longer career. My only concern is he uses a lot of pitches to get the job done. But if the job gets done, I don’t care how you do it. I swear to god, if the Yankees screw this up, and let him walk, when we could continue having the best 8-9 combo in the league for 5-6 years, Hal needs to sell the team, and Cashman needs to end up working the hot dog stand for Tampa. From what I read, they will offer him the Qualifying Offer, which he should take because it’s $15mil for 1 season, and as a closer, you’re lucky to get that in 2 seasons. But the entire thing stinks, in a way that they want him for 1 more year to see if Dellin has another strong year then give D-Rob the boot. That is ridiculous as well, just sign him to a 4 year deal, and keep your strengths your strengths. He’s a great replacement for Mo, he’ll never be as good as Mo simply because of those playoff numbers, but he can stay in the discussion for top closer for a good amount of time. Hitters .192 / .267 / .321.
Dellin Betances
Grade: A+
What he should be: Set-Up Man / 2 Innings if the 7th brings up the middle of the order
September 2013, he had a horrible outing versus the O’s, and I remember calling it, and said if he can just get some control on his pitches, he will be unhittable because he has a lightning fastball that hits 98 consistently, and 16mph difference with his knuckle curve. That’s so huge that even missing location makes it tough to wait on and hit. Surely enough, Dellin found his control, and had a ridiculous 2014. Over half of his outs were strikeouts. Minimum of 60 IP, he had the 2nd best WHIP of .75. 3.8 WAR, highest among relievers. Didn’t walk too many guys. 13.5 K/9. Rarely gave up a Homerun. Broke the Yankees single season record for strikeouts by a reliever. Since he is a converted starter, can easily give you 2 innings. He’s too good as a setup man, and Robertson is too good as closer to rock the boat, and make that sacrifice throwing D-Rob under the bus. Just continue to amass the pieces for a lights out bullpen. He’s the 1996 Mariano Rivera, 1997-99 Jeff Nelson. He has so much more value as the setup man because he isn’t a 1 inning guy. And if Robertson is gone, Dellin becomes the obvious closer. Joe won’t suddenly start bringing Dellin in for the 8th as a closer. We’ll lose something that makes Dellin great, and that’s being a starter until he was 25.
Read these two articles, they are brilliant, about what Dellin as Setup gives us.
Grantland: The Relief Ace: Where Dellin Betances’s Season Ranks Historically, and What It Teaches Us About Bullpen Strategy http://grantland.com/the-triangle/d...cher-seasons-bullpen-strategy-yankees-royals/
Why You Don’t Make Dellin Betances a Closer http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a...ou-don-t-make-dellin-betances-a-closer-091914
Adam Warren-
Grade: B+
What I think he will be: Jack of All Trades: Sometimes 7th, 8th, Occasional long Reliever.
What he should be: 7th inning guy
Another failed starter converted to the bullpen and looked great. I think we have a good formula for us, if they crap out as a Starter in the Minors, move them to the bullpen, and they become great. 23 Holds, Betances has 22. Puts Warren T-13th in MLB. Decent strikeout stuff (8.61 K / 9), doesn’t let too many people get on (1.11 WHIP), doesn’t give up homeruns (77 IP, 4 HRs). Had bad months in June & July, where his ERA crept up, but he’s settled back down, and has become very solid.
Shawn Kelley -
Grade: C+
What I think he will be: 7th inning guy
What he should be: Righty arm out of the bullpen
He is very up and down. He has the stuff to be a decent set up man, but he is a ticking time bomb. Those terrible innings seem to lurk around him, they are always coming, and he just melts down. Very good strikeout stuff, but has mediocre control over his pitches. I’d much rather NOT rely on him as the 7th inning guy, but I think Joe will use him over Warren due to experience. The lower we move him down the list of importance in our bullpen, the more rock solid our bullpen can be. Same effect as Nova, as a #5 starter, he makes your rotation great because maybe 1 or 2 number 5 starters are as good as him. If Kelley is just a Relief Pitcher, and not a 7th Inning Guy, he’s one of the better ones.
Bullpen Grade: A
Bullpen Outlook: Our bullpen is pretty much solidified; don’t need to add much to Warren - Kelly – Betances – Robertson, with the exception of a Lefty Reliever (I MISS YOU BOONE). David Huff, Tyler Webb or Pat Venditte will have to be the guy. I know Lindgren is a popular choice, but I think we should give him another year in the minors (move him up to Scranton AAA), and make him a September call-up. Then 2016 we can have the old Stanton – Nelson – Rivera combo in Lindgren – Betances – Robertson.
Article about the possibility of Yankees having a bullpen entirely of our own prospects “The 2015 All Homegrown Bullpen” http://www.pinstripealley.com/yanke...llpen-2015-robertson-kelley-betances-lindgren
Minor League Pitching
AAA
Manny Banuelos – 24. Total: (A+, AA, AAA) 25 starts. 2-3. 4.11 ERA. 1.239 WHIP. He looked good in Tampa 5 starts 2.84ERA, 12.2IP, 10H, 2BB, 14Ks, .947WHIP. More shaky in Trenton, 16 starts, 4.59 ERA, 49IP , 28H, 19BB, 40Ks, 1.204 WHIP. AAA Scranton he looked bad. 15IP, 10BB, 1.6WHIP. Apparently the organization is not too happy with his rebound from Tommy John. He pitched well against lesser competition, but as he moved up got worse. I wouldn’t think about bringing him up anytime soon. I’d even consider dealing him.
Tyler Webb – 24 Lefty Reliever. A+, AA, AAA. 48 games. 68.2 IP, 3.80 ERA, 92Ks. 29 ER. 1.180WHIP. 12.3 SO/9. He has great strikeout stuff. Great at A+, looked shaky at AA, but started to settle down a bit in AAA Scranton. Could make a claim to the Lefty Bullpen spot. His 2013 was better, but he was only playing A ball, but there wasn’t a significant decline in numbers from 2013 to 2014. Has had Tommy John before. 90 MPH Fastball. Solid Curveball.
“It’s All About the Money: Tyler Webb” A lot of stuff I already talked about. http://itsaboutthemoney.net/archives/2014/08/11/prospect-profile-tyler-webb/
Pat Venditte – 29. Lefty Reliever (Actually is a Switch Pitcher). Total: 41 Games AA, AAA. 78.1 IP, 83 Ks, 1.111WHIP, 9.5 K/9. He pitched like a god in 15 AA appearances, .82ERA, .727WHIP, 30Ks, 5BB, .143BA in 22IP. 26 Appearances in AAA 3.36 ERA, 1.26WHIP, 56Ks, 17 BB, .250BA in 56.1 IP. As a Lefty he throws 3 pitches; Fastball (mid to upper 80s), Slider & Change, throws sidearm. Low 90s Fastball from the Right Side throws 3/4.
Watch him switch pitch, chaos ensues
E:60 Profile
Preston Claiborne – 26. Had a pretty solid 2013 with us in the majors, but like everyone in ’13 of the pitching staff, he started to decline rapidly in August & September. This year in the minors, spent most of his time in AAA. 15 games. 20.1 IP. 3.54ERA. 20H, 11 BB, 20Ks, 1.525 WHIP.
AA
Cesar Cabral – 25. Lefty Reliever. Another disappointing season. 1.81 WHIP. He’s running out of rope.
Jacob Lindgren – 21. Lefty Reliever. I see him being part of a lights out bullpen for many years next to Betances & Robertson. BUT, I don’t see it next year. I love his potential, but we can’t rush sensations. You have to let them develop. I’m going to ignore the 11 games in Rookie Ball, A, and A+ and just look at the 8 at AA Trenton. 3.86 ERA, 11.2 IP, 6 Hits, 0 HRs, but 9 walks. 1.286 WHIP. 13.9 SO/9. He really needs to work on control, once he gets that down, it’ll be just like Dellin when he figured it out, MAGIC! If we have a lead after 6, might as well just end the game. 91-95 MPH fastball, and his slider is a true strikeout pitch fools a lot of hitters 82-84MPH. A scout said his slider right now is a 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale.
NY Post Article 8/29 “Lefty Prospect Jacob Lindgren Thriving in the minors for the Yankees” http://nypost.com/2014/08/29/lefty-prospect-jacob-lindgren-thriving-in-minors-for-yankees/
Luis Servino – 20.
Right Handed Starter. Apparently the Crown Jewel of our pitching in the minors. 24 Starts at A-A+-AA 6-5 2.46 ERA 113.1 IP, 127 Ks, 3HRs, 27 BBs, 1.059 WHIP, .220 OPP BA. MLB has an ETA of 2017. Fastball has lightning speed can get up to 98, but stays around 94-96mph. Also has a slight dip to it. His changeup gets as high as 90mph. His slider has significant bite to it, and at times can be unhittable. Does not lose velocity from the stretch. End of the 2014 Minor League system he is ranked 65th in the Top 100, and moved to #1 in the organization.
ESPN New York – February 5 “Severino, Yanks’ next international star?”
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/68699/severino-yanks-next-international-star
NY Post – July 17 Article “The pitching prospect hailed as Yankees’ best in a decade”
http://nypost.com/2014/07/17/the-pitching-prospect-whos-hailed-as-yankees-best-in-a-decade/
MLB.com – July 27 Article “Severino jumps to No. 1 on Yankees’ updated Top 20”
http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/artic...ps-to-no-1-on-new-york-yankees-updated-top-20
Manny Banuelos – 24. Total: (A+, AA, AAA) 25 starts. 2-3. 4.11 ERA. 1.239 WHIP. He looked good in Tampa 5 starts 2.84ERA, 12.2IP, 10H, 2BB, 14Ks, .947WHIP. More shaky in Trenton, 16 starts, 4.59 ERA, 49IP , 28H, 19BB, 40Ks, 1.204 WHIP. AAA Scranton he looked bad. 15IP, 10BB, 1.6WHIP. Apparently the organization is not too happy with his rebound from Tommy John. He pitched well against lesser competition, but as he moved up got worse. I wouldn’t think about bringing him up anytime soon. I’d even consider dealing him.
Tyler Webb – 24 Lefty Reliever. A+, AA, AAA. 48 games. 68.2 IP, 3.80 ERA, 92Ks. 29 ER. 1.180WHIP. 12.3 SO/9. He has great strikeout stuff. Great at A+, looked shaky at AA, but started to settle down a bit in AAA Scranton. Could make a claim to the Lefty Bullpen spot. His 2013 was better, but he was only playing A ball, but there wasn’t a significant decline in numbers from 2013 to 2014. Has had Tommy John before. 90 MPH Fastball. Solid Curveball.
“It’s All About the Money: Tyler Webb” A lot of stuff I already talked about. http://itsaboutthemoney.net/archives/2014/08/11/prospect-profile-tyler-webb/
Pat Venditte – 29. Lefty Reliever (Actually is a Switch Pitcher). Total: 41 Games AA, AAA. 78.1 IP, 83 Ks, 1.111WHIP, 9.5 K/9. He pitched like a god in 15 AA appearances, .82ERA, .727WHIP, 30Ks, 5BB, .143BA in 22IP. 26 Appearances in AAA 3.36 ERA, 1.26WHIP, 56Ks, 17 BB, .250BA in 56.1 IP. As a Lefty he throws 3 pitches; Fastball (mid to upper 80s), Slider & Change, throws sidearm. Low 90s Fastball from the Right Side throws 3/4.
Watch him switch pitch, chaos ensues
E:60 Profile
Preston Claiborne – 26. Had a pretty solid 2013 with us in the majors, but like everyone in ’13 of the pitching staff, he started to decline rapidly in August & September. This year in the minors, spent most of his time in AAA. 15 games. 20.1 IP. 3.54ERA. 20H, 11 BB, 20Ks, 1.525 WHIP.
AA
Cesar Cabral – 25. Lefty Reliever. Another disappointing season. 1.81 WHIP. He’s running out of rope.
Jacob Lindgren – 21. Lefty Reliever. I see him being part of a lights out bullpen for many years next to Betances & Robertson. BUT, I don’t see it next year. I love his potential, but we can’t rush sensations. You have to let them develop. I’m going to ignore the 11 games in Rookie Ball, A, and A+ and just look at the 8 at AA Trenton. 3.86 ERA, 11.2 IP, 6 Hits, 0 HRs, but 9 walks. 1.286 WHIP. 13.9 SO/9. He really needs to work on control, once he gets that down, it’ll be just like Dellin when he figured it out, MAGIC! If we have a lead after 6, might as well just end the game. 91-95 MPH fastball, and his slider is a true strikeout pitch fools a lot of hitters 82-84MPH. A scout said his slider right now is a 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale.
NY Post Article 8/29 “Lefty Prospect Jacob Lindgren Thriving in the minors for the Yankees” http://nypost.com/2014/08/29/lefty-prospect-jacob-lindgren-thriving-in-minors-for-yankees/
Luis Servino – 20.
Right Handed Starter. Apparently the Crown Jewel of our pitching in the minors. 24 Starts at A-A+-AA 6-5 2.46 ERA 113.1 IP, 127 Ks, 3HRs, 27 BBs, 1.059 WHIP, .220 OPP BA. MLB has an ETA of 2017. Fastball has lightning speed can get up to 98, but stays around 94-96mph. Also has a slight dip to it. His changeup gets as high as 90mph. His slider has significant bite to it, and at times can be unhittable. Does not lose velocity from the stretch. End of the 2014 Minor League system he is ranked 65th in the Top 100, and moved to #1 in the organization.
ESPN New York – February 5 “Severino, Yanks’ next international star?”
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/68699/severino-yanks-next-international-star
NY Post – July 17 Article “The pitching prospect hailed as Yankees’ best in a decade”
http://nypost.com/2014/07/17/the-pitching-prospect-whos-hailed-as-yankees-best-in-a-decade/
MLB.com – July 27 Article “Severino jumps to No. 1 on Yankees’ updated Top 20”
http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/artic...ps-to-no-1-on-new-york-yankees-updated-top-20
Free Agent Pitching / My Hope For the Staff
When you have Jon Lester, Max Scherzer & James Shields on the market, and you don’t have a reliable rotation, you must make a big splash, and get somebody. Even though Shields always kills us, at 33, I immediately eliminate him. Also the fact that Shields will cost us a 1st Round Pick is another no-no to me. Let another team give him 5 years. Scherzer & Lester being better, and having the money to spend makes it even easier to pass on Shields. If we can’t get Lester or Scherzer, I may even pass on Shields anyway, unless he is around $15mil a year, which is where he should be. If he wants Ace money, and more than 4 years, easy pass because that is a disaster waiting to happen. Out of Jon Lester & Max Scherzer, I think it is an easy pick to choose Lester, onewearz hates me for suggesting a former Red Sox. But I have 4 reasons… 1. Lester cannot get a qualifying offer from the A’s, so we do not have to give up a draft pick for him. Means we can overpay without consequence. 2. I find him to be more finesse than Scherzer, so I like the chances of him still having some value in the final years of his contract. 3. Lester is a lefty. With CC being crap, we need a top of the rotation Lefty. Lefties seem to do well in Yankee stadium, because they eliminate lefty pull into RF. 4. Lester is lights out in the playoffs. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t for one second be mad if it is Scherzer as a Yankee rather than Lester. Scherzer being a ground ball pitcher is great for Yankee stadium, but I just happen to like Jon Lester more for this team in 2015, and more likely to still be good by 2020. If it is Lester 6 year / $150mil ($25mil/year is high, but without pick protection, market will be crowded for him, I’d even give him a 7th year vested option if he throws 185 IP in year 6). Scherzer, 6 year $140mil. If they go after Sheilds, nothing more than 4 years / $75mil.
It’d be a disaster if we don’t come away with Lester or Scherzer. CC as a #2 Starter? YIKES. I predict that if we don’t sign Lester or Scherzer, we’ll pay big in the season, and miss the playoffs, finishing 3rd in AL East.
My ideal pitching staff on April 1st:
1 – Jon Lester 6 year / $150 mil
2 – Masahiro Tanaka
3 - CC Sabathia
4 – Michael Pineda
5 – Shane Greene
Spot Starter – Chase Whitley
Long Reliever – David Phelps
RHP – Shawn Kelley
LOOGY – Tyler Webb
7th Inning – Adam Warren
Set Up Man – Dellin Betances
Closer – David Robertson
It’d be a disaster if we don’t come away with Lester or Scherzer. CC as a #2 Starter? YIKES. I predict that if we don’t sign Lester or Scherzer, we’ll pay big in the season, and miss the playoffs, finishing 3rd in AL East.
My ideal pitching staff on April 1st:
1 – Jon Lester 6 year / $150 mil
2 – Masahiro Tanaka
3 - CC Sabathia
4 – Michael Pineda
5 – Shane Greene
Spot Starter – Chase Whitley
Long Reliever – David Phelps
RHP – Shawn Kelley
LOOGY – Tyler Webb
7th Inning – Adam Warren
Set Up Man – Dellin Betances
Closer – David Robertson
Batting Season Ranks (Skip it if you don't want to be frustrated)
20th in Runs - 633 (4 more Runs than the Mets, 282 Runs less than 2009)
23rd in Hits – 1349 (44 more hits than the Mets, 255 less hits than 2009)
T-26 in 2B – 247 ( 28 less than the Mets, 78 less than 2009)
12th in HRs – 147 (22 more than the Mets, 97 less than 2009)
22nd in RBIs – 591 (11 less than the Mets, 290 less than 2009)
17th in BB – 452 (64 less than the Mets, 211 less than 2009)
Bright side 26th in Strikeouts
5th in Stolen Bases
20th Batting Average - .245 (.007 Better than Mets, .038 worse than 2009)
23rd in OBP - .307 (.001 worse than Mets, .055 worse than 2009)
17th in SLG - .380 (.016 better than Mets, .098 worse than 2009)
23rd in Hits – 1349 (44 more hits than the Mets, 255 less hits than 2009)
T-26 in 2B – 247 ( 28 less than the Mets, 78 less than 2009)
12th in HRs – 147 (22 more than the Mets, 97 less than 2009)
22nd in RBIs – 591 (11 less than the Mets, 290 less than 2009)
17th in BB – 452 (64 less than the Mets, 211 less than 2009)
Bright side 26th in Strikeouts
5th in Stolen Bases
20th Batting Average - .245 (.007 Better than Mets, .038 worse than 2009)
23rd in OBP - .307 (.001 worse than Mets, .055 worse than 2009)
17th in SLG - .380 (.016 better than Mets, .098 worse than 2009)
Catcher
I think we need to start looking at dissolving this position from the prospects. McCann has a few more years at Catcher, calls a great game, one of the best framers. Cervelli has proven he’s a solid backup. He comes up with big hits, and calls as good a game as McCann. Sanchez should be ready come 2016. His bat is already there, and he’s difficult to steal on, just has to work on keeping the ball in front of him, calling the game, and that is what will get make him a complete player. The defensive aspect is why I think it’d be a mistake to bring him up. Murphy calls a good game, has a little bit in his bat, Romine calls a good game and is mediocre at bat. I get keeping one of Murphy & Romine for when Cervelli or McCann go down next season. BUT keeping both is just a waste when we NEED value elsewhere. Whether it is 2B/SS, and can always use Pitching.
Brian McCann –
Grade: C+ offensively / B- overall
What he will be: Starting Catcher
Not what we were expecting offensively. I was hoping to get a .260 / .330 / .480 out of him, but got .232/.286/.406 23HRs 75RBIs. He needs to get the average up, and get on base more. I think he ran into a few problems 1. New league. There is normally some place your game will suffer when switching leagues, especially as a veteran because you’ve never seen 80% of the pitchers before. I’ve always found easier to pitch to a batter you’ve never seen than bat against a pitcher you’ve never seen. 2. The shift. It is his fault not going the other way more, but the shift has likely taken away a handful of hits from him that you would reasonable expect him to get. 3. He wasn’t as patient, you look at his seasons in 08-11 when he was .269+ Batting Average, he was walking at a better rate. In 2008, his best season, he was swinging less at pitches in and out of the zone, but pitchers were throwing the ball similarly to him then and now, in terms % of pitches in the zone. He’s a feared power hitter, so no surprise he’s near the bottom of catchers for pitches seen in the zone. He has to learn to lay off pitches, and take walks. Working the count will not only improve his batting average, but increase his OBP, and he’ll get the pitches he wants more often. In September he looked really good at bat. 80% of his homeruns were at home, .242BA, .221 away. No doubt in my mind that if he is more patient, everything would trend upward to where we need it. He can hit .260 30 Homeruns 90 RBIs. I temper my expectations to.250 25Homeruns 80 RBIs. From a catcher, you take that any day of the weak. On the defensive side I’m impressed, he’s sure handed, calls a great game, and is well above average framing pitches. Also caught 38% (rounded up) of runners stealing, 11% above league average. I hope the fact that Girardi had him hitting 3rd means something for next year. 8 HRs, 18 RBIs in September batting 3rd most of the month is huge, and looks like a positive step for 2015. I prefer him batting 4th next year. Can’t bat 3rd with Ells & Gardy 1 & 2 because 3 lefties in a row is bad planning. At 4th, he’ll still get a lot of opportunity to drive in runs, which means better pitches, and less shifts.
Francisco Cervelli –
Grade: B
What he should be: Backup Catcher
.301 / .370 / .432 can’t ask for better from backup catcher. He gets big hits, but doesn’t hit when nothing is on the line . Runs the base exceptionally well for a Catcher. Fiery personality. He reminds me of Girardi when he was our Catcher. I like the way he calls the game. His biggest problem has always been injury. I think it will likely be his last year as a Yankee in 2015, but he’s such a good backup catcher, we have to bring him back.
AAA:
Austin Romine – 81 games AAA .242 / .300 / .365 6HRs 33RBIs, 24% Caught Stealing. If we have to get rid of someone it’s him. He’s a ready backup Catcher in the MLB, so maybe we can get a mid-tier prospect or a young A ball player. He calls a good game, but he hits like garbage, Chris Stewart hit better than him in 2013. He’s just not worth keeping around. He isn’t better than John Ryan, Cervelli or Sanchez. What’s the point of keeping a 25 year old Catcher who has some value in a trade, but none in your organization. Hell we can always sign an old catcher to a minor league deal if we have to move John Ryan up to the majors.
John Ryan Murphy – Had a solid 25 games for us before he was sent down for Cervelli. After being brought back up in Sept, finished with 31 games for the Yankees .284 / .318 / .375. In 51 games in AAA, .246 / .292 / .397 6HRs 28 RBIs. 26% Caught stealing. He posted similar offensive production to Romine in 30 less games. I like his bat better than Romine, and not enough difference to distinguish them defensivey.
AA:
Gary Sanchez – 21.
110 games in AA Trenton. .270 / .338 / .406 . 108 wRC+. Walks and strike outs still about the same compared to 2013. 13 HRs, 65 RBIs, 19 2B’s. He caught 39% of runners. Again it’s working on passed balls, that will show he’s ready. That and working on some attitude issues. McCann won’t deal with that ****. I’d say another year. Let Cervelli play his last year of arbitration then Sanchez either is our backup catcher in 2016, or J.R. Murphy is.
Yankees Magazine Profile:
Very smooth power swing
Brian McCann –
Grade: C+ offensively / B- overall
What he will be: Starting Catcher
Not what we were expecting offensively. I was hoping to get a .260 / .330 / .480 out of him, but got .232/.286/.406 23HRs 75RBIs. He needs to get the average up, and get on base more. I think he ran into a few problems 1. New league. There is normally some place your game will suffer when switching leagues, especially as a veteran because you’ve never seen 80% of the pitchers before. I’ve always found easier to pitch to a batter you’ve never seen than bat against a pitcher you’ve never seen. 2. The shift. It is his fault not going the other way more, but the shift has likely taken away a handful of hits from him that you would reasonable expect him to get. 3. He wasn’t as patient, you look at his seasons in 08-11 when he was .269+ Batting Average, he was walking at a better rate. In 2008, his best season, he was swinging less at pitches in and out of the zone, but pitchers were throwing the ball similarly to him then and now, in terms % of pitches in the zone. He’s a feared power hitter, so no surprise he’s near the bottom of catchers for pitches seen in the zone. He has to learn to lay off pitches, and take walks. Working the count will not only improve his batting average, but increase his OBP, and he’ll get the pitches he wants more often. In September he looked really good at bat. 80% of his homeruns were at home, .242BA, .221 away. No doubt in my mind that if he is more patient, everything would trend upward to where we need it. He can hit .260 30 Homeruns 90 RBIs. I temper my expectations to.250 25Homeruns 80 RBIs. From a catcher, you take that any day of the weak. On the defensive side I’m impressed, he’s sure handed, calls a great game, and is well above average framing pitches. Also caught 38% (rounded up) of runners stealing, 11% above league average. I hope the fact that Girardi had him hitting 3rd means something for next year. 8 HRs, 18 RBIs in September batting 3rd most of the month is huge, and looks like a positive step for 2015. I prefer him batting 4th next year. Can’t bat 3rd with Ells & Gardy 1 & 2 because 3 lefties in a row is bad planning. At 4th, he’ll still get a lot of opportunity to drive in runs, which means better pitches, and less shifts.
Francisco Cervelli –
Grade: B
What he should be: Backup Catcher
.301 / .370 / .432 can’t ask for better from backup catcher. He gets big hits, but doesn’t hit when nothing is on the line
. Runs the base exceptionally well for a Catcher. Fiery personality. He reminds me of Girardi when he was our Catcher. I like the way he calls the game. His biggest problem has always been injury. I think it will likely be his last year as a Yankee in 2015, but he’s such a good backup catcher, we have to bring him back. AAA:
Austin Romine – 81 games AAA .242 / .300 / .365 6HRs 33RBIs, 24% Caught Stealing. If we have to get rid of someone it’s him. He’s a ready backup Catcher in the MLB, so maybe we can get a mid-tier prospect or a young A ball player. He calls a good game, but he hits like garbage, Chris Stewart hit better than him in 2013. He’s just not worth keeping around. He isn’t better than John Ryan, Cervelli or Sanchez. What’s the point of keeping a 25 year old Catcher who has some value in a trade, but none in your organization. Hell we can always sign an old catcher to a minor league deal if we have to move John Ryan up to the majors.
John Ryan Murphy – Had a solid 25 games for us before he was sent down for Cervelli. After being brought back up in Sept, finished with 31 games for the Yankees .284 / .318 / .375. In 51 games in AAA, .246 / .292 / .397 6HRs 28 RBIs. 26% Caught stealing. He posted similar offensive production to Romine in 30 less games. I like his bat better than Romine, and not enough difference to distinguish them defensivey.
AA:
Gary Sanchez – 21.
110 games in AA Trenton. .270 / .338 / .406 . 108 wRC+. Walks and strike outs still about the same compared to 2013. 13 HRs, 65 RBIs, 19 2B’s. He caught 39% of runners. Again it’s working on passed balls, that will show he’s ready. That and working on some attitude issues. McCann won’t deal with that ****. I’d say another year. Let Cervelli play his last year of arbitration then Sanchez either is our backup catcher in 2016, or J.R. Murphy is.
Yankees Magazine Profile:
Very smooth power swing
First Baseman:
Mark Teixeira
Grade: C-
What he will be: Starting First Baseman.
Let’s get the positive out of the way first, he’s still a wizard over at first base. One of the best at the pick. Unlike when Giambi’s contract became an albatross, at least we can get value out of Teix in the field. Now onto the depressing, he has some pop in his bat, but it is homerun or bust for him. 2012, he had 24 homeruns, 84 RBIs, 27 2B. 2014, he has 21 Homeruns, 58 RBIs, 11 2B. The biggest thing is he isn’t hitting and driving in the runs he used to when runners are on he had 74RBIs on .256 / .344 / .526 in 215 At Bats in 2012. 2014 in 209 ABs, 46 RBIs, .215 / .327 / .373. He’s gotta hit with Runners on, simple as that. I get he’s no longer a .300 hitter because he’s too tempted by that short porch, I’ve learned to live with the .250, but .216 is unacceptable. Absolutely no reason he should be batting that badly. We need him to be in 2012 form, or he’s going to have to drop in the lineup to 6th, and we’ll have to search for a #3 & #4 hitter in the lineup.
Grade: C-
What he will be: Starting First Baseman.
Let’s get the positive out of the way first, he’s still a wizard over at first base. One of the best at the pick. Unlike when Giambi’s contract became an albatross, at least we can get value out of Teix in the field. Now onto the depressing, he has some pop in his bat, but it is homerun or bust for him. 2012, he had 24 homeruns, 84 RBIs, 27 2B. 2014, he has 21 Homeruns, 58 RBIs, 11 2B. The biggest thing is he isn’t hitting and driving in the runs he used to when runners are on he had 74RBIs on .256 / .344 / .526 in 215 At Bats in 2012. 2014 in 209 ABs, 46 RBIs, .215 / .327 / .373. He’s gotta hit with Runners on, simple as that. I get he’s no longer a .300 hitter because he’s too tempted by that short porch, I’ve learned to live with the .250, but .216 is unacceptable. Absolutely no reason he should be batting that badly. We need him to be in 2012 form, or he’s going to have to drop in the lineup to 6th, and we’ll have to search for a #3 & #4 hitter in the lineup.
Second Baseman
Martin Prado -
Grade with Yankees: A+
Where he should be: Starting Second Baseman
Cashman is king at mid-season deals. Somehow acquires fringe guys, who somehow become great with us. In 37 games, .316 / .341 / .541 7 Homeruns 16 RBIs, a 2.1 WAR. Also showed good fielding ability in more than 1 position. Prado is signed through this season, which is a great asset. Most analyst suggest that he becomes the Starting RF next year, but there are far too many holes in the IF, and not enough candidates worthy of signing. So I would have Prado as our everyday 2B. Great with the bat, hits for average, good pop at Yankee stadium. Solid fielder.
AAA:
Rob Refsnyder – 23. This guy apparently come out of nowhere. AA & AAA .318 / .387 / .497. His BA was .042 higher in AA, but AAA had better OBP .389 to .385, and still great SLG at .456, but AA was a monster .548. 14 HRs, 63 RBIs. Actually has decent speed, could probably steal 15 in a season at major level. Uses all zones of the field, is very patient, has a nice compact swing. His fielding is shaky, but partly because he is still adjusting to being at 2B after being a career OF. Maybe a September call-up, but I’d say he’s 2016 or 2017. I think he’d be a fan favorite as well.
Baseball America highlights:
Yankees Magazine Feature:
Second Base Outlook: I would undoubtedly have Prado as our everyday second baseman. He’s too good, and with 2B & SS as question marks, no reason to waste him in RF, when you can always go find an OFer, even bring back Chris Young to be everyday RF is a better option than Prado and then having to answer 2B & SS. Depending on what we do with SS, is whether I think Refsnyder should get a call up. If we don’t sign anyone and end up with Brendan Ryan hitting .200 in the ninth hole, but giving great defense, then you have to call up Refsnyder. If we go after a Free Agent, or trade for someone (I favor the later) then you let Refsnyder get an extra year in AAA, or wait until we need him to replace an injury.
Grade with Yankees: A+
Where he should be: Starting Second Baseman
Cashman is king at mid-season deals. Somehow acquires fringe guys, who somehow become great with us. In 37 games, .316 / .341 / .541 7 Homeruns 16 RBIs, a 2.1 WAR. Also showed good fielding ability in more than 1 position. Prado is signed through this season, which is a great asset. Most analyst suggest that he becomes the Starting RF next year, but there are far too many holes in the IF, and not enough candidates worthy of signing. So I would have Prado as our everyday 2B. Great with the bat, hits for average, good pop at Yankee stadium. Solid fielder.
AAA:
Rob Refsnyder – 23. This guy apparently come out of nowhere. AA & AAA .318 / .387 / .497. His BA was .042 higher in AA, but AAA had better OBP .389 to .385, and still great SLG at .456, but AA was a monster .548. 14 HRs, 63 RBIs. Actually has decent speed, could probably steal 15 in a season at major level. Uses all zones of the field, is very patient, has a nice compact swing. His fielding is shaky, but partly because he is still adjusting to being at 2B after being a career OF. Maybe a September call-up, but I’d say he’s 2016 or 2017. I think he’d be a fan favorite as well.
Baseball America highlights:
Yankees Magazine Feature:
Second Base Outlook: I would undoubtedly have Prado as our everyday second baseman. He’s too good, and with 2B & SS as question marks, no reason to waste him in RF, when you can always go find an OFer, even bring back Chris Young to be everyday RF is a better option than Prado and then having to answer 2B & SS. Depending on what we do with SS, is whether I think Refsnyder should get a call up. If we don’t sign anyone and end up with Brendan Ryan hitting .200 in the ninth hole, but giving great defense, then you have to call up Refsnyder. If we go after a Free Agent, or trade for someone (I favor the later) then you let Refsnyder get an extra year in AAA, or wait until we need him to replace an injury.
Third Baseman
Chase Headley –
Grade with Yankees: A
What he should be: Starting 3B in Pinstripes
What he will probably be: Starting 3B Elsewhere.
In 57 games, .262 / .373 / .401 6 HRs, 16 RBIs, improved his BB/K ratio compared to San Diego. Too many clutch hits, too many great defensive plays for me to let him go. He’ll get offers, but they will not be what he would have gotten 2 years ago (probably $15mil a year if he was a FA after 2012. He has found a spark, but overall his numbers were declining and he was slumping bad in SD. I think he will get around 4 year / $32 – 40mil. His defense alone, even if it starts to progressively tail off each season, will still be well above average in 4 years. If his market is 4 year / $32-40, I’d go in with 3 year / $32mil to keep him. Or even go crazy with a 2 year offer of $30mil, if you want to think about Jagielo coming in two years. Regardless, Headley needs to be brought back.
Alex Rodriguez –
What he should be: Released
What he will probably be: Starting 3B.
You guys know my opinion on A-Rod, he’s not worth the headache he provides. He’s not the 2007 A-Rod, he’s not even the 2010 A-Rod. He’s an injury prone player, who at best will provide you 20 HRs 70 RBIs hitting .270, and Girardi will have him batting 3rd. His defense will be mediocre. And again he’ll get injured at some point. I’ve laid out the only acceptable way he should be here, and that’s if he splits DH time with Beltran, and occasionally plays 3B. I’ll take Headley giving 15 HRs if he played a full season in NY, 50-60 RBIs batting 7th, and way better fielding at a pretty important position.
High A - Tampa
Eric Jagielo – 22. The name I will misspell the most. For the Tampa A ball team, .259 / .354 / .460 16 HRs, 54 RBIs in 85 games. Strikes out a lot, at least 1 time a game, but has great power from the left side of the plate, if he continues to progress, and makes it to the Yankees, he could hit 20HRs a season, even at the bottom of the order. He’s improving at Defense, but still a below average fielder. He has a strong arm, which negates some of his issues at 3B. He’s 2-3 years away. Which gives cover to bringing Headley back.
Grade with Yankees: A
What he should be: Starting 3B in Pinstripes
What he will probably be: Starting 3B Elsewhere.
In 57 games, .262 / .373 / .401 6 HRs, 16 RBIs, improved his BB/K ratio compared to San Diego. Too many clutch hits, too many great defensive plays for me to let him go. He’ll get offers, but they will not be what he would have gotten 2 years ago (probably $15mil a year if he was a FA after 2012. He has found a spark, but overall his numbers were declining and he was slumping bad in SD. I think he will get around 4 year / $32 – 40mil. His defense alone, even if it starts to progressively tail off each season, will still be well above average in 4 years. If his market is 4 year / $32-40, I’d go in with 3 year / $32mil to keep him. Or even go crazy with a 2 year offer of $30mil, if you want to think about Jagielo coming in two years. Regardless, Headley needs to be brought back.
Alex Rodriguez –
What he should be: Released
What he will probably be: Starting 3B.
You guys know my opinion on A-Rod, he’s not worth the headache he provides. He’s not the 2007 A-Rod, he’s not even the 2010 A-Rod. He’s an injury prone player, who at best will provide you 20 HRs 70 RBIs hitting .270, and Girardi will have him batting 3rd. His defense will be mediocre. And again he’ll get injured at some point. I’ve laid out the only acceptable way he should be here, and that’s if he splits DH time with Beltran, and occasionally plays 3B. I’ll take Headley giving 15 HRs if he played a full season in NY, 50-60 RBIs batting 7th, and way better fielding at a pretty important position.
High A - Tampa
Eric Jagielo – 22. The name I will misspell the most. For the Tampa A ball team, .259 / .354 / .460 16 HRs, 54 RBIs in 85 games. Strikes out a lot, at least 1 time a game, but has great power from the left side of the plate, if he continues to progress, and makes it to the Yankees, he could hit 20HRs a season, even at the bottom of the order. He’s improving at Defense, but still a below average fielder. He has a strong arm, which negates some of his issues at 3B. He’s 2-3 years away. Which gives cover to bringing Headley back.
Shortstop
I won’t disparage the Captain anymore, so I won’t even give him a grade. It was just time for him to go. He didn’t have it anymore, and hands were tied for batting order. Had he been 6th or later in the order, I would have viewed his production entirely different, but it’s over, what’s done is done so we have to move on.
Stephen Drew
Grade with Yankees: F
I have 0 interest in bringing him back. I get he didn’t play until June. So I get the slow start, but you would at least expect him to show something toward the end of the season. He hasn’t shown anything that would suggest he’s turning the corner. .153 in August followed by .146 in September. No pop in his bat. Zelous Wheeler pinched hit for him in the 9th inning of a tied game. That is horrible.
I’m really not sure what to do with SS. The entire SS market has flaws or will cost big money. Our Shortstop prospects are the epitome of garbage, nothing that can contribute. Maybe we go all in on Tulowitzki? I know he’s injury prone. He’ll have a high price tag. But maybe eating most of the contract, and some mid-level guys changes the tune. I.e. we have Banuelos, Clarkin, Romine & Mason Williams who have value, but none with us, and eating most of the $100mil still owed to Tulo. No team is going to eat most of the contract and offer a respectable return because of his injuries.
Out of SS on the market, the best option would likely be J.J. Hardy. Hanley is going to cost an arm and a leg, and while we desperately need his offensive production, he is no longer a good defensive SS. Putting up 6 years $100million with Hanley will be a problem, especially with Teix, CC, 2 years of Beltran, A-Rod not producing what they are owed. Asdrubral Cabrera I’m not a fan of, likely will get Jhonny Peralta money 4 year / $53mil. Jed Lowrie I’m even less of a fan of because while I don’t like Asdrubral, at least he’ll get you 15 homeruns. J.J. Hardy had a down power year, but still got on base, and hit for his career average. Maybe the lack of power drops his salary a bit. Also the oldest of all of the crop SS, so he’ll get less years on his contract. Maybe worth the 2 or 3 year gamble on him, and hope at the bottom of the order with Prado, and HOPEFULLY Headley, we get 3 guys who can drive in runs, and are not push-overs at the plate.
Stephen Drew
Grade with Yankees: F
I have 0 interest in bringing him back. I get he didn’t play until June. So I get the slow start, but you would at least expect him to show something toward the end of the season. He hasn’t shown anything that would suggest he’s turning the corner. .153 in August followed by .146 in September. No pop in his bat. Zelous Wheeler pinched hit for him in the 9th inning of a tied game. That is horrible.
I’m really not sure what to do with SS. The entire SS market has flaws or will cost big money. Our Shortstop prospects are the epitome of garbage, nothing that can contribute. Maybe we go all in on Tulowitzki? I know he’s injury prone. He’ll have a high price tag. But maybe eating most of the contract, and some mid-level guys changes the tune. I.e. we have Banuelos, Clarkin, Romine & Mason Williams who have value, but none with us, and eating most of the $100mil still owed to Tulo. No team is going to eat most of the contract and offer a respectable return because of his injuries.
Out of SS on the market, the best option would likely be J.J. Hardy. Hanley is going to cost an arm and a leg, and while we desperately need his offensive production, he is no longer a good defensive SS. Putting up 6 years $100million with Hanley will be a problem, especially with Teix, CC, 2 years of Beltran, A-Rod not producing what they are owed. Asdrubral Cabrera I’m not a fan of, likely will get Jhonny Peralta money 4 year / $53mil. Jed Lowrie I’m even less of a fan of because while I don’t like Asdrubral, at least he’ll get you 15 homeruns. J.J. Hardy had a down power year, but still got on base, and hit for his career average. Maybe the lack of power drops his salary a bit. Also the oldest of all of the crop SS, so he’ll get less years on his contract. Maybe worth the 2 or 3 year gamble on him, and hope at the bottom of the order with Prado, and HOPEFULLY Headley, we get 3 guys who can drive in runs, and are not push-overs at the plate.
Outfield
I think this is another spot where we have to start liquidating our assets. Gardner & Ellsbury are LF & CF for at least the next 5 seasons. 2 positions out of the question right now for any prospect. That leaves only RF. No doubt in my mind they will put everything all in to get Stanton 2017, if he is available. Also with the exception of Aaron Judge and to a lesser extent Jake Cave…. Mason Williams, Slade Heathcott, Tyler Austin are either falling apart, losing value fast, or looking like they may never make a real contribution to the Yankees. Even Zolio Almonte who is a lesser talent than those 3 is ahead of them in terms of development, and I’d trust him more than those 3 for the next couple of years in the majors. Again we have holes in the minor leagues, and problems with too many prospects at certain positions. If there is really no good pathway for a player to the majors, maybe it’s time to think about clearing the minors up a bit and getting guys in positions we lack, or need contributions from in the short term.
Brett Gardner
Grade: A-
I’m concerned by the sub .260 batting average, and the 130+ Ks, but he still gets on base fairly regularly. He has been more aggressive at the plate, jumping on first pitches and mistakes more than he’s ever been, that’s why he has doubled his career high in Homeruns. I think him between 15-20 Homeruns will be the norm for him, especially hitting at the top of the order where he’ll have protection, and see more pitches. I think he is truly underrated because he can run the bases, has one of the best gloves in LF, good arm. I think he’s a top 15 OFer simply because he can do so much.
Jacoby Ellsbury
Grade: B+
Honestly, besides Dellin, he was my favorite guy to watch this season. His numbers are not where I wish they were, I think he could do better, and will do better next year. It’s ******* mental that Joe Giardi had him batting 3rd for 3 months. It defies the logic of any smart baseball decision, and was the reason why I became so enraged at Derek Jeter as the season progressed because I knew he was the reason Jacoby wasn’t batting first. The #3 hitter is supposed to hit for power, and drive in runs. You want Jacoby to just get on base, no matter how it is. If it’s a double cool, single, homerun, hell you don’t even care if it’s a walk. Jacoby is the quintessential leadoff hitter. Not saying he’s as good as him, he’s nowhere close, but he’s a Ricky Henderson leadoff guy. Can steal a lot of bases, but also has the power to drive the ball out. Why would you put your best base stealer up 3rd? It’s just nonsense. Nonetheless, I was happy with Ellsbury’s glove, his baserunning, showed he has some power at Yankee Stadium (most people were saying we’d be lucky to get 10 homeruns out of him), gets on base, and has a quiet fire to him that’s fun to watch. I’d definitely have him as our leadoff hitter over Gardner because he knows his ability to steal, is better at reading pitchers and is more aggressive. Gardner is a great base stealer, who seems unsure of his ability at times, and really likes to see a lot of pitches before he goes. I expect .280 22-24 Homeruns 80 RBIs from Ellsbury next year.
Carlos Beltran -
Grade: D
He got injured, can’t play the field. He just wasn’t what we were hoping for. .236/.305/.409. 15HRs, 49 RBIs. He’s got to hit better, in the .280 range. His power & his contact were the two biggest things absent. I was expecting .280 25 HRs 85 RBIs. His best bet is just being a DH and just worry about hitting, but if A-Rod is back, then it’s a big cluster ****.
Ichiro Suzuki –
Grade : C+
Still a pretty good fielder. Is a singles only hitter now, and his effectiveness is diminished by losing speed, but if he wanted back for a final year, I’d be happy to have him because he still has a good approach at the plate, and comes up with timely hits.
Chris Young –
He is a power hitter, a feast or famine type of guy. Will never give you the average you want, and was basically ruined by playing in that dump Citi Field. My dad is a Mets fan, and absolutely hates Citi Field because it basically screws with every single hitter who plays there. I think he could produce well enough to be a valuable end of the order guy and hit 20 homeruns and get 50-60 RBIs, but I’ve been overruled. Bring him back, but as a 9th outfielder.
A:
Aaron Judge, RF/DH, 22 –
MLB Projected ETA: 2016
My guess is: September 2016, possibly regular 2017
A massive guy, 6’7” 230. Obviously at that size, he’s obviously a homerun hitter, 17 HRs in 131 games at Charleston & Tampa. Has a good arm, a little better than average speed. His long arms allow him to reach balls on the outside part of the plate and drive it, if he develops oppo power he’ll be able to pick up some good homeruns in the short porch. He will strike out a lot, but will also walk a lot too. 131 games, 131 strikeouts, 89 walks. There’s one major concern: He cannot handle inside pitches, he’s just too big to shorten up his swing, and get to those pitches. Even if he “steps in the bucket” and cheats for the inside pitch his power is neutralized on inside pitches. That’s something pitchers will attack often, and could keep him from being a prize talent.
Keith Law on Judge
Jake Cave, CF, 21 –
He’s a Brett Gardner-lite. Same kind of player. Same kind of pop in his bat (before Gardy became a beast). Good baserunner. Former pitcher, so his arm in Center is a rocket. Very gritty goes all out like Brett does. Tampa & Trenton A/AA .294 / .351 / .414 in 132 total games. Batting average dropped 30 points from A to AA, but Slugging went up 30 points. Hit 7 HRs, 42 RBIs, 12 Stolen Bases. Strikes out too much, which is a common criticism I have of Gardner.
AA:
Here’s where trouble begins, where the prospects we know the names of, and none of them deserve to be around anymore.
Mason Williams 23, CF –
Taken yet another step back from 2013, Batting Average, SLG, OBP all down from 2013, and he played horribly then too. .223 / .290 / .304. 5 HRs 40 RBIs. 18 2Bs. 4 3B. He stole 21 bases, and has a solid glove, but other than that, I don’t think he’s ever going to hit well enough to be a worthy major league player.
Tyler Austin, 23, RF / 1B –
Out of the 3 big named prospects that we’ve known for a couple of years, he’s the only one worth keeping. .275 / .336 / .419 in AA. 9 HRs 47 RBIs. Good at pitch recognition, has ok glove, solid arm in RF. Has decent speed, but is a very smart baserunner, 5 seasons in minors, 48 of 52 SBs. Not sure I see him being an everyday OFer at any point in time, but he’s certainly more likely than Mason Williams and the next guy.
Slade Heathcott, 24, CF –
He’s extremely injury prone. Only 1 season over 80 games in a season since 2009. Supposed to have above average speed, arm & glove. Average contact and average pop. His eye is a little sketchy, as he strikes out at a high rate.
Summation, Williams & Heathcott (Austin to a lesser extent) have really disappointed. They are nowhere near where they are supposed to be, and the clock is ticking. One thing the Yankees never do is they never sell high on minor league prospects when their stock starts to fall, instead they hold onto guys who year after year underperform, and then have 0 value, whether through a trade, or value to your organization to be a Big Leaguer. I pray for once they listen to reason and just sell as high as possible on Williams & Heathcott. Judge, Cave, Austin, Almonte are all more ready today than they are, and it’s unlikely that they will be ready in 2 years. Gardner & Ellsbury have LF & CF locked. So we have 6 OF prospects competing for 1 spot. 2 Big Name prospect, who are not producing, are in the way of the other 4. It’s time to let go of Williams & Heathcott, put them in a package deal and get the best 2B, SS, or SP in the top 100 that you can get.
Brett Gardner
Grade: A-
I’m concerned by the sub .260 batting average, and the 130+ Ks, but he still gets on base fairly regularly. He has been more aggressive at the plate, jumping on first pitches and mistakes more than he’s ever been, that’s why he has doubled his career high in Homeruns. I think him between 15-20 Homeruns will be the norm for him, especially hitting at the top of the order where he’ll have protection, and see more pitches. I think he is truly underrated because he can run the bases, has one of the best gloves in LF, good arm. I think he’s a top 15 OFer simply because he can do so much.
Jacoby Ellsbury
Grade: B+
Honestly, besides Dellin, he was my favorite guy to watch this season. His numbers are not where I wish they were, I think he could do better, and will do better next year. It’s ******* mental that Joe Giardi had him batting 3rd for 3 months. It defies the logic of any smart baseball decision, and was the reason why I became so enraged at Derek Jeter as the season progressed because I knew he was the reason Jacoby wasn’t batting first. The #3 hitter is supposed to hit for power, and drive in runs. You want Jacoby to just get on base, no matter how it is. If it’s a double cool, single, homerun, hell you don’t even care if it’s a walk. Jacoby is the quintessential leadoff hitter. Not saying he’s as good as him, he’s nowhere close, but he’s a Ricky Henderson leadoff guy. Can steal a lot of bases, but also has the power to drive the ball out. Why would you put your best base stealer up 3rd? It’s just nonsense. Nonetheless, I was happy with Ellsbury’s glove, his baserunning, showed he has some power at Yankee Stadium (most people were saying we’d be lucky to get 10 homeruns out of him), gets on base, and has a quiet fire to him that’s fun to watch. I’d definitely have him as our leadoff hitter over Gardner because he knows his ability to steal, is better at reading pitchers and is more aggressive. Gardner is a great base stealer, who seems unsure of his ability at times, and really likes to see a lot of pitches before he goes. I expect .280 22-24 Homeruns 80 RBIs from Ellsbury next year.
Carlos Beltran -
Grade: D
He got injured, can’t play the field. He just wasn’t what we were hoping for. .236/.305/.409. 15HRs, 49 RBIs. He’s got to hit better, in the .280 range. His power & his contact were the two biggest things absent. I was expecting .280 25 HRs 85 RBIs. His best bet is just being a DH and just worry about hitting, but if A-Rod is back, then it’s a big cluster ****.
Ichiro Suzuki –
Grade : C+
Still a pretty good fielder. Is a singles only hitter now, and his effectiveness is diminished by losing speed, but if he wanted back for a final year, I’d be happy to have him because he still has a good approach at the plate, and comes up with timely hits.
Chris Young –
He is a power hitter, a feast or famine type of guy. Will never give you the average you want, and was basically ruined by playing in that dump Citi Field. My dad is a Mets fan, and absolutely hates Citi Field because it basically screws with every single hitter who plays there. I think he could produce well enough to be a valuable end of the order guy and hit 20 homeruns and get 50-60 RBIs, but I’ve been overruled. Bring him back, but as a 9th outfielder.
A:
Aaron Judge, RF/DH, 22 –
MLB Projected ETA: 2016
My guess is: September 2016, possibly regular 2017
A massive guy, 6’7” 230. Obviously at that size, he’s obviously a homerun hitter, 17 HRs in 131 games at Charleston & Tampa. Has a good arm, a little better than average speed. His long arms allow him to reach balls on the outside part of the plate and drive it, if he develops oppo power he’ll be able to pick up some good homeruns in the short porch. He will strike out a lot, but will also walk a lot too. 131 games, 131 strikeouts, 89 walks. There’s one major concern: He cannot handle inside pitches, he’s just too big to shorten up his swing, and get to those pitches. Even if he “steps in the bucket” and cheats for the inside pitch his power is neutralized on inside pitches. That’s something pitchers will attack often, and could keep him from being a prize talent.
Keith Law on Judge
Jake Cave, CF, 21 –
He’s a Brett Gardner-lite. Same kind of player. Same kind of pop in his bat (before Gardy became a beast). Good baserunner. Former pitcher, so his arm in Center is a rocket. Very gritty goes all out like Brett does. Tampa & Trenton A/AA .294 / .351 / .414 in 132 total games. Batting average dropped 30 points from A to AA, but Slugging went up 30 points. Hit 7 HRs, 42 RBIs, 12 Stolen Bases. Strikes out too much, which is a common criticism I have of Gardner.
AA:
Here’s where trouble begins, where the prospects we know the names of, and none of them deserve to be around anymore.
Mason Williams 23, CF –
Taken yet another step back from 2013, Batting Average, SLG, OBP all down from 2013, and he played horribly then too. .223 / .290 / .304. 5 HRs 40 RBIs. 18 2Bs. 4 3B. He stole 21 bases, and has a solid glove, but other than that, I don’t think he’s ever going to hit well enough to be a worthy major league player.
Tyler Austin, 23, RF / 1B –
Out of the 3 big named prospects that we’ve known for a couple of years, he’s the only one worth keeping. .275 / .336 / .419 in AA. 9 HRs 47 RBIs. Good at pitch recognition, has ok glove, solid arm in RF. Has decent speed, but is a very smart baserunner, 5 seasons in minors, 48 of 52 SBs. Not sure I see him being an everyday OFer at any point in time, but he’s certainly more likely than Mason Williams and the next guy.
Slade Heathcott, 24, CF –
He’s extremely injury prone. Only 1 season over 80 games in a season since 2009. Supposed to have above average speed, arm & glove. Average contact and average pop. His eye is a little sketchy, as he strikes out at a high rate.
Summation, Williams & Heathcott (Austin to a lesser extent) have really disappointed. They are nowhere near where they are supposed to be, and the clock is ticking. One thing the Yankees never do is they never sell high on minor league prospects when their stock starts to fall, instead they hold onto guys who year after year underperform, and then have 0 value, whether through a trade, or value to your organization to be a Big Leaguer. I pray for once they listen to reason and just sell as high as possible on Williams & Heathcott. Judge, Cave, Austin, Almonte are all more ready today than they are, and it’s unlikely that they will be ready in 2 years. Gardner & Ellsbury have LF & CF locked. So we have 6 OF prospects competing for 1 spot. 2 Big Name prospect, who are not producing, are in the way of the other 4. It’s time to let go of Williams & Heathcott, put them in a package deal and get the best 2B, SS, or SP in the top 100 that you can get.
Full Offseason Plan (minus arbitration, and pre-arbitration deals):
1. David Robertson – Offer the 1 year / $15mil qualifying offer, so if he does want to go elsewhere, we don’t lose out. Try to sign him to a 4-5 year deal / $40-50mil, would T-3rd highest paid closer. It’s probably $2mil above what I want to pay him, but he’s only ever played in this organization.
2. Jon Lester – Absolute Ace. Monster in the postseason. Out of he, Shields & Scherzer, only one that doesn’t cost a pick. Makes the signing even less risky. 6 year / $150, 185+ IP in year 6 guarantees a year 7.
3. Chase Headley – 2-3 year / $25-30mil. A-Rod will never be the fielder he is. Jagielo may be good, but looks to be a couple of years away. Would make him the 6th highest paid 3B. I am assuming Sandoval easily gets paid more.
4. Chris Young / Ichiro Suzuki – Either would be a solid backup, although I would be fine with Young as an everyday RF because he can get 20 HRs here, he has that kind of power. But him as an everyday player is not ideal. Chris Young doing his best Shane Spencer impression. Young is helping his market, but he was still a .202 hitter with the Mets. Ichiro is a purely singles hitter. Go after either with a 1 year / $3-4mi. The Kelly Johnson or Brian Roberts 2014 type deal. Whoever takes it that’s who is on the roster.
5. Shortstop - Look for any possible trades for a SS. Troy Tulowitzki, Jose Reyes, Alexei Ramirez, Didi Gregorious or Chris Owings. All names that have had trade speculation with them. I’d group a Banuelos or Clarkin with Romine, and Williams or Heathcott for the high end Tulo, Reyes, or Ramirez. If nothing is there, J.J. Hardy is the only guy who won’t cost an arm and a leg, and will be a short deal. Lowrie might be cheap, but he’ll take 70% of his At-bats from the left side.
6. Right Field - We need a Right Power Bat. We had horrible production from the middle of the order, and the only guy who can do that is Nelson Cruz. Everyone is against him because he’s old has an injury past, but he’s still got GREAT power. If we could get him for 2 year / over pay $40mil, has him expire with Beltran and we could be ready to bring up Judge & go hard after Stanton if he’s available. Melky is probably the overall better choice, but he basically makes the OF a log jam. He’ll get 3 yr/ $40mil – 4 year / $55mil. What do we do with Judge, Cave, basically means nothing for them. What do we do when Stanton is a Free Agent, who do we move to DH. I just don’t think Melky works at 4 years.
We can go the lesser route. Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young, Mike Morse, Torii Hunter. All have some pop, and can just be place holders for 2 seasons.
2. Jon Lester – Absolute Ace. Monster in the postseason. Out of he, Shields & Scherzer, only one that doesn’t cost a pick. Makes the signing even less risky. 6 year / $150, 185+ IP in year 6 guarantees a year 7.
3. Chase Headley – 2-3 year / $25-30mil. A-Rod will never be the fielder he is. Jagielo may be good, but looks to be a couple of years away. Would make him the 6th highest paid 3B. I am assuming Sandoval easily gets paid more.
4. Chris Young / Ichiro Suzuki – Either would be a solid backup, although I would be fine with Young as an everyday RF because he can get 20 HRs here, he has that kind of power. But him as an everyday player is not ideal. Chris Young doing his best Shane Spencer impression. Young is helping his market, but he was still a .202 hitter with the Mets. Ichiro is a purely singles hitter. Go after either with a 1 year / $3-4mi. The Kelly Johnson or Brian Roberts 2014 type deal. Whoever takes it that’s who is on the roster.
5. Shortstop - Look for any possible trades for a SS. Troy Tulowitzki, Jose Reyes, Alexei Ramirez, Didi Gregorious or Chris Owings. All names that have had trade speculation with them. I’d group a Banuelos or Clarkin with Romine, and Williams or Heathcott for the high end Tulo, Reyes, or Ramirez. If nothing is there, J.J. Hardy is the only guy who won’t cost an arm and a leg, and will be a short deal. Lowrie might be cheap, but he’ll take 70% of his At-bats from the left side.
6. Right Field - We need a Right Power Bat. We had horrible production from the middle of the order, and the only guy who can do that is Nelson Cruz. Everyone is against him because he’s old has an injury past, but he’s still got GREAT power. If we could get him for 2 year / over pay $40mil, has him expire with Beltran and we could be ready to bring up Judge & go hard after Stanton if he’s available. Melky is probably the overall better choice, but he basically makes the OF a log jam. He’ll get 3 yr/ $40mil – 4 year / $55mil. What do we do with Judge, Cave, basically means nothing for them. What do we do when Stanton is a Free Agent, who do we move to DH. I just don’t think Melky works at 4 years.
We can go the lesser route. Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young, Mike Morse, Torii Hunter. All have some pop, and can just be place holders for 2 seasons.
My ideal Position Players:
I'm only doing this to show how we can try to make things work with Headley if A-Rod is back:
C – Brian McCann (112 games) / Francisco Cervelli (50 games)
1B – Mark Teixeria (130 games) / Brian McCann (20 games) / Chase Headley (12 games)
2B – Martin Prado (140 games) / Brendan Ryan (22 games)
3B – Chase Headley (100 games) / A-Rod (62 games)
SS – Alexei Ramirez (150 games) / Brendan Ryan (12 games)
LF – Brett Gardner (132 games) / Chase Headley (25 games)
CF – Jacoby Ellsbury (145 games) / Brett Gardner (17 games)
RF – Nelson Cruz (90 games ) / Carlos Beltran (72 games)
DH – A-Rod (60 games) / Beltran (51 games) / Cruz (51 games)
Games Played:
1. Alexei Ramirez: 150 games
2. Brett Gardner: 149 games
3. Jacoby Ellsbury: 145 games
4. Nelson Cruz: 141 games
5. Martin Prado: 140 games
6. Chase Headley: 137 games
7. Brian McCann: 132 games
8. Mark Teixeira: 130 games
9. Carlos Beltran: 123 games
10. Alex Rodriguez: 122 games
11. Francisco Cervelli: 55 games
12. Brendan Ryan: 34 games
* I know we will use double the amount of guys
C – Brian McCann (112 games) / Francisco Cervelli (50 games)
1B – Mark Teixeria (130 games) / Brian McCann (20 games) / Chase Headley (12 games)
2B – Martin Prado (140 games) / Brendan Ryan (22 games)
3B – Chase Headley (100 games) / A-Rod (62 games)
SS – Alexei Ramirez (150 games) / Brendan Ryan (12 games)
LF – Brett Gardner (132 games) / Chase Headley (25 games)
CF – Jacoby Ellsbury (145 games) / Brett Gardner (17 games)
RF – Nelson Cruz (90 games ) / Carlos Beltran (72 games)
DH – A-Rod (60 games) / Beltran (51 games) / Cruz (51 games)
Games Played:
1. Alexei Ramirez: 150 games
2. Brett Gardner: 149 games
3. Jacoby Ellsbury: 145 games
4. Nelson Cruz: 141 games
5. Martin Prado: 140 games
6. Chase Headley: 137 games
7. Brian McCann: 132 games
8. Mark Teixeira: 130 games
9. Carlos Beltran: 123 games
10. Alex Rodriguez: 122 games
11. Francisco Cervelli: 55 games
12. Brendan Ryan: 34 games
* I know we will use double the amount of guys
A place where we have something really good to look forward to is the Top 30 International Prospects where we are all over the list. We spent more many than any team in history on International Bidding this year.
Top 30 International Prospects:
1. Dermis Garcia – SS 6’2” 182 17 in January. Dominican Republic
Average to Above Average Contact
Well Above Average Power
Below Average Speed
Above Average Arm
Below Average to Average Fielding
MLB Video Report: http://www.pinstripealley.com/2014/...s-garcia-nelson-gomez-international-dominican
2. Nelson Gomez – 3B 6’2” 219lbs. 17 in October. Dominican Republic
Above Average Contact & Power
Below Average Speed
Above Average Arm
Average Fielding
Built like a damn tank.
Video Report:
Pinstripe Alley on Garcia & Gomez http://www.pinstripealley.com/2014/...s-garcia-nelson-gomez-international-dominican
5. Juan DeLeon – OF 6’1” 175lbs. 17 years old. Dominican Republic
Above Average Contact & Power
Average to Above Average Speed
Above Average Arm
Average Fielding
MLB Video Report
7. Jonathan Amundaray – OF 6’2” 175lbs. 16 years old. Venezuela
Above Average Contact.
Average to Above Average Power, Speed & Fielding
Above Average Arm
9. Antonio Arias – OF 6’2” 180lbs. 18 years old. Venezuela
Average to Above Average Contact, Power, Glove, Arm.
Above Average Speed
13. Hyo-Jun Park - SS 6’2” 165lbs. 18 years old. South Korea.
Above average Contact
Below to Average Power
Above Average Spped, Glove & Arm
14. Wilkerman Garcia – SS 5’11” 168lbs. 17 in April. Venezuela
Average to Above Average Contact
Average Power & Speed
Above Average fielding & Arm
16. Diego Castillo – SS 5’10” 150lbs. 17 in October. Venezuela
Average Contact, Below Average to Average Power
Speed – Average to Above Average
Fielding & Arm - Above Average
25. Miguel Flames – C 6’1” 210lbs. 17 years old. Venezuela
Contact & Power - Average to Above Average
Fielding & Arm – Average
Also linked with number 29 Bryan Emery OF, who has yet to sign.
Average to Above Average Contact
Well Above Average Power
Below Average Speed
Above Average Arm
Below Average to Average Fielding
MLB Video Report: http://www.pinstripealley.com/2014/...s-garcia-nelson-gomez-international-dominican
2. Nelson Gomez – 3B 6’2” 219lbs. 17 in October. Dominican Republic
Above Average Contact & Power
Below Average Speed
Above Average Arm
Average Fielding
Built like a damn tank.
Video Report:
Pinstripe Alley on Garcia & Gomez http://www.pinstripealley.com/2014/...s-garcia-nelson-gomez-international-dominican
5. Juan DeLeon – OF 6’1” 175lbs. 17 years old. Dominican Republic
Above Average Contact & Power
Average to Above Average Speed
Above Average Arm
Average Fielding
MLB Video Report
7. Jonathan Amundaray – OF 6’2” 175lbs. 16 years old. Venezuela
Above Average Contact.
Average to Above Average Power, Speed & Fielding
Above Average Arm
9. Antonio Arias – OF 6’2” 180lbs. 18 years old. Venezuela
Average to Above Average Contact, Power, Glove, Arm.
Above Average Speed
13. Hyo-Jun Park - SS 6’2” 165lbs. 18 years old. South Korea.
Above average Contact
Below to Average Power
Above Average Spped, Glove & Arm
14. Wilkerman Garcia – SS 5’11” 168lbs. 17 in April. Venezuela
Average to Above Average Contact
Average Power & Speed
Above Average fielding & Arm
16. Diego Castillo – SS 5’10” 150lbs. 17 in October. Venezuela
Average Contact, Below Average to Average Power
Speed – Average to Above Average
Fielding & Arm - Above Average
25. Miguel Flames – C 6’1” 210lbs. 17 years old. Venezuela
Contact & Power - Average to Above Average
Fielding & Arm – Average
Also linked with number 29 Bryan Emery OF, who has yet to sign.
Long Term Future
It’s up and down. Our minor league system is probably 15-20th best. We have trouble developing talent. The organization has to look into what the issue is. We have countless names that are supposed to be good, and by the time they get to the majors, they fizzle out and stink.
But there are many positives.
Tanaka 26 in November, Pineda 26 in January. There’s a few aces on the market this winter. Scherzer, Lester & Shields will all test the market. We have to go get 1 of them. There are too many question marks on our rotation for us not to. So we can have 2 young studs both front end rotation guys, and add an Ace with them.
Betances will be 27. Best setup man in the league. Isn’t even eligible to be a Free Agent until 2020. By then if Robertson is done, Dellin becomes the closer.
Robertson is a Top 5 closer. I’d put him 3rd behind Kimbrell & Holland
Adam Warren looks like a very good 7th inning guy. He’s not eligible for Free Agency until 2019.
Lindgren looks like a machine, and we can recreate the successful 90s bullpen with him, Dellin & D-Rob in 2016.
If Severino can be a solid end of the rotation guy after next season, we’re set for a long time.
Gardner & Ellsbury is a great combination. Speed, fielding, hit for contact, have some pop. We have 5 years of them together. I put them both top 15 OFers.
Sanchez will contribute offensively when he makes it up. He’d have to basically give up for that not to happen like Montero did.
With Sanchez, have a couple more very good power bats in Jagielo & Judge.
We have 9 of the Top 30 International Prospects. Including 5 of the top 10. A SS & 3B who won’t be 20 until 2017 that both have the ability to get 25-35 HRs in the majors.
Beltran’s contract ends after the 2016 season, when a 27 year old Giancarlo Stanton is a Free Agent
Ellsbury’s contract ends after the 2020 season, when a 29 year old childhood Yankee fan Mike Trout is a Free Agent
Today it looks grim, and 2015 might be grim because we are a little stuck with the team we have and no options, but the near future looks pretty damn good.
But there are many positives.
Tanaka 26 in November, Pineda 26 in January. There’s a few aces on the market this winter. Scherzer, Lester & Shields will all test the market. We have to go get 1 of them. There are too many question marks on our rotation for us not to. So we can have 2 young studs both front end rotation guys, and add an Ace with them.
Betances will be 27. Best setup man in the league. Isn’t even eligible to be a Free Agent until 2020. By then if Robertson is done, Dellin becomes the closer.
Robertson is a Top 5 closer. I’d put him 3rd behind Kimbrell & Holland
Adam Warren looks like a very good 7th inning guy. He’s not eligible for Free Agency until 2019.
Lindgren looks like a machine, and we can recreate the successful 90s bullpen with him, Dellin & D-Rob in 2016.
If Severino can be a solid end of the rotation guy after next season, we’re set for a long time.
Gardner & Ellsbury is a great combination. Speed, fielding, hit for contact, have some pop. We have 5 years of them together. I put them both top 15 OFers.
Sanchez will contribute offensively when he makes it up. He’d have to basically give up for that not to happen like Montero did.
With Sanchez, have a couple more very good power bats in Jagielo & Judge.
We have 9 of the Top 30 International Prospects. Including 5 of the top 10. A SS & 3B who won’t be 20 until 2017 that both have the ability to get 25-35 HRs in the majors.
Beltran’s contract ends after the 2016 season, when a 27 year old Giancarlo Stanton is a Free Agent
Ellsbury’s contract ends after the 2020 season, when a 29 year old childhood Yankee fan Mike Trout is a Free Agent
Today it looks grim, and 2015 might be grim because we are a little stuck with the team we have and no options, but the near future looks pretty damn good.
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2015 MLB Free Agents
Catchers
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Starting Pitchers
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Catchers
John Buck (34)
Ryan Doumit (34)
Nick Hundley (31) – $5MM club option
Gerald Laird (35)
Russell Martin (32)
Jeff Mathis (32) – $1.5MM club option
Wil Nieves (36)
A.J. Pierzynski (3
David Ross (3
Geovany Soto (32)
Ryan Doumit (34)
Nick Hundley (31) – $5MM club option
Gerald Laird (35)
Russell Martin (32)
Jeff Mathis (32) – $1.5MM club option
Wil Nieves (36)
A.J. Pierzynski (3
David Ross (3
Geovany Soto (32)
First Basemen
Billy Butler (29) – $12.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Michael Cuddyer (36)
Jozzen Cuesta (25)
Corey Hart (33)
Adam LaRoche (35) – $15MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout
Adam Lind (31) – $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Mike Morse (33)
Lyle Overbay (3
Carlos Pena (37)
Mark Reynolds (32)
Kevin Youkilis (36)
Michael Cuddyer (36)
Jozzen Cuesta (25)
Corey Hart (33)
Adam LaRoche (35) – $15MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout
Adam Lind (31) – $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Mike Morse (33)
Lyle Overbay (3
Carlos Pena (37)
Mark Reynolds (32)
Kevin Youkilis (36)
Second Basemen
Emilio Bonifacio (30)
Mark Ellis (3
Rafael Furcal (37)
Kelly Johnson (33)
Nick Punto (37) - $2.75MM club/vesting option with a $250k buyout
Brian Roberts (37)
Ramon Santiago (35)
Rickie Weeks (32) – $11.5MM vesting option
Ben Zobrist (34) – $7.5MM club option with a $500k buyout
Mark Ellis (3
Rafael Furcal (37)
Kelly Johnson (33)
Nick Punto (37) - $2.75MM club/vesting option with a $250k buyout
Brian Roberts (37)
Ramon Santiago (35)
Rickie Weeks (32) – $11.5MM vesting option
Ben Zobrist (34) – $7.5MM club option with a $500k buyout
Shortstops
Mike Aviles (34) – $3.5MM club option with a $250k buyout
Clint Barmes (36)
Asdrubal Cabrera (29)
Stephen Drew (32)
Rafael Furcal (37)
J.J. Hardy (32)
Jed Lowrie (31)
John McDonald (40)
Nick Punto (37) – $2.75MM club/vesting option with a $250K buyout
Hanley Ramirez (31)
Clint Barmes (36)
Asdrubal Cabrera (29)
Stephen Drew (32)
Rafael Furcal (37)
J.J. Hardy (32)
Jed Lowrie (31)
John McDonald (40)
Nick Punto (37) – $2.75MM club/vesting option with a $250K buyout
Hanley Ramirez (31)
Third Basemen
Alberto Callaspo (32)
Jack Hannahan (35) – $4MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Chase Headley (31)
Kelly Johnson (33)
Donnie Murphy (32)
Nick Punto (37) – $2.75MM club/vesting option with a $250k buyout
Aramis Ramirez (37) – $14MM mutual option with a $4MM buyout
Hanley Ramirez (31)
Mark Reynolds (32)
Pablo Sandoval (2
Kevin Youkilis (36)
Jack Hannahan (35) – $4MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Chase Headley (31)
Kelly Johnson (33)
Donnie Murphy (32)
Nick Punto (37) – $2.75MM club/vesting option with a $250k buyout
Aramis Ramirez (37) – $14MM mutual option with a $4MM buyout
Hanley Ramirez (31)
Mark Reynolds (32)
Pablo Sandoval (2
Kevin Youkilis (36)
Left Fielders
Melky Cabrera (30)
Endy Chavez (37)
Nelson Cruz (34)
Chris Denorfia (34)
Jonny Gomes (34)
Tony Gwynn Jr. (32)
Scott Hairston (35)
Reed Johnson (3
Ryan Ludwick (36) – $9MM mutual option with a $4.5MM buyout
Nyjer Morgan (34)
Mike Morse (33)
Alfonso Soriano (39)
Josh Willingham (36)
Chris B. Young (31)
Delmon Young (29)
Endy Chavez (37)
Nelson Cruz (34)
Chris Denorfia (34)
Jonny Gomes (34)
Tony Gwynn Jr. (32)
Scott Hairston (35)
Reed Johnson (3
Ryan Ludwick (36) – $9MM mutual option with a $4.5MM buyout
Nyjer Morgan (34)
Mike Morse (33)
Alfonso Soriano (39)
Josh Willingham (36)
Chris B. Young (31)
Delmon Young (29)
Center Fielders
Emilio Bonifacio (30)
Endy Chavez (37)
Franklin Gutierrez (32)
Nyjer Morgan (34)
Colby Rasmus (2
Grady Sizemore (32)
Denard Span (31) – $9MM club option with a $500K buyout
Chris B. Young (31)
Endy Chavez (37)
Franklin Gutierrez (32)
Nyjer Morgan (34)
Colby Rasmus (2
Grady Sizemore (32)
Denard Span (31) – $9MM club option with a $500K buyout
Chris B. Young (31)
Right Fielders
Bobby Abreu (41)
Norichika Aoki (33)
Endy Chavez (37)
Tyler Colvin (29)
Nelson Cruz (34)
Michael Cuddyer (36)
Chris Denorfia (34)
Scott Hairston (35)
Torii Hunter (39)
Jason Kubel (33)
Nick Markakis (31) – $17.5MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout
Alex Rios (34) – $13.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Nate Schierholtz (31)
Ichiro Suzuki (41)
Yasmany Tomas (24)
Chris B. Young (31)
Norichika Aoki (33)
Endy Chavez (37)
Tyler Colvin (29)
Nelson Cruz (34)
Michael Cuddyer (36)
Chris Denorfia (34)
Scott Hairston (35)
Torii Hunter (39)
Jason Kubel (33)
Nick Markakis (31) – $17.5MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout
Alex Rios (34) – $13.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Nate Schierholtz (31)
Ichiro Suzuki (41)
Yasmany Tomas (24)
Chris B. Young (31)
Designated Hitters
Bobby Abreu (41)
Billy Butler (29) – $12.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Ryan Doumit (34)
Adam Dunn (35)
Jason Giambi (44)
Jonny Gomes (34)
Raul Ibanez (42)
Jason Kubel (33)
Adam Lind (31) – $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Victor Martinez (35)
Kendrys Morales (31)
Delmon Young (29)
Billy Butler (29) – $12.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Ryan Doumit (34)
Adam Dunn (35)
Jason Giambi (44)
Jonny Gomes (34)
Raul Ibanez (42)
Jason Kubel (33)
Adam Lind (31) – $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Victor Martinez (35)
Kendrys Morales (31)
Delmon Young (29)
Starting Pitchers
Brett Anderson (27) – $12MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout
Scott Baker (33)
Josh Beckett (35)
Chad Billingsley (30) – $14MM club option with a $3MM buyout
A.J. Burnett (3 – mutual option
Chris Capuano (36)
Bruce Chen (3 – $5.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Wei-Yin Chen (29) – $4.75MM club option with a $372K buyout
Kevin Correia (34)
Johnny Cueto (29) – $10MM club option with an $800K buyout
Ryan Dempster (3
Gavin Floyd (32)
Yovani Gallardo (29) – $13MM club option with a $600K buyout
Jason Hammel (32)
J.A. Happ (32) – $6.7MM club option
Aaron Harang (37)
Dan Haren (34) – $10MM player option
Roberto Hernandez (34)
Hisashi Iwakuma (34) – $7MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Josh Johnson (31) – $4MM club option
Kyle Kendrick (30)
Hiroki Kuroda (40)
Jon Lester (31)
Colby Lewis (35)
Francisco Liriano (31)
Paul Maholm (33)
Justin Masterson (30)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (34)
Brandon McCarthy (31)
Franklin Morales (29)
Brandon Morrow (30) – $10MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Felipe Paulino (31) – $4MM club option with a $250K buyout
Jake Peavy (34)
Wandy Rodriguez (36)
Ervin Santana (32)
Joe Saunders (34)
Max Scherzer (30)
James Shields (33)
Misael Siverio (24)
Kevin Slowey (31)
Carlos Villanueva (31)
Ryan Vogelsong (37)
Edinson Volquez (30)
Jerome Williams (33)
Randy Wolf (3
Chris Young (36)
Scott Baker (33)
Josh Beckett (35)
Chad Billingsley (30) – $14MM club option with a $3MM buyout
A.J. Burnett (3
– mutual optionChris Capuano (36)
Bruce Chen (3
– $5.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyoutWei-Yin Chen (29) – $4.75MM club option with a $372K buyout
Kevin Correia (34)
Johnny Cueto (29) – $10MM club option with an $800K buyout
Ryan Dempster (3
Gavin Floyd (32)
Yovani Gallardo (29) – $13MM club option with a $600K buyout
Jason Hammel (32)
J.A. Happ (32) – $6.7MM club option
Aaron Harang (37)
Dan Haren (34) – $10MM player option
Roberto Hernandez (34)
Hisashi Iwakuma (34) – $7MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Josh Johnson (31) – $4MM club option
Kyle Kendrick (30)
Hiroki Kuroda (40)
Jon Lester (31)
Colby Lewis (35)
Francisco Liriano (31)
Paul Maholm (33)
Justin Masterson (30)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (34)
Brandon McCarthy (31)
Franklin Morales (29)
Brandon Morrow (30) – $10MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Felipe Paulino (31) – $4MM club option with a $250K buyout
Jake Peavy (34)
Wandy Rodriguez (36)
Ervin Santana (32)
Joe Saunders (34)
Max Scherzer (30)
James Shields (33)
Misael Siverio (24)
Kevin Slowey (31)
Carlos Villanueva (31)
Ryan Vogelsong (37)
Edinson Volquez (30)
Jerome Williams (33)
Randy Wolf (3
Chris Young (36)
Closers
Jason Grilli (3
LaTroy Hawkins (42) – $2.25MM club option with a $250K buyout
Casey Janssen (33)
David Robertson (30)
Francisco Rodriguez (33)
Sergio Romo (32)
Rafael Soriano (35) – $14MM vesting/club option
Huston Street (31) – $7MM club option
Koji Uehara (40)
LaTroy Hawkins (42) – $2.25MM club option with a $250K buyout
Casey Janssen (33)
David Robertson (30)
Francisco Rodriguez (33)
Sergio Romo (32)
Rafael Soriano (35) – $14MM vesting/club option
Huston Street (31) – $7MM club option
Koji Uehara (40)
Right-Handed Relievers
Mike Adams (36) – $6MM club option
Matt Albers (32) – $3MM club option with $200K buyout
Burke Badenhop (32)
Andrew Bailey (31)
Ronald Belisario (32)
Matt Belisle (34)
Heath Bell (37)
Jared Burton (34) – $3.6MM club option with a $200K buyout
Joba Chamberlain (29)
Jesse Crain (34)
Kyle Farnsworth (39)
Jason Frasor (3
Kyuji Fujikawa (34) – $5.5MM club/vesting option with a $500K buyout
Luke Gregerson (31)
Matt Guerrier (36)
Luke Hochevar (31)
Jim Johnson (32)
Matt Lindstrom (35)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (34)
Dustin McGowan (32) – $4MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jason Motte (33)
Pat Neshek (34)
Darren O’Day (32) – $4.25MM club option with a $400K buyout
Juan Carlos Oviedo (33)
Joel Peralta (39) – $2.5MM club option
Chris Perez (29)
J.J. Putz (3
Sergio Santos (31) – $6MM club option with a $750K buyout
Joakim Soria (30) – $7MM club option with a $500K buyout
Kevin Slowey (31)
Jose Veras (34)
Brian Wilson (33) – $9MM player option
Jamey Wright (40)
Matt Albers (32) – $3MM club option with $200K buyout
Burke Badenhop (32)
Andrew Bailey (31)
Ronald Belisario (32)
Matt Belisle (34)
Heath Bell (37)
Jared Burton (34) – $3.6MM club option with a $200K buyout
Joba Chamberlain (29)
Jesse Crain (34)
Kyle Farnsworth (39)
Jason Frasor (3
Kyuji Fujikawa (34) – $5.5MM club/vesting option with a $500K buyout
Luke Gregerson (31)
Matt Guerrier (36)
Luke Hochevar (31)
Jim Johnson (32)
Matt Lindstrom (35)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (34)
Dustin McGowan (32) – $4MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jason Motte (33)
Pat Neshek (34)
Darren O’Day (32) – $4.25MM club option with a $400K buyout
Juan Carlos Oviedo (33)
Joel Peralta (39) – $2.5MM club option
Chris Perez (29)
J.J. Putz (3
Sergio Santos (31) – $6MM club option with a $750K buyout
Joakim Soria (30) – $7MM club option with a $500K buyout
Kevin Slowey (31)
Jose Veras (34)
Brian Wilson (33) – $9MM player option
Jamey Wright (40)
Left-Handed Relievers
Joe Beimel (3
Craig Breslow (34) – $4MM club option with a $100K buyout
Sean Burnett (32) – $4.5MM club/vesting option with a $500K buyout
Phil Coke (32)
Neal Cotts (35)
Scott Downs (39)
Zach Duke (32)
Tom Gorzelanny (32)
Andrew Miller (30)
Franklin Morales (29)
Joe Thatcher (33)
Craig Breslow (34) – $4MM club option with a $100K buyout
Sean Burnett (32) – $4.5MM club/vesting option with a $500K buyout
Phil Coke (32)
Neal Cotts (35)
Scott Downs (39)
Zach Duke (32)
Tom Gorzelanny (32)
Andrew Miller (30)
Franklin Morales (29)
Joe Thatcher (33)
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2015 Salary Projections..... Without any Free Agent Signings
View media item 1199680
I think that they'll have a budget of $60 mil to spend. We could have $65mil if we just pony up and give Robertson $10mil / year instead of chancing it with the Qualifying Offer.
$65mil could buy an Ace (Jon Lester) , David Robertson, Re-sign Chris Young for the bench, bring up a cheap rookie either in the pen or from the infield.
Leaves us $25-26mil to re-sign Headley , and look for a replacement at SS & RF or both
View media item 1199680
I think that they'll have a budget of $60 mil to spend. We could have $65mil if we just pony up and give Robertson $10mil / year instead of chancing it with the Qualifying Offer.
$65mil could buy an Ace (Jon Lester) , David Robertson, Re-sign Chris Young for the bench, bring up a cheap rookie either in the pen or from the infield.
Leaves us $25-26mil to re-sign Headley , and look for a replacement at SS & RF or both
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T0INE
formerly toine2983
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Damn you put in work E.
Will read through everything....eventually.
Will read through everything....eventually.
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Nice work E 
I got something to read at work tonight.
I got something to read at work tonight.
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Puts any thread I've made over the years to shame . Sick work dude. Will start reading later tonight.
Opened the spoiler in the first post...
View media item 1199931
. Sick work dude. Will start reading later tonight.Opened the spoiler in the first post...
View media item 1199931
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:x :x
essential1
sick work dude reading now
essential1
sick work dude reading now
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Will read soon on my lunch break
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Great work
essential1
you should be doing this for a living
I agree with a lot of what you said. Headley deserves to be back next season, Cashman has to make him the official 3rd baseman while substituting A-Rod on some days for relief. I say they focus their offseason attention on the SS and SP positions.
essential1
you should be doing this for a living I agree with a lot of what you said. Headley deserves to be back next season, Cashman has to make him the official 3rd baseman while substituting A-Rod on some days for relief. I say they focus their offseason attention on the SS and SP positions.
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Thanks for the love guys.... Was a **** load of work, don't know if I ever want to do it again.... I hope we can have some substantive discussion over what I wrote because that's why I did it.
Anybody ready to watch Future Yankee Jon Lester tonight? Fully expect him to give up 7 runs in 3 IP now.
Anybody ready to watch Future Yankee Jon Lester tonight? Fully expect him to give up 7 runs in 3 IP now.
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Still trying to cope
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Great work E
Allow me to be the first to welcome back our hero, Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez
View media item 1201645View media item 1201647View media item 1201648View media item 1201666View media item 1201665
Possible new QB for the Jets...
View media item 1201649
Allow me to be the first to welcome back our hero, Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez
View media item 1201645View media item 1201647View media item 1201648View media item 1201666View media item 1201665
Possible new QB for the Jets...
View media item 1201649
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Excellent job OP.
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Yo Ess you just beasted with this 
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What player would you go after for both?
SP obviously from Free Agency
SS could be from either FA or trade. If trade, who would you be willing to give up?
I assume you would platoon Ichiro & Chris Young in RF. Assuming Ichiro doesn't retire. Back up plan one of those lesser guys in RF that I mentioned.
I actually like this idea, may come at a price in 2015 though due to lack of offense, but is actually a smart move in terms of not over-committing to someone you don't want for a while. I.e. Melky or Cruz. Both guys who would be great to have, but cause issue down the line.
Also could have Beltran be a more permanent DH, and get maybe 1 game a week in Right Field. Ichiro & Young could then share 140 games in RF, and pinch hitting opportunities.
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T0INE
formerly toine2983
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I don't want Chris Young and I don't think we bring Ichiro back. He wants to play more games.
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As Yankees head into offseason, here are five must-make moves to get them back to playoffs
What do they need to do with the rest in order to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2012? Here are five ideas.
BY MARK FEINSAND NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 12:07 AM A A A
The Yankees found a way to get by with four of their five starters on the disabled list for most of the season, but the Bombers’ limp lineup doomed them to 84 wins and a second straight dark October in the Bronx.
With 10 players already under contract for $168.7 million, about a half-dozen eligible for arbitration and another four or five players still making close to the minimum, the Yankees have nearly 20 roster spots essentially locked up for 2015.
What do they need to do with the rest in order to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2012? Here are five ideas.
1. SIGN YASMANI TOMAS
The Yankees jumped back into the international free-agent pool with both feet last winter, signing Masahiro Tanaka for $175 million. They should do it again, going all-in for 23-year-old Cuban Yasmani Tomas, a power-hitting corner outfielder.
The list of recent Cuban imports has been impressive, most notably Jose Abreu, Aroldis Chapman, Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes. Baseball America rated Tomas’ power a 70 on the 20-80 scale, while one scout that has seen him said he has the potential to be an impact hitter at the big-league level, though he might need a little seasoning at Triple-A first.
With Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Carlos Beltran all signed, the outfield appears set. But Beltran — even if he stays healthy — could see a lot of at-bats at designated hitter, opening playing time in right field for Tomas.
Tomas’ price tag could exceed $100 million, but just as the chance to add a 25-year-old ace like Tanaka was too enticing to pass up, acquiring a young slugger should be equally appealing. If the Yankees are serious about getting younger, this is the only way to do it.
2. RE-SIGN DAVID ROBERTSON
The bullpen was a strength for the Yankees this season, thanks largely to David Robertson’s seamless transition to the closer’s role in the post-Mariano Rivera era. Dellin Betances’ breakout season has many rushing to push Robertson out the door, but that would be a huge mistake.
As good as Rivera was all those years, he benefited from having strong set-up men such as Jeff Nelson, Tom Gordon, Rafael Soriano and Robertson. Betances and Robertson provide a devastating 1-2 punch that rivals any in the sport. What’s the rush to break it up?
Give Robertson — now the second-longest tenured Yankee behind Brett Gardner, not including the suspended Alex Rodriguez — a three-year deal, then Betances can take over in the ninth in 2018 at the age of 29. Nobody else in the bullpen makes much money, so this unit can be reasonably priced even with a new deal for Robertson.
3. RE-SIGN BRANDON McCARTHY AND CHASE HEADLEY
When Brian Cashman acquired the two veterans in July, they seemed like nothing more than short-term rentals. But McCarthy went 7-5 with a 2.89 ERA, stepping in for the injured Tanaka as the de facto ace, his ground ball style a perfect fit for Yankee Stadium. Forget Max Scherzer, Jon Lester or James Shields, save your money for offense and bring McCarthy back to slide in behind Tanaka and Michael Pineda.
The Yankees have made it clear they expect Rodriguez to play third base, while Mark Teixeira will return at first base. But it’s unreasonable to expect either of them to play 150 games in the field, leaving plenty of time for Headley — who hit .262/.371/.398 with six homers and 17 RBI in 58 games — at both corner spots.
4. DON'T SPEND BIG ON SHORTSTOP
There are plenty of free-agent shortstops available this winter, most notably Hanley Ramirez, J.J. Hardy, Asdrubal Cabrera and Stephen Drew. Finding Derek Jeter’s replacement is only an eight-figure check away.
Asdrubal Cabrera, 29, should only come to the Bronx if the Yanks can get a reasonable price.
But giving an injury-prone player such as Ramirez a huge contract makes no sense, and while Hardy’s power would be a good fit in the Bronx, he’s had some back issues and will likely command a four-year deal that takes him past age 35.
Cabrera will be 29, coming off two subpar seasons. If he can be signed at a reasonable price, it could make sense. If not, look into bringing Drew back or even stick with slick-fielding Brendan Ryan, who is signed for $2 million.
5. GIVE THE KIDS A CHANCE
Homegrown players such as Betances, Robertson, Gardner, Adam Warren, David Phelps, Ivan Nova, Francisco Cervelli, John Ryan Murphy, Chase Whitley and Shane Greene have all contributed during the past year or two. The Yankees need that trend to continue, giving youngsters including Rob Refsnyder, Jose Pirela, Tyler Webb and Jacob Lindgren a shot to make the club next spring rather than spending on veteran bench players and relievers.
What do they need to do with the rest in order to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2012? Here are five ideas.
BY MARK FEINSAND NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 12:07 AM A A A
The Yankees found a way to get by with four of their five starters on the disabled list for most of the season, but the Bombers’ limp lineup doomed them to 84 wins and a second straight dark October in the Bronx.
With 10 players already under contract for $168.7 million, about a half-dozen eligible for arbitration and another four or five players still making close to the minimum, the Yankees have nearly 20 roster spots essentially locked up for 2015.
What do they need to do with the rest in order to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2012? Here are five ideas.
1. SIGN YASMANI TOMAS
The Yankees jumped back into the international free-agent pool with both feet last winter, signing Masahiro Tanaka for $175 million. They should do it again, going all-in for 23-year-old Cuban Yasmani Tomas, a power-hitting corner outfielder.
The list of recent Cuban imports has been impressive, most notably Jose Abreu, Aroldis Chapman, Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes. Baseball America rated Tomas’ power a 70 on the 20-80 scale, while one scout that has seen him said he has the potential to be an impact hitter at the big-league level, though he might need a little seasoning at Triple-A first.
With Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Carlos Beltran all signed, the outfield appears set. But Beltran — even if he stays healthy — could see a lot of at-bats at designated hitter, opening playing time in right field for Tomas.
Tomas’ price tag could exceed $100 million, but just as the chance to add a 25-year-old ace like Tanaka was too enticing to pass up, acquiring a young slugger should be equally appealing. If the Yankees are serious about getting younger, this is the only way to do it.
2. RE-SIGN DAVID ROBERTSON
The bullpen was a strength for the Yankees this season, thanks largely to David Robertson’s seamless transition to the closer’s role in the post-Mariano Rivera era. Dellin Betances’ breakout season has many rushing to push Robertson out the door, but that would be a huge mistake.
As good as Rivera was all those years, he benefited from having strong set-up men such as Jeff Nelson, Tom Gordon, Rafael Soriano and Robertson. Betances and Robertson provide a devastating 1-2 punch that rivals any in the sport. What’s the rush to break it up?
Give Robertson — now the second-longest tenured Yankee behind Brett Gardner, not including the suspended Alex Rodriguez — a three-year deal, then Betances can take over in the ninth in 2018 at the age of 29. Nobody else in the bullpen makes much money, so this unit can be reasonably priced even with a new deal for Robertson.
3. RE-SIGN BRANDON McCARTHY AND CHASE HEADLEY
When Brian Cashman acquired the two veterans in July, they seemed like nothing more than short-term rentals. But McCarthy went 7-5 with a 2.89 ERA, stepping in for the injured Tanaka as the de facto ace, his ground ball style a perfect fit for Yankee Stadium. Forget Max Scherzer, Jon Lester or James Shields, save your money for offense and bring McCarthy back to slide in behind Tanaka and Michael Pineda.
The Yankees have made it clear they expect Rodriguez to play third base, while Mark Teixeira will return at first base. But it’s unreasonable to expect either of them to play 150 games in the field, leaving plenty of time for Headley — who hit .262/.371/.398 with six homers and 17 RBI in 58 games — at both corner spots.
4. DON'T SPEND BIG ON SHORTSTOP
There are plenty of free-agent shortstops available this winter, most notably Hanley Ramirez, J.J. Hardy, Asdrubal Cabrera and Stephen Drew. Finding Derek Jeter’s replacement is only an eight-figure check away.
Asdrubal Cabrera, 29, should only come to the Bronx if the Yanks can get a reasonable price.
But giving an injury-prone player such as Ramirez a huge contract makes no sense, and while Hardy’s power would be a good fit in the Bronx, he’s had some back issues and will likely command a four-year deal that takes him past age 35.
Cabrera will be 29, coming off two subpar seasons. If he can be signed at a reasonable price, it could make sense. If not, look into bringing Drew back or even stick with slick-fielding Brendan Ryan, who is signed for $2 million.
5. GIVE THE KIDS A CHANCE
Homegrown players such as Betances, Robertson, Gardner, Adam Warren, David Phelps, Ivan Nova, Francisco Cervelli, John Ryan Murphy, Chase Whitley and Shane Greene have all contributed during the past year or two. The Yankees need that trend to continue, giving youngsters including Rob Refsnyder, Jose Pirela, Tyler Webb and Jacob Lindgren a shot to make the club next spring rather than spending on veteran bench players and relievers.
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I'm fine with what Feinsand wrote until I saw forget Lester, Scherzer & Shields.
3 Aces hit the market one without a draft pick attached, you don't forget about it. You have to make a splash especially with Tanaka, Pineda & CC all having risk.
McCarthy has been great but if one of Tanaka or Pineda go down. Year 3 of no playoff. And if we do make the playoffs we're not strong enough in our rotation to go anywhere
Tanaka - I'm not worried about the tear, but god forbid it gives out.. Huge question mark
Pineda - A walking question mark. Great when he's out there, but you never know how long
CC - Old and Injury Prone. What if he comes back and is down another notch
Phelps - Inconsistent. Not the type of pitcher who will have much success in Yankee Stadium.
Nova - We have no idea what we are getting back
Greene - Pitched well, looked like a back end starter, but what if it was a fluke.
No problem with bringing back McCarthy, but at the risk of Lester or Scherzer, it's a bad move. That pitching staff will still miss the playoffs, and the Yankees have to realize that the fan base is loyal, but they won't come to the games to watch a team hover around .500
Lester or Scherzer
Tanaka
Pineda
CC
McCarthy
Greene
is infinitely better than
Tanaka
Pineda
CC
McCarthy
Greene
Phelps
3 Aces hit the market one without a draft pick attached, you don't forget about it. You have to make a splash especially with Tanaka, Pineda & CC all having risk.
McCarthy has been great but if one of Tanaka or Pineda go down. Year 3 of no playoff. And if we do make the playoffs we're not strong enough in our rotation to go anywhere
Tanaka - I'm not worried about the tear, but god forbid it gives out.. Huge question mark
Pineda - A walking question mark. Great when he's out there, but you never know how long
CC - Old and Injury Prone. What if he comes back and is down another notch
Phelps - Inconsistent. Not the type of pitcher who will have much success in Yankee Stadium.
Nova - We have no idea what we are getting back
Greene - Pitched well, looked like a back end starter, but what if it was a fluke.
No problem with bringing back McCarthy, but at the risk of Lester or Scherzer, it's a bad move. That pitching staff will still miss the playoffs, and the Yankees have to realize that the fan base is loyal, but they won't come to the games to watch a team hover around .500
Lester or Scherzer
Tanaka
Pineda
CC
McCarthy
Greene
is infinitely better than
Tanaka
Pineda
CC
McCarthy
Greene
Phelps
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Lester or Scherzer
Tanaka
Pineda
CC
McCarthy
Greene
Along with our Pen gives us by far the best pitching staff in the majors
Bring back Headley and add Asdrubal Cabrera along with Tomas , Cruz or Melky we go from no postseason this year to huge favorites to win it all next season.
Tanaka
Pineda
CC
McCarthy
Greene
Along with our Pen gives us by far the best pitching staff in the majors
Bring back Headley and add Asdrubal Cabrera along with Tomas , Cruz or Melky we go from no postseason this year to huge favorites to win it all next season.
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Feinsand suggestion.. In terms of salary $231.798mil to field a team that is a 50/50 to make the playoffs.
Not worth it to justify passing on Aces when you need an Ace. Hell I'd rather you go Chris Young and Michael Cuddyer in RF next year than Tomas to acquire an Ace.
Yankees have a mess, but they need to bite the bullet and go with a $240-250mil payroll for 2015 and just bring back the same team in 2016. Then watch CC, Teix, Beltran & Prado expire after 2016. A-Rod after 2017. At that point then you can control your payroll a bit.
Not worth it to justify passing on Aces when you need an Ace. Hell I'd rather you go Chris Young and Michael Cuddyer in RF next year than Tomas to acquire an Ace.
Yankees have a mess, but they need to bite the bullet and go with a $240-250mil payroll for 2015 and just bring back the same team in 2016. Then watch CC, Teix, Beltran & Prado expire after 2016. A-Rod after 2017. At that point then you can control your payroll a bit.
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Still trying to cope
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