my 09 yankee roster

by jersey_shore_yankee on Aug 19, 2008 10:57 AM EDT Comment 34 comments

Coming off the books:

(salaries from http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/salaries?team=nyy)

Jason Giambi $23, 428, 571
Bobby Abreu $16, 000, 000
Richie Sexson $15, 500, 000
Ivan Rodriguez $12, 379, 883
Carl Pavano - $11, 000, 000

----------------------------------------- = 78,308,454

Rotation:

CC Sabbathia - 20,000,000

Chien-Ming Wang - Arbitration (5,000,000?)

Joba Chamberlain - Arbitration (750,000?)

Ben Sheets - 17,500,000

Phil Hughes - Arbitration (500,000?)

Total: 37,000,000 + (6,250,000?) = 43,250,000??

Starting Lineup

C Jorge Posada - 13,100,000

1B Hideki Matsui - 13,000,000

2B Robinson Cano - 6,000,000

3B Alex Rodriguez - 32,000,000

SS Derek Jeter - 20,000,000

LF Xavier Nady - (8,000,000?)

CF Johnny Damon - 13,000,000

RF Bobby Abreu - (15,000,000?)

DH Manny Rameriz - (20,000,000?)

Total: 97,100,000 + (43,000,000) = 140,100,000

Bench:

C Jose Molina - 2,000,000

SS Cody Ranson - (450,000?)

CF Melky Cabrera - (500,000?)

OF Justin Christian - (450,000?)

Total: 2,000,000 + (1,400,000?) = 3,400,000

Bullpen:

CU Mariano River - 15,000,000

SU Francisco Rodriguez - (15,000,000?)

SU Edwar Ramirez - (500,000?)

MR Jose Veras - (500,000?)

MR Brian Bruney - (1,000,000?)

MR Damaso Marte - 6,000,000

LR Dan Giese - (500,000?)

Total: 21,000,000 + (17,500,000?) = 38,500,000

Team Payroll = 225,250,000 up from 207,108,489 (+ 18,141,511)

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Hideki Matsui at first? I think we might want to consider Giambino’s option.

Where is Brett Gardner?

F Manny.

"The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." -Casey Stengel

by bxgrl1 on Aug 19, 2008 12:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sorry jersey shore...

that’s two people now that want to throw money at ben sheets despite his laundry list of DL stints, and that think K-Rod would accept a set up role- neither will happen. Matsui at 1B? Based on what? And where’s Moose?

CC is very possible, even though i’m still not sure how I feel about it… and if they’re gonna throw $20 mil at a hitter— let it be texeira, not a 36 year-old problem child.

PS. The Yanks are only on the hook for about $300k for Sexson, and Pudge’s number is pro-rated to less than half that.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Aug 19, 2008 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree about Sheets and Moose. And what about Andy? Something tells me he might want to come back and if they can’t reel in someone big, he will be considered (even IF…the organization has a tendency to stand behind certain players esp the championship players like Andy).

I have no idea how Matsui ends up at first base. I can’t even imagine that beginning to work.

"The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." -Casey Stengel

by bxgrl1 on Aug 19, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point. if andy wants back, he’s back.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Aug 19, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A few corrections

Rotation:

CC Sabbathia – 20,000,000
Chien-Ming Wang – Arbitration (5,000,000?)
Joba Chamberlain – 750,000 (no arbitration until 3 yrs service)
Andy Pettitte – 16,000,000
Phil Hughes – 500,000

Total: 42,250,000??

Starting Lineup

C Jorge Posada – 13,100,000
1B Jason Giambi- 10,000,000 – 1 year deal
2B Robinson Cano – 6,000,000
3B Alex Rodriguez – 32,000,000
SS Derek Jeter – 20,000,000
LF Johnny Damon – 13,000,000
CF Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner in spring training, Austin Jackson in July- 500,000 average
RF Xavier Nady – (8,000,000?)

DH Hideki Matsui – $13,000,000

Totals: 115,600,000??

Bench:

C Jose Molina – 2,000,000
SS Cody Ranson – (380,000?)
CF Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner – (500,000?)
OF Justin Christian – (450,000?)

Total: 3,300,000

Bullpen:

CU Mariano River – 15,000,000
SU Edwar Ramirez – (500,000?)
SU Jose Veras – (500,000?)
MR Brian Bruney – (1,000,000?)
MR David Robertson – $400,000
MR Mark Melancon – $400,000
LR Darrell Rasner $1,000,000

Total: 18,000,000

Team Payroll = 179,150,000 down from 207,108,489 ( – 27,958,511)

What is the love with K-Rod?? I wouldn’t take him for $5 million per year. His strikeout rate has dropped considerably, and his walk rate has increased. “Saves” are a joke statistic. Whichever idiot GM signs him to a 6 year, $90 million dollar deal is going to feel a lot like the Giants do now about Barry Zito.

by 3460kuri on Aug 19, 2008 2:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Where's Moose?

Unless he retires (and I don’t think he will) we are almost obligated to bring him back. And frankly, the way he’s pitched this season, we need to bring him back. Without Moose, we’d be near the cellar, Joe would be out on his ass, and Billy Martin would be back at the helm.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 19, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

very true

so do you do think they sign Moose to a two year deal?

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Aug 19, 2008 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think ...

they’ll do a Pettitte-like deal with him a one year with a player option for a second. I think Moose is a realist and won’t shoot for the moon.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 19, 2008 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that would be

my feeling on it too… i guess it depends on whether or not he wants to stay. seems like some club may offer a multi-year deal based on this season. i am sure the yanks would balk at that… so it’ll come down to where he wants to pitch..

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Aug 19, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Moose absolutely has to come back. He’s going to get 20 wins this year and his SO to BB ratio is almost as sick as the movement on his pitches. If we dont re-sign him, Cash is half retarded.

I agree 110% with 3460kuri about K-Rod. Guys a joke.

Brett Gardner has to be in the line-up somewhere. Matsui can’t play first. Don’t be suprised if Austin Jackson gets the nod before Melky either. I don’t like Manny but I’ll take him, just because he wants to hurt the Red Sox and I like to see them hurt.

by krizzwhite on Aug 19, 2008 6:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

why are we even talking

about bringing Giambi back?

he’s had a solid year, and I tip my cap to him for it, but he’s got to go. got to.

by DocBrown82 on Aug 20, 2008 12:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

People who even consider bringing Giambi back should have their head examined.

by anaconda on Aug 20, 2008 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Giambi ...

Last night the camera showed a unique Toronto shift in which they were giving Giambi the entire left side of the infield. The entire left side! He couldn’t, or refuses to bunt, roll, hit the ball to the left.

Granted Burnett was on his game, but Giambi is a professional hitter who should adjust—especially when he’s hitting .250.

Giambi can’t leave fast enough for me.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 20, 2008 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

uh, what do you have against solid players, assuming the right price?

Giambi’s been the third most productive Yankee position player this year, behind ARod and Damon.

For next year, Cano is probably just as valuable. But Abreu’s offensive contributions get negated by his inability to field. Same with Matsui. And while Nady is nice, Giambi’s bat is much better (look at the OBP and SLG and consider Nady’s having a career year.)

I would rather have Giambi DH than play 1B (hello, Mark), but there’s a good chance Posada needs a non-CA position. Giambi’s not a must-have, but he’s still a very good player, regardless of what his AVG reads.

my blog // calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy // past results do not guarantee future performance

by Sky Kalkman on Aug 20, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let Giambi walk

And Abreu too.

This team has to get younger and that can’t happen when you bring back 35 and 37 year old players in steep decline. That would be completely moronic.

Frankly, I’m amazed Giambi stayed healthy all season because it’s something he hadn’t done in years. They need to cut these ties and become a younger, more energetic, more flexible and a better defensive team next season.

by anaconda on Aug 20, 2008 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

getting better defensively is priority number one, i agree

my blog // calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy // past results do not guarantee future performance

by Sky Kalkman on Aug 21, 2008 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you nuts about Giambi??

Giambi has the 6th best OPS among the 24 first basement who qualify for the batting title this year.

#1-#3 are Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman, and Kevin Youkilis. None of them are going anywhere. 4th place is Mark Texerira. It’s going to take $20 million per year for 6-8, maybe even 10, years to sign him. That sounds awfully similar to that big contract Giambi signed in ‘02 that you hate. 5th place is Justin Morneau. He isn’t going anywhere. 7th place is Prince Fielder. If the Brewers trade him (which they might), what are they going to ask for in return? Hughes, Melancon, and Cano? 8th and 9th place are Miguel Cabrera and Adrian Gonzalez, both of whom are sign to long term deals. 10th is Conor Jackson who the Diamonbacks aren’t trading. Carlos Pena is #11, and he’s locked up (and fits the same statistical profile of Giambi, which you hate), #12 is Derrek Lee, who is signed long term with the Cubs, #13 is Carlos Delgago, who is old and mediocre. I could continue but the list starts to get really ugly from there.

Do you want to experiment with Shelley Duncan again??

by 3460kuri on Aug 20, 2008 10:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Two options for next year, as I see it,

neither of which involves Giambi or Shelley Duncan — depending on whether or not Posada can catch next year. (I’m also assuming we don’t get Teixeira and we let Abreu walk.)

C Molina/Pudge/someone else
1B Posada
2B Cano
3B A-Rod
SS Jeter
LF Damon
CF Melky/Gardner/A-Jax
RF Nady
DH Matsui

Option 2

C Posada/Molina
1B Damon
2B Cano
3B A-Rod
SS Jeter
LF whoever
CF Melky/Gardner/A-Jax
RF Nady
DH Matsui

by DocBrown82 on Aug 20, 2008 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But both of those are a downgrade

compared to an offense that has Giambi in it.

One of the real strengths of the Yankees over the past decade is that they’ve had strong offensive players at many of the up-the-middle defensive position – SS, 2B, C, CF. Good offensive players who play those positions are at a premium, and not easy to replace.

So if we move Posada to first base, we must find a catcher who can hit (hint: it isn’t Jose Molina, and Ivan Rodriguez is going to be 38 next year). I don’t think the Twins are trading Joe Maurer any time soon. Plus, while Posada is an excellent hitter for a catcher, he’d merely be a “good” hitter as a first baseman. So, we’d be downgrading two positions offensively. Now, the day may come when Posada simply cannot catch anymore, and when that happens, so be it, but I don’t think we’re there yet.

I think moving Damon to first base sort of causes the same problem – he’s a lesser hitter than Giambi is by every measure (OBP, SLG, VORP, etc), and we’d need to find somebody to replace Damon in left field.

Money is no object to the Yankees, however, if they don’t spend it wisely, they can put themsevles in a real mess. That’s why I think it’s really, really smart for them to pursue short-term deals (i.e. Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte) short-term salary dumps (Abreu for 2 years, the proposed deal for Jarrod Washborn), and short term deals to older veterans (Giambi), because none of these deals can hamstring you 6 years down the line.

Simply put, Giambi is the 2nd best free agent first basement statistically, just a tick below Texeira, and you’ll probably be able to sign Giambi for 1/5 or 1/6 of what Texeria will sign for. You’ll need to find a new first basement in two years at the most, however, the teams that signs Texeira could win up wishing they were in that position two years from now (Todd Helton anyone??)

by 3460kuri on Aug 21, 2008 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This has nothing to do with money

It’s about age, lack of energy, and a lack of flexibility.

The Yanks absolutely cannot go into next season with 7 players in their everyday lineup who are 34 and up (Jeter, A-Rod, Damon, Matsui, Posada, Giambi, and Abreu). Why would you essentially bring back the same team that horrendously underachieved this season?

Giambi and Abreu can be replaced. The time is now to let them go with their contracts due to expire.

They have no choice but to get younger and more flexible or we’ll see more of the same next year from this underachieving offense – not to mention a terrible defense on top of it.

by anaconda on Aug 21, 2008 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

It is about age, lack of energy, and a lack of flexibility. But you’re assuming that there are actually adequate replacements on the market, available at reasonable costs.

I don’t think there are.

Abreu is gone, and we have an adequate replacement (Nady), so I’m not worried about that. Giambi, however, is another story. Say what you want about his bad defense and his low batting average, he’s still put up an .885 OPS this year, which is still good for 6th best among first baseman.

While Mark Texeira would be an excellent replacement, is it worth signing him to a 6, 8, maybe a 10 year deal, for as much as $20 million per year? Because that’s kind of how we got into the mess in the first place – we signed Giambi to a 7 year deal. The player is good, but the acquisition cost is terribly high. Plus, in 5 years, we’ll have another old, immobile first baseman that we’re stuck with.

The Brewers may trade Prince Fielder, who would be an excellent replacement, but again, at what cost? Is it worth giving up Hughes and Austin Jackson plus others, for potentially only 2 years of Fielder (he has two arbitration years left)? His offensive numbers are roughly similar to Giambi’s, but could he possible be worse on defnese? He does weight something like 280 lbs.

Those are the only first basemen of similar or better skill that I see on the market this offseason. Both have high acquisition costs, and I’m arguing that those costs don’t compensate for whatever edge they have over Giambi (younger, better defense, etc).

Our first basemen for the next ten years is still unknown, we’re dealing with stopgaps until we either draft him or trade for somebody like Albert Pujols. Giambi comes at the lowest cost (no prospects, short term contract) and looking strictly at 2009, that makes the most sense. Signing somebody like Doug Mientcewitz would improve our defense slightly and reduce our offense significantly – a net loss. Moving Posada from catcher to first base would give us less offense out of 1st base and less out of catcher – a net loss.

I realize what your saying about underacheiving, but let’s lay blame where blame is due. The real guys who have underacheived this year are Cano, Cabrera, Hughes, Kennedy, and Jeter.

by 3460kuri on Aug 21, 2008 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget Arod

his numbers are way down this year.

Granted, it’s tough to match what he did last year, but if he was close to those numbers the Yankees would be closer to the playoffs.

"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death

by matthaggs on Aug 21, 2008 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re:

There is no need to replace that .885 OPS all at first base. And I wouldn’t touch Prince Fielder.

They can more than make up the OPS difference with a decent season out of A-Rod, healthy seasons out of Matsui and Posada, and a much better season out of Cano (although I’d trade him – but that’s an argument for a different day).

Let’s be honest here, this team wouldn’t be replacing A-Rod or Albert Pujols. They would be replacing a 37 year old DH who happens to play a sub-standard 1B out of necessity who hasn’t strung together two healthy seasons since his first two years in pinstripes.

He hasn’t been consistent this season at all. He had a great 5 or 6 weeks but has produced very little otherwise. He hasn’t hit with RISP to save his life this season. And yes, I know others haven’t as well – but they aren’t 37 years old with a contract expiring at the end of the year.

Giambi can be replaced and will be replaced. I think people often read too much into stats and don’t see the overall picture. Giambi is part of the problem with the Yanks lack of youth, energy, flexibility, and a lack of defense – not part of the solution.

by anaconda on Aug 21, 2008 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll have to agree to disagree

I think it’s somewhat contradictory to say we should dump a player with an .885 OPS because he’s “old and inflexible” and then say we can more than make up for it by relying even more heavily on other “old and inflexible” players.

A-Rod is having a fine season – 2007 was a career year for one of the all-time greats, nobody can be expected to replicate that year after year. Cano should improve upon this season next year, and I still think it’s foolish to trade him at this point, especially coming off of a career-worst season. However, I don’t think we can really count on more than 240 games between Posada and Matsui next year, and even that might be optimistic.

Getting younger is a gradual process. And I’ll clarify, we want to get younger while continuing to field a competitive team. Giambi is a “3 true outcomes player” – typically, he’ll either walk, strikeout, or hit a homerun. He’s terrible on the bases, lousy defensively – but the net result is that he is still a productive player. I’d love to replace him with a guy who walks, hits lots of doubles, and is good on the field. Who, though?

by 3460kuri on Aug 22, 2008 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not really

It’s not a contradictory position at all.

The reliance on players next season who are too old and inflexible are all under contract and most likely cannot be moved for one reason or another (health, high salary, no trade clause, etc).

I’d like to rid the team of as many said players as possible, but I understand that it’s going to be a gradual transition – which means they need to let Abreu and Giambi walk this season and Damon and Matsui walk next season.

Your position is to bring back one of those aging 37 year old bodies when they have a chance to get rid of him. I don’t agree with that at all and I’m betting Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner won’t either.

by anaconda on Aug 22, 2008 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To beat a dead horse....

I agree with your assessment of Giambi (for the most part). He’s slow on the bases and terrible on defense. He’s a dead pull hitter whose at-bats typically result in one of three things – a walk, a strikeout, or a home run. You don’t want him at the plate if you’re trying for a hit and run.

But you’re basically arguing that his age (38 on Opening Day 2009) along with these shortcomings render him essentially worthless as a ballplayer. You’re making this same argument against other older players (Damon, Matsui, Abreu). I think this is a mistake.

Every team would love to have athletic players who are solid on defense, run the bases well, and have a well-rounded approach at the plate. In actuality, very few of these players exist. Many of them are young and still in arbitration, signed long term to team-friendly contracts (or team unfriendly large, untradeable contracts).

The Yankees need a first baseman for 2009. The internal options (Shelley Duncan, Wilson Betemit, Juan Miranda) aren’t significant upgrades over Giambi, defensively or offensively. If you’re unwilling to pay $100+ million for Texiera (I’m on the fence about this one), you’re probably unwilling to empty the farm system to trade for Fielder (I’m definitely opposed). That leaves guys like Kevin Millar, Adam LaRoche, Dimitri Young, Chad Tracy, etc. None of them will come at a high cost, but you’ll get what you pay for.

We can only choose a first baseman out of the available pool of players. If Texiera and Fielder are out of the equation, who would you rather have at first base next year – Giambi, Kevin Millar, Adam LaRoche, Dimitri Young, Carlos Delgado, Shelley Duncan, or Wilson Betemit? That’s exactly what the Yankees will be asking themselves this offseason.

by 3460kuri on Aug 25, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's also a trade market as well

and we don’t know who might be available on that front.

Not to mention, Nady is a versatile guy who can play 1B – and has in the past. He wouldn’t be the everyday guy, but one who can play the position from time to time.

Also, Posada is a guy who might be forced to play 1B because he may not be able to catch everyday next season. And since Matsui is going to be the everyday DH – Posada will have to play somewhere if he can’t catch. That leaves first base.

I’m not suggesting Giambi is “worthless” per say because of his limited game and age, but I don’t think his positives outweigh the negatives any longer.

What I’m doing is looking at the long term ramifications of any transaction they make. Their top priority MUST be to get younger and more athletic because the everyday lineup is loaded with players 33 and up right now – seven, to be exact.

That’s not good and it’s part of the reason why this team is so inconsistent and lacks energy on an everyday basis. How many times have we seen this team essentially mail it in and look like they need to hibernate for a week or two? How many times have the Yanks dropped the first game of a series because they look half asleep after a travel day?

Age is an enormous factor on those fronts.

The game itself has changed dramatically over the last couple of years as a result of the steroid era and strict banishment of PEDs, HGH, and perhaps the biggest one – amphetamines or “greenies.”

Because of this enormous change in the sport, players who are 35 yrs old are aging like typical 35 year old players – not 30 year olds like many did a decade ago.

This is the very reason why every team is putting much more emphasis on the draft and developing young talent and less emphasis on FAs and long term contracts to aging talent. MLB has become a young man’s game very quickly.

In 2010, the Yanks will be guaranteed to have at least three everyday players who are 35 and up (A-Rod, Jeter, and Posada). What the Yanks need to do is balance the rest of the lineup with young talent and players closer to their 30th birthday or we are going to see more of the same inconsistent offense we’ve seen in 2008.

It wasn’t my intention to keep rambling on – but this is the primary reason why the aging vets have to go no matter what when the team has a chance to get rid of them. And Giambi is at the top of that list once this season is over.

by anaconda on Aug 25, 2008 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you expect ARod to have a higher OPS than he has this year, you're crazy.

he’s still been one of the top three most productive players in the AL with missing 20 games. (Sizemore is the clear #1 and Brian Roberts is right there with ARod.)

my blog // calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy // past results do not guarantee future performance

by Sky Kalkman on Aug 22, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Milwaukee

will almost certainly re-sign one of Sheets/Sabathia. but i’d prefer CC anyway. Burnett would be nice. so would Manny and Tex. that’s my dream list.

by Travis G on Aug 20, 2008 10:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

set sights lower

Injuries killed the team this year. Don’t go hog wild on the free agent market. Resign Pettitte and Moose. With Wang and Joba that is 4/5 of a rotation. If Hughes looks ready, then make him #5. Sign mid-level starter as insurance.

Bullpen is fine as is. Continue to develop the young pitchers.

I’d resign Pudge and have him and Molina split catching duties. Posada to 1b, Matsui to dh. Damon to lf.

I’d either pick up Abreu’s option or sign Dunn. Then I think the top order of business is to sign or trade for a centerfielder until Jackson is ready. I don’t know who’s available but it’s the biggest area where an upgrade is needed.

by stusviews on Aug 20, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

umm..

Dunn is exactly what we don’t need, no clutch hitting, low batting average but high walks.

Def resign Abreu, hes had a good year, and is important to that offense.

Choice #1:

Throw the money at Teixeira. The offense needs more punch, and he is the complete package with the 3 tools you look for in a 1st baseman (BA, power, and fielding)

Choice #2:

Resign Giambi for 2 years, and platoon him with a righty

Juan Miranda (Who has great numbers at AAA) becomes new first basemen in 2010 or 2011.

or Jesus Montero outgrows catcher and becomes first basemen in 2011

by postseasonpush on Aug 21, 2008 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

teixeira

I’d rather give money to Teixeira than to pay a fortune to Giambi who is usually the easiest out on the team

by jeterfan21 on Aug 21, 2008 7:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

easiest out? rank the Yankees' hitters by on-base percentage and see where Giambi falls

I don’t think anyone wants to pay Giambi a fortune. but at the right price, he’s still a productive hitter.

my blog // calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy // past results do not guarantee future performance

by Sky Kalkman on Aug 22, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

my version (minus salaries)

Rotation:

CC Sabathia (seven year deal, we have him until he’s 35)
Wang
Moose
Joba
Pettitte/Hughes/IPK

Bullpen:
Mariano, Edwar, Melancon. Some combination of Ohlendorf, Bruney, Marte, Giese.

Lineup:
C – Posada. There’s really no other choice when he’s healthy, but if his arm is dead move to DH/1B. We don’t resign Pudge and get compensatory draft pick.
1B – Texeira. If we resign Giambi/use the option we lose draft picks and have an overpriced 38 year old opening day.
2B – Cano. He signed a long term deal at the beginning of the season and I think that’s partly what messed him up in the first half.
3B – A-Rod
SS – Jeter
LF – Nady. Let Abreu walk he’s overpriced and old.
CF – Jackson/Gardner/Melky. My money is on Melky staying since we didn’t trade him earlier when his value was huge. He might open and then be traded. Jackson might stay in AAA for another year.
RF – Damon
DH – Matsui. Hopefully Posada lasts another year at catcher and we let Matsui walk after 09. Then in 2010 Posada either stays at catcher or moves to DH and lets Jesus Montero come up.

by tropmug on Aug 25, 2008 5:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs