The Ultimate Free-Agent Tracker
by GriffMan on Nov 20, 2009 8:38 AM EST
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Courtesy of that uber-yankee fan (note that statement is heaped with sarcasm), Jeff Passan
Top 10:
Here is the free-agent class of 2009-10, ranked from Nos. 1 to 131. The rankings are based on a number of variables, including each player’s history, age and potential, and are as much about predicted performance as market value, providing a general outline as free agency unfolds between now and spring training.
1. Matt Holliday(notes), LF: So, which player is he: The Oakland disappointment or the St. Louis marvel? Here’s betting on the latter.
2. John Lackey(notes), SP: The next time he yells "This is mine!" at someone, it’s going to be with a big smile and a contract approaching nine figures in his hands.
3. Jason Bay(notes), LF: Tall order for agent Joe Urbon: procure a five-year contract for a defensively limited corner outfielder who turns 32 this year. Of course, the guy can hit, and not many in this class can say that.
4. Aroldis Chapman, SP: Based on potential for greatness, he’s No. 1. Based on potential for calamity, he’s No. 131. Lefties who throw 100 mph don’t grow on trees. In fact, they don’t grow but every 25 years or so, and here is this generation’s.
5. Chone Figgins(notes), 3B: A Gold Glove-caliber third baseman with positional versatility, on-base acuity and true leadoff skills. Yes, please, say a dozen suitors.
6. Randy Wolf(notes), SP: Not as talented as other starters in the class, Wolf has one advantage on them: He’s healthy.
7. Rich Harden(notes), SP: The most dominant pitcher in the class, in terms of stuff and disabled list stays. As formidable as the former is, the latter weighs heavier on his standing among teams.
8. Erik Bedard(notes), SP: So, remember when Seattle gave up Adam Jones(notes), Chris Tillman(notes), George Sherrill(notes) and two others for him? There’s a word for that. Hahahahaha. And that is your No. 8-ranked free agent.
9. Andy Pettitte(notes), SP: Can sail off into the sunset a champion or wait out the market to see if the Yankees whiff on other pitching possibilities and need him to stabilize their rotation again.
10. Adrian Beltre(notes), 3B: He’ll be lucky to get half of the $64 million he pulled down the last time he hit free agency.
I think much of our trades/buys this offseason hinge on Pettitte's decision to return, if he does, then we can afford to get a low cost 5th starter (Justin Duchscherer???) to help protect Joba and Hughes. Im not a big fan of trading for Halladay because i think yankees are in a good position with the depth of their farm system right now and id hate to see all our best prospects get cleaned out for him.
If we are going to dump money anywhere, it should be on Aroldis. Hes young, he has a lot of potential, hes a lefty, and he has the stuff where a few years in the system to get his mental game right could make him a great addition to our rotation for years to come.
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i dunno
if i would be satisfied with it though, 3 starters in a postseason says something about the trust you have in your other two. I mean Hughes, Chamberlain and Wang all have good potential for this year, but a decent 5th starter would help provide support and confidence to the young and recovering.
No doubt we do have one of the better rotations in the majors though. As the saying goes, you can never have enough pitching
We don’t need to have 5 dominant starters. Joba or Hughes will be better than pretty much any other team’s 5th starter. I say we stick with what we have, resigning Pettitte of course, and if by the trade deadline it looks like neither Joba, Hughes, or Wang are going to be good enough to be starting games in the postseason, look at making a trade then.
Im with ya there
my only concern is if i were to play the devil’s advocate hand and say that Wang doesnt return to ’08 glory, and either Hughes or Joba arent effective. The yankees had EXTREMELY good luck in that for the age of some of their players they were essentially injury free after A-rod got back. Can we be that lucky in 2010? We can only hope
That being said i agree with you those other 3 pitchers should be more than enough to lock down the 4th and 5th spots (assuming Pettitte is signed) and i think we are in agreement that a Halladay trade wouldnt pay off as much as it would hurt our future.
Right now step one is to get Pettitte back so #1-3 are locked up, and then hopefully Cashman reveals his plan for #4 & 5. Dont forget there will be “Hughes Rules” next season so we cant count on Hughes as a starter all season.
Specifying my "other"
Like you mentioned before, Justin Duschrecher. A quality four starter to go before Hughes in the rotation. He’s a type B so we wouldnt give up a draft pick for him. He is also young yet expreienced, which is exactly what we need in our 4 starter. I might take a chance on Chapman if the bidding stays low.
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