where to go from here...

by CCismyhomie on Dec 13, 2009 8:26 PM EST

I think the Yankees are in a great position right now. I don't think the Yanks need that much. I'm hoping for the following:

1) Resign Damon to a two-year deal (perhaps with a team option for a third year)

Yes, I would rather have Damon than Holliday even though Holliday is younger (7 years), has more power, and is a better fielder. I have many reasons for why I would prefer Damon. First off, Damon's uppercut swing is perfect for Yankee Stadium. I know that Holliday obviously has more power, but there is also the lefty vs. righty point. Although Holliday spent half his season in the pitcher-friendly Oakland stadium last year, they both had 24 homers. This is also considering that Holliday had 31 more at-bats than Damon. Also, Damon is a great guy to have in the clubhouse. Honestly, I have no idea what Holliday is like with his teammates. Furthermore, we all saw how great Damon hit in the World Series. I remember Holliday winning NLCS MVP in '07 with the Rockies, but he only hit .167 with 1 rbi this postseason (with you know who in front of him). Lastly, we would need to give up a draft pick for Holliday and he would require more money.

2) Sign another starter

So far we have CC, AJ, Pettite, Joba, and Hughes. I like that a lot. However, due to the Joba/Hughes Rules and for the sake of the bullpen, I would like to have one of them start the year in the bullpen. If the starter is having major trouble, switch them. If he is doing decently, switch them at the all-star break. If he is doing excellently, obviously keep him in the rotation and use the as the set-up man. Therefore, they would need one more guy. I don't want to trade for Roy Halladay. I also don't want to pay Lackey the huge sum of money and lose a draft pick. Here are my ideas: Joel Pineiro, Justin Duchscherer, Jason Marquis, or Ben Sheets. Since Sheets and Duchscherer have an injury history, if they get injured, the other Joba or Hughes (the one who isn't already in the rotation) will get a crack at it.

3) Strengthen our already strong bullpen

If we are able to complete my first two points, our 25 man roster not including the bullpen will look like this: Posada, Cervelli, Tex, Cano, Jeter, Pena, A-Rod, Granderson, Damon, Swisher, Melky, Gardner, Hinske, CC, AJ, Pettite, Pineiro/Duchscherer/Marquis/Sheets, and Joba/Hughes.

That leaves room for seven relievers. So far, we have Mariano, Joba/Hughes, Aceves, Marte, Robertson, Gaudin (long man), and Edwar Ramirez/Melancon/Albaladejo. I would love to keep Edwar, Melancon,and Albaladejo in AAA and sign Mike Gonzalez or Jose Valverde (yes, I know that we would have to give up a draft pick).

4) Resign Chien-Ming Wang to an incentive-laden minor league contract

We all know how good this guy could be. Why not try to fix him? If he got back to his old self, our rotation would have 2 possible 20 game winners (CC and Wang), and 2 possible 15 game winners plus whatever we would get from our fifth starter.

What do you guys think?

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Comments

I like points 1, 2, and 4

I don’t like throwing money and draft picks at the unreliable beings that are relief pitchers.

As you rightly said, it is unlikely that Joba and Hughes will spend the entire season in the rotation and either of them are capable of pitching very well in the setup role. With the emergence of Robertson and the reemergence of Marte, I think our bullpen is solid at the back-end, but not terribly deep. I think that the best way to get that depth is not to go out and sign one bigger name reliever, but to see who from within (Gaudin, Mitre, Aceves, Z-Mac, Nova) can step up and eat some innings for us.

Also, I know that we’re the Yankees, but if we resign Damon, Wang, and another starter (this may also prove to be gravy), we most likely will not have room in the budget to address the bullpen. And as far as I’m concerned, that isn’t a big deal.

This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.

by Lord Duggan on Dec 13, 2009 10:57 PM EST reply actions

I'd agree

I’d like to see them get Scott Olson as a relief pitcher if they can— 1 yr deal just to see if he can handle it— has good stuff, just needs to get his temperament in line

by scotty2129 on Dec 14, 2009 12:14 AM EST reply actions

I agree with 1, 3, and 4. I don’t think we need another starter, especially not a portrait of mediocrity like Joel Pineiro or Jason Marquis. If we do sign a starter I’d want it to be someone with high upside a la Sheets. I like the idea of signing another reliever especially now with Coke gone. Ryota Igarashi might be worth a shot as long as its only 1 or 2 years. Japanese relievers who don’t pitch for the Mets generally do well at least for their first couple of years.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Dec 14, 2009 12:31 AM EST reply actions

All of the Above

We had a strong bullpen last season, but that was due to some factors that won’t be repeating in ’10:

1) Phil Coke and a dominant Alfredo Aceves: Aceves clearly ran out of gas towards the end of last season and into the playoffs. So was last year something of a career year?

2) Hughes and Joba in the bullpen: They’re both projected to be starters next season, and will only get sent down in an emergency, which would hurt their development. There’s no Joba Rules next season, so I can’t wait for that.

Getting a low-risk, high-reward type of pitcher into the bullpen is the best option. No overpriced closer. Remember JJ Putz, Billy Wagner, or Francisco Rodriguez? (Ouch, all Mets moves there).

by moose35 on Dec 14, 2009 2:26 PM EST reply actions

you mean like Ivan Nova?

Zach McCallister? Mike Dunn (aka…Phil Coke 2010? hopefully minus the HR?)

Yanks have plenty of young pitching, why not give them a shot at the pen.

Joba and Hughes deserve a full shot at the rotation, if the earn it in ST.

"It ain't over till its over"---

How come no one covers Steve Smith?

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 14, 2009 7:32 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly

No need to sign the top 3 closers from last season. The situation we’ve had for this “Girardi Era” was exactly what I liked. Guys from our farm system who have good numbers in AAA and have something to prove. Girardi manages this perfectly, so I see no need to go cash crazy and try to build an All-Star Bullpen.

Those three guys you mentioned will do just fine. I’m not so sure about McCallister though, he doesn’t have an inning in AAA, promoting him to the bullpen might be a stretch this season, at least until the All-Star Break.

by moose35 on Dec 15, 2009 8:04 AM EST up reply actions