Free Agents and their impact on the 2011 Yankees
by djoep2000 on Dec 4, 2010 8:59 AM EST
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PrintIt seems to be a given that Derek Jeter , Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte (only question mark of the three) will return in pinstripes for 2011 season. We all have heard that the Yankees are in on Cliff Lee. Now rumors abound that they are talking to Carl Crawford. Eyeing Russell Martin for their catching needs. Shown interest in Scott Downs. Finally, hoping to resign Kerry Wood. So what impact would all or any of these signings make.
No doubt about Lee being an ace. Overall would be a tremendous addition to any rotation. Only draw back here is money and the progression of Ivan Nova. This would make Nova a bullpen option for the 2011 season, back-up plan for your rotation or a trade piece.
Carl Crawford, WOW, what else needs to be said. The man has all the tool defensively and offensively. Potentially would hold back the progressing Brett Gardner. This signing makes a lot of sense. Crawford would enhance any lineup both defensively and offensively. He has long been a player the Yankees have wanted. His signing could make Brett Gardener expendable or at least the number four outfielder on this team. Rumors abound that Yankees are looking in to trade for Zack Greinke. Been obvious for a number of years that the Royals need a young lead-off hitter. Just might happen, specially since Nova would become even more expendable, if Lee is signed.
Why Russell Martin? Well he has won a gold glove as a catcher and is only 27. Would be the perfect addition to help Jesus Montero become the full time starting catcher for the Yankees. Yes he has some issues with his hip but suppose to be right on schedule to return to full duties as a catcher. What is missed here by many is that Martin has played both third and second base in 2003. Would become a very attractive option to give A-Rod some time off; possible spell Tex at first as well and even spell Cano at second. Not to mention he has played the outfield while in the minor leagues. He then would become a super utility player for the Yankees. Yet still be able to man the plate for the Yankees. Then looking toward the future he would allow a slow steady transition of Montero as the full time catcher. Yet his signing would not require the loss of a draft pick. Very good option for the Yankees and gives them incredible flexibility on their bench.
Scott Downs has been in the top five left-handed reliever for the past four years. Has shown the ability to get both left-handed and right-handed hitters out. He is a proven reliever in the American League East. Would finally solidify the need for a left-handed specialist and just might be the bridge to Rivera.
Kerry Woods proved last year, he still has a lot of gas in this tank. Yes he wants to close but he also wants to win a championship. The burning question is will he accept a bridge role with the Yankees. If he does this just might make Joba Chamberlain a trade target, maybe even involved with a trade with the Royals.
So can you imagine a rotation of:
CC
Lee
Hughes
Pettitte / Greinke
What about this line up for the 2011 season:
Crawford
Jeter
Cano
A-Rod
Tex
Swisher
Posada
Montero / Martin
Granderson
A bullpen of:
Nova / Sergio Mitre
Logan
Downs
Wood
Joba
Mo
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Gardner not going anywhere-he’s too cheap, young, productive, great fielder, & excellent baserunner.
Granderson & Chamberlin for Greinke sounds OK to me.
When Petite leaves, Nova can take over.
Russell Martin @ 5-10, 230 lbs sounds like a fat body-no wonder he has hip issues.
Granderson is going no where
makes zero sense for the Royals to take him over Gardner, given Gardner is younger and cheaper.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
How would Russell Martin help Jesus become the full time catcher?
He’d be taking time away from Jesus, actually.
That being said, I have no problem with the Yankees adding Russell Martin to be a backup, as he’s solid defensively with a fair bit of upside. I don’t care that much though. I have no problem with Cervelli coming back to be the backup next year.
And as much as I’d love to have this team, it’s not realistic. Not unless you want the Yankees to have a payroll creeping up to 250 million. Lee+Greinke+Crawford+Wood+Pettitte+Martin+Downs would add up to about an added 70+ million dollars onto the Yankee payroll. Even the Yanks have a budget.
Greinke OR Lee is a possibility, but not both. Especially if Andy returns. If they get Greinke and trade Gardner in the process, then I’d be good with opening up the checkbook for Carl Crawford. Otherwise leave the outfield the way it is.
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot."- Kobe Bryant
Wood will cost a bunch, so will Downs.
Montero won’t platoon with Martin to rot have the year. And Lee and Crawford will cost too much.
"Individual players don't win championships, teams do."
Lee won’t cost too much, he’ll be here next year I’m sure, at least I hope
by fckbstngoyankees on Dec 5, 2010 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
Looks like the Show 11 Franchise mode with CPU accept trades. Very expensive team you’ve put together, one I’m not even sure the Yankees could afford
by fckbstngoyankees on Dec 5, 2010 6:32 PM EST reply actions
Can we stop assuming we can buy all of these players?
There is no possible way we can get Greinke, Crawford, Lee, and Downs in the same offseason. First of all, the entire league would revolt and demand a cap. Secondly, do you want our salary to go over 300M? Crawford demands at least $20M a year with Werth signed, Greinke in the $13-16M neighborhood. Downs around $8M/year. And Lee will get at least $20M/year.
Our payroll is locked up in huge contracts. CC gets what? $20M/year? Andy gets like $12M? Burnett gets $15M? Jeter will now get $17, not much of a discount. Mo gets $15M/year. You see where I’m going? There’s Granderson, Tex, and A-Rod, all $27M/year of him.
I’ll just add up the numbers I mentioned. $167M/year. That’s like, without looking it up, in the top 10. And that’s not even a third of the roster. I didn’t count Tex, Granderson, or the entire bullpen outside of Mo, not to mention everyone else, like Cano and GGBG. we simply cannot lock guys up long term simply because we can now.
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