Winn looks likely to meet those incentives, as the top one is 200 PA.

Dave Cameron posted an article on Fangraphs a while back about the marginal value of a win in the Yankees’ world. Adding a player like Matt Holliday or Jason Bay wouldn’t help as much since we’re basically almost the same (some might say improved) team on the one that won 103 games last year. Now, just for argument’s sake, lets say we would win 103 games next year. Adding Jason Bay or Matt Holliday might cause us to win 107 games. The value of those 4 wins is much smaller than going from say 95 to 99 wins or even 90 to 94 wins.

Gardner will no doubt add value with his defense both in LF and CF in 2010 (barring injury of course). So, if Damon caused us to win 105 games instead of 103, it wouldn’t really help much. If we were going into the season with a OF of Gardner, Melky, and Swisher, I’d be saying something different. But replacing Melky with an above average hitter and fielder in Granderson changes the makeup of the club.

Not only that, but both MARCEL and CHONE expect Gardner to be worth about 2.2-2.3 WAR next year. Putting it at exactly 2 WAR, that’s $7 million he’s projected to be worth based on the current market. Damon’s projected numbers are around 2.8-3.2. So, best case scenario he adds another win if he took the place of Gardner. If Damon signs soon for around $5 million like I’m expecting, he’ll still be a relative bargain. Still, I’m sure Cashman and everyone else in the Yankees system would rather get $7 million in value at league minimum price instead of $10.5 million at half price.

cuz 1.1 million was getting Damon back.

LOL!!

but you don’t know that it would make us a better team. His declining defense could/would be a liability and who knows if he performs up to 2009 level?

means adding Nick Johnson, Javier Vazquez, and Curtis Granderson to my team, you can sign me up for nothing every year.

Grandy for CF, re-signed Matsui, and signed Lackey…I’d assume everything would be fine? And what would happen if they end up like the 2005 Yankees??? Falling flat on their face?

You really don’t understand how these moves make the Yankees good?

The Yankees really have to get the best FA every year? You sound like that guy who gave up his season tickets cuz he’s a better GM then Cashman, in his vast fantasy world experience.

….." Daddy…I want and oopa loompa! "

AT 26 YEARS OLD?? Come on grandpa. Might be time for an assisted living center, because you’re off your rocker.

Mo is gradually losing it? Tell me, how? If anything he’s getting better with age. His 2008 season was fantastic, and 2009 was even better (just as good but in 2009 he could pitch in tie games, something he was awful at in 2008). Don’t need to worry about Mo.

Cano is on the downslide? He is 27 YEARS OLD!!!! He’s entering his prime and improving, offensively and defensively. What gave you the indication that he is on the downslide?

Melky is gone, but Granderson is here. Granderson>Melky in Center field, both offensively and defensively.

The Yankees may have gone down a little bit on the offensive side by losing Damon and Matsui. If there’s one mistake I think Cashman made this offseason it was not trying hard enough to bring Damon back. So the offense may be a little worse, but still the best offense in the AL (I may give the league edge to the Phillies here). And the rotation is deeper with Vasquez, and the bullpen will be stronger with Hughes/Joba in the pen for the whole year. Defensively the Yankees are also better. Gardner>Damon defensively. Granderson>Melky defensively. Cano should only improve at second base as well. Try looking at the positives and be excited about the season. A-Rod’s healthy for a whole year for the first time since 2007. How did that year turn out for him?

Be positive. It will make things easier. I wish Damon had come back, but I can hardly see a disaster coming.