The Horrors of Cliff Lee in Pinstripes

Don’t underestimate how much money in profit the Yanks make every year. They could probably have a 300 million dollar payroll if they wanted, and STILL be the most profitable sports team in the country. They make that much. Money is never going to be an issue with this team. We have George Steinbrenner to thank for that.

Secondly, and more importantly, I don’t think adding Lee would hurt the Yanks as much as you think, money wise. I am concerned about Jeter’s contract situation, but he probably won’t get a raise (I hope not). Neither will Rivera. Pettitte will either make the same, or retire. Lets assume (because I expect this) that Andy retires. Thats 10 million off the books.

Add him to Javy, Nick Johnson, and thats 27 million dollars coming off the books this year (there may be more FA, I just can’t think of any right now). Lee will probably make around 20 million per year, and the Yanks can add Cliff Lee while still having 7 million off the books.

Fast forward to 2011, after the Yankees celebrate their three-peat, and they’ll have Cano, Posada and Swisher off the books. Firstly, I don’t expect Jorge to come back. I think he’ll retire, and even if he doesn’t, I don’t think the Yanks should bring him back. Let Montero get his time (in fact, he should be up on opening day 2010 in my opinion). Posada is making 13 million, so thats another 13 million off the books with him. Swisher has a team option (i think) that will probably be exercised, so he’ll stay with his current, cheap contract. Cano will probably demand a big pay raise, but even if the Yanks do give him a big pay raise I still think they lose a little money losing Javy, Jorge, Andy, and NJ over the years.

I don’t agree with multiple big contracts, because of the reasons you stated. I don’t think the Yanks should even try and get Carl Crawford (cuz of Gardner), but I think one more big contract can be fit in. And Lee is worth it.

The guy obviously at the top of his game has been one of the best pitchers in baseball the last couple years including most of this year…but he’s always had back problems and before about 2008…he’s been nothing more then an above average pitcher (that’s why he was signed to a deal worth $8-9mil/year in the first place).

Back problems don’t go away as you get older, especially for a pitcher (and since he’s been pitching through them this year anyway).

damn.

yes the money is going to be a lot, however he’s still one of the best pitcher in baseball. I seriously see him as a left handed version of halladay. And if you look their track record for the past 3 years it has been very similar. yes he has a history of injuries but so did AJ, and AJ’s track record is worse. Lee’s injury has nothing to do with his arm and have not missed major time due to his injuries. The yanks can live with Lee missing one or two starts if he back acts up, and once he gets rolling he’s probably one of the top 5 pitchers in baseball. Also being a control lefty when he gets to his later 30’s he can prolly still pitch as well or even better than Pettite has done now. So in terms if we’ll get our worth with Lee, i will say (barring a major major meltdown) we probably will. And to look at his numbers prior to his 2008 is basically undermining the complete revamp he had during his minor league stint not much different from halladay’s change when he was younger) Additionally Lee uptil now has thrown 300 less innings in the majors than CC before CC signed with us (1300 innings vs. 1600 innings (CC 2001- 2008) is anyone is concerned his arm might be taxed)

Also to say well in 2015 and 2014 yankees will be a .500 team if we sign the guy seem way too much of a push. Having one extra high priced arm is not going to bring the team down that much. Even if lee isn’t on the books, some one else most likely will take take that space in the budget. not signing lee will not make Tex’s, Arods or CC’s contract easier to handle. Plus the problem with relying on young starters is that you don’t know what you will get. AJ being unstable as it is, it is also nice to have one consistent other than CC to anchor the rotation as the young pitchers get eased in. Furthermore i;m not convinced an aging AJ, with diminished stuff will even be able to be effective as his k rate drops every year, velocity is dipping and his curve not as sharp. Not to mention he’s never had control and is still an injury risk. Additionally we still don’t know how this joba saga will play out and what’s nova’s true ceiling. So my counter argument is basically, even if we don;t sign lee, the yanks will still spent that money somewhere else. And with the uncertainty of the future rotation and the inability to truly predict how prospects grow, it will be a good for the future to sign a guy who looks like he can have long term stability when you get the chance. i would advocate in not signing Lee if the yanks can land a younger stud pitcher like a Grienke, felix or etc but as of now it seems every unlikely.

If Lee signs for x, he’s worth it. If he can get x+1, let someone else sign him.
I don’t see Lee signing for ages 32-38 at more than Sabathia got for ages 29-35.
I think 5 years at $17.5M per is more likely.

I also think it’s time to go year to year, or year + option with Rivera.

You could also handle Lee’s contract differently. $5M signing bonus + $23, $23, $20, $15, $14= 5Y/$100

With Javy coming off the books (won’t be resigned), the Yanks trade AJ for some decent prospects and sign Lee.

2011 rotation:
CC
Lee (at around AJ’s salary, maybe a little more)
Pettitte (at 8 million)
Phil

And then for the fifth spot, they can let Nova and Moseley duke it out in ST ala Hughes/Joba

New York: 1-0
Tampa Bay: 0-1
Boston: 0-2

Good day

I didn’t get to read the comments or really fully read the post yet, so forgive me if this came up already.

What if Pettitte retires? How does that change things if at all?