Let's Make Sure 2012 is different

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Oct 10, 2011 11:09 PM EDT

Alright, I know it's a bit early for an off-season plan, but I just thought I'd jot down a few points that I'd like to see us pursue.

1. The Big Man - C.C. has to be re-signed but in a realistic way. I don't want to see us bid against ourselves the way we did with A-Rod. Yes, he will cost gobs and gobs of money and we need him but that doesn't mean we should offer double what any other team would even dream of. I think 6/144 is realistic. We'd he signing him through age 37 (a mistake) but not through age 40 (an uber-mistake). You have to overpay for greatness and despite his recent playoff struggles, C.C. is a future hall of fame pitcher who's still in his prime.

2. What Comes After the Big Man - I'm going to assume for these purposes that Felix Hernandez is not available and thus there is no reason to trade Montero, Betances, Banuelos, Nova, etc. That leaves Yu Darvish and C.J. Wilson as candidates for the gaping home at no. 2. As intriguing as Darvish is, the Yankees aren't in a position where they need to take the greater risk. Wilson has hardly any innings on his arm at age 31 and there's history of relievers-turned-starters being effective well into their 30's (Wells, Leiter, Lowe). Texas will want him back and he'll cost probably 5/100 or 6/115, but Darvish will cost more than that with the posting fee.

3. Wacky trade idea - A.J. Burnett for Jason Bay. I refuse to believe that Bay is done and he could slot in at DH and both corner OFs for the Yankees when necessary. Burnett has pitched well vs. the NL the past few years (albeit small sample size). It'd basically be a "it's not working here, lets try something else" swap but I think it would have the potential to work for both teams.

4. I want Jesus Montero to catch. This means we should tender Russell Martin and trade him for something of value which I think would be highly possible. I'd think either a higher-end lefty reliever or a #4-type starter. In the meantime, sign a veteran backup catcher (a la Jose Molina, Jason Kendall) and keep Austin Romine in AAA waiting in the wings.

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Burnett>Bay

Two years left>Three years left. And if Burnett could ever harness his HR/FB rate he has mid rotation upside.

by Briceratops on Oct 10, 2011 11:46 PM EDT reply actions

That is indeed a wacky trade idea

It’ll never happen, although the thought is intriguing. Bay at Yankee Stadium could do really well.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Oct 11, 2011 12:14 AM EDT reply actions

He doesn’t play good defense and Yankees are very unlikely to trade with the Mets. If they don’t resign Reyes, the Mets will need the offense so I don’t see how Burnett fits. They finished in the bottom third as a NL team in homeruns in 2011.

by Scooby Snacks on Oct 11, 2011 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions

The Mets need everything right now. Everything.

Pitching, hitting, everything. Plus, Lets Talk About Sex mentioned Bay mentioned him more as a DH, but in retrospect, when healthy Bay is actually not that bad defensively.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Oct 11, 2011 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Not saying it'll happen obviously...

Just that it makes sense for both sides.

The Yankees get a DH who can also fill in at both corner OF’s on days when A-Rod DH’s or in case of an injury to one of our outfielders. Even with Bay’s struggles at Citi he still rakes vs. lefties. His 2014 option requires 600 PA’s in 2013 or 500 PA’s in both 2012 and 2013 so it’s not a given.

Jeter-Granderson-Cano-Arod-Teixeira-Swisher-Bay-Montero-Gardner

The Mets get AJ who would be less victimized by the home run ball in CitiField and in the AL East.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Oct 11, 2011 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Like I said

It’s an interesting idea!

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Oct 11, 2011 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions

He has a career -8.0 UZR with an average arm. Then there is that suffered concussion last year even though Bay claims he’s symptom-free now. I’m just not a fan of his.

by Scooby Snacks on Oct 11, 2011 2:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather keep Burnett

I think he’ll be the 2012 version of Granderson in that a September switch to his whole style and then pitching very well after that will make him be a very good player for the Yanks next year.

Mark that down, save it, tattoo it on your lower back if you must

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Oct 11, 2011 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

2012?

by jetanumba2 on Oct 11, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

As in, Mayan Apocalypse?

Because, that would be pretty bad

by waw on Oct 11, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

pitching is considerably less consistent then batting.

and granderson tweaked his swing considerably. did burnett change his motion? i htink hes gonna be better, but i would be shocked if he can provide better then 4.5 ERA. he’ll give us 200 innings though, unless hes hurt.

עם ישראל חי
סבלנות
נח''ל

by nodisrespect on Oct 11, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

yes, Burnett changed his motion

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Oct 11, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, AJ changed his motion

Quite drastically actually, and I’ve noticed it’s given him much better command and bite of his curveball more than anything.

In September and October (including the postseason) he was 3-0 with a 3.89 ERA. At the end of July, he was 8-9 with a 4.26 ERA (very solid). August was a shitstorm and completely destroyed his season numbers, but for the great majority of the season, AJ was a solid pitcher. ESPN just looks at his record and says he sucked the entire year so naturally 80% of the fanbase believes it.

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 11, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Keep AJ

Pitching is more important than hitting, and hopefully AJ’s strong finish to the season foreshadows his season next year. AJ also has less years remaining on his contract than Bay does, was a solid starter for most of this season and has mid-rotation starter upside for next year.

I agree on CC and Russ (I want Jesus to catch as well), but there’s no chance Martin isn’t back next year I think. As for the second starter, the main three options are Darvish, Wilson, and looking for a trade. They won’t find anyone good in a trade they can get without giving up Jesus, and I’d rather have Darvish than Wilson because he’s 7 years younger, has more experience starting and is quite possibly already a better pitcher than Wilson. Darvish also won’t cost this team a draft pick if signed- only money. And the actual contract won’t be too much I don’t think.

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 11, 2011 3:00 PM EDT reply actions