FanPost

Let's Make Sure 2012 is different


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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