No Yu? No Problem! My Plan For The Remainder Of The New York Yankees Off-Season

by Brandon C. on Dec 16, 2011 9:48 AM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

*This plan is following the belief that the Yankees did not win the bidding on Yu Darvish*

It is that time of the off-season....again! On October 28th I wrote what my plan for the New York Yankees off-season was, a plan that I have now updated.

Let's go point by point:

The main point, the one that I have decided to change.

-The Yankees should pick up Nick Swisher's option, spend on bench and compliment players, and either make a trade this off-season, wait until the 2012 Trade Deadline, or wait until after the 2012 season to get another pitcher.

The Yankees did pick up Nick Swisher's option, and have looked to spend on bench and compliment players by winning the bid for Hiroyuki Nakajima, as well as signing Jayson Nix and Mike O'Connor, in addition to the Yankees Rule V draftees Cesar Cabral and Brad Meyers.

However, I now want the Yankees to sign another outfielder in addition to Nick Swisher. Jorge Soler is a fantastic option for the Yankees to pursue for current outfield depth, and you can read about that here.

As for the "make a trade this off-season, wait for the deadline or offseason, I have changed my mind on that as well. I did not believe Hiroki Kuroda would sign with the Yankees, as he said he would not allow a trade to the Yankees at the trade deadline last season.

Now, Kuroda seems willing to sign with the Yankees, and it is a perfect fit. The Yankees can give Kuroda a large, one year deal, which Kuroda seems to want a one year deal only. The Yankees can then sign one of the pitchers out of the fantastic free agent class next season.

If the pitchers of the free agent class next season are not available, the Yankees could rely on one of the Killer B's, Adam Warren, Daniel Phelps, Hector Noesi, or even Graham Stoneburner.

Follow me after the jump for more.

-The Yankees should avoid C.J. Wilson no matter what.

Done. The Yankees barely showed any interest at all in Wilson, and Wilson signed with the Los Angeles Angels for $77.5 MM over five years.

-Yu Darvish should be pursued, but not given a massive contract.

As of now it looks like the Yankees did pursue Darvish, but also decided against placing a large bid on Darvish. We shall see if the reports are correct, however.

-CC Sabathia should not be given more than a five year contract under any circumstances.

The Yankees listened to this in one way, but didn't in another. Sabathia has a vesting option for a sixth year.

-Keep Nunez on the active roster, re-sign Andruw Jones, sign Jerry Hairston Jr. or Ryan Doumit.

Jones is still a possibility, while Hairston Jr. and Doumit signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins, respectively. Hiroyuki Nakajima seems like the replacement for the two.

-Eric Hinske, Russell Branyan, Casey Blake, and Andy LaRoche should all get minor league offers if they do not sign elsewhere.

Still possible!

Michael Gonzalez on a one year deal only.

Meh, I changed my mind on this. I would not be upset if it happens, but the Yankees are fine without him.

-Chris Capuano, Freddy Garcia, Rich Harden, Mitch Talbot, Chien-Ming Wang, and Chris Young should all be offered minor league deals.

Capuano signed with the Dodgers, Garcia signed a major league deal with the Yankees (sigh) and Wang signed a major league deal with the Washington Nationals. Other than that, still possible.

Thoughts?

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And by Daniel Phelps I mean David Phelps!

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Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter

"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."

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by Brandon C. on Dec 16, 2011 10:53 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I'd be ok with Rich Harden

so long as it’s at the right price

by StevieV17 on Dec 16, 2011 11:23 AM EST reply actions

never mind on that possibility

Yankees have not had any conversations about executing a sign-and-trade with SS Hiroyuki Nakajima since winning bid for him.

by jetanumba2 on Dec 16, 2011 11:39 AM EST reply actions

The longer the Yankees are willing to wait, the less they can pay for a player.

This seems to be part of the plan. The not- getting of Darvish suggests that the team thinks that some combination of Hughes/ Noesi/ Banuelos/ Bettances/ somebody else will be sufficient starting pitching. I would be ok with Harden or Kuroda short term, but at some point the youngsters need to get a real opportunity, not one based on a veteran’s arm suddenly disintegrating right out of his sleeve.

Extra outfielders are a dime a dozen. Don’t care.

The Red Sox signed Nick Punto this year, not Crawford and Gonzalez. The Rays never sign anybody of consequence, they rely on the farm, and they’re the real threat.

by designatedquitter on Dec 16, 2011 11:55 AM EST reply actions

We one second thought Pitchers who pitch with their eye closed might not be the best idea

by lololol on Dec 16, 2011 2:29 PM EST reply actions

You’re just a regular Nostradamus, Barn.

"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth

Posting pictures

by Andrew GM on Dec 16, 2011 4:19 PM EST reply actions

I was thinking Carnac.

Just once I'd like someone to call me "Sir," without adding, "You're making a scene."

by YankeeCarp on Dec 16, 2011 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

I'm thinking about Cognac

Romine!

by david d on Dec 17, 2011 2:07 AM EST up reply actions

This year's Colon?

I think they should take some chances on pitchers who might need to prove they still got it. Offer minor league deals to the likes of Brandon Webb and Scott Kazmir. If it doesn’t work out then cut them loose. Imagine if one of these guys returns to form, it would be amazing for the Yanks.

by pyroprince on Dec 19, 2011 4:49 PM EST reply actions