If Today Were April 6, 2012...

by Chris McKeown on Dec 21, 2011 2:23 PM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

The New York Yankees lineup and payroll would likely appear similar to the following...

NOTE: Keep in mind that I'm roughly estimating a window of arbitration eligible players.

C - Russell Martin (Between $4 million and $8 million dollars depending on his arbitration hearing)

C/DH - Jesus Montero (~$400,000)

C - Francisco Cervelli (~$500,000)

1B - Mark Teixeira ($22.5 million)

2B - Robinson Cano ($14 million)

3B - Alex Rodriguez ($29 million)

SS - Derek Jeter ($16 million)

SS - Eduardo Nunez ($419,300-$500,000)

LF - Brett Gardner (Between $529,500 and $3 million)

CF - Curtis Granderson ($10 million)

RF - Nick Swisher ($10.25 million)

OF - Chris Dickerson (~$500,000?)

OF - Justin Maxwell (~$400,000)

SP - CC Sabathia ($23 million)

SP - A.J. Burnett ($16.5 million)

SP - Freddy Garcia ($4 million)

SP - Phil Hughes (Between $2.7 million and $3 million)

SP - Ivan Nova (Between $432,900 and $500,000)

RP - Cory Wade (~$400,000)

RP - Hector Noesi (~$400,000)

RP - Rafael Soriano ($11 million)

RP - Joba Chamberlain (Between $1.4 million and $2.5 million)

RP - Boone Logan (Between $1.2 million and $2 million)

RP - David Robertson (Between $460,000 and $3 million)

CP - Mariano Rivera ($15 million)

Clearly this won't be the exact lineup on Opening Day this year. But as of this moment in time, this is what will trot out onto the field. The only main difference is the DH position, which hasn't been filled. With so many players locked up throughout the next five to seven seasons, the DH spot will be used as a revolving door much like it was in 2010 to give various positional players a half-day, if you will.

The current 2012 salary amongst active roster players is estimated somewhere in the range of $185 million to slightly over $196 million. There's still room to sign bench players to reasonable, short-term contracts in an effort to lower total salary beneath $189 million over the next few seasons.

Here are my questions for you...

1) Will Andruw Jones be back with the Yankees? What do you think is a fair deal for him (year(s) and salary per)?

2) Will Eduardo Nunez be traded before Opening Day? If so, who would you find most attractive as a utility infielder?

3) Does anyone see Nick Swisher be included in a trade?

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Comments

golson was released and signed with sombody else

i dont remember who

Hideki Matsui: "Kick ass. Pop champagne. And get some ho's."

by Meatface on Dec 21, 2011 2:32 PM EST reply actions

Kansas City

Yes, that is Spike Lee.

by TheRealSlimShady on Dec 21, 2011 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

1) Another 1 year/$2M contract is fair for Andruw. Maybe a small raise.

2 & 3) I doubt Eduardo or Swisher move. Unless Cashman has a trade for another SP up his sleeve, in which case it wouldn’t surprise me if Swisher or Gardner is involved.

Also Meatface is right, Golson signed with the Royals.

"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 21, 2011 2:41 PM EST reply actions

Yup. I’ve had so much going on I completely forgot he signed elsewhere.

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." --Rogers Hornsby

@csm5206

by Chris McKeown on Dec 21, 2011 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

1) It depends on how badly another team wants Jones after he posted a .291/.416/.612 in 103 AB in the second half. He’s terrible against RHP and will return to the Yankees with a similar, if not smaller, role now with Jesus Montero on the club. I’d give him no more than 1/$2.5m but I’m afraid that someone else with offer him a higher base with a second year vesting option.

2) If the Yankees can hopefully sign Nakajima to a reasonable deal, Nunez will likely be traded. If they can’t, he stays.

3) I don’t think another team will value Swish as much as he does to NY and its fanbase. He has a rather cheap salary of $10.25m while producing no less than 3.2 fWAR during the past three seasons here. If he’s moved for pitching, who’s replacing him his production?

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 21, 2011 2:51 PM EST reply actions

I don't think it'll be any smaller

If he freaking hits the ball like he did in the second half, he’s going to be playing no matter who else is on this team. I just hope it doesn’t come at Gardner’s expense though. I’d much rather he DH and Montero catches against lefties, and Russell Martin sits on the bench. That will give a lot of catching time to Montero but still keep Martin as the primary starter like they seem to want, and it also gets Jones in the lineup while not sacrificing Gardner or his defense.

As for Nakajima, I definitely think it’s more likely Nunez is traded if he’s signed, but I can see scenarios where they’re both on the team. Both Chavez and Nunez were on the roster this season, and they may want two backup infielders with the aging left side.

I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant

A.J. Burnett's only fan!

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 21, 2011 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

I actually like that plan for Jones, Montero, and Martin

It still gives Martin the playing time; it gives Montero catching experience; it gets Jones in the lineup against lefties while not sacrificing GGBG’s fielding; and it leaves DH open for Jeter, Ardo, Tex, etc., against righties.

by pastor2b on Dec 21, 2011 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

I could see both Swisher or Nunez involved in a trade

More so Nunez than Swisher, because Swish has only one year left on his deal and is far more important to this team than Nunez is. But if Cashman has a trade for a good starting pitcher and a team really wants Swisher, then I could see him traded and then Cashman explores the FA market for a right fielder. There are still some decent ones left.

If I had to bet though, they’re still both on this team on opening day and the only change to this team is that Nakajima replaces Chavez. So we’ll see how things go, and I think Cashman will be far more aggressive for a starting pitcher leading up to the deadline should Garcia/Hughes/AJ pitch ineffectively or should somebody important get hurt.

I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant

A.J. Burnett's only fan!

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 21, 2011 3:46 PM EST reply actions

1) Will Andruw Jones be back with the Yankees? What do you think is a fair deal for him (year(s) and salary per)?

2) Will Eduardo Nunez be traded before Opening Day? If so, who would you find most attractive as a utility infielder?

3) Does anyone see Nick Swisher be included in a trade?

1. I did throughout most of this off0season, but at this point I’m not sure. Apparently he is asking for more than the Yankees will give, so we shall see. I could see another team stealing him away. Gut feeling is yes.

2. My guess is if the Yankees trade for a starting pitcher he will likely be one of those additional pieces. Of course it depends on the team, though, so again not certain. Gut feeling is no.

3. No

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

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

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

"Every day is a great day for hockey."

by Brandon C. on Dec 21, 2011 3:57 PM EST reply actions

i agree with the lineup/rooster as is

they will not trade swisher/nunez

they still need a pitcher

don.t forget about chavez 3rd/dh

by 7tony2 on Dec 21, 2011 4:21 PM EST reply actions

I want a rooster too

I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant

A.J. Burnett's only fan!

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 21, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

lol

by Yankees10 on Dec 21, 2011 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

A big one?

Rec Generating Database

by Jedi Master A-Rod on Dec 21, 2011 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

The bigger the better!

I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant

A.J. Burnett's only fan!

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 21, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

Oh

One more thing Boston is a racist town? YOU DONT SAY?!?!?!?!?
by SoxAcumen on Aug 27, 2011 11:56 AM PDT

by Briceratops on Dec 21, 2011 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

x

"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 21, 2011 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

is it just me

or are Dickerson and Justin Maxwell more or less the same guy? To me one of those plus Andruw Jones makes for a sensible OF reserve.

Also, I guess this makes Nunez the backup 3B and Swisher the backup 1B? Thin benches are thin on high payroll teams.

The above comment is not affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, is not based on a secret source of team information, and may contain personal opinion.

"I'll never forget San Francisco and all those beautiful moments."- Andres Torres

by natteringnabob on Dec 21, 2011 4:46 PM EST reply actions

Different specialties

Maxwell is the better hitter with a lot more power, while Dickerson is a good defender with some speed but a very light bat.

I don’t really want either on the MLB roster next year, but if I had to pick one it would be Dickerson. His speed could be handy off the bench.

I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant

A.J. Burnett's only fan!

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 21, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

You wood /2010’d

"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 21, 2011 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

Of course

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." --Rogers Hornsby

@csm5206

by Chris McKeown on Dec 21, 2011 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I slightly prefer Dickerson.

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

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

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

"Every day is a great day for hockey."

by Brandon C. on Dec 21, 2011 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

we know

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

by Rorschach44 on Dec 21, 2011 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

i got even money

on A.J. being traded within 3 weeks any suckers.

by bleedsyankeeblue on Dec 22, 2011 4:18 AM EST reply actions

lol

I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant

A.J. Burnett's only fan!

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 22, 2011 6:22 PM EST up reply actions