Another Diamond In The Rough For The Yankees?

by Chris McKeown on Dec 28, 2011 1:00 PM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

During the 2010 offseason, Brian Cashman aimed for low-risk, high-reward signings after failing to sign Cliff Lee to a gargantuan contract. Two of those signings, a 37-year-old Bartolo Colon and 34-year-old Freddy Garcia, were able to give New York incredible stability in their rotation behind CC Sabathia.

Dishing out a total of $2.4 million to the two aging veterans ($900,000 for Colon, $1.5 million for Garcia), Brian Cashman and co. were thrilled to receive 311 innings of 5.1 WAR baseball in return.

Here we sit on December 28th and the New York Yankees have yet to make a major upgrade to any position on the diamond. In fact, the only two notable signings they've had are: 1) Ensuring that stud southpaw CC Sabathia remains in fabled pinstripes until his late 30s and 2) Freddy Garcia would return for another shot at a world championship. While the first signing was a no-brainer, Cashman's idea to squeeze every last drop of competitive fire out of Garcia was well received.

This has put New York in a favorable position to take a stance against unruly spending during the remainder of the offseason and display something we haven't seen in quite a while: Restraint.

Having successfully avoided C.J. Wilson and Yu Darvish, the Yankees are now looking at fewer and fewer options on the starting pitching market. As I've already prefaced, New York shouldn't feel the need to sign a pitcher to a contract they don't see as reasonable. Behind Sabathia, there's still a complete rotation with A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia.

But what about finding another diamond in the rough this offseason? Is it too late to pull off another miracle signing that could pay tremendous dividends?

Here's a look at the remaining free agent starting pitchers on the market, copied directly from mlbtraderumors.com:

Wei-Yin Chen (26)
Bartolo Colon (39)
Aaron Cook (33)
Kyle Davies (28)
Doug Davis (36)
Zach Duke (29)
Jeff Francis (30)
Armando Galarraga (30)
Jon Garland (32)
Rich Harden (30)
Livan Hernandez (37)
Hisashi Iwakuma (31)
Edwin Jackson (28) - Type B, offered arbitration
Hiroki Kuroda (37) - Type B, no arbitration offer
Rodrigo Lopez (36)
Paul Maholm (30)
Kevin Millwood (37)
Sergio Mitre (31)
Ross Ohlendorf (29)
Roy Oswalt (34) - Type A, no arbitration offer
Brad Penny (34)
Joel Pineiro (33)
Jo-Jo Reyes (27)
Joe Saunders (31)
Mitch Talbot (28)
Javier Vazquez (35)
Tim Wakefield (45)
Brandon Webb (33)
Chris Young (33)

Amongst the remaining free agent pitchers, I spy two names that could be considered for a low-risk, high-reward signing.

The first is Brandon Webb. He'd be nearly dirt cheap, having thrown zero pitches over the past two seasons thanks to two rotator cuff surgeries that have kept him sidelined. He's proven to be an extremely crafty pitcher with a deceptive sinker likened to Roy Halladay and Chien-Ming Wang's best stuff. The main question would obviously surround that precious right arm.

The second is a bit more plausible. Rich Harden, a man who has certainly had his fair share of injuries, is a currently sitting on the market. Last season with Oakland, Harden tossed 82.2 innings in 15 starts. While he was hit quite frequently (87 allowed), his strikeout rate of 9.9 per nine innings was remarkably high, coupled with a solid 3.4 BB/9 rate. A disturbingly high HR/FB rate of 15.6% last season is without question something to take into consideration. He made $1.5 million in 2011 and I can't imagine he'll earn much more in 2012. Even with a dip in his velocity since his prime, he's got the stuff to be a decent option for New York.

Of course, this is just a conversation starter. Any diamonds in the rough that you can spot, Pinstripe Alley?

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Comments

If they’re cheap, try Duke, Francis, or Harden..?

Romine!

by david d on Dec 28, 2011 1:09 PM EST reply actions

Harden should make the move to become a reliever a la Kerry Wood

but I guess he’s just too proud or something.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 28, 2011 1:14 PM EST reply actions

I would go for Jeff Francis

I haven’t looked up his stats, but I remember how good he was up there in the light air in Colorado. Also, and I know this may sound incredibly unintelligent, but….what about Jon Garland? He wasn’t great, but he was inconsistently pretty good.

by Peg38 on Dec 28, 2011 1:37 PM EST reply actions

Awful stats, and he was hardly good in Colorado.

His hype from his Colorado days stem from this ancient notion that a good W-L record makes a good pitcher.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 28, 2011 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

For a Rays fan you're here often.

GO YANKEES, COWBOYS, AND KNICKS!

by DCyanks21 on Dec 28, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

I like it here.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 28, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Wow!

Mitre is still out there! No one has snatched him up? What are the Yankees waiting for?LMAO!
Harden, Francis or Duke for insurance, if cheap enough. I’m still worried about depending on Hughes.

by ogrover on Dec 28, 2011 1:38 PM EST reply actions

x

Rec Generating Database

by Jedi Master A-Rod on Dec 28, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions

"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 28, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

Yes.

Jesus Montero fangirl

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Dec 28, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

He can't handle New York.

by Briceratops on Dec 28, 2011 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

who is this?

by jetanumba2 on Dec 28, 2011 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

Paul Maholm

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 28, 2011 6:02 PM EST up reply actions

I thought so

i’ve definitely had my eye on him, but i didn’t realie he was so popular

by jetanumba2 on Dec 28, 2011 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

I like it

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 28, 2011 6:02 PM EST up reply actions

Same.

GO YANKEES, COWBOYS, AND KNICKS!

by DCyanks21 on Dec 28, 2011 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

What would he take, 2 year $16 mil?

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 28, 2011 8:03 PM EST up reply actions

I clicked on Mitch Talbot and it said he went to Korea

he’s got average stuff but I thought he was pretty good when we played em. Seems like an average pitcher, but with the Yankees and all we’re talking is another Bullet Dodger, that’s really all we need.

Garland and Gallaraga fit Rothschild’s sinker ball ideal and I could see either turning into a Ryan Dempster type dude, Olhendorf and Cook already are sinker sackers.

Duke, Francis and Saunders all still hae some potential. I’d go with Duke tho, just cuz I like to drop dukes.

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

by Rorschach44 on Dec 28, 2011 2:08 PM EST reply actions

Talbot is one of the worst pitchers in the league.

Far worse than average. Career ERA over 5. Career FIP and xFIP just under 5, as well as his K rate. BB rate over 4.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 28, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

and I couldn't care less.

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

by Rorschach44 on Dec 28, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Colon is probably the best low risk high reward guy on the list

Harden, Francis, Davis could be good. Millwood did well in Denver of all places. As a knuckleball lover, I would love to sign Wakefield, but he will retire a Sox. No thank you on Webb, I am not sure he will ever pitch again.
It looks like Oswalt could be had fairly cheap, as he is going to try to prove his health. If he wants to come for 1 year, $8 million max, I would love it.
Oh, Freddy received an additional $1.85 million in bonuses due to number of starts.

by cookiedabookie on Dec 28, 2011 2:33 PM EST reply actions

Is $8 million for 1 year of Oswalt even in the ballpark?

I’m not sure how his market is shaping up, but if years come off, doesn’t that usually raise the AAV?

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 28, 2011 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

…Wakefield?

Christ on a cracker, no.

Jesus Montero fangirl

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Dec 28, 2011 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

why not?

it would stop him from getting the all time Boston wins record. That’s worth it

by jetanumba2 on Dec 28, 2011 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

Retirement would too.

"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 29, 2011 1:23 AM EST up reply actions

I'd rather he get it

than someone like Beckett. I find it amusing to think their all-time wins leader would be a junk throwing knuckleballer.

Romine!

by david d on Dec 29, 2011 2:43 AM EST up reply actions

I know he isn't great

But Wakefield could still be a serviceable long man. Regardless, he won’t sign with any other team, and if the Sox don’t sign him, he will retire. That was the whole point of the $4 million in-perpetuity option he signed with them years ago.

by cookiedabookie on Dec 29, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

7tony2

don’t forget about colon he may surprise again

go yankees go you are #1

by 7tony2 on Dec 28, 2011 2:47 PM EST reply actions

go yankees go you are #1

I wish this was the signature for every single user on SB Nation

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Dec 28, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

Yea I don't know why he formats his posts that way. lol.

GO YANKEES, COWBOYS, AND KNICKS!

by DCyanks21 on Dec 28, 2011 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

Colon does tend to surprise.

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 28, 2011 3:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Let’s see who will take the bait

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 28, 2011 3:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

what comes out of my colon surprises every so often...

bam!

by JerseyGuy77 on Dec 28, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

Mine does

Romine!

by david d on Dec 29, 2011 2:43 AM EST up reply actions

Briceratops

yeah don’t forget about colon you guys he is good

by Briceratops on Dec 28, 2011 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

SandalsNoPants

This is going to catch on.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 28, 2011 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

Briceratops

i think so too do u agre

by Briceratops on Dec 28, 2011 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

SandalsNoPants

Absolutely, yes.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 28, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Paul Maholm

Solid back of the rotation sinkerball pitcher. Even though he didn’t touch 200 innings last year he was still relatively productive with a 3.78 FIP. Obviously you shouldn’t let his record fool you since he was on the Pirates. He’s also very good at keeping the ball in the yard with a consistent sub 1 HR/9. He could be a low risk high reward guy who’s currently on the fringe.

by ekwfan6 on Dec 28, 2011 3:00 PM EST reply actions

Are any of these actually better than our internal options?

We have 5 starters right now. I certainly wouldn’t want Jon Garland or Paul Maholm or whoever knocking Phil Hughes out of the rotation no matter how well they pitched in spring training.

If one of our starters goes down I’d much rather see someone within the organization get a shot (Noesi or Phelps, or if it’s later in the season, Betances or Banuelos) than a veteran retread.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Dec 28, 2011 3:18 PM EST reply actions

Me too

But I think Hughes will be in the pen come June

Romine!

by david d on Dec 29, 2011 2:45 AM EST up reply actions

Has the market for Edwin Jackson collapsed yet?

He was unhittable for a stretch each of the last two seasons if I recall correctly. After July 16th last year he was very good sans one outing. The year before he was very good after joining the whitesox (one bad outing in September). His postseason pitching also wasn’t that bad. I’m not saying pay him wilson money (or anywhere near it) but he might take a 3 year deal at what the yankees consider reasonable rates. He’s more reliable as a No.2 than Hughes off “injury”, Nova off of one year’s performance or god forbid Burnett unless he finds his head. Just sayin nobody’s talking about him so he might be reasonable.

by JerseyGuy77 on Dec 28, 2011 3:57 PM EST reply actions

Hideki Okajima

Home of the Jared Jeffries Shot Tracker

by bluecheese999 on Dec 28, 2011 5:11 PM EST reply actions

yowzers

So the 3-for-2 is: Bailey and Sweeney for Reddick, Head and Alcantera.

by jetanumba2 on Dec 28, 2011 5:28 PM EST reply actions

blowing up the theo built highly rated system this early eh?

"I really can't stand that NFL guy, what's his name? Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." - Coach Trickett FSU

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Datsyuk, He could deke Victoria out of her secret… He’s THE MAN. posted by Josh Howard on Winging it in Motown 10/13/11

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by nolesbroncos3456 on Dec 28, 2011 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

Head and Alcantra are eons away from the Bigs.

by Briceratops on Dec 28, 2011 5:31 PM EST up reply actions

I heard they already got Head in the big leagues?

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

by Rorschach44 on Dec 28, 2011 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

Billy Beane Talks Cherington Into Giving Him Head

/mock headlines

Rec Generating Database

by Jedi Master A-Rod on Dec 28, 2011 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs

who

have we added we re-signed CC and added olejica today we need a Num 2 or 3 starter vet

okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider Stay humble in victory respect all fear none and finish larry soprano

by j-man on Dec 28, 2011 11:23 PM EST reply actions

J-Man! Congrats on the Broncos season, I’ll be rooting for them Sunday.

No big moves yet, but I still expect something. Maybe Garza, maybe not. We shall see.

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 28, 2011 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

thanks brandon

sorry i have not been here Denver has done a lot better than i through and i been swept up in it quick throuhts on the east Bos will slowly decline their Off is ageing and Bobby V will blow up TB scare me but they have no cash to fill their needs Tor could be great with a big bat Fielder and a Ace Balt show me something and NY souild win the east but LAA looks like the fav on paper

by j-man on Dec 29, 2011 7:25 PM EST reply actions

I think TB will be very good again, but they could use another bat. Baltimore means nothing to me, TOR could be improved, BOS still undecided on, and LA looks quite good, yes.

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 30, 2011 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

garza

he would be someone i want but theo wont deal with us i read on yahoo FA page that H Kidoa LA Dodgers is a FA i have MLB the Show 11 and i downloaded their last roster and Seattle has a lot of young talent

by j-man on Dec 29, 2011 7:30 PM EST reply actions