FanPost

Looking Ahead


Congrats on a marvelous job by Brian Cashman, at the trade deadline. No other GM was able to get so much help and yet give up very little in the process.

Looking at the potential trades at the wavier deadline do not look very promising.

Position Players:

Alex Rios would be an uptick in right field, but seems to have lost his power stroke. Josh Willingham would add that right handed power bat, with poor defense. Adam Dunn would provide power and a back-up option at first. To go along with poor defense and a poor batting average. I would like to see Rios added but at what cost. Keeping an eye on 2015 he creates a potential logjam in the outfield. All in all best choice for help defensively and offensively. Cashman would be more than willing to deal with the logjam issue next year to get his bat and defense, for 2014.

Pitching:

John Danks and Jorge De La Rosa are lefties, yes we need that in our rotation. Would be an upgrade not for any reason other than changing the hitters look at our starting pitching. Worse case, would add that loggy in the pen. Ian Kennedy is a number three but his stats would be quite different in a hitter's ballpark. He was the ace of the Diamondbacks a few years ago. The Padres think he is an ace and are asking for a huge return in prospects. Just not worth what it would take in prospects. Jorge De La Rosa would be my choice his numbers should get better once away from Coors Field. The Rockies do not want to risk trading him. They believe he is a must sign this off-season. Brian may not be able to improve the rotation until our injured return.

Keep in mind Michael Pineda should return to the rotation on or before 8/22/14. Masahiro Tanaka is progressing in rehab. There is a good chance he returns in early September. If they return and pitch at previous levels, look out for the Yankees in any playoff situation. Manny Banuelos has to be a strong candidate to be called up in September. His stuff is returning to that front of the rotation caliber. He may not be a starting candidate but, sure would be a good candidate for our long reliever or situational loogy.

Looking towards 2015:

Pitching:

We will need rotation help. CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova may not be able to return by the start of the 2015 season. CC will not be the ace anymore, hopefully a number three or four. Who knows with Nova, when will he return and at what level. Hard to imagine Hiroki Kuroda returning in 2015. Tanaka is a maybe, can only hope for the best. That being said Pineda maybe the only sure thing for the rotation in 2015.

I think that Brandon McCarthy would be a nice addition at a reasonable cost this off-season. He has been fantastic in pinstripes. Jon Lester is the top left handed starter, in the free agent class of 2015. Has to be at or near the top of Brian Cashman's wish list this winter. Still hard to believe that Boston did not make a better attempt to sign him. James Shields is that big game pitcher. He is top choice. One thing to remember is his age. Shields may not require as long of a deal as other top pitching free agents, on the market. Max Scherzer is going to be the prize of the 2015 free agency class. Will be interesting to see how he fairs in another park. Do not be surprised if least two or even three of the top pitchers. Lester, Shields and or Scherzer, are not in the Bronx for the 2015 season.

Position Players:.

On defense and offensive Chase Headley is a must sign. His bat and defense have been a tremendous upgrade in the Yankee infield. Much better defensively than anyone imaged at first base and third. His swing sure seems tailor made for Yankee Stadium. What a plus, him being a switch hitter. At short, Troy Tulowitzki is the top choice. He has made it well know his desire to replace Derek Jeter. I think the Yankees now have the talent to make such a trade. With the contributions made by our minor league starters this could happen. May take four very promising prospects. Stephen Drew would be a candidate but I sure like what I have seen out of him at second and as our back-up at short. Hanley Ramirez and Asdrubal Cabrera are possibilities. But, I still question their defense. I prefer Tulo but that might be a dream. Hanley would be a strong second choice. Keep in mind each of these two have a large price tag, to go along with health issues. I have always liked Asdrubal, he can amaze in the field one moment and frustrate in another. Him being a switch hitter is a major reason to consider him. Drew maybe the best option when the dust clears. Specially, when you look at the total package of offense, defense, health, and price. Any of these four would work out nicely for the Bronx Bombers.

Martin Prado, is under contract for 2015, should become the super utility player. That is what he excels at, with the ability to play 3B, 2B, LF & RF. Just a win win for Yankees. He allows for so much flexibility on a roster. Yet he would be a outstanding choice to man 2B in 2015. A-Rod will return and be the primary DH. Back-up at 1B & 3B. Carlos Beltran's elbow should be fully healed and he will be the everyday right fielder.

How would you like to face this line-up?

  1. Brett Gardner LF
  2. Jacob Ellsbury CF
  3. Troy Tulowitzki / Hanley Ramirez SS
  4. Carlos Beltran RF
  5. Alex Rodriquez DH
  6. Mark Texieria 1B
  7. Chase Headley 3B
  8. Brian McCann C
  9. Martin Prado / Stephen Drew 2B

Rotation of:

  1. James Shields
  2. Jon Lester or Max Scherzer
  3. Masahiro Tanaka
  4. CC Sabathia / Brandon McCarthy
  5. Michael Pineda
  6. **Manny Banuelos is a potential option if anyone cannot return from injury or be signed via free agency.

That would be impressive now would it not? Also a very strong possibility for the 2015 season.

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