FanPost

Looking Ahead towards the 2016 season

The Yankees are in a dog fight for the American League East tittle. Toronto has a game and a half lead, currently. These team have 7 games remaining against each other. The east could be decided during the current home stand of the Bronx Bombers. A 10 game home stand that ends with the Blue Jays. They need to get hot and remain hot through out the playoffs.

Majority of the call-ups have arrived and some auditioning for the future, will occur. Some may end up on the trade block or simply returned to triple A next season. You have to admit Greg Bird has impressed, that bat seems ready for the big leagues. Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams looked like solid centerfielders. Both showed athleticism and poise. Luis Severino has been better than advertised. Giving this team quality starts after quality starts. Way too many quality relievers have came up and did an outstanding job, to mention them all here. They are the reason the Yankees are still in the hunt for the post season. Robert Refsnyder was very solid during his earlier audition. His defense is getting better and better. Will any of these be viable options for the Yankees in 2016?

Taking a look at possible needs of the Yankees for the 2016 season:

1. DH no help needed here A-Rod has performed at a very high level. Even being mentioned as the comeback player of the year. In some circles he has been talked about as a potential MVP. Would be a good idea to look at more and more ways to keep his bat in the line up. Specially, when playing the a National League team.

2. 1B Tex has exceeded all expectations. Defense and offensive have been outstanding. We do need a viable backup option. Greg Bird has done a good job filling in for this superstar. For roster flexibility would be nice to see Bird become an option at another position. Maybe in the outfield or third. Not sure where but, over a 162 game schedule roster flexibility is very important.

3. 2B has been a concern all year long. Drew has finally started to hit, hitting above the Mendoza line for the first time. He has played a very high level of defense this year. Robert Refsynder will be given the opportunity to prove he is ready for the show. Question remains will his glove allow him to stay? Will a guy like Dustin Ackerly win the Spring Training competition for second base?

4. SS belongs to Didi. He has become an irreplaceable Yankee. Defense is becoming gold glove caliber. Really coming on offensively. He looks like a juggernaut going forwards. A right handed hitting option would help out against those tough lefties. A little know fact is that Drew and A-Rod have been major contributors to this young man's improvement in the field. Both have worked tirelessly with him this year. Drew often positions Didi during a game.

5. 3B belongs to Headley. His defense has been down from his previous gold glove caliber defense of the past. Shown solid on base skills at the plate. Becoming a strong clutch hitter in pinstripes. A backup power option would make this an ideal situation.

6. C is well manned by McCann and Murphy. We have Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez in triple A. Sanchez has finally turned the corner defensively and is getting better at plate. It will be interesting to see who remains of the trio of Sanchez, Romine and Murphy. Any of three could end up like Cervelli and become an everyday starter on another team. If nothing else at least a viable controllable back-up.

7. UTL maybe up for grabs this off season. Ryan has a million dollar option in place. But his defense is going the wrong direction (still is a very good defender, mind you) but remains a very weak offensive bat. If a choice has to be made between Drew and Ryan, I would choose Drew. Drew's offensive is more tailor made for the Bronx. Beside Ryan has become very injury prone the past few years. Does Ackerly fit here on the 2016 team?

8. The outfield trio of Beltran, Ellsbury, and Gardner are a very strong unit. Beltran offense has returned to his previous level. Carlos has declined defensively. Ellsbury maybe the best pure hitter on this team. But as he has aged he has become injury prone. Hard to deny his impact on this team when he is 100%. Gardner seems to regress ever second half. Maybe time to consider giving him more time off during the first half. This might allow him to be more consistent the second half. This is a set unit through the 2016 season.

9. 4TH outfielder has been held down all season by streaky hitting Young. He mashes lefties and plays above average defense all over the outfield. Will he return? Sure has warrantied the opportunity. Would be nice to see a versatile left handed bat added. Ackerly might be that man. He has the ability to play all over the field and many feel that his power will rise dramatically at Yankee Stadium.

10. Bullpen is one of the best in the game. The Yankees will be on the hunt for that additional reliever to make it a true three headed monster. With so many strong options in the minor leagues, would not surprise anyone to see the Yankees deal from this strength. Biggest question here might very well be who is the long reliever in 2016?

11. The rotation might be set for 2016. With Tanaka, Pineada, Evoladi, and Severino as locks. Nova, Warren or CC could round out the rotation. Most believe this is an area where the Yankees must improve in 2016, because of health concerns. Pineada and Tanaka have yet to complete 30 starts in a season, because of injuries. CC is currently healing up a another knee issue. Nova is returning from Tommy John surgery. Four of their top seven starters have health concerns. An additional #1 or #2 starter would make this one of the top rotations in baseball.

Looking ahead the Yankees need to improve its bench. They need to find a fourth outfielder and a utility infielder. We could use a top of the rotation starter. Second base will be a competition or filled from the outside. That third head for the bullpen would have to come from the outside. So far it is not in our current system.

BULLPEN:

Is there a viable option for the backend of the bullpen on the free agent market? The pickings are very slim.

1. Tyler Clippard is 31 and probable the cream of the crop.

2. Followed by 32 year old Joakim Soria.

3. Joaquin Benoit is 38 and has a 1.5 million buy out option for 2016.

Now, on the trade front Aroldis Chapman and Craig Kimbrel head the list. Yankees will continue pursuing these two this off season. Will they make a trade for one remains to be seen. Kimbrel seems to be their main target. Followed by Chapman.

ROTATION:

The rotation has very few options on the trade front. Most teams will not give up a top rotation options. That leaves the outstanding free agent options available this winter. There are 8 pitchers worth consideration.

#1 is 30 year old lefty David Price. Year in and year out he is consider to be a top left handed starter. Should be the top choice of the Yankees.

#2 is Johnny Cueto. 30 year old Cueto has proven he can pitch in a hitter friendly park. He is always in the Cy Young conversation.

#3 is 32 year old Zack Greinke. Greinke would have to opt out of his current contract. Good chance he is a Cy Young winner again this year.

#4 Jordan Zimmermann is 30 years old and is returning to form. Might be the best option when dollars are an issue.

#5 is 32 year old Scott Kazmir. Having another stellar year and is a very good left-handed option as one's number 2 starter.

#6 Jeff Samardzija is 31 and has a lot less mileage on his arm then any of these other choices. He is also a number two starter.

#7 is Hisashi Iwakuma. At 35 he is showing that he is a solid addition to any rotation. Should be considered as a number two or three starter

#8 is John Lackey. His being 37 is biggest reason he is not higher on this list. A bulldog on the mound who will not give in to any hitter. Will at least be a #3 starter.

4TH OUTFIELDER:

Top choice has to be Chris B. Young. There are in fact some very good option for the outfield this off season. Most of them will be looking for an everyday stating role. We do in fact have some intriguing in house options. Aaron Judge, Mason Williams, and Slade Heathcott are top in-house options. Ackerly has to be a consideration going forwards his versatility maybe the reason he makes the team in 2016.

UTILITY INFIELDER:

We might very well have best two options currently on our roster. Stephen Drew and Brendan Ryan are logical choices. One has to place Ackerly in the conversation because of his ability to play all over the field. This is so contingent on who mans second base.

SECOND BASE:

Will it be a competition between Ackerly and Refsynder? Hard to say at this point. I would assume that Cashman will look at all potential options here. He will even consider a current shortstop if they are available. Top free agent targets have to be:

1. Ian Desmond at 30 would be a strong option. He may not be willing to move off of his short stop position. He is nowhere near the defensive option of any one manning short for the Yankees in 2015. Having a down year may bring him into the picture as an option.

2. Ben Zobrist has proven he can play anywhere at 35. His best position is at second. He will be a much sought after commodity this off season.

3. Asdrubal Cabrera is only 30. He has had a rebound year in Tampa.

On the trade front I am sure Cashman will be trying his best to get Starlin Castro. He is very young and is very controllable for the next few years. Jose Reyes and Brandon Phillips will get some consideration but both will be an expensive addition. Not only by money owed but in assets surrendered to secure them. That being said only Castro should be considered as a trade option.

SUMMARY:

Add David Price to the rotation. He is a proven American League East Warrior. With CC knee this has to be an option to consider. Yes we would settle for Johnny Cueto. I would love to see Starlin Castro added to play second. He is having a down year and should be a reasonable trade option. He is still a very young player on a team friendly contract. Finally, add Craig Kimbrel. Making a trade, will mean giving up a guy(s) like Nova, Sanchez, Mateo, Refsynder, or Warren. With the addition of these three, retaining some current roster players (Drew and Young) and keep our options open with our strong minor leaguers. Would make the Yankees the World Series favorites in 2016.

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