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SP Masahiro Tanaka
SP Bartolo Colon
SP AJ Burnett
RP Joe Nathan
RP Grant Balfour
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia
1B Jeff Baker
2B Omar Infante
3B Juan Uribe
SS Jhonny Peralta
LF Nate McLouth
CF Rajai Davis
RF Marlon Byrd
DH Michael Young
This isn't a suggestion that the Yankees sign any or all of these guys, it's more of an admission:
First, this is a weak free agent class. After Peralta, who's the best shortstop on the market? Who's a legitimate option at third or in center field?
Second, how much better are the thirteen qualifying offer worthy players than this team?
Sure, Robinson Cano is a world removed from Omar Infante. But for a team with a center fielder like Brett Gardner, is Curtis Granderson or Jacoby Ellsbury really worth a multi-year deal and draft picks compared with McLouth or Byrd on a one-year deal? Would you try to trade for an infielder or a starter, or take your chances next season when Chase Headley and Hanley Ramirez, Clayton Kershaw and Jon Lester could (but might not) be available?