Waiting on Cliff

The Yankees lost out on Crawford and Werth, and aren't willing to let go of any big name prospects for Zack Greinke. That means that Cliff Lee is no longer just their primary off season  target. He's their only one.

Pavano is still out there, but I wouldn't wish that on The Red Sox The Mets my worst enemy.

 The Yankees have allegedly offered three deals: 5 years $123 MM, 6 years, $144 MM, or a whopping 7 years $161 MM. The Rangers, the only other team believed to still be involved in the negotiations, have been rumored to offer a 5-year deal with a sixth year option. If Nolan Ryan is right, we're looking at at least one more day of waiting before any decision is made. Who will he wind up with? Yankee officials have expressed some sceptacism,  but I believe the smart money is still on the Yankees. Expect to see Lee in pinstripes by mid-week.

The Yankees need to do whatever they can to stay competitive in the AL east, especially with the moves Boston has made over the last few days. Cliff Lee is much more important right now to the Yankees than he will be too Texas. The Yankees already missed out on Lee once, don't expect the Steinbrenners to miss out on him twice.

Don't make daddy's ghost mad.

Analyzing the 2011 Free Agent Class Part II: The Maybes

This is part two of our four part series. Today we're going to take a look at the players that the Yanks could make a run at this offseason. This is the first of two posts on the maybes.

Adam Dunn:
First things first...I love Adam Dunn. Hes one of my current favorite non-Yankees. I remember watching him in the '09 World Baseball Classic and he was just an exciting player to watch. Yeah, he strikes out a lot (he only bated .260 last year) but man does he hit the hell out of the ball. Since 2004 he has hit at least 38 home runs each year, and only the last two did he hit less than 40, and that was in a weak Washington lineup. Not to mention, Nationals Park is 335 down the line where as Yankee Stadium is only 314. Imagine him in that ballpark, with the kind of protection that the Yankee lineup provides? He'd be a home run machine, easily hitting at least 45, maybe as many as 50, especially if he's in the 5 or 6 hole, hitting behind Alex or Robbie. This could potential be a very good pick up at DH for the Yanks, however I feel that he'll be looking for similar money to the $12 million he got last year, which may prove to be too much once the Yanks sign bigger names (more on that thursday), but I would still love to see this happen.

Victor Martinez:
As much as I would love to have Jesus Montero be the everyday starter next year (and some think he is), it wouldn't make sense to expect him to catch 162 games right out of the gate (and yes I know he'll probably never catch every game, but you get the point). The best option is to platoon him. Assuming we don't sign Adam Dunn, the Yankees will still have a gaping whole at DH. Which is why I propose moving the aging Possada to DH, and platoon Martinez and Montero. Cervelli won't cut it as a backup with a rookie as your full time starter. It makes way too much sense, not to mention while his defense isn't great, Martinez would be an obvious defensive upgrade over Possada, who throws out about as many batters as my 4 year old cousin each year.  Not to mention, signing him would piss off bandwagon nation Red Sox nation, and nothing makes me quite as happy as that. 3 years, $22 million.

Analyzing the 2011 Free Agent Class

 

With the demise of the Yankees 2010 season and the World Series a game away from ending, its time to turn our attention to 2011. Remember, there's only 105 days until Pitchers and Catchers report! We already know that Joe Girardi will be back, and over the next few days we'll take a look at the 2011 free agent class. For this first post, we'll take a look at the 2011 free agents who we're with the Yankees in 2010.

Derek Jeter & Mariano Rivera:
The Captain and Mo have a lot in common: Both are true Yankee greats, both first-ballot hall of famers, both will have their numbers retired one day, and both will be back next year. Jeter's numbers have fallen in the last few years, but he's still Derek Jeter. He'll get paid whatever he wants. His last contract, for 10 years and $189 million, is the third largest contract in the history of sports (behind only a-rod's last two contracts), and he will probably make similar money to that. The fact of the matter is, Jeter will never play anywhere else, and as much as I would like to see him take one of those small contracts like Piazza did towards the end of his carear, I don't think that is going to happen. Picture 4 years, $84 Million, loaded with incentives and a club option for a fifth year. As for Mariano, another 3 year $45 million dollar contract, also with incentives sounds about right.

Andy Pettite:
 Another year, another waiting game with Andrew Eugene Pettite. Long story short, if he wants to come back, he will. He'll solidify the back end of the rotation, and give the Yankees a reliable arm. However, the news that Pettite was injured in the postseason, along with his often stated desire to spend time in Texas with his family, raises doubt on Pettites possible return for 2011. If he wants to come back expect $12 Million for 1 year.



Lance Berkman and Nick Johnson:
The Yankees have declined the options on both Berkman and Johnson following the 2010 season. Both players underperformed in 2010, and I do not expect them to be back. Berkman will probably sign with another club, most likely in the NL. As for the last man to play with Babe Ruth Nick Johnson, his wrist surgery this year has quite possibly ended his career.

Kerry Wood:
The Yankees have also declined Kerry Wood's option for 2011, however, thanks to his stellar 2010 performance, I expect the Yankees to offer him a contract for less than the $11 offered in his option. $6 million, one year.