Yanks 2009: What if Money Were no Object?
What if money was no object? The Yanks were mailing it in yet again, and I’m in a mood for distractions. I know, I know, the season is still going on, but I thought I would stir things up just a little. Many writers consider who should be in the starting lineup, and that’s fine, but for this look, I want to throw money at the problem [namely, the Yanks are a fourth-place team, and we all want a first-place team], and invite a bunch of guys to Spring Training. Whomever doesn’t cut the mustard, cut ‘em. Now, this is theoretical: I don’t really hope the Yanks follow this model. Remember, a team may only sign three “Type ‘A’” free agents [yeah, more or less, depending on how many are available…].
Catcher
Jorge Posada
Jose Molina
Ivan Rodriguez
Chad Moeller
Each one of these guys has major chinks in his armor. Posada’s throwing arm has always been poor, and is now coming off surgery. He’s never been a master of calling games, either. He might be completely unable to catch. Molina can’t hit for crap. He calls a good game and throws out runners pretty well, but breaks down when he plays more than sporadically. Pudge can hit [not when wearing a Yankee uniform, alas] and can throw out runners. He’s maligned for not being interested in game-calling, and his power hitting is a faded memory. Moeller’s perhaps the best third-string catcher around, and doesn’t cost a bunch.
Wishes:
[1] We get to combine the finest attributes of all four:
Posada’s clubhouse presence and clutch hitting, plus power. Pudge’s batting average and throwing arm. Molina’s defense and game-calling. Moeller’s salary.
[2] Okay, okay, I said money was no object. Get Yogi Berra the Fountain of Youth.
Prognosis:
Posada makes the club, but is woeful behind the plate. If he can catch at all, it will be a rare occasion. Look for him to star at DH with appearances at 1B.
Molina makes the club, but cannot catch every game, and can’t hit anyway.
Pudge gets re-signed, which will cost both several years and a ton of money. He’ll hit more singles than Jose, which isn’t saying much.
Moeller spends time on the farm, biding his time until someone gets hurt, or Frankie Cervelli is ready for the bigs.
First Base
Mark Teixeira [Type ‘A’ FA #1]
Jason Giambi
Juan Miranda
Sign Big Tex and see if he can succeed in Da Bronx. If so, he’ll pretty much do it all, making the other superfluous. If no, he’ll be a costly mistake. Slow, but hits okay. Most of his AB’s come from the left side, and with the short porch, he could hit a jillion homers [unless he changes his swing like Giambi did]. Plays good defense, too. Giambino has an option year left. Sign him as insurance in case Tex wilts in the hot spotlight. He can always DH or pinch hit. Juan Miranda deserves a look, too. If we don’t land Teixeira, or if he $ux, JuMi becomes our first baseman of the future.
Wishes:
Reincarnate Lou Gehrig. Then, give ol’ Biscuit Pants the Fountain of Youth.
Prognosis:
If Tex signs, he’ll be the real deal. Giambi gets relegated to spot starts at 1B, plus DH/PH duty. Miranda stays at SWB, maybe becoming trade bait.
Second Base
Robinson Cano
Get ready to sacrifice chickens or goats or whatever, throw some salt, pray, do something. Kevin Long is going to re-tool Canoe’s swing.
Wishes:
[1] Long is successful. Cano hits .340 with 25 homers and 100 ribbies.
[2] We steal Larry Bowa back to get on Robbie’s a$$, keeping him alert in the field.
Prognosis:
There are other areas which will be more of a stretch than Cano. At worst, he’ll be an average second baseman.
Shortstop
Derek Jeter
At some point, Jeets will have to move to another position. Now is not the time. Sure hands but limited range. Hits for decent average with occasional pop and great in the clutch. Slowing down which is causing more and more groundings into double plays. Great leader by example.
Wishes:
DJ goes through another rigorous off-season training regimen, working on speed, quickness, range, and power.
Prognosis:
One more year. Keep it going for one more year. 2009 will be better than 2008.
Third Base
Alex Rodriguez
Let’s get something straight right off the bat: Alex Rodriguez will not be our shortstop. A-Rod plays a decent third base, runs, throws, hits, walks, hits for power….. when it flows, like 2007, he’s even a positive influence to the kids. Seriously, see a sports psychologist – can’t hit in pressure situations. Needs to channel Graig Nettles.
Wishes:
A-Rod realizes the nature of his frailty, and sees his shrink. Oh, and gets back together as BFF with Jeter.
Prognosis:
Like it or not, we’re stuck with the guy. Build the right team [that will succeed in the playoffs] and he will help get us there.
Utility Infielders
Cody Ransom
Wilson Betemit
Nick Green
Face it – none of these guys are good enough to start. Betemit strikes out way too much, and is eating himself out of being anything but a lumbering first baseman [which the Yanks evidently have a passion for, but we already have so many!!] Cody Ransom can hit, but is almost as old as Derek Jeter. Nick Green just can’t hit.
Left Field
Xavier Nady
“X” marks the spot. Surrounded by stars, X-man should see his productivity soar [although his average and probably his power will decline somewhat]. Decent fielder, decent arm. Best man for the job.
Center Field
Rocco Baldelli [not projecting as a Type ‘A’ or ‘B’ free agent]
Johnny Damon
Baldelli has been battling a mysterious mitochondrial problem. Dude’s Italian, and he wears #5 in Tampa. Get it? And, he throws better than JD. Damon hits for average and runs, has occasional pop and can hit in the clutch. Plus, he has sexy calves [he said so himself]. Sadly, he has a noodle for an arm and can be run on by Little Leaguers.
Wishes:
[1] Roc signs and fulfills the promise he has always hinted at.
[2] Damo works on that throwing arm in the offseason.
[3] We combine “JD” and “#5”….. yeah. Right. But, Ted Williams was cryogenically preserved, so……
Prognosis:
This one’s a stretch. Maybe we won’t take a flyer on Baldelli. Maybe we’ll try Melky again. Maybe……
Right Field
Bobby Abreu
Abreu is clearly on the downswing. His power is pretty much gone, his average is falling, and he is losing his selectivity/patience at the plate. Plus, he’s afraid of outfield fences. Still, signing him gives us an above-average player, and buys us time until the kids begin arriving. Remember, money is no object.
Wishes:
George. Herman. Ruth. Plus, he could serve as an occasional reliever!
Prognosis:
On the Yanks, Abreu will be above league average. On any other team, I am afraid his weakness will begin to glare. He’ll want a multi-year contract, which means we’d be eating one or more years.
Outfield Extras
Melky Cabrera
Brett Gardner
Justin Christian
These guys remain the Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Lounging in Scranton, they are essentially biding their time until Austin Jackson passes them by.
Wishes:
Bowa comes back and gets after Melky. Melky continues with the A-Rod workout [in the training room, peeps! Geez – dirty minds!! =:-0]. Gardner and Christian mature into stars.
Prognosis:
Gardner gets a little less overmatched at the plate. Christian has some fine numbers in Scranton. Melky shows he’s better than the 2008 model. The burning question is: how much better?
Designated Hitter
Hideki Matsui
All of those consecutive games are finally taking their toll on Godzilla. He'll need to split AB's with Giambi and Damon. Almost worth keeping him inactive until June or July, and then activating him for the postseason
Starting Pitchers
CC Sabathia [Type ‘A’ FA #2]
CM Wang
Mike Mussina
Andy Pettitte
Phil Hughes
Ian Kennedy
Alfredo Aceves
Sidney Ponson
"DL Carla"
AJ Burnett [Type A/B FA #3]
Humberto Sanchez
Sabathia should be an excellent addition, lefty, workhorse. Milwaukee has tried to burn his arm out, so he may have an injury or significant dead-arm period in 2009. If he works out right, will anchor the rotation. Wang is a perennial 19 game winner. He’ll do better, next year. Mussina has reinvented himself in the Jamie Moyer/Greg Maddux mould: at this rate, he will be nearly as effective next year. Andy P had a horrible off-season. With proper preparation, he’ll rebound significantly in 2009. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy get invited to ST but build innings in SWB. Alfredo Aceves comes along for the ride – I think he’d be better served starting regularly in Scranton instead of riding the pine in NYC. Siddy is insurance, as is "DL Carla". Sid’s a free agent, but will probably sign a one-year deal. "DL Carla" has a club option for 2009, and pitches well when up for a contract. Plus, Pudge seems to find the best in him. AJ Burnett has proven he can succeed in the AL East. Can he stay healthy? Humberto has a power arm and is a local boy; probably needs a year on the farm.
Wishes:
Everyone stays healthy and comes back nicely from injury.
The kids mature and fulfill the promise we all saw in them.
Closer
Mariano Rivera
The Ageless One has another brilliant season.
8th Inning Guy
Joba Chamberlain
At least for now as he builds arm strength. Looks to start by end of 2009.
Relief Pitchers
Jose Veras
Brian Bruney
Chris Britton
Damaso Marte`
Darrell Rasner
Dan Giese
Phil Coke
Edwar Ramirez
Dave Robertson
Mark Melancon
JB Cox
Kyle Farnsworth [Non-Type A/B FA]
Farnsy seemed to find a groove, pitching for his ol’ battery-mate, Joe Girardi. The rest of these guys, shake ‘em up, throw ‘em against the wall, see who sticks.
Okay, that's the "money is no object" look at what can be done with the Yanks. Obviously, I am not serious about this [the payroll would surely be well over $200 mil], but there are some nuggets in there which I will expound upon later. Let's hope Hank Steinbrenner doesn't hear of this [unless he hires me! hahaha].
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