All right guys. It might be a little early, since (at this point) it seems as though the Yankees are going to make the playoffs but I was just wondering what people thought of how the Yankees are going to handle this offseason. Five major cogs of the team are going to either be going to free agency or have an option (i.e., Roger Clemens, Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez*, Bobby Abreu**, and Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettit*). Also considering the recent decline and resurgence of Mike Mussina, there are a lot of issues to consider. The other part of it is that there aren't really many free agents from which to choose or over pay. It seems as though the Yankees farm system has been pretty loaded, but with pitchers, not many position players. So, what do people think? How would you guys like to see the offseason play out? Oh, and please, if you aren't interested in posting anything constructive and think this thread is premature, then ignore it. Thats your choice. * = player option ** = club option
Bobby Abreu, $16 million team option. Never wuld've thought this earlier in teh season, but I want the to pick up the option Alex Rodriguez (terminate contract) - PLEASE STAY AROD Andy Pettitte, $16 million player option - Want Pettitte back too. Wouldnt surprise me if he declined the option and signed a 2 year deal for about the same amount Free Agency Doug Mientkiewicz - I want him back, 2 years 4-5 million? Jose Molina - I want him back, similar contract to Minky Jorge Posada - I want him , 3 years about $40 mill. Mariano Rivera - I want him back, 3 years about $40 mill also Luis Vizcaino - I want him back, 2-3 years $10-15 mill
So, basically bring the team back as it is now. I can't disagree considering the alternatives that are / will be on the market. Clemens is pretty much gone, that is a given. Plus, the others all have a vital role on the team. But that does seem to be an expensive offseason, even by Yankee standards.
Aside from Jose Tabata, there are no other positional prospects that get me excited. And he's two / three years away now.
Austin Jackson? I really like him alot. He was in Low A, struggled a bit, got called up to High A, and completely ripped the cover off of the ball (.346/9/33 with a .399 OBP, .554 SLG, and .953 OPS, with 14 SB to boot). He'll probably start next year in Trenton, possibly seeing some time in NY towards the end of the year if he keeps playing like he did in Tampa. And I like a lot of this year's draft crop (Romine, Suttle, Grote, Angelini to name a few)
For me it would be Players we have to have: Alex Rodriguez Legendary Yankees that we should really bring back, but if we lost 1 or 2 of them it wouldn't kill the team (I know some of you may think that we have to have them back, and I wouldn't really disagree ): Andy Pettitte Jorge Posada Mariano Rivera Complementary Players that could really help the bench: Jose Molina Doug Mientkiewicz If we could get a sutable replacement it wouldn't be that bad if they left: Vizcaino Abreu However, I wouldn't mind at all if all 8 came back:beer:
After the way Joe has managed this second half, he has to come back! Also, Joe may be the only way to get players like Pettitte and Posada back. The players have such respect for him.
I think it comes down to players that the Yankees absolutely NEED and others that aren't absolute needs. Only 2 of the players are need players - Mariano and Posada. The others are replaceable but signing them or not requires weighing the other options on the market. Are there any other options for getting a backup catcher , starting pitcher, middle relief, and a third baseman? If we lose A-rod, for example, where else can / should that money be spent? And on whom?
Brett Gardner is in AAA and he is a great defensive outfielder, who leads off in AAA and has great speed.
But what are we going to be able to do with him? Our outfield is loaded with Damon, Cabreara and .... Gardner(?). From what I know, he doesn't have a right field arm, but does Melky?
