CC Sabathia was the first big move of the offseason for the New York Yankees. The only thing that makes that quite strange is that the Sabathia extension was three months ago and the Yankees haven't really made any moves since. That was until Freaky Friday. Friday the 13th, marked the reawakening of a sleeping giant.
Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman said all along that he wanted to improve a starting rotation that needed obvious improvement, however he would not do it at a steep price.
Apparently, the price of improvement cost them their highly touted prospect Jesus Montero and the highly thought of Hector Noesi, but in return they received a great, young power arm in Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners. They also received another young stud in Jose Campos, a 19-year-old power arm.
Then when the dust settled and it seemed like that was the Yankees big offseason move, they signed Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year deal.
This was a huge night for the New York Yankees. In the end, the Yankees must have figured it is greater to have a promising young fireballer instead of a promising young power hitter without a position on the current Yankees roster. Montero truly would have been a DH on this team and the Yankees' catching situation becomes much clearer with this deal. It seems like the Yankees are going to go with the likes of Russell Martin and Austin Romine at backstop to hold down the fort until Gary Sanchez is ready to make noise with the big club.
The situation of aging players is also a factor. The likes of Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter are going to need to DH quite a bit throughout the remainder of their contracts, giving Montero limited opportunities to make the most of his situation.
Yes, Michael Pineda had a great first half and a weak second half in his rookie campaign. In fact, in his first 15 starts he went 7-4, with a 2.45 ERA, only allowing seven home runs, striking out 94 and only walking 27. In the second half, he went 2-6 with a 5.38 ERA, striking out 79 and walking 28 in 13 starts. The potential is there though. He had 173 strikeouts and just 55 walks all of last season and he is only going to be 23 years old this season.
This trade was a gamble, but the Yankees could really have a great young rotation for many years to come, anchored by the veteran CC Sabathia at the top. The Mariners also got a good-to-great young bat with a very nice pitcher in Noesi who will probably be in their rotation. Only time will allow us to grade this trade, but on paper this looks like a very even deal for both teams.
With the 36-year-old Kuroda now in the mix, the Yankees rotation really did a 180 in just a matter of hours on Friday the 13th. Kuroda went 13-16 with a stellar 3.07 ERA in 32 starts with the Dodgers in 2011.
The Yankees on January 13th are a much better team than they were on January 12th. For Yankees fans, now the exciting part comes in Spring Training in the back-end battle for the rotation between Phil Hughes, Freddy Garcia and A.J. Burnett. The Yankees also have the luxury of adding a bat in return for a pitcher, which they now have an excess of.
Once again, the New York Yankees grab headlines in the offseason. You didn't really think they were going to stand pat, did you?
Free agency and the offseason has finally begun after one of the most exciting pennant chases, postseasons and World Series ever. The 2011 class does not disappoint when it comes to talent at the top of this list and there are plenty of suitors out there that will be in on the bidding for these high end players.
The Yankees' needs are clear going into the 2012 season. The lineup is pretty much going to look the same after the option on Nick Swisher was picked up. Robinson Cano is obviously back in the fold and CC Sabathia, to the shock of many, agreed on an extension and decided not to opt out of the final four years on his contract. With that being said, the Yankees still need help in their rotation and there just may be a few free agents out there that could help the Bombers win No. 28.
With all of that being said, I have decided to rank the top 15 free agents in the 2011 class, predict what team they will be playing for in 2012 and if they are a fit for the Yankees. It's no surprise that the top free agent is:
Albert Pujols – This three-time NL MVP and Gold Glove winning first baseman will be 32 at the start of the 2012 season. Pujols is coming off of his second World Championship after the cardiac Cardinals had one of the greatest marches ever to a title. The only manager he has ever played for, Tony LaRussa, shocked everyone after the series and announced his retirement. Is this enough of a reason for Pujols to bolt town? With his buddy Ozzie Guillen managing the Marlins now, will Pujols take his talents to South Beach? My guess is no.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: He stays in St. Louis. He will go down as the greatest Cardinal ever.
Prince Fielder – The still young 27-year-old first baseman is coming off another stellar season with his 38 home runs, 120 RBIs and a .981 OPS. Teams will be chomping at the bit to land the services of this three time All-Star. It's almost a certainty that his tenure in Milwaukee is over after leading them to the NLCS in 2011, so what hat will he be wearing once he reports to Spring Training?
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: He signs with the Washington Nationals. I have felt that the young Nats with nothing to lose and a boat load of cash will outbid and sell him on Washington. However, I would not be surprised if Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer snatch him up in Chicago.
Jose Reyes – Reyes showed in 2011 why he truly is one of the most dynamic players in the game. He has 50 stolen base potential every year and he won the NL batting title. The problem is he hasn't played more that 133 games in a season since 2008. Will he leave the Mets for greener pastures?
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: Ultimately I think the price tag is going to fall on Reyes and he is going to fall into the Phillies lap. Boy would Mets fans be mad if that happened.
C.J. Wilson – He certainly is the best available pitcher on the market. I'm not sold on Wilson's long-term abilities. He has pitched in a division facing the weak lineups of the Mariners and Athletics. Am I the only one that feels this way? He did go 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA in 2011, even with his putrid showing in the postseason.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: Maybe just because he throws lefty and is a starter.
Prediction: It would behoove him to stay in the AL West, but I think the Nats want to make a big splash and they will sign him along with Fielder.
Jonathan Papelbon – For years the speculation has been that Papelbon would leave Boston once his contract was up, but I'm starting to think otherwise. He's still an elite closer and with him re-signing, it would still give the Red Sox one of the better bullpens in baseball.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: He re-signs with the BoSox
Carlos Beltran – Beltran had a nice bounce-back season in 2011. He played over 140 games in a season for the first time since 2008 and he produced, batting .300 with 22 home runs and played very well after being traded to the Giants midseason.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: He signs with the San Francisco Giants. I think he's staying put, but watch out for the Red Sox in this chase.
Jimmy Rollins – Is Rollins the player he once was? No, probably not. Is he still a very good shortstop right now? Yes. He had a nice year in 2011, hitting .268 with 16 home runs, 63 RBIs and he had 30 stolen bases.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: He signs with the San Francisco Giants. I think the Giants are going to make a big splash for offensive help and give Rollins the five years that he is seeking. However, if the Phillies don't get Reyes, they will certainly be in the mix to bringing him back.
Aramis Ramirez – The Cubs were so bad in 2011, it overshadowed the year Ramirez had. The 33-year-old, third baseman is as consistant as they come. He's not the best third baseman in the league, but it's hard to argue with his production. A .306 average, with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs is nothing to sneeze at, especially with the lineup that he had around him in Chicago.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: He signs with the Florida Marlins. I think Ozzie will get his man here and improve a Marlins team moving into a new stadium.
David Ortiz – Big Papi will be 36 years old on Opening Day and this DH still has some spark left in his swing. A .953 OPS, .309 average, 28 home runs and 96 RBIs are still excellent numbers in the AL East and that's why when all of the drama clears in Boston, I think they have to bring him back.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: He re-signs with the Boston Red Sox.
Heath Bell – I will call this section closers row. Heath Bell has an opportunity at 34 years old to get maybe the first and last multi-year big contract of his career, and I think he will score that with a team that is in need of a solid, 40 save a year man.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: The team in need of a solid, 40 save a year man is the team he's already with. He's comfortable in San Diego and I think he stays in San Diego.
Ryan Madson – Mad Dog is coming off of his first full season as a closer. At 31, I think the Phillies can't afford to lose this guy.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: He re-signs with the Phillies.
Francisco Rodriguez – K-Rod is back on the market as a closer. After saving 23 games for the Mets, he was traded to the Brewers, where he served as their set-up man. However, he will return to his rightful spot at the end of the game in 2012.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: He signs with the Texas Rangers. There is a lot of speculation out there that he might end up in Florida, but I think Nolan Ryan wants to move Neftali Feliz to the rotation.
Mark Buehrle – Buehrle is as solid as they come. He is consistant year in and year out and he eats up innings. He's had 11 consecutive seasons of double-digit victories and pitched over 200 innings in every one of those seasons. He is also a defensive wizard at fielding his position. His higher ERA (3.83 career ERA) may concern some teams.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: Yes
Prediction: I think Buehrle is the southpaw the Yankees will sign. He's not the best pitcher on the market, but he is extremely consistant and again the key word being southpaw.
Roy Oswalt – Oswalt went 9-10 in 23 starts with the Phillies in 2011. He may not be the dominant pitcher he once was, but something tells me there is still some juice left in that 34-year-old tank.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: Yes
Prediction: He signs with the Texas Rangers. I think once the Rangers lose C.J. Wilson, they will sign Oswalt to be the veteran presence in a very young staff. It's also a bonus for Oswalt that he would be returning to Texas.
Coco Crisp – I like Coco Crisp. He's like that pesky fly that keeps bothering you and won't go away. I say this out of respect. He is a solid, solid ballplayer. His .314 OBP in 2011 was not his best work, but he did swipe 49 bags this season.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: No
Prediction: He signs with the San Francisco Giants. I think he just hops right across the bay.
Yu Darvish – This is an honorable mention. He is technically not a free agent. If he were, I would rank him higher than 16. However, I have voiced my opinion on Darvish. I think to pay a massive posting fee for an unknown commodity is insane. Everyone says that Darvish is different. He isn't like the other Japanese pitchers that have come to the United States and not lived up to their billing. Darvish is being hyped up just like every other Japanese pitcher. Until he comes here and proves that he can consistantly year in and year out get out Major League hitters, I'm not sold.
Is he a fit for the Yankees?: Yes, I guess.
Prediction: He signs with the Texas Rangers. Just throwing that out there because Nolan Ryan can never have enough pitching.
Starting lineups 9/14: Yankees (90-57) at Mariners (61-87)
YANKEES: Derek Jeter SS Curtis Granderson CF Mark Teixeira 1B Robinson Cano 2B Nick Swisher RF Jesus Montero DH Andruw Jones LF Russell Martin C Eduardo Nunez 3B Ivan Nova RHP
MARINERS: Ichiro RF Kyle Seager 3B Dustin Ackley 2B Mike Carp LF Justin Smoak 1B Miguel Olivo C Wily Mo Pena DH Luis Rodriguez SS Trayvon Robinson CF Jason Vargas LHP
Yankees
Nets
