Courtesy of Mark Feinsand comes a few tidbits from Brian Cashman:
Despite the published reports linking the Yankees to Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano, the bullpen isn’t the primary focus for Cashman. With plenty of young arms to go along with Mariano Rivera, Damaso Marte and Brian Bruney, the Yankees are well-stocked, so they don’t have to go out and spend big on another setup man like they did earlier this decade with Steve Karsay, Tom Gordon and Kyle Farnsworth.
“We have guys knocking on the door from the minor leagues, and it’s always easy to take a starter and make him into a reliever – I think we’re good at that,” Cashman joked. “Is it an area of obvious need? No. You’ve got to look more at the rotation and left field.”
This was discussed at length in Steve’s post yesterday, and I think Cash is taking the right approach to building a bullpen. Relievers are incredibly volatile, and sinking money into them seems like a silly move when your minor league system contains plenty of bullpen options. Cashman did not rule it out, but he was more forthcoming than he typically is about his plans, suggesting that he may not be incredibly interested in bringing in a reliever unless the cost is incredibly low.
It sounds like CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are the only starters with a firm grasp on spots in the rotation right now. Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and a host of other internal candidates exist to fill the No. 4 and 5 spots (I’m assuming that Pettitte or a big free agent such as John Lackey would be the No. 3), but unlike two years ago, the Yankees seem intent on having an open competition for those slots next spring. “Right now, if you look at our starters, you’d probably say we have two starters for sure and then a mix of some other guys,” Girardi said. “That’s probably the first thing we need to figure out.”
I think the Yankees plan on having Hughes and Chamberlain start the year in the rotation, but are trying to keep both pitchers motivated to work on their craft over the offseason. Some have suggested that Joba in particular had too much success too fast, and that the Yankees should make him earn his spot. It seems that they are at least paying lip service to that idea.
Cashman knows how lucky the Yankees were to remain relatively healthy with their aging team this season, but unless he feels that he can improve the team with younger players he isn’t going to bring in young players for the sole reason of reducing the average age.
“You always want to be younger, but only if it’s with the idea of getting better,” Cashman said. “Getting younger just for younger sake doesn’t mean you’ll get better. You have to pick the right guys to get younger with.”
Pundits talk about getting younger all the time, but sometimes it is easier said than done. Furthermore, sometimes getting younger does not mean going out and signing a 30 year free agent to replace a 37 year old player. Often, the smart move in a youth movement is signing veteran players like Johnny Damon and Mike Cameron to short term deals to hold spots while you search for the right young guys. Cashman clearly understands this concept, and I would not be surprised to see the Yankees bring in a number of older players on short term deals this offseason.
Related posts:
What about that Zack MacCallister guy I keep hearing about? Is he any good? Does he throw 106mph like that Grant Dunn guy?
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Grant Duff is a bullpen arm. McCallister is a legit prospect. He doesn’t throw incredibly hard, but throws hard enough and has solid all around skills. His ceiling is probably a #3 starter, and he might be in the mix with Joba, Hughes, Aceves, etc for those end of rotation spots in spring training.
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swo Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Oh, I know all about Zachary and Mr. Duff. I was just “Francesa-izing” (I probably should have mentioned our top prospect Jesus Sanchez) and also poking fun at everyone who keeps spelling Zach’s name wrong…heh…
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Does anyone think Cash makes a big move for a younger starter? I know Cano for Wainwright was shot down by the Cards last year but I like that thinking. Someone like Johnson, Wainwright, Kershaw, Cain, Jimenez…just depends on what the Yanks need to give up. I’d rather give up A.Jackson as a center piece for one of those guys instead of getting Granderson in return. I know the asking price will be higher but I think that a move like that would provide for a lot of flexibility in the future. CC and Johnson would give the Yanks a nasty 1-2 w/ maybe Joba or Phil reaching their potential as the #3 for years to come. SICK!
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The other Chris H Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Jackson doesn’t have the trade value to be the center piece for a trade for SP unless you want a bad one, he simply doesn’t project well enough to warrant the attention of someone with a big time starter… I also see no need for Cashman to pull some big retarded trade just for the sake of it.
there is no way you could land a guy like Josh Johnson for less than Joba and Hughes+ or Montero+, just looking at the Marlins past trades you realize they don’t screw themselves over and they don’t give away the talent they trade. The Sox may have gotten a WS ring out of Beckett but the Marlins are doing fine with Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez. Besides I worry about Josh Johnson’s health and the fact that the Marlins weren’t even willing to offer him a 4th year kind of scares me away.
I would like to see the Yankees pull off the Granderson deal but only if they can work Edwin Jackson into the trade… I highly doubt he repeats his performance as a number 2 starter but he would be a great number 4 starter with his stuff and would more than easily make a good starter for 1 game in a 7 game series.
Jeter, SS
Granderson, CF
Tex, 1B
Arod, 3B
Matsui, DH
Posada, C
Cano, 2B
Swisher, RF
Cameron, LF
Sabathia
Burnett
Pettitte
Jackson
Hughes/Joba
the Yankees really don’t need another number 1 starter or to pull off some huge blockbuster trade they can feel all the needs we have with lower paid contracts and a bunch on 1 year deals…. Sheets, Cameron, Matsui, Putz all could be key contributors on 1 year deals.
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I would love to see the yankees get Johnson for a basket of minor-leaguers (not incl. Montero).
Cash is playing it cool and close to the vest, at this time.
You got to think that Theo must be trying harder. I hope that he doesn’t pull off another steal trade. Or, if he does, Cash counters him good.
But, it all feels good right now, with the afterglow of the 27th.
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