From Pete Caldera (NJ.com):
“My work’s going to start again tomorrow,” general manager Brian Cashman said outside the home clubhouse early Thursday morning, while players and staff were still celebrating their World Series-clinching victory over Philadelphia in Game 6. “That’s the way it is in the front office.”
Caldera goes on to outline the specific areas that the Yankees will have to address over the winter, such as starting pitching, the Matsui versus Damon issue (essentially, the left field and DH issue), and the bullpen. Sorting out their bench, which was surprisingly strong this season after a series of smart decisions, is also a priority.
Picking up where Caldera left off, Joel Sherman (NY Post) writes that most team officials he has spoken to indicate that the Yankees will likely have a low-key winter, one in which they’ll exercise financial restraint after picking up most of their expensive toys (CC, Teixeira, Burnett) a year ago. Guys like Jason Bay, John Lackey, and Matt Holliday—Sherman says the Yankees like Holliday, but could afford to pass on him (even if Boston is interested)—appear to be out of the Yankees’ price range. The last-minute Teixeira deal might have been a bank buster for Hal Steinbrenner.
To shore up their lineup, Sherman speculates that the team will push to resign Damon to a one-year deal, then possibly pursue Carl Crawford as Damon’s successor once Crawford becomes a free agent after 2010 (unless the Rays sign him to an extension). He also notes that the Yankees could dangle Robinson Cano as trade bait for another pitcher—Felix Hernandez, perhaps—although such a blockbuster seems unlikely (if Matsui signs with another team the Yankees will need to retain their offense).
Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images
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One need no one is talking about is a replacement for Phil Hughes
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Steve S Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Just to expand on this, Joba and Hughes will likely be our #4 and 5 starters. So your primary setup man will be Marte or Robertson.
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Another thing on Crawford. His OBP is lower than people think, he doesn’t have much pop and his value is tied up in his speed, which at 29 is going to begin declining in a few years. He’s a nice player, but the type Yankee fans will like more when he’s playing elsewhere.
If Crawford was on the Yanks instead of Damon, he’d likely be our #8 hitter.
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Chris H. Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
He’s tremendously overrated. His pop has never materialized. If he could hit 20 homers, he’d be a top player. Until that day comes, he’s just a solid guy.
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Classic Steve Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Strongly disagree with both of you as to the ability of Crawford going forward(2011-2014). Initially,by the advanced metrics he is consistently one of the top, if not the very best defensive left fielder in baseball. Far superior to Damon at any point during his Yankee tenure. Secondly, as for his speed, Damon retained his SB ability through the age of 34 which is one year older than Crawford would be following the 2014 season. Additionally, it is worth noting that Lou Brock , who held the single season stolen base record prior to Rickey Henderson, set the mark at the age of 35 so there is no reason to expect a dramatic drop- off for Crawford during the term of his contract. Finally, as for his offense he established career highs in walks and OBP in 2009 so that aspect of his game may be developing.His career OPS+ is within 2 points of Damon’s. His HR credentials are very similar to Damon’s prior to JD coming to New York. Power may develop late like Damon, especially if he could tailor his swing to the contours of the ballpark.In all, I think, if Crawford were to sign with the Yankess for 4-5 years beginning in 2011, one could reasonably expect a performance level at least as good, if not better, than what Damon has provided the last 4 years, especially given the opportunity to perform on the big stage in front of capacity crowds every night as opposed to the situation in Tampa.
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Old Ranger Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Thank you Classic Steve…
Last spring I had heard Tampa may not offer Crawford, but they have freed up some money this year…so maybe they will offer! As large as LF is, we sure can use him out there…either him or BJ (CF), would enhance the teams defense tremendously. I wouldn’t try a trade for either one…to high a price but, I would take either one over just about anyone else.
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Chris H. Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
I see what you’re saying CS, but I never said that Damon was currently a better player, nor did I ever compare to two. I just said that Crawford, from an offensive standpoint, is overrated. He needs more power to be considered a top left fielder. Ryan Braun, Matt Holliday, these guys are elite players (I wouldn’t call Damon an elite left fielder either). Crawford, at least offensively, isn’t there yet. He has a great glove and has a ton of speed, but I think he needs to show some more pop before he can claim the title of best left fielder in baseball. That could, of course, happen if given a job at Yankee Stadium. He did hit 9 of his 15 homers to RF this year.
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Classic Steve Reply:
November 7th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Fair comments Chris. Crawford seems to have settled in around 15 HR/year, a number which undoubtedly would go up to some degree if he played in YS.I have nothing tangible to base the next comment on but I think in an electric atmosphere such as YS, surrounded by proven professionals, Crawford’s talents would be unleashed and his overall game would rise to a higher level then we have seen so far. Once again, just a sense that we haven’t seen everything that Crawford has to give as of yet.
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I say give Meloncon another shot. Maybe his time in the bigs last year will prove to be a learning experience for him. Maybe his nerves will calm down next yr and not be so wild. I still believe he can be a good addition to our bp- he has the talent.
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Old Ranger Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I agree, he has good stuff but, for some reason he hasn’t shown well in the Show. His stuff is too good to give up on. Some guys just get to high or nervous the first year. As you pointed out; he has the talent to be in the bigs, now he needs to prove it.
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If Hughes and Chamberlain really are starting pitchers next year, there would be vast uncertainty in the rotation. A.J. lacks consistency; Andy, if he returns, shows signs of wear and tear. I would rather see either Joba or Phil start (not both), and the other move into the rotation when injury kicks in or the innings cap plays into the equation. In short, I see the need for another consistent starter, and I hope the Yankees reconsider Lackey, who would slot in very well after C.C. and give the team a strong rotation for the post-season, too. There are lesser free agent possibilities, and I am sure the Yankees will go after one of them (e.g. Harden or Sheets) as mid-rotation insurance if they pass on Lackey.
I agree that between Marte, Robertson, and Melancon, an 8th inning solution should emerge. And if Hughes or Chamberlain spend some time in the pen (Hughes’s innings limit would mandate that), there would be another piece, especially for the post-season.
I doubt very much whether the M’s will put King Felix on the market, but that would raise another possibility.
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Marte has improved every week since coming back, being a hard thrower and left handed helps him a lot. Most lefty BP pitchers are not as fast as he is, he should be a big help next year.
Melancon has very good stuff, even his fast ball has good life on it (sets at 91-94?), if he can get his head turned around, he could very well be the 8th inning guy.
Robertson is a guy that has always made me nervous but, he gets the job done, he sometimes wants to nibble to much…6th/7th inning guy?
As for Phil and Joba; I think Joba will start the year in the rotation, unless there is something wrong with him. He has three top of the line pitches and a change that is coming along. He wants to throw his slider to much with two strikes, a lot of the hitters are setting on it after they get two strikes. His curve is good but, he needs to use it more often.
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El Rey makes me drool too much to to fantasize over him any longer…
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