Not an easy fix but clearly doable

Not an easy fix but clearly doable

Thomas Scibelli

If there is one thing we’ve learned from these past few World Series it’s that developing and extending young players is in, and big contracts are out. Unfortunately for the Yankees, they have no young talent (thanks Mark Newman), and it looks like they are going to have to give out a big contract to save face and fill the stadium. The Yankees clearly have their work cut out for them.

Well, if in an odd twist of events where Brian Cashman resigns as General Manager and they decided to sign a high school student as their General Manager, then here are a few key things the Yankees have to do this offseason.

1. Get under the luxury tax- Any true Yankee fan not living under a rock knows that if the Yankees don’t get their 2014 payroll under $189 million, the team’s tax rate is going to be 50 percent.  If they can get under it, it will drop to 17.5 percent in 2015, meaning the Yankees will not be afraid to go over it in the coming years and sign the big fish in the market again (Kershaw, please).

2. Don’t let A-Rod tie up your plans- Any true Yankee fan not living under a rock, scratch that, any human being who has any access to any source of media knows that Alex Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games due to PEDs and is now appealing the suspension. The problem is that the arbitrator may not decide until late December, likely when most offseason moves have happened, and the Yankees need to know if they will have to pay A-Rod money next season. However, the Yankees can’t wait around and twiddle their thumbs until then.  They need to go out and make moves. The goal should be to get under the luxury tax by several million dollars and hope that A-Rod’s suspension is 150 games or more. It’s a tough situation, but what are you going to do?  If he gets his suspension reduced significantly and his salary puts them over $189 million then so be it. Hopefully Hal and Hank loosen the purse strings and forget about the luxury tax; George would have.

3. Put a contender on the field- This is obviously most important. Forgetting about the luxury tax and A-Rod drama for a minute, it’s important that the Yankees take a page out of their rival’s book and be aggressive in the free agent market and put together a team that’s capable of bringing a championship back to the Bronx.

Here is what I would do as General Manager of the New York Yankees. (Contracts were calculated using baseballplayersalaries.com, baseballprospectus.com, and Tim Dierkes’ projected arbitration salaries for 2014 and my own projections.) Some salaries may not be exact as there are conflicting reports on some players.

C- AJ Pierzynski (8 mill), Austin Romine (500,000) Watching Yankee catchers last season was horrifying. I can’t take another year of Chris Stewart. Sign AJ Pierzynski to a 1yr/8mill deal and have Romine (who can play) back him up. Pierzynski’s lefty power stroke can be nice with the short porch and he’s a veteran who can handle a staff. McCann is good, but giving $70 million to an almost 30 year old catcher is absurd.

   1B-  Mark Teixeira (23.125mill) Eric Chavez (4 mill) Never been a fan of Mr. Pop Out In a Big Spot, but he is locked up for this season and two more. I’d also sign Chavez as a backup corner infielder. They missed him last season and can use a lefty bat off the bench.

   2B- Robinson Cano (25 mill) I hate myself for doing this, but I don’t see a better option. Giving out big contracts now is detrimental, and I’ve never been a fan of his lazy attitude. I try and try to think of different scenarios where they can let him go and use the money more wisely, but nothing works out as well as having Cano at second in the middle of the lineup. If there were another second baseman on the market who could serve as a viable substitute or if they had a prospect waiting in the wings as the Cardinals had Craig with Pujols, it would be a different story. 8yrs/200mill should get it done.

   SS- Derek Jeter (12 mill) Eduardo Nunez (500,000) I don’t understand why they gave Jeter a $2.5 million raise, but I guess it’s just because he’s Derek Jeter. Give Nunez another shot as a backup; I’d hate to see a bat that good go to waste.

   3B- Juan Uribe (6 mill) Assuming A-Rod is suspended, the Yankees can save $20 million with Juan Uribe and still get solid production. Uribe had a nice season last year and a gut feeling says he can get Victorino-hot in the postseason (should they make it).

   OF- Alfonso Soriano (5 mill), Ichiro (6.5 mill), Brett Gardner (4 mill), Carlos Beltran (15.5 mill) Zolio Almonte/Melky Mesa (500,000) Soriano, Ichiro, and Gardner (after arbitration) are all signed for next season. Wells is too but since the Angels are paying his salary, it makes sense to just dump him. Then, if Granderson doesn’t accept the Yankees $14.1 million qualifying offer (I don’t think he will), the Yankees should sign Beltran to a 2yr/31mill contract or somewhere in that neighborhood. I’d only go a 3rd year in an option. Beltran can flat out hit, especially in the postseason and is just a better player than Granderson. One of these four guys DH (when Jeter isn’t), meaning you’ll have to find another outfielder (Almonte, Mesa, maybe Mustlier) to put on bench as well.

SP CC Sabathia (23 mill) Signed for next season

         Ivan Nova (2.8 mill) will be back after arbitration

         Masahiro Tananka (12 mill) The Yankees need to add a quality starter and Tanaka is the guy. He should be posted from his Japanese team and since the posting fee doesn’t count against the luxury tax, there is no reason the Yankees can’t make the highest bid. His deal may be 6yr/70mill or more, but at just 25 and coming off a 24-0 season in Japan, he and his impeccable control are well worth it.

Hiroki Kuroda (16 mill) Although he fell apart down the stretch, he is still an experienced veteran who knows how to pitch. It may require $16 million to stop him from going back to LA or Japan, but he’s worth it. He can also help Tanaka make the transition to America. If he refuses to return, the rejuvenated Bartolo Colon can probably be had for $10 million or less.

Michael Pineda (500,000) I’d have an open tryout between him, Phelps, and Warren, but ideally the former phenom is finally healthy and returns to 2011 form.

        RP David Robertson (5.5 mill) Have never had less faith in anybody in anything than I do in him stepping in for Rivera. He just puts too many people on base. He deserves a chance, but the Yankees need to prepare in case he fails.

Grant Balfour (8 mil) He is a reliable veteran who is a perfect fall back up plan for Roberston. He was very effective for Oakland the last few seasons and should be a good set up man, or closer, in the Bronx.

Scott Downs (3 mill) The new Boone Logan. Some project Logan may get $6 million and multiple years. I’d rather take a slight drop, if a drop at all, in production and save millions than bring back Boone.

         Cesar Cabral (500,000) The reason why I believe they can afford to lose Logan. Every time I watch this guy pitch I like him even more. He should be the new go to lefty specialist.

Shawn Kelley (1.5 mill) He was solid for most of last season and can be solid once again this season. Arbitration will bring him back.

David Phelps (500,000) If he loses out to Pineda in the rotation, he has proven he can be an asset in the bullpen.

Carlos Marmol/Jesse Crain (1 mill) Add a low-cost veteran to deepen the bullpen. If money is really running tight, a young guy like Adam Warren, Brett Marshall, or Vidal Nuno can step in.

Assuming you haven’t been adding that up with a calculator, I can tell you that that adds up to $180,425,000. It saves enough money so that if even A-Rod’s suspension is 150 games, they can stay under. If he gets less, oh well, the Yankees will just have to really open the wallet for years to come. However, the most important thing is winning, and I believe that group of guys can be hoisting a trophy next October.