Just like
last year, I'm going to break the Yankees offseason down in several posts over the coming days, weeks and months. We'll get the ball rolling with a look at the Yankee free agents. For each guy we'll go over what I think they should do, and if it varies, what I think the team will do.
Mike Mussina (free agent)
- My take: Bring him back. A two-year deal for $20 million with a 3rd year player option at the same rate. It may take a little more yearly, but not much more. Even if he never replicates the success of 2008 again, he's going to eat innings and I can think of a lot of worse guys to plug into the #4 spot in the rotation for the next two or three years. Offer arbitration.
- What they'll do: If Moose doesn't retire, he'll be back with the Yankees.
Andy Pettitte (free agent)- My take: Let him walk. I love Pettitte as much as the next guy, but he's toast. It could've been a balky shoulder, or elbow, or both, but he was atrocious after the All Star Break. He's always pitched on the edge, putting a ton of baserunners on and wiggling out of jams, as he gets older and his stuff slips, he's not going to get out of as many of them. Don't offer arbitration.
- What they'll do: If he wants to come back, they'll probably keep him. It won't be the end of the world to have him in the rotation, although it could clog up the rotation and keep a young guy from getting a shot.
Bobby Abreu (free agent)- My take: He may put up the least-spectacular 20 hr, 100 run, 100 rbi seasons in the history of the game, but unless you can tell me who is going to fill his hole in the lineup, I think you have to bring him back. 2 or 3 years at the most. Offer arbitration.
- What they'll do: I have a feeling someone is going to make him an offer the Yanks won't want to match. Nady will probably start in right next season.
Pudge Rodriguez (free agent)
- My take: Let him go. Don't offer arbitration.
- What they'll do: Don't let the door...He's gone.
Jason Giambi ($22M team option, $5M buy out)- My take: Do not pick up the option. Under no circumstances. If Giambi still wants to come back on a one-year deal at a low price...nah. It's time to cut Giambi's cord and move on. He's going to be missed, but I think the Yanks need a real impact bat at first or DH, if Giambi is on the roster, he's going to play. Don't offer arbitration.
- What they'll do: He's gone.
Carl Pavano ($13M team option, $1.95 buy out)- My take. You've got to be kidding. I've seen some writers calling for Pavano to be brought back. They're idiots. Get him out of NY as soon as possible. Don't offer arbitration.
- What they'll do: No one could possibly be that stupid, could they? Carl is apparently Cashman's guy, so you never know. If Cashman sticks around with complete autonomy anything's possible.
Damaso Marte ($6M team option)- My take: Pick it up. It's been a long time since the Yanks had a real lefty specialist. They're hard to obtain. Keep Marte.
- What they'll do: This wasn't a rental situation. They paid the price they did because Nady and Marte will be around next season.
I suppose Ponson, Moeller and maybe even Ransom will also be free agents (Maybe not Ransom). Let them all walk.
Up next: The coaches.
Great write up Brian! This is just what the end of the season called for. I agree with your opinions on all the free agents.
From a selfish standpoint, I hope the Yanks pick up Marte's option because otherwise he could wind up back in the National League and would KILL the Phillies. And if Giambi and Abreu are gone, what about the possibility once again of Burrell, not as a LF/DH, but at first base. (He played third when the Phils drafted him. They were going to try moving him to first once, but then they had Thome at first). Burrell has hit at least 30 HR in the last 4 seasons (33 this year) and hit for better avg. over those years than Giambi (plus I believe his OBP is higher) and is up there among the league leaders in walks. While I would like to see the Phils re-sign him, he's taken a lot of heat here because of his contract where in NY, he wouldn't be the contract that draws the boos and attention (I think A-Rod has that spot).
And I just gotta ask... would Cashman really be that brain dead as to re-sign Carl Pavano? If so, we could offer Adam Eaton for the price of a bag of peanuts or a stadium beer. I've liked Cashman (for the most part) and would like to think he wasn't that dumb. I think most of the fans and his own teammates would be ready to lynch him if he re-signed.
I think it's better than 50/50 right now that the Yanks pick up Pavano's option. Sad, but true.
As for Burrell, I like him, always have, but two things going against him. #1, he's a righty. What they desperately need is lefty power. #2, who knows if he'll be passable at first. If he can't play there, then they have 4 lf/dh guys.
I don't see him as a good fit.
Didn't Moose openly question Pavano's desire to play and his injuries before spring training last year?
BTW.... Phils just jumped to a 5-1 lead off Sabathia after Victorino his a Grand Slam in the 2nd....Sabathia could stand to lose some poundage...
Are you serious. Why wouldn't the yankees offer Giambi and Pudge arbitration and pay them to turn it down or threaten them with little playing time or something.. This is a joke. They need to get those draft picks. I would like to see Pettitte return.
Also get rid of Marte. We lost Tabata, Karstnes, and Ohlendorf (McCutchen's terrible, but having Marte around makes it even worse. He is terrible.