After a difficult year of injuries, the health and age of the Yankees roster is definitely the major concern of the franchise. The durability and overall talent of this season's lineup was barely adequate, and the front office has to acknowledge these problems between the players and coaching staff. If that's the number one issue, then what's number two? It's Robinson Cano. Cano has played such a substantial role in the Yanks success over the past five years, but there's a price to everyone. Of course Cano wants to set the bar high seeking a $300 million deal, but if I was Brain Cashman, I would offer Cano half of what he's looking for. We don't know for sure if Cano wants city to settle in or a place that throws the most money at him; I think it's a little bit of both. Robbie, my offer is six years worth $160 million. Take it or leave it.
So maybe he leaves it. Maybe he goes to Detroit to build a stronger championship team, or maybe Theo Epstein calls him up and he plays for the Cubbies at Wrigley to bring more fans to the games. Robinson Cano leaving the Bronx would be a bitter-sweet moment, but it would leave the Yanks in a great position financially. As a team that is looking to stay under the salary cap at $189 million, the front office would be saving millions, millions of dollars that can be invested in younger talent that is not worth nine figures that can still produce in the limelight of New York City.
In my mind, there are a few number of players the Yanks need to release before Spring Training in February: Curtis Granderson, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Hiroki Kuroda, and John Sterling (I can dream right?). The Grandy Man has done squat for the Bombers, as he resembles an injury prone outfielder who can't hit for average. Hughes and Chamberlain are cancers that should have been traded years ago during the Cliff Lee rumors. And Kuroda is a 39 year-old veteran who finished the season in an unattractive way on mound. Cutting these has-been's would also save the Yanks in roughly another $100 million. In a perfect world, with A-Rod's contact disputes, the Yanks can enter the winter meetings with a boat load of cash in their pocket. Money should be spent, but spent wisely. Here are some guys I want to see in pinstripes come springtime.
Carlos Beltran (STL, OF)
Beltran has been nothing but money for St. Louis this season, as he passed Babe Ruth for the highest slugging percentage of all time in the postseason against the Dodgers. Beltran struggled in his final months with the Mets, but he has always remained consistent at the plate and in the field. There's good news and bad news. The bad news is that he's never won a championship, and right now he has the opportunity to win a ring against Boston. The good news is that if Red Sox come out victorious, he will leave St. Louis seeking revenge, and what other team is better than joining Boston's bitter rival? With Ichiro on the decline, I can picture Beltran strarting in right field, putting up a solid .295 average, along with 25 homers and 90 RBI. Not to mention, he's a switch hitter. The Yanks had only one switch hitter the whole year in Lyle Overbay.
Brian McCann (ATL, C)
I have loved McCann since he flourished for the Braves in 2006. Injuries are the only concern, but he is a great team player and contributes with stellar defense and a pop on the bat that the Yanks have been missing since Jorge Posada retired. Christ Stewart and Francisco Cervelli can not be the solution behind the plate next year, so why not take a stab at an all-star catcher who won the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium with a leading single in extra innings?
Masahiro Tanaka (Japan, SP)
Let's face it. The Yanks love the Japanese prospects. Hideki Matsui brought home the 27th title in his seven year MLB career, and Kei Igawa well, I'm not sure what he did. Oh that's right he folded under the pressure. The Yankees have missed out on some really talented pitching over the least few years, and with a shaky starting rotation, Tanaka could potentially provide a stellar arm behind CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova. The scouts claim Tanka's better than Yu Darvish, so why not take the gamble?
Ubaldo Jiminez (CLE, SP)
I know, I know, he hasn't been anything he's supposed to be since his days in Colorado, but Jiminez would be a perfect fourth or fifth starter in the rotation. Just because his stuff in Cleveland has been lousy, doesn't mean he's through. This guy is still young, in shape, and has a good amount of potential left to perform at the best of his abilities. Jiminez will most likely want a lot of money from the Indians, and I don't think a deal with take place.
The only difficulty will be finding a second baseman to replace Cano is he does not resign. Michael Young and Jaun Uribe stand out as potential third basemen the Yanks can go after, which would move Eduardo Nunez to second instead. There are many scenarios to play out, but I trust in the Yankee front office to make the best decisions for the future of the franchise. The future is more important than the present.
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