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Free agency- transactions- and Yankee Analysis

Looks like a boring off-season for the Yankees, as Brian Cashman sits back, watches the Red Sox pick up talented players from the Marlins, as he waits for the antique sale.

If their over 35, been on the disabled list, and have the tag-name “BUM” on it, Brian Cashman wants them. Why not look at the young talent? Hasn’t he learned a lesson by now? Why, of course not. It’s the Yankee tradition, and we, the fans, are sick of it.Look at how many teams cashed in already, and no, Hideki Matsui is not considered a cash-in. He’s another overpaid Yankee. Aren’t they all? The Yankees have to sit back, and relax. Every year, it’s the same old story: “This is going to be the best year in franchise history. Kevin Brown will fit well into our rotation. Randy Johnson will be the ace of the staff. The Moose will have a good year. Carl Pavano will shock you, and Jaret Wright will do just as good as he did with Atlanta.” Not a chance. This needs to get fixed right now. The whole team needs to get fixed, but before that, a look at what some of the other teams did during the off-season.

The Boston Red Sox recently acquired 3B Mike Lowell, RHP Josh Beckett, and RHP Guillermo Mota from the Florida Marlins in exchange for minor leaguers Harvey Garcia, Anibal Sanchez, Jesus Delgado, and Hanley Ramirez. The Marlins, right now, are dumping everybody, and are accepting junk, in return. In the 2003 World Series, Beckett registered a 1.10 ERA, and pitched a shutout. He also won the World Series MVP Award, as well. There is reason to be concerned with Beckett, because he has had shoulder problems. Lowell is near the twilight of his career, as his production continues to drop. The acquisition of Lowell may be the end of the Bill Mueller ERA. The Red Sox have tried to shop him since June, and there haven’t been any takers. Mueller’s numbers have dropped ever since he won the American League Batting Title in 2003.

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed pitcher Terry Adams to a minor league contract, and they have accepted the 2006 option for LHP Mark Redman.

Moises Alou accepted his 2006 player option, so he will remain in San Francisco. Ray Durham, LaTroy Hawkins, Jason Schmidt, and Randy Winn had their options accepted, as well. They re-signed Jeff Fassero to a 1-year deal, but Scott Eyre  signed a 2 year deal with an option for 2008 with the Cubs.

Marlon Anderson, one of the best PH’s in the game, signed a 2 year deal with Washington. Anderson signed as a first baseman. Bernie Castro, second base, signed a 1 year deal, so he is now a National. Outfielder Damian Jackson also signed a 1 year deal with Washington.

Tampa Bay accepted their 2006 options on shortstop Julio Lugo and closer Danys Baez.

Texas signed pitcher Rick Bauer, catcher Jamie Burke, and outfielder Adam Hyzdu to minor league contracts.

Cleveland accepted the option for second baseman Ronnie Belliard, and they re-signed LHP Scott Sauerbeck to a 1 year with an option for 2007.

San Diego signed third baseman Geoff Blum to a 1 year deal. Mark Loretta’s 2006 option was vested. The team exercised their option on RP Akinori Otsuka. Woody Williams’s 2006 option was vested, and Eric Young was re-signed for 1 more year.

Milwaukee re-signed third baseman Jeff Cirillo and SP Rick Helling, each for one more year. They also accepted outfielder Carlos Lee’s 2006 option.

Back in August, the Diamondbacks granted first baseman Tony Clark a 2 year contract extension.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jose Cruz Jr resigned with the team for 1 year and was granted a club option for 2007.

Colorado re-signed Mike DeJean for 1 year with an option for 2007. Nate Field was added to the roster in order to provide stability in the bullpen. He was given a 1 year deal. Jason Smith, shortstop, was given a minor league deal.

Catcher Kenji Johjima signed a 3 year deal with Seattle.

Back in July, A’s outfielder Mark Kotsay was given a 3 year contract extension. Jay Payton, outfield, had his 2006 option accepted. RP Jay Witasick was re-signed through 2007 with a club option for 2008.

Cardinals SP Mark Mulder’s and SP Jeff Suppan’s 2006 options were vested.

The Cubs gave 2 year contracts to shortstop Neifi Perez and to pitcher Glendon Rusch. They accepted the 2006 options of second baseman Todd Walker and pitcher Scott Williamson.

Matt Perisho signed a minor league deal with the Mets. Also, the Mets traded 2 prospects and Mike Jacobs to the Marlins for 1B Carlos Delgado. The Mets offered a 3 year, 30 million dollar contract to Billy Wagner. They also exercised the option of SP Steve Trachsel.

Catcher Chris Widger signed a 1 year deal with the White Sox and RP David Weathers had his 2006 option vested by the Cincinnati Reds.

Detroit’s Jamie Walker (RP) and Dimitri Young (1B) had their 2006 options vested.

Atlanta exercised the 2006 option of pitcher John Thomson.

Boston re-signed RP Mike Timlin to a 1 year deal.

The Phillies traded 1B Jim Thome and cash to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Aaron Rowand(CF)

The Yankees should look at what the Marlins have to offer. Cashman was interested in centerfielder Juan Pierre, but their asking price was too high. Now that the Marlins have sent the core of their franchise packing, Pierre’s asking price may have gone down, too.

A need for a catcher was exposed this season. Jorge Posada is getting older, and his numbers reflect that. The Yankees should look at signing a catcher, preferably Bengie Molina, but they can look at Ramon Hernandez, as well. Paul Lo Duca of Florida is available via the trade, and Detroit may look to trade Ivan Rodriguez. Brad Ausmus may be the back-up catcher instead of John Flaherty.

The first base position needs to be improved. The gem of the market, Paul Konerko, may cost too much money. This position is fairly thin, in terms of players, but John Olerud may be a good fit. Miguel Cairo can play first base, but he is a better second baseman. Mike Sweeney of Kansas City may be available on the trade market, but he is often on the disabled list. It is also unlikely that they will deal their team captain.

Upgrading at the infield position may not be so hard with Miguel Cairo, Mark Grudzielanek, Paul Konerko, John Olerud, Tony Graffanino, and Bill Mueller available on the free agent market. The Yankees had one of the worst defensive infields in baseball, and had the worst infield range in all of baseball.

The Yankee outfield was dreadful last year. Hideki Matsui has no arm, Bernie Williams has never had an arm, and Gary Sheffield is lazy in right. They brought in guys like Matt Lawton (suspended 10 days for steroids, effective at start of season), Kevin Reese, Bubba Crosby, Melky Cabrera, and Mike Vento in order to fill the voids. Nice try, but that didn’t work. Signing Rafael Furcal and putting him in the outfield may not be such a bad idea because he has a cannon as an arm. He also has good speed, and is a good bunter, similar to Chone Figgins of the Angels. Carl Everett is a switch-hitter, but he prefers to play DH as opposed to outfield. Jose Guillen, who played for Washington, is an absolute nutcase. Jacque Jones of Minnesota is a free agent, but is a weak hitter vs. LHP mostly because he bats left-handed. Playoff hero Reggie Sanders is available, but is old, and may struggle against American League Pitching.

The Yankees need pitching. Roger Clemens, Scott Elarton, Joe Mays, Kevin Millwood, Matt Morris, and Jarrod Washburn are possible solutions as starters. Billy Wagner (unlikely), BJ Ryan (unlikely), Bob Wickman, Chris Hammond, Trevor Hoffman, Todd Jones, Steve Karsay, Tom Gordon and Mike Myers are possible solutions in the middle relief department.

The trade market should be pretty active, too. The free agent crop is extremely thin this year, so that is why teams will look to trade.  

2 replies on “Free agency- transactions- and Yankee Analysis”

Very Nice It looks like you have done your homework. This is broken down team-by-team. Almost seems like you should be working for Baseball Tonight!

comment I agree, good breakdown. But, I don’t think it’s Cashman. It’s definitely Steibrenner and that they won’t go anywhere soon with him at the helm. One more thing to note: Despite the Marlins’ firesale, they are building for the future, they nabbed two of the top prospects in all of baseball in Ramirez and Sanchez.

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