Yankee Acquisition Options Discussion Thread

Post #1 » by **moocow007** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:14 pm

With the Cashman and the Yankees possibly coming out of its months long slumber, figure we start a thread to discuss what free agents and or possible trade targets out there might look good (or at least not bad) in a Yankee uniform.

I'll start...

With their incumbent DH now a Mariner after the Pineda thread, finding a guy for that position that can give you at 350-400 at bats minimally (figure ARod and what not will get a chunk of time there as well) here are some possible options.

Andruw Jones (34 years old)

In 222 ab's last season with the Yanks Jones hit 13 HR's, drove in 33 RBI's, hit .247, an OBP of .356, slugging % of .495 and OPS of .851...other than the batting average, pretty much very good stats considering his role. Not in his prime anymore but still can be used as a 4th OF which gives him potentially a leg up on the competition compared to the other FA DH options. Decent run production considering the at bats but can he play more? Supposedly he's been playing throughout the offseason and wants a bigger role. Wasn't going to get it with Montero slotted in but should get it now.

Vladimir Guerrero (36 years old)

No longer the fearsome hitter he was in his prime, Guerrero never the less is still a potent bat. Batted .290, with 13 HR's and 63 RBI's last season. OBP was just .317, SLG .416 and OPS of .733. Pretty much purely a DH at this point. Always hit the Yankees well and is someone that you still have to be very careful when you pitch to him.

Carlos Pena (32 years old)

He's basically a masher. Probably the best available run producer on the market which means the competition will be greater and he'll be looking to make a lot more than the rest of these guys and, more importantly, may get a multi-year deal which the Yanks appear to not want to give. Hit 28 HR's and drove in 80 runs last season but hit only .225 and struck out 161 times but still managed to walk 101 times (among the tops in baseball in both categories I believe). A solid defensive 1B so he would give the Yanks a potent backup to Tex.

Derek Lee (36 years old)

Another guy that can drive in runs and hit the ball out of the park. Lee's numbers have been declining since his near MVP season in 2005 but he still managed 19 homers to go with 59 runs batted last season. Defensively is still one of the best defensive 1B's in baseball. Lee's contemplated retirement so a 1 year deal (which is what the Yanks seem keyed in on offering) would likely suffice.

Johnny Damon (37 years old)

Damon isn't a power guy but he is a guy that you know has proven he can succeed on the big stage and produce. Also a great lockerroom presence and someone that can still produce. 16 home runs, 73 rbi's and .261 batting average for the Rays last season.

Hideki Matsui (37 years old)

Another former Yankee who, despite his age, can still drive in runs. He apparently enjoyed his time in NY and Yankee fans for the most part enjoyed having him as a Yankee. 12 homers, 72 rbi's and .251 batting average last season for the A's.

Alfonso Soriano (36 years old)

Not a free agent but appears that Theo over in Cubby land wants to shed all his big bad contracts. He's already pretty much paid most of Carlos Zambrano's contract to shed him so it's possible he'd do the same with Soriano. Soriano at his full contract, obviously no way...but what if the Cubs paid for most of it? 22 homers and 88 runs batted in last season.

Pharmcat · Post #2 » by **Pharmcat** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:43 pm

pena from that list

Christophersp10 · Post #3 » by **Christophersp10** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:57 pm

Matsui is toast. I'll pass.

Damon, Girardi might be tempted into playing him in the OF if needed. Damon comes, he can only bring his bat and no glove.

Pena and Jones are the perfect lh and rh platoon rotation for the DH.

Soriano makes too much money.

Vlad has appeared to lost most of his power.

jeff1624 · Post #4 » by **jeff1624** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 12:37 am

Is there even money in the budget to sign Pena?

I'd pick one of Damon or Matsui. Not just because I'm nostalgic but Damon is still a valuable hitter, he has chemistry with the team and won't have any problems being strictly a DH. As for Matsui he brings in revenue and Yankees stadium can help his power shortage of the passed few years.

Post #5 » by **moocow007** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 2:42 am

jeff1624 wrote:Is there even money in the budget to sign Pena?

I'd pick one of Damon or Matsui. Not just because I'm nostalgic but Damon is still a valuable hitter, he has chemistry with the team and won't have any problems being strictly a DH. As for Matsui he brings in revenue and Yankees stadium can help his power shortage of the passed few years.

Yeah that's exactly why I mentioned the other names. Based on even just the Kuroda signing it sounded like Cashman had to pull some teeth on. Unless Pena finds no multi-year deals out there or is willing to sign a one year deal with the Yanks, he may be out of the range of financial reason.

thebuzzardman · Post #6 » by **thebuzzardman** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:13 pm

I figure they might go after a young Seattle pitcher...

Pharmcat · Post #7 » by **Pharmcat** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:05 am

2 mill is the DH budget

get damon

VirginiaKnickFan · Post #8 » by **VirginiaKnickFan** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:18 am

Or they could save money and fill it internally as reported in the NY Post:

"The team could also opt to give 29-year-old Jorge Vazquez a shot.

The righty-hitting Vazquez hit .262 with 32 homers and 93 RBIs at Triple-A Scranton last season. He’s also played both corner infield positions in his three seasons in the Yanks’ system after playing in Mexico."

Dr. Detfink · Post #9 » by **Dr. Detfink** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:54 am

**** Damon....that jerk off felt insulted that Cashman didn't want to overpay him and went to the Tigers where he said, he'd retire in Detroit...then when he wanted more from the Tigers...he went to Tampa...and now...he's on the market hoping NY will sign him.

I like the idea of filling him in internally. I wished we could get Berkman back at a cheaper price but he didn't like it in NYC.

thebuzzardman · Post #10 » by **thebuzzardman** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 1:55 am

A guy who hits 260 in triple A? No thanks.

Post #11 » by **moocow007** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 3:16 pm

Vazquez is a lil on the chunky side...reminds me of a spanish Steve Balboni.

Post #12 » by **HCYanks** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:28 am

Jones is already re-signed to a $2 million one year offer.

If Pena is willing to come on a reasonable contract in a role where he won't play everyday, I'd love to get him. I sort of talked about this in the Pineda trade thread but let's look at some split numbers.

Pena vs. righties in 2011: .255/.388/.502 in 373 AB
Jones vs. lefties in 09-11*: .254/.374/.492 in 331 AB

*I'm using a three-year split for Jones to get a better sample size.

Yes, both players are old enough that there's risk of decline involved. But you're going to be hard pressed to find better DH production anywhere in the league outside of that big jolly fellow on the Red Sox. ZiPS projected Montero to hit .271/.333/.486 in Yankee Stadium this year, FYI.

Christophersp10 · Post #13 » by **Christophersp10** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:35 pm

moocow007 wrote:Vazquez is a lil on the chunky side...reminds me of a spanish Steve Balboni.

He reminds me of Marla Hooch from a league of their own. A lot of night games!

Post #14 » by **moocow007** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:33 am

Christophersp10 wrote:
moocow007 wrote:Vazquez is a lil on the chunky side...reminds me of a spanish Steve Balboni.

He reminds me of Marla Hooch from a league of their own. A lot of night games!

Lol