Yankee Acquisition Options Discussion Thread
Posted: 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.
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.
