The moment of truth for the Yankees

cmaff051 · Post #1 » by **cmaff051** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:09 pm

This coming offseason, the Yankees are faced with resigning three potential free agents - Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez.

Jorge Posada? I think he'll be resigned to a 2 year, 22 mil deal with a team option for the third year. There are no other alternatives in the market, just nil. Posada has the leverage here, he says he will test the free agent market, but I think when it is all said and done he'll be catching at the new Yankee Stadium.

Mo? I think he'll be resigned to a two year deal worth 20 million. You look at the free agent market, and really nothing jumps at you. Mo is having a bad year (by his standards), but he's still one of the best closers in the game and I see no reason why he won't be a Yankee next year.

Arod? This is the real question mark. This is the moment of truth for the Yankees. Do they really want to sink $30 million on one player, regardless of how good he is? Resigning Arod isn't going to make the Yankees a World Series contender next year (see: just like this year).

Arod has had a banner year, one of the best in his HOF career, but he is one of 9. The Yankees have a glaring hole at several key positions. First base is the most important one, but I doubt the Yankees resign Abreu so RF is going to be another black hole that needs to be filled.

What is the logic in giving $30 million to one player when you have so many other holes on your roster? Over the next few years, the Yankees are going to have the find replacements at

a) closer
b) SS
b) LF
c) RF
d) catcher
e) 1B

It's still a possibility that some of these positions get filled through our farm system, but it's a remote possibility that all 6 of them get filled by the farm system.

I know we are the Yankees, we are bringing in 4 mil this year to the Bronx and we have a TV network that brings in additional revenue, but when do you say enough is enough? The Yankees payroll is going to escalate up to $250 mil if they keep following this path.

This offseason will be the moment of truth for the Yanks - do they sign Arod to a long term deal worth $30 million annually and neglect all the other holes this team has, or do they give Arod a reasonable offer and if he doesn't like it he hits the road???

I am hoping the Yankees let Arod leave if his demands are too high: as I said, the Yankees have too many other holes to fill and I believe rebuilding is inevitable, even with Arod.

34Celtic · Post #2 » by **34Celtic** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:19 pm

Jeter will be the shortstop formaybe 5 more years....tops. Then will move to first base/DH or somewhere else. There is no way he finishes his career somewhere else. That is unless we get rid of these bums Steinbrenner keeps bringing in and we start bringing in winners.

cmaff051 · Post #3 » by **cmaff051** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:22 pm

34Celtic wrote:Jeter will be the shortstop formaybe 5 more years....tops. Then will move to first base/DH or somewhere else. There is no way he finishes his career somewhere else. That is unless we get rid of these bums Steinbrenner keeps bringing in and we start bringing in winners.

Have you seen Jeter play shortstop lately? As usual, he has no range and it is getting worse. Jeter is not going to last 5 years as a shortstop, he'll be moved. It's going to be Bernie Williams part 2.

Post #4 » by **PR07** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:26 pm

Jeter probably has about 3 years left at shortstop, and then maybe we'll move him to 2B. Move Cano to third and have AROD at 1B (if he stays).

34Celtic · Post #5 » by **34Celtic** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:40 pm

PacersRule07 wrote:Jeter probably has about 3 years left at shortstop, and then maybe we'll move him to 2B. Move Cano to third and have AROD at 1B (if he stays).

Why move Jeter to a position that requires as much range? His arm isn't going to get much worse....the first thing that goes will be his range.

cmaff051 · Post #6 » by **cmaff051** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:44 pm

34Celtic wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Why move Jeter to a position that requires as much range? His arm isn't going to get much worse....the first thing that goes will be his range.

That's already went. I agree with you though, Jeter seems like a candidate for 1B, not 2B, down the line.

Post #7 » by **PR07** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:46 pm

I was thinking kind of on the lines of how Craig Biggio's career has went.

Pharmcat · Post #8 » by **Pharmcat** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:10 pm

isnt Nathan a free agent after this year?

id go after him

cmaff051 · Post #9 » by **cmaff051** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:22 pm

The Kandi Man Rocks wrote:isnt Nathan a free agent after this year?

id go after him

He has a 6M club option for '08, which the Twins will undoubtedly pick up. He'll be a free agent after '08.

Markos · Post #10 » by **Markos** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:40 pm

What makes you think that Posada or Mo will accept a deal for only 2 years? These are hall of fame players and it wouldnt surprise me if someone offered 4 for mo and 3 for posada

cmaff051 · Post #11 » by **cmaff051** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:42 pm

Markos wrote:What makes you think that Posada or Mo will accept a deal for only 2 years? These are hall of fame players and it wouldnt surprise me if someone offered 4 for mo and 3 for posada

Then you let them walk. Mo isn't going to get a 4 year deal, neither is Posada. I think they will both get two years with a team option for a 3rd year.

If Posada and Mo are asking for too much, you let them walk. This organization needs to exercise better judgement and realize that you can't keep locking up late 30 year olds to long term deals. Mo and Posada's best days are going to be behind them during this contract, there is nowhere to go but down.

Post #12 » by **PR07** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:38 pm

Both of those guys will get at least 3 years I think.