You be the GM!!!

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

OK, let's put oursevles in Brian Cashman's shoes...why Cashman? Because the Yankees a high-profile team that is in a state of flux, and their offseason honestly is the most interesting in baseball. And I'm not even being a homer. Here are your goals, in order of importance:

1. Field a winning team
2. Build for the Future
3. Reduce salary

We will assume that Andy Pettitte exercises his $16 million option, because thats more than he's gonna get from anybody else and he seems to like playing for the Yankees.

That said, here are the players that the Yankees will have under contract for next season, along with their salaries (all numbers in millions):

Jason Giambi, $21.0
Derek Jeter, $20.0
Andy Pettitte, $16.0
Johnny Damon, $13.0
Hideki Matsui, $13.0
Mike Mussina, $11.0
Carl Pavano, $11.0
Kyle Farnsworth, $5.5
Chien-Ming Wang, $5.5 (estimated arbitration payment, coutesy of baseball prospectus)
Robinson Cano, $4.5 (estimated arbitration payment)
Kei Igawa, $4.0
Wilson Betemit $1.5 (estimated arbitration peyment)
Brian Bruney $0.8 (estimated arbitration payment)
Melky Cabrera, $0.5
Joba Chamberlain, $0.4
Phil Hughes, $0.4
Ian Kennedy, $0.4
Edwar Ramirez, $0.4
Shelley Duncan, $0.4
Will Nieves, $0.4
Andy Phillips, $0.4
Alberto Gonzalaez, $0.4

That's 22 players, totaling $130.5 million in salary. Assuming Carl Pavano will not pitch for you all year, you need four more players. You may also replace up to three of the following rookies: Ramirez, Gonzalez, Duncan, Nieves, and Phillips. But at least two of them must be on the team.

Since you guys might not be familiar with them, I'll give you a bit of back ground info: Ramirez is a pitcher with GREAT stuff, including a devastating changeup. He struck out almost 16 batters per 9 innings this year. But, he had a little bit of trouble when he got to the majors. Still, he's got closer-type potential.

Gonzalez is a young middle infielder who would basically just back up Jeter and Cano, and maybe pinch-run occasionally.

Duncan is a big, slugging power hitter. He can play somewhat adequately in right field or at first base, but not on an elite level. He's a low-batting average, high-slugging percentage guy

Nieves is a mediocre, 30-year old back-up catcher. Still, he's cheap, and you dont really want to pay too much for a back-up catcher

Andy Philips is a decent hitter, but doesnt give you the type of power you want from first base. Pretty good fielder. Was having a solid year before getting hurt, but nothing in his past indicated that this was anything more than a fluke.

The rotation is set with Pettitte, Mussina, Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy. Your needs are a starting catcher, one or more infielders (specifically a 3B), and relief pitchers. Assume that you cannot make any trades...free agency is your only vehicle.

Mussina, Pavano, Pettitte, Giambi, and Farnsworth come off the books after 2008. Total salary: $53.5 million

And, last thing to consider is that you have a $16 million option on Bobby Abreu. If you exercise that option, that $16 million comes off the books after 2008.

Here is Simon's list of free agents for the required positions. I also eliminated guys with options.

Catchers (need starter)
Brad Ausmus (39)
Michael Barrett (31)
Ramon Castro (32)
Jason Kendall (34)
Paul Lo Duca (36)
Jorge Posada (36)
Jose Molina (33)
Yorvit Torrealba (30)

First basemen (not a necessity)

Sean Casey (34) $3.5
Tony Clark (36) $1
Ryan Klesko (37) $2
Mike Lamb (33) $3.5
Doug Mientkiewicz (34) $2.5

Second basemen (might need back-up)

Luis Castillo (32)
Damion Easley (38)
Marcus Giles (30)
Tadahito Iguchi (33)
Mark Loretta (37)
Kaz Matsui (32)
Jose Valentin (38)

Shortstops (might need back-up)

David Eckstein (33)
Alexei Ramirez (26)
Omar Vizquel (41)

Third basemen (need starter and/or back-up)

Pedro Feliz (33)
Mike Lamb (32) $3.5
Mike Lowell (34) $10
Alex Rodriguez (32) $27

Left fielders (not a necessity)

Barry Bonds (43) $15
Milton Bradley (30)
Luis Gonzalez (40)
Reggie Sanders (40)
Shannon Stewart (34)
Brad Wilkerson (31)

Right fielders (not a necessity)
Milton Bradley (30)
Kosuke Fukudome (31)
Trot Nixon (34)
Reggie Sanders (40)

DHs (not a necessity)

Barry Bonds (43) $15
Mike Piazza (39)
Sammy Sosa (39)
Mike Sweeney (34)

Closers (need one)

Armando Benitez (35)
Francisco Cordero (33)
Eric Gagne (32)
Todd Jones (40)
Mariano Rivera (38) $15
Bob Wickman (39)

Middle relievers (need one or two, at least)
Jeremy Affeldt (29)
Antonio Alfonseca (36)
LaTroy Hawkins (35)
Jorge Julio (29)
Joe Kennedy (29)
Scott Linebrink (31)
Troy Percival (39)
Mike Timlin (42)
Luis Vizcaino (31)
Kerry Wood (31)

So, what would you guys do?

Suntan Superman

WC's Resident Samoan

Well, I've loved Shelley Duncan from the get go, So I'd probably plug him in at first. Gonzalez as a back-up infielder, and I've not really seen Ramirez, but from your report I'd plug him in as a Middle Reliever.

For Catcher, I'd try to get Jorge Posada back. You just can't replace his type of numbers, and he knows the pitching staff already.

As I stated earlier, I'd plug Eric Duncan in it at first, and just see if he develops. Andy Phillips is a suitable back-up in my opinion and although, it makes first base sort of a weakness, in that lineup it wouldn't hurt that much.

Second Base, obviously you have Cano, who will start, and depending on what you carry, I'm sure Luis Castillo wouldn't mind coming, and Gonzalez can probably be plugged in at short or 2nd if you just want to stick with him.

Shortstop.Jeter.

Third Base, Wilson Betemit is probably who I'd throw here. Not the complete package for a third baseman, and definitely not A-Rod, but since the Yankees said they won't negotiate with A-Rod, he's ruled out. For a back-up I'd probably go out and sign Pedro Feliz, He'd probably be pretty cheap, and he's versatile, can fill in anywhere.

Left Field, Hideki Matsui gets the nod as a starter. I might try and sign a guy like Wilkerson who again, gives you versatility and can play each OF position. not to shabby of a hitter(I'm not looking at stats, so bear with me)

Center Field, I'm torn between them going out and getting a guy like Hunter, or if he'd come cheap, Andruw Jones. Both have strong arms, good bats, and are good defensively. Johnny Damon, I'm just not so sure he's got the same hitting and fielding and speed that brought him to the Yankees in the first place.

Right Field.Cabrera

DH, Jason Giambi, Wilkerson can fill in here also.

Pitching
Starters, i'd probably go with Pettitte, Chamberlain, Mussina, Wang, Hughes. Two wiley veterans supplemented by three young arms.

As for bullpen arms, I'd definitely try and get Mariano Rivera back to close the games out, if he doesn't want to, Fransisco Cordero shouldn't be to shabby either. If you can get Rivera, I might try and get Cordero to be a set-up guy. Otherwise, Kerry Wood has shown flashes that make him. Scott Linebrink looks good, but he kinda tailed off at the end of last year, I'd still take him though. Joe Kennedy can be a spot-starter middle reliever and he's a left-hander so I'd throw him in there as well.

So here's how it looks:
C: Jorge Posada, Wil Nieves
1B: Shelley Duncan, Andy Phillips
2B: Robinson Cano, Alberto Gonzalez
SS: Derek Jeter, Alberto Gonzalez
3B: Wilson Betemit, Pedro Feliz
LF: Hideki Matsui, Brad Wilkerson
CF: Torii Hunter, Johnny Damon
RF: Melky Cabrera, Brad Wilkerson
DH: Jason Giambi, Brad Wilkerson, Johnny Damon

SP: Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Chien-Ming Wang
RP: Joe Kennedy, Scott Linebrink, Fransisco Cordero, Kei Igawa, Brian Bruney, Ian Kennedy, Edwar Ramirez
CP: Mariano Rivera

You'll have to forgive if I've botched, I'm doing this on and off as I'm in class

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

In the minors last year, Ramirez had 102 Ks in 56 2/3 IP, 0.79 ERA. 40 of those 56.2 IP were in AAA.

Even after his call-up, he struck out 31 in 21 IP in the majors, but his walk rate increased, and he gave up 6 HRs, compared to only 1 in the minors.

The spotlightof th emajors might have frightened him a bit. But he's got TERRIFIC stuff

Necro

VIP Room Moderator

where are the starting pitchers. I know Glavine is a free agent..

Simon

Founder/Admin

I think you guys are asking WAY too much from too many young players if you expect to win next year or anytime soon.

Tommy, I was going to fill this whole thing out but I really really think they need to eat some contracts and sell off the likes of Jason Giambi and Mike Mussina. They are not helping win that many games at all and take up important position spots.

I am not trying to sound like some idiot Red Sox fan, but I would not like to be a Yankees fan right now, because they look like they are going right down the shitter for a few years to come.

They will always lure good players in, but you will overpay for the talent you are getting. If you look at this years crop most of them are between 35-43 it seems. The only ones with some decent talent at least.

I dunno. I think Brian Cashman and George fucked themselves ever since basically they signed Mussina in 2000. Tossing their money and prospects around like they were candy corn on Halloween night.

Think about the money they have spent and what the results have been the past 7 years. Its almost embarrasing. They should win it every single year.

(And yes, to save you anti-Sox fans, the Sox should at least make the ALCS every year with their payroll. I agree)

Suntan Superman

WC's Resident Samoan

There is no real way they can assemble the team they had last year. Or with all the firepower, The Yankees will have a down year, but it might only constitute a 3rd place finish

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

I wrote in my post that Giambi and Mussina are both gone after next year...as are Kyle Farnsworth, Carl Pavano, and Abreu and Pettitte, if their options are exercised. If that ends up happening, then it's $85 million per year in bad contracts that come off the books one year from today...$53 million if you exclude Abreu and Pettitte (who may not be back)

I agree...but then why do you think it's so bad that they're going AWAY from this strategy? Everyone for years has said that the Yankees should be building up their farm system and not spending exorbitant amounts of money for aging veterans...but now that they're actually doing it, all of a sudden they're gonna be terrible? C'mon, you know thats not gonna happen.

Wang has proven to be a good/very good pitcher. Chamberlain and Hughes are absolute studs. A lot of people are very high on Kennedy. Cano is the second-best 2B in baseball. Melky Cabrera is a quality centerfielder...maybe not an absolute stud, but he plays great defense, has a cannon for an arm, and hits JUST enough that he's not a liability with the bat.

Why is this bad? Why is developing your own players through your farm system bad? Especially pitchers, considering pitching is so much harder to come by?

Yup...making the playoffs 13 years in a row and winning the division 10 years in a row sure is embarrassing. I'm embarrassed to wear my Yankee hat around.

My feelings on the playoffs are well-known around these parts. The playoffs are a big crapshoot. And I value results over 162 games more than a 5-game Division Series

Do you think that the "best" team wins every year? Sure, it happened this year, but what about last year when the Cardinals won? What about when the 116-win Mariners team didnt win it all? What about when the '96 Yankees beat a clearly superior Braves team, or when an 89-win Yankee team won it all in 2000?

Maybe next year will be a down year for the Yankees (kinda like how last year was a down year for the Red Sox), but the Yankees are being smarter with their money, developing young, cheap talent, and shedding payroll so that they can buy valuable free agents. I fail to see how this is a poor long-term plan. It's certainly better than what they were doing before

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

Well, to answer my own question, this is what I would do:

First of all, I would resign Posada and Rivera. Posada, because catcher is such a thin position, and a powerful switch-hitting catcher is hard to come by. He's getting up there in age, but he was effective enough that if you sign him to only a 3-year deal, you might still get money's worth. Let's say, hypothetically, they can sign him for 3 years, 14 mill per. Rivera is Rivera. He wasnt nearly as effective last year, but the Yankees are really having trouble with their relievers, and he is their anchor. Let's say you can get him for 12 million. Including the previous figures, that adds up to $156 million in salary.

btw, i realize i messed up with the starters...the starters will be Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Chamberlain, and Hughes...Kennedy will start the year in the minors.

So, on that note, let's continue with the pitching staff. We have the 5 starters, plus Rivera, Farnsworth, Igawa, Bruney, and Edwar Ramirez. I think 1 more reliever would do the trick. I like Linebrink...let's say the Yankees can sign him for 3 million per. So, the Yankees would have Rivera as the closer, Ramirez for the 8th, Linebrink for the 7th, Farnsworth and Bruney to pitch in blowouts, and Igawa as a lefty specialist/long relief. Also, I'm gonna end up one player short, so we'll call up Ross Ohlendorf to be another middle reliever. Now, the pitching staff is set.

Let's go around the infield. I already mentioned resigning Posada, and if thats the case, he's so good you can keep Nieves as a mediocre back-up. So, catcher is set. For the middle of the infield, you obviously keep Jeter and Cano as starters with the young kid Gonzalez and/or Betemit as the back-ups. But then the corners become a problem. At first, you could play Shelley Duncan but he's not really proven, and not that great defensively. You can play Giambi, but he cant field a lick. Or you can play Andy Phillips. Phillips and Duncan are both righties, so a platoon doesnt really work here. The free agent crop is pretty awful, too. So, I think I would go with Duncan as the starter, occasionally play Giambi there when Duncan needs a rest, and keep Phillips on the roster for late-inning defensive help. One thing to keep in mind is that you're losing a lot of pop in your line-up by losing A-Rod, so going with the big sluggers (Duncan and Giambi) helps the line-up tremendously. Plus, Duncan can occasionally fill in in the outfield.

That just leaves third base. The simple solution is to just plug Betemit in there. But there is nothing that Betemit has shown to prove that he's ready to be an everyday player for a contending team. Then again, he's only 25 (he turns 26 tomorrow...happy birthday Wilson!) and still has time to come around. Since next year might be a transition year anyway, I see no harm in starting the year with Betemit as your starter, and hoping that everday playing time helps him reach his potential.

That just leaves the outfield. You have Melky, Matsui, and Damon under contract. The ideal situation would be to play either Matsui OR Damon, but not both. Damon throws like a girl, but covers a lot of ground in a big left field. Matsui isnt all that great a fielder, but he throws better than Damon, and has the bigger bat. A platoon makes sense here. It would have to be a 3-way LF-DH platoon though, with Damon, Matsui, and Giambi. Three guys for two positions, so each guy would get a day or two off per week.

Which brings us to right field. There are two options here: Keep Melky in center and sign a FA right fielder, or move Melky to right and sign a FA center fielder.

Let's first consider the situation where Melky goes to right. The potential free agents are Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones, Aaron Rowand, and Corey Patterson. Andruw Jones scares the piss out of me, in a bad way. I'm truly afraid he'll be one of the Giambi-type signings that we end up regretting in the long run, despite his stellar career thus far. I'd prefer not to go this route.

Torii Hunter is a solid player all-around player, but he'll be 32 next year and the Yankees will have to pay up the ass for him. I would think something in the neighborhood of 14-15 mill. per year is not out of the question. We've done a decent job of budgeting thus far, so let's keep him in mind...

Rowand is ok offensively, very strong defensively, and coming off a career year. He will turn 31 next year. Considering how strong a year he had last year, in an extreme hitter's park, I think he wont be worth the money he will command (about 10 mill per). I think that for that money, you spend the extra 4-5 million it takes to get Torii Hunter.

Patterson is a light-hitting, high-speed guy. I hate these guys. Let's move on...

Then, there is the option of keeping Melky in center. The quickest solution is to exercise the option on Abreu. But here are a few things to keep in mind. First, abreu will be 34 at the start of next season. Secondly, his numbers slipped considerably last year.

On the other hand, you keep a strong arm in left, you have a guy who gets on base a lot, steals a decent number of bags, makes pitchers work, plus you would only have him for one more year, at which time a ton of payroll comes off the books.

I hate all the other RF options. So, it comes down to keeping Abreu for one more year and replacing him for '09, or signing Torii Hunter to a huge contract and making Melky switch positions.

Right now, I'm leaning toward signing Hunter. He's a quality player who's faced AL pitching and will vastly improve the team's shaky defense. Let's say it costs 15 mill to sign Hunter.

So, these would be the 2008 New York Yankees (with salaries):

1. C Jorge Posada $14.0
2. C Wil Nieves $0.4
3. 1B Shelley Duncan $0.4
4. 1B Andy Philips $0.4
5. 2B Robinson Cano $4.5
6. SS Derek Jeter $20.0
7. SS Alberto Gonzalez $0.4
8. 3B Wilson Betemit $1.5
9. LF Hideki Matsui $13.0
10. LF Johnny Damon $13.0
11. CF Torii Hunter $15.0
12. RF Melky Cabrera $0.5
13. DH Jason Giambi $21.0
14. SP Chien-Ming Wang $5.5
15. SP Mike Mussina $11.0
16. SP Andy Pettitte $16.0
17. SP Joba Chamberlain $0.4
18. SP Phil Hughes $0.4
19. RP Kyle Farnsworth $5.5
20. RP Scott Linebrink $3.0
21. RP Brian Bruney $0.8
22. RP Kei Igawa $4.0
23. RP Edwar Ramirez $0.4
24. RP Ross Ohlendorf $0.4
25. CL Mariano Rivera $12.0
DL Carl Pavano $11.0

That brings the total salary to about $175 million, considerably lower than last year. Plus, after 2008, you lose Pettitte's $16 million, Giambi's $21 million, Farnsworth's $5.5 million, and Mussina's $11 million. Thus, there will be about $120 million under contract for 2009, giving plenty of financial flexibility to give guys extensions and sign whoever they need to patch holes in the roster.

*edit* Here's the starting line-up in the Damon in LF, Matsui at DH, Giambi at 1B scenario (i.e. Philips sits):

1. Johnny Damon
2. Derek Jeter
3. Torii Hunter
4. Hideki Matsui
5. Jorge Posada
6. Jason Giambi
7. Shelley Duncan
8. Wilson Betemit
9. Melky Cabrera

If Damon sits, you bat Melky leadoff, and Philips 9th

If Matsui sits, everybody below him moves up except Melky, who bats 9th. Philips bats 8th.

If Giambi sits, Duncan and Betemit move up, Philips bats 8th, Melky 9th

I like having fast guys who arent very strong hitters (i.e. Melky Cabrera) hitting 9th, so their essentially an "extra" leadoff hitter in front of Damon, Jeter, and potentially Torii Hunter

Simon

Founder/Admin

I dont think its bad, but your criteria for the thread was

A) Field a winning team.

I just think thats going to be hard to do in 2008