FULL DISCLOSURE:
Robinson Cano has been my favorite player in Major League Baseball since I
first watched his debut in pinstripes.
For
those of you who know me, you know that you’ll probably never meet a more
devout New York Yankees — and baseball — fan than myself. With what will
forever be remembered as a lost season officially coming to a conclusion
Sunday in Houston, it would seem to be the perfect time to start the
healing.
Mo
is gone; so is Andy Pettitte; probably Hiroki Kuroda; and only God knows what’s
going to happen with Alex Rodriguez. It’s even been rumored that Joe Girardi
could consider returning home to Chicago and taking over an up-and-coming Cubs
franchise, whom (believe it or not) might actually be a better job at this very
moment.
I
never thought I would say that in all my years, but there is reason to believe
that the Cubs — with their farm system chalk-full of talent — would be a better
option at this very moment than the ailing and aging Yanks. The loss of Girardi
would be detrimental … and while I think it’s a real long shot of his
departure, there is still a slim chance we could have a new Yankee skipper next
year. (Insert “so you’re saying there’s a
chance” quote here.) Personally, I think it would be dumb. I went through
the records and couldn’t find a manager that left, under his own accord, the
most storied franchise in sports history for another job. Assuming
Girardi stays, the focus of the offseason turns to the guys on the field.
The
list of Yankees free agents going into 2014 is as follows: Robinson Cano,
Curtis Granderson, Lyle Overbay, Hiroki Kuroda, Travis Hafner, Phil Hughes,
Kevin Youkilis, Boone Logan, Joba Chamberlain.
Kuroda
had a fantastic start to the season, but his slump in the second half of the
season was almost historic. At 38, it seems very clear that Hiroki will be
spending the last few years of his career in Japan.
Travis
Hafner is old. So old. And done.
So
is Kevin Youkilis … unless he latches on with a team like the Houston Astros.
Remember
when Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain came up as the highly touted prospects
they were — and shined? It seems like a very long time since Hughes was an
All-Star and won 18 games … and even longer since the “Joba Rules” were
instituted. Joba may never be the pitcher he once was, but I think Hughes could
be a really solid mid-tier starter for a team in a pitcher-friendly ballpark
(read: Padres).
It
seems pretty clear that Joe Girardi loves Boone Logan. It’s hard to believe
that he was merely an afterthought in the Javier Vasquez for Melky Cabrera
trade a few years back, but Logan is a stud out of the ‘pen. I think he
re-signs.
Same
thing for Overbay. He provided some much-needed support with the ailing
Teixeira out for nearly the entire season. Lyle could add some real depth to
the 2014 roster, assuming he doesn’t get a shot as a starter on a lesser team.
Now
that leaves just two big names — Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson. We’ve all
heard the reports of Cano wanting $305 million over 10 years. That’s obviously
a ridiculous stretch, but let’s assume he gets at least the same $25 million a
year that Albert Pujols was given to go to Anaheim. It seems like there is a
(nonexistent at the moment) short list of potential suitors outside of the
Bronx … and Cano would be wise to head the warning signs we’ve seen from Pujols
and Josh Hamilton. Of course, every new crown jewel of a free agent thinks
he’ll be the guy that bucks the trend, but it usually doesn’t happen. While big
money adds its own pressure, changing cities and bringing hope to a franchise
adds even more. I think staying in New York would be the best move for
Robinson.
Of
course, I don’t necessarily think Cano staying in New York is the best move for
the Yankees. It looks like they’ll be
burned by the huge contract they not-so-distantly gave Alex Rodriguez so why
would they decide to sign another deal where they are paying a 41 year old
upwards of $20 million?
Curtis
Granderson’s stay in NYC is completely contingent, in my mind, on Cano’s
decision. If Cano returns to the city that never sleeps, there’s going to be
little money to spread around to other free agents … and if Nick Swisher can
get $15 million a year from Cleveland, you’re assuming Granderson will command
at least $18-20 million on the open market. I think the Yankees would be wise
to part ways with the ugly strikeout-prone slugger. Perhaps they could even
make a qualifying offer, like I’m sure they will to most of their departing
players, to lock up a first round pick in next year’s draft.
This
leaves us at the point of figuring out what the Opening Day lineup will look
like for the Yankees next season — one potentially with Cano, and one without.
If
the Yankees do re-sign Cano, here’s what I think it could look like (Remember: they’re hands are going to be
extremely tied by that deal no matter what):
1.
CF Brett Gardner
2.
SS Derek Jeter
3.
2B Robinson Cano
4.
LF Alfonso Soriano
5.
1B Mark Teixeira
6.
3B Eduardo Nunez (Assuming Alex Rodriguez is
suspended to start the season.)
7.
RF Ichiro Suzuki
8.
DH Vernon Wells (This could be any number of
mid-tier free agents, or perhaps we could see a Wells/Overbay platoon.)
9.
C Chris Stewart (If Girardi was impressed by
Austin Romine’s play this season, he may decide it’s time to finally give the
young prospect his starting shot. There’s also Francisco Cervelli, J.R. Murphy,
and potentially Gary Sanchez for added depth.)
Starting Rotation:
C.C. Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Michael
Pineda, David Phelps, and some rookie.
The
Yankees actually have a plethora of talented arms in the minors, but picking
through that selection to figure out who gets the starting job would make the
guy trying to find the needle in the haystack grateful.
Back End of the Bullpen:
Boone Logan (7th
Inning), Shawn Kelley (Setup), and David Robertson (Closer).
This
would probably be the best part of the team in this hypothetical situation.
Now,
if the Yankees don’t sign Cano, that obviously clears up a lot of room to make
moves in free agency. I, personally, think it could be the better option too.
Here’s a potential look we could sign next year:
1.
CF Brett Gardner
2.
SS Derek Jeter
3.
LF Curtis Granderson
4.
DH Alfonso Soriano
5.
C Brian McCann
6.
1B Mark Teixeira
7.
3B Eduardo Nunez
8.
2B Michael Young
9.
RF Ichiro Suzuki
I
think this lineup actually looks pretty enforcing. Talk about a lot of pop. If the Yankees have money to spend, don’t
be surprised if they go after a big name like McCann who, at 30, cannot only
sure up the position defensively for years to come, but also add a big-time bat
in the favorable confines of Yankee Stadium for lefties.
Starting Rotation:
C.C. Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Michael
Pineda, Tim Lincecum, and any combination of Phelps, a prospect, or free agent.
The
last two spots are obviously complete speculation, but with the money freed up
by not signing Cano, the rotation combinations for the Yankees next year are
endless.
Back End of the Bullpen:
Boone Logan (7th
Inning), Shawn Kelley (Setup), and David Robertson (Closer).
Either way, this bullpen is pretty
solid. You could see the Bronx Bombers add a couple pieces like Edward Mujica
(currently with the St. Louis Cardinals) or Grant Balfour (Athletics) to sure
up that setup man situation.
To
say the ripple effect of whether or not the Yankees re-sign Robinson Cano this
offseason is huge would be the understatement of the century. This is historic! You can make up your
own opinions, but in this new age of Yankee baseball where the Steinbrenners
are sick of paying over $20 million a year in luxury taxes I don’t see how the
team splurging on Cano could ever be considered a wise decision. If Hal and
Hank decide to dig down deep into their pockets like their father would have
back in his heyday, then by all means they should. But, if the Yankees
organization plans on signing Cano to this lofty deal while still trying to
keep their salary under $189 million, the consequences would be beyond
detrimental and you might very well see that starting lineup I pointed out
earlier on the field next season — and probably different variations of it for
the next ten years.
He
has been a great player for this organization for years and helped bring a
championship back to the city, but no single player is bigger than the New York
Yankees … and that includes Robinson Cano.
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