Yankees' Spring Off to a Tremendous Start...

  

Cam Schlittler (Credit: New York Post)

Winning is a distraction…

After a disappointing offseason for most Yankees fans, the team came to Spring Training ready to play. In the grand scheme of things, it does not matter if the Yankees win all the Spring games or lose every one of them. After losing the first game of the Spring schedule (2-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles), the Yankees are 8-2, while displaying excellent young starting pitching and powerful punches in the lineup, regardless of who plays. It has effectively stopped fans from moaning about the team’s lack of big offseason moves.

I was one of many people who complained about the Yankees’ offseason inactivity aside from re-signing outfielder Cody Bellinger (a necessary move) and acquiring a starting pitcher with a lesser name from the Miami Marlins. Trent Grisham was not so much a Yankees’ move, but rather a roll of the dice by placing a qualifying offer on him, which, to the surprise of many and probably the Yankees too, he accepted. I like Grisham and appreciate what he accomplished in 2025. I am reluctant to think he can do it again. I hope he does. For all the talk of trading Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez, the Yankees should hold onto them since Grisham will be gone in 2027, and Giancarlo Stanton is most likely in his last couple of years with the team. Jones has a chance to be an important part of the 2027 Yankees. The goal this season, in my opinion, is better plate discipline and fewer strikeouts, although strikeouts will always be a part of his game. I wish there were a spot on this year’s active roster, but sadly, on Opening Day, he will find himself in Eastern Pennsylvania. Injuries will bring him to the big-league club at various times this year, so I hope he continues to view those as valuable learning experiences to prepare himself for the eventual ascension to a starting role if the Yankees do not trade him.

Spencer Jones (Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images)

I am old enough to remember when people said Aaron Judge strikes out too much or that he will never be the player Mike Trout is. I think people have forgiven Judge for his strikeouts, and the people who said he would never be Mike Trout were right…Judge is better. I am not saying that Spencer Jones will ever be the player Aaron Judge is. Judge is a once-in-a-lifetime player and an eventual resident of Cooperstown, alongside many great, legendary Yankees who preceded him. But Jones can be an admirable player for the Yankees, a trusted bat, a confident glove, and a leader who helps make others better. The type of player who helps lead teams to championships.

I am sure it is tough to tell both Jones and Jasson Dominguez to be patient, but hopefully the stars align so both men can shine in the Bronx.

The outfield became more crowded when the Yankees signed Yankees killer Randal Grichuk to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. The deal was made official today, so he should begin appearing in Spring games soon. He has much to prove after last season, but maybe he can be this year’s Matt Carpenter. I would love to see him bring sadness to the hearts of his formerly loving Blue Jays fans. A few David Ortiz-like homers against the Red Sox would be cool, too. I am hopeful Grichuk makes the team, assuming he still has it. He is not being asked to play a crucial role, so hopefully, he excels as a complementary piece. He is a needed right-handed bat and helps give Manager Aaron Boone options.

Randal Grichuk

A couple of weeks of Spring Training, and George Lombard, Jr. has easily proven his defense is major-league ready. He seems like such an easy choice to replace Anthony Volpe as the Yankees’ starting shortstop. I doubt the team would do it, but there is no question Lombard, Jr. will be part of the 2027 squad. Move Volpe to second base after the season if Jazz Chisholm, Jr. departs through free agency. Unless, of course, super prospect Dax Kilby starts knocking on the door. It is nice to see these types of problems.

The young starting pitching was as good as advertised. Elmer Rodriguez, Carlos Lagrange, and Ben Hess have bright futures. Everybody laughed at the Yankees last year when former Yankees prospect Carlos Narvaez became the starting catcher for the Boston Red Sox and had a few key hits against his old club. Rodriguez has a chance to rewrite the script and give the Yankees the advantage. I am excited about Lagrange. There was such a long drought of elite young starting pitchers for the Yankees, but the focus in recent years started to blossom last year with Cam Schlittler, and it is flourishing with the arms behind him. I would certainly rather have young, extremely talented arms over journeyman veteran starters. When the best pitching prospect in the Yankees organization was Chance Adams, the team had to go outside to find help. Better days are here with much stronger arms on the farm.

Going back to the offseason, I understand the Yankees’ strong belief in the players in the organization. I thought adding to a good thing would be better, but the Yankees did not share that belief. To their credit, they are much smarter than me. This season will prove whether a little more would have been helpful or unnecessary. I will take the latter and hope for a World Series championship.

I am not going to try to read too much into Cody Bellinger’s current back discomfort. The Yankees are always conservative with injuries, and I accept that this is minor. Rest, Cody, as much as you would like. I want a happy and healthy Cody Bellinger ready to play on Opening Day. If not, it is an opportunity for Spencer Jones or Jasson Dominguez to prove they belong.

Congratulations to CC Sabathia on the news that the Yankees will retire No. 52 on September 26, 2026, in a game versus the Baltimore Orioles. Congratulations to CC for his enshrinement in Baseball’s Hall of Fame and his placement of immortality in Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park. While I am one who thinks too many numbers get retired, Sabathia earned the right, and he wears a Yankees cap in Cooperstown despite starting his career with Cleveland, formerly known as the Indians. I do not understand the New York Post’s attempt to question the number’s retirement. CC Sabathia was a TALENTED player in his prime, and an elite leader in his final years. He made the adjustments to survive in the game and continued to help those around him improve. He is a great ambassador for New York despite his Northern California roots. The Yankees were better because of CC. I am concerned about the lack of numbers, but insufficient numbers between 0 and 99 are not something any of us will experience in our lifetimes. Maybe they should go with letters for the coaches. I would gladly give an F to Aaron Boone. Or go with no numbers. They all wear warm-up jackets anyway.

I am excited about some of the names I have seen for the 2027 international free signings, but I will contain the excitement until the players sign on the dotted line. This year was unusual with the firing of longtime international scouting director Donny Rowland. Key signings have reneged on their Yankees acceptance and signed elsewhere. Based on experience, their futures are probably not as bright as they once seemed. Even if they do become elite players in the Major Leagues, the Yankees need to overhaul this area. The Los Angeles Dodgers have prospered thanks to their elite farm system. The Yankees needed to catch up. I hope the decision to promote from within (Matt Garza) was the right move, but he has a strength in Latin America and should help. For Asia, the Yankees hired Matt Slater for the newly created role of global player acquisitions supervisor. He has 18 years of experience with the St. Louis Cardinals in a similar role, and, per Garza, “He’s very connected in Asia.” The Yankees also added Nao Masamoto, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, to their international staff. Given his success with bringing Japanese players to Chicago, I am hopeful he can restore the Yankees as an elite destination for Japanese players. It is hard to believe the Yankees have not been able to reign in a top Japanese talent since Masahiro Tanaka. I am truly hoping that Nao changes the landscape and brings great Asian players to the Big Apple. I get it, I love California too, but New York will always be the City.

As always, Go Yankees!

Pitching struggles as Yankees drop rubber game to Brewers, 6-5

It's losses like this that really sting. 

When a team scores three first inning runs and hits a game-tying homer with two outs in the ninth they usually win, but in this case that just didn't happen, as the Yankees dropped today's rubber game to the Brewers by a frustrating score of 6-5.

In that top of the first, the Bombers were all over Milwaukee Starter Matt Garza, crossing home three times thanks to a two-run double from Kelly Johnson and an RBI Sac Fly from Yangervis Solarte. At that point, this contest looked like it'd finish in the same fashion as Wednesday's game in Anaheim, but since Phelps ended up surrendering four trips around the bases in his 5+ plus frames it didn't. 

After exiting this one, obviously, #41 had blown that relatively big lead, making the Yanks look done. They weren't, however, as they did tie the game late thanks to a seventh inning single from Solarte and that homer from Teixeira in the top of the ninth.

In the bottom of the ninth, perhaps unintelligently, the Pinstripes went with Adam Warren, their reliable MR who had already tossed a scoreless eighth. Warren got the first two outs in Milwaukee's final at-bat, but still ended up getting the loss due to a two-out, RBI Single from former-Yankee Mark Reynolds.

The decision, surprisingly, was #43's first of the year, and probably one that he wishes he didn't get.

Preview: New York Yankees vs. Milwaukee Brewers 5/11

The New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers will play a Mothers Day game this afternoon in the finale at Miller Park. The Yankees will send David Phelps to the mound to face off with the Brewers Matt Garza. The game will be played at 2:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Phelps has been in the rotation for what feels like a month but is only making his second start since replacing Michael Pineda in the rotation. Phelps pitched 5.1 IP of one run and three hit ball against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in his only other start taking a no decision in the 4-1 Yankee loss. Phelps is said to be able to go 90-95 pitches this afternoon for the Yankees.

Garza is making his second start of the month after he held the Arizona Diamondbacks to just eight hits and three runs in a victory. Garza has won his last two starts at home so hopefully the Yankees can snap that streak this afternoon in Milwaukee.

Go Yankees!!

Matt Garza Comes Off The Yankees Board

Boy they weren't kidding when they said the pitching market would move fast after the New York Yankees signed Masahiro Tanaka. Grant Balfour came off the board today as well as Matt Garza as he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. Garza got a four year deal worth $52 million to anchor what could be a pretty good staff, the lack of hitting behind them should be concerning though.

Either way Garza is a Brewer for the next four seasons at least. Garza is 30 years old and did not come with draft pick compensation so the Brewers will not have to surrender a pick for the Texas Rangers.

Yankees Wont Make Moves Until Tanaka Signs

The New York Yankees will not make any significant moves until the Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes ends in less than two weeks. This coming from Steven Marcus from Newsdsay as he points out that this is limited to the major league roster and not minor league deals and such. Next Friday at 5:00 pm ET is the signing deadline meaning he has to be signed, pass his physical, and on the 40 man roster no later than that or he is heading back to Japan.

The way the starting pitching market has evolved it looks like the Yankees are not the only team taking this stance as it has come to an absolute halt with great starting pitchers still available. Ubaldo Jimenez, Matt Garza, and Ervin Santana should start coming off the board rather quickly after Tanaka signs, maybe by the end of next weekend. We're still waiting but we draw closer every day.

Can CC Sabathia Figure It Out?

"I'm sure I can figure out how to get guys out."

In all of the talk about Masahiro Tanaka, as well as other possible pitching acquisitions like Matt Garza, Yankees fans have (at least for now) forgotten about the Yankees' "ace who wasn't an ace in 2013".

I hate to bring up painful memories, but CC Sabathia had the worst season of his career in 2013. His ERA+ of 85 was easily the lowest it's ever been, his win-loss record was barely over .500, his ERA and WHIP were also at career highs, and he gave up more home runs than ever before. For the first time in six years, CC failed to get any Cy Young or MVP votes, and didn't make the All Star team.

While there were slight changes in the movement of some of his pitches, particularly his sinker which has been a bit flatter in the past two seasons, the majority of CC's problems have revolved around velocity.

Sabathia's PitchFX data can be seen here, which shows that all of his pitches have slowed down. Unfortunately I don't expect that velocity to come back, as CC is now 33 years-old. I don't mean to say it's impossible, but I'm not pointing out anything groundbreaking when I say that people lose strength more often than they gain it as they age.

Then again, how fast a player can throw a ball can depend on more than his strength. So it's not out of the realm of possibility that Sabathia's average fastball returns to the 95-96 mph area. But the big man doesn't seem too concerned about that...

“(The velocity) doesn’t mean a lot. I’ve figured out I can pitch with it or without it. Whatever that is. Whether it’s 90 to 92, or 92 to 94. I can pitch both ways. As long as I’m healthy and I’m strong, and I feel good, it is what it is. I’m 33 years old, turning 34."

CC clearly knows how to pitch, as it takes a heck of a lot more than velocity to make it in the big leagues, something that Mr. Sabathia has done for 13 years. I think it just takes time to learn how to adjust to certain things, and that's what we've seen for the last year or so.

Although nothing is clear, the Yankees' pitching rotation in 2014 could look pretty good. Just think... CC Sabathia figures out how to pitch good to great again, Hiroki Kuroda stays solid, Ivan Nova builds off of his 2013 season, Warren/Phelps/Banuelos or another young pitcher stands out, and the team brings in another top-of-the-rotation starter like Masahiro Tanaka. Add that to a revamped offense and you have the making of a team that could go all the way.

Looking around at all the pessimistic Yankees fans out there I may be in the minority, but I'm really looking forward to what the Yankees do next season.

-quotes courtesy of Meredith Marakovitz's interview for YES with CC Sabathia.

Article Revisit: Joe Blanton As A Plan C?

If the Yankees miss out on Masahiro Tanaka and really do not like the other options in Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez, & Matt Garza to name a few what would the Yankees do to fill their razor thin rotation? Would Brian Cashman dumpster dive, which he has already stated that he would, would he build the rotation from within, or would he just throw his hands up and say the hell with it? Obviously the latter is not happening with Cash in a contract season and with so many question marks down on the farm right now Cashman may have to try and catch lightning in a bottle again. Enter Joe Blanton.

The bad on Blanton is obvious but the good you may have to look a little deeper to see. Blanton went 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA in the first year of a two year deal worth $15 million, which is bad. The good thing is he is on a one year deal, is affordable with a $7 million AAV, and would be easily obtained for scraps, a PTBNL, or cash in a trade, which is good. The Los Angeles Angels are even reportedly willing to eat salary to move him and if they don't they are prepared to release him before Spring Training, again good. Why would we want him though, right? Keep reading.

Blanton, using advanced metrics, was an average pitcher or maybe a tick above in 2013 in the American League. His xFIP was a respectable 3.84 which was 26th best in the AL. Yankees ace CC Sabathia's xFIP was 3.76, albeit in a down year, Jimenez's xFIP is 3.62 in 2013, and Santana's xFIP was 3.69 in 2013.

Blanton still misses enough bats, 7.33 K/9 in 2013, and keeps it in the strike zone, 2.31 BB/9, which is another attractive element to look at. You would also have to think that Blanton's 2013 BABIP, batting average on balls in play, has to come down from an insane .346 and come back closer to his career .305. One alarming rate though is his fly ball rate which produced a home run which was a staggering 19.1%, up from a career 11.0%, would probably not translate well into Yankee Stadium if this were to come to fruition.

Blanton's numbers may not look great, pitching in the batter friendly Citizens Bank Park for four of the last five seasons has not helped that,  but the guy can give you 175-200 innings and has all the signs of improving next season with a change of scenery. If it comes down to Spring Training and we still need a starting pitcher lets make sure that change of scenery happens in the Bronx.

Plan C: Joe Blanton In Pinstripes?

If the Yankees miss out on Masahiro Tanaka and really do not like the other options in Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez, & Matt Garza to name a few what would the Yankees do to fill their razor thin rotation? Would Brian Cashman dumpster dive, which he has already stated that he would, would he build the rotation from within, or would he just throw his hands up and say the hell with it? Obviously the latter is not happening with Cash in a contract season and with so many question marks down on the farm right now Cashman may have to try and catch lightning in a bottle again. Enter Joe Blanton.

The bad on Blanton is obvious but the good you may have to look a little deeper to see. Blanton went 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA in the first year of a two year deal worth $15 million, which is bad. The good thing is he is on a one year deal, is affordable with a $7 million AAV, and would be easily obtained for scraps, a PTBNL, or cash in a trade, which is good. The Los Angeles Angels are even reportedly willing to eat salary to move him and if they don't they are prepared to release him before Spring Training, again good. Why would we want him though, right? Keep reading.

Blanton, using advanced metrics, was an average pitcher or maybe a tick above in 2013 in the American League. His xFIP was a respectable 3.84 which was 26th best in the AL. Yankees ace CC Sabathia's xFIP was 3.76, albeit in a down year, Jimenez's xFIP is 3.62 in 2013, and Santana's xFIP was 3.69 in 2013.

Blanton still misses enough bats, 7.33 K/9 in 2013, and keeps it in the strike zone, 2.31 BB/9, which is another attractive element to look at. You would also have to think that Blanton's 2013 BABIP, batting average on balls in play, has to come down from an insane .346 and come back closer to his career .305. One alarming rate though is his fly ball rate which produced a home run which was a staggering 19.1%, up from a career 11.0%, would probably not translate well into Yankee Stadium if this were to come to fruition.

Blanton's numbers may not look great, pitching in the batter friendly Citizens Bank Park for four of the last five seasons has not helped that,  but the guy can give you 175-200 innings and has all the signs of improving next season with a change of scenery. If it comes down to Spring Training and we still need a starting pitcher lets make sure that change of scenery happens in the Bronx.

Yankees Not Interested In Garza or Jimenez

#Yankees well aware of holes in starting rotation, but told they’re not leaning towards Garza and/or Jimenez. Will fill internally.
— Bob Klapisch (@BobKlap) December 16, 2013

The New York Yankees are ready to fill their starting pitching holes via trade or by internal options, not by throwing money at free agent pitchers Matt Garza and Ubaldo Jimenez. According to Bob Klapisch the Yankees are ready to show some fiscal restraint when it comes to starting pitching. Apparently Brian Cashman was told that outfielders win championships, not pitching.

Should add, they’d be all in on Tanaka, if he’s posted. #Yankees
— Bob Klapisch (@BobKlap) December 16, 2013

Klapisch also adds that the Yankees will be all in on Tanaka when he gets posted so there is at least some hope there. I personally like Garza and think he could do well here in a #3 or #4 spot in the rotation but I am greedy and a little bias so what do I know.

Is This The Biggest Offseason Ever?

As much as Yankee fans can be impatient when it comes to having a true contender year in and year out, the Yankees can't go "all in" for 2014. While they should absolutely try and compete in 2014, they can't make any moves to hurt the future.

With that in mind, seven things came to mind...

1. Do not give Carlos Beltran 3+ years. It's not just that he'll be 37 in April, which on the surface raises red flags. You also have to consider the fact that he's had a number of health problems. Between 2009 and this past season he's had issues with his abdomen, shoulders, lower back, knees, lower back, hamstrings, wrist, and neck.

Beltran's injury list looks sort of like this, but with one big difference.... Mick Foley did most of this stuff to himself.

Earlier in the offseason I was all about Beltran, but like many others I may have just been caught up in his postseason heroics. Which is very hypocritical of me, as I've been against Raul Ibanez while accusing others of being too caught up in Raul's late and postseason heroics. After thinking about what Corey Hart could do for the team, along with only costing two years... max, i'm really starting to think that the Yankees should pass on Carlos.

2. Don't even think about getting Shin-Soo Choo because of what he can do marketing-wise. The money that could be made off the field with Choo is great, but putting the best product on the field is much better for the organization.

I'm a bit on the fence regarding getting Choo. You see... I like him. His on-base percentage is awesome, and he could hit over 20 home runs a season. But a five year commitment is tough for somebody who'll turn 32 in July. And that doesn't cover the fact that his defense is suspect. But Shin-Soo has been healthy in his career outside of a fracture due to being hit by a pitch, and an abdominal strain in 2011. So again... I'm not sure.

3. As much as I hate to say it, because I'd love to see him with the Yankees, passing on Brian McCann would probably be for the best. He'll be 30 years-old soon, and has already caught 8820.1 innings (that's over 980 games). You can't tell me he's 100% healthy, and I'm talking about a lot more than his shoulder (he had surgery on it in October of last year). His bat would be good for the DH spot if necessary, but I don't like having a DH-only as that can really hurt the versatility of the team.

4. I still want to see the Yankees re-sign Robinson Cano, but I can't disagree with those that question the move. A lot can happen over the course of seven years, from injuries to simply not being the same player, so it's a big risk. Especially when Robbie could be getting around $25 million a season. The team is run by people a hell of a lot smarter than me, so they have to make sure they're not setting themselves up for another ARod-type situation in a few years. By that, I mean they don't want to look at paying a guy twice as much as he's worth for years to come.

Alex actually just struck out, but he's still smiling because he remembered how big his back account is.

5. Jhonny Peralta has been looked at, but we can't ignore his ties to Biogenesis. It's nice to think his issues are behind him, but you can't be sure of that. The last place you want to have a guy with off-field issues is on the Yankees, as the media and fans will eat him alive. Just look at how they've treated Alex Rodriguez in all but two seasons (2007 and 2009). There are plenty of Yankee fans that are still on Andy Pettitte's case regarding his use of steroids, and he's not too far below Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera in his "True Yankee" status.

6. I'm all for taking chances on players, a la Corey Hart, but you can't do that with guys like Matt Garza, who will demand a contract around five years. It's not that I don't like Garza, but he's certainly not a "sure thing". While his strikeout rate of 8.6 per nine innings in the National League is good, that drops to 7.2 in the American League. His ERA also jumps from 3.45 in the NL to 4.01 in the AL. He wasn't awesome after being traded to Texas this past season either, as his ERA jumped from 3.17 with the Cubs to 4.38. That's thanks to giving up almost two more hits per nine innings, and giving up more home runs.

But adding just one top of the rotation pitcher is probably not good enough. CC Sabathia is suspect after his worst season in Major League Baseball, Ivan Nova may have been really good but it's still really hard to lean on him, David Phelps and Adam Warren are unproven as starters in MLB, and there is nothing special coming up from the minors anytime soon. I can live with adding Tanaka, slotting Nova in at #3, taking a chance on somebody like Josh Johnson... who may only cost a one-year deal, and putting one of Warren or Phelps at #5.

7. It's time to give David Robertson a real shot at the closer's role. The alternative to doing so is signing somebody like Joe Nathan to a contract worth upwards of $15 million a season. That would be fine if it wasn't for the fact that the Yankees are looking to get payroll down. They would be best served to see what Robertson can do in that role this season, and then lock him up with a contract afterwards. Because while he'd cost the team more after closing for a season, it wouldn't be as much as elite closers go for in free agency. What the team should do this offseason is think about a set-up man for David.

I'm sure there is somebody out there thinking "what about not giving up draft picks?" I covered that last week in an article in which I pointed out that good to great players don't have to come from high draft picks. In fact, draft pick compensation is hardly a deal-breaker to me. Just maximize your other picks in each draft, work on development in the farm system, and build some role players to add to those making big bucks (such as Robinson Cano). If an elite player like Robbie comes from the farm, then that should be considered a plus. Let the Rays of MLB lean on the farm for superstars.

There has to be another Evan Longoria in here somewhere.

This offseason was originally interesting to me as the Yankees have to fill a number of holes while trying to get payroll down, but now I find it even more interesting as it could very well be huge for the future of the organization. It may be hyperbole, but this offseason could very well be the most important offseason for the Yankees ever.

Poll Results: Yankees Additions To The Rotation

On Tuesday we asked the readers who they thought that the Yankees should target this year in free agency to shore up the starting rotation and the results are in. HERE is the original post and HERE is the results page. Again thank everyone for their support of this post, their support on Twitter, and their overall support of the site because it's not worth it without you guys! We had 34 votes on this one, and multiple votes were allowed since we are probably going to target multiple starters this offseason, and the winner was Masahiro Tanaka with a dominant 27 votes of the 34 total. Hiroki Kuroda received 16 votes, Matt Garza received 8 votes, and AJ Burnett, Tim Hudson, Phil Hughes, Ubaldo Jiminez, and Paul Maholm all received one vote while Josh Johnson received two votes.

Add Jacoby Ellsbury & Matt Garza To Shopping List

The New York Yankees are interested, whether it's true or not, in everybody this offseason no matter how their current roster looks. We have seen names like Masahiro Tanaka, Brian McCann, Josh Johnson, Shin Soo Choo, and basically all of the top 10-20 guys on the free agent market linked to us in some way and Jacoby Ellsbury and Matt Garza are no exceptions.

It is no secret that the Yankees are looking for an upgrade at right field and in the starting rotation so it somewhat makes sense for these two to be linked to New York. Matt Garza may be the best free agent starting pitcher this side of the Pacific Ocean and Ellsbury may be the best outfielder available this year and with the Yankees coming out and saying they have a $300,000,000 shopping spree planned I understadn the reports. Just because I understand them does not mean I believe that they are reasonable or even unrealistic because I do not here, especially when it comes to Ellsbury. I believe we are truly interested in Matt Garza because he would be a solid #2 with AL East experience, not to mention he kills us historically which always seems to be a factor with us. Ellsbury not so much unless we just want to stick it to the Red Sox even though in my opinion we would be the ones getting stuck with something that looks good in the window and doesn't work out the way you wanted when you get it home.

Ellsbury probably going to be offered qualifying offers and decline it so we would have to surrender our first round pick, the 18th overall, in this year MLB First Year Player's Draft on top of the contract to acquire him and his 52 steals in 56 attempts this year. Honestly I think we ultimately pass on Jacoby because I do not buy his 30 home run power potential outside of Fenway,  Ellsbury gets hurt way too much, and we already have a lesser version in Brett Gardner. Garza I can see us making a serious run at since we could keep the 18th overall pick since he was traded mid season and we simply need top of the rotation starting pitchers more then we need anything else.

To summarize and for the sake of simplicity we have Garza, yes, Ellsbury, no.

2014 MLB Free Agency Predictions

The 2013 Major League Baseball season is over and now the Hot Stove season begins for all the teams in the MLB. This can be a very interesting and fun time for teams or it could be a pretty boring and frustrating time for teams, see the Yankees 2013 off season hot stove for example. Annually I take my best shot, which has never been a good shot mind you, at predicting where every single free agent will go before the 2014 season starts and this year will be no different. This will be kept updated and then reviewed right before spring training is over so bookmark this and keep checking back to see just how little I really know about baseball, GM's, free agency, and baseball in general.

BOLDED names denote an accurate pick
If the team name is crossed out, like this, then I was wrong and put the correct team out beside it

Catchers

Henry Blanco (42) - Retirement
John Buck (33) - Oakland Athletics

Jesus Flores (29) - Tampa Bay Rays
Hector Gimenez (31) - New York Yankees
Ramon Hernandez (38) - Retirement
Brian McCann (30) - Texas Rangers
Jose Molina (38) - Baltimore Orioles
Dioner Navarro (30) - Kansas City Royals
Wil Nieves (36) Miami Marlins
Miguel Olivo (35) - New York Mets
Brayan Pena (32) - Chicago Cubs
A.J. Pierzynski (37) - Philadelphia Phillies
Humberto Quintero (34) - Chicago White Sox

Ronny Paulino (33) - Detroit Tigers
Guillermo Quiroz (32) - Washington Nationals
Carlos Ruiz (35) - Philadelphia Phillies
Jarrod Saltalamacchia (29) - Boston Red Sox
Kelly Shoppach (34) - Cleveland Indians
Geovany Soto (31) - Seattle Mariners
Kurt Suzuki (30) - $8.5MM club option with a $650K buyout - Oakland Athletics
Taylor Teagarden (30) - New York Yankees
Yorvit Torrealba (35) - Cincinnati Reds

First Basemen

Jose Dariel Abreu - Chicago White Sox

Todd Helton (40) - Retirement

Jeff Baker (33) - New York Yankees

Mike Morse (32) - Texas Rangers

Eric Hinske (36) - Kansas City Royals

Xavier Nady (35) - Miami Marlins

Yuniesky Betancourt (32) - Los Angeles Dodgers
Corey Hart (32) - Milwaukee Brewers
Paul Konerko (38) - Chicago White Sox
Casey Kotchman (31) - Baltimore Orioles
Brandon Laird (26) - Houston Astros
Adam Lind (30) - $7MM club option with a $2MM buyout - Toronto Blue Jays
James Loney (30) - James Loney
Casey McGehee (31) - Milwaukee Brewers
Kendrys Morales (30) - New York Yankees
Justin Morneau (33) - Baltimore Orioles
Mike Napoli (32) - Boston Red Sox
Lyle Overbay (37) - New York Mets
Carlos Pena (36) - Seattle Mariners
Mark Reynolds (30) - Tampa Bay Rays
Kevin Youkilis (35) - Cleveland Indians

Second Basemen

Robinson Cano (31) - New York Yankees
Alexi Casilla (29) - Toronto Blue Jays
Jamey Carroll (40) - Retirement
Alberto Gonzalez (31) - New York Yankees
Alexander Guerrero (27) - Los Angeles Dodgers
Mike Fontenot (34) - Miami Marlins
Mark Ellis (37) - $5.75MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Arizona Diamondbacks
Omar Infante (32) - Detroit Tigers
Kelly Johnson (32) - Baltimore Orioles
Nick Punto (36) - Minnesota Twins
Brian Roberts (36) - Tampa Bay Rays
Ryan Roberts (33) - Atlanta Braves
Ramon Santiago (34) - Arizona Diamondbacks
Skip Schumaker (34) - Miami Marlins
Chris Valaika (28) - New York Mets
Josh Wilson (33) - San Diego Padres
Ben Zobrist (33) - $7MM club option with a $2.5MM buyout - Tampa Bay Rays

Shortstops

Robert Andino (30) - Boston Red Sox

Clint Barmes (35) - St. Louis Cardinals
Willie Bloomquist (36) - Los Angeles Dodgers
Jamey Carroll (40) - Retirement
Alexi Casilla (29) - Toronto Blue Jays
Stephen Drew (31) - St. Louis Cardinals
Yunel Escobar (31) - $5MM club option - Tampa Bay Rays
Rafael Furcal (36) - Boston Red Sox
Alex Gonzalez (36) - Colorado Rockies
Nick Green (35) - Minnesota Twins
Cesar Izturis (34) - Los Angeles Angels
Derek Jeter (40) - $8MM+ player option with a $3MM buyout - New York Yankees
John McDonald (39) - Miami Marlins
Jhonny Peralta (32) - Detroit Tigers
Brendan Ryan (32) - New York Yankees

Third Basemen

Yuniesky Betancourt (32) - Los Angeles Dodgers
Wilson Betemit (32) - $3.2MM vesting option - Los Angeles Dodgers
Jamey Carroll (40) - Retirement
Eric Chavez (36) - New York Mets
Mark DeRosa (39) - $750K club option with a $25K buyout - Toronto Blue Jays
Jerry Hairston Jr. (38) - Baltimore Orioles
Brandon Inge (37) - Retirement
Brent Lillibridge (30) - Oakland Athletics
Casey McGehee (31) - Milwaukee Brewers
Placido Polanco (38) - Retirement
Mark Reynolds (30) - Tampa Bay Rays
Juan Uribe (34) - Chicago White Sox
Kevin Youkilis (35) - Cleveland Indians
Michael Young (37) - Arizona Diamondbacks

Left Fielders

Jeff Baker (33) - New York Yankees
Jason Bay (35) - Chicago White Sox
Mark DeRosa (39) - $750K club option with a $25K buyout - Toronto Blue Jays
Raul Ibanez (42) - Retirement
Reed Johnson (37) - $1.6MM club option with a $150K buyout - Atlanta Braves
Austin Kearns (34) - Miami Marlins
Jason Kubel (32) - $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Cleveland Indians
Darnell McDonald (35) - Oakland Athletics
Nate McLouth (32) - Seattle Mariners
Mike Morse (32) - Texas Rangers
David Murphy (32) - Texas Rangers
Laynce Nix (33) - Philadelphia Phillies
Juan Pierre (36) - Minnesota Twins
Grady Sizemore (31) - New York Yankees
Delmon Young (28) - Seattle Mariners

Center Fielders

Rick Ankiel (34) - Milwaukee Brwers
Coco Crisp (34) - $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Oakland Athletics
Rajai Davis (33) - Tampa Bay Rays
Jacoby Ellsbury (30) - Seattle Mariners
Curtis Granderson (33) - Chicago Cubs
Franklin Gutierrez (31) - $7.5MM club option with a $500K buyout - Seattle Mariners
Andres Torres (36) - Boston Red Sox
Chris Young (30) - $11MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout - Oakland Athletics

Right Fielders

Jeff Baker (33) - New York Yankees
Carlos Beltran (37) - New York Yankees
Roger Bernadina (30) - Washington Nationals
Marlon Byrd (36) - Cincinnati Reds
Shin-Soo Choo (31) - New York Mets
Tyler Colvin (28) - Chicago Cubs
Nelson Cruz (33) - Texas Rangers
David DeJesus (34) - $6.5MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout - Tampa Bay Rays
Mark DeRosa (39) - $750K club option with a $25K buyout - Toronto Blue Jays
Jeff Francoeur (30) - St. Louis Cardinals
Corey Hart (32) - Milwaukee Brewers
Mike Morse (32) - Texas Rangers
Grady Sizemore (31) - New York Yankees
Casper Wells (29) - New York Mets

Designated Hitters

Lance Berkman (37) - $12MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Houston Astros
Shelley Duncan (34) - Cleveland Indians
Jason Giambi (43) - Retirement Cleveland Indians
Travis Hafner (37) - Retirement
Raul Ibanez (42) - Retirement
Kendrys Morales (30) - New York Yankees
Luke Scott (36) - Tampa Bay Rays
Delmon Young (28) - Seattle Mariners
Michael Young (37) - Arizona Diamondbacks
Jose Dariel Abreu (26) - Chicago White Sox

Starting Pitchers

Alfredo Aceves (31) - Cleveland Indians
Bronson Arroyo (37) - San Diego Padres
Scott Baker (32) - Chicago Cubs
Erik Bedard (35) - Cincinnati Reds
Jorge De La Rosa (33) - Colorado Rockies
A.J. Burnett (37) - Pittsburgh Pirates
Chris Capuano (35) - $8MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout - Los Angeles Dodgers
Chris Carpenter (39) - St. Louis Cardinals
Bruce Chen (37) - Kansas City Royals
Bartolo Colon (41) - Oakland Athletics
Scott Feldman (30) - Baltimore Orioles
Gavin Floyd (31) - Chicago Cubs
Jeff Francis (33) - Houston Astros
Freddy Garcia (37) - Miami Marlins
Jon Garland (34) - Chicago White Sox
Matt Garza (30) - Texas Rangers
Chad Gaudin (31) - San Diego Padres
Roy Halladay (37) - Toronto Blue Jays
Jason Hammel (31) - Kansas City Royals
Aaron Harang (36) - $7MM+ mutual option with a $2MM buyout - New York Mets
Dan Haren (33) - Kansas City Royals
Roberto Hernandez (33) - Minnesota Twins
Tim Hudson (38) - Atlanta Braves
Phil Hughes (28) - Arizona Diamondbacks
Philip Humber (31) - Colorado Rockies
Ubaldo Jimenez (30) - may void $8MM option for 2014 - Cleveland Indians
Josh Johnson (30) - New York Yankees
Jeff Karstens (31) - Pittsburgh Pirates
Scott Kazmir (30) - Toronto Blue Jays
Hiroki Kuroda (39) - Japan/Retirement
John Lannan (29) - Milwaukee Brewers
Wade LeBlanc (29) - San Francisco Giants
Jon Lester (30) - $13MM club option with a $250K buyout - Boston Red Sox
Colby Lewis (34) - Texas Rangers
Ted Lilly (38) - Retirement
Tim Lincecum (30) - San Francisco Giants
Paul Maholm (32) - Atlanta Braves
Shaun Marcum (32) - Atlanta Braves
Jason Marquis (35) - Colorado Rockies
Daisuke Matsuzaka (33) - Seattle Mariners
Randy Messenger (32) - Houston Astros
Ricky Nolasco (31) - Atlanta Braves
Sean O'Sullivan (26) - Chicago Cubs
Roy Oswalt (35) - Retirement
Mike Pelfrey (30) - Minnesota Twins
Wandy Rodriguez (35) - $13MM player option with a $2.5MM buyout - Pittsburgh Pirates
Ervin Santana (31) - Toronto Blue Jays
Johan Santana (34) - $25MM club option with a $5.5MM buyout - Washington Nationals
Joe Saunders (33) - mutual option - Seattle Mariners
James Shields (32) - $12MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Kansas City Royals
Masahiro Tanaka (25) - acquired via posting system for Japanese players - New York Yankees
Jason Vargas (31)  - Philadelphia Phillies
Ryan Vogelsong (36) - $6.5MM club option with a $300K buyout - San Francisco Giants
Edinson Volquez (30) - San Diego Padres
Tsuyoshi Wada (33) - $5MM club option - Baltimore Orioles
P.J. Walters (29) - Minnesota Twins
Jake Westbrook (36) -- $9.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout - St. Louis Cardinals 
Chien-Ming Wang (34) - Tampa Bay Rays
Suk-Min Yoon (27) - Minnesota Twins
Barry Zito (36) - $18MM club option with a $7MM buyout - Washington Nationals

Closers

Grant Balfour (36) - Oakland Athletics
Joaquin Benoit (36) - Boston Red Sox
Rafael Betancourt (39) - $4.25MM mutual option with a $250K buyout - Colorado Rockies
Kevin Gregg (36) - New York Mets
Joel Hanrahan (32) - Philadelphia Phillies
Casey Janssen (32) - $4MM club option - Los Angeles Dodgers Toronto Blue Jays
Ryan Madson (33) - Baltimore Orioles
Edward Mujica (30) - Chicago Cubs
Joe Nathan (39) - $9MM club option with a $750K buyout, Nathan may void - Toronto Blue Jays
Fernando Rodney (37) - Detroit Tigers
Jose Veras (33) - $3.25MM club option with a $150K buyout - Detroit Tigers
Brian Wilson (32) - New York Yankees

Right Handed Relievers

David Aardsma (32) - Tampa Bay Rays
Matt Albers (31) - Chicago Cubs
Hector Ambriz (30) - Colorado Rockies
Luis Ayala (36) - New York Mets
Matt Belisle (34) - $4.25MM mutual option with a $250K buyout - Colorado Rockies
Michael Bowden (27) - Houston Astros
Shawn Camp (38) - Arizona Diamondbacks
Joba Chamberlain (28) - Tampa Bay Rays
Jesse Crain (32) - Chicago White Sox
Octavio Dotel (40) - Minnesota Twins
Kyle Farnsworth (38) - Retirement
Frank Francisco (34) - Miami Marlins
Matt Guerrier (35) - New York Mets
LaTroy Hawkins (39) - New York Mets 
Phil Humber (30) - Colorado Rockies
Matt Lindstrom (34) - $4MM club option - Chicago White Sox
Kameron Loe (32) - San Diego Padres
Brandon Lyon (34) - Miami Marlins
Jeff Manship (29) - Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim
Carlos Marmol (31) - Houston Astros
Nick Masset (32) - Washington Nationals
Zach Miner (32) - Phialdelphia Phillies
Peter Moylan (35) - Atlanta Braves
Brett Myers (33) - club option - Arizona Diamondbacks
Juan Carlos Oviedo (30) - club option - Tampa Bay Rays
Chad Qualls (35) - Cincinnati Reds
J.C. Ramirez (25) - Boston Red Sox
Francisco Rodriguez (31) - Cincinnati Reds
Joe Smith (30) - Baltimore Orioles
Jose Valverde (36) - New York Mets
Jamey Wright (39) - Retirement

Left Handed Relievers

Tim Byrdak (40) - Retirement

Scott Downs (38) - Texas Rangers

Mike Gonzalez (36) - Philadelphia Phillies

Rich Hill (34) - Cincinnnati Reds

J.P. Howell (31) - Chicago Cubs

Boone Logan (29) - Chicago White Sox

Javier Lopez (36) - Milwaukee Brewers

Eric O'Flaherty (29) - New York Mets

Hideki Okajima (38) - Retirement

Darren Oliver (43) - Retirement

Manny Parra (31) - Seattle Mariners

Oliver Perez (32) - Atlanta Braves

Rafael Perez (32) - New York Yankees

Matt Thornton (37) - 2014 Option - Boston Red Sox

Scott Downs (38) - Texas Rangers
Mike Gonzalez (36) - Philadelphia Phillies
Rich Hill (34) - Cincinnati Reds
J.P. Howell (31) - Houston Astros
Boone Logan (29) - Chicago Cubs
Javier Lopez (36) - Milwaukee Brewers
Eric O'Flaherty (29) - New York Mets
Darren Oliver (43) - Retirement
Manny Parra (31) - Seattle Mariners
Oliver Perez (32) - Atlanta Braves
Matt Thornton (37) - $6MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Tampa Bay Rays

Poll: What Free Agent Starter Should The Yankees Target?

What Free Agent Pitcher Should The Yankees Target
	Masahiro Tanaka
	Matt Garza
	AJ Burnett
	Dan Haren
	Tim Hudson
	Phil Hughes
	Hiroki Kuroda
	Ubaldo Jiminez
	Josh Johnson
	Barry Zito
	Ervin Santana
	Paul Maholm
pollcode.com free polls

Here is another quick poll asking you, the Yankees fans, who you want to see in pinstripes next season. You can keep it realistic and realize that Matt Garza is probably not coming to the Yankees or you can just simply get greedy and pick them all. Multiple votes allowed because we presumably need multiple starting pitchers to fill the void left behind from the likes of Phil Hughes, Hiroki Kuroda, and Andy Pettitte. Thank you in advance for the votes and your participation. 

Qualifying Offers Will Be Worth $14.1 Million This Year

We finally have a number to put with the qualifying offers that the Yankees will likely to be offering to free agents like Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, and Hiroki Kuroda. The qualifying offer will be set at $14,100,000 for the 2014 season on one year deals. Last year the qualifying offers were worth $13,300,000 which is a $800,000 increase from last season.

Just as a reminder you must offer your own free agent a qualifying offer and he must decline it to get a compensation draft pick for him. The team that signs him will relinquish their first round pick, unless it is in the top 10 because those are protected, and the Yankees will get a pick at the end of the first round.

Also worth noting that you must be with your team the entire season, this is for you Matt Garza, to be offered a qualifying offer. Anyone acquired at the trading deadline cannot be offered a qualifying offer and the team who had them can lose their free agent and get nothing in return.

Ask A Greedy Pinstripe: Edition One

We asked our twitter followers and readers to send us in their questions for this offseason for our first ever "Ask A Greedy Pinstripe" post here on the blog. This is much like your run of the mill mailbag type question scenario except we totally expect to do it better then every one else. Maybe that is me being sarcastic, maybe that is me being biased, and maybe you will never know which one.

Submit your questions for edition two on twitter by tweeting @GreedyStripes or by emailing us at the greedy pinstripes on g mail dot com. Now on to the questions!

@greedystripes What pitcher/s u think we might go after this off season????
— ThaChosenOne (@ThaChosenOne___) October 6, 2013

I want to say first and foremost thank you to @ThaChosenOne as you are the first person to ever ask us a question for our Ask A Greedy Pinstripe portion of the site. #SlowGolfClap Okay now back to work.

I think the Yankees do not even know who they will target this off season, nobody does and nobody will until this whole Alex Rodriguez mess is sorted out. If A Rod is suspended like we all expect him to be then I think the Yankees will use that $27.5 million AAV to go after a combination of Masahiro Tanaka, Hiroki Kuroda, and Matt Garza in that order. I think we will go after at least two of those and ultimately end of signing one of them to a deal. Tanaka and Kuroda would be nice but I could not see us signing more then one of them if Garza is signed.

If we whiff on all three of these guys then I could see us going after an Ervin Santana, Tim Lincecum if he is not resigned by the Giants (although I think I would prefer him in the bullpen), and maybe even a Tim Hudson. We need a veteran starter or two to replace possibly Kuroda, Andy Pettitte, and Phil Hughes so the Yankees will be very active in the starting pitching market this offseason.

@GreedyStripes who will be their "Splash" pick up be this off season?
— Draft 2 Dynasty (@Draft2Dynasty) October 6, 2013

Good question here because the Yankees fans always want to know who the next hired mercenary and fan favorite will be and in 2014 I think it will be Jose Dariel Abreu. I know this is not the big splashes that we have grown accustomed to, this is not the Mark Teixeira or the CC Sabathia or the Alex Rodriguez additions we have grown to be spoiled by. I really think it goes to show you just how weak the free agent pool is in 2014 with all the teams locking up their young talent long term earlier then usual. While Abreu is not going to be anywhere near the top of anyone's free agency power rankings list he makes sense for the Yankees, in my opinion, as he fills a huge offensive hole while severely upgrading the DH position while also allowing us to give Mark Teixeira a night off or two every now and then. The Yankees will presumably not have many at bats for aging veterans outside of Derek Jeter in 2014, especially if Alex Rodriguez gets suspended, so we can afford to have a DH only type that delivers raw 30 home run power to the lineup, .250-.275 batting average and all.

@GreedyStripes Why do you call yourselves "The Greedy Pinstripes?"
— Gershon Rabinowitz (@Gersh_MLBTalk) October 6, 2013

Honestly this started out as a joke way back in the offseason before the 2009 World Series year and it has really taken fire. If you all remember that was the offseason the Yankees went on a huge spending spree signing CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, AJ Burnett, and traded for Nick Swisher a year after missing for the playoffs for the first time since the strike shortened 1994 season. I was posting on sports forums back then and had a pretty significant following there and started to tease about how we needed to "get greedy and get Manny (Ramirez). I, looking back and hindsight being 20/20 and all, guess I was kind of trolling because I wanted no part of Manny Ramirez on the team but I still clamored for the need for more right handed power and brought up how he could solve all of our runners in scoring position, clutch hitting, and postseason hitting woes all in one shot.

I decided to leave that site later in the 2009 season for another opportunity elsewhere and took, and I am not exaggerating in the slightest, 85%-90% of that forum with me to my new site. I did not know the following that I would accumulate taking on the "big shots" and the "veterans" of this very well known forum and when I asked why they decided to follow me it was always the way I handled myself during the Manny Ramirez debates and how they liked how I thought outside the box. We spent a few years over at the new place and had your typical "I am tired of working for someone else" and "I wanna be my own boss" kind of epiphany and decided to get into the blog world. Anyone who has ever started a blog knows that coming up with the name is first step and probably the hardest part for most but this came easy. Bryan Van Dusen and myself decided to name ourselves The Greedy Pinstripes and the rest is history.

@GreedyStripes do u think the yankees will get price, tanaka, or Jose abreu? Or try an stay under 189?
— matt (@Matt_Colo02) October 6, 2013

I will assume that you mean David Price since there is no other Price available this offseason and to answer that question, um no? He is not a free agent, the Rays have not made him available yet, and will never trade him within the division and probably not within the American League if they can help it.

Masahiro Tanaka seems like an easy decision and the Yankees have been watching him very closely since the news broke that he would be posted this offseason. I think whether we get him or not depends on the new Japanese League posting system rules that are said to be implemented this November actually are or not. If we stick with the ole "highest bidder in a closed bid gets exclusive rights" system I think there is one team, the Chicago Cubs come to mind, will blow us out of the water simply because they can. If we go to the new proposed rules in time where the top three bidders are revealed and the player gets the decision of who he will negotiate with I think we will absolutely be in the top three and will be chosen by Tanaka.

Jose Abreu I think we should go after as I have been clamoring for him shortly after he defected from Cuba but we have only just recently heard that the Yankees are interested. Abreu has been hosting showcases at the Yankees minor league complex in the Dominican Republic so there is always that and at the end of the day I think the Yankees will sign Abreu because everybody thinks that they won't.

@GreedyStripes Name three things you think will be a surprise this offseason.
— Linda Nielsen (@lnielsen2nd) October 6, 2013

I think I can do a whole lot more than three but I will go ahead and stick to my top three for simplicity sake. Honestly I do not think the Yankees get under the $189 million luxury tax threshold.  If the YES Network ratings were not down over 30%, if we did not miss the playoffs in 2013, and we did not see failure after failure in the minor league system I think we would give it a real shot but they are, we did, and they did so there you have it. I am not expecting the Yankees to go all circa 2009 and sign the top three or four free agents but I can see us delaying the luxury tax threshold reset for a year or two.

Secondly I think the Yankees are going to go with a team that is at least 50% homegrown next season 25 man roster wise.  I think we have a home grown player at catcher in Francisco Cervelli, third base in Eduardo Nunez, short stop in Derek Jeter, second base with Robinson Cano, left field in Alfonso Soriano (yes I know he technically signed out of Japan so sue me), center field in Brett Gardner, right field eventually in Zoilo Almonte, two out of the five starting rotation spots in Adam Warren and Ivan Nova, and at least five out of the six or seven relievers that we will carry in David Robertson, Preston Claiborne, Dellin Betances, David Phelps, and Matt Daley. I also expect our back up catcher, Austin Romine, our back up infielder, David Adams, and our first in line for a starting rotation spot in Vidal Nuno will all be homegrown. I know, as I eluded to above, that many fans are expecting the Yankees to rebuild and retool but I cannot see it.

Finally what I think will surprise everyone is the fact that the Yankees and Brian Cashman will make zero, count them, zero trades this offseason. With the implementation of  the second wild card along with more and more teams locking up their young talent years before free agency  to long term deals means to me that more and more teams think that they are in it for the long haul. Also teams will be holding onto their talent for the July 31st trading deadline. I do not see any glaring salary dumps that the Yankees have seemingly fallen in love with and I cannot see the Yankees taking any of those guys while making a run at the $189 million luxury tax threshold so this will be another cold and long offseason for the Yankees and their fans.

That's it for this edition of Ask A Greedy Pinstripe. Once again if you want to be a part of the next edition of this please submit your questions as we will try to make this a frequent part of the blog. We like to let our readers and followers be heard and part of the discussion as much as we can because we are nothing without you guys. Go Yankees!