Monday, October 22, 2012

Michael Pineda Expects To Be Out Until June


The hits just keep on coming with Michael Pineda and his pinstripes career. Brian Cashman announced that he did not expect Pineda to make his debut with the Yankees until at least June of next season. With the many Pedro Feliciano's and Carl Pavano's that we had you have to even begin to doubt that if you are a Yankees fan right now. Jesus Montero we miss you so. 

Happy 39th Birthday Ichiro Suzuki


Happy 39th Birthday goes out to Ichiro Suzuki. You may have only been with us for half of a season, to date, but we appreciate all that you gave us. Thank you and have a great birthday!

Happy 30th Birthday Robinson Cano


Happy 30th birthday goes out to all star slugging second basemen Robinson Cano. Hopefully we see many many more of these in pinstripes!

Projected 2013 Roster and Payroll

Before started my series of posts about the offseason decisions facing the Yankees, I thought I'd take a look at the current roster and payroll for 2013. Since it was reported that Rafael Soriano is going to opt-out, I went ahead and left him off the roster for next season. And as I always do, I'm looking at each player's salary in terms of the Luxury Tax, meaning the numbers represent the Average Annual Value of the contracts.

Players under contract for 2013

Alex Rodriguez - $27.5 million
Mark Teixeira - $22.5 million
CC Sabathia - $24.4 million
Derek Jeter - $17 million
Robinson Cano (club option) - $7.5 million
Curtis Granderson (club option) - $6.875 million
Phil Hughes - (arbitration 3) $6 million, raise of $2.8m
Brett Gardner - (arbitration 2) $4 million, raise of $1.2m
Boone Logan - (arbitration 3) $3 million, raise of $1.125m
Joba Chamberlain - (arbitration 3) $3 million, raise of $1.325m
David Robertson - (arbitration 2) $3 million, raise of $1.4m
Francisco Cervelli - (arbitration 1) $1 million, raise of $.4863m
Ramiro Pena - (arbitration 1) $1.5 million, raise of $.9964m
Michael Pineda - (pre-arbitration) $1 million
Ivan Nova - (pre-arbitration) $1 million
Clay Rapada - (pre-arbitration) $1 million
Eduardo Nunez - (pre-arbitration) $1 million
Chris Stewart - (pre-arbitration) $1 million
David Phelps - (pre-arbitration) $1 million

The arbitration, and pre-arbitration, numbers are a guess on my part. However, I wanted to add something there, rather than leave it empty.

Total $133.275 million

Next, I wanted to point out what players will be free agents this offseason.

Key Free Agents

Mariano Rivera
Hiroki Kuroda
Rafael Soriano
Nick Swisher
Russell Martin
Freddy Garcia
Andy Pettitte
Andruw Jones
Raul Ibanez
Eric Chavez
Pedro Feliciano
Derek Lowe

So, position-wise, what are we looking at?

C -
1B - Teixeira
2B - Cano
3B - Rodriguez
SS - Jeter
LF - Gardner
CF - Granderson
RF -
DH -

SP1 - Sabathia
SP2 -
SP3 - Hughes
SP4 - Pineda
SP5 - Nova (possibly Pettitte at SP3, which would move Hughes and Pineda down a spot in the rotation)

CL -
SU - Robertson
BP - Rapada (L)
BP - Logan (L)
BP - Chamberlain
BP -
BP - Phelps

Bench (middle infielder) - Nunez (R)
Bench (catcher) - Stewart (R)
Bench (corner infielder) - Nix (R)
Bench (outfielder) - Dickerson (L)

I have a feeling the team is going to make an offer to bring back Hiroki Kuroda, or at least I hope the team plans to do that. On top of Kuroda, I could see the team bringing back Andy Pettitte as well, which I'm guessing will knock Ivan Nova out of the starting rotation assuming Michael Pineda is good to return (and I'm one of the more optimistic fans when it comes to Pineda). So if Kuroda and Pettitte return, Nova would take the middle reliever spot.

That would leave the team looking to add a catcher, right fielder, outfielder/designated hitter (preferably a left-handed batter), and a reliever that could possibly close games if/when Mariano Rivera is ready to take over his closing role.

Who Replaces Alex Rodriguez If He Gets Traded?


If the Yankees decide to trade Alex Rodriguez this offseason, and let us assume that he does not net us a replacement 3B in the deal, then who should we look at to potentially fill his spot in the lineup, in the field, and in the clubhouse? Well the most obvious choice is to look via free agency so here is the list of available free agent 3B in the 2013 class via MLBTraderumors.com:

Third basemen
Miguel Cairo (39)
Eric Chavez (35)
Mark DeRosa (38)
Alberto Gonzalez (30)
Brandon Inge (36)
Maicer Izturis (32)
Jose Lopez (29)
Placido Polanco (37) - $5.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Scott Rolen (38)
Drew Sutton (30)
Ty Wigginton (35) - $4MM club option with a $500K buyout
David Wright (30) - $16MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Kevin Youkilis (34) - $13MM club option with a $1MM buyout

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, not likely on David Wright, and no! We're not replacing Alex via free agency unless we get that right handed middle of the order impact bat back in the trade.


Also to note that the Diamondbacks traded Chris Young to the Oakland Athletics so it is even more unlikely now that the D Backs would be willing to trade Justin Upton. As much as I would want him on the team because he is the right handed power presence that Alex used to be but he is also a perfect replacement for Nick Swisher in RF. I guess I have to personally get that pipe dream out of my mind now and move on. I cannot see anyone else, well anyone that I would want anyway *cough* Vernon Wells *cough*, that we could feasibly trade for unless it was in a separate deal not involving Alex. Maybe the Oakland A's would want to part with one of their 19 outfielders for a premium, who knows. The Marlins seem to be out of it after dumping even more salary in Heath Bell but, who knows maybe the deal was made TO make room for Alex, I will not hold my breathe.


The most notable and interesting player that we could feasibly replace Alex with would surprisingly come from within. David Adams was moved from 2B to 3B not only to make room for Corban Joseph but, in my opinion anyway, to replace Alex Rodriguez at the position eventually. Well eventually may come in 2013 after a huge bounce back season in 2012 and a strong debut in the Arizona Fall League to date. His health seems ready, his bat is ready, and he is ready defensively. If the spot comes open I think we will see David Adams as the starting 3B on Opening Day for the Yankees, barring any miracle trade.