The Yankees are becoming more and more mainstream each and
every season removed from the George Steinbrenner and Joe Torre era. The team
has adopted defensive shifting, having a fireman in the bullpen, a LOOGY in the
pen and have tried their hardest to add as much versatility and youth to the
lineup as a team with the pressure of a constant “World Series or bust”
mentality can. The Yankees lineup and 25 man roster is basically set for 2016
without Brian Cashman getting pretty creative in the trade market but one man
on the free agency market is intriguing. The Yankees need stability at second
base and will presumably need a fourth outfielder that can replace Chris Young,
is that where the Royals Ben Zobrist comes into play?
Would the Yankees, and more specifically would Hal
Steinbrenner, be willing to go $45-$50 million for a player with no real
position on the team? Zobrist could be the fourth outfielder that the Yankees
thought they were getting when they signed Chris Young, an outfielder that hits
left-handed pitching consistently, and at the same time be the Yankees second
baseman they have presumably been searching for since the departure of Robinson
Cano.
Zobrist is versatile and a good player, WAR and other stats
will tell you that, that switch hits and is generally the type of player that
the Yankees covet. He can play almost any position well and hits well enough to
stick at any and all of them. Any team would love to either have Zobrist or
emulate Zobrist which is why his price tag is expected to soar. Is he worth $50
million or more? Honestly, probably not but if the Yankees can get him for that
number or less on a contract similar to Chase Headley’s I don’t think I’d be
too terribly upset personally. With that said I wouldn’t be opposed to Justin
Upton in the outfield and Robert Refsnyder at second base either, I’m
indifferent.
I'm confused Daniel. You beat the drum all year for Refsnyder, as did I, and now you want Zobrist for "stability" at second base? The best part of this article was the last sentence. Sign Upton and let Refsnyder play second.
ReplyDeleteI have to toe the right rope that is what o want, Refsnyder, and what the Yankeea are going to do to help, Zobrist. It seems contradictory I know.
ReplyDeleteUntil Cashman gets off his dead ass and starts clearing the logjam on this roster, there is no room for position players.
ReplyDeleteCashman would do it in a heartbeat as he did when George was running things.
DeleteAs I keep saying, "Follow the Money", Hal will not eat any of those contracts!
I agree with you Levin. The elf can't get creative be because it's not in his DNA. Hal is to blame as well as he would rather screw the fan over with his outlandish prices then reinvest in the team like his father did.
DeleteDrew is gone, Ryan will be here for one more season (and is an obvious DFA candidate this spring) while Ackley can play outfield and first base if need be and Refsnyder is likely starting. There is room for one more as long as it's someone versatile like a Zobrist or another Ackley, not that I want to necessarily see another.
DeleteThat's exactly it Reed. if a contract didn't work out under George he ate it or sat it down in Triple-A next to Kei Igawa. This new regime simply waits out bad contracts.
DeleteSo you see Bird being sent to AAA? By my count, Zobrist would make 14 major league position players. I like the idea of having Zobrist and Upton. But like I said, unless Cashman makes a couple moves, it won't work. They can dfa Ryan and Ackley, or trade Gardner and Headley. Or screw Bird and Refsnyder over and send them to AAA to become the next Laird/Romine.
DeleteCashman has basically already said that Bird, as of today of course, is the odd man out since he's a 1B or bust (or DH).
DeleteCashman has basically already said that Bird, as of today of course, is the odd man out since he's a 1B or bust (or DH).
DeleteAre you starting to be as narcissistic as me with your doubleposting? So saving the Yankees ass coming up with clutch hit after clutch hit earns you a trip to Scranton these days? I really don't think I would ever sign with the Yankees as an amateur. To high of a chance to get shit on. I think I would hold out and wait for the next team to draft me.
DeleteThat would be the following year! Unless one has a college waiting for him, he will be one year behind. If one has graduated from college, he can play some sandlot games and hope nothing happens to him.
DeleteTried is Levin, didn't like it. Moving on.
DeleteI didn't say I agreed with it Levin, just saying what Cashman said. You know where I stand, especially with Yankees prospects. I want Bird, I want Ref, I want Severino.