Anyone Worth a Gamble Left on the Free Agent Market?

Pitchers and catchers are in full swing and full team workouts are happening all around the league as we inch closer and closer to Grapefruit League games and MLB games that actually count in the win/loss column. All winter long teams have made a plan and seemingly stuck to it whether it be acquiring the top free agent talent available like the Red Sox did with David Price and Craig Kimbrel, selling off all their talent to jump start a rebuild like the Atlanta Braves did or sign nobody at all, literally, like the New York Yankees did. The Yankees did not sign a single major league free agent this winter but they have not shied away from handing out the minor league deals for depth down on the farm, is there anyone left on the free agent market worth that gamble?

Well yeah, Dexter Fowler is still out there on the free agent market but I strongly believe he isn’t going to settle for a minor league deal. There’s almost 0% chance of it. He may sign a one-year pillow contract with a team and test a no-so-stacked free agent market again in 2017 but there’s absolutely no chance he signs a minor league deal. The same can likely be said for starters Tim Lincecum, Cliff Lee and Alfredo Simon. Also Ian Desmond is another one of those names to add to the “no way, no how” list when it comes to signing a minor league free agent deal this winter. We know the names of who won’t sign a minor league deal but who conceivably could or would?

David Freese is a solid third baseman with a track record of hitting in the postseason but for whatever reason not many are knocking down his door to sign him this winter. New York needs a capable third baseman and a true third baseman, apologies to Starlin Castro, and if Freese is willing to sign a MiLB deal, however unlikely, I think the Yankees should pounce. The longer the winter drags on and the closer the spring comes closer the more likely other players like Juan Uribe, Justin Morneau and Pedro Alvarez may be willing to defy the odds and the doubters and sign a minor league deal as well with an opt-out clause simply to get into a spring camp and show teams they are still capable of playing at the Major League level. If the Yankees want to take advantage of any of those three I would also be willing to sign off on those deals.

Finally you have a laundry list of players including Rickie Weeks, Jimmy Rollins, Tommy Hunter, Matt Thornton, and others who would likely jump at the opportunity to sign a minor league deal in New York but I just can’t see any of them being true fits for the Yankees. I have always said there is no such thing as a bad minor league deal and I will stand behind that today as well but there are some I’d be willing to write a “Meet a Prospect” for and there are some I may just let slide and move on with, you know what I’m saying? 

Jimmy Rollins Considered Trade to Mets but not Yankees

The New York Post, who as you know I am not entirely happy with at this particular minute, reported that former Phillies and current Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop considered waiving his no trade right to accept a trade to the New York Mets. One team that Rollins did not consider waiving his trade right for was the New York Yankees. Interesting.

Rollins did state that the only destination he actually wanted to go to was Los Angeles and was very happy to be a Dodgers player, and who could blame him, but the idea of being a Mets player at least intrigued him. Rollins mentioned the stockpile of young arms the Mets have as his reasoning behind it as he saw a bright future with the Metropolitans.

Rollins stated in that same interview that it would have been hard to replace Derek Jeter this late in his career and would have never gone to the Yankees for that reason. I get that because I don’t think anyone necessarily wanted to be the one to replace Jeter except for Troy Tulowitzki but someone has to do it. Long story short Rollins is in Los Angeles, Didi Gregorius is in New York and Wilmer Flores is written in pencil as the shortstop in Queens. 

Andrew Friedman Goes Crazy When He Has Money

Remember when the Los Angeles Dodgers fans and fans around Major League Baseball were excited about getting former Tampa Bay Rays GM Andrew Friedman? Many praised Friedman for what he did with such limited resources and finances which worried some around the league now that he had the highest payroll in baseball. And then the third day of the Winter Meetings happened.

Dan Haren was traded to Miami along with Dee Gordon for a nice prospect haul while Los Angeles agreed to pay Haren’s $10 million in salary. Haren had stated multiple times that he would likely retire rather than leave Southern California if traded which makes me seriously question why a GM would want to pay someone $10 million to retire elsewhere when the team could use him in the rotation. This was a small price to pay when they traded Andrew Heaney, the top prospect they received from Miami, to Los Angeles to receive the Angels Howie Kendrick to replace Gordon.

I praise Freidman for acquiring Jimmy Rollins as he is still above average offensively and defensively and is probably the best shortstop available not named Troy Tulowitzki. That praise was short sighted when I learned that the team gave Brandon McCarthy a four year deal worth $48 million. In no way, shape, form or market is McCarthy worth four years or $48 million. No way, good luck with that.

You have to give credit where credit is due though as he fixed the Dodgers outfield logjam, traded away their highest paid player and a $100 million contract, improved the infield and added some nice prospects to their farm system. All in all a good week for Friedman but seriously, about that McCarthy contract... 

Catch Up on the Final Day of the Winter Meetings

Nice move for rangers to get Ross Detwiler on the cheap. They view him as a starter, so he'll be happy with the deal, too
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 11, 2014

Source: As it stands now, unlikely that #Padres come to terms with Kwang-Hyun Kim before deadline.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 11, 2014

Optimism that Chase Heeadley gets done today, Yanks, Giants...but Lester/Giants negotiations a yellow light factor
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) December 9, 2014

ervin santana gets $54M for 4 years from twins, with 5th year option
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 11, 2014

Once #Dodgers get Rollins, they will be open to moving Arruebarrena. Elite defender, owed $16M over next four years.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2014

Marlins acquire Mat Latos from the Reds for Anthony DeSclafani, Chad Wallach http://t.co/hpYEUhbQHc
— MLB Daily Dish (@mlbdailydish) December 11, 2014

masterson is a 1-year deal with boston. good idea for him to re-establish value. #redsox
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 11, 2014

Deal is announced: #Tigers trade Eugenio Suarez and Jonathon Crawford to #Reds for Alfredo Simon.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 11, 2014

kendrys morales gets $17M for 2 years plus 750 incentives each year. $18.5M max. #royals
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 11, 2014

MIA's deal with LAD on Haren a classic: $10 million to cover his salary if he pitches, and they get to keep the money if he doesn't pitch.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 11, 2014

mat latos will be going to the marlins in trade. #reds
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 11, 2014

The #Tigers today have acquired OF Yoenis Cespedes, RHP Alex Wilson & LHP Gabe Speier from Boston in exchange for RHP Rick Porcello.
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 11, 2014

so it's kemp, about $25M and tim federowicz for yasmani grandal, joe wieland and a 3rd prospect. #dodgers #padres
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 11, 2014

The Yankees want Alex Rodriguez to lose some weight. http://t.co/hJN2O1azKp
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 11, 2014

Three Potential Trades for the Yankees?

Lou DiPietro is one guy over at the YES Network that I fully respect and admire, Lou was even gracious enough to do an interview for us at the blog which I will be forever grateful for. This week Lou suggested three possible trades involving the New York Yankees this offseason to improve the team and I wanted to bring them here to you right now.

YANKEES receive: OF/1B Nick Swisher and IF Mike Aviles
INDIANS receive: OF Carlos Beltran and a pitching prospect

First question I ask is would Carlos Beltran be willing to waive his no trade clause. Second, how does this exactly help the team? Unless you believe in a second resurgence for Swisher in New York, I don't.

YANKEES receive: SS Starlin Castro, OF Chris Coghlan, 3B Luis Valbuena
CUBS receive: OF Brett Gardner, C John Ryan Murphy

I would pull this trade 10 times our of 10, where do I sign?

YANKEES get: SS Jimmy Rollins
PHILLIES get: SS Brendan Ryan, RHP Shawn Kelley, and a pitching prospect

No. Too much, even if it is Kelley and a prospect. Rollins is a salary dump and should be treated as so.

Yankees Offered "Utility Player" for Jimmy Rollins

Heard from 2 more sources on Rollins-to-NYY report. #Phillies source said all #Yankees offered was a "utility player" & not close to enough
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) November 26, 2014

According to Jayson Stark of ESPN the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies have had discussions recently regarding a potential Jimmy Rollins trade. Originally it was reported that the asking price was simply too high but now we have learned that New York offered a "utility player" for Rollins' services. The only conceivable utility player I could see the Yankees offering for Rollins would be Jose Pirela, no?

It is also worth noting that according to Stark Rollins was not interested in becoming a Yankee...

Both sources also said Rollins isn't interested in getting traded to #Yankees so it was a moot point to pursue this further.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) November 26, 2014

Updating My Offseason Ideas

First that shirt, and now Boston? Really, Hanley?

Now that the Boston Red Sox have signed Hanley Ramirez, my ideas for the offseason have already been ruined. Although, and I'm being honest here, I was never completely comfortable with the idea of Ramirez in pinstripes. It just seemed like the best way to fill the position, while also strengthening a poor batting lineup.

So it's time to update my offseason ideas.

One idea that I'm going to stick with is the one saying the Yankees should re-sign David Robertson. 

If you want the full rundown as to why I think it's important to re-sign Robertson, then you can click the link above for my previous idea article. Let's just say that whether Betances fills in as the new closer or not, losing David would leave a gigantic hole in the bullpen. And the past postseason clearly showed us how important a strong bullpen can be.

I'd rather not have to rely on a trade to fill a hole on the team, but at this point the Yankees don't have much of a choice. That's because the free agent crop of shortstops is not good. Stephen Drew? Asdrubal Cabrera? Jed Lowrie? Those three options make me think of a scene from Coming To America...

"___ you, ___ you, and ___ you. Who's next?"

So trade for Starlin Castro. Trade for Didi Gregorius. Trade for Elvis Andrus. Heck, trade for Jimmy Rollins. Just do not settle for one of those three stooges mentioned above.

Another story surrounding the Yankees' 2014/2015 offseason, which in my mind ties into the shortstop situation, has to do with their situation at third base. I had said that I wanted the Yankees to bring back Chase Headley, and I'm not completely changing that stance. 

Did you catch that? I said, I'm not completely changing my stance on that one.

See, if the Yankees end up acquiring somebody with an average bat to play shortstop, then I believe it would be ideal for them to get a more proven player at third base. For example, if they traded for Jimmy Rollins, then by all means bring back Chase Headley to man the hot corner.

However, if Cashman and Company were somehow able to deal for somebody like Starlin Castro, then allow either Rob Refsnyder or Jose Pirela to play second base while Martin Prado handles things at third.

The reason I say that is there's a better than zero percent chance that both Refsnyder and Pirela do not pan out. If that were to happen, and the Yankees have a poor hitter playing shortstop, then you're looking at another below average lineup in 2015. 

Take a look at this possible batting lineup...

1. Brett Gardner

2. Jacoby Ellsbury

3. Brian McCann

4. Carlos Beltran

5. Mark Teixeira

6. Alex Rodriguez

7. Martin Prado

8. Average Shortstop

9. Rob Refsnyder/Jose Pirela

Yep.

Take out the kids, add Chase Headley, and you can feel a little better...

1. Brett Gardner

2. Jacoby Ellsbury

3. Brian McCann

4. Carlos Beltran

5. Mark Teixiera

6. Chase Headley

7. Alex Rodriguez

8. Martin Prado

9. Average Shortstop

Like I said... feel a little better. 

By the way, I didn't think that hard about the order. So tinker with that if you want, but don't rake me over the coals if you don't agree with it.

Either way, it doesn't look like the offense is going to be a whole lot better than it was last season. That brings me to my last idea.

Even though the Yankees have plenty of starting options going into 2015, too many of them have questions. Will Masahiro Tanaka's elbow hold up, or will he need Tommy John surgery? Can we trust Michael Pineda's shoulder? Is it dumb to think CC Sabathia can be effective ever again? Are Shane Greene and David Phelps for real? Will Ivan Nova return and be 2013 Nova or 2012 Nova?

So while I called for the re-signing of Brandon McCarthy in my last idea article, the need for great run prevention is just too much. Therefore, I'm changing things up and asking the Yankees to sign either Max Scherzer or Jon Lester.

I honestly don't care which guy it is. Both of them are solid bets to start 30+ games, are basically the same age, and should end their contracts being a middle of the rotation starter at worst. I guess I lean towards Lester since he's spent plenty of time in the AL East, is left-handed, and doesn't come with draft pick compensation. But comparing the two seems like splitting hairs. 

So let's break it down...

-Sign David Robertson.

-Trade for a shortstop.

-Sign Headley if the new shortstop is a weak hitter, or if the new SS hits well then just move Prado to 3B and Refsnyder/Pirela to 2B.

-Sign Jon Lester or Max Scherzer

Now, let's see how long before my ideas are shot to hell again.

Jimmy Rollins Makes a lot of Sense For 2015

"I'm out of here, take over bro!" - Derek Jeter

With the sky as the limit when it comes to possibilities for the 2015 New York Yankees many around the Yankees blogosphere are throwing around names as potential replacements for Derek Jeter. One name that has not been mentioned enough that should be is Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rollins is in the final year of his contract with the Phillies worth $11 million and announced that he would be willing to waive his no trade clause to head to a contender. The Phillies have all but announced that the team is ready and willing to start a rebuilding process and unloading Rollins may be the first step in that process.

The cons for Rollins obviously start with his age, 36 by the time the season starts, but you must consider the fact that his defense has not regressed to the point of being a liability. Rollins also is more than adequate with the bat given his position as he posted a 102 wRC+ last season and would come with just a one year deal associated with him.

The free agent market for next season at shortstop does not look all that enticing but a lot can happen in 12 months and the Yankees will not find a better stop gap than Rollins. You know more or less what you are going to get out of Rollins and I'd rather have the certainty than to have to hope and pray that Stephen Drew or Asdrubal Cabrera bounce back from down seasons.

It won't cost much in terms of dollars or prospects for the Yankees to acquire Rollins from the Phillies and it makes a ton of sense for both teams. Make it happen Cash.

Rules For A Good GM: Don't Be Like Ruben Amaro Jr.

More than once I have spoken on the blog about how the Yankees general manager Brian Cashman needs to be more like Boston's GM Ben Cherington. One general manager that Cashman should not try to emulate is Ruben Amaro Jr. in Philadelphia. In short, Amaro is an idiot plain and simple. The Phillies had very tradeable pieces at the trading deadline including, but not limited to, Marlon Byrd, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and AJ Burnett. Amaro traded none of them, actually he didn't make a single move on Thursday, and now we find out why.

Amaro asked the Yankees for either Luis Severino or Aaron Judge in return for Byrd. Say what? Byrd and who else? Who the hell does this guy think he is and who the hell does he thinks he is trading? No wonder Philadelphia collapsed the way they did. Geeze. Good luck with that.