Nationals Sign Soriano

The Washington Nationals have agreed to sign Rafael Soriano to a two year deal worth $28 million. Turns out that turning down the qualifying offer of $13.3 million from the Yankees didn't bite Soriano in the backside after all, as he's not only got a 2nd guaranteed year but a bit more money too.

Personally I'm happy that the Yankees didn't go back on what they've said regarding not bringing back Soriano, as I feel the bullpen looks pretty good without him. And spending that much more money didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, especially when they've had chances to sign other players to fill true holes, but have apparently balked at the asking price.

Since Rafael turned down the Yankees' qualifying offer, and has now signed with another team, the Yanks will receive another draft pick. While the Nationals have to give up the 29th pick in the draft due to this signing, the Yankees will possibly receive the 32nd overall pick.

A Not-So-Boring Offseason

The vast majority of my articles are responses to news, so finding things to talk about lately has been really rough. The latest bit of news regarding the Yankees at MLB Trade Rumors has to do with the Blue Jays signing of 18 year old right hander Denis Villatoro, as the Yankees had looked into Villatoro at one point. Heck, the second bit of news regarding the Yankees has to do with them being cost-conscious, and other teams in the AL East (particularly the Jays) possibly looking to take advantage of that. So it's easy to see why each year the LoHud Yankees Blog runs their Pinch Hitter series, where writers from outside their blog submit articles to be posted there (I wrote something for it last year, and this year Burch has a post that will runner there next month).

This lack of news has really tested my lack of patience. I keep hoping to wake up and see news of a big trade, or even rumors of a big trade possibly happening. Alas... nothing. So what do I do now? Do I rant about the fact Cashman and Co. haven't done anything in a while (again)? That's when it occurred to me that they aren't the problem... I'm the problem. My "what have you done for me lately" attitude, which is shared by many other Yankee fans, has blinded me to the fact that the Yankees have indeed done quite a bit this offseason. It just so happens that those things they did not only happened early in the offseason, but they didn't change the team much at all.

This offseason the Yankees have agreed to spend $92.5 million on eight players. David Aardsma's option was picked up for $500,000, as were Robinson Cano's ($15 million) and Curtis Granderson's ($15 million). The team brought back Hiroki Kuroda for another $15 million, Andy Pettitte for $12 million, Mariano Rivera for $10 million, and Ichiro Suzuki for $13 million (over 2 years). As for new blood there's only one guy... Kevin Youkilis for $12 million. Mind you, that doesn't include a minor league deals for Matt Diaz and Bobby Wilson. So it doesn't sound like a boring offseason at all.

"I'm still bored."

But what about other teams? How much have they spent, and on how many players? Let's take a look at them, starting with the other AL East teams...

Blue Jays - $29 million on 3 players
Orioles - $3 million on 2 players
Rays - $25.8 million on 6 players
Red Sox - $160.45 million on 8 players

Boston is the only team in the AL East that's spent more money than the Yankees, and that includes the $39 million deal for Mike Napoli that isn't even finalized yet. The only free agent signing they've had that's even a bit exciting is for Shane Victorino, which was for 3 years and $39 million. The other $83.45 million was spent on Ryan Dempster, Stephen Drew, Jonny Gomes, David Ortiz, David Ross, and Koji Uehara.

There are actually only four other teams that have spent more money this offseason than the Yankees...

• The Angels have spent $164.5 million for 5 players, one of them being Josh Hamilton who signed for $125 million. So without that big signing they've only spent $39.5 million for 4 players.
• The Tigers have spent $115.5 million, one of them being Anibal Sanchez for $80 million. So without Sanchez Detroit's only spent $35.5 million for 3 players.
• The Braves have spent $107.55 million, one of them being BJ Upton for $75 million. So without Upton Atlanta's only spent $32.55 million on 5 players.
• The Dodgers, who now have the largest payroll in Major League Baseball, have spent $172.35 million. That includes signing Zack Greinke for $147 million, leaving only $25.35 million for 2 players.

Finally, if you look at the number of players a team has signed to contracts that include MLB deals, the only team that has more than New York is the Chicago Cubs. The Cubbies have signed 9 players for a total of $91.05 million, and that includes the $52 million contract they gave to Edwin Jackson.

You see, there's really no reason for Yankee fans such as myself to be up in arms over their team's lack of offseason moves. Even if you're thinking "sure, but I want a big acquisition , you can't overlook the fact that the Yankees picked up options on the best second basemen in the game (Cano) and an outfielder that has hit 84 home runs the past two seasons (Granderson), while re-signing the greatest short-inning reliever of all time (Rivera). And that doesn't touch on Pettitte and Kuroda, who are pretty darn good starting pitchers.

So the next time you're upset that another day has passed without any significant news about the Yankees, remember that this offseason has hardly been "boring". Remember that there are few, if any, teams in the game that wouldn't have loved to have signed Cano, Granderson, Kuroda, and Rivera.

Teixeira & Pettitte Will Play For Team USA in WBC

New York Yankees first basemen Mark Teixeira and starting pitcher Andy Pettitte have committed to playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic this March. This will be a nice reunion for Andy because former Yankees manager Joe Torre will be managing Team USA this year. The teams will officially be announced on Thursday 1/17 but these names have already leaked.

Yankees Okay With Price For Upton

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Yankees are willing to meet the asking price for Justin Upton... which is great news. But they aren't willing to take on all of the $38.5 million remaining on Upton's contract... which is bad news. I understand that thinking, as they're looking at the money owed to Justin in 2014 and 2015. Again... I don't like it, but I understand it.

Morosi floats the idea of trading Curtis Granderson in order to free up money for Upton in 2013. That doesn't make any sense to me for a couple of reasons...

1. Granderson is gone after this season anyway, so how does trading him help the austerity budget for 2014? The answe... it doesn't.

2. Morosi talked about dealing Granderson to Seattle, as their interest in Upton shows that they want a strong outfielder to anchor their lineup. Sounds great when Jon mentions a window to sign Curtis to an extension, but when he says "even if it's only for one year" I scratched my head. Why would the Mariners, who aren't going to compete in 2013 after finishing 19 games back in the AL West last season, want to pay Grandy $14 million for one year? I already didn't quite understand paying as much as Seattle would have for Upton, who is signed for 3 more years, but them paying for Granderson makes even less sense.

Moving on, Mike Axisa at River Avenue Blues said exactly what I was thinking in their post regarding this bit of news, saying that the Yanks should look to add Upton to their current outfield situation... they shouldn't make a lateral move (switching one outfielder for another). I mean, is an outfield of Upton-Gardner-Ichiro that much better than Granderson-Gardner-Ichio? I don't think so.

Yankees Considering Javier Vazquez For A 3rd Time?

The Yankees are one of several teams including the Washington Nationals and the Boston Red Sox to be monitoring Javier Vazquez as he attempts a comeback to the Major Leagues. Javier has been down in the Winter League in Puerto Rico and has been impressing a lot of scouts with his 92-95 mph fast ball and breaking stuff. Vazquez is entering his age 36 season but is pitching to a 3.52 ERA with 30 K's and 6 BB's in 23 IP. I cannot see the Yankees bringing him back since we already potentially have six or seven starters depending on whether you count Adam Warren or not but it does not hurt to send a scout or two down there. I expect him to go to Boston who would give him the most playing time.

Swisher & Sabathia To Be Honored At BBWAA Dinner

Next Saturday on January 19th the Baseball Writers Association of America will hold its annual dinner to hand out the awards for the 2012 season. The MVP's and Cy Young award winners will be honored that night but we will also see some other awards handed out that generally do not get talked about. Nick Swisher will win the "Good Guy Award" and CC Sabathia will be presented with the "Joan Payson Humanitarian Award" next Saturday at the Hilton. HERE is a list of the rest of the awards to be given out courtesy of Lohud.

Yankees Release Chris Dickerson

The Yankees have released outfielder Chris Dickerson making him an unrestricted free agent. This is good news and bad news because the good news is he was not claimed and can be re-signed to another minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training. The bad news is he could go to another team and we could get absolutely nothing for him, which seems like the most likeliest of the scenarios. The Yankees designated Chris for assignment on January 4th to make room for the recently claimed Russ Canzler.

Yankees Not Interested In Jim Thome

The Yankees are showing zero interest in left handed DH Jim Thome. At age 42 he still has power from the left side and gets on base enough but is not really a good fit for the left handed heavy and aging Yankees. His clubhouse character and dedication will never be questioned and he would walk in and become an instant fan favorite but Thome would need a platoon player and offers no versatility in the field anymore so I cannot see this happening unless we get Michael Morse, even then it would still be unlikely in my opinion.

Former Yankees Update : Marcus Thames

Marcus Thames was originally drafted by the Yankees way back in the 1996 draft in the 30th round of the First Year Player's Draft. Marcus retired from Major League Baseball today after two stints with the Yankees and while also playing for the Tigers, Rangers, and most recently the Dodgers. Marcus first at bat was a memorable one as he went deep off the Big Unit Randy Johnson in his first at bat. Marcus will now be the hitting instructor for the High A Tampa Yankees joining another former Yankee, the Tampa Yankees manager Luis Sojo.

Should The Yankees Spend That Much On Upton?

Answer: A pitching prospect with "ace" upside, a top infield prospect, and two young MLB relievers.

Question: What will it cost to trade for Justin Upton?

Scott Miller of CBSSports.com reported that Seattle had offered Taijuan Walker ("pitching prospect with 'ace' upside"), Nick Franklin ("top infield prospect"), and Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor ("two young MLB relievers"), to Arizona for Justin Upton. Ken Rosenthal tweeted that a source said Upton rejecting the deal saved Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik's job, as the package was too much. Especially when you consider that the Mariners most likely won't compete for any sort of title within the next few years, and Upton is signed for 3 more years and $38.5 million.

So, anyway, Justin may still be in play for the Yankees, but do they have what it takes to acquire the young outfielder? I'm not so sure. Looking at the Yanks' pitching prospects, I don't see one with "ace" potential. Sure, Manny Banuelos has a lot of upside, but after only throwing 24 innings in 2012 I doubt the DBacks are that keen on trading for him. And as far as a top infield prospect... the Yankees don't really have one. The only place the Yankees can compete as far as talent is with the relievers, by offering David Robertson and Mark Montgomery, but even then Robertson will be getting paid more since Furbush and Pryor are not arbitration eligible.

Although I've made it clear that I'd love the Bombers to bring Justin to the Bronx, I'm not sure it's the best thing to do. Yes, the austerity budget is ridiculous, but it's a reality. Therefore, spending $38.5 million over the next 3 years for Upton, when the team has Tyler Austin close to MLB-ready, may not be the best way to go. I'd rather the team extend Robinson Cano, and then see what they have left to spend in other areas. And as for those other "areas", finding a corner outfielder isn't the hardest thing to do. What about dealing a lefty reliever, which the Yankees can afford to give up, for Michael Morse and then looking at re-signing him next year when Granderson is gone?

"Yeah, what about that?"

I'm really just playing devil's advocate here, and pointing out the side of the discussion that would say trading a big package for Justin Upton may not make sense. This time next year the Yankees may be in a position where they really do need to make a big splash like this, and you can't tell me there won't be any good/young corner outfielders available somehow. But right now they don't seem to be in that "need" spot.