I really like what Cashman is doing this off season.  Hopefully, we does not screw it up by picking up Bay or Holliday.  He seems to be creating roster flexibility to feed in the young players and keeping payroll down.  I think taking a flier on Chapman would fit well with the strategy.

Supposedly, Chapman's stuff is fast but straight.  Possible high end bullpen instead of a SP?  Who knows.  But let's say the Yanks bring him in.  Now, the Yanks have a lot more flexibility.  The Mo countdown continues and the Yanks need to prepare a replacement.  By bringing in Chapman and slotting him as a SP initially (#5 guy) and keeping Hughes as the 8th inning guy, if Joba or Chapman struggle then you can flip flop.

Bringing in Chapman allows:

SP - CC, AJ, Pettitte, Joba (SP/RP), Chapman (SP/RP)  RP- Mo, Hughes (SP/RP), Marte, Robertson, Aceves (SP/RP), Brackman, Beimel (FA - lefty), Gaudin (SP/RP)

I understand Granderson is relatively weak against lefties, but why wouldn't the Yanks lead him off?  Jeter is not a lead off hitter.  He is a great #2 batter.  Having the first baseman holding Granderson on will just further increase Jeter's already legendary numbers.  I just do not see the benefits of having Granderson bat anywhere else.  Granted hitting 20 - 30 hrs is nice to have in the mid to lower part of the lineup, but we already have them down there.

Even if the Yanks sign Damon, I'm still thinking Granderson should lead off and Jeter bat second.

I still think the Yanks need a #5 hitter.

With the lack of OF free agents out there (I have no interest in Bay or Holliday), would it make any sense to move Cano to LF and sign Hudson or Polanco (I prefer Hudson due to switch hitter and two years younger) to play 2B?  Figure Hudson costs $4 million including incentives.  I still want to see the Yanks sign Ankiel. I think he would be a solid addition (great arm and has some pop for $3 million including incentives?).  These two signings provide the Yanks with an interesting lineup while saving significant payroll:

Jeter R- Hudson S- Tex S- A-Rod R- Posada S- Cano L- Swisher S- Ankiel L- Melky S

Maybe add Cameron or Byrd for $5 million to strengthen a bench of Gardner OF - Pena IF - Cervelli C?

Wrong to move Cano?

I posted this back in December 2008, but thought it appropriate to repost as ammunition for us Yankee fans.  Sports ownership is not a charity.  It is a business like any other and the Yankees make sound business decisions.  Period!  Now, go get #28!

So everyone is screaming about the Yankees' spending ways.  So I decided to take a look at how they rank against other clubs using the following methodology:

2008 Payroll divided by 2008 attendance divided by Cost of Living Index and the Yankees rank 22 at $22.70 per attendee.  Here are the numbers.  Am I wrong with this analysis?

So, I'm thinking do not bring back Damon or Matsui.  Save the $26 million, but pick up Bengie Molina for 2 years, $3 million each and make Posada the DH for 75% of the time.  Then add Ankiel ($2.5 million, 1yr + incentives) to play CF or LF.

Finally resign Pettitte and an incentive laden contract for either Bedard ($5 million + incentives) or Myers ($2 million + incentives)

Lineup of:  Jeter, Cano (fellow fans of this site convinced me this makes sense), Tex, ARod, Posada, Ankiel, Swisher, Molina, Melky

Rotation: CC, AJ, Pettitte, Bedard, Joba

Then in 2011: AJax moves into CF, Hughes in Rotation as Pettitte retires.

Start picking it apart...

So, with a great season behind the Yanks, meetings taking place this week and trades already completed, let's talk about the Yanks lineup next season.

Who is batting 5?  I do not trust Cano there and I think the Yanks need a lefty in that slot.  But who?  Matsui is just too much of a luxury.  I wish he could play the field somewhat, but he can't so I do not see how the Yanks pay him.  I'm assuming Damon gets resigned but he will bat 2nd again.  Nothing enlightening there.  No one on the farm for the 5th slot.  And the free agent market is horrible!

So, where does that leave the Yanks?  A trade?  But what do the Yanks have to trade?  Melky? Joba? Hughes?  Not much.  Unless Cano, but that does not accomplish a thing.  Cano is a solid 6 or 7 and maybe one day develops into a 5.

So, with all of the above what do the Yanks do?  I do not see a good solution.  Maybe just sign Damon, bring up AJax have him play CF, move Melky to LF and keep Swisher in RF?   Although not too excited about: Jeter, Damon, Tex, ARod, Posada, Cano, Swisher, Melky, AJax.  It is missing something.  Maybe add a Type B FA or do you think the Yanks are going after Holliday or Bay?  Seems like they may be forced to.

Incredible!  What an at-bat from Damon and great base running!  He deserves a thank you contract.

The Yanks are playing fantastic response ball.  They seem to get motivated when the Phils do something positive.

AJ should throw tomorrow.  No screwing around with Guadin.  Seal it now!  The Phils must be downtrodden and Lee will not duplicate his Game 1 performance.

Good to see Joba throwing hard again.  I blame to 1-2 slider call for the 3-2 gopher ball.  But that damn bat of Posada, just keeps making up for it.  Go Posada!

And finally, A-Rod.  Has he done enough to earn our admiration?  I think so.

I'm excited.  Just like in '96.

I think AJ did a great thing last night.  Really.  Because of his inexcusable pitching in the 7th, the Yankees now get to fill the Stadium for another two games (it is going seven) and the team makes another $5mm in profit from these two games.

Add this to the departing players and the Yankees have a nice war chest to spend: Matsui ($13mm) + Damon ($13mm) + Nady ($7mm) + AJ's contribution ($5mm) = $38mm.  Yum!  Yum!  I'll take a Holliday ($15mm) but who else?  Hmmm...

Thanks AJ.

What will it cost the Yanks to take a flier on Smoltz?  I know, I know.  He has been horrible.  This is simply a matter of risk / reward.  If it is relatively low cost then what is the risk?  He could be a decent #5 option (no worse than Mitre and maybe gets a shot in the arm playing in NY) or a good option in the pen.  The man can still throw and he has been a "warrior" for years.

If the Red Sox get Halladay the Yanks will be the second class citizens of the East for the next four years.  Cashman cannot let that happen.  Halladay is a franchise changer for either the Yanks or Red Sox.

I'm not saying I want the Yanks to get Halladay.  I think it will cost too much in youth.  So, I hope Halladay goes to the NL (Phils or Dodgers).  But if it looks like Halladay is going to the Red Sox then even if we have to give Joba or Hughes, Cashman has to pull the trigger.