Cashman Comments

I'm already quite attached to Sabathia.

Cashman is right. I would be shocked if Sabathia ends up at either NY team.

I know everyone thinks that the Yankees are going to spend money like Bill Gates this offseason. And everyone talks about how much money they Yankees have to play with all the contracts expiring but I think there are two things that most people don't realize.

1: Even though the Yankees do have a lot of money coming off the books, they still have plenty of money they are still on the hook for. The Yankees who had a payroll of roughly $210 million dollars last year already have $145 million committed to next years team. That figure is already higher than any other teams payroll was for 2008. So basically this means the Yankees have $65 in payroll flexiblity, which is a sizeable amount. The problem with this brings us to the second point that most people don't realize. The Yankees have a number of holes to fill. That $145 mil only accounts for 11 players (plus the buyouts to Giambi, Pavano and Igawa's deal but I don't think the Yanks should count on him for their 25 man roster). It only accounts for Arod, Jeter, Posada, Rivera, Damon, Cano, Matsui and Molina. It includes the $6 mil option for Marte and includes moderate increases for Nady and Wang (so their could be some flexabilty there). One could prob. add about another $4 mil for Betemit and Bruney through arbitration. I know most Yankees fans would want to argue here saying that for the most part they will have minimum players rounding out the roster, Joba, Hughes, Kennedy, Melky, Gardner as well as the rest of their bullpen. While Yankees fans are right they have the makings of a very good young bullpen, though one more veteran might not be the worst idea. As for the starters if you pencil in Wang, Joba and Hughes you still need to bring in two outside arms, perferably 2 reliable ones since Joba still needs to prove he can hold up and Hughes needs to prove he can be both healthy and effective. My guess would be that one of Mussina and Andy come back. I'd guess that you try to lure Moose back give him a bit of a bump say $15 mil (the man won 20 games). And then look outside for the last pitcher its easy to say Sabathia but thats $20 mil+, Burnett might be a better fit though i'd imagine that to be in the neighborhood of $15-16 mil. That means that the starters alone will eat up $30-35 million of the $65 million that the yankees have in payroll. They still have to figure out if Posada will be their everyday catcher and if he is then they have to figure out their firstbase and Centerfield question. Tex and edmonds seem to fit but thats probably between $25-28 million more and puts them right back at their 2008 payroll level. I just don't see the Yankees spending that kind of money on just 3 or 4 players. They would be better served getting one of those players one or 2 good players and then a few additional role players. Esp. given their concerns at catcher, rotation (Hughes and Joba's health) and bullpen (relying on Coke, Rameriz ect).

that should have been 118,500,000 including pettite

"this is hardly the whole team and they are already at *118,500,000* (roughly, probably a little higher since i don't know '09 salaries)"

BucSox

Yeah I know. I dont think other Yankee fans understood that though.

scribbletone

Hughes isnt a lock for the rotation. Hes going to have to earn it competing against Aceves, Kennedy, and himself.They'll be fighting for the 5th spot. I dont see mussina or Pettite retiring. I think the yanks will probalby sign Pettite (even though I like Mussina better). CC wont sign so I say sign Burnett if not Garland. And go after Sheets but like a 3 year deal with a team opt for the third.

"Hughes isnt a lock for the rotation. Hes going to have to earn it competing against Aceves, Kennedy, and himself.They'll be fighting for the 5th spot. I dont see mussina or Pettite retiring. I think the yanks will probalby sign Pettite (even though I like Mussina better). CC wont sign so I say sign Burnett if not Garland. And go after Sheets but like a 3 year deal with a team opt for the third."

Do you really actually think that Ian Kennedy or Alfredo Aceves would beat out Phil Hughes for a spot? I seriously doubt that would happen, Hughes is not only the far superior pitcher but is also likely to be favored by management as a stud prospect. And I also said that CC would not sign with a New York team, so I'm not really sure why you had to repeat that. I already recommended that they persue Burnett, as well as Lowe and Sheets, rather than Garland. Garland doesn't have great raw stuff and would likely post a high 4's ERA in the AL East. I'm just not sure he's exactly what the Yanks would be interested in. And I seriously doubt that Sheets would accept a two year deal with a team option for the third season. Other teams would offer him three guarenteed years or even four, and he's assuredly take one of those deals before going to the Yanks.

And define a clutch outfielder/first basemen for me as well.