The Yankees are fighting to finish the season atop the American League East as the Orioles' strong play has put them neck-and-neck with the Bombers. Here's a look at the latest on the Yankees as they take on the Red Sox in Boston..
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post wouldn't be surprised to see the Yankees abandon their plan to get under the $189MM luxury tax threshold for 2014 if they wind up missing the playoffs. However, should that happen, Sherman suggests that the Bombers should stay the course as the four other largest payroll teams would all miss the playoffs if they started today. The Yankees invested $423.5MM in C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett after missing the playoffs in 2008.
- Yankees pitcher Derek Lowe said he's not sure if he wants to go forward as a reliever next season, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "I'll sort that out in the offseason," the 39-year-old said. Lowe had a 5.52 ERA with 3.1 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 21 starts for the Indians this season before being DFA'd on August 2nd. Back in August, agent Scott Boras admitted that contending clubs probably won't look at his client as a starter when he hits the open market.
- Andy Pettitte threw a four-inning, 55-pitch simulated game earlier today and insists that he's ready to return to action, writes David Waldstein of the New York Times. Despite the 40-year-old's confidence, the Yankees aren't yet convinced that he's ready to go.
Assuming the yanks pick up Cano’s and Granderson’s options (safe assumption) then the according to Cot’s their payroll is at $143M next year and that’s just 7 players. Add a conservative estimate of $20M or so for arb raises, the usual minimal salaries for bench players, rookies, and they’re in the $165M-$170M range without signing free agents beyond bench players.
I’m just not sure how Cashman makes it under the $189M mark unless they make some creative moves.
That’s still about $20MM they can spend. It seems like as long as they don’t go absolutely insane and stay the course, they’ll be fine.
Also, isn’t Mo coming back? He’s making 15 million this year and I doubt he’s playing for less than 10 in the near future.
That’s part of my thinking. $20M isn’t a lot if you’re thinking of bringing in players with significant salaries. Mo would cost $10M+, Swisher could cost between $10M and $15M, Kuroda would probably want a raise so maybe $12M-$14M, Martin around $5M-$8M. And those are just players Cashman might consider re-signing.
Edit: Considering Kuroda has been one of the rocks of the yanks rotation this season, I doubt they let him walk.
@start_wearing_purple
While Kuroda has been a welcomed addition, he most likely will not return for 2014. Swisher may not be back, unless he accepts a modest raise.Rivera will be 44, so he’s not a lock to return.Jeter will be at about $11MM if he meets incentives prior to 2014.
Soriano may very well opt out of his contract, being a Boras client. After performing the way he has, it’s understandable. Would the Yankees give him a raise? I think not. $15MM+ for a reliever not named Rivera may be too rich for even the Yankees.
Cashman will have a bit more flexibility than others seem to realize, and if the organization is serious about the threshold, Cashman will find a way to come into 2014 on budget.
Swisher isnt not going to get that Jayson Werth contract at least not from the Yankees so he will probably walk. We have Mason Williams coming up through the minors and Gardner will be back along with Granderson I presume. Like slopeboy said Kuroda will probably retire by then and with the way Martin is batting there is no way he is line for a raise.
Mason Williams is far from ready to be up in 2013. Perhaps by 2014 though. Maybe they let Granderson walk as well after next year.
Were talking about 2014.
You said they will let Swisher walk probably and that we have Mason Williams coming up, along with Gardner and Granderson. Therefore it appears by your words you’re talking about next year. Because you don’t even know if Granderson will be on the team in 2014.
Its all hypothetical, I dont know Granderson will be here in 2014 that why I used the word presume. The Yanks will pick up the option I hight doubt they trade him unless the trade was lopsided and that wont happen with a guy with a low batting average like that. In terms of next year which I wasnt even talking about, we can keep Andrew Jones or Ibanez, maybe Suzuki on a one year deal to platoon with a younger bat of course, maybe see if David DeJesus is available or someone on that order.
“I’m just not sure how Cashman makes it under the $189M mark unless they make some creative moves.”
I don’t see it and does not matter if they make the PO or not. As soon as someone Steinbrenner (either) decides someone is about to leave the team *needs* going forward? That 189m fixed line in the sand just got erased and a newer, updated figure will appear and not saying that to slam the NYY either, it is how they have always operated since George bought the team from CBS, with the sole exception of the collusion years over 20 years ago.
Remember just a little over a year ago when NY was offering Cliff Lee 20m+ AAV? next person who becomes available, they will spend, it is going to happen and fans here can get used to it.
Not getting onto you here either SWP, just how it will be, just as it has always been.
I was looking at the logic of whether or not they “could” go under the $189M mark not “if.” I know you’re not trying to pick a fight, I’m just saying you’re going beyond the point I was trying to make.
He had a point?
The under $189 mil plan doesn’t start until 2014. Doesn’t really matter what payroll is in 2013.
Big difference with 2008 was that they had sooooo much money coming off the books as Giambi, Mussina, Abreu, Pavano and others were all coming of the books. Just with those four it was about $55 mil coming of the books.
I think they had about $80 million off the books. Their 2009 opening day payroll was even less than their 2008 opening day payroll
I wish Lowe would sign with the Nats – Signed a Braves Fan
Michael Bourn would be a safe & productive signing for the Yanks. An OF with Gardner, Bourn & i assume Granderson in the corner would be much better defensively than this year.
brett gardner should be their centerfielder
They will have to make some decisions if the Bombers get the best bomber this year and sign him long term–Josh Hamilton.
I wonder if Arod would agree to restructure his contract and defer some of the money? Negotiate down to an avg salary of $15 mil per from 2013-2017 and defer the rest of the $41 mil from 2018-2022. It would be a nice gesture considering some of the baggage he’s brought with him. He would also be viewed nicely for making the sacrifice for the team. They can work out a way to make it more beneficial to him.
Would not be shocked if Soriano opted out of his contract after this season. He is basically on a 1/$14 mil deal and might decide to opt out for $1.5 mil and try and resign w/ the Yanks or someone else for at least a 2 year deal. He would hold a bit of leverage over the Yanks as no one can be sure what to expect from Mo in 2013.
Granderson’s 2013 option is actually for $15 mil because he finished top 5 in MVP voting last year. Unless someone gives them something really worth trading Grandy for then they should just bring him back in 2013 and deal with the possibility of an extension based off of what he does in 2013.
Kuroda probably can get at least a 1/$12.5 next year and they should do it. No need to commit to 2014 and I am not sure he would even want to comeback in 2014 either. Probably wants to go year to year.
Could care less about Martin’s bat avg. He hits hrs, plays defense at an acceptable level and calls a good game. No need to extend him though. Bring in Austin Romine next year as his back up and groom him for a possible starting position in 2014.
The MLB players union doesn’t let players restructure contracts like that. They tried it back when Arod was going to get traded to the Sox and he agreed to change his Rangers contract and the union wouldn’t let him. They’re stuck paying Arod a gazillion dollars going forward.
For someone who gets over 50% of his outs via groundballs, the strikeouts are essentially icing on the cake.