Money may keep Yankees off free-agent market
Last Updated: 1:36 PM, November 6, 2009
Posted: 3:06 AM, November 6, 2009
Comments: 10
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Joel ShermanAT THE WORLD SERIES
THE Yankees found $181 million lying around last offseason, and made a late, victorious bid to corral Mark Teixeira, so never say never when it comes to the Yankees and spending.
But the initial read as the winter bazaar opens is that the Yankees do not intend to make a play for the three biggest free agents: Jason Bay, Matt Holliday and John Lackey. After signing the three biggest free agents last offseason (Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett), the Yankees just might be boring this winter.
This is not about need, because corner outfield and starting pitcher are priorities to fortify what is now a champion. But based on conversations with multiple Yankees officials, I sense that financially and philosophically the Yankees will not big-game hunt in free agency.
Will they investigate? Of course. They are the Yankees, so they will stay connected if for no other reason than to make sure their adversaries pay premiums (think the Red Sox taking Sabathia to dinner last offseason with no intentions of signing him just to make sure the Yankees paid top price).
But these are the Yankees of Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman now, so there is greater prudence when it comes to dollars and age. In order to incorporate Teixeira into the budget last offseason, Cashman promised Hal to cut elsewhere with a long-range plan to drop under a $200 million payroll, possibly as early as 2010.
That would be some trick because $100 million will be spent on Alex Rodriguez, Sabathia, Teixeira and Derek Jeter alone next year. In all, the Yankees have roughly $170 million committed to 13 players for 2010, including Kei Igawa, Andrew Brackman and Juan Miranda.
Also, over the past two offseasons, the Yankees have guaranteed $800 million to land Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett plus retain Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera. And the Yankees know they will have to sign Jeter to a long-term extension (think four years, $100 million) when his current deal expires. So behemoth payrolls are assured for a while, and so, therefore, are age concerns.
When next season begins, Rivera (age 40) and Jeter (35) will have one year left on contracts, Posada (39), Marte (35) and Swisher (30) will have two years left, Burnett (33) will have four, Sabathia (29) six, Teixeira (30) seven and Rodriguez (34) eight. The Yankees remained remarkably healthy in 2009. But they know age is a live grenade, and will be judicious about adding more for the long term.
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Comments (8)
Post Your CommentJohnnyola
11/09/2009 5:25 PM
I know Jeter is the face of the franchise, but to pay him a contract extention of $25 million a year for four years seems kind of ridiculous. He'll be 36 next year and his productivity will only decline. I think 3 years at about $15 million is plenty. Besides, he's not going anywhere. He's Mr Yankee! On any other team he's just an old player.
Delmar
11/07/2009 5:52 AM
serious decisions on Matsui and Damon, along with Wang, will dictate what is needed. Also, Burnett has to be dealt with as does the healthy year we had. Pettite stayed unusually healthy.
Hughes, Joba and the remaining pretenders need to both be addressed and told what their job will be. No more rules or changing mid stream. With both Joba and Hughes showing a willingness to wilt, I would opt for Roberson to start the road to Mariano, both long and short term. Coke seems to ignore the pressure too. For now, Coke and Roberson appear to be the closest to Stanton and Nelson that we have had for a while. Someone needs to take control of the use of pitchers in the bullpen-preferably someone with pitching knowledge. There are plenty of Ex Yankees out there who know the pressure and how to handle it--Sparky, Stanton and even Nelson could do it. We don't need a 'father image' we need someone who has been there and can relate.
Go Jets!
The Most Steroidal Team in Baseball: The New York Yankees
11/07/2009 1:07 AM
The Yankees need to pick up Roy Halladay, Joe Mauer, Felix Hernandez, Matt Holliday, Manny Rameriz, Cliff Lee, Chase Utley and Andruw Jones. Lets push this payroll to $1 Billion. Its the only way they repeat.
Kenneth Goodings
11/06/2009 2:48 PM
"But these are the Yankees of Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman now, so there is greater prudence when it comes to dollars and age."
Are you kidding me? Just above this he says the same guys spent $181 mil! Coincidentally, right after more free loans from the city were approved! How convenient!
NYNYFan
11/06/2009 1:03 PM
And what about exploring FA Chone Figgins to play LF?
NYNYFan
11/06/2009 1:02 PM
If the Giants would do Matt Cain for Cano, I will pay for the ticket, to save Cashman some money.
FanSince'65
11/06/2009 9:09 AM
How come Wang isn't in the starter conversation? Is he done and will the Yanks not offer him arbitration and let him walk?
Ray
11/06/2009 9:03 AM
Joel already starting his push to destroy the 2010 Yankees. Twist the knife Joel, that is what your all about, do what you can to destroy the Yankees.