First Fixings

Yankee GM, Brian Cashman, will control and construct the team for at least three more years. He just signed a contract to remain in New York’s front office. He’s been a mediocre manager since taking over. Cashman experienced everything from buying belligerent and battered superstars to profiting from passionate players. He’s capitalized on acquiring free agents and the contributions haven’t always worked out.
I think there needs to be some significant shakeups and a few key switches next season. I would start at first base by not resigning Jason Giambi. The Giambino has a great eye, great discipline and can still hit productively, but he is overpaid and defensively deficient. Mark Teixeira would be money well spent if he entertained a NY offer and decided to join the 2009 Yankees. Texieria would be an upgrade in the field and provide a big bat in an already lush lineup. The Yankees need a reliable defensive first baseman reminiscent of Tino Martinez and Don Mattingly . Texieria is a switch hitter and happend to like Donnie Baseball growing up. Watching Mark whack the ball for Atlanta and the Angels this season makes me hunger for his homerun ability at Yankee Stadium. I am sure the cost for Teixeria will skyrocket once he officially meets the market. Scott Boras, his agent, is going to command the bucks. I think this is one player the Yankees could get away with overpaying. They are in desperate need of a solid, diligent corner infielder.
Curtis Granderson is a standup citizen and athlete. His savvy plate power only added up to a .280 batting average in 2008, but Granderson would be a great addition in centerfield. If Detroit were willing to trade with New York, the Yankees would sure up their outfield for years in a young player like Granderson. There are other in-house options of course. Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Brent Gardner are all taking up roster space. I do not think Matsui has anything left except his bat so playing him in the outfield is out of the question. Johnny Damon can get by in left field. His arm is weak and base runners take advantage of him all day but his bat is needed. I think with Jorge Posada as the team’s potential 2009 DH, the Yankees should consider releasing Matsui. I loved the trade deadline pickup, Xavier Nady, and think he should be included in the Yankees outfield next year. With Nady in right field, Bobby Abreu is the odd man out. Abreu has solid numbers at the plate but he is sometimes feeble and frail in the field. But I don’t agree with paying him to stay on this club. The Yankees should also let him go. Brett Gardner is an option as well and he should get a chance to make the team in spring training. Perhaps a platoon in left with Damon would be beneficial. At catcher, the Yankees might be best retaining Jose Molina. There are very few options on the free agent market at the position and the Yankees are not grooming a backstop on the farm from what I’ve heard.
Pitching probably potentially poses a problem. Wang will be the team ace once he bounces back from the DL. Jaba Chamberlain has to be included in the starting rotation. That makes a solid one and two. I have a feeling Mike Mussina will eventually decide to retire and Andy Pettitte I can see taking the same road. If neither returns, the Yankees are going to need at least one more pitcher. They have Phil Hughes pegged for a spot so I fully expect him to contribute in 2009 more than he did this year. I am high on Hughes’ potential in the long-term. With Wang, Chamberlain and Hughes the Yankees are set for years to come if the three are reliable. The Yankees must make a pitch for C.C. Sabathia. They require that shut-down, dominant starter and C.C. would make the rotation a complete one. A fifth starter shouldn’t be difficult to find if Mike and Andy are gone. I actually believe the relief core and late inning hurlers are good enough. There are going to always be injuries though, and Cashman needs to solidify certain areas of the bullpen. Next season is going to come down to production. Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter are the foundation of this team. A premier centerfielder would provide an added insurance player. The supporting staff of players like Nady and Teixera certainly would make this team click on all cylinders.

Parting points: I am stoked for the ALCS and NLCS. The most enticing matchup will be Beckett vs. Kazmir in the second game of the ALCS in Tampa Bay.