2009-2010 Yankees Free Agents

November 7, 2009

By DailySkew

Free agency filing as begun, and so have extension signings and options (Manny Ramirez decided to come back to the Dodgers, and the Phillies brought Cliff Lee back). With the Yankees still celebrating, it will soon be time for Brian Cashman to make some decisions. The sad part is that all of these 2009 Yankees are great guys and all of them want to come back for 2010 and beyond. Money has never been a real issue for signing free agents. However it is always wise to bring in a young minor leaguer to replace an aging veteran. That being said the Yanks can also look into the free agent market to see if anyone can replace these guys.

Here’s a list of the Yankees free agents, along with a list of names Cashman may be thinking about replacing them with.

Andy Pettitte SP - If the 2010 Yankees season started now, the starting rotation would be CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Chad Gaudin. Which versions of Hughes and Joba will show up in 2010? We have seen that starting pitching always wins the World Series. Taking both Joba and Hughes out of the bullpen will cripple it, in my opinion, but Cashman will most likely start with Joba and Phil in the rotation in 2010. Resigning Hall of Famer Andy Pettitte should be a no-brainer- of course he should come back and be a great part of the rotation. Yankees Minor League starting pitchers: Ian Kennedy, George Kontos. Select Free agent starting pitchers: John Lackey, Jarrod Washburn, Jon Garland, Randy Wolf, Erik Bedard (injured). Conclusion: The Yankees MUST RESIGN ANDY PETTITTE, five-time World Champion. Period.

Hideki Matsui DH- Godzilla’s main compettion is actually Johnny Damon and Jorge Posada in the DH hole, although neither Damon or Jorge want to DH (something the radio guys just don’t get). By now, we’ve seen that Matsui is a full-time DH and can’t play LF without getting injured. Yankees Minor League DH: Shelley Duncan. Free agents: Carlos Delgado? Conclusion: The Yankees SHOULD RESIGN HIDEKI MATSUI for 1 or 2 more years.

Johnny Damon OF- Damon has power at New Yankee Stadium and had another solid year for the Yanks. Although his arm is done in LF he still is a great top-of-the-order force. The problem is Johnny will want 3 more years and big money. Yankees Minor League OF: Austin Jackson (A-Jax). In house option: Free Brett Gardner? Free Agents: Jason Bay, Vladimir Guerrero, Matt Holliday. Conclusion: The Yankees SHOULD try and get Johnny Damon back for 1 more year. If not, they will be forced to overpay Jason Bay for 5 years.

Jose Molina C- Well, he’s still one of the best defensive catchers and is AJ Burnett’s psychologist. Seems like a stretch to resign him since he’s one of the worst hitters in baseball. In house option: Francisco Cervelli. Yankees Minor League catcher: The Yanks should be thinking about grooming AA-Thunder prospect Jesus Montero for catcher of the future, but instead seem to be grooming him for DH in 2011. Free Agents: Miguel Olivo, Bengie Molina, Jason Kendall, Rod Barajas, Josh Bard. Conclusion: Free Cervelli and let him be AJ’s personal catcher.

Jerry Hairston Jr 2B/3B/SS/OF- In house option: Ramiro Pena. Free agents: Marco Scutaro and dozens of utility guys that can do the same thing. Conclusion: Pass.

Eric Hinske PH – Joe Girardi doesn’t use him. The Yanks will free up a roster spot by cutting him loose. Hinkse switches teams every year. Conclusion: No need to resign Eric Hinske.

Xavier Nady OF- Will still be on the DL the first half of 2010. Conclusion: Bye, X-Man.

Chien-Ming Wang SP (arbitration)- Will probably be on the DL thorugh winter and the Yanks will most probably non-tender Wang’s contract. Conclusion: Done.

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