Phil Hughes found his fastball. A.J. Burnett won a much needed playoff game with command. Derek Jeter rebounded his batting average to .297. Even the archaic Jorge Posada batted .429 in the playoffs. But for all the good things that happened this season, there are just as many sour apples… Alex Rodriguez was consistently an injured body. His postseason batting returned to that 2007 form (.071, .133, .071). Russell Martin, who somehow managed an All-Star appearance this year, proved he couldn’t perform offensively on the big stage.
You get the idea…
The first order of business for the New York Yankees should be keeping C.C. Sabathia. Despite his struggles late in the season and his run given up in Game 5 against the Tigers, he’s been worth his lofty contract. He deserves a raise. He has the 2nd most wins in the Majors behind Justin Verlander the past three years. He has pitched over 700 innings in three years, and he consistently strikes out around 200 batters a year. Keep C.C. at all cost.
Jorge Posada. Along with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, he has been one of the faces of the Yankees for the better part of my life. He tried out a new role as DH and didn’t live up to expectations. His postseason play was superb (.429, .579, .571). But Posada is 40 and past his prime. If the New York Yankees don’t sign him for one more year, they should at least bring him back as a coach. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience you can’t replace.
Nick Swisher. There are very few outfielders who are as reliable as Swisher. He’s played 450 games and hit 81 homeruns the past three years, and had the highest OBP this season for the Yankees. The team has an option on his contract this year for $10.25M or they can buy it out for $1M. He’s been a healthy and hard working player who stays out of trouble and always gives his best.
Alex Rodriguez is booed in nearly every stadium he takes the field. Now, his own fans are turning on him. Alex has been plagued by injuries for the past 4 years and his production is starting to decline with an increase with age. He’s signed through 2018, but can he stay healthy and continue to produce at a high level worthy of his contract valued at over $110M? Give Rodriguez another year to prove he can stay healthy and still hit homeruns.
A.J. Burnett. His beloved schizophrenic play has given Yankee fans headaches the past two seasons. He’s either hitting batters or being hit out of the park. Despite losing 26 games the past two seasons, Burnett keeps the Yankees in stride. He’s healthy, eats innings, and this season showed improvements towards the end for him. Fans hate that he’s being paid $16.5M to lose, but his contract has two seasons left. I say, let his contract play out one more year. If it doesn’t work out next season, trade him for a new infield tarp.
Players to drop:
Russell Martin C – 18 HRs, 65 RBIs, BA .237
Ramiro Pena SS/3B – Eduardo Nunez is now the heir apparent to Jeter
Mark Teixeira 1B – 39 HRs, 111 RBIs, BA .248 (Excellent defense but he’s not the best player at his position that will be available.)
Pitching will be New York’s biggest need next year. But don’t count Cashman taking looks at Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and David Ortiz.