Let’s Start Planning for the Offseason

October 8th, 2007

Obviously, there will be some changes in the Bronx this upcoming offseason, the first of which will be the search for a new skipper, and secondary will be the circus which is the A-Rod sweepstakes…

Joe Torre
Has to go, sorry. In the last 4 years, it has been apparent that Joe does not have control over his overpaid and "star"-laden lineup. Gone are the days when the Yankees played disciplined "small-ball", and we are relegated to waiting for homeruns, not to mention some of the god-awful decisions Joe has repeatedly made regarding our pitching staff (only Willie Randolph has exhibited a worse understanding of his bullpen than Torre).

Alex Rodriguez
Is gone, like it or not. If he opted to stay under his current contract, I’d say keep him, but only a great fool would walk away from somewhere in the range of an additional $5-10M per year. Even if Alex is a great fool (I don’t think he is, and have been just fine with his performance as a Yankee) Scott Boras is not. Let us wish Alex luck in Chicago…

Mariano Rivera
I would likely resign him, unless we are willing to move Joba to a closer role rather than groom him to be a starter (hey, it worked with Papelbon). Even though Mo isn’t what he once was, I just couldn’t stand to see him with a "B" on his cap - and don’t think Boston wouldn’t sign him just to keep him off the Yankees (a la Eric Gagne).

Jorge Posada
This is the only no-brainer re-sign in the group, Jorge has had a tremendous Yankee career and this was arguably his finest season.

Roger Clemens
It is likely that Roger will retire after this season (real retire, not his usual kind), but even if he doesn’t I can’t foresee the Yankees re-signing the Rocket. Roger has been indispensable this season in terms of morale, and I wouldn’t mind seeing him as a pitching coach somewhere - likely Texas.

Doug Mientkiewicz
A vacuum at first base, but not much of a bat, unfortunately Doug will likely suffer from the Yanks not re-signing A-Rod since we will need to offset the lost offense that Rodriguez is likely to take with him. I also would love to see the Yanks also part ways with Jason Giambi, a liability both in the field as well as at the plate.

Bobby Abreu
Has a reported $16M club option, and we should jump on that - Bobby perhaps is the only consistent, professional hitter on the Yankees this year (perhaps Derek Jeter too), and is the model for the type of players that we will need in order to compete once again for a World Series championship.

Andy Pettitte
Another $16M option, but this one is a player option, Andy has proven that he is indeed the big-game pitcher for the Yankees and is invaluable as a veteran lefty in Yankee Stadium. $16M sounds a bit high, but have you seen what else is available in terms of left handed pitching??? There are some rumors that have said if Roger and Joe Torre aren’t back, Pettitte may retire.

Available Free Agents
Here, have a look for yourself, who do the Yankees go after this offseason?

Entry Filed under: Joe Torre, Playoffs, Joba, Mariano, Free Agents, A-Rod

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