Post by New York Yankees GM(Tommy) on Feb 14, 2012 9:14:33 GMT -6
I meant to do this before the auction began. I am sure most of you don't even want to read this but I wanna look back after the season.
Pre-Auction 2012 New York Yankees. The Yankees are clearly built on depth and pitching. Boasting the best 1-2 combo of starters in the league and far and away the best bullpen the Yankees locked up franchise 3B Evan Longoria in the offseason. Let's take a look at the Yanks franchise depth and see what need areas should be addressed :
Catcher -- Molina is a solid #1 if not anything more than solid. The Yankees have never gone big on catcher and nothing changes with the workhorse Molina. Suzuki is an everyday backup and in the minors is Derrick Norris who is Suzuki's backup so this is 3 deep, no need to address this position in the offseason.
First Base -- New York has Prince Fielder at first and then alot of depth. Learning from his mistakes two seasons ago Yanks G.M. Tommy Barton made sure to get plenty of backups. Gaby Sanchez was originally drafted by the Yanks is welcomed back as a rock solid #2, Casey Kotchman for $1 could prove to be yet a steal again and Brandon Allen is a power bat waiting for a chance. Down on the farm Johnathan Singleton is the heir apparent here and shouldn't be needed until 2014 because the Yanks hold Fielder's option year. While Cron was also selected this season. This position is set for years.
Second Base -- Depth, depth, and more depth here. Aron Hill will get the nod to start the year and after a bad season that still produced 20 steals and a revival look in Arizona he is capable of holding it all year, speaking of Arizona the 20/20 threat that is Ryan Roberts retains availability here as well. Darwin Barney and Justin Turner are depth that has weeks of excellent play last year. No one down on the farm is worth a mention here, 2013 will be Hill's option or look elsewhere.
Short Stop -- This plan was set in motion years ago by Barton. The G.M. paid for the aging Derek Jeter in hopes he could hold down the fort for 2 more years, while then first round pick Nick Franklin progressed. Franklin is hoping to be the starter by 2013 and there is plenty of farm SS's behind him as well, which includes failed prospects Beckham and Flores and youngster Story. On the pro roster the only backup to Jeter is his own teams backup Eduardo Nunez so no need for depth here.
Third Base -- Evan Longoria is the franchise for the Yankees and has been signed through 2016. Ryan Roberts is his backup for the next few years so no worries here for 3 or more seasons.
Center Field -- This is where the Yankees depth really can show it's muscle if all works out. Cameron Maybin was a gamble that paid off and he is young, cheap, and signed for 3 more years with rights. Dez Jennings is the prize prospects of the Yankees and should be manning CF by season end while Mike Trout is waiting in the wings to do the same. Barton may need a backup to start the season but a $1 guy should do for a few months. Mason Williams was also nabbed and should be partoling center if a few years himself.
Out Field -- The biggest hit here for the Yankees was losing Upton and Braun, both where were originally drafted by the team and have seen no other home. Tough decisions will have to be made this year when one of these are likely to leave making room for the youngsters and clearing cap space. Ryan Ludwick is the only other backup but Jennings and maybe Trout can fill in within a few months. The lack of a big power bat in the farm system comes to light here but with alot of CF options they have depth.
Starting Pitching -- The strength of 1-2 combo of Kershaw and Weaver is unmatched in the league and will be together for at least one more season. What makes them so good is their price tag as well which will not be a luxury come 2013. Barton wheeled and dealed this offseason to remake his staff for the future. Anibal Sanchez has plenty of potential and in a new park could be a bargain for the next 3 years. The same for Niese and a gamble on Wade Davis. Brandon Morrow will bring the K's but he is in his final season, while Barton hopes that Petco will help Volquez remember how to pitch. On the farm the starters names are impressive. Turner, Walker, and Lee have all been tabbed in the top 25 minor league arms and Turner and Walker seem to have top 10 potential. Not much of a reason to touch this formula this offseason.
Relief Pitching -- If you were to point to one reason the Yankees walked away champs last year it very well could be because of the bullpen. This year this is not only a strength but will be for 3-4 years to come. Kimbrel, Walden, and Jansen are all under contract through 2015 and all for $1. Motte still has two years and is cheap while Venters and Adams have two years as well as the best 1-2 holds guys in the league. Frieri and Cortes are long shots but worthy gambles. This is rock solid and shouldn't be messed with. The perfect bullpen is young, signed long term, and cheap.
For a Yankees repeat G.M. Barton will need to make some shrewd moves as free agency certainly left some gaping holes but 2012 looks like a contention year again. 2013-2014 may be "rebuilding years" but the pieces are in place for a long extended run at the top.
Pre-Auction 2012 New York Yankees. The Yankees are clearly built on depth and pitching. Boasting the best 1-2 combo of starters in the league and far and away the best bullpen the Yankees locked up franchise 3B Evan Longoria in the offseason. Let's take a look at the Yanks franchise depth and see what need areas should be addressed :
Catcher -- Molina is a solid #1 if not anything more than solid. The Yankees have never gone big on catcher and nothing changes with the workhorse Molina. Suzuki is an everyday backup and in the minors is Derrick Norris who is Suzuki's backup so this is 3 deep, no need to address this position in the offseason.
First Base -- New York has Prince Fielder at first and then alot of depth. Learning from his mistakes two seasons ago Yanks G.M. Tommy Barton made sure to get plenty of backups. Gaby Sanchez was originally drafted by the Yanks is welcomed back as a rock solid #2, Casey Kotchman for $1 could prove to be yet a steal again and Brandon Allen is a power bat waiting for a chance. Down on the farm Johnathan Singleton is the heir apparent here and shouldn't be needed until 2014 because the Yanks hold Fielder's option year. While Cron was also selected this season. This position is set for years.
Second Base -- Depth, depth, and more depth here. Aron Hill will get the nod to start the year and after a bad season that still produced 20 steals and a revival look in Arizona he is capable of holding it all year, speaking of Arizona the 20/20 threat that is Ryan Roberts retains availability here as well. Darwin Barney and Justin Turner are depth that has weeks of excellent play last year. No one down on the farm is worth a mention here, 2013 will be Hill's option or look elsewhere.
Short Stop -- This plan was set in motion years ago by Barton. The G.M. paid for the aging Derek Jeter in hopes he could hold down the fort for 2 more years, while then first round pick Nick Franklin progressed. Franklin is hoping to be the starter by 2013 and there is plenty of farm SS's behind him as well, which includes failed prospects Beckham and Flores and youngster Story. On the pro roster the only backup to Jeter is his own teams backup Eduardo Nunez so no need for depth here.
Third Base -- Evan Longoria is the franchise for the Yankees and has been signed through 2016. Ryan Roberts is his backup for the next few years so no worries here for 3 or more seasons.
Center Field -- This is where the Yankees depth really can show it's muscle if all works out. Cameron Maybin was a gamble that paid off and he is young, cheap, and signed for 3 more years with rights. Dez Jennings is the prize prospects of the Yankees and should be manning CF by season end while Mike Trout is waiting in the wings to do the same. Barton may need a backup to start the season but a $1 guy should do for a few months. Mason Williams was also nabbed and should be partoling center if a few years himself.
Out Field -- The biggest hit here for the Yankees was losing Upton and Braun, both where were originally drafted by the team and have seen no other home. Tough decisions will have to be made this year when one of these are likely to leave making room for the youngsters and clearing cap space. Ryan Ludwick is the only other backup but Jennings and maybe Trout can fill in within a few months. The lack of a big power bat in the farm system comes to light here but with alot of CF options they have depth.
Starting Pitching -- The strength of 1-2 combo of Kershaw and Weaver is unmatched in the league and will be together for at least one more season. What makes them so good is their price tag as well which will not be a luxury come 2013. Barton wheeled and dealed this offseason to remake his staff for the future. Anibal Sanchez has plenty of potential and in a new park could be a bargain for the next 3 years. The same for Niese and a gamble on Wade Davis. Brandon Morrow will bring the K's but he is in his final season, while Barton hopes that Petco will help Volquez remember how to pitch. On the farm the starters names are impressive. Turner, Walker, and Lee have all been tabbed in the top 25 minor league arms and Turner and Walker seem to have top 10 potential. Not much of a reason to touch this formula this offseason.
Relief Pitching -- If you were to point to one reason the Yankees walked away champs last year it very well could be because of the bullpen. This year this is not only a strength but will be for 3-4 years to come. Kimbrel, Walden, and Jansen are all under contract through 2015 and all for $1. Motte still has two years and is cheap while Venters and Adams have two years as well as the best 1-2 holds guys in the league. Frieri and Cortes are long shots but worthy gambles. This is rock solid and shouldn't be messed with. The perfect bullpen is young, signed long term, and cheap.
For a Yankees repeat G.M. Barton will need to make some shrewd moves as free agency certainly left some gaping holes but 2012 looks like a contention year again. 2013-2014 may be "rebuilding years" but the pieces are in place for a long extended run at the top.