Yankees Hunting Season

The dynasty is dead, the heralded youth movement exposed as a public relations ploy, but the Yankees are still king of the financial hill. Money may not buy love but it does purchase perpetual baseball contention. The offseason kicks into gear with the GM meetings on deck and MLB waits for the Bronx Bomber bucks to make a grand entrance.

Let's lead off with some customary over-the-top expectations:"One agent said - without any hint of a joke - he would not be surprised if the Yanks signed CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez. "Beyond having a conscious, there is no reason the Yanks cannot take their payroll to $250 million or more."
An NL GM said, "The Yankees are the wild card of the offseason. Do they blow everyone away or do they operate like a real team with a real budget?"--(Fox Sports.) Somewhere George Steinbrenner is smiling and Hal is retching. The new guys don't have the cajones to swing for the fences. Let me guess, Hank really wants to (Just ask him.) but Hal and his best buddy Cash don't think it's prudent. I miss the good old days.

Unfortunately, acquiring productive players requires more than writing a check. History teaches us that most players aren't capable of thriving in Gotham's glare. Here's a knee-buckling report: "While the Yankees aren't in Peavy's preferred National League, the idea isn't completely wacky...He said to me at one point, 'Gosh, every kid growing up dreams about the pinstripes.' "Even an Alabama native accustomed to the sleepy backcountry instead of a city that never sleeps?"He wouldn't even be intimidated by pitching in Yankee Stadium ---- he is not Ed Whitson," (Note, Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod has good stuff too.) Remember Ed Whitson? Hard to forget: "Whitson's Yankee tenure was also memorable for constantly being heckled and booed during home games. This was the result of being a high priced free agent that under-performed in the eyes of Yankee fans and the New York media." Don't you hate when that happens. Paying a premium price in prospects for a reluctant Peavy is a recipe for failure.

Hopefully, augmenting big ticket purchases with useful role players will be part of one of this years plans. Here's an interesting name: "Casey Blake, third baseman/first baseman/outfielder. Versatile player came through big for the Dodgers. A possibility for Yankees if Teixeira goes elsewhere." Baseball Prospectus delivers a scouting report:"Casey Blake might not be an impact player, but that doesn't mean he's not incredibly valuable...what makes him integral is his versatility...This sort of player is always underappreciated." Sounds like a talented version of Wilson Betemit.

The New York Yankees start the offseason with a cash register full of advantages. At some point, decision making skills will be required. There is always a catch.

Photo/ESPN