The Yankees youth-movement is a flickering memory. Last year, we were inundated with Generation Trey hype. Who needs Santana when you have Hughes and Kennedy? Reality made an appearance and the kids, overburdened with exorbitant expectations, melted in Gotham's glare. A large swath of Yankees followers got an education--nothing is easy.
Today, the Yanks can offer arbitration to a list of notable names: Giambi, Rodriguez, Abreu, Pettite and the infamous Pavano. The consensus is that Abreu will be the only one offered the option, because the Bombers believe he'll turn them down and two draft picks can be added to the pile.
Pettitte's name draws some attention. The Yanks could use a proven lefty who actually wants to play in the Bronx. Andy yearns to make an appearance on the new stage. So what's the problem? At some point, the Yankees transition to a younger, internally developed roster has to gain traction. Money only goes so far. The front office has been stockpiling arms, who need to compete, for the bottom of the rotation slots. Pettitte's projected #4 spot can be had by a young, cheap alternative with upside. (The list starts with Aceves, Hughes and Coke.) The 16 million-dollar savings can go towards the ransom it will take to fill the top of the rotation's glaring holes.
The youth-movement talk has been talked, it's time to walk the walk. Turn the page on Andy Pettitte's illustrious career.
Posts
5 comments:
I'm so conflicted about Pettitte. Why not bring him back? Much has been made of why he should take a pay cut (the Yankees stood by him with the HGH thing, he didn't have a good year, etc), but name a ballplayer of his stature who's willing to take a pay cut? Don't the Yankees need a veteran presence in the rotation? The Red Sox took Wakefield for another year.
Just a question, why wont the Yankees offer Abreu a 2 year (maybee 3 year, even though thats alot) deal with some incentives? Abreu gets his 100 RBI a year and has a OBP of .370 the past 2 seasons. Not to mention he is the only guy who can legitimately protect A-Rod in the lineup. By the way his 20 SB over the last cou[le years arent hurting ethier.
First off i wanted to thank and congradulate Mark on a very impressive and informative blog. Speaking of the Yankees arbitration issues i wanted to bring up Abreu. I understand the Yanks dont want to pay him his $20 mil and wouldent mind picking up 2 draft picks if and when they lose him to arbitration but dont you think he is needed in that lineup? I mean hes not 25 anymore but he hasent showed significant decline ethier. His .370 OBP and 100 RBS over the last 2 years have pretty much kept the Yankees a float in the playoff chase and who will protect A-Rod in the lineup? Long says Cano could hit 3rd this year. Please. I dont know i just think the Yankees should have looked into this more and they dont seem to understand Abreu's importance. Also their scouting hasent impressed anyone to say the least so who knows about the two quired draft pick thell get.
I think the the Yankees have nothing to lose by offering Pettitte arbitration. It's not like they would be getting "stuck" with him. As worst case scenario is that they have a lefty who can throw 200 innings. If he declines arbitration they get two picks if he goes somewhere else. I'd prefer the two picks, but right now there is nobody else lining up to take his place.
When Andy said he wanted to come back--after a terrible second half and acknowledging physical problems down the stretch. I thought fine, 1 year, 10 million,next years Mussina. With the ridiculous prices they are stuck paying for impact players, it just seems that Andy is one area they could save money on given the arms they have stockpiled.(Prediction, he comes back 1 year/10 million/no arbitration offered.)
Jeff, thanks for the kind words,I think the issue with Abreu is the market will pay him 3 years and that's 2 too many.Next year Nady will get to put up free-agent-to be #'s from right field.
Post a Comment