I would have to wonder why they would go after him myself? I was kind of hoping to get him back for one year but who knows what will happen. I hope Cashman pulls a few rabbits out of his sleeve this winter with some trades we didn't see coming.
Curtis will get a lot of interest because he should be affordable unlike Choo and Cano, and he's durable, an impact bat, speed, great guy so I assume a good clubhouse guy... everybody knows he has flaws but still a good player to have. I hope NY can sign him, but it has to be a fair deal, with so many needs and no power in the OF I think Curtis is a must, unless I hear better options.
I would rather they let him walk and bring in an OF who doesn't suck at pretty much everything besides hitting HRs. Ellsbury or Choo come to mind, albiet at higher costs. But here is news for everyone, if the Yankees want to compete next year they are going to need to upgrade in very real ways in many areas, OF included.
Tender the offer, hope that he walks, get the draft choice, sign Ellsbury. Win,Win, plus we weaken the Red Soxs and gain a draft choice.
Signing Ellsbury affords the Yankees the opportunity to trade Gardner as part of a deal to fill another need, such as 3B, SS, LF, or C. Kill two birds with one stone, but somehow still have to find another 6 stones to kill more birds.
I only hope cashman is smart ebough to realize this. Yes, you dont go way overboard on a contract for him becuase he is injury prone, but then so is Gardner. I would day a contract in the range of 4 years sounds about right. Just beat whatever Boston is offering. He is one of the few over there who doesnt strike me as being all that thrilled playing there, and i'm not sure Boston is willing to break the bank for him either. There is that small problem that players didnt come to the yankees in reasonable deals when they were a LOCK to make the playoffs.....what will it cost to lure a guy away from Boston these days??
Vette, I think your spot on with Gardner. Cashman is going to have to have GM of the year type off season for this team to be relevant. I'm hoping that Ichiro retires, slim chance but hoping. Wells, is the lessor of 2 evils but worthless as well. Having Soriano, Ellsbury and a mystery RF with power would be a good start. If Cashman is going to take one chance on anyone off the scrap pile my pick would be Grady Sizemore. If he is as healthy as possible, I think he is a Grandy clone and could be had for reasonably cheap. I expect to catch flap, but if he would come in on a minor league deal with incentives.
Can you think of an area they do not need to upgrade in? 1B is declining and unreliable, need to upgrade 2B is a free agent, if we resign, it will only maintain, not upgrade 3B is a need as A-Rod is likely to sit out the entire year and as a result, we need to upgrade SS as much as I hate to say it, is declining and unreliable, need to upgrade C is in DESPERATE need of an upgrade OF, 3 under contract are Soriano, Ichiro, and Wells... I could do without 2 of the 3, but we are saddled here... Either way, need to upgrade SP1 Kuroda is likely gone, need an upgrade SP2 CC Sabathia is stuck here but has been declining... status quo SP3 Pettitte is gone, need to upgrade SP4 Nova (to my knowledge) is in an option year... if they pick it up, status quo SP5 Hughes, NEED to upgrade SP6 Phelps, need to upgrade or maintain Closer Mo retires, need to fill hole, Rest of RP, some status quo, many need to be replaced... in short, the only position that is really possible to maintain would be by resigning Cano to an INSANE contract, and then he'll be even more lazy... As Blue said, they need to upgrade in very real ways in many areas.
From 2006-12 Curtis averaged 153 games, yes, he's been durable. Curtis had back to back 40+ HR 100+ RBI seasons, yes, he's an impact bat. A must is debatable, but I'd like to hear the other OF options, Ellsbury is the picture of fragile and he's got zero power, which I prefer, the lack of power killed NY this past season, you can keep your SB and BA, I'll take the long ball.
You can keep the long ball, i will take the vastly superior player. Granderson has about as much impact as Adam Dunn these days, and to anyone paying attention, he didnt flash all that much power this year when he did play.
He's a fourth outfielder and nothing more. If he knew how to the run the bases and used his speed to steal in obvious situations perhaps I would feel differently. In other words I agree with you lol.
Realistically, nothing is happening at 1b. As much as it sucks, we ares stuck with Tex. Catcher - "the stregnth of the yankee farm system". What a joke. Either overpay yet again for an overrated player like McCann, or go with a hack yet again. Your choice Cashman. 2B is as you said 3B....stop gap, my guess is they just bring Reynolds back> newsflash, he isnt very good. SS - Jeter can no longer play there evryday and clearly Mr untouchable Nunez is not the answer. I dont think a defense only guy is enough. Go out and steal Drew from the sox. He is decent. OF - as you said under contract guys are not going to cut it. Nor will just standing pat and bringing Granderson back. Hell they might even want to bring granderson back AND sign Ellsburry and trade off Gardner. Just drop Vernon fucking Wells and tell him to kick Cashman in the balls on the way out. SP - Disaster. Declining "ace", no impact guys avaiable at all. Nothing in the farm, Good luck. We can all wait around for Pineda for another year. RP - moving D-rob to closer is a mistake. I would sign someone else to avoid weakening the 7th, 8th and 9th innings by moving Robertson from where he has been great to where he is clearly uncomfortable. Dont forget Manager. Joe is bolting for the Cubs if he is smart. ....kind of begs that age old question again doesnt it.....why does Cashman still have a job?
Ellsbury or Choo. Take your pick. Granderson is in decline, and has been a 1 trick pony for years. He can take his 200Ks somewhere else for all i care. I doubt he hits 40 HRs again. And speaking of, 2 years ago he hit 43 HRs and only had an OPS of .811. Thats pretty low considering all the dingers.
