Grading New York Yankees' Offseason Moves so Far

If you're yawning at the thought of the New York Yankees offseason up until this point, you're not alone.

There is no doubt that the team's 2014 payroll target of $189 million has deterred general manager Brian Cashman from making any impact moves this offseason and as a result, the Yanks will look relatively similar to the 2012 version.

Let's take a look at the Bombers offseason moves thus far and slap a grade on each.

Signing Kevin Youkilis: A-

With few options to replace the injured A-Rod in the free-agent market, the Yanks made a play for former Red Sox star, Kevin Youkilis. After some thought, Youkilis agreed to sign a one-year pact with the Bombers, his former arch-rival.

In his day, Youkilis was always a solid hitter with good power and while those days have certainly passed, Youk is still a respectable option to fill in at third until Rodriguez returns.

In 2012, Youkilis hit 19 homers and drove in 60 runs while batting a very unimpressive .235 in 122 games. If healthy and in the lineup on a daily basis, Youk could easily top those home run and RBI totals, but the average is where the concern will continue to be at the plate.

On the bright side, Youkilis gives the Yanks multiple options in the field even after A-Rod returns. On top of playing third base, Youk can also play first base, which could help give Mark Teixeira a breather every now and then.

Youk is not the same offensive player he was in years past, but he certainly isn't needed to carry this team offensively by any stretch. His strong desire to win, versatility and toughness are just what the doctor ordered in the Bronx.

Signing Matt Diaz to Minor-League Deal: C

Diaz wasn't exactly the name Yankee fans envisioned when discussing possible outfielder options to replace Nick Swisher.

As recently as 2009, Diaz hit .313 with 13 homers and 58 RBI in 125 games for Atlanta. Since then, Diaz has been either injured or unproductive and that's where the question marks come from.

The most important stat the Yanks were looking at when signing Diaz was the fact that he is a career .324 hitter against left-handers and that's exactly what New York needed when looking for a right-handed option in the outfield.

However, as is the case with most minor-league deals, nothing is certain at this point in regards to what Diaz will contribute to the Yanks in 2013. But that same type of deal leaves very little risk for the Bombers in this instance and Diaz could be insurance for the Yanks should they fail to sign or trade for another outfielder.

Signing Bobby Wilson to Minor-League Deal: D

Goodbye Eli Whiteside, hello Bobby Wilson.

After dropping one backup catcher, the Bombers snagged Wilson, according to ESPN's Buster Olney, per Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com.

Wilson will be added to the stable of mediocre catching talent the Yanks are building, along with Francisco Cervelli, Austin Romine and Chris Stewart. All figure to be at spring training with a chance for the starting job barring an impact move by New York's GM.

Claiming Russ Canzler: C

You can file Canzler in the wait-and-see folder, as the 26-year-old has a very small sample size to work with, per John Harper of the New York Daily News.

In 26 games last season, Canzler hit three homers and knocked in 11 runs while sporting a .269 average. Again, that isn't much to work with, but those numbers are solid when taken into the proper context and Canzler could have some upside down the road.

The Yanks need some power from a right-handed outfielder and Canzler is just another possibility.

Letting Russell Martin Walk: B+

It's not clear exactly why Martin left the Bronx for the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason, but losing him shouldn't be all that detrimental to the Yanks' 2013 season.

Sure, Martin did a great job handling the Bombers pitching staff during his time with the team, but his bat left a big hole in the Yanks' batting order.

New York's former backstop put up solid offensive numbers for a catcher when looking at his home run and RBI totals, but Martin's average was downright dreadful in his two full seasons with the Yanks.

Martin hit for a .237 average in 2011 and when you thought it couldn't get any worse for him at the plate, Martin posted a .211 mark in 2012. On top of that, Martin is not a good defensive catcher by any stretch, so there is no real loss there, either.

Simply put: Martin's numbers didn't warrant the Yanks taking a chance on signing him to a long-term contract, especially with the 2014 payroll target in mind. It remains to be seen how the Yanks will fill the catcher position in 2013, but it shouldn't be too big of a problem for New York.

Letting Nick Swisher Walk: A+

There's no doubt the Yanks will have a tough time replacing the offensive production Swisher provided during his time in the Bronx, but not re-signing him was still the right way to go for the Bombers.

Swish was good for about 25 homers and 90 RBI per year as a member of the Yanks, but his annual postseason disappearing act was just too much too ignore and was likely the catalyst for the team not bringing him back.

The Yanks former outfielder posted averages of .128, .176, .211 and .167 in October during his four-year stint with the team and never had more than two homers and two RBI in any of those years.

To make matters worse for Swisher, his relationship with Yankee fans became nothing short of turbulent after Swish criticized the pinstriped faithful for getting on him and his teammates during a terrible postseason showing, per Peter Botte of the New York Daily News.

In the Bronx, postseason success means everything and Swisher simply didn't get it done. With that being said, you can't blame Cashman for not re-signing Swisher to a multi-year deal worth over $50 million.

Refusing Scott Boras and Rafael Soriano's "Offer": A+

Super agent Scott Boras thought he could get a super deal for his free-agent closer, Soriano, but that has turned out to be wishful thinking at this point in the offseason.

While filling in for the injured Mariano Rivera, Soriano did a tremendous job, saving 42 games in 46 chances, all the while pitching to a 2.26 ERA.

Soriano opted out of the final year of his contract after the season ended, which was a decision that may have cost the closer around $14 million. After such a great season, it seemed like a lock that Soriano would get a multi-year deal, but that hasn't been the case.

With the market quickly drying up for the 33-year-old, it was reported that Boras asked the Yanks to consider signing Sori to a one-year deal, only to have the offer spurned by the Yanks, according to Bob Klapisch of The Record (via Twitter):

"

Told Scott Boras asked #Yankees last month if they'd consider taking Rafael Soriano back on a 1-yr deal. Request flatly denied.

— Bob Klapisch (@BobKlap) January 7, 2013"

The fact that Boras and Soriano came crawling back is sweet justice for the Yanks, who could have been on the hook for the final year of Sori's contract had he not made the colossal mistake of opting out. Now, the Yanks have Mariano Rivera back and want nothing to do with Boras or Soriano, and that is music to this fan's ears.

Letting Raul Ibanez Walk: C

Yankees fans will always remember the valuable contributions of Ibanez, especially in the postseason. So it is particularly sad to say goodbye to a player who created such great memories while in pinstripes.

Still, fans can't get all that mad that Ibanez isn't returning. He will turn 41 in June and while he had a very productive season in 2012, there's no telling when Ibanez will hit the wall. On top of that, his outfield skills are diminished and he is pretty much a DH at this point in his career.

The Yanks should be thankful they got his services for a cool $1 million last season. There's no question Ibanez will always be seen in a positive light in the Bronx and that's more than most former Yankees can say.