An Early Look at New York Yankees' Top 10 Offseason Targets
The New York Yankees need a face-lift.
It's time for things to change in the Bronx. While the team has continually avoided ultimate disaster for the past few seasons—"ultimate disaster" being a losing record—these rosters have come far too close to being a complete mess.
In reality, they've been a small spill. A tipped-over glass, if you will. There's no use crying over spilled milk, but there's plenty of reason to question why the liquid hit the floor.
Many of the Yankees' struggles in recent years have been a result of veterans on big contracts underperforming or becoming chronic members of the disabled list. That's something that needs to change. No longer should this team give big contract to 30-somethings. Of course, small contracts to those players is fine.
The free-agent class for the 2015 season is mostly underwhelming. A few big names stand out, but there isn't much middle ground. It goes straight from All-Star to spare parts. It will be difficult to upgrade this team via free agency, so a trade or two is necessary along the way.
But what areas of need does this team have? Take a look below to see how the roster currently pans out:
| Position | Starter | Reserve(s) |
| Catcher | Brian McCann | Francisco Cervelli |
| 1st Base | Mark Teixeira | |
| 2nd Base | Martin Prado | Brendan Ryan |
| Third Base | Alex Rodriguez | |
| Shortstop | Brendan Ryan | |
| Left Field | Brett Gardner | |
| Center Field | Jacoby Ellsbury | |
| Right Field | ||
| DH | Carlos Beltran | |
| SP1 | Masahiro Tanaka | N/A |
| SP2 | Ivan Nova | N/A |
| SP3 | CC Sabathia | N/A |
| SP4 | Michael Pineda | N/A |
| SP5 | N/A | |
| CL | David Robertson | N/A |
| SU | Dellin Betances | N/A |
| SU | Shawn Kelley | N/A |
| MR | Adam Warren | N/A |
| MR | David Phelps | N/A |
| LR | N/A | |
| LR | N/A |
*Note: "N/A" indicates the position requires no reserve.
As you can see, the Yankees need some work. There are multiple positions to fill and tons of phone calls to be made.
The following will outline the 10 players the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman need to ink to become more competitive in 2015.
1. Cole Hamels, LHP
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With a weak crop of free agents available, the Yankees might want to explore a trade for left-hander Cole Hamels.
The Philadelphia Phillies need to trade their assets. They're in a worse boat than the Yankees, and bringing back prospects to replenish the farm system is the ideal move for general manager Ruben Amaro at this point. Paying some of Hamels' deal would entice teams to bite on him.
It goes without saying why the Yankees should target Hamels. He's one of the better left-handed pitchers in the game. He has shown consistency in his nine-year career, reaching at least 200 innings in five of the past six seasons.
Hamels is under contract through the 2018 season, and the 30-year-old is due $22.5 million each remaining year. The Phillies also hold a $20 million team option for his age-35 season in 2019.
That's a lot of money for the Yankees to take on, but remember the big contracts for Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira will be off the books in the coming years. Plus, Amaro will likely pay some of that contract to entice teams to deal.
It might be a long shot for the Yankees to acquire Hamels, but he's still a player they need to target.
2. Johnny Cueto, RHP
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The Cincinnati Reds hold a $10 million option on ace Johnny Cueto for next season. Given his production, that seems like a slam dunk option.
The Reds might want to deal from the wealth of pitching, however, so Cueto could very well be dealt after the option is picked up. The price for Cueto will be a little higher given his cheaper salary for 2015, but teams going after him might want him to guarantee longevity after the deal is struck.
Cueto has been phenomenal this year. He's 16-8 with a 2.26 ERA (3.39 FIP), 0.971 WHIP and a league-leading 207 innings pitched. There hasn't been much to smile about in Cincy this season, but Cueto gives the Reds' faithful an opportunity to cheer every fifth day.
If Cueto's option is for some reason not picked up, expect the Yankees to go hard after the 28-year-old. He's a young ace with little mileage on his arm. Those are the kind of arms Cashman needs to target.
3. Jon Lester, LHP
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Will another former archnemesis join the Bronx Bombers in 2015?
Jacoby Ellsbury defected last offseason, and his first go-around in the Bronx has been mostly positive. There have been several times this season that he has been the best bat in the lineup.
Jon Lester, now with the Oakland Athletics for the stretch run, is widely considered the top pitcher available this offseason. Max Scherzer is right up there with him, but the playoff success of Lester gives him the edge.
CBS Sports' Jon Heyman wrote about the Yankees' interest back in August:
"The Cubs and rival Yankees, among others, look like much more likely landing spots for Lester at this time, in fact. The Yankees have admired Lester's guts and clutch pitching for years (and especially that career 0.43 World Series ERA) and would surely make a play for the former Red Sox ace.
"
Lester, 30, has been one of the top pitchers in baseball since 2008. The Yankees will have to pony up some cash to work out a deal with him, as he'll easily command something north of $100 million. That said, Lester might be one of the rare pitchers over 30 who is worth it.
4. Brandon McCarthy, RHP
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Yankees fans hated the trade for Brandon McCarthy.
At the time of the deal, McCarthy was just 3-10 with an ERA of 5.01 for the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks. Now fast-forward several weeks. The Yankees, and their fans, are in love.
McCarthy has been great. He's 5-4 with an ERA of 2.80 (3.03 FIP), 1.197 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 64.1 innings. He isn't really known for being a strikeout pitcher, but the right-hander has shown great command of his pitches in all counts.
The 31-year-old still has something left in the tank. Given this successful audition in the Bronx, the Yankees would be wise to lock him up to a two-year deal this offseason. He's exactly the type of pitcher that successful teams need.
He gives quality innings and keeps his team in games. That's all you can ask for from a lifetime No. 5 starter. McCarthy adds great depth to the rotation.
5. David Robertson, RHP
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David Robertson must be a priority this offseason.
When Mariano Rivera retired, Yankees fans were scrambling to find his replacement. The Yankees didn't scramble, however, because they knew Robertson could handle the job. And handle it he has.
Robertson has saved 35 games and blown just three. He has a 2.92 ERA (a little high, I admit), and 79 strikeouts in 52.1 innings pitched. Robertson has been a little shaky in allowing runs in save situations where the Yankees are up by two or three, but he has almost always locked down the save.
Not many people can close games in the Bronx. Robertson has proven his ability to do so. This one is a no-brainer.
6. Andrew Miller, LHP
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Rich Hill, David Huff and Josh Outman have been the primary lefty specialists since Matt Thornton was dealt to the Washington Nationals. Hopefully none of those three pitchers is on the roster come spring training.
Andrew Miller is the biggest lefty specialist on the market. The 29-year-old has been dominant since becoming a full-time reliever in 2012.
The Red Sox were wise to turn him into a reliever, as his blistering fastball and good movement make him a tough matchup for any left-handed bat. This season, split between the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles, has been his best.
He owns a 2.13 ERA (1.56 FIP), 0.873 FIP and 86 strikeouts in 55 innings. Seeing as lefty relievers often don't command a high salary, the Yankees can swoop in and grab him on a three-year deal in the $12 million range.
7. Hanley Ramirez, SS
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It's time to replace Derek Jeter.
Sorry fans, it's a reality. Replacing Jeter with used parts is not what the Yankees fans want to see. They want to see a top-notch player take his place. Troy Tulowitzki might be available via trade, but the Yankees don't have the prospects to make that happen and still have a viable farm system.
Instead, they'll look to Hanley Ramirez.
The 30-year-old has battled health issues the past few seasons, but it goes without saying that he is the best shortstop in a weak class. When healthy, he can mash. In 86 games in 2013, he slashed .345/.402/.638 with 20 homers and 57 RBI.
Ramirez isn't worth the same big contract he may have been worth after he left the Miami Marlins, so the Yankees could potentially get him on a contract less than $100 million.
Ramirez represents a much different player than Jeter in terms of style and flashiness, so that will take some time to get used to. That said, he's the best bat at the position.
8. Chase Headley, 3B
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Now with a walk-off homer under his belt, Chase Headley has made a very good impression on the Yankees. He has slashed .256/.353/.391 with four homers and 12 RBI since coming over from the San Diego Padres.
Alex Rodriguez will be back next season. It's an inevitable reality that everyone must accept—whether they're a fan of him or not. Nobody knows how long he'll stay on the field, though. While a year off should have helped him recover and get stronger, he still hasn't played in a game in over a year. That might catch up to him.
Headley could act as a super utility guy, capable of filling in at third, first and maybe even the corner outfield. Given his career as a starting player, this would be a tough transition to make.
That could lead him to find another employer during the offseason.
9. Mike Morse, RF/1B
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Right field is an area of need for the Bombers. Guys like Nelson Cruz will command big money, but those like Mike Morse will earn much less.
Morse is a strong power bat capable of popping 25 or so homers and driving in around 70 runs. The 32-year-old has battled health issues in the past, hence why he has found difficulty reaching those marks. The Yankees have the depth to keep him fresh and healthy, making this an ideal situation.
On a one-year deal, Morse can come to the Bronx and do what he does best—hit. With Ellsbury in center, Morse will be asked to cover only a small bit of ground in right field. He can also play first base, meaning he can spell Mark Teixeira for both short and long time periods.
With Morse hitting sixth in the lineup, this team might actually score some runs.
10. J.J. Hardy, SS
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If Hanley Ramirez isn't your cup of tea, then hopefully J.J. Hardy is.
Hardy is a quiet producer, playing great defense at short and providing good pop in the lower third of a lineup. He has power, doesn't strike out all that much and is actually enjoying one of his best offensive years in terms of his slash line—.281/.320/.392.
The 10-year-veteran is 32 years old and shouldn't receive more than a three-year contract. That'd be a fine commitment for the Yankees, as he isn't a big money player. A three-year, $30 million deal or so should be enough to attract him to the Bronx.
Of course, he'll have to give up No. 2 to do so.
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