Yankees' 2008 Offseason Options

I know it's only mid May, but the 2008 off season is what I'm thinking about now.

The first thing that comes to mind with the Yankees needs is starting pitching, but also the option that the Yankees have on Jason Giambi (worth $22 million). They should buy out his contract for only five million dollars.

So what are the Yankees options after this season?

Okay, the first free agent that comes to mind is the switch-hitting, solid defensive first baseman Mark Teixeria. He's off to a sluggish start, batting .252 with only five home runs and 21 RBIs. You can expect him to heat up, and with a career fielding percentage of .995, he would fit in great in the new Yankee stadium.

With all that in mind, you have to remember that Teixeria is a Boras client and we know Boras will expect and get the most money for him. We can expect a long term deal worth 20-22 million dollars per year. 

There are other free agent first basemen out there at the end of this season, but Teixeria is the one that the Yankees need to get. Imagine a line up with a one two punch of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeria?! I think that could compete with Boston's David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

But keep this in mind, our cross town rivals are going to have an opening at first base as well so Boras should have a field day this off season.

Okay with all that said let's go to pitching.

After this season, the Yankees probably won't re-sign Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte and they definitely won't pick up Carl Pavano's $13 million club option and just buy him out for a cheap $1.95 million.

So that leaves just one or two spots depending if Joba Chamberlain moves from the bullpen to the starting rotation. So at the beginning of the off season the rotation could look like this:

1-Chein- Ming Wang

2- Phil Hughes

3- Joba Chamberlain

4- Ian Kennedy

5- ???

Now, despite Hughes' tough start, the Yankees' still see him as the great pitcher he can be. He will have a definite spot in the rotation. Joba will end up having to be pushed into the rotation even though it's a great combo of him and Mariano Rivera. If Kennedy can get his act together, he should be okay. That leaves one or two open spots arguably. 

The number one starting pitcher in the free agent market, as of now, should be C.C. Sabathia. 

Sabathia (Indians) is 3-5 with an ERA of 5.57 in 54.1 IP while allowing 61 hits. Not so much like the CY Young award winner we know of. I'm not sure how this season will affect his free agency as it is too early to determine for sure, but keep in mind how much Santana got. Now Sabathia can't be compared to Santana, as he may as well be in league of his own, but money is in its own league. Sabathia will push for a yearly base of $20 million, but if he keeps up how he's producing now, I can see a long term contract in the mid to high teens.

Now even with the Yankees possibly dishing out the big bucks to Teixeria, and having 3-4 young pitchers getting paid somewhat cheap, they could afford to sign Sabathia, but is it really worth it?

Let's take a look at the possible free agent starting pitchers around the age group of 28-33 (excluding Sabathia). 

Ryan Dempster (Cubs) is 32-years-old and is 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA and has only allowed 35 hits in 57.1 innings. If he keeps up these dominating numbers, I can see him expecting $9-13 million. I think he could do well with the transition from the National League to the American League.

Jon Garland (Angels) is 29-years-old and is 4-3 with a 4.32 ERA and has only allowed 65 hits in 58.1 innings. Neither the best nor the worst, but remember, Garland did win 18 games in both 2005 and 2006 and he is 50-33 since the beginning of 2005.

With all that said, the Yankees can improve their team drastically. Adding a powerful bat like Teixeria to that already dangerous lineup and adding an ace like Sabathia for a one two punch with Wang would be a great push for the Yankees in 2009.

Who knows for sure? They might just keep going with their prospects.

With all this said, it might sound like I've given up on the Yankees this season, but I haven't. Alex Rodriguez is coming back tonight so that should help them out offensively.

There is still hope.