MLB Rumors: 10 Players Who Won't Be Headed to the New York Yankees
Year in and year out the New York Yankee empire becomes increasingly more evil. Free agency often serves as the building block of their star-studded team. It's nearly impossible for any of the other 29 teams to compete with their money and so great talent is lost to the Yankee Empire.
Their 2009 spending spree of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira landed them another ticker-tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes. One thing is for certain: Unlike other teams in the league, their spending seems to get them places. They boast an unprecedented 27 World Titles to show for it.
The Yankee payroll is currently around $210 million and will again grow this offseason. While they're often able to dump salary as well, their spending is always free when it comes to free agents and building the team. But what if for once one of these players were to refuse that large check signed by Brian Cashman and sign elsewhere? Who knows; maybe it will happen this offseason.
Here are 10 players who the Yankees will NOT sign this winter.
10. Brandon Webb
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Many tend to forget about Brandon Webb after injuries that derailed his status as an elite hurler. People don't recall a short time ago when he was NL Cy Young and was the main attraction in Arizona. The Yankees for one may not have taken note of that, either and aren't prepared to throw money at Webb.
Truth is, when he's healthy Webb can be the ace of just about any rotation. He would help the Yankees out in a position where they desperately need it. They spent a lot of money on Sabathia and Burnett and still need more arms. A move for Webb would be wise, particularly if they could get him for cheap.
Expect another team to take a stab at him though in hopefully what's a low-risk, high-reward situation.
9. Jim Thome
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Back in late 2002, Jim Thome was the top free agent on the market and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Thome, now 40, is in a much different role. Though it is likely he will remain in the AL if he returns this season, it will not be with the Yankees.
The Yankees would love Thome as a DH, as his power is still deadly. This veteran would probably retire though before he sells his soul to the devil who is Brian Cashman. Thome has forever been one of the classier guys in the game; sadly has never won a World Series.
8. Victor Martinez
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Victor Martinez is one of the best hitting catchers in the game. Though this is a position where the Yankees are a bit old with Jorge Posada, they still will not pursue Martinez. Their young backup Francisco Cervelli will be the regular catcher in the future. There is no need to go out and throw money at Martinez if you're the Yankees.
Though his bat would look awesome with the Yankee lineup, there's no reason to think that he will be donning pinstripes come April. The fact of the matter is that VMart is already being chased by six teams this offseason, none of which include the Yankees. This could leave the Red Sox in a peculiar position though as their only other catcher with a big-league background is Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
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7. Michael Cuddyer
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Michael Cuddyer is an appealing free-agent outfielder that will likely stay put in Minnesota. Cuddyer is one of baseball's best kept secrets this winter and would be a bargain compared to other outfielders that are testing the waters.
In terms of production, Cuddyer's numbers would suffice for most teams as he consistently puts up good stats. Though this type of player could be available, Cuddyer isn't the type of guy that the Yankees typically go after, so it's safe to say they are out of the running here.
Ultimately though, Cuddyer will likely return to the Twins and look to help them to finally overcome the mighty Yankees in the ALDS.
6. Adrian Beltre
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Back in the 2004 offseason, the Seattle Mariners were fooled by the production of Adrian Beltre. They were hence stuck with his so-so production for five years at about $13 million a year. This was a bit of a surprising move for Seattle and never really paid off in full.
Again in 2010, a contract year, Beltre put up big numbers for the Boston Red Sox. He has again become seen as a prospective player this winter. The New York Yankees have seen the red flags with Beltre as his contract years are far superior to the others.
The Yankees are set with Alex Rodriguez at third and will not allow themselves to get sucked into the Beltre hype.
5. Vladimir Guerrero
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Vladimir Guerrero is another target for teams looking to add a big bat, particularly in the AL. Despite his free-swinging nature, Guerrero will draw interest from several teams this winter. Likely though, he will be on the move and in a new town come 2011.
His talent will be difficult for many teams to pass up. He should get a look from the Yankees who are always looking to add a bat or two, but nothing more. Guerrero and the Yankees mutually have their sights set in other directions and won't meet here.
4. Rafael Soriano
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Undoubtedly, Rafael Soriano is the best closer on the market. This is a position where the Yankees are set though, and have been for about 15 years. Mariano Rivera has been the best closer in the world over that time period, and his dominance has now stretched over three decades.
Barring retirement, which will come somewhere down the road, the Yankees will stay put on the back end of their bullpen. Not to mention that Soriano comes at a high price tag for a closer. Then again, this is the Yankees we're talking about here. Money clearly is never an issue.
3. Adam Dunn
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Though laughable while playing the field, Adam Dunn is one of the game's best power hitters and most typical as well. Typical in a sense that it's either feast (home run) or famine (strikeout) for him as is with so many sluggers.
The Adam Dunn Sweepstakes have been overshadowed by Jayson Werth and Carl Crawford. But ultimately, Dunn is still a great bat to insert into any lineup. In a lineup like New York's, Dunn would provide spark and give them yet another bomber.
2. Carl Crawford
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Carl Crawford is the most talented player in this free-agency pool. The Yankees may give him a look, but expect this five-tool player to go somewhere else. Crawford's speed and sudden power will earn him a lot of money this winter. There's no telling where exactly he will end up, but it won't be with the Yankees or Rays.
Crawford would give the Yankees some speedy legs and provide them with a great base-stealer. Their need for another weapon atop the lineup isn't completely necessary, but Crawford is a major addition to any team at this point.
1. Jayson Werth
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Clearly, the Philadelphia Phillies have seen the last of Jayson Werth. This doesn't mean that the Yankees are waiting to greet him either. Werth has drawn attention from their rival Red Sox instead and appears to be ready to receive an offer from Theo Epstein very soon.
Werth is indeed an upgrade for most lineups in the outfield and is a five-tooler to boot. His production will be hard for the Phillies to replace, but easy for his new team to acquire, though this won't be the Yankees. The issue here is the money that Werth is commanding and how many teams are not interested in his services because of this.
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