New York Yankees: 10 Players Who Could Make Them Favorites in the AL
In signing relief pitcher Rafael Soriano, the New York Yankees took a big step in shoring up their bullpen before heading south to Florida for spring training.
The team had already made a number of signings including pitcher Pedro Feliciano, pitcher Mark Prior and catcher Russell Martin.
The Yankees also retained two major free agents in agreeing to terms on multi-year deals with closer Mariano Rivera and shortstop Derek Jeter.
With the moves, the team seems poised to win another AL East crown. However off-season signings by the Boston Red Sox indicate that the team won't be going down without a fight.
In just 25 days, pitchers and catchers of the Bronx Bombers will report to Tampa for their first workouts.
With time ticking away, there is still time for the team to bolster their pitching staff and outfield in an effort to set themselves apart from the rest of the American League.
Andruw Jones
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The Yankees have made public the fact that they're seeking another outfielder to throw into the mix in 2011. They may get a bargain if they look in the direction of right handed slugger Andruw Jones.
Signed to only a $500,000 deal in 2010, Jones' production was minimal as he batted only .230 and drove in a meager 48 runs with the White Sox.
With the White Sox current depth in the outfield and designated hitter positions, it's clear that Jones will be wearing a different—if any, uniform in 2011.
Signing Jones could prove to be a low-risk-high-reward move for the Yankees, and would add additional veteran depth to the lineup.
Armando Galaragga
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With the uncertainty of the return of starting pitcher Andy Pettitte, the acquisition of Armando Galarraga could make some sense for the Yankees.
With the Tigers' signing Brad Penny, Galarraga was designated for assignment by the team. The Tigers will now try to find a buyer for his services over the next 10 days.
While there's no doubt that the Tigers pitcher is nowhere near the caliber of player that Pettitte has been for the team, Galarraga has shown signs of potential during his three seasons with the Tigers that he'll likely find a home in some team's rotation.
If the Yankees are up for a project, Galarraga might fit in the back end of the rotation or in the bullpen.
Edwin Jackson
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A mid-season acquisition by the Chicago White Sox in 2010, Edwin Jackson enjoyed a fair amount of success with Chicago's south-siders.
The righty compiled a 4-2 record and 3.24 ERA in the second half of the season with the White Sox (6-10 in the first half with the Arizona Diamondbacks).
Jackson's control has come into question throughout his career, as he has averaged four walks per nine innings.
Currently listed as the fifth starter on the White Sox depth chart, it's unlikely that the team would part with him before the beginning of the season.
If the Central Division slips away from the White Sox as the season progresses, it wouldn't be surprising to see the team offer Jackson up for little in return.
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Joakim Soria
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This isn't the first time that Joakim Soria's name has come up in discussions revolving around the Yankees.
Last summer the team made a strong push for Soria from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for highly touted prospect Jesus Montero. The deal was never completed and both teams moved on.
Soria had a strong season in 2010, posting a 1.78 ERA in 66 appearances, further ensuring that his services would be sought after by many elite teams. As we turn the page to 2011, the buzz around Soria to the Yankees seems to have returned.
Soria has said that he wouldn't block a trade to the Yanks, and the team would no doubt love to add the dominating reliever to the already bolstered bullpen.
Travis Hafner
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It's no secret, but the Yankees are always looking to improve their roster. Even if a position is filled with a premium player, the team will entertain all options available in looking to constantly improve.
Right now, it looks like Jorge Posada is the favorite to get the majority of at-bats at DH. Still, the Yankees would love to obtain some additional power for their bench/designated hitter slot and Travis Hafner just might suit their needs.
In Hafner's eight seasons with the Tribe, he hit 20 or more home runs four times, including a career high 42 in 2006.
A career .281 hitter, Hafner is entering the last year of his contract with the Cleveland Indians. The team has voiced opinions indicating that Hafner won't be in the long term plans for the team, so it would make sense that they would seek a return on their departing asset.
Mark Buehrle
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Mark Buehrle has been the cornerstone of the Chicago White Sox rotation for the past 10 seasons. During his tenure with the team he has compiled a 148-110 record with an ERA of 3.85.
Buehrle will no doubt be a part of the White Sox rotation in 2011, but much like Edwin Jackson could become expendable if the team finds themselves out of contention in the AL Central.
The hard throwing lefty is on the last year of his contract and may not be in the team's future with the emergence of highly touted prospect Chris Sale.
The Yankees aren't afraid to make a deadline deal, and if Buehrle is made available this summer, look for the team to be in line for his services.
Johnny Damon
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Johnny Damon's name has been thrown around in discussions surrounding the Yankees pursuit of an additional outfielder.
Damon has expressed his own interest in reuniting with his former Yankee teammates, and has been described in media reports as a fallback option for New York if they fail to acquire Andruw Jones.
Damon could prove to be a beneficial addition for the Yankees, as he could be used as a part time designated hitter, while also adding depth in the outfield.
In four years with the Yankees. From 2006-2009, Damon batted .285 and had an on-base percentage of .324. He hit 77 home runs while with the Yankees, including 24 in 2006 and 2009.
Kevin Millwood
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Free-agent pitcher Kevin Millwood has never had a season worse than last year with the Baltimore Orioles. Millwood went 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA in his 31 starts with the team.
Still, Millwood has had recent enough success to warrant a look from teams in need of a back-end starter. In 2009, Millwood compiled a 13-10 record with the Texas Rangers, finishing with a 3.67 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 198.2 innings.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated has reported that the Yankees have contacted Millwood's agent about a possible contract, however it's still unclear how serious either side is.
Jeremy Bonderman
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Free agent pitcher Jeremy Bonderman has been rumored as a potential addition to the Yankees staff for the 2011 season.
While the team has already made commitments to members of their staff that were in question, the uncertainty surrounding Andy Pettitte could cause the Yankees to pursue other options.
His numbers last season paled in comparison to 2006 when he had the most upside, as the right-hander would finish 2010 with an ERA above 5.50 and an 8-10 record.
Still, Bonderman would be a low-cost, low-risk sort of pitcher the Yanks would likely be willing to take a shot on.
Albert Pujols
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There's no doubt that this far-fetched acquisition would shake up the Yankees lineup significantly.
Albert Pujols is entering the final year of an eight year, $111 million deal, and has given the St. Louis Cardinals a deadline of February 18 for getting a contract extension done before closing off discussions until next off-season.
Needless to say, the Cardinals would love to retain Pujols for the foreseeable future. If indications show that the team can't get a deal done with Pujols the team will have a tough decision to make.
The team can either take their chances with re-signing the slugger as a free agent next off-season, or cut losses and trade away their franchise player.
It seems almost unfathomable that Alex Rodriguez, Mark Texiera, Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols could fit on one Major League roster, and it certainly seems like a long shot at best. But, if there's one team that could bolster a lineup with such superstars, it would undeniably be the Yankees.
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