MLB Rumors: Who Are the Yankees Going To Overpay Next?
With rumors swirling around Cliff Lee (will he stay in Texas, will he go?), it's not all doom and gloom for the New York Yankees if they don't land him. Especially when you have millions and millions of dollars to shove in players' faces.
With that in mind, Here are the Top 10 players that the Yankees could potentially overpay to get what they want (in order of likelihood).
Who Are the Yankees Going to Overpay Next?
10. Jose Reyes
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As the negotiations between the Yankees and Derek Jeter have now reached "full-fledged storm" proportions, the Yankees could find themselves looking elsewhere this winter for a new shortstop.
As more interest in the possibility of a Jose Reyes trade has started to build, Reyes would surely not be a bad substitute if the whole Jeter fiasco doesn't pan out.
This is hard for me to imagine, though, given that the Mets have reportedly been asking for a "boat-load" in return for Reyes.
The Yankees still have 23-year-old Eduardo Nunez, who isn't a bad defensive replacement, so I don't see them trading a lot of pieces for Reyes.
But it is indeed possible.
9. Derek Jeter
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In my mind, I don't see the Yankees paying much for Derek Jeter's services (at least by his standards).
According to a recent New York Times article, Jeter and his agent Casey Close are asking for a four to five year contract worth $23-$24 million a year.
The Yankees have been reported as offering three years for $45 million.
Despite all Jeter has meant to this franchise, $15 million a year is plenty and is actually overpaying for an aging shortstop that hit .270 last season, by far the lowest mark in his 15 full seasons in the majors.
There's still a chance this deal gets done, but it would most likely have to be by the Yankees' terms.
8. Orlando Cabrera
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The Cincinnati Reds have recently declined arbitration on Orlando Cabrera, making him a hot option around the league in a small market for shortstops this offseason.
He would be a better option then Jason Bartlett of the Tampa Bay Rays (whose name has started to come up in rumors), and he would surely not cost as much as Jeter.
Again, there's always Eduardo Nunez, but I'm skeptical they will go into the season planning on just giving the job to him.
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7. Yu Darvish
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If you haven't heard of Yu Darvish yet, he's considered one of the top pitchers in Japan right now, and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has reported that he's likely to be posted this year, meaning MLB teams have a chance to lure him away from the Nippon Ham Fighters (what a name).
At 24 years old, he's been in Japanese pro baseball for five seasons now, and come away with two MVP's.
The Yankees have reportedly been watching every one of his starts in Japan.
Of course, Yankee fans are probably shaking their heads, with names like Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Irabu, Hideo Nomo, and Kei Igawa still giving them nightmares.
But with a plethora of starting pitchers to likely choose from this offseason, the Yankees will probably not have Darvish high on their list.
For more on Darvish, go here.
6. Lance Berkman
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With reports that Lance Berkman is seeking a one-year, $7 million contract, the Yankees probably don't have him that high on their list, considering they have far graver concerns than losing him.
Especially when he wasn't that popular with the Yankees.
He also didn't do much on the field upon his arrival in New York midseason last year, hitting .255 with one home run in 37 games (although he did go 5-for-16 with a homer in the postseason).
He also wasn't the greatest fielder in the world.
5. Justin Upton
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It appears the rival Boston Red Sox actually have a better chance of Arizona Diamondbacks young outfielder Justin Upton, but the Yankees have reportedly been pursuing him.
Although I don't see a deal ultimately getting done as recent reports have indicated, I still think the Yankees would try to trade for him before they looked Lance Berkman's way.
Upton hit .273 with 17 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 133 games last season.
4. Andy Pettitte
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Rumors have been swirling around Andy Pettitte after Newsday's Ken Davidoff tweeted that Pettitte is considering returning for another year in 2011.
Pettitte has always been held in high regard by the New York Yankees' organization, and I could definitely see them giving him a lot of money to return next season.
Pettitte went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA in 21 starts with the Yankees last year, and he allowed four runs total in his two starts against the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers during the playoffs.
3. Zack Greinke
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Despite originally having a no-trade clause in his contract with New York as one of the nixed destinations, recent reports have Zack Greinke reconsidering his stance that he doesn't want to go to a big-market team.
If Pettitte doesn't return and a certain Texas Rangers pitcher decides to remain in Texas, then you would have to think the Yankees would be all over Greinke. He's shown he's a legitimate ace and he's gotta want out of Kansas City.
2. Cliff Lee
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Texas Rangers ace Cliff Lee has reportedly asked for a six-year, $140 million contract this offseason.
Psshh, chump change for the New York Yankees.
The Yankees seem to have Lee at the top of their list right now and seem steadfast on getting a deal done.
As reported by the New York Post, that deal might get done as soon as next week.
Lee, despite being 32 years old, is going to get what he wants this winter after the year he had last season, especially when the Yankees are involved.
In 15 starts with Texas last year, he had a 3.98 ERA.
He was especially lethal in the playoffs, until, well, the San Francisco Giants greeted him.
1. Mariano Rivera
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While the talks with Derek Jeter haven't been going so smoothly for the Yankees, the talks with Mariano Rivera have.
Rivera originally wanted a two-year deal, but it appears he and the Yankees are closing in on a deal that would pay him $17 million for next season.
The Yankees undoubtedly want this guy as their closer until his arm falls off, and this deal is probably going to happen.
Rivera has had an ERA under 2.00 and no less than 33 saves the last three seasons.
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