Bombers Banter: How Can the Yankees Build a Winner for 2009?

The World Series is less than a week away, and with the New York Yankees not involved for the fifth-straight year, the focus once again turns to the free-agent signing period, which is just around the corner.

Yankee fans are disappointed by the fact that their favorite team missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993, and they want to know how the Bombers can return to glory in 2009.

With this in mind, my fellow Yankees Community Leader, A.J. Martelli, and I figured it was time to break out the third edition of our Roundtable Discussion series.

Also participating this time around are Marisa Scolamiero, Todd Jackson, and Marissa Casey.

If you're a top Yankee writer who was left out of this discussion, don't worry, it's probably because you were included in one of the previous Bombers Banter, and I just wanted to give some new people a shot at contributing. 

As always, if you'd like to get involved, just post a comment here or on my bulletin board or shoot me an e-mail at [e-mail]

This discussion will center on how the Yankees can build a winner for next season.

Enjoy and feel free to comment.

1. One of the top priorities for the Yankees this offseason is to acquire starting pitchers to fill out their rotation.  Who would be the best fit for the team?

Marissa Casey: A second-tier, free-agent pitcher the Yankees could definitely pick up is Derek Lowe, but he would be just another addition to the aging team (he's 35). Although at times he's inconsistent, the Yankees could get two or three years out of him. A.J. Burnett would be the better choice, but if the Yankees want a long-term deal, they need to beware; he really only peaks in contract years ('05 and '08).

They should let him come to them instead of going on a wild goose chase. I can't see CC in pinstripes. Just can't. Jon Garland is also available, and he would cost less than CC or Burnett.

Todd Jackson: CC is obvious, but luring him with money when he openly states he wants to pitch in another forum doesn't seem like a good idea. Whomever they land  must WANT to be a Yankee, because if not, even the best of pitchers may be a failure. 

I would like to see the Yanks do what is necessary to trade for San Diego's Jake Peavy.  He is young, he is proven, and he wants to play for a winner. With some run support, the kid would be lights out. The Yanks have the pieces to entice SD into a trade.

I also think the Yanks have plenty of internal resources still untapped. Alfredo Aceves really stands out to me. Something about him screams Yankee. Maybe another internal look is advisable. 

A.J. Martelli: The Yankees truly need pitching, and it's no secret. What they should do is test the open market and see who is available. Obviously, some of the big names being discussed are CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Derek Lowe. I would take one of them, preferably CC or A.J. over Lowe.

CC is a free agent and A.J. can opt out of his Toronto contract, but getting Lowe would not be a great move because of his age; he's got experience in the A.L. Eastern division, but they need to sign pitchers in their prime, like CC and A.J. I like CC, and Burnett can K 200 guys in a season. Plus, it would be awesome to have a guy named A.J. on the team.

Jordan Schwartz: First of all, it's great to hear Hank Steinbrenner say that Joba Chamberlain will start in 2009. Keeping him in the bullpen would be a complete waste of talent. The Yankees have plenty of guys who can fill the eighth-inning role, such as Phil Coke, Brian Bruney, Alfredo Aceves, Dan Giese, Jose Veras, and Edwar Ramirez. 

I'd love to get one or two of the following by trade or free agent signing: CC Sabathia, Jake Peavy, A.J. Burnett or Derek Lowe. Two of those guys followed by Joba, Wang, and Pettitte would be a formidable rotation.

Marisa Scolamiero: CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Sabathia is young and left-handed. He can top out around 98 MPH and has a good repertoire of pitches. The Yankees need someone who can give them innings, and Sabathia can do that. He threw 10 complete games in 2008 alone and has 26 in his career.

Burnett is a right-handed power pitcher. His fastball also tops out at 98 MPH, and by throwing a two-seam fastball, he induces a lot of groundball outs. The way he locates his curveball makes his pitches difficult to pick up, and despite his tendency to get injured, he'll be an excellent addition to the rotation along with Sabathia.

2. Another question mark is at first base, now that Jason Giambi's contract has ended. What should New York do to fill that position?

Marissa Casey: Sure, they could go out and grab Teixeira, if they wanted to chuck $90 million at Scott Boras. Stick with Jorge; his catching arm will never be the same. Try moving him over to first. If not, sign a lesser free-agent in Kevin Millar.

Todd Jackson: Jason must go. Make no excuses to keep him and his baggage around.
Tex is the obvious choice, but not just for the Yanks. Expect a heavy bidding war. A trade for someone like Casey Kotchman, who was originally in the trade for the Halos to get Tex out of Atlanta, or Lee in Chi Town might fit.

The Yanks also have the young Juan Miranda or Cody Ransom available to test if free agents or trades don't pan out. I say go get Tex, it might take some pressure off A-Rod, which is really his problem. A new phenomenal contract and another player with high expectations may be exactly what A-Rod needs to be himself with less pressure on him to be THE MAN.

What it would take to land Tex would sort of make A-Rod old news in a way. Then he could relax and do his thing.

A.J. Martelli: I would not sign Giambi back. Let him go back to Oakland to end his career as a DH, where it began. A big name being discussed is Mark Teixeira, but he'll most likely be offered a huge contract from Los Angeles. I'd think he'd be a great fit in pinstripes—I'd really love to see him as a member of the Yankees—but I have a feeling it won't happen, and he'll stay put.

If they can't get Teixeira, I would say the Yankees should try to negotiate a deal with the Padres and pursue Adrian Gonzalez. He can put up power numbers and stay healthy.

Jordan Schwartz: If Cashman re-signs Giambi, I may have to turn in my Yankees fan card. Getting Mark Teixeira would be great, but I think Cashman needs to focus on pitching before anything else. Cody Ransom, Johnny Damon, and Jorge Posada are all possibilities for first base. The Yankees will be an improved team no matter who replaces Giambi at first. It's addition by subtraction.

Marisa Scolamiero: The Yankees can go two ways on Giambi. They can cut their ties with him completely and go after a real first baseman and someone who can still be a big RBI guy for them, and in that case they should go after Mark Teixeira. Teixeira is a switch hitter who can actually play first base well, and he's got power in his bat.

Or the Yankees can offer Giambi a one-year deal at a much lower salary and keep him as a DH along with Matsui. They can occasionally play him at first and still go after Teixeira to be the every day first baseman.

I think this is one of the situations where the Yankees need to start over and instead of trying to patch the position at first, they need to fill it with a guy who can hit and play defense well, and that guy is NOT Jason Giambi.

3. In the outfield, Bobby Abreu is a free agent, and there are questions about Johnny Damon's arm and Melky Cabrera's bat. Who do you see starting in those three positions come April?

Marissa Casey: Although Abreu was one of the Yankees' most consistent hitters this year, I don't think he'll be returning. They may offer him arbitration but he might turn it down and play somewhere else. I'd like to see Nady back in there, along with Gardner and Melky.

Yes, both Melky and Gardner were horrendous at the plate, but if there is a new coaching staff coming in, that could change. STAY AWAY FROM MANNY. If they want to go for a big-name guy, go for Matt Holliday.

Todd Jackson: The Yanks have some great talent roaming the outfield. Nady in left. Keep Bobby in right. His numbers are productive every year, and only in NY would we talk about letting a guy go with Abreu's continuously beneficial contribution to a team. 

Let Damon play CF his last year with the Yanks. I think we've seen that Melky Cabrera can't get it done. He is a boy in a game of men. Gardner is too valuable in speed and fielding to let his bat take him out of the equation. He is essential to the type of ball the Yanks need to adopt—small ball.

Make him a backup and get him some at-bats to see what he can do over a full year with his bat and on the basepaths, where he is a sheer nuisance which is really fun to watch.

When Damon leaves, Gardner may just make a sound replacement if Austin Jackson is not ready or traded by then. Just trade Cabrera. I expect us to see a Matsui better than ever imagined; he got real hot then got hurt. Imagine a 100-percent healthy Matsui. He will make a fine DH—shared with Posada—with backup outfield responsibility shared with Gardner.

A.J. Martelli: Left field: Xavier Nady. Center field: Johnny Damon. Right Field: Bobby Abreu. Now, I've been wrong before, but it's really a toss up right now. Damon's arm is not good, and I really can't see anyone that can play right field if they don't sign Abreu back. Last week, there were rumors of trading Robinson Cano and prospects for Carlos Beltran, but I really cannot see that happening, because second base would become an issue, and the Yankees already have their hands full with first base.

Jordan Schwartz: The Yankees have to sign Bobby Abreu. He was the most consistent hitter on the team this year and possesses a very strong arm, despite the fact that he doesn't read the ball well off the bat. I'd keep Nady in left and put Damon in center. I know it's not the greatest defensive outfield, but I think it's more important to have three good hitters in the lineup on an everyday basis.

Matsui can DH, and Gardner can come off the bench for speed and defense late in games. Hopefully Melky Cabrera can find his stroke again during the offseason and could then share time with Damon in center if Johnny has to play some first base.

Marisa Scolamiero: Abreu may have to be let go, along with Giambi. Nady has another year left on his contract and is a natural right fielder. He can play left field if necessary, but he would be a solid option in right. Melky needs to prove himself in Spring Training. Someone needs to work with him on bunting before considering him for an outfield position.

The guy has a good arm, but the lack of his bat doesn't make up for that good arm. Center field should be occupied by Brett Gardner and, on occasion, Johnny Damon. Gardner showed this year that he can handle the large real estate of center field, and he has potential to be a good slap-type hitter (much like Johnny Damon early in his career).

We've already seen the speed he possesses, and that is an asset at the plate or in the field. Johnny Damon's arm is what it is. He has no problem sacrificing his body to make plays, and in 2008 he managed to stay relatively healthy. Damon in left, Gardner in center, and Nady in right for 2009.

4. How confident are you that Brian Cashman will be able to get all the pieces necessary to turn things around next year?

Marissa Casey: Cashman won't necessarily solve every single problem with the Yankees, but he'll put up a good fight. He has come back with a hunger and the need for a 27th championship, and I'm confident he'll try and turn this team around the right way.

Todd Jackson: I am confident Cash will be able to get just about anything he wants this offseason. What does he want? This is a trick question of sorts. What Cash considers the right pieces may be building blocks for the future, while the man who he answers to wants it all right now.

Somewhere in the middle of those two extremes is where the team needs to be. Let's not forget the Yanks won 89 games this year with a decimated pitching staff and problem upon problem with the everyday veteran players all season long.

It really isn't as broke as folks make it out to be, so it really doesn't need all that much fixing. One thing no one is talking about is the very obvious fact that Posada may not be physically capable of delivering on his promise to catch 120 games in '09. What if he can't?

No one is talking catching, and it is very scary to think of Molina as a primary backstop for the majority of the season again. I want Jorge as my Yankee catcher, I just don't know how realistic that is to expect. Does Cash see this as a risk? If so, how will he address it? Catching is thin in this market, if I am not mistaken. That could be a
glaring weakness.

A.J. Martelli: I like that they signed Brian Cashman to an extension, because he's put together some great teams. The team has come a long way since the days of Stick Michael as the GM, and I think the Yankees' absence from the postseason is a wake-up call for Cashman. He has already stated that he's not afraid to go out and sign big names, so I think he'll be able to turn it around.

Jordan Schwartz: I'm not supremely confident, being that Cashman failed to get the starting pitching the Yankees needed in 2008. He needs to understand that pitching is the No. 1 concern right now and first base, outfield, and catcher can be figured out after the team sets its rotation. New York can't have another year in which Hughes, Kennedy, Sidney Ponson, and Darrell Rasner start 52 games. Wow, I can't believe they started 52 games and the Yanks only missed the playoffs by six.

Marisa Scolamiero: Cashman is going to have a good amount of money coming off the payroll, so he'll have the ability to make good offers. The free-agent market is slightly better this year than it was last year, with Sabathia and Manny Ramirez slated to become free agents.

I'm kind of on the fence about Cashman's ability to secure an improved lineup and rotation. Every year, he talks a good game about making the necessary changes to improve the club, and he hasn't really done that the past three years.

5.  How do you feel about the Yankees moving into a new stadium in 2009?

Marissa Casey: It's truly sad to see the old one go, but a new stadium could mean a new overall team. With the theme of this offseason being "change," the new stadium will add to the hype of next season. As for me, I'm excited to see how they pulled off the "retro" look.

Todd Jackson:  Devastated! I grew up hours away from Yankee Stadium for a majority of my life, and I never went. Shame on me. I live in Arizona now and the opportunity to go has passed. I'm a fool for never prioritizing the trip and will regret if forever. No one's fault but mine. 

As for the new stadium, hopefully it does the real stadium justice. Hopefully we will get to bare witness to the roots of history that will be anchored there for many years to come. As you can tell, my stadium outlook has the glass half empty. I am sure, over time, I will grow to love the new one as well. A World Series wouldn't be a bad start to changing my loyalties from one to the other. 

A.J. Martelli:  I am going to miss the old Stadium. It was the shrine of baseball. I feel sad that they are moving across the street, but I am happy that I have been there so many times, and as Jeter said, I'll take those memories and pass them along to the next generation. I always liked looking at the "oldest stadiums" stat and seeing Yankee Stadium up there with Fenway and Wrigley. 

At the same time, the new Stadium looks fantastic, and I hope to make many more memories in that Stadium. The Yankees won the World Series for the first time in 1923, the same year they moved into Yankee Stadium. Hopefully history can repeat itself in 2009.

Jordan Schwartz: I'm not happy about it. I don't think there's any reason to move out of the most historic stadium in sports and into a near exact replica across the street.  I'm sure the new ballpark will be gorgeous, but it won't truly be "Yankee Stadium."

Marisa Scolamiero: Another thing I'm torn about. I love the history of the old stadium. I don't think anything can ever compare to that, and the aura that surrounds it is going to be impossible to replicate.

Even though it is still being called Yankee Stadium, the bottom line is Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle never played there. I just don't know if the ghosts will travel next door. On the other hand, Yankee Stadium is like a sewer. It is dirty and crowded and in serious need of modern amenities. It's exciting to have a new state of the art ballpark to go to, but it's going to be sad not going to 161st Street and River Avenue.

Jordan Schwartz is Bleacher Report's New York Yankees Community Leader. His book "Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man" is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and authorhouse.com. Jordan can be reached at [e-mail]