MLB Free Agents 2012: Why New York Yankees Don't Want C.J. Wilson

It's hard to imagine the New York Yankees not wanting the best starting pitcher on the market (for now), but it can happen.

The Yankees have their reasons as to why they don't want C.J. Wilson.  Some fans may be outraged, but those are probably the same fans who said the Yankees should've gone after John Lackey when he was a free agent.  

That worked out for the Yankees, didn't it?

Don't be surprised if the Yankees don't sign C.J. Wilson not because they got outbid, but because they didn't go after him hard enough.

So here are the reasons why the Yankees wouldn't want a 16-game winner with a 2.94 ERA. (Take that in for a moment.)

Postseason Struggles

2011 Postseason Stats:  0-2, 8.04 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 6 HR, 15.2 IP

Not exactly sparkling postseason numbers.  The Yankees need players, especially pitchers, who can perform in the regular season and the postseason.

Sure, Wilson's postseason stats last year were better, but he didn't have the pressure of being the Texas Rangers' No. 1 starter.  He had the honor of pitching behind Cliff Lee and knowing that there's one guy who can be counted on for a win.

In New York, he'll be behind CC Sabathia (considering the big guy stays), but he'll be in New York.

New York isn't Texas, and we've seen what the pressure can do to starters with good stuff such as A.J. Burnett.

I'm not sure New York is ready to accept another starter with questionable stats under pressure.

Small Sample as a Starter

Wilson's only been a full-time starter for two whole seasons.  Prior to that he came out of the bullpen as Texas' part-time closer.

His two years as a starter have been pretty good, but is it wise to pay him based on that sample?

There's no telling if he'll revert to his numbers as a reliever or if he'll be as successful if he goes to New York.

With Wilson, the high-risk, high-reward factor plays in, since he has such a short track record as a starter.

Cheaper Options

Yankees GM Brian Cashman may want to recapture the double rainbow that was Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia.

Those were two guys who signed for cheap to add pitching depth but ended up being more than anyone expected.  

Now, it's tough to expect the same next year, but there's a chance it can happen.

Also, there'll probably be other guys like them who want a shot and will sign for less.  C.J. Wilson will probably be the best starter on the free-agent market, so he'll like ask for a high price.

There are other pitchers on the market.  While they might not be of Wilson's caliber, those guys can give solid innings.  

After all, with the Yankees' offense and bullpen, that's all they need.

Help from Within

Ivan Nova's 16-4 record shows that the Yankees have some good arms in their farm system.  Girardi may want to give one of those arms a chance.

The Yankees' Killer B's, Andrew Brackman, Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances, can't stay in the minors forever. It's a safe bet that at least one of them will start the season in the minors, but they'll all be seeing the majors soon.

Then there's Hector Noesi who has more experience than those three and has shown that he can be effective.  

Cashman has been holding onto these prospects, so the Yankees might as well let them shine instead of spending more money on an expensive free agent in C.J. Wilson.

The Price

There's no doubt that C.J. Wilson will be the most sought after pitcher not named CC Sabathia. The common consensus is that Sabathia will stay a Yankee, which means all eyes (and wallets) will be on Wilson.  

In order to sign him the Yankees will probably have to pay a high price which is something they're used to and don't mind doing.  

However, I'm not sure the Yankees will be willing to add another heavy contract without good reason after they already have so many.

Cashman didn't want to give Soriano that contract—the higher-ups went around him.  The same may happen here.  Then again, it may not.  

Just don't be surprised if the Yankees aren't willing to spend on C.J. Wilson.