How the Yankees Can Return to Dominance: 5 Things They Must Do This Offseason

In their 110th year of existence, the New York Yankees did not win the World Series, meaning, to members of the Yankees' team, front office, and fan community, the season ended too early for the 83rd time in the team's history.

However you spin it, though, the Yankees finished first in a super competitive AL East division. All of this was done after a bleak offseason in the Bronx that saw Andy Pettitte's retirement, Cliff Lee's decision to spurn the Yankees, and the Red Sox bring in stars like Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, and Bobby Jenks while the Yankees signed names like Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, and Russell Martin.

But a new offseason is here, and with it, a fresh to-do list for the Yankees' front office. Here's what they need to accomplish in order to return to dominance.

#5: Pick Up the Options on Swisher and Cano

Robinson Cano's $14 million club option for next year is a no-brainer. The 28-year old posted MVP-type numbers once again this year, finishing with a .302/.349/.533 stat line, 28 home runs and 118 RBIs.

An extension certainly seems to be in store for Robbie Cano in the near future, with his current contract set to expire after the 2013 season, but for now the Yankees will pick up the option and enjoy continued offensive production from No. 24.

Nick Swisher is much less of a guarantee. Swisher, while immensely popular with teammates and fans, saw his stats drop from his 2010 All-Star season, when he finished with a .288 batting average, 29 home runs, and 89 RBIs.

It seemed like Swisher was destined for free agency when at the end of May he was the owner of a .214/.335/.314 line and only three home runs. However, he impressed with a resurgent second half, finishing his season with a much prettier .260/.374/.449 line and 23 round-trippers with 85 RBIs.

The Yankees want more consistency out of their right fielder, but given his popularity and impressive second half, expect Swisher to have his $10.25 million option picked up.

#4: Seek Lefty Relief

Aside from a brief cameo by prospect Steve Garrison, Boone Logan was the only southpaw in the Yankees' bullpen until the late-season arrivals of Aaron Laffey and Raul Valdes, who the Yankees claimed off waivers from the Mariners and Cardinals, respectively. But recently, Laffey was claimed off outright waivers by the Royals, and Valdes elected free agency, leaving Logan alone once again.

Damaso Marte, who the Yankees acquired in the ill-fated Xavier Nady trade of 2008, has a $4 million club option for next season. Expect it to be declined, as Marte missed the entire 2011 season, and only pitched 17.2 innings in 2010.

Pedro Feliciano, who signed a two-year deal with the Yankees before last season will likely return to health before spring training, but there are plenty of questions about how effective he'll be after missing all of 2011.

Some intriguing free agents are available, including the Rangers' Darren Oliver who, despite being 41 years old, posted a 2.29 ERA in 51 innings for Texas this season. Also available is Giants lefty Javier Lopez, 34, who pitched to a 2.72 ERA over 53 innings of work.

After Logan posted a very average 3.46 ERA this past season, and with the uncertainty of Feliciano's effectiveness, the Yankees might be wise to kick the tires on Oliver or Lopez.

#3: Decide on a Catcher

Jorge Posada's catching days are over, and so are his days in pinstripes it seems. The Yankees must move forward and decide who will be catching in 2012: Jesus Montero or Russell Martin.

Fans had been hearing great things about Montero for years, and he finally made his major league debut this season. Just over a year after nearly being traded to the Mariners for Cliff Lee, Montero was a September call-up, and lived up to expectations by posting a .328/.406/.590 line with four home runs and 12 RBIs in just 61 at-bats.

However, in 20 games played he was the DH in 15 of them and there are concerns among baseball minds that Montero isn't ready to be a full-time catcher, and may never be. Many think he would work best as a first baseman, but Mark Teixeira is currently expected to man the position until his contract expires after the 2016 season.

The Yankees received a pleasant surprise with Russell Martin. After being non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers last December, Martin chose the Yankees over the Red Sox and Blue Jays to become the everyday catcher. After a hot start at the plate, his numbers dwindled, finishing with an unimpressive .237 batting average.

However, he did hit 18 home runs and drive in 65 runs, finishing with his best slugging percentage (.408) since 2007 with the Dodgers. Martin will be arbitration eligible for the final time this December, and the Yankees must decide whether to tender him a contract, presumably one of the one-year variety, or non-tender him and let him walk as a free agent.

Most likely, Martin will stick around for one more year as the bridge to Montero. After all, it's hard to justify non-tendering a 2011 AL All-Star when you have a payroll as big as the Yankees'.

#2: Figure out the DH Situation

This year it was Jorge Posada. But with his .235/.315/.398 line, not to mention his mid-season meltdown when Joe Girardi intended to put Posada at the bottom of the order, don't expect him to be back next year. This gives the Yankees an interesting opportunity to play around with the designated hitter role.

Jesus Montero mainly served as the DH during his time with the major league club, and did exceptionally well. Many seem to think that Montero isn't ready to be a major league catcher, but his bat is ready. It would be hard for the Yankees to keep him out of the lineup next season, and with the current vacancy at DH, Montero could be the everyday DH in 2012. That way, if veterans like Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter need a little rest, they could DH for a day while Montero gets a day off.

But, this is the Yankees we're talking about, so at least looking at the free agent market isn't just a possibility, but more of a certainty, especially after David Ortiz's comments to ESPN's Colleen Dominguez. 

"It's great from what I hear," Ortiz said about the Yankees to Dominguez. "It's a good situation to be involved in. Who doesn't want to be involved in a great situation where everything goes the right way?"

The Yankees are likely licking their chops at the opportunity to steal Big Papi away from the Red Sox, but with Montero blossoming, would it make sense? That's something the team will need to think about, while also evaluating free agent designated hitters such as Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome, and even former Yankees like Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui.

In the end, expect the Ortiz news to fizzle out, as the Yankees likely wouldn't be willing to give him a multi-year deal like some teams are bound to. Montero should be in the lineup on opening day.

#1: Pitching, Pitching, Pitching

The Yankees' surprising rotation was the story of their season, but as of right now, A.J. Burnett, Ivan Nova, and Phil Hughes are the only members of the rotation guaranteed to be back next year. C.C. Sabathia can (and likely will) opt out of the remaining four years and $86 million left on his deal. Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia are impending free agents.

Re-signing Sabathia will obviously be a priority for the team, and chances are C.C. is back in pinstripes next year. The only feasible explanation for him not returning is that he demands more years tacked on to his deal. The Yanks may be a bit hesitant to make such a long-term investment in light of a similar deal made a few years ago (see: Rodriguez, Alex).

Aside from Sabathia, the free agent starting pitching market is a bit weak. C.J. Wilson of the Rangers is the best guy available, and the Yankees will certainly give him a look, but the sentiment around baseball is they won't bend over backwards to get him.

However, there are guys who could be worth a look. Colon and Garcia are possibilities to return, but free agent names like Mark Buehrle (White Sox), Hiroki Kuroda (Dodgers), and Edwin Jackson (Cardinals) are likely safer bets. If the Phillies decline their mutual option with Roy Oswalt, he could be a possibility as well.

Recently, GM Brian Cashman has suggested that 2011 rookie Hector Noesi may compete for a spot in next year's rotation. In 30 appearances (two starts) this year for New York, Noesi posted a 4.47 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts over 56.1 innings.

We're still months away from spring training, so speculation is a little difficult, but my projected rotation for 2012 consists of Sabathia, Burnett, Nova, Hughes, and Edwin Jackson. While C.J. Wilson is the ultimate prize aside from C.C., Jackson has posted solid numbers over his career, and it doesn't seem like the Yankees would have to break the bank to get him.