New York Yankees Rumors: Ranking the Yankees' Top Trade, Free Agency Targets

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Albert Pujols, Felix Hernandez and Prince Fielder will not be Yankees in 2012, 2013 or anytime in the foreseeable future.

Sorry.

But that does not mean that there will not be some changes to the roster going into the 2012 season.

While the free agent class of 2012 is nowhere near as attractive as the 2013 class, there are still a handful of players who would be worthy of putting on the pinstripes.

Lets jump right in and see who is in the mix, shall we?

12. Wandy Rodriguez

In the weeks leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline this past season, the Yankees were interested in Houston Astros lefty Wandy Rodriguez.

After Ubaldo Jimenez ended up with the Cleveland Indians, the Steinbrenners were deep in talks to acquire Rodriguez—against the wishes and superior baseball knowledge of GM Brian Cashman.

Hank and Hal already flexed their muscle once on Rodriguez, making it entirely feasible that they would do it again.

Rodriguez is a mediocre pitcher for the worst team in baseball, thus being typecast as an "ace" by default. While his 3.49 ERA in 2011 is solid, a deeper look shows that against the AL, he has been horrible: 8-10, 5.25 ERA and 1..42 WHIP over 130.1 innings.

The Houston Astros are in rebuilding mode, and Rodriguez is one of the more valuable trade assets that they have. If he is traded, a $13 million option for 2014, when he will be 35 years old, automatically vests, making him a three year, $36 million pitcher.

The pieces the Yankees may have to move to acquire him are better served staying where they are, especially the young pitching in the Yankees minor league system—names like Banuelos, Betances, Phelps, Warren and Mitchell.

While the Yankees need starting pitching for 2012, Wandy Rodriguez is not the answer.

11. Hiroki Kuroda

Hideki Kuroda is a good pitcher, one whom the Yankees have coveted for quite some time.

We looked at Kuroda briefly last week, and while the soon-to-be 37-year-old would fit nicely into the Yankees rotation as a No. 3 starter, chances are that he will eventually re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Dodgers GM Ned Coletti recently confirmed this, stating that "Kuroda has bought a house in Los Angeles and both of his daughters go to school here. He is an extremely loyal person to both the Dodgers and the city of Los Angeles and really doesn't want to play anywhere else."

While I include him here because the Yankees will absolutely speak to his agent about bringing him to New York, the odds of him landing in the Bronx are slim.

10. Casey Blake

Alex Rodriguez, while the argument could be made that he was less than 100 percent for the majority of this season, is not getting any younger and is likely to need significant time as a DH over the rest of his contract. His days as the everyday 3B of the Yankees may be coming to an end sooner then anyone had initially imagined.

With backup 3B Eric Chavez a free agent and seriously considering hanging up his spikes, backup 3B has suddenly become a concern.

Brandon Laird fielded the position well in limited time this season, though whether the Yankees feel the 24-year-old is ready to join the big league club on a permanent basis is something that will likely not be decided until spring training.

Casey Blake, who was recently released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, could be an inexpensive option at the hot corner.

Blake battled an elbow infection this season and put up a .252 average and .717 OPS, failing to hit at least 10 home runs for the first time since becoming a full-time player in 2003 with the Cleveland Indians.

His defense is nothing special, but his .946 fielding percentage is still better then the .919 of Eduardo Nunez, the man who filled in for A-Rod while he was injured this season.

Blake would likely be relatively inexpensive and sign a one-year contract, so if he were to disappoint or if Laird was to show he was ready by midseason, the Yankees could easily release Blake.

While I would like to see Laird get his chance, Casey Blake would not be a terrible addition to the bench.

9. John Danks

Whether or not John Danks becomes available on the trade market most likely hinges on whether or not Mark Buehrle returns to the White Sox. The general consensus is that the team will not keep both as they look to cut payroll.

Danks is eligible for arbitration, and while his 2011 numbers were average at best (8-12 with a 4.33 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 172 innings), the 25-year-old lefty is likely to receive a raise from the $6 million he just earned.

It is not often that young, talented starters become available, and the cost to acquire him would likely be a high one, and not one that I am convinced that the Yankees would be willing to pay.

But if he becomes available, you had better believe that Brian Cashman and White Sox GM Kenny Williams will speak about him.

8. C.J. Wilson

I know that a lot of people are high on C.J. Wilson, the "ace" of the Texas Rangers pitching staff. I, however, am not.

Wilson, who turns 31 before opening day, is essentially finishing his sophomore season as a starting pitcher in the major leagues.

While his numbers over the past two years are impressive—16-8 with a 3.14 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 191 strikeouts over 217 innings on average—Wilson has been equally as unimpressive in the playoffs, going 1-5 with a 4.94 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 51 innings.

While it was initially reported that Wilson was seeking a new deal for at least $100 million, but now, reports have surfaced that he and his agent have yet to name their asking price.

The Yankees would be wise to pass on Wilson, partly because of his postseason struggles, but mainly because at the end of the day, Wilson is still a relatively unproven commodity who will certainly be on the downside of his career by the end of this new contract.

Not only should his experience, or lack thereof, be a concern, but the Yankees have concerns that Wilson may not be able to handle the bright lights and media scrutiny that come along with playing in the Bronx.

Another player over 30 who is locked into a long-term contract and who will likely no longer be an asset by the end of the deal is something that the Yankees should look to avoid at all costs.

7. David Ortiz

How fed up David Ortiz is with the dysfunction that permeated the Boston Red Sox this past season remains to be seen, but he did leave the door open to joining the Yankees in comments made recently.

Since then, Ortiz has tried to downplay what he said, maintaining that he would like to return to the Red Sox, but really did nothing to close the door on a move to the Bronx: 

"

"I never said I would sign with the Yankees. No, don't be making [stuff] up," Ortiz said. "They asked me if I would play for the Yankees, and I said I would think about it. But I didn't confirm to nobody that I would play for the Yankees. I'm still a Red Sox, aren't I?"

"

Ortiz is arbitration eligible, so if the Red Sox offer him arbitration, which is expected, were he to turn it down and sign with another team, that club would have to compensate Boston with a draft pick, something that Brian Cashman may not be quick to do.

Additionally, Ortiz would have to accept splitting time with Jesus Montero, among others, becoming a part-time player.

Ortiz could have spoken out of frustration after a trying season for the Red Sox, or it could be nothing more then a negotiating ploy for a multi-year contract. Maybe he really is having second thoughts about staying with the Red Sox.

Either way, it would be foolish for the Yankees to not explore bringing someone who has made a career of getting clutch hits against them into the fold, and when signing him not only strengthens their team but weakens one of their arch rivals, it is the icing on the proverbial cake.

A two-year deal in the $20 million range could be enough to bring his bat to Yankee Stadium. 

6. Ty Wigginton

Ty Wigginton is no stranger to New Yorkers, having spent the first two years of his career as a member of the New York Mets.

As far back as mid-July, the Yankees were discussing Wigginton with the Colorado Rockies, and now the Rockies are looking to trade him, even if it means eating some of the $4.5 million remaining on his contract. (His contract could be worth as much as $8 million, but 2013 is a team option at $4 million or a $500,000 buyout.)

His .970 fielding percentage at 3B in 2011 was his highest since 2007 with the Houston Astros, but Wigginton is a versatile player who can play both corner spots in both the infield and outfield.

No longer expected to be an everyday player, the 34-year-old could fit in nicely as a Yankees reserve, able to spell both Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixiera when needed.

Even with the Rockies being willing to pick up some of the money remaining on his contract, the asking price certainly should be reasonable.

While his batting average and OPS has dipped the past three seasons to .254 and .724 respectively, Wigginton has some pop in his bat and is the type of role player that has succeeded with the Yankees in the past.

When I look at Ty Wigginton, I see Scott Brosius. I'd take that any day of the week, and so would the Yankees.

5. Freddy Garcia

Another pitcher that we looked at last week, I expect the Yankees to offer arbitration to Freddy Garcia, and it is likely that Garcia will accept it.

Freddy was solid in 2011, and unlike Bartolo Colon, the other veteran that exceeded the Yankees' expectations, Garcia did not fade down the stretch.

Brian Cashman and the Yankees front office like Garcia, so bringing him back on a one-year deal to be the No. 4 or No. 5 starter in the rotation is likely.

4. Ricky Nolasco

Towards the end of July, the Yankees tried to acquire Ricky Nolasco from the Miami Marlins only to be told that the team was not prepared to trade the talented but erratic 28-year-old right-handed starter.

By the end of the season, the Marlins seemed to be frustrated with his inability to harness his considerable skills and could look to move him this winter.

Nolasco, who turns 29 in December, gives up a lot of hits—244 this season, a number that led the NL, though many of them were either line drives or hits given up by a shoddy defense behind him. For his career, he has allowed nearly 10 hits per nine innings.

That being said, Nolasco has phenomenal control of his pitches, issuing 2.1 BB/9 IP for his career and has the ability to get strikeouts when needed, putting up a career K/9 rate of 7.1.

He comes with two years and $20.5 million left on his contract, something the Yankees could absorb rather easily. What remains to be seen is the Marlins asking price, but if a team is picking up the vast majority of Nolasco's contract, the return cannot be expected to include top-level prospects.

A change of scenery and some new perspective on his mechanics might be exactly what Nolasco needs to get back on track.

If the price is right, he is a worthy gamble for the Yankees.

3. Mark Buehrle

My affinity for Mark Buehrle in a Yankees uniform is no secret, and my stance since we looked at Buehrle last week has not changed—he should be someone that the Yankees do what is required to sign.

The Chicago White Sox are expected to offer the workhorse a two-year contract, likely at a "hometown discount" as the club looks to reduce payroll.

The million-dollar question, of course, is would Buehrle come to New York? After spending his entire career with the White Sox, he very well could take less to stay.

But with the team in a re-tooling mode, could the prospect of having a legitimate chance at another World Series ring entice him?

Only time will tell.

While I have been very much against giving multi-year contracts to players who will be past their 35th birthday by the end of the deal, I would make an exception in Buehrle's case.

He has spent his entire career in the AL and been incredibly consistent, logging at least 200 innings in each of the past 11 seasons while averaging 15 wins a year.

Another reliable innings eater with a proven track record of success is exactly what the Yankees need to bolster their rotation.

2. Yu Darvish

I know the drill—I say Japanese pitcher, you say no.

You say no because of Hideki Irabu, because of Kei Igawa, because of Daisuke Matsuzaka.

I say, don't judge a book by it's cover.

Darvish, who will be 25 by the start of the 2012 season, is a dominating right-handed pitcher.

While the comparisons to those named above are expected and reasonable, Darvish has put up significantly better numbers in Japan than any of those mentioned.

Not sure?

Here are their respective numbers during the season that they turned 24:

Irabu: 8-7, 3.10 ERA, 142.1 IP, 160 K.

Igawa: 14-11, 3.73 ERA, 201 IP, 203 K.

Dice-K: 14-13, 2.30 ERA, 215 IP, 226 K

Darvish: 17-6, 1.49 ERA, 261 K (I have not been able to confirm his IP, but we can safely assume it was over 200)

While stats in Japan are by no means a measure of success in the major leagues, sooner or later, a Japanese pitcher is going to make the journey to the Major Leagues and have an Ichiro-like career.

Why couldn't Darvish be that player, and wouldn't the Yankees be better off by adding a dominating arm to the front of their rotation?

Yes, there is the post fee to be concerned with, but after the struggles that Matsuzaka has had with the Boston Red Sox, it would be a safe guess that no team will be willing to come near the $51 million fee that Boston paid.

The Yankees like Darvish over CJ Wilson, and by a fairly wide margin. He would be a solid addition to a pitching staff that needs a boost.

1. CC Sabathia

There is no overstating how important CC Sabathia is to the Yankees.

At the same time, there is no understating the Yankees being hesitant to extending Sabathia's current contract by more than two years.

CC faded down the stretch, something that many, myself included, have attributed to his noticeable weight gain as the season progressed.

Sabathia is expected to opt out of his current contract, which has four years and $92 million left on it, lasting until he turns 34.

The Yankees would prefer, and are willing, to give Sabathia a raise for the remaining four years of his current contract rather then add years to the deal. With the free agent pitching bonanza that is expected after the 2012 seasonm coupled with the young arms in the Yankees system that are expected to be ready for prime time in 2013, the Yankees' stance makes total sense.

His weight has to be a concern, as an athlete as big as CC is—he carries his 300-plus pounds on a 6'7" frame—is sure to have his body break down, and being stuck in another lucrative, long-term contract with an aging superstar is something the Yankees would like to avoid.

The problem with the Yankees stance is that CC is very likely looking to add both money and years to his deal. If he would accept a two-year extension at $50 million, or a three-year extension with the third year being a team option, that's one thing.

But if CC demands or is offered a seven-year contract, the Yankees will be faced with a tough decision—whether to sign another player that they know will not be living up to his contract towards the end of it or risk going into the season with potentially more pitching depth but no clear cut stud at the front of the rotation.

In the end, I expect Sabathia to re-sign with the Yankees because the team really does not have a choice if they expect to contend next season. But things could get interesting along the way.