10 Offseason Moves the New York Yankees Need to Make for 2012

The 2011 New York Yankees fell short of their annual goal: Winning the World Series.  Sure, they made the playoffs, but that doesn’t cut it when it you’re expected to win the whole thing, or the season is a failure.  Former owner George Steinbrenner planted this seed in the minds of all players, front office, and fans alike.  That frame of mind is here to stay.  These are the 10 things the Yankees need to do this offseason.

Resign CC Sabathia

Say it with me, Yankee fans: CC Sabathia must remain in pinstripes.  With respect to the Yankees, it is the most obvious statement uttered in the Tri-state area, but it has to happen. 

The large lefty will most likely opt out of his contract and leave the remaining $92 million on the table. 

In three years, Sabathia has gone 59-23 with a 3.18 ERA.  Simply put, the Yankees would be lost without both his production and his clubhouse presence.  The only drawback this season was his noticeable weight gain from spring training onwards. 

With a new contract, he’ll be the only one wealthy enough to eat at the Stadium’s NYY Steakhouse.  Though other suitors will be knocking on his door, Sabathia will probably remain in the Boogie Down.

Revamp the Starting Rotation

Saying the Yankees need starting pitching would be the biggest understatement of the year. 

Priority number one will be to come to terms with CC Sabathia if he chooses to opt out.  Unfortunately, they are saddled with the contract (and the usually horrid results) of AJ Burnett.  They will simply have to sleep in the bed they made for another two years. 

No one really knows who Phil Hughes is, and his injuries and lack of consistency don’t help. 

The Yankees survived this year with two surprising veterans in Bartolo Colón and Freddy Garcia, and a rising rookie in Ivan Nova.  New York needs to say goodbye to Colón as his durability down the stretch became a major issue.  Resigning Garcia isn’t a terrible option as he pitched some quality starts in big spots. 

Acquiring Mark Buehrle should clearly be on their radar.  Buehrle can eat a lot of innings and won’t demand a ton of cash.  

Oh by the way, Javier Vazquez is available.  Maybe the third time is the charm? That was a joke.

Trade Jesus Montero

Montero, we hardly knew ye. 

The Bombers need to trade rookie catcher/DH Jesus Montero for sorely needed starting pitching.  With a team needing a surge in offense, his arrival brought Yankee fans to their feet.  The front office realized everyone, including other general managers, loved this sight.  This explains Montero’s absence outside of two at bats in the playoffs.  In the likelihood of a terrible postseason, his appeal would certainly not have been as attractive at the negotiating table this winter. The Yankees further reinforced this point when they recently told Montero to kick his feet up and smoke some cigars this winter instead of participating in Winter Ball.

It appears Montero’s catching abilities will never pan out with the Yankees, reserving that valuable DH spot for the geriatric left side of the infield. The most widely proposed Montero trade involves the Yankees' acquisition of Felix Hernandez. 

It will take more than just Montero to get the “King” to New York, but Montero would obviously be the centerpiece.

Upgrading the Bullpen

It's very possible that this might be the last year we see Mariano Rivera before he takes his cutter home and calls it a career. 

In the meantime, Rivera and David Robertson are definite holdovers from last year’s bullpen.  Rafael Soriano has an option on his contract but he will probably remain in New York because no one is crazy enough to sign him for the same amount the Yankees did. 

For the past few years, the main bullpen concern has been the lack of effective left-handed pitching. Outside of the 2009 World Series, left-handed reliever Damaso Marte has been atrocious.  His injury-prone body has made Carl Pavano look like Cal Ripken, considering Marte never even suited up in 2011.  To make matters worse, the lone left-hander in the bullpen, Boone Logan, also struggled versus lefties. Also, who knows what to expect from left handed reliever Pedro Feliciano as his health allowed him to pitch as much a total of zero appearances.

A highly appealing option for the Yankees entails calling up Houston and negotiating the acquisition of left-handed pitcher Sergio Escalona.  Escalona went 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA in 27.2 innings for the Astros last year, and Logan could definitely use his company.

Letting Nick Swisher Go

Give Swisher his last salute.  The Yankees need to say goodbye to “Swishalicious” and send him on his merry way. 

Though making us laugh was part of his shtick in New York, the team received awful defense and non-existent playoff output in return.  He put up his usual .260 average with 23 HR’s and 85 RBI’s during the regular season.  Every winter, fans are left with a pungent smell after “Jolly Old St. Nick’s” playoff debacles.  Rumors are being littered coast to coast about Giants outfielder Carlos Beltran taking over in right field. 

Either way, the front office needs to “Just Say No” to his $10.25 million option and look for a replacement.

The Great Joba Debate

After recovering from Tommy John surgery in June, Joba Chamberlain is inching his way back towards a full recovery.  Timetables have pegged his return anywhere from late April to June.   

When he suits up, it will bring us back to the age-old question: Bullpen or starter?  For a few years, it was difficult to read the newspaper, listen to sports radio, or watch the Yankees without hearing said query.  Chamberlain probably belongs in the bullpen, but the free agent acquisitions (or lack thereof) and his recovery could finally put an end to this debate. 

If the Yankees can’t bolster their beleaguered staff with quality starters, he could be in the starting five.  They will want to get the most out of his refurbished arm by placing him in the rotation, especially if they are serious about keeping Joba long term.  Whatever happens, don’t be surprised if the classic Joba debate haunts your dreams.

Keeping the Bench Effective

Honestly, the Yankees' bench wasn't all that bad last year. 

Andruw Jones is a free agent, who should be brought back as long as the price is right.  After a slow start, Jones brought some much needed pop to the lineup.  Even with the lowest amount of at bats in his career last year (190), Jones should stay in pinstripes.  If Eric Chavez doesn’t retire, he should stay with the Yankees.  With A-Rod breaking down before our eyes, Chavez will be called in as a stand in at the hot corner.  Eduardo Nunez will also be ready to step in at third, as well as backing up Derek Jeter at shortstop.  Nunez will have to work on his defense in the offseason because it doesn’t seem like fan’s “tickers” can take too many of his lobs in to the third row.  Besides, the rich people in “The Moat” don’t like to be bothered by trivial things at a baseball game, like for instance, baseball.  Chris Dickerson will also be around as a backup outfielder. 

Don’t be surprised if the Yankees give real opportunities to Kevin Russo and Greg Golson to make the team.

Will Austin Romine Take over Behind the Plate?

During the 2012 campaign, the Yankees need to find out what kind of talent they have with catcher Austin Romine.  Sure the Yankees have Russell Martin under contract for another year, but Romine’s catching skills are in the Bombers’ future. 

Though they don't foresee the second coming of Yogi Berra offensively (2011 AA+AAA .279 BA, 6 HR's, 48 RBI's), Romine's skills behind the plate could be the rock on a redesigned Yankee team in the coming years.  While Francisco Cervelli injects passion into each game, he barely hits and is lacking as a catcher—watching his throws to second land in center field is becoming painful.  Furthermore, the Cisco Kid's concussion sidelined him in September and forced him to miss the rest of the season.

At the end of the 2011 season, Romine briefly got his feet wet, so don’t be surprised if he takes the full plunge and becomes the official backup catcher in 2012.

Resign Brian Cashman

Clearly, the Yankees need to resign general manager Brian Cashman.  A source says this is likely to happen before Halloween. His reign began in 1998, and there's no need for a change in regime. 

In the past few years, Cashman has become much more comfortable with the media and has no problem speaking his mind.  Remember the Rafael Soriano press conference, or going toe to toe with golden boy Derek Jeter. 

Some contend that any person with a slight baseball education could put a good product on the field in the Bronx.  Cashman, however, has the thick skin this job requires.  Needless to say, he's made some costly mistakes (Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano, and Kei Igawa), but he looked like a genius this year signing off the trash heap with Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia. 

There's no doubt about it.  Cashman is the man for the job.

Saying Goodbye to Jorge Posada

This should be a no-brainer, but the Yankees must convince Jorge Posada, in a civil and non-public way, that his playing days have come to their due end. 

Maybe the 40 year-old catcher will silently ride off into the sunset.  Unfortunately, his temper and the tantrums that follow could turn the whole process into a public relations’ nightmare.  We all remember Bernie Williams’s exit from the Yankees, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience.  Let’s hope all the parties can meet in the middle, so no one loses face this time.