2012 MLB Free Agency: Power Ranking New York Yankees' Top 15 Targets

The biggest story for the New York Yankees during the 2011 offseason has been and will continue to be how they will improve their starting pitching.

Sound familiar?

New York's main focus will be to give CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova some help for 2012 in order to push the Bombers over the top to their 28th World Series title.

There are some other holes the Yanks will need to fill on their bench and in their bullpen over the next few months before spring training.

Here are the top 15 targets for the Yankees this offseason.

15. Cesar Izturis, Infielder/Defensive Replacement

Cesar Izturis had his 2011 season with the Baltimore Orioles cut short due to injury, so that might make him available as a reserve player for the Yankees.

Izturis was never known for having much of a bat, but God knows the Yankees don't need anymore offense. The former Orioles' infielder has always been known to carry a good glove, making him the perfect person to be a defensive replacement in the infield for New York.

He would be the perfect insurance for the Yanks if Eduardo Nunez is up to his old error-making tricks again next season.

14. Darren Oliver, Lefty Reliever

As a Yankee fan, the pure sight of Darren Oliver in a Yankees' uniform is downright frightening. I can't tell you how many times I've seen this man blow a game in a big spot as a member of whichever team he happens to be on at the time.

Don't even get me started on Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.

Despite all that, he might be on the radar for New York, because he had some of the best all-around numbers of any left-handed reliever available. Oliver had a career-best 2.29 ERA since he became a reliever, and only allowed 17 runs in 51 innings. Lefties hit .227 off him.

I still don't care what you tell me, or what I tell myself—I wouldn't pitch this guy in a big spot if you paid me to.

13. Hideki Okajima, Lefty Reliever

Bringing Hideki Okajima over from the Boston Red Sox makes this move interesting in itself, but the Yankees might be pleasantly surprised with it.

Okajima has had three bad seasons in a row, making it a tough sell to bring him back to Boston in 2012. Not to mention, his lack of success against lefties isn't what you'd want in a so-called lefty specialist.

Nevertheless, he hasn't always pitched that poorly for the Red Sox, as he had some good numbers during his first few years. Okajima has had success in the playoffs, too, posting a 2.11 career ERA, which is vital pitching in New York.

Maybe a change of scenery is due for the former Japanese star, so why not become a traitor and join the Yankees?

As long as he's healthy and cheap, he's worth the risk.

12. Melvin Mora, Utility Infielder/Outfielder

Melvin Mora may not be a starting solution for many teams in baseball anymore, which would make him the perfect candidate to come off the bench for the Yankees.

Mora has been a career infielder at just about every position, with even a little experience at first base. He also has the ability to go in the outfield, making him an all-around asset.

He would be a reliable defensive replacement when necessary and could even provide some steady offense with some spot starts and a pinch-hitting opportunity now and then.

The Yankees have been accustomed to picking up injury-prone, talented aging stars (Eric Chavez and Andruw Jones in 2011) and Mora fits that bill.

To make it a better fit, he wants to play on the East Coast.

11. Carlos Guillen, Utility Infielder

After being told by the Detroit Tigers they won't be needing him in 2012, Carlos Guillen will be moving from one of the only teams he's ever known to a new destination.

Guillen had provided steady production for the Tigers during his career, but with a ton of injuries plaguing him in recent years, he may only be limited to a reserve role.

Well that's fine for the Bombers, who would welcome his bat off the bench in a pinch-hit role or a spot start in the infield every now and then.

And most importantly for an aging star like Guillen, he has a chance to win a World Series, something he's never done.

10. Mike Gonzalez, Lefty Reliever

Although Mike Gonzalez has had control issues the past few seasons, he has shown he has a knack for getting out left-handed hitters.

Lefties hit .217 off Gonzalez in 2011, making him the best specialist on this list.

There's no telling how his control issues will hold up in New York with some added pressure, but he'll get a look because of his success against lefties.

9. Andruw Jones, Bat off the Bench

Last year, the Yankees brought in Andruw Jones to give them some pop off the bench, and he certainly delivered.

In 190 at-bats, Jones had 13 home runs and 33 RBI in a reserve role. The Kansas City Royals would take that from a starter; and that's what he gave the Yankees off the bench.

Jones' agent Scott Boras has already had discussions with the Yankees about a possible return, making him a very real target.

8. George Sherrill, Lefty Reliever

There is one word to describe the year George Sherrill had in 2010: horrendous. The lefty reliever got smacked around, posting a 6.69 ERA for all his troubles.

2011 was very different for Sherill, reviving his almost-dead career with a 3.00 ERA in 51 games for the Atlanta Braves.

Sherrill had slightly more success against righties than lefties, but still proved he could strikeout left-handed hitters with great proficiency.

Lefties hit .256 off Sherrill last season, which was slightly better than Logan's numbers and would give a more experienced, left-handed solution in the bullpen.

7. Edwin Jackson, Starting Pitcher

If the Yankees are looking for an impact starter, Edwin Jackson is not the answer.

Adding Jackson to their current rotation would be adding another uncertainty to a sea of them.

His ERA may have looked nice from last season, but again, he pitched in the National League and no doubt would see his ERA balloon to over 4.00 at best.

As evidence by his lack of success in the AL East as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, Jackson posted ERA numbers of 5.45, 5.76 and 4.42. That will not get it done in pinstripes.

Jackson might be on the Yanks' radar, but they should stay far away from him, especially if they have to overpay.

I'm sure Jackson won't be giving any discounts.

6. Yu Darvish, Starting Pitcher

I must admit, I have a phobia of Japanese starting pitchers.

It's called, "Hidek-Igawa-phobia."

I've learned my lesson about posting large fees, signing big contracts and getting nothing in return. Let's just hope Yanks General Manager Brian Cashman has learned the same. He wasn't responsible for the Hideki Irabu signing, but he was responsible for the Kei Igawa signing, which might have been worse.

Still, Yu Darvish is highly touted as being better than all those guys, including Daisuke Matsuzaka. That doesn't change my mind a bit, and I still wouldn't touch this one. Not for all the money it's going to take to bring over a question mark.

5. Roy Oswalt, Starting Pitcher

Roy Oswalt certainly has the experience and playoff success that would be perfect for pitching in the Bronx. The only problem with the former Houston Astros' ace is his recurring back problems that plagued him last season in Philly.

He was 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA, but he is going to be 35 next season, and there is no telling how his back will hold up.

Oswalt will be watched by the Bombers, but unless he's willing to give a short-term discount, don't expect to see him in pinstripes in 2012.

4. Magglio Ordonez, Bat off the Bench

This might be the most intriguing option the Yankees will have this offseason for their bench.

Magglio Ordonez has been battling ankle injuries for the majority of the past few seasons and is looking for a new home after the Tigers decided not to bring him back.

It isn't clear if he is interested in playing a reserve role, but if Ordonez can stay healthy, he's proven he can produce, with a .279 average in 652 at-bats over two injury-filled seasons.

Ordonez has the most potential of all the possible bench options for the Bombers and is the perfect mold of a Yankee reserve although it isn't clear if he wants to play that role.

One thing's for certain: Ordonez will have one of the best chances he'll get at winning a World Series.

3. Hiroki Kuroda, Starting Pitcher

As long as the future for Hiroki Kuroda remains unknown, that makes him a top starter on the free agent market in 2011.

Kuroda had his best season in Los Angeles last year, going 13-16 with a 3.07 ERA. His record was misleading, because he was on a bad team, but his ERA is impressive.

If playoff numbers are important to you, Kuroda might not be the man. Kuroda's 5.27 ERA doesn't look too hot, but that's because he got rocked in only one playoff start in 2009. The year before, Kuroda posted a 1.46 ERA in two playoff starts.

Kuroda is 37 years old, though, so a long-term deal would be out of the question. But I'm sure the Yanks would consider a one- or two-year deal at most.

I normally don't trust an unknown, Japanese pitcher, but Kuroda has proven himself worthy with four MLB seasons under his belt. He wouldn't be a long-term solution, but would be a nice Band-Aid until the Bombers find their man.

2. C.J. Wilson, Starting Pitcher

C.J. Wilson is certainly the most attractive piece on the free agent market this offseason because of his age and the fact that he's coming off two straight seasons with 15 or more wins.

What isn't a positive about Wilson is his poor career playoff numbers with the Texas Rangers. In 10 career appearances, nine of them starts, Wilson is 1-5 with a 4.82 ERA.

Those numbers make A.J. Burnett look reliable.

Wilson could be No. 1 on this list, but he will be too expensive for such an unproven commodity, which hurts his ranking.

1. Mark Buehrle, Starting Pitcher

I've said from Day One, if the Yankees must make a move in this unsure market, there is no piece more sure than Mark Buehrle.

Buehrle is downright reliable, having started 30 or more games for 11 consecutive seasons, throwing over 200 innings in each.

There's no question Buehrle will be on the mound every five days. He's a proven winner and on a bad team in 2011, Buehrle still went 13-9 with a 3.59 ERA.

If he was a member of the Yankees, Buehrle could easily win 15 to 17 games with more offense and would be a huge, consistent plus for the Bombers.

The demand will be high for Buehrle and that means the price will go up, but the Yanks have never shied away from a bidding war.