Monday, November 3, 2008

I'm Calling it Now, Manny Will be in Pinstripes

I'm not saying I like it, or even that its a good move, but there is a strong possibility that Manny Ramirez will be in pinstripes next season. If I had my guess this is how the roster would look:

1b: Mark Teixeira
2b: Robinson Cano
SS: Derek Jeter
3b: Alex Rodriguez
C: Jorge Posada/Jose Molina
LF: Manny Ramirez/Hideki Matsui
CF: Johnny Damon
RF: Xavier Nady
DH: Hideki Matsui/Hideki Matsui/Jorge Posada

SP: Chien Ming Wang
SP: CC Sabathia
SP: Andy Pettitte
SP: Alfredo Aceves
SP: Joba Chamberlain

Here's my thinking as to why the Yankees will go this route. Steinbrenner is impulsive. He's a Steinbrenner. On top of being impulsive, he shut down his impulses last season when he allowed Cashman to talk him out of Santana. Now he's not going to allow that to happen. Steinbrenner has seen Manny's ability to hit in the clutch and nothing, not his age, not his attitude, not the money, or years is going to stand in his way of getting Manny's bat into the lineup. It will be good for the short term Yankees, but not the long term, and I suspect it will be an unpopular decision.

As for signing Sabathia and Teixeira, the reason I think they'll bite is that number one, we need pitching and Sabathia is the best candidate out there. We need a first baseman and Teixeira is the best candidate out there. Have the Yankees been known for settling for second best?

Now this approach will dive us back into being unflexable, expensive, and full of free agent mercenaries, but on the flip side it won't cost us any of our current prospects, and allows us to develop the talent we now have. The only problem is that by signing these free agents, we lose draft picks, but let's be honest, I don't think Steinbrenner is convinced in the youth movement, and there's a lot of Yankee fans who are not either. Cashman can finish his experiment with his current prospect crop, but rebounding from this season will take more than some top draft picks in 2009. We need some major league talent now, the best of which is available via free agency.

If the Yankees don't bite on these free agents, then Cashman has been able to restrain Steinbrenner, but after last season I don't think it will be that easy.

10 comments:

Antone said...

I think it's Manny or Teixeira..I don't think it will be both because the rest of the money is going to go to the pitching..most likely Sabathia.

I'd also like to see Manny as the DH and see Matsui traded for a 1B option or pitching.

MLB Weekly: Manny Ramirez to the Yankees?

Bucky7588 said...

It makes me so sad to say it, but Sabbathia will not be a Yankee. He wants to be on the West Coast, and play for an NL team...two things the Yankees are not. I do think they'll pick up Manny, because they will make an offer, and it will be more than anyone else's, and Manny is the kind of guy who loves money.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

I do think Sabbathia will be a Yankee, only b/c he's said that he prefers the NL if the money is the same, and no one can outbid the Yankees. I understand liking the sun, but with the contract he's about to get he can just buy the sun, so he won't need the west coast.

Ron said...

Cashman said he is looking to add TWO pitchers, so that pretty much prevents him signing BOTH Teixeira AND Manny.

If they lose Teixeira to the SUX, I think they will feel compelled to sign Manny, but if they lose out on him to anybody else, I don't think so.

Anonymous said...

Teixeira is going to the Yankees its Manny or Teixeira not both to much $$$$. The Yankees already have outfielders they need a 1st basemen because most likely Giambi is not coming back.

Anonymous said...

I really don't think Manny will be in pinstripes next season.
Hal, not Hank, is the one Steinbrenner who calls the shot. He and Cash will tie ribbons on CC and Teixeira and put them on Hank's door step with a note saying "Merry Christmas".
But they will not sign Manny.

TribeGirl said...

I've been praying for Manny from the get go, so I'm taking full credit when we get him! And you'll see how much he and A-Rod love each other. Manny's a touchy-feely guy, so there's gonna be rumors, because he's always hugging someone, and since everyone likes to pick on A-Rod, they'll be having a "Bro-mance" - you heard it here first. But, Manny's just lovey-dovey like that, and he loves Alex!!! It's gonna be great when the two greatest hitters are on the same team!!!! :o)

Anonymous said...

"Bro-mance" between Manny and A-Rod?
No way.
Alex the Great is going to date Gov. Palin right after Madonna dumps him.

Anonymous said...

You forgot to add a name to the Starting Pitcher list. According to today's NY Post, the door is still open for Pavano to return. The good news is he won't make that much money thanks to Obama's socialist domestic policies.

Fernando Alejandro said...

Yes! Another 4 years of Pavano is exactly what this team needs.

Cashman wants two pitchers, but I think it will be difficult. For a top of the line pitcher he should consider a trade, but then he'd have to cough up the prospects.

As for the bromance, it might could happen only A-Rod's love for Madonna is too well established. She is after all his soul mate.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.