Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Mariano and Soriano
One of the questions the Yankees will have to answer this off season is how much money they want to give to the greatest closer of all time, Mariano Rivera. Last season he made $15 million but missed the vast majority of the season with a torn ACL. Prior to the injury, Rivera made every indication that he would retire at the end of the season, but since the injury, he has vowed to return. The question is, what do you pay a dominant closer, coming off an injury that has cost him an entire season? Mariano probably wants another $15 million contract, but I just don't see the Yankees giving him that (though they might because its just 1 season). Then the question turns to what you do with Soriano. Soriano can opt out, and it seems he will, which will free up $14 million that the Yankees had committed to him for next season. Mariano will be back for one season. So after 2013, who is our closer? Do we sign Soriano to another multi-year deal for closer money knowing that we will need a closer for 2014? Do we look for a closer within the organization (Dave Robertson?)? Do we sign someone else to be a closer? What do you think?
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7 comments:
Robertson won't be the closer, but I think you have to let Soriano go. He's just too pricey. I say you give Mo Soriano's $14M (though he may take $12 or $13), which still clears Mo's $15M of payroll from this year to spend elsewhere. Internal closer options are thin I think, but maybe Joba could serve in that capacity if he stops suffering stupid injuries, pitches consistently, and otherwise gets his act together.
I also think we have to let Soriano go. I actually grew to like his shirt untucking thing, but I agree, he will be too expensive. Robertson can't be the closer because "Sweet Home Alabama" just isn't an intimidating enough song to jog out to. I am hoping Joba can pull it together so I can start wearing his jersey again with pride. I spent $85 bucks on that thing.
Is it me, or are we really light on prospects?
My predictions: Soriano will be gone, Mariano will be with us for one more year, and Roberton, Joba and and and ________ will take care of those games Mariano can't close.
We're very light on prospects. Our current crop is a troubling combination of overhype and recent surgeries, often in the same player. Not good.
The Yankees will make a qualifying offer to Soriano, which he will decline. He will leave and the Yankees will get a draft pick.
The Yankees will re-sign Mo, but nowhere near $15 million. He will get $2-3 million. He is in the same situation as Pettitte in 2012 as he basically did not play in the previous season.
The Yankees have a lot of good prospects - in A ball. AAA is bleak. I saw the AAA team play a few times this year and it was a little sad.
There's no way Mariano will sign for $2-$3 million. Remember, Pettitte was originally offered Kuroda's contract of $10 million back in January, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to return, so the money went to Kuroda. So when he showed up for spring training, and got the itch to pitch again, all that Cashman had for payroll was $2.5 million. My guess is that Mariano will get something like $10 million. If Mariano doesn't know, then I'm sure his agent knows, that there aren't really any great closer options available (unless they want to repeat the Soriano mistake again), and the Yankees seem more than happy to overpay for one season contracts.
And yes, our best AAA players are big league players signed to minor league contracts. Not good!
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