Andruw Jones On Board
The Yankees have signed Andruw Jones to a one-year/$2 million deal with incentives that could increase it to $3.2 million. I really like this deal.
Marcus Thames was a lot of positive things for the Yankees last year, but he wasn't an outfielder. Putting him in the outfield was an adventure at best. Now Jones is not the outfielder he once was, but he can still play out there and play all three positions. Throw in his .256/.373/.558 line against LHP last year and he is a perfect fit for a team with two lefty-swinging outfielders.
With Jones' addition, the Yankees pretty much have their roster set. I would imagine this is close to what they will come north with.
Catchers (3) Posada, Martin, Cervelli (Yup, if Posada is DH'ing every day they won't just carry him and Martin)
Infielders (5) Tex, Cano, Jeter, ARod, Pena (pencil in Pena for now)
Outfielders (5) Garnder, Granderson, Swisher, Jones and Golson (pencil in Golson for now
Pitchers (12) CC, AJ, Hughes, Nova, Mitre, Rivera, Soriano, Joba, Robertson, Feliciano, Logan, Sanchez (pencil in Sanchez for now)
Obviously, the big question is the fifth starter and the Yankees could make a move there. I think they will open with Pena and Golson on the roster, but Nunez and Laird could change those plans. I still think that Nunez will open in AAA, just to keep him sharp, but if he really has a big spring, the Yankees could go north with him. For Laird it will really come down to showing he can handle big league pitching and the outfield. If he can do both, he would be more valuable than Golson.
Comments
Really looks like they're set here. I think they'll start with Pena, by the way.
Posted by: Baseball Catchers Gloves | January 21, 2011 02:00 AM |
Andruw Jones is a nice backup. I've wondered all these years what he could have been if he had better coaching (yes that is a knock on Bobby Cox). Jones had every skill in the world to be a hall of famer. He never received the discipline and hitting instruction he needed to reach that level. Kinda sad, especially having seen him up close here in Atlanta. Good enough backup though.
Posted by: blmeanie | January 21, 2011 08:32 AM |
Would rather see Nunez than Golson on the roster. Nunez gives you another infielder. Pena can double as an outfielder, which gives you 5 outfielders.
Posted by: Corey | January 21, 2011 10:11 AM |
Re Posada, I'm puzzled by the idea of treating this guy like some kind of delicate flower. While it makes sense to cut back on his catching duties, why does this make him a DH? He's an very good athlete and has been extremely durable.
I'd like to see him play some outfield the way Berra did when he transitioned from catcher. Or he could play 1B or even third. He used to play second base when he was younger, so the guy is a terrific athlete. Why rush to put him in the old folks home?
Posted by: Corey | January 21, 2011 10:40 AM |
BL
I wouldn't count him out of the HOF yet. 407 homers and some of the best defense played in center puts him in the conversation. 500 homers doesn't mean what it once did, but if he got there I think he would make it.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 21, 2011 10:52 AM
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Corey
I agree on Posada, but I think he might be too stubborn to change positions now.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 21, 2011 10:55 AM
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odd, I hadn't considered the body of work to be that special. Believe me, the 30+ homers and the AMAZING defense for a lot of years was great. Just think that if you have one season where your average is above .277 in your career and your OBP is pedestrian then you should get dinged a little.
Posted by: blmeanie | January 21, 2011 12:28 PM |
I don't disagree, but I think another 93 homers would punch his ticket.
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January 21, 2011 11:03 PM
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yeah but 93 is probably out of reach
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 22, 2011 07:57 AM
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