Yankees Outfield Off-Season Plan

After the news came that there was mutual agreement from Johnny Damon and the Yankees for resigning after the season, it made me think what they could do with their outfield after the season. Here's how it ideally works out in my mind:

1. Yankees outfield has openings

After the Yankees let Hideki Matsui walk to Japan after the season and Johnny Damon going to free agency, it will leave their outfield weak offensively (no Yankee fan wants to see a Melky/Gardner, Austin Jackson, Nick Swisher offense). They will probably look to sign a free agent.

2. Rays let Crawford go

With Carl Crawford set to become a free agent and Desmond Jennings waiting in the wings as the heir to the stolen base throne, it appears as though Tampa Bay will not pick up Crawford's $10MM option for 2010. So with Crawford set to become a free agent and the opening in the Yankees outfield, it makes for a perfect storm (just like Joe Mauer in 2011).

3. Yankees sign Damon, Crawford

The Yankees make a big splash in free agency signing Johnny Damon and Carl Crawford. They get Damon for two more years and $18mm and then nab Crawford for a 5-year, $64mm contract. The Yankees also resign Xavier Nady for the bench.

4. Giardi: "Were not ready for Ajax yet"

Joe Girardi tells the media at Crawford's press conference that the Yankees will not call up Austin Jackson. This causes multiple Yankee writers to start complaining about Girardi at which point Cashman reassures them "were sticking with Joe." Hank Stienbrenner (who breaks free from the stranglehold that the Yankees PR has on him) complains that "Ajax will start."

5. Spring Training Starts

Spring Training in Tampa starts with Ajax and Melky duking it out for the starting centerfield job which Ajax wins.

6. Regular Season

The regular season begins and the Yankees roster looks like this (the Yankees have accepted the fact that Damon is now a power hitter and turn him into the 5th place hitter and DH):

Lineup:

1. Carl Crawford LF

2. Derek Jeter SS

3. Mark Teixeira 1B

4. Alex Rodriguez 3B

5. Johnny Damon DH

6. Robinson Cano 2B

7. Jorge Posada C

8. Nick Swisher RF

9. Austin Jackson CF

Bench:

Francisco Cervelli

Xavier Nady

Melky Cabrera

Ramiro Pena

Rotation:

1. CC Sabathia

2. A.J. Burnett

3. Justin Duchscherer (the Yankees will sign him or another pitcher if Pettitte retires)

4. Joba Chamberlain

5. Phil Hughes (or Zach McAllister or Aceves if Hughes stays in the 'pen)

Bullpen:

1. Phil Coke-Lefty Specialist

2. Huston Street-Set-up Man

3. Brian Bruney-Reliever

4. Aceves/Hughes/McAllister/Melancon

5. David "K-Rob" Robertson-Reliever

6. Mariano Rivera-Closer

*A note: The Nady/Marte trade hasn't worked out that well. Both are pretty much out for the season while Jose Tabata is raking and Jeff Kartasens and Ross Oldendorf have both been pitching very well (Ross would've been a nice 5th starter).