A Look Ahead: Catchers

In part three of "A Look Ahead" we look at catchers. In case you missed them, heres part one where we looked at pitchers and here's part two where the focus was on infielders.

Catchers:

The possible need(s): Back-up catcher

The options: Francisco Cervelli, Jose Molina, Ramon Castro, Gregg Zaun, Bengie Molina (unlikely)

The Yankees are going to need a back-up catcher next year. With Jorge Posada getting older, they're going to need that catcher even more.

The two most likely candidates are Jose Molina and Francisco Cervelli. The way Cervelli played this year, I think he'll get the nod over the aging Molina. While Molina still is one of the better defensive catchers in the league, Cervelli is exceptional behind the dish and brings more to the table hitting-wise. Plus, he's bubbling with energy and all the Yankees pitchers seem to love him, especially CC Sabathia (and you know the Yanks want to keep him happy).

However, if they don't want to pursue one of those options, they could turn to a veteren such as Gregg Zaun or Ramon Castro. Castro is the better hitting of the two, but Zaun could help bring up the young pitchers (something that Jorge Posada hasn't done that great a job at).

However, in the end I think the Yanks will just give the job to Cervelli, after all, the front office loves him.

A Look Ahead: Infielders

Part 2 of "A Look Ahead." Today we look at infielders:

The possible need(s): Utility Man

The options: Eric Hinske, Cody Ransom, Ramiro Pena, Mark DeRosa, Felipe Lopez, Bobby Crosby, Marco Scutaro, John McDonald.

As proven by recent teams that reached the World Series (Boston in '07, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia in '08), a good bench is a key to success. The Yankees have already improved their bench dramatically this year with the acquisition of Eric Hinske and could make it even better this offseason.

They could retain the services of Hinske and Ransom (they don't have to worry about Pena) and then have the three of them duke it out in Spring Training with probably two of them making it to the big league club.

Another option would be to sign a free agent. The best looking name out there is that of Mark DeRosa. DeRosa is the definition of a utility man. He can play all four infield spots as well as the outfield. You combine that with a .300 BA and 20 HRs, you have yourself the best benchwarmer in the league. However, there are a couple of things going against DeRosa landing in the Bronx. In the past, he has expressed an interest in starting, something he was able to do in Cleveland. However, he would not be able to start in the Bronx (unless an outfield spot opened up. More about that later). A lot of other teams will be interested as well so the Yankees would have to out bid about 15 other teams, which they've managed to do plenty of times in the past.

They could also go after one of the other names out there. Lopez and Scutaro are certainly very attractive options. Or they could look at Bobby Crosby (remember his name was floated out there in trade rumors when A-Rod went down). Bottom line, Yanks have plenty of nice options when it comes to a utility man (or too).

A Look Ahead: Pitchers

With the season passed the halfway point now, the needs of teams become apparent. Now most contenders look to the MLB Trade Deadline on July 31st to solve there needs, but I'd like to give you a look ahead to the off-season. Please note that these forecasts could change depending on trades made by the Yankees or other clubs.

Starting Pitching:

The options: Erik Bedard, Justin Duchscherer, Rich Harden, John Lackey, Cliff Lee, Jason Marquis, Brett Myers, Brad Penny, Andy Pettitte, Joel Pineiro, Jarrod Washburn, Roy Halladay.

All of the pitchers above are viable options for the Yankees. The club will have 1 or (barring a Chien-Ming Wang comeback) 2 open spots in their rotation. Andy Pettitte sort of holds one of those spots as he would probably receive a contract offer if he doesn't retire at the end of the year. If Chien-Ming Wang (or a Yankee prospect like Zach McAllister) can pitch effectively, they could also receive a spot. However, I would expect there to be at least one open spot for the Yankees to bring in another starter.

The most likely candidates would seem to be Duchscherer, Marquis, or Washburn, but don't rule out the others. The Yankees are already scouting the A's as they look at Duchscherer and Matt Holliday (more about him later) for a possible trade. He seems a good candidate as he's young and can keep the ball down and in the park. The deciding factor will be if he can remain healthy or not.

I think Marquis would be a good pickup, however, I'm not sure the Yankees will pull the trigger. He's more of a fly ball pitcher, which doesn't go well in the new stadium. Plus something tells me they're more likely to go after some of the bigger names.

Next up is Washburn. At 35, Washburn might be a bit old, but he's also putting up some terrific numbers in Seattle. His 2.87 ERA is no joke, and if the M's don't trade him this summer, he could wind up in the Bronx.

Some of the other big names on the list the Yankees could avoid for other reasons. Josh Beckett could be a free agent, but the Red Sox will most likely lock him up. Same goes for John Lackey and the Halos. It's a little different with Rich Harden and Erik Bedard, both of which you would never feel comfortable giving a large contract do to their poor health histories. Cliff Lee's Cy Young season is probably well behind him and I don't think Brad Penny or Brett Myers's personalities would fit in the Bronx.

The one other name on the list is Cardinals pitcher Joel Pineiro. After a tough start to the season, Pineiro has really rebounded nicely. He's a sinker-ball pitcher, which could bode well in the Bronx Bomb-Zone and I think the Yanks could make a run for him.

Finally Roy Halladay. I'm kind of tired of rumors about him but basically, I don't think the Jays will be trading him to the Bronx any time soon.

Relief Pitching:

The options: Mike Gonzalez, Kevin Gregg, Fernando Rodney, Rafael Soriano, Jose Valverde, Billy Wagner, Chad Qualls, Huston Street, Dannys Baez.

The Yanks would love to have any of these pitchers on their roster. If they were able to sign one of them, they could send them to the 8th inning and move Phil Hughes back into the starting role.

They could sign a LHP like Wagner or Gonzalez to replace the unfortunate Damaso Marte. Or they could acquire someone like Chad Qualls or Huston Street through a trade. If young guys like Hughes, Robertson, and Melancon step up then they could stick with them.

The Yankees really have a lot of options when it comes to the bullpen this offseason.

Shelley Second in Triple-A Derby

Shelley Duncan came in second in today's Triple-A Home Run Derby:

Shelley came in second to Chad Huffman of the hometown Portland Beavers......Kevin Tracy, a local high school student, actually made it to the semi-finals after blasting 8 home runs in the first round.....Shelley got robbed by the umpire in the final round when he called a home run foul. The catcher, pitcher, fans, and of course Shelley all thought the ball was fair......I also learned the hard way that he doesn't like to sign autographs and is very intense during the game.

Could the Yankees Make a Call to the Doc?

Today, Ken Rosenthal reported that Blue Jays G.M. J.P. Richardi will listen to offers for ace pitcher Roy Halladay. If Halladay reaches the market, he would definitely be the best pitcher available. Rosenthal also noted that the Yankees could make a bid for him using a package of young players, one that could include Phil Hughes, a minor-league catcher like Austin Romine, and a 3rd prospect.

I think this deal would be a great move for the Yankees. If you dealt Hughes, you could move Joba into the 8th inning and once again have a bridge to Mo Rivera (so much for the Bruney plan). This would free up a spot in the rotation where you could plug in Halladay. Imagine what the Yankees pitching would look like: You have two Cy Young winners in Roy Halladay and CC Sabathia. Then you have the nastiest pitcher in the majors in A.J. Burnett. If Wang can return to his former self than you have the best 4th in the majors (if not, you could move a Zach McCallister into the rotation in his place and deal him for prospects). And Andy Pettitte can still pitch as evidence by his team-leading 8 wins.

The bullpen would also benefit with that move. By putting Joba back in, you end teams hopes when losing after seven. Plus, if Bruney can regain his form you can end the game after the 6th inning. Imagine how many wins that would save for pitchers that get taken out early.

Now losing a guy like Romine (they should definitely deal him over Jesus) would be a blow to the organization, but it wouldn't leave them empty-handed as they already have an abundance of catchers in Montero, Cervelli, and newly-drafted J.R. Murphy.

I don't know who the Blue Jays would ask as a third prospect, but I'm guessing it wouldn't be Jesus Montero or Zach McCallister. Maybe they'll take a lower down guy such as Melky Mesa. Or maybe they'll pick a guy to fill a hole like Ramiro Pena or Ed Nunez (they're losing Marco Scutaro soon).

The last scenario is probably the one the Yankees hope for: what if the Blue Jays wanted Chien-Ming Wang? Then the Yanks could deal him, Romine, and I'd say Melky Mesa. Then they could keep Hughes in the bullpen or switch him with Joba. We'll see how the Yankees play this one.

But no matter what they do, they really should try to get the Doc.

Should-Be All-Stars

With the 2009 All-Star teams set to be announced on Sunday, here's a look at who I feel deserves to start the contest:

American League:

First Base:

1. Justin Morneau MIN

2. Mark Teixeira NYY

3. Carlos Pena TB

Second Base:

1. Ian Kinsler TEX

2. Dustin Pedroia BOS

3. Robinson Cano NYY

Third Base:

1. Evan Longoria TB

2. Scott Rolen TOR

3. Alex Rodriguez NYY

Shortstop:

1. Derek Jeter NYY

2. Jason Bartlett TB

3. Elvis Andrus TEX

Outfield:

1. Jason Bay BOS

2. Torii Hunter LAA

3. Ichiro Suzuki SEA

(NOT Josh Hamilton)

Pitcher:

1. Zach Grienke KC

2. Roy Halladay TOR

3. Edwin Jackson DET

National League:

First Base:

1. Albert Pujols STL

2. Adrian Gonzalez SD

3. Prince Fielder MIL

Second Base:

1. Chase Utley PHI

2. Orlando Hudson LAD

3. Dan Uggla FLA

Third Base:

1. David Wright NYM

2. Chipper Jones ATL

3. Ryan Zimmerman WSH

Shortstop:

1. Hanley Ramirez FLA

2. J.J. Hardy MIL

3. Jack Wilson PIT

Outfield:

1. Ryan Braun MIL

2. Raul Ibanez PHI

3. Justin Upton ARI

Pitcher:

1. Tim Lincecum SF

2. Dan Haren ARI

3. Matt Cain SF

FSN Nick Swisher's a Reliever Now?

I didn't know the Yankees dealt him...and that he became a pitcher.

Yanks Acquire Hinske

Some news out of NY, the Yankees have acquired infielder/outfielder/Mark DeRosa-like player Eric Hinske from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash and to minor league players.

Hinske, hit .255 with 18 runs, 9 doubles, 1 HR and 11 RBIs in 54 games (13 in right, 6 at first, 3 at third, and 29 pinch-hit appearances. He also played on the 2008 AL Champion Rays, the 2006 and (World Series-winning) 2007 Red Sox, and the 2002-2006 Blue Jays.

He will report to Yankee Stadium which means a roster move will be made for his return. I would think that either Ramiro Pena or Brett Tomko will be sent down or designated for assignment to clear up room.

The Yankees sent over RHP Casey Erickson and OF/C Eric Fryer to the Pirates along with cash for Hinske. The Yankees traded LHP Chase Wright for Fryer earlier this year.

Yanks Win Bidding For Dominican Catcher

According to George A. King III of the New York Post, the Yankees have agreed to terms with Dominican catching prospect Gary Sanchez. Sanchez, 16, isn't able to sign with a major league team until the international signing period begins on July 2nd. Until then, no deal can be made final. That being said, Sanchez expressed a lot of interest of joining the Yanks and has agreed to a deal which includes a $2.5MM signing bonus. 

Sanchez is not expected to hit as well as, fellow international-signing catcher, Jesus Montero, however he is more adapt defensively. 

The other international prospect the Yanks are viewing is infielder Miguel Angel Sano who has drawn interest from multiple teams. He will be tougher to sign due to the inflation of competition, but it all depends on how much desire the Yankees have for the young shortstop. After all, they have still not found a decent replacement for when the captain hangs up his pinstripes. 

Other Notes:

Despite having sent a scout to watch him, the Yankees show no interest in signing, former Red Sox and Met pitcher, Pedro Martinez. Martinez has been working out for scouts in the dominican republic, but, according to his agent, seeks a deal worth at least $2MM. The Yankees would only be interested if he would be willing to accept a minor-league deal......Yanks' first round pick in this years draft, Slade Heathcott, was with the team the during the Nationals series and took BP while wearing a full uniform. He has yet to sign.....Possible 2010 draft No. 1 pick and S.I. coverboy, Bryce Harper will play for the Yankees this summer against the Red Sox (no not like that). Harper, 16, was one of many players picked for the Yankees to play a Red Sox high school team. Both clubs will choose various high school prospects, put them in uniform, and pin them against each other in Fenway. Harper has expressed a lot of interest in joining the Yankees in the future, listing "Playing in pinstripes" as one of his goals in Sports Illustrated.

Bruney Activated; Yanks DFA Veras

Before the news, a quick little update: I apologize for having not posted in a while. I had a lot on my plate. 

But now onto the real news:

You never really want to claim that one player could determine the fate of your club's season, but that's pretty much what Brian Bruney is to the Yankees. If he stays healthy, the bridge from Startersville to Motown (and I don't mean Detroit) could be renamed from its previous name of "Verascokeandeveryfifthdaysabathia Bridge" to "Brian Bruney." That would go a long way towards pushing the Yankees to a very strong run deep into the postseason. 

Today, the first step was taken as Bruney was activated from the disabled list. However, I praise the Yankees for the second part of that move more than the first. For in order to clear up roster space, the Yankees had to DFA RP Jose Veras, a move that was the entire 2009 season in the making.

Veras struggled with his command all season long so it seemed like he was the obvious choice for the boot. The other possible candidates were RHPs David Robertson and Brett Tomko. 

Robertson has put up very nice numbers this season and has been probably the most reliable reliever for Joe Girardi. Tomko had good numbers, although his last outing quickly inflated those, and gives the Yanks a lot of versatility in the pen.

In the end, I'm sure that Veras will get picked up by a club in desperate search of relief pitching (like the Nationals who the Yankees kick off a series with in a little over half an hour from now, wouldn't that be interesting if Veras pitched against the Yanks in this series). He's a flamethrower who's still only 28 and could be very attractive to said teams. However, the Yankees got rid of another Kyle Farnsworth-type pitcher in favor of a dominant setup man so it's still a win for them.