The Yanks have signed both Andy Pettitte and Nick Johnson to one-year deals. Sure, Johnson’s has a mutual option, but what are the chances that both the Yanks and Johnson value him at exactly $5.5mm next year? He’ll either have a great year and hit the open market looking for an 8 figure contract, or he’ll have a bad year and the Yanks will give him his walking papers. Pettitte could be headed for his last go-round. Yes, he’s becoming a less controversial Brett Favre/Roger Clemens type with his annual “should I stay or should I go” routine, but I’m rather convinced this will be his last season. In case you haven’t noticed, the Yanks are signing these one year deals for a reason: next off-season is going to be fun.

Remember when the Yanks didn’t trade for Johan Santana? It was because they could get CC Sabathia for only money and no prospects a year later. Remember when the Yanks signed Mark Teixeira? It was because they knew they couldn’t get a big impact bat in this year’s free agent market. Brian Cashman is a forward thinker. Rather than taking the best “right now” solution, he tends to look at what options could be available a year from now.

After the 2010 season, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, along with Johnson and Pettitte, will be free agents. Cash must, and will, find a way to re-sign the both of them. Jeter is obviously not done, and apparently Mo was serious when he said he’d pitch five more years after the World Series. I doubt Mo will actually pitch five more seasons, but three more is realistic. He certainly hasn’t shown any signs of decline. Outside of those two, there’s still a whole mess of players that will be available. It’ll be like a reprise of December ’08.

CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Zach McAllister will be available internally  for the ’11 rotation, but if the M’s fail to extend Cliff Lee, he’ll be available on the free agent market. Also available will be D-Backs’ ace Brandon Webb. Also, if not extended, Boston Ace Josh Beckett. Think the Yanks will sign one, if not two, of those guys? McAllister, Joba, and Hughes aren’t sure things, and while one of them might emerge as a force in the rotation, its unlikely that all of them fully earn spots in the rotation for 2011. The Yanks will be shopping for an impact arm next winter, and they’ll buy one, have no doubt.

Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson, Jamie Hoffman, and Nick Swisher are the Yanks’ five big league outfielders, and with Austin Jackson gone, there’s really no up-and-comers that will be fighting for a spot on the big league club. If Hoffman can’t stick on the 25-man, he’ll be sent back to LA. If Granderson can bring back pitching in a trade, he could be sent away too. If Melky doesn’t have a strong ’09, he could hit the trade market as well. Then, the Yanks can start looking at 2011. Johnson will be gone, which will leave a hole in the lineup. Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth will be free agents next winter. Crawford could easily be slotted into left, while Werth could take over right, moving Swish to the DH spot or left.

Jorge Posada is getting old, and could start needing a considerable amount of time at DH. With Victor Martinez and Joe Mauer set to hit the market following the season (pending extensions), the Yanks could be moving him to the DH slot full time and signing one of the elite catchers available. However, the Yanks do have considerable catching depth with Frankie Cervelli, Austin Romine, J.R. Murphy, Jesus Montero, and Gary Sanchez. That said, they could sign Mauer, then trade Montero for a different highly ranked prospect, or a big league start.

No one knows exactly what will go on next offseason, but the Yanks know that there will be lots of options available. That’s why they signed  Nick Johnson to a one year deal. That’s why they’ll likely sign Ben Sheets to a one year deal. They’re creating room to make a splash a year from now. Brian Cashman keeps preaching patience, saying that next year’s free agent crop will be stronger than this year’s. He’s right. Cash is trying to make smart moves that keep the Yanks capable of defending their crown next October, but he’s simultaneously setting them up for a huge 2011 season.