The Yanks could still make some moves this offseason, but their everyday lineup looks set, barring a surprise trade for or signing of a leftfielder. Here’s the projected 2010 lineup (Bill James projected AVG/OBP/SLG in parentheses):
SS Derek Jeter (.317/.388/.444)
DH Nick Johnson (.277/.414/.434)
1B Mark Teixeira (.300/.395/.559)
3B Alex Rodriguez (.294/.400/.550)
CF Curtis Granderson (.275/.353/.491)
C Jorge Posada (.276/.372/.467)
RF Nick Swisher (.247/.365/.467)
2B Robinson Cano (.309/.347/.489)
LF Melky Cabrera (.278/.341/.406)
When Robinson Cano is your number 8 hitter, things are pretty good. We’ll wait and see if the Yanks make any more moves offensively, but we’re likely to just see another starter signed and that’ll be it. Then again, we didn’t think anything was up after AJ Burnett signed last year, but the the team signed Mark Teixeira. Honestly, I think the only meaningful offensive pickups that are remotely possible on the free agent market right now are Johnny Damon or Mark DeRosa. I give Damon about a 10% chance of happening, and DeRosa 5%. Trade wise, there might be interest in some corner outfielders, but a big pickup isn’t probable.
There is a strong chance, however, that the Yanks deal away either Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner before Opening Day. They have five outfielders on the active roster, and since Jamie Hoffman needs to stay on the 25 man or be given back to Los Angeles, Gardner and Melky are definite trade candidates. The Yanks could carry 5 outfielders (they started ’09 with Melky, Damon, Swisher, Nady, and Gardner on the active roster), but if they get a strong offer for Gardy or Melky, they might just take it. The Cubs have shown interest in Leche, while the White Sox and Royals had interest in Gardy. With Juan Pierre on the South Side now though, don’t expect them to call about Gardy again.
There’s also a chance, mind you a very small chance, that Damon realizes that his market is dwindling (the Nats aren’t interested, the Braves would require a huge paycut, the Mariners have filled the OF/DH spot with Milton Bradley) and no team wants to pay his asking price, so he may come back begging for a contract. If he dropped his demands to say 2 years/$12mm ($8mm lower than what he’s asking for), the Yanks could sign him, subsequently dealing Johnson to Seattle or San Francisco. No, its not likely, but did you think a trade with Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee was likely? How about a Milton Bradley-Carlos Silva swap? Point made.
