Yankees Should Say “Thanks and Goodbye” to Damon and Matsui, Leave Free Agents Alone
There is a cliché that fits quite appropriately for the 2010 New York Yankees. As General Manager Brian Cashman and the rest of the Yankees’ brain trust start making decisions about the 2010 rosters, the decisions should require Cashman and company to heed to “it’s better to part one year too early rather than one year too late.” Coming off of their 27th World Series title, it would be quite easy for Cashman to simply re-sign free agents Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and Andy Pettitte. Most fans would be excited to see the championship team remain intact and ready for a title defense. It would also be the path of least resistance (another cliché?), as critics would be hard pressed to find fault with keeping a dominant World Series team in order. After all, this is the New York Yankees, the team with endless pockets; they can afford to sign aging veterans who may not perform during the backend of the deal. But, if Brian Cashman wants to setup the Yankees for an extended run, he simply says “thanks for everything” to Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui.
Pettitte Easier Decision
Re-signing Andy Pettitte is an easier decision even though he is the oldest of the three free agents in question. 2010 would be Pettitte’s 16th professional season, during which he will turn 38 years old. Pettitte is currently working on a year-to-year basis, signing one-year contracts and then contemplating whether or not he wants to continue to pitch. If Pettitte wants another go around in the Bronx, the Yankees should be quick to sign him. The veteran seems to have found a way to pitch well despite advancing age and decreased stuff. 2009 marked fifth consecutive season with over 32 starts. While it was the first season that he didn’t throw over two hundred innings during that span (194.2), it did mark the first season he allowed fewer hits than innings pitched since 2005. He would likely be a league average (or slightly better) in 2010, but considering the comparable pitchers available, Pettitte most likely comes at a better price tag without the long-term commitment. Could someone like Randy Wolf, Joel Piniero, or Brad Penny give a slightly better performance next season? It’s possible, but given Pettitte’s post-season success and his track record against the AL East, something the others don’t have, it is a low risk to bring Pettitte back. Considering the Yankees have CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and then a bunch of questions, the reliable Pettitte, although aging, is worth the one-year commitment ($8-$10 million?). The multiple years that it would take to sign one of the aforementioned names, is a big risk considering the shaky track record.
Thanks…See you on Old-Timers’ Day
There is no questioning the fact that both Damon and Matsui were key contributors to the Yankees’ World Series victory. Damon, the number two hitter in the order, finished his 2009 season with a .282/.365/.489 with 24 homeruns and 82 RBI along with a career low 12 stolen bases. It is a season that is a replica of Damon’s three other seasons in the Bronx as he has posted a .285/.363/.458 batting line in his four seasons in the Bronx. It was Damon’s incredible double steal during the World Series that essentially closed the series for the Yankees. Offensively, there are few better fits for the Yankees this off-season as the free agent list is a bit short on full-time left-fielders (although Chone Figgins fits in well if he wants to play left-field).
Hideki Matsui returned from an injury-riddled 2008 season where his bad knees not only led to surgery, but also limited him to just 93 games. Manager Joe Girardi handled Matsui well, getting him through 142 games and healthy heading into the post-season. Matsui rewarded Girardi with a .274/.367/.509 season with 28 homeruns and 90 RBI. Used strictly as a designated hitter, Matsui was named the World Series Most Valuable Player after his .615/.643/1.385 performance. As Yankees fans have observed, Matsui does not shrink from a big situation and is always one of the most consistent hitters in the game.
Defense Does Matter
While the two are good hitters, their defensive prowess has become an issue. For Matsui, it is clear that he is a designated hitter. If not, he would’ve appeared in the outfield during the World Series considering his offensive output. With bad knees, Matsui can no longer play the outfield effectively, something that was already questionable when he was healthy. Having a full-time designated hitter hinders an aging Yankees’ lineup. With Jorge Posada signed for two more seasons, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez all aging and needing an occasional “half-day” off, the Yankees would be best served to have a sort of revolving door at the DH spot. It would help maximize Jorge Posada’s value rather than having him sit 40-plus times a year.
Damon, as most observers know, has one of the worst throwing arms in the game. That is nothing new as he has never thrown well. But, he was once an adequate fielder. It seems that time has caught up to Damon who moved to left field in 2007 and most of 2008 before becoming the full-time left fielder in 2009. At first, the move to left seemed to agree with Damon who had less ground to cover. His 2007 UZR was an adequate 7.5. Even last season, he was adequate despite some regression with a 6.7 UZR. But, 2009 was a drastic decline for the 35 year old. His UZR of -9.2 was sixth worst in the Major Leagues among full-time left fielders. With a poor throwing arm, declining range, and severely declining defensive statistics (not to mention more and more injuries), Damon becomes a severe liability as an outfielder. For someone who has asserted he wants a three-year contract, he becomes quite a risk considering the defensive decline had started three years ago with his problems in centerfield. Players in decline for years do not suddenly become better. His best days in the outfield are behind him even though he can still swing a good bat. Damon, like Matsui, seems better suited for a DH spot because his offensive productions doesn’t make up for his defensive liability like Ryan Braun’s does (who had the worst UZR among left-fielders in 2009).
Options
If the Yankees were wise to part ways with Damon and Matsui, there are a few options. Many will point to free agency as Jason Bay and Matt Holliday are the two big names available. First, Bay had the second-worst UZR last season and is 31 years old. Looking to capitalize on a career year in Boston, Bay likely commands an unwise long-term investment. Holliday, buoyed by some tremendous statistics compiled in Colorado and great second half in St. Louis will be the most sought-after free agents this winter. But, considering he has already shown regression and his dramatic split difference between his performance in Colorado and elsewhere, the risk is far too great for a long-term deal. Sure, the Yankees could outbid everyone for either player, but neither represents what the Yankees need. The Yankees have plenty of power with Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano, and Nick Swisher. They need an upgrade to their outfield defense as their lineup doesn’t need yet another plodding, power hitter—the type of hitter they had in the middle of the decade. The only free agent option that is appealing for the Yankees is a short-term (one year) player like Mike Cameron or someone similar. That way, the Yankees have flexibility moving forward.
The Yankees could go with an outfield of Melky Cabrera in left field, Brett Gardner in centerfield, and Nick Swisher in right-field to start the 2009 season. The outfield won’t outslug the opposition, but they don’t need to. Given the Yankees’ advantage of offensive production by their infielders, they can afford to get league average, or in this scenario, slightly less than league average production. But, Cabrera is an upgrade over Damon in left-field while Gardner has shown the skills to be an above average defensive outfielder. It would be a direct contrast to past Yankees’ thinking of having the best and brightest at each position, but it wouldn’t have to be a permanent thing. If the outfield wasn’t performing, the in-season trade market will be lively, just as it was this season. Yes, they will have to part with prospects for a half season of production, but the payroll will not be weighed down with big money given to a player with declining skills. Additionally, considering the Yankees have a little more than $92 million dollars committed to just four players in 2013 (Rodriguez, Sabathia, Burnett, and Rivera) and the specter of another Derek Jeter contract added to that, overpaying for non-elite players cannot be done, even in New York.
Another option is to call up prospect Austin Jackson. The 22 year old finished his 2009 season at the triple-A level, hitting .300/.352/.405 with 4 homeruns, 65 RBI, and 24 stolen bases. With a power infield, the Yankees could afford to live with the 22 year old’s peaks and valleys at the bottom of the order. This plan allows the Yankees to have four outfielders, allowing either Cabrera or Gardner to enter as a defensive replacement for Nick Swisher.
A far more interesting option is the trade market. With the Detroit Tigers rumored to be having a fire sale, Curtis Granderson’s name has been bandied about. The 28 year old’s development has stalled out and is coming off of a poor 2009 season (.249/.327/.453), but did hit 30 homeruns and steal 20 bases. After an injury riddled 2008 season, he rebounded defensively to post an adequate defensive season (1.6 UZR). It is entirely possible (and likely) that Granderson has developed as much as he possibly will, but a change in ballparks to the more left-handed hitter friendly Yankees Stadium may help increase that production. Considering he is still fine defensive player and has a moderate contract for the next three seasons ($5.5, $8.25, and $10 million dollars in each of the next three seasons), he is an excellent fit for the Yankees. Granderson, one of the best human beings in the game, would likely excel in New York and provide better production than the Yankees have received from their centerfielders since Bernie Williams lost his full-time job. His only real downside is that he struggles against southpaws (.188/.245/.239 for 2009, .210/.270/.344 for career), which may necessitate a platoon partner if he does not show immediate improvement.
Between Matsui and Damon
One belief is that the Yankees will bring one of their free agents back with Damon being the choice because of his ability to play the field. As illustrated earlier, what defense? Yes, he can play the field, but he is trending towards becoming a major liability. If the Yankees wanted to bring one of their veterans back, the choice should be Matsui. He would definitely clog the DH spot, but given that he will be a shorter-term investment and won’t have an impact on the defense, he is the better choice. Additionally, since Damon’s running game is also in decline, they have essentially become the same player with Matsui a better power threat.
Closing Thoughts
Many are accustomed to the Yankees making headlines every winter. This winter should be a departure as Brian Cashman did his shopping last off-season. Getting Mark Teixeira along with Sabathia and Burnett had just as much to do with 2010 as it did with 2009. With such a shallow free agent class, Cashman spent more for 2009 so that he had an elite, young hitter in his lineup in 2010. The Yankees could most assuredly afford to bring back Damon and Matsui and/or sign Holliday. All choices would be detrimental because neither Damon nor Holliday will produce enough to justify the commitments they are requiring. If the Yankees are uncharacteristically quiet this off-season, Yankees fans shouldn’t think they are content. Simply, they are being wise.
