Rebuilding the Yankees

I am not a Yankee fan. In fact, most of my friends would think of me as a Yankee hater. However, I can't help myself from adding my two cents on how to rebuild the Yankees. I am not saying that this is what will happen, but if I were GM this is what I would make happen. So, here comes my recipe for how to rebuild the decaying Yankees.

First of all, the Yankees have to get rid of the dead weight. That means not resigning Gary Sheffield, Mike Mussina and Bernie Williams. Also gone are Randy Johnson, Cory Lidle, and Jaret Wright. Miguel Cairo can come back for another year.

The Yankees don't need Jason Giambi in order to win. Andy Phillips is far better defensively and can handle the bat decently. If Jorge Posada is going to last another few years, he is going to need to get some ABs at 1b also. Another option allows Hideki Matsui to play LF, Damon CF and Cabrera in LF and get Bobby Abreu some ABs at 1b. I also like Craig Wilson and would resign him to split time with Phillips at 1b. Giambi has rehabilitated himself and his reputation. Trading him should be easier than it would have been right after the steroid scandal. However, an American league team is a better fit than a National league team. Thus, I would trade Giambi to the Cleveland Indians for Kelly Shoppach. Shoppach is an excellent defensive catcher who has nice offensive upside. Even better, he is a former Red Sox prospect so if develops into a solid major leaguer it would really piss the Red Sox off.

That brings us to the big question. What do you do with Arod. Arod has 4 years left on a contract that has the Yankees on the hook for about another 66 mil. He also has a no trade clause. However, the Yankees are going to try to move him. He represents the failures of this Yankee team and just can't get it done during crunch time. Finding a trade partner is going to prove difficult though.

I have to believe that the Yankees will want to move him to the National League if possible. The Marlins are probably the best match in terms of talent, but the problem is finding a place for Arod to play. The Marlins have Hanley Ramirez at SS and Miguel Cabrera at 3b. I imagine the Marlins could move Cabrera back to the OF, but I don't think that Arod will play 3b for the Marlins. I think if he agrees to waive his no trade clause, it is going to be for a team that he can go back to playing SS. If the Yanks were able to get Arod to agree to the trade, I think A package of Dontrelle Willis and either Scott Olson, Yusmiero Petit, or Ricky Nolasco should get the job done. The Yanks would have to pick up a chunk of Arod's salary.

Another NL team that might make sense for Arod would be the Cubs. The cubs would have no problem supplanting Ronny Cedeno and Cesar Itzuras with Arod at SS. The Cubs have some nice pitching prospects, although they are not as MLB ready as the Marlins' prospects. Would the Yankees bite at a deal for Angel Guzman and either Sean Marshall or Rich Hill?

There is no doubt in my mind that the LA Angels would love to get their hands on Arod. I question whether the Yanks would trade Arod to an AL competitor, but if they were to do so, trading him to the opposite coast would make sense. Before Yankee fans get too excited, there is no chance the Angels would trade Jered Weaver. But would the Yankees do a deal for Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders? Another option would be Ervin Santana and the oft-injured but highly regarded Dallas MacPherson.

At the end of the day, I think the Yankees pick up enough salary and Arod is convinced to return home to Miami and play 3b. The Yankees get Dontrelle Willis and Yusmeiro Petit. Just like with Shoppach, if Petit becomes a star it will drive Mets fans crazy.

With Arod gone, the Yankees are going to need someone to play 3B. Fortunately, there are some nice ones available in free agency. Aaron Boone could make his return to NYC. I am a big fan of Pedro Feliz, even though I am not sure he can get the job done defensively. I am not sure how much Aubrey Huff has left in the tank. I always like Scott Brosius. Joe Randa could be exactly that type of player. However, with Giambi, Sheffield and Arod all departing, the Yankees might need a little more power in their lineup. Aramis Ramirez has a clause in his contract allowing him to become a free agent. Ladies and gentleman, meet the Yankees new 3Bman. Aramis Ramirez.

Ramirez isn't the only big ticket free agent to come to NY this summer. Japanese Fireballer Daisuke Matsuzaka is exactly the type of players the Yankees love to go after. They don't have to give up anyone from their depleted minor league system and all they have to do is what they typically do, throw more money at him than anyone else.

I know that these moves seem drastic. Getting rid of Sheffield, Giambi and Arod gets rid of over 300 RBIs and about 110 HRs. However, if any offense can survive that it is the Yankees. Most importantly, the end result is a much better team. They'd still have one of the best offenses in the league with a younger and more talented pitching staff.

The lineup would look like this:
Damon - CF
Jeter - SS
Abreu - RF
Matsui - DH
Ramirez - 3B
Posada - C
Cano - 2B
Cabrera - LF
Phillips/Wilson - 1B

The vastly improved rotation would be
Willis
Wang
Matsuzaka
Petit
Carl Pavano (until he hurts his ass again or Hughes is ready, whichever comes first)