Yankees 2015 offseason Preview, Predictions

The 2014 MLB season is over. The San Francisco Giants are the World Champions after defeating the Kansas City Royals in 7 games, full of drama, and great play on both sides. The World Series MVP was Madison Bumgarner the pitcher for the Giants who was 2-0 in the World Series with one save, 17 strikeouts and one earned run. The Atlanta Braves have traded Jason Heyward and pitcher Jason Walden to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins. The Miami Marlins have agreed to a 13 year $325 million dollar deal that will keep him in Miami until 2027, his age 38 season. That deal is the largest in baseball history averaging $25 million per season. Former Yankee Russell Martin has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for five years and $82 million.  The Yankees finished the season, legendary shortstop Derek Jeter’s last season in second place in the AL East 12.0 games back of the division leading Baltimore Orioles. They were also 4.0 games back of the second wild card spot. This coming after the Yankees spent $500 million dollars in the offseason before this season. This is the first time the New York Yankees have missed the postseason in consecutive years since 1992 and 1993.  The Yankees free agents going into the offseason are closer David Robertson, starter Hiroki Kuroda, outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, shortstop Stephen Drew, third basemen Chase Headley, and pitchers Chris Capuano, Andrew Miller and Rich Hill, Brandon McCarthy.

If I were Brian Cashman I would resign Chase Headley, David Robertson, and Brandon McCarthy. I would resign Chase Headley to a 3 year, $6 million deal, after the Yankees acquired him in a trade with the Padres for Yangervis Solarte and minor leaguer Rafael de Paula. Chase Headley would be a back up third basemen behind returning third basemen Alex Rodriguez. Chase Headley would also play third base while Alex Rodriguez is the DH. I would resign David Robertson for a maximum of 3 years and $14 million before set up man Delin Betances is ready to take over the helm. One of the biggest surprises of the Yankees season was the success of Brandon McCarthy after acquiring him from the Diamondbacks for Vidal Nuno. After the trade Brandon McCarthy was 7-5 with a 2.89 ERA. After starting the season 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA.

This offseason other than resigning I do not expect the Yankees to sign many people if any, especially after spending $500 million last offseason. If I was the Yankees would sign Asdrubal Cabrera to a 4 year, $5 million deal to play shortstop and replace Derek Jeter. I would not sign a pitcher, because I think the rotation will be fine in 2014 with the rotation of Masahiro Tanaka as the ace, followed by Michael Pineda, Brandon McCarthy, Shane Greene, and then C.C. Sabathia. I think they should take a flyer on John Axford, Jason Motte and Craig Breslow to help the middle of the bullpen. I would give each of them a 1 year $2 million deal.  

The Yankees will have a better year but will still fall just short of the postseason after a good effort, The Yankees will finish in second in the AL East finishing 2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles and finish in 3^rd in the AL Wild Card 3.5 games back from the second wild card spot. They will be stuck in the same position next year trying to rebuild and be one of the best teams in baseball again, while thec ross town rival Mets are trending up. I think that the Yankees will continue to deal with injury problems having Carlos Beltran missing 100 games with a broken hand, a sprained right ankle and a mild left knee sprain. Alex Rodriguez will miss 20 games with a high elbow strain. 

Projected Lineup for Opening Day 2015:

     1.  Jaccoby Ellsbury LF

     2.  Brett Gardner CF

     3.   Asdrubal Cabrera SS

     4.  Alex Rodriguez 3B

     5. Martin Prado 2B

     6. Brian McCann C

     7. Mark Teixeira 1B

     8. Chase Headley DH

     9.    Carlos Beltran RF

Projected Rotation for 2015:

1.     Masahiro Tanaka

2.     Michael Pineda

3.     Brandon McCarthy

4.     Shane Greene

5.     C.C. Sabathia

Projected Bullpen for 2015:

MR: John Axford

MR: Jason Motte

MR: Craig Breslow

LR: Jacob Lindgren

LR: Adam Warren

SU:Delin Betances

CL: David Robertson

Bench:

1.     John Ryan Murphy C

2.     Brendan Ryan UTL INF

3.     Jose Pirela INF

4.     Chris Young OF

5.     Nyjer Morgan OF