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 3rd
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
