Let me get this out of the way first: I still believe Mark Teixeira is the best possible option at first base for the Yanks. Every writer with a byline has laid out what Teixeira brings to the table and, quite honestly, if you are a Yankee fan and you are NOT on board with Tex manning first starting next year then you either care way, way, way too much about The Steinbrenners' checking account balance or have bought into this new "everyone who wasn't brought through the Yankee system is evil" mentality that has been promoted by Brian Cashman and certain members of the media.
The notion that the Yanks could lose BOTH Giambi and Abreu and NOT replace one of them with a big bat would seem to be OVERLY optomistic at best and moronic at worst.
Every other option should be considered option B when it comes to first, in my opinion.
However, signing Tex is no guarantee. While the Yanks seem willing to basically hand CC Sabathia a blank check and say "write a number down big guy," they seem to be a little more budget conscious when it comes to first. That means the Angels, Dodgers and, yes, even the Red Sox might offer Tex similar or more lucrative offers than the Bombers before the end of the year.
So, if they don't sign Teixeira, where do they go?
I have advocated a couple of different moves here on this blog, from the logic-defying idea of bringing Nick Johnson and his 131 broken bones back to the Yanks to trading for the likes of a Jeremy Hermida and either moving the talented youngster to first OR putting him in he outfield and moving Nady to first (a moot point now that the Marlins traded Mike Jacobs).
But by far the most interesting name floated out there has been Nick Swisher.
The White Sox obviously want to get rid of Swisher, and considering his somewhat high contract and absolutely dreadful year (he batted .219), it would seem that the 28-year old could be had for a compliment and a Coca Cola.
Here is what Swisher would bring to the Yanks: a good defensive first baseman who has the flexibility to also play the outfield (he played a lot in center for the Sox this year). A switch hitter who ALWAYS has an OBP at or close to .400. A guy with pop who has hit 20+ homers for five straight years now. Proven success in larger, pitcher ball-parks that would seem to bode well for a move to Yankee Stadium and, most importantly, the AL East, which has almost all hitters parks. A veteran track record at a relatively young age, meaning that he might have some room to get better (remember, he is a former number1 draft pick with a lot of talent). And, finally, a chip or two on his shoulder after a terrible year where he seemed to fail under the direction of Ozzie Guillen.
If Swisher could just return to the form of two years ago, where he batted .262 with 22 homers and 76 RBI while missing 12 games overall and walking 100 times while getting on base at a .381 clip, would make him a valuable player on the Yanks, and if he ever returned to his 2006 form, where he belted 35 homers and drove in 98 RBI, he could be a steal. Regardless, he could provide a better option at first than ANYONE else the team currently has on the roster at a discounted price of probably some B prospects.
The problems with Swisher?
The truth is Swisher could be closer to the .219 hitter he was this year than the .262 he was in 07, and if that were the case, and Swisher were collapse even more, and his power numbers diminish by any amount, no matter how small, it would make him a liabilty for the Bombers. Also, unless Swisher matched his career year in 2006, his addition would not solidify a starting lineup that is going to have to reshuffle in order to replace their third and fifth place hitters from a year ago. Swisher would seem to add another unknown to an equation filled with question marks (how Posada responds after surgery, does Matsui have much power left, can Nady be a legit middle-of-the-order threat, will Cano become a middle-of-the-order threat, etc....) It would be hard to imagine that the yanks would feel comfortable with a potential lineup of Damon, Jeter, Cano, A-Rod, Matsui, Posada, Nady, Swisher, Gardner, does it? I mean, that lineup has the POTENTIAL to be pretty good, but it also has the potential to have the Yanks shopping for a bat come July 31st in 09.
Like I said, I still believe Teixeira is option A for this team, and should be, but unlike Sabathia, who I fully expect the Yanks to sign, I am much less optomistic about Tex. If that is the case, I would really love to see the Yanks nab Swisher. I just have a sense that Swisher could end up being a Mike Lowell-esque type player for the team - a guy taken off the proverbial scrap heap and turned into a very good, clutch player and a fan favorite.
*Peter Abraham had a note for all us Ian Kennedy doubter's the other day. It seems the righty from Cali pitched 4 strong innings in the Puerto Rican Winter League, striking out 5 and walking, I believe, none. This, I guess, is suppose to prove that Kennedy is well on his way to becoming Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine combined.
I love Abraham, but his defense of both Hughes and Kennedy borders on the comical. Is he related to these two guys? Was he made fun of a lot on blogs as a small beat writer and has pent-up hostility against message board writers? When you are literally bragging about how someone performed in Puerto Rican winter ball, there is something going on here beyond reasoned journalistic logic. Shouldn't ANY half-way decent pitcher be able to pitch well in Puerto Rican winter ball?And is 4 strong innings ALL that is required now for a pat on the back? Really?
The truth is the Yanks would be FOOLISH not to trade Kennedy this offseason if his value remains high. Could he be a solid MLB pitcher? Sure, he is young and has some talent. But is there anyone who watches him and believes he is gonna be special? I doubt it.
If the Yanks could package him for a good, young, athletic outfielder, that would be terrific. The kid is a middle to low end pitcher in the making. If someone wants to give up a valuable piece to see if they can get #3 starter talent out of him, so be it, bully for them. Kennedy is not the type of talent you hang on to at all costs.
*What the hell is taking Mike Mussina so freakin long to announce his retirement?
Moose is an intelligent guy, no question. If he wants to think this decision over, so be it. But, seriously, Moose told EVERYONE he was ready to retire during the season. Has he really had such a pronounced change of heart?
Mussina had one of the more amazing seasons in baseball history this year, but I think the smartest thing for him, and the best thing for the Yanks, could be for him to move on. Pettitte makes much more sense as a veteran signing than Mussina, who has said that "if I come back for one, I am coming back for three" to try and pursue 300 wins.
I know Moose wants to make the right choice for himself here, but seriously, let's get a move on. Announce and move on. I am sure that's what the Yanks would like to see happen.
*Is there one reporter in baseball that has access to ANYONE in the Yankee front office because it seems somewhat odd to me that, here on Nov. 9, there have been almost NO reports as to who the Yankees will focus on and what their options may be. We all know the big man, CC Sabathia, is object # 1, but what about Teixeira? Are the Yanks REALLY interested or not? Have no idea. What if the Yanks don't land Sabathia, who are their next two options? No idea. What about trades, who are the Yankees targeting right now? I haven't heard any hard rumors, only speculation by reporters looking over the baseball landscape and surmising whether it makes sense.
Could someone PLEASE call Hank Steinbrenner? I need some information, even if it's wrong.
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