The LoHud Yankees Blog

Time to start another week with the Yankees still needing to find the final pieces of their roster. A quick list of priorities:

Andy Pettitte
If not Pettitte, then someone who can legitimately help the rotation for next season. Starting pitching has been the priority all winter, and that hasn’t changed. It does, however, become significantly more difficult if Pettitte decides he’s finished.

Fourth outfielder
I actually like the idea of Andruw Jones for the Yankees. They need a right-handed hitter who makes some noise against lefties and can play a solid right or left field. Jones fits. He’s not what he use to be, but the Yankees don’t need him to be what he used to be.

Relief pitcher
Not a necessity, but there are enough relievers still on the market that the Yankees might as well go after one of them. If the Rays want Brian Fuentes, they can probably offer him a better opportunity than the Yankees. A guy like Jon Rauch, though, could play a role at the right price. Again, not a necessity, but this is what the market offers.

Rotation depth
Even if the Yankees get Pettitte back, another arm to compete for a rotation spot in spring training couldn’t hurt. Jeremy Bonderman, Jeff Francis and Freddy Garcia have been linked to the Yankees this winter.

Utility infielder
I’ve written several times that I don’t believe a utility man should be a priority this winter — I think it makes more sense to stick with the in-house options — but if an upgrade is available, the Yankees might as well look into the possibility. Consider it part of Brian Cashman’s wide net. Worth looking into. Might or might not be worth signing.

I think we have an early leader for the slowest baseball news day of 2011. I used the complete inactivity to finalize the schedule for the Pinch Hitter series. I started the process by picking the submitted ideas that I felt positive would be included, but I ultimately had to trim even from that group. There were a lot of overlapping ideas, so I tried to eliminate any sort of repetition. All told, I was surprised at the number of really great suggestions.

I sent out the first wave of confirmation emails tonight, and I’ll be emailing more people in the next couple of days. Thanks again to everyone who submitted an idea. I picked some guest posts that I absolutely disagree with, but that’s kind of the point of this series: A new voice and new perspective never hurts.

As for some notes and links from today…

• Terribly sad story: The little girl killed by that crazed gunman in Arizona was the granddaughter of former Yankees manager Dallas Green.

• Very briefly a member of the Yankees organization, pitcher Shane Lindsay has signed a minor league deal with the White Sox. Brian Bruney previously signed a minor league deal with the White Sox.

• Interesting take in the Times about the Hall of Fame candidacy of Kevin Brown, who didn’t even get enough votes to stay on the ballot for a second year. The conclusion from Dan Rosenheck: “Kevin Brown isn’t an easy guy to feel sorry for. But he deserved much better than this.”

• Oops. The Matt Garza Era isn’t off to a great start for the Chicago Sun-Times.

• Looking for a big time trade, the place to look might be the NBA where the Nets are apparently on the verge of a three-team trade that will land them Carmello Anthony, Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups.

Up next in a position-by-position look at the Yankees organization we’ll turn to first base, where the Yankees lack of organizational depth shouldn’t be a significant concern because of the guy who’s already playing the position in New York.

In the big leagues
If you go from 2004 through 2009 and choose Mark Teixeira’s lowest single-season batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage you get this slash line: .281/.370/.514. That makes last year’s slash line of .256/.365/.481 a complete outlier. It was quite literally — in every way — unprecedented since Teixeira’s rookie year. No Yankees position player is better positioned for a rebound season than their soon-to-be 31-year-old first baseman. At his age, there’s little reason to expect a repeat of 2010, which is good for the Yankees because he’s locked up through the 2016 season.

On the verge
For the past three years, the first baseman waiting in the Triple-A shadows has been Juan Miranda. He always hit, but his path was always blocked and this winter he was traded to Arizona. Instead, the immediate minor league depth at first base centers on Jorge Vazquez and Brandon Laird. Vazquez is a veteran of the Mexican League, a raw power hitter who slugged .526 in Triple-A last season. Laird is a self-made prospect who’s spent most of his time at third base and is starting to see time in the outfield corners. Laird is more versatile than Vazquez — plus he has a 40-man spot with more prospect hype — but Vazquez isn’t out of the picture entirely. He’d have to impress to jump ahead of Laird for a call-up, but he’ll probably get most of the Triple-A starts at first base.

Deep in the system
Even in the lower levels, there isn’t a lot of pure first-base talent that jumps out as big-name prospects. Kyle Roller was the Yankees eight-round draft pick this summer, and he hit .272/.367/.402 while leading Staten Island in total bases last year. Luke Murton was a 19th-round pick in ’09 and slugged .463 in Charleston last season. A first-base wild card is Reymond Nunez, who’s shown good power in the extremely low levels of the system but hit just .222/.263/.361 and suffered a hamstring injury last year. He could be in the mix in Charleston, if not in April maybe some time during the season.

Organizational depth chart
My own rough guess. It’s far too early for the Yankees to settle on who will be where next season.
New York: Mark Teixeira
Scranton/WB: Jorge Vazquez
Trenton: Myron Leslie, Brad Suttle
Tampa: Luke Murton
Charleston: Kyle Roller

The true New York first-base depth chart probably includes Nick Swisher and Brandon Laird as well, but as long as Teixeira stays healthy, those two will obviously get most of their playing time elsewhere.

Suttle is a good defensive third baseman, but I listed him in the mix at first only because the Triple-A and Double-A infields are pretty crowded, and first base could be a position used primarily to get people at-bats. If Suttle, David Adams and Corban Joseph all open in Trenton, there will be only so many second base and third base at-bats to go around. Leslie is a former independent leaguer who could fill the gap. Guys like Rob Lyerly, Addison Maruszak, and Ramon Flores could also get some time at first base in the full-season leagues, but they primarily play other positions.

Associated Press photo of Teixeira, headshots of Teixeira, Vazquez and Murton

The Yankees had early discussions with the Rays about trading for Matt Garza, but Brian Cashman told the Daily News that the cost was going to be too high, possibly greater than what the Cubs gave up.

“Strong impressions were that it would be something that would cost us more because we are in the division, kind of like Roy Halladay,” Cashman said.

That suggests a significant package of prospects, especially considering most analysis I’ve read in the wake of the Garza trade suggests the Cubs might have overpaid slightly for the starter. At the very least, there’s a strong sense that it was a good deal for the Rays.

Hard to imagine the Yankees going beyond that, regardless of their rotation situation.

Also in the Daily News report, Cashman once again said he will not give up his first-round pick for any remaining free agent, but he said pitching remains an offseason target.

“But pitching is the focus, more than anything else,” Cashman said. “Nothing has changed from that standpoint.”

Just thinking outloud here…

In the wake of the Matt Garza trade, the Rays have insisted they want to compete in 2011. They saved some money by sending Garza to the Cubs, and the Rays want to use that payroll space to add pieces. According to Marc Topkin, the Rays have committed only $32 million in payroll — $32 million! — so they have some room to spend and maintain limited spending. Topkin notes that they’re looking to add one or two relievers and one or two hitters. The addition of catcher Robinson Chirinos could also leave them free to trade Kelly Shoppach.

What I’m wondering is whether the Rays remaining free agent targets and Yankees targets might overlap.

Relief pitchers
The remaining Type-A relievers are former Rays Grant Balfour and Rafael Soriano. Brian Cashman has indicated the Yankees aren’t willing to lose draft picks to sign either of them, and my guess — strictly a guess — is that the Rays would like to spend elsewhere and get those draft picks when Balfour and Soriano land elsewhere.

If that’s true, it would leave the Yankees and Rays looking through the exact same group of relievers, with the Rays able to offer the ninth inning to any pitcher with an eye on being a closer. Even before the Garza trade, the Rays were said to be interested in Brian Fuentes to take over the ninth inning.

Outfield
The most natural fit for the Yankees is a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder who can come off the bench and start occasionally against lefties. Isn’t that the same sort of outfielder the Rays will be looking for?

B.J. Upton and Desmond Jennings can play center field, so the Rays primarily need help in the corners, and they already have Matt Joyce and new addition Sam Fuld swinging from the left side. The left-right preference probably isn’t as significant with the Rays as with the Yankees, but my guess is that it’s there to some extent because they already have two left-handers who are strictly outfielders, and one DH option — Dan Johnson — is also a lefty.

Designated hitter
This is the most obvious difference between the Rays needs and Yankees needs.  The Rays could pump some of their money into the significant DH market, while the Yankees seem unlikely to be involved. The Rays could also get into in the first-base market — where the Yankees also won’t be involved — though that market is down to nothing more than low-cost options like Russell Branyan and Casey Kotchman.

Obviously it’s better for the Yankees if the Rays spend their time and money on players who don’t fit the Yankees plans.

Associated Press photo of Garza

Yesterday, Brian Cashman said he’s not willing to lose a first-round draft pick to sign any free agent still on the market. However, Jon Heyman reported today that he’s hearing that the Yankees are still in the mix for Rafael Soriano. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Some other links and notes from the day:

• The Daily News is reporting that Joe Torre is in talks to become Major League Baseball’s executive vice president of operations. Doubt anyone will be especially surprised to see Torre end up in the league’s front office.

• Following a report that the Yankees have started talking with Andruw Jones, The Yankee U — can’t use the word Universe — looked into Jones’ value as a Marcus Thames replacement. Jones has become a very Thames-like hitter, but with a better glove.

• Here’s an interesting quote from Lance Berkman about his time with the Yankees. It comes from several months ago, when the season was still going on. It’s easy to understand why Berkman wanted to get back to the National League. He didn’t enjoy the DH experience.

• Dave Cameron makes the case that the Rays trade of Matt Garza might make them better, not only in the future, but in the immediate here and now. This Marc Topkin report seems to support that theory: The Rays will spend that money they saved on Garza to boost the lineup and bullpen.

• This morning I wrote that the George Steinbrenner statue in Tampa is made of brass. It’s actually made of bronze. I actually remember double checking the article to make sure I had that it correct, and I apparently I still managed to read the word “bronze” and see the word “brass.” Strange. Sorry about that.

Let’s start a position-by-position look at the Yankees organization by looking behind the plate. It’s probably the most intriguing spot in the entire system, both because of what’s happening at the big league level and what’s coming up from the minor leagues. This has been Jorge Posada’s position for more than a decade, but that’s about to change.

In the big leagues
The transition is about to begin, and it will start with Russell Martin. Signed this winter to a one-year deal, Martin says he’s healthy and that he’s shifted his workout routine to try to regain the power that made him a coveted young player just three years ago. Martin is a short-term fix, but at 27 years old, he could have some long-term upside if he returns to form. Can’t count him out beyond this season. Francisco Cervelli is, of course, poised to return to his backup role, while Posada is still around for occasional starts behind the plate. If you count Posada, it seems entirely possible that the Yankees will carry three catchers at all times this year.

On the verge
The catching future of the Yankees starts with Jesus Montero. He’s the most highly touted player in the system, and he’s one step away from the big leagues. There are still questions about his ability to catch, but he seems to convince more and more people each year. He might never be great, but his defense might play enough to keep his bat in the lineup without clogging the DH spot. Behind him is Austin Romine. The Yankees expected him to open this season in Triple-A before the Martin signing. Now it’s entirely possible Romine will be bumped back to Double-A, at least to start the year. He was good but didn’t exactly dominate that level last year — .268/.324/.402 and the league’s worst caught stealing percentage — so a return isn’t exactly a waste of time. Gustavo Molina, who has some big league time, was signed as a minor league free agent and could help in a pinch. He’ll likely start the season coming off the bench in Triple-A.

Deep in the system
It’s unusual that a minor league system would have the Yankees combination of talent and depth at the catcher position. Montero is obviously the star of the show, but 18-year-old Gary Sanchez could be a similar talent. He’s considered a better defensive prospect, and although he doesn’t have quite Montero’s power, he does have considerable pop in his bat. He’s an elite prospect himself. JR Murphy’s ultimate position is unclear, but he also has enough bat to be worth following. Kyle Higashioka doesn’t generate nearly the same buzz, but he was the youngest player invited to big league camp last year. He’s on the radar.

Organizational depth chart
My own rough guess. It’s far too early for the Yankees to settle on who will be where next season.
New York: Russell Martin
Scranton/WB: Jesus Montero
Trenton: Austin Romine
Tampa: Kyle Higashioka
Charleston: Gary Sanchez

There are six players who could, given the right circumstances, get some big league time at catcher this season: Martin, Cervelli, Posada, Montero, Molina and Romine. All of those come with different levels of concern, but that’s also a lot of depth at a position that’s often very thin.

Further down in the system, Murphy figures into this depth chart mix somewhere — either Tampa or Charleston — but he’ll also see some time at the infield and outfield corners. He shouldn’t be overlooked, even in this catching-rich system. Tyler Austin was the top catcher selected by the Yankees in last year’s draft (13th round), but it seems uncertain whether he’ll stay behind the plate as a pro. He played only two games last season before an injury. Those two games were at DH and first base.

Associated Press photo of Posada, headshots of Martin, Montero and Murphy

The Yankees might be out on Rafael Soriano, but Brian Fuentes, Jon Rauch and Chad Qualls are also available, all with closing experience and none requiring a draft pick for the Yankees to sign them. At the very least, we know that Fuentes would like to close again in 2011. How many teams could offer him — or any reliever, for that matter — an opportunity to pitch the ninth inning?

Definite opening

Rays – Not sure you heard, but Soriano is a free agent, leaving the ninth inning up for grabs at the Trop. The Rays have a lot of good young arms, but they could certainly offer a closing opportunity to an interested free agent.

Braves — Billy Wagner made good on his promise to retire at the end of the 2010 season, and for now it seems the Braves might turn the ninth inning to rookie Craig Kimbrell who has exactly one big league save.

Nationals – Drew Storen seems to be the closer of the future, but the closer of the present is still unknown. It could be Storen, or it could be someone else for the suddenly free-spending Nats.

Pirates – There are least 16 or 17 save opportunities up for grabs in Pittsburgh.

Probable opening

Angels – Right now the job seems to belong to Fernando Rodney, but it’s hard to imagine the Angels would turn down the chance to upgrade. They could certainly offer the ninth inning to someone like Soriano.

White Sox — With Bobby Jenks in Boston, the White Sox best internal ninth-inning candidate might be lefty Matt Thornton. He’s not a bad option, but the White Sox could easily slide him back into the setup role.

Possible opening

Orioles – Baltimore is full of potential closers, but there’s not a sure thing in the bunch. Koji Uehara had the job at the end of last season, but Mike Gonzalez is healthy again and Kevin Gregg just agreed to a two-year deal. It’s a full house, but no face cards.

Blue Jays – With Kevin Gregg gone, the ninth inning in Toronto could be a fight between Octavio Dotel and Jason Frasor. In theory, the Blue Jays could add a third arm to that competition. Ken Davidoff says the Blue Jays are among the suitors for Fuentes.

Rangers – The ninth inning in Texas is either completely locked down or completely wide open depending on the team’s decision on a role for Neftali Feliz.

Mariners – After offseason hip surgery, David Aardsma is expected to be healthy in time for Opening Day, but you never know.

Brewers – John Axford stepped into the role last season, and he pitched well enough to return to the ninth inning this season. That said, Axford was never particularly highly touted and his grasp on the role could be fairly loose.

Mets – Whether they like it or not, the Mets have Francisco Rodriguez as their closer for 2011. But the situation is crazy enough to list as a possible opening. At this point, would anyone be shocked to find someone else pitching the ninth inning at Citi Field by mid-June?

No opening

Yankees – You know this story.

Red Sox – Even if Jonathan Papelbon falls apart, the Red Sox still have Daniel Bard and Bobby Jenks waiting to take over.

Athletics — Andrew Bailey seems to have a pretty firm grasp on the ninth inning in Oakland. Doubt the A’s are in the market for relievers anyway.

Indians – Chris Perez couldn’t hold down the ninth-inning job in St. Louis, but last season suggested Perez might be better prepared this time around.

Royals – This job is very clearly taken unless the Royals actually decide to deal Joakim Soria.

Tigers – Detroit made its move for a closer one year ago. It’s still Jose Valverde’s job.

Twins – The Twins still have Matt Capps after last year’s mid-season addition, plus Joe Nathan is set to come back from the disabled list.

Cardinals – Last season was a step back for Ryan Franklin, but he still converted 27 of 29 save opportunities and the Cardinals are ready to stick with him for one more season.

Cubs — The ninth inning belongs to Carlos Marmol, and the Cubs already have Kerry Wood waiting in the wings should Marmol lose his grip on the job.

Reds — Francisco Cordero blew eight saves last season but still finished with 40 of them. For better or worse, he’s their guy in the ninth. You could bump this one up to a possible opening if you’d like.

Astros — Brandon Lyon didn’t have a bad debut season as the Astros closer, and clearly the job belongs to him heading into spring training. The Astros have bigger concerns than the ninth inning.

Diamondbacks – Arizona just committed $10 million to J.J. Putz. He seems to be their guy in the ninth.

Dodgers – Despite the Yankees comeback against him last season, Jonathan Broxton has a pretty firm hold on the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium.

Giants – Fear the beard!

Rockies – Huston Street took a bit of a step back last season, but the ninth inning is still his in Colorado.

Marlins — He hasn’t been the most dominant closer in baseball, but the Marlins seem committed to Leo Nunez.

Padres — Heath Bell is handling the ninth inning for an impressive group of relatively unknown relievers.

Phillies – Brad Lidge seems perpetually on the verge of losing the job, but he rebounded from a rocky 2009 and seems to once again have the job locked down.

Last night I linked to a Tampa Tribune story about the new George Steinbrenner statue outside of the Yankees spring training home in Florida. This morning, I thought we’d start the day with some Associated Press photos of the statue itself. My guess is you’re going to especially like the detail on The Boss’s left hand.

I doubt anyone missed this one, but just in case…

Last night, the New York Post showed up at Andy Pettitte’s house to get the story straight from the horse’s mouth. Turns out, Pettitte’s version of the story was the exact same version we’ve been hearing for two months.

“If I had something, y’all would know,” Pettitte told Brian Costello. “If I knew exactly what I was doing, y’all would know.”

Brian Cashman has been saying since November that Pettitte’s future is still up in the air. That situation hasn’t changed, and the Yankees are moving forward as if they won’t have Pettitte this year. It’s worth noting that two years ago, the Yankees didn’t sign Pettitte until January 26.

A few other notes and links from today.

• A George Steinbrenner statue has been installed outside of Legends Field in Tampa. If you follow that link, is it just me, or does the guy on the left side of the picture actually look a little bit like The Boss?

• Former Yankees minor leaguer Jimmy Paredes, who went to Houston in the Lance Berkman deal, ranked as the Astros No. 6 prospect according to Baseball America. Granted, that’s a pretty terrible system, but Paredes did have a nice 2010 season and got himself on the 40-man roster. I’m still not sure he’d make the top 20 for the Yankees.

• Speaking of Baseball America, here’s a short piece on Juan Miranda’s opportunity with the Diamondbacks. “I think if he gets the opportunity, he can do some good things,” general manager Kevin Towers said.

• Remember when the Yankees were reportedly interested in trading for Jeff Keppinger? Turns out, Keppinger is having surgery on his foot and will likely miss the start of the season.

• Apparently Gary Sheffield is almost certain his career is finished, but he’s leaving the door open just a little bit. Sheffield told ESPN radio in Tampa that he’s “99.9 percent” sure he’s ready to retire.

Associated Press photo