5 Burning Questions

Now that the off season has officially gotten under way, it is time to think about what needs to be done this off season. While some questions like the manager and A-Rod’s situation have been answered, there are still plenty of questions that need to be answered. I’m going to list the five most burning questions that face the Yankees this off season.

5.)? What to do with Kei Igawa?- The Yankees spent a total of $46 million to obtain Igawa in the 2007 off season and have gotten virtually nothing back for their investment. Igawa was 2-3 with a 6.25 ERA and bounced back and forth from the starting rotation, minor leagues, and bullpen. Igawa just does not seem to have the command or stuff to get be an effective major league pitcher, despite a few flashes of brilliance. He doesn’t even seem capable of being a situational lefty, as lefties batted .320 off of him. Igawa is still likely to see some time in the rotation next season with some injuries and when the young pitchers need rest, but it will likely be his last chance to prove himself to the Yankees. This is assuming the trade talks between the Padres and Yankees do not heat back up again.

4.) Who’s on First?- First base was a position in disarray during the 2007 season and it seems likely to be that way again in 2008. The free agent market at first base, like most positions this off season, is quite thin, so there are not a lot of options there. In 2007, Doug Mientkiewicz, Andy Phillips, Jason Giambi, Josh Phelps, and Wilson Betemit all spent time at first and a similar platoon is likely next season. Cashman could re-sign Mientkiewicz and all would be the same, which could be seen as a good or a bad thing. Without A-Rod it may be harder to cover up that spot in the batting order, but Mientkiewicz’s defense will still make up for it.

3.) Fortifying the Pen- Down the stretch, the Yankees bullpen was one of the best in the league thanks to Luiz Vizcaino, Joba Chamberlain, and Mariano Rivera. Unfortunately, the bullpen could be without all three of them in the 2008 season. Rivera seems relatively certain to be back and it would be wise to bring Vizcaino back, but without Chamberlain there is still a big hole in the bullpen. Vizcaino is better suited for a seventh inning role, so a top set up man should be a priority. The free agent market holds such options as Francisco Cordero, Eric Gagne, or Scott Linebrink but none of them are likely to be as dominant as Chamberlain was down the stretch. The Yankees will likely depend on some of the young guns to step up and take on the role with Edwar Ramirez, Ross Ohlendorf, Humberto Sanchez, and JB Cox being the top candidates.

2.) Bringing back their guys- So far the Yankees are only one for three in bringing back their impending free agents since Abreu is back but Joe Torre and Alex Rodriguez are not. They will have to be better then that the rest of the way if they intend on putting a contender on the field next season. It’s imperative that Cashman be able to coax Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte back next season or else there will be just too many holes to fill. For Posada and Rivera, its more about throwing money at them but Pettitte will have to be convinced to stave off retirement for another season and his veteran presence will be needed to lead the rest of the young pitching staff.

1.) Who’s at third?- The title may be a bit repetitive sure, but its mainly because the Yankees now have two holes to fill at both corners on the diamond. With the departure of Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees are left with not only a big hole in the line up but another one in the field. The Yankees only major league ready options that are already in house are Wilson Betemit or Andy Phillips, with a move of Robinson Cano possible as well. Minor leaguers Marcos Vechionacci and Eric Duncan can both play third (especially Vec) but neither have proved ready for major league pitching. The only real free agent option is Mike Lowell, but the Red Sox are likely to retain him and he will not be worth the contract he receives anyway as he played well over his head for his walk year, is helped tremendously by Fenway Park, and he is a bit older but I digress. Trade options include Miguel Cabrera, Eric Chavez (my personal favorite chose), Hank Blalock, or Joe Crede but most of them will require giving up some young talent. I expect Brian Cashman to say soon that he is ready to go into the season with Wilson Betemit as his staring third baseman, but he said the same about Bubba Crosby as his center fielder in 2005. That is just a negotiating tactic, but Cashman will have to be creative on this one if he hopes to make the team forget about Alex Rodriguez.