With serious thoughts of October baseball on their minds, the New York Yankees offseason may be even more thrilling. With Hideki Matsui, Xavier Nady, and Johnny Damon able to leave the club at the end of 2009, the Yankees will have some tough decisions to make.
Johnny Damon An Offensive Presence, Matsui Too Inconsistent
Damon has had what is simply a stellar year, batting .286 with 22 home runs and 68 RBI’s, he is hurt once again, showing what one of the recent issues with him has been. Damon is plagued by constant nagging injuries, from hamstrings to knees, and is seemingly always one missed step or foul tip away from the disable list. Damon also is a left handed hitter whose numbers may be inflated at the new home run friendly Yankee Stadium.
Matsui has offered yet another streaky season for the Bronx Bombers. Matsui’s career seems to have dropped off since his broken wrist in 2006, as he is currently batting almost thirty points under his lifetime average of .292. While he has been a clutch player, this season Matsui has been either red hot or ice cold- with not much in the middle. While he has been on a tear lately, fans should not forget Matsui had only 11 hits in the month of June. Should Matsui get hot running into the playoffs, he will be a huge factor. The Yankees have the luxury now to sit Matsui if he is on a cold streak, but they cannot continue to pay Matsui to be a part time player.
Gardner And Cabrera Offer Alternatives
2010 will present new challenges once Spring Training opens. The Yankees have a legitimate defensive center fielder in Brett Gardner. Gardner, hitting .275, has been a punchy, speedy influence on an already potent lineup. Melky Cabrera has matured since being sent to the minors at the beginning of the season, and offers a suitable every day center field option. Cabrera also seems to come through with clutch hits, and has a decent arm from the outfield.
Xavier Nady, while injured this season, would presumably fill in at right field once he returns. Nady, however, is also a free agent. Nick Swisher gives the lineup some personality and pop, and also spells Mark Teixeira at first base.
With an aging Jorge Posada needing time at designated hitter, the Yankees would then be left with an often-injured Damon and a streaky Matsui clogging up left field or the DH spot. While the new Yankee Stadium may be spacious, there may not be enough room on the bench for the team that shows up in the Spring.
Free Agent Signings A Possibility
Clearly, the Yankees have always been full of surprises when it comes to signing free agents, and this offseason may be no different. With a multitude of free agent outfielders available, Yankees GM Brian Cashman may end up dropping Matsui, Damon, and Nady in favor of a big ticket free agent. Rick Ankiel and Matt Holliday could both be available if the Cardinals do not re-sign them, and either could fill a corner outfield spot for the Yankees for a few years.
Regardless of how hot the Yankees may be now, the hot stove league in the winter could be even warmer than usual in the Bronx.
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