My modest free agent wish list
With the season really over, it is time to look to the near future. There are a lot of Free Agents that will test the market (again). Even though it is unlikely, according to Yankees GM Brian Cashman, that the Yankees will make a big splash, there are some names that would be a nice fit. I know, I know, it is hardly realistic. But you have to dream of something don’t you?
In general I think we are rather well set in the infield with Mark Teixeira at first (with Greg Bird as backup), with Rob Refsnyder at second and Didi Gregorius at shortstop. The only question remains at third base. Chase Headley clearly had an off year and was a defensive liability with 23 errors. In the recent past he has done a lot better. With three years remaining on his contract, we are stuck with him, unless the Yankees can trade him. Jose Pirela may be a backup at second even though the Railriders used him mainly in the outfield.
The outfield is set too in my opinion with Brett Gardner in left, Jacoby Ellsbury in center and Carlos Beltran in right. Beltran has one more year left on his contract. An eventual back up if not an every day player will be Slade Heathcott.
I know many Yankee fans are not too fond of Ellsbury, but we are stuck with him through 2021. And even though Dustin Ackley is a good defensive player, he doesn’t let his bat do the talking.
The part of the team that can use some reinforcement is the bullpen and the rotation.
Even though the bullpen is rather strong, I think we could use a guy like Joakim Soria. Soria posted a 2.53 ERA over 2015 and a WHIP of 1.094. With him in the bullpen, the Yankees can move Adam Warren to the rotation again. With Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller we have a great 1-2 punch, but I still think that our bullpen can use some more depth.
The rotation is full of question marks in my humble opinion. How will C.C. Sabathia overcome his knee problems? Can Masahiro Tanaka pitch a full year without a strained forearm or without other arm problems? Will Ivan Nova refind his old shape. He wasn’t his old self after a long absence due to Tommy John surgery. And will Michael Pineda mature? Last season he was hindered by his emotions if someone made an error, resulting in bad pitches and lack of control. If things are going his way, he can be practically unhittable.
It is not realistic to wish for a guy like Zach Greinke, as he will reach for the stars when it comes to a contract.
Therefore I’d like the Yankees to sign Yovanni Gallardo. He was the best starter of the Rangers, ERA wise and ranking second in wins. He posted an ERA of 3.42 with a WHIP of 1.42 with a Rangers team that played crappy baseball for the biggest part of the season before they started to surge.
Regarding Soria and Gallardo, in both cases it is a big IF. If the Yankees could sign Soria, the Yankees can move Adam Warren to the rotation when needed. If they sign Gallardo, Warren can stay in the bullpen. So the signing of one excludes the signing of the other.
If only Cashman will make Chirs Young and Stephen Drew a qualifying offer, so they will get something in return.
I know this will all be very unlikely, but it doesn’t hurt to dream, doesn’t it?