Yankees Need More Nady-Like Players
Posted by Scott Stanchak on September 25, 2008
A few weeks ago, Yankees manager Joe Girardi told me he was happy with the contributions some of the newcomers were making. Those newcomers he was referring to were added at the trade deadline, and among them, outfielder Xavier Nady especially impressed him.
Nady is hitting just .265 as a Yankee, but his 11 home runs, 36 RBI and 21 runs scored were a welcome addition after Hideki Matsui went down with a knee injury.
The former Mets outfielder got off to a slow start with his new club — as many players do in their first stint in the Bronx — but got on the right track after about five games.
“It took him a couple days to get going,” Girardi said at the time. “Anyone could have a couple days where they don’t get hits, so it’s nice to see him swinging the bat.”
That brings up the question: What news players will the Yankees add to their roster and who will return next season? They missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade and, as any person familiar with the Yankees organization knows, there will be changes.
I have an idea of what will happen to the current roster, but this is just my best guess. I may have skipped a player or two, but overall, this is what I expect to see by April 2009.
Renew The Lease
Bobby Abreu, Alfredo Aceves, Wilson Betemit, Brian Bruney, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Coke, Johnny Damon, Brett Gardner, Dan Giese, Derek Jeter, Jose Molina, Xavier Nady, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Enwar Ramirez, Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez, Jose Veras, Chein-Ming Wang
On The Farm
Justin Christian, Shelley Duncan, Phil Hughes, Chad Moeller, Cody Ransom
Leaving Town
Melky Cabrera (Trade for pitching), Robinson Cano (Trade for pitching), Jason Giambi (Club buyout), Ian Kennedy (Trade), Damaso Marte (FA, Club Option), Mike Mussina (FA), Carl Pavano (Release), Sidney Ponson (FA), Darrell Rasner (Release) Ivan Rodriguez (FA)
The Yankees are going to get younger this off-season, but not in the sense that they are building for the future. They already know what they have on their roster — and most of it is pretty good — but will use free agency to plug a few holes (C.C. Sabathia comes to mind).
If the Yankees can pick up a few more players like Xavier Nady than they have a good shot at making Tampa Bay one-year wonders and leave Boston in their rearview mirror once again.
