The Next Yankee 3rd Basemen
| 21
|
by Audino237
In this article, I will mention possible candidates the New York Yankees could explore to fill the vacancy left by Alex Rodriguez at third base. I am sure that other readers will come up with other options, also. Some trade possibilities may be a bit off in terms of how much the Yanks would have to give up in such deals, and I will leave those opinions to more informed writers such as DNL, Kelsdad, and Manny Stiles. I will start with options that are being floated in the news and other possible (though longshot) options.
Miguel Cabrera: The 24-year old Marlins slugger stands to make $11-$12.5 million in arbitration this winter, a bit too rich for Jeffrey Loria's blood. Reeling in the Big Fish would be the closest thing to replacing A-Rod's irreplaceable numbers, and this seems to be a match made in heaven for both parties. Assuming Jorge Posada comes back (switch-hitter), the middle of the order will be some combination of Posada, Matsui, Cano, Giambi, and Bobby Abreu, the latter 4 being lefties. Cabrera is an awful fielder, and would probably be shifted to DH in 2009. He is the big right-handed bopper that they will need and played a great season under Joe Girardi. The wishful thinkers think that playing for an organization like the Yankees will rid Cabrera of his weight and laziness problems. The Yankees of old would have already fitted Cabrera for pinstripes, but with this newfound reluctance to trade young pitching, the deal will take a long time, if at all. I cannot see the Marlins accepting anything less then Hughes/Kennedy, Melky Cabrera, and a second tier guy like Humberto Sanchez or Alan Horne. We'll see if they can wait out a deal like they did for Bobby Abreu, but a player who has yet to even approach his prime will certainly draw more attention on the market from the likes of the Dodgers.
Miguel Tejada: The current Orioles shortstop has been productive throughout his entire career. He missed 29 games this year, and hit 18 homers and knocked in 81 runs on a bad team. His fielding has regressed significantly with age. However, he is not under contract after 2009. He is an affordable player at only $13 million for the next two years, and would certainly cost less. Andy MacPhail has expressed concern for the franchise and seems relegated to a full-fledged rebuilding project, even stating that they need to stockpile talent at all positions, then sort it out. An educated guess for a player like Tejada would be Melky Cabrera and a Jackson/Whelan/Sanchez type, plus maybe a serviceable major leaguer like Betemit or Shelley Duncan.
Scott Rolen- The 32 year old Rolen has proven over his career to be one of the best in the game, though age is catching up to him. He has missed about 175 games over the last 3 years, an obvious cause for concern, and his production has dropped when he does play. The Cardinals likely would not require much in return, maybe a handful of low level prospects much like the package dealt for Abreu and Lidle. A deal for Rolen probably would not be smart, as he is signed through 2010 at $12M a pop. I doubt Cashman would do this deal because of the added salary constraints.
Adrian Beltre- He of the 43/121/.334 2004 with the Dodgers, is only 28 years old and won a Gold Glove the other day at 3rd base for Seattle. Those mysterious mind-blowing numbers are probably gone forever, but he has put up good numbers the last 2 years (25 homers, 95 RBIs, .272 BA per year). He is signed through 2009, the first year of the new stadium, at about $12 million. Something is fishy about the '04 numbers, but he seems to still have a successful steady career ahead of him. I really have no idea about how much the M's would ask for him, and I will depend on older, more informed readers to discuss that, but my guess would be a package similar to that of Tejada, but maybe with another decent prospect.
Mike Lowell- Lowell, the World Series MVP and Boston Hero, came up with the Yankees, as is well-documented. It seems as though the Sox are intent on signing him, as he is a free agent. The Yankees might be able to snag him away if they offer a 4th year guaranteed on a contract for about $11 million annually.
Wilson Betemit- No one seems to talk about him, but I believe they not only acquired him midseason for his versatility, but just for this very instance: A-Rod leaving town. He is a switch-hitter who is only 25 years old. Even if he is not the everyday 3rd basemen, expect him to be tossed around the infield. He has shown raw power, but needs to cut down on his strikeouts. If Betemit can become a 25 homer guy with 550 at-bats, there is a place for him, obviously. I doubt that the front office would settle for someone who is recognized as a part-time player to fill the void left by the world's best player, but I think he could get his shot.
Alex Rodriguez- I am glad that the Steinbrenner boys and Cashman have come out and said Rodriguez will not be back, and I sincerely hope they do not reconsider. Something about this though does not seem right. I can't see them just letting A-Rod and Boras get away without a fight. I don't think there is a true fan out there, no matter what team they root for, that wants to see A-Rod return to America's most storied franchise.
Joe Crede- The ChiSox third-basemen, a Boras client it should be noted, is an impending free agent-to-be. He is recovering from back surgery. He has put up fine numbers in the past, but struggled this year when he did play. Much has been made of a Damon for Crede swap, but I think the Yankees are aiming higher then Crede, and would be content with lower level players if they do not get a Tejada or Cabrera.
Aaron Boone- A good old friend of New Yorkers. It'd be incredibly ironic if Aaron Bleepin' Boone himself came back to the Bronx and performed well. Boone might be too fragile and unproductive these days to play in a full time role, but could help the team. Besides, the Yankees have a knack for being loyal, almost too loyal, to good soldiers from their past.
Mike Lamb, Morgan Ensberg, Pedro Feliz, Mark Loretta- All of these players would be relegated to a platoon role, either with each other or with Betemit/Andy Phillips. I don't believe the Yankees will take these cheap route, but other teams are successful with players like these.
