The Yankees aren’t used to idle Octobers. The only action they have seen over the past month has been re-signing Joe Girardi to a four-year deal and watching Alex Rodriguez battle his suspension in arbitration. Now that the playoffs are over, their plans to get back to the postseason will begin to become more clear.
Cano hits free agency
The Yankees have known since the second baseman asked for more than $300 million during the season that Cano was destined to hit the open market. He can begin entertaining offers on Nov. 5 — then GM Brian Cashman and Co. will have a better idea of what’s really available to the second baseman.
They would like to have Cano back and can hardly afford to lose his offense, but can not retain him at anywhere near that price. With Magic Johnson saying the Dodgers won’t be going after Cano, teams like the Rangers and Tigers could make a run at him.
The $33.5 million question
There’s no telling precisely when the Yankees will know the status of Alex Rodriguez. His appeal hearing for the 211-game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball is on hold until Nov. 18, and arbitrator Fredric Horowitz has 25 days after its conclusion to make a ruling.
If the suspension is overturned, Rodriguez gets his entire $27.5 million salary and the Yankees also would figure to be on the hook for a $6 million bonus because he is only six homers shy of tying Willie Mays’ 660. If Rodriguez is forced to sit the entire season, the Yankees would find themselves with an additional $33.5 million to work with. But they may not know the result either way until mid-December, after the Winter Meetings are over.
The outcome will determine how much they can budget for other needs, such as catcher. Braves free agent Brian McCann would help, but might not fit into their $189 million payroll goal. Should Rodriguez miss all or most of the season, the Yankees would need a replacement at third base, whether that’s entrusting Eduardo Nunez to the spot or trying to retain free agent Mark Reynolds.
The shortstop scenario
Derek Jeter has until Nov. 4 to pick up his $9.5 million option or become a free agent at age 39. He believes his ankle and leg issues will be a thing of the past next season. If he stays in The Bronx, the Yankees will have to decide whether they can rely on him to play shortstop. If not, Jhonny Peralta or Stephen Drew could be free-agent alternatives.
Starting over
CC Sabathia didn’t pitch like an ace last season, but he is still being paid like one. Andy Pettitte is retired and Hiroki Kuroda’s return is uncertain, so they are interested in Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, who will soon turn 25. Since he is not a free agent, the Yankees must bid on a posting fee, though the fee would not count against the $189 million threshold if he signs. Phil Hughes is almost certain to depart. In the bullpen, David Robertson is expected to take over as closer, but the Yankees also could lose Boone Logan and Joba Chamberlain.
The right stuff
The Yankees have until 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 to make Curtis Granderson a qualifying offer, which would assure them of draft-pick compensation if he leaves as a free agent. Granderson would then have seven days to accept. The outfielder would like to sign a multi-year deal, but he also wants to remain a Yankee. He missed large chunks of time last season after breaking bones twice because of being hit by pitches. He could accept the $14.1 million qualifying offer — a pay cut of about $1 million — and look to hit free agency again next year after what he hopes would be an injury-free season.
If Granderson departs, Brett Gardner and Alfonso Soriano would be the only sure things in the outfield and the Yankees would have to decide whether they want to rely on a possible right-field platoon of Ichiro Suzuki and Vernon Wells or pursue a more productive — and expensive — option such as Carlos Beltran.