The Yankees finished the 2013 season staring into an abyss, with hardly anything guaranteed for the future. After the GM meetings wrapped up in Orlando, Fla., last week, they still don’t have too many answers.
They need help all over the infield, behind the plate and in right field, as well as with the pitching staff.
Expect action to pick up between this week and the winter meetings, which begin Dec. 9 in Orlando.
Three things we learned from the GM meetings
Big names not off limits
Since 2012, the Yankees have acknowledged their desire to get payroll under $189 million next season to avoid the luxury tax. The logical question heading into the offseason was whether they could do that and still sign the expensive players they have in the past.
Though that remains to be seen, their actions in Orlando indicate they are going to give it a shot. The Yankees met with representatives for Shin-Soo Choo, Stephen Drew, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, four of the top free-agent bats.
David Robertson is no guarantee to be the closer
During Mariano Rivera’s farewell tour, there was no guarantee made that Robertson would take over the ninth inning, but it seemed like that was the direction things were headed.
Within the past week, both GM Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi have made it clear Robertson will have a chance to move to the ninth inning, but he may have competition.
Free agents with experience as closer are available, and the Yankees could be in play for someone like Grant Balfour, Joe Nathan, Fernando Rodney or Joaquin Benoit.
They still are looking for a shortstop
Despite handing Derek Jeter a $12 million contract earlier in the month, the Yankees aren’t completely sold that the 39-year-old will be able to handle the rigors of playing short every day. Jeter said he expects to be the regular shortstop, but after a disastrous 2012, even he agreed there were concerns about his durability.
Three names to watch
Robinson Cano
There hasn’t been a lot of interaction between the two sides since Cano turned down the Yankees’ seven-year deal worth around $160 million during the latter part of the season. That figures to change soon, possibly this week.
Sure, the Yankees want to get their financial house in order, but they also would like to win some games. With their older players fading and prospects not panning out, they need someone in the middle of the lineup.
They will get a chance to see how far apart they remain and whether Cano will end up staying in The Bronx, which many around the sport expect.
Masahiro Tanaka
The Yankees covet this 25-year-old Japanese pitcher not only for his arm, but because his posting fee wouldn’t count against the dreaded $189 million. And they aren’t alone.
Tanaka figured to have plenty of competition for his services, but he may not even wind up in the majors next season. A delay approving the posting procedure by Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and disagreement between small- and large-market clubs in the majors could lead to Tanaka staying in Japan.
Alex Rodriguez Surprise!
The Yankees’ offseason strategy will be impacted significantly by what happens to Rodriguez and his appeal of the 211-game suspension handed down by MLB.
Cashman and team president Randy Levine repeatedly have said they are moving forward as if the team will owe Rodriguez more than $30 million next season. Whether it’s a smaller number — or even nothing — likely won’t be known until the middle of next month, at the earliest. Rodriguez’s hearing is set to resume Monday.