Fixing One Thing At A Time, Part 1
Step #1- The Infield
Well like it or not, Alex Rodriguez will be our 3rd baseman, both this year or in the future. So let's just leave that one alone. Even though Derek Jeter's best defensive days are behind him, and he should probably move to the outfield, it's not going to happen this year. So that position is also set in stone. So that leads us to three other spots:
Catcher
Jorge Posada's contract means he's going to be around for a while. But the question is, will he be behind the plate during that time? After his surgery, it's uncertain how much Posada can contribute as a catcher in 2009. Because of this, the Yankees need to find someone who can at least share the duties, and possibly take the role full-time. Pudge was not the answer last season, so the Yankees will cut ties and move on. Jose Molina is a good backup, but can't be the main guy. So, the Yankees will need to explore the free agent market and look at trades as well. The Rangers have a surplus of catching, and a possible trade for Gerald Laird might be in the cards. They have some youngsters, but Laird may actually cost the Yankees less in return.
First Base
It's very unlikely that Jason Giambi will return in '09, as he will want a multiyear contract, and the Yankees won't be interested in that. Signing Mark Teixeira is definitely a possibility, and money won't be a problem. But do the Yankees really want to commit to another long-term contract with a first baseman, after Giambi's contract? Another possibility could be a trade for Florida's Mike Jacobs, who is apparently available. While nowhere near the player Teixeira is, he is a lot cheaper, and likely would not cost a lot in terms of prospects. He's younger, and the team could have him under control for a number of years. While Jacobs is intriguing, the smart money is on the Yankees breaking the bank to sign Teixeira.
Second Base
Robinson Cano was thought of as part of a very big future as recently as last winter. Now it seems he can't go out the door fast enough.
In my opinion, they need to keep Cano unless they can get a bigtime player in return for him. 
Unless that player is someone of the caliber of a Carlos Beltran or Jake Peavy, it will not be worth it to sell Cano while his value is this low. Cano needs to stay, and if the Yankees can get Larry Bowa to return, it's not hard to believe that Cano canreturn to his 2007 level.
If the Yankees do decide to trade Cano, there are a couple options for a replacement. One option is to sign Orlando Hudson, who might also give the team a little shot in the arm in the clubhouse. Hudson is clearly the best available second baseman, and if they trade Cano, he should be the one the Yankees go after. If they don't sign Hudson, Casey Blake could be a short-term solution.
That should just about cover the team's options for the infield in 2009. The next entry will take a look at what the team can do in the outfield.
Well like it or not, Alex Rodriguez will be our 3rd baseman, both this year or in the future. So let's just leave that one alone. Even though Derek Jeter's best defensive days are behind him, and he should probably move to the outfield, it's not going to happen this year. So that position is also set in stone. So that leads us to three other spots:
Catcher
Jorge Posada's contract means he's going to be around for a while. But the question is, will he be behind the plate during that time? After his surgery, it's uncertain how much Posada can contribute as a catcher in 2009. Because of this, the Yankees need to find someone who can at least share the duties, and possibly take the role full-time. Pudge was not the answer last season, so the Yankees will cut ties and move on. Jose Molina is a good backup, but can't be the main guy. So, the Yankees will need to explore the free agent market and look at trades as well. The Rangers have a surplus of catching, and a possible trade for Gerald Laird might be in the cards. They have some youngsters, but Laird may actually cost the Yankees less in return.
First Base
It's very unlikely that Jason Giambi will return in '09, as he will want a multiyear contract, and the Yankees won't be interested in that. Signing Mark Teixeira is definitely a possibility, and money won't be a problem. But do the Yankees really want to commit to another long-term contract with a first baseman, after Giambi's contract? Another possibility could be a trade for Florida's Mike Jacobs, who is apparently available. While nowhere near the player Teixeira is, he is a lot cheaper, and likely would not cost a lot in terms of prospects. He's younger, and the team could have him under control for a number of years. While Jacobs is intriguing, the smart money is on the Yankees breaking the bank to sign Teixeira.
Second Base
Robinson Cano was thought of as part of a very big future as recently as last winter. Now it seems he can't go out the door fast enough.
In my opinion, they need to keep Cano unless they can get a bigtime player in return for him. 
Unless that player is someone of the caliber of a Carlos Beltran or Jake Peavy, it will not be worth it to sell Cano while his value is this low. Cano needs to stay, and if the Yankees can get Larry Bowa to return, it's not hard to believe that Cano canreturn to his 2007 level. If the Yankees do decide to trade Cano, there are a couple options for a replacement. One option is to sign Orlando Hudson, who might also give the team a little shot in the arm in the clubhouse. Hudson is clearly the best available second baseman, and if they trade Cano, he should be the one the Yankees go after. If they don't sign Hudson, Casey Blake could be a short-term solution.
That should just about cover the team's options for the infield in 2009. The next entry will take a look at what the team can do in the outfield.
