The first order of business for the New York Yankees is to get Brian Cashman re-signed and back calling the shots (at least 98% of them). After that, the New York Yankees need to bring back CC Sabathia so he can head what we all hope – and expect – to be a much improved pitching staff. On paper at least. To that point, there has been a lot of chatter about whether or not the New York Yankees would pursue free agent pitchers C.J. Wilson and/or Yu Darvish this offseason. C.J. Wilson, while posting top-of-the-rotation numbers in 2011 and even 2010 to an extent, has been the target of plenty of doubt and speculation. That’s how it always is when a starting pitcher looking for nine figures hits the market. Yu Darvish, on the other hand, has scintillating scouting reports, but the same thing that tantalizes fans is the same thing that brings pause to the executives making the decisions – the unknown. Many fans drool and dream over a young flame thrower who has dominated Japanese competition, but GMs are hesitant make the investment after seeing guys like Daisuke Matsuzaka and Kei Igawa struggle to make the adjustment. That last guy will probably have more of an impact on the New York Yankees than other teams, but I’m sure teams still recognize what a monumental bust he was. This isn’t to suggest that all pitchers from Japan are and will be busts, but its certainly an argument that takes an uphill battle to debunk when you’re considering pouring $100 million or more (posting fee plus contract) into a player.
According to Joel Sherman, the Yankees may prefer Darvish to Wilson. Sherman indicates that the Yankees just are not particularly excited about Wilson and that several people around the league do not think that Wilson is a top-of-the-rotation type of starter. As you would expect, Wilson wants a ton of money. There is probably someone out there that will give him what he wants, but despite the lukewarm reception they are currently giving, I could see the Yankees getting involved if the price comes down. Maybe he wouldn’t be a clear No. 2, but he could look good in pinstripes as a high-end No. 3. That’s getting ahead of ourselves though. At this point in time, Wilson does not look like a fit in the Bronx. That means the Yanks will go hard after Darvish, right? Not so fast. Sherman believes that the Yankees will make a bid, but does not see them getting too crazy. He suspects the Igawa failure to steer Cashman and Co. into a conservative bid – one that could easily be surpassed by the Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers and/or Toronto Blue Jays.
I still haven’t quite made up my mind on what I want the Yankees to do with this situation. I’m not in any hurry either. There will be thousands of words spilled on the topic so there is no need to spoil all of the fun now anyway. For right now, let’s just get Brian Cashman and CC Sabathia back in the Bronx.
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