Money Talks….

I’ve been reading all sorts of articles and blogs the past few weeks where writers and fans have been giving their ideas on how to improve the 2009 Yankees. I’m not going to get into how the team should be re-constructed this offseason (I’ll save that for another time), but I think people are getting a tad bit carried away with how much free money the Yankees will have to spend in the offseason.

Granted it’s true the Yankees can probably spend whatever they want, since they happen to play in the largest media market in the world and they have a brand spanking new stadium opening up which mine as well be called ATM Park. However Yankee GM Brian Cashman does work on a budget, and over the years he’s tried to keep the payroll under control by developing young affordable players instead of chasing over the hill veterans via free agency. As of today the Yankee payroll sits at about 207 million dollars, give or take depending on where you look. I’ve heard people suggest the Yankees can add two big ticket free agents if they please since the payroll will drop by almost 100 million dollars. However I’d like to be the voice of reason and show that that belief isn’t necessarily true.

Let’s take a look at who could leave the Yankees in two weeks, and how much of their money is cleared from the books:

1) Jason Giambi: 2008 Salary: 21 million, 2009 Status: 22 million dollar option ($5m buyout)

- I think its safe to say Giambi won’t have his option picked up. While I can see how he’d be a tad bit tempting to keep as an everyday DH, it would benefit the yankees best to let him walk and pick up the Type B draft pick he’ll provide. Savings for 2009: 15 million

2) Pudge Rodriguez/Kyle Farnsworth: 2008 Salary: 11 million/5.5 million, 2009 Status: Free Agent

- I doubt Farnsworth will be resigned, even though there were a few watery eyes when he left in July. There were thoughts that Pudge could return as a backup in 2009 until Posada is 100% healthy, but his 2008 audition has eliminated any chance of that. Savings for 2009: 5.5 million

3) Bobby Abreu: 2008 Salary: 16 million, 2009 Status: Free Agent

- He shouldn’t be allowed to play the outfield anymore, as he ranks among the worst in baseball in right field. His bat has come on strong late in the season, but he doesn’t hit for enough power or consistency to be the everyday DH in my opinion. Also you’ve already got Matsui in the DH spot, and Nady can slide to right while Damon takes over left everyday, so I’d let Abreu walk this off season. Besides he should net the Yankees two first round draft picks. Not to mention there’s been a lot of talk about the clique he’s formed with Cano and Melky, although who knows how true that all is. 2009 Savings: 16 million

4) Andy Pettitte: 2008 Salary: 16 million, 2009 Status: Free Agent

- I’m a huge Andy Pettitte fan, however his performance in the second half this year has been brutal. He’s stated he really wants to return in 2009, but I’d say that all depends on whether or not he’s completely lost his ability to pitch or whether he’s seriously injured. If the shoulder is what’s causing him to struggle (as has been reported lately), and he’s healthy next Spring, then I say bring him back at a reduced rate. However if he really has lost it, then any money you give him would be the equivalent of flushing it down the toilet. He won’t pitch anywhere else other than NY in 2009, so the Yankees won’t get any draft picks for him. I’ll assume Sunday is his last start as a Yankee. 2009 Savings: 16 million

5) Mike Mussina: 2008 Salary: 11 million, 2009 Status: Free Agent

- Going into this season I would have bet a million bucks this would be it for Mike Mussina. Now, well he could get a 2 or even a 3 year deal. However I think the Yankees bring him back on some type of 1 year deal with an option for 2. Especially since Hughes, Kennedy and Joba are no lock for the 2009 rotation as of today. Assuming however he retires or signs elsewhere, 2009 Savings: 11 million

6) Carl Pavano: 2008 Salary: 11 million, 2009 Status: 13 million dollar option ($1.95m buyout)

- I’ve heard some suggest, and I even considered it myself that they could bring him back and then try to trade him for a player or two. Because as terrible as he’s been, chances are Pavano will still see 2 year offers this fall probably totaling about $10 million dollars. So after paying him and getting nothing in return for 4 years, perhaps now that he’s healthy (we think) the Yankees can finally get something from him. Still I think the organization has had enough with Carl, and a clean break would best suit both parties. Thus say goodbye to the man who will be regarded as the most hated Yankee (although Kevin Brown is close) of the past 20 years. 2009 Savings: 9.05 million

Okay so there you have 6 big contracts which give the Yankees a grand total of $73.5 million dollars coming off the books. They could perhaps trim a few more dollars off if they non-tender Wilson Betemit and a few other fringe minor leaguers, however as you can see that figure isn’t close to the $100 million dollar amount some people have been mentioning.

Now let’s briefly look at who’s coming back next season:

A-Rod: $32 million (which is a $5 million dollar increase from 2008)

Jeter: $20 million

Rivera: $15 million

Posada: $13.1 million

Damon: $13 million

Matsui: $13 million

Wang: $4 million (shouldn’t increase much at all during arbitration)

Nady: N/A (he made $3.35 million this season, and you can bet that will increase to around $6 million or more after arbitration)

Cano: $6 million

Marte: $6 million (I could have included him above, as the yankees hold an option on his 6 million, however I wouldn’t be surprised to see them pick up the option since lefties are a hot commodity)

Molina: $2 million

Remaining: Then you have the list of players who make under $1 million dollars, such as Hughes, Joba, Cabrera, Kennedy, Ramirez, Bruney, Veras, etc. So let’s just add them all up to about $4 million.

So without the 6 mentioned above, as of today the Yankee payroll for 2009 stands at about $135 million dollars.

However then you add in the players who may be resigned such as Mussina at probably about the same salary (11), Pettitte who could come back at half of what he made this year (8) and Abreu at a reduced rate (10). Then you have to figure at least 1 big free agent will be signed, whether its Teixeira, Sabathia, Burnett or M. Ramirez. So let’s just estimate about $20 million dollars on one of those guys. In case you’re wondering that would put the team at about $185 million. Then figure they have to find either a new first baseman or another starting pitcher (depending on who they sign), so in total I have them coming in at just under $200 million for 2009.

That doesn’t seem like a huge drop off to me. But perhaps I’m bringing back to many guys or just overestimating. Again I hope Cashman (or whomever comes in) can do their best to lower the payroll and field a competitive team, but then again after missing the playoffs and getting a new credit card, Hank may just spend $300 million.

That’s it from me today, please send you thoughts or comments to my NEW email address josephgallo@sportstalkbuzz.com. Join me either Sunday or Monday as I say good-bye to the old/renovated Yankee Stadium by giving you a countdown of my personal favorite memories over the past few decades. If you have any that you think I should definitely include, or just want to share an experience you had and enjoyed, just email me and I’ll be sure to mention them. Enjoy the weekend!

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