Yankees Team Report

INSIDE PITCH

As free agency opened, the Yankees were reportedly in a wait-and-see mode. Unlike last season, when the club had to act quickly in starting the process on several big moves to erase the taste of a playoff-free 2008, this year the Yankees can savor their World Series title.

Not that the team operates that way, necessarily, but there just is not as much of a panic to chase the big contracts. And probably not as much a desire to, either.

While the Yankees reportedly inquired about Toronto ace Roy Halladay(notes), they do not need to make as desperate a push for him as, say, the other New York team. Jason Bay(notes) and Matt Holliday(notes) are available as free agents without the price of prospects, but after last year’s nearly half-billion haul, the Yankees aren’t likely to spend on such big-ticket items this season. That should also rule out Angels ace John Lackey(notes), at least if the Yankees can get Andy Pettitte(notes) back on a one-year deal.

Instead, the Yankees should be expected to make minor deals for now, with utility man Mark DeRosa’s(notes) name hitting the rumor mill while they decide which players they should bring back from their own championship team.

All that said, the Yankees stunned the rest of their colleagues with last year’s last-minute blockbuster acquisition of Mark Teixeira(notes), so you can never be too sure of anything.

NOTES, QUOTES

—of A  ustin Jackson, INF Eduardo Nunez, INF Kevin Russo, INF Reegie Corona, RHP Romulo Sanchez(notes), RHP Ivan Nova and RHP Hector Noesi were added to the Yankees’ 40-man roster. Jackson, 22, is considered a top prospect. He batted .300 for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this year.

• OF Shelley Duncan(notes), who hit .200 in 11 games with the Yankees this year, was outrighted to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He had a god season for Scranton this year, hitting .277 with an International League-leading 30 homers and 99 RBIs.

• LHP Andy Pettitte recently filed for free agency, but it’s unlikely he would play with a team other than the Yankees. Pettitte, 37, had the only other potentially realistic door closed when his home state Houston Astros reportedly said they would not be interested in reacquiring him. He was unlikely to want to leave the Yankees anyway. Pettitte’s only obstacle to a return is most likely retirement, as he has said he would make his decision with his family in mind.

• RHP Sergio Mitre’s(notes) club option for 2010 was not picked up by the Yankees, and the spot starter is arbitration-eligible. As the Yankees attempt to stockpile pitching depth, Mitre could return if they are able to get him at a low enough price. He went 3-3 with a 6.79 ERA in 12 games last year, including nine starts.

• SS Derek Jeter(notes) is taking on an entirely different role this offseason, following in his actress girlfriend Minka Kelly’s footsteps by appearing in a movie. Jeter was seen filming “The Other Guys,” a comedy starring Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell. Jeter donned a gray wig and looked like a relatively well-kept homeless man in the photos featured in New York newspapers. The movie includes an all-star cast with Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Mendes.

• DH Hideki Matsui(notes) told reporters he would be disappointed if he did not return to the Yankees recently and added he was “not thinking of going to Japan” but would take the divorce as a “new challenge.” Matsui spoke to reporters at former Yankees manager Joe Torre’s Safe at Home foundation dinner and said his “feelings are still with the Yankees.” Asked if he would consider it disappointing if he was not able to reach an agreement with the Yankees—his only major league club—Matsui said, “I think it would be.” The Yankees have been rumored to strongly consider cutting ties with the World Series MVP in an effort to free up the DH spot for their many veterans as a rotating slot.

• INF/OF Mark DeRosa could be on the Yankees’ radar as a utility man, according to reports. DeRosa could offer depth and allow the Yankees to rest several veterans while also filling in as a DH. The 34-year-old hit .250 with 23 homers, 78 RBIs and 78 runs in 139 games last season.

By The Numbers:   4—First-place votes Yankees manager Joe Girardi received for AL Manager of the Year. He finished third behind Mike Scioscia and Ron Gardenhire.

Quote To Note:   “If that happens, I think it would be (disappointing). On the other hand, it’s something to look forward to. It means that it’s going to be a new change and something different for me, a new challenge.”—DH Hideki Matsui, on the prospect of not returning to the Yankees.

ROSTER REPORT

The Yankees completed the mission clearly marked by the jersey number on their manager’s back and secured their 27th World Series title. Legacies were either altered or added to as manager Joe Girardi, Alex Rodriguez(notes), Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia(notes) won their first championship in their respective roles, and the quartet of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera(notes), Jorge Posada(notes) and Andy Pettitte won their fifth. Now they begin the job of going for No. 28 and will face several tough choices as they plan for the defense of their title.

Biggest Needs:   While the Yankees were able to escape with a three-man rotation in the postseason, they need more depth next season. As long as LHP Andy Pettitte wants to return rather than retire, the club could plug him in again. The Yankees also will hope to see more consistency from RHP Joba Chamberlain(notes) in his first full season without innings limits, and they will try to move RHP Phil Hughes(notes) back to the rotation. They must decide whether to take a gamble on RHP Chien-Ming Wang(notes) or if they should try to deal for a top starter. The absence of Hughes in the bullpen could create a need for another setup man. The team also will have to decide what to do about free agents LF Johnny Damon(notes) and DH Hideki Matsui as it tries to maintain its offensive firepower.

Free Agents:   LHP Andy Pettitte, LF Johnny Damon, DH Hideki Matsui, RF Xavier Nady(notes), C Jose Molina(notes), INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr.(notes), INF/OF Eric Hinske(notes), OF Freddy Guzman(notes), RHP Josh Towers(notes).

Pettitte most likely will be invited back as long as he doesn’t retire and the sides can agree on a one-year deal. It gets a little more dicey with Matsui and Damon, whose offensive strengths are countered by their age and increasing lack of versatility, but one could come back if the Yankees don’t decide to splurge on a Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. Nady could be a low-cost option to strengthen the offense, especially if the club does not ask Matsui back. Molina’s value as a defensive catcher could fetch him another deal, but the emergence of rookie Francisco Cervelli(notes) could lead the Yankees to say goodbye to the veteran. Guzman and Towers elected to become free agents after they were removed from the 40-man roster.

Arbitration-eligible:   RHP Brian Bruney(notes), OF Melky Cabrera(notes), RHP Chad Gaudin(notes), RHP Sergio Mitre, RHP Chien-Ming Wang.

This time last year, Cabrera had lost his job and was considered likely trade bait, but now he should be a no-brainer to return after providing several clutch hits in 2009. Bruney has had an up-and-down time with the Yankees, but with RHP Phil Hughes expected to return to the rotation, he could be another option for the bullpen in 2010. After a poor 2009 and facing injury rehab that should last into the 2010 season, Wang has told reporters he wants to be back, but he likely will be non-tendered, and the Yankees will try to sign him cheaply, if at all. Gaudin proved his value in 2009 as a solid starter or middle reliever and should be invited back.

In Limbo:   RHP Sergio Mitre, RHP Ian Kennedy(notes).

Mitre was a serviceable pitcher during a rough patch for the rotation, but the Yankees would like to upgrade if possible. Kennedy could provide that upgrade after an injury-plagued 2009. The young starter had been part of the 2008 rotation, but he struggled and was demoted. He ended up making a late comeback in ’09 from an aneurysm and got some big outs in a key game against the Angels in the regular season.

Medical Watch:  

RHP Mariano Rivera (sore rib cage) revealed after the World Series he had pitched throughout the Series with pain suffered in the AL Championship Series. Rivera said the discomfort was “manageable.”

RHP Chien-Ming Wang (right shoulder surgery in July 2009) doesn’t expect to pitch minor league rehab games until April or May.

OF Xavier Nady (Tommy John right elbow surgery in July 2009) is expected to be ready for spring training.