Finishing the season with a uninspiring 14-14 record in September, the Yankees need to look towards building for 2016 and beyond.
Here are my thoughts on how this team can improve going forward.
Offense:
The Yankees top priority this offseason is to acquire a power hitting right handed bat.
The lineup was punchless once Alex Rodriguez cooled off and Tex went down with an injury. The 2015 Yanks were too left handed and could use for a little more balance. There are a couple of power hitting right handed bats hitting the market this offseason; Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes.
Upton seems like a potential fit, but would come at a steep price tag. Upton's power stats are impressive and it would be fun to see what he could do in the bright lights of a big market team.
I don't see Cespedes donning pinstripes, so I'll just gloss over that analysis.
Acquiring Upton would create a bit of an outfield logjam. Chris Young is obviously out of the picture if Upton gets signed. That would leave the Yanks with Carlos Beltran, Brett Gardner, and Jacoby Ellsbury to compete for playing time in the outfield.With Mark Teixiera, A-Rod, and McCann all eventually needing time at DH, one would imagine that Brian Cashman could look to move an outfielder. Gardner and Ellsbury are virtually the same player, but Ellsbury's stock dropped significantly towards the last half of the year. Gardner is inexpensive and a fan favorite, so moving him would continue to upset a grumbling fan base.
Hypothetically, I think the Yanks could work out a deal to move Beltran over to the Angels. With the new GM, Billy Eppler, being the Bombers former assistant GM, the familiarity between he and Cashman might help facilitate a deal.
The Angels are rumored to be looking for a strong left handed bat, and Beltran could fit that role.
Defense:
Second base is going to be a question mark for the Yanks in 2016. I can't imagine them bringing back Stephen Drew (especially at $5 million) next year. Drew ended the season with balance/concussion related issues, after posting a second consecutive overall crap year.
Going with a platoon of Refsnyder and Ackley could help further Refsnyder's development. Other options include free agent super utility man Ben Zobrist, Brandon Phillips, or David Murphy. Of those three, Zobrist would be the most likely as Cashman suggested that he had an opportunity to acquire him from the Athletics, but passed. Pitching Staff
Here's an area that the Yanks really need to improve on going forward. Sabathia can't be counted on as a lock for the rotation next year. Nova is a serviceable Number 5 rotation guy, but will likely be on a short leash next year. Eovaldi was impressive and should be back next season (the Yanks said they were ready to put him on the playoff roster if they advanced past the Astros). Tanaka is an interesting case, due to the fact that his elbow is a ticking time bomb.
Addition by Subtraction - Signing David Price would weaken the Blue Jays, but would cost the Yanks a ton of money (thinking $30+ million a year).
Jeff Samardzija, Mike Leake, and Ian Kennedy are interesting (albiet pricey) options that could be considered.
If the Yanks are looking to take a flier on a reclamation project, Justin Masterson and Dillon Gee are both interesting to me.
Don't Panic
I love the Yankee bullpen. It was their strongest asset in 2015. A few minor tweaks to the front end (effective long man, another solid lefty) would help boost the back end (which was overworked and exhausted by the end of the season.
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