Ben K. from River Ave. Blues discusses the potential log jam at first base next season. Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon have said they'd be willing to learn the position and play first. Jorge Posada's bad shoulder may force him to play some first base next year as well. He wonders whether the Yankees would be better off signing Mark Teixeira "to a contract that will be too rich and too long" or just using a mix of Matsui-Damon-Posada to get through next year.
Ed Valentine from Bugs and Cranks believes that Matsui is the answer at first, he also doesn't believe that Mark Teixeira will want to come here.
WasWatching.com's Steve Lombardi also looks at the first base situation. He thinks that going after a younger player like 22 year old Rangers' first baseman Chris Davis is the way to go. David his hitting .279/.336/.550 this season with 14 homers and 42 RBI in 63 games. I like this idea, I just have no idea how they will pry him away from Texas. Maybe a few high-level pitching prospects would get it done.
Ben may be right about Teixeira's potential contract being "too rich and too long," but I still think he is he Yanks best option. He's a switch-hitting, gold-glove first baseman who hits for average and power, and he gets on base a ton. He gives the Yankees the complete package over at first and he will only cost money, albeit a lot of it. I don't think the Yankees should come anywhere close to the 10 years Boras is saying he will ask for, but if they can somehow get him to sign for seven, maybe even eight years, I'd do it. First baseman who didn't use steroids tend to hold up just fine into their mid 30's.
I personally hate the idea of having 3 or 4 guys who've really never played the position split time. Using a mix of Matsui, Damon and Posada would probably be worse defensively than Giambi. Matsui did play first when he was in high school, but can he still play in the field after what will be his second knee surgery in as many years? Matsui should be the left-handed DH next season. That's the best place to make sure he stays healthy.
Steve's idea about trading for a younger first baseman is the most intriguing, and could be the best of the bunch. Whether it's Chris Davis or another up and coming first baseman, the Yankees do have the pitching prospects to get a deal like this done. It will be interesting to see if Cashman could pull something off.
So fans, I ask you, who should play first base for the Yankees next season?
18 Comments:
Two words: Mark Teixeira
I don't really think the Yankees are going to be good next year anyway so it doesn't matter. But I guess the best choice would be trading for someone in their early 20s.
Who would you like to trade for? And what would you give up Skip?
I don't think a short term fix of Teixeira is the way to go. This year is the legacy of almost 8 years of short term fixes through free agent mercenaries.
I changes the wording, because I really didn't mean short-term. Short-term is the next two years. I'm talking more about the next 3-5 years. He really is a very good ballplayer, though. Who could they get that will be better? Or if not better, help the team more?
I like Steve Lombardi's idea actually. Chris David is a good, young, hard-nosed player. Something this team desperately needs.
Davis not David. Sorry.
"Chris David is a good, young, hard-nosed player. Something this team desperately needs."
Can't disagree with you there Skip.
I wish they could get their hands on someone like Casey Kotchman, but that won't happen.
Chris Davis is not a bad idea, as long as they don't have to trade Hughes.
But ultimately I think the Yanks will go hard after Teixeira. Not sure how I feel about that though.
- J.C.
i think we have to sign tex, it has been the biggest weakness on this team for many years, besides the pitching. i don't think anyone is gonna offer 10 years, so 7 years would be ideal at the most. i also read a little bit ago that he would like to play in ny(i don't have i link). if they don't sign tex, i think they should make a run for ryan howard, he is the only player in baseball to hit 40 plus homeruns and each of the past 3 seasons. plus he is an rbi machine. i know his average isn't the best, but he is the best power hitter in baseball.
I like Joey Votto, seems like a better all around hitter.
Anon, what do you think it would take to get Votto here? I've heard Hughes + a prospect or two. Do you think that's worth it?
Well, that all depends on how much pitching they acquire via free agency. If the Yankees were to sign CC, bring back Moose and/or Pettite, or bring in another starter, it might be worth giving up Hughes. I wonder if Cincy or Texas will take Kennedy, he is the lesser of the two but they are both in need of good young pitching. I was also thinking just a moment ago what it would take to get a Grienke, Meche, or Jurrgens type of pitcher who would be a compliment to signing CC. CC is the big fish but we could use another number 2 or 3 to slot into the back of the rotation.
I would give up IPK for Votto in a blink...I'm glad my idea was worth talking about.
I would also give up Kennedy for Votto.
Ok...Call Cashman, lets get it done.
I wish it was that easy.
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