The Next Move For The New York Yankees Should Be…

Oct 27, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder

hits a RBI single against the Boston Red Sox in the third inning during game four of the MLB baseball World Series at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

It turns out the New York Yankees weren’t lying when they said they weren’t going to wait around for Robinson Cano. The team signed All-Star catcher Brian McCann to a five year-$85 million deal with an option on year six which would make it $100 million. McCann will turn 30 in February. In no way, shape, or form are the Yankees done, so the question is what is the next move?

Well, with the catching situation, Chris Stewart will more than likely be non-tendered. Francisco Cervelli will be the backup. Gary Sanchez is now on the 40-Man roster, so Austin Romine may be viewed as trade bait in a package for something else. The Yankees still need at least two starters, an outfielder, bullpen help and a second baseman.

Their next move should be to figure out the outfield. The Yankees could bring back Curtis Granderson, or go the switch hitting route and ink Carlos Beltran to a deal. Beltran reportedly wants three years, but I think the Yankees can get him for two by increasing the AAV of the deal by a couple million. Would a two year deal at $16-18 million per get the job done? I think so.

If they do sign Beltran, I believe the right move is to keep Ichiro Suzuki over Vernon Wells. Suzuki will make six million and will be quite to get anything of value for him, even if the Yankees pay part of the freight. Suzuki can play right or left on days when Beltran or Alfonso Soriano are in the DH, and with two 37 year old corner outfielders, your fourth outfielder will still get plenty of at-bats. Ichiro still has some speed and can still play defense, even with his declining bat. Wells will only cost the Yankees $1 million so he will be easier to either release or trade, though he doesn’t have much value at this point either.

The Yankees made a great first step towards going back to the playoffs in 2014 by adding McCann. They aren’t done yet, nor should they be, and their next move should be adding a possible future hall of famer in right field.