Bomber Bites With Jumping Joe–Yankees Too Transparent With Offseason Strategy
By Joe Vitulli
GM Brian Cashman and his front office have been increasing leaky lately. Too much information is flowing out of the Bronx and ending up on the back pages of the New York tabloids. There is no need for the media to know as much about the Yankees offseason plans as they do.
The Yankees have said they are not interested in the “Big Three” free agent pitchers of Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields. First of all, it makes little sense for them not to be in on such talented pitchers. Second, even if they have no real interest in signing any of the three for some reason, there is no benefit to telling the media, and by extension other clubs, that piece of privileged information.
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The Yankees have one of the biggest payrolls in the game and their bidding for a free agent, either real or perceived, will drive up the price for a free agent. The Yankees should be trying to drive up the price for each of the free agents. Force the Red Sox or Tigers or Dodgers or whomever pay a few extra million a season or add on an extra year or two to an already bloated deal.
Mandatory Credit: Chad R. MacDonald.
Everyone knows the Yankees are focusing on Chase Headley and Brandon McCarthy as their priorities this offseason, including McCarthy and Headley themselves. With the knowledge that the Yankees will be waiting to top any offer they find elsewhere, all their motivation goes toward finding other teams to pay the highest dollar and then go back to the Yankees and sign for more money.
The Yankees should be talking to Pablo Sandoval and other free agent pitchers if for no other reason than keeping up appearances and providing the illusion that they would be willing to move on from McCarthy and Headley if they don’t make a decision.
The Yankees need to play the offseason smarter and not box themselves in with leaks and statements giving out more information to their competition than is required. They also need to be using a counter intelligence campaign designed to make the other teams spend more than they otherwise would and make their real targets sign for less. The media can be a major disadvantage for the Yankees or their biggest ally, it all turns on how well the Yankees can use and manipulate it. So far it appears that they are doing a poor job.