Report: Yankees Not Willing To Go Crazy For Max Scherzer
By Billy Brost
Are the New York Yankees once again playing possum with this winter’s free agent class, or are they finally going to put their foot down and say “enough”? A report from Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News is stating that the Yankees have so much money tied up with their current roster, that adding another mega-contract for someone like free agent starting pitcher Max Scherzer just isn’t a likely scenario. Scherzer had previously turned down a six-year, $144 million contract extension offer from the Detroit Tigers before hitting the open market this winter.
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The Yankees current roster makeup, has 11 players tied to approximately $170 million dollars, including Alex Rodriguez, Jacoby Ellsbury, Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka who all make more than $20 million each. Scherzer would’ve made $24 million had he resigned with Detroit, and that number most likely can only go up in an open market dictated by his agent, Scott Boras. The Yankees are still in need of Derek Jeter‘s replacement at shortstop, along with needs at third base and the starting rotation, and possibly the bullpen, depending on how the David Robertson situation plays out. He previously turned down the Yankees’ qualifying offer of a one-year, $15.3 million dollar contract.
Also according to Feinsand, it’s not just Scherzer the Yankees will be shying away from this winter. He reports that lefty Jon Lester is seeking a six-year, $150 million dollar deal, and the numbers for Pablo Sandoval are expected to exceed $100 million. Here’s the other thing the Yankees don’t wish to part with besides cold, hard cash: a draft pick. In 2015, the Bombers hold the 19th overall pick in the First Year Player Draft, and if they were to sign Scherzer, along with seven other free agents, they would forfeit that draft pick as compensation to the team that lost the player. The 19th pick is the highest the Yankees have had since 2005.
New York ideally, would like to keep the same relative group of players intact, and resign pitchers Robertson and Brandon McCarthy–who was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks via the trade market this past summer, along with third baseman Chase Headley, who was brought in from San Diego for rookie Yangervis Solarte and a minor leaguer. Brian Cashman has already made some minor moves, resigning reserve outfielder Chris Young to a one-year deal, and trading catcher Francisco Cervelli to the Pirates in exchange for lefty fireballer Justin Wilson. Wilson recently appeared on the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show with host Ricky Keeler. Now that Cervelli is gone, the backup job will be battled for between Austin Romine and John Ryan Murphy.