Yanks Go Yard Mailbag #3

Sep 21, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder

(12) rounds the bases on his home run to left during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Here at Yanks Go Yard, we like to interact with you guys – the readers. One way we do this is through the Yanks Go Yard mailbag. We’ve received many great questions from you guys over the past week or so, and I am going to take the time to answer some of them.

Kenneth H. asked: Not a fan of (Brian) Cashman who lived off (Gene) “Stick” Michael and Bob Watson‘s drafts, yet gets credit for all those championships. Our farm system stinks, he hasn’t drafted a stud pitcher or impact player, yet he still keeps his job. Why is that?

Technically, the only World Series that Cashman has won since becoming the GM in 1998 was 2009. In both 1998 and 1999, the team was stacked with players that were acquired by Michael or Watson, but in 2009, players like Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett all played important roles in helping to win a championship. Sure, the Core Four were still there, representing the Michael era, but for the most part, 2009 was Cashman’s team.

If you want to be mad at anybody for the farm system, don’t blame Cashman. Instead, blame both the scouting and development departments. They have really fallen flat.

Dec 11, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Rakuten Golden Eagles president Yozo Tachibana (right) walks through the lobby during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Tachibana has not decided whether or not to allow

(not pictured) to sign with a MLB team now that Nippon Professional Baseball and the MLB have agreed on a $20 Million maximum posting bid. Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

Mike M. asked: If (Masahiro) Tanaka isn’t posted, who do you think the Yankees will pursue either via trade or free agency to get another SP? 

Brian Cashman has stated that if Tanaka is not posted, then the Yankees will look within their farm system for pitching. I’m not so confident in that move, as there really isn’t an impact pitcher waiting in the wings. The Yankees are hesitant to deal Brett Gardner, but if they can get a good starting pitcher for him in a one-for-one deal, then the Yankees must seriously consider it. I fully believe that Tanaka will be posted, and the Yankees will be the ones to get him.

Roger W. asked: Who’s going to be the starting left fielder for the Bombers?

As it stands now, Brett Gardner. If they end up trading him before the season starts, then you can expect to see Alfonso Soriano in left field.

Jesse C. asked: With so many obvious second base options coming off the board, Cano and Infante, who are the Yankees targeting now?

With Cano and Infante off the board, the Yankees are really running out of options. I’m not extremely confident in having a platoon of Kelly Johnson and Brian Roberts over there, and no matter what anybody says, Soriano is not going to play there.

That said, there really is nobody left out on the market who can play second. Sure, the Yankees can go out and sign Munenori Kawasaki, Chris Getz, or Alexi Casilla, but there is very little offensive production coming out of those guys.

While I’m not confident in it, expect a platoon of Johnson, Roberts, and a minor-league call-up. Where’s Gabe Lopez when you need him?

That will do it for this edition of the Yanks Go Yard mailbag. If you would like your question answered, ask us on Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail us at ygy.mailbag@gmail.com