The Yankees Offseason If I Was in Charge

Trade for Jose Quintana

Jose Quintana was a name floated around at the trade deadline, but his price was ultimately too steep for a deal to be struck. Now, the Yankees have the type of farm system that could survive the hit it takes to acquire a pitcher of Quintana’s ability.

Quintana has thrown over 200 innings in his last 4 seasons, and never had an ERA above 3.51 during those years. The upside to acquiring Quintana is he is relatively cheap, as he is owed just under $16 million for the next two seasons, and has two team options that total $22 million. For potentially four years of team control, it will almost certainly take a king’s ransom in order to secure Quintana.

The White Sox are sure to ask for a lot of prospects, given the lack of depth in their farm system. To acquire Quintana, the Yankees will have to part with at least one of their top 10 prospects. A trade centered around Jorge Mateo, who seemed to have regressed after hitting just .254 in High-A this season may be the type of package that coaxes Chicago to part ways with their prized pitcher.

Keep Chase Headley (at least until the deadline) 

I know, I know. Almost everyone wants Chase Headley gone. The problem is, there really isn’t anyone to replace him with. There are currently seven third basemen scheduled to become free agents.

Of the bunch, Justin Turner is clearly the best player, but may not be the best option for the Yankees. It is no surprise that Girardi loves switch-hitters, and rightfully-so, as they do not force a platoon at their position.

When the two players are compared, both are above-average defenders, while Turner hits for more power and a slightly better average. Still, Headley and the $26 million he will be owed the next two years will be tough to move. That is, before the trade deadline. At the trade deadline, a team that is essentially one piece away from contending would love to have a switch-hitting third baseman who plays above-average defense.

As long as the Yankees can throw in some cash to sweeten the deal a little, they should get at least one middle-tier prospect in return. But then, who plays third base? Well, Tyler Austin has played third base in the minors before so he can always be an option.

Don’t Fall into the Mark Trumbo Trap

Mark Trumbo lead the American League in homeruns this season with 47. The Yankees need to add power to their lineup. Seems like the perfect fit right? Wrong.

While a good match on paper, Trumbo would not help the Yankees enough to warrant the type of contract he will get. In a weak free-agent class, Trumbo stands alone with Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista as the best power hitters available. The problem with Trumbo is that he strikes out. A lot. Like, 170 times in 667 at-bats this year. 33% of his outs came via the strikeout.

The Yankees did not strike out a lot this year, ranking fourth-lowest in the AL in team strikeouts. But, with Aaron Judge likely starting in right field, that strikeout number is bound to go up. Not only does he strike out a ton, but Trumbo also does not have a position to play. He does not move well, which means the outfield is not an option, and he isn’t overly impressive at first base, and is unlikely to unseat Greg Bird or Tyler Austin.

Coming off a career year, Trumbo is likely to garner anywhere between $15-$25 million on the open market. For me, that is just way too much to pay for a DH over 30.

Sign Brad Ziegler 

Yankees relievers not named Bentances, Miller, Chapman or Clippard had a rough year. Richard Bleier flashed success, throwing 23 innings with a 1.96 ERA and did not allow a home run.

The 29-year-old rookie dominated lefties, holding opponents to a .150 average, and striking out 12 of the 43 he faced. Brad Ziegler would enhance the bullpen by giving Girardi the option to mix and match an inning with Bleier. Ziegler against the righties, and Bleier against the lefties. That would save the eighth inning for Tyler Clippard, who ended his season on a high-note with the Yankees. Ziegler also has experience closing, and could help mentor Dellin Betances.

While the Yankees are realistically at least two years away from a chance at contending for the World Series, the moves they make this offseason may make or break the chances they have at making a deep postseason run in the future.

Next: Platoon Options for 2017 Yankees Lineup

These moves would set the Yankees up for long-term success, as the core of their farm system would stay in tact, while adding key veterans to the mix. My message to the Steinbrenner family: I’m just a call away.