SIMULATION: Yankees transactions at FanSided Winter Meetings

The following is a test. It is only a test — an experiment of the FanSided Winter Meetings Simulation. Here are the fantasy transactions made by the Yankees newest general manager… me.

If any of what you are about to read had actually taken place in the real world, the title of this article wouldn’t begin with the word SIMULATION. Also, ESPN, Fox and every New York-based newspaper and radio show would be churning out one piece of content after the other analyzing, dissecting and regurgitating the breaking Yankees news you’re about to read.

So before you get mad and ask why we’re writing about things that haven’t happened, read why.

Headed into the FanSided Winter Meetings, it was my goal as general manager of the Yankees to keep it 100. What does that mean, you ask?

Well, as tempting as it might be to throw caution to the wind and shun the luxury tax altogether, I wanted to keep this exercise as realistic as possible — so that I can add faux GM to my professional resume (kidding… LinkedIn page, maybe).

Knowing that the club has roughly $70 million coming off the books, and keeping a watchful eye on escalating yearly salaries, there’s around $40 million in funds to play with.

Rather than spend every single penny frivolously, I laid out a game plan of what was most important to increase the 2018 Yankees’ chances of reaching the World Series.

Without any glaring holes to fill, I was able to pick and choose who I desired most without getting into a bidding war. And believe you me, dollar for dollar battles raged on a plenty between many of the other 29 clubs.

You wouldn’t believe how much money was spent on Todd Frazier! More on that in a bit.

Trade for Kyle Schwarber

By now, if you’re a regular reader of Yanks Go Yard, especially this Winter Meetings SIMULATION, then you know that we lost out on the services of Shohei Ohtani to the Seattle Mariners.

I honestly thought we were a shoe-in to nab the Japanese Babe Ruth. I mean, a $3.5 million bonus, millions more in potential endorsement deals because he’d be associated with the Yankee brand — all the while playing for a team on the cusp of greatness.

Alas, it didn’t go our way. Which is why I immediately turned my attention to the Chicago Cubs and their burly left-handed slugger, Kyle Schwarber.

The 24-year-old, who made a triumphant return to the 2016 World Series following a serious knee injury in just the third regular season game of the year, managed to play 129 games in 2017 (110 of those in left field, eight behind the dish and one at first base).

Though Schwarber’s 150 strikeouts and .211 batting average lead to a brief minor league demotion, he did still swat 30 long balls and drive in 59 RBI in 422 at-bats.

Schwarber, who recently noted that his offseason goal is to sculpt his 6-foot, 235-pound body, is the power left-handed bat the Yankees sorely lack.

I get that Greg Bird hits bombs from time-to-time, but in all honestly, Bird is more of a line drive hitter — and if he lessens the loop in his swing, not only will he cut down on the number of times he strikes out, but it will aid in him driving the ball to all fields.

As for a healthy Schwarber, who in my opinion, should never again step foot in left field, his prodigious power is made for the short porch of Yankee Stadium.

At only 24, still a year away from arbitration, acquiring Schwarber was too good to pass up on. Even if he did cost us Dellin Betances.

I know this might be an unpopular move in some circles, especially those who think Betances will be more effective without Joe Girardi’s quick hook. But did you see Betances during the postseason?

He was practically unusable in the ALCS when he amassed a 9.00 ERA and 3.00 WHIP. He was basically unable to locate a single pitch and it clearly looked like that his confidence was all but shot.

Yes, Betances is still only 29, but he’s trending in the wrong direction, and for a volatile position such as relief pitcher, trading Betances for any everyday stick was a no-brainer.

With two arbitration years remaining, and the fight that is Betances vs. Randy Levine only to resurface this offseason, it was time for a change (and I can’t fire Levine).

With Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson more than capable of picking up the 8th inning slack, the bullpen is still a force to be reckoned with.

Betances can now go to the Cubs and immediately become their closer — which is what he always wanted, but the Yankees felt he wasn’t suited for. Otherwise, why sign Aroldis Chapman last year?

Trade for Brad Hand

Last week I wrote a piece on the Yankees’ need to sign a left-handed reliever this offseason. In the article, I name Mike Minor and Tony Watson as my two targets. I thought long and hard about Jake McGee, but watching him face the Yankees back when he was with the Rays, I was never really blown away by his stuff.

So when the bidding process began, I immediately went to Minor, but he was already being offered 3 years, $18 million by the Giants. I immediately upped the ante to 3 years, $19 million, knowing all along this was a bit high for a left-handed specialist with a long list of injuries.

Regardless, four more bids came in, with the Royals re-signing their reclamation project for 3 years, $23 million. So I turned my attention to Watson, only to find out that the Twins handed him a 2-year, $19 million contract with an option for a third year. But the caveat there was that Watson would be their closer.

Suffice to say, I didn’t extend an offer. I then took a shot at McGee who had a decent season with the Rockies in ’17. I topped the Phillies initial offer by two million, going to 2 years, $17 million. Thinking I had gotten my southpaw for the ‘pen, the Rangers swooped in at the last-minute and offered 2 years, $19 million. Too rich for my blood.

I began to seriously consider sticking with Chasen Shreve and hoping for the best. After some time of inner turmoil, I finally came to my senses and emailed the Padres to see what it would take to acquire Brad Hand, who I initially took a shine to last season.

Hand was terrific in first All-Star season of 2017, compiling a 2.16 ERA, 0.933 WHIP and 104/20 K/BB ratio for a dreadful Padres’ team.

Initially, the Padres’ rep asked for two top 30 prospects which included No. 9 prospect, right-hander Jorge Guzman and No. 5 prospect, third baseman Miguel Andjuar.

I immediately informed him I was not going to part with Andujar, instead offering another youngish infielder, Ronald Torreyes. To my surprise, the Padres’ rep was stoked with the offer and the terms were agreed upon.

Yes, Toe is a bit of a spark plug, and it’s nice to have a guy who can fill in at multiple infield positions. But I believe in Tyler Wade. Even though he struggled with the bat in first big league go-around, Wade has great speed, excellent defensive skills that extend to the outfield, and has shown the ability to put the bat on the ball throughout the minor leagues.

Entering year two of arbitration, Hand will likely receive a hefty raise from the $1.375 million he made in ’17.  With the belief that this number will still fall somewhere below Betances’ estimated $4.5 million for ’18, the club filled a big-time need in the bullpen while also saving some cash.

Re-sign CC Sabathia

The big fella is back for one more go in the Bronx!

I’ll be honest with you, had we signed Ohtani, Sabathia was not part of the plan in 2018. He was a huge part of our success last season and we’re forever grateful for The Warrior’s time in pinstripes. But this team needs to continue getting younger, piece by piece.

My focus here is on the chemistry of the clubhouse and the particular players that would lead by example. With Todd Frazier out of the picture, the role of mentor would fall solely on the shoulders of Brett Gardner.

While this is fine for position players, we need someone with a bulldog mentality to speak to the pitchers.

With this in mind, the choice was clear — Sabathia for one more year.

My first offer was a bit low considering CC made $25 million in 2017. I low-balled Sabathia’s rep for 1-year, $6 million. Right off the bat, his rep regurgitated Sabathia’s 2017 stats (like I didn’t already know them). This gentleman assured me he fully expected offers closer to the $12-$15 million range.

I waited a full day without any further contact. Glancing at the spreadsheet of offers some 24 hours later, Sabathia’s name was nowhere to be found. So I emailed a final contract offer. If this one was rejected, then I’d sign a low-cost free agent shooter with upside and let No. 2 prospect Chance Adams know his time had arrived.

Within a few minutes, the 1 year, $8 million offer was accepted. But I did add a clause to the deal. The wording of the contract states that barring any trips to the DL, or stretches of lousy performances during the season, the possibility of Sabathia being moved to the bullpen does exist.

Still, the soon-to-be 38-year-old was ready, willing and able to prove his best one last time.

Sign Mark Reynolds

As I mentioned earlier, Todd Frazier’s asking price was astronomical compared to what we were willing to offer. I sent a query to the Toddfather’s rep, asking if he would consider 1 year and $13 million.

The rep, who replied that Todd loved his time playing for Yanks, had already received a 4 year, $56 million offer from the farm system starved Giants.

I also wasn’t willing to dip my toe in the Mike Moustakas pool, not with Gleyber Torres’ ascent to the majors expected sometime around the All-Star break. And with a few lowball offers for Chase Headley and second baseman Starlin Castro, both will be on our opening day roster.

So I decided we just needed someone capable of coming off the bench with plenty of power, a laid-back team-first attitude that could handle New York and play first and third base if need be. That’s not asking too much, right?

The clear choice was Mark Reynolds. Coming off a monster offensive season, albeit with 88 games played at Coors Field, Reynolds, who previously spent 36 games with the Yankees in 2013, hit 30 home runs and 97 RBI with a .839 OPS in 520 at-bats in ’17.

Now there’s no way Reynolds gets to the plate that many times in ’18, barring an injury to Nick Johnson… I mean Greg Bird. But in limited time, he’s still worth the 1 year, $4.5 million we paid the 33-year-old.

While the Toddfather’s glove will be missed, Reynolds has many of the same attributes Frazier does, but at a far smaller sticker price.

Sign Alex Avila

I’m fully aware Austin Romine is on the 25-man roster solely for his defense. But at .218 with two homers and 21 RBI, he’s absolutely useless with the stick. Especially when he found his way into the DH role, or first base at times last season.

That’s why targeting a legit defender who can put the ball in a gap from time-to-time was something I couldn’t wait to get my hands on.

But player agents live to play hardball. Knowing that my first offer would likely be swatted away like a Kristaps Porzingis blocked shot, I came in soft for Alex Avila; 2 years, $6 million. Avila’s rep quoted MLB Trade Rumors’ prediction that the 30-year-old former Cub was worth at least, 2 years and $12 million.

So I upped my offer to 2 years, $11 million with a player opt-out after the first year. That way, if Avila doesn’t want to continue backing up Gary Sanchez, he’s free to go elsewhere, and his money comes off the books.

I’m honestly a bit surprised Avila signed with us, considering he hit .264 with 14 long balls and 49 RBI in only 311 at-bats last season.

He must have enjoyed his brief stint playing for the Cubs and values the chase for a ring over consistent PT. We’ll still invite Romine to camp, but he’s a longshot to make the opening day roster.

No one wants Jacoby Ellsbury

For those that were anticipating a Jacoby Ellsbury trade — let me tell you, I was close. Thrice, actually. But even in the realm of fantasy baseball, trading Ellsbury’s ginormous salary isn’t a simple task.

First, there was a deal on the table that would have sent him to the Reds for catcher Devin Mesoraco and his 1 year, $11 million contract back our way. I was even willing to eat upwards of 40 percent of Ellsbury’s remaining salary.

But the rep from the Reds got cold feet at the last-minute and shipped Mesoraco to the Pirates for a pair of minor leaguers.

Then, Ellsbury was packing his bags for Baltimore, with Mark Trumbo switching AL East allegiances.

Lastly, I thought I had Ells shipped to the Nationals — until they too decided his cost wasn’t even worth a low-level prospect.

So, for the time being, we’re stuck with the world’s most expensive fourth outfielder. A lot can and will happen during the course of the upcoming 162 game schedule. And Ellsbury still has some value left, so no, I won’t be flat-out releasing him, ala Alex Rodriguez.

Instead, he’ll play when the manager (whoever that ends up being) and hope for the best.

More from Yanks Go Yard

• Aaron Judge Time interview scared Yankees as much as it scared you
• MLB Network’s proposed Yankees-White Sox trade seems insane
• Why weren’t Yankees in on Kodai Senga now that we know the price?
• There’s one way Yankees can make SF Giants’ offseason even worse
• Yankees should swing trade for old enemy to fill 2023 left field vacancy

Other transactions

Manny Machado, Madison Bumgarner, Josh Donaldson, Anthony Rendon, Nolan Arenado and Jose Abreu all signed long-term extensions to stay with their current clubs.

The Cardinals traded Jack Flaherty, Austin Gomber, Tyler O’Neill and Jedd Gyorko to the White Sox for Jose Abreu (assuming 90% of his salary).

The Dodgers finally said goodbye to Joc Pederson and Yasmani Grandal, sending them to the Brewers for Ryan Braun.

The Brewers then sent Grandal and Marcos Diplan to the Mets for Steven Matz.

Jeff Samardzija and Mark Melancon of the Giants were dealt to the Rangers for Alex Claudio, Yohander Mendez, Pedro Gonzales and Josh Altman.

The Rays traded Alex Colome and Chris Archer to the Cardinals for Randal Gruchuk, Stephen Piscotty and Carson Kelly.

The Rays pulled off a second blockbuster sending Corey Dickerson, Jake Odorizzi and Jose Alvarado to the Giants for Joe Panik, Hunter Strickland, Austin Slater, Steven Okrent and Kevin Beltre.

The Giants continued to stay busy by trading Brandon Belt to the Indians for Jason Kipnis.

The Braves traded Sean Newcomb, Ian Anderson, Jason Hursh, Matt Wisler and Touki Toussaint to the Tigers for Michael Fulmer.

The Mariners sent Kyle Seager to the Braves for Julio Teheran, Austin Riley and Joey Wentz.

Julio Teheran was then shipped to the Nationals for Michael Taylor.

The A’s traded Khris Davis to the Braves for Matt Adams and Danny Santana.

The A’s then turned around traded Adams to the Giants for Matt Moore.

The Reds traded Billy Hamilton to the Astros for Cionel Perez and Brett Adcock.

The Angels sent Troy Scribner and Brooks Pounders to the Marlins for Martin Prado and Dan Strailey.

Yu Darvish signed with the Mariners (5 years, $133m w/annual opt-outs and NTC).

J.D. Martinez signed with the Red Sox (5 years, $117m, plus player option of $21m for 2023).

Michael Pineda signed with the Twins (2 years, $10m, plus two team options w/buyouts).

Lorenzo Cain singed with the Blue Jays (4 years/$60m, plus fifth-year team option).

Both Jake Arrieta (4 years, $86m) and Wade Davis (4 years, $60m) stayed with the Cubs.

Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer stayed at home with the Royals (4 years, $70m, plus incentives) and (6 years, $100m, plus incentives; full NTC), respectively.

Lance Lynn signed with the Marlins (3 years, $33m).

Carlos Santana signed with the Angels (3 years, $48m, plus player option for fourth-year).

Logan Morrison heads to the Mets (3 years, $30m).

Carlos Gonzalez (4 years, $40m) joins Todd Frazier in San Francisco.

Next: CC is cool with a six-man rotation

As you can see, each person representing their corresponding FanSided baseball blog took this simulation seriously. It’s our hope you had as much fun following along as we did wheeling and dealing as faux GM’s.

Hopefully, we’ll see Brian Cashman mimic one or two deals Dec 9-13 in Orlando at the MLB Winter Meetings… you know, the real meetings ones.