Back in Business for Spring Training

Well, that preview went nowhere.  But 2016 Spring Training is here, and we’re ready to hit the field again.

A few quick notes on the Yankees off-season.  Much has been made of the team’s failure to sign a big league free agent, and it certainly is unusual for the Yankees.  Normally I would be criticizing the team for failing to leverage its financial advantage in the free agent market.

This off-season was different though, for several reasons.  While the team had multiple areas to improve, none where clearly wide open, or in dire need of upgrade.  The closest exception to this was at second base, but entering the  off-season I would have been fine with a Refsnyder/Ackley platoon there.

Every team in baseball could use an upgrade in the rotation, but the Yankees were relatively set on that front, with the good depth and strong upside.  The danger in the rotation is injury, and while that is a very real concern, it is not one easily addressed through the free agent market.  All of the in-house options have demonstrated strong abilities in the recent past, and it would not have been a very efficient application of resources to bump one to the bullpen.

More importantly, the free agent options available were simply not that attractive for the team’s needs.  Zack Greinke or David Price would be welcome upgrades, but at the price and years they commanded respectively, it is easy to see why the Yankees would think twice before committing…especially given their recent experiences with high priced pitching imports.  Add to that the draft pick which would have been surrendered, and the lack of moves make more sense.

On the other side of the ball, while the offense could have used some reinforcement (and insurance against a Texeira/Arod injury), again the available options were not a strong fit.  To find good value in free agency, I would argue its best to target the top tier talent available…and this year the top offensive players were just not that appealing.  While Alex Gordon and Heyward are very strong players, and Heyward (along with Justin Upton) right in the prime of his career, neither were great fits win with the Yankees current outfield.  While Gardner slumped to end the season and Jacoby Ellsbury needs to prove he can stay healthy and productive over a full season, the pair are two of the Yankees strongest players moving forward.  And given that he is blocked by Arod at DH, and coming off a relatively strong season, the comparative upgrade over Carlos Beltran might not have been worth the investment.

Similarly, non of the other big names on the market really fit the Yankees needs.  Ben Zobrist would have been a useful pick up, but nota critical difference maker.  Combine that with a high price tag and his relatively advanced age, and he was far from a perfect candidate given their in house options.

So all told, I fully understand not jumping into the free agent pool this year.  Soon we’ll take a look at some of the moves the Yankees did make this winter, where they were busy in the trade market.