By Cody Lachance
The New York Yankees have never been a team afraid to open up the checkbook for big-name players at astronomical salaries.
They seemed as though they might turn the page on their high-spending ways. During the season, it was rumored that they were going to change their philosophy and try to build talent within the organization while adding complementary pieces through free agency. This plan did not last for long.
The Yankees have committed a total of $234 million on two players: catcher Brian McCann and centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Both signings are long term deals for players who may have already played their best days of baseball.
McCann is considered one of the best offensive catchers in the game and his tendency to pull balls from the left side of the plate seems to be a great match for Yankee Stadium’s shallow porch in right field.
Jacoby is coming off a year where he helped lead the Boston Red Sox to a World Series title. The 30-year-old is considered one of the best base stealers in the game, but with his increasing age it is not so certain how effective he’ll be on the basepaths.
The biggest news broke this past Friday when ex-Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. Cano was not only a fan favorite in New York, but also one of their most productive players. What is almost comical in this whole situation is that self-proclaimed Yankee fan Jay-Z is Cano’s agent, and has just hurt his favorite team by facilitating Cano signing with the Mariners.
The Yankees now have fans scratching their heads as to why they would overpay for Ellsbury, and then not end up paying Cano.
Ellsbury has another two to three seasons at best before there will be a major drop off in his play. Speed-dominated players can only play so well into their 30s and beyond. The Yankees already had a decent centerfielder in Brett Gardner. Although he is not the same caliber player as Ellsbury, he could have been a solid everyday player for the Yankees at nearly 10 percent of the yearly cost.
The McCann signing does actually make sense for the Bronx Bombers as his swing fits Yankee Stadium perfectly. The ability to pull fly balls into Yankee Stadium’s shallow right porch should allow McCann to be a potential 30-plus home run hitter. Add into the fact he will be able to be a designated hitter some days which will allow him to take a break from behind the plate while still keeping his bat in the lineup, and you have a smart deal for the Yanks.
Cano’s loss is monumental. With Derek Jeter aging, Alex Rodriguez in the middle of a legal battle, and Mariano Rivera retiring, Cano looked as if this would become his team. Yankee fans should be very upset that management let Cano leave. Even if they had to overpay him in terms of his actual on-field production, the contract could be made worthwhile in keeping the fanbase happy in retaining a major asset of the team. The Yankees management should be praying this team finds a way to win in 2014. If August comes around with this team floating around a .500 record and out of the playoff race, management will have much to answer for to diehard Yankee fans.