While there hasn't been any signing activity since Pedro Feliciano was added to the 'pen, there still hasn't been a shortage of activity around the rumor mill involving players either on the Yankee radar or players discussed as possible options to fill holes. Please note that this list is not done in any sense of order of which guys I want or which guys I think fit. It's just a collection of the names I've seen thrown out there around the blogosphere.
* Jeff Keppinger- the Yanks had shown interest, far more interest than I had shown, but talks have reportedly fell apart recently. The guy puts up numbers slightly better than Pena and Nunez and can play multiple infield positions, but to me he isn't that much better that he's worth giving up a prospect for. If talks have broken down about acquiring J-Kep then I'm A-OK with that.
* Johnny Damon- another guy the Yanks were reportedly having talks with, but I don't see the point. His defense isn't better than any of the Yankee starters or what they would get from Greg Golson, his arm isn't better than those of some limbless people on the planet, and Damon doesn't really fill the need of a bat who can mash lefty pitching. His time in pinstripes came to and end for a reason. No sense in bringing back a guy who doesn't fill holes and would be potentially stealing at-bats from Jorge and Jesus in the DH role.
* Scott Hairston- If Scott Hairston were a flavor choice at Cold Stone Creamery, I'd be going for the "Gotta Have It" on him. He's everything the Yankees need: versatile outfielder who plays solid D, hits lefty pitching well, and has some pop in his bat. He is a bit of an injury risk, but as a backup player, that isn't that important. The dude can probably get a starting role somewhere, but if he wants a chance at a ring, something that worked out well for his brother, I would throw more money at him to be the 4th OF.
* Jerry Hairston- The Hairston who has already played for the Yankees also wouldn't be a bad addition to upgrade the utility IF role. Like Keppinger, he hits better than Nunez or Pena and also has the versatility to play every IF position and some corner OF if needed. Add in the fact that he's a free agent and wouldn't cost any prospects in a trade and I would be fully on board with bringing back JerHair.
* Rafael Soriano- Definitely the best reliever still available on the FA market and a guy that could fill the Kerry Wood 8th-inning role very nicely in 2011 if the Yanks are still skeptical about Joba and D-Rob finally stepping up. He won't come cheap and the Yanks would give up a draft pick in the process, so it really comes down to how confident they are in what they have. Personally, I would give D-Rob another shot at being the setup guy, and save the money and the draft pick that Soriano would cost.
* Joakim Soria- A name that was kicked around at the trade deadline in 2010, Soria has hit the rumor wire hard again recently after saying he would not block a trade to the Bronx. Like Keppinger, he isn't as attractive to me as other options because he would have to come via trade and that trade would almost certainly involve at least 1 of the Yankees' Top 10 prospects. On the positive side, he could slide in nicely as Mo's heir to the closer role. If there's a way to get him without giving up the Killer B's or Jesus (highly unlikely), I would be all for a trade for Soria. Otherwise, I say cut bait and go into battle with the 'pen as is.
* Jeff Francis- A guy coming off a serious arm injury who has never exactly "WOW"'d anybody pitching in the National League? No thanks, I'll pass. I mean, why pay the extra money for a dude who will more than likely give you below-league average numbers from the 5th rotation spot when you can get the same for cheaper from your stockpile of Triple-A arms?
* Bartolo Colon- BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! You're kidding right? Only if he's hired to be the new hot dog vendor in the upper deck.
* Jon Rauch- His peripherals don't translate well to Yankee Stadium (see: high fly ball rate) and he really isn;t much of an innings eater, which would help the Yankees more than another "1-inning or less" guy (Joba, D-Rob, Logan, Feliciano). His big frame and badass neck tat would look pretty cool in the uniform, but when that's the best thing I can say about you, it doesn't exactly tickle my fancy. I'll pass.
* Todd Coffey- He's a guy that RAB profiled a few days ago and his peripherals (decent K rate, low BB rate, good GB rate) are much better than those of Rauch. He has a proven track record of success and would likely be a better option in the middle of the 'pen than some of the Yanks' untested Triple-A righty arms. I would be concerned about his jump to the AL, but as a low-leverage righty guy, you could do worse.
* Yu Darvish- Not available until after the 2011 season, but he will most likely be the #1 pitcher available in the FA market. He has absolutely demolished the Japanese leagues, is still young (younger than Phil Hughes), and his stuff that translates to the top of a Major League rotation. On the other side, the Yanks are still living the nightmare of getting burned by Kei Igawa and Dice-Gay hasn't exactly lit the world on fire in Bahhhhhston. It's likely going to cost between $100-120 mil to get Darvish between the posting fee and what will be a hefty contract, but with the Yanks possibly looking at more pitching holes at the back end of the rotation after this coming season, he makes as much sense as anybody else.
* Andy Pettitte- Yes, yes, a thousand times YES!!! Come on, Andy. You can buy your family a lot of cool shit with another $16 million. I think your kids can live for another year without you if you get them that awesome new XBox Kinect thing. And then throw in a new 3D TV and bang! The fam is taken care of and you can come back and be the #3 starter to try and get one last ring. What I'm trying to say is, I want Andy Pettitte on the 2011 Yankees more than any of these other dudes and it's not even fucking close.
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