[EmpireWF]

The New York Yankees will have perhaps their most important off-season in recent memory. Some major superstars are free agents (not to mention the job of their manager is in jeopardy) and the last World Series victory will now stand at seven years.


Free Agents

-RP Mariano Rivera

-SP Roger Clemens

-C Jorge Posada

-1B Doug Mientkiewicz

-RP Ron Villone


and now for some more major names, these are Option players

-3B Alex Rodriguez (he can opt out of his contract during a 10-day window after the World Series, or choose to return to the Yanks)

-SP Andy Pettite (he has a $16 million player option for 2008. If Torre is fired, don't expect him to return)

-OF Bobby Abreu ($16 million team option or $2 million buyout)



(Interesting stuff. 2008 will likely be the last year for Jason Giambi and Carl Pavano, who have club options for 2009. Mike Mussina's deal is up after next season)

[Lefty Noob]

Rivera will be interesting. He's getting up there... will they look to bring him back or try to land a replacement closer?

[legend]

Rivera and Posada come back, along with Pettite, everyone else-good riddance. You can sign Aaron Rowand and Torii Hunter and Lowell for what they are paying Abreu and A-Fraud.

[cwstech]

Originally Posted by legend

Rivera and Posada come back, along with Pettite, everyone else-good riddance. You can sign Aaron Rowand and Torii Hunter and Lowell for what they are paying Abreu and A-Fraud.

I bet if Torre is fired that Rivera and Pettite don't come back. Posada would be up in the air.
Hey, at least with the owner's money, he can buy another playoff caliber but not championship winning team.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by cwstech

I bet if Torre is fired that Rivera and Pettite don't come back. Posada would be up in the air.
Hey, at least with the owner's money, he can buy another playoff caliber but not championship winning team.

I think you're right. However, money will play a big option. Pettite is definitely gone if Torre leaves. The question would be Mariano though. That's going to be interesting to watch.

[Lefty Noob]

ESPN ran a quote from Rivera where he basically said the Yankees had their chance to resign him and blew it, so he was going to test the free-agent market. I definitely found that to be interesting. Also, A-Rod apparently said Torre's future will play a big role in deciding whether or not he's interested in coming back to the Bronx. Sounds like this could be a vastly different ballclub in 2008.

[legend]

Who else is going to pay Pettite and Rivera what the Yankees will? If they leave, then good riddance to them too. Rivera is going to have to be paid way more than he is actually worth at this point in his career anyways. Time to stop living in the past and move on.

[EmpireWF]

Rivera will get paid somewhere. I wouldn't want him leaving if I was the Yanks. Who do you have to close? Isn't Joba going to return to the rotation?

Once he goes, you watch, teams will no longer fear the Yankees at the end of games. It's a mental thing.

[legend]

I think Joe Nathan is a free agent as well.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by legend

I think Joe Nathan is a free agent as well.

The Twins have a club option on Joe Nathan for 2008, so I wouldn't expect him to become available.

[bears9]

Posada stays, Riveara leaves (Joba becomes closer) A-Rod opts out