Tyler Kepner hypothesizes that the Yankees are saving their money this winter to spend it on Cole Hamels or Matt Cain next winter.
The Yankees played a version of this waiting game after the 2007 season, when they resisted a trade (and a subsequent long-term contract) for Johan Santana. They gambled that C. C. Sabathia would be available as a free agent the next winter, and they were right. The Yankees missed the playoffs in 2008 but signed Sabathia and won the World Series in 2009.
It is no stretch to think that their inactivity this winter, at least since extending Sabathia’s contract, could cost them a playoff spot in 2012. The Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox should be strong, the Toronto Blue Jays are improving, and the A.L. West has two imposing teams in the Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels.
I have no problem with this approach. The Yankees, while shooting for the World Series every year, are successful enough that they can take a step back and reload every few years, since proper reloading will put them on another long-term playoff run. Given their resources, it will be unusual for the Bombers to go through a five-year rebuilding period, but a one year hiatus from the playoffs might make them stronger long term, and is good for the game as it gives other teams a chance to make the playoffs.
Yankees also have some legit starting prospects, though I doubt any of them will have the same impact in 2012 that Nova had in 2011.
Not like the Yankees did much last year and their needs seemed greater then. Still made the playoffs. The Red Sox meanwhile had spent over 300 million and 3 top prospects to get A-Gon and Crawford, only to be done in by Popeyes fried chicken and beer.
Yankees picked up Soriano, Martin, Chavez, Jones, Colon and Garcia. Neither Colon nor Garcia looked like major pickups at the time, Martin was coming off knee surgery and a broken hip, Chavez and Jones were backup players. Soriano waas the only major pickup, and Cashman did not want him, and he did not contribute much to 2011.
A-Rod and Teixeira had off years, Jeter was awful in the first half, as was Swisher and Posada (who was bad pretty much all year). Joba, Soriano and Hughes got hurt, as did all their LOOGIES. AJ was just as bad as in 2010.
The big addition to the Yankees this year will be Montero at DH.
Health will dictate how they do this year, but they could have some of their pitching prospects ready to help by the 2nd half.