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Hey Yankees, I got some free advice for you guys

Ken Davidoff

July 24, 2008

The Yankees have won six straight games since the All-Star break, and at 56-45, they're at their high-water mark for the season.

They flicked aside the Twins yesterday, 5-1, at Yankee Stadium, allowing them to fully enjoy their day off today before kicking off yet another Rivalry saga this weekend at Fenway Park.

So what better time than now to offer the Yankees some free advice? There's plenty going on, from injury decisions to trade discussions to 2009 projections. Away we go:

1. Get Jorge Posada to the operating room. After speaking with Brian Cashman yesterday, I have a better understanding why the Yankees would like to see Posada try to reinvent himself as a designated hitter-first baseman.

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"We have an obvious area for someone to fill with our DH spot," Cashman said. "(Posada) has a (. 364) on-base percentage. That's better than anyone I can trade for."

There's an obvious trade-off, though. If Posada rides out the season as an active non-catcher, then he risks missing the start of 2009. And he's getting paid $13 million per season through 2011 because he provides exceptional offense for a catcher. As a DH or first basemen, his production becomes less valuable.

With Robinson Cano rediscovering his hitting stroke, the Yankees can try playing Richie Sexson at first base more often - Season is soooo much better defensively than Jason Giambi - and shifting Giambi to DH.

This isn't an easy call, especially with the team back in the race, and the plan of giving Posada two weeks to get strong isn't one that prompts a fist-shake from this space. It's more of a respectful head-twist.

2. Think pitching. The brass will meet today in Tampa to go over all of the trade options. You know most of the names by now. And you also know that Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner are determined to protect the blue-chip prospects. Know, also, that serenity reigns in the clubhouse - at least, for now.

"I think we have enough," Alex Rodriguez said yesterday.

"When you've just won six in a row and look as good as we do, you say (we don't need outside help)," Mike Mussina said. "We grab hold of Richie to play first base a little bit, and he was struggling, but it puts a righthanded bat in our lineup against a lefthanded pitcher. Just that small tweak in the lineup makes a big deal.

" ... That's a small change, but it's going to be an important one, I think. Are we going to make any other changes? I don't know. Obviously, I don't think there's going to be anything earth shattering. But we've got a team right now that believes in themselves and believes we can play with anybody any time. Right now, we're playing some really solid baseball."

The more likely "cash-only" pickups will be pitchers, rather than position players. Maybe Freddy Garcia can be ready by September. Or maybe the Mariners will take Kei Igawa in return for Jarrod Washburn, and Washburn will waive his right to block a trade here, although that's a long shot.

The Yankees have become a bit of a pitching-and-defense team. If that's where the market inefficiencies lie, they might as well exploit it.

3. Think internal over external. Just like last year, when Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy delivered help from within, the Yankees will see if they have any answers in their own system. Alfredo Aceves, whom Cashman went to see Tuesday night at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, is an intriguing option.

4. Start to think seriously about bringing back Mussina for 2009. His numbers, a 3.26 ERA and 16 walks in 121 1/3 innings, are turning ridiculous. If the Yankees re-sign Mussina and Andy Pettitte to one-year deals, which will give them desired roster flexibility and the safety net in case the young starting pitchers flop as they did this year. Better that than overpaying for other teams' free agents like CC Sabathia or Ben Sheets.

5. Negotiate a peace settlement with Bernie Williams. Get him back to the Stadium before moving day. Hey, as long as we're dispensing free advice ...