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Saturday, December 3, 2011

MOST REALISTIC OPTIONS FOR YANKEES

The Yankees have made it pretty clear that they are okay with not making a big splash on the free agent or trade market, but it doesn't mean they won't do anything. The Yankees could really use a lefty reliever and a right handed power hitter. They also need at least one more good starter. Here are 5 more likely targets for the Yankees:

1. RP Mike Gonzalez: With Pedro Feliciano out for 2012, the Yankees need a lefty reliever to go along with Boone Logan. Mike Gonzalez' name that has been thrown around by the Yankees. Gonzalez posted a 4.39 ERA last season, but he improved mightily in the second half. His ERA was 2.86 and his batting average against was 1.71. This move makes sense as a lefty reliever is desperately needed against the Red Sox, and Gonzalez has done extremely well against the Sox lefty hitters. Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, and David Ortiz are a combined 3-23 lifetime against Gonzalez with 0 home runs.

2. SP Hiroki Kuroda: The Dodgers righty from Japan is as consistent as it gets. Though he went 13-16 in 2011, his ERA was 3.06.  The problem was that until recently he hasn't been open to anything but Los Angeles or a return to Japan. The Yankees had shown interest in the 37 year old at the 2011 trade deadline, and may try to make a run at him now.

3. SP John Danks: The White Sox, who have a surplus of starting pitching, seem to be willing to deal Danks and the Yankees are rumored to be interested in the lefty. Though Danks definitely had a disappointing year in 2011, he has good stuff. I would offer Eduardo Nunez and David Phelps.

4. SP Yu Darvish: The prized Japanese righty may be the only potential big splash the Yankees make this offseason. Darvish set a career high in strikeouts and his 1.44 ERA was just below half the Japanese league ERA. He won't come cheap though, as it may cost the Yankees a $50 million posting fee and another $50 million to sign him.

5. OF Yoenis Cespedes: The powerful Cuban outfielder who hit 33 home runs last season is said to want north of $50 million, but Foxsports is saying that the Yankees are among the most interested teams, along with Detroit and Miami

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