FOR SUCCESS
to rebuild for 2013
booed, at home or on the road.
Earlier this season, in fact, he was quoted as saying, "Everyone wants a villain. Look at what LeBron James has been through. My teammates get the best kick out of it. Wherever we go, I get loud boos. Guys on my team can't wait to see and hear that.''
It doesn't hurt that Pierzynski has a solid postseason record, hitting .300 in 100 at-bats, with five HRs and 17 RBIs.
Bringing back Russell Martin instead wouldn't be a mistake, but it might take a threeyear deal to sign him, where Pierzynski probably could be had for two years. By then Austin Romine or maybe even highly-touted Gary Sanchez would be ready to take over behind the plate.
The White Sox probably won't get into a bidding war to keep Pierzynski, with 26-year-old Tyler Flowers ready to become their starting catcher.
3. Make Eduardo Nunez an Outfielder
The one hitter who showed up in those final two games against the Tigers, Nunez has to be in the lineup somewhere next season. His speed and extra-base power could make him a dynamic solution for making this team younger and more athletic.
The problem is the Yankees seem determined to keep him at shortstop, despite plenty of evidence that his arm, and even his glove, can't be trusted in crucial situations.
In brief outfield trials he has looked shaky as well, but as fast and athletic as Nunez is, there's no reason he can't learn to play at least an adequate left field.
So put him there. At the same time, the Yankees should re-sign Ichiro Suzuki, who revived his career after coming to the Bronx in July, preferably to a one-year deal, no more than two.
With Nick Swisher almost certainly leaving as a free agent, Ichiro could move to right field, and if the Yankees were to trade Granderson, Brett Gardner could replace him in center, and Nunez would take over in left.
That outfield is obviously short on power, but the Yankee infield and DH spot will still hit plenty of home runs, and the trio of Nunez, Ichiro, and a healthy Gardner would make this lineup more balanced, and almost surely more dangerous in the postseason.
4. Sign Free-Agent IF Marco Scutaro.
Scutaro will be 37 next week, but he seems to be getting better with age, playing superbly this postseason for the Giants, and he would fit perfectly as a super-utility player for the Yankees.
He would provide insurance against complications to Derek Jeter's return from a broken ankle, and even if Jeter comes back without a problem, Scutaro could play a lot of third base, giving A-Rod more time at DH.
Even if Eric Chavez returns as well, Scutaro would be a more proven version of Jayson Nix, which could turn out to be an important role in 2013.
5. Re-sign Free Agents Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte
Obviously pitching wasn't the issue in the postseason, mostly because the old guys delivered. And it's crucial the Yankees bring them back for 2013, or the starting rotation will be thrown into chaos.
Pettitte gave strong indications late in the season that he wants to play one more year, after his comeback season was derailed by the line drive that broke his leg.
Kuroda's return isn't as predictable. Some in the Japanese media think he really wants to return to his home country, at age 38, but others believe his strong season with the Yankees, and his preference for living in New York, will convince him to stay.
If both return then things fall into place for next season, and the Yankees wouldn't have to go looking for starters — that is, if CC Sabathia's elbow is okay.
Sabathia pitched like an ace down the stretch, with the notable exception of Game 4 against the Tigers, but he will see Dr. James Andrews in a couple of weeks to make sure his elbow recovered from the soreness that put him on the disabled list in August.
As long as Sabathia is healthy, then Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova would make up the back of the rotation, with David Phelps perhaps pushing for a spot, and at some point Michael Pineda, coming off shoulder surgery, might be ready to start making good on his potential.