I am a little behind on the Granderson deal, but I want to say that everyone should gush about this deal for the Yanks because he is a force against righties, but don't ignore the fact that he should not play against lefties. Sure, Long could work with him, but he still would not hit well enough to play. Perspective: Melky actually hit lefties better than righties last year .763 OPS (a first), but even if you took the worst year of his last 3 years against lefties (2008 .578 OPS) it is slightly better than Grandersons last 3 years combined against lefties, OPS of .570. This guy should never start against a lefty until he has some breakthrough. This is why Cameron would be an excellent platoon guy.
BTW, I really like this trade as Granderson crushes righties (.940 OPS over the last 3 years), but we need to use him to his strengths.
The Yankees have an odd problem though as their two spare parts don't fit in well. Melky is really a 4th OF'r as he doesn't hit well enough to play a corner OF spot and can't field well enough to play CF. He is still young and may be able to become a corner Of'r when you take his solid defense in LF/RF into account. Gardner is still the best defensive CF'r on the team. Granderson is fine out there and better than Melky, but Gardner can save doubles with his legs. Gardner has also shown that after an adjustment period he has hit respectably for a guy with his speed and defense.
The odd part is that the team is probably better with Gardner is CF and Granderson in LF (platooning). I mentioned Cameron as a great platoon guy, but he may make too much to be a platoon guy. I have not scoured the free agents, but a righty who crushes lefties with not much else would be a good extra guy to get.
Pettitte: Maybe this is just a thank you? I am not sure why they went away from the incentive contract of last year even if they bumped the base up 1-2 mil, but he is being overpaid this year. I am OK with it as a thank you, but this should be it.
I would leave Joba in the pen and move Hughes to the rotation
I am in the minority, but the more I think about it, I would go after Lackey before the Bay/Holliday grouping (Bay would be my choice out of the 2). I think a top 3 of CC, Lackey and AJ would be terrific, we keep the minor league guys, and we are locked and loaded. We can make due with OF'r we have and by dropping Wang, Hairston, Molina, Hinske, we would save about 10 mil which would be enough to sign Matsui as I feel that Matsui pays for himself with Japanese money. Matsui would probably get a decrease of 3 mil off his salary and he should be fine. Next year Posada will need some DH time and that will increase the following year to probably full time DH. I would let Damon go.
I doubt the Yankees will platoon Granderson even though it is clear they should. as for who they go after, I don't know, but I think Lackey is underrated and you could lock him down for a sub 4 ERA. I am not sure what the price will be, but I would guess 4 years at 70 mil?
Add Granderson 5.5 mil
Add Lackey 17.5 mil
Subtract Damon -13
Subtract the 10 mil for other players above -10
That is a wash and I think Matsui would not get a raise, in fact probably drop to 10 mil or maybe even less. Those extra 3 mil could be used to fill out the platoon guy I am looking for.
Now, I am OK if we don't get Lackey (seems kind of like an ### - but that could just be from my perspective and Burnett is similar), but I don't think we should re-sign Damon and I do not want to give up prospects for Halladay. We could always get him next year if he is available. If we don't get Lackey, I would kick the tires on Bay. Holliday hits righties better and that is not what the Yanks need and I am concerned about his playing poorly for Oakland after playing most of his career on the moon.
ETA: Lackey is only one year younger than Halladay and Halladay is the type of pitcher I have said in the past is the type of player the yanks should go after. I would find out what the asking price is and also what the contract demands are, but I would agree I would rather have one Halladay and say 15 mil to play with than a Lackey and a Burnett. The kicker are the prospects though. I would stay in the running because having CC and Halladay at the top of a rotation will guarantee a good season barring injury. I don't like giving a 33 year old (in May) too much money and years, but 36 would be a 4 year contract and 37 would be a 5 year deal and that is what Andy just pitched at.