Rosenthal: Ben Sheets & Juan Cruz For Yanks?
Via Ken Rosenthal:
The Yankees aren’t done. And if the prices are right, they should give strong consideration to signing free-agent right-hander Ben Sheets as their fifth starter and righty Juan Cruz as a setup reliever.
The extent of the Yankees’ interest in Sheets and Cruz is not known, but even after adding CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and re-signing Damaso Marte, the team continues to explore the markets for both starters and relievers.
Both Sheets and Cruz are Type A free agents who were offered salary arbitration, but they would cost the Yankees only fourth- and fifth-round draft picks. The Yankees already have signed three higher-ranking free agents — Mark Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett.
Sheets, while a physical risk, could be the Yankees’ answer to Brad Penny and John Smoltz, both of whom signed with the Red Sox for relatively low base salaries with the chance to earn significantly more through incentives.
Cruz, on the other hand, makes more sense for the Yankees than he does for any other club. Teams are reluctant to forfeit a first-round pick for a setup reliever. But an aggressive spender such as the Yankees, because of a flaw in the compensation system, gives up a lower-round draft pick with each Type A free agent that it signs.
The Yankees’ priority, however, remains free-agent lefty Andy Pettitte, who rejected an offer of a one-year, $10 million contract yet appears to have no other alternatives.
…Both Sheets and Cruz are Type A free agents who were offered salary arbitration, but they would cost the Yankees only fourth- and fifth-round draft picks. The Yankees already have signed three higher-ranking free agents — Mark Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett…
True. But, the Yankees can also afford to draft someone in the fourth round who slipped down in the draft because of money – and then pay him second round money. So, a fourth round pick to the Yankees might be just as valuable as a second round pick is to a team like, say, the St. Louis Cardinals or Cleveland Indians. Besides, do we really want the Yankees to punt just about the whole draft this year? (Yes, I know they get to pick for unsigned players last year, etc. But, that’s not enough to warrant giving up picks in the first five rounds when two of the players acquired are not worth that compensation.)
