Now It’s My Turn
by Cary Greene
November 24, 2021
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Many fun articles come out this time of year as writers enjoy the offseason and dream about baseball and their favorite teams. I’ve never put my mind to the task of creating an overall plan but, after reading many of the SSTN articles, I think I’ll take a crack at it.
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Previous Articles in this Series:
Part 1
Part 2
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In my next move I strike in free agency ASAP for Starling Marte in centerfield and pencil him in at the top of the lineup. I don’t want to spend huge money to fix my problems in centerfield and at the top of my lineup but I have to. Marte is a big part of my championship drive and his base running is simply too good to pass on. It will cost as much as $104 million for four years to get this deal done. I expect that number is a bit high but that’s what Bobby Bowden predicts, so we’ll go with it.
Yankees Get: RH-CF Starling Marte, +$104 million for 4 years / +$26 million AAV, starting with 2022.
Next, I strike a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks for baseball’s most likely to be dealt player, Ketel Marte, who gives my new lineup a much needed switch hitter and I could bat him right behind my new centerfielder, Starling Marte. Trading for Ketel Marte allows me to slide DJ LeMaheiu down in the lineup also and that makes my lineup a lot tougher.
Both players, my two new Martes can run, both hit for average. In this deal I help a team that needs drastic improvement in a classic three for one maneuver that is very favorable to both sides, not to mention fair. I’m shooting to win a world series this coming season and I’m not coming to the table with stories about far off prospects. I’m in win-now, all in mode. I’m giving Arizona an effective, middle of the rotation bargain, a really good replacement for Marte, one who is primed for a big bounce-back and a great defensive right fielder who has tons of power. This is a big shot in the arm for Arizona and it will help them compete in the rugged National League West.
Yankees Get: SH-2B/CF Ketel Marte, +$8.4 million for 2022, +$11 million for 2023 and +$13 million for 2023 – a total commitment of +$42.4 million for Marte in the prime of his career.
Diamondbacks Get: RH-2B Gleyber Torres -$5.9 million for 2022, RH-SP Domingo German -$2.1 million for 2022, LH-OF Joey Gallo -$10.2 million for 2022 (deal is good for a net +$9.8 million in 2022 payroll savings.
Next I’m forced to fix first base and let’s admit that Anthony Rizzo is a great fit. We really don’t want him going to Boston or Tampa Bay so in a move designed to go with what works, I sign Rizzo to a 4 year deal. His left-handed bat plays too well in the Yankee lineup and he is a consummate professional who is a terrific fit in the clubhouse. He’s the kind of first baseman that fits on a championship roster. I don’t even flinch at the money. I’m here to win, while also planning for the future.
Yankees Get: LH-1B Anthony Rizzo,+$14 million added to payroll, total deal 4-years $56 million
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There is one more article to come…
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