[rwperu34]

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1. Sign Andruw Jones. Just do it. Give him his money. Failing that, for whatever reason, get Hunter or Rowand, in that order of priority.

2. Trade for Santana and sign him to a 6-7 year contract extension at 22ish/yr.


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I think you got points one and two out of order. They should first trade for Santana THEN sign a replacement for Cabrera. I'm sure you know that if Cabrera is not a part of a Johan deal, they don't need a CF.

Trading Melky/Wang/SecondTierProspect for Santana would be contingent on signing him to an extension. 6/150 would be fine, making the total value over Santana's Yankee career 7/164. Cabrera is easily replaced in this FA market, so he's very expendable. Obviously upgrading from Wang to Santana is huge, especially when taking into account the "secret sauce".

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3. Trade either Damon, Matsui, or Abreu... in that order of priority. Then start Melky/Jones in center or left, with Matsui or Abreu in right, and the other DHing. Expect to eat salary in any trade except with Abreu.


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This is not necessary. The Yankees OF would be Damon/Matsui/Abreu/FA CF. Two of those three are not pillars of health. Another option would be to not sign the FA CF and just roll with Damon. Another optoin would be to pick up Kenny Lofton on a one year contract and deal with Damon/Lofotn in CF.

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4. Make Giambi decent enough at first that you can start him there. If you can't start Giambi at first, then he should be your priority DH.


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Yes, Giambi should be the DH when healthy. Of course Damon, Matsui, and Abreu will need to cycle through. You're probably stuck with Melakjelaghoaewz or someone similar at first.

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5. Start Betemit at 3B. Please don't get Crede, he sucks. Same with Beltre. Lowell will demand way too much money and is going to go downhill real fast.


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Beltre would be a great pickup, but he'll be too expensive in players. If the Yanks are going to make a blockbuster, it might as well be for Miguel Cabrera. That's probably a year off, plus, I can't see the Yanks making two blockbusters in one year. Santana is more important to the 2008 sucess. Lowell on a two year deal wouldn't be bad, but that ain't gonna happen. If there's room on the 25 man roster, you can pick up Pedro Feliz to partner with Betemit. If not, just roll with Betemit. Feliz could be a great pickup, because he can back up at short and first too.

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6. Resign Rivera and Posada. This is an absolute must on both accounts. There is no better catcher available and Mo is... well, Mo.


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With A-Rod gone, Posada is a must. Rivera is as well, because that leaves the option of starting Joba. I suppose they could go with Fransisco Cordero over Rivera, but I don't see why they wouldn't just roll with Mo.

7. The most important move. Sign Leo Mazzone. Not only do you get the brilliance, he should help keep Girardi in check with the young valuable arms.

People acting like the Yankees are going to open with a $140MM payroll are lol. The money is going to get spent, just hope they spend it wisely. Santana is the biggest need, with another power reliever (maybe Joba?) a close second.

2008 Rotation-Santana, Hughes, Kennedy, Mussina. Obviously Pettite slides in if he re-ups. Clemens could come back. Schilling could be a nice fit here. Obviously Joba is an option, although he might be more valuable in the short term in the bullpen. Livan Hernandez would be a great fit. A short term deal for an injury risk like Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, or Matt Clement could be the best option. How about Mark Prior? A lot of what happens here depends on the availability of 25 man roster spots.