The New York Yankees are out of the playoffs for just the second time in about two decades and with the postseason starting soon and the offseason ahead, the team will face tough questions moving forward regarding Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Girardi and Derek Jeter.
The biggest question is obviously about Cano, who reportedly will seek a 10-year deal worth over $300 million, while the next biggest thing for the Yankees could be any of the other three, as Rodriguez will be appealing his 211-game suspension, while Girardi will be asked questions about his future and whether he will be back, while Jeter will be asked whether his career is over or not.
On the Jeter side, it's whether he can come back and play healthy after being back and forth on the DL this past season, while Rodriguez's issues stem from his suspension and depending on what happens, the Yankees could get off the hook for some money. Either way, Rodriguez's appeal for his 211-game suspension will be high drama for all parties involved and if things start going bad, some dirty laundry on the side of A-Rod and the side of the Yankees could come out.
Rodriguez played well after coming back from his hip injury and while his suspension could get decreased, there's no way he won't miss some time next season and that could have an effect on the Yankees and what they decide to do about Cano. Ah yes, Cano, the biggest question mark for the Yankees this offseason for their future. Rodriguez factors into this as well, as he signed a mega deal with the team that obviously looks awful now and he also affects how the Yankees will do business with Cano, as they may not want to spend that much money again and on top of that, they see what happens when a player gets old.
Cano is 31-years-old and the best player on the Yankees and since the team developed him and turned him into the player he is today, they don't want him to leave. But $300 million? Randy Levine already said that Cano isn't a sign at all costs guy and if that isn't telling, I'm not sure what is. Cano just became the first player to hit over 40 doubles in five straight seasons and the Yankees want to sign him, but if he asks for that much money, it could be trouble.
Girardi's contract is up and even though he won a world series, if there are openings in Washington or Chicago, he could jump ship. Phil Hughes is likely gone after his terrible year and there will be plenty of smaller questions as well, but Girardi, Rodriguez and Cano will dominate the offseason headlines. And it could be a LOOOOOOOOOOONG offseason for the Yankees.