The NY Yankees have had a very tough season and while they remain in playoff contention, Derek Jeter is leaving without another World Series and now the Yankees may target big free agents in 2015, as names like Hanley Ramirez, Max Scherzer, James Shields, Jon Lester, Victor Martinez, Melky Cabrera and Nelson Cruz will be on the market and after the way this year went, Brian Cashman may open the bank once again.
Ramirez has been linked to the Yankees since Jeter announced his retirement and while he is getting older and has dealt with injury issues, he could be a solid replacement for Jeter at shortstop. The Yankees dealt with a ton of injuries to the pitching staff this season and they have lost CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka and that could lead the team to sign someone like Shields or Scherzer. The Tigers star is going to command a ton of Money and Shields could be had for less money most likely.
Scherzer is probably worth the money based on how he has pitched the past two seasons, but it would be pretty stupid of the Yankees to shell out money for him and Tanaka while letting Robinson Cano go packing. This season Scherzer has a low 3.00 Era once again and he is coming off of a Cy Young win and he made it through this year healthy. Last offseason he rejected a contract extension and he has 220 strikeouts and could command a ton of money on the market.
Lester has pitched well again and he was traded to the Athletics and likely is not signing there, while the Red Sox likely will not be giving him the money he wants. Lester has a 2.55 ERA this season and is closing on 200 strikeouts and he would be a strong option for teams on the market. Lester is great in the playoffs and he also has the chance to hit free agency without a qualifying offer attached to him and that is a big deal for teams. The Red Sox will go after him, but they are not going to pay him huge money this offseason.
Shields has been good for the Royals since his trade and they will try and keep him, but the 33 year old should get some attention on the market. The Yankees know him all too well from his Rays days and he comes in a little older and a little more experienced than Scherzer. Shields is a second level option, but he could be a string middle of the rotation guy for the Yankees and he has a moniker of Big Game James for a reason. He could command three or four years on his deal.
Ramirez had dealt with injury issues in the past, but at 30 he still has good years ahead of him. Ramirez has stated in the past he would like to play for the Yankees and he could be a star player that comes in and can handle taking over for Derek Jeter. The Dodgers will try and keep Ramirez, but he may ask for too much money based on his past injury history.
