The New York Yankees need a catcher. What good is their pitching staff without a decent catcher? So how about this deal, Joe Mauer for Curtis Granderson.
The Minnesota Twins need an outfielder since Denard Span is gone. The Yankees don't have a legit starting catcher and the Twins have Mauer, who has been one of the best hitters in the bigs when healthy, and has led the Twins to postseason baseball.
Contract Issues
Right. So what about Mauer's contract. He is signed through 2018 and will be paid $23 million until the contract is up.
Hear me out.
The Yankees have four more seasons of the eight-year deal with Mark Teixeira at first base. By that time, Mauer would be more than ready to take over first base duties and the Yanks could have him mentored by one of the best defensive first basemen in the league.
Teixeira could use breaks once in a while too and if he goes down, Mauer could fill in while Francisco Cervelli takes over behind the plate.
Cervelli has always had potential to be a starter, but he is better as a backup.
Granderson would be moved and the Yankees could use the money for Mauer's 2013 contract.
Depleted Outfield
With Granderson gone, the Yankees could try to reel in some talented outfielder for cheap. Grady Sizemore comes to mind.
He isn't the best solution of course because the man is always on the DL. Sign him to an incentive filled contract and invite him to Spring Training, that way you don't guarantee him a lot of money.
There aren't a lot of options out there in the catcher position. Though the Yankees are trying to get their payroll under $200 million, they might have to reconsider this for the 2013 season.
In 2014 they will have about half of their contracts over. They will owe money to Jeter if they pick up his $8 million option, Alex Rodriguez is owed $25 million, Mark Teixeira will make $22.5 million and CC Sabathia will make $23 million. Robinson Cano will more than likely get an extension from the team. All in all that would leave the Yankees' payroll under $100 million, not including arbitration and free agent signings.
Mauer might be considered a health risk, but what Yankee at this point in their career isn't? Anyways, they're still making top dollar.
In 2012, Mauer bounced back playing in 147 games while hitting 10 homers, driving in 85 runs and posting a .319 batting average with a .419 on-base percentage.
He has a .359 batting average in nine playoff games.
Yankee fans loved Grandy, but he really struggled at the end of last season.
The other great catcher the Yankees could go after is A.J. Pierzynski, but the Chicago White Sox might sign him to a two-year deal the Yanks probably wouldn't want to match.
Mike Napoli would be expensive and is less valuable in comparison to Mauer behind the plate.
Mauer is a five-time All-Star and an MVP winner.
Who do you think the Yankees should have behind the plate responsible for their pitching rotation?
Let's get this conversation rolling.
