If you saw last night’s debacle – courtesy of Rafael Soriano and no one else – take a minute to read my open thank you letter to the man responsible for bringing him on board. No, not Brian Cashman (sorry Cashman haters) nor Joe Girardi, but it was none other than Yankees President Randy Levine. Keep in mind that Randy Levine has no prior baseball operations, scouting, or coaching experience. So, anytime you see Rafael Soriano walk the first man he sees in the 8^th inning, or walk in a run, or blow a four-run lead, please remember who is responsible for bringing him aboard.

I invite you to also write Randy. Feel free to use my letter as a template or create your own. May I also suggest calling into radio shows, or contributing to Empire Sports Now. Bottom line, Randy needs to know our appreciation and that Rafael is his Boy.

Without further ado, here is the letter: 

Dear Randy,

Thank you so much, for spending resources over the next three seasons (if he doesn’t opt-out) on Rafael Soriano and giving him a player-friendly, team hand-cuffing deal (the $12 million version of Kyle Farnsworth who has complete control of how he dictates his time in NY). Your vision to give an eighth inning reliever this kind of  money while ignoring his Type-A free agent status and costing the team a first round draft pick in a deep draft class should give Yankee fans everywhere confidence.

Your extensive baseball knowledge first came to pass in 2002 when you decided to trade prospects for Raul Mondesi and pick up the rest of his $16M/year salary, which caused a Blue Jays executive to veer to the side of the road while in his car because he couldn’t believe you fell for it. We all know how valuable Raul was to Yankee lore.

Another note of thanks goes to you for taking everything Scott Boras says as gospel. Rafael’s agent gave you his stats and sold you on this 35 million dollar PR move just to stay relevant in the papers. Scott Boras is the same agent who landed Oliver Perez a $36 million deal, so you know he’s never steered a team wrong. So, great job listening to everything Scott says and going over Brian Cashman’s head to make this deal. Because really, does Cashman know what he is doing anyway? He’s only built the 5^th best farm system in MLB according to Baseball America. Who cares that he acquired All-Star Nick Swisher for Wilson Betemit. Lastly, how dare Cashman build a cheap, effective bullpen with home-grown talent while saving resources for amateur signings and building a winner with young talent.

Once again, a sincere thank you, Mr. Levine.  I’m sure Rafael Soriano will become a fan favorite in no time.

Sincerely,

Adam Dunagan

Cashman has been patient, like he said he would be, but that may be because there isn’t much out there to jump on. He has taken flyers on veteran arms such as Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia. He has a slew of studs in the minors, but scouts project them to be about one year away from being major-league ready. There’s also still a few free agent pitchers out there that Cashman might consider bringing in to compete for a back-end rotation spot.

Cashman has admitted that the Yankees’ rotation isn’t where it needs to be. He has also admitted that the Red Sox are a better team than the Yankees right now.

Isn’t admitting there is a problem the first step?

With a strong farm system, Cashman has the assets to trade in order to bulk up the staff. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune links the Yankees to some of the White Sox pitchers. Rogers notes Edwin Jackson, Gavin Floyd and Josh Danks as guys that could help the Yankees’ rotation.

Rogers looks at one possible trade scenario:

For Danks, Carlos Quentin (or Juan Pierre, if the Yankees preferred a veteran table-setter) and Mark Teahen, the Sox could seek a couple of top-tier prospects such as catcher Jesus Montero and pitcher Dellin Betances, either Curtis Granderson or Brett Gardner (more available than you would think after he hit .185 last October), Chamberlain, Mitre and one or two lesser prospects.

This trade scenario is an example of how teams would try to rip-off the Yankees, seeing that they are in desperate need of pitching. The Yankees aren’t about to give up those pieces for Danks, Quentin and Teahen. I’d do Chamberlain, Granderson, Mitre and two lesser prospects, but not those guys, Montero AND Betances. That’s a joke.

I do like the Yankees looking at White Sox pitchers, however. As long as the White Sox aren’t looking to make a trade similar to what Rogers suggested, the Yankees could try to work with the White Sox to bring in an arm for the rotation.

The biggest news of the day is that the team has decided to let go of pitching coach Dave Eiland. Bryan Hoch of MLB.com tweeted:

Girardi spoke about how Andy Pettitte wasn’t fully healthy during the postseason and that played a role in why Girardi pitched him in Game 3 of the ALCS instead of Game 2. Pettitte’s back “locked up” and he couldn’t pitch Game 2.

The Yankees and Girardi are on the fast-track to a new contract. Both sides need each other since there aren’t good alternatives for either.

The Yankees still view Joba Chamberlain as a back-of-the-rotation guy.

Cashman still thinks highly of Derek Jeter and expects him back. Mariano Rivera is expected to be back as well.

May we see Jesus Montero’s big league career begin in 2011?

Cashman admitted that last off-season wasn’t his best. He also said that Nick Johnson was “plan c” behind Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui.

From all indications, the Yankees want manager Joe Girardi back and it would only make sense for both sides to want to work together on a new deal. The Yankees won’t find a better fit for the position than Girardi and Girardi won’t find a better team to coach.

As for the players, it starts with Derek Jeter. There is no doubt in my mind that Jeter will remain a Yankee. For how long and at what price is the real question.

Mariano Rivera, like Jeter, isn’t going anywhere. I would suggest a two-year deal for the soon to be 41-year old or go by a year-to-year basis with one-year deals until he decides to hang up his cleats.

I’m sure the Yankees would like Andy Pettitte back, at a reasonable salary, but it’s uncertain whether Pettitte wants to pitch another season or retire. If he does want to keep playing, he’ll be playing in pinstripes.

Don’t expect Nick Johnson, Austin Kearns, Lance Berkman or Javier Vazquez to be Yankees in 2011. Do expect the Yankees to try to sign Kerry Wood and use him in the setup role which he had success in during 2010. Also expect the Yankees to try to re-sign Marcus Thames.

As for non-Yankee free agents, the first name to mention has to be Cliff Lee. Putting Lee at the top of the rotation with CC Sabathia will only make this team harder to beat come postseason. Imagine having to face those two guys two times each in a seven game series? Wow.

The first position player to mention is left fielder Carl Crawford. He would be a great table setter at the top of the Yankees order. With his speed and base-stealing ability, he will easily score 120+ runs atop that Yankees lineup with guys like Mark Teixeira, A-Rod and Robinson Cano batting behind him.

With the spending the Yankees are going to have to do for Jeter and Mariano, I don’t think the team dishes out big bucks for both Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford (but they are the Yankees so you never know). Expect the Yankees’ number one target to be Cliff Lee. If they can’t get Lee, I could see the Yankees going after other free agents starters like Justin Duchscherer, Rich Harden or Brandon Webb, who will all cheaper alternatives, but nowhere near the pitcher Lee is. There is only one Cliff Lee in this free agent class, so if he decides to sign with another team, the Yankees could still use another starter, and those three guys are capable of being good middle of the rotation guys. I’d be stunned if the Yankees didn’t add at least one starting pitcher.

One other free agent to mention as a possibility for the Yankees to look at is designated hitter and first baseman Adam Dunn.

The Yankees are going to be active this winter and it all starts with pitching. They can’t go into 2011 with AJ Burnett as anything but their number four of five starter until he proves to them that 2010 was an anomaly. Adding Cliff Lee is the number one goal, but there are other decent starters out there that can help this starting rotation.

And exhale.

Whew. 

Yankee fans, don’t let your mind wander any further about seeing Derek Jeter in another uniform. It’s not going to happen.

“To be honest with you, I never put limitations on how long I can play. … I want to play as long as I can, as long as I’m having fun, as long as I can be productive,” Jeter said. “This organization prides itself on winning and putting a competitive team on the field. As long as I can help out, that’s as long as I want to play.”

It’s not going to be about keeping Derek Jeter in pinstripes, but how long Jeter’s next contract will be. Hopefully the two sides can agree on a contract length that makes both sides happy and ends with Jeter’s retirement.

“I can’t think about what’s going to happen after this year. You don’t think about what legacy you have when you’re still playing. That’s something you consider when your career is over,” Jeter said. “My desire is to stay here. I haven’t thought about … how much money [I] want because we haven’t sat down to negotiate anything. That hasn’t crossed my mind. That’s not what I play for. I play in order to try to help this team win. That’s what I’ve always done. My feeling is everything else will take care of itself.”

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said, ”Let’s put it this way, I think from the fans’ perspective they can count on those guys (Jeter & Mariano) being here a lot longer than I’m going to be here. I think they’re very secure. I don’t think there’s any sweat off any of these guys’ backs. They’ve been Yankees for life, and that’s what we intend to see happen. But again, you start those conversions at a different time and place that you feel is more appropriate.”

The left field free agent market is dwindling. Jason Bay signed with the Mets, Marlon Byrd signed with the Cubs, Mike Cameron signed with the Red Sox and Mark DeRosa signed with the Giants. Matt Holliday and Johnny Damon have ridiculous high price tags.  An addition of a “big piece” for left field is becoming increasingly less likely.

Who is still out there for the Yankees to grab that won’t cost a major chunk of cash? Reed Johnson and Jermaine Dye would all be worth a look if their price tags are in the Yankees’ range. Other than those guys, Gardner may be the best option for the Yankees at left field.

Brett Gardner would be a viable outfielder for most teams. He’s an athletic player with outstanding  speed and plays good defense. He will steal bases, have a bunch of infield hits and will hit more triples than home runs. Typically, corner outfielders are more known for their power, but the addition of Granderson in center field allows them to play a guy like Gardner in left. Having Melky and Gardner starting in the outfield would not have made sense. With Granderson in center, Gardner in left works.

The Yankees pride themselves on having a deep lineup with no easy outs. They strive to bring out a lineup that can kill you at any spot in the order. Comparable to the rest of the lineup, Gardner would be an easy out. It’s uncertain how Gardner will do over the course of an entire season. Can he sustain a .270 average over 500 at-bats? That has yet to be determined.

Brian Cashman is always looking ahead. He’s already thinking one, two or even three years down the road. The moves he makes, or doesn’t make, is telling of that. He didn’t pull the trigger on the Santana deal a few years ago because he knew that CC Sabathia would be a free agent the following year. He made a trade for Javier Vazquez because Vazquez has one year left on his contract and if he turns out to be a bust, the Yankees won’t have to live with it long. Vazquez for one year is better than signing a second-tier free agent pitcher like Jason Marquis or Joel Piniero and being tied up with a guy that could be a bust for three years. Cashman can see that the free agent pitching class is stronger next year.

The same thing goes with a left fielder. Cashman doesn’t want to overpay for a left fielder. Holliday and Damon are asking for way too much. That doesn’t fit in with the Yankees’ goal of keep payroll down below $200 million, although it doesn’t look like they’ll be below that mark anyway. The Yankees have a lot of players in-house to deal with next year (Jeter and Mariano) and there are also some big names that could potentially be on the free agent market (Mauer, Crawford and Cliff Lee). Putting a ton of money into Holliday or another left fielder isn’t the best thing for the Yankees to do right now.

Cashman isn’t only worried about the 2010 Yankees. He’s worried about the team for 2011, 2012 and beyond. Joe Girardi is high on Gardner so it looks like we could be looking at him being the opening day left fielder. He was the Yankees 2009 opening day center fielder after all. If the Yankees sign somebody his name won’t be Holliday. If Damon doesn’t find a suitor at the price he covets, the Yankees and Damon could converge on a one-year deal for $5-7 million. I wouldn’t be surprised if Damon drops his price tag by late January if he’s still on the market.