Yankees Turn Focus To Garcia

With Brian Cashman and C.C. Sabathia both resigned the New York Yankees have turned their attention to resigning pitcher Freddy Garcia. It’s not really a surprise considering the season he had but I’d be cautious in how much they plan on giving him.

With Sabathia’s status resolved, the Yankees can move on to free agent starter Freddy Garcia, whose agent, Peter Greenberg, said yesterday the Yankees’ priority was resolving Sabathia’s contract, but the team also wanted Garcia to return.

Garcia, 35, was 12-8 this season with a 3.62 ERA.

“There’s definitely interest on their part and there’s interest on Freddy’s part in coming back,” Greenberg said.

The Yankees likely would offer Garcia arbitration if they don’t sign him prior to that point. Garcia is a Type-B free agent, meaning the team would get draft pick compensation. (New York Post)

Like I said I can’t blame the Yankees for wanting to bring Garcia back, he had an outstanding season all off of a $1.5 million deal. There’s no doubt that he’ll want a raise after the performance he had, which is something he does deserve. But how high do you go?

With Garcia just turning 35 and his track record I wouldn’t go more then $5-6 million for one season. That’s right I’d play hardball, if he wants to cash in with a $7-8 million, muli-year deal then let him walk, they don’t need him. The Yankees have plenty of young talent close to ready and I don’t have much faith in Garcia repeating his performance.

His 2011 campaign was his best season since 2005 and arguably one of the top three seasons in his 12 year career. At his age, that’s something I’m pretty sure he won’t follow up. I’d expect something closer to his 2006 and 2010 campaigns where he had a mid-4.00 earned run average. I leave out 2007-9 because those all had him missing significant time due to injury.

So if you were Brian Cashman what kind of deal would you offer Garcia? Would you give multiple years? How much money would you spend?

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Tags: Freddy Garcia, MLB, New York Yankees