Reconstructing the New York Yankees

- By Paul Grossinger

Baseball is a fun sport for many reasons; not least the incredible number of ways to improve a team. International free agency, regular free agency, posting fees, the draft...you name it there are ways to quickly turn around a team. The "New York Yankees" are a fascinating case: old, filled with holes, and brimming with money – if "Alex Rodriguez" suspension is upheld, the Yankees will have some $120 million to spend on new payroll for next season alone.

Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games and it will be the longest non-lifetime suspension in baseball history. He'll be keep off through the end of the 2014 MLB season and it'll destroy his career with reputation.

All numbers are approximate but below is my own, fun reconstruction of the New York Yankees; using approximate potential salaries for free agents, trades, and other improvements to the roster. Like Bill Simmons' NBA Trade Machine, it may not make total sense in the real world but its fun!

With the 18 division titles, 40 AL pennants, and 27 World Series championships the New York Yankees is one of the most successful franchises in professional sports history. Lose Alex Rodriguez and his $26M salary to arbitration-upheld punishment.

Red: Over 32 Years; Blue: Under 28 Years, Italics: Left-Hander Platoon: Underlined: Signed for 4+ Years; Green: Elite Prospect; T: Trade

C: Dioner Navarro 2Y; 8M; Austin Romine; Gary Sanchez
1B: Mark Teixeira; Gaby Sanchez 1Y; 2M
2B: Mark Ellis 1Y; 2.5M; Alexander Guerrero 4Y; 30M
SS: Derek Jeter 1Y; 10M
3B: Jhonny Peralta 2Y; 16M
DH: Jose Abreu 6Y; 70M
LF: Carlos Beltran 2Y; 26M; Cody Ross T 2Y; 8M Slade Heathcott
CF: Brett Gardner
RF: Alfonso Soriano/Ichiro Suzuki; Mason Williams

Lineup: Jeter – Beltran – Teixeira – Abreu – Soriano – Peralta –Guerrero – Navarro - Gardner

SP: C.C. Sabathia
SP: Hiroki Kuroda 1Y; 15M; Dalier Hinojosa 4M Bonus
SP: Hinoshi Tanaka 65 Post + 6Y; 64M
SP: Ivan Nova
SP: Bartolo Colon 2Y; 8M; Manny Banuelos
SP: Miguel Antonio Gonzalez 5Y; 25M
RP: Boone Logan
RP: David Roberson
RP: J.P. Howell 1Y; 2M
RP: Fernando Rodney 1Y; 2M
RP: Mike Adams 2Y; 8M
RP: Jesse Crain 3Y; 12M
RP: Brian Wilson 1Y; 3M
CL: Joe Nathan 2Y; 18M