Yankees to sign Nick Johnson

The Yankees are nearing an agreement on a 1-year deal worth approximately $5 Million with free agent 1B/DH Nick Johnson.

Johnson was coveted by the Yankees, Giants, and Mariners.

Johnson was a former Yankee that was traded away along with Randy Choate and Juan Rivera for Javier Vazquez back in 2003. The Yankees drafted Johnson in 1996.

Johnson, whose .426 OBP this year leads all free agents, was wanted by the Yankees mainly for the great On Base Percentage, the fact that he hits well against lefties, and the fact that he is a lefty-hitter himself. With Matsui gone and Damon probably leaving, this was the Yankees big chance to sign a lefty-hitter.

INSTANT ANALYSIS: Since it is a one-year deal, I like it. Even if Johnson is injury-prone, he still puts up good numbers when he plays. This move allows the Yankees to stick the Melky/Gardner combo in left.

Yankees Have Interest in Brad Penny

According to the NY Post, the Yankees are interested in signing RHP Brad Penny to replace Sergio Mitre in the rotation. Penny would cost $100,00 to sign for the Yankees, or any other team interested in signing him (besides the Redsox.)

I like the idea of this, as long as it doesn’t get in the way. What I mean by that is that I would NOT want Brad Penny on the Yankees playoff roster. I would like him as a September starter to fill in the last spot over Mitre. Other teams interested are the Rockies, Marlins, and Giants. I think the best fit for him is the Rockies.

Look Back-Mike Lowell

In the first part of my look back series, I will examine what could have been if the Yankees signed Mike Lowell back in 2007.

Lets say the Yankees sign Lowell to the reported offer of 4 years $60 Million. Here is most likely what would have happened since.

YANKEES TRADE EITHER HIDEKI MATSUI OR JOHNNY DAMON.

The Yankees would have two all-star capable Left-Fielders. The Giants were reportedly interested in a Matsui-for-Matt Cain swap, as were the Yankees. With no Lowell, though, the Yankees had Giambi at 1st and Matsui/Damon at DH. *In Peter Abraham’s article he says the Yankees could have gotten both Matt Cain and Noah Lowry for Matsui….what a trade. *Also check out the bottom where a Tim Lincecum for Alex Rios trade was being proposed. Blue Jays probably still crying over that one.

YANKEES DON’T SIGN ONE OF MARK TEIXEIRA, or ALEX RODRIGUEZ.

With Mike Lowell’s giant contract and Teixeira or Rodriguez’s giant contract, they couldn’t afford all three.

REDSOX SIGN ONE OF MARK TEIXEIRA, or ALEX RODRIGUEZ.

Makes perfect sense. Whichever is left over from the Yankees goes to the Redsox.

So lets recap. Here are the possible lineups.

WITH LOWELL AND TEIXEIRA

1. Jeter SS
2. Damon DH
3. Teixeira 1B
4. Posada C
5. Cano 2B
6. Lowell 3B
7. Swisher RF
8. Cabrera LF
9. Gardner CF

SP: Matt Cain

WITH LOWELL AND RODRIGUEZ

1. Jeter SS
2. Damon DH
3. Lowell 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Cano 2B
6. Posada C
7. Swisher RF
8. Cabrera LF
9. Gardner CF

Both lineups look much worse than their current one, while the 2nd one has back-to-back hip surgery patients.

So even though the Yankees might have a better rotation….I am very happy the Yankees did not sign Mike Lowell back in 2007.