Blue Jays’ third baseman, Brett Lawrie and Yankee catcher Mariner catcher, Jesus Montero are two of the game’s best young hitters. In just 150 at-bats last season, Lawrie mashed nine home runs and posted an impressive .293/.373/.580 line as an August call-up. In an even smaller sample size of 61 at-bats, Montero hit four home runs and posted an impressive .328/.406/.590 line as a September call-up. As the Mariners were searching for a bat, they called the Blue Jays and asked if they were interested in dealing Lawrie for Michael Pineda. Sources say that the Jay scoffed at the offered and simply moved on while the Yankees ended up dealing Montero. However, did the Blue Jays make a mistake by hanging onto Lawrie and passing up on Pineda?

Lawrie Being Lawrie--AP Photo

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Earlier this week, Jorge Posada told sources that he was retiring. And rightfully so. Like every catcher before him, his skills behind the plate began to diminish and the Yankees did not value his bat enough to bring him back for 2012. Jorge showed in the ALDS that he can still hit (.429), but with the Yankees moving in a younger direction, it was time to say goodbye to Jorge. Posada will need to wait for five years before becoming eligible for the Hall of Fame. While Jorge will not be a First Ballot selection, Jorge will ultimately get in and here’s why..

Hip Hip..

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For the last few days, people have tried to shoot holes in the Yankees acquisition of Michael Pineda. Some will argue that Pineda, a pitcher who collected 34 percent of his outs via the flyout, will suffer going from spacious Safeco Field to the banbox in Yankee Stadium. Others will argue that Pineda’s second half ERA (5.12) proves he can’t handle a full workload. Instead, critics fail to address Pineda’s lefty-righty splits. Before unpacking the numbers and presenting my argument, Pineda, a fastball-slider pitcher, must develop a reliable third pitch to justify his value and more importantly–solidify his slot behind CC Sabathia. 

Pineda Needs A Third--AP Photo

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Time is money. And Brian Cashman has all the time in the world to make the right move. Prior to trading for Michael Pineda, Cashman had the opportunity to sign CJ Wilson, bid for Yu Darvish, or trade for Ubaldo Jimenez, Gio Gonzlaez, or even Mat Latos. However, Cashman clearly didn’t like the associated cost. For some of these names, one could argue that the talent may be comparable, but in terms of player cost, there’s no comparison. More after the jump..

AP Photo

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Only four short days ago, I wrote an article about the Yankees’ quiet off-season. Funny how quickly things can change. In a blockbuster trade, the Yankees sent their top prospect, catcher/DH Jesus Montero and pitcher Hector Noesi to Seattle for pitchers Felix Hernandez Michael Pineda and Jose Campos. Everyone is very familiar with Montero’s body of work and lack of position, but may not know much about Pineda. Pineda, 22, struck out 173 hitters in 171 innings as a rookie, the highest rookie strikeout total since Kerry Wood struck out 223 in 1998.

In a ‘lesser’ move, the Yankees signed veteran pitcher, Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year, $10 million deal. Kuroda, a pure control pitcher, posted the ninth-best ERA in the NL last year (3.07) and has given the Dodgers at least 195 innings in the last two seasons. 

To put it simply, the Yankees got the better end of the Montero-Pineda deal and signed a rock solid #3 pitcher for virtually no risk. Brian Cashman’s patience once again paid off and the Yanks will reap the benefits in 2012 and beyond…

Michael Pineda Is Bronx Bound--AP Photo

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Even though the Holiday Season is behind us, the Yankees’ off-season can be summed up with one word–silent. The Yankees have had silent night after silent night, watching major trades for Gio Gonzalez and Mat Latos go through without a proposal of their own. Free agent pitchers, such as Mark Buerhle and CJ Wilson, did not even receive Yankee offers. The Yankees have apparently been talking with free agent starting pitcher, Edwin Jackson, but it’s hard to get excited about a .500 career pitcher with a lifetime 4.46 ERA. (AJ Burnett 2.0, anyone?). All in all, the Yankees have been relatively quiet, re-upping with CC, Freddy Garcia and Andruw while picking up options on Robbie Cano and Nick Swisher. But is this really a bad thing?

Edwin Threw A No-No, But The Yanks Should Say No-No

The catcher position is arguably the most decorated position in Yankee history. Behind the plate, the Yankees have a rich tradition that includes Billy Dickey, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, and Thurman Munson. Today, Jorge Posada retired and firmly entrenched his name into the Yankee tradition at catcher. Posada, viewed as a borderline Hall of Fame candidate, hit 275 home runs and drove in 1,065 runs in 17 seasons with the Yanks. Posada played in 125 post-season games, appeared in five All-Star Games and won five World Championships.

During his final season with the Bombers, Posada was relegated to DH duty, hitting 14 HRs and driving in 44 runs. Posada, who is one of the most powerful switch hitters I’ve seen, was only used as a lefty swinger. Despite losing his starting catching position and only hitting from the left side, Posada was one of the only post-season bright spots, hitting .429 during the ALDS against the Tigers.

I’ll always remember Jorge for his honesty and solid play. Posada was the definition of a gamer and was a true Yankee. His double off of Pedro Martinez in the 2003 ALCS will live forever as will the day he caught David Wells’s perfect game. Most importantly, the fans always showered Jorge with his patentent ‘Hip Hip…JORGE!!!’ chant. I will miss doing that.

After the 2011 season, it was clear the Yankees were set to move on. Posada’s skills had clearly diminished and the Yankees have a plethora of young players who will assume the DH spot next season. I do think Jorge could have DH’ed for another American League team, but playing an entire career with one club means something. Not many athletes are able to do it.

As for the Hall of Fame, Jorge definitely isn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, but he could get in down the road. That’s an article for another day, but today, we remember Jorge for always being a gentleman, a true professional, and a Yankee for life.

HIP, HIP….

The Yankees and free agent outfielder, Andruw Jones have agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.4 million plus incentives. In 190 at-bats last year, Jones crushed 13 HRs, drove in 33 runs, and posted an impressive .356 on-base percentage. Jones did the majority of his damage against lefties (.286/.384/.540) and played good defense in left and right field. 

AP PHOTO

This was a good signing by the Yanks. Jones was a solid bat and glove off the bench and provides veteran leadership. 

Winter Meetings started pretty slowly, but went out with a bang on Thursday afternoon. Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson joined the Los Angeles Angels while the Marlins have been offering big money contracts to every available free agent. As for the two New York teams, the Yankees made a minor moving, posting the highest bid ($2 million) to negotiate with Japanese shortstop, Hiroyuki Nakajima, who started for Japan during the 2009 World Baseball Classic. As for the Mets, they signed relievers, Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco while making a small trade with the Giants for Andres Torres.

For both the Mets and Yankees, we’ve heard a ton of trade rumors, which I’ll get to, but here are five impressions I’ve taken away from this off-season…

Sorry, Cardinal Nation

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Freddy Garcia and the Yankees agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal this week. Garcia was extremely consistent for the Bombers last year, posting a 12-8 record with a 3.62 ERA in 25 starts. The Yankees invited Garcia to Spring Training solely as a non-tenured players last year. Garcia made approximately $4 million through incentives last season and wanted to return to the Bronx. Garcia drew strong interest from Boston, but ultimately came back to New York.

In a smaller move, the Yankees inked utility man, Jayson Nix to a minor league contract. In the spring, the 29-year-old Nix will compete for a utility role. Nix posted a very unimpressive .169/.245/.309 line last season in 46 games for the Blue Jays, but Nix has smacked double digit home runs in three of the last five years. Presumably, Nix will compete with Ramiro Pena, Eduardo Nunez, and possibly Eric Chavez (if re-signed) for playing time. Like Garcia last season, Nix’s roster spot is not guaranteed, but you can bet the Yankees see something in the righty.