What the Yankees need to draft.

The Yankees have spent more money on the draft in recent years and have been a lot more aggressive when it comes to overslot guys. While I’m more of the mindset that you should draft the best player available I do think the Yankees lack in certain areas. Catchers are a huge plus for the Yankees, starting pitching depth also is a strength of the Yankees farm system. Looking at the contracts on the books lets see where the Yankees need to draft guys.

1st Base: Mark Teixera will be the first baseman to 2016. No need to draft a guy for that position. They do have Jesus Montero who probably will need to be a 1st baseman by the end of that contract.

2nd Base: Robbie Cano is locked up through the 2013 season. It’s safe to say that the Yankees won’t need a 2nd baseman also for some time. Yankees do have David Adams in the minors who could play 2nd base in a few years if he continues to develop.

SS: Derek Jeter is only signed for this year. Many people feel that he will sign a three to four year contract. I too believe that he won’t get a longer contract than 4 years. While he might get that I do wonder how many more years he can play SS. I think Jeter can play SS for 3-4 more years. Right now the farm system is barren when it comes to SS prospects. I’m not a huge fan of Nunez or any of the other prospects who are at SS.

3rd base: A-Rod is probably going to be the 3rd baseman for some time, 2017 in fact. I do wonder how long A-Rod can play 3rd base but even if he only plays for 5 more years at 3rd base the Yankees won’t need anyone at the hot corner until then. The Yankees do have a few 3rd base prospects most notably is Bradley Suttle who even thou had a lost season is a legit 3rd base prospect who could jump back into a top 10 prospect list for the Yankees.

Catcher: Jorge Posada has 2 more years left on his contract. I do think this will be the last year for Posada full time behind the plate. They have Frankie Cervelli who is a great defender and who could be a backup for a number of years. After him they have Montero who could be ready to catch in the bigs full time after this season. Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez and J.R. Murphy ( who Jim Callis said might turn out to be the best catcher in the system) all could play catcher within 4 years.

Outfield: 2 spots are locked up for the Yankees. Swisher is signed through 2012 if they pick up his option. Curtis Granderson has an option for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Two of the three outfield spots are locked up long term. In the minors the Yankees have no one close to being MLB ready. Kevin Deleon will start in full season ball this year along with Slade Heathcott. Abe Almonte is the only player who will play above low A this year who has a legit shot to being a big leaguer. I say this because I want to see how the college OF’s the Yankees drafted do in full season ball.

So the Yankees do need to address some of these faults. I do think that Slade could be ready by the time Granderson’s contract is done. SS is the most pressing but as I say that the Yankees could always trade for a young SS with prospects in other areas. Prospects can either be used to fill a need or trade for a need. I think we will see the Yankees try to find a SS that they think can move up the system quickly. OF depth also is an area of need but it could be better if any of the college OF’s that the Yankees drafted emerge as legit options.