Let’s see them blame Mientkiewicz for this
-
- October
- 31
Those darn Red Sox lost the ball again.
Meanwhile, 38pitches.com lists the 12 teams he’s interested. Thankfully the Yankees are not one of them.
Finally, I’m working on my Halloween costume. I woke up late, had lunch, sat on the couch for a while watching television and drank a beer.
I’m Carl Pavano!
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, October 31st, 2007 at 4:35 pm by Peter Abraham.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Share and Enjoy: 
| 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Advertisement
Peter Abraham
Actually, if you were Carl Pavano, you’d have to earn crazy amounts of money and *then* do those things for 4 years.
Pete you forgot to have a playmate go for a ride with you in your sports car
scarier than carl pavano:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0710/yankees.managers/content.19.html
If you were Carl Pavano you would have to dress up as a mummy wearing tape and arm and elbow slings and who knows what else?
If he ever comes back to the Yankee clubhouse, he better wear a cup.
THis is too funny!!
* ESPN does a number on Yanks’ call
BY NEIL BEST
October 31, 2007
The Yankees yesterday lifted their ban on ESPN dialing into team
conference calls, after punishing the network for violating
guidelines when it aired live an Oct. 18 call about Joe Torre’s
departure.
Alas, things still went awry. ESPN carried the Joe Girardi call on a
delay on radio and ESPNEWS, but it failed to edit out a reference to
the phone number for the call, prompting some fans to try to call in.
WFAN/YES carried the call on a shorter delay but did edit out the
number.
“It’s a format that by design isn’t set up for anything other than
print media,” Jason Zillo, Yankees media relations director, said of
conference calls.
So the delay was instituted to give the electronic media time to
edit out what Zillo called the “inherent awkwardness” of the format.
That includes situations such as yesterday, when GM Brian Cashman
tried to call in and was given a number that fans heard as well.
Oops.
is there a list anywhere of teams that are actually interested in that tool?? No-one cares what 12 teams he’s interested in…….
Pete, u forgot that u need a hot chick by your side, lol. And a wrecked porsche.
I’m not a Mets fan….but I hope for the Mets sake that Schilling doesn’t wind up there. He is a real schill……..
Add a big cardboard Publisher’s Clearing House-style check, and your costume is complete!
Pete,
If you are Carl Pavano, you have to head to this Jupiter, FL tiki bar and hit on every waitress in the place.
THEN, you would be Carl Pavano! lol
“If he ever comes back to the Yankee clubhouse, he better wear a cup.”
LOL … sunny, are you a Van Halen fan by any chance?
Pete: And don’t you have to, like, publicly chide your mother for wearing a Yankees cap in public or something?
SJ44,
No argument that Girardi will be very prepared, focused and won’t get out-managed. However, the Red Sox are a better team at this point.
I don’t think Cashman wants Girardi to take a knife to a gun fight, particularly in his own “contract year”. He’ll have to find some more bullets somewhere along the way, and still stick to his plan.
Absolutely agree regarding Yonder Alonso. I saw him play several times this summer for Brewster. He came out of that experience as BA’s #2 CCBL prospect.
The previous list was compiled by BA in advance of this year’s draft (Spring, 2007), so the most recent summer season and college season was not included.
This just in… Frank McCourt says that hiring Joe Torre will benefit the team tremendously. Adding many of his former staff with the Yankees will now allow the Dodgers to complete in a marketing sense with the Angels.
The Dodgers will now petition MLB to change their name to
The New York Dodgers of Los Angeles.
Previously considered was The New York Yankees of Los Angeles.
Wow… this is great.
Here is BA’s list of top 30 CCBL Prospects:
1. Aaron Crow, rhp, Falmouth (Jr., Missouri)
2. Yonder Alonso, 1b, Brewster (Jr., Miami)
3. Kyle Gibson, rhp, Falmouth (So., Missouri)
4. Christian Friedrich, lhp, Falmouth (Jr., Eastern Kentucky)
5. Robert Stock, c, Cotuit (So., Southern California)
6. Scott Green, rhp, Yarmouth-Dennis (Jr., Kentucky)
7. Dennis Raben, of, Orleans (Jr., Miami)
8. Luke Burnett, rhp, Falmouth (Jr., Louisiana Tech)
9. Ryan Perry, rhp, Orleans (Jr., Arizona)
10. Andy Oliver, lhp, Wareham (So., Oklahoma State)
11. Shooter Hunt, rhp, Falmouth (Jr., Tulane)
12. Gordon Beckham, ss/2b, Yarmouth-Dennis (Jr., Georgia)
13. Conor Gillaspie, 3b, Falmouth (Jr., Wichita State)
14. Alex White, rhp, Chatham (So., North Carolina)
15. James Darnell, 3b, Hyannis (Jr., South Carolina)
16. Allan Dykstra, 1b, Chatham (Jr., Wake Forest)
17. Buster Posey, c, Yarmouth-Dennis (Jr., Florida State)
18. Grant Green, if, Yarmouth-Dennis (So., Southern California)
19. Reese Havens, ss, Cotuit (Jr., South Carolina)
20. Aaron Shafer, rhp, Falmouth (Jr., Wichita State)
21. Brett Jacobson, rhp, Harwich (Jr., Vanderbilt)
22. D.J. Mitchell, rhp, Bourne (Jr., Clemson)
23. Jason Castro, 1b/c/of, Yarmouth-Dennis (Jr., Stanford)
24. Brad Boxberger, rhp, Orleans (So., Southern California)
25. Brandon Crawford, ss, Orleans (Jr., UCLA)
26. Shane Peterson, 1b/of, Hyannis (Jr., Long Beach State)
27. David Adams, 2b/ss, Falmouth (Jr., Virginia)
28. Kyle Weiland, rhp, Falmouth (Jr., Notre Dame)
29. Jeremy Bleich, lhp, Wareham (Jr., Stanford)
30. Dan Brewer, of/if, Hyannis (Jr., Bradley)
B, here is BA’s assessment of Alonso’s summer in Massachusetts:
“Alonso was the consensus choice as the Cape’s top all-around hitter. He had the best approach in the league, and it was tested when the Whitecaps lost all of their other power threats to injuries and early departures. Alonso remained patient and continued to use the whole field, finishing with league highs in walks (36) and on-base percentage (.468) while hitting .338.
“He’s more than a power bat,” a second NL scouting director said. “He’s a hitter with power, so that’s all the better. He’s pretty advanced.”
Alonso has a loose, compact stroke and excellent balance, and most of his current power comes in the form of line drives to the gaps. He should become more of a home run threat once he turns on and lifts more pitches. He’s a below-average athlete who could work harder on his conditioning and defense, and even then he probably still will be limited to first base.”
Pete, you need to do stand-up!!! Very very funny stuff.
haha suckers lost it again. Papelbon probably stole it. He’s white trash like that.
Girardi on Kay radio.
Peter:
If you wanna make a “big” impression for Halloween,
swallow a couple of large pumpkins, spread some jelly on your sock…and go as 38pitches.com!
Allan Dykstra, 1b, Chatham (Jr., Wake Forest)
any relationship? If so, i know who im going to bet is the one that gets caught we steriods
Migames:
“son of Randy & Cathy Dykstra”
Bobcat,
I don’t disagree. However, there is a long way between now and next season.
The Yankees are a team in transition and that’s not a bad thing. Teams have to change and the Yankees are transitioning in the right direction.
Its still a pretty good team, even without Arod.
What’s promising to me is, there are young guys in the system fans don’t even know about yet are have HUGE upside.
They have a ton of money coming off the books this year and next year and it gives Cashman some options he hasn’t had the last couple of years.
As good as the Red Sox are, the Yankees won the last 4 series they had against them. They just can’t get out of the first round of the playoffs and that’s something that has to change. I’m sorry but, there is no way this team should have lost to the Indians this year.
I think the managerial change had to take place. It was time. I also think they are transitioning the team the right way. Folks just have to be patient and see how it shakes out.
got it
Girardi’s got a sense of humor.
I like him a lot already.
Re: the prospect list…
Buster Posey may be the best baseball name ever.
Well, next to a pitcher named Shooter.
If the yanks gave the twins our best pitching prospect still in the minors plus melky and/or damon and/or tabata along with a horde of money, could we possiblty get santana without giving up kennedy, chamberlain, hughes or Wang? I feel like losing our best hitter is soo detrimental to the team that we really need to make a big splash in the free agent market. Considering the fact that there is really no free agents to make a big splash with, we should really do whatever it takes to get santana and sign him to a six yr deal. Besides yankees, the best free agents are Torri Hunter, Andruw Jones, Mike Lowell, Fransisco Cordero and possibly Joe Nathan. None of those guys are really big splashes in my eyes. Jones had the worst season of his career last yr batting 222 and he didnt have any significant injury. Hunters career obp is 324. Cordero had his first solid season in yrs. Mike Lowell sucked last yr and was horrible the yr before. Nathan would prolly be the best signing of a free agent the yanks could make but he has an option and he would have to agree to be a setup man for the next yr or two. Crede or Lowell are pretty much our only options to replace arod at third as betemit is too crappy to be a starter and cano already said no when asked if he would moved to third. Crede had a career yr last yr and barely played this season. His career numbers shows how mediocre the guy can be and how injury prone. Perhaps, we can somehow put a package together to get miguel cabrera - prolly one of the best hitters in the game today but he doesnt have a great work ethic and we would have to give up ALOT. For some strange reason, the yanks are the only team that has never taken advantage of the marlins generousity. This could be their oppurtunity. Who knows if cabrera liked girardi or not … Rowand would be a nice little pickup. And trading damon or giambi for something useful woould be nice as well - we cant afford to have two guys with their salaries rotating on and off the bench each nite. I think if the yanks offer a team enough money, they can pick up something pretty useful for giambi. I wouldnt mind cash looking into isringhausen or nathan as a possible future replacement for Mo as he nears the end of his career (assuming we re-sign him) but they both have options.
I get secret pleasure that Girardi is a friend of Kay and do not have that relationship with MMD. When all the Torre stuff was going down and people were saying MMD were bias as they used to have Torre on every week. They then went on to say on please and we will have the new manager on every week as well.
Guess what I personally dont think that is going to happen and the weekly show will move over to ESPN. They will not like that.
lenny dykstra’s son is a very good shortstop in westlake village CA. I think his name is Spider or something like that. I know a pro scout that handles So cal where I live he says Dykstra’s son is very good. Robert Stock on your cape cod list went to school here also.. he is going to be vry good. he went to USC after his Junior yr. in High school….
SJ keep giving me these optimistic reports on young yankee talent….
SJ44,
I couldn’t agree more. I’m a believer growing your own, as opposed to writing checks. Irrespective of the FA market, assuming most of recent Yankee FA re-up, I’d be content to go into the season as is and be patient.
The Yankees’ farm system is absolutely LOADED with arms. Girardi is the right guy to handle them going forward. Just keep running them out there.
*Shooter Hunt’s father was my math teacher in sixth and seventh grade, and almost wholly responsible for my Yankee fandom*
Just for the record.
Holy $#$#@ I can’t believe he’s #11!!!
SJ44,
What have you heard about Mitchell Hilligoss? Do scouts have a feel for him or Brad Suttle?
SJ44,
BTW, have you seen the SIX part interview with Nardi Contreras? He’s more effusive than Cashman, but he’s talking about the Yankees’ minor league pitching prospects, so it’s great reading.
What’s exciting to me is that we are seeing some position players, along with the arms, begin to make tracks in the system.
Austin Jackson is absolutely RAKING in Hawaii. He is becoming one of the best OF prospects in the game at 20 years old.
Jose Tabata hit .300 in the FSL last year with a bad wrist. Now that his wrist has been fixed, I think his power numbers will increase. He’s only 20 years old.
Justin Snyder, a 21st round selection this year, had a great rookie year and its going to be exciting watching him this summer. He can play several positions and may be a guy that moves quickly through the system.
Juan Miranda (first base) is a guy to watch this spring. He finished his first year in the organization in AA and has excellent power.
Brett Gardner may be the Yankees version of Ellsbury.
Its really an exciting time to be a Yankees fan because the farm system is beginning to pay off. That gives them a variety of options to improve their team.
Pete,
I live in LA and just heard you on the local NPR station talking about Torre coming to the Dodgers. That’s much more than Pavano does each day.
I have not seen the Contreras interview. Where is it?
Nardi would know. He’s done an unbelievable job with the pitching prospects in the organization.
Mitch Hilligoss is a good prospect. They kept him in Charleston the entire year in ‘07.
That means he may begin next season in Tampa. If he has a good spring, perhaps he starts in Trenton but, I think Tampa will be his first stop.
It looks like they are trying to fast track Brad Suttle and they may have to back off a bit. It may be a situation of too much, too soon. Way too early to have an opinion of him.
I loved him at Texas. Just looks like he is pressing a bit this early in his pro career. That’s not unusual.
In Derek Jeter’s first year of pro ball, he made 56 errors. I say that as a way to caution folks not to read too much into prospects slow starts.
anything of value from Giradi on the kay show???????
SJ why can’t a guy like Jackson at 20 be in the big leagues by the end of next yr. or 2009?
SJ: Posts like those from you restore my faith in humanity =D
Just out of curiousity I decided to go to Arod’s website to see if he changed it at all since the opt out in terms of photos, Yankees stuff etc. He has not but what did I find some Q&A answers he gave before the playoffs.
Did you know that he has started a trend with the high socks??Lordy he does take credit for a lot. see his answer
this from arod.com
Alex: Hi Tommy, there really wasn’t one reason why I started wearing my socks high. I just thought it looked like a Notre Dame football player and a few of my friends liked the look so I said, what the heck. Why not? It’s was a new year so I went with a new look.
To be honest, I had no idea it had an impact on Little Leaguers. That’s pretty cool that I’ve started a new trend. With that being said, I don’t think that I would ever wear my socks down again. I’ve really gotten used wearing them this way and I’m enjoying it. But I never say never. And no, I don’t think my socks had anything to do with the year I’ve had. Good luck with the rest of the Little League season.
Also he says when asked that his closest person on the team is MO. really thats new
Those posts also point out that this “back to the 80s” stuff is complete nonsense. Keep pumping them out, SJ44. You’re the best poster on here.
Rebecca -
Who is Shooter Hunter? What is the significance of #11? And I’m assuming you’re referring to the Joe Girardi interview with Michael Kay?
SJ,
Do you have a day job? I must admit, I am impressed with your knowledge of the force. I am not trying to be a jerk here, but that’s some impressive stuff.
If I read correctly, and I like to think that I have, three potential all-star outfielders who get to the show in ‘09?
Doreen–
he’s the #11 college prospect per the post above.
I don’t know what position he plays, but he’s from my hometown and his father taught me math for two years. His father is also a HUGE Yankees fan, and is kind of the reason I got not just ‘into it’ but obsessed! He also used to give us twizzlers if we could get mental math problems right. And he made us sing in home room. And my parents on back to school night.
Anyway, he’s really, really good, and went to the same high school as Chris Simms.
I went to the other one in the district.
The interview is on PinstripesPlus.com, which is accessible also through Scout.com
Both are subscription services.
The articles are copy-protected. I’ll see if I can’t excerpt part of them.
Thanks, Rebecca. I guess I’ve just been skimming - because of the trick-or-treaters, and I don’t pay a lot of attention to the draft stuff.
Stuart,
It all depends on how Jackson does in AA this year.
AA seperates the men from the boys in terms of prospects.
Most teams have their best pitching prospects in AA.
If Jackson, and Tabata for that matter, hit well in AA, you can begin to set timetables for them to the Bronx.
AA is the key. Plenty of prospects have stalled at the AA level.
I don’t expect that to happen to Tabata or Jackson but, you never know.
An example of what I am talking about. Cameron Maybin with the Tigers.
He played well in A ball. They promoted him to AA and he was on fire. He ended up with the Tigers but, it was a bit of “too much, too soon”. However, its clear the kid has bigtime written all over him.
It would be great if Jackson and Tabata have a similar track to the big leagues.
SJ44, I always look for your posts, thanks for the info.
SJ,
With Tabata,Gardner and Jackson all in the outfield,all young. Do you see all 3 in Yankee uniforms or any of them used as traid bait. I just cant picture the Yanks going with 3 young kids in the OF.
Which one has the highest ceiling? Last year i kept hearing Tabata being the next Manny. Is he still at the top of this list?
you all are a bunch of phonys tell me one player you don’t want from boston if he makes you win the world series Ill take the whole team!! we should win the champion
The prospects are certainly very exciting…But as Cash always says, “all prospects are suspect until proven otherwise.”
I’d still be leary of giving Hunter, Rowand, or anyone else (except maybe Santana) a 5-year-plus contract. Just look at history.
38 Pitches is a complete cretin and I hope he never ever has the privilege of putting on the Yankees pinstripes. Let him go back to Arizona and melt away some blubber in that heat.
This new server is great.
Does anyone realistically think the Yankees want to open the new Stadium in ‘09 with a team of kids? The theory of building this dynamic young team is great. But one has to take into consideration that this is New York and the spotlight will be on the new Yankee Stadium, the biggest stage in sports.
The Yankees are going to do what they can to develop their own talent. But expect them to be major players in the ‘08 free agent market. They will be looking for sizzle, and unless a Tabata comes along and really creates a stir, the Yankees are going to spend BIG before that new Stadium opens. This ain’t Minnesota here folks.
The new server is MARVELOUS!
2009 is a long way off Drive 4-5, there is a lot of money freeing between now and then. Relax and enjoy the ride.
SJ I think maybin is only 19, he was overmatched at the show and he was only at AA for a couple of weeks. I know he is very talented but he has a ways to go…
drive 4 - 5 .. rowand is a good signing if for 4 yrs at the right price.. these contracts at the end become such albatrosses(Giambi).. Laugh at me I do not think the Damon contract is that bad, he has 2 more yrs. and he can still play.. He i actually quite tradeable in my opinion.. wait to you ee what these FS’s get , Damon has a good contract in relative terms..
I am not advocating trading Damon. He plays hard, is clutch, and is a good guy……I keep him..
As far as too many kids being on the roster in 2009 - If the Yankees win, they’ll be plenty famous.
No Peter,
I’m going as Carl Pavano!!
http://tinyurl.com/2dytcg
In addition to being a steamrolling, runaway freight train of breaking information who’s fast becoming a sports writing giant (watch out Ken Rosenthal), Pete is now a viable standup comedian. That’s EXACTKY what Carl Pavano did today as he counted a large part of his $40 million!!!
So im reading on fox that Rivera is being offered 3yr 40 mil. and that its going to get done. Thats good news.
Anyone have a feeling that Posada is bailing on us to play for the Mets. Mets offering 4 or 5 years.
If the Mets are truly offering 5 years to Posada…Goodbye, Jorge!
Jorge is not leaving for a ridIculous contract from the Mets if he did for 1 yr I would lose respect for me.. He also has made a ton of money and signing him till he is 40 is INSANE……………
I assume he losing me as a fan will not really be a big deal to him but he has been with the Yanks since he is 18 yrs old…. that is a long long time……
My point is that the Yankees can develop all the talent you want, but don’t fall in love with them just yet. They will be drooling over a Texiera or a Santana a year from now.
The ‘08 Yankees have over $150mil in contract commitments before they re-sign anyone or pick up a Mike Lowell.That’s a lot of money and that means they still need to put out a team that sells seats and is competitive. They are not going to just hold tryouts for ‘09 next year. I have confidence that they will be more intelligent about some of the decisions they make now that Cashman holds the reigns.
They still want to win in ‘08 and they especially don’t want to look like they made a wrong decision by drawing a line in the sand with AFraud.
Hey Pete,
Don’t bruise your buttocks like Carl did. You might over exert yourself.
It kind of looks that way at the moment. Let me remind you we got 2 picks for Tom Gordon we used for Joba and Ian Kennedy.
How about Michael Barrett to replace Molina as a backup and if we lose Posada maybe Loduca?
Nice one Doctor!!! LMAO!!!
the payroll in 08 will be less then this yr. anyway you slice it. no arod, no clemens right there they save $41 mill or so….
eliminate vizciano, villone, minky, etc fill those with 1st yr guys and you save an additional $4 mill or so… there payroll will be in the $160 mill range the least in about 3 yrs. Next yr 09 it will be even lower no matter which big FA’s they sign they will lose: Pettitte $16 mill, Moose $11 mill,Abreu $16 mill., Giambi $21 mill, and Krazy Kyle $4 mill… I think that is about $65 mill or so………………………WOW
losing Posada is not an option. Cash… get er done.
stuart, we still have to replace most of those guys you mentioned…
“I’ll give it back to the team,” Varitek said at Coors Field. “Maybe we won’t have a controversy this time.”
This is what we call “bachi”, when you get bad luck because you have bad intentions. Varitek was trying to make a dig at Minky and what happens? Controversy.
we will Chris but young players get paid peanuts… Wang made like $450 k this yr!!!!!!!
Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy combined this yr. will make less then $2 mill….
Young players get paid peanuts…..Edwar,Veras, Duncan, etc. get paid pennies in relative terms.. Again the ywill sign some FA’s but if you stay away from any contract over 4 yrs. and stay away from the totally insane contracts they can dig themselves out of there previous financial insanity…….
I hear you but I highly doubt everyone of them will be replaced with young guys. There will be at least 1 or 2 bigger ticket guys I’m sure, a big bat at the very least.
Remember last year looked like we were going to be down in the 180M range, then signed Clemens…..
It should definitely be lower, no doubt, but I don’t think anywhere near as low as 160M.
Stuart
Funny typo alert
“I would lose respect for me”
just re-read your post.. if you’re talking more about ‘09 than ‘08, than I agree, we could very well get down to the 160M mark once Giambi is off the books. But you really never know what will happen with trades and the FA market. We will always have at least a couple big earners….
I’m not going to worry about 3rd base too much, but wouldn’t Lowell be a “nice to have”? Does anyone know if he filed for free agency yet? And what do you think the chances of him staying in Boston?
Whaddya talk’n ’bout Blackula?!
Baby, I’ve got more soul than I can control!
The whole team won’t be kids in ‘09. But, it will be a lot younger team than fans may want to believe.
As far as the new Stadium is concerned, they have already sold out all the suites (10 year leases) and all the stadium signage (also 10 year leases).
They are swimming in cash.
Fans want a winner. There will still be plenty of star power on the team. However, it will also be a younger team.
Doesn’t mean it won’t be good. Just means it will be younger.
Its not a coincidence to see so much money coming off the books this year and next year in anticipation of it.
Winning teams have balance between youth and experience. Right now, the Yankees are an old team. They will change in the next 18 months.
MVP Lowell may jump ship to the highest bidder, but I don’t know much about him. We could probably get him if we want him unless he’s got an affinity for Boston now, but the question is, would we want to for whatever that price might be…
I also wonder if Boston would increase their push for A-Rod if we stole Lowell from them. Not sure if that would be a good or bad thing, but facing A-Rod 19 times a year surrounded by Big Sloppi and Manny, no matter what we think of him, would not be a good thing.
SJ44 –
What would you consider the optimum average age of a baseball player? Or even of a team? 26-32? Or can it go to 34 or 35? At what point is a player “old?” ARod is 32. In 3 years he’ll be 35. He’s looking for a 10-year deal. Now, I know he’s probably the exception, and it’s different for position players and pitchers. But just, in general, in you were looking to have the perfect age range, what would it be?
My Halloween costume - I finally think this is funny.
http://tinyurl.com/2gw4kv
Chris I am not sure what the final payroll will be but eliminating Arod and clemens =’s about $41 mill…
they are going to add a replacement for Arod say it costs $8 mill a yr. then they still save over $30 mill right there. Also they will not sign Viz at $3 + they should go with young guys in middle relief, hit or miss FA relief pitchers are bad gambles that almost never work out, there success is pure luck…
So in summary again next yrs. payroll will be less then 07 I think by at least $25 mill probably more and 09 anyway youslice it will be much lower…….I think the team can still compete and be very very good..
The yanks have almost no one who is worth there pay in relative terms…Jeter is not worth $19 mill., sure Wang is and the kids but because they get paid pennies, cano is of course also….
Vets are all overpaid…..
Chris,
I think that if Lowell wants to be a Yankee he’ll come. He’s said that he’s still close to some in the organization from when he was here. But, winning the world series can be euphoric. Can’t blame him for wanting stay a Sock. He’s really well liked in Boston.
Would I want Alex or Mike Lowell? Since character holds a lot of weight for me, I’d take Lowell over Alex everyday of the week.
The only way I can see Boston going after Alex is to keep him away from the Yankees. Since that’s an obvious dead end, there’s no need to pull a Gagne.
Doreen, its difficult to generalize but in my opinion a player’s peak is right about where you had it… 26-30 or 32.
JohnnyC, that was hilarious the first 15 times I saw it last year.
My apology JohnnyC, I’m am still in the defend Arod although he is gone.
stuart, you cant sign anyone decent for $8M so I’m curious who you would put at 3b unless it comes with a fair amount of risk (betemit, crede, etc). also, i personally think jeter is worth $19M. he is the face of the franchise. dont underestimate his impact on the lure of free agents or keeping guys like posada, pettitte, mo, etc, the super high attendance, and just the overall impact on the team in general.
I found this funny. A good friend of mine is a Sox fan and he told me there was a sign at the game that said
WS RBIs: Dice-K 2, A-Rod 0
Thatwasme - You didn’t really defend him, so it’s okay.
Doreen,
The way teams work now, they look for at least half the players on their team to be between the ages of 25-29.
I saw a report recently that said the Yankees were third from the bottom in players under 30 on their team.
Reminds me of 2005 when the farm system was ranked third from the bottom and Cashman (when he was given full control) said that was going to change.
We fast forward to 2007 and the Yankees farm system is in the Top 6 in most rankings in baseball.
Position players generally peak out by the age of 33-35. Pitchers, depending on whether they have had TJ Surgery or not, are generally thought to peak at around 31-33.
Obviously, there are exceptions to the rule but, those are the general guidelines.
I wouldn’t give Arod a 10 year contract now and I don’t think he gets one. First off, no matter how hard he works (which he does) and how well conditioned he is, that’s too large a term for him.
Also, teams won’t be able to insure that deal, which is going to be a major factor in his negotiations.
I also think he will look to have another opt out clause in his deal.
Notice Boras hasn’t said, “this is his last contract” (contrast that to what Mo’s agent said yesterday) so, its clear they will look to get another bite of the apple again.
I also wouldn’t if, prior to him accepting his new deal, Boras goes to the Yankees one final time to do a deal.
Hopefully, Cash and the Steinbrenner Brothers won’t be around to take the call.
mel, the sox have had interest in ARod for a while. the fact that the boston fans hate him right now may impact their decision but if Lowell bolts (especially to NY), dont be surprised at all if they at least make an attempt. they may not overextend themselves and only offer 8/225 or so. the boston fans will start cheering for him if he signs faster than yankee fans started booing him the minute he opted out. fans, in general, are the biggest phonies of all. if “your” team signed bonds you would eventually cheer for him too if he was helping your team win.
The Sox will do everything they can to re-sign Lowell but if he leaves they are going to make a play for A-Rod. Ortiz. Manny and A-Rod in the same line-up and the chance to tweak the Yanks would be too much for Lucchino to pass up.
Can someone link the Joe G interview?
SJ, i definitely think Boras will go back to the yankees at some point. if only to generate even more publicity. like boras did with Zito, he’ll give the Yanks a chance to match any deal (provided ARod actually does want to play for NY). good thing they didnt match on Zito, and it may be a good thing if they dont match on ARod. Its easy to rip ARod right now but all it would take is an apology, and a profession of love for NY for fans to accept him and his 50HR seasons.
Great to see sour grapes, especially from the guy whom runs the site!
Maybe if Wang had performed a little bit more like Schilling did this postseason, you wouldn’t be posting stuff about lost World Series clinching balls.
Damn right, Boston Dave, I would cheer for Bonds if he was in pinstripes (as much as it might also make me cringe) And that is the least phony thing a fan could do - get it straight -it’s about team not individuals.
I also forget the money off the books after the 08 season for the fan favorite Mrs. Pavano…That is 10 or 11$ mill. with no ROI…
$8 mill can get you a good player.. Crede is making about $5 mill and I would bring him in this yr. his last yr. under contract… He will get you a 270 avg, 25 Hrs., and 85 RBIS.. Yeah that is a ton less then Arod who had his best yr. in his career last yr. The ywill save grief by eliminating the Arod circus and also can spend spme cash elsewhere if they see anything they like…
Steve, why don’t you go post on a red sox blog and crow about winning, instead of posting nonsense?
Guys, newsflash arod is gone forever and Bonds is not coming here..
guys will you ever learn the star system is over…when will that sink in???Last yr. there big signing was Igawa!!!!!! Arod is gone, they are going to have minimum 2 but probably 3 starting pitchers less then 24 yrs old!!!!!!!!
This ain’t the Torre Yanks anymore……..
“I woke up late, had lunch, sat on the couch for a while watching television and drank a beer.
I’m Carl Pavano!”
Sometimes I think Pavano is a genius.
* Report: Rivera agrees to new Yanks contract
As the Yankees were making official the hiring of Joe Girardi as the 32nd manager in team history, star reliever Mariano Rivera was at the team’s Tampa, Fla., headquarters with his agents — a likely precursor to a contract extension. As previously reported, the Yankees hoped to sign Rivera for three years and about $40 million. A baseball official familiar with the Yankees’ plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because negotiations are ongoing, said the sides had a positive meeting and can now progress to contractual details. — Star-Ledger
Chone Figgins makes about $4 mill. if the angels commit financial suicide and sign payrod then the Yanks should trade for figgins. he is a good player, switch hitter, and will fill in until they get a real 3B…..
So that’s how Doug got in the Yankees uniform,he held the ball captive.
Dave,
I would decline for baseball reasons, not for any bad feelings or anything like that.
I don’t have any ill will toward Arod. He had a choice to make and he made it. Nothing wrong with that.
I just have Arod fatigue. Too much drama, too much BS for one guy to have on the team.
Let’s not talk about him hitting 50 HR’s like its an every year thing. He is a great, great player from games 1-162.
But, and this is the key question, does he make your team better? Is he the guy who gets you over the top?
Based on what we have seen in his 4 years in NY, the answer is “no”, despite his greatness.
I just think, as with Torre, its time for both parties to move on and seek greener pastures. Its best for Arod and its best for the Yankees.
Ok, I’m not a HUGE basketball fan, but I’m watching the Nets because they’re on and they did the starting line up, and they had all five starters come down to the court by coming down through different sections of the arena, like ‘from section 105, Richard Jefferson…’
That is BRILLIANT!
Jennifer
Is that new? As of 5 o’clock, Mo agreed to negotiate but had not agreed to sign a new contract.
I read it on another message board, i’m not sure of the time. sorry
it is arod fatigue, along with the largest payroll moniker, and being the historic yankees, I think this team plays tight, and needs to reduce the distractions. allow some other team to get all the press and be the favorites… all that matters is who does it on the field……
I hear the guys in LA talking about arod and the publicity he will bring to the tam and the increased $, I think it is mostly borass BS and not worth it….
TEAMS win in all sports. Why couldn’t Arod be like Tim Duncan what a great player and great leader.. 4 titles in 9 yrs. and he is so under the radar screen, he is the anti arod…..
Sounds like Scott Boras is trying to lure the Yanks back into the ARod mix according to an article posted within the last hour at Fox Sports.com/mlb.
Could it be that Boras is doing what Boras does best?
“Why is it that Alex is the only Yankee who can’t become a free agent?” Boras said Wednesday. “That question was not answered, and we think it’s a question that’s going to be asked for years to come.”
oh but wait, i dont think alot of people are going to tango with Arod, this coming from the Tigers:
“He turned down about $28 million a year from the Yankees, and we got a player we like a lot to fill our need for a shortstop,” Dombrowski said after acquiring Edgar Renteria from Atlanta. “We made the deal that we think makes the most sense for us.”
I know this is going to be a VERY unpopular post, but a few things come to mind:
1) A lot of posters have indicated that it will be a good thing when “all this money comes off the books” in 2009, etc. (and I’m one of them…). My thought is… for who’s benefit?
2) I don’t really care about the von Steingrabbers’ financial condition - they certainly don’t care about mine. We’re not going to see price reductions or rebates for salaries saved.
3) They have shown no fiscal restraint in the past; why should we care now? They have p*ssed away 100’s of millions of dollars on idiotic signings.
4) The ONE signing that they SHOULD be interested in, for the best player in baseball, they are willing to walk away from, just because they got dis’d? So they lost the benefit of the Rangers’ $30M (or $21M, depending on who you believe)? Pavano, Giambi, Farnsworth come to mind.
5) They’ve had A-Rod at a bargain the past few years, roughly $15-$18M per. And now because he decides to get in the FA market, they aren’t willing to pony up? They should not be afraid of the competition for his services. No other team has their resources. And where does it come from?
I want the Yankees to break the bank on A-Rod’s contract. I don’t care if they lose out on Texas’ underwriting. If he had played for Texas for the past four years, don’t you think they’d be in on him? You bet they would.
I told you this would not be a popular post, but I don’t really care. If the Yankees are committed to putting the best product on the field, then they should spend what they have to spend to keep the best player in baseball here.
bobcat, i think you bring up good points, but as SJ said, its better for everyone to part ways.
again it is not that arod even opted out it is that he refused to meet with his present employer face to face…. he could of met with them and said I need $40 mill but he did not even have that courtesy and then the blather of why not the uncertanity with the yanks etc.. they are schisters and phonies and disgusting even for agents nd players…
Mariano will play hardball with the yanks and get all his $ but he will have point he will not cross and etc.
When Bernie signed iwth the yanks about 97 or so, he had a larger deal from the sux and gave the yanks the last chance and said he wanted to come back, does anyone ever think arod would do anything remotely like that??????
NO way…….the eating of his salary he would have done to go to Boston was a short term accomodation because he was so miserable in Texas he wanted out under any circumstances……..
Migames,
I don’t have to live with the drama. That’s the “baseball people’s” problem. I want the best product on the field.
Particularly when I go to the Stadium and pay $8.00 for a beer and $8.50 for a sh*tty burger my dog would reject.
Mo hasn’t signed a new deal yet. That’s an incorrect story.
All the money coming off the books is a good thing because it gives the Yankees flexibility to improve the team.
Folks always complain about the lack of a bench the past few years. When you have so much money tied up in unproductive, older players, you can’t put together a quality bench.
When the money comes off the books, it gives them the opportunity to remake the team in a way that gives them more balance. That’s what is currently missing in the makeup of the team. Its very unbalanced and you have certain inflexible spots (like Giambi) on the roster. Its a killer.
Breaking the bank for Arod doesn’t meet the Yankees goals. The last team that did it, the Rangers, couldn’t make ends meet, with regard to filling the rest of the needs of the team.
Why should the Yankees lose the Texas subsidy? Arod needed that to get out of Texas, which was his goal. Why should the Yankees be penalized for that when the guy wouldn’t even sit down to talk to the Yankees prior to opting out?
I don’t see why the Yankees should take that financial hit. Let Arod take it if he wants back in so badly (which he doesn’t).
I suspect his new team will encounter the same problem Texas did with that contract.
At some point, when one guy takes up that much of your payroll, it becomes an anchor on your franchise. Even a guy as great as Arod.
The key is having flexibility. The Yankees will always be at the top of the payroll food chain. That’s not going to change.
How they allocate it? That’s going to change and that’s a good thing.
SJ, I’m not advocating getting ARod. I honestly don’t know. I like the direction the Yanks are going in with or without him. However, I am not going to bash ARod like many are. I know if he is wearing pinstripes I am pulling for him. It may be for the best to let him go elsewhere but I wouldn’t be too surprised if there are discussions between ARod, Boras, and Cashman in the near future. That’s all.
the reason you should care about the yankee payroll and the only reason is how it affects the teams ability to compete..
I do not care how the steinny’s spend there money but I do if it makes the yankees unable to compete on the field and in matters like that.. over the last few yrs. because of there insane payroll the yanks could not make any late season moves to help there teams. this was more of an issue a few yrs ago when crappy teams liked to dump good vets at the deadline. also the yanks have not really made much money lately and if that continues they will have to really cut there payroll….
Arod was not underpaid the last few yrs. 2007 was his best yr ever how about 2005???He made $25 mill this yr….He make more then anyone else in baseball this yr. he was the best player not last yr.????? or 2004>>!!!!
Last thing on Arod as SJ asked does he relly ever make his team better?????????His off the field nonsense and selfishness I think hurt his teams…I mean really how clueless can the guy be!!!!!!!!He loves the attention but will not answer any questions figure that one out..
Arod apologists watch his press conference for his new team and tell me his comments did not make you cringe……
stuart, why would the angels give up figgins for nothing? forget the fact that figgins can play multiple positions so getting arod wouldnt matter, you cant get quality players for beans. they’d have to give a top prospect or two.
The Yankees should put the best product they can on the field. That may be a product that doesn’t include Arod.
They won titles before he got here and they didn’t skimp on the money.
Perhaps they feel, rightly so, paying too much for one player inhibits their ability to put a championship team together for the long haul.
Just because Arod is the best player in baseball doesn’t mean the Yankees have to suspend all logic in re-signing him.
If all it took was having Arod on your team to win the WS, how come he hasn’t even played in one? Let alone win one?
It takes more than one player to win titles.
If Arod wants back in, let him take a paycut so the Yankees can sign other players. Jordan did it for years with the Bulls.
I know NYC is expensive but, ‘ya think he can live on 25 million a year or does he really need 35 mil?
I honestly don’t think A-Rod is ‘best product’.
He’s a great baseball player, yes, but you can’t tell me that what happens off field doesn’t affect what happens on field.
Yankee fans, by and large aren’t going to want him back when he’s made it clear he doesn’t want to be with the Yankees.
Sour Grapes? Sure, from some, but not from me. Between Scotty B and Arod any day, I’m taking Scotty B. Not a great player, per se, but a great TEAM player. That sort of thing.
stuart, the reason the yankees didnt make late season moves is not because of money. its because they want to keep their young players and prosepcts.
plus, arod wants 10 years, you have to realize that he will be worth it the ist 5 years, then by year 6 and 7 he will break the record, but then what, an overpaid veteran on your team? Replacement level blog also raised a good point. Arod wont match what he did last year. That was his best year. You had it. Infact, he was here for 4 years and he gave us 2 mvps. Thats pretty good. He was a great player for us, but now its time to move on.
What SJ said.
For like the umpteenth time tonight.
Bobcat,
We all want the best product on the field, however I do care about the Yankees ownership financial soundness as it portends a capability to field a winner for years on end, absent that the Yankees will spend on the fly and lose big and what kind of product would we wind up seeing then,, even with the prices at the concessions you mentioned.
The Yankees showed their interest in the best player in the game by extending numerous overtures to come together and talk extension. Reports indicated the Yankees were prepared to offer anywhere from 27-30m for multiple years. Arod didn’t come together with them.
The Yankees also were very consistent in communicating they would not be held hostage to Arod and wind up negotiating against themselves by saying he were to opt out they would not pursue him.
I think the Yankees did everything reasonable to keep their word and go all out for Arod. It was Arod who chose, as his right, to move on. No problem by me with Arod approach, nor Yankee approach.
If I were the Yankees I would take back A-rod as long as it’s not for a penny more than what we would’ve paid in the next three years anyway. The extension can be the gravy for A-rod, but Cash was trying to make a point and I think it was loud and clear.
Notice that Girardi said, “Alex had to do what was right for him and his family. Sure we’ll miss those 54 homeruns and 154 RBI’s” That tells you what Girardi thinks of Alex. He’s just a stat. Contrast that with how he talked about Mo and Po. He wants them back in a Yankee uniform because that’s where they belong.
As a fan, I really don’t want Alex back. Too much drama, let’s move on and play baseball.
Boston Dave,
Thanks for the reply.
Bobcat,
Everything you say is true. But it comes to a point where there’s an embarassment of riches. Also, Alex could’ve named his price to the Yankees, but he wouldn’t even face them. He wanted out. I don’t think that Boras will come slinking back. That wasn’t part of the plan. Even if Boras wanted the Yankees to play ball, they’ve been insulted so I think that they’d tell Boras to take his bat and ball and….
Rebecca, you will cheer for arod if he comes back and you know you will.
Bobcat maybe you forgot we gave up one the best players in the game to bring Arod over, not sure your “at a bargain” characterization is quite accurate.
Boras is playing everybody, like he always does. Ultimately, he will offer the Yankees A-Rod for the best offer out there minus 30 million dollars to account for the lost Texas money. The Yankees will take it, and save face by saying that THEY negotiated back the 30 mil that they lost. Don’t be shocked. It could be the goal that the Son Of Satan had all along.
we can argue whether resigning arod would/will be a good decision but i guarantee if the yankees resigned him, everyone would be praising the guy and chanting “MVP”. i am not saying resigning him is a good idea, just calling everyone in here out for being phony. recognize that if he were in pinstripes next year, you’d be cheering for him.
Dont be shocked - i would be shocked if that happened
Here’s the way I look at it, and this is coming from a guy who is a huge Arod fan…..
9th Inning, Game 2 of the ALDS, go ahead run on second for the Yankees, and Arod is facing Carmona.
I turned to a buddy of mine and said, “This is a 300 million dollar AB for Arod. If he wins this game, you give him the money. If he doesn’t, and they lose this series, you have to say goodbye”.
He struck out and we know how it ended.
Harsh way to grade him? Not if you want 300 million bucks.
My point is, the great players, the transcendent players, win that game for you. That’s how they become “iconic” as Scott Boras likes to say.
You don’t become “iconic” by garnering regional television ratings. You become “iconic” by getting that hit to win the playoff game.
Its why Derek Jeter can have a HORRIBLE ALDS and fans forgive him. He has had PLENTY of “iconic” moments in his career.
Unfortunately, Arod has not. Dustin Pedroia has more RBI’s in ONE game, than Arod has had in his last 3 post-seasons COMBINED for the Yankees. That’s not good. Next year will be his 14th year in the majors and he doesn’t have a single “iconic” post-season moment.
I’m sorry but, if I own the Yankees and he wants 35 million dollars a year of my money, he has to bring “iconic” moments to the table.
Hitting a GW HR in an April game off Joe Borowski isn’t “iconic”. Getting a single off Carmona in Game 2? THAT would have been an “iconic” moment for him.
If he doesn’t like being graded on such a harsh curve, he has two options. Play in a softer market or take a paycut.
However, if you want to be at the top of the foodchain financially, you have to produce in the post-season.
That’s why I don’t break the bank for him. I’d rather re-tool the team in a more balanced way.
I agree with others on this site, that A-Rod had every right to opt out and go FA. Similarly, the Yankees have every right NOT to pursue him.
They each made a decision. Alex thought he could make more money elsewhere, and that is his right. Many would make the same move.
But the Yankees have the right - which they are exercising - to go in a different direction, also. They have every right to put their resources into other avenues - fill other positions on the ML roster, stock their farm system - in a more cost effective manner.
Let’s face it - Alex hasn’t put them over the top these last four years. He isn’t the only one who’s failed, not by a long shot. But if they can make better use of that money - pitching, other position players, whatever - then I’m all for it.
Mo and Posada are different, in my opinion. They have a long track record of productivity in NY, in the regular season as well as post-season. The dollars in play are much less. And the market for their positions - reliable closer and first-string catcher - are tough to fill. The Yankees made the decision not to extend contracts last spring, for business reasons, and now will likely pay more for these players, but that’s accepted by both sides. It’s upfront and honest. That’s the contrast with Alex.
Alex’s productivity - in the regular season - will be missed. But we’ll get over it. Cash will see to it. If the Steinbrenner’s can trust him with their money, I can trust him with my rooting interest.
If Scott Boras went to the Yankees with that offer, it would be the first time in his life he left money on the table.
Ain’t happenin’.
Boston Dave–I respectfully disagree.
For me it’s not so much that A-Rod decide to opt out as it is the combination of
a) the timing of the announcement
b) the reason given
c) the overall air of trying to be bigger than the game.
A-Rod has never been my favorite on the Yankees–That’s been Mo since 1999, and Paul O’Neill before that, and before that I didn’t follow baseball. I respect what A-Rod did for the team, and like most other fans, I believed him when he said he wanted to stay in New York, and thus rooted for him accordingly.
I am so disappointed in him, though, I can’t see myself cheering for him any time soon.
If the Yanks want to get back to the Series they need pitching, not ARod. The 2004 collapse, the first round exits in 2005-06-07 were all because the other teams ultimately had better starting pitching.
The biggest reason we lost to Cleveland this year was that our supposed ace, Chien Ming Wang, had two lousy starts, digging holes for us that our vaunted offense, (led by ARod, ha..) couldn’t overcome.
The Yanks need an ace. Man, if there’s any way to get Santana without having to give up Hughes or Joba, that would make my hot stove start to simmer….
1. lowell is a mistake. he ain’t getting any younger and hitting at fenway helped him immensely.
2. i hope to god cashman and the steinbrenner bros. have closed the door on the a-rod situation. for good.
SJ44 - I agree with you on ARod. He never seems to hit the tough pitchers. You can’t leave a fastball out over the plate against him but he just doesn’t have those tough grind-em-out at bats where he fouls off the pitchers best pitches. watching guys like manny in the playoffs made me see that difference more clearly. i still dont think the guy deserves to get ripped like this by people who were chanting “MVP” not that long ago.
i agree with your 100% with you Whatever
whatever, maybe minnesota will take pavano and giambi for santana. do you honestly think they would trade santana without getting joba or hughes? please people. if and when they decide to make him available, teams will be lining up with offers. but go ahead and dream if it makes you feel better.
SJ, excellent example. Similar to other sports, marquee players are those that seem to come up big in key moments on the national stage. Michael did it repeatedly with the Bulls, and Brady has done similar in the NFL. These were/are the icons of their games, and paid as such.
Guys who seem to step up big are Ortiz and for the Indians, Victor Martinez impressed the hell out of me. None of these guys are viewed as icons and obviously not asking to be paid anywhere near the top $ in the game, whereas Arod is expecting it, but hasn’t come through in defining moments.
Dave,
I agree with you. I honestly don’t have any ill will toward Arod. I feel like Cashman’s statement on the situation….thanks for the effort, sorry it didn’t work out, good luck in your new destination.
I am old school in the fact that I believe character counts just as much as stats when assembling a team. I believe guys have to buy into that concept. When you do, you have something special.
What made the Dynasty Yankees special were guys like Bernie, Jeter, Pettitte, Mo, etc. Its why fans really related to him.
If you have somebody trying to seperate themselves from the team, its a problem.
Look at Chad Curtis. He tried to seperate himself from the team, when he went postal on Jeter, and he was gone.
For three years, Arod was on his own island in NY. This year, he wasn’t and had a great year…..until the post-season.
Now, you are the Yankees and you have the following dilemma:
Do I give one guy, a guy who is NOT the leader of the team, 300+ million bucks, or do I re-tool the club and get back to what won 4 titles in 5 years.
I really don’t think its a tough decision. I think you have to pass.
Get Mo, Andy and Posada back, upgrade yourself at first, impove the pitching and find a serviceable third baseman.
If they can do that, they can win, even without Arod.
yankee21, i am not arguing in favor of ARod, but according to that argument, the Colts should have dumped Peyton. The Broncos should have dumped Elway (prior to his SB victories). Should the Cavs dump Lebron if they dont win it all in the next 3-4 seasons? its not as easy as you’re trying to make it. there is tremendous value in playoff performances but there is also value in MVP seasons. i am not arguing to keep ARod, just pointing out that things arent as easy and straight forward as we’re trying to make them.
Hey Rebecca, did you go to Indian Hills (other high school in district with Ramapo)?
SJ, definitely agree with that. character is huge and I wish Cashman would handle all PR. i dont think ARod is worth 300M but many people here are acting like, money aside, the yanks are better off without him. I’d rather have Santana but the Yankees are a better team with ARod. Doesn’t mean they can’t win without him.
mega ditto’s SJ44
Dave,
I think the differences with Peyton and Elway are, they were the leaders of their respective teams.
Arod is not the leader of the Yankees. He was never going to be the leader of the team.
Now, one could think he is looking for his own team so he could lead them. However, that’s not Arod. He did that in Texas and he wanted out in 3 years.
Guys don’t follow his lead because he has few friends in the game.
What he wants is to be the guy making the most money. I have no problem with that.
But, with that comes HUGE scrutiny and, unlike Elway and especially Peyton, Arod has shown that he doesn’t hold up well under that kind of scrutiny.
Ask Pete how Arod treats the media. Often like garbage. Elway and Peyton never acted like that with the media.
You can’t be an “under the radar” guy and make 300 million. Seems to me, that’s what he wants.
Its an unattainable goal.
Bobcat
No slamming from me. I posted almost the same thing this afternoon.
I don’t think that they Yankees have to break the bank for A-Rod just to get him signed but I do think they should negotiate with him to see if it makes sense. Yankees don’t want to be used to drive up the price but Cashman was able to get around that with Boras in the Damon negotiations and I have faith he could have done it again.
It’s hard to believe that $27 million plus dollars could be used in the same sentence as the words discount but by paying A-Rod under $20 million for the last 4 years and wanting to do it for 3 more does amount to a discount or at least an amazing value to the Yankees.
Mo and Jorge have spent their whole careers in the Bronx and they dont appear willing to give the Yankees a discount nor do I think they should.
Boston D, your points are sound, but I believe Arod has had way more moments to at least semi-produce in crunch time over the last (4) years than your example Peyton had with Indy. I never felt Peyton fell down on his face he may have not been Brady like or Favre like or going back a ways, Montana like, but he certainly wasn’t an abject failure.
Contrast that with Arod in the post season. Not to say Arod won’t someday produce and produce big in future post-seasons. But up to this point, he has been average at best in crunch time, and downright nauseating at worse.
he probably won’t make the post season with his new team, I hope that ship has sailed for him.
SJ44, that is valid but your argument was that ARod hasnt delivered in the playoffs and therefore isnt necessarily worth keeping. he didnt get the big hit against carmona. i understand the high price tag comes into play but aside from that, you cant say that because he hasn’t… he never will. the fact that he has helped the yankees even get to the playoffs (ala Peyton, Elway, etc) should count for something. 300M? maybe not… but give the guy some credit for what he has done. not directing this at you but in general…
Boston Dave,
Pavano and Giambi? Don’t be a facetious dick. Of course Minnesota would ask for Hughes or Joba as part of a deal, but if Cash indicated not possible, but offered some combination of Kennedy, Melky, Horne, maybe Tabata…. Everyone knows the Yanks farm system is much improved, and they could put together a good package without including Phil and Joba. Enough to get Johan? Maybe, maybe not. Nice to think about though.
whatever, my apologies. just tired of seeing all the “lets get santana for damon” posts. my bad.
that said, i do think there would be between 15-20 teams that would put offers on the table for santana. its hard to see cashman having the leverage in the negotiations.
whatever, i can also see the yankees giving up one of those two if they thought boston was close to getting johan (buchholz and ellsbury?).
Many people seem to think every great or supposedly great player is also great in the post season all of the time.
Just to inject a little light, Mickey Mantle, a true legend, played in 12 WS and only 3 times did his stats reflect his ability to come up big in them. If you look at his stats, many will be surprised how low his stats are in most of them. I was surprised as well.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mantlmi01.shtml
I also think it’s time for A-rod to move on but there are many so called legends that did not come up big in the post season. While he is a great player, he is still not all that special to me, no matter what his numbers say, but it is unfair to judge him soley based on his post season play.
You never know what to expect from anyone in the post season. It’s a different animal.
The Twins need young position players, infielders in particular. They have a deep minor league system with RHP.
The Yankees are not a good match to trade with the Twins.
good points Vinny and Bobcat - I think the Yanks could pull it off but would have to give up quite a bit to match other offers the Twins would receive from teams.
regarding draft pick compensation for free agents:
“the Elias rankings are a complete joke and it’s in everyone’s best interests to base free-agent compensation off another system. It’s ludicrous that Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse don’t qualify, yet Troy Percival, who pitched 40 innings during the two years the rankings cover, is a Type B free agent, meaning he could net the Cardinals a supplemental first-round pick. One more example of the idiocy: Robinson Cano and Mike Lowell are rated above Alex Rodriguez among infielders”
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/2007-10-31-elias-rankings-complete_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Boston Dave,
No problem. Don’t mean to be too edgy. Let’s face it. Things haven’t exactly went our way the last couple of weeks.
There’s a lot of truth in what you say. A lot of teams would lust after Santana. But those same teams would know they’d be looking at a mega deal to keep him, which would eliminate some.
I can’t imagine Boston giving up Ellbury and Buchholz, even if it meant keeping Santana from NY. Not after what they’ve shown so far and how cheap they’re going to be for the next few years.
I’d have to think long and hard about giving up Phil or Joba for Santana, but..uh..well…
Your right though, at this point, getting Santana is pretty much a dream.
How do you define character? I think all this talk about character is a bit blown out of proportion. The Red Sox just won with a left fielder who is as selfish and self centered as anyone who has worn a uniform. In 4 months we’ll be treated to the annual “Is Manny Going to Shouw Up for Spring Training” soap opera. That is, if no one claims him on waivers this time. The Red Sox roster also boasts a shortstop who was charged with beating his wife (Julio Lugo) and a pitch suspended by baseball 3 times for anger management issues (Julian Tavares).
Drive 4-5, very good points.
whatever, im not counting on it but im hoping santana refuses to sign a long term deal if traded. that would be the one thing that would hamper the twins ability to get alot in return. nobody is going to give up a ton for 1 season. the yanks could then negotiate a mega-deal (ARod money but for Johan) and not give up any players.
drive 4-5, dont forget Josh Beckett who is the biggest prick in sports and schilling cares more about his personal achievements and establishing his “legacy” than anything else. they do have some good guys like lowell, timlin, wakefield, etc but I think of all sports, baseball requires team chemistry the least. that doesnt mean its not important but its not like the NBA where everyone needs to be on the same page or you can’t win. Still, Torre appeared to do a good job of keeping decent team chemistry even with Arod, Sheffield, etc.
only a low class team like the red sux would have a ball controversy both times it wins a w.s.