Yankees pick up Abreu’s option
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Nov 02, 2007 
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Here is the press release:
YANKEES EXERCISE 2008 OPTION ON OUTFIELDER BOBBY ABREU
The New York Yankees announced today that they have exercised their 2008 club option on the contract of outfielder Bobby Abreu.
The 33-year-old Abreu batted .283 (171-for-605) with 40 doubles, 16 home runs, 101 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 158 games with the Yankees in 2007. He scored a career-high 123 runs to rank second in the American League, and his 90 hits with two strikes led the Majors. From July 1 to August 22, Abreu recorded 52 RBI in 46 games, batting .354 (63-for-178) with 11 home runs.
Abreu has driven in at least 100 runs in five consecutive seasons and has totaled at least 20 stolen bases in nine straight campaigns, the longest current streak in the Majors. He has played in at least 150 games in each of the last 10 seasons and—according to the Elias Sports Bureau—is only the 10th player in Major League history to accomplish the feat. He needs just four stolen bases to become just the 12th player since 1950 to total 400 doubles, 200 home runs and 300 stolen bases for their career.
“Bobby Abreu possesses a unique skill set and has proven to be a durable and reliable asset to this club,†said Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman. “Consistency has been a hallmark throughout his career, and we are excited to work with him again as we look forward to the 2008 season.â€
Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent on August 21, 1990, by the Houston Astros, the Venezuelan-born Abreu was acquired by the Yankees from the Philadelphia Phillies on July 30, 2006. He joined the Yankees with right-handed pitcher Cory Lidle in exchange for right-handed pitcher Carlos Monasterios, left-handed pitcher Matt Smith, infielder C.J. Henry and catcher Jesus Sanchez. He signed a five-year contract with a club option for a sixth year on February 20, 2002.
Any chance they spin him off like Sheff?
Good move. Really a no brainer. We couldnt afford to lose Arod, Abreu and possibly Jorge all in the same year.
GREAT NEWS!!!!
Considering common thinking was that they wouldn’t pick up the option when they traded for him, he did a very nice job earning it back. Good for him.
Bobby has a no-trade.
Damon will be traded for Crede if doesn’t become a free-agent. And Melky will be in LF Rowand in CF and Abreu in RF with Matsui the dh.
“Any chance they spin him off like Sheff?”
You can’t move him until the team is shored up…and I still wouldn’t move him with a 1 year deal. He’s only making 14 mill (not 16, because of the 2 mill buy out attached).
They wont trade him for a couple of reasons. First, nobody is going to want to pay him 16 mil. And second, they dont want to sign someone to replace him to a 3 or 4 year deal. They have young outfielders who are 1 or 2 years away and Abreu is a nice bridge. Hopefully Andy picks up his option because of the same scenario with some young pitchers.
“Damon will be traded for Crede”
Uh, no.
Get off the Crede bandwagon he is terrible
Yeah!
ugh. why would anyone take damon and his large contract ? stop with these imaginary trades !
Is the date on that contract right? A five year deal signed in Feb 2002 would end in Feb 2007, with the option taking it through Feb 2008. But the Yanks will now have Abreu until Fall 2008/Winter 2009. Can anyone clarify?
“Rowand in CF and Abreu in RF with Matsui the dh.”
And Giambi does what? Retire?
And, why are we giving Rowand the 5 years he’s going to get? He’s had two good years, and one was in an EXTREME hitters park in a contract year. He gets dirty, but he’s not a great hitter, and he’s thirty, so he’s probably going to start to decline halfway through whatever deal he gets.
Hunter and Rowand will get deals that the Yanks should shy away from. If they think they can stick out the month of April with 24 players, then they should go after Cameron. His numbers are basically the same as Hunter’s (despite playing in pitcher’s parks), and his age will make it easy to sign him to a one or two year deal. A tradeable two year deal, at that.
The option is for the ’08 season only.
Having spent some time in Chi-town, i can tell you Crede does not suck.
So, Boras was saying that Arod had a “family matter” the day he decided not to attend the Hank Aaron presentation.
You mean scrambling to get out of NY at 1:00 p.m.?
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N113AR
ML -
The terms of the contract matter…not the date it was signed.
Peter just started this post, so I re-posted here.
Here’s some points rarely discussed about Abreu that I think factors into the Yankees picking up his option:
1. Only 1 year- good stop gap measure
2. Rarely, if ever, gets hurt- stays in the line-up invaluable
3. Proven he can handle NY– some stars just can’t
4. Good fit in the clubhouse– apparently pretty damn likeable
5. Shown the ability to overcome; can battle back and handle adversity. Terrible start last year wound up being respectable overall.
Soft OF, oh yes,, gets into funks at the plate; certainly
But overall IMO a good choice right now
Happy day!
“Having spent some time in Chi-town, i can tell you Crede does not suck.”
Crede is a very good defensive 3rd baseman with decent power and a bad back. He’s a crappy hitter overall and never walks. He’s not worth dealing anything of value for.
Good good.
Hes a solid batter. I wonder where he bats this year in the lineup.
Hes a good fit at #3.
if i was cashman i would stay away from andrew jones, rowand, and hunter they are exactly what the yankees have stayed away from, vetarans who deman big contracts. stick with what they have and beleive in the kids. i have faith. and i believe cash$ does as well
Ummm,
Why would anyone want Crede with his bad back and lack of plate discipline? He’s good with the glove and that’s about it.
FYI, Damon has two years and 26 million left on his deal which is not exactly large (but certainly not small either). He will be movable once people see what Torii and Andruw are looking for on the open market.
If only they could get rid of Giambi the Anchor.
He’s NOT worth $16 million per year. Declining power, overpriced. But at least is 1 year. Let’s hope they get someone better next year!
I don’t think Damon for Crede is really imaginary, I think it very well could happen if all parties wanted it. Damon has two more years, but Crede has only one year and low trade value coming off last year. That said, I don’t think that’s where we want to go, I’d rather see Damon and some package put together for Konerko if we make a trade with the ChiSox. But then we’re left without a leadoff hitter. I guess Jeter takes over that job. As long as Girardi doesn’t go the Torre way with Melky as our leadoff. (What was he thinking with that move anyway? Did that ever work?) I wonder if there is any chance of putting together a good enough package to get the D-Rays to part with Crawford?
What do you mean? Giambi is going to make an excellent 22 million dollar pinch hitter. Especially considering that you have to run for him if he gets on base.
I say we rebuild in 08. We have a lot of money freeing up after 08. Finally Giambi and Mussina will be out. 08 free agent class is good. Lets take a year rebuild. Go with all three young guys in the rotation. Let them truly get their feet wet. Then in 09 go crazy.
Paulie I used to know the Yankees # until they changed it one day
“I don’t think Damon for Crede is really imaginary, I think it very well could happen if all parties wanted it.”
It’s a completely ridiculous idea. Damon is a much better offensive player than Crede.
I’m still not convinced that A-Rod won’t be playing 3b come Opening Day.
One down ,three to go …Welcome back Bobby!
Why would the Yankees trade Damon for Crede?
If they really want Crede the White Sox will practically give him away for nothing.
Hes coming off back surgery and they have a very capable replacement.
an “EH” move, Bobby is ok he’s not anything to go Suzyn Waldman over and his OF defense is lackadasical
Giambi in his prime could be a 4 spot hitter, but those days are gone.
Matsui cant cut it in the 4th and neither Posada if he comes back.
Shelly needs to prove it, I thinks its to soon to be on that spot.
If they fish a trade for Miguel Cabrera, that problem will be solved.
I´ll would try to find away to trade Damon and other player for Cabrera.
Boras is really earning his money here putting out all these A-Rod fires and trying to defend his richest client for everything.
You still haven’t resolved the question for me. Regardless of the contract having been signed in February, Pete says it was in 2002, which means that it would have been in effect for the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons. The option would then be for the 2007 season. So how do we have an option for the 2008 season?
You know given how much Arod praised Bobby in terms of importance in batting before him I wonder why he was not included in the I dont know what my catcher, my closer and statured pitcher reasons why he didnt sign lol.
The difference between Sheff and Abreau and the option is that Sheff did not have a no trade clause, Abreau does. Also you need him for offensive production you are taking away the Arod numbers imagine takking away both arod and bobby’s
I’m sure Florida would LOVE to trade Cabrera for Damon.
Can we throw in Farnsworth and Pavano too????
Any other scraps???
What morons some people are.
Such a no brainer.
Abreu the perfect stop gap into either
A) A much better FA class in 09
B) Austin Jackson/ Tabata stepping up and playing a role in 09.
Paul9,
While I think the Yankees should rebuild (to a point), it makes no sense to rebuilt for the sense of rebuilding.
Add to that the fact that the Yankees probably stand to lose more money than they will save if they chose to throw in the towel in 2008 (4.27MM worth of attendance doesn’t happen automatically, you know – and that’s not even talking about Yes’s ratings), and the Yankees have to take things slowly in 2008.
But I agree, tons of money is coming off the books after 2008, and the FA class is a good one (I assume most agents realize that the Yankees will be BIIIG players in the 2008-2009 off-season).
I think that the Yankee outfield is fine the way that it is, with Bobby in right, Melky in center, and Johnny in left with Matsui in left every once in a while. I support keeping Damon around as he still serves as a good leadoff hitter and a tablesetter for the rest of the lineup, plus he still covers the ground well in the outfield.
Moving Damon would be very stupid. Damon is a pest and he is a good pest for the Yankees. Does great always in the playoffs and end of year.
Maybe Damon and Cano for Miguel Cabrera.
“he’s not anything to go Suzyn Waldman over ”
Okay, having that link for A-Rod’s flight is just plain odd…
really I’d dangle Damon and take the kid gloves off w/ Brett Gardner. I’m not that happy w/ Abreu all it take is a few 3 – 4 weeks slumps and he’s gone.
Nice, Bobby really took to New York like a fish to water. He’s a guy who draws walks and just happens to hit a lot of doubles. I’m sure he’s really happy today. Alex must be so sad today, no more Bobby batting in front of him. Unless that was just fake, too.
Bobby knows he won’t be back with the OF prospects the Yankees have, so let’s hope he has an A-rod type of contract year rather than an Andruw Jones type of contract year.
Nate Silver’s point about not picking Abreu’s option was the only one I didn’t really like.
Drew, Did I say the Yankees would do it? I only said it was not imaginary because stevie or whatever said it couldn’t happen because the ChiSox wouldn’t take Damon. That’s not true, the ChiSox would definitely do that trade. I then went on to say that I wouldn’t do it as the Yankees and I don’t think it will be done, only that it could be done. Chill out dude. Some people really are too high-strung around here.
ML Is this really a problem for you? Do you think that everybody missed the date and that Bobby is going home with an extra 16M? I’m pretty sure, no matter what Peter wrote, that this is the option year.
Bobby Abreu is the true pure #3 hitter in the game right now. Nice move for the Yanks
Yankees offseason should be this
-Pick up Abreus option(Check)
-Hope Pettitte comes back
-Sign Mo and Posada
Then do nothing else in terms of Free Agents.
The Free Agent market is thin and pathetic, they should just save the money and go full force in 08-09. Especially since they have a TON of money coming of the books, the Yankees could literally go banannas.
09 Yankees is something I look forward to very much.
No, I’m just curious. But when people fail to answer my question and then right that I don’t understand, I feel compelled to respond.
Bobby Abreu of
5 years/$64M (2003-07), plus $16M 2008 club option
acquired in trade 7/06
Yankees to pay salary remaining on Abreu’s contract (about $4.4M for 2006, $15M for 2007 and $16M salary or $2M buyout for 2008)
Phillies to pay Abreu about $1.5M to waive his no-trade clause
$3M signing bonus
03:$8.5M, 04:$10M, 05:$12.5M, 06:$13M, 07:$15M,
08:$16M club option ($2M buyout)
“Chill out dude. Some people really are too high-strung around here.”
No can do, I’ll have to go beat some one up now (rolling eyes).
I’m much worried about the bullpen than 3rd base.
Rufus,
That’s really a long shot. If Alex had a hard time during his first tour here, can you imagine what a basket case he’d be the second time around? The fans, the front office, and probably the players have all written Alex off. Right or wrong, that’s what it is. The Yankees took such a hard-line stance because they didn’t care if he walked or not. It was a win-win situation for the Yankees.
It’s like having a crazy girlfriend who’s really pretty, but is really high-maintenance. When she’s right she’s really hot and everyone is envious so it’s all good. But then she’s like not sure if she wants to stay with you, and she’s dropping hints about a guys she knows in LA and Chicago. So when she finally leaves so she can “find herself”, do you beg the crazy girlfriend to come back or do you wish her the best and find a nice girl that you could settle down with?
I would even go as far as to not signing Posada if you have to give him 4 years guaranteed.
Love Jorge but 4 years to a 37 year old Catcher? No thanks.
Abreu had a 2 mil. buyout clause so the Yanks are getting him for 14 mil. And Bobby was one of the few who looked decent in the playoffs this year.
Meanwhile, somebody told ESPN’s Buster Olney the Yankees were told by Scott Boras that they had to present at least a 350 mil. offer if they wanted to talk to ARod. Hmmmm…
Did you guys here that A-Fraud wanted $350mil from the Yankees? It’s on ESPN.com. And here I thought that I couldn’t dislike him more than I already do.
Good news about Abreu. It’s a one year deal. No reason to lose sleep over it. He can be clutch every now and then. His fielding is laughable, but not embarrassing. I like him. One of the reasons A-Liar got those 156 RBIs is because Abreu was getting on base ahead of him. I wonder who’ll be doing that now. Hmmmm….
Very happy to hear this, I really like Abreu.
Yeah Bobby is ok but hes soft. Without Arod in front of him he will see a lot more pitches out of the zone and as we all saw this year he can get lost at the plate real quick.
LOL, guys. A-rod has a $100M posting fee for the Yankees. Everyone else can talk to him for free.
Can someone provide a link to a site that has the Yankees roster/salary info for the next couple years in chart form. I remember seeing it awhile ago but I don’t remember where. Just want to see how much money has been freed up or will be soon.
“His fielding is laughable, but not embarrassing.”
He is a NL gold glover! He is fielding is great and his arm better.
Wow… just read the piece from another poster on Arod by Buster Olney. Love the comments that Boras indicate there have been no other economic conversations with other teams.
Well in other news, the Easter Bunny is real, Santa Claus is real, Leprechauns hold 95% of the worlds gold supply, and George Bush is smarter than Albert Einstein.
Ditto what Jamie said. I’ve seen one for the NBA teams where it showed year by year salaries, and when stuff, I mean players, comes off the books.
to get to that 350 number the Yankees would have to go 8 years 260 million which is 32 a year. He would have been sign until 43. Boras must really thinks someone will lock Arod up for 12 years. I can’t see it happening. Thats not even considering the amount they would have to pay in luxury tax.
“His fielding is laughable, but not embarrassing.â€
“He is a NL gold glover! He is fielding is great and his arm better.”
NL Gold Glover, which means the Minor Leagues. LOL!
In all seriousness, he throws better than some people think, but I don’t like the approaches he takes to balls and he most certainly is not a fan of going towards the wall. Come on, you have to admit that.
“I would even go as far as to not signing Posada if you have to give him 4 years guaranteed.
Love Jorge but 4 years to a 37 year old Catcher? No thanks.”
It’s a tough call, but I would…there is nobody waiting in the wings. The free agent class stinks and there’s no one in the minors close to being ready.
““His fielding is laughable, but not embarrassing.â€
“He is a NL gold glover! He is fielding is great and his arm better.â€
NL Gold Glover, which means the Minor Leagues. LOL!
In all seriousness, he throws better than some people think, but I don’t like the approaches he takes to balls and he most certainly is not a fan of going towards the wall. Come on, you have to admit that.”
I’m tired of kay talking about Abreu’s great arm..he never makes an accurate throw. And he can’t go back on a ball. But I still agree with the move to bring him back.
oops forgot to mention that Gammons was on Mike and Mike this morning and continued his earlier rant this week about Boras and Arod and went off on both of them and really did not have any good things to say about the 2 of them and what they did on the opt out. Said it was buyer beware. he also said that sources have told him that Arod is embarassed. Although highly doubt it maybe this will open his eyes a bit. I would hope so it is a shame to see the best player in the game have these kinds of issues.
“NL Gold Glover, which means the Minor Leagues.”
You are telling me Omar Vizquel glove is minor league?
Come on…
The Yankees were willing to go 5 years/$150M for 8 years. That’s prudent. What were Alex and Boras smoking out there in Cali?
I think the Yankees have moved on and are glad that Alex is someone else’s headache. And they’re coming up smelling like roses!
So Arod took a flight from NYC to Miami on Sunday? So from that you conclude that he didn’t have family obligations that day? That makes no sense, could he have not been flying down to Miami for family? You’re reaching.
As far as Gold Gloves, they don’t always go to the best fielders, see Derek Jeter. And they’re a popularity contest and once you win one or two it’s like your grandfathered in to keep winning until you retire. Joke.
it’s even laughable he won the gold glove , Phillies fans didn’t even believe it that year.
Mel-
I think you’re right. The Yankees arent blowing smoke this time. They mean it. They wont be talking with Arod.
Not only is Abreu worth it, I bet a year from now the Yankees will be considering extending his contract for 2 to 3 years even if that means he becomes the primary DH down the road. One of the best trades of the Cashman era.
Dman,
That’s right. Fraudo disrespected the Godfather. He’ll still be part of the Yankee family, but they had to exile him.
So, now with Abreu all taken care of.
That brings us back to 3B and the bullpen. Maybe take a look at 1B too.
Gold glove isnt a popularity contest, watch the stats, they always go to the right player
I don’t think the Yankees FO will be too worried about attendance next year – they’re almost guaranteed a sellout every game with it being the last year in the old Stadium. It’s the ideal year for a “rebuilding” year (or at least what can qualify as a rebuilding year in Yankeeland).
Joba, Phil and Ian can get their first full seasons in the majors under their belts, the team can wait it out until next year’s FA class and probably do so in front of a full house for every game. Even if they’re unlikely to make the playoffs, does anyone think the Stadium won’t be packed for every game in August/September?
It’s pretty much a win-win as far as attendance is concerned: they play well, it’s business as usual. Even if they’re mediocre, revenues will likely stay at current levels.
I think they’ve got the right man for the job if they do decide to wait it out until 2009 for big signings. JG has proven (albeit for only one season) that he can get the most out of lesser players. Who says he can’t do it with a stopgap 3rd baseman and the below-average platoon at 1B?
Jeff , not a chance I like Abreu but Tabata and Jackson will be better suited for the OF spots 2009 and beyond
Jamie and mel,
http://hardballdollars.com/wiki/wikka.php? has the year to year salary info in chart form your looking for.
Please stop this Damon for Crede nonsense.
Why would a team trade it’s healthy starting LF and lead off hitter (who hit a clutch HR in the only post season win) for a guy coming off back surgery who has no position on his team?
I’m happy Abreu is back. He deserved the renewal and he also becomes a valuable trade asset at the deadline if the Yankees decide to dump people and he agrees to a 1/2 season deal. It’s a win win, since I think he can’t possibly get off to as bad a start as he did last year again. His 2nd half of the season was awesome. He can put it together for a full season I’m sure.
I think Girardi is going to bring some accountability to the players who lost their way during the opening the months of the season. No more babying and blind faith. These guys are professionals who are expected to perform and Grandpa Joe can go coddle the likes of Nomar and Kent now.
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.c.....60040.html
A-Rod wanted $350 million??? Haha, who does this guy think he is? Man oh man, Boras finally screwed his “son” over.
Mark my words. There is NO team that is going to give clown-shoes that much money. Dude wouldn’t even meet with us.
Alex never wanted to stay in New York.
For contracts, Cot’s Baseball contracts is one of the best, it is linked on the main blog page.
Abreu will probably be a Type A free agent in 08. More picks and $16 million off the books. Plus, he’ll only be 34 at then end of next year. He’ll get a 3 year, $36 million deal.
The problem with Damon was his slugging percentage dropped 86 points. I think because he was out of shape. He hit better in the second half after being healthy. I think losing the wear and tear of just running out to center will help (if he isn’t traded). If he slugs 30 more points (to be league average), he’ll be a better than league average player.
G. Love-
Im with you. I don’t like Crede. Don’t want him here.
“I think Girardi is going to bring some accountability to the players who lost their way during the opening the months of the season.”
Yeah…that was the problem. Abreu, Matusi and Cano just didn’t care that they were playing horribly. Joe didn’t tell them that they, as grown people, were responsible for their own actions.
What did you think the right call was? Punitive benchings? How is that going to help a guy in a slump? Throwing them under the bus in the media?
Seriously…do people listen to themselves sometimes?
Mel -
The only way I think they deal with Alex is if they are forced to via arbitration. In which case I think they would have to offer 80% of what he made last year. I doubt very much that Alex will accept arbitration but that is the risk the Yankees might have to take if they want to get draft picks out of this mess.
I can’t wait to spend the 22 million owed to Giambi. The fans got on Arod and this guy gets a pass. Terrible. He is a bum.
Posada is a definite resigning priority. Their next best option is LoDuca or Barret via FA or Cervelli or Pelittere via internal options. Not exactly high caliber replacements. Posada is definitely the best option out there and the Yankees have to overpay to retain him because there are no other viable options.
“The problem with Damon was his slugging percentage dropped 86 points. I think because he was out of shape. He hit better in the second half after being healthy. I think losing the wear and tear of just running out to center will help (if he isn’t traded). If he slugs 30 more points (to be league average), he’ll be a better than league average player.”
The problem with Damon, Matsui and Giambi is that we have three players for two positions: LF and DH. One of them needs to be moved. Damon is the only one who’s shown an openness to that possibility, unfortunately. He’s also got some value, unlike Giambi.
I stick by my thought that Chone Figgins will be available if the Angels sign ARod…he won’t have a position over there anymore. He’d be a great leadoff guy. He can also play CF, which would make Melky possible to move for another worthwhile piece. With Jackson, Tabata, and maybe Gardner behind him, Melky is someone who the Yanks can afford to part with.
Well the Yankees definitly have a log jam at the 1B/DH/LF position.
You’ve got Giambi, Shelley, and Andy Phillips at first
You’ve got Shelley, Matsui, and Damon in LF
Plus all of them can DH.
Thats not really the greatest thing..
I wonder if Girardi will set up 2 differnet lineups..
1 for when facing right handed pitchers, and 1 for when facing left handed pitchers..
whozat,
Punitive benchings worked to revive Damon this season. When Torre put Melky in CF full time and when Shelley came up and started to rake, it was no coincidence that Damon suddenly found his stroke and his speed again and made himself an asset to the lineup.
Torre coddled the struggling guys over the opening months of last season. He refused to put in subs who may have been more productive than the starters who were abysmal. Did he get rewarded for that faith in the end? Yes, they won the wild card. But who’s to say that if he didn’t bench them and start other players in their spots that also might have helped to snap them out of their malaise quicker.
The Cano of the first 2 months of the season was an undisciplined lazy ball player. He had no approach at the plate. He was swinging at everything and he wasn’t listening to the coaching that was advising him differently. Somewhere the light turned on and he returned to being the hitter he was the previous season. Still, a couple of games on the bench with someone else hitting at 2b in May/June might have gotten Cano to realize sooner that he needed to work harder and that 2b wasn’t a birthright for him. Same thing goes for Abreu and Damon.
You don’t know what approach is right or which one works. Torre’s worked, but you can’t tell me that a little tough love might not have worked sooner and enabled the Yankees to win their division and have some home field advantage in the first round. It may have meant nothing, or it may have meant the difference between the outcome of the past season.
Crede is a above average player and Yankees certainly need to check him out as a replacement as he will be a low cost trade.
Yankees were very smart in bringing back Abreu. Losing A-Rod and Abreu would have cost the Yankees a lot of offense. Abreu is a keeper and if he puts up the same numbers in 2008, the Yankees need to re-sign him for another 2 years.
Joe G is the Man-
I tihnk you’re giving Crede to much credit calling him above average.
He also just had surgery on his back… Back problems can end a carear..
“Punitive benchings worked to revive Damon this season. When Torre put Melky in CF full time and when Shelley came up and started to rake, it was no coincidence that Damon suddenly found his stroke and his speed again and made himself an asset to the lineup.”
No, RESTING DAMON’S INJURIES worked to revive him. Also, a couple of months of DHing, which took much less of a toll on his legs.
Was Cano lazy? Or pressing at the plate because his team was doing horribly and he was partially responsible? Were you in the clubhouse? Given that this is the same kid who called Larry Bowa and asked for extra fielding drills when Bowa signed on board, I’m going to go with him _not_ being lazy.
Bottom line is that a guy can’t figure his way out of a slump sitting on the bench. If you have better options (which the Yankees really didn’t, except perhaps in CF), then at some point you make the call – which Joe T did. But, you’re telling me you wanted to punish Cano and put Phillips at 2B? Play Cairo in LF? Because you already benched Johnny because he was doing poorly and put Melky in CF. What about Abreu? His slow start was probably due to his truncated spring training. How would benching him help him find his stroke?
“He also just had surgery on his back… Back problems can end a carear..”
And back surgery can correct back problems. Look, it’s a gamble. His injury should make him cheaper to get. The questions are these:
1) Was 2006 a breakout year, or a fluke?
2) Will his surgery allow him to play mostly pain-free in the future?
If a team thinks the answers are yes, they should get him. If not, then they shouldn’t. I suspect the Yanks will do their homework before deciding to go after him or not. There’s speculation the ChiSox might non-tender him if they can’t make a deal before they have to make a call. If that happens, then it’s an even less risky decision.
If we’re gonna trade for a 3b coming off back surgery, give me Eric Chavez. He’s the same age as Crede and his career numbers make Crede look silly. Not to mention Chavez plays an excellent defensive 3b and is known as a leader. I don’t care about the left right thing all that much. Chavez will be a huge asset with the short RF porch.
If we get Crede and pay anything more than a quadruple A type minor leaguer for him, we got robbed. He has no position in Chicago, they already have his replacement, he makes 5 million and his numbers pre-back surgery weren’t exactly eye popping.
“I don’t care about the left right thing all that much.”
Then you’re a fool, because that was a BIG problem for the Yankees all season, and they just lost their best right handed hitter.
“Chavez will be a huge asset with the short RF porch.”
If he can stay on the field, which he can’t. He’s played ONE full season out of the last four. And they play 81 games in other ballparks. Eric Chavez would be a TERRIBLE call.
Crede could also be a bad call. Like I said, if 2006 is the real Crede, and they think his back surgery worked (like Minky’s did) then he’d be a good choice in a weighted platoon with Betemit. Crede plays very good D and can provide righty pop. Betemit provides lefty pop at both corners, and tolerable D.
Back problems aren’t the end of a player. Look at Vlad. He had back problems and he kept on going.
“Without Arod in front of him he will see a lot more pitches out of the zone and as we all saw this year he can get lost at the plate real quick.”
Not really. His slump in May/June was completely out of character for him and like nothing I;ve ever seen from him. In the past, even when he’s struggled (as all players do), he could still work the count and get on base. If he does see more pitches out of the zone, he’ll probably just walk more. Getting on base is his game.
Whatever,
Just because there is a buyout clause in his contract, doesn’t mean Abreu will only be paid 14 million. Abreu will make 16 million this year.
The buy out only comes into effect IF AND ONLY IF the team does “NOT” pick up the option. Only then is Abreu entitled to a 2 million dollar buy out which the Yankees would have to pay. It does not reduce the contract by 2 million dollars.
Abreu will lead us into A-Jack/Tabata who will BOTH make their debuts in September.
Sign Kerry Wood to setup Mo.
Sign Andruw Jones to a 1 year deal to re-establish himself in next years market. He uses the platform of NY and we use him as he goes all out again.
The Yankees just overcrowded their outfield again by exercising Abreu’s option. I’d be shocked if they didn’t first lay the groundwork for a trade before making this decision on Abreu. I think that Cashman has strong indications that he can move one of: Damon, Matsui, or Giambi. The easiest one to move is Damon while the others are barely moveable or impossible to deal. Who’s going to take Matsui with a bad knee and 26 mil owed? On the flip side, why would the Yankees relinquish the Japan revenue? Who would take Giambi and the 25 million owed to him?
Earlier this year when Damon was stuggling, we were praying for him to go on the DL. Did we forget that? I, for one, still have serious doubts that his body can withstand another full season of wear and tear. At 26 mil owed, 2 year commitment and banged up body…I’d be happy to deal him for a 3b stopgap at a low financial cost and 1 year short term trial run.
Damon to LAD for LaRoche.
“Damon to LAD for LaRoche.”
Why would the Dodgers do that?
Abreu said he liked being on the Yankees because he didn’t have to be “the man”. That in Philly when they lost he didn’t like the reporters coming to him.
Guess what Bob, with no ARod in the lineup and the next best power hitter being Hideki Matsui, you’re back to being “the man” with no protection.