Slow news day on the Yankees front
-
- November
- 3
I have to tell you, I’m a little concerned.
It’s past 5 p.m. and the Yankees have not held a conference call. There has not been a transaction of any kind. There hasn’t even been a report of an unreasonable demand from Alex Rodriguez.
Joe Girardi went and got his third haircut this week. Joe Torre is brushing up on his Bob Gibson stories for his press conference on Monday. Brian Cashman is home chilling out before the GM Meetings.
Could there really be a day without any real Yankees news?
I might have to make something up. How about T.J. Beam, Matt DeSalvo and Alberto Gonzalez to Seattle for Adrian Beltre? No, nobody would believe that.
This is rough. If only the Yankees had Milton Bradley, at least he would get arrested.
OK, American Gangster it is.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, November 3rd, 2007 at 5:20 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
Peter Abraham
American Gangster is a great movie.
I was thinking about going to see American Gangster tonight but i hate crowded movie theaters and i instead decided to be lazy and watch college football.
“How about T.J. Beam, Matt DeSalvo and Alberto Gonzalez to Seattle for Adrian Beltre? No, nobody would believe that.”
Don’t be so sure Pete. I’ve seen much worse proposed on here.
pete,
how about Freddy Sanchez from the Pirates for third? Tell Cashman to get on it!
“Brian Cashman is home chilling out before the GM Meetings.”
Oh, man, Pete! By saying this, we’re going to have to deal with all the idiots whining that Cash is somehow spurning Posada by not spending today standing outside his house in the rain, playing In Your Eyes on a giant 80s boombox!
I was kind of hoping we’d hear another Yankee official come out and say ‘We will not be talking with Alex’.
I like hearing that.
This day in Yankee History:
1992 The Reds trade Paul O’Neill and Joe DeBerry, a minor leaguer, to the Yankees for Roberto Kelly. The deal works well for the Bronx Bombers as the popular outfielder will become a team leader playing an important in four World Series championships before he retires prior to the 2002 season.
http://www.nationalpastime.com/
Good times.
Whatever happened to Roberto Kelly?
Alas, it is with great sadness and surprise that I recently learned the Legendary Colter Bean was released by the Yankee Organization.
He could’ve been the “clincher” for that Beltre deal!
Yeah I’m so happy A-Rod opted out, it was about time, he did the Yankees a big favor, now we can get back Miguel Cairo to fill that spot.
AG is excellent.
Here’s something to make you laugh about the A-Rod situation, courtesy of that tear-inducing vegetable:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/slow_month_in_baseball_saved_by_a?utm_source=EMTF_Onion
Pete, if that trade proposal gets us Beltre, I would be happy with that.
Miguel Cairo as the 3B?
Why has no one brought this up before?
THIS WILL ONLY BE A GOOD OFF SEASON IF CASHMAN CAN TRADE SEAN HENN
LOL @ E-rod
Funny thing. 4 or 5 years ago if you told someone Joe Torre would be managing Nomar Garciaparra in the near future they would’ve called you crazy
wasn’t there a rumor that Igawa or Farnsy would have been traded for Morales in Colorado I know I saw it somewhere
Rebecca :D, I was thinking that too but Joe Torre his Cairo on speed dial , damn what a shame too
Rebecca
, I was thinking that too but Joe Torre has Cairo on speed dial , damn what a shame too 
Miguel Cairo as the 3B?
We may not survive 162 with him but if we do he has good numbers in the postseason.
Hmm, a Cairo/Betemit platoon? Isn’t Cairo a righty?
I mean, I’m not really serious about it, but it’d be kind of funny.
Brandon,
When Farnsworth was being shopped before the deadline, Cashman supposedly asked the Rockies for Morales in exhchange for him. I can imagine that conversation ended pretty quickly.
it ended because they wanted the Rockies to throw in OF Ryan Spilborghs LOL
http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2007/07/31/lopez-lost-for-season-no-trade-made/
Cash call them again put Igawa in this deal
We can all enjoy some off time this weekend, because the rumors will be flying next week at the GM meetings. Can you imagine the stories “I saw Cash talking with so-and-so…”
It will be worse than high school!
I’m so used to seeing Miguel Cabrera’s name here for 3B that I had to go back 3 times to understand why it mattered that Torre had Miguel Cairo on speed dial.
That’s pretty funny!
Joe—You know we’re always up for good gossip.
Damon for Crede ? Abreu to leadoff ?
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/cs-011103sox,1,2084779.story?coll=cs-whitesox-headlines
Keeping Score
Yankees Should Opt in for Rodriguez
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/sports/baseball/04score.html?_r=1&ex=1351828800&en=4979f830d1df5692&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
Noooo! Not Matt DeSalvo!!!!
I don’t see A-Rod back with the Yankees in the spring…and right now, I don’t want to, either.
Prettty sure Cairo will find a home out in LA, where he won’t get any playing time for 2 and a half months and then be made the starting SS for the rest of the year when A-Rod goes down with a broken wallet bone.
As for Beltre, I’m pretty sure Seattle is asking for one of the Steinbrenner boys to be thrown in. Probably a deal breaker.
I dunno. After the discussions at work and then this article, maybe the “we won’t negotiate if you opt out” is just a bargaining chip.
It really doesn’t seem like it.
The problem with that analysis in the Times (see above link) is that it is written by an academic, with no consideration for ARod’s lack of production when it most matters. Why spend that kind of $$$$ when you are a zero when it matters most?
The Yankees can get to the post-season with an adequate 3B as long as there is good pitching. Where they could use a $30 M+ player is to come through in the clutch, not strike out with the winning run on base (see Game 2, ALDS).
Enough already with any platooning at 3rd base. Saw too much of it on 1st base this past season. Just 4 infield regulars and 2 multi-purpose infielders can handle it all. One DH not named Giambi, and 4 outfielders along with 2 catchers and a pitching staff of 12 including a long reliever.
Joe Girardi needs a flexible team in ‘o8 and his managerial style will show differently from Torre’s.
“Joe Girardi needs a flexible team in ‘o8”
Easier said than done.
Alex Rodriquez will spend the rest of his career with a tag of not cutting it in the big stage and go ringless with a reputation of a clutchless, money hungry, self-centered ballplayer. The media will work him over with a vengeance.
It has to be a calculated decision by Boras. What’s another possible reason for the announcement of A-rod’s opt out during WS?
Andrea :
THAT’S THE REASON WHY TEAMS HAVE GENERAL MANAGERS…TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT BALANCE AND FLEXABILITY. The manager provides the chemistry.
Joe Crede in 08. Vote for Joe.
Frankie D.: I realize. And it’s a great idea. It’s just not as easy as that.
I think after all this A-Rod emotional strife, the Yankees should be aloud to go and take whatever players they want. Any takers?
Anyone but Crede in ‘08, ‘09, and forever.
I have absolutely no recollection of how I existed before this blog. It’s the only place I can check two or three times, every single day, year round for something new in Yankeeland.
Keep up the good work. We’re addicted.
Crede sucks. The Yanks can and should do better.
How Do , I have Faith Cashman will make some Smart moves this Off-Season . My guess is a Right-handed hitter for 3rd . Trade Melky for Pitching and sign a free agent Center-Fielder .
VERY NICE !!!!
With all this discussion about Crede, I thought I would chime in.
I like him. He doesn’t replace Alex’s offense, but I thought we all pretty much agreed that the Yanks need to get away from the All Star at every position approach that has so miserably failed since 2002 (started with the Giambi signing). Crede is exactly the good defensive, hard playing kind of role player this team needs. Reminds me more of Brosius than Alex, and that’s a good thing.
The question is, can Crede clutch in the playoffs like Scotty B?
If yes, sign on the dotted line. If not, See yah!
A Red Sox fan liked to amuse himself by scaring every Yankees’ fan he saw strutting down the street in an obnoxious NY pinstripe shirt. He would swerve his van as if to hit them, then swerve back just missing them. One day while driving along, he saw a priest. He thought he would do a good deed, so he pulled over and asked the priest, “Where are you going, Father?”
“I’m going to give Mass at St. Francis Church, about two miles down the road,” replied the priest.
“Climb in, Father. I’ll give you a lift!”
The priest climbed into the passenger seat, and they continued down the road. Suddenly, the driver saw a Yankees’ fan walking down the road, and he instinctively swerved as if to hit him. But, as usual, he swerved back onto the road just in time. Even though he was certain that he had missed the guy, he still heard a loud THUD. Not knowing where the noise came from, he glanced in his mirrors but still didn’t see anything. He then remembered the priest, and he turned to the priest and said, “Sorry Father, I almost hit that Yankees’ fan.”
“That’s OK,” replied the priest “I got him with the door.”
Ok lets get to the really important news that is Yankee related. Does Robinson Cano change is number back since Rocket as far as we know is not going to be with the team next year?? lol
I live in Chicago and have had the occasion to see Crede every once and a while. First of all, he is a good defensive player. Offensively, he’s been hampered by injuries. However, before he was injured and most notably in 2005, he was usually very clutch.
If the Yankees can get him w/o giving up any blue chips, they should make the deal. The problem will be that most GMs are going to go in for the kill since the Yankees are clearly in need of a third baseman. Kenny Williams is no fool either. Cashman will have to be careful that he doesn’t let KW pick his pockets.
No. Robbie said that picking 24 was for Jackie Robinson (42 reversed). He would look like a tool if he went back to 22.
Here’s some news:
The Yanks need to
-trade Damon, Matsui, Giambi, and Abreu who are the ruin of this team.
-let go of 37 years old in 2008 Posada for a catcher no > 30 years old who can actually play defense.
-get a real 3B not a reclamation project (Crede) or flunkie (Beltre).
-get a new bench to go with a re-signed Molina.
-get a new bullpen to go with a re-signed Rivera
B.t.w. where’s the talk about the bullpen? I don’t wanna see one 2007 Yankees reliever back save Mo save Ohlendorf and only if he’s good enough in spring training to win a job.
I have been wondering about some options for the Yankees as far as left-handed relievers are concerned. That brings me to Kei Igawa. We all know how much that Igawa struggled as a starter, but he may not be the worst option as a lefty reliever. Igawa does have the ability to get guys to swing and miss, a lot more so than Ron Villone, the other lefty reliever on the roster. Kei’s best outing of the year was in the 6 inning relief stint against Boston in April. Igawa has decent stuff, he just needs to trust it more and use his head.
He wouldn’t have to pitch six innings in these kinds of stints, just come in and get one or two hitters out. Maybe I’m just grasping at straws, but there isn’t much out there, other than Jeremy Affeldt from the Rockies. Igawa may fare better next season as he knows what to expect from Major League hitters now. It isn’t too much to ask for him to be able to get one or two hitters out, is it?
Humberto Sanchez and Mark Melancon will make an impact in the bullpen in 2008. Add them to Mo and Ollie and we could surprise there. Cashman needs to sign 1 free agent (Cordero?) and trade for a lefty (Fuentes?)
Seriously, what’s everyone’s beef with Damon? Once healthy, he was great in LF and not bad at all at the plate.
I have no beef with Johnny.
If I’m Cash, these are my priorities:
1) Sign Po and Mo
2) Get a 3B
3) Convince Pettitte to come back
4) Get a bullpen that’s serviceable till Humberto and co. are ready.
5) Finish this all by Christmas so I can enjoy a good one.
I’m cool with Damon too, but people always seem to think he needs to be traded.
Can you just imagine how many ulcers Brian Cashman has? His Tums consumption must be through the roof.
A-Rod back in pinstripes….story at 11pm….it happens in February….mark my words….
Damon sucks, Andrea.
He’s old.
He showed up to 2007 spring training out of shape one year into his 4-year, $13M/yr., $52M contract.
He was out of shape for the first two months or so of 2007.
He had the nerve to bitch about lack of playing time and implied he wanted to be traded.
He has no arm.
He got his job (CF) taken from him by a younger, hungrier, better player with a better attitude (Cabrera).
He’s an average at best LF.
He likes to party and it showed on the field.
He can’t hit for average let alone the mandatory minimum .285 BA for a $13M leadoff hitter.
He can’t post the mandatory minimum .380 OBP for a $13M leadoff hitter.
He can’t do either being protected by one of the best hitters for average in the game (Jeter).
He could care less about getting another World Series ring cuz he already got his and his fat contract after it Cashman should’ve never signed him to. Cashman should’ve never signed him.
Where’s AWOL’s Army?
http://www.sfgiants.com
http://www.nyyfans.com/blog/index.php?entry=8786
Brains run in the family. take a look at this my head was spinning just looking at it.
The only beef I had with Johnny last season is he came into heavy and not in shape. An athlete his age needs to work out year round to maintain. He played himself into shape last season, the injuries, the back, the rib cage, the calves all pointed to not being in shape. I sincerely doubt he will be able to pull that off this season as Joe Girardi was notorious for coming into camp in peak condition and will I think expect Damon to come into camp in better condition than last season. He was basically hurt all April and May 2007.
Same old same old: some of that is your own opinion and conjecture, so I’m ignoring it. His crap arm was a known fact before he was acquired, so that’s not sudden drop off. I only heard him saying he was willing to play whenever and whereever theteam wanted him to play, so I don’t really agree with you saying he was complaining.
I do agree he came to play in the Spring out of shape, but he also said that after this time and how badly he was playing he wouldn’t do it again. If he does, then yeah, get rid of him. But if not, let him stick around.
I disagree. He makes great plays. I don’t think his great plays are league average LF.
But I guess you’re entitled to your opinion, and your opinion shows me why people want him traded.
I expect Johnny will show up in 2008 in much better shape.
Actually, scratch the “he’s old” part cuz that’s not fair to all the older players who still give it their 100% unlike him.
His .270 BA and .351 OBP this year was certainly NOT $13M leadoff hitter material. He was adequate in LF. I don’t see him getting better there at his age.
Once Jones, Hunter, and Rowand find their teams, Damon will be a sought after commodity and more valuable than he really is cuz the pool of free agent OFs sucks now that Alou, Dunn, and Abreu all had their club options picked up.
The corner outfielders will really be able to make an impact if they can get report to Spring Training in better shape, and not only Damon. Remember that Bobby Abreu suffered a strained oblique in Spring Training. He started to find his rhythm during the summer. With a healthy spring it won’t take him nearly as long to find it next season. I would expect a very good year from Bobby.
ok, it’s DEFINITELY not fair to put Damon below Alou. Alou’s great—when he can play. But even the Mets admit that he can only play half a season, if that.
With ARod gone and Jeter in fast decline, Damon is the best player on the team now.
I think Damon’s valuable on the trade market NOW, never mind when Aaron Rowand, Hunter and Jones sign. Damon’s a shorter commitment and the only leadoff hitter of the bunch.
Crede is a solid ball player…
Right handed bat
29 Years old
Great D
20-35 hrs
80 rbi
Under 70 SO per season
His only problem is he does not walk, and the Yankees usually go after .380+ obp hitters
Check that…
20-25 hrs
The low K rates translate into high contact rates which over time translates into timely hits in big spots. Crede doesn’t miss many pitches.
When a pitcher really needs to throw a strike and makes a good pitch, Crede’s gonna spoil it.
As long as he can clutch, I’m down with it.
Not opinion, facts. Try coming up with some sometime. I just gave you a dozen, the last one being true (satisfied with a ring) from the first 11. The mere fact he didn’t show up like a professional should in spring training alone means he sucks.
Yeah his crap arm was a known thing, hence why I said Cashman should’ve never signed him. He had Mets-era Roger Cedeno written all over him early in his deal and you’re gonna see it or wear rose-colored glasses and deny it. This year’s .270 BA/ .351 OBP flop was a start. Actually he was complaining by the mere fact of bringing up “trade” when no one on the team including Cashman brought it up.
It’s sad that you’d give a guy a pass for being out of shape after one year into his 4-year deal.
You, Rebecca, and Jennifer are the masters of saying “he’s good” in so many words with nothing to back it up like I back up the fact that he sucks. I mean at least refute what I have to say instead of copping out with the “that’s your opinion” copout.
Put it to you this way: If 2007 was Damon’s walk year, he’d never wear a Yankee uniform again after this year, you know it, I know it, and if you want to “disagree” whatever, you obviously know jack about baseball cuz no one re-signs a lazy, spoiled, got his ring already, aging, party animal brat who runs his mouth about playing time and trades after a kid trying to make it like he was once (Cabrera) rips his job away from him. He knew why that happened: cuz he couldn’t get off his ass Nov.-Mar. to get it gear to get ready for his job. He’ll never admit that. If he did, then I’d respect the guy.
Same old same old:
Would you be willing to trade Damon for Crede…
This way we can have our crap and eat it too.
Don’t get me wrong I like Damon and prefer him in left field over Matsu. Damon just needs to understand that he has to come into camp in shape. He’s not a kid anymore. This past season I thought that He played well once to got into condition.
Same old, same old:
I said I had no beef with Johnny and that I expect him to come back next year in better shape.
Where does that translate to me saying he’s good or that he’s an all star?
No, Johnny Damon’s not Chuck Knoblauch (before he forgot how to throw a baseball), and yes, he’s not going to last much longer, but right now I have him starting in left.
I can’t find it, but the Yanks 2007 record with Damon in left was, as I remember, mind boggling.
Same old same old
Perhaps you are right about Damon but I need to see a second year to be sure. Players have bad years. In 2005 everyone was saying Lowell was through and he looked awful at the plate but has rebounded to have two good years. Damon was one of the only Yankees to perform offensively this post-season. Also, he is a better defender than Matsui and covers more ground in a spacious left field.
Look at his splits from this year:
Post All Star Break: .296 BA, .364 OBP, 49 runs scored, 36 RBI. That’s more in line with his career stats. There is no excuse for showing up out od shape and his bad start, but he has a much larger track record than Cedeno and one horrible half season isn’t enough for me to believe he’s still can’t be productive.
how come no one ever seems to mention garret atkins of the rockies as a potential 3B replacement? solid, young player. 29. plays solid D. has hit .300. will jack 20 homeruns per season. the rockies have ian stewart ready to replace him, and are always looking to lower payroll. i figure he’s worth giving up melky for, and he certainly wouldn’t cost hughes or joba. heck, the yanks could probably get brian fuentes thrown into the deal for nothing much right now. he was terrible in the WS, but has a solid record as a LH power reliever…miguel cabrera is going to eat his way to DH before too long and, for what he’d cost in terms of players, just wouldn’t be worth trading for. you don’t give up a phil hughes for a guy who’s going to play third base-
badly, at that-for just a year, or two.Actually, Atkins was mentioned extensively last thread.
Fuentes is nasty. He did suck during the WS but he has incredible movement on his pitches and he’s left handed.
same old same old: I, also, never said he was “good,” I just didn’t understand the overwhelming beef with him. I also said I never heard him complain about the lack of playing time. I heard just the opposite. Every interview I heard or article I read was him willing to play where/when he was needed.
If this were his walk year, let him walk. but the fact is, it’s not his walk year, and if he comes into ST in shape, and plays like he did the 2nd half, Cashman would do well not to trade him and leave himself trying to find a new OF. It would just be silly.
And the opinion thing I was talking about was you saying that he got his ring and didn’t feel the need to get another one. Would you say the same about Jeter, that just because he has 4 he doesn’t want another? or Mo? or Posada? Or Girardi, for that matter? It’s just a silly thing to say, in my opinion. It’s not really fair for you to decide what and why I say something, or Jennifer or Rebecca for that matter. I’m not sure what their opinions are or why.
You’re just being a little harsh. but that’s your right. But no need to be mean about it to other folks on the board.
How ‘bout Chone Figgen? He’s a pretty good player.
Saffron Risotto dude is on YES again!
Yeah, I’m not in favor of trading Damon at all. Everything he brings to the table that translates into value for another team is also valuable to us. He’s a great leadoff hitter and there’s no one on the roster who would be close to as good at it as him. Sure Melky COULD hit leadoff but would he regularly drive opposing pitchers crazy with 10-11 pitch ABs like Damon does?
Damon is also an imposing presence on the basepaths. He’s not the only one with speed but I’m not sure if anyone else distracts opposing pitchers like he does. Plus, it worked great to have Melky batting 9th and him leading off. If it aint broke dont fix it.
He’s also a terrific left fielder. Do you really want to see Matsui in left every day for the next 2 years? I’ll take Damon, thanks.
He will also hit for more power next year (ala 06) which is a source of concern with Pay-Rod’s departure. Why will his power numbers pick back up? Well, because he wasn’t injured at the end of this year so he won’t struggle with injuries in the offseason, thus he won’t be rendered unable to work out over the winter and he will show up for ST in good shape.
I must say, I got a huge chortle out of the post that said he doesn’t care about winning another ring. Did that 3-run shot in the ALDS smell like a guy who doesn’t care to you? Not me. And he also hit a go-ahead homer in 06 ALDS if memory serves. But yeah, he doesn’t care about winning!
Again, Damon brings a ton to the team and still has a lot left in the tank. I don’t trade him unless it’s the slam dunkiest of slam dunk deals. Save SexyCalves!
Damon was pissed when benched. He and Torre felt the need to explain that the communication could have been better.
As a fan of the rivalry, when i think of Damon, I think of one moment: grad slam, game 7, 2004 ALCS.
Never should have been a Yankee.
Personally as far as lefty relievers go, I would rather have Affeldt than Fuentes, but Fuentes over Joe Kennedy. If we sign Affeldt though then we will definitely have to deal Farnsworth (which I hope we do anyway) as the two of them got in a brawl a few years back so there is some bad blood there.
BTW, three guesses who won that fight!
To trade Damon for Crede would be idiocy. JD has something to prove in ‘08 and despite his fun loving demeanor (which is also great for the team), he is a fierce competitor. The Chisox will take less than Damon as they are motivated to move Crede. With due respect, SoSo’s comments in this regrd are ridiculous.
Damon is NOT a terrific Left Fielder. HE was replaced in game 2 against CLE, because he has NO arm!
So, Same Old Same Old, where’s your facutal evidence that Damon is a lazy, spoiled, party animal, got his ring already brat? After all, you spent so much time harrumphing that those who advocate keeping Damon should “back up their opinions with facts” – your above description of him couldn’t POSSIBLY be an opinion itself, could it? Surely you must have notarized documents or ironclad statistics to back up these claims, no?
BBB: That’s the kind of stuff I was trying to say. But I think I got defensive and babbly. So um….ditto.
And I said the other day Matty DeSalvo for 3rd Base…no?
Tommy: Yes, as we all know, Damon’s arm is his weakness. But arm is not as important in left as it is in center, and it’s not like Matsui’s arm is much better. The big advantage that Damon does have over Matsui though, is speed. He makes catches out there that Matsui could never even dream of.
And I think it’s pretty safe to assume that if Damon gets traded and is not playing left next year, Matsui will be. With all the other holes that need to be filled they’re not gonna go find a new LF when they already have a guy who was signed to play left. I would much rather have Damon than Matsui in left, hence my huge relcutance to trade him. (Well actually, that’s only part of the reason, in addition to all the other stuff he brings to the team. But yeah..Damon in left in 08!)
Anad Matsui has no arm and no range. Damon got to alot of balls that Matsui never would have. I’d much rather have Damon out there than Matsui. Also you can be sure that Damon will come into camp in shape. #1 he was embarrassed by how his season started, #2 he has something to prove to his new manager.
Tommy: I never said he was terrific. I said he made terrific plays. And game 2 is unfair. That was a giveaway game by the end anyway.
Andrea: After all the motivational Damon smack talk this past season, I think we are obligated to defend his honor! Especially since the smack talk seemed to actually work!
oh, and PFFFT! T-Clip would make a much better 3b than Matty! He can hit remember?
However, Matty for 4th OF sounds like a plan!
BBB: I think TClip actually has pitching talent. He should probably keep pitching. I’ve resigned to the fact that Matty can only pitch well against the Mariners, so he should work on playing 3B. TClip can PH sometimes, though. That was a pretty sweet double against the Mets.
Our motivational smack talk against Damon was pretty hardcore. We do need to defend him. I fear defending him might send him on a downward spiral. I’m glad you’re hear to talk sensibly though! I was stumbling over myself, and you’re saying all the stuff I was trying to say but couldn’t get out.
NY Times is reporting that Posada has a oral offer, that Rivera has an informal offer, AND THAT A-ROD MAY take a pay cut to come back to the Yankees.
The A-Rod story sounds unlikely because he would likely need to fire Boras to take the pay cut. Supposedly he’s meeting w/ Boras for 2 days in Miami.
I’ve been bashing A-Rod and saying good riddance for the past week+ like most people on this blog.
Out of curiosity, would people on this blog accept him as a Yankee again if he apologized and took a $30 million pay cut from his best offer from another team??? I still can’t decide.
Haha yeah, Matty was an enigma with his splits against the Mariners vs. all other teams. I keep thinking that there is some other team out there with an offensive makeup LIKE that of the Mariners that he can also pitch well against though!
Either way I hope he and T-Clip both get good long serious looks in ST to make the bullpen next year. In terms of long relief, I’m not sure either one is as good as Rasner, but I think they both did pretty well with Dave Eiland as a coach, so you never know!
Ethan: I’ll accept A-Rod back on the team if he takes the pay cut you described AND passes an in-depth personality test (like the ones the NFL gives potential draftees) administered by none other than Scott Brosius. Otherwise, sayonara!
I really hope the stuff about Mo and Po returning is true though!
Ethan
How mode anyone know the “true” offer was..
Ethan, if Alex takes a pay cut it’s him proving he was wrong, if Alex takes a paycut and fires Boras it means Boras was manipulating his choices , I said the only way I want him back and I love Arod on the Yankees but if he comes back fire the rat.
BBB: Rasner’s good. He’s a pretty good starter, and I think he’d be in a rotation on any other team. He had some good starts, and Torre yanked him too quicklee. And Matty was not good at ALL out of the bullpen. Poor fellow. Maybe we can form our own team of Yankee misfits that we love. There’s gotta be some position players that are loveable.
quicklee? why would I write that? I meant quickly.
If A-Rod took a pay cut….I’m not sure I’d take my stuff out of my “bag of douche” (all A-Rod paraphernalia) in the bottom of my closet, but I’d certainly not use it to clean dishes yet.
Damon needs to stay for now. If the season starts off slow, fans will need someone to blame. You can’t blame guys who are True Yankees. Mussina and Farnsworth won’t be good choices because they don’t play everyday. Blaming Abreu would mean Cashman was wrong to pick up his option. Hank says Girardi gets a pass. Giambi won’t get enough playing time to blame him. So that leaves Damon. If they trade for someone you’d like to blame more, then Damon can go.
Andrea:
I know you did not describe JD as a “teriffic LF”. I guess I should be specific.
BBB:
I know arm strneght is not as important in LF.
Granted, the Yanks probably would have lost Game 2 anyway, but JD was removed in the middle of the inning because his arm is TERRIBLE!
Look, I realize my aversion to JD is based on pure fan bias.
I see him as one of the IDIOTS. A player who was partly responsible for the worst moment in modern NYY history.
I know he can play, I just wish he was not wearing the pinstipes.
Tommy-
Just curious, do you feel the same way about Clemens wearing pinstripes that you do about Damon?
Interesting story in the NYT. Kepner is pretty good. Did not see the reference to meeting with Borass in Miami for 2 days. Where did you see that, Ethan? Don’t know why a cynic like me cares, but I would really like to believe this whole thing got away from Alex and he regrets being a Borass robot. Don’t think that’s true, but I would like to believe it is true. Guess that means I am not a cynic, huh?
Tommy: I understand you’re still scarred from 2004, but can’t you look at it from the perspective as Boston losing an idiot and the Yankees stealing something from them, like the way Boston looks at it?
As soon as he cut the hair and shaved his face and stopped looking like a caveman, he looked like a whole different person to me, so I kind of stopped thinking about him as the same Johnny Damon altogether.
Anyone see that Sosa wants at least 7 Million to play next season??Are you kidding me!!!!That guy has got to be mentioned on that list of names of steroids.
Ill take Crede for 3B…seems like he might be a Brosius type of player,plus he is righthanded hitter.
I think Atkins would be #2 option….probably too pricey in talent.
Igawa to bullpen isnt too crazy of an idea….might actually work…gotta get something out of that guy!!
There’s been speculation from some sources that Girardi likes Farnsworth and that he will likely be Joe’s reclamation project in 2008, so don’t look for him to go anywhere.
I was among those hoping that the Yankees would somehow shed at least one of their “Lefty DH types” (Damon,Abreu, Matsui,Giambi) in favor of a younger, more all-around
athletic righthand hitting outfielder.
However:
a. Giambi will be 38 next season and is untradeable because of his ridiculous salary and his diminished skills.
Unless he somehow is able to overcome the shoulder,knee, and foot injuries that have plagued him, he should only see pinch hitting duty and occasional starts at DH against righties next season.
b. Abreu’s offensive skills fit the Yankee blueprint – even if his defensive skills (save for throwing) are below average. Additionally, he’s still only a 1-year committment for the Team.
c. Matsui is the worst skilled outfielder of the Group, but is a good hitter, performs well under pressure, and is a valuable public relations link to the Asian market.
He should be their full time DH, occasionally getting a start in LF.
That leaves Damon: At 34 years old, still a very good leadoff hitter with excellent speed, covers both LF and CF adequately, but has a weak arm. He is, however, the most tradeable of the Group, even with his $13 Mil salary because the Yanks can always opt to pay a portion of it.
Ethan problem is, you can’t trust what Scott says is the offer. I would take off 60 million off the highest offer. If you recall the Rangers outbid the next team by 50 million!! Also don’t forget to take into account the luxury tax. I don’t believe the Yankees had to pay the tax on the 26 million that Alex earned only the 16 million he earned from the Yankees.
Id like to see the Yankees re-acquire Juan Rivera from the Angels,to be a righty on the bench/LF/DH.
Resign Molina to a 2 yr deal(Gives him security,and gives the Yankees a backup for two seasons that gets to work with theese young “guns”)
And heres a debate….When the Yankees signed Damon,there were stats that claimed Jeter was better at being the leadoff hitter,and Damon being a better #2 hitter.What do you think?
BB:
I never wanted Clemens on the Yankees.
Of course, I can see that Clemens contributed mightily to NYY success. I even rooted for him.
I never bought his “act” though. Walking out to monument park before his starts? Please!
He is one of the top pitchers of the modern era though, no doubt!
Look, Maybe I take the rivalry too seriously. To me, it transcends anything else. Hell, I thought the 2003 WS was anticlimactic after Boone’s HR.
I know Babe Ruth came from BOS. That was before any rivalry existed.
I’d rather not have Red Sox players come to the Yanks. Especially players that stuck it to the Yanks.
As much as I disagree with Schilling’s views, I commend his stance on the rivalry.
The fan in me wishes more players felt the same way!
American Gangster is not a great movie. It’s a good movie. Great? No.
Is Sosa still on drugs? 7 million!! Does he forget he hit .252 with a .311 obp?!! Yeah he hit 21 hr but he did play in Texas! (don’t the balls fly out there?)
That NYT article is quite interesting, nothing would surprise me now. The only way for A Rod to gain any credibility would be to fire Boras, still can’t see it happening though.
Does anyone know how to figure out how much A-Fraud has made in the Major Leagues.Including his signing bonus from Seattle???I have figured at least 200Million so far.
Tommy-
I totally agree with you about Clemens, still remember when he beaned Jeter, twice as I recall. Great pitcher & he owes the Yankee organization for helping him get 2 rings.
from nyt
Pretty interesting. I actually heard that one of the guys doing the WS game got a phone call from Scott while he was in the dugout!!
I don’t believe this includes bonus
1994 Seattle Mariners $442,333
1995 Seattle Mariners $442,333
1996 Seattle Mariners $442,334
1997 Seattle Mariners $1,062,500
1998 Seattle Mariners $2,162,500
1999 Seattle Mariners $3,112,500
2000 Seattle Mariners $4,362,500
2001 Texas Rangers $22,000,000
2002 Texas Rangers $22,000,000
2003 Texas Rangers $22,000,000
2004 New York Yankees $22,000,000
2005 New York Yankees $26,000,000
2006 New York Yankees $21,680,727
2007 New York Yankees $22,708,525
Career (may be incomplete) $170,416,252
I left out a very interesting line from the article
The phone messages from reporters, Cashman said, preceded Boras’s message.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/sports/baseball/04chass.html?ref=sports
UtilityMan-
This is what I found ARod has made over $170 mil
http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/leaders_salaries.shtml
$148 million dollars is luxury threshold for 2008. Yanks would have to trim more than A-Rod off payroll to come in under that.
Kevin Brown has made almost 10 mil more than Clemens, pretty interesting list.
Trish I’m talking the luxury tax that they paid on his salary, not that he put them over the limit.
Brown was a roider. Unfortunately for us, we got him the year they started testing. So of course, he sucked and was always injured.
So what’s up with Clemens? Has he given up on surgery?
Denny Neagle has made over $50 mil, can’t believe that baseball players or any athletes for that matter, have that type of money.
Jason Giambi has the second highest single season salary in MLB history! For 2007, no less.
NAH, the system does not need any tweaking.
Thanks Jennifer for the breakdown…I made a mistake in thinking that A-Fraud left “ONLY” 81 Million on the table not 91Million!
It really is going to be interesting to see if collusion does prevail.I just dont see how a team out there is going to pay someone $350Million dollars over 10 seasons!
That BoRASS character is really something…
Do u guys sit around all day writing an essay on the blog …........
Players who have big contracts also have deferred money so teams can spread it out over the years after they retire. Those numbers probably don’t include that yet.
Why weren’t both offers formal?
UtilityMan
I hope all the owners get together and decide not to make a bid for him. They need to make an example of someone, and why not make it the player with the biggest name. I hope he is left on April 1 without a seat when the music stops.
Trish Good point, I guess to get a real break down you’d have to compare the contract with what baseball-reference says.
Jennifer
The team pays it on the total spent not on an individual player.
If you want to say it is on A-Rod’s salary, okay but you’ll need to find a few more players to pin it on too because Yankees payroll was about $60M over limit last year.
Thanks go out to you Buddy B on that link….cant believe Jay Bell has made over 50 Million…and that David Wells hasnt made more than what shows.
Lets see 170Million plus 350Million =520Million..That is just ridiculous….soon he will be able to afford a country.
Change the name to “HA-VILLE” instead of Dr Seuss’ Who-Ville!
Well I read that the Toledo Mud-Hens offered him a chance to compete for their 3B spot in 2008..based on Hank Steins comment last week about not wanting to be a Yankee.
Trish I understand that, but we were paying it based on 16 million, not 27 million.
Sick isn’t it. Some people in the world make $1 a day and he makes that in just about one second.
Right on Jennifer!
Quoth Jennifer: “I hope all the owners get together and decide not to make a bid for him. They need to make an example of someone, and why not make it the player with the biggest name. I hope he is left on April 1 without a seat when the music stops.”
= Collusion
American Gangster was a great movie. Saw it opening night and it should definately win a bunch of awards.
As far as Beltre goes he’s a contract year player. I’d be mad if we got him.