Cashman wants Damon leading off and in LF
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- November
- 7
The GMs just made themselves available to the media for an hour. As an aside, kudos to Theo Epstein and Larry Beinfest for suggesting this. In previous years, the GM Meetings were frustrating to cover. You had to stand around the lobby of the hotel waiting for GMs to walk by. Then we would literally chase them down a hallway.
Now you still stand around the lobby looking for agents. But the GMs make themselves available at 2 p.m. and you can talk to anybody you want. Epstein and Beinfest, who are co-chairmen of the meetings this season, came up with the idea.
They also had every GM stand up before the group on Tuesday and list what their needs are so the other teams could get a sense of what trades could be made. Brian Cashman and other GMs said that helped eliminate a lot of wasted time.
Now onto the latest news:
Cashman said that he wants Johnny Damon to be his leadoff hitter and left fielder next season. That leaves Hideki Matsui as the DH and Jason Giambi in the same limbo he was in this season. A little first, a little DH, a little off the bench.
The Yankees know that The Big G can’t stay healthy.
Cashman said 1B is not a concern, at least not as much of one as other spots. He listed off Shelley Duncan, Giambi, Andy Phillips and Wilson Betemit as players who can work there. And while he had praise for Doug Mientkiewicz, he said he hadn’t decided whether the Yankees wanted to bring him back. i would take that to mean they don’t.
As for third base, Cashman said he personally believes Mike Lowell would go back to Boston. So if they are getting somebody, it would be via trade. He said he is open to any possibility, including moving Robbie Cano or trading for a shortstop and moving him to third.
“That’s what we did when we replaced Aaron Boone in 2004,” he said.
Miguel Tejada makes sense in that regard as the Yankees would need an offensive player. Baltimore’s Andy MacPhail said he was open to making any move because he believes his team needs to get younger. So maybe the Yankees could find a fit there.
Cashman also mentioned that he wanted to bring back Jose Molina and Luis Vizcaino. Presumably The Viz has had his arm re-attached by now.
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on Wednesday, November 7th, 2007 at 3:51 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Miguel Tejada scares me as a Yankee.. I’m not sure why though..
I wonder why nobody speculated that the Viz would follow Torre out to LA.
Pete – thanks for that update. I guess we all have to thank Theo for his great idea as we are all benefiting. Kills me though. I like the Tejada idea and I can’t believe he wants the Viz back. I guess that’s because nobody beats him…
Miguel Tejada is the type of player that makes those around him better… with vitamin B12 shots.
I totally aghree
Good to hear all this. I posted elsewhere that I thought they’d trade Damon, just because I didn’t think they’d be comfortable trying to shuffle Matsui, Giambi and Damon over a full season and that he was the most marketable of the three. That said, I’m glad he’s part of the plans. I like Damon, Jeter, Abreu at the top of the lineup much better than Jeter, ?, Abreu or Melky, Jeter, Abreu. Also good to hear that they want Viz and Molina back as well.
thanks for the update
With no A-Rod, there’s no need to bring Minky back. I think it’s fine to have one position that gets a lot of rotation, ‘98 Yankees had LF as that.
Concentrate on 3B. And sign Mo & Jorge (& Molina) and convince Andy to come back.
Trade Pavano to the Israeli Baseball League. Let him play in Gaza.
You are welcome
“I wonder why nobody speculated that the Viz would follow Torre out to LA.”
Cause the Viz likes his arm in one piece?
As long as the Viz isn’t going to the LA Dodgers, we should be okay
tejeda would be great if …
1. he wants to switch to third base
2. if he doesnt cost too much ie. prospects .
3. i’m not sure oif the orioles want to trade inter-divisionaly .
I don’t get the obsession with Damon leading off. Jeter is much better suited to the role than him.
all extremely smart moves, and Tejada isn’t as hot a property anymore that we would have to mortgage the farm.
see? no matter what, the sky is not falling.
the yanks dont need a big time masher . the yankees need pitching . bullpen , starters . and above all – a certified #1 starter .
Rebecca – Don’t you mean “As long as teh Viz isn’t going to the LA Dodgers HE will be okay”?
Agreed, but Jeter is also the best #2 hitter on the team and his knees aren’t those of a 25 year old anymore.
The idea of Tejada’s D at 3b scares me. Plus, he has always come off to me as lazy.
Mike—Yep, but if he’s healthy in our bullpen we can do the whole ‘nobody beats the Viz’ thing again!
Molina full time catcher.
Move Jorge to 3rd.
A number of catchers have moved to 3rd: Torre, Johnny Bench, etc.
Is it crazy to think that Matsui could make the move to first base? It would free up Giambi to be the full-time DH.
I agree that should not be traded unless it’s an offer than is over-the-top. I think his decline is overstated because he simply had nagging injuries last year. I think it’s quite possible for him to post a 280/360/440 line as a starting LF. I would definitely see what the market for Melky would be. He’s very good defensively but I don’t think he has the offensive skills to even be average.
Presumably The Viz has had his arm re-attached by now….......Pete,,,you are a scream !
Jeter is a MUCH better 2nd place batter than leadoff. He is best suited for hit and run and moving runners over due to his right field stroke.
Alex – The answer is no
Miguel Tejada may need a manager who will inspire him and give him a good kick in the butt. Say hello to Joe Girardi.
I like that Cashman is willing to trade for another SS that will be a better fielder than Jeter only to move him to 3B.
I wonder if anyone has talked to Tejada or his agent about changing positions? Because if he doesn’t want to, it’s probably not going to happen. It’s an interesting idea, though.
Are there any other shortstops that might fit the bill?
I actually just came on here to talk about the Tejeda possibility…
So far I hadn’t heard him mentioned in Yankee talks, and I think it’s a perfect fit.
Moving him to 3B will come at a cheaper cost than Miguel Cabrera—I see Cabrera requiring a Melky, or top pitching prospect to lure away from Florida. Tejada I think could be had for some decent prospects and parts.
And he’s always been a gamer—while it was disappointing to see him look discouraged in Baltimore, who wouldnt? that team was abominable.
Doreen,
Tejada and maybe Jack Wilson are probably the only SS who might be available that are capable of hitting like a decent 3B.
Jose Molina should be the easiest to sign. 2-3 year deal low money should get it done.
Tejada scares me, I think he will be impicated in the report, I’d stay far away from him. I hope that is not what he was hinting at.
Wasn’t there discussion a year or two ago about Tejada changing positions in a trade to the Angels (I think?). Can’t remember if he was willing or not. Anyone?
I’m with you Rebecca. I like what the Viz brought to the table. He was one of the few reliable guys last year.
It’s going to take one of the big three to get any decent 3rd baseman in a trade….including Tejada.
Tejada has a terrible reputation, and probably was involved with steroids. Why would the Yankees be interested in such a player. Aren’t we trying to weed those players out?
Now that I think about it, wasn’t there a rumor earlier about Tejada moving to the Cubs for a package including Felix Pie? I can’t imagine the Os would move him within the division without getting something along that lines back. I don’t think I’d want to do that.
For third base, I would be interested to see what it would take to get:
Chone Figgins
Chad Tracy
Kevin Kouzmanoff
Edwin Encarnacion
Another reason to bat Jeter behind somebody who reliably gets on is that his BA is so much better with men on.
agreed. Jeter had better numbers the year they got Damon.
After reading petes blog,it makes me think that maybe Cashman is trying to show giambi out the dore. Maybe letting him know that there is no room for him therefore to make him waive his n.t.c.
I don’t really care if a guy took steroids or not. If he can still play, it doesn’t matter to me.
I am a bit surprised to hear Cashman say that 1st base is not a concern for the Yankees. As an outsider looking in this last year that position seemed to be one of the weaker ones on the Yankees. Sure Giambi can hit sometimes but he can be a disaster in the field. I fully aware that Yankee fans love to hate Youkilis but I honestly think this last year the Sox were much stronger in this position than the Yankees. Say what you want about Youk…the facts remain that has gone 180 regular season games at first without an error and was just awarded the Gold Glove, he wears opposing pitchers out with multiple foul balls, is a bona fide offensive threat, and even as Pete said on here a couple weeks ago Youkilis is a real “gamer” who brings a tremendous amount to whatever team he is on.
It’s too bad Cash isn’t amendable to finding a great defensive SS and moving Jeter to 3rd. The only issue that I may have with that is Jeter’s errative throwing style. I don’t know if he has the arm strength to make the throw from third accurately. Who ever plays first better wear a helmet.
errative – erratic
sigh
Kevin Kouzmanoff plays horrible defense. I don’t think his bat is too spectacular either. I don’t know if a move for him would be possible, but even if it was I don’t think I would be interested.
A lot of Jeter’s offensive value evaporates if he is moved from Shortstop, which is why I have to imagine the Cash Man has never seriously considered moving him from that post.
Alex Rodriguez was such a good hitter, his value would have been high regardless of playing shortstop or third; granted, his value would have remained through the roof at shortstop, but I can understand the argument that one receives higher overall value keeping Jeter at short, even if you are sacrificing a lot of defense.
The problem is, there aren’t a lot of shortstops with the offensive output to succeed (read: give you above-average offensive value) at third base. A couple of years ago I would have said that was Miguel Tejada, and he is coming off an injury season, so perhaps he can still make that offensive transition.
I like the idea of moving Matsui to 1st, his bat could stay afloat there (there’s not too much difference between the offensive value of a corner outfielder and a 1st baseman/DH). I’d even suggest possibly moving Matsui to 3rd, but that might be too much of a defensive transition than moving to 1st, which is the least demanding position on the field (whereas 3rd base, I believe, is even more demanding than the outfield). Not quite sure Matsui would have the arm for 3rd, either.
Whatever happens, keep Cano at 2nd. Not only is his bat fantastic there, but his defense is incredibly underrated; the Fielding Bible had him as the 4th best defensive 2nd baseman in the game this past season.
Kouzmanoff can hit (he really turned it on in the last month or so and has always hit in the minors), but that’s about it. If we were able to get him, I think he’d move to 1B.
I think several players on every team will be implicated in this steroid report— I wouldn’t consider it a concern…The Orioles are desperate to rebuild, hopefully they will be flexible.
The Cubs would be misguided if they traded their top prospect for an aging Tejada.
I really like Garret Atkins… or maybe getting Rolen for low-level prospects and eating the salary.
sunny,
That would be so ironic if Jeter moved to 3B…after A-rod leaves.
No tejada-power shortage-bad fielder-attitude
Yes kouz(if cheap)move him to first and still look for a third baseman.
Atkins is one of the wrost fielding 3B in baseball. Slightly better with the glove than Cabrera.
I think Chone Figgins would be the best 3B option. Unfortunatly, he’s not coming up much. Pete, Has Cash said anything about that posability since Arod will porbably (or in your and my opinion) taking 3B in Anahiem? I think it’s a dream but if Johan becomes avaliable we could get him for Melky, Kennedy and Tabata and then sign Hunter or Rowand. Like I said maybe a dream.
Just an amendment to my post after quickly grabbing BP’s Baseball Between the Numbers, which generally presents the defensive spectrum (from most demanding defensive position to worst) as follows:
C-SS-2B-3B-CF-RF-LF-1B.
So as I thought, suggesting to move Matsui from LF to 3rd is probably not a sound defensive idea (though perhaps slightly more sound offensively). Certainly moving Matsui to 1B from LF would be the easiest defensive transition, I would imagine. Given an offseason and spring training to work on it, I’m convinced it’d be largely more successful than the failed Gary Sheffield experiment.
that was the wrost typo I have ever seen
I think Pete meant trading for a second baseman and moving Cano to third. I don’t think he meant trading for a shortstop and moving Jeter to third, that is just not happening right now.
I think over the Winter, Damon and Matsui should both work out at first. Given enough time and practice, they could be adequate part time players at first. Minky really isn’t needed. He was only signed as a pacifier for Arod.
I’m not sure Betemit shouldn’t be the fulltime 3rd baseman IF they can’t get a reasonable deal made for someone else. Betemit isn’t a butcher at third nor is he a Gold Glove. Eric Chavez via trade would have been an option but his contract is terrible while his offense has slipped badly recently. Crede must be a freebie for the Yankees to take him.
Sunny615,
I am with you – this is the perfect opportunity to move Jeter to third and to go after a great defensive SS. I am sure ego’s will get in the way, but this really needs to be considered as Jeter is statistically one of the worst defensive SS’s in the league. I don’t want to knock him because I am a huge fan, but he is not a SS anymore and I hope someone in management makes the tough choice.
Kouzmanoff is sub par in the field, but his fielding percentage last year (.932 FP, 22E’s) is basically the same as A-Rod’s 2006 season (.937 FP, 24E’s). Of course, A-Rod also hit A LOT better.
My #1 choice would be Edwin Encarnacion since he will be 25 next year, he plays solid defense (.953 FP, 16 E’s last season) and he hit .289, 16 HR, 76 RBI, 66 R. Pretty solid numbers all around, but I am not sure the Reds would give up on him when they have other young guys like Votto, Bruce, Bailey, Phillips, Hamilton, Stubbs, etc. making it to the big leagues.
As long as Shelley can still get his ABs, I would love to see Matsui moved to 1st. The only reason I could imagine why this hasn’t been seriously considered yet (that we know of anyway) is…because it just makes too much sense?
Shelley Duncan will not be around much longer I don’t think. I’m pretty sure he will be trade bait during the Winter. I like Shelley and his enthusiasm but he really doesn’t have a spot other than PH or part-time fielder. Someone could be willing to give him a FT chance to be a player.
I’ve been a big proponent of Kouzmanoff for 3rd. He rakes against lefties. He has good power.
I know his defense isn’t the best, but outside of Crede, Beltre or Eric Chavez, there isn’t a solid defensive option out there available, not to mention that Crede and Chavez are both coming off surgeries. And Beltre, by all accounts, isn’t available.
I won’t even throw Rolen into the mic. He’s been injured so many times he’s turned into Jeff Cirillo.
I don’t mind trading Kennedy for Miguel Cabrera, if I were the Yankees I’d do that in a heartbeat.
I have a problem with us moving young power arms for anyone though. We need to keep those.
Kennedy will be a very good (maybe even great) starting pitcher, but we have to give up something to get something and if Girardi signs off on Cabrera, it would be a coup to get a guy that young and that talented who is RH and can play the corner IF spots.
I’m sure someone can get through to him that taking care of his body is only going to mean a lot more money for him in his future. He’s still very young and has some growing up to do. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that a change in organizations can help his attitude out. It’s not like he’s Sheffield.
And on a side note, I’m glad Cashman and the Yankees realize that out of Damon, Matsui and Giambi, the most valuable player is Damon right now. It makes no sense to trade him and weaken your team in order to find spots for players who are injury risks and banged up.
I mean, Matsui looked to be about 50 by the end of the season last year.
Damon chasing down fly balls in LF is a good thing for our defense.
I was kinda disheartened that Cashman said that he “personally believes Mike Lowell would go back to Boston”. Unless its a ploy by Cash, I think signing Lowell would be the Yankees’ best option and I’d bet they could get it done at 4 years/$ 55 Mil. At 33, he still has at least 3 productive years at 3B – unlike an outfielder who relies on speed more than the other position players.
Yes, his spray chart is great at Fenway – so is Manny’s and every other good righthand hitter who takes advantage of the left side dimensions at Fenway. His spray chart and numbers at Yankee Stadium in 2007 are pretty good too!
Cabrera seems like an offensive force, but:
In 5 years since he began, he has put on 60 pounds. Will he become another Kevin Mitchell?
His “great” offensive numbers were accomplished against inferior National League pitchers, playing on a small market team, and in a Stadium that’s more “righthand hitter friendly” than Yankee Stadium.
He will not come cheaply – both in terms of prospects and dollars.
Pete can you please ask Cashman if he’s considered obtaining a RH hitter to platoon with Betemit at 3B?
I can´t believe how Cashman is intruding into Joe Girardi´s duties and authority, giving opinions in matters that compete only to the manager. If Damon is going to DH, LF or else, Joe should be the man to decide.
In my opinion Cashman should shut-up on field strategies and respect Girardi´s authority as manager by saying: “We have a field manager; positions are entitled to the game strategy he designs”.
But no. He is listing batting orders, positions and all that. General Managers, although capable in talent evaluation, should respect the manager on the field matters.
If I have to watch Betemit play 3rd base more than once a week I am going to be a very unhappy Yankee fan.
I have never seen a person strike out with such consistency in my years of watching the Yankees and baseball in general.
They have organizationaly meeting to determine what they need. Girardi and Cashman, among others, have decided Damon in LF and leading off is the BEST option right now. Cashman is doing nothing wrong with what he is saying since they have already discussed this.
89: You have never seen someone K that much?? Where have you been? The Yankees have had MANY players who K’d at an alarming rate. Look at Soriano…..he never saw a pitch he didn’t swing at back in 2002 with 157 K’s.
I like the idea that Miguel Cabrera once fired Scott Boras as his agent and went with Arn Tellum who Cashman has had a good working relationship with in the past. This bodes well in trying to lock him into a long term deal provided he gets dealt by the Marlins to the Yankees.
Tejada makes $13M/yr. through 2009 just like Damon and Matsui. No thanks.
Kevin Kouzmanoff is attractive for several reasons:
1. He turns 27 next 7/25.
2. He bats righthanded. The Yanks need more righthanded hitting.
3. He has power. The Yanks need more righthanded power besides Shelley Duncan who will be a bench player.
4. He hit for decent first-full year power (18 HR) with a team who plays in a pitcher’s park.
5. He made only $380,800 last year.
6. He’d be the perfect #6 hitter between #5 Matsui and #7 Cano (this would turn Cano into the leadoff hitter for the bottom of the order).
7. He’d cost far less in a trade than Miguel Cabrera.
8. He’s somewhat expendable because San Diego could have Chase Headley take over 3B.
A modest increase from his 18 HR and 74 RBI this year
say 25 HR and 90 RBI (6 more HR and 16 more RBI)would be perfect.I’ve been saying Tejada since the spot opened. My top three are Tejada, Cabrera and Rolen.
As far as bringing Molina and Viz back I think thats the best thing to do with both. Molina is a good backup who loves playing in NY so hopefully he and Posada will come back to catch for us. Viz was either very good or warn down and not affective. Most importantly when thinking of bringing him back is looking at the available pen arm and Viz is one of the best available in FA. I’d definately bring him back with the lack of good pen arms out there for sure.
Hopefully CashMan will make a run at guys like Cordero and Dotel as well. We need to build a solid pen. Hopefully we can trade Farnsworth as well.