Greetings from Gate 101
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- November
- 8
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My flight back to LaGuardia is delayed but there is free internet access at least.
Two interesting pieces of news tonight. According to the Boston Globe, 11 free agents will be mentioned in the Mitchell Report. But unless there is hard evidence that they used performance enhancers after they were banned, MLB will have little recourse in terms of punishment.
Meanwhile Joe Torre is writing a book.
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on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 at 7:26 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
that book will be good. that report will be better
And the report about there being 11 on the current FA list breaks in the BOSTON Globe.
I smell a rat.
I bet that Lowell is on the list, hence the cooling of the RS to sign him.
If Ortiz isn’t then the list is doctored.
Pete,
If somehow this ‘massive’ list doesn’t contain one Red Sox player, will anybody raise the question about Mitchell and his ties to the Sox?
Will they raise the question in general?
Anyone want to start the guessing on who those 11 names are?
Yankees Chick:
If you want, you can take bets on who’s in it, I’ll take bets on when we find out!
Sosa
Bonds
Lowell
I’ll add another
a-fraud.
Good call rebecca!!! I will bet before the 1st of the year.
Yankees’ Chick:
Hah, that’s incredibly conservative! I say odds say it’s before Thanksgiving!
According to Buster Olney of ESPN Brian Cashman discussed Jake Peavy for Melky Cabrera and Phil Hughes with Kevin Towers at the Gm meetings. It was ” unlikely to happen” what do you think? Peavy is only 26 and the NL Cy Young frontrunner.
Ed: I wouldn’t do it…and from what’s been said, I don’t think they’re seriously considering Phil.
but I’ve been wrong before.
The fact Mitchell was the leader smacks of compromise.
I’m baffled Selig couldn’t find an individual with some serious pull, who didn’t have ties to a ML team to lead this commission.
First question, if the names are available, why the wait on the release?
It will be mighty interesting who is on the list.
It will be even more interesting what legal actions MLB can and will take, or if this yet another publicity stunt spearheaded by Selig so he can say he’s cleaning up the game.
Ed, I would probs do it if I were GM… but I’m not… and if Buster says its “unlikely” than he probably has the inside track.
Yes, DB, as soon as I heard this news, I thought, “and not one will be from the Red Sox.”
I’m in on any betting, Rebecca!
Out of entire nation of investigators, prosectutors and attorneys, Bud Selig could find no one other than a member of the Red Sox front office to conduct this investigation? Stupid.
Whether or not Mitchell is biased, this is a massive conflict of interest that will weaken the results of this investigation.
I just hope and pray that Mo and Po aren’t on it. I will be very disappointed if either of them are implicated.
OMG.
This is crazy. 14-2 Washington over Nets in the FIRST. Nets have 6 turnovers already.
Dude, Kidd, VC, RJ: This ain’t 1999, so can we PLEASE stop playing like it?
gargoyle-
I believe that too..
But the real question, is will ayone in the media bring it up?
You young whippersnappers may find it interesting to remind ourselves of the early days of George Steinbrener’s days with the Yankees.
When he bought the team, things were pretty bad. Besides losing lots of games they were also not selling many seats and probably losing money.
He went about hiring high priced free agents, the first time this became a way of life in Baseball. He chose them, not because they were winners, but because they would bring in fans.
He did not pay top dollar for pitchers because as he said, they only played every four or five days.
Yes, he did rant and rave about winning games and winning the World Series, but that was secondary to bringing in the fans.
That series on the Yankees seen on ESPN gives details of his hiring of Reggie Jackson, over the objections of his baseball people, because Jackson was more of a draw.
The situation is very different now. They Yankees are selling out almost every seat. They are recognizing that good pitching is very important to winning the World Series, etc. The emphasis is being placed on developing young players rather than big name free agents.
The next few years should be interesting. If it doesn’t work they will go back to bidding the top dollar for free agents.
….According to Buster Olney of ESPN Brian Cashman discussed Jake Peavy for Melky Cabrera and Phil Hughes with Kevin Towers at the Gm meetings….
If this is true, if I’m C-man I say “no” but it has to be tempting.
At worst, Peavy will be an excellent #2-3 pitcher in the AL. But, and this is a big but,, Hughes’ ceiling is an ace and he’s 21 and he’s cheap. BTW if they move Melky, got to find and pay for a CF, likely a much more expensive FA.
Sounds like your inheriting a lot salary without much incremental gain, especially in the long run. Got to say no, and head out the door before you convince yourself it is the way to go.
DMan–I guess then this is the part where the bloggers can use their power, no?
We can force the media to bring it up, if we’re overwhelming enough.
If you can obtain a pitcher like Jake Peavy and trade away Cabrera and Philip Hughes then why not make the same offer to the Twins and seek Johan Santana who has already proven he can pitch in the A.L.?
gargoyle,, I agree,
whether or not Mitchell “winked” at information on any Redsox players,, it is the appearance of impropriety by him leading the commission that smacks of compromise and makes me respect Selig even less,,, and I respect him about as much as Pavano.
No way I do that deal….Peavy from NL might be a good move,not much luck with NL pitchers.
Hughes and Cabrera for Peavy is nuts. Havent we seen enough of National league pitchers. And furthermore, who’s to say if Peavy can play in NY. We’ve seen enough to know Hughes and Cabrera can and Hughes will only get better. No way do I make this deal. There’s only one pitcher I’d go after with that kind of trade bait and that’s Santana.
Yankee21 – you beat me to the post. I think you are exactly right. Why trade Hughes for Peavy, when Hughes has the potential to be at least as good as Peavy (remember, Peavy is an NL pitcher) but at a lower cost. And making Melky part of the deal would mean that we would have to get a CF – more money spent on FAs Hunter or Rowand.
That deal doesn’t make sense to me – unless you are Kevin Towers.
This is in response to a comment on the previous thread. AJAX is “Mike Cameron” though that certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing. However, more accurate comps would be Vernon Wells and Torii Hunter; they are centerfielders with well above average power and good to great defense.
The Mitchell Report will have to be released before December to avoid an onslaught of backlash toward teams signing or dealing for players named in the report.
I agree I am sick and tired of these NL pitchers. We’ve seen them fail time and time again in NY and in the AL. Why give up on a pitcher like Phil who we know can be successful in NY.
I remember a team that traded away one of its top young pitchers for a guy who was a couple of years ahead in development. They ended up with Victor Zambrano.
One other point regarding the alleged conversations among Towers and C-man about Hughes/Peavy…
If true,, this speaks volumes about the respect Hughes has already garnered with limited appearances.
This kid is the real deal.. I think the Yankees will hold onto him, they recognize what they have.
This report is a waste of time, if they can’t proved anything. Hopefully, there is some evidence but I doubt it.
Unless there is colussion with the RS. Then the report can come out, but Theo will look like a “genious” because he rid himself of any who are listed, and didn’t gain any who are listed.
While other teams will just have to wonder.
I do not lump Peavy into the just “NL” pitchers category.
He is arguably one of the top 5-6 SP in the game.
He is damn good, a power pitcher, and what’s more he may not have even hit his prime- bottom line, he is a far cry from the NL slugs the Yankees have bit on recently.
With all that, I still do not make this deal for the reasons said in my above post, and then I switch the conversation to Adrian Gonzalez.
Please take a look at his post season record.
16.62 against ST Louis
8.44 against St Louis
http://www.baseball-reference......ja01.shtml
He got slammed.
Let’s hope that Joba and Phil are assigned more baseball realistic uniform numbers next year than the football numbers of #62 and #65.
Phil likes a #5 in a number and Bowa’s #50 and Kerrigan’s #57 should be available.
Gotta hang onto Hughes.
I like their numbers. I don’t want it changed. They were successful with it.
Brenda – I think he likes it when only the last digit is 5
And Joba always wants his number to add up to 8.
I sent a message to Phil asking him if he was keeping his number next year.
Sox make an offer to Lowell:
http://news.bostonherald.com/s.....id=1043481
I wouldn’t trade for Peavy until he proves he can when a big game. Peavy hasn’t done that yet. Don’t get me wrong, I do think highly of Peavy. I just don’t think he’ll transition well in a pressure cooker like NY, until he wins a big game.
Hughes, Joba and Kennedy aren’t bad pitchers….they may not be polished yet, but give them a year or two and they will be dominate. i think Joba will be their ace and Hughes will be a solid #2 Kennedy i’m not sure about but people say he can be just as good but not likely better then the prevesly mentioned two…..i like tyler clippard and hope he doesnt get traded same with chase wright. Hughes Joba Kennedy Clippard Wright are born in 85 86 84 85 83 then if you throw in wang, he was born in 80 so they will have a great young staff
http://www.puristbleedspinstri.....thing.html
My ranting on the Mitchell conflict of interest.
Your ‘ranting’ was an interesting read, Rebecca.
Thanks…right?
It’s gotta come from somewhere…
Pete, have a safe flight.
when you see MO and Jorge tomm night, fish for some info. Will jorge really leave NYY for money?
my friend works for ESPN and heard a rumor (very credible people) in the office that cashman/boras/arod are talking and something is in the works. its long term – big dollars – and includes personal services for yrs after contract expires. no opt outs! LOL
ESPN wont go with it until thy have a little more juice.
any news over there about this kind of thing?
I don’t believe it. It would make the Yankees’ front office look weak and horrible.
They need to keep to their word.
Right out of the horses mouth. Phil will keep 65 next year.
“This is in response to a comment on the previous thread. AJAX is “Mike Cameron†though that certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing. However, more accurate comps would be Vernon Wells and Torii Hunter; they are centerfielders with well above average power and good to great defense.”
dontfirecash -
Well, scouts are comparing him to Cameron. And, if you look at Cameron and Hunter’s career numbers, they’re pretty similar. Cameron has a little more patience, Hunter a little more power. Both are excellent CFers.
Wells is better than both, so lumping him in with Hunter makes no sense. He hits for better average than both, hits for a bit more power than both, and is still very good on D. Good arm too, I think.
Bottom line…Tabata projects as a better player than Jackson. Less speed, but more hitting tools. So, if you’re trading one of them, trade Jackson.
And, so we’re clear, I think Cameron’s a solid player. If Melky gets traded, I’d look at Cameron over Hunter. Damon and Matsui could play the OF for all of April and we’d be ok.
http://www.projectprospect.com.....ees-top-5/
thought some of you might enjoy reading this.
And, the reason I’d look at Cameron is because I think he’d put up hunter-esque numbers on a one or two year deal, given his age.
Rebecca:
For what it’s worth, I’m not inclined to believe that Mitchell would actually suppress evidence of Sox players’ use of PEDs.
But your blog piece was hardly a rant. You raise a well reasoned argument that even the appearance of impropriety is problematic. Certainly, MLB could have done better in choosing a truly independent “independent” investigator.
From what I have read Jose Guillen is one of the 11 in the Mitchell report, this is in addition to the HGH he has been connected to. No surprise on that one.
Jose Guillen is a free agent?
murphydog–
I tend to call any long piece like that a ‘rant’, it’s a habit I carried over from LiveJournal.
But the point is not necesarily what Mitchell could have done, but the lack of foresight in appointing him director, and the lack of coverage (outside of us Yankees’ blogs!)
While this would be nice to have become reality, I really doubt it.
I could see A-Rod looking to deal with the Yankees as an effort to clear some of the tainted look he has now. It would have to come with some discount in order for the Yankees to have something to hang on to.
If A-Rod wasn’t BSing about wanting to remain a Yankee for his remaining career then he will make concessions. The Yankees can use him, but unless Boras is seeing the market is looking thin, or A-Rod put his foot down about wanting to remain in NY, then I don’t buy it.
Yeppers
to Jose Guillen being a FA
Okay so we have 3 probably definates
Sosa
Bonds
Gillen
Someone on ESPN even threw in Miguel Cabrera’s name in connection with the Mitchell Report. I don’t think that there is any way. That has to be fat from donuts, pizzas, Doritos, you name it, but not bulk from steroids!
There was a $9 mil team option on Guillen’s contract and the M’s bought him out ($0.5 mil) because they didn’t think he was worth $9 mil (can’t blame them). But an extension couldn’t be worked out as Guillen wanted more money than the M’s were offering.
NL pitchers who have succeeded in the AL
Beckett
Burnett
38-donuts
ESPN actually reported that Torre agreed to a new Yankee contract.
What about Cameron?
Pay-rod is ready to meet with the 1 team interested. Bor-ASS stop claiming that “teams” are interested we got you this time and it is obvious that only 1 team is. Get ready for the mystery teams.
“With regard to Alex, we got some very clear direction from clubs as to where their interest is,” Boras said Thursday after the four-day session ended.
“I fully expect that with this type of player, that the owner will want to sit down and talk with him,” Boras said.
Borass The Yankees wanted to sit down and talk to him. He didn’t want to. So I think this makes it crystal clear he didn’t want to stay a Yankee.
Casual,
I like T-Clip also, but there are much much better pitching prospects in the pipeline. Humberto Sanchez, Alan Horne, Dellin Betances, Jairo Heriedia, Ivan Nova, Christian Garcia…just to name a few.
Laura,
You forgot Pedro…
Whee! Nets overcome a 16-2 deficit and win, and are now 4-1!
….heh, I killed the thread.
I saw the game Rebecca, Antoine Wright and Boki are becoming problems for other teams, as soon as LF figures out how to use Sean Williams they are going to be a big problem in the East because these Nets play defense
but you guys won’t beat Boston not w/ jason Collins starting
Kevin Whelan is another one of those prospects. He can definitely provide some help to the Yankee bullpen sometime down the line. If Humberto Sanchez comes back healthy and lives up to his potential, then there is little doubt which team ended up with the best end of the Sheffield trade. Short term- Detroit, only because Sheffield was in the Majors this year. Long term- definitely the Yankees.
Brandon: Nope, but actually watching this team play defense is still something I’m not quite used to!
I live in Chicago, so I get Phil Rogers reports in the Tribune. Every time he talks about the Mitchell Report, he mentions Petitte and Clemens. I know there have been rumors of Clemens for years, but has anyone ever heard anything about Petitte; or is this just because he is close to Clemens?
Pete, have you ever heard Andy’s name in connection to steroids or HGH? I hope he isn’t on any lists.
I’ve been thinking about this Luis Gonzalez and Palmiero got caught and they were the quietest individuals, in our minor league system Mike Lowell wasn’t known for his power, he was never this type of hitter all the sudden abracadabra WS MVP fishy ?
Phil Franchise wore Number 50 with Trenton in 2006…so it is possible that he will get Bowas’ #50.
As for Joba….I dunno..Im pretty sure he wore that same # in Trenton this year.
Maybe he switches???There will be a lot of #s to choose from,including #30 which no one wore this yr in tribute to Cory Lidle.
Rebecca- when you guys use to play defense it was 2003 and 2004 and they were beastly
K-mart especially
*makes note to self not to read Torre’s book*
Brandon–those were fun years, until we had to play the West in the finals!
Duncan and the admiral… :sigh:
Remember last off season when the REDSUX were going to deal Lowell and others
to the Rockies for Helton…but it fell through….and Lowell was a throw in to the deal that
landed Beckett in Baastin….I doubt A-Fraud is on that list,because if he was/is dirty,and left all that money
on the table….then Im not so sure he would be able to recoup that loss.
Id also be shocked if Andy Pettitte was on that list….He is too clean of a person I think to try that.
I thought this was a Yankees Blog
DO ANY OF YOU THINK MIKE LOWELL IS ON THE LIST ?
I’ve been thinking about it Luis Gonzalez and Palmiero got caught and they were the quietest, also not the buffest individuals, in our minor league system Mike Lowell wasn’t known for his power it started at 23 then a 10 HR boost, he was never this type of hitter all the sudden abracadabra WS MVP fishy to anyone ?
http://www.thebaseballcube.com.....well.shtml
has to be the most inconsistant stats I’ve read yr. to yr.
Yeah, I don’t think A-rod is on the list. He doesn’t show the same sudden burst in numbers that others have shown.
I feel the same way about Andy, but I was curious if anyone else had heard his name dropped. I try to stay up on all national and regional baseball beat writers, and Phil Rogers is the only place I ever see his name mentioned.
I believe Pettite is clean. However, imediately after befriending Clemmens and joining him in his work-outs Pettite’s velocity was noticeably improved.
That concerns me when the Mitchell report comes out. If Andy’s on that list he will no doubt retire.
Lowell’s production is a by-product of that little league ball park that the Sawx play in. See Nomar, Greenwell, etc…
Do we really want this guy back on the team we root for,pay money to go watch.
If the previous post were true,or if A-Fraud is “forced” to accept arbitration,then that
would put him back in #13 for 2008.
After basically dissing all his close friends on the team (Cano,Damon)by not calling them.
Opting out announcement coming during a WS game,and lying to us all about he wants to be a “Yankee”.
Would you be able to root for this guy if he were to return in 08???
I wouldn’t be surprised if Carlos Pena is on the list. Funny how he went from not being able to stay on a Major League roster in ‘06 to clubbing over 40 homers this year. He couldn’t even make his way onto the Yankees’ roster last year.
I wouldn’t do the Peavy deal either. Mainly becasue I think Hughes has the potential to be just as good and afterall this time waiting I want to watch it happen in a Yankee uniform.
But those of you who are calling Peavy just another NL pitcher, obvioulsy haven’t seen him pitch much. He is a stud.
UtilityMan -
Tough call, but probably yes because bringing him back plugs the hole at third without losing a single prospect. I really would be hesitant to use any of the top three guys for a 3B fix but I could part with one of them to get a bonifide ace (Santana/Harden).
Supposedly Beane is considering blowing up the As and rebuilding.
What about Chavez?
Chavez is too hurt and too lefty.
Bob
You are right…Peavey is a stud…but I think what most people are posting here,is that we dont want another NL pitcher coming here and doing a 180.Turning into another Carl Pavano.
I understand that completly Utilityman. But Peavy is in a different class than the Pavanos of the league.
There is no secret deal with arod -
via raymagnetic
November 8th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Jason Stark’s article:
A-Fraud had a chance to avoid all this negativity,would have been paid VERY VERY nicely,retired as a Yankee,went into the Hall as a Yankee,Broke the HR record as a Yankee.Make lotsa moolah off the field,and win championships as a Yankee.
Instead he chose a greedier more Im about myself attitude and will leave.
Theese opt out clauses in theese contracts are ridiculous if you are a fan or an owner.Why would you agree to a demand like that from a player…especially JD Nancy Drew.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime
November 8th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Whee! Nets overcome a 16-2 deficit and win, and are now 4-1!
Should be interesting to see when a good Nets team plays the new and improved Celtics.
Us Yankee fans need to stop even talking about A-Rod. He’s gone. He’s insignificant to what happens in the future with our team. Let some other stupid owner handcuff their organization with him. In the long run we will be better off without him.
All his clients say that he doesn’t allow them to be there when he is negotiating a contract.
I am sure there are clubs that are interested, but that doesn’t mean they are buying.
If he were to accept arbitration I would root for him. If he were to remain a Yankee, meaning he gets a contract to play for them, I would root for him.
Separate the business from the emotions. Its childish to listen to a few words from both sides and condemn the man when you really don’t know him. He is going for the biggest pay he can get. Most people do. Yet because he is the highest paid already some think that he should do as the Yankees dictated.
I think with the ultimatum they pushed A-Rod to opt out.
Prove it.
The notion of Mitchell having a conflict of interest is a stretch.
Mitchell has a minor role with the Red Sox.
George Mitchell has as good a reputation as any public servant in the US.
Sen. Majority leader. Considered for the Supreme Court by Clinton.
Hell, he helped broker peace in Northern Ireland!
I doubt he will let any childhood affinity for the Sox get in the way of the business at hand.
Need more righty hitters….It was nice when the Yanks had like 3 switch hitters in their lineup at one time.Third base has to be a righthanded hitter.Eric Chavez is lefty as 56bomber mentioned…plus he has been injury prone.
ray–unfortunatley, I will probably be too busy drowning away my sorrows after massively flunking the GREs to notice!
(Props to the Celtics. I have tremendous respect for the franchise, Red Auerbach and co!)
ok, I know no one’s talking about this anymore, but does anyone REALLY think that A-Rod will be on the Mitchell report? I really, really do not. And if he is, it’s gotta be faulty.
Thank god that Laser Hair Removal for Men ad is finally down. At least now we get to look at a MILF rather than a freshly lasered male torso.
Oh, the Mitchell 11, my bet:
Pettitte
Clemens
Andruw Jones
Milton Bradley
Sammy Sosa
Steve Finley
Sandy Alomar
Barry Bonds
Darin Erstad
Luis Gonzalez
Shea Hillenbrand
And I have absolutely no evidence to back this up. Probably none of them will be on there and it will just be 11 random relief pitchers that no one has ever heard of.
VOIII
November 8th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Lowell’s production is a by-product of that little league ball park that the Sawx play in. See Nomar, Greenwell, etc…
VOIII
I would suggest that you check the facts before you make statements about Lowell. Lowell had 21 home runs this year at Fenway. In four different years when he played for the Marlins he had more than 21 home runs. Sorry to confuse you with the facts.
$203 million.
That’s not the contract, gang. That’s the difference. Any more questions?
Figures can’t lie by liars can figure.
This is bull. The Yankees were getting 21 million more. They were already in the luxury tax bracket, so this is the amount they would have to pay the 40% on that would be extra.
That is less than 30 million. Not the 203 million.
Other contracts were coming up and not being renewed after next season. The stadium being built takes some of the revinue sharing dollars away.
If you are going to put something out there, you need to figure it correctly. This stuff is just meant to justify your emotions.
You bite your tongue! Pettitte will not be on there!
Rebecca
Good luck with the GRE’s. I took them many years ago.
ray: the spray charts, though, show that Lowell is a better hitter at Fenway than anywhere else.
Now there is some endorsement. A liar had his back.
ray: Thanks, I have this feeling I’m going to need as much luck as I can get!
Andrea:
I will be honest that I haven’t looked at the spray charts for Lowell. I’m not surprised that he does better at Fenway. I guess I get a little defensive when people infer that Lowell is just a chump that gets his hits at Fenway. He had a lot of doubles and home runs in Florida, but your point is well taken.
ray: I don’t think he’s bad. He still doesn’t strike out all that much and he’s still pretty darn good defensively, so I would never call him a chump. But I think if he played 81 games in a different park, his numbers would be different.
The more I look at the phrase “spray chart,” the grosser it looks.
whozat,
I think you should give the Wells comp another look. I know it is a small sample size but check out Well’s numbers during his time in the FSL(was only for part of ‘99 season. Over 265 AB’s he hit .343 with a .402 OBP and a .945 OPS. He hit 16 doubles, 2 triples and 11 homeruns. Jackson, over 258 AB’s hit .345/.398/.566 (OPS of .964). He hit 15 doubles, 6 triples and 10 homeruns. They were both 20 years old during their FSL playing days.
As a person living in Newport Beach Ca. ( yeah home of Mr. Boras ), I just had the chance to read this topic…Regarding the juice report, the Former Mrs. Billy Beane is a customer of mine, and she told me back when the Yanks signed Johnny Damon that he’d have physical issues….She was quite clear as to why….The Oakland clubhouse is what Canseco claimed it to be…..
Andrea: Dude, I totally never thought of it that way, and now I will never be able to think of it the same way again
Ok, what would the Yanks have to give up to acquire Tejada from the Orioles (if Angelos trades him w/in the division). Horne and Gardner?
interesting article on mlb.com talking about cabrera’s greater value to a team looking for a third baseman over aROD. Right now, probably a good call based on the money. however, using rod’s stats at same age as cabrera is misleading for very important reasons:
1. Arods numbers are at SS, so the higher HRs, similar avg. even more significant at that age at that position vs. cabrera’s 3b.
2. Arod even now is probably one of the best conditioned athletes around, back then he was considerably thinner and less ripped (mitchell thoughts aside), whereas Cabrera is giving you these great numbers and already has health, weight issues. So the fact that Arod is able to increase his output over time past Cabrera’s current age is ignored slightly. Cabrera is much more likely to diminish in production due to health considerations.
Anyway, just some thoughts, something a little more baseball historically oriented than just the usual Arod whining I thought to throw out here.
By the way:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....;fext=.jsp
BTW, if the Yankees had any ballz, they would just move Jeter to 3B b/c that guy is finished moving to his left w/ zero range and get it overwith. Seriously, everytime i see a ball hit up the middle, Jeter rarely gets to it. We need to move on from his signature grab the ball to his right and jump throw. it’s great for sportscenter, but the range is gone. Jeter is great and always will be, but we have to face the reality w/ his range is gone. Move Jeter to 1B.
So Jeter is to play 1st and 3rd base? Neat idea. I think he will save the Yankees alot of money as well. Two players in one.
Joe Monte: are you saying move Jeter to 3B or 1B?
I say Horne and Fransworth and $5 million for Fransworth contract.
I feel Tejada is in that Mitchell report.
Mitchell report names Schilling for his involvement in the abuse of a Crumb cake. Move Jete to 3rd now, get a shortstop with range and upgrade first base.
how about nobody .. Tejada is weak minded bro, what’s about to come out about him is going to put him to struggle
The O’s supposedly like Farnsworth. If they will take Farnsy any deal might be worth it.
I respectfully disagree. Boras and arod chose to opt out. Ultimatum or not, he would have left to see “what his market value is”. Arod is about the money and it appears to him that money = respect.
Actually you’re not taking into account that the tax was based on what the Yankees were paying for his services so far, not the entire 10 year deal. So by extending arod to the existing contract as arod was already 7 years into the 10 year contract, the Yankees would not be facing the full brunt of the luxury tax. If the Yankees sign arod to a new 10 year contract, they will have to pay the 40% on the full amount of the new contract – $490 million – with an 10 year contract (being generous with the years) – thats $50 mil a year for one player… 25% of the payroll of a $200 mill a year team. Even with major contracts coming off the books and a new stadium, that’s a big investment on one player who should be beginning to decline and slow down over those next 5-7 years. Already his defensive range has dropped from being a plus defender at SS to an average one at 3B where there’s less need for speed, he lost a step as his stolen base total has steadily declined. He’s still the best offensive threat in the game, but without the extension, he’s costs a fortune.
That said, would I love to have arod still at 3B? Absolutely, but not if it’s going to hamstring my team.
Tommy:
So if I had a childhood affinity for the Yankees, can I become a director of their club?
Front Office Directory
Officers
John W. Henry Principal Owner
Thomas C. Werner Chairman
David Ginsberg Vice Chairman
Phillip H. Morse Vice Chairman
Larry Lucchino President/Chief Executive Officer
George J. Mitchell Director
OMG! I went to the Yankees site and there I am!
EXECUTIVES AND OFFICERS
George M. Steinbrenner III Principal Owner
Henry G. Steinbrenner Senior Vice President
Harold Z. Steinbrenner Executive Vice President & Treasurer, Yankee Global Enterprises, LLC
Felix M. Lopez Senior Vice President
Randy Levine President
Lonn A. Trost Chief Operating Officer
Brian Cashman Senior Vice President, General Manager
Mark Newman Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations
Deborah A. Tymon Senior Vice President, Marketing
Jean Afterman Vice President, Assistant General Manager
Michael J. Tusiani Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales & Sponsorships
Sonny Hight Vice President, Chief Security Officer
Robert Brown Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Accounting
Scott Krug Chief Financial Officer/Director, Financial Operations
Anthony Bruno Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, Yankee Global Enterprises
Derrick Baio Controller
Brian Smith Vice President, Corporate/Community Relations
Jim Ross Vice President, Business Development
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION
Irfan Kirimca Senior Director, Ticket Operations
Doug Behar Senior Director, Stadium Operations
Michael Bonner Senior Director, Scoreboard & Broadcasting
Mike Lane Senior Director, Technology
Kevin Dart Executive Director, Ticket Operations
Jeff Kline Executive Director, Ticket Operations
Alan Chang, Esq. Associate General Counsel
Rachel M. Cohen, Esq. Counsel
David Bernstein Director, Hospitality
Billy Eppler Director, Professional Scouting
Manuel GarcÃa, Esq. Director, Latino Affairs
Stanley Kay Director, Entertainment
Tony Morante Director, Stadium Tours
John Penhollow Director, Corporate Sales & Sponsorships
Alfred Santasiere III Director, Publications
Joel White Director, Concessions
Harvey Winston Director, Administration
Jason Zillo Director, Media Relations
Mel, Director/Defender of All Things Yankees
ray – Lowell is a pull hitter that favors the short porch of Fenway. The Sox would do well to resign him.
Mel- I wonder what the “Z” in Hal’s middle name stands for.
mel, you missed one:
134.
EXECUTIVES AND OFFICERS
George M. Steinbrenner III Principal Owner
Henry G. Steinbrenner Senior Vice President
Harold Z. Steinbrenner Executive Vice President & Treasurer, Yankee Global Enterprises, LLC
Felix M. Lopez Senior Vice President
Randy Levine President
Lonn A. Trost Chief Operating Officer
Brian Cashman Senior Vice President, General Manager
Mark Newman Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations
Deborah A. Tymon Senior Vice President, Marketing
Jean Afterman Vice President, Assistant General Manager
Michael J. Tusiani Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales & Sponsorships
Sonny Hight Vice President, Chief Security Officer
Robert Brown Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Accounting
Scott Krug Chief Financial Officer/Director, Financial Operations
Anthony Bruno Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, Yankee Global Enterprises
Derrick Baio Controller
Brian Smith Vice President, Corporate/Community Relations
Jim Ross Vice President, Business Development
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION
Irfan Kirimca Senior Director, Ticket Operations
Doug Behar Senior Director, Stadium Operations
Michael Bonner Senior Director, Scoreboard & Broadcasting
Mike Lane Senior Director, Technology
Kevin Dart Executive Director, Ticket Operations
Jeff Kline Executive Director, Ticket Operations
Alan Chang, Esq. Associate General Counsel
Rachel M. Cohen, Esq. Counsel
David Bernstein Director, Hospitality
Billy Eppler Director, Professional Scouting
Manuel GarcÃa, Esq. Director, Latino Affairs
Stanley Kay Director, Entertainment
Tony Morante Director, Stadium Tours
John Penhollow Director, Corporate Sales & Sponsorships
Alfred Santasiere III Director, Publications
Joel White Director, Concessions
Harvey Winston Director, Administration
Jason Zillo Director, Media Relations
Mel, Director/Defender of All Things Yankees
Rebecca, Leader and Creator of Optimism Campaign, aka Optimist Prime
You guys forgot another one…
EXECUTIVES AND OFFICERS
George M. Steinbrenner III Principal Owner
Henry G. Steinbrenner Senior Vice President
Harold Z. Steinbrenner Executive Vice President & Treasurer, Yankee Global Enterprises, LLC
Felix M. Lopez Senior Vice President
Randy Levine President
Lonn A. Trost Chief Operating Officer
Brian Cashman Senior Vice President, General Manager
Mark Newman Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations
Deborah A. Tymon Senior Vice President, Marketing
Jean Afterman Vice President, Assistant General Manager
Michael J. Tusiani Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales & Sponsorships
Sonny Hight Vice President, Chief Security Officer
Robert Brown Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Accounting
Scott Krug Chief Financial Officer/Director, Financial Operations
Anthony Bruno Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, Yankee Global Enterprises
Derrick Baio Controller
Brian Smith Vice President, Corporate/Community Relations
Jim Ross Vice President, Business Development
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION
Irfan Kirimca Senior Director, Ticket Operations
Doug Behar Senior Director, Stadium Operations
Michael Bonner Senior Director, Scoreboard & Broadcasting
Mike Lane Senior Director, Technology
Kevin Dart Executive Director, Ticket Operations
Jeff Kline Executive Director, Ticket Operations
Alan Chang, Esq. Associate General Counsel
Rachel M. Cohen, Esq. Counsel
David Bernstein Director, Hospitality
Billy Eppler Director, Professional Scouting
Manuel GarcÃa, Esq. Director, Latino Affairs
Stanley Kay Director, Entertainment
Tony Morante Director, Stadium Tours
John Penhollow Director, Corporate Sales & Sponsorships
Alfred Santasiere III Director, Publications
Joel White Director, Concessions
Harvey Winston Director, Administration
Jason Zillo Director, Media Relations
Mel, Director/Defender of All Things Yankees
Rebecca, Leader and Creator of Optimism Campaign, aka Optimist Prime
*Andrea, Official Squeezer of Matty DeSalvo’s Butt*
J-Dawg,
Don’t you know? They made a movie about it. “Wake me up before you go, go.”
Zoolander!
I screwed that up. How do you bold? didn’t it used to be *?
There’s also- J-Dawg- Village Idiot!
Ray,
You are a typical ignorant sox fan.
Fact: Mike Lowell is a career 280 hitter. He has never put up numbers even close to this years. (except in HRs) At 33 years old he has a career year after two mediocre seasons? See the chart at River Avenue Blues and see where his hits are. Almost every xtra-basehit was of the green monster.His numbers would not translate to any other major league park.
http://riveraveblues.com/2007/.....ke-lowell/
Harold Zoolander Steinbrenner does have a nice ring to it!
Andrea, you have to use HTML tags. We had a whole workshop about it on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Sportscenter on the radio has mlb and players union denying that agents were given any names. I think they said Daily News is reporting it.
We should form a Pete Abe’s blog board of directors, shouldn’t we?
When the league comes out with the list of names, would they announce some every day, or would they just announce everyone at the same time? I think that it probably would take several days because I would imagine that between 5 to maybe 15 percent of the players are on the list.
Sunny615, with respect, its turning the whole luxury tax issue on its ear.
Regardless of when you add in the costs of the extention, you cannot make the extention part of the additional costs that are incurred by his opting out.
Lets assume he signs a new contract with the Yankees for 8 years. Same money as was offered in the leak that went around.
What is the difference in this instance between a complete new deal starting from scratch and the extention that added the new amount to the end of the existing contract? The only difference is the money from Texas. What the Texas money did was reduce the Yankee payroll by the amount they were contributing.
The total left to paid by Texas was 21 million. That is the difference along with the luxury tax of 40% on top of it his opting out brought.
They are adding in additional costs due to a higher contract. How can you do that? While part of the reason for opting out was to “test the market” to see if he could get a higher contract, that doesn’t mean that the Yankees were going to get him to sign the deal at the amount they offered had he not opted out.
Its bogus figuring. Whatever the amount of the contract agreed upon would be taxed the same way. The only difference comes into play with the money from Texas.
The additional contract costs would only occur if they agreed to pay it.
The Yankees pay 40% of their payroll amount because of being over the communistic limits that MLB has set. It doesn’t matter what year of the contract is. The rule is about paying on what your payroll level is at for that year.
How can you figure that because it was an older contract that it changes what they have to pay? Its not like they pay up front, or get it pro-rated. Its a pay as you go. Its based on total payroll.
Yes, the Texas money which was coming in for three more years would reduce the payroll by that specific amount… a total of 21 million over three years. But that is the only influence it would have on the luxury tax. So it would work out to be about 10 million dollars difference for those last three years of the contract, then it would go up to whatever the amount of the payroll went up the year after that.
Lowell is too old also like Posada it’s good to have that season at that age but anybody giving anything of over three years over $15 million is crazy.Maybe Posada but I wouldn’t give Posada 4 or even 5 years.
Actually, if you take out this year’s numbers his career average is more like .273. This was the only season Lowell has even been at .300, let alone beyong .300.
Well I know html tags! It took me forever to figure out crazy Pete’s blog way of doing things. bold!
ok, I didn’t mean to call him crazy Pete….I meant a crazy way of doing things.
I was away from the blog much of the day Tuesday and Wednesday. That’s what I get, I guess!
Yankee items from late local news:
Yankees to prepare new offer to Posada over the weekend. Current offer of $39M/ 3 years doesn’t appear to get it done. Something in the $54M/ 4 year range might be necessary. Rivera has not responded to the $39M/3 year deal offered him.
Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens and Brian Cashman have all cancelled their appearances at the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation dinner this week. Andy Pettite and Brian Cashman cited a family committment as the reason they could not attend. Clemens is said to be filming a commercial.
Jorge and Laura Posada were honored at a charity event Thursday night. Jorge would not discuss baseball except to say it would be strange to not have Joe Torre managing the Yankees anymore. He said I guess that’s baseball. We have to move on.
Pat: Thanks for that update!
I just hope that Jorge isn’t thinking of also moving on.
“Even though he’s wearing a Dodger uniform, he’s a Yankee,†Cashman said. “He’ll always be a Yankee. He’s been a big part of this franchise’s history, and he’s dearly loved behind the walls.â€
Cashman won’t go to the dinner, but talked to Joe on Thursday and the Yankees made a donation. Jorge, Posada, Matsui & Jeter all expected to attend. Nice.
Oops. Cashman was talking about Torre, not Mattingly.
dontfirecash -
comparable numbers in part of ONE minor league stop means very little.
Tabata’s tools are better than Jackson’s. Jackson doesn’t project to have as much power as the CFers we’re talking about. If he keeps the rates up he showed last year, then ok, we can talk about him as a power threat.
Tabata’s not slugging as much, yet, but he’s two years younger and was hampered by a wrist problem. If that doesn’t derail his career (it shouldn’t), he’ll probably be a better player than Jackson.
A book by Torre? No thanks!
Peter,
are you in NYC or Orlando? Those flight delays are terrible.
Tommy and others
Merely saying that George Mitchell is an accomplished man and a great guy is begging the question about his blatant conflict of interest. Listing his career achievements doesn’t address the issue. He shouldn’t have gotten the job and his work will now always be questioned – fairly or unfairly.
If you wish to claim there is a conflict of interest regarding the report, then blame MLB for investigating itself.
The thought, or more accurately what seems like the wish, that somehow the Red SOx will be protected is ludicrous.
To Rebecca, Andrea Mel:
Sure, if you guys had the credentials, I’m sure you could lobby your friends in high places to land a spot as a Director on the Board of the team you grew up rooting for.
BTW, just what do you think Mitchell does as a Director with the Sox?
Tommy, at the very least he has access to the other members of the Sox Organization. All he needs to do is say “I wouldn’t hire so and so if you want to have a clean clubhouse after the report comes out.”
But he would never do that, right? Just like various players would “never” do PEDs, at least till they are caught doing them.
We tend to forget now that the US Congress got involved in the steroids controversy and was pressuring MLB to do something. Picking former Sen. Mitchell – - one of their own – - was undoubtedly a short-sighted attempt by Selig to placate Congress. But in the long run, it was the wrong move.
As our own resident journo cum grad student, Rebecca, has been correctly pointing out for some time, the issue is not whether Mitchell will act under the influence of his economic (marginal, but real), or loyalty interests and skew the report if Boston’s players are implicated by the evidence. (Or, perhaps worse, that the investigators would fail to look into allegations against Boston players at all, or with the same diligence as shown to other players)). The issue is the mere appearance of any inclination, interest or motive to favor Boston, which by itself is enough to damage the credibility of the report and which should have been avoided when picking a lead investigator.
For example, ethical restrictions placed on lawyers and judges address the appearance of impropriety with the same vigor as actual impropriety. The American Bar Association has a model code of professional responsibility, including a model code of judicial conduct. Canon (rule) 2: A JUDGE SHALL AVOID IMPROPRIETY AND THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY IN ALL OF THE JUDGE’S ACTIVITIES (in pertinent part):
“… The test for appearance of impropriety is whether the conduct would create in reasonable minds a perception that the judge’s ability to carry out judicial responsibilities with integrity, impartiality and competence is impaired…”
The Mitchell report was supposed to address the very issue of the public’s confidence in the integrity of the game, given the rumor, speculations and proof of the use of PEDs by some of the biggest names in baseball. Whatever the other shortcomings of the Mitchell Report (no subpoena power, no ability to compel evidence from players, agents, owners, etc), the flaw that was most easily avoided was picking a lead investigator without a financial interest in the Boston Red Sox.
There was a mainstream media article on the Mitchell conflict of interest written by Selena Roberts in the NYT.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10.....ref=slogin
I am in complete agreement re the conflict of interest. Should be very interesting to see how RS players are represented on the list.
Murphydog:
I appreciate your clarifications. I am no attorney, and thus am not familiar with specific codes and obligations.
I posted that any conflict that may exist regards MLB investigating itself.
After reading some posts, I felt that some thought Mitchell was unqualified to investigate, let alone change a light bulb, merely because of his Red SOx affiliation.
Obviously, I have a high regard for George Mitchell and was trying to show that he brings immense qualifications to the task. A task that pales in comparison to some of the issues he has dealt with in the past.
Selena Roberts has written some interesting stuff. But she missed the fact that the poor appearance is trouble enough, without regard to the outcome.
Tommy:
I cannot adequately express my emotional investment in getting the bloodshed stopped in Northern Ireland. To see what was going on there and how it was written off by most in the world as a stubborn struggle between ancient enemies broke my heart. Now that it’s over (for now) George Mitchell will always have my admiration. It’s the only thing that lets me think this report will actually be fair an balanced.
I cannot seem to find out the ramifications of being in the report.
Are there any?
My perception is that Owners and Players will continue, business as usual, the day after the report is made public.
Fans support for MLB seems to be high regardless of the use of PEDs by the players.
Half of NY seems to believe Tejada is in the report, and in the next breath wants him playing third bae for the Yankees.
Does any of it really matter?
The asking price for Miguel Cabrera may be too steep if the Marlins insist on Joba, Phil, or IPK.
Talk to the Orioles about Tejada for Farnsworth, Brett Gardner, and a choice of either DeSalvo, Karstens, or Clippard. The new GM (Lee McPhail) could be receptive.
So, they’re officaly just ‘The Rays’ now huh?
http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=tb
UtilityMan I asked Phil, he said he is keeping his number this year.
Here is a transaction, or two that I think would make total sense for the Yankees.
Fist, make sure Andy is coming back. If so, trade Melky and Kennedy plus a prospect or two to the Marlins for Cabrera. Then go out and get Torii Hunter on the free agent market.
Now you have:
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Cabrera 3B
Hunter CF
Posada C
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Phillips/Duncan/Giambi 1B
Starting Rotation:
Andy
Wang
Joba
Hughes
Moose
I mean does anyone not think that this is the perfect answer to filling the A-Rod void?
Hunter last season 28HR 107RBI .334OBP .505SLG
Cabrera last season 34HR 119RBI .401OBP .565SLG
DMan, they will always be the “Devil” me Rays to me.
Sara,
What if Andy Pettitte retires? Its not like the Yankees are ho-hum about him returning. He was tough to get to come back last year.
Maybe the Yankees could use a formula like that one you posted as a means of trying to get him back, but if he doesn’t feel inclined to return then it puts the Yankees in a hole for a pitcher.
I would lean toward Jones over Hunter, but wouldn’t be heartbroken if Melky got traded as a means of getting a higher caliber 3rd baseman.
Alright I just read back through some of the quotes posted this morning and last night about George Mitchell and his investigation..
I don’t think any of us should jump to conclusions about what may or may not happen with this report. Or who may or may not be named.
However, if there is a player named for every club but the Red Sox, or if the only Red Sox players named are ones that have since left the team, then I think the media needs to speak up.
The first thing i said was make sure Andy is back.
espn is now reporting on Mike & Mike that boston globe has issued a retraction. they now say 11 players will not be named, but that the 11 were invited to talk with mitchell & co.
Tommy:
If the evidence of use of prohibited substances took place before MLB and the Union agreed on a ban and the penalties were for violating that ban, then there’s no discipline available under the Collective Bargaining Agreement as it was then written.
If the evidence of use of prohibited substances is substantial and reliable and the use recent enough, it may be something for a prosecutor to consider if the use or acquisition of those substances is separately prohibited under the law.
Economically speaking, if the suspect free agents are shown to have been using performance enhancers, their likelihood of repeating their prior levels of performance without the enhancers goes down and along with that goes asking their price. MLB may also start ostracizing those players. But then again, the Mets took back Mota this year despite a 50 game suspension for violating the PED policy.
Ah… The Boston Globe. Accurate. Reliable.
Geez Louise, do you people not sleep?!??
Tommy,
Sorry if we offended you. We girls were just having some fun. It was too irresistable. First of all, Mitchell does not have a minor role with the Red Sox. Even if he does absolutely nothing, he is listed in the Red Sox front office. A card-carrying member of the Red Sox Nation would have what you call “a minor role.” Secondly, the conflict of interest doesn’t come from his “childhood affinity for the Sox”. The conflict of interest comes from his position in their front office. He is bound by duty to do what is best for the club. His role in the steroids investigation compels him to do what’s best for MLB. There’s the very real possibilty that those interests are conflicting.
The fact remains that Senator Mitchell, being the fine gentleman he is, should have recused himself from the taskforce to avoid any appearance of impropriety. And that’s the opinion of many more people than a few girls who were just having some fun here on Pete’s blog.
sunny,
different time zone for me
Well said Mel!!
Dman,
I chuckled when I saw that. Now everytime I hear it or see the name “Rays”, I’ll picture those lame “You can call me Ray” beer commercials.
Jennifer,
Thanks. I’m a believer in free speech…As long as it’s logical.
Journo-cum-grad-student?
Really?
mel-
I know right?
They have a little sun or soemthing on those uniforms. Its like a yellow spalsh in the middle..
Kind of looks like they dropped something on the uniform. It’s distracting.
There are some interesting observations about Mitchell and the possible conflict of interest. George Mitchell is a man of integrity. At the same time even as a Sox fan I have to agree the thoughts that have been expressed by Rebecca, Mel, and others. Even though Mitchell is a man of integrity I firmly believe it was a mistake to ask him to lead this investigation, and not a wise choice on his part to accept the role. I personally believe the report will be accurate, but because of his ties with the Sox the report will be questioned and many will understandably wonder if it is unbiased and slanted in favor of the Sox. The baseball community would have been better served if someone else was the principal investigator.
Dman,
I didn’t see the uni, but a journalist made a comment that it looked like the Padres uni, saying that wasn’t necessarily a good thing. Maddon, Zimmer, Boggs, and McGriff were used as models for the unis? Hot! Now, we’ll see a lot of retired ladies wearing jerseys around town.
ray,
You’re so cool. Tommy thought that we felt Mitchell is not qualified because of his Red Sox affiliation. We don’t think that at all. I just think he should be disqualified.
ray–Exactly!
It’s kind of interesting–my friends who are Sox fans have all noticed, and all agree that the point isn’t whether or not Mitchell did anything, but that he shouldn’t have been appointed in the first place.
See what i dont get is why we all want to see our young talent traded away so badly for these big names. Why should we give up guys like kennedy, clippard, desalvo, hughes or joba it makes no sense we took the time to get young talent into our organisation to do what just trade it for a waste of a perfectly good true yankee for another gAy-Wod. If you ask me, i would say its the young talent that sparked our team and pushed us back into the playoff run. So why not keep the guys we have and makes moves with guys like farnsworth who who dont need that bad for our future.
So, this has probably been talked about but..
Do you folks think the Yankees should make an offer for Francisco Cordero?
How much do you think it would take to draw him away from the brew-crew? How much is to much?
It doesn’t matter if he was on the board of the SF Giants. The point is that he is on the board of a Baseball team and that represents an appearance of conflict of interest.
DMan,
Francisco Cordero is going to want to close. He won’t be coming here unless we let Mo go.
Jennifer
I agree with your point. Anyone that has some kind of affiliation with any team should not have that responsibility. I only focused on the Sox because of Mitchell’s ties with them.
He could be as honest as the day is long, but if no one from his team is implicated and than it will raise eyebrows.
“Why should we give up guys like kennedy, clippard, desalvo, hughes or joba it makes no sense we took the time to get young talent into our organisation to do what just trade it for a waste of a perfectly good true yankee for another gAy-Wod”
i hate to lower the discourse to this level, but you sound like an idiot.
“If you ask me, i would say its the young talent that sparked our team and pushed us back into the playoff run. ”
actually, i’m pretty sure it was “Gay-Wod” that carried the Yankees into the playoffs.
but i’m sure you want to imagine that it was really Shelley Duncan and Melky Cabrera.
Title of the book- Insulted: The Joe Torre Story.