A few random pre-holiday thoughts
-
-
- November
- 21
-
Not sure whether this will make you laugh or cry. But Major League Baseball is auctioning off a can of bug spray the Yankees used in Cleveland.
It’s actually authenticated. What’s worse is some dope will buy it.
Meanwhile, future Hall of Famer Josh Phelps was DFA’d by the Pirates. It’s hard to believe that so many teams have given up on the Willie McCovey of our generation.
Finally, safe travels to all of you and Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for reading.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, November 21st, 2007 at 4:51 pm by Peter Abraham.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
happy thanksgiving to you too!
Safe travels, Pete, weather’s been nasty as hell up here…
you 2 pete !!!
It would have been funnier if you compared Phelps to a lefty swinging first baseman in the Hall of Fame.
Happy Thanksgiving just the same.
Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!!!!!
They were speculating on ESPN that the bug spray could sell for over a thousand bucks! Thanks for everything, Pete. Happy Thanksgiving to you and everyone else on here!!
Why the hate on Phelps? He’s no all-star, but WTF? The guy took his best shot at being a pro baseball player, and he did it. He hit 20-something homers one year and earned a spot to play on the Yankees. I don’t see the point of picking on him. It’s a lot better than any of us could ever accomplish between the lines.
“It would have been funnier if you compared Phelps to a lefty swinging first baseman in the Hall of Fame.”
Why? Phelps is a righty.
He actually hit well in his time with the Pirates. He should be able to get an ST invite from SOMEBODY, no?
That was classy.
Hot off the press:
Shelley Duncan was hospitalized because of a blood clot in his arm, according to the New York Post.
Rotoworld.com: The Yankees aren’t talking and they’ve asked Duncan’s family not to comment publicly on the matter, so it seems like there’s more to this story. Duncan is no longer in the hospital, but he didn’t make a scheduled appearance with Joba Chamberlain in New Rochelle on Monday.
Yeah Pete, why the hate on Phelps? Pretty uncalled for.
more like cold off the presses ! that news was so 3 hours ago
heh. just kidding. hope all is well with mr duncan
Maybe some of you folks can pick up a sense of humor while you’re out doing your holiday shopping friday. good lord. Happy thanksgiving, pete.
Mike–Thanks for the news
Thanks, Pete. Have a great holiday- family, football and food (and beer).
Blood clot is always serious. Hope things turn out well for young Mr. Duncan.
Never forget that your health is the best wealth.
I like the hate on Phelps, good job Pete, that guy sucks.
Mike,
The blood clots are probably from all the forearm smashes.
Happy Thanksgiving Pete and the bloggers.
Phelps put up a 187 OPS+ for the Pirates. If anyone thinks that sucks, they should probably get a dictionary.
Happy Thanksgiving, Peter.
Cashman on Duncan:
“It’s nothing serious,” the source said. “Everything is going to be fine.” Yankee general manager Brian Cashman and Duncan’s agent, Barry Meister, did not return calls for comment.
Link off?
Yeah, that bum Phelps – why couldn’t he be grit-tastic and clutch-ariffic and glue-some like Miguel Cairo? Somebody sign Cairo to a 45-year deal for $750 million.
I know you reporter types loves you some Miguel Cairo, but must you continue ragging on a player who might have been useful (considering his .400 OBP in 2007 in a small sample size) and who certainly would have led to the Yankees scoring more runs than they did by giving 174 ABs to L’il Egypt and his .631 OPS.
Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving – still love the blog, snarky asides …uh… aside.
pete has his pet “hates” phelps is one of them. it’s sad.
Ah, it was only 107 ABs. Point stands.
instead of hating on josh phelps pete, why don’t you find out what’s up with shelley?
I think Pete was just being sarcastic because there were many “experts” commenting on this blog who thought Phelps deserved 1st base over Minky (or Andy Phillips) because of his “Offensive Output” and that the Yankees were stupid to let him go.
If even the PIRATES let Phelps go, then it proves that the Yankees did nothing wrong by not bothering with Phelps. Don’t worry fans, our team is in good hands – they have people who spend their entire life making a living deciding things like this and they definitely know what they’re doing better than everyday baseball fans like you and me.
For anyone who cares, the person who posted under Big Stein is not me, the person who has been posting under that name at MVP and elsewhere for a year. I’m not into hate.
What is a Field Coordinator?
Does anyone else get the feeling that the Yankees have been grooming a new coaching staff for a while now?
Joe got a bunch of star coaches, former managers, now lots of internal and JG guys.
Could it just be rewards for Cashman backers?
Happy Thanksgiving Pete & all you crazy bloggers
I’ll keep Shelley in my prayers.
Phelps’s OPS+ overall this year was 135 in 157 AB with a .306/.399/.503 line between the Yankees and Pirates. His lifetime OPS+ is 112 with a .273/.344/.476 line. He’ll definitely have at least one invite come this spring. I think the Pirates DFAing him was just some spring cleaning and will be the first in a line of more moves.
Kasey -
I have a sense of humor – it just wasn’t that funny.
“instead of hating on josh phelps pete, why don’t you find out what’s up with shelley?”
Because Pete’s on vacation? He’s under no obligation to be posting anything here at all right now.
no, so he takes his time to throw out a random insult instead of something useful
That reflects poorly on the manager, not Phelps.
What’s your point again?
xenjet,
If by Field Coordinator you mean Thomson, he’s the guy who did all the stats/analysis type work for Torre after Mattingly became bench coach. Girardi did that stuff for Torre in his day as bench coach and evidently must want someone to do the same for him. Thomson is well regarded as smart, hardworking and up on ‘the modern game’. Torre thanked him by name in his big media farewell.
Wake up, folks…Pete is not hating on Phelps. He is mocking the people on this board who were sure that Phelps was the greatest things since sliced bread when he played for the Yankees.
This ken phelps stuff is great. The gift that keeps giving.
On the prior thread someone commented on how this board gets lost in minutiae and the real purpose of all this nonsense is really for people to prove that they are the smartest yankee fan in the world.
That was an observant comment.
Ken Phelps OPS+ !!! Wow. Genius.
“Meanwhile, future Hall of Famer Josh Phelps was DFA’d by the Pirates.” Jesus Pete, have a little charity, it’s getting to be that time of year.
I’m thankful for your work. Have a great one and a safe one.
I hope Duncan will be okay. It would be nice if he could contribute more next season, and not go down as just the 2007 version of Shane Spencer.
Phelps needed to go to an American League team that couldve invested 200-300 ABs on him as a DH.Like the Twins.Or the Athletics now that Pizza boy is gone.Maybe the Orioles.The Pirates didnt want to pay him what an arbitration hearing woul.dve brought.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone
Off the boring non-important Phelps nonsense: Does anybody else think the Yankees or overlooking Andy Phillips? He played solid defense and hit very well before breaking his hand. Everyone’s talking about Shelley, and Tabata, and Giambi. Phillips is the real deal I believe, he showed so last season, and if I’m Girardi he’s my starting 1st baseman with Shelley as a part-time player/DH and Tabata in Scranton.
I guess you have to overdraw a point when you don’t have one, but all we said was that Phelps could have helped the Yankee, and given Giambi’s injury, we were right.
“Does anybody else think the Yankees or overlooking Andy Phillips?”
NO. This has been beaten to death over and over again. Go look at his numbers…he is not a major league hitter, much less a major league first baseman. His defense is fine. Not Minky-esque, but good. But even when he hits, it’s all singles, and he’s not fast enough to steal bases. Major league average for the position is roughly .260/.350/.460, and Phillips doesn’t approach that, even when given consistent playing time. There just aren’t enough hard plays over there that it’s worth sacrificing offensive potential for defense…as long as the guy picks the throws over there, he’s fine.
Andy Phillips is a 31 year old singles hitting UT infielder that can’t play SS. He’s a great guy, but they’re trying to win baseball games here.
Jaewon: be careful on Phillips. There’s a lot of people on this blog that will bash you for mentioning Phillips. Though I’d agree with you.
on his interview with Mike and the Mad Dog, Girardi said that his 1B would be Phillips, Duncan, and occasionally Giambi.
Jae, Tabata’s an outfielder.
Jaewon -
This is the 1st time I’ve ever heard of Jose Tabata in the 1st base mix. He may not even know what a 1st baseman’s mitt looks like being an outfielder.
He’s likely to spend most of 2008 at Trenton.
A Safe and Happy Thanksgiving to You, Pete, and to the Rest of my fellow Lohud Yankee Bloggers!
Enjoy the family, friends, and food (and if you’re so inclined,the football). (The 4F’s)
Back to the Pumpkin Pie, baking as I type….
Pete is obsessed with Josh Phelps, let it go…..
Andrea-
Looks like Tylep Kepner stole your blog entry that we discussed a couple days back about Mo. Sounds like you are more creative than you think.
Buddy: STOLE? blasphemy!
haha, where’d he steal it?
Buddy: nevermind, I realized Pete’s got a link to Kepner’s blog. It’s not a terribly creative phrase, so I’m not surprised someone else used it!
Happy Thanksgiving all.
I hope Shelly is doing OK–clots are nothing to sneeze at, and may require a six month treatment of blood thinners, which would make all of those high fives (not to mention the flying) difficult.
David Cone had a blood clot in his throwing arm shoulder in 1996, I think, and he played that year, so here’s hoping Shelly is fine.
Sorry about Tabata all. I know Andy Phillips hasn’t put up amazing numbers in his playing time, but last year he hit .292 in 185 AB’s, not a tiny sample. Yeah he’s a singles hitter, but so is Joe Mauer, that doesn’t make you a bad player. ANd let’s face it, while Phillips is a singles hitter Giambi didn’t even look like A hitter last year. And if defense wasn’t important, why did Mienky play so much last year in the playoffs with Shelley and Giambi available? Defebse is important, Phillips can hit, and when the Yanks showed confidence in him last year he shined, including some really clutch hits.
I’m partial to Minky, but I trust Cashman’s judgment. Also, while I don’t always agree with everything Pete says, it IS his blog, so I would think he can express whatever opinion he wants. I for one am totally addicted to this blog.
Best wishes to Shelley and his family. How many days until ST starts???
Sherri: JUst a few days shy of 3 months until pitcher and catchers
Sweet Pete!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Andrea – It can’t get here soon enough!!!! Thx!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
When do spring training tix go on sale-anybody know? -thanks
I guess I forget sometimes how many new people we have here.
I don’t hate Josh Phelps. I was commenting on how many statheads (incorrectly) believed he was somehow suited to play first base last season despite the fact that he can’t play the position or hit Major League pitching consistently. Other than that, he was perfect.
So relax, all you Josh Phelps defenders.
Catch you guys later.
This year I’m thankful that the Yankees are giving the kids a chance to play instead of trading them away. At least so far.
Happy Turkey Day All!
Phelps did hit .351/.463/649 in his 77 AB’s with the Pirates. Just saying.
Andy Phillips blows. Happy Thangsgiving all.
Pete have a nice holiday.The Josh “The Hitman” Phelps comment was funny!
I saw this on another Yanks message board and I thought that it was was a good idea to try and show Pettitte some love from the fans. Maybe if he got a couple of these letters it would help to sway his decision towards pitching again next season. You never know but it could not hurt.
Here’s an idea – where maybe Yankees fans can help the team’s chances in 2008. Some time over the next 5 days (meaning over the long weekend where you should be able to find 15 minutes to get this done), why not send a card or note to Andy Pettitte? You can send it to:
Andy Pettitte
c/o Hendricks Sports Management LP
400 Randal Way Ste 106
Spring, TX 77388
Tell Andy that you’re a Yankees fan. Offer best wishes for the holiday season and new year to him and his family. And, of course, tell him that you would be thrilled to see him be a big part of the Yankees season in 2008.
Maybe an outpouring of affection by Yankees fan would help sway Andy towards returning next season? At the worst, it wouldn’t hurt.
“If even the PIRATES let Phelps go, then it proves that the Yankees did nothing wrong by not bothering with Phelps”
right. that’s who the yankees want to model themselves after. the Pirates.
“I was commenting on how many statheads (incorrectly) believed he was somehow suited to play first base last season despite the fact that he can’t play the position or hit Major League pitching consistently. Other than that, he was perfect.”
Josh Phelps can’t hit major league pitching?
the guy has hit .273/.344/.476 in over 1500 plate appearances.
Mike Lowell’s career line? .280/.344/.468
is Phelps an all-star? no. but the guy can hit.
he’s not great with the glove, but saying he can’t hit is simply not supported by the facts.
the guy got 80 ABs from the yankees. he should have gotten more.
this is a great blog, but there are just certain players you have a blindspot both for and against.
guess what, Josh Phelps is a better player than Andy Phillips.
but we know, everyone loves Andy.
“Yeah he’s a singles hitter, but so is Joe Mauer, that doesn’t make you a bad player.”
how is Joe Mauer a singles hitter?
the guy has a career SLG% of .459.
also, Mauer is a catcher. Phillips is a 1Bman.
why is this concept so difficult?
“Yeah he’s a singles hitter, but so is Joe Mauer, that doesn’t make you a bad player.”
Joe Mauer is a CATCHER. He also takes walks and hits doubles. He’s a better hitter than Phillips AND plays better defense at a more important defensive position.
Why’d Minky play so much in the playoffs? First, Giambi didn’t get enough ABs to get his swing back, so that’d have been pointless, and second, Minky had a hot September and they were facing mostly righties. And, let’s not forget, Joe loves his vets.
Andy CAN’T hit, defense at 1B ISN’T that important, and let’s hope that Girardi plays the guys who help the team most all around instead of sticking with the players who make him feel the most comfortable.
WE have a Phelps player on our team.He’s name is Shelly Duncan aka only good to hit against lefties.
“WE have a Phelps player on our team.He’s name is Shelly Duncan aka only good to hit against lefties.”
exactly.
which is why i find it hilarious how much everyone here loves Shelley Duncan and hated Phelps.
it’s not like Shelley is a good fielder.
This whole Ken Phelps thing has nothing to do with Ken Phelps anymore.
It has everything to do with proving how some people think they are are the “smartest” yankee fans in the world because they, and they alone, see the magic of ken phelps.
This has to be the most petty conversation this board has seen – and that’s saying a lot.
Maybe Joe Mauer was a bad example, he is a great player. Not a jorge Posada of course. But if you watched those games in the middle of the year, you could see his solid contribution. Shelley strikes out a lot, and is much less solid with the glove. Don’t get me wrong I love Shelley. But he is better suited pinch-hitting against hard lefties off the bench. Giambi has proved to be a disaster more than once. I believe if phillips was the regular 1st base-man he would hit .285 with 10-15 Hrs and 70 Rbis out of the 9 hole, while playing gold-glove caliber defense. Yeah, Shelley would hit more Hrs and probably drive in more runs. He would collect less hits, strike out more, play worse defense, and break at least 2 people’s arms. Play them in a platoon? Sure. But phillips deserves a big time role in ‘08.
Who’s Ken Phelps?
Captain’s Corner thanks for Andy’s address, please don’t try and tell us what to say to Andy in our letters it’s a 1st amendment thing!
Happy Thanksgiving all you blogmeisters
Lol, Ken Phelps? Did you mean Jason Phelps? That has to be the biggest lack of research this board has ever seen, and thats saying a lot.
oops, i mean josh phelps.
If Josh Phelps does not play another inning for the Pirates – or any other MLB Team, he will have done what 99.9% of us have never accomplished and what 100% of us have dreamed of…play in a Major League Baseball Game!
Think about it!
May all the good things in life abound, not only at Thanksgiving but all year round.
Someone is impersonating Dr. Acula, they can’t even spell his name right.
Happy Thanksgiving Pete!!!
I just got a copy of the $man’s Turkey day menu. It includes the following:
Type A Sweet potatoes
Clemens’Cranberry sauce
Stephon Marburys “I got stuff on you” Stuffing
Incentive based Gravy
Multi-grain Utility Bread
So much food. He always maekes extra for his “Leftovers for Lefties” Event. But this year he only has one seat for Damon and Matsui. I hear his plan is to let Godzilla go for a nice Billy “3 Bean” side dish.
Syracuse is about to make me cry.
Someone cheer me up and tell me a funny story.
Have faith Rebecca! ‘cuse is only down 10 with NINE minutes left! Lots of time to pull this out…
Isiah Thomas is about to get axed, that’s a little funny, right. You can also read RosterRooster Turkeyday post upthread, that’s quite amusing.
Need to cheer up, just try Hal Steinbrenners often neglected Middle child Mashed potatoes
“I believe if phillips was the regular 1st base-man he would hit .285 with 10-15 Hrs and 70 Rbis out of the 9 hole, while playing gold-glove caliber defense.”
Based on what? His anemic slugging percentage? He has warning track power. He doesn’t hit homers. He hits singles, doesn’t walk and barely even hits doubles. Gold Glove defense? Tex is a gold-glover, Minky showed flashes of who he used to be with the glove, and THAT is defensive wizardry. Phillips just isn’t that good. He’s a lot more mobile than Jason and throws better, sure. He picks throws out of the dirt fine. So does Jason. So does Shelley. That’s all you really need from your first baseman on the defensive side.
You have no basis in reality for your faith in Phillips. He’s not young, he’s not still developing. He is what he is: a fringe major league player that’s just not a very good hitter.
“Yeah, Shelley would hit more Hrs and probably drive in more runs.”
The name of the game is scoring runs…if you believe that Shelley would drive in more of them…why would you not want him to play more often? For the incremental defensive upgrade at a defensively unimportant position?
This is getting almost as bad as people’s fascination with Bubba Crosby a few years ago. Look, I like Andy Phillips. He sounds like a great guy that’s gone through some really hard times, and when I read the story about him taking the field one day in 06 wearing sunglasses so no one could see him cry because his wife’s battle with cancer was going poorly, I got all choked up. But none of that makes him a good ballplayer that’s worthy of a big role on a championship caliber team.
Thanks guys!
RosterRooster:
Uh, I *am* a middle child. And I have a HUGE middle child complex. And major issues with the maternal unit.
However, I hate potatoes. When you’re force fed them for nine years of your childhood, eventually you get all ‘ew, i cannot touch that with an eleven foot pointy pronged spork’
Evening all. Just got finished baking apple pie and chocolate chip cookies. I am exhausted. Than up tomorrow to cut the veggies.
The Yankees traded Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps in the mid 80’s. Real bad trade.
Happy Turkey Day to all
Happy Turkey Day To you too!!
Well Rebecca, I am also a middle child with an enormous complex, so I can relate.
“What the hell’d you trade Jay Buhner for? He had 30 Home Run’s!”
So this is what it’s come to – Kasey is the voice of reason. Wow.
At least the Pirates were sharp enough to claim future HOFer Kevin Thompson last month. I sense a turn around.
RosterRooster: Guess that makes us peas in a pod.
Only a helluva lot less clichéd!
sharp shooter:
I didn’t write that, I copied it from another message board.
Captains’s Corner,no problem man.
People on this board seem to hate everyone the Yankees have/had to play 1B. Out of curiosity, who do you guys want? Everyone loves Phelps, but he obviously wasn’t so good. Truthfully, I kind of liked him. No one likes Phillips, and quite a few people don’t seem to think Shelley Duncan can handle being an everyday first baseman. I’m not trying to start anything, I’m curious who you guys think should be the first baseman, either already in the organization, or someone we can trade for (somewhat realistically–no Youkilis comments, since you all know he’s not coming to the Yankees)
If the Yankees don’t acquire anybody, I’d take Shelley Duncan at first base full time.
Love the guy who compared the stats of Mike Lowell and Josh Phelps.
Forgetting to mention (of course) that Lowell has 4,731 MLB ABs and Phelps 1,360 — 315 since the end of the 2004 season.
Phelps has been with (at last count) seven organizations in the last seven years. They were all wrong to release, trade or not protect him, naturally.
Same to you, Pete. And everyone else in here.
I think people took the Phelps comment a little too seriously is the problem. I think Peter was just trying to be funny, and some people are just being oversensitive. Phelps isn’t a bad guy, and he obviously isn’t completely crap, or he’d be not playing at all. But he’s right–obviously there’s a reason teams keep letting him go.
Oy.
Ron Villone has been with seven organizations since 2000. Doug Mientkiewicz has been with five since 2004.
Just sayin’…
If the Yankees won’t attempt to teach Matsui to play 1B (a move that he told Newsday in Oct. 2006 that he would be willing to attemtpt) I would be fine with Betemit/Duncan.
Hunter to the Angels? Please someone tell me how this makes sense? Gary Mathews isn’t good enough to be a corner outfielder and neither is Hunter. If someone can shed the light I’m happy to listen.
$80mm for 5 years is a pretty steep price to pay. I think they’ll regret this in a couple of years.
Anyone that thinks that Phelps is a good defensive first baseman is not a stat head; he is an idiot. Anyways, I think the point of the Lowell comparison is that in 1300 AB’s, Phelps actually has been an above average offensive player. I’m not sure what is wrong with that point, given that it is true.
The A-Rod deal is looking like a steal.
Mathews in LF, Hunter in CF and Guerrero in RF sounds ok to me. I just don’t trust Hunter to duplicate or better this past season.
So, with Hunter off the market, it’s down to Rowand for the White Sox. If they don’t get Rowand, could the Yankees get Jenks for a Melky package? Sounds like a good idea to me.
It sounds stupid to me. They need to keep Melky to drive the price up for Santana.
Whoa–The Angels got desperate, for a lack of a better reason.
1) it’s josh phelps. ken phelps played for the yankees some time ago.
2) phelps has a huge hole in his swing and is a butcher at first. there’s a reason teams keep letting him go. but, by all means, let 77 plate appearances with the pirates or 107 with the yankees help you craft your informed “josh phelps could have made the difference” argument. it’s hilarious.
E-Roc, I mean that the Yankees can’t consider trading Melky until Santana is moved. The Twins need a CF now, and Melky is attractive to them because he is cost-controlled and he still has a significant upside. Consequently, he must be kept to force the Red Sox or the Angels or the Dodgers to overpay for Santana. He provides leverage toward that end.
What’s hilarious is that anyone thinks that Phelps wouldn’t have been valuable at DH after Giambi got hurt.
Phelps is weird. He has a long swing, and needs to play pretty much every day to maintain consistency, but his atrocious fielding pretty much precludes that from ever happening. He takes really good AB’s, however, and really ripped it up for the Pirates in his time there. Hopefully he lands on his feet at a place that needs a DH [the Twins, Maybe?] Phelps is a terrible fit for a National League team. You really have to hand it to him making the best out of a poor situation with the Pirates.
I think the signing of Hunter means the Angels are going to really go hard for Santana. They now have a cf to offer the Twins. Mathews Jr can be part of the deal.
Why is this so difficult for some people to understand?
Nobody is saying Josh Phelps is an All-Star or a future Hall-of-Famer. All people are saying is that he has shown (in limited chances) that he swings a decent bat, and maybe — just maybe! — he deserves more of a shot than he’s been given up to now.
Saying that the Pirates DFA’ed him and this is somehow proof that he sucks is ridiculous. The Pirates released him after he hit .351/.463/.649 for them! All this proves is that the Pirates have no f***ing clue how to run a baseball team (as if we didn’t know that already.)
And since when is being released or not released the be-and-and-end-all judge of a player’s talent? Rafael Belliard had a 17-year major league career (9 years with the Pirates, 8 with the Braves) — dude hit .221/.270/.259 over that span, good for an OPS+ of 46(!).
The straw man garbage is getting old. Nobody is saying Josh Phelps is Mike Lowell — what they’re saying is that a guy who has the same career OPS+ as Lowell (yes, in a much smaller sample size) should be given the chance to show what he can do over a full season, rather than getting jerked around by his managers (because he’s not a “proven major leaguer”) and mocked on blogs like this one.
The Angels signing of Torii Hunter opens the door for the Twins to either sign Andruw Jones at a bargain (coming off a bad year in Atlanta) or deal for one to include Johan Santana.
A good example of how one move triggers another. The Twins have been waiting to see what Hunter would do and now they get closer to the phone knowing they’ll be offers for a CF to replace Hunter.
Motown Yankees Fan,
Not to be picayune, but David Cone had an aneurysm in his arm (his throwing arm, I believe.) A blood clot certainly is serious but I think less dangerous than an aneurysm. I’m no doctor, but I believe that Shelly should be OK for ST provided that they’re not withholding something else.
Like everyone, I love Andy but I believe that I’d go for a Duncan/Betemit platoon at first, though it would also be interesting to see if Matsui could master the position (I know, the Sheffield experiment failed miserably, but he was asked to try it mid-season. Matsui could start practising now and develope further in ST.)Musial, Aaron, Mantle and other aging oufielders have all switched in the past. Not saying that they were great (I think Stan may have been the best but switched much earlier in his career) but I think Hideki could be decent given the time between now and the start of next season.
Your permanent DH could then be Giambi (he’s possibly playing for a new contract, so who knows?!)until he crashes. Betemit could remain the infield reserve, while Duncan could fill in also at 1B/DH/RF and both he and Betemit would be available to pinch hit. Anyway, just a thought.
Finally, Pete, and all my fellow bloggers, Happy Thanksgiving!
Kevin Long agrees with many here who think a few guys need to show up for spring training in better shape.
http://www.northjersey.com/pag.....FlZUVFeXk2
“I think the signing of Hunter means the Angels are going to really go hard for Santana. They now have a cf to offer the Twins. Mathews Jr can be part of the deal.”
Why would the Twins want an expensive CFer like Matthews? They’d want Reggie Willits, if anything.
Note that the Marlins need a CFer as well. Given that the Angels currently have six starting pitchers, I’m still pretty certain that they’re going after Cabrera. Now they can include Willits, to somewhat counter the Dodgers offer including Kemp.
“I think Hideki could be decent given the time between now and the start of next season.”
I was thinking that last year…but now that he’s got to rehab from knee surgery, I don’t know if he’ll have enough time.
“He’s been updating cards on the tendencies of each big league pitcher”
Wow, that’s quite a task. Go Kevin!
Yanks61 – sorry I remembered that incorrectly. The thing with blod clots is that the treatment is generally (and I’ve seen this with folks who have had blod clots in their legs and lungs) is a six month regimen of blood thinners, which would require taking it easy on physical activity (no skiing, biking, not sure about baseball) because of increased risk of bleeding. Also, any time they fly, after the six month regimen, they have to also take blood thinner. My concern with Shelly is that while he may recover and be absolutely fine, the treatment would then make playing baseball a bit more dangerous. But then again, he may forego the blood thinners (or just not need them at all) when baseball starts and be cautious when he flies (he’d have to walk around during the flights), but avoid blood thinners so that he can play at his usual intensity
Great article on Kevin Long. He’s already worked with Arod down at Arod’s Miami home for 5 days this offseason and suggested that Abreu, Damon and Melky come into camp in better shape. Abreu has hired a personal trainer. Check out the article, this guy is a hard worker and a great hitting coach. He’ll fit right in with Girardi.
Also, another interesting item from The Post. CJ Henry is back with the Yanks after asking to be released by the Phillies. Hit .300 the last month last year after being horrid for so long, I guess this was after being fitted for contacts. He called the Yanks and asked if they were interested. Damon Oppenheimer said he’ll start the season in the Florida State League in the OF. You never know, he’s only 21. So we gave up pretty much nothing for Abreu. Here’s the link.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/11.....336018.htm
yanks61: it was an aneurism. Which is more serious. But that is not, by any means, to say that a blood clot is not serious. Hopefully Shelley will be ok.
I appreciate everyone’s 1b input, but I do hope they keep Andy Phillips around, for the “defensive replacement” type situations. I think defense is super important, and he has made some amazing plays.
Wish you all wonderful Thanksgiving and great time with your family and friends.
My prediction is that Andy Pettitte will have a nice talk with his family during the Thanksgiving dinner and then inform Yanks that he will come back next year if he is given some freedom to visit family during the season. Any shold be in the fold before the winter meetings start.
CJ Henry is back with the Yankees after being released by the Phillies. Safe to say we robbed them for Bobby Abrue. Considering our compensation for Tom “ow my shoulder” Gordon turned out to be Joba Chamberlain, the Phillies have to be our go to trade partner. I’m wondering what the price for Ryan Howard is Kyle Farnsworth?
It’s good to see Henry comeback to a familiar passage. A toolzy player who hasn’t lived up to the hype, but still has a chance to do so, let alone in a Yankee uni after being traded.
Happy Turkey Day to all Yankees fans!!!!
Hunter to the Angels was 4 years near $90 mil not 80.
NEED AN EDIT BUTTON PLEASE – 5 years $90 mil not 4 years.
“It has everything to do with proving how some people think they are are the “smartest†yankee fans in the world because they, and they alone, see the magic of ken phelps.”
this is off the unintentional comedy meter.
Whozat;
“I think Hideki could be decent given the time between now and the start of next season.â€
>I was thinking that last year…but now that he’s got to rehab from knee surgery, I don’t know if he’ll have enough time.
White Sox get Linebrink – 4 yr $19 mil
The Brewers won’t get the ChiSox’s first round pick either as the ChiSox had the 8th pick and the first 15 are protected – so the Brewers will get the ChiSox’s 2nd rounder.
http://yankees.scout.com/
Those of you who have never subscribed to Pinstripes plus can get full access through Sunday…It is great reading, especially the interviews with yankee coaches and minorleague officials. Check out the prospect profiles and see how bright the Yankees future is!
Whozat: Good points. There isn’t a big sample for Phillips, and he has not had good power numbers. He was supposed to be a power hitter but that never worked out. All the same he was good last year. He is a line drive hitter, and a much better fielder than Giambi and/or Shelley.
You want Shelley as the starting 1st baseman, great. But keep Andy around. Betemit looked worse than him last year and is probably a worse fielder, so I wouldn’t count on him as a backup.
Final point: Phillips vs. Righties, .296 avg
Duncan vs Righties, .220 avg.
On the season Duncan had 74 total ABs.
Phillips had 185.
Phillips had a larger sample, and was far more consistent against righties.
Henry must have really like the Yankee org, to come back after being traded. Unless their were no other suiters.
And Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
Jennifer: I think that fans hold grudges way more than players do. Henry was probably like “oh, cool, job.” and went. He probably doesn’t think the way we do about it.
hmmm
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:09 am
“It has everything to do with proving how some people think they are are the “smartest†yankee fans in the world because they, and they alone, see the magic of ken phelps.â€
this is off the unintentional comedy meter.
_______________________________________________________
Could have been better. He could have called Jim Phelps.
Of course, had he called him Jim Phelps, he would have self-destructed at the end of the message.
“All the same he was good last year. He is a line drive hitter, and a much better fielder than Giambi and/or Shelley.”
He’s not a line drive hitter. If he was, he’d have doubles. And he doesn’t have many. He is a singles hitter. Not particularly useful, unless you have speed and take walks.
“You want Shelley as the starting 1st baseman, great. But keep Andy around. Betemit looked worse than him last year and is probably a worse fielder, so I wouldn’t count on him as a backup.”
Betemit did NOT look worse. He actually showed some pop and can hit righties fine. And he looked fine around the bag too. If nothing changes, Betemit should start against righties (unless Giambi can play the field) and Shelley should start against lefties.
“Final point: Phillips vs. Righties, .296 avg
Duncan vs Righties, .220 avg.”
Why does that matter? Betemit should be playing against righties anyway. And, AVG is not a good indicator of productivity. OPS or EQA are what you should be looking at.
Jeez the angels will be amazing next year.
Possible Lineup:
Figgins 3B
Kendrick 2B
Guerrero RF
Hunter CF
Anderson DH
Matthews LF
Kotchman 1B
Aybar SS
Napoli C
Obviously Napoli and Aybar aren’t impressive, but 1-6 is off the charts. Imagine if they got Miguel Cabrera. . .
I still like Duncan over Phillips.
I really don’t like Betemit at all. He’s a strikeout machine.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like him as a utility man, but I don’t like him as an everyday player or as a platoon player.
Whozat: Betemit hit .226 last year on the Yanks, with a .278 OBP and a .694 OPS. All lower than Andy Phillips. Betemit is good against lefties, but a Betemit/Shelley platoon could give you a lot of K’s, and a mediocre avg. Games aren’t always decided by HRs. Just ask David Eckstein. He’s never hit more than 8 HRs in a season. Obviously he’s a far better player than Phillips, and hits more doubles. Fact is, Phillips give you the best defense and the most consistent offense. Shelley will hit his HRs, as will Betemit against righties. But Phillips will be solid.
Also: in 185 ABs Phillips hit 7 doubles. Betemit hit 4 in 84 ABs. similar ab/2b average.
Andrea: I completely agree, Betemit is a good utility man but not a good platoon player, too many k’s to not enough hits.
I also would take Shelley over Phillips. I just think Phillips should get a lot of playing time, especially against righties which is Shelley’s weak point.
Happy Thanksgiving, Pete, and to all those who make this site so pleasurable for me.
Don’t feed the trolls, and Go Yankees!
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ru.....=mlb,54735
The Yanks will just let Bos walk right in and take Santana
bold prediction:
Santana to the Mets.
Bronx is Burnt-
Nice try, that Yahoo article sheds zero light on Santana. The Yankees will get him over the Sox, they simply have more to offer. The RS will not trade Ellsbury plus Bucky or Lester. Crisp, Bucky & other minor leaguers will not get it done.
hmmmm-
Agreed, the Mets will definitely overpay for Santana & they should.
Go Yankees!
Have you seen The Mist?
USA Today –>> “..one of the top five movies of 2007″
St. Louis Post Dispatch –>> “..more chilling than The Exorcist..”
Go see it now !
“Whozat: Betemit hit .226 last year on the Yanks, with a .278 OBP and a .694 OPS. All lower than Andy Phillips. ”
please just stop.
why are you ONLY looking at the miniscule sample size of his ABs with the Yankees? there is much more data there that you are completely ignoring.
there is absolutely ZERO evidence that Andy Phillips is a better hitter than Wilson Betemit. none.
it’s simply ridiculous to argue that he is.
Andy Phillips: .253/.294/.384
Wilson Betemit:.260/.332/.439
Betemit is 5 years younger and can play a fine 1B.
you guys are going to be awfully disappointed in 2 weeks if they release Phillips to make room on the 40 man.
hmmm: while I realize there are few people on this board pleased with Phillips’s production, when interviewed, Girardi named Phillips/Duncan as his 1B option. Not Betemit.
When with other teams, was Betemit less of a strike out machine? Because that’s all I saw from him as he settled in in NY. (Not trying to provoke you. Just asking. I always feel the need to clarify because so many people on this board are so snarky sometimes!)
also, $18M for Torii Hunter and people think no one was going to give A-Rod $25M/year? please.
Kasey,
I generally hate your baseball opinions. That being said, I went to your website and listened to some of your music. You’re a good musician. Happy Thanksgiving.
“When with other teams, was Betemit less of a strike out machine? Because that’s all I saw from him as he settled in in NY. (Not trying to provoke you. Just asking. I always feel the need to clarify because so many people on this board are so snarky sometimes!)”
no, he strikes out a lot. no question. but i think that is a classic case on focusing on what he CAN’T do and not on what he CAN do.
the point is not that Betemit is complete, all-star level player. the point is that he has a lot of power potential, and being 26 there is still room for improvement. he is cheap and his glove is more than adequate for the position.
he was played very irregularly with the yankees. i think he should be given a good, long run as the primary 1Bman to see what he would do playing regularly.
why not? Phillips was given that chance in 2006 and AGAIN in 2007 after being pretty terrible in 2006. why shouldn’t he get a chance?
Well, don’t know what I did to deserve that but 3/4 of my comments were cut off – and I didn’t even say anything offensive (I don’t think!)
More briefly this time then, I just wanted to say:
Whozat; Thanks for reminding me about Matsui’s rehab? That kinda of throws a monkey wrench in the idea of having him work on 1B!
Motown: A good point about Shelley and blood thinners. He and the Yanks will have to certainly be very careful about this.
Andrea; I couldn’t agree more about Andy being worth keeping around if possible, but I would rate him behind Betemit and Duncan – just my personal opinion. I would say that it might be a good idea for Phillips, if he can do it, to work out as a corner OF. It’s unusual but there have been a few ’super-subs’ in the past who could play just about anywhere. That could be invaluable for lots of teams, even the Yanks.
Oy Jets fans: I just realized, the two games the Jets have won this season, I’ve been home for. I’m home today (as opposed to being at school).
Draw your own conclusions.
hmm: I’m generally a pretty optimistic person, and I was all about Betemit when the Yankees first got him. He was pretty good. But he just struck out SO MUCH.
I’m willing to give him another chance though. I was just curious–I don’t follow the NL, so I have no clue what he’s like.
yanks61: I just really like having someone around for defensive purposes. And it’s not like Andy Phillips costs a lot.
Johan Santana asks for $126M from the Twins. Sounds like a Barry Zito type contract.
If they dont sign him for that, they are insane. I think there is a good chance they pony up the cash. Worst case scenario… they could still trade him for a boatload and dump his contract.
If he did hit the open market, I cant see him not getting 8yrs/$200M (just my guess – but with the Sox and Yanks and everyone else in the bidding… it would go through the roof).
Oh, Pete. The problem with the ‘Neener-Neener I Was Right About Josh Phelps’ crap is that when you’re wrong? It’s going to come right back at you. If that’s a dynamic you want to inculcate, okay by me. But don’t complain when the snark turns in your direction.
Neener. Neener.
Getting Johan Santana is not that serious.
“If they dont sign him for that, they are insane. I think there is a good chance they pony up the cash. Worst case scenario… they could still trade him for a boatload and dump his contract. ”
agreed. that seems wierd.
i would guess that the Twin would photocopy the Zito contract and have it to him in less than an hour if they knew he would take it.
why would he settle for Zito money? Zito isn’t anywhere close to Johan’s league.
strange.
“yanks61: I just really like having someone around for defensive purposes. And it’s not like Andy Phillips costs a lot.”
he “costs” a roster spot. and with Giambi, Betemit, and Duncan, i don’t see a spot for him.
we’ll see.
would i love for things to “click” with Andy and he becomes that RH 25 HR Millar-type player than Stick Michaels envisioned? absolutely.
i love nothing more than when homegrown Yankees are sucessful.
but he’s not 25 anymore. he’s 31. we have to be realistic that the odds are very long that Phillips becomes a good major league player.
Unless there’s someone else who needs that roster spot, leave him on there. When you have someone else that needs it, then you option him, or do what you need to do. Until then, keep him around. You can’t have only big dudes lumbering around at 1B. How many times did Andy Phillips save Farnsworth’s ass last season?
It’s Just my opinion, of course, but I love defense at first. Of course, you need your offense too, but late innings in close games is why Doug Mientkiewicz has a job.
You guys win. I’m out of stats. Andrea thanks for agreeing. We’ll see what what Girardi and the Yanks do and how they all perform this season. Maybe the Yankees will end up with a trade for a starting 1st baseman, and none of these guys, (Shelley, Duncan, Betemit) will make a difference. If Andy hadn’t broken his hand I think the Yankees would have been a better team in October. We’ll see how it all plays out. They’re all good players, and different people like different things on their team. The Yankees in recent years haven’t been a speedy great defensive club. They’ve been a very offensive, run-scoring club. The Yankees don’t have a DH slot (Matsui/Damon). That leaves 4 guys (Giambi, Shelley, Betemit, Phillips) for 1st base. Chances are someone’s going to get hurt and Betemit and or Phillips are going to make big impacts. We’ll see. Betemit is much younger and will develop more. We’ll see what they do. Cashman, Joe Girardi, and Little Stein will take care of it. This is a good problem to have.
Hmmm,
“yanks61: I just really like having someone around for defensive purposes. And it’s not like Andy Phillips costs a lot.â€
he “costs†a roster spot. and with Giambi, Betemit, and Duncan, i don’t see a spot for him.
That was Andrea, not me. I have to agree with you (as you can see from my last post) in rating Betemit and Duncan over Andy. If they could ‘afford’ an extra spot, I’d be all for it, especially since he’s a Yankee ‘product’ and apparently a darn nice guy. Your comments are always ‘right on’ in my book!
There is some thinking that the Johan counteroffer was for 5 years not 7 like Zito, otherwise they are so close a deal would have been consummated.
Once Kevin Long gets a hold of Betemit for a whole year, there will be a big difference in him, he is a pretty good hitter, just needs some good coaching.
alright guys, it’s turkey time.
enjoy the holiday!
more yankee talk tomorrow…
Buddy – I sure hope you’re right b/c I wasn’t thrilled with what we’ve seen so far!!
I hope between Girardi – Eiland – Long, I hope they light a fire under the players and help make adjustments where needed. Yankee fans have a lot to be thankful for today, and a lot to look forward to!
Sorry for the multiple posts, but I just had to agree with Andrea. I really like Mientkeiwicz and would like to see him still around in ‘08. (Not to mention him and A-Rod are buddies!) I think he gives it all on defense. He’s not great AB, but he’s had some decents ABs, and I just think he gives it his all when he’s out there.
Buddy: good point about Long and Betemit. Maybe that’ll be the difference!
Sherri: the thing that gets me about Mientkiewicz is that when he hits a home run, it’s RIDICULOUS. he hits them so far and high. He doesn’t hit them often, but when he does, they’re crazy.
Andrea
Have you read the Kevin Long article upthread, gives you some insight into his work ethic.
Another person who’s HRs are almost always crushes: Johnny Damon. Not really a HR hitter, but when he connects, wow.
Man, I don’t come here much, but when I do, it seems Pete is always dissing Phelps. I don’t get it. Did Phelps beat Pete up and steal his lunch in grammar school?
Buddy, I’d be surprised if Johan is asking for 5/$126M… not that its unreasonable at all but that he knows the Twins would say no. Maybe 6/126. He did take a paycut to sign with the Twins for his current deal. It wouldnt surprise me if he asked for 7/126 as his last offer. He must know he’d make bank if he hits FA. We’ll see… Johan, Liriano, Garza, and the other young pitchers the Twins have would make them a serious contender even with a weak offense. Twins need to sign him.
Happy Turkey day everyone
AND YES I’M ECSTATIC WE GOT BACK CJ HENRY !!!
UPDATED: since switching to contacts he became a .333 hitter who finshed 9 for 21 in August the potential in him is high if he finds himself ala Action Jackson we might as well call Oppenheimer the Grinch
see you guys tomorrow !! I predict Jets over Cowboys today
Regarding Betemit, I think we need to give him a chance before dissing the guy. I really think he has a ton of potential. It wasn’t that long ago that he was a top prospect and he’s never been given a real shot… just spot starts and pinch hitting. Hopefully Kevin can work with him on hitting and Joe or someone else can work with him on a diet.
prediction: Action Jackson gets traded while his stock is super high.
Not that I want him to be, but if the Yankees plan on making any worthwhile trades and dont want to part with the Joba, Phil, Ian, Alan, etc they will need to part with someone like him.
Brandon you saw my post, didn’t you?
CJ Henry’s August numbers were a fluke. His BABIP was off the charts at over .400.
If we trade A-Jax, I will be pissed off.
A Jax as a centerpiece to get Haren in the event Johan signs an extension with the Twins may not be a bad idea.
Andy Pettitte coming back would take the pressure off the urgency of a lefthander in the starting rotation at least until the trading deadline of 7/31/09 unless a [reasonable] deal for Santana presents itself at the winter meetings in 2 weeks.
Why the heck is everyone talking so much about the rotation?
Wang, Joba, Hughes, Kennedy, Moose. 5 Guys. Pettite too if he comes back. There’s also Karstens, Desalvo, Clippard. . . starting pitching shouldn’t be a priority when you have a rotation like that and your bullpen has no one.
Bullpen:
Mariano
Farnsworth?
(Edwar) Ramirez?
There’s nobody solid in the bullpen besides our rock Nariano Rivera! And he isn’t even official yet!
Yeah, none of them are lefthanded, but the bullpen just sucks
Santana’s agent (Peter Greenberg) talking Zito money …
http://www.startribune.com/509/story1566916.html
The bug incident was an excellent example of Joe T;s complacent attitude. Glad he is gone.
Rebecca said:
Oy Jets fans: I just realized, the two games the Jets have won this season, I’ve been home for. I’m home today (as opposed to being at school).
Draw your own conclusions.
Based on the first half, are you sure you’re not really in Syracuse?
Josh:
No.
Especially with the wind outside…UGH!
where’d everyone go? You’d think it’s a holiday or something..
Boo!
I’m here. I guess the Jets are getting closer to a top draft pick. Really tough game today. I’m also in need of some hot stove juice. There’s a lot of speculation on Santana out there right now.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ru.....=mlb,54735
and
http://www.startribune.com/twi.....66916.html
Hmmm, it says my last comment is awaiting moderation. Weird. All I had said was:
I’m here. I guess the Jets are getting closer to a top draft pick. Really tough game today. I’m also in need of some hot stove juice. There’s a lot of speculation on Santana out there right now.
Maybe because I through in some links afterwards it’s delayed. First time I ever got that.
Do people think it could hurt the Yankees to have basically the same team as last year?
Even if it were the same players as last year, it would not be the same team because A. Girardi, and B. they would presumably not start off the year with half the roster on the DL.
Offensively I think they’d be fine with the same team but they need to upgrade the pitching (both bullpen and starters). Santana would be a great pick up. Even if Pettitte comes back, Clemens is gone and Joba is out of the pen and into the rotation.
Jaewon, some people DO feel that way, which leaves the majority of us Yankee fans annoyed and confused. Most people believe what Andrea wrote, that April and May 2007 were about the worst that this team could do, and June through October was more in line with the Yankees’ potential.
I am exhausted! Everyone just left and I just finished cleaning!! Funny thing, for dessert everyone brought something apple related!
Jennifer – that’s funny! My brother and his wife were late for lunch today, and my mother gave him a hard time when he got there, so he pouted the rest of the day. Being the middle kid, I tried to mediate. Another fun holiday at my family’s. The good thing is, my son decided to stay with his Nana and spend the night, so I have a night to myself! It all worked out okay!
“and June through October was more in line with the Yankees’ potential.”
And the starting staff will be 3/5 different. I don’t understand how people can not see this. Hughes had what, 7 starts? 10? And how many of those were without his usual stuff, due to his long layoff in the middle of the year? Five? Joba had no starts, and Kennedy had three. Going into next season with at least two of those guys in the rotation in place of Pavano/Rocket and Igawa/RandomRookie makes the team very different.
Sherri–I’m a middle kid as well!
How many middle kids are here?
And the bullpen will be entirely weaker without Joba setting up Mo. The Yanks should be close to contenders now but they definitely need some tweaks from this past year, particularly to the pitching staff.
Hmm, does being an only child count as being the middle? I’m also oldest AND youngest?
Hmm, does being an only child count as being the middle? I’m also oldest AND youngest?
I have no idea…
I’m the youngest. Spent the holiday with the future family-in-law (my brother is engaged) and his fiance and her brother are both older than me. There’s no hope!
Not only is the ANGELS offense is lights out for 2008 their Starting rotation is Sick
John Lackey
Kelvim Escobar
Jared Weaver
Jon Garland
Bartolo Colon
I think Angels are the Favorite to win it all next year as it stands now.
Colon is a free agent, and he isn’t that good anymore. Garland wasn’t that good last year. No worries.
Colon is FA, you can pencil in Joe Saunders instead, he is pretty good as well.
since when did torii hunter become a “great” hitter. he’s not a very good hitter at all. they’ll miss cabrera. garland stinks.
Yeah that Garland for Cabrera trade was awful. As much as I hated Orlando when he was on the Red Sox, he’s a great 2 hole .315 hitting shortstop. I mean Garland is ok, but. . .
Good points Andrea about Girardi and players seeming like they will be healthy. I think we all can agree we’re just hungry for a championship right now. We all got a little spoiled I think.
But the Angels being this good really hurts the Yanks. I believe they play 9 games against each other with 3 or 6 in August or September. Hopefully the Yanks learn how to beat them.
Wait why is Colts-Falcons not on TV?
Hunter 2007 28hr 107rbi 287avg. I think we will take that from our cf
Colts-Falcons is on the NFL channel, but I found it on Sopcast –> channel 16101
ok I’m back !! full w/ Turkey and everything ,this Thanksgivings dinner was plentiful…LOL
And boy was I not sure of that Jets game when I left, even typing it I felt I could will them to a W..DAMN COWBOYS, now I’m gonna lie down for a few minutes let the food settle down HAPPY TURKEY NIGHT PEOPLE
How does a .271 career hitter rate a $90 million dollar contract? And I thought they were looking for protection for Guerrero in the lineup. Where are they going to bat Hunter, and what will they do with 5 outfielders?
I love how the Angels say they neec all these things and how they are gonna make a big splash and yet they never pull the trigger.THats why since 2002 they haven’t gone pass the ALDS.
Torri Hunter c’mon $18 million dollars thats BS Andrew Jones screwed himself out of a lot of money being younger then HUnter.
I dont think the Angels are done. They add one more big bat it wont matter where Hunter hits in the lineup
If you have Direct TV, the game is on there. The NFL network is in a legal battle with Comcast & other cable networks to broadcast the games.
Maybe Gary Matthews will get suspended for his HGH use.
Adrian-Retire21:
“THats why since 2002 they haven’t gone pass the ALDS.”
Umm, who beat the Yankees in the 2005 ALDS???
The Price for Johan Santana has begun !!!
BIDDING STARTS $126 MILLION DOLLARS
I’m not concerned about the Angels because Scioscia doesn’t get to intimidate and outmanage Torre any more.
$126M for how many years, seven?
IF the Yankees don’t get Santana I don’t care where he goes, as long as it isn’t the Soxs. He could go to the mets for all I care.
It’s not clear whether Santana countered the Twins offer of 5 for 93M with an offer of either 5 or 7 years for $126M
http://www.startribune.com/twi.....66916.html
If it’s 7 for $126M, I think they will work out a deal closer to about $115 for 7 years.
if that’s where his bidding starts one can imagine up to where it can go
If he wants to truly stay & give the Twins a hometown discount, he will get less than $126M
Since he’s way better than Zito, $126 million is a discount.
Yeah, that shows you how obscene Zito’s contract is, probably inflated Boras’ ego 50 million times what it already was,
Well, I don’t want Hughes/Joba/Cano/A-Jack to get traded for Santana, and I would prefer not to see Santana on the Sox, although not enough to change my mind about giving up the aforementioned Yankees, so I hope the Twins can reach a contractual agreement with him.
This is from http://www.MLBTraderumors.com on Johan, he may want $126 over 5 years, which obviously means he will be traded if that’s the case.
Santana Counters Twins’ Offer
Sid Hartman was correct – Joe Christensen confirms today that the Twins did offer Johan Santana a five-year, $93MM deal (18.6MM annually). The pact was designed to top Carlos Zambrano’s by $1.5MM. Problem is that Santana isn’t 1.6% better than Zambrano. He’s a lot better than Z.
Santana countered by asking for $126MM, according to Christensen. His article implies that Santana asked for seven years in the counterproposal, since Santana’s agent cited Barry Zito’s deal and the dollar amount is the same. The Twins balked at the counteroffer and expect to trade Santana. This doesn’t compute, because the sides seem close. I wonder – maybe Santana actually asked for $126MM over five years? Santana could be a $25MM man on the open market, and maybe he’s not offering a hometown discount. If Christensen’s source told him the number of years, he would’ve put that in the article.
What about Hughes/A Jax & Melky plus a lower level prospect for Johan + a 72 window to give him an extension.
I don’t want Santana. He had a terrible 2nd half of 2007, and he needs to prove that it wasn’t the beginning of a decline. So I wouldn’t trade Hughes for Santana even up.
The only trade I would do is Kennedy (or Wang)/Melky/Tabata.
I don’t see the Sox getting him, I definitely could see the Mets going all out to get him.
if he’s for the I say let him go free agency because no I’m hearing 5 yrs. 126 M if that’s the case a 7 yr. contract we’re talking about $ 180 M plus tax of 40% we’re touching $250 Million for a LH SP who is an ace but isin his mid 30’s…WHY TRADE PROSPECTS !!!
EDIT
if he’s for the money I say let him go free agency because now I’m hearing 5 yrs. $126 M if that’s the case a 7 yr. contract we’re talking about $180 M plus tax of 40% we’re touching $250 Million for a LH SP who is an ace but is in his mid 30’s…WHY TRADE PROSPECTS FOR HIM !!!
Santana for Hughes straight up would be an incredible deal for the Yankees. There is no way the Twins would ever agree to that.
I know the Twins wouldn’t do Santana for Hughes, but it wouldn’t necessarily be even a good trade for the Yankees.
Hughes will likely be at least 80% as good as Santana in 2008; he may well be as good or better thereafter, and he will do it at only a fraction of the cost.
I don’t want to root for a rotisserie team of other teams’ stars. I prefer to watch prospects develop and pitch for the Yankees.
“but is in his mid 30’s…WHY TRADE PROSPECTS FOR HIM !!!”
Actually, he’s in his late 20s.