Weekend update: not much to report
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Dec 09, 2007 
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Not much new news on the Yankees front this weekend.
The Viz’s agent said it looks like he is moving on and has three-year offers from other teams. Unless it’s a closer, giving any reliever three years is madness.
Carl Pavano will probably be released (and paid off) once the Yankees add A-Rod or Mo Rivera to the roster. He will leave having made $39.95 million for 19 starts and 111.1 innings. It will go down as one of the all-time mistakes in team history. But the Tigers, Red Sox and several other teams wanted to make the same move.
You know what the worse thing is? He will be 33 when his deal with the Yankees is over and somebody will sign him. That’s how few pitchers there are.
Other than that, it has been slow since we left Nashville. Even GMs, it seems, need some time to rest.
Post says Pavano will probably accept a minor league assignment.
Hey, Carl Pavano could help us midseason. LOL!
Pete, so you’re saying, if I had the right genitalia and could throw a baseball faster than 23 MPH, I’d have a shot at a ML career?
Pavano is a criminal.
“Post says Pavano will probably accept a minor league assignment.”
It’s kind of the least he can do.
Though, if he didn’t, he’d have to find and pay for a facility at which to do his rehab. Unless his agent could hoodwink someone else into paying for it somehow.
If he gets paid the same anyways, what difference would it make to Pavano to hold onto his 40-man spot? If all goes very well (speaking optimistically) there’s a chance he could be on the mound again before September. The only possible feeble flicker of redemption for him would be to accept the minor league offer in the meantime.
He might be better served (as would the team) if those first weeks back after 2+ years sitting on his duff (and a broken duff at that!) were spent in the minor leagues. It’d be a tune-up for a possible full season in ’09 and really his best chance to show other teams he won’t fall apart like a 1986 Yugo hatchback.
That’s obviously the biggest concern about him, more so than whether or not he can be an average major league pitcher again. I’m sure his pitching abilities would still contribute adequately to some teams … IF (bold face, italic, 96-pt font) he wasn’t on the DL.
He absolutely has to concede that in his case that’s a huge risk (again, bold face, italic, 96-pt font) for a team to consider.
Rebecca …
As long as you can throw a baseball at ANY speed for 6 straight months without getting hurt, you have a better shot at the big leagues than Carl Pavano. That’s regardless of what you’re packing down below.
Povano Suck . LOL
Becca, true enough, but only if you are a lefty
Rebecca, you do have the right genitalia.
As per usual, Pete has it wrong. Pavano’s gonna accept a minor league assignment. He’ll then go back to laughing at the unemployed illiterates who post things at all hours of the day and night on Yankee fan pages calling him a criminal. Because he’s just getting paid to do what you do for free; sit at home and not work.
That’s a BLAZING fastball by the way Rebecca.
I’m gonna go back to washing my balls now. I’ve got a trade brewing that includes Rebecca’s hairy armpits, Pete’s journalism degree, and a bag of goat droppings for Kaz Matsui and an elephant dong dildo.
Perhaps Viz will be mercifully forgotton in a few years.
As for Carl Pavano, it’s too bad for him that Dave Littlefield was fired as Pittsburgh Pirates GM. There is nothing Littlefield loved more than an overpriced, middle-aged (in bb years), underpeforming, sad sack of a veteran pitcher. It wouldn’t have gotten Carl any more starts or a shot at a rejuvinated MLB career, as he would be injured in perpetuity, but at least he’d have had somewhere.
Pete pays to dehumanize me. He tosses singles at my meat pouch for me to queef in his face.
More about ARod on the Front Page of the Week in Review Section of the Sunday New York Times:
“When the Price Isn’t Right – from Real Estate to ARod, establishing value has become an Adventure”
By Peter S. Goodman
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12.....ekinreview
It’s a good thing the blog records everyone’s IP address when they post …
More chuckleheads to ban!!!
Pavano the only professional athlete of all time who took time off for bruised buttocks.
perfect name for the trio, I KNOW no one will beat it…no not even “the three musketeers”
I predict Pavano will be the x factor in yanks’ quest for title in 2008 and 2009.
You never know. He might end up helping us in some role.
Only role he can help is a open roster spot.I remember this time last year saying he can help us at some point when he gets healthly.I mean how many times can he get hurt.
We all know what happened.
LaTroy Hawkins will apparently make his choice today between the Rockies and the Yankees.
Hawkins and Mahay (Yanks are front runner) improves the BP.
Pavano has only helped one person over the last 3+ years – HIMSELF. He’s helped himself to Yankee millions while goofing off – he missed how many starts for bruised buttocks? LOL He’s dated Alyssa Milano & will probably find another team to pay him millions. Man it’s great to be a baseball player.
*giggles* My fastball speed of 23 MPH (yes, I did time it once) is what’ll probably do me in.
And how the hell does anyone know what my armpits look like?
More important, why the hell does anyone care?
“Hawkins and Mahay (Yanks are front runner) improves the BP.”
I dunno if 3 years of mahay improves the pen. And LaTroy…He really doesn’t K a lot of guys. I fully expect his ERA to go back up into the mid 4′s now that he’ll be back in the AL.
To me, he seems like a veteran presence to provide a fallback if/when some of the promising young guys flame out.
While it’s still within the literal realm of possibility, that he ‘might’ contribute here is a very optimistic thing to suggest. Don’t hold your breath.
After that much time off (and with his track record) he might still have what it takes to make the roster on some other team in ’09. As Pete said ML pitching is scarce so one of the 30 ML teams would end up accepting the risks associated with signing Pavano instead of reliable pitching.
When will Arod and MO be finalized?
I have mixed feelings about Pavano. Yea we don’t like his pansy aRss BUT we need to see how he can help us when he’s healthy. I would HATE to see him win even 10 games with another team in a year, doubling what he won in his Yankee career so far after we sacrificed 40 mill on him. Yea so we get it back from insurance but it’s the principle.
Wasn’t Hawkins on the Mets several years ago, and one of the losingest pitchers in the game?
If you think Kyle Farnsworth was torn apart here last year, look out LaTroy Hawkins. Yikes.
In the beginning I had mixed feelings on Pavano too. Like, during his first 2 DL stints.
But the track record far outweighs his skills (which were just ‘average’ when he was signed) even if those skills somehow haven’t deteriorated from pitching only 19 games in 3 years.
3 years of 36 year old Ron Mahay…Yippe….
The Yankees are better off constructing a bullpen from within then signing these old NL Relievers to multiple year contracts.
Enough already.
Mahay > Henn,Wright,Igawa
Pavano, what a waste that man was.
Shane take the shades off. When anybody says “constructing a bullpen from within”, I can assure you they are not looking towards that trio.
“The Yankees are close to signing LaTroy Hawkins to a one-year contract believed to be worth approximately $3.75 million, sources told FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal.”
As much as they want to depend on the young kids’ progression, they still need a Hawkins to eat up some innings as a semi-reliable arm.
I like that deal, anything to keep us away from 3 or 4 years of Mahay.
The Yankees should definitely build the bull pen from within.
A problem with that approach is the lack of quality left handed pitching in the system.
Henn, Igawa and Wright are pretty much it in the upper minors. I think Wright could one day be a decent lefty specialist. But he’s not ready right now.
Besides them – Ben Kozlowski? He’s a journeyman who pitched well in scranton last year.
After that, for lefties you have to go down to A ball – Mike Dunn. Nowhere close to ready.
If they want a lefty reliever they are going to have to over pay a lot – Mahay is going to get three years somewhere. If he can (big if) get out Big Pappi overpaying for him may be worth it.
LaTroy Hawkins on a one year deal is a decent signing. Even if he’s terrible in the AL they can eat part of the contract and trade him.
LaTroy for one year is better than Viz for 3. One positive about losing Viz – he’s a type B free agent. The yankees pick up a supplemental pick.
Their last supplemental pick worked out ok – that was Joba.
Hawkins? He’s really not good.
Please tell me he wasn’t offered arbitration and at least we don’t give up a draft pick for him.
Pavano’s 19 starts with the Yanks equals the 19 wins he posted in 03…….As for Hawkins, he was tough a few years ago when he threw hard for the Twins…He moved on to the Cubs as a FA, and was never the same…..There has to some oganizational options…But if it’s for 1 year it may not be that bad of a signing…..
The upside to this signing is that this may keep them away from a hideous Mahay contract.
So that’s good news, bad news…..do they(yankees) have to give up a draft pick?
I predict Hawkins is DFA’d by the all star break. I also predict lots of bitching about him here up until that point. lol
The Rockies bought out Hawkins option and didn’t offer him arbitration.
As it is, he’s not a type A free agent so the yankees wouldn’t lose a first round pick.
He’d be ok as insurance. I hope Horne and McCutcheon eventually fill out the pen because they are talented arms.
That said – neither has relieved and you don’t know how its going to go. They get to spring training and it doesn’t work – then they are really stuck. They won’t even get a guy as good as Hawkins.
Also – how many rookies will they have on their staff? They could wind up depending on 5-6 rookies between the starters and pen.
That’s a risk.
They’re interested in Mahay as a left hander.
Hawkins is a righty. Signing Hawkins may have no impact on their offer to Mahay. I think they’d go after both.
Otherwise its another year of a pen with no viable left handed options.
“The Yankees are better off constructing a bullpen from within then signing these old NL Relievers to multiple year contracts.”
Well, Hawkins is only getting a one year deal. He could be an ok 6th/7th inning guy, but he’s kind of useless if you need a K to get out of trouble.
Mahay’s been in the AL for most of the last several years…His splits last year were good, but they weren’t the two years before that. Doesn’t seem too promising
When Wang and Pettitte get hurt in the preseason you will be crying for him back. No one can have an opening day like he had last year. You will be missed Carl.
“Besides them – Ben Kozlowski? He’s a journeyman who pitched well in scranton last year.”
I think he’s a minor league FA. Someone told me that. So, he may have left for another organization already.
Who is the Pavano character you speak of?
For the pen, I think maybe Ohlendorf could step up. He cant be worse than the Farns.
At least with Vizcaino signing elsewhere, we’ll never have to see that ridiculous “The Viz” again. Now if only Pete would cut out the even more ridiculous “Phil Franchise”…
Latroy Hawkins is a good pick up. It could be worse like Fukumori.
What is everyone’s problem with nicknames? o-o;;
Rebecca – you’re cute, smart, a redhead and a serious Yankee fan. You’re bound to be an object of fascination among us blog-posting types.
Ken Rosenthal is reporting the Latroy Hawkins signing as almost done, 1 year, $3.75 million. I find it hard to believe that we can’t find the same quality pitcher somewhere in our vaunted farm system.
This move is awful!! Hawkins is just another version of Farnsworth that doesnt throw as hard. Cash is really looking at the bargain bin for pitching. Why sign Arod for all of that money if you are then going to have to say I only have $10 dollars in my pocket for relief pitching??!! Unless Cash really starts moving this bullpen is going to be just as bad or worse then last year. He should of gave Viz the money he was good last year. 3 rookies in the rotation, Hawk and Farns. in the bullpen…yipee…When is Cash going to realize that pitching is more important then hitting..
I think people overestimate the general availability and quality of middle relievers.
As a whole – they stink. Every team has problems in this area.
I don’t think the Viz is that great. I don’t think Hawkins or Mahay are.
But before you dismiss them you have to come up with an alternative that’s practical.
If no LaTroy or something similar – then the yanks can go with all kids. Same with Mahay but even worse – lefties are no where to be found and they don’t have any in the system.
If you decide against a Hawkins/ Mahay then the staff could have 7 rookies on it and no lefties in the pen.
That’s fine – as long as you’re willing to live with the inevitable lumps that come with it.
After seeing so many yankee fans jump off the Cano bandwagon at the beginning of the season and the Phil Hughes bandwagon later on in the season, I’d guess patience will continue to be in short supply.
Just some perspective on the relief pitching market -
AP is reporting that the Brewers have signed Eric Gagne to a one year $10million dollar deal with another $1million in incentives.
Gagne represents 14% of the entire Brewer payroll.
This after being beyond dreadful for the Sox during the pennant drive.
Hawkins doesn’t walk guys, has enough quality seasons under his belt, and in a tough market for relievers… this is a great signing. If he stinks it up, they dump him. This gives the Yanks another option…. that’s all… an option. Hopefully he’s a decent one.
Bartap–Aww, you made me blush!
Right, back to finals studying. Or pretending to do it, anyway.
I dont get the Hawkins signing,or about to sign thing.
You know what the Viz can do,after last yr,I think at times he was missused by Joe Torre,(see Proctor,Karsay).So why not give the 3 yrs to the VIZ,who is probably looking for some security,after being with so many teams lately???
I know middle relief is a crapshoot,but CashMoney should know what the market is this winter,and what they had in the VIZ.
They gave Farnsworth a 3 yr deal in DEC 2005,Gave Karsay 4 yr deal a few yrs ago.
CB, I know what you are saying there isn’t alot of quality out there for relievers. But I think over the last couple of years Cashman passed over alot of good options. Sometimes you just have to pay the going rate if you find a good pitcher. If it was me 2 years ago I would of signed Howry, last year Speier, this year Riske and or Viz.(this is not thinking about it now, I said these things at the time)You can’t have rookies in the rotation and bullpen you need some veteran options. In the last couple of years Cashman has not signed any good free agent pitchers.
I would take Mahay over any other LH RP that we have right now on the 40 man roster.
3/12MM is as high as I would go.
Which is exactly why they don’t want to give another reliever a long-term deal…. how did those signings work out?
The only relief position you should give more than 2 years is a closer
“Cash is really looking at the bargain bin for pitching.”
Sooo…they should have signed Linebrink (trending downward for the last two yeard) to a 4 year deal at almost 5 per? Or, the TREMENDOUSLY injury-risky Percival…who they couldn’t have gotten anyway because he wanted to close?
Or, guaranteed Riske closer-ish money and paid him almost 7 mil a year for 3 years (if he becomes the Brewers’ closer, that’s what he gets)?
Show me a good FA option for relievers this offseason. There really aren’t any. They’re going with mostly kids, but you need SOME veteran presence out there in addition to Mo. SOME more-or-less known quantities.
I think Ohlendorf could step up too. Maybe Steven White. I like Britton as well, and think Ramirez could show us something if newjoe doesn’t sit him for a week and then expect him to still have his change working. This guy from the Nats could be a big part of the mix, as he actually seems to control his stuff.
Hopefully, someone in the hard-throwing-no-idea-where-it’s-going crew will show some control in ST and beat out the others. Veras, Bruney, Beam.
But you need SOMEONE to hold down the fort. Viz wanted three years. Nooooooo. I’d rather take Hawkins for one than Viz for three.
This is what I thought should happen
1.Rivera
2.Vizcaino
3.Farnsworth
4.Mahay or another lefty that has been mentioned this winter
5.Ohlendrorf or Karstens—–long relief
6.Albaladejo
7.Villone (Minor League deal)emergency starter if needed
“They gave Farnsworth a 3 yr deal in DEC 2005,Gave Karsay 4 yr deal a few yrs ago.”
Exactly. And both deals were disasters. Giving the Viz a three year deal, with the number of appearances he’s logged in over the years, is a major risk.
It’s unlikely he’s stay healthy or prodcutive over the course of the contract. He’d wind up like so many other veteran relievers the yankees have tried to fill into the Nelson/Stanton spots.
There’s a lot of data that suggests the performance of middle relievers varies from year to year more than most other positions. Baseball Prospectus has written about this a lot.
That’s why it doesn’t make sense to sign relievers to long term deals – they tend not to perform up to expectation over the length of the contract.
Shorter term deals with guys filling in from the minors/ trades seems to be what many teams are leaning towards. That’s the way Keving Towers has done things with San Diego and its worked well for them.
Somebody get LaTroy’s email address and tell him how great it is in Denver. The man STINKS and has no business EVER wearing the Yankees’ Uniform. The Yankees are going to be SO SORRY if they sign this bum !
“Sometimes you just have to pay the going rate if you find a good pitcher. If it was me 2 years ago I would of signed Howry, last year Speier, this year Riske and or Viz.”
It’s not an issue of the going rate. It’s an issue of the years. Howry, first of all, didn’t want to leave the NL. What’re you going to do about that?
Riske and his agent wanted an opportunity to get into the closer role…he’ll make almost 20 mil over three years if he does. The yanks couldn’t offer closing, so maybe if they’d guaranteed that money…but are you kidding? Almost 7 mil per for a middle reliever?
Speier got a 4 year deal at the age of 33. That contract will be regretted, and soon. At least Mahay could degrade into a LOOGY.
Vizcaino is also just not good enough to give three years to. It’s not the money, it’s the years.
Dan
Were thoose pitchers with the Yankees before they signed thoose deals????? The answer is NO
Ya watched the VIZ pitch in 77 games this past yr for the Yankees…….Given the market for relief pitchers,2 yr aint gonna get it done….so now we have LaTroy Hawkins coming from the NL to replace Vizcaino.
MY point—–Ya knew what you had in the VIZ….it wasnt terrible.
I guess you guys just dont see the point.
http://www.rotoworld.com/conte.....038;spln=1
Yes THIS BUM needs to be on the Yankees…look at this stats vs the AL East. If we are leading by 7 in the 9th inning….we can put him in….other than that, he is a disaster and folds under ANY Pressure. NY will chew him up and spit him out. Believe me, this signing is going to be a HUGE BUST !
The Yankee bullpen issue is an ongoing saga ever since the depature of Stanton and Nelson in 2000…..Every seson the Yanks sign what appears to be the best bullpen arms on the market, give them multi-year deals and it hasn’t worked out…I know everyone is well versed with the signings…Gordon was the only one that was good and Torre had to overuse him, as witnessed in the Boston debacle in 04…..So unless someone has a better strategry this is still a real concern….I do think there’s help on the way, and we may even see that this summer…..Ohlendorf has to be in the mix…He’s throws a hard sinker, and can swallow innings…He gets a pass from me for his October gig…Not really a fair test…..
Maybe the Yanks should hold open tryouts?
Tom Verducci had a great piece a few weeks back on building quality bullpens based on the success of the SD pen.
The formula is NOT to overspend on marginal rag arms because they are usually a big waste of money. Not only that, but they can’t be moved if they fail because they make too much money (see Farnsworth, Kyle).
Instead, GMs need to lean towards youth – such as failed starters who throw hard and, more importantly, throw strikes.
That is why Ohlendorf, Albaladejo, Horne, Sanchez, Melancon and a host of other young arms are all likely to get their shot to help this team in the pen. Enough of the overspending on marginal relievers when the kids with talent will probably do just as good of a job.
Some of the better pens in the league last season were comprised of a lot of young arms: Tribe, Mariners, Padres, and D-Backs.
Here’s the Verducci piece:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....index.html
what is the big deal??
If Hawkins does well, great. If not, bye bye. Would you rather have LESS options (most of which are rookies)… or MORE options? 3.75M is chump change these days for middle relievers.
It’s a LOW risk move and could pay off. If not, no big deal.
“1.Rivera
2.Vizcaino
3.Farnsworth
4.Mahay or another lefty that has been mentioned this winter
5.Ohlendrorf or Karstens—–long relief
6.Albaladejo
7.Villone (Minor League deal)emergency starter if needed”
Why? Villone? Emergency starter? What?
First of all, Ohlendorf showed success as a late innings guy in the minors with a big fastball and power sinker. Why is he in long relief all of a sudden? Do you actually want Viz on a three year deal?
Personally, I want Kyle traded. I think someone will consider him as a guy with closer experience. I’d happily package him off for young position player prospects with upside. I think the Yankees have plenty of righties that throw hard but need to harness their stuff. Frankly, Bruney and Kyle are pretty much interchangeable in my mind.
Villone is not going to be here, Viz unless that asking price goes down he won’t be here, Mahay is not worth giving up draft picks for. Your ignoring why the Yankees are looking to deal Matsui, to get return value a solve the bullpen at the same time. exp. (Jonathan Sanchez, Brian Wilson, Vinny Chulk or Brad Hennessy)
I would of signed Vizcaino. He proved he could pitch here last year and was really good..almost unhittable until Torre got his hands on him. Even after Torre killed his arm he was still getting people out with his 40 mph off speed pitches. NY is a different animal and sometimes you have to over pay if you know that someone can play here.
Signing Vizcaino for a three year deal would mean we’d have him from the ages of 34-37.
The idea that a middle reliever how has logged a tremendous number of appearances over the past 5 years is going to be a known quantity or that “you know what you’re going to get from the Viz” isn’t accurate.
You can’t have any good idea of what Viz at age 36 is going to give you.
Ok so now we dont give 3 yr deals to anymore relief pitchers that are available on the free agent market.
We go with all minor league guys,when we could have 3 of them in the rotation in 2008.
Im not saying sign 4 guys to 3 yr deals like the Orioles did last winter,but if ya gonna give Hawkins 3-3.75 Millon for 2008,I d rather have Vizcaino back.Before Joba got to the majors,who was only guy somewhat reliable then Rivera in that bullpen????
“Believe me, this signing is going to be a HUGE BUST !”
LaTroy Hawkins may wind up being terrible for the yankees.
But he cannot be a “huge bust” if signed to a 1 year contract.
That is a very low risk deal. Steve Karsay’s long term deal was a huge bust.
He’s awful – you have him for one year and that’s that. On a one year 3.75 million dollar contract they could just DFA him. That’s not a huge bust.
Wow
Just a discussion
This reminds me of when the Yankees released Miguel Cairo,and I got bashed for Giambi essentially taking his roster spot,when the guy filled in very nicely as a UTILITY MAN at all 4 positions.
Viz is a one year deal only…If he doesn’t like it, avoir……Next year at this time, there should be no reason to kick the tires on any FA relievers, as there should be many in house options….CB explains in great detail to support his case, I agree with him on all counts…..
I don’t understand why people are up in arms over a one year deal for a reliever. I’m surprise Bruney, Henn, and Farnsdearth are still Yankees. Package them all and send them somewhere.
“but if ya gonna give Hawkins 3-3.75 Millon for 2008,I d rather have Vizcaino back.”
Again…use the Linebrink deal as a blueprint, because that’s what’s set the market. You’re saying you’d rather pay, let’s say, 12 million dollars to Viz over the next three years than 3.75 to Hawkins for next year?
That just doesn’t make any sense…it’s almost certain that he will not perform up to those standards. With the innings he’s logged the last four years…MAYBE you kind of know what you’ll get next season. After that…it’s just as much of an unknown quantity as Hawkins is for next season.
“This reminds me of when the Yankees released Miguel Cairo,and I got bashed for Giambi essentially taking his roster spot,when the guy filled in very nicely as a UTILITY MAN at all 4 positions.”
That’s because he didn’t fill in nicely. His offense was pathetic, and it’s not like he’s a really slick glove as SS or anything. He’s fine. But that’s nothing special.
No La Troy post.At least gives us something to talk about Pete.
Yeah if we can get La Troy for 1 year then okay but you can’t keep the Viz for more then two.
We all knew the day of the relievers would come.They kinda of deserve it after all these overrated pitchers are now millioares and deserve to be in the minors.
“Next year at this time, there should be no reason to kick the tires on any FA relievers, as there should be many in house options”
The point Pat M makes is an important one and probably what’s guiding the Yankees thinking on this.
The 2008 season could be rough because of the youth of the staff – both in the rotation and the pen.
But I’d guess the front office is thinking that give the ridiculous depth of arms they have, some are going to pan out for the pen.
2008 is going to be a transition year. It could go poorly as guys get used to the majors. It could go well like it did for Detroit in 2006.
But there is a good chance they’ll be able to find some combination that works.
Given that depth of arms, signing long term deals for older middle relievers makes less sense for them right now.
And hopefully if a few of the kids pan out they won’t have to resort to the free agent market for middle relief again any times soon, other than for a lefty perhaps.
Seems to me the Yankees are just doing this because they want a vet in the pen. Plus the rest of the relievers on the market are GARBAGE!! and all want 3 + year deals. question #1 who is a free agent next year? #2 what kind of pick do we get for Viz?
mahay is the next pavano. guaranteed.
“#2 what kind of pick do we get for Viz?”
A supplementary pick in the “sandwich” round.
In my opinion, Pavano was afraid to pitch for the Yankees. Too much pressure. I think he’ll do better w/ his next team as long as it’s a small market team.
From reading around, it looks like the sandwich round is initially empty, but is populated as teams receive compensatory picks for losing their type A and B free agents. It seems like it’s divided into two “subrounds”, the first populated with compensatory picks for losing type A guys, the second with compensatory picks for losing type B guys.
So, the Yanks would get a pick near the back end of the second “sub round” of the sandwich round. So, near the end of the sandwich round. Depending on how many big free agents move this offseason (I don’t really think that many have) it should be around number 50 something.
Hawkins stinks . he is like Kyle throws hard gets no one out..
if he gets more then 1 yr they are insane………
I pass on him…
What about Julio Mateo?? The Yanks should go after him, along with Micah Bowie.
JESUS IT’S 1 YR. AT $3.75 MIL, IT’S NOT A BIG DEAL !!!
Pavano made 40mil POSING as a pitcher,he should ride off in the sunset,but some other fool will bite I’m sure and sign him.
The can of bug spray used on Joba in the playoffs fetched 673 bucks in an mlb.com auction.
Brady talking trash, I hope someone decks him!
Wilson Betemit hitting .286 in 12 games 10-35, 14 K’s—7 BB, OBP .405
Damn his strike outs are HIGH!! I don’t think i’d be able to stand watching him hit, since half the time he’ll stike out!!
Is anyone watching the Jet game? These announcers are napping!! They are terrible.
Like Pete Pete, I just want to put up a post saying that I got nothing to say.
Why do you read the blog than? It is very simple, if you don’t think he says anything than don’t even open up the site.
I had a dream last night that I met with Johan and Phil at Starbucks — total madness to dream about this — we were having coffee and Hank Steinbrenner walked in with a cigarette in his mount, only it wasn’t Hank, but Big Stein, he was telling Phil that Johan quit smoking last month.. What does this dream translate to?
Sheesh, I am still desperate to aqure johan and thankfully, he quit smoking!
“Wilson Betemit hitting .286 in 12 games 10-35, 14 K’s—7 BB, OBP .405
Damn his strike outs are HIGH!! I don’t think i’d be able to stand watching him hit, since half the time he’ll stike out!!”
In what? Is that winter ball in the DR?
I dunno…if he’s getting on base over 40% of the time…the K’s don’t really bother that much. I mean, it’d keep him from being amazing, but he could be a just fine bottom of the order player for some team if he walks a fair amount and provides lefty pop. Doesn’t really fit the Yankees’ needs, but I think he should get a full-time shot SOMEWHERE. I mean, he’s been blocked everywhere he goes. It kind of sucks that he’s getting branded as a backup when he’s not really been given an opportunity.
The way Brady got up in that punk Smith’s face almost made a Pats fan outta me! Kind of reminded me of Simms back in the day
So how does “player insurance” work? Are the Yankee’s covering Pavano’s whole paycheck or did insurance offset some of the damage?
Anyone know how this works? What about Giambi?
The Yankees need to start using their advantage in resources to scout other teams relievers to go after in trades. Couldn’t the Padres use an outfielder like Matsui for some bullpen help? They need offense, and unless they have some young stars coming up to contribute, they don’t have anything in the outfield.
Giles is pretty much their only weapon in the outfield and his ops was only .777 last year. He’s also their leading HR threat in the outfield with 13. Matsui would definitely help their cause and they have more than enough guys in their bullpen that would be an upgrade over Farnesworth to set up Mo. Does this make too much sense?
“I mean, he’s been blocked everywhere he goes. It kind of sucks that he’s getting branded as a backup when he’s not really been given an opportunity.”
John Scheurholz is considered to be one of the best talent evaluators in baseball history. Bobby Cox one of the games best managers.
Neither thought Betemit was an everyday player. That’s why he traded him to the Dodgers.
At one point Betemit was the top prospect in the Braves organization – then they soured on him in a big way. Are they just blind to his obvious talents?
After Rafael Furcal left Betemit could have gotten the starting job. But instead the braves took a big chance on Edgar Renteria after his disastrous season in Boston.
What did the braves get back for betemit when they traded him to the dodgers? Danny Baez and Willy Aybar.
Not much for a guy who was once your top prospect.
Same thing happened with the Dodgers – they also thought he wasn’t an everyday player.
Ditto for the yankees.
When 3 different organizations evaluate a player in a very similar way that says a great deal.
If you’re a talented player and good enough you don’t get “blocked.”
And in professional sports you’re not “given an opportunity” – players earn the chance with the mixture of talent and performance they bring.
Betemit must have been evaluated by dozens and dozens of baseball talent evaluators in Braves, Dodgers, and Yankees.
Are they all wrong?
Getting Hawkins for a 1 year deal helps scotchguard the pen till the kids like Melancon, Whenlan, Robertson, and whoever they are converting are ready. This way the Yanks don’t have to rush anyown.
anyone.
Whozat,
Didn’t the Dodgers give Betemit a chance to play after they got him from the Braves? He had a terrible year hitting with them and they jumped at the chance to trade him when the opportunity arose. In the limited time I saw him with the Yanks he didn’t look like an everyday player to me. He can’t hit right handed, and if you are a switch hitter, that is not a good thing…….
Forget Hawkins, put moose in the bullpen.
Buster Onley is reporting that Johann will be going to the sox.
whozat
Yes it was winter ball.
Susana Link?
Buster Olney is predicting world peace in 2008.
I love when people post garbage. There is nothing on espn about this.
Buster Olney is predicting Dennis Kucinich as the next President of the USA.
Susana that is about a week old nothing on site says that whatsoever. Only Olney story is about Hawkins. Just trying to stop all the panic that woul insue lol
Re Hawkin I have little faith when he was in the AL he was like Arthur Rhodes whenever he came in the game against the Yanks you could pretty much say they would blow the lead. Although for one year and 3.75 I would take a flyer on him as perhaps his numbers are better as a set up man then a closer. Also I have not looked it up BUT was he on the Cubs when Girardi was there??
Buster Olney is also predicting Jacolby Ellsbury is Santa Clause in disguise
Wilson Betemit will lose his utility spot to Alberto Gonzalez in spring training. Betemit strikes out too much and continues to do so in winter league.
Victor the Predictor
Will we be able to trade Wilson for more than a bag of ball?
LOL…^^^ when he’s hitting the long ball off the 2nd deck I going to rember this post
*remember*
Brandon
When he gets the golden sombero for the 2nd time in one week I’ll remember yours.
Hawkins has horrible K to IP ratio. How hard does he throw? Does he have good secondary pitches?
Pete – or anyone -
Pavano will probably get dropped off the 40 man, any hints on who else will get dropped? They need at least one more person to go and if they sign Hawkins two more…
256 so in 909 ab!!! – Wilson
207 so in 1621 ab – Cano
129 so in 1024 ab- Melky
Just to give you an idea that he strikes out way too much!!
Bruney, Desalvo, Henn would be my guesses.
Jennifer
it happened once it can happen again
Hawkins was tough on the Yankees several years ago in the playoffs against the Twins. He throws real hard.
Brandon who? The G man?
G man is done, Betemit is going to shock alot of people this year
Gman is playing for another contract, he will find a way to hit.
Jen is that before he hurts his foot again rounding 2nd or after he takes a false step to the corner at 1st
We’ll see, I predict he will be come back player of the year. You can win twice right?
I’m not too sure you can, but I’ll w/ my prediction Betemit is gonna shock alot of people
Brandon I hope you’re right, but I highly doubt it.
at Legends Field in Tampa when Alberto Gonzales hit a line drive batting practice shot at Jeff Karstens to effectively shorten his season while he was on course to make the team out of spring training. The very next day, Gonzalez hit another shot that Farnsworth barely caught in time.
I was there in ’06 when Pavano was running to 1st base on a [routine] coverage play and fell on his arse. The rest is history.
“It’ll get worked out,” said one evaluator. “It might not be tomorrow, but sometime, it’s going to get worked out. It’s close enough, and there are enough ways to bridge the gap [between what the Red Sox have offered and what the Twins want] to make it happen.”
http://insider.espn.go.com/esp.....ney_buster
Don’t forget that some of the projected starting rotation might wind up in the bullpen by the season’s end. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Joba move back to a setup role if Kennedy and Mussina do well. I hear Mussina is working out with a new strength program. Besides that, with the exception of a few bad starts, I thought he had a pretty good season last year (all things considered). I wouldn’t be surprised if he pitches well this year.