Today in The Journal News
-
- June
- 26
Joba Joba Joba Joba Joba Joba Joba Joba Joba Joba.
In stunning news, Sir Sidney Ponson was named a starter on Friday by Joe Girardi. The manager has no concerns about Ponson’s character issues. This notebook also has news on Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and the Yankees doing a nice thing for a sick kid.
———————
Chad Jennings reports that blog favorite Alfredo Aceves will start for Scranton on Saturday against those pesky Buffalo Bison.
Buffalo is a Cleveland affiliate and features a lineup that includes Asdrubal Cabrera, Morgan Ensberg (5 for 24, seven Ks in the minors) and Jason Tyner. Why did Mark Feinsand name his new baby Zack, by the way? Asdrubal Feinsand would have been so much better.
———————
The Roanoke Times broke the news that the Yankees have signed RHP Mike O’Brien, their ninth-round pick. He passed on a full ride to Winthrop.
The story calls him “Mikey.” I suspect he will not want to be known as “Mikey” once he starts getting paid to play baseball.
——————
The NBA Draft is today. Back when such things were my business to know, I once predicted nine of the first 11 picks correctly in a mock draft that was in the Norwich (Conn.) Bulletin. This was before newspapers believed in the internet or I would provide a link.
All I will say is this. The team that takes Kevin Love of UCLA will not regret it. The team that takes O.J. Mayo will have its heart broken. He’s Sebastian Telfair, Volume II. Love me some D.J. Augustin and the Knicks are flat crazy if they take a 6-9 Italian kid over a playmaker.
Do not take Roy Hibbert. He will be a brutal pro. Take a chance on Bill Walker of K-State.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 at 2:50 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
theres about a six inch difference between telfair and mayo as well as a year of college
Agreed on Kevin Love. Serious Love Handles (hardy har har)
I have a sneaky suspicion, though, that OJ Mayo will live up to the potential that he was hyped to have.
Guess, the Knicks are going to take the Italian kid. They are crazy after all…
It seems like Ponson will get a chance, What if he does great? Do the Yanks send him back down to prove himself more or do they send down someone else (Rasner?)? Have a great day and good luck to Moose I’m still rooting for him to have a 20 win season (finally).
Pete, remember,as you age & the salad days in Conn BB burnish like old polished brass, you were there at a particularly historic time. From Bill Dietrich (as in the Arena)through Cornelius Thompson, all Constitution/Nutmeg St. aspirations before BEast admission (‘78) fell to Joe DeSantis (Fairfield), the original 3Pt specialist (SeaSonics, the year after they Title’d),when NBA first adopted 3PtFG.
Always enjoy your hoops beat recollections.
Almost Forgot: Mayo will fit in well in NBA game. Size + handle=employment. Long time (good seats) NBA (Clips)season tix holder & saw him @SC.BTW: LAC Draft Party passes @Nokia Theatre/LA (Th6/26) for any derelict NYY fan whatwantsem (4:00PM PDT start). I’ll be sleeping so’s to go early w/dblhdr Fri.
i would not worry about Ponson doing great.. the probability is low and if he does it will not last long and it is a good problem..
do not take college superstar guard oj mayo. he will be a brutal pro, although i give no reasons why. i’ll take dj augstine who has less talent and is a worse fit for the knicks (again i’‘ll give no reasons why). Basically, I have never heard of this Danillo character, so I’ll tell the Knicks not to draft him. Obviously he wasn’t in the NCAA so he must not be as good as 5’9’’ guard dominated by all legitimate NBA 1st rounders…but Knicks, please draft DJ!
why does abraham comment on basketball? it’s obvious he knows nothing about baseball, let alone the prospects in an NBA draft. keep quiet pete.
I have a question maybe you guys can answer me, after pitching how many innings would Joba be eligible for rookie of the year status?
I know it’s early and he will hit some bumps, but he seems quite likely to contend with the Elisbury types out there, and many others.
Joba is a rookie this year, so yes he has a chance.
Love is a battler… kinda like Kevin McHale, I love his game. OJ MAyo is a stud.. yes he’s had a “posse” of sorts since he was 15, but he hasn’t personally had any abberrant behavior… DY Augustin is too small to guard anyone and we certain’y don’t need Frederick Weis # 2…. I’m looking for Westbrook or Gordon. You can never go wrong with a great shooter and Gordon is that.
It would be a nice “feel good” story if Alfredo Aceves were to be lifesaver in either the 4-5 starting rotation spots. It could loom large for the 2nd half along with Mark Melancon solidifying a bullpen setup role.
Petey
Here’s hoping that Mr. O’Brien keeps the handle of “Mikey”, and evolves into one of those stars who is known universally by one name.
I am proud to belong to the official synagogue of the Boston Red Sox. Youkilis and Kapler have been many times for the High holidays. Bob Kraft and his son Jonathan as well.
Rebecca – Don’t know if you are up yet but check out pictures or stats from Basketball games from about 60 – 70 years ago. Lots of Jews back then.
hey, pete… you forgot to welcome back everyone’s favorite backup 1B to NY:
“According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mets have signed 31 year-old infielder Andy Phillips. Phillips spent most of his career in the Yankee organization before the Reds signed him this year. After the Reds DFA’d him, the Mets scooped him up. Rosenthal hints that new Mets exec Wayne Krivsky may have played a role.”
No need for Mikey to change his name. The Yanks already have a Johnny, Bobby, Georgie, Robbie, Melky, Matty, Farnsy and “Hosie”. Girardi seems to add a “y” to lots of names. Mikey will fit right in.
Also, noticed on postgames that many of the cool kids on the team have dropped the A on A-Rod and are just calling him Rod.
Happy Birthday to Captain Jeter. Are you and all the other writers buying him a cake Pete?
“According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mets have signed 31 year-old infielder Andy Phillips.”
Any bets that our backup first baseman will be the Mets’ MVP?
I don’t think Mayo has character issues. He seems to be a good young man. But I am not sold on his ability to lead a team. I would prefer he have stayed one more year in college. He was totally unimpressive in the NCAA tourney this year.
But If he goes to a team where he doesn’t have to be “the man” right away that may help him.
“Any bets that our backup first baseman will be the Mets’ MVP?”
doesnt it actually work the other way around (see Strawberry, Darryl. Ventura, Robin. Cone, David. Gooden, Dwight. etc.)?
way to represent the norwich bulletin, pete. working there now… this blog gets me through the day.
Just carrying something that was posted in the other entry.
Why would anyone want Chacon here? He had a bad attitude his first time around, and now he grabs his gm my the throat and throws him to the ground!! Never mind suspended he should be arrested. And given an uncondional release and not PAID!
TurnTwo.
Pete had that story yesterday. I believe its in his game notes attached to the lineup page.
Chacon buried himself with that move.
You can be loud and get into an argument with a manager or front office person. Like Ponson did in St. Pete, for example.
But, you can’t put your hands on them and you DEFINITELY can’t throw them to the ground.
Once you do that, you are done. Teams won’t touch him.
As wrong as what Chacon did is. He really only did what thousands of Phillies fans wanted to do to Wade while he was there.
Good work Sam Borden. I am ure Pete is going to mention this as well but from todays Watchdog colum
Sam Borden of The Journal News plans to eschew both his car and the subway Friday and walk from Yankee Stadium to Shea to take in both ends of the day-night, two-stadium twin bill.
Partly it’s to get a story out of it for the newspaper. But he’s also decided to turn it into a fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society.
To join him and/or to donate, go here. He said he plans to leave from the big bat in the Bronx 20-30 minutes after Game 1.
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/Events/FriendsampFamily-NHO?px=7495956&pg=fund&fr_id=11240&et=_tcVEY4PlVo7eVgxxNnk8Q..&s_tafId=236677
Mayo is extremely talented and is no way telfair.
Didn’t Chacon implode in his second season with the Yanks?
I heart Joba
“The story calls him “Mikey.†I suspect he will not want to be known as “Mikey†once he starts getting paid to play baseball.”
Maybe he’ll go by Asdrubal.
Did anyone see that Andy Phillips got DFA’d by Cincinnati and was picked up by the Mets. We might get to see him play in the subway series. I always liked Andy.
Shan Foster, Vanderbilt…this kid can shoot like Reggie Miller, except with better athletic ability.
I will bet the blog a chocalate chip cookie that Chacon pitches again.
Spreewell anyone?
I see kevin love as an Arvydas Sabonis in the nba. Also, I think Ponson is a good substitute while the farm kids get more time to develop. Hopefully Sidney will help up get to August and Hughes, Kennedy, or Aceves can be called up to bolster the rotation
I thought it was interesting to hear that Mientkiewicz wanted to be back with the Yankees. It seems we are hearing of more players who wished to be Yankees than we’ve heard about in a while.
I’ve seen Shan Foster in person about ten times and he is nowhere near the athlete Reggie Miller is. He’s a second rounder because of that. Foster has no lateral movement at all, but, yes a very sweet jumper.
Mientkiewicz never wanted to leave… Yanks just decided he was one LH bat too many.
“Did anyone see that Andy Phillips got DFA’d by Cincinnati and was picked up by the Mets. We might get to see him play in the subway series. I always liked Andy.”
Andy is a more stand up guy than anyone in that entire clubhouse. Scratch that, anyone in the entire organization.
Russell NY – sad but true.
I know Minky wanted to stay, but for him to openly state that he wishes to be a part of the Yankees while playing for another team is something unusual to hear about.
He has turned into a super-utility player, playing all positions. That is pretty impressive to me. His batting was never anything special, but his D at first was great.
Yes, he’s a lefty, but he would be useful off the bench to sure up defense in close games.
What would we do without Joba? He is the man.
He’s not concerned about his character issues, but is he concerned with his long history of being a bad pitcher?
You know what will be funny to listen to. All the radio hosts who said it was a bad idea to move Joba to the rotation now saying they knew it was a great idea all along. To me there was never a debate. First they’ve known since he was drafted that he would start, second last year they stated he was only going to the pen for innings reasons. Third they stated in st again that he would start at some point this season, Hank didn’t rush it contrary to the belief of some radio hosts.
Over his career M’alphabet is actually an average hitter; not below average like everyone thinks. Obviously he has regressed over the past few years but during his short stint with the Yanks his OPS+ was 107 which is slightly above average. Combine that with his excellent defense and now he can play multiple positions. I would be very happy with a trade for Dougie, he’d be a great bench player on this team.
Wayne Krivsky signed on with the Mets? I guess I missed that. What’s his role? I wonder if Omar has hired a food tester yet.
yea minky said last year was the best year of his life…poor guy. also i hope the arroyo whispers are over being that he gave up 10 runs in the first inning.
also joba gives about the best interview on the yankees. his maturity blows me away
Pete,
Augustin isn’t that good my friend. Go back and look at the Memphis game and how he got outplayed at both ends by future ROY Derrick Rose. Too small and no D…
Draft Sleeper: Chris Douglas-Roberts.
agreed, douglas roberts will be a great complement to whatever team lands him. And i think mayo will be a good pro. He is not some pre madonna who plays for the highlight real, he is one of the best defender in the draft. A lot of scouts say he will be great because of his hustle and complementary scoring ability.
“Wayne Krivsky signed on with the Mets? I guess I missed that. What’s his role? I wonder if Omar has hired a food tester yet.”
Omar, I just wanted to let you know that they hired Wayne to give you a hand. I appreciate all the hours and effort you have put into wrecking the Mets franchise and with Wayne here now, you can finally take a day off now and then and spend some time with the family.
I don’t think Chacon imploded his second season with the Yanks. I think he really truly was an example of returning to form, and not in the good way…
...which is why we shouldn’t worry too much about Sidney Ponson doing well. You thank him, give him a bottle of Jim Beam for his troubles, and send him along. We’ll already potentially have Pavano clogging up open pitching spots later this year.
This Aceves thing, along with Joba’s man-beast success, has to make you smile. The Yankees cast a wide net with young pitching talent. Some will succeed right away. Some will fail. Some will take a while. Some will succeed somwhere else. Our hard work and patience is going to result in several gems for this team, though.
Now let’s groom some outfielders, because it’s looking potentially grim out there.
If the Knicks take Kevin Love at 6, I will never watch basketball ever again. I dont see Donnie Walsh taking a “great white hope” type of player. Walsh is too smart for that. I really wish there was a way to trade with Seattle and bring future perennial MVP candidate Kevin Durant the the Knicks. One can only dream.
TK – the difference between Chacon and Sprewell is that Latrell was talented. If Chacon was a top-notch starter, maybe you’d be right, but not a washed up middle of the road type. The Yanks were very fortunate to get as much out of him in ‘05 as they did.
Pete, Love is SEVERELY overrated by the media (I’m talking about the cbb bobbleheads vitale, bilas etc…). Plus he is 6-7, not 6-10. Unless he learns a low post game in the next 3 years, he is a better rebounding eduardo najera. O.J. is a prima donna in training, but the kid does make the players around him better. That USC team beat UCLA (AT UCLA) and it had less than half the talent.
List of 09 free agents. aka a shopping list for cashman, we are gonna have a looot of money to spend this winter
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/2009-mlb-free-a.html
I hope Donte Greene goes to a good team that is patient with him. That kid has special talent if only he could stop taking stupid shots and drive to the hoop more. He was so frustrating to watch last season and could have used at least one more year at Cuse.
Also I’m hoping for the Nets to draft Joe Alexander but I doubt he’ll be on the board.
that really is an ugly list of FA OFs… and a really bad class of FAs overall.
Joba’s 103rd pitch last night in the 7th inning was 98 MPH. He then followed it up with an 87 MPH slider to get the strikeout.
So much for the Mike and the Mad Dog rant that, “He would never hold his velocity deep into games”.
I don’t mind differing views. Hell, that what makes debating fun.
What annoys me to no end is ignorance. More than ignorance, flat out stupidity.
One of the reasons why shows like Mike and the Mad Dog and columnists (like Bill Madden) are no longer what they once were is because they bring too much ego and not enough facts in their shows/columns.
It doesn’t take a lot to research Joba’s minor league starts. You can talk to scouts and people you know who were at those games to get a read on the kids talent.
Yet, guys like Francesa, Russo and Madden (I’m just naming those three for brevity sake. There were more.) just carried on and brought sheer stupidity and nonsense to the debate.
Now, they look like morons.
This kid is not only a starting pitcher, he’s the best starting pitcher on the team.
Look at what he did last night against a good offensive team in a hitters park on the road. He owned them.
He mixed in two seamers, four seamers, changeups, and curveballs, along with the slider, in this outing.
He PITCHED, not just threw a bunch of fastballs. It was amazing to watch for his 5th career ML start.
Yet, those of us who have watched him in the minors, and who BEGGED the Yankees to put him in the rotation, aren’t surprised. He’s that good.
I would just like for once people like Francesa, Russo and Madden man up and say publicly they were all wrong about this issue and give Cashman and the organization a little credit.
If you are going to whine and carry on about the bad moves, its only right to sack up and admit when the organization was correct.
Credit to Pete, Feinsand, Sweeney and Kepner who have been consistently in the correct camp on this issue.
Some of them (especially Sweeney) caught a lot of crap from less informed collegues on this issue.
In the end, unlike their lesser informed collegues, they come off not only looking smarter, they show their readers they understand the sport they are covering.
If Kevin Love turns out to be half as good as Nick Collison, Ill be shocked.
PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD MR. WALSH, DO NO TAKE HIM WITH THE 6TH PICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANyone see what Shawn Chacon did?
Francis would you rather have Gallinari or Love?
ok. continuing with yesterdays theme, and it’s easier than an all brother or an all jewish team, the all *ez team (players whose names end in ez)
point out corrections as needed:
The All *EZ Team:
C Iván RodrÃguez
1B Adrián González
2B José López
SS Hanley RamÃrez
3B Ãlex RodrÃguez
RF Magglio Ordóñez
CF Carlos Gómez
LF Manny RamÃrez
Bench:
Raúl Ibañez
Aramis RamÃrez
Ramón Hernández
SP
Edinson Vólquez
Félix Hernández
Jonathan Sánchez
Javier Vázquez
Wandy RodrÃguez
Pen
Francisco RodrÃguez
Rudy Seánez
Duaner Sánchez
Edwar RamÃrez
Ramón RamÃrez
Javier López
Rafael Pérez
TurnTwo,
Is it that bad? We’ll probably do a deal with Abreu, with years depending on how Bobby finishes the season. Then Cash will say, “We’re fully prepared to go into ‘09 with Johnny Damon as our left fielder.” and wait for someone to fall in his lap.
I know our Gardner and Christian are not viable long-term solutions, but they should be okay as subs for the two old outfielders with the flat tires.
(Hurry up Austin!)
“I would just like for once people like Francesa, Russo and Madden man up and say publicly they were all wrong about this issue and give Cashman and the organization a little credit.”
Cartin and Boomer went about halfway on this this morning… they spent a couple minutes acknowledging that they appear to have been on the wrong side of the Joba debate. good for them.
but they still ignorantly believe it was all Hank Steinbrenner who forced Cashman and Girardi’s hand on the matter… in fact, Cartin was adament in believing if Cashman and Girardi had their way, Joba would still be in the bp, and that this was a blessing in disguise for Cashman, who would have been on the hotseat bc of the state of the rotation.
Cartin called Hank a genious for demanding the move, and making it happen.
i guess you cant win them all.
Nathan Jawai 6’10” tall, 7’5” wingspan
Interesting late 1st/2nd round prospect.
mel, perhaps not necessarily that ugly or awful, but just really uninspiring. i mean, not that you NEED to import a big name, but even if you’re just looking for a role player, the names on that FA list dont scream helpful to me.
i’m all for rooting for Christian and Gardner, and whoever the yankees can develop, promote, etc, to produce. just a little wary of their abilities until they can produce over a sustained period of time at the big league level.
FWIW, Jim Callis thought yesterday in his ESPN chat that AJackson could be the long-term solution for the Yankees in CF as early as mid-2009.
I think its an okay list considering what we are looking for.
wouldn’t mind vladdy in pin stripes to replace abreu.
or teixera for giambi, although his #s and price don’t match. then again giambi is not worth 22m
I like ryan dempster. he is solid.
Good relief: fuentes, grad lidge, k-rod
Patrick….Id rather them trade the pick if theyre thinking of drafting either of those guys at 6.
burnett is inconsistent at times.
I love sheets, but his injuries are scary.
i wouldve liked Vladdy 7 years ago… now he’s just another DH waiting to happen.
“i wouldve liked Vladdy 7 years ago… now he’s just another DH waiting to happen.”
Sad but true
I can see an outfield next year being Damon LF, Gardner CF, Melky RF with Christian on the bench, but thats pretty weak on the offensive side. I think it would be a good move to sign Milton Bradley for RF but I’m not sure if he could handle playing in NY.
but a reaaally good dh
milton bradley is great, but he has potential to be the next pavano
I’m telling you guys, if they don’t grab some free agent pitcher like C.C. you’re going to see a rotation like this next season:
1. Joba
2. Wang
3. Pettitte
4. Hughes
5. ?
If you get C.C. or other front line starter:
1a. C.C.
1b. Joba
3. Wang
4 Pettitte
5. Hughes
In my eyes, C.C. is the only pitcher they’ll throw $$ at. Cashman’s going to use his contract status as leverage to continue the plan. Which is to bring down the ridiculous amount of $$ we give people who should be retired. Cheap and young is the new mantra.
5
I think they will re-sign Abreu to a 2 year deal. He likes NY and they like him. Unless he gets greedy, I think both sides will come together and make a deal.
Contrary to the belief of some, I think they go all in for CC Sabathia. They will need an innings eater (as well as a top of the rotation guy) because Moose won’t be back and Andy may retire.
Couple that with Wang’s injury (which is a serious injury) and the innings limits on Hughes and Joba, I would be shocked if they didn’t go all in for CC.
He’s the best pitcher on the market, it will only cost them money, and they have plenty of it. Seems like a match to me.
FWIW, Olney said yesterday on Kay’s show that the Yankees are the prohibitive favorite to sign CC in the off-season.
“but a reaaally good dh”
Unfortunately, we don’t have space for more DHes. I might trade for Juan Rivera, taking on the risk that he’s come back from injury. And then bring up Gardner and move him and melky around in the OF for defensive purposes.
Or, if we keep Abreu on a 2 year deal, I REALLY want Bobby Kielty. He crushes lefties and plays solid D at all 3 OF positions. A great platoon guy for both Damon and Bobby. I think we could convince him there’ll be enough ABs for him, given the general lefthandedness of the lineup and creakiness of Matsui and Damon.
CC JOBA WANG HUGHES (these are ace or future ace type pitchers) ... add pettite, if not kennedy/horne. best in baseball hands down.
I don’t see why the yankees wouldnt go all in on CC. if not i think ben sheets would still make it a great rotation.
How about replacing giambi. should they go after teixera
Turntwo-
Cartin is an idiot and totally unlistenable as far as I am concerend his voice is too whiny and he is like a three year old in a grown up body. That show has started to verge on the kind of sports talk show that I hate ie voting for the girl of the week. Not something I enjoy.
I hope Joba enjoys having his ass kissed by his doubters.
Happy birthday Cap’n! 34 years and counting…
SJ44,
Agree on all points. Except, Andy has said he’d like to pitch in the new stadium. If he pitches well this year and his elbow’s not barking, it’s something both sides have to do. The weird thing is that Andy was so reluctant to come back. And then at “the” press conference he dropped that little bombshell that he’d like to help open the new stadium.
“if not i think ben sheets would still make it a great rotation.”
For the few starts during which he is healthy, perhaps.
“FWIW, Olney said yesterday on Kay’s show that the Yankees are the prohibitive favorite to sign CC in the off-season.”
makes complete sense to me.
i know i’m in the minority, but i still think they should make a push for him at the deadline… i wont get into that argument with everyone here again today, though. haha.
yea i think pettite is extremely comfortable here.
“How about replacing giambi. should they go after teixera”
If they can turn some of the AAA/AA pitching surplus into a solid righty bat for the position…no. I think that should be plan A. Find a defensively solid righty that can put up an .850ish OPS against lefties, and then bring Giambi back on a 1 year deal to platoon over there. Or, let him go and bring up Miranda.
i was with you about 2 days ago turntwo. but it really depends on the price. If the back end of our rotatin falls apart then we might have to. but if they can hold on, and a couple aaa guys can step it up. we should really consider how set we would be in the future if we could hold on to everybody and have cc
“For the few starts during which he is healthy, perhaps.”
Yeah thats the issue but unlike Pavano, Sheets has an established track record of being an outstanding pitcher. He’d be hard to pass up but in the end it would probably be the correct decision.
Olney also said we would trade for Gagne last season, that didn’t happen. Olney also said the Yankees would deal Joba for Teixeira last season, thank god that didn’t happen. I don’t see CC in pinstripes this year not at the current market price. If anything he signsas a FA next year. Why again why would you trade assets you don’t have to trade w/ the thought of SP on it’s way in August already. It just doesn’t make sense to go all out for 1 yr. when you can soften the blow for next season while standing pat.
If they sign CC and Pettitte comes back, you have Wang (if he is healthy), CC, Pettitte, Joba, and Hughes in the rotation. Guys like Aceves, Kennedy, Horne and McCutchen (some of them could probably be packaged in a deal or two in the off-season) would be in reserve.
You would have McAllister and Betances in AA.
Throw in Humberto Sanchez and all of a sudden, you finally have real pitching depth (in terms of quality, not just numbers) in the organization.
Its why I think its imperative they go for CC. If I had to choose between Tex and CC, I go for CC.
They can find a first baseman on the trade market. You don’t find LH aces on the trade market.
Olney also said that he didn’t think it was likely that the Yankees would go after CC because of them not going after Santana.
It seems to me Olney is covering both sides of the plate depending on who is he talking to.
giambi will cost 22 million dollars next year to keep him. that is a bit ridiculous. I think he is the 3rd highest played player in baseball. I love big g, but i think teixera would cost less than that, no matter how inflated his salary is
oh i agree cc over teix all the way. but i think giambi is not coming back. oh and olney is the worst
In the past couple of years, Sheets hasn’t pitched more than 160 innings. Don’t we need innings eaters?
2005 156.2 IP
2006 106 IP
2007 141.1 IP
“giambi will cost 22 million dollars next year to keep him. that is a bit ridiculous.”
they could buy him out and give him less $$ on a 1 year deal. i think that’s the only way he comes back…
Not true. What Olney said is that the Yankees wouldn’t go after CC during the season because of what transpired with Santana in the off-season.
They don’t want to give up players AND money. That was the point he was making.
All you have to do is look at the Yankees rotation next year, and see how much money is coming off the books, and realize they are going to be aggressive in their pursuit of Sabathia.
Couple that with the fact the organization loves the guy, its not exactly breaking news they will be players for CC in the off-season.
Right now, CC isn’t on the trade market. If Shapiro puts him in the market, it will be interesting to see the offers.
i hear a lot of mixed reviews about miranda. do people truly think is the future 1b
SJ, Olney also said yesterday on Sportscenter that the Yankees probably wouldn’t be players in the CC stakes bc of Cashmans “new way of doing things”. He then went on to say that if Boston were to get involved they would have the best package for Cleveland.
On Kay’s show was he saying we were the favorites to land CC if he became a free agent? On Sportscenter he was talking about mid-season moves
Teixera’s numbers against LHPs this year are .223 BA/.333 OBP/.369 SLG. Unless he improves, I think the Yanks will be reluctant to sign him. If Giambi keeps up his production, I think the Yanks will try to re-sign him or (as unlikely as it seemed two months ago) pick up his option. I think SJ44 is spot on – the Yanks will go all in for CC.
not one comment on the *ez team i posted?
i can’t complain. good discussions going on this morning!
Brandon,
We’re talking an offseason signing of C.C. The smart money’s on Shapiro not opening the 72 hour window and C.C. will want to go to FA.
Lots of teams will be throw $$ @ him in the off-season, so Jeter, Jorge, and Mariano will have to do their best $ale$ pitch. Maybe Jorge can drop another “we need an ace” bomb.
SJ, I don’t think Betances will be in AA next season. He is still really raw as a pitcher. My guess is he’ll spend the entire season in Tampa.
is there any hope of signing Francisco Rodriguez?
SJ44,
Why wouldn’t the Yankees bring back Mussina on a 1 yr deal next year, if he wanted to pitch still? I think it’d be a sound investment for the right amount of money(nothing more than 10 mil) if he continues to pitch the way he has been, considering the innings limits on both Kennedy and Hughes?
saucY,
‘Twas a great job. Did you do the work yourself or did you use your EZ button?
The only way Giambi comes back is if he takes a lot less money and ends up being the DH. Which would necessitate moving Matsui.
They aren’t going to go another year with first base defense as poor as its been the last several years.
Especially as they overhaul their pitching staff.
Cashman has talked often about needing to upgrade the defense.
If they brought Giambi back to play first, that would seem to overrule that plan.
I don’t see that happening.
I think Pettite next year is all but certain unless he has a major physical setback. I would think a salary more like $ 12 mill would be in order, but that’s probably not happening.
Totally in favor of signing Teixiera because he helps in so many ways. Eight years younger than Giambi, immeasurably better defensively, switch hitter improves RH/LH lineup imbalance… gotta do it.
Kielty is an interesting thought for the OF, but makes no sense if Abreu comes back. If you could replace Abreu with a RH hitting Abreu that would be great. Don’t know how much we’ll get out of Damon and Matsui in ‘09.
Adding CC to Wang, Joba, Pettite and Hughes would be really strong… then you can use Kennedy and/or Horne, for example in a package for that RH hitting outfielder.
But I’d still like to see deals for a LH reliever and RH bat for this year since playoffs are well within reach.
do people truly think is the future 1b
No
Texeira won’t cost much less than that—15 million plus for a number of years, plus the 5 million buyout for Giambi. A lot would depend on what happens with Miranda for the rest of this year, and if they think he can handle 1B at all (it’s hard to imagine a full time guy who might be a worse fielder than Giambi). But if the Yankees can’t find other options, they could do worse than keep their second best hitter and pay him what amounts to 17 million for one year.
I don’t think Giambi’s option will get picked up. Not for $22 mil. They decline his option, pay him his $5 mill buy out and attempt to resign him. I hope that if he asks for too many years or too much money, they just let him go.
mel, i went to the players page in my fantasy league and sorted by position and rank, then just scrolled until i saw an *ez name.
that team would dominate, but the postgames could be confusing (for me at least)
The Yankees are going in a different direction with their pitching staff.
If they sign CC in the off-season, they aren’t bringing Moose back to be the 4th starter at over 10 million a year. Not happening.
If you have Wang, who will be making 8-10 million next year, CC (at close to 20 million) and Pettitte (16 million), that’s over 45 million dollars for 3 starters.
With Hughes and Joba (at both under a million), that will round out the rotation.
Its not like you are getting an innings eater with a 40 year old Mussina.
True that, good point. Moose has always been one of my favorite players, even when he was with the O’s. Guess I’m just not ready to see him go.
i think giambi’s contract is about 22 million next year. although i could be wrong. i just think teixera is a good investment. he is having a rocky year, but i think he is a great talent. if we could lock him up for 5-6 years i think our infield would be entirely solidified.
I think in a perfect world where offense is available on the free agent market The Yanks would be reluctant to re-sign Giambi. I think they intended to go after Teixera as the long term first base fix. But Giambi’s improved production, Teixera’s off-year (so far) and poor production against lefties, and the lack of many other FA alternatives may have changed their views. I think the Yanks would like to sign Giambi to a one-year deal, but after this year I think Giambi could get more years as a free agent. Therefore, the Yanks may be inclined to bite the bullet and exercise Giambi’s option for a net $17MM.
I don’t see the Yankees signing both Tex and CC. I would say the chances of that happening are close to zero.
They haven’t waited this long to get the payroll down to a more managable level only to drive it up again.
Its the not the way the Yankees are doing business these days.
I think it will be one or the other and I think the guy they will go all in for is CC. Its the bigger need.
You can find first basemen. You can’t find LH aces under 30.
I was just looking at CC’s stats for May and June, they are really impressive. In May he threw 44.1 innings, 41 K’s, 8 walks, 2.44 ERA. In June he’s thrown 30 innings, 33 K’s, 5 walks, 2.40 ERA. Nice…
I agree the Yanks need CC and will pay big bucks for him long term. But the Yanks need offense as well. I can’t see them letting Giambi’s production go without replacing it and replacing his production will cost a lot of money.
I agree, CC is clearly the priority. However what is the 1b plan if we sign giambi for one year.
meaning for the future. does anybody know any 2010 1b free agents. waaay ahead of myself, but im curious. i would love to have a great first baseman
There is no place for Giambi on this team next year unless Matsui is traded. Both options have positives and negatives and I haven’t decided yet which is the best route.
Next season the Yankees need to fill a few holes – 1B, RF, SP, and LH relief.
Retire-
Here’s a link to 2009 major league free agents:\
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/2009-mlb-free-a.html
Be forewarned, it isn’t a pretty sight.
fuentes for LH relief?
Brandon,
We’re talking an offseason signing of C.C. The smart money’s on Shapiro not opening the 72 hour window and C.C. will want to go to FA.
Lots of teams will be throw $$ @ him in the off-season, so Jeter, Jorge, and Mariano will have to do their best $ale$ pitch. Maybe Jorge can drop another “we need an ace†bomb.
That’s ok mel just aslong as they don’t part w/ high ceiling prospects for him this season. They can pay CC whatever in they want in the offseason, I just say we’ll need him next year and good things come to those who wait.
You don’t match offensive production player for player. You match it by having a different team approach.
For all Giambi has done this year, he’s still hitting under .180 w/ RISP. That’s awful.
The game is changing. Its going back to being more about speed, contact hitting and consistency instead of it being bombs away at every turn.
Depending on how the Yankees restructure their team in the off-season, its going to be tough for them to bring back Giambi.
One 10 run game doesn’t diminish the fact this offense has struggled all year with consistency. Part of it is the fact that its not a very flexible lineup. If they don’t hit HR’s, they don’t score. Its a big reason why the offense has gone flat the last 4 post-seasons.
I have a feeling the Yankees are going back to the future in the way they re-tool the team. Fewer sluggers, more offensive balance, and more about pitching and defense.
That’s what won them 4 World Series.
If that’s the case, Giambi’s role on the team for the future seems very murky at this point.
Patrick, I respectfully disagree. Giambi’s production is crucial. If he goes, we need to replace it and I don’t see where it is coming from. I’m worried about Abreu, Cabrera and Jeter continuing to produce at their past levels. Offense is an issue.
Fuentes is so overrated, I don’t know how a 34 yr. old guy that lost his job to Manny Corpas got rated so high by baseball, I’d rather give up a SP like McCutchen or Kontos or Marquez to Atlanta for Mike Gonzalez than go after a Brian Fuentes.
Brandon,
Don’t get married with every prospect in the organization.
They probably have 5 guys, at most, who are untouchable no matter who is on the table. After that, its open field in the right deals.
They won’t fill all their holes via free agency. There may be an off-season (or trade deadline) trade opportunity, involving prospects, that could go a long way toward filling holes on the team for now and the future.
If those deals come up, Cashman has no problem making them.
He’s just not going to give guys away for marginal players. Those days are done.
Not everybody in the system is a surefire ML star. The key is evaluating the guys who can be and holding onto them.
That list is a lot shorter than most fans want to believe.
SJ not sure if this is right but our buddy Robi has been peaking through the last 11 games since his PH in Houston.
in 36 AB .478/.436/.556 w/ an OPS of .992
14 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 XBH in this span.
“For all Giambi has done this year, he’s still hitting under .180 w/ RISP. That’s awful.”
True but I’d like to see what his splits are month to month batting with RISP. I could be totally wrong but it seems to me he had a lot of at-bats with RISP in April when he was playing poorly. I’d like to see what those splits are for June and May but I’m having a bit of trouble finding them online.
fuentes is 32, but still for lefty relief. it seems liek a decent option if he doesnt ask for too much. I wouldnt trade for him. but i would pick him up for 09
Mike Gonzalez is the Braves closer right now. They aren’t trading him.
Plus, he’s just off TJ Surgery and has had a lot of injuries in his career.
Those are the kind of guys I stay away from if I’m Cashman.
SJ hence why I’d go after Mike Gonzalez and not Brian Fuentes. He’s cheaper and can be gotten for SP.
SJ, BA w/RISP is essentially random given a player’s overall level of offensive performance. Chasing players with a high BA w/RISP the past season is a recipe for overpaying and underperforming, because odds are there will be reversion to the mean in that statistic. We need high OPS guys – if you think the great Yank teams of 1996-2001 didn’t have that you are younger than I suspect you are.
We can’t beat the Red Sox with speed and contact hitting. They will get guys who get on base and hit the ball hard. That’s what we need as well.
“Patrick, I respectfully disagree. Giambi’s production is crucial. If he goes, we need to replace it and I don’t see where it is coming from. I’m worried about Abreu, Cabrera and Jeter continuing to produce at their past levels. Offense is an issue.”
Haha how could you agree when I don’t have an opinion one way or the other? I was just pointing out that Matsui is our full-time DH and that I’m not sure yet who I’d choose between him and Giambi.
Mike Gonzalez is the Braves closer right now. They aren’t trading him.
Plus, he’s just off TJ Surgery and has had a lot of injuries in his career.
Those are the kind of guys I stay away from if I’m Cashman.
So you would over-spend in the market for Brian Fuentes ?
Damaso Marte is a free agent next season pending his club option. The option is for 6 million I believe which is kind of high for a reliever so I think there is a good chance he’ll be available. The one thing the yankees lack is left-handed pitching. Its one position the Yankees need to fill from outside the organisation.
“I have a feeling the Yankees are going back to the future in the way they re-tool the team. Fewer sluggers, more offensive balance, and more about pitching and defense.”
Although he is replacing Johnny Damon – someone who has provided more offensive balance than slugging ability – Justin Christian has been nice to watch in the 2 days he has been with the team. His speed definitely does give us what we were missing.
giambi has no place on the team next year. we can’t get rid of matsui, but we can giambi. And we sure don’t want both, so matsui stays, plus his trade value is low with his injuries. also we wouldnt have to trade for fuentes.we could simply pay money (they have lots) for a proven closer to come in as lefty relief. that would be amazing. He would never be the yanks closer.
Brandon,
You hope its a positive trend for Cano. He has to hit for them to have any shot at making the playoffs.
His inconsistency can be maddening. He swings at the first pitch (out of the zone no less) in the first inning last night to ground out to second when they had a chance to jump on the Pirates early.
He then hits 3 balls on the screws after that.
The guy has a lot of talent but, his inconsistency is really tough to take.
A good second half from him could be huge for this team.
To his credit, he hasn’t let it affect his defense.
That said, he has a long way to go to justify the Yankees giving him 30 million bucks. Consistency in his game has to come sooner or later or he won’t see that entire deal through in NY, IMO.
‘SJ hence why I’d go after Mike Gonzalez and not Brian Fuentes. He’s cheaper and can be gotten for SP.”
Probably a mistake to assume he’d be any cheaper than Fuentes. Marte, Fuentes, Gonzalez….all those guys will cost more than they are worth.
Well, Patrick, you said there was no place for Giambi with Matsui on the team. Since Matsui doesn’t play first, I assume you meant that you thought Giambi shouldn’t be the first baseman and should not be re-signed. If you didn’t mean that, what did you mean?
Why in the world would the Yanks pay big dollars for relievers? We tried that and failed miserably. The strength of our farm system is in minor league relievers – we can save a lot of salary there. I say bring them up and forget about trading for or signing established relievers.
You also don’t beat the Red Sox with single dimensional 38 year old DH’s. That’s what Giambi will be in 2009.
He’s a run producer in the middle of the lineup. If he can’t drive in runs, he has no value.
Its more than just looking at a stat sheet. Its watching a guy play.
He’s a disaster defensively at first base. Even last night, check out the first hit Joba gave up in the game. A step and a half away from him and he didn’t have the reflexes or agility to get to the ball.
At some point, you have to have a real first baseman. Yes, that trumps his offense because offense can be attained in different ways.
If he was a fulltime DH, you could live with him. At a reduced salary, of course.
As an everyday first baseman in 2009? No chance.
he was refering to the DH spot
he was refering to the DH spot
“Well, Patrick, you said there was no place for Giambi with Matsui on the team. Since Matsui doesn’t play first, I assume you meant that you thought Giambi shouldn’t be the first baseman and should not be re-signed. If you didn’t mean that, what did you mean?”
I was saying the only way Giambi should be signed by the Yanks is if they trade Matsui first. Neither guy should be a full-time fielder, both are DH’s at this point. Giambi should NOT be re-signed to be a 1B next year.
LH relief pitchers are always overvalued on the trade market because so few of them are effective.
Its why you can’t trade for them. Everybody always asks for the moon in return.
On the FA Market? Depends on how you structure your team.
I tend to shy away from overpaying for non-closers. Seems to me that strategy (buying a bullpen) has been tried by the Yankees and other teams with little success.
You overpay for starting pitching. You don’t overpay for non-closers.
“Probably a mistake to assume he’d be any cheaper than Fuentes. Marte, Fuentes, Gonzalez….all those guys will cost more than they are worth.”
Eh – I don’t think you can necessarily make that argument yet. You can’t really tell if the player was worth the money until you see how he performs under the contract. 6 million/year for a Marte/Fuentes/Gonzalez seems like a lot but with a $200 million payroll and a guy who performs at 4x the reliability of your other relievers to solidify the bullpen might be worth the 6 million – given how many games our bullpen has let get away. If he bombs, the player isn’t worth what he gets paid.
“You don’t overpay for non-closers.”
Cashman finally realized that this season and the end of last season. Bullpens are so fluid year to year, there are probably less than a dozen relievers you can count on every year to be good. The only problem is that there are zero lefties in the Yankee system.
I watch Giambi every day. I agree he’s a lousy defensive first baseman. I watch Abreu play RF every day. He’s lousy too.
I also watch Giambi bat every day. Without him the Yanks offense would suck. Giambi is the first or second most valuable first baseman in the league, depending on how you value Youkilis. We can’t let him go unless we can replace the production.
If we can replace his production, I’ll listen. If we can’t, we just have to take the bitter with the sweet.
Just my opinion.
“If he was a fulltime DH, you could live with him. At a reduced salary, of course.
As an everyday first baseman in 2009? No chance.”
Bring back Andy Phillips! Oops, too late.
Re: Giambi
I agree with SJ. The Yankees will be moving in another more balanced direction. Take what Giambi offers us in this contract year, give him his $5mill cut at the end of the season and move on. I for one look forward to a more dynamic team in the future.
SJ no doubt about that, his approach is horrible I would bet he last 30 days in 103 AB he averages 3.3 pitches seen per AB, That’s just putrid. His last 7 days 21 AB and 67 NP, that’s 3.2 pitches per AB, IDK how hard is it for Long or someone to tell him, work the damn count, get the pitcher to make a mistake. That’s my only problem w/ him, it’s sad but I really think if he would be able to take 5 pitches per AB he’s an automatic .350 hitter.
“If we can replace his production, I’ll listen. If we can’t, we just have to take the bitter with the sweet.”
Back to SJ44’s argument. There are other ways to score runs and win games. Giambi plays into the nice patient, homer-happy approach but that’s it. How about picking up a situational hitter who plays more for average? How many times has the shift damned Giambi and only luck has gotten him around it (and the homerun ball)? If Cano starts hitting, there is your Giambi offensive replacement. Fielder, Howard, Tex, hell even Konerko. Sign me up for one of those guys.
Giambi will not be back next year. So then who plays first? Just saw the list of FA and it is brutal. Do the Yanks have anyone in the minors that may be ready in 09?
Russell:
When saying they those lefties will costs more than they’re worth, I was speaking in terms of trade return rather than salary. All players get more salary than they’re worth, but demand for these lefty bullpen types is such that the prospect costs on the trade market will likely exceed what they can give you.
“That’s my only problem w/ him, it’s sad but I really think if he would be able to take 5 pitches per AB he’s an automatic .350 hitter.”
Hard to develop patience/plate discipline. You tend to either have it or you don’t. Cano doesn’t, yet he can still be special at times. I think we have to come to grips with the notion that he’ll forever be streaky (and he really has been since he’s been up) and that while he’ll never win a batting title, he’ll be among the most productive 2B’s in the game.
WYH,
Abreu actually isn’t that bad on defense..
Fredo:
Ok, thought you were talking money. However, unproven prospects (no matter how good they are projected to be) will always be less valuable than the proven guy. Of course, teams could always shoot for the moon.
abreu is just afraid to run at the wall. but that is pretty crucial in rf.
Is prince gonna be a free agent? i thought he was but he isnt on the list
“owever, unproven prospects (no matter how good they are projected to be) will always be less valuable than the proven guy.”
That depends on how good the proven guy is.
nevermind
the brewers will probably shop him this winter however
abreu is just afraid to run at the wall. but that is pretty crucial in rf.
That was hilarious last night 6th inning 2 outs and Bobby tracks a ball in RF the minute I saw the wall I said “oh forget about a catch here keep it a double”, because you could already see him pulling up and bracing for the wall.
hahah i know. i almost feel bad for him, he plays the side wall nicely, he clearly just has an innate fear of running without looking
SJ44-
Your comments seem logical and I agree with most of them. Let’s say you have the Yanks GM’s ear, what would you tell to do to fix this team for this year and after season?
totally forgot about Mike Gonzalez.
8th inning guy for the all-EZ team…
You’re dead wrong about Mayo. I saw him play many times at USC this past season. He’s not only a great talent but a good kid and very respectful person (the NCAA investigation notwithstanding, which I believe will not find one shred of evidence that Mayo accepted any benefits). Jay Bilas said tonight that Mayo is the most ready of any of the draftees to make an immediate impact in the NCA.