The Sunday Links
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- August
- 10
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The Yankees managed to drive their manager to the brink of profanity yesterday with a terrible loss to the Angels.
Joe Girardi tried to make sense of what Ian Kennedy said on Friday night. This notebook also has updates on A-Rod Pudge Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui.
The Sunday Baseball Beat takes a look at the time Josh Hamilton spent in a small town in New York a few summers ago.
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Yankees-Angels today at 3:35 p.m. Andy Pettitte vs. Joe Saunders. Check back later for the lineups.
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on Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at 2:47 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
I must say that’s pretty funny! The brink of profanity! If they have a highlight film for this year that’s what is should be titled.
I live 2 minutes from Renegades Stadium and saw Hamilton a few times
Just a test…for some reason my last post didn’t go through
Other than Joba this season, the Yankee farmhands have not been much to talk about so far. Hopefully, they will turn it around. Somebody has to produce eventually.
time to bring up Melancon…see what he can do
2008 Total Team Salary: 207,108,489
Contracts coming off the books:
Jason Giambi 23,428,571
Andy Pettitte 16,000,000
Bobby Abreu 16,000,000
Hideki Matsui 13,000,000
Mike Mussina 11,071,029
Carl Pavano 11,000,000
Damaso Marte 2,150,000
Offseason Total: 114,458,889
Signings:
CC: 20,000,000 – 6/yrs
Tex: 18,000,000 – 10/yrs
Manny: 17,000,000 – 3/yrs
Abreu: 15,000,000 – 3/yrs
Mussina: 12,000,000 – 1/yr
Marte: 2,500,000 – 3/yrs
Total After Signings: 198,958,889
2009 Lineup
LF – Damon
SS – Jeter
1B – Tex
3B – Arod
DH – Manny
RF – Abreu
CF – Nady
C – Posada
2B – Cano
2009 Rotation
CC Sabathia
Wang
Joba
Mussina
Hughes
Matsui doesn’t come off the books until AFTER 2009 and Nady could not possibly play centerfield.
““Bring up Chase Wright !â€
I second that!”
If you read how he did last night at SWB, you would not say that.
“If you read how he did last night at SWB, you would not say that.”
so, somehow, that cancels out the rest of his development?
“If you read how he did last night at SWB, you would not say that.”
Not a big Wright fan myself. Like all the Yankees’ starting pitching “prospects” at the AA/AAA levels, he has 6th starter talent. That said, if IPK proves anything, it’s that SWB results don’t mean a damn thing in the bigs.
“Al from BK
August 10th
Here is what needs to happen the rest of 08:
Joba needs to be rested for the remainder of the season no use rushing a young ace back off of an injury that could turn more serious if aggravated. Leave Phil in the minors and let him hone his arsenal and get stronger coming off of that rib injury, this way he can develop a quality third pitch and also get back into the mode of dominating hitters. Send IPK down he is of no use here and his attitude should keep him down there until next season. Keep Melancon down on the farm let him get to his innings limit dominating AAA hitters and then shut him down to compete for a bullpen spot next season. Let Pudge and his big contract play out the final dreadful weeks of the season. Let Posada miss next April to go through an intensive extended spring training routine so he is really ready to go when he comes up.
*** IN THE OFFSEASON***
Get CC no matter the costs or terms. Get a major league caliber 1B whether through FA or trade”
agreed, on all counts. However, we need to keep 1B open for Posada.
Pat- Good Math But……
Ditto Fredo- plus Marte has a club option for 6 Million, so doubt he’ll sign 3 year contract at 2.5M/year. Also your payroll doesn’t account for raises due players.
You want Abreu back for three years-another future DH
Posada might not be able to catch at the beginning of the season-another DH.
Since Matsui is limited that’s another DH
CC Yanks will be in on negotiations, but my guess is since Dodgers have money coming off the books, and he might want to play on West coast that he signs there for less than what we would offer.
Texeira-Yankees don’t need an albatross 10 year contract for a 1st baseman- when they might need to move Posada/Damon/Jeter there. Plus Boras client!
Manny-Another aging, albeit great hitter, when he wants to be, would possibly be acceptable only on one year club options with incentive clauses. However Yankees going with their plan to get younger and more athletic won’t sign him. Boras client!
Mussina-Great season so far, but let’s see if the 39 yo tires over the last 7 weeks 1st before thinking of having him back.
My thoughts only.
Will today’s game be the last time the Yankees face the Angels this year ?
“Will today’s game be the last time the Yankees face the Angels this year ?”
Nope. They have 3 more in Disney on Sept 8-10.
No the Yankees play the Angels in Anaheim, September 8th, 9th and 10th as part of another September 1st thru the 10th road stand! They won’t be resting their regulars either as they’ll want the best record!!
http://losangeles.angels.mlb.c.....p;c_id=ana
the angels are not league leaders in pitching or hitting, but they seem to focus on different things than other teams . the above may be one of those differences.
a catcher hitting in the low .200’s being called the team’s most valuable player by the manager?
now that’s different.
a question to the statistically inclined, where are catcher’s era listed?
randi 1
Good read. Wonder if you could say the same about Molina if he had Wang Joba Hughes Mussina and Pettitte for most of the year.
“so, somehow, that cancels out the rest of his development?”
Obviously you are not getting it.
Yanks do not need another IPK experiment at MLB at this time while they are battling life and death for a playoff spot.
Not only that it is not fair to him to bring under such pressure and go through another failure. Last time, when he was sent back o minors, he was so shell shocked it took a long time for him to recover. Let the development take place at SWB.
The Rays need only to play .500 baseball the rest of the way and the AL East could be theirs.
Who woulda believed it ?
The Yankees can’t afford to lose another series or else kiss the Wild Card goodbye. Wishing for other teams to self destruct just won’t cut it. The Yankees have to make their own breaks but seem too lackluster to do it.
Where is the fire ?
New Day
Start of a New Week
Let’s please just get a win today and go from there.
Here’s my thoughts for the 2009 opening lineup and trades as well as FA signings, trying to put a better defensive team as well as more contact hitters on the field.
1. First assumption here is Sabathia and Sheets are not signed by the Yankees. Yankees sign Oliver Perez 29 yo lefty who has come into his own and dominated in NY.
2. Trade Cano to Dodgers[Kent a FA] for Chad Billingsly. Dogers have acquired CC and/or feel Kershaw can step in, so therefore can afford to give up young pitcher.
Starting Rotation now:
Joba
Perez
Billingsly
Wang
Hughes, unless in BP
Sign Orlando Hudson, a FA to play 2nd[ although he was injured last night]
Sign Rafael Furcal a FA to play SS.
Do your homework, Cashman and find a new CF’er[find a Carlos Quentin type player who has turned into a star]
If possible trade Matsui as Posada initially will have to DH/1st base.
Damon becomes DH
1st base-Posada
2nd-Hudson
SS-Furcal
3B A-Rod
LF-Jeter[ of course I doubt this would happen]
CF- to be determined
RF-Nady
C-Molina/resigned I-Rod to 1 year/ Posada eventually
DH-Damon
I know it’s too early to think about next season. There’s always wishful thinking!!!
Man, its tough to see everyone basically scratching ‘08 and looking towards ‘09. Unfortunately, I am too.
The WC is within reach, but just not sure if they have it in them.
Sad, but maybe this is what it takes to re-load for ‘09
too bad about Robertson, but he did a good job for awhile. Major League hitters adjusted to him, so let David go back down and get his confidence back. I’m sure he’ll be a solid addition to the pen next year.
If you guys think the Yankees are going to go free agent crazy in the off-season, you haven’t been following what they have been doing the past couple of years.
Its not PlayStation and that’s not part of the Yankees long term plan. Yes, even with Hank in charge.
They aren’t signing free agents coming off back surgery (Furcal) or filling all of their needs via free agency to fill up their roster with more long term deals and inflexibility.
They will go all in for CC and see how that plays out before doing anything else. They need him, he knows it, and they will offer him a huge deal. Everybody in baseball feels he will go where the best deal is, geography be damned. If he signs, that fills a big need (figuratively and literally) on the club right now.
A top of the rotation guy who can eat innings.
If they have Wang and CC at the top of the rotation, that’s a start.
Personally, I think they will offer both Pettitte and Moose one year deals to come back. If both are inclined to keep playing (unknown at the present time) they will have no problems going year to year with the Yankees. That also gives them tremendous roster flexibility because they will only be tied up long term with one starting pitcher (CC).
At that point, any other filling in of the rotation will come from within.
The bullpen will be set from within. IMO, they will pick up the option on Marte’s contract. The rest of the spots will be filled in among, Veras, Melancon, Ramirez, Robertson, Mo, etc.
Abreu? Big question mark. I think they may be more inclined to go with Nady in right and say goodbye to Bobby.
Nady will make about 7 million next year. For half the money (or more) you will have to pay Abreu, you get a player that, at this point in his career, is a better all-around player than Bobby.
Damon and Matsui? Too close to call right now. Do they bring both back? Neither? One of the two? Unknown at the present time.
I don’t see them doing anything in CF because they are keeping that seat warm for Austin Jackson.
First base. It ain’t gonna be Tex so brace yourselves for that right now. Depending on the condition of Posada’s shoulder, and whether or not they want to bring back Pudge (along with the possible move of Montero to first base for the 2009 AA season) first base possibilities are a work in progress.
Manny? Not seeing it unless he is willing to take less money AND show he really wants to play in NY. As in cutting the dreads, blowing out Boras, etc.
Who knows, perhaps Manny is loco enough to do it. Depending on it? Depending on Manny doing ANYTHING logical is fools gold.
Cano will be the biggest decision the Yankees make in the off-season. I’m not his biggest fan. Mainly because he spends too many games squandering his enormous talent. Yesterday being the latest example this season.
The last two weeks, he has made 10 plays in the field (6 of them errors) that has cost the team 21 runs. Not good.
That said, perhaps his focus issues get cleared up by being given more responsibility with the team. By that, I mean being moved up to a run producing spot in the order.
That may do the trick. He has a ton of talent. They just have to find a way to get him to concentrate better.
Still can’t believe that after everything that this team has been through: the band-aid pitching rotation, the offensive offense, various injuries..they are still in WC contention.
They won’t be for long is they continue playing like this. They need to turn things around because time is running out.
Perez will re-sign with the Mets
The Yankees have way too many pitchers that throw in the mid 80`s to high 80`s on the 40 man roster. Unless your control is perfect and you have a few more pitches the mid to high 80`s fastball doesnt cut it in an offense heavy AL East
Petite will walk a dangerous path today unless hi control is perfect becuase he dosnt throw hard.
Where is Marte?
in the dog house?
SA,
I can’t either. That’s why folks blaming Girardi really don’t get it. Its amazing they are even this close.
He’s down his starting catcher (the best offensive catcher in the league) his #1 starter (going into this season with the most wins in the league the last 3 years), his best clutch hitter (Matsui), his best young arm (Chamberlain), his season opening #4 and #5 starters (Hughes and Kennedy) winless this season, and has other guys (Damon, Pettitte and Jeter) playing hurt.
At some point, you just run out of quality bodies to roll out there everyday.
The bullpen woes are the result of them being used too much the last couple of weeks because of the starters short outings.
Everytime you stretch one inning guys to two, it has a cumulative effect. At some point, they lose their effectiveness.
Want to see a good bullpen? Show me a team whose starters go deep into games. When the Yankee starters were going deeper into games, the bullpen was lights out. That’s not a coincidence.
Its why I don’t worry about the future of the young guys in the bullpen. They are taking their lumps now but, that’s the price of being in the majors. Goes with the territory.
If Wang and Chamberlain were on this roster right now, the bullpen wouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, they aren’t.
Pete’s position on this Ian Kennedy thing is hypocritical. He posted about the kid’s comments to get us all riled up, but when he gets more than he bargained for, he wants us to calm down. Now all of a sudden, IPK may be Tom Glavine. Yeah, I don’t think so.
I wouldn’t have even known about IPK’s comments if I hadn’t read about them here. I bet that’s true for many fans.
The kid sucks as a pitcher and apparently as an interviewee. Pete’s calling for calm isn’t going to change that.
“2. Trade Cano to Dodgers[Kent a FA] for Chad Billingsly. Dogers have acquired CC and/or feel Kershaw can step in, so therefore can afford to give up young pitcher.”
Why would the Dodgers ever trade Billingsley for Cano?
“Damon and Matsui? Too close to call right now. Do they bring both back? Neither? One of the two? Unknown at the present time.”
They both are signed for next year. Unless they can be traded, they will be back. I would like Damon to be back. He is the catalyst at the top of the lineup.
In fact, to the dismay of many fans, they have to figure out what to do with Jeter. Being in 2 slot he is a major part of the offense’s inffectiveness. Cash and Joe have to talk to him in the off season and lower him down in the order, like seventh or eight. He needs to move from SS as well, if they can get a good defensive replacement in the trade market.
SJ
Do you know Pettitte and Jeter are playing hurt or just assuming they must be?
“Pete’s position on this Ian Kennedy thing is hypocritical.”
Pete has always been like this.
I quetioned him and called his bluff on numerous times. Lately I have given up.
I do not categorise it as hypocritical though. He wants some of us riled up so that there will be most posts, more traffic and profit for Lohud and more bonus to Pete.
I hope Pete practices what he preaches and gets off the back of Girardi. Even Lupica had a glowing artcile on Girardi in Daily News. He thinks Girardi is the only bright spot with yanks this year.
Totally agree SJ44.
Well today is Andy and his “tired arm”. Oh boy.
This might not be pretty folks.
Let’s just hope for the best.
I know they are hurt.
They aren’t moving Jeter off SS. Its not happening next year. You will save yourself a lot of time and blog space not even bothering to go there because its not going to happen.
Unless he has an injury that keeps him out, Jeter will be the Opening Day SS in 2009. I am 100% certain of that.
Ironically, he’s having his best defensive year in 3 years at SS. He hasn’t been the same hitter since he got his hand smashed in by Cabrera in June.
Folks forget, he was on an offensive roll before he got nailed. Since then, he has tailed off. That’s not a coincidence.
Its what happens when you are hurting and get into bad habits at the plate.
Now, before folks say he’s “selfish”, the entire team was hurt at that time and struggling. He tried to play through it. We can’t kill him for that.
We can’t kill guys for trying to play through injuries to help the team and then kill Carl Pavano for not doing it. Especially when there aren’t better alternatives on the bench.
Its just been a year in which everything that can go wrong has gone wrong. Funny thing is, one good week, and they are back in the WC race. The one benefit of the WC. It keeps you in the playoff hunt longer.
I wish Lupica would allow reader comments for his crap..er..I mean articles.
I guess he doesn’t wanna hear what we think of his work.
But it is nice that he wrote something positive about Girardi.
Folks one more time
WE are still in it and only 4 games behind the wild card with 45 games left.
Team will get better with reinforcements in the next 10 days and we will make the playoffs. For those who think that we will be out of it in the next 10 days take a look at how both Sox teams (ahead of us for WC) are playing. They will not run away.
If you think Yanks will not make the playoffs that is fine. But do not litter the blog with gloom and doom. We all come here to have good time.
Are all the little babies in here going to be singing a different tune when the Yanks are up by 5 in the 7th inning today. It was a disgrace reading some of the crap yesterday about how the season is over. Please stay consistent
“Abreu? Big question mark. I think they may be more inclined to go with Nady in right and say goodbye to Bobby.
Nady will make about 7 million next year. For half the money (or more) you will have to pay Abreu, you get a player that, at this point in his career, is a better all-around player than Bobby.”
Sj44, I’ve said this before and I’ll continue to repeat myself because some small part of me is deluded enough to think the Yankees organization cares what the hard-core fans here have to say.
The Yankees would be making a MAJOR MAJOR error in judgment if they think they can replace Abreu’s bat with Nady’s.
Is Abreu a 16 million dollar player? Of course not. But the Phillies signed him to that contact, not the Yankees. If the Yankees can re-sign him for a two-year deal (perhaps with an option) at an amount commensurate with Damon and Matsui’s contract, they should.
Abreu provides so many intangibles statistics that go under-reported that many don’t realize how important his contribution is to the line-up’ symmetry and production.
His speed (Compare Jeter’s GIDP’ with Abreu’s), the Pitches he sees per at-bat, his overall plate discipline– all critical for the batter preceding A-Rod in the lineup– and his OBA (while not over .400 b/c AL pitchers now throw him strikes, at .360, is still fourth on the team) and his slugging, at .459, is third, just behind A-Rod and Giambi’s.
Nady is having a good season, granted, but he’s not a three-hitter, not by a long shot. His OBA, for his career is .340, he only sees about 3.8 P/PA, his plate discipline leaves much to be desired (witness his swings at Lackey’s curve ball yesterday), and there’s every reason to believe that once AL pitchers become familar with him, he’ll undergo a statistical regression that approximate his career numbers, which are significantly lower than Abreu’s.
Nady is welcome replacement for Matsui’s bat, especially now that Matsui has become a one-dimensional player who’s too slow and injury-prone to play the field, and his right-handed bat gives the lineup greater balance.
(The Yankees, if anything, should re-visit the deal they mulled this off-season: trading Godzuke to the Giants for Jonathan Sanchez or comparable pitching prospect.)
The Yankees offense has foundered this season. Replacing Abreu and Giambi’s bat with Nady’s in RF and Posada at 1B is not a way to improve it.
Sorry, Based on what I saw from Kennedy last season, I’m not ready to throw in the towel on him.
Earlier in the season a few of his games were sabotaged by shoddy defense and lack of run production by the offense, 2 of his losses the Yankees were shut out.
It could very well be that the problem is is that he as a young pitcher is feeling and being effected by the pressure from both the demanding NY fans and media.
I wonder if the outcome of his performance might have been a bitdifferent if Johnny had caught that ball preventing the two runs from scoring, and Cano had gotten just a single with the bases full, instead of a first swing ground out to end the inning, a lousy single would have scored two.
I still feel Kennedy will make it somewhere in MLB, and I also believe the same people that are pounding on him here will be the first to second guess the reason he was moved to another team.
“They aren’t moving Jeter off SS. Its not happening next year. You will save yourself a lot of time and blog space not even bothering to go there because its not going to happen.
Unless he has an injury that keeps him out, Jeter will be the Opening Day SS in 2009. I am 100% certain of that.”
How do you know that? If they can find good repalcement, a big if, it will happen. If Robin Yount could do it, Jeter can too. Sure he will resist it. But Hank and Cash will twist his arm if they find a good replacement. If he does not agree that shows how selfish he is.
Cashman might do well to float some subtle rumors about Cano’s availability over the winter then quickly deny them saying that all deals will be looked at.
It will either make Robby sulk or make him straighten up and fly right with a little reality shock.
The Yankees can no longer afford to tolerate his wishy-washy play. For the right deal, Cashman may get a CF for Cano until A-Jax is ready.
Orlando Hudson is a FA and at 31 can have a few good years at 2nd base to replace Cano.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....ree-a.html
SJ wondered in a post a few days back where the Kennedy was who pitched in Toronto last September and what has changed.
There are a few things that I can see, the first is the confidence of knowing that your team offensively can overcome any lead, which this season is no longer true.
The defensive gaffes early in the game that have plagued all Yankee pitchers this season, arguably costing Moose at least two more wins.
The negative reaction by both the fans and the media reacting to Kennedy’s inefficiency after every outing, creating high expectations.
All factors imo leading to an erosion of Kennedy’s self confidence.
SJ, are you still a fan of Robertson? The league adjusted to him as they do to all pitchers, but do you think he can be a part of our future?
It’s funny that we are all counting on Melancon, but when he comes up (this year or next), he’s going to have his struggles, to. I don’t think fans have the patience to tolerate another kid struggling, despite what they say about wanting to go with youth. Yankees fans want to win right now and they want their young kids to play like ten year veterans. In essence, fans are hypocrites.
I don’t want to be negative, but I don’t see how the Yankees can seriously compete next year even if they get CC (which I am not in favor of. He’s the Michelin Man and I do not want to give him a multi-year deal only to have him break down. He’s going to want 7 years – I wouldn’t have done that even for Santana had he been a FA. Plus, he had a terrible first part of the season in Cleveland; his success now is very likely due to him being in the NL). A-Rod will probably be fine, but he has had an off year this year. Jeter is a singles hitter now (I hate to agree with Joel Sherman, but he is. He’s lost whatever power he had and can’t even hit for extra bases. Also, he hardly steals any bases). Posada? His health is in serious, serious question. Damon is gritty, but old and injury prone. I love Cano, but as I said previously, the Yankees should only pay him for 1/2 a season until he decides to show up in the first half of the season. Melky is a black hole. These are all great concerns and I don’t think there is anything the Yankees can do to address them (Jeter is not going anywhere, neither is Posada). They have no positional prospects in the minors that are considered studs except for Jackson and he’s two years away.
For those of you on the Manny wagon, I have a question. The whole reason he wanted out of Boston was so that he could get out of his team options for 2009-2010 at 20 mil per season. He wants to leave 40 million dollars on the table! That’s so that he can sign one more big deal before he’s too old. It would be delusional to think he’d sign for 2-3 years at 20 mil per season when that’s what he already had and is walking away from. Manny is looking for a minimum of 4 years. Does anyone here really think locking up this aging headcase for 4-5 years at top dollar is a good idea? Have we not learned anything??
BBFan,
You tell people who don’t think the Yankees will make the playoffs this year (not an unreasonable position) not to litter the board with “nonsense”, then you insist the Yankees will take Jeter off SS if they find a replacement.
Do you not see the irony in those two statements?
Its not going to happen. I not only KNOW that, anybody who follows this team knows it.
They aren’t going to be looking for a shortstop in the off-season. If you don’t want to believe that, fine by me.
Only way to go then is to see what happens in the off-season. I bet they won’t be looking for a SS.
Especially since Jeter has not had a bad year defensively at shortstop.
He’s not getting moved. I know you don’t believe it but, its not going to happen.
Its also not in the teams best interests for it to happen right now.
It has nothing to do with him being “selfish”. It has to do with the fact that he has done nothing this year to show he should be moved off shortstop right now.
They have enough holes to fill in the off-season. Shortstop isn’t one of them.
KS,
Abreu’s skills aren’t the same as they were even a year ago. He isn’t reaching base as frequently. His defense has really regressed and his baserunning has been poor for much of the season.
I can’t see them going 16 per on him. Not when he is soon to be 35.
Nady wouldn’t be replacing him in the 3 spot in the order. He would be replacing him in RF. He’s a better RF than Bobby is at this point in their respective careers. He’s also 6 years younger and makes half his money.
Unless Bobby goes on an unbelievable hot streak the rest of the way, I can’t see the Yankees getting into a bidding war for his services after the season.
I agree with LoHud on giving Ian a break. Lets remember he is a rookie. How many rookie pitchers actually pitched good for there respective team beside Joba? Well there is a few but there is plenty more that failed. Bucholz, Baily, the pitcher on Arizona, Shwerzer(I forgot how to spell the kids name). Well the point is four times as many rookie pitchers are likely to fail than succeed in their first go round.
I have a completely different take on the 2009 NY Yankees IF and only IF this team fails to make the post season. In a dramatic move, I would trade Alex Rodriguez and that giant contract along with his giant off field problems along with his lack of situational hitting no clutch hitting ability at all. I would eat 2 years of that contract if we had to and trade him to a team like the Dodgers for Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw (lefty). Than I would consider doing something I never ever thought I would and that is sign Manny for 2 years and 2 years only if he is willing. CC Sabathia does not want to come to the east coast and he will also wind up a dodger. I would not give Texiera 10 years, he is not worth that, and with Posada and Jeter a year away from losing there position, we may have an abundance of 1b/DH’s again. 1st base is the only position I am not sure of yet. I would give Texiera a 6 year deal at most. I would than trade Matsui to Seattle for Beltre. As for our free agents I would let Giambi, Abreau, Pudge, Pavano, and either Pettite or Mussina walk. I would keep the bullpen in tact , bring up Melancon, and if Edgar Ramirez slips I would bring up Cox. Ladies and Gentleman this would be your 2009 NY Yankees!
CF-Damon
SS-Jeter
1b-Texiera?
DH Manny
2b-Cano
Rf-Nady
3b-Beltre
c-Posada
LF-Kemp
this lineup looks a bit more imposing than that imposter of a lineup we send out there every day, wouldn’t you say!
Pitching
Wang
Joba
Moose/Pettite
Hughes
Kershaw
I would consider going after Ben Sheets, but only if we will not be bringing back both Moose and Pettite. I would not do it at the expense of a Hughes or another young promising starter, such as in this example Kershaw. The whole premise of rebuilding was through our farm and centering around the pitching. We must stay on course with that thinking.
Get A-Rod out of here. He is not a situational hitter, he is a stat compiler, and we are about championships, not Stats!
Betsy, Jackson isn’t two years away, he can be ready at some point next year. And Montero is considered a “stud” and Romine has done well offensively.
Whatever the “process” is, it’s going to take years before it pays off.
And by that time, the best player on the team ,A-Rod, will be past his prime.
The only prospect who shown he’s ready for the callup is Melancon. Other than that, who else is close to being major league ready? Jackson? He’s been solid, but far from spectacular in AA.
Can you count on Cano playing better? Probably not. Melky? Please. Is Jeter’s play gone downhill because of injury or because he’s just past his prime. I think both.
Already old players are going to be just another year older next year. Can Mussina repeat this year’s performance, if he comes back at all? That’s asking a lot.
You stick Posada at first base, he loses a lot of his value. But the Yankees signed him to a foolish contract, so they’re stuck with him.
Who even knows what to expect out of Hughes and Kennedy? Joba’s health and return to the starting rotation is a must.
The questions on this team will be even greater this year. It will be a long way back to the top.
The team really has no choice but to after C.C to have any chance to compete next year.
Betsy,
Re: Robertson, yes I am. You can’t let a couple of bad outings shake your confidence in a player.
He has shown he can get big outs in big situations. He’s going through a bad stretch right now. Everybody in the game goes through it. Especially young players.
Its why patience is the key.
He’s a kid I would have no problems with having in the ‘pen next year. He can pitch 6th and 7th innings and even be a long guy at times.
He’s just going through a rough patch. It happens.
They will be competitive next year. Probably moreso, if they stay healthy and re-tool the offense.
I don’t worry about their competitiveness from year to year. If they don’t make the playoffs this year, it doesn’t mean they won’t make it again soon.
The Red Sox didn’t make the playoffs in 2006 and won a World Series last year. No reason why it can’t happen to the Yankees if the season doesn’t end well for them this year.
“I would trade Alex Rodriguez and that giant contract along with his giant off field problems along with his lack of situational hitting no clutch hitting ability at all.”
No one would ever take A-Rod’s contract. It’s unmoveable. He’ll be here for the duration. Good or bad.
Arod has a full no trade and wants to finish his career in NY. He’s going nowhere, nor should he.
Even if he didn’t have a full no trade, nobody would take on the contract.
Like Jeter, Arod is going nowhere in 2009.
“Bring of profanity?” Crap = “Brink of profanity?”
Pete, I understand your contempt for all things Girardi and love for Torre’s media savvy, but come on. Girardi isn’t perfect, but your almost constant sniping of Girardi gets old.
Trade A-Rod???
Put Manny or Tex in back of him and watch how many more better pitches he gets to see.
Starting with Giambi, which players will not be wearing a Yankee uniform when the team heads north out of spring training of 2009 ?
http://yesnetwork.prospero.com.....;tid=53813
I think if the Yankees told him they wanted to trade him, with A-Rod fragile psyche he will ok the trade to certain teams. Also if the Yankees eat 2 years of that albatross contract wihich is like 50 million, than it is possible that a big market team, like the Dodgers or Giants, or maybe if we eat 3 years we could send him to Florida or Houston. Just try and get rid of the guy. I’m sure Hank and Cash see what all of us Yankee fans see. He is only a stat compiler and he is not a situational hitter.
Also, I would only consider Manny if we got rid of A-Rod. To have 2 of those idiots is way too much to bare.
My 2 cents for 2009:
Yankees need to:
1. Resign Abreu, 2 yrs: $10-$12m/yr or sign Manny one of the 2. If Manny signs let Abreu go.
2. Start grooming Ajax for CF, try to unload Melky
3. Need to let Giambi walk.
4. Try to outspend and sign CC and Tex
5. Need to unload IPK
6. Resign Moose
7. Resign Marte
Team in 2009
1B – Tex/Betemit/Posada
C-Posada/Molina
2B – Cano
SS-Jeter
3B-Arod
LF-Nady/Damon
CF-Ajax/Damon
RF-Abreu
DH-Matsui/Posada
Bench: Gardner
SP:
CC
Moose
Wang
Joba
Hughes
RP:
Mo
Melancon
Cox
Veras
Marte
FA/Trade
FA
FA
After any loss so many posts lack any semblance of perspective – ARod, Jeter, Jorge, Mo – they are not going anywhere. And you if you take a deep breath, you don’t want them to go anywhere.
There is no “right” to winning – they have had a great run but eventually you come up short. get over it – calling the players “heartless” or “losers” is patently absurd.
Getting younger is a slow, and sometimes painful process – they have been remarkable in starting this process – and in spite of all the injuries – have remained competitive.
Stop whining.
You want Tex and Manny behind A-rod and you say that will improve his clutch hitting. Well, who did Manny have behind him that was sooo much better than Giambi? Manny batted behind Ortiz. That cry baby Youk batted behind Manny this year. What about 3 years ago? Come on guys, stop making excuses for A-Rod, why does the best hitter in all of baseball need 2 stars behind him to contribute in the clutch? Who is behind Pujols? Get rid of A-Rod and you will start to see a team that more resembled the late 90’s, a team of “WE” and not “I”!
“You tell people who don’t think the Yankees will make the playoffs this year (not an unreasonable position) not to litter the board with “nonsenseâ€, then you insist the Yankees will take Jeter off SS if they find a replacement.”
SJ,
Now I see why so many people have issues with you.
As you must have noticed, I supported you in the past against those folks and finally gave up as it was a lost cause.
1. I never used the word “nonsense”. These are your words. What I wrote is “If you think Yanks will not make the playoffs that is fine. But do not litter the blog with gloom and doom. We all come here to have good time.” Read it again if you can
Reasonable people can differ in their opinions and I even stated that they can. Look, I always look at glass half full. You may like to see it as half empty, that does not bother me.
2. I never said that Jeter must be moved. I said if they find a suitable repalcement and even stated that it is a big if. Irresepctive of what you say, Jeter’s defense deteriorated. Look at yesterday when he could not reach to his left, normally his strength and that extended the misery of IPK. Of course, Cano did the same.
Look, we all have different opinions, including some of the silly trade proposals some post here. But, it is a blog and every body is entitled to state thier opinions. But the problems start when you brush them off as nonsense and make statments like you know for sure when you are just like any one of us here. Hank and Cash and Joe are not telling you what they will do during the off season.
Sure, you have better knowledge of our fram system and almost every one here, including me, credits you for that.
First off, not “all” Yankee fans see Arod as you do.
I think the fans psyche is a helluva lot more fragile than Arod’s. Perhaps we can trade some Yankee fans.
Hank and Cashman don’t see Arod that way and he doesn’t want to leave NY.
Keep dreaming. He ain’t gettin’ traded.
The offense as such is not that bad. The major problem is A Rod is being pitched around, having Giambi behind him. This forces A Rod to over compensate. Matsui seems to be doing well on his rehab. With him back, Nady moves to 1B and we’re back to a powerhouse. Hey Melky had three hits yesterday. Unfortunately there is no replacement in sight next year for Abreu. I propose two trades for next year. One for the Molina in SF and the other for Rasmus in St Louis using what chips are required besides Joba, Hughes Melancon, Jackson and Montero. We have two quality catchers at AA, Piliterre and Cervelli. Catchers are a valuable commodity.
The problem with Robertson as of late is that he has assumed the “Hawkins” role, where he is required to throw 2 innings/ 40 pitches in blowout games.
I don’t blame Girardi for that at all because who else is capable of doing that in the pen? Edwar/Marte/Veras are late inning relievers. Giese/Rasner is our long man. Bruney is pretty much a 1 inning reliever too.
We don’t really have a garbage time reliever anymore, so Robertson was forced into that role. Patterson, IMO, is the perfect guy to fill that role. He was a former starter, hes older, and throws strikes, so he can do that better than Robertson.
BBFan,
You say its a blog and that people have differing views here. Then request that folks not talk about the Yankees not making the playoffs this year.
Sorry but, I can’t reconcile the two. Its not an unreasonable position and that position shouldn’t detract from anybody’s enjoyment in the blog. As Pete himself has stated numerous times, its a not a cheerleader blog. Differing viewpoints are welcome.
Yes, Jeter’s defense isn’t what it was 6 years ago. But, its a lot better than its been in recent years.
Again, my point to you is, they aren’t going to spend one second of their off-season looking for a shortstop.
I don’t think its not going to happen BBFan. I know its not going to happen. You may not believe I know that and that’s ok.
Put it another way. The likelihood of the Yankees replacing Derek Jeter at shortstop in the off-season is the same as them getting Albert Pujols. It just isn’t going to happen.
How about Perez of the Mets. Isn’t he a free agent? Why go to CC. Texiera to my mind is not an option. Nady can do just as well, (lesser defense). The team is old and you can’t change everyone, (and compete) in one year.
Bo Knows,
How is A-rod being pitched around? They go right after him. Aside from that intentional walk that shocked Kay, Cone, and Singleton. That Texas pitcher Feldman, 4 pitches, all in the strike zone, 7th inning, went right after A-Rod. Singleton even says that it seems that pitchers are challenging A-Rod in big spots!
10 years of A-Rod is an eternity. Let him go break all the records somewhere else. The only record I would like to see is the number of World Series Titles we bring to the Bronx. Secretly, you have to wonder if Jeter, Cash, and even Hal (not Hank) Steinbrenner wanted him back anyway!
p.s. Petey, don’t blame Girardi for this team’s plight and position in the ranks. Is it his fault that when the pitching pitches the hitting doesn’t hit. I can sit here and say, with all honesty that in the last 15 years of Yankee baseball, this team is the least clutch amongst them all. The lack of clutch hitting started when O’Neil retired and we traded for A-Rod.
Oliver Perez is a Scott Boras client and is about as inconsistent a pitcher as there is in the game. I wouldn’t touch him.
Why lessen your sights when you have the money, opening, and opportunity to get the best pitcher (CC) on the market?
Its the one spot they don’t need to worry about money with in the off-season.
They need a top of the rotation guy and CC is the natural choice. If he doesn’t want to come to NY, then you go to Plan B.
I just wouldn’t go to Plan B if I don’t have to.
“You say its a blog and that people have differing views here. Then request that folks not talk about the Yankees not making the playoffs this year.”
SJ,
Sorry to say this. I think you are acting like an illiterate. I never said people can not talk about Yanks will not make the playoffs. I am copying my statemnet for the third time here:
“If you think Yanks will not make the playoffs that is fine. But do not litter the blog with gloom and doom. We all come here to have good time.â€
This is the last time I respond to you on this topic.
I’m completely with SJ on letting Abreu walk. I’ve been saying that all season.
This team cannot go into 2009 with 6-7 players in their everyday lineup in their mid-30s and up.
You just can’t.
They have to let Abreu walk and Giambi walk. After 2009, they have to let Damon walk and Matsui walk.
By 2010, this team is guaranteed to have three everyday players in their mid-30s and up (A-Rod, Jeter, and Posada), so they have to balance out the rest of the lineup with young talent and players much, much closer to their 30th birthday.
MLB has become a young man’s game very quickly and a lot of that has to do with the banishment of greenies. Five years ago, a lot of 35 year olds were playing like they were 30. Now, 35 year olds are playing like 35 year olds and it really stands out on a day-to-day grind when your lineup is loaded with them.
Cashman didn’t set his sights on rebuilding the farm and promoting from within because it was the hip thing to do. He did it out of necessity.
I’m also one who would favor a Cano deal. I wouldn’t trade him for just anyone – but I’d certainly listen to offers and try to fill holes in the outfield.
Plus, signing Sabathia would make some of their young arms expendable in the minors. They could use those arms to find a replacement for Abreu.
Nady is a versatile guy. He could play some RF and 1B too if need be. He’s done it before and could do it again.
Tired of this “We need a a bat behind Arod to protect him” crap. If, as many profess, he is the greatest player in the game, why does he require protection. Who protect Albert Pujols??? Who protected Ramirez when he was in Boston? Who’s protecting him now?? His bat should be protecting others (and does to a degree protect Abreu) not the other way around.
TO SEE THE WPA(Win Probability Added)
Mammy 3.94
A-Rod 0.73
Jeter -0.55
Abreu 1.07
Damon 1.63
Giambi 2.22
Nady 2.66
Cano -1.42
Melky -1.92
Teixeira 2.56
Beltran 1.59
Kemp 0.60
As far as A-Rod is concerned, like him or not – he’s a Yankee for life.
He’s going to retire a Yankee. He’s going to break the all-time HR record as a Yankee. And he’ll be going to the Hall of Fame as a Yankee.
Hate A-Rod all you want, but he’s going nowhere.
Might as well get used to him.
Fredo, I knew it was you all along.
I agree 1000% brother. A-Rod shouldn’t need protection! Also Guiseppe Franco, I agree with you as well except looking to deal Cano.
One other “protecting Arod” point. He has the AL’s #6 OPS hitting behind him. Does he require a Top 3 OPS guy behind him to be effective?
BTW, Arod is the #3 OPS guy. Everyone should have such a shyte year.
the question is…. who is our plan B if we dont get CC?
sheets or oliver perez?
Now I do not agree with you at all Guiseppe! A-Rod is a problem and he can go to the hall of fame in a dodger uniform. If you knew by keeping him he would go to Cooperstown with every record known to man in the book wearing a Yankee hat but not 1 championship to show for it, or you can trade him once you convince him the Yanks no longer want him and you win just 1 championship in those 10 years, what would you pick?
Me, I take the championships everyday and twice on Monday!
BillyBall:
Even if Arod agreed to a trade (which he won’t), the teams willing to take on that ludicrous contract number ZERO.
Guiseppe,
Great post. Particularly agree about the everyday lineup. They have to get younger and more athletic, beginning next year. If that means, one step back before going forward, so be it.
Re: Cano, I have been front and center as one of the people on this blog that would listen trade offers for him.
If you can get two, under 30 year old major league skilled players (one position player and one pitcher), you trade him.
Before all the stalkers come out of the woodwork to attack what I’m saying, I’m NOT saying give him away.
I’m saying that, if you can make a deal that IMPROVES your team for more than one year, you do it.
If not, you give him greater responsibility within the team and hope that gets him to realize his full potential.
While he’s young, he’s not a “kid” anymore. 2009 will mark his 5th season in the majors. Its time for him to get it going for more than just part of a season.
He has the talent to do it. Whether he can do it with the Yankees or somewhere else remains to be seen.
Hank & Hal Steinbrenner will be a lot more selective in signing free agents than the father was.
Age will be a factor (Sabathia – 29) and in their prime years at reasonable dollars. Players looking for outrageous money (Manny – 37) and on the downside of their careers will not be considered. The Yankees are in the business of getting younger and flexible wherever possible.
With Manny and Teixeira both being Scott Boras clients, the Steinbrenners will not be interested in a shootout with the L.A. teams over either player with Boras sitting smack in the middle.
“If you can get two, under 30 year old major league skilled players (one position player and one pitcher), you trade him.”
Nobody’s giving that for Cano. Not off the year he’s having. Trading Cano now is selling low.
It’s not that A Rod needs protection. It’s, if he doesn’t do it Giambi can’t. A Rod and Giambi have very good numbers, team numbers (RBI) not so much.
Yankee payroll will be at least 220 million next year. They are not gonna go into a rebuilding mode – I don’t think they signed A-Rod for $300 million to rebuild. Especially if they miss the playoffs, it will be a wild spending spree.
Also, they have 7M in buyouts to Giambi and Pavano. I think that money counts on payroll, at least in terms of luxury tax total. (not sure about that).
To whoever said Matsui is their best clutch hitter – maybe in the regular season. But he has a grand total of TWO RBIs in the playoffs starting with Game 4 of 2004 ALCS. IMO, Jeter, Posada, Damon and Giambi are much more proven as clutch hitters than Matsui.
Fredo,
The Yankees would have to eat a substantial portion of that absurd contract. The Yankees are use to throwing money away. If they eat 50million they could trade the guy. All I’m saying is I would consider bringing Manny on for 2 years ONLY if we can rid ourselves of A-Rod. Having 1 clown is more than enough. If we do not go after manny, than we keep A-Rod and keep coddling that fragile psyche and hope he learns how to hit in big spots before too long! He will be 34 next year, you figure he will keep putting up top numbers for another 3-4 years now that league wide testing is being done! That leaves 5-6 years of what? Scary thought to be stuck with him for 10 years.
Trevor, you’re right – and I’d like to see AJ get a cup of coffee at the end of next season.
SJ, thanks for your response. I just had a few moments of panic this morning, but I’m fine now, lol. I completely agree with you about having patience with the kids and not to abandon them because they struggle at times. I admit that I’m finding that difficult to do with Ian, but in general, I agree. I like Robertson and he’ll be good for us in the future……….
I hate to think about the Red Sox, but I forgot that they missed the playoffs in 2006…..One thing I know is that the Yankees won’t stand still. I love what Cash did at the trading deadline even though it hasn’t worked out and I have faith in him.
“Age will be a factor (Sabathia – 29) and in their prime years at reasonable dollars.”
There won’t be anything reasonable about the dollars Sabathia will be seeking.
Exactly. That’s one player (CC) they are going to have to bite the bullet and pay.
Frankly, it shouldn’t even be a negotiation. They have the money and the need.
Just write the check, get him to accept it, and be done with it. This way, you move onto the tougher issues in re-tooling the team in the off-season.
Yankees call up Traber, no word on roster move
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....raber.html
CC is the optimum solution of course. Next year you have both Joba and Hughes on limited innings again. But I think the tendinitis was a warning sign. Joba didn’t adjust well from relieving to starting. If we can muddle through for a year we’ll be okay.
Forget CC Sabathia guys. His best friends are leaking that in no way at all does he want to play for the Yankees. He doesn’t want any east coast teams. He will of course have the Yankees bid for his services to bring up the money. I’m sure the Yankees will not dive right into it unless they think they have a shot. His agent will convince the Yankees they have that shot. But being a west coast kid and continually saying he wants to play on the west coast and raise his family there, makes me think that the Yankees will have to blow out the market to get him here. And I think giving pitchers 7 year deals worth in excess of 120 million is a scary proposition to say the least. Teams will shy away from that in the coming years as they will make efforts to keep there farms strong and build young and stay young.
Billyball
A-Rod would okay a trade because they ask. Yup, he crossed up his agent, got intervention from Goldman Sachs and renegotiated a 10 year contract even though Yankee fans have all taken their pound of flesh for 4 years. Sounds like someone who doesn’t want to play in NY and would just walk away.
If that isn’t implausible enough, you want replace him with Beltre. Would that be the Beltre who is durrently putting up Melky numbers offensively.
Who said A-Rod is the best hitter in baseball? He’s not. Best player maybe. Big difference between best hitter and best player.
Finally, if pitchers are going right at A-Rod and he is so awful, how do you explain his OBP. Even with his terrible, awful, disgusting BA/RISP numbers this year, how many Yankees have a higher OBP/RISP? If you are getting that many walks, they aren’t throwing you strikes.
Giambi’s OPS looks good on paper. RISP, he’s batting under 200. Man on second and he walks, then you need three hits to bring him in. You don’t win games that way.
Who is going to pay him the money on the West Coast? Not the Angels, Dodgers, A’s, Giants or Padres.
Everybody’s “best friends” leak that stuff with free agents. Manny’s “friends” are leaking he wants to go to NY.
That’s all part of the game.
Most of the agents in baseball think CC will go to the highest bidder.
If he just wanted comfort, he would have taken the 100 million bucks Cleveland offered him prior to the season.
Yes, he’s building a house in Southern California. However, he’s not taking less money to play out west. Just not going to happen.
If he keeps pitching like this, he will get offers from the Yankees and Tigers, (among others) that will make him one of, if not the highest paid starting pitcher in the game.
When that happens, geography usually goes out the window.
whats your thoughts be if the Yanks signed Rocco Baldelli to be an extra OF or maybe starting if they got rid of Matsui or something
Whether the Yankees would be selling low on Cano or not, there are still plenty of teams that would salivate over him. If you can get two major league ready players to fill holes, you absolutely trade him.
Despite his recent hot streak, he’s played terribly this year. His approach at the plate shows no signs of improving, and his low .OBP is simply unacceptable for a guy as talented as he is.
Still, he’d fetch plenty in return on the trade market because of his talent and his youth.
“If that isn’t implausible enough, you want replace him with Beltre. Would that be the Beltre who is durrently putting up Melky numbers offensively.”
Last I checked he had 19 Hr’s and I believe 59 RBI’s while batting 260. Thats not quite Melky territory. I didn’t say I would replace A-Rod’s bat with Beltre, I said I would replace it with Manny! And the fact that Manny and Pujols have great OPS doesn’t hurt there RBI”S with RISP does it? I rather A-Rod walk than swing and hit into a double play anyhow. The fact is, you can sit here and blame Giambi whose batting behind A-Rod, but looking at Giambi’s numbers and compare it with players that batted behind Pujols and Manny, and there is quite a difference in performance. Now based on this, wouldn’t you rather get rid of A-Rod and his contract and bring in a Manny for 2 years if it was at all possible? That is my contention here. Someone brought up the idea of bringing in Manny to protect A-Rod and I think that is ludicrous. I can only take one of those players on my roster, and if Manny was available for 2 years, I choose him. A-Rod will be turning 34 soon and by the time Manny is done with the 2 year contract A-Rod will be 36 and we will be stuck with him for 6 more years.
Yeah, everyone has a theory when a guy is a free agent. His friends supposedly say he doesn’t want to go here or there or some guy on a blog will say “I’ve got a source who says” and it’s usually 99 percent hogwash.
None of us know what is in Sabbathia’s head or where he wants to play. It’s mere conjecture at this point. No one thought Mike Hampton would play in Colorado until they dumped a boatload of cash at his door. What about A-Rod going to Texas? Anyone see that coming? Of course not.
The whole “C.C. is a west coast guy” really means nothing.
Who is going to sign C.C. is the Yankees don’t? Dodgers? They should resign Manny. If not, they need to spend bucks to get bats. Where the hell would their offense come from? The Angels don’t seem to need pitching.
here is my 2009 Yanks roster:
C: Jorge Posada/Molina
1B: Mark Teixeria
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Alex Rodriguez
SS: Derek Jeter
LF:Hideki Matsui
CF: Johnny Damon
RF: Xavier Nady
DH: Milton Bradley
Rotation:
C.C Sabathia
Mike Mussina
John Lackey
Chen Ming Wang
Joba Chamberlain
Bullpen:
Mariano Rivera
Demaso Marte
Juan Cruz
Edwar Ramirez
Jose Veras
Chase Wright
bench:
Wilson Betemit
Alebrto Gonzalez
Rocco Baldelli
Jose Molina
Arod out and Manny in? Yanks need a win today to stop this silly talk.
Should the Yankees reach the point of elimination from playoffs, Nady should be looked at for 1st base.
If Abreu is signed for 2 years and both Damon and Matsui are around for their final contract years, Nady could be a viable option at 1st base.
RConn,
would you sign CC for 125 million over 7 years? That’s what it will take to get him in pinstripes! Giving a pitcher that commitment is beyond crazy. It’s crazy to sign a hitter for that long as we will all see with A-Rod sooner than later.
Billyball
No I wouldn’t get rid of A-Rod for Manny and I could care less what a player is paid. A-Rod’s contract is included in team payroll for MLB purposes but no one is not getting signed because of it. The Yankees look at A-Rod’s contract as part of the marketing budget, not the player personnel budget.
Granted Beltre has more power than Melky but he also has 6 additional years of experience and a better place in the line-up to drive in runs. I take it your on field issue with A-Rod is his situational hitting and in those numbers, Beltre is very Melky-like and not even as good as A-Rod.
Beltre .251 BA 19 HRs and 57 RBI
.208 RISP
Melky .245 8HRs and 36 RBI
.206 RISP
A-Rod isn’t going anywhere so you can howl at that moon about it or just accept it and root for the laundry for the next 9 years. Your choice.
These are facts:
There are three teams that are 20 games above .500.
Yankees rank 10th in ML in winning percentage.
The remainder of our schedule and our injuries are a killer.
I’d like to remain positive, knowing that we still are in the race for the wildcard, but after yesterday’s loss, even our one strength-the bullpen- has no longer been a strength.
The 2009 FA class of positional players, certainly outfielders, is weak. Our minor league system has no positional player ready to begin the 2009 season on the major league roster.
Not one FA pitcher signed to a > than 100M contract has proven their worth:Kevin Brown, Mike Hampton, Barry Zito. The jury still out on Johan Santana.
Out of necessity we have brought to the majors our one strength, minor league pitching, basically showcasing them. Unfortunately, none of the minor league starters brought up so far have proved that they would be a valuable trading chip for a needed position player. Ironically the only starter from the minors to do well is Jeff Karstens, so far!
We are stuck with long term deals to Jeter, A-Rod and Posada, and they are going nowhere.
We have the opportunity to unload, for the first time, a significant amount of payroll, close to 100M dollars.
Therefore:
Realistically are the Yankees going to outbid all teams and give Sabathia a 7 year, Santana type contract? I admit Sabathia has been a gem for the Brewers, and they are maximizing his use-often going 9 innings every 5 days!
Are they going to be in the sweepstakes for IMO, overated Teixeira, a Boras client, for a position that is not one of their major needs?
Are they going to renew one year deals to Mussina and Pettitte, if they tire the last 7 weeks? Would you?
Are they going to sign Manny to 25M/year for 3-4 years, after he just gave up 2 20M club options? Would you?
If the Yankees want to get more versatile athletic players, are you resigning Abreu to more than a one year deal, which he won’t accept? Will they try and trade Matsui, knee surgery probably needed in the off season? Who would take him until he has proved himself healthy on the field?
SJ44-Are you a minor league scout?
“Secretly, you have to wonder if Jeter, Cash, and even Hal (not Hank) Steinbrenner wanted him back anyway!”
Didn’t A-Rod’s current deal get done only when A-Rod called Hank AFTER he opted out and said he wanted to stay with the Yankees? And it was also after Hank said in reaction to A-Rod’s opting out that “I don’t want anybody on my team that doesn’t want to be a Yankee,” and “We’re not going to back down. It’s goodbye.” Given Hank’s hard-line stance after A-Rod opted out, it’s pretty clear that Hank, Hal and Cashman re-signed A-Rod because they wanted him back.
For those of you who don’t like Abreu and Giambi and you want to let them go, that’s fine. It’s understandable. Neither play good defense. But offensively speaking, both have played key roles on the team. Both are patient hitters at the plate, selectively taking lots of pitches, have high OBPs, hit for power, and drive in runs. Abreu is having a pretty good year, and Giambi is simply not a hitter who hits for average. His defense is also improving. So, while during the offseason, it would be great to get guys like CC and Sheets, and perhaps a hitter like Teixera or Prince, from an offensive standpoint, Abreu and Giambi are not bad re-sign options.