Since they have nothing better to do, can they meet for one more interleague series?
-
- September
- 29
Yankees
89-73
48-33 home
41-40 road
789 runs scored
727 runs allowed
Mets
89-73
48-33 home
41-40 road
799 runs scored
715 runs allowed
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Peter Abraham
Wow, you can’t make this stuff up. Two very different teams, two amazingly similar (identical) stats.
The runs scored says it all for both teams…
btw pete, of the 250k comments, how many were trolls, nuisances, annoyances and impersonaters? PLEASE either institute registration or have a tougher ban policy!
Pretty cool in a twisted sort of way.
wow, well i guess yankee fans cant fight with mets fans with who was best of the worst
because they both equally sucked, and i agree with pete, if we let bobby go the mets are definatly going to take a stab at him
Might be forced into taking Bobby back seeing as Gardner is no sure thing and Melky has regressed… Damon back in CF??? And who’s on first?
SI says that Bruce Springsteen is going to be part of the halftime show at the superbowl. Such a pity that patriots are going to have a very very very hard time of making it there. That’s not really sarcasm either… Randy Moss was my first round pick in one of my leagues and now I’m 0-4 =\
Amazing…..no one could have predicted that one. But we certainly could have predicted the weekend for the Mets!
tseng: lol.
btw, never pick a WR, in the first round. Matt Millen proved this.
Gardner can definitely hold down CF, until AJax is ready. If he proves otherwise, you can pick up a veteran CF along the way.
Gardner will be serviceable, and ideal for the #9 hole. And NYY knows this.
Can’t make a decision on Abreu based on where he might end up. That’s how the Yankees became a mess in the ’80s, signing FA just to keep other people from getting them and ending up with a two-deep lineup with six starting pitchers are one point.
My Dad is a Mets fan so I can only take so much enjoyment out of their annual collapse, but I suspect Willie is feeling a pretty high level of vindication.
Pete
Thanks for all your hard work. I enjoy your comments and insight very much
MIchael Schwartz
Everyone critized Mussina for being a creature of habit. I wonder if people realize yesterday he warmed up fully than found out that there was a rain delay. And he still managed to pitch a great game.
“I suspect Willie is feeling a pretty high level of vindication.”
I guess so, except Willie managed the worst collapse ever.
The bottom line is neither Randolph nor Manuel is to blame for his team’s flaws. Think of all the leads the Mets’ pen blew this season. They get a handful of those leads back, and they have the WC easily.
Have to say that I am disheartened that a player and a manager I have admired over the years as representing what is right about baseball have now gone and embraced and just flat out celebrating a player that quits on his team when it suits him.
Expect coaching changes this week. A new 3rd base and bench coach seems likely.
Let’s hope Tino Martinez is figured in with one of the changes.
Amazing that the Yanks and Mets were mirror images of each other. It certainly didn’t seem like that during the season.
And don’t forget that they both closed their stadiums too.
Pete:
Thanks for all your hard work on the blog this year. I’ts really been alot of fun. Hope we can keep this up as the Hot Stove Season approaches.
“The bottom line is neither Randolph nor Manuel is to blame for his team’s flaws. Think of all the leads the Mets’ pen blew this season. They get a handful of those leads back, and they have the WC easily.”
Mets were 91-92 in their last 183 games under Willie. Mets aren’t great, but they’re better than a .500 team. Mets did the right thing by gassing him. That said, we know now that the collapse(s) were on the players moreso than the managers. I give Manuel a slight pass because he was without one of his starters and his closer down the stretch. I wonder how Wright and Reyes slept last night. Those guys came up awfully small in the last week or so.
Pete, a big thank you for your not-to-miss blogging. You work a lot into the content and you make it not only interesting but understandable for the average fan. No wonder you get millions of hits. Most bloggers either have popular appeal or good content, but you manage to have both, and you add new material frequently so readers are motivated to visit multiple times a day. Congratulations on your well-deserved success.
Pete,
As always, another great year for the blog. Hopefully, the off-season yields more changes in the right direction for the blog.
I really hope your bosses relent on the registration issue. Reading some of the swill the past few days can’t make your bosses feel good about what’s on their blog.
Hopefully, the paper executives, techies, and yourself can come up with a way to satisfy everyone’s needs on this issue.
If you can, I predict you will even have more pages views next season.
Peter,
I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog over the past baseball season, this is my first baseball season when I knew of your blog. It’s an awesome source of Yankees information and it’s great to see so many intelligent Yankees fans out there. I don’t post all that often, but I read the blog everyday. I originally lived in upstate NY and my family moved to North Carolina when I was 10. Currently, I go to college in NC and I know few Yankees fan, and fewer who actually as die-hard as my brothers and I. I just wanted to stay thanks for keeping this blog interesting and informative. Your the best Pete!
Beningo and Roberts about to start… this should be good.
Mattingly is just bitter he didn’t get the manager job and that he didn’t win a ring. I wouldn’t read too much into his comments. An opportunity to stick it to his former team and he takes it, he is a Dodger now.
beningo and roberts—begin with jihn fogerty then segue into their usual misery….
Wacky stats
Hush screech, let Benigno do the talking
So is that a good sign that we are so similar to a 2nd rate team that has collapsed 2 years in a row?
“Mattingly is just bitter he didn’t get the manager job and that he didn’t win a ring. I wouldn’t read too much into his comments. An opportunity to stick it to his former team and he takes it, he is a Dodger now.”
I guess we won’t be seeing him and Torre at the Nov 9th ceremony.
Dale Suvem for manager of the year?
He’s not bitter. He’s giving his opinion.
How can he be bitter about not getting the job when, if he got it, he would have had to re-sign after needing to tend to his family matters?
I love how folks just turn on ANYBODY who doesn’t give out platitudes on the Yankees 24/7.
Only a moron would turn on Donnie Baseball. He has said himself many times this year, given what was happening in his personal life, not getting the Yankee job was best for all concerned.
Folks come on here everyday and give their opinions on the Yankees. Why can’t Mattingly?
If you can’t take an opposing point of view, don’t read it.
Turning on Donnie Baseball? I don’t know, just seems real dumb to me.
Wow, that’s kind of funny.
I have to go to a wedding this weekend and all of the relatives that will be there are Mets/doddgers fans. I have nothing on the Dodgers fans, but at least I can laugh at the Met ones.
(Yeah, I am that mean)
resign, not “re-sign”.
“Dale Suvem for manager of the year?”
No: Fredi Gonzalez
Hopefully the ring-less Mattingly jinx will strike again in the playoffs, this time for the Dodgers.
GO CUBS!!!
Any movement on the Brian Cashman situation?
It sounded from reports over the weekend that today or tomorrow would be the announcement of his plans.
I don’t want the Dodgers to win because my relatives would never let me hear the end of it, but I can’t wish ill on Mattingly.
That’s just plane bad sportsmanship.
Donnie has every right to his opinion, but sometimes it’s best to keep them to yourself.
Yes, he’s right in every sense. But to compare active players?
Giambi is a nice guy but a bad player..
Peter he performed poorly. How did he hit when it counted this year? What range…
With RISP he was a joke… He cannot move so his high OBP is somewhat negated because he can only go 1 base at a time.
Under a very easy grading scale his contract was not a total rip off but under any reasonable grading system he stole from the Yanks….
Thong or no thong Adios Giambi..
http://blogs.trb.com/sports/baseball/blog/2008/09/september_monday_part_iv.html
Brian Cashman will decide on his future as soon as today. I’m sticking with the 55-45 chance that he stays. That kind of covers me either way, but seriously, from speaking to friends of the Yankees’ GM, it sounds like he is seriously conflicted over what to do.
“You need to pitch in our division,” Girardi said. The manager will be involved in the recruiting pitch to all free agents the Yankees chase. “I expect it might be a busy winter for me,” the Florida resident said, before adding with a smile, “I’ll have to buy a winter coat.”
Girardi also said about Sabathia: “Don’t forget what he did last year, too. He is a strong man.”
The Other Great Fix will be at first base, where the Yankees have to get a functional first baseman in a trade, someone such as Atlanta’s Casey Kotchman.
“He’d be a perfect fit,” several Yankees said.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09292008/sports/yankees/girardi__yanks_looking_at_playoffs_in_20_131181.htm
“I don’t want the Dodgers to win because my relatives would never let me hear the end of it…”
I don’t want the Dodgers because they’re the Dodgers.
Arod himself has said Manny Ramirez is the “greatest righthander hitter ever”.
When he said it, in Boston last year, Yankee fans went nuts.
Now, some Yankee fans are going nuts because Donnie is saying the exact same thing.
Like I said, if you can’t handle somebody, even a Yankee player, saying something that isn’t Pro-Yankee 24/7, you probably are better off not reading anything.
What Donnie said isn’t a big deal.
Perhaps some folks are upset because what he said is the truth. Some folks can’t handle the truth.
I have nothing towards Torre/Donnie, but the media will make it insufferable if the Dodgers win. Girardi doesn’t deserve that, the manager wasn’t the reason we are not in the playoffs but the media will portray it that way.
Every Dodger win makes the Yankees look that much worse. Thats the media world we live in today.
“Atlanta’s Casey Kotchman. “He’d be a perfect fit,†several Yankees said.”
Votto would be even better
Still think that Pujols is a better hitter than Ramirez or Arod.
Kotchman had a bad season this year but I’d love to have him on the Yankees. With Giambi and Abreu gone we won’t be too lefty heavy so he’d fit in nicely. He isn’t a spectacular player but he’s a really good fielder and above average at the plate. I doubt the Yankees could get him though, he was the centerpiece of the Teixeira trade.
CC is a must-sign. Burnett I’m still on the fence about.
I don’t think the Yankees need another CF as long as they fill the hole at 1B with a productive player. I think Gardner has shown enough that he deserves a shot next spring.
The bullpen is stacked, no need to get anyone there.
I agree with Fredo: Pujols is best pure hitter in the league.
Why would the Reds trade Votto? They have a good, young player under their financial control for the next few years.
Teams like Cincinnati don’t trade players like that.
A team like Atlanta, in full rebuilding mode, trades guys like Kotchman. Especially since he is close or at arbitration eligible.
The Yankees have an inventory of younger players that could appeal to the Braves. That’s definitely a guy I would explore getting.
He would be a perfect fit in NY, IMO. Reminds me of a young Tino. Very good defensively, solid hitter and a tough guy. Great attitude and comes from a baseball family.
His dad has been a longtime Angels scout.
Definitely a guy worth checking out to see if its doable to get him, IMO.
“Perhaps some folks are upset because what he said is the truth. Some folks can’t handle the truth.”
I’m not turning on Donnie. I agree that the Yankees should have included Torre in the last game celebrations. However, Donnie’s comments comparing A-Rod to Manny are 1)in bad taste and 2)totally ignore the fact that Manny Ramirez is a dog who puts himself above his team when it suits him. I’m not even going to mention him beating up an old man because he didn’t get him enough tickets. And this is the guy you compare to A-Rod? Sorry, but Donnie’s comments lack all credibility.
Speaking of bitter – Manny on his time in Boston:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers28-2008sep28,0,7468665.column
“The first time I stepped foot in Boston, I said to myself, ‘Whoa.’ I told Pedro Martinez, ‘Damn, man, I just want to get traded and get out of here; this place is not me.’ I was unhappy for eight years in Boston but still put up great numbers.”
Ryan Braun (postgame): Don’t discount what Ned Yost did to get us here.
Classy.
Last night, during the second game, I looked over the photos that my wife and I snapped of our trip to Tampa for ST last March. It brought back a lot of memories, not just of our trip, but of the fun and anticipation, looking forward to a new season.
Baseball is a game of redemption (just look at the Big G). There’s always another AB, game, series…season to look forward to.
Pete, you have an excellent blog. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to reading your posts, and comments from the good people who come here, during the off-season.
I like Derek Lowe, he would be an intriguing choice. CC is obviously the big target but after him, its up in the air.
We can’t have the Dodgers win because they are the Dodgers.
Can’t have Phillies because of Phila.-NY rivalry
No Cubs–Media and Cub fans would be insufferable
No Brewers–Sabathia might decide to stay if he wins, and it is Bud’s old team
No Red Sox–No explanation nec.
No Rays–I could hardly live in Tampa after that
No White Sox–Ozzie, Pierczinski, etc
No Twins–Gave up Santana and Garza and still win? No way.
No Angels–Intense hatred for them since ‘02.
What do we have left? I guess Game 7 White Sox/Brewers, 17th inning, no pitchers left on either side. Bud declares the season a tie. Results will carry-over to next season, WS winner in ‘09 gets credit for two championships. ‘09 season slogan: “This time it Counts–the All-Star Game and the Playoffs”
I wonder if the Mets call the Yankees looking to do a Cano for Beltran swap. I don’t do that deal, but would the Yankees?
How can anyone question Manny noe being the best RH Hitter of this generation….I’ve been watching the game since the days of Mantle / Maris, and I cannot think of a better hitter…..The guy is off the charts when it comes to hitting a baseball….
I love Ryan Braun.
The Yankees have to sign 2 of CC, AJ and Derek Lowe, IMO.
I think Moose is going to retire and I believe Pettitte will be back at a reduced price.
They need 2 starting pitchers and they need to get them through free agency.
I could envision a 2009 rotation of Wang, AJ, Pettitte, Lowe and Joba, if CC doesn’t want to go to NY.
If he does, they go one of two directions. “All in”, which is to tie up close to 40 million dollar annually the next few years on CC and AJ. Or, they can sign Lowe with CC, and save some money and still get a guy who will give them innings and starts.
Either way, I think they will sign 2 FA pitchers in the off-season. Just have to hope they are the right ones.
Laura: No way. You’d be selling low on Canò and Beltran isn’t that young.
“The first time I stepped foot in Boston, I said to myself, ‘Whoa.’ I told Pedro Martinez, ‘Damn, man, I just want to get traded and get out of here; this place is not me.’ I was unhappy for eight years in Boston but still put up great numbers.â€
Which is why he’ll never set foot in the Yankees clubhouse. Well, that and I don’t think the Yankees want him.
Braun is the youngest player on that team and he has really taken off as a leader. He was the one doing all the interviews and even when they were collapsing he was the one who stayed positive and tried to rally the team.
Great young player, Brewers are lucky to have him.
“How can anyone question Manny noe being the best RH Hitter of this generation”
Because he’s not as good as Pujols
Manny’s transgressions outside of the batter’s box have nothing to do with how good of a hitter he is.
Pujols is definitely the best RH hitter in the game today. His career stats are significantly better than Manny’s. They are 1 and 2 IMO. A-rod would be #3.
Pat M,
Agreed. The guy is just an unbelievable hitter.
Forget about all the antics. That’s a different issue.
As a pure hitter? Most of the players in the game feel the same way as Donnie. Manny is amazing and even more amazing to consider how long he has been this good.
Doesn’t mean I’d want him on my team. However, you can’t deny the guys talent. With a bat in his hand, its off the chart.
So would this blog rather have Pujols or Manny on their team, off field antics aside?
Well, I would have to assume Donnie was asked his opinion of Manny. I might even assume he was asked to compare him to ARod. I guess he could have said, I don’t want to answer that, but why should he? Manny Ramirez is a great hitter – heck, should I list the posts here that have said they want Manny to protect ARod next season? And the fact is, Manny DID bring energy to the Dodgers when he got there. Donnie said, “no disrespect to ARod.” Apparently Manny’s on his best behavior over on the other side of the country.
And also, don’t forget that one of Joe Torre’s great strengths was his “people” skills. Maybe Manny, at least so far, likes working for Joe. At any rate he’s certainly glad to be out of Boston, and Boston is glad to be rid of him.
I’m not sticking up for Manny and his “Manny being Manny” ways. But I didn’t find anything particularly objectionable about what Donnie said. It’s been a strange, strange year for the Yankees, since the end of the playoffs last season. I have a feeling more strangeness is on the way.
Things have a way of working out, and time is a great healer.
Yankees:
Fans cheered their team anyway and enjoyed the end of the season.
Mets:
IM !@#%(! DONE! I CANT @%@#($ BELIEVE THIS !$!@ IS HAPPENING @#%@# AGAIN! @#%!@% THIS TEAM @#%!@# THIS STADIUM!@#!@$% BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!1
Rebecca:
I’d want Pujols. Better hitter, better defense,younger guy.
“The Yankees have to sign 2 of CC, AJ and Derek Lowe, IMO.”
Lowe isn’t nearly as good as either CC or AJ. I think CC is an absolute must sign. If the Yankees can’t get him thats a huge blow. AJ is good but I’m not sold on his consistency (health and performance). I would be happy with signing AJ as long as they aren’t picking him over CC. I’m hoping Moose comes back because he’s still a fantastic pitcher. My ideal rotation for next year would be: CC, Wang, Burnett, Moose, Chamberlain/Hughes.
“Laura: No way. You’d be selling low on Canò and Beltran isn’t that young.”
I agree. Plus, Beltran has been a disappointment in Queens. People here slam Alex for making the big bucks and not coming through in the clutch (supposedly). Well, Met fans should be looking for this guy’s head. If Alex is supposed to put the Yankees on his back and carry them, so should this guy for the Mets.
I also think Pujols is a great hitter. Definitely up there with Manny.
When all is said and done, he may surpass Manny by the time his career ends.
He also has the luxury of being able to play in a very soft media market in St. Louis and in an easier league. That helps.
Manny did his damage in a tough media market and a tougher league.
Its a great comparision between the two though.
SJ44,
lol. I’m not getting bent out of shape. I’m just saying that some things are best left unsaid. Just a hypothetical, but what if A-rod said, “No offense to Donnie, but Kevin’s the best”.
Okay. He kind of said the last part, but when you say, “no offense to…” it’s a direct comparison.
Quick, SJ, make a call. Cashman stays or goes?
I’ll go out on a limb and say stays. Get off the fence everyone. Put your bets down now.
harwood: A lot of Yankee fans had the same reaction as Mets fans, but we had it back in August.
We’ve had more time to adust
“And the fact is, Manny DID bring energy to the Dodgers when he got there.”
True. However, his absence seemed to bring energy to his former team as well.
mel: Bag of pops says he stays.
Pujols is the best fielding 1B in either league and he’s the best hitter in either league. I’d take him over pretty much anyone, including Manny.
I was very happy that Moose won his 20th game.
But when the discussion turned to the future – it was surprising to me that he was essentially saying that if he was going to commit to one more year, he was locking in for 3 so that he would reach 300 career wins.
I don’t think the Yankees would sign up for that (nor should they). Maybe the O’s, but not us. Too big a commitment.
Since the Yanks won’t do that, I think Moose really will hang it up – and have the legacy of going out on a great individual season.
“So would this blog rather have Pujols or Manny on their team, off field antics aside?”
I have an intense dislike for Manny so this question is very easy. I’d take Pujols without a doubt.
My predictions: Moose retires and Cashman stays.
Fredo,
I don’t know. When you have a clubhouse of Jeters,
Damons, Posadas, Jobas, you’re not the personality of the club.
I would be okay with him here, but I think he’ll stay in LA. Match made in heaven. Still can’t play the field for the next 4 years, though. They may have to get creative with front-ending the contract.
I’d sign Moose for a 2 year deal with a 3rd option year. Moose has proven he can pitch with his diminished stuff. If getting CC is priority #1 this offseason I think keeping Moose is priority #2.
“I agree with Fredo: Pujols is best pure hitter in the league.”
Probably the greatest hitter to play the game since Ted Williams (putting aside Bonds given questions on PED’s). And it’s really not that close.
Pujols has a career OPS+ of 170. Just amazing. That’s the seventh highest of all time. In particular, to put up that kind of performance relative to other hitters in an age of such huge offensive production is amazing.
Of the other 9 players in the top 10 of OPS+, all played the bulk of their productive careers before 1960 (again discounting Bonds).
ARods OPS+ – 148. Manny’s – 155.
Pujols is a giant. Just a giant.
And on top of that he is arguably the single best defensive player in the entire league. He doesn’t play a premium defensive position but that’s the only issue. As it is, even at a non-premium defensive position he may be the single best defensive player in the sport. Clearly in the top 5.
Pujols is almost the Michael Jordan of baseball. He is at the same time the best offensive and defensive player in the game. Just amazing.
mel -
I want to be wrong, but I have had this pit in my stomach all morning – he’s going. (Hence my reference to more strangeness in my post above.)
I’d want Pujols because he’s more well-rounded. But I haven’t seen him play almost at all, just going by stats and word of mouth. We had so much info on Manny, and experience with him, and it is too difficult to ignore the “Manny being Manny” aspect.
Cash stay imho.
SJ44 and Pat M
No doubt Manny is a very dangerous hitter albeit when he wants to be and is properly motivated. Think $$$
However, I doubt (or at least I hope) that the Ripkens and Jeters of the baseball world would reject the idea of having him as a teammate.
Perhaps I am naive.
Or maybe Al Davis speaks for all sports teams, “Just win baby”.
IMO a player that quits on his team and their fans, is not someone to be esteemed by other ballplayers or anyone else much less given a contract by a MLB team.
He deserves to be shunned as was Barry Bonds this year.
BTW I am not a Sox fan.
Pujols isnt available till 2012. Why even talk about it?
I’m saying Lowe is as good as either CC or AJ.
They are going to need 2 FA pitchers this off-season.
If that’s the case, they have to cover their options.
For whatever reason, if CC turns down the Yankees (they will make a big run at him), I have no problems with them signing AJ and Lowe.
Two guys who will give them innings and quality.
When you consider that they got 36 starts this season out of Rasner and Ponson, AJ and Lowe are a definite upgrade.
Also, with a better bullpen, those guys won’t have to go 7-8 innings in every start.
They will go more than 4-5 though and that’s something that has to change.
The Yankees have too many starters who don’t give them length.
Even CC spurns them, and they sign AJ and Lowe, Wang, Pettitte, AJ, Lowe and Joba is a big upgrade to what they have now.
Especially with 4 guys that have the potential to give them 170-210 innings. Very much needed in Yankeeland.
Moose also said he’s been a two-team guy and he doesn’t want to scramble from team to team in order to rack up his 300 wins. I’m fairly comfortable saying he’s going to retire.
TK,
He let it slip that this was his last year, but then he backtracked.
Pete’s take was different from Kepner’s. Not in the interpretation, but the order of the quotes. I think. Don’t quote me on that.
Redskins doing great! Colt won’t be seeing time on the field any time soon. Campbell’s like a different player. It’s nice to have the same system in place for 4 games.
well, i’v been thinking about this for several days now, i know it doesnt help the current situation but i’d have to say that i was wrong about the santana trade. the guy’s a stud, a big game pitcher and a guy with a ton of heart, and we should have made the trade. hopefully we can make that up this offseason and maybe phil will still be a top of the order starter, but it turns out we should have made the trade and if we had, we’d probably be in the playoffs this week.
Mel;
Ramirez was not the personality in the Boston clubhouse either. His issue was nothing to do with his teammates or the city. It was all about the media. Too intense for him. Won’t be any better in NYC.
Doreen,
Who are you talking about? Manny, Cash, Moose?
Patrick -
I hope the Yankees make that kind of an offer to Moose (2 with an option). I think he’d take that. And really, he could conceivably do it in 2 years – the 300 wins, that is. But if that’s not the offer, or he if just decides to go out, he’s out.
You have to keep ALL the options open… there is no guarantee that CC wants to come here or AJ opts out.
Lowe has to be in play.
“For whatever reason, if CC turns down the Yankees (they will make a big run at him), I have no problems with them signing AJ and Lowe.”
He will have a sudden change of heart dont worry (read: $$$)
And AJ is a contract year pitcher. Pass on this guy.
mel -
Ooops, sorry. Cash. But I also think it’s most likely Moose will retire. Manny is a no-go for me.
Sorry I’m just not a big Derek Lowe fan. The last time he pitched in the AL east he had an ERA of 5.42. Ever since then he’s been in the weakest division in baseball. I’m not too confident that he could come back to the AL east and pitch well.
It can not be understated how enjoyable it was to tattoo Papelbon in the rain and then watch his reaction.
Y’s guy,
You are correct that we’d be in the playoffs if we had Santana. But this team has so many flaws, not having Santana was the very least of our problems.
Yes, having him would be great, but not having him has woken up the Yankees. A very good thing.
There’s always a silver lining.
I think that Moose would retire.
Why chance coming back and having a 9-13 season? Wins are one of those statistics that can go either way based on the guys around you.
To go from where he was last year to where he finished this year is remarkable, and on a personal level, there’s not much of a better way to go out.
Jim Palmer said several times on air, that if Moose comes back for one year, it means committing to three because of the 300 wins. That is why Palmer retired with @270 wins. He didn’t want to make the 3 year committment. His reasoning was that things happen, and getting it in two years was unlikely, then you can hardly retire with 296 or something like that, so you would have to come back for that next year, when your heart might not really be in it. I have to believe that Palmer and Moose talk often and this has come up regularly. The talk about 3 years was probably Moose thinking out loud, and trying to decide if he was better off just walking away now.
mel –
I heard his post-game, and on the FAN, he seems like the Yanks could get him back, but not on the one-year deal that most people seem to think makes sense from the Yankees perspective.
Your boy Colt is not going to see the field barring a major injury this year. But he is going to be the #2 guy next year.
Holding a clip board and making big bucks – where do I sign?
What’s worse? steroid users or Manny “who quits on teammates”? Yanks have knowingly let juicers on the team. Boston fans are bitter. I’ll take Manny anyday.
Scorpio: I hate steroids as much as the next game, but steroid users don’t try to hurt their teams.
I don’t know what problems Manny had in Boston, but to me that type of thing is unforgivable. Boston and LA are lucky they were able to find a solution to a bad situation, but I would still not want Manny on my team.
I think Moose is coming back. He is just letting the Yankees know it has to be a 3 year deal so he can get his 300 and finish his career with the Yankees. He doesnt want to come back for 1 year get 14 wins then have to go somewhere else and scrap together wins in NL. He wants to have some assurance of retiring with dignity.
Mel,
Its either sit out a year or come back. In the end, I think Cashman will be back.
I also think Moose retires, and Andy is back with a one year deal at around 10 million (with incentives) a year.
There is no chance Manny is with the Yankees next year. I think he will sign with the Dodgers.
I think AJ will be a Yankee. Too many signs I see and hear to make me believe otherwise right now.
CC? No idea. I don’t know anybody around him or CC himself. I couldn’t give you any odds on it.
I know the Yankees will make a big run at him. I don’t have any idea how CC will react to it.
You get to know players in different ways. I used to own minor league teams. You have players that played for your teams, friends of players that played for your team, agents, front office execs, etc.
The relationships cross all different lines.
I don’t have any lines of communication re: Sabathia. No clue as to what he’s like, what he wants to do, etc.
For example, re: relationships, Posada and Rivera don’t share the same agent. Yet, its Posada who pushed Rivera to have Altcheck (the best shoulder guy in the business, IMO) be the second opinion guy on his shoulder and to use him if he goes the surgical route.
That’s how it works in the game. Relationships happen in very different ways.
Cash Stays: mel, Laura, Rebecca, TKinDC, entire population of PRC.
Cash Leaves: Doreen and her agita
“What’s worse? steroid users or Manny “who quits on teammatesâ€? ”
They both are an embarrassment to the game. Not really much of a difference between the two.
We saw a lot of Derek Lowe when he was in Boston, I’m not a huge fan of his, but he does take the ball every 5 days. I worry along with Patrick about the soft competition he has been facing in the NL West.
Pete, just wanted to say thanks for al the hard work this Summer. I may not post a lot, but read at least 5 times a day (most times more). Having your insight each day has made my baseball experience so much richer.
The next five months better go fast – looking forward to the Hot Stove, but even more, to Lohud and Opening Day 2009.
Thanks again,
Chris
Scorpio September 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
What’s worse? steroid users or Manny “who quits on teammates� Yanks have knowingly let juicers on the team. Boston fans are bitter. I’ll take Manny anyday.
Quitting on your team is worse as it is a singular act of selfishness.
Taking steroids was an act of taking one for the team done by a lot of players with the wink-wink knowledge of GM’s, owners and fans.
The difference is stark.
And which of these can you tell us?
I hear that the Yankees want him and he wants to be in NY but is there anything more concrete than that?
SJ,
Thanks. I think we think along the same lines (logically).
You didn’t mention Tex? I used to think he’d be nothing but an Angel, but I’m thinking he could be had if the Yankees wanted him.
I do want to make clear that I would be okay with a lot of players on this team. Santana, CC, Manny, Tex. But only if it’s at a sane rate. I know the Yankees don’t operate that way, but that’s how it is.
Al, called me on it when I said I’d be okay without CC. Just saying it’s still 25 guys taking the field for 162 games. Teams have won without CC. They’ve won without A-rod. If we have to have another disappointing 89-win season to be really good for years to come, I’m with that. Do whatever it takes to correct the mistakes, but don’t repeat them.
“We saw a lot of Derek Lowe when he was in Boston, I’m not a huge fan of his, but he does take the ball every 5 days.”
While we may remember Lowe for his Game 7 exploits in the 2004 ALCS, let us not lose sight of the fact that he was probably one of the three or worst starters in the American League in that year.
“What’s worse? steroid users or Manny “who quits on teammatesâ€? Yanks have knowingly let juicers on the team. Boston fans are bitter. I’ll take Manny anyday.”
Are you kidding? It’s not even close. When you do steroids, you are damaging your own body. When you quit on your teammates, you are quitting on 39 other guys. Clearly, in a team sport, that is the worse offense.
Did anyone just hear Ed Coleman’s trade suggestion?
Delgado, Heilman, and Nick Evans to KC for Soria
LOL
Hmm, steroids is “taking one for the team”? I beg to differ, Bonds* & Clemens* were doing it for their own egos and wallets.
Manny “quitting” is not forgivable either but steroids & childish antics are not one & the same.
Rebecca,
He’s told a lot of guys on the Yankees that he wants to be with them next year.
Bruney went public the other day about his “recruitment” of him.
I hear from a lot of people that he wants to play for the Yankees next year.
Obviously, the deal is going to play a big role in it.
That said, the guy has pretty much put out an, “I want to be a Yankee” sign to a lot of people the last few months.
Whether it will happen? Time will tell.
I’m leery of Burnett. I think he could be the second coming of Pavano with him being so injury prone. I’d like to get CC, but as I’ve said before, I think he stays in the NL.
SJ,
Any chance the Padres would listen to offers for Adrian Gonzalez? He will start to get expensive quickly. He is a phenomenal fielder and his lefty stroke is perfect for the short porch at NYS. What do you think it would take to get the Padres to part with him. Perhaps an offer centered around Phil Hughes and Jesus Montero?
This type of parity is outside of historical norms for these teams. How many people remember the 1986 Yankees or 1978 Mets? It always seems to me that with the exception of 1999-2000, when the Yankees are up, the Mets are down and vice versa.
I guess this is what happens when you shamelessly remove good Brooklyn-bred Yankees from managerial jobs.
“When you do steroids, you are damaging your own body.”
You are also CHEATING. Quitting on teammates is the worst, but use of steroids/PED’s is dishonest, selfish and stupid. There’s no nobility in those guys.
“That said, the guy has pretty much put out an, “I want to be a Yankee†sign to a lot of people the last few months.”
I really find it refreshing to hear guys be open about really wanting to be a Yankee. Still, this guy could be an injury just waiting to happen. Not sure we should go there.
It’s been so long since I posted, it’s like seeing an exgirlfriend for the first time in months, and she looks great, and you just came from a meeting where you got taken behind the wood shed, so you look spent.
I digress, I place my bet on Moose retiring, Cashman leaving, and CC not coming to NY, but Yankees do sign AJ and Lowe (or Garland).
My reasoning on Cashman is I feel like if he wanted to stay, he would have said something of the effect of I’d like to continue being the Yankee GM, but this isn’t the time to talk about an extension etc.
What could be wrong with Donnie pointing out the obvious and defending his boss.
This whole thing with the Yankees being all about class is such a myth. Torre’s omission from that ceremony was just the latest example of how low they’ve become. Did they think the fans were going to boo Torre like they were supposed to do to Clemens? Slighting Torre was about brushing the egos of the Steinboys, R Levine and what ever other numnut had his hand in that ridiculous offer they made to Joe last fall.
Granted maybe it was time for a change in guard but they couldn’t even do it as gentlemen. My toilet seat has more class than the Yankee “braintrust”.
Still they package this image up with all the pride and tradition and sell it to the highest bidders. And it rubs off on the players as well. When was the last time the Yankees were on the field shaking hands with the fans. They couldn’t even make it to the warning track on their lap around the stadium last sunday.
It’s no wonder Cash’s return isn’t definite. Who would want to work under those jerks.
SJ: Thanks!
I’m, like Laura, a little leery of the injury history, but I think, if he really wants to be here, that he’d make an extra effort to, uh, not get hurt.
Bruney being an actual name you can put to it says a lot–it’s a big step to admit publicly that you want a certain FA on the team.
I really hope the Jays don’t re-up Burnett.
“You are also CHEATING. Quitting on teammates is the worst, but use of steroids/PED’s is dishonest, selfish and stupid. There’s no nobility in those guys.”
Fredo, I didn’t say that there was. I was just comparing steroids to quitting on your team.
“I really find it refreshing to hear guys be open about really wanting to be a Yankee.”
I understand what you are saying, but it is essentially the same as saying ‘I want to get PAID!’
The current bidding for Burnett seems to be at 4 yrs $54M
BTW – Totally agree w/ Fredo regarding PEDs.
Laura:
Pavano, on the greatest day of his career, possessed nowhere near the talent Burnett has. That said, you’re right about Burnett. His injury history and inability to get that immense talent to translate to commensurate results does make one wonder.
Y26: Ricciardi’s not going to spend the money that Burrnett wants.
Laura,
I’ll take an injury risk who wants to BE a Yankee rather than try to bribe a guy into living in the east. Doesn’t hurt that the injury risk led the AL in strikeouts this year. Contract year, yes, but still.
I’ve never heard a player say he wants to be a Yankee while wearing another uniform.
I can’t fully believe the rumors, that’s how bizarre it is.
“I understand what you are saying, but it is essentially the same as saying ‘I want to get PAID!’”
Well, yeah – there’s that as well. LOL!
Kotchman?!?!?…a serviceable 1st baseman!?!?! You get a serviceable shortstop or a serviceable catcher…The notion of a serviceable 1st baseman is ridiculous. 1st base is one of the primary power/rbi positions on successful teams.
Look at the playoff teams this year. Nearly every one of them has an MVP type run producer. Teixeira, Youkilis, Pena, Morneau/Konerko. In the NL…Fielder, Lee, Howard…the Dodgers, arguably the weakest of the 8 playoff teams has a serviceable 1st baseman in Loney….and nobody is picking them to win the WS.
Kotchman is a ridiculous suggestion…especially when there is a gold glove, switch hitting, power hitting 1st baseman to be had on the free agent market….Teixeira is the answer.
Damon goes on the record as a member of the sign Burnett bandwagon,
“I know there are a number of pitchers out there that have shutout capability every time out,” Damon said. “I’d really love to have Burnett. … He’s coming into his own.”
“I’ve never heard a player say he wants to be a Yankee while wearing another uniform.”
You arent listening hard enough. The way the Yankees do everything they can to put a WS team on the field every year everyone has been saying it for years now.
Rebecca,
lol. If players wanted to stay uninjured because they wanted to be Yankees, then Wang wouldn’t have chugged around third base trying to score in a Yankee uniform.
But Pavano might prove your theory.
And the bad gets worse
For the guy who asked about Adrian Gonzalez, you should note he is under contract to the Pads thru 2011 at dirt cheap money. He’s arguably one the the best three bargains in baseball (they owe him $13.25M over the next three seasons).
It would take a MONSTER package to get him. Hughes and Montero is a monster package, but not sure the Yanks would go that far………..and you’ll really upset Brandon for even mentioning the idea of trading Montero.
“I’ll take an injury risk who wants to BE a Yankee rather than try to bribe a guy into living in the east.”
Good point. And I think that’s what we’d be doing if we went after CC. Just back the Brinks truck up to his house. That’s what it’s going to come down to.
Rebecca –
Due to Riccardi’s history with Giambi during their Oakland’s day. It’s mostly he will entertain Giambi, and would give him the money and contract he wants. If Giambi does end ups with the Blue Jays, Lyle Overbay will be traded, or have Giambi DH since they need one.
This is for Pete:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-People-Springsteen-Super-Bowl.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
The Boss to play Super Bowl halftime
Can someone explain the obsession with AJ to me? The Yankees signing him would be a HUGE mistake. The guy will be 32 by the time next season starts and will want at least a 4 year deal, probably 5. He is not a good pitcher, he has great stuff, but that will not last forever… in fact he could be a mediocre pitcher at best within a year or two. He also steps up his game when he pitches against the Yankees (pitched to a ~1.5 ERA against the Yanks, ~4.5 against everyone else)….. do we really need a player who does not give his all EVERY time he takes the mound? That is not a winner’s mentality, we already have enough of those guys on this team. The guy has also been injured almost every year of his career. Seriously signing AJ would be a terrible decision, I really hope the Yankees do not sign him…
Pavano will be pitching against us in the WS for the Mets next year.
(Thats if we dont pick up his option. I still think they are considering it.)
CC scheduled to pitch Thursday against Brett Myers, on short rest again.
And if there is a game 5, you know there is no doubt he pitches in that game on short rest again
So he could potentially pitch 5 straight starts on 3 days rest, and if the Brewers happen to advance… god help us all.
pat,
That Johnny Damon is such an insightful idiot.
Baseball people, including AJ himself, believe the same thing.
And it wasn’t like AJ chose to get injured to the tune of TJ surgery. And it’s not like it doesn’t take years to bounce back from or you won’t have complications resulting from it.
That’s why he’s worth the risk, he’s got potential.
If Manny was 32, and Torre was still the manager, I’d consider it.
Torre’s people skills plays a role in my opinion.
Manny at 37-38 with Joe Girardi as manager? No way.
Girardi’s personality, along with Manny coasting (which he will) after he gets his deal is a BAD matchup from the Yankees perspective.
mel,
I’d prefer the Yankees trade for a first baseman, like a Kotchman for example, and use their money to upgrade their starting pitching.
What Boras will want, and eventually settle for, with Tex is a HUGE investment for a very good player.
IMO, you make huge investments for GREAT players. Tex is a very good player, not a great player.
I’d prefer the Yankees go in a different direction for that reason.
harwood, there might be riots in NY if they resign Pavano
I think the ONLY chance you do that is if everything else fails.
“Kotchman is a ridiculous suggestion…especially when there is a gold glove, switch hitting, power hitting 1st baseman to be had on the free agent market….Teixeira is the answer.”
Not if he’s looking for a 7 year deal. Been there, done that and it didn’t work out. I’d do 4 years (maybe even 5), but not 7.
SJ – You say that Burnett has put out signs that he wants to be a Yankee next year. Any chance that he is just saying that to drive up the offer from the Jays.
Mel – I’m a little late for your poll. but I think Cashman stays and Mussina retires with his 20 win season.
has anyone mentioned Hank Blalock as a possible 1st baseman for next year? His contract is up and the Rangers hold a 1 year option. If they don’t take the option (possibility given his recent injuries and their need to bolster the pitching staff through FA) I can see him as a nice fit for the Yanks. Great bat (great September), OK fielder at 1st (can’t be worse than Giambi).
Girardi + Manny + Hank = Unmitigated disaster.
Seems as though a lot of people forgot Derek’s nickname in Boston. Let me refresh memories. Derek Blow. Now why was he called that? Cause he stunk!! Plan and simple. I don’t want him here. No way no how.
Couple of things:
1. If Cashman really loves the Yankees and considers them family, he won’t leave them in the lurch. He needs to come back for at least 3 years, and they need to prepare an exit strategy.
2. Yankees should sign a CC to a contract and back-load it. He sits out 2009 to rest his abused arm. Hang out in Cal, surf, lose some weight, you know, relax. Come to some of the games. He’s been pitching a lot. To say the least.
Despite what Moose told the press yesterday, I find it very difficult to believe that, at the end of the day, Moose walks away from the comraderie of the clubhouse and the kind of money he will be offered to pitch next year. That just defies human nature, IMO.
I think anyone excited by signing Burnett is a born optimist. His track record with the disabled list is downright scary. If you want to sign him, then you think the past is no predictor of the future. I personally think the gamble is too large for what it will take to sign him.
Derek Lowe is solid. But he has piled up huge innings – since 2002 more than CC. Why be scared of CC’s innings and not Lowe’s? You may be drawing too many conclusions from CC’s workload over the last two months.
CC wants long expensive contract. Thats what he wants. That west coast nonsense is negotiating. Plenty of players have offseason homes. If he didnt want to play for us (being the team with the money on the east coast who need him) he would say I dont want to play for the Yankees because…
The reason CC is in Milwaukee right now is because he wants a big contract. Thats what he cares about. And right now hes proving hes a horse and worth it. Debate whether hes over doing it or not and an injury risk. But I seriously doubt he has a problem playing here given his drive to win in the post season and his love of money. California will be there all winter to enjoy.
I’d give CC the Clemens family plan that allows him to go home inbetween starts if he wants and let him use our private plane.
We must go to lengths like that to lure CC here. Remove the Candy rule, let him DH twice a week, let him have the family plan etc. We need to sell our souls.
The Blue Jays won’t give AJ the money he wants.
They may work on things like, more years attached to hitting certain incentives, some upfront money, etc.
But, if the Yankees want him, JP knows he won’t be able to match the offers.
To say AJ Burnett is not a good pitcher is ridiculous.
Take your head out of a stat book, watch the guy pitch, and ask yourself, who on the Yankees has his stuff?
Joba, that’s it.
The “injury” worry. Well, Wang has been hurt 3 of the 4 years he’s pitched in NY. Joba broke down this year.
Pitchers get hurt. If you are worried about pitching injuries, you won’t sign any pitcher.
Listen to what opposing players have to say about AJ and use that when you make judgments on players.
Opposing hitters HATE facing the guy. Again, how many Yankee starters make opposing hitters feel uncomfortable when they face them? The short answer…..not enough of them.
You have to make decisions void of worry if you are a GM. Concern? Yes. Worry? No.
If you worry too much, you never fix problems.
To put Paul Konerko, at this stage of his career, as a “productive” first baseman, is laughable.
The White Sox were so anxious to get rid of him at the deadline, they were willing to pay off most of his deal to willing teams and nobody bit on it.
Kasey Kotchman is a very good player and you won’t have over 150 million tied up in him.
Its not about having an all star at every position. Its about having a balanced lineup, with improved defense, as you go forward.
Kotchman provides that at this time.
I say if the Yanks sign AJ, then they might as well go out and get Millar too… that should be good for a 5 game swing in the standings.
Just a few thoughts on CC too…
In 2007, he pitched 256.1 innings including the playoffs, the most he’s pitched by far in his career. If you take out the playoffs he pitched 241.0. Again the most he ever pitched in his career.
You saw what happened to him in the playoffs after all those regular season innings. 1-2 with an 8.82 ERA. And even though they made it to Game 7 of the LCS, they needed a lot of help getting there and CC wasn’t really part of the help.
After pitching all those innings in 2007, he came back and got off to a real slow start IN THE AL. Look at the splits 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA with 13 HR allowed in 122.3 innings.
Now he goes to the NL, with the weaker line-up, and puts up CY Young numbers. 11-2, 1.65 ERA 6 HRs in 130.7 innings. Great results, pitched the Brewers into the post-season, should probably be the NL CY Young winner.
But what happens now…does he pitch another 20 innings in the postseason bringing his season total to an astounding 273 innings. And how does he bounce back in 2009?
If he does sign with the Yankees, he’ll once again facing AL line-ups and mostly AL East lineups. I think that, coupled with all the innings he’s pitching this year, will mean another slow start for CC in 2009. Just like the slow start in Cleveland in my opinion was due to all the innings he pitched in 2007.
The fact of the matter is that Milwaukee is treating him the rental that he is. They are beating him into the ground without fear of consequence. It won’t be they who worry about CC in 2009, it’ll be some other team’s problem.
im wit u vin
Since 2005, AJ Burnett has started 112 games. Ben Sheets has started 94 games. Chien Ming Wang has started 95 games.
You still want to play in “injured card” with him?
He’s been healthier than Wang and Ben Sheets the last 4 years.
4 years is all you can go back to when evaluating starting pitchers.
Both Burnett and CC are excellent pitchers. But to say CC is an injury risk because he has pitched a lot of innings, but at the same time to discount Burnett’s injury history, is inconsistent. It will take big dollars to sign either – CC’s lack of injury history makes him a better bet in my mind.
I don’t think Wang is relevant to the analysis since he is already under contract.
No one is saying Burnett does not have great stuff. His stuff is electric, but the results do not translate. He has a career 111 ERA+. Even this year, in his “breakout year”, he only pitched to a 106 ERA+. Take out his starts against the Yankees, who had trouble all year hitting a good fastball, and he would be below league average. The guy will be 32 next year. Pitchers are in their prime from 28-32… haven’t we been down this road before? Do we really need to sign a pitcher who is at the end of his prime to a long-term deal, much less a pitcher who has a long history of injuries and a questionable work ethic?
Konerko might be a stretch, but it’s still up in the air as to whether or not his team even make the playoffs.
The other names are not laughable, in fact it can be arqued that they are among the best players in the game.
I’m not for an All-Star at every position but am for players that make the most sense when trying to build the best lineup possible.
Teixeira’s defense and his offensive consistency make him a perfect fit for the Yankee line-up…it addresses a need and fills a hole.
Casey Kotchman? Yeah his 14 HR and .328 OBP will make oppossing pitchers shudder in fear.
Are you trying to bottle the ghost of Scott Brosius? Or are you trying to sign players that make the most sense.
I’m reading Jays offered Burnett 2yr- 30 mil extension which puts him at 13.5 per year. Apparently AJ was impressed. If true how much more would the Yankees offer? I’m guessing not much if any. Not sure they should.
Should have signed Meche 2 years ago. Would have solved more than a few problems. Hopefully Kei will stay in Japan next spring.
Lets pray Cash signs on and has a plan B for the future of this rotation cause plan A is looking like a long shot.
breakout year = contract year
If AJ were 28 I would say sure, go get him, he’s worth the risk… he is not worth the risk at 32. Every pitcher declines, it is only a matter of time. Will he decline when he is 34, 35, 36? No one knows, but the point is even with his great stuff the results have only been a bit better than league average. How will he fare once he loses a few ticks off his fastball? That’s all I’m saying. I realize the Yankees need dependable starting pitchers for the upcoming season, I just do not think AJ is that guy.
Kotchman would be a great get. Great. He’s an excellent defensive 1B and his bat is solid. His numbers won’t blow you away, but he makes contact, productive when he makes outs. That was part of this years problem, guys taking a bad approach with men on. Not sure what it would cost to get him.
Burnett is the 2nd best FA pitcher on the market. End of debate. He’s a risk, but at 4 yr 52 million, it’s one you might have to take.
I’m don’t CC is an injury risk…he is a big strong guy and a definate horse.
I’m just think that his effectiveness going into next season might be compromised with all the innings.
If the Yankees and Yankee fans do get CC, don’t expect the types of things he did in Milwaukee. Those are irrational expectations.
“Take your head out of a stat book, watch the guy pitch, and ask yourself, who on the Yankees has his stuff?
Joba, that’s it.
The “injury†worry. Well, Wang has been hurt 3 of the 4 years he’s pitched in NY. Joba broke down this year.”
Wang and Joba don’t cost $16M – $17M per year.
You can’t ignore the durability issues, SJ. He’s made 30 starts twice in his career.
Also can’t ignore that his talent has not translated to results. He has immense talent. Great stuff. I heard Curt Schilling once say that he has the best stuff in baseball. Yeah, he’s a blowhard, but he knows pitching. His results have not matched his talent. He’s a great talent. He has not been a great pitcher. The Yankees will be paying for a great pitcher.
Yes but in Teixeira you have a great defensive 1st baseman and a guy whose numbers can blow you away.
Look, if the Yankee think that Kotchman is the answer at 1st base, more power too them…but when I think of championship teams I think of Ortiz at 1st or Youkilis or Pujols…these guys are run producers.
Casey Kotchman is not and I would defy anyone to make the argument against that.
I’m not sure why anyone on this blog cares what the Yanks pay players. The team has $80 million, plus or minus, to play around with this year.
Mark Texeira is the best player out there, and sure he will cost money and require a long term contract, but he’s the real deal.
Casey Kotchman costs a lot less, but you just don’t get enough, IMO. Moving runners over doesn’t win World Series titles.
“Moving runners over doesn’t win World Series titles.”
Did in the 90’s.
Moving runners over does win World Series. Pitching gets tougher, you have to squeeze runs more then ever.
I for one don’t care what they pay for players, but even the Yankees have a cap. They don’t want to get killed on luxury tax. They also want to move away from being a slugging team.
I my be wrong, but the Angels have the model for the future. Young, athletic, speed, and contact.
Yeah and they traded Kotchman.
William Buckner, I think you’re letting the ball through your legs on this one.
We are losing Giambi and probably Abreu. You need to score some runs.
Very few teams win it all with small ball. It’s a bad bet in the long run. Plus, we don’t have the defense for it anyway.
AJis a front of the roation starter, no mistake….If somehow you could parlay him with CC, Wang, Joba, Pettite or Hughes, to me that’s a lights out rotation….
Fredo, the 90’s are the opposite of small ball, so bad example.
And the Yanks from 96 to 2000 didn’t win by moving runners over, they won with Williams, Jeter and Posada (for the most part) up the middle and great pitching.
Ok, so if you are GM, how do you replace 1B, RF, and 2-3 starting pitchers and spend no more then 75 million/year.
And I ask because at its core I don’t disagree with you.
1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 if memory serves did not have a player hit more then 40 hr in any season.
Sign Teixeira, bring back Abreu, trade Matsui for Matt Cain…sing another FA pitcher.
“1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 if memory serves did not have a player hit more then 40 hr in any season.”
They didn’t. They got there with good pitching, defense and sound fundamental play (yes, including moving runners over).
William B-
Tex – $23 million
CC – $23 million
RF – Either try to sign Abreu for a year for $16 million, or if that’s no go make do with Nady for a lot less.
Resign Moose for a year for around $12 million. If he’s intent on retiring, sign Lowe for about the same amount.
Trust Hughes to fill the 5th starter slot, or Aceves, or someone else relatively cheap.
Look for a CF role player for around $7 million to complement Gardner or Cabrera, and go with that guy, plus Damon, Gardner and Cabrera to hold down CF till Jackson can play.
Well, I got to play GM for a day.
Get them on, get them over, get them in……The theme for the Yankee success in the 90’s…..No doubt about it….
Fredo, those Yanks didn’t have Bonds-type home run hitters, but they hit a lot of home runs up and down the lineup. They had very high OPS+.
And the positive impact of Hall of Famers up the middle allowed them to carry less productive players like Brosius.
Pat M, I knew those Yankee teams, and your description is off the mark. They got on, a lot, because they had phenomenal on-base percentages. But they moved them over and scored with walks, hits, doubles and home runs, not bunts and “productive” outs.
you did, but your up the over 80 million, and you also tied up flexibility with Tex, are assuming Abreu would sign for one year, and trusting Phil Hughes, which after this year, are you ready to do that?
truth, there is no right or wrong answer, and it shows how many holes there are going into off season.
If Tex isn’t a great player then what exactly is a great player? He’s a great defender, a lock for 30+ HR, and is in his prime. He’s definitely worth the investment when you consider that outside of Cano, the Yankees have no young impact bats.
And no one is turning on Mattingly. He can say what he wants and I can say what I want. I think he’s full of crap for waiting until the Yankees were eliminated to say these things. The Yankees finished with a better record than LA and how convient that Torre “righted the ship” right around the time Manny started putting up video game numbers. Torre turned down an invitation to be at the All Star Game, bottom line. If he cared enough about being ‘honored’ he would’ve been there.
Remember their mantra used to be “Grind it out.â€
Pujols is a much better hitter thne Manny. Manny did it for 60 games, Pujols has been a monster for YEARS…
Manny at 36 no thank you.
Burnett , Sj he had a 4 and change era this year in his breakout year.. All talent and limited results….
It’s a myth that the yankee teams of the last dynasty years weren’t power hitting teams. They were.
But the power was distributed across the lineups and had a multiple players hitting for a solid number of extra base hits.
What was amazing about those teams was how balanced they were both on offense and pitching. Lots of good to very good players/ performances. Very few outstanding individual performances.
But they did hit for power. Less power than last years team but they weren’t a “small ball” team.
1996 was the one exception – 9th in the AL in Slg %. 1997 – 5th in slg %. 98- 4th. 99 – 5th. 2000 – 6th. Nothing spectacular but they did hit for solid power. And remember those years were some of the highest league wide offensive production years in the history of the game, especially in the AL. So 5th in the AL in 99 was still a team slg % of .453.
At the same time they were fundamentally sound offensively as well and that’s why they made the most of the power they did hit for.
If they didn’t hit for power they would have been the 2008 Toronto Blue Jays.
i hope we can sign cc but if they do id rather see them still go after another starter, burnett or lowe instead of tex. i like tex but we’ve already got a $30M man at 3B, we shouldnt need another $20+ million guy. find a 1B with a glove who can get on base decently.
i know its not the yankees way but id love to see them go after dominant starting pitching. cc, wang, joba, burnett/lowe, moose is dominanating.
the offense would be good enough and they would have openings for role player types at 1b and cf. next year the entire OF would be up for renovation just as ajax should arrive.
Fredo, you give Manuel a slight pass because he was missing his closer, but you don’t give any kind of pass to Girardi for the devastating injuries the Yankees suffered. I just know the Mets are going to get a lot of slack ,slack the Yankees won’t get.
Moose signs on for two, with whatever for the third. Mooses stuff is not has not diminished, only his velocity. In fact it could be argued his stuff this last year was the best in his career. Not trying to compensate for velocity by overthrowing gave him the best command of the strike zone that I’ve seen during his entire career. Velocity diminished yes absolutely, but up and till now, that is the only thing diminished. His year on a not very good yankee team, nothing short of amazing. I hate stats but does anyone know off hand how many losses or no decisions he should have or easily could have won with support.
I tell you, all of these moves to improve the Yankees sound great. I’m assuming that you have the time machine ready to transport Pettite back to 1999 because the way he finished 2008 isn’t promising. And I guess you’re sure that you’ll get the Manny of August and September not the Manny of June and July. And AJAX is the one, we were just kidding about Hughes, Kennedy and Melkey. This is so easy, I can’t believe that they actually pay Cashman to to this.