Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Oct 01, 2008 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Brian Cashman is back, agreeing to a three-year deal to stay with the Yankees. Joe Girardi was glad to get the news.
————
I’ll be headed to the Stadium this morning for Cashman’s press conference. Hal Steinbrenner is expected to be on hand as well. Check back here later for the audio and other coverage.
steal me a toilet whwn you’re there pete
‘Pray for Me” ?
Doesn’t exactly instill an overwhelming sense of confidence but that’s our Cash-man. Go get em Brian!
so now that bobby abreu finished another stellar year and figures to get offered something like 3yrs/$45M, do the yankees feel confident that he would turn down arbitration? (the yankees min. offer would be $12.8M)
would be nice to get the picks!
“do the yankees feel confident that he would turn down arbitration? (the yankees min. offer would be $12.8M)”
yeah, i think so.
it also wouldnt be the worst thing in the world to have him on a shot, one year commitment, either.
but they should def offer arbitration.
“so now that bobby abreu finished another stellar year and figures to get offered something like 3yrs/$45M, do the yankees feel confident that he would turn down arbitration?”
I think he will Decline. Its a no loose situation for the Yankees really. I don’t think they want to sign him to anything longer than a 2 year deal. He should 3yrs from somebody (Mets?).
“so now that bobby abreu finished another stellar year and figures to get offered something like 3yrs/$45M, do the yankees feel confident that he would turn down arbitration? (the yankees min. offer would be $12.8M)
would be nice to get the picks!”
He’s not that good so he’d be wise to go after arbitration, but hopefully he already has a clause saying that he must decline if offered. The market has yet to be determined with the new economy but Bobby’s “worth” is more than that 12.8 and he would certainly get more than that from the Mets.
Bronx Jeers -
Doncha think that was a “tongue in cheek” response to those congratulatory e-mails? I mean, he did just voluntarily throw himself back into the fire.
I’m thinking that falling short of the playoffs this year actually allows Cashman and co. a lot more freedom to do things perhaps a little differently. You certainly don’t want them to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but I think they can afford to be a little less conservative, a little more creative.
“Doreen
October 1st, 2008 at 9:31 am
I think they can afford to be a little less conservative, a little more creative.”
expecting the same. The $$$ off the books, and the multiple number of selections in Round 1 & 2 in the next draft, will play into this approach. The farm system will be furthered and will provide additioanl flexibility.
I am glad that Cashman is back. He will have a lot more payroll flexibility this year with a so much money coming off the books. The Yanks will be able to pursue free agent pitchers and there are some good ones available.
The also have a lot of trading chips available should the opportunity present itself.
the mets are being spit roasted for signing too many over the hill types like pedro alou, castillo, el duque and delgado i dont see them signing abreu but its possible
Ok, Yankee shopping list for you guys.
DVD’s you MUST purchase to get your through the off-season:
1. Yankee Stadium, Baseball’s Cathedral. Its outstanding. Three hours covering everything that went on in the Stadium’s history. Amazon is selling it for $18.99 and you will love it.
2. The Essential Games of Yankee Stadium. This just came out. It has 6 games from the Stadium’s history. Game 5 of the ’76 ALCS, Game 6 of the ’77 World Series (Reggie’s 3 HR game), Game 6 of the ’96 World Series, Game 4 of the ’01 World Series, Game 7 of the ’07 ALCS. They also have a bunch of bonus highlights.
It retails for $59.96. Amazon has it for $47.99. The best deal though is from DeepDiscount.com. They have it for #36.45 plus free shipping.
That’s about 9 hours worth of Yankee highlights to help you get through the off-season.
Buster Onley did have my attention at 7a today, when he mentioned SD is said to be making Peavey available this winter. Onley mentioned Hughes/Melky as players who would be headed the other way.
It will take more then that.
Peavey may be the ideal fallback option, if CC will not enter the Bronx. I wouldn’t give up Austin Jackson, however. Young CF’ers do not grow on trees either. And all of us know, how much we need young position players in the system/roster.
Y’s -
Funny – I had the exact opposite reaction.
Bobby is aging, latino, productive but with obvious issues (look out for that wall!), he’s a PERFECT pick for Minaya.
Imagine Abreu and Manny in the same outfield – Beltran would have to cover foul-line to foul-line
“Pray for me,” he wrote back.”
i just prayed for brian to have a nice life after he’s fired from the yankees for the yankees continuing their downward spiral under him.
i also prayed for someone who is a solid baseball man like buck showalter to get control of the yankees.
“pray for me”?
what is this? yankee armegeddon?
Anyone think they can get Giambi to decline arbitration so they can get a draft pick? Tough call. Here is my predictions:
Abreu: No brainer. He’s a Type A Offer arb. If he declines as many expect, we get 2 picks. If not, he comes back for 1 year. Not terrible.
Mussina: Also Type A. Offer arb.
Pettite: No. He has said that he either comes back to Yanks or retires, so offering him arb. makes no sense.
Giambi: Only if they reach an agreement that he would decline. He’s a Type B.
IRod: No
Pavano: NO way
It woul probably take a Haren type deal to get Peavy. 5-6 prospects or a Cano/Hughes centered deal.
randy l -
Can’t you “pray” that he does some of the things you’re hoping for – like expanding his staff, grooming a replacement, improving the scouting and development staffs, etc.???? Why pray for the man to fail? If he fails, the Yankees fail. You are a Yankees fan, right?
Also, I would attribute that e-mail message to Brian Cashman’s actually having a sense of humor, not a literal request for prayers.
JohnC:
Don’t the Yankees have to offer Andy arbitration or else they couldn’t sign him untl May?
I,m on the fence with offering it to big G. I think he wants more than the 1year deal. The type “b” status may help the yankees because teams won’t loose their first for signing him.
You didnt give up Hughes before for Santana, you wont give him up now. We have a lot of talent, so i think they can work a Peavy deal without Hughes.
“so i think they can work a Peavy deal without Hughes.”
Not a chance.
Hughes Melky for Peavy? Where do I sign?
Two options for bench coach to help Girardi (Baylor and Showalter)
Question: I know free agent things can’t happen now. What about trades?
“Can’t you “pray†that he does some of the things you’re hoping for – like expanding his staff, grooming a replacement, improving the scouting and development staffs, etc.????”
what? you want me to pray for a miracle?
ok , i just prayed for a miracle that brian cashman will expand his staff, groom a replacement, improve the scouting and development staffs, etc.
Tom:
On Pettitte: I believe that rule where you can’t sign a player not offered arbitraion til May is no more. Perhaps SJ can confirm that.
On Giambi: Seriously doubt they offer arbitration. Even as a type B, he does cost the team who signs him a 2nd rounder. Further, his salary, if offered arbitration, would be considerably higher than what he can get on the market. If I’m the Yankees I need to very concerned that he’d accept it if offered. Can’t run that risk.
So according to the poll…. 20 red sox trolls have been here since it’s been posted lol
In sad news… my new name is JoeT 28 in 10
“randy l
October 1st, 2008 at 9:43 am
“Pray for me,†he wrote back.â€
“pray for me�
what is this? yankee armegeddon?”
an admirable person recently said, “We have forgot how to be human”.
is it bad for a person to be humble? And humane?
If they don’t offer Hughes they would have to give up the farm. I’m sure SD would want Ajax, Montaro, and Zach Mcallister instead. Their farm is barren. Peavy would bring back quite the haul in prospects.
Fredo, Your right: “Before last year, the deadline day was Dec. 7 and players not offered arbitration couldn’t re-sign with their former teams until May 1. But under baseball’s new labor contract, agreed to during last year’s World Series, free agents can return to their former teams at any time.”
link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3137870
Well I didn’t think he said it with tears running down his cheek.
I mean that Cashman certainly isn’t the best baseball executive out there but he’s a Yankee and is deserving of this shot to sort of “right his wrongs” and bring this boat into harbor.
CC is probably no more than a pipe dream. The guy’s nothing short of an absolute bull and I’m a fan of his but do we really believe he’ll come to NY because the clubhouse will be a nice place to chill? Do you go on vacation based on what city has the nicest hotels?
The only reasons C C is coming here are the same reasons we shouldn’t want a player like that. Greed and Ego.
personally, would prefer to include Hughes in a deal for Peavey. If he were not included, it would totally gut our position prospects.
Thanks, randy l!
Jackson Montero McAllister for Peavy? No, I would rather just give up Hughes instead.
McAllister though I don’t mind giving up. As long as it’s not Garcia (only if he could ever stay healthy) Betances or Brackman. They have higher upsides then McAllister.
Fredo, teams don’t loose picks for type Bs: “Type B free agents get their former team just a supplemental round pick”
link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.....ball_Draft
CC will have pitched nearly 270 innings (if the Brewers go deep into the playoffs) on top of the 250 innings he pitched in 2007.
He struggled in the AL to start 2008 and didn’t go on this ridiculous run until he got to the NL with the weaker line-ups.
He is a bull, but I think there should be some concern as to the amount of innings he being asked to throw for the Brewers.
They are treating him like the rental car he is.
id be very interested in any deal that brings me peavy where i get to keep ajax.
“The only reasons C C is coming here are the same reasons we shouldn’t want a player like that. Greed and Ego.”
if NYY does not obtain a CC or Peavey, be prepared to rebuild an additonal year. Personally, it wouldn’t bother me.
Thanks Tom. I stand corrected.
What a difference a year makes. Last year most of us were very excited about Hughes and Kennedy. I think Kennedy might be with another organization by spring training.
Also, Abreu’s defense has almost reached the point of being unacceptable. I don’t want him getting hurt running into walls, but man…a lot of seemingly catchable balls fall untouched out there.
it will take more then Hughes, to get Peavey.
however, would expect a trade to be very possible without moving AJax. As the system has enough prospects.
So Evan Roberts wants to move Cano to 1st base?
Instead of Peavy would it be out of the question to go after Chris Young? He’s not an Ace but would be a solid 3-5 guy…
Andrew Brackman’s development this winter may determine Hughes’ fate.
If Brackman looks like he will be a top end starting pitching prospect, I don’t think they would hesitate dealing Hughes for Peavy.
They won’t gut the system to avoid trading Hughes.
If Brackman looks like a guy they can envision in the rotation in 2010, then I think Hughes would be on the table for Peavy.
Peavy is a stud. You have to have studs in the rotation to win.
For teams like the Yankees, prospects serve two purposes. They can help your team or they can bring back help for your team.
For the folks who say, “they didn’t trade him for Santana, why would they trade him for Peavy”, its simple. Situations change from year to year.
If you think ownership, and Cashman for that matter, are content for a 2-3 year no playoff “plan”, you are kidding yourself.
Brian Cashman wants to be in the playoffs next year as much as ownership.
How they get there is open for debate. Make no mistake though, everybody is on the table this off-season.
They will do whatever they think is best to upgrade this team. That includes a trade of Hughes IF (and its a big “if”) it brings back a top end guy in return.
Please Joe and Evan watch some yankee games… CANO has a great arm and is one of the best fielding 2b in the league if hes is into the game. Move him to first are u kidding me?
If the Pads move Peavy, they’ll be looking to fill several holes. Position playing prospects will almost certainly have to be part of the deal (again, think Oakland/Zona in the Harn deal).
“CANO has a great arm and is one of the best fielding 2b in the league if hes is into the game.”
He has a nice arm, but there hasn’t been a day in his MLB life when he’s been the best fielding 2B in the league.
Don’t know if people caught it but the Replacement Level Yankee blog did an outstanding post season analysis as to what the major factors were in the team under performing this year. It really gives you a clear sense of what went wrong with the team broken down by offense, defense and pitching.
They projected the yanks to win between 93-97 games coming into the year. Why did they only win 89? A few highlights:
1. The offense was by far the biggest reason for the team underperforming. They scored 144 runs fewer than reasonably expected. Biggest issues:
“If you were to rate the biggest reasons for the Yankees’ offensive underperformance, it’d be:
1) Losing Jorge Posada (55 runs)
2) Melky Cabrera sucking ass (27 runs)
3) Hideki Matsui’s knee causing him to both miss time and to underperform when he returned (24 runs)
4) Robinson Cano becoming Wayne Tolleson (16 runs)”
We all like Molina but he was awful at the plate and the difference between him and Jorge alone accounts for over 1/3 of the teams offensive underperformance. Just an enormous difference.
2. The pitching wasn’t great but wasn’t bad. The pitching staff accounted for the yankees losing around 1-3 more games than expected coming into the season.
Their conclusion on the pitching:
“So you can add starting pitching to the 2008 Yankees’ list of underperformances, although it’s not nearly as much to blame as the offense is. That won’t stop some people from blaming Hughes/Kennedy and the non-Santana trade of course… ”
3. Defense – a factor but not a big one. Defense cost them around 2 wins. What’s striking about the defense however was how awful Bobby Abreu was – he was the single worst defensive player in baseball last year. 22 runs worse than an average RF.
“So going into 2008, the Yankees looked to be about two wins worse than an average defense. They actually wound up four wins worse, and that’s almost entirely on Abreu. ”
http://www.replacementlevel.co.....RLYW/index
Beware of Ben Sheets even with an incentive laden deal.
His season became more official when he was left off the division series roster and revealed he has a torn muscle near his right elbow.
Another MRI exam in Milwaukee revealed further tearing of his flexor mass, a muscle that helps stabilize the elbow.
The tear was originally revealed in an exam in late August or early September after Sheets felt pain in an August 26 start against the Cardinals.
“CANO has a great arm and is one of the best fielding 2b in the league if hes is into the game”
Your right there Cash. Cano’s fielding has improved. Remember when he first came up Scouts were saying he’d be in the OF by the time he filled out…
“So Evan Roberts wants to move Cano to 1st base?”
If true then Evan Roberts is a moron. Why waste one of Cano’s big assets — his arm?
I hate the argument “If Cashman didn’t trade Hughes for Santana he won’t trade him for Peavy.” Santana’s cost was prospects AND a huge contract extension. Peavy is signed for several years, if the Yanks traded for him they wouldn’t need to sign him to a new contract.
I’d love to have Peavy on the Yanks, he’s been one of my favorite pitchers for awhile. The only thing that makes me wary of him is he pitches in the NL West in an extreme pitchers park. I think he would struggle at least a little if he was traded to the Yankees. I think Sabathia would probably be a safer bet. Plus I’d rather not give up the prospects it would take to get Peavy.
In recent years I’ve been called an a-rod basher.
I admit that I am, but I only call it as I see it.
The point I want to make is, last night the White Sox topped the Twins 1-0, in the single most important game of the year for both teams. The hero of that game was the Sox’ cleanup hitter, who got THE clutch hit (HR) in late innings (7th).
It must be nice when that happens.
The plan has been in place for 2-3 years already…they’ve been rebuilding and contending for that time…
2009 will be the year to assess if the plan has been successful…
Where is the patience that everyone seemed to have last year but is absent this year.
How in the world will they be able to evaluate Brackman’s talent this off-season…in winterball, after TJ surgery. He’ll need at least a half a season in MILB before any serious evaluation can be made.
It would be a mistake to trade Hughes now…it is reactionary and short-sighted to trade Hughes as a way to correct the ‘mistake’ of not getting Santana.
SJ:
As I understand it, Brackman has never thrown as many as 85 innings in any baseball season he’s participated in. How long do you figure it takes him to build up to a 200 inning pitcher?
CB…thank you for that…excellent post..
what time is the cashman press conference?
CB,
That’s a very good analysis.
Taken further, its clear the Yankees don’t have to blow it up to fix what’s broken. They have to upgrade some areas, hope for better health from Matsui and Posada, and better years from Cano and Arod.
That would solve a lot of the offensive issues, IMO.
The one thing they have to do, and this could be accomplished by just adding a player or two, is change the culture around the team.
This year, starting the season in July, which has been a Yankee staple since 2005, came back to bite them in the butt.
There wasn’t the big offensive second half to get over playing like garbage for most of the first half of the season.
That’s what happens when you are too veteran laden a team. Vets, especially now in this no greenie era, tend to pace themselves and play their way into a season.
You can’t do that now. They have to start strong out of the gate in 2009.
If the Yankees can get younger (this is where a guy like Gardner, if he can hit, could help) in some spots, they could get some early “energy type” wins.
That gives a team some early confidence, something that was missing this year, and that will help a lot next season.
DEREK LOWE . . . .
Proper Name: Derek Christopher Lowe
Born on: June 1, 1973
Birthplace: Dearborn, MI, USA
Resides in: , ,
Height: 6.0
Weight: 230 lbs.
Nick Name:
Pronounced:
Bats: R
Throws: R
Pos: RHSP
College:
Age: 35
Service Time: 9.1
Agent: Scott Boras
Signed thru:
2008 season
Free Agent After:
season
Contract:
signed 4-year deal worth 36M thru the 2008 season on 1/11/05- he will make 7.5M in 2005, 9M in 2006, 9.5M in 2007 and 10M in 2008
Agent: Scott Boras
“How long do you figure it takes him to build up to a 200 inning pitcher?”
His situation is similar to Joba’s in that he is starting his Yankee career in the Hawaiian league. He’ll probably go 110 innings next season like Joba. I doubt he’ll rip through the system like Joba did though. In 2010 he could go maybe 150 and in 2011 he could probably get 180. So probably by 2012 he’ll be a 200 inning pitcher. Pretty long time eh?
Joba probably won’t be a 200 inning pitcher until 2011. Ouch..
CB– I also agree, excellent post. I thought it was basically the offense in 2008, nice to see a hard analysis in any event.
ps– I also heard Evan Roberts on WFAN talk about Cano going to 1B. He is clearly not paying attention.
while i’m at it, i just prayed for the angels winning their next series.
.. and for sabathia to win 20 games for the yankees 5 years in a row.
…for manny and arod to become the best 3-4 punch in baseball.
…for jeter to develop a strange spatial disorder where he wants to have the open space of centerfield around him. because with this newly developed germ phobia, patting other team’s player’s butts at second and slapping them on the shoulder after they hit a stand up double becomes repulsive to him.
… for a miracle drug to be developed that reverts george back to his normal self and in his first moment of clarity, that he buys hank a new dragster to play with and hal a new chain of hair salons so he’ll always have that perfect look.
… for livan hernadez to be signed by the yankees for 5 million a year to pitch at triple a to show young developing( slowly developing) pitchers that pitching is more important than throwing hard. that these pitchers notice that livan walks almost on one and the twins young starters walked almost no one this year after watching livan.
… and last but not least,for pete to quit calling girardi a liar. i think god really hates that.
Ben Sheets has prodcued some solid numbers but New York is a different world. He would struggle with the AL East hitters.
I don’t know about Brackman being in the rotation by 2010. He’s pretty raw for a college pitcher. Plus he needs to develop a third pitch if they want him to be a starter.
I would look for Betances to be ML ready by 2010. Although both Brackman and Betances will start next year at the same lever, High A ball. I think Betances just needs to limit his walks like he did second half of this season.
If he could do that he could move quickly through the system and possibly be ready by 2010.
The killer B’s are coming though.
“if NYY does not obtain a CC or Peavey, be prepared to rebuild an additonal year. Personally, it wouldn’t bother me.”
I,m not sure that they’re toast without a CC type pitcher. I’m one of the guys who believes that if Wang and Joba remained healthy, they’d be alive today. 6 more wins is what they needed?
On the other hand the pitching will definitely have to be better than this season. ( Not too difficult!) as they will be losing a lot of RBI’s with the possible flight of Abreu and likely departure of Giambi. Still a healthy Posada/Hideki/Jeter and a better performing Alex/Cano makes their loss a bit easier.
On Brackman– he had that TJ in June 2007. It takes 18 months before you can do some serious throwing/pitching. So we’ll start seeing progress during the 2009 season & I agree with Patrick’s assessment on innings.
That’s what made Melancon so special this season. This was his 1st full throwing season & he cut right through the entire Yankee farm system from A to AAA, and his arm actually got stronger as the season went on. He had a lot of K’s, so his ball was moving.
I’ve been rethinking my position on Abreu the last couple days.
Could he be the type of player that corrupts younger players, ie Cano? He was the one that other guys in the Philly clubhouse kinda pointed to as ‘not caring’.
Does his offensive production make-up for his defensive inability?
Maybe he shouldn’t come back next year…
Theres no way Betances is ML ready by 2010. Even if he dominates high-A this year he is still extremely raw. Betances will be ML ready 2011 at the earliest.
Steve B
Bash A-Rod if it makes you happy but Danks performance was more “clutch” than Thome’s. When was the last time the Yankees pitched a shutout in postseason play?
It’s all about the pitching.
Fredo,
If Brackman is 100% right now, which I’m told he is, he could pitch 100-120 innings next year in AA and AAA, where I think he will be.
If that happens, he’s able to give them #5 starter innings in 2010.
Remember, he’s also on the 40 man roster. So, if he is pitching well, he will be given every chance to make the rotation in 2010.
My nephew faced both Price and Brackman in college. He’s a RH hitter so, his viewpoint is skewed.
Plus, he hit 2 doubles off Price and was 0-3 against Brackman! lol
Anyway, he said Brackman was tougher to face for him because he’s so big, it felt like he was throwing his pitches from about 10 feet away.
He had a nasty 12 to 6 curveball and was clocked at 96, with a damanged elbow, in the game he faced him.
It would be hard for the Yankees to deal Hughes if they didn’t have another pitcher in their system with Hughes’ ceiling close to being ML ready.
Right now, only McAllister, Brackman and Betances are guys with that kind of ceiling. McAllister and Betances aren’t close to being ML ready.
It remains to be seen what Brackman’s timetable is right now.
If its somewhere between 1 and 2 seasons, and he is throwing the ball the way he did in college, its easier to consider dealing Hughes for Peavy.
If he isn’t, then its a tougher move to make for the Yankees, IMO.
Disregard Evan Roberts…he is a Mets fan…his opinion is always seen throught the lens of Yankee hatred.
“Ben Sheets has prodcued some solid numbers but New York is a different world. He would struggle with the AL East hitters”
Considering the fact that his arm is a mess he’d struggle with staying healthy. If the yankees want to sign a pitcher with arm trouble to a 1year deal and their are no other options why not. But i would not rely on him for anything.
I’ll be headed to the Stadium this morning for Cashman’s press conference. Hal Steinbrenner is expected to be on hand as well.
No Hank? Not that I would be surprised or anything at Hank not being there….
“Does his offensive production make-up for his defensive inability?”
I don’t think so but I’m sure others would disagree. The other thing about Abreu is his baserunning. He hurt the team quite a bit on the basepaths this year but thats not talked about that much. Abreu would be a great DH but the fact is, we already have Matsui for that spot so Abreu is redundant next year.
Randy l -
Oh no! What have I unleashed?!
Brackman’s line in Hawaii winterball last Friday
2 1/3 7 7 6 2 3 23.14
i agree with you Pat that pitching is everything. another reason why i am 100% behind cashman with his development of young pitchers.
it actually does NOT make me happy to bash a-rod. i’m serious about that. he has so very much talent but doesn’t have the intestinal fortitude that lesser hitters have. a clutch moment?— weak pop up, strikeout, hacks at bad pitches…. i’m hoping that with a better #5 hitter behind him in 2009, maybe it’ll get a little better.
“No Hank? Not that I would be surprised or anything at Hank not being there”
Hank will be issuing his asinine press releases via blackberry from the race track.
Good info CB. Sadly, not shocking, but nonetheless good.
I think people will need t get used to the idea that most of the mid 30-something crowd isn’t going to be a lock for 155 games a year anymore. Injuries will almost certainly happen and even when they don’t, days off will be needed.
His stats in Hawaii are irrelevent. Its all about how he feels and how he is throwing the ball.
The only thing more irrelevent than spring training stats are fall and winter ball stats.
In Brackman’s case, its about building arm strength and getting the feel for pitching again. His stats don’t matter.
If he comes out of Hawaii with innings under his belt and good health, that’s all you can ask at this point in his development.
“Right now, only McAllister, Brackman and Betances are guys with that kind of ceiling. McAllister and Betances aren’t close to being ML ready.”
I disagree on both points here. You can add Heredia and Garcia to the list of guys that have a really high ceiling. Also I’m not sure McAllister fits in that grouping but he’s close.
Secondly, I’d argue that McAllister is a lot closer to being ML ready than you think. He should start next season in AA and spend most of the season there. He could be in the mix for a rotation spot by 2010. Brackman’s most optimistic outlook (which you just described) has him in the majors by 2010 — similar to McAllister.
Whats all this Peavy talk??? Did the Padres say something that led people to believe that he’s available????
Forget CC and his 10,000 innings if Peavy is available.
Hey Pete, what about a post explaining the different types of free agent class?
I know Jake Peavy is a “stud.”
However, there have been so many caveats here about not going after, or at least being very careful about going after, NL pitchers, that they don’t necessarily translate very well to the AL, the AL East, specifically.
What makes Peavy different? Why should the Yankees entertain a trade for someone without AL experience?
“Taken further, its clear the Yankees don’t have to blow it up to fix what’s broken. They have to upgrade some areas, hope for better health from Matsui and Posada, and better years from Cano and Arod.”
If you take a look at those 4 major reasons why the offense was so bad there’s a common theme.
At any one time the yankees essentially had 3 spots in their line up that were performing close to replacement level production – that’s performance that is far worse than league average.
I really like Molina – his defense is great. But it’s also very easy to overestimate his defense/ game calling while ignoring his bat. He killed the team at the plate.
Melky – same thing. He was basically close to a replacement level player for most of the season. Same thing for cano.
The yanks don’t need all stars at every position. But they cannot afford to carry close to replacement level production at any position – not team can. A little worse than league average – fine. But not replacement level. Some analysis have showed that having even one replacement level offensive player in the line up has been the reason why a number of teams have missed the playoffs.
This is also why Posada needs to play catcher next year if at all possible and not 1b. They don’t simply need his bat – they need his bat at that position.
If they keep Cano they can’t afford for him to be horrendous for half the season and then wake up. He’s essentially a replacement level player for the first half of the season.
That leaves two gaps – CF and 1b. I don’t think they can afford to pencil Gardner in as the CF. If he winds up being bad – good chance he’ll be very bad – replacement level production. They should keep melky in AAA for the entire year next year (or plan to) make Gardner the 4th outfielder and find an averagish CF for next year.
1B – they just need someone who is close to league average.
I just don’t think you can make a clear evaluation on Brackman’s MLB potential this off-season…
He won’t have enough starts to show anything except how he feels…you can’t translate that into ML potential.
I’d be on board with Peavy, if he’s available.
Rebecca, hope this helps: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....-comp.html
“is it bad for a person to be humble? And humane?”
well, cashman has every right to be humble.
i, on the other hand with a few others, was 100% right that last spring that cashman’s hughes,kennedy, joba plan for them to pitch 50% of the starter’s innings was beyond stupid.
so therefore, it’s harder for me than cashman to be humble on this matter.
now , what i want to know is why should anyone pay any attention to the seemingly really smart posters who were so wrong about cashma’s plan last spring now coming up with support and new ideas for his latest plan?
i mean, they were as wrong last spring as he was.
shouldn’t they be experiencing some humble pie instead of proclaiming their latest greatest “plan”.
or at least expressing some doubt, that they really know what to do next.
i was right about cashman last spring, but i have no clue what to do now that they have rehired him. why won’t it just be more of the same ?
has cashman had an epiphany about baseball operations?
what’s changed that should make things different?
Hank supposedly changed his cell phone number. No media could reach him for a comment. He has disappeared.
Cano seems like the type of player that responds to ‘tough love’…Bowa kicking him in the a@@ last year, his production after the benching this year.
Girardi should be on his butt next year ALL season long, not just the last two weeks.
Because you are right…The Yankees cannot afford another 1st half disaster from him last year.
I would argue that with everything that happened this year, Cano is the primary reason the Yankees are not in the playoffs…
The splits are riduculous…
Cano in Yankee wins…
.347/27 2B/2 3B/11 HR/.920 OPS
In losses
.179/8 2B/1 3B/3 HR/.461 OPS
“I think people will need t get used to the idea that most of the mid 30-something crowd isn’t going to be a lock for 155 games a year anymore.”
They need to spend more money on the bench – a lot more.
I know bench players are on the bench for a reason – they’re not good enough to start.
But when guys went down this year the substitutes performed at replacement level production. Just horrendous. Ensberg/ Betemit filling in for ARod last year were awful and cost the team at least a couple of wins with their bats and gloves.
It’s imperative that they get a versatile, veteran player who can play up the middle/ third next year as they are going to have more injuries.
As it is – we saw that Cody Ransom cannot play SS in the major leagues. It’s not likely that Jeter will play as many games next year as he did this year.
If there is a place for them to flex their financial strength it’s the bench. If they need to pay a guy $7-8M just to sit on the bench and give guys a day off – they should. With an older team that is a must.
Jonathan,
That’s just it. Teams don’t use stats to make player evaluations at the minor league level. Fans do, that’s the difference.
Teams look at how a guy performs to determine projectability. They don’t look to the stats.
You have to watch the guy and see what he brings to the table.
Ian Kennedy for example, will always put together great AAA stats. But, is he a top end starting pitching prospect? Most talent evaluators will say no. They will say he is, at best, a #4 or #5 starter.
Andrew Brackman, despite his limited college experience, would have been the first or second pick in the draft last year had he not gotten hurt. That’s how big his upside is.
If it begins to show up now, it gives the Yankees options as to what they can do in the trade market.
Patrick,
Garcia and Heredia aren’t considered upper end prospects by other teams at this time. They have great potential but, aren’t seen as future stars by other teams at this time.
McAllister is a guy I think is 2 years away from the majors, if he can stay healthy. I know some scouts who think that, aside from Joba, he is the best starting pitching prospect in the organization. He’s well thought of by other teams.
So is Betances, even though he is farther away and needs to show he can stay healthy.
doreen-
i just prayed for more people to have your sense of humor and niceness.
( why did i just feel a sudden urge to laugh more and to be nicer come over me?)
I gotta get back to work & listen to Cashman’s conference, but I wanted to say that there are a LOT of great posts here this morning.
CB: Who would you like in center?
The RLYW anylsis is really really good, and the Yankees certainly can’t afford that kind of production drop off in those offensive positions.
It’s amazing how underrated Jorge Posada has been, because he’s always been over shadowed by Jeter and Mo.
SJ44,
You were talking about pure ceiling earlier, not how other teams view our pitching prospects. Looking at pure ceiling Betances, Brackman, Heredia, Garcia and possibly McAllister have ace-type potential.
McAllister is 2 years away from the majors if you are being extremely conservative. He already threw 150 innings this season so his innings limits won’t be a problem. He dominated A and A-advanced this season so he will start in AA next year. Theres no way he needs two full seasons in AA and AAA. I’d say a reasonable expectation is for him to be ready by summer of 2010.
“The pitching wasn’t great but wasn’t bad. The pitching staff accounted for the yankees losing around 1-3 more games than expected coming into the season.”
In a bizarre way this is true yet if you look at the April rotation (which seemed to be the result of someone’s crack binge) and look at the end result, it’s beyond comprehension that they came as close as they did. They got 42 wins from that group of 5! Mariano was 5th in wins!(mainly because of his trouble in tie games)
Pettite’s 14 losses and Rasner’s 10 led the team. If Andy’s shoulder held up and Cash got a replacement for Ras at the deadline, this blog may have had a very different feel to it today.
“This is also why Posada needs to play catcher next year if at all possible and not 1b. They don’t simply need his bat -they need his bat at that position.”
Very important distinction, both now and when it comes to his HOF consideration. Posada’s bat at C is outstanding. Posada’s bat at 1B? A little bit above average. Furthermore, his bat at 1B means an average to below average bat at C.
CB, depth was a huge hole last year. With the struggles of Melky, and Cano along with Matsui’s injury, not having anybody to step up and fill in really hurt the Yankees.
Middle infield depth could be aquired via trade. Somebody like a Ryan Freel, or Bill Hall could be useful because they play inf and cf. The reds and Brewers do need bullpen help…
Randy …. I just prayed that none of your prayers are answered.
This is going to be a tough off-season ….. with competing interests trying to curry favor with the almighty.
I especially pray that Cashman and his PLAN(s) are given many years to germinate.
Welcome back, Cash! The Yanks need to do the following:
1. Do not sign Andy, Abreu, nor IRod
2. Sign an ace & a centerfielder with pop & an arm, Giambi & Mussina.
3. Do not trade Cano, sign Cody, help Melky be a better hitter.
4. Re-tool Chamberlain to be Mariano’s caddy.
5. Strengthen the Farm System.
6. Somehow get Jeter to be more of a force in the clubhouse. A little like Posada.
“Hank supposedly changed his cell phone number.”
Hal and Cash changed Hank’s cell phone number. They just haven’t gotten around to telling Hank they did it yet.
SJ44…you are making the point that the Yankees should think about trading Hughes THIS off-season depending on Brackman’s development THIS off-season…
My point is that they will be unable to properly evaluate Brackman’s development THIS off-season and thus be unable to properly decide whether or not to trade Hughes.
You keep trying to pigeon-hole me as a ‘fan’…which I am, which I hope you are as well for all the time you spend on this blog…as I hope everyone who posts here is.
But that also doesn’t mean that I have blind allegiance to ‘my’ guys…
I think trading Hughes now is a bad baseball decision. It is short-sighted and reactionary…just what a Yankee ‘fan’ would want since Hughes had a terrible year.
I was not using Brackman’s 1 winterball start to show he is going to be a good ML player or a bad ML pitcher.
I thought that others here might be interested how he was doing. Just spreading some info.
Doreen,
Keep working it! randy l’s almost back to the bright side. G. Love might be harder to crack.
I thought Brian (Red Sox fan) was cool? He’s bashed Cashman the last 2 days here. Not cool.
Bronx Jeers: It’s kind of amazing, isn’t it?
Pettitte genuinely struggled, but Raser had at least two, and likely more, losses that certainly shouldn’t have been had the Yankees anything remotely resembling offense.
You ow what I see happening next year? the Yankees have an offensive explosion. And then everyone else will be taken by surprise but we’ll be here saying “yeah, we knew it”.
Cashman giving his usual 10 minute answer for one question.
mel -
I linked an article about Brackman that basically said he’ll be with us in ’10 because he was signed to a ML contract.
SJ can say more about it, but the clock’s ticking on that one. Throwing mid-to-high 90′s fifteen months certainly is buzzworthy, IMO.
Hughes won’t be facing the kind of pressure Brackman will.
Re: Brackman’s first appearance. The line was worse because there were 2 passed balls as this was the first time being caught by Buster Posey. There were also 2-3 SB against them just in the first 2 innings.
I think it’s fantastic that he’s even on the hill in organized ball at this point.
FYI, Baseball America has it’s Top 20 Prospects in the Eastern League up. Ajax is #7. Top 4 are from AL East teams (Weiters, Tillman, Snider and Anderson). Tabata came in at #12.
They have the low minors up to. Montero and Romine were #7 and #8 in the Sallie League, but the top 2 among players in an AL organization.
McAllister was #20 in the FSL.
“Who would you like in center?”
I’m interested in seeing what Milwaukee does with Mike Cameron this off season. They have a club option on him for $10M.
The Brewers are going to have a busy off season. That pitching staff will need to be almost entirely retooled. CC is gone, Sheets gone/ breaking down, no closer, bad bull pen, etc.
Given their need for pitching and budget to they reup Cameron for $10M? If they do would they be willing to trade him for pitching, particularly bull pen arms?
Another guy I’d like to see them look into from the Brewers for the bench is Bill Hall. They are looking to dump his contract and not many teams will want to pick it up. He had a bad year at the plate but he’s otherwise a fairly good with the bat. I know Hall wants to play every day but I also think he’s not that happy in Milwaukee.
*fifteen months after TJ
Doreen,
You were so wrong about Cashman. Him leaving would be like abandoning his (dysfunctional) family. Are you always such a worry wart?
Patrick…going back to a point you made a while ago RE: Abreu’s baserunning & Abreu vs Mastui at DH…
That’s the problem Abreu brings speed but he’s a terrible baserunner and Matsui brings no speed and station to station baseball.
Decisions, decisions…I guess if they keep Matsui, it’s even more important for Gardner to learn how to hit ML pitching.
Cashman press conference is on YES.
Brian (Red Sox Fan)
I just prayed that you will be joining us next week in discussing what went wrong with the Red Sox and why they eliminated so quickly.
No offense.
Pettitte broke down. He cant go 200+ innings anymore thats all.
Mel —- I’d like to think that I’m just tweaking Cash (we have the same first name after all). I really do think that the Yankees could do better, but Cashman might prove me wrong.
But, as has been said by many. He only added Latroy Hawkins to a team with a lousy bench, old position players, and (too) young pitching. The farm system has little in the way of position players, and the pitchers haven’t been ML ready. Is Cashman totally inept? No ….. but the Yankees have been in a free-fall on his watch, and it’s not right to blame everything on Tampa, George, Hank, etc.
And “The Plan” isn’t original – everyone is trying to get younger, faster, cheaper – nothing visionary there.The question is, has cashman put the organizational pieces together to execute this generic plan?
Guys like Bill Hall and Ryan Freel would be solid acquisitions for the Yankees.
They are both versatile guys who can play different positions. The kind of flexibility that’s currently missing with this team.
The Yankees also won’t have to give up A List prospects to acquire either guy.
It would be smart to have a player like either guy coming off the bench next season.
CB…next year…Yankees are Brewers East with CC, Bill Hall and Cameron
“Furthermore, his bat at 1B means an average to below average bat at C.”
This is the thing people who want to move Posada to 1b tend not to consider enough.
Moving Posada to 1b would likely relegate them to having average/ below average production at two spots. Catchers are just too difficult to find. That was the whole reason they resigned him in the first place for those large dollars.
That only works if Montero blossoms behind the plate and becomes a power hitting catcher.
CB: Cameron’s drug use doesn’t concern you?
no NL pitchers (at least ones who haven’t pitched in the AL). especially ones who pitch in san diego.
peavy coul;d be the josh beckett for us
If they were able to pull the trigger on the Santana deal in a certain timeframe, Cameron would have been the CF this year.
He was the guy they were targeting to play CF if they did the deal. Unfortunately, as things dragged out, Cameron decided he couldn’t afford to wait any longer and signed with the Brewers.
Who said ‘The Plan’ was original…
Believe me, ‘The Plan’ exists and is being used by other organizations to perfection…Minnesota Twins.
My point is that it takes patience to see it through…and sometimes there are bumps…but you don’t abandon it because of one ‘bad’ year.
Bronx Jeers
I am not optimistic about the upcoming Angel series. I’ll be happy to come on board to grieve over our respective shortcomings and failures …. I’ll probably trot out the dependable “but we were injured” excuse, unless there’s some bad umpiring that I can fall back on.
“Guys like Bill Hall and Ryan Freel would be solid acquisitions for the Yankees”
Hall would cost next to nothing and the Brewers would probably be willing to deliver him to any team who will pay him the $15M he’s due over the next two years.
Is their anyone in this world more skilled at saying less with more than Brian Cashman?
I mean, outside of McCain and Obama?
Jonathan,
Agreed on the Brewers. The teams respective needs match up very well. The Brewers spent $11M on Gagne this year to close – and he was far worse than Veras was. They really have no pitching either in the rotation or in the pen heading into next year.
Rebecca,
He played well this year after coming back from that suspension – I’m assuming he was amphetamine free as he was tested afterwards. He only hit .243 but had a .809 OPS.
If the Brewers decline his option then I’d sign him and let Gardner be the 4th OF.
In terms of position players – do the yankees lock up a lot of money on a Teixeira and take a gamble on Gardner in CF and a thin bench or do they look to pick up a middling 1b, get a Cameron for CF and a Hall/ Freel type for the bench? I think that’s the trade off they’ll need to decide on.
Brian…I think the Sox have key injury issues…too many to overcome a team that is so balanced in every facet of the game.
It’s going to be tough for the Sox…Angels in 4.
CB: If it doesn’t bother you, it doesn’t bother me
Cashman looks ticked that people forgot he was with the organization since 86.
I’m sticking with the idea that Hank Blaylock, if his option is declined, should be the starting 1b for the Yankees next year.
He’s healthy again, he’s young (27), and he has more upside than Kotchman plus it would only cost the Yankees money.
SJ,
Do you think the Brewers will pick up Cameron’s option?
I’m guessing they won’t given their pitching needs and depth of position players. They could move Corey Hart back to CF if they really needed to.
Cash is on a roll.
The headline from Cashman’s press conference so far is going to be, “I stayed to write the story.”
I would be more comfortable locking up long-term money in a position player than a pitcher…
Free-agent pitching is too fragile/too many risks…in fact in the last few years is there any FA pitching signing that really worked out for a team.
Just throwing it out there…I really don’t know….
Ryan Church doesn’t like the Mets… who does?
I guess Pettitte and Clemens for the Astros…but there was juice involved…
Hank Blalock is only 27? I keep thinking he’s been around forever.
“Hall would cost next to nothing and the Brewers would probably be willing to deliver him to any team who will pay him the $15M he’s due over the next two years.”
They looked to dump Hall this year and found no takers.
I’m hoping the yankees may be able to trade some of their bull pen depth, take back Hall’s albatross of a contract and get a useful piece from the Brewers.
“In terms of position players – do the yankees lock up a lot of money on a Teixeira and take a gamble on Gardner in CF and a thin bench or do they look to pick up a middling 1b, get a Cameron for CF and a Hall/ Freel type for the bench? I think that’s the trade off they’ll need to decide on.”
Either way, the Yankees will improve. I don’t think we are going for a big-time FA veteran in the OF with Austin Jackson, Gardner, Nady, Abreu, and Damon all still in the mix. 1B there should be a move.
my view of the position player situation for next year is the following: it depends on Jorge’s shoulder. if he can’t catch 120 games, and has to be a 1b, then you use trading chips for pitchers. if he can catch, trade for a 1b (Kotchman, etc) and use the free agent market for pitching.
how is nady as a 1b? Can he play there all year? i wish he had gotten some playing time there at the end of the year to see if he could handle the position well
And he his unhappy in Milwaukee…but he is unhappy because he doesn’t play everyday.
The situation wouldn’t be any different in NY, unless of course he is an everyday OF…
Interesting to think about…
Just curious what was Hall RE: replacement level OF
“Ryan Church doesn’t like the Mets… who does?”
Can u blame him?
Jonathan – I agree with you on your the Sox injuries. I expect the Angels to test Lowell (with bunts), especially, if he can play. And Drew is is not exactly a “gamer.”
It certainly sets up for the Angels (and I’m not even addressing home field advantage).
If we get swept, maybe we can re-direct our energies towards signing CC, and wreck all of your off-season fun. (That’s a joke – there’s no buzz that the Sox would seriously get involved).
Ryan Church makes me unhappy.
kd, Nady has played 82 (59 starts) games at 1b and has a .990 fpct. over there.
Brian,
Of course the Yankees could always do better. Who? Please don’t tell me Theo. Only realistic ideas please. And I think people grossly undervalue the ability to work with the Steinbrenners.
No GM is perfect, made the right move every time. You can pick on any GM if we wanted to.
90% of the fans are glad he’s back to finish the job that never ends. Bringing in a new hotshot GM who likely would’ve undone a lot of the work that was put in the last 3 years before it had a chance to pay off was not a good idea. (sorry about the runon sentence there)
The fact of the matter is he’s our guy and we support him.
Brian: There being no buzz that the Sox would be involved has me worried.
There was no buzz that Santana would go to the Mets and very little buzz Favre would go to the Jets…
Take your pick of Bill Hall, Ryan Freel, or Ty Wigginton.
Either one will be a tremendous upgrade over what Wilson Betemit has provided.
All good Yankee teams have had a reliable utility man.
I think its pretty unlikely the Brewers pick up Cameron’s option and he is definitely a guy I want the Yankees to consider. Another guy I’d look at in CF is Cody Ross of the Marlins. He had a good year offensively and defensively and he’s arbitration eligible so the Marlins might look to trade him. Both Cameron and Ross are right handed hitters so they would match up well if the Yankees wanted to give Gardner an expanded role in the offense.
For first base I’d love Teixeira but I think thats a long shot. I like the trade ideas of Laroche or Kotchman but I’m not a big fan of Jacobs. Hopefully a trade option is out there if Tex is unobtainable.
On a seperate note, I just read the analysis Replacement Level did on the Yankees season. Pretty shocking that the Yankees underperformed projections in almost every facet of the game — starting pitching, defense, bench offense, starters offense. I’m guessing the blog plans on doing an analysis of the bullpen which I assume overperformed projections?
I saw some hi-lights of Lowell last night on BBTN…dude can’t even run…reminds me of Gibson in ’88, but we know how that turned out
I think the Yanks should take some cues from the Sox re:CC..
But then again the Yankees have a bigger need for SP than the Sox do.
Cashman should be on the phone with Kevin Towers about Jake Peavy today.
…Horses? Are you serious, Cash?
Patrick–the bullpen is probably the only reason we ended up as close to 90 wins as we did.
Rebecca,
I won’t speak for Brian, but they need pitching as well.
Now, they have Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lester, and Wakefield. They won’t repeat the mistake of ’06. I guess Buchholz gets another shot. Masterson would fit in the #5.
Brian,
What’s your projected rotation and who’s better right now, Masterson or Buccholz?
Sheets has a torn tendion is his right elbow. Cross him off your list with black permanent marker.
Cashman: “we’ve been old for awhile and everyone knows it”
Kat O’Brien asks good questions.
Rebecca – I think the Peavy availability will more entice the Sox. They’re not afraid to trade prospects, and the fact that their prospects succeed makes their farm products a more valuable commodity.
Theo likes to do splashy things, and he’s not into analysis/paralysis. Also, he has more prospect chips to play with, especially if you include Elsbury, Lowrie, Masterson in the mix.
I don’t think Teixeira is a long shot…he is a Boras client and Boras clients go where the money is…always have.
Yankees will be at the table and they will make a strong play for him, unfortunately so will others.
At least the Yankees won’t be bidding against themselves this time around.
“Another guy I’d look at in CF is Cody Ross of the Marlins. He had a good year offensively and defensively and he’s arbitration eligible”
I like Ross and had him in mind as well. The only thing with him is that the Marlins don’t absolutely have to trade him. In those situations they are very difficult to deal with. They target very specific minor league players and don’t move off of them.
But if he was available he’d be a good choice. If Cameron was available as a FA I’d go in that direction given that Jackson may only be a year away.
Rebecca,
you are not supposed to surface until sundown.
CB,
I agree the Marlins don’t have to trade him but I believe someone said yesterday that they have 18/25 players that are arbitration eligible this offseason. Ross is arb eligible for the first time so he won’t cost that much but the Marlins might be open to trading him anyways.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see whos available.
It’s true…the Sox have done a better job of developing players and stocking their system with players other teams want.
And it’s not just limited to the pitchers…they also have great position players.
You have to hand it to them…they have executed ‘The Plan’ better than the Yankees.
pat,
I hardly visit her blog, but it was kind of cute yesterday. She had an entry that said “I broke the story” with a link to the story.
I thought that was funny. Good for her. She was in conversations with Hal all day, but he wasn’t giving her info. So I don’t think he’s her source. Maybe Hal and Kat are the only ones with Hank’s new #?
Mel – Masterson is easily better (right now). Bucholz can’t throw a fastball by anyone (velocity OK, but hitters still light it up).
Masterson’s slider has improved dramatically. He can bury it inside on lefthanders, giving him an out pitch which he didn’t have inj the minors. And he has a Kevin Brown sinker (younger version), which is very hard for the hitters to square up on.
His command is so-so, but his stuff (including an OK change)is very good.
“Cashman: “we’ve been old for awhile and everyone knows itâ€
Ya think???
This team went the way of the old Larry Bird Celtics. Great for 6-7 seasons, good enough to get playoff spot, but not good enough to win anything for 5 or 6 seasons after that.
1st step is admitting it.
mel -
Am I always such a worrywort? Yes! But very happily admit that I was wrong. (Frankly, I thought his actual family would object to his returning.)
“randy l
October 1st, 2008 at 10:48 am
well, cashman has every right to be humble”
lol.
randy: will attempt to be humble, as well. I was one of ‘them’, last winter. And believed NYY may have had the next Big 3 (yankees version of Hudson/Mulder/Zito). Didn’t know it as fact, however i believed in the idea of rolling the dice. If we had traded Kennedy/Hughes, we wouldn’t know for certain, would we? Long shot? Ok. It did happen for the A’s, tho.
Cashman took his shot. We didn’t have the Big 3. And he will move forward.
Listening to Cashman Abreu and Giambi are definitely gone.
1. I could see dealing Veras or similar for Cameron and putting him in CF; Brett as 4th OF, or CF if he plays well and pushes Cameron. Or pushes Damon, for that matter.
2. Does anyone know if YES will replay the Cashman press conference? I missed it (I do have to work).
Brian,
Thanks. So Masterson goes back to the rotation next season?
“You have to hand it to them…they have executed ‘The Plan’ better than the Yankees.”
Yes, they have. However, it’s also true that Boston initiated “The Plan” sooner than the Yankees did. So I’d say it’s not so much that they’re executing better as it is that they recognized the need for it sooner and have a 2-3 year head start on the Yankees.
It is too soon to have any high expectations for Andrew Brackman.
He was an excellent high school pitcher. Since high school, his college career features less than 150 innings of, for college, OK but not great numbers at an OK but not great college baseball program. Plus, he’ll be 23 in December.
Scouts love a lot of guys who don’t pan out. Let’s wait a while and see how Brackman does. I hope he’s good someday but I doubt it will be soon and I’m not investing a lot of hope till he puts up some numbers in pro ball.
Peavy is a great pitcher, don’t get me wrong.
But for those of you that think he’s going to duplicate his numbers in the AL you are delusional. Plus he pitches in Petco Park.
I lived in San Diego for 7 years, Petco is the most pitcher friendly park in the majors. Not only is it huge, the balls don’t carry there at all.
Some of the most boring games I’ve ever seen have been in Petco. Visiting offenses die there. Padres hitters constantly complain about the dimensions. I’ve seen more 2-1 games there than anywhere else.
Case in point: Peavy away from Pecto in 2008 4.28 ERA
Peavy at Petco 1.75 ERA
Now add another .75 to that by switching fromt he NL to the AL.
That’s a 5 ERA.
People want to give up Montero, Hughes, AJax.
You guys have no clue.
mel
Don’t know if you heard the presser but she asked Cash what was the tipping point in your decision to come back. He went off on a 10 minute soliloqui about how he started working for the Yankees in 1986 and how he saw the rebuilding that brought championships to NY.
In he ramblings to that question came the headline. He quoted Reggie and said when you have the bat in your hand, you can write the story. If I had left, the right story wouldn’t have been written and I want to write the story.
She also asked whether 1B will be looked at as a holding place for veterans who need to move positions or will the Yankees be looking for a first baseman.
Cashman was saying that he came back to finish what he started, to “save” his name and get the Yankees back into October baseball.
The first thing I think he needs to do is evaluate Girardi’s coaching staff. I would like to see Meacham gone from 3rd and a new bench coach. I think that Thompson is too much like Girardi, too analytical. I think he needs someone coming from a different perspective.
Peavy is far from a “stud”
miggs, a lot of us here have no clue but we don’t let little things like that get in our way. We are positive thinkers here.
Phish announced a tour for 2009 today, does anyone else here care besides me?
Doreen,
I know you place a big premium on the value of the wife, but I’m more “eastern” in that area.
First of all, I don’t want a guy who’s going to let his wife determine his fate be our leader. I want him to also wear the pants in the family. Unless her name his Hillary Clinton or Theresa Heinz Ward (heaven forbid to both) I want a guy who’s the man.
I will begrudge any woman who gets to sit back and enjoy the fruits of her husband’s labor and have the nerve to tell him what he can and can not do. That should be his decision.
If I’m Moose’s wife, I tell him that it’s totally his decision and not say a word. That’s between him and the ball.
The wives have to sacrifice for the greater good of Yankee-kind.
Mel – Masterson projects as a starter, but I’m not so sure that he won’t be a set-up man next year. I’m sure that they’ll want to get Bucholz on track (but he’s totally baffled right now).
There’s some talk about kicking Burnett’s tires, but it’s probably to drive up the price for the Yankees.
Still some work to do …..
Trevor -
I “heard” the same thing from Cashman regarding Abreu/Giambi.
He talked about improving their defense and getting younger.
Those two are defensive liabilities and not getting any younger.
I also heard not to count on getting CC – because CC isn’t really keen on coming here (not said specifically, of course, but it wasn’t too difficult to discern who he was talking about).
I thought I saw a very determined Cashman in the press conference today, and not a man who would be emotionally tied to players, whether they’re veterans or prospects.
And, while there were some questions he skirted (specifically regarding Hank’s quotes in the press), he was fairly forthright, especially for him.
He does use a paragraph when a sentence would suffice, that’s for sure!
True…but it also goes more to my point that you can’t abandon ‘The Plan’ because of a few bumps. The Sox didn’t after they missed the playoffs in ’06
They didn’t trade Lester, Buchholz, Masterson, etc. to address the holes in their starting rotation…they traded a key position player. And it has paid off.
miggs…my man!
I am getting nervous reading this blog. Mike Cameron??????
he has been in the National League the last 5 seasons and the highest he has hit was 273 with the mets in 76 games. He hit 243 this year, so in the Yankees division that puts him at about what Gardner would hit.
Same with Orlando Hudson looks pretty good in the National League but so did Latroy Hawkins. I hope Cashman stays away from National Leagur players, except those that are trur superstars.
lol @ SNY, talking of the Yankees problems.
better worry about the mets.
Was it Hank that said they’re going to look at AL pitchers/players because the east is a beast?
The Yanks have passed on Cameron before. I’d be very surprised if he figures in their plans.
agreed miggs. i just didn’t have the time to go thru all the home/away stuff, hence my lame 1 line bash of peavy an hour or so ago.
“Ryan Church doesn’t like the Mets… who does?â€
Can u blame him?
Not at all
And Cameron doesn’t speak to the issue of the Yankees getting younger…that is for sure.
Jake Peavy away from Petco 3 year totals:
3.73era 20w 14L.
Doesn’t Church play for the Mets and why doesn’t he like them?
Was he shunned for not being “gangsta”?
hall has 3yrs/$25M left including his buyout, i dont see them paying anywhere near that for a bench player. btw, he hit .225 in the n.l. this year (career .258)
Peavy is a better pitcher than any currently on the New York Yankee roster. Dismissing the idea of looking into him is crazy.
Why would SD accept Hughes for Peavy?
If Peavy was on the market, every single team would be in on him and offer much more than that. He is an ace and has a dirt cheap contract.
I regret the Nady trade now, we could have shipped those prospects along with Hughes to SD.
What about Cano for Cain then sign Orlando Hudson?
mel -
You misunderstand me a bit. I’m not saying his wife would have told him, no, you can’t do that anymore and he would listen without discussion. I felt he may have been weighing the impact that this job has on his family. She may have told him don’t be ridiculous, just go to work. Who knows? But clearly there was something pulling at him, or there would have been no need to think it over, since he said he wouldn’t leave a job in the middle.
I can only say that in my relationship with my husband, I am one of the lucky ones who can “sit back and enjoy the fruits of my husband’s labor.” I would never tell him what he can or can’t do with regard to his work. However, we are also fortunate to have a relationship where we do discuss his options. Of course, the decisions in that regard are his, and I support whatever decision he ultimately makes. Wives, even those of us not gainfully employed, should have input in decisions that will have an effect on the family.
And sometimes we even have some useful insight.
“Why would SD accept Hughes for Peavy?”
They liked Igawa last year. We’ll throw him in too.
Wow I’m glad none of you are the GM.
How can you realistically say that Peavy is worth giving up these guys?
I posted his home/away splits. In case you missed it, that was a 4.28 ERA in the NL on the road.
Imagine a full year in the AL? Use common sense here please.
“Doesn’t Church play for the Mets and why doesn’t he like them?
Was he shunned for not being “gangstaâ€?”
He got his bell rung more times than the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Anyone know where I can get audio on the Cashman press conference?
I was in a meeting and missed it.
brian( red sox fan)
so dueling prayers is it? if you ‘ll notice i didn’t pray against the red sox,just for the angels. i’m trying to pray appropriately as doreen has suggested.
i’m baffled by some of the clearly smart posters here on the blog who blindly believe in cashman despite knowing that he came up with one of the all time stupid baseball plans in yankee history with his hughes, kennedy, joba plan.
how does that get explained away by bad luck ?
it wasn’t bad luck. it was a really bad plan.
if you notice, none of them engage me on the issue.
none of them wants me to ask them what was their position on hughes, kennedy, and joba last spring.
of course, it’s really likely that i’ll just go away and stop reminding people that cashman really went into 2008 with that as the centerpiece of his plan. it’s going to be a long winter for some if they don’t accept that cashman needs to change himself before he can change the yankees. he’s a very flawed gm at present.
short of that epiphany i was talking about for cashman, the yankees are in serious trouble for the near future.
i’m sure some are praying now that i would just shut up.
on another note, do you think the red sox faked the beckett injury to get their best pitcher starting without having to explain the switch to the press?
if they could work a deal for peavy then sign derrick lowe, they could stay out of the cc sweepstakes and not have to pay another $20M+ contract, that would be nice.
lowe vs. balt, tampa and tor: (never faced the sox)
23-19, 17 SV, 312 IP, 319 H, 86 BB, 206K, 3.89 era, 1.30 whip
lowe at fenway:
42-32, 39 SV, 520 IP, 482 H, 142 BB, 348 K, 3.12 era, 1.38 whip
“And sometimes we even have some useful insight.”
Yup, that happened once in my marriage.
Cain? he is very over rated. Hudson? he hit 300 in the NL and hit about 265-270 in the AL he is what 30 years old? Cano is way better, Cano on a bad season hit higher this year than Hudson will hit in the AL.
I am also surprised Nady is a slam dunk to stay, he has youth, but he will be only a 270-280 hitter here
“And Cameron doesn’t speak to the issue of the Yankees getting younger…that is for sure.”
In order to get younger the yankees need a better migration plan to do so.
That’s the big take away lesson from this year with Hughes, Kennedy and Chamberlain.
The pitching wasn’t why they missed the playoffs but regardless that move didn’t work out. Good organizations make adjustments.
So Cameron doesn’t make them younger – but what he does do is to allow them to ease Austin Jackson into the CF role a year or two down the line without rushing him.
He also allows them to evaluate Brett Gardner as a 4th outfielder rather than just starting him in CF and then scrambling if he fails to hit (as what happened with Melky this year).
“hall has 3yrs/$25M left including his buyout, i dont see them paying anywhere near that for a bench player. ”
Hall has an albatross of a contract. That works in the yankees favor. If they absorb his contract they should be able to get another decent position player back if they were to trade say a veras in some kind of deal. Hall doesn’t need to be the primary guy in the deal. He had a bad year last year but the year before he had a .754 OPS, the year prior an .899 OPS.
A .750 OPS player coming off the bench who can play 2b,SS, 3b and every position in the outfield in a pinch would be very valuable to a team like the yankees.
Miggs: interesting breakdown on Peavy. You may be right.
Tom: with you on Blalock, for 1st base. Provided he is available.
I like Bill Hall
Madden had an interesting article today. He suggested Hughes AND Cano for Holliday. I would do Hughes straight up, not Hughes AND Cano.
You can’t be against the Cashman signing unless you think the Yanks would have signed a better GM.
I for one don’t think they would have. I don’t have an enormous amount of confidence in Hal, Hank, Randy and company yet.
The frying pan feels OK now. The fire looks to hot.
*** too hot ***
Excellent quote from Sherman’s article today:
“As badly as we want him, you have to ask yourself, ‘Is this how your want to begin a marriage? By bribing someone to come here,’ ” a Yankees official said. “I think it sets you up for a bad relationship if you have someone here who doesn’t really want to be here and came only because of the money. And I think if you pay him a contract that blows away the last record (Johan Santana’s six-year, $137.5 million deal), you are putting unreal pressure on him from the outset.”
from yahoo sports:
Tue, Sep 30 “The Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant writes the Texas Rangers will likely pick up their $6.2 million option on IF Hank Blalock for the 2009 season. However, it is uncertain where Blalock would play, as he could be used as the DH, first baseman or third baseman. An additional option would be to trade him away to a contender, perhaps in return for young pitching, as the team could use 1B Chris Davis at first base and 3B Travis Metcalf at third base.”
Baseball has quickly evolved into a young mans game. The elimination of amphetamines from MLB clubhouses has leveled the playing field and youth will always triumph in that setting.
Every other sport is dominated by youth as Baseball’s “star turnover” rate has traditionally been low as compared to the other major sports we celebrate. Why was that? Because speed makes old players play like they’re younger and when you combine a drug aided “youthful exuberance” with a veteran players skill and experience, you get players excelling for a far longer period of time than is normal.
It’s too bad for me as my industry has lost a decent customer base.
I don’t tend to put much stock in anything Joel Sherman says – he seems to have an axe to grind with the Yankees and no matter what they do he’ll take the other side.
In that same article he kills Girardi, kisses up to Torre, yada yada yada, we get it.
Have people actually watched Peavy pitch, he is an artist. He was a Cy Young Winner two seasons ago. Yes he plays in a pitchers park but his stuff is absolutely atrocious, he is probably the top strike out righty in baseball, and maybe the top strikeout pitcher in the league over the past 3 years. Do people actually think Wang is better than Peavy? If he is available then we should get him in the fold. Hell it’s definitely worth Cano/Hughes,Kennedy, and a subsidized Matsui. I’d consider that fair given Peavy’s contract but what might be sane to me could be crazy to others.I feel like Matsui and Cano would be huge upgrades for them.
Y’s Guy, That stinks.
“Peavy is a better pitcher than any currently on the New York Yankee roster. Dismissing the idea of looking into him is crazy.”
you like him better than Wang?
and i’m not dismissing the idea of looking into him, i’m dismissing putting an overpriced package together for him with expectations that he would be an ace in the AL East…
i have a hard time thinking he’d have an ERA under 4 in the AL.
CB,
I don’t think the Brewers pick up Cameron’s option.
Depending on how they remake the team, he’s not a bad stopgap leading to Austin Jackson in 2010.
Just taking a pitchers home and away stats doesn’t always tell the entire story. Its not like Peavy has pitched for quality offensive teams.
How many of his road games would be wins if he had better run support, especially early in games?
That’s something we don’t know.
Unless everybody is sandbagging, you do get the feeling that initial trial balloons sent in CC’s direction has not yielded the response the Yankees desire.
Its one thing to “offer him the moon”. Its another to offer him “the moon AND the stars”.
I think they will offer him the moon. I’m quite sure they won’t offer him the moon AND the stars.
So, instead of CC and AJ, maybe it’s AJ and Lowe.
And how well does Hank Blalock play first base? Would Casey Kotchman be available for a similar – or reasonable – price?
It makes little sense to spend too much time projecting player personnel moves without first looking over the 40-man roster to see who is expendable in deals or who will be dropped to clear roster space for somebody like Zach McAllister for example.
Brian Cashman will not make player moves of significance until the World Series is finished.
Any coaching changes will likely be Cashman’s 1st order of business along with restructuring of the front office.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p?c_id=nyy
Could someone fill me in why Church hates the Mets?
Tek,
Holliday or Halladay?
Holliday, no effin way – Halladay, I say heck yay!
Kellerman was just talking about the plausibility of getting Ichiro. He would be a great bridge to AJax if hes obtainable.
Ichiro CF
Jeter SS
Tex 1B
Arod 3B
Matsui or Manny DH
Nady RF
Posada C
Cano 2B
Damon LF
I’m sorry, I must have missed something. Why exactly do the Padres trade Jake Peavy?
the yankees really need to do something with chien ming wang. with all the talk of sabathia ,and it is almost a consensus on the blog that some serious free agent spending is necessary, wang needs to be locked up.
i’ve heard it straight form someone who knows wang well that wang is ticked off at his treatment by the yankees as far as signing a long term contract and has no intention of signing with them when his free agency comes.
does anyone think wang will see a hundred million dollar plus contract given to sabathia and not want something similar himself?
Doreen,
I was just tweaking you.
Funny thing about the “eastern” philosphy. The wives make the important decisions, but the husbands end up thinking it was their idea all along.
Isn’t too soon to speculate on what responses CC may or may not have made to “trial balloons” which may or may not have been sent and would have been highly unusual given what CC’s job is right now?
Let’s wait till after the playoffs, at least, before we get too involved in speculating on CC’s response to what are probably non-existent and hypothetical approaches.
I’m sorry, I must have missed something. Why exactly do the Padres trade Jake Peavy?
source
SJ 44 –
Should the Yanks try looking into trading for Ryan Garko rather than spending huge bogus amount of money on Texieiera??
Thanks, Ed. But given what the Padres are paying Jake for 09, it would need to be some package.
It could be that Cashman was trying to temper expectations or he could be indirectly putting the ball in CC’s court.
All I know is I’m resisting the “got to have CC” movement, mostly because Hank all but promised we would get him when he basically conceded the season 2 months ago.
Just where on the West Coast is CC going to?
It’s not going to be Oakland or SD – that’s not their modus operandi. I can’t imagine SF – I thought their big need was hitting, and they already have a huge contract that they regret (Barry Zito). LA? Not unless what I’ve read about Dodger ownership is incorrect?
Anaheim? I think that they would go after Tex (why did they trade for him, after all?). CC and Tex would add potentially $40M a year for a lot of years, and jack up their payroll by about a third from $119M (per Cot’s).
So what’s CC’s plan – to take a major discount to play on the West Coast?
Randy,
I think if Wang didn’t get hurt this year the Yankees would have initiated talks to give him a multi-year deal.
Now? I think he has to have a good season next year for that to happen.
I can’t see the Yankees extending him now because you have to see how he is coming off the injury.
“you like him better than Wang?”
Yes. He’s a younger guy. Less prone to injury. Has better stuff. Can strike people out.
“i have a hard time thinking he’d have an ERA under 4 in the AL.”
Not sure why. Throws hard. Misses bats. The really great pitchers can pitch in either league.
I don’t think Ryan Garko is that good. He would be available but, the Yankees could do better to find a first baseman.
Wave,
Trial balloons go up all the time between agents, players and teams with soon to be eligible free agents.
Happens every year. Doesn’t mean that a negative, or positive for that matter, initial response determines a players future destination.
However, it does give a team early indications as to whether or not they should have Plan B ready just in case their preferred targets aren’t interested in coming to a particular team.
“Anaheim? I think that they would go after Tex (why did they trade for him, after all?). CC and Tex would add potentially $40M a year for a lot of years, and jack up their payroll by about a third from $119M (per Cot’s).”
Don’t discount them. They have a lot coming off the books. They will NOT resign Krod, Garland or G. Anderson (they’ll pass on his option and maybe sign him for cheaper money). Lackey is coming up on free agency after next year. Escobar comes off their books after next year as well.
As for the 2nd part of your question, I’d guess the Yankees would have to pay a little more for Sabathia’s services than the Angels would.
“Not sure why.”
reread my posts…
“Just taking a pitchers home and away stats doesn’t always tell the entire story. Its not like Peavy has pitched for quality offensive teams.
How many of his road games would be wins if he had better run support, especially early in games?
That’s something we don’t know.”
SJ:
When did I bring offensive numbers or wins and losses into the equation?
I simply stated his road ERA, which was 4.28.
If he pitches for the Yankees, he isn’t pitching in Petco Park, where his ERA was 1.75 this year.
He’s pitching in other parks, where his ERA was 4.28 last year in the NL.
Translate that to the AL and you have another Randy Johnson, another Kevin Brown.
I have been to hundreds of games at Petco. I’ve seen balls that were absolutely crushed not even make it to the warning track. You see hitters jogging back to the dugout shaking their heads. Its reality.
If the Yankees trade for Peavy I would expect an ERA of 4.50 minimum. I’m not talking about run support or wins and losses. I’m talking ERA. Pretty straight forward here.
“So what’s CC’s plan – to take a major discount to play on the West Coast?”
Make sure he constructs a good story for why he just can’t play in NY in order to get leverage over the yankees so they over pay him?
Cano, Veras, Kennedy and Hughes for Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez.
Padres get two young arms to plug into their rotation, a power arm for their ‘pen, a very good, young position player at a reasonable salary and the ability to move Kouzmanoff to first and Headley back to his original position of third base.
Yankees then sign Hudson as a FA for second base.
They get a top of the rotation starter, all star first baseman (with a great glove) and a very solid second baseman.
The cost of all this is less than one year of CC Sabathia and still puts the Yankees in position to do more in the free agent market.
Just throwing it out there.
SJ 44 –
Garko does play some good defense, and he does have some decent nuumbers, not exactly Giambi’s number but still good. His only “down” year would be this year since this is his second full season in the lineup.
I think Garland is on the list of options for Yankee pitching. I agree that we should lock up Wang now as a reasonable price, before he asks for much more. Take note from Posada and Rivera. Sign early, pay less. You can probably have Wang at between 6-8 Mil / Year.
I like Peavy a lot.
Chamberlain is going to be in the pen waiting for Rivera to retire.
Mussina pay retire, but i think you find a way to get Pettitte and Mussina back for stability.
CC, Wang, Peavy/Burnett/Garland, Mussina, Pettitte? Let Hughes get into a rhythm in AAA before bringing him up.
Miggs,
A 4.50 ERA in the AL isn’t necessarily bad.
The problem with projections like that is, they are just that, projections.
The guy is considered one the 10 best arms in the game, regardless of his home ballpark.
Josh Beckett had similar projections done of him when he left Florida for Boston. Yet, I don’t know a lot of people in the game who wouldn’t want Josh Beckett on their team.
No doubt, he pitches in a great pitchers ballpark. However, he is still a great pitcher.
Its apples and oranges to compare him to Johnson and Brown. Both of those guys were much older, and were physical wrecks, compared to Peavy at this stage of his career.
Cash Money is the savior
“Could someone fill me in why Church hates the Mets?”
———————————————————
Here is a quote from Church about NY:
“It’s the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark, looking like you’re riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing.” In addition he went on to add “The biggest thing I don’t like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?”
Actually I got my quotes mixed up. That one’s John Rocker.
Here is Church’s.
” I nearly had my brains spilled out on the outfield grass and they expect me to play 2 weeks later? Some guys like this manager, other like that one. There’s a bunch of cry baby choke artists polluting the clubhouse and the GM’s totally incompetent. Oh, And the fans are as fickle as they come. But other than that, I like playing here.”
actually I just made that up but it sounds about right?
“Cano, Veras, Kennedy and Hughes for Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez.”
I believe the Pads would find that too light.
Garland is an Orange County guy and prefers to stay on the West Coast.
I see him signing with the Dodgers or Padres before coming east.
That’s why the White Sox got rid of him. They knew they had no shot at re-signing him.
update
if hughes and kennedy go to Petco, we’ll be reading comments in 2-3 years about how we need to make trades for these guys
Bronx Jeers –
Thanks. John Rocker is one racist dude. As for Church, he is so going to get traded or get released.
Fredo
they can have Melky too.
SJ – I thought Hudson was coming off wrist surgery? Will he be ready to play come April, and how well?
Fredo,
Perhaps. What we don’t know is, what’s the pull on the other (Padres) end?
Is Moores telling his front office to blow it up?
So many of these type of deals are done today for non-baseball reasons.
An owner is in the midst of a bad divorce, looking to sell the team, and wants to shed payroll. Moores is involved in the first part of that sentence. Not sure if the other part of the sentence plays out.
Or, there is division in the front office at the direction of the franchise and they are looking to move guys.
Its well known that Towers and Sandy Alderson don’t get along well at all.
Or, a player (in this case Peavy) has a no trade clause, says he wants out, and tells the team he will only go to a certain team(s).
All of these things often drive deals.
That’s the great thing about baseball. You never know what’s pulling these teams in the direction they go in when they do deals.
******My 25 Man Opening Day Roster for Next Season*******
C Posada/Molina
1B Casey Blake/Shelly Duncan
2B Robinson Cano
SS Derek Jeter
3B Alex Rodriguez
Util IF Wilson Betemit
RF Xavier Nady
CF Bret Gardner
LF Johnny Damon
util OF Melky Cabrera
SP CC Sabathia
SP CM Wang
SP Joba Chamberlain
SP Phil Hughes
SP Alfredo Aceves
RP Edwar Ramirez
RP Johnathan Albaladejo
RP Brian Bruney
RP Demaso Marte
RP Jose Veras
RP Phil Coke
RP Mark Melancen
CP Mariano Rivera
I think that blake would take a couple years to be our first baseman. He is a good hitter, and would work well near the bottom of the order
Just heard on the FAN that Santana had surgery for a torn miniscus in his knee, meaning he pitched with that last weekend. But I`m so glad we didnt trade Hughes, Kennedy or Melky for him, it wasnt worth it
Start from the bench up. Betemit should already be gone. Should never have been here, shouldn’t even be allowed to buy a ticket. That is one move I just never figured out, did we get someone of value along with him, then ok. If so thants done and over why is the guy still here?
SteveB
October 1st, 2008 at 10:22 am
In recent years I’ve been called an a-rod basher.
I admit that I am, but I only call it as I see it.
The point I want to make is, last night the White Sox topped the Twins 1-0, in the single most important game of the year for both teams. The hero of that game was the Sox’ cleanup hitter, who got THE clutch hit (HR) in late innings (7th).
It must be nice when that happens.
____________________________________________________
I’d hate to see you look and feel stupid for that bit of BS, but, in close and late situations, Thome was .182 and 2 outs and runners in scoring position, he’s .226. He’s .256 and .254 career-wise. You were saying?
“An owner is in the midst of a bad divorce, looking to sell the team, and wants to shed payroll.”
Sure, but since Cano has more money due him than Gonzalez, the shedding payroll logic won’t fly here. They’d tell Cash “keep Cano and we’ll keep A Gonz”
“An owner is in the midst of a bad divorce, looking to sell the team, and wants to shed payroll.”
Sure, but since Cano has more money due him than Gonzalez, the shedding payroll logic won’t fly here. They’d tell Cash “keep Cano and we’ll keep A Gonz”
Well, Manny is true to form. No one, other than possibly Pujols, can do what Manny does.
Test