Has Marte signed?
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- November
- 12
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Via the indispensable MLB Trade Rumors site comes a report that the Yankees have signed Damaso Marte to a three-year deal.
I am working on confirming this. I also have a twice-rescheduled appointment I need to get to. So check back later.
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on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 at 10:18 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
3 years of Marte….
Sox fans are drooling!
in related news…. Tabata went 3-4 last night with a HR.
Middle relievers and long-term contracts….a match made in hell.
I like Marte. It’s the furthest thing from a crippling deal for the Yanks (fo’ real…) It still comes off as a rather silly signing considering what we got out of a no-name bullpen and what we’ve got coming up.
Good to have a veteran lefty in the pen. He’s been coveted for years.
The years is 1 year too long IMO, but the contract won’t be too difficult to move in case someone from the system pushes past him or if he becomes ineffectiv. It’s not like he’s Farnsworth or anything.
BTW, Jeff Marquez is starting today in AFL.
And does anyone know if what teams Cano, Melky, & Gardner are playin on in winter ball?
Signing Marte to a two year K would be better. He will be 34 in 2009. If he was signed by another team, Yankees will get two first round picks for him. That would be a great value deal.
Smart deal. Not too much money. Also lets the Yanks consider using Phil Coke in potential trades. Two lefties in the pen isn’t a bad option either.
Chris,
What it really does is allows Coke to develop as a starter if we’re shorthanded in the rotation.
I’d like to see this confirmed in other sources. Some of these breaking reports from sources in the DR have been off the mark.
That said – if true – this is an excellent deal for the yankees. I didn’t think they’d just turn down his option and let him walk. Not after giving up a talented player like tabata for him and not after wanting him for so long.
Marte was a bit up and down, especially when he first came over, but I think he had a tired arm. He’d been used more as a LOOGY the past few years and didn’t throw many innings. Last year he got moved to closer by the pirates and was throwing many more innings.
This move sets the yankees up to have an absolutely dominant bull pen in 2009 – probably the best in baseball. They will also be very, very deep – both at the major league level and in the minors.
Most teams don’t have one effective lefty reliever. The yankees may have 2 power lefties coming out of the pen. And that’s in addition to Mo who is death on left handed hitters with his cutters.
The pen was strong in 2008. It going to be even better in 2009 with Marte coming back.
i thought he would be back the yanks have wanted him for a long time, i dont think they would just give him up like that, besides he said he liked his time with the yanks, girardi just has to learn that he is not a 2 inning 50 pitch pitcher, he is one inning tops!!!
MLB Trade Rumors has linked to that Spanish site before. And they’ve been dead wrong a few times. Let’s not jump the gun.
But if it is true, man, what a dumb signing. 3 years?
And mel, I don’t think this changes Coke’s status. He turns 27 during the season and showed something out of the pen in September. I don’t think he’ll be going back to the minor leagues to start at that age since he’s already shown some worth out of the bullpen.
If Marte is locked up for 2009 and beyond it might be smart to try and trade Veras, Ramirez or Bruney. They all had some success in 2008 and the Yankees don’t really need all 3 of them. I think a team like the Mets or Brewers who are playoff contenders but have a weak bullpen could use any of those guys. The Yankees also have Albaladejo coming back (who pitched yesterday). He had some nice outings before he was injured but because of that injury I doubt his trade value is very high.
Rivera
Marte
Coke
Bruney
Edwar
Veras
Melancon
Robertson
Sanchez
Albaladejo
Cox
Britton
That’s a lot of options….
I have o problem with this deal at all. Marte is a solid lefty out of the pen. Given our lack of lefties, and our short right field porch, you can never have too many solid lefties.
That said, he has good trade value if we decide to dump him in a year or two.
Bobby,
I was just following the bread crumb trail. I don’t know if you read that Cash said (at the GM meetings) that Coke could be a reliever or he could be a starter. Paraphrasing, Cashman said that Coke gives them options and what they do with him depends on what happens over the winter. But he’s definitely in Cashman’s plans.
It’s not a dumb signing. The dollars are such that it’s an easily moveable deal if they ever wanted to trade him.
As far as years, he would have gotten 3 yr offers as a FA. The years are fine.
His age is meaningless. His arm is sound and that’s what counts.
If the story is true, a solid off-season start for the Yankees.
In the NY Daily News this morning it was reported that the Yanks were closing in on a multi-year deal with Marte and that Marte wanted 3 years.
He’s a lefty specialist, no more. If they use him properly, he should be fine.
Very good signing…..Can only hope that it’s a sign of things to come
Marte isn’t just a lefty specialist. He can definitely get through a full inning when needed. He isn’t a workhorse but he can pitch to both lefties and righties. Just because he had a bad month with the Yankees doesn’t change what has done over the rest of his career.
Id have rather had the class A picks. Marte is a bust.
“If Marte is locked up for 2009 and beyond it might be smart to try and trade Veras, Ramirez or Bruney.”
I agree with this. Right now the yankee strength in the majors and minors is bull pen pitching.
Now by themselves Veras, Ramirez, etc. may be nothing special. But each year in both free agency and in the trade market, bull pen help is in big demand.
If Veras is on the Mets last year – they make the playoffs.
The yankees can afford at this point to trade Veras, Ramirez, JB Cox, Robertson, Bruney, etc. as a package of 3 pitchers. That would literally be trading a team half a bull pen. The yankees could lose 3 of those guys and fill in for them from the minors without losing much, especially with Marte back.
Teams like the Brewers, Texas, Colorado, the Mets all need bull pen help. Teams always need bull pen help. That’s why Scott Linebrink got a 5 year $19M deal last winter after having a poor year.
It’s a smart signing, if true, especially if those numbers are right. Three years, $4M per? For an under 35 yr old lefty who has experience closing? Good signing. Farnsworth made $7M a year, didn’t he? That’s a bad signing…Marte was bad during his short time here this season, but I do think he will be better over a larger sample size, also factoring in comfort level.
Rivera, Bruney, Marte, Melancon, Coke, Aceves (long man), and Robertson could be the 2009 bullpen. That’s a pretty damn good bullpen.
That would give the Yankees two guys, Veras and Ramirez, who have value to teams looking for relief pitching and are not willing to pay the price for guys like KRod and Fuentes.
In other words, the Yankees have options. They can move a part or two and strengthen the bench or another spot on the team, without weakening their ‘pen.
Most teams are looking for relief help. If the Yankees can evaluate their own talent correctly, they can use some of the excess to trade for additional prospects and/or players.
They also have additional options in the high minors – both lefty and righty. It is very nice to be able to sign a reasonable contract for a guy they want and not be forced to sign high price retreads.
Now on to that starting rotation!
He wasn’t bad last year. He was bad for about 3 weeks after he threw over 40 pitches in a game in Texas (when they were short in the bullpen) and his elbow flared up.
Aside from that time, he was very solid.
Guys in bullpens all over baseball are up and down. That’s why they are in the ‘pen.
Marte has been one of the more consistent relief pitchers in the game the past few years. Used properly, he can be dominant.
With a deeper bullpen, Girardi will be able to use him properly to gain maximum effectiveness.
Bruney’s a keeper. Ramirez is the one-trick pony so he’s the least valuable, but would be harder to move. Veras (second weakest link IMO) would draw interest, though. Throws hard, even if he’s a little wild.
I’d be willing to sell high on Veras and Edwar, but I’d rather keep Bruney at this point. You’re talking about some key reasons why the bullpen was so good this year (and Mariano, of course). There’s no guarantee that these arms are interchangeable, but for guys like Veras and Edwar who have shown histories of struggling, I wouldn’t mind selling high. But I think a guy like Bruney is a good experienced vet at this point who can stabilize the bullpen. Maybe they can bring Farnsworth back as well, though for way less money. Good news is he wouldn’t cost any draft picks…
Omar Minaya is sobbing into his cheerios right now as he struggles to get K-Rod on the phone.
If true, good signing. 3/12 is both reasonable and tradeable.
Can we get equal value back for Edwar?
“Rivera, Bruney, Marte, Melancon, Coke, Aceves (long man), and Robertson could be the 2009 bullpen.”
That is a pretty good bullpen but I’m not sure I trust Robertson yet. He was really good for the first few outings but after hitters figured him out he got crushed. He dominated the minors last year so I’m not sure what benefit he would have by staying in AAA so maybe he deserves a shot in the majors. I think Albaladejo will be in the mix as well, he’s a pretty good pitcher.
If true this is a good value as LaTroy got 3.5 mil from Houston. Granted 1 yr but Marte was definitely going to get offers.
The Yanks should move on Pettite next.
There were two signing last year that really have to be taken into consideration when you see what guys sign for this year:
Scott Linebrink – 5 yrs/ 19M
Carlos Silva – 4 yrs/ 48M
Now Silva’s deal is far worse than Linebrink’s. But both are bad and changed the market considerably.
Compare Marte at 3 yrs/ 12M to Linebrink at 5yrs/ 19M. Marte is the better pitcher and is left handed. Good value.
mel
Weren’t you saving me from myself with Bruney last year? What converted you to upgrading him to keeper?
Nick,
I’m sure that some team will be willing to give up a case of toothpicks. We could hold out for the cinnamon flavored ones, though.
Sorry – mistake on Linebrink’s deal. He was 4 yrs/ 19 M. Compared to that Marte is a great deal.
I wouldn’t be so quick to move Ramirez or Veras. I’m not a big Veras fan, since his lack of control bothers me, and Ramirez may be a one trick pony, but its nice having a change up pitcher who can follow a hard thrower like Bruney in the pen.
Still as SJ44 pointed out bullpen’s are tough to predict, and it never hurts to have lots of options. If a reliever is needed to complete a package for a centerfielder or first baseman, then fine include them. But otherwise I wouldn’t just trade them for the heck of it.
CB,
I’ve been thinking about Linebrink’s deal since the Yankees declined Marte’s option. I figure if Linebrink can get 4 years at almost 5 mil per year who’s to say Marte can’t get even more? He’s a better pitcher and left-handed coming off a fairly good year. If the Yanks get Marte at 3 years and 12 million its a very good deal.
The Yankees have signed Damaso Marte to a three-year $12 million deal.
Exclusiva; Dámaso Marte firma por 12 millones de dólares con los Yanquis
Dámaso Marte
El relevista dominicano Dámaso Marte llegó a un acuerdo de tres años y 12 millones de dólares con los Yanquis de Nueva York, según reveló este miércoles una fuente confiable a Impactodeportivo.com.do.
Originalmente, los Yanquis habÃan declinado una opción de seis millones de dólares para el 2009.
Pero asumiendo sus debilidades en el pitcheo abridor, y lo útil que puede ser Marte en el relevo intermedio, han decidido retenerlo por tres años y 12 millones de dólares.
Marte ha lanzado en Grandes Ligas con los Marineros, Piratas, Medias Blancas y los Yanquis.
De por vida tiene efectividad de 3.29.
Anyone have a list of reasons why obtaining Jermaine Dye doesn’t make any sense assuming we are unable to get a CF for a reasonable price? That would put Dye in RF, Damon in CF, and Nady in LF with Matsui as the DH and Garnder as the 4th outfielder.
Exclusive: Damaso Marte signs with the Yankees for 12 mill.
The Dominican Reliver Damaso Marte agreed to sign for 3 years and 12 million dollars with the New York Yankees, according to a reliable source at Impactodeportive.com.do.
Originally, the Yankees declined an option for 6millions of dollars for 2009.
Noticing their weakness in their starting rotation, and how effective Marte could become as a middle reliver they then decided to retain him for 3 years and 12 million dollars.
Marte has thrown for the Mariners, Pirates, White Sox and the Yankees
Holding a life time ERA of 3.29
If true, the Marte deal is an indication that the Yanks are not going to let the current economic climate affect their contract offers. Expect to see big offers to multiple FAs, IMO.
Personally, I don’t like the Marte deal. He’s solid, but on a marginal cost basis I don’t think we are getting enough improvement over your average lefty reliever to justify the $4MM. Could have been spent better elsewhere, IMO.
Plus, how many relievers are good three years in a row? Chances are, the Yanks will regret the salary at least one of those years.
Oh well, the Yanks comparitive advantage is to throw money at problems, so I guess that’s what they are doing. As long as they don’t pass up a needed FA with the excuse that their payroll is too high…
“Anyone have a list of reasons why obtaining Jermaine Dye doesn’t make any sense assuming we are unable to get a CF for a reasonable price? That would put Dye in RF, Damon in CF, and Nady in LF with Matsui as the DH and Garnder as the 4th outfielder.”
Breaking News: Damon cant play CF all year long.
Rivera, Bruney, Veras, Marte, Coke, Edwar plus one from the below list of: (Aceves, Melancon)
Power arms are always the key to put together a strong bullpen. Edwar has value because his great change up is a swing and miss pitch. However, his fastball is resting around low 90’s when he is going right. With his built, he could add a tick or two to his fastball. If that happens, his stuff will be even better.
“I figure if Linebrink can get 4 years at almost 5 mil per year who’s to say Marte can’t get even more?”
Linebrink was also a Type A free agent. Some people have speculated being a Type A would hurt Marte – and it probably would have. But if Linebrink got a terrible deal as a type A Marte would have as well. Marte is older but is coming off a much better season and is of course left handed.
The Brewers are in desperate need for bull pen help, especially now that Saloman Torres retired. They really have nothing in the pen at all. Veras might be able to close for them. Their minor leagues are stocked with position players but they have very little pitching.
LA Times is saying deal Dodgers offered Manny was $15M for 2009, $22.5 for 2010 and a team option for $22.5 for 2011 with a $7.5M buyout. Dodgers might consider making it a 3 year deal instead of an option but right now the offer is only on the table until Thursday night.
pat,
Bruney’s got confidence to complement his “stuff” now.
His weaknesses were his temper and the “between the ears” stuff.
It seems like he’s got things under control now.
He’s a keeper, but on a year-by-year basis! There’s only one reliever that’s been good over the long haul. That HOF dude.
i would not get rid of bruney.
18 hits in 34.1 innings,0.99 whip,1.53 BAA and he is not yet 27 years old.
Jim Bowden must be crazy:
“Notes: After witnessing Manny Ramirez’s impact on the Dodgers and their fans, the Washington Nationals and GM Jim Bowden are promising everyone they’re going to be players in the Manny bidding.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
breaking news: hence why gardner is the 4th outfielder in the scenario. Don’t bother responding. If u think cameron/nady/damon is a reasonable outfield and will produce runs, that’s fine
Tom,
Not a stretch at all. Bostonians will deny it, but Manny thrilled them for years. He electrified LA for months.
He’s definitely worth the money. Manny’s the type of player that transcends what goes on in the field.
I know, he has his flaw (quite a few). But the fact remains that a lot of people love Manny because of the Manny being Manny.
“Jim Bowden must be crazy:”
You’re just realizing this now?
Tom
If the Dodgers offer is any indication of the market, lots more teams could afford to be players than would have originally been projected to be.
they only wan’t to pay him 37.5 million over the first 2 years,less than 19 million a year.he is worth at least 2 yrs/50 million imo.
One less person in the Yankee booth next season. IN my opinion YES loss and MMLB Network’s gain. Cant wait for the channel to launch
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_.....p;c_id=mlb
bru,
Agreed. The first report of a 2 year, Alex-type of $$ sounded far better.
The guy didn’t wiggle out of a $20M option to get $15M in his first year. Not at his age.
What’re the Dodgers thinking?
i think 6 yrs 144 million is what sabathia is worth.
6 years scares be but 7 scares the you know what out of me.
it would be nice if we can get him for 5 yrs/125 million.
i understand not wanting to give him the years but less than 19 million per year is an insult.
this is a guy who had an ops of 1000 or better and you simply couldn’t get him out down the stretch.
scares be
correction,meant
scares me.
Well, to be fair Bowden has always been crazy. Manny would be a great role-model for Dukes and Lastings. He did thrill Sox fans and he does have an electric personality-when everything is great and going HIS way.
“What’re the Dodgers thinking?”
The Dodgers may not be truly serious about signing him. This is the kind of offer teams make to show fans they’ve made an effort.
The only reason they agreed to the Manny trade in the first place was because Boston picked up the rest of Manny’s 2008 salary – around $7.5M I believe.
McCourt does not like to spend money. He was relatively undercapitalized to buy the team in the first place and has since been more concerned about their revenue streams than their team on the field.
They keep making cosmetic moves – Andru Jones, etc. that seem more like they are done to show L.A. they are trying than anything else.
Strange situation there. McCourt. The schism in their front office between Coletti and Logan White. Other teams don’t like dealing with them.
Hal’s comments of yesterday (”Winning, not payroll, is his highest priority.”) suggest a most interesting November and December. Don’t be surprised at one signing in particular if “winning” is the dominant consideration.
No Al Leiter = more Cone growling?
does anybody thin k dempster might be worth looking at.
rumors had it that he might be willing to take a discount with the cubs but now that the cubs might be in on peavey it might make things interesting.
that might make him available and less likely to take a discount.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:59 am
“If Marte is locked up for 2009 and beyond it might be smart to try and trade Veras, Ramirez or Bruney.â€
I agree with this. Right now the yankee strength in the majors and minors is bull pen pitching.
Now by themselves Veras, Ramirez, etc. may be nothing special. But each year in both free agency and in the trade market, bull pen help is in big demand.
If Veras is on the Mets last year – they make the playoffs.
The yankees can afford at this point to trade Veras, Ramirez, JB Cox, Robertson, Bruney, etc. as a package of 3 pitchers. That would literally be trading a team half a bull pen. The yankees could lose 3 of those guys and fill in for them from the minors without losing much, especially with Marte back.
Teams like the Brewers, Texas, Colorado, the Mets all need bull pen help. Teams always need bull pen help. That’s why Scott Linebrink got a 5 year $19M deal last winter after having a poor year.
________________________________________________________
Of the names you listed, Bruney is the only one that I’d have heartburn over moving.
Dempster, rumors say, is looking for a deal at about 5\70.
There was talk of Dempster wanting a 5-year deal, which is crazy. Also, Dempster may have “found himself” in ‘08 after years of bouncing between the bullpen and rotation, but I don’t think it’s in the Yankees’ best interest to sign someone long-term who had his first great year in his walk year and lacks the consistent track record of multiple strong seasons as a starter.
mel
November 12th, 2008 at 11:36 am
pat,
Bruney’s got confidence to complement his “stuff†now.
His weaknesses were his temper and the “between the ears†stuff.
It seems like he’s got things under control now.
He’s a keeper, but on a year-by-year basis! There’s only one reliever that’s been good over the long haul. That HOF dude.
________________________________________________________
I think that Bruney losing about 25 pounds has really helped clean up his mechanics.
Seeing that hardly anyone here other than Rebecca and few people don’t know spanish deportivo (sports news).
“El relevista dominicano Dámaso Marte llegó a un acuerdo de tres años y 12 millones de dólares con los Yanquis de Nueva York, según reveló este miércoles una fuente confiable a Impactodeportivo.com.do.”
Transalation through a confident source the left hander Damaso Marte has signed a 3 yr. deal worth 12 million dollars w/ the New York Yankees.
“Of the names you listed, Bruney is the only one that I’d have heartburn over moving.”
GB7,
Overall I agree with you. I thought Bruney had a lot to prove going into last year – a lot. He seemed like a guy who just refused to stop throwing and start pitching.
But he really showed a lot – from losing weight, to coming back from that injury in season, to changing the way he approaches the game.
There was a real dramatic shift in his approach to hitters in 2008. In 2007 83% of his pitches were fastballs. 11% sliders.
In 2008 only 66% of his pitches were fastballs. He threw 30% sliders. Interestingly, he also started throwing his slider harder – in 2007 he was throwing it around 83. 2008 his slider was clocking in at 87.
He mixed his pitches better and stopped trying to muscle the ball to the plate.
I was just including him in the mix. I would be reluctant to move him as well. Veras, Ramirez, JB Cox – those are guys I’d look to move.
The Dodgers are probably the most mis-managed team in baseball. McCourt is incredibly penurious and when he did step forward (Aundrew Jones, Jason Schmidt) he got burned badly; he will not take any more “chances”, as he waits for the day that the Chavez Ravine property can be devoted to its “highest and best use”..commercial real estate development”…his objective in making the debt-laden deal in the first place.
The Manny “proposal” was solely to appease the LA fans who are enamored with the ManRam; McCourt would be shocked if the deal were ever accepted, and so would Torre, who stated rather clearly last Friday evening (and surprisingly since McCourt signs his paychecks)that Manny at this stage of his career wants “length” which Joe fully understands. Manny will be headed back to to the East Coast.
if we can get dempster on a 4 yr deal i think it might be a good idea.
he is 31 yrs old and every pitcher is a gamble to some extent.
even in 07 he gave up less hits per innings pitched and in 06 gave up 77 hits in 75 innings.
i would rather take a chance on him than lowe,burnett,sheets.
he might be a sleeper and for less than 15 million per year is not bad at all.
“I wouldn’t be so quick to move Ramirez or Veras”
NYY better move them. They have about 100 pitchers in the minor leauges, near ready to step in.
Veras & Ramirez aren’t that good. Yet their value is fairly high, right now. I believe Ramirez in particular, is valuable to teams. A young pitcher in the bullpen who misses bats.
sell high.
I like this signing a lot. As a matter of fact, anything is a step up from signing Latroy Hawkins last off-season!!!
“he waits for the day that the Chavez Ravine property can be devoted to its “highest and best useâ€..commercial real estate development his objective in making the debt-laden deal in the first place.”
Very true. One of the last pieces of theoretically “open” land in the downtown area. Just off the free way. Next to China Town.
The land itself and the development rights would be worth billions.
Robertson does not have the stuff to be competitive in MLB. His fastball is 88-92. His breaking pitches are average to below average. His upside is also limited at best. He has a good motion but he can not blow people away. In the bullpen, he must have plus pitches to blow hitters away when the situation is tight.
Good for Al Leiter, but he is a good one and I’m sorry he’s gone – especially if it means more of David Cone’s “growling,” Nick in SF!
Leiter was one who could really keep Kay on his toes and in his place (I don’t mean that to be as snarky as it sounds). I wonder if they’ll get a replacement for him? And, did anyone replace Bobby Murcer last season or did they just switch things around?
The problem with trading a bullpen arm, is what do you get back?
Do you think you are going to trade Veras or Ramirez for a 1B or CF?
…these guys are chips to be used as part of a larger trade
Which begs the next question…which one of Hughes, Kennedy, Cano, A-Jax…do you want to trade?
My point is…these guys are useless as trade bait unless they are packaged, despite their value…
yanks should try coke as a starter for a while. he could be another petttite.
vinny-b (Hank Blalock for 1st base)
November 12th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
“I wouldn’t be so quick to move Ramirez or Verasâ€
NYY better move them. They have about 100 pitchers in the minor leauges, near ready to step in.
Veras & Ramirez aren’t that good. Yet their value is fairly high, right now. I believe Ramirez in particular, is valuable to teams. A young pitcher in the bullpen who misses bats.
sell high.
————————————————————
i agree.
the yankees are absolutely loaded with pitchers.
if some kind of package of veras,ramirez and others can get anything,a fb prospect,cf prospect i would do it in a second.
Patrick,
Good call on Albie. At this point, I’d have him over Robertson for a spot in the 2009 ‘pen.
If you look at how the off-season is shaping up, a lot of teams are going to need help in the bullpen. The bullpen happens to be the deepest position on the Yankees. That gives the Yankees the opportunity to move some guys to upgrade the team.
The D’backs laid off over 30 front office employees yesterday. I heard the Mariners, Royals and Marlins may be following suit.
The economy is definitely having an effect on teams right now.
I would expect some names of guys not thought of to be on the block will get dealt this off-season.
If the rumors out of SD are true (Moores wants the payroll down to approx 25-30 million dollars), everybody on that roster will be on the market.
Its going to be a very interesting off-season.
Dempster would be a terrible signing for the yankees. His body of work in the major leagues is mediocre at best. He doesn’t have great stuff.
Last year was the only good year he had. He will most likely regress back towards his mean performance. Moving to the AL East will be a disaster given how much he’s going to get paid.
There’s no comparison between him and Burnett or Lowe. Dempster has the potential to completely blow up in the Yankee’s faces.
Good signing for reasons already stated, but there’s one more…Marte provides some “Mo insurance”. Mo has been very consistent and durable, but at his age, injury is always a concern. Marte is capable of filling in as closer if Mo were to miss any time.
**Veras & Ramirez aren’t that good. Yet their value is fairly high, right now. I believe Ramirez in particular, is valuable to teams. A young pitcher in the bullpen who misses bats.
sell high.
**
Veras and Ramirez to the Reds for Votto and Keppinger. too easy. lol
I just woke up so give me a break. lol
Yanks,
We could probably package a whole bullpen for the Mets. Take your pick of position player to come back!
Doreen,
Good point about the rapport between Kay & Light in the Loafers (lol-Trisha!). What I’m really going to miss are those awkward moments between the two. Good times.
CB
Bruney definately seems to have taken the “pitching style” instead of the “throwing style”. Even when he was missing, it was close to missing with a purpose. Never a real wild streak. The impressive thing was keeping the ball in the park. In fact, he kept the extra base hits to a minimum. One other thing he does is brings a fear factor to the batters. They’re never quite sure what he’ll do.
**We could probably package a whole bullpen for the Mets. Take your pick of position player to come back!**
Mel,
if we are sending them to the Mets for a position player, then I guess it would be Ryan Church, Nick Evans, or Daniel Murphy. If prospects are added as well, then for 2 positional players.
SJ,
Olney had a great blog entry today about the economics of baseball. He listed 5 players headlined by Peavy. If the Pads move those guys, their payroll will be just north of that of the Marlins.
He implied that there could be a lot of activity as teams look to move the expensive pieces.
This would be a great time for us to tighten our belt, but we need a couple of big pieces ourselves. If the Yankees ever did tighten their belts in this tight economy, the players association just might implode!
YANKS IN 2010
November 12th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
The problem with trading a bullpen arm, is what do you get back?
Do you think you are going to trade Veras or Ramirez for a 1B or CF?
…these guys are chips to be used as part of a larger trade
Which begs the next question…which one of Hughes, Kennedy, Cano, A-Jax…do you want to trade?
My point is…these guys are useless as trade bait unless they are packaged, despite their value…
————————————————————
if the yankees signed sabathia and 2 other fa pitchers i think they will consider trading hughes,kennedy,veras,ramirez and some prospects for a fb or cf,maybe both.
i think they will try hard to keep hughes,ajax and others and maybe concentrate more on a fb knowing that ajax is not far away. but if they get a cf that they like and can’t pass on i don’t see any reason why ajax won’t be dealt.
if the yankees get their starting pitching fixed do you trade a package of hughes,ajax,melancon,veras/ramirez for a mclouth,kemp or some other good young centerfielder?
Yanks,
We could probably package a whole bullpen for the Mets. Take your pick of position player to come back!
__________
It really is amazing that the mets can’t produce…and dont have many (they do have Kunz, Neise, Parnell) arms to call up
In about 2 years, Jonthan Ortiz will be ready. His best pitch is a changeup, but, he has a pretty decent fastball and slider. That changeup is impressive and they’re never in the same location. His other pitches are good enough with his control that he doesn’t have to throw change after change.
Ed:
4 words.
set. the. controller. down.
“Robertson does not have the stuff to be competitive in MLB.”
Disagree. Robertson’s numbers in the minor leagues were off the charts. Off the charts. In AAA he was striking hitters at a rate of 13/9.
But he doesn’t have a great fastball. It was his curve ball that was the key to his success. The huge question for him as a pro is whether he would continue to miss bats in the major leagues. That was by far the biggest question for him. It’s not all that infrequent that a pitcher with a good breaking pitch/ off speed pitch can dominate the minors as a one trick poney.
Robertson was very up and down last year – but that’s not very surprising. He was a 23 year old rookie who blew through the minor in little more than one season.
Robertson threw 30 innings in the pros. Not a huge sample – but not a small one.
What he showed in those 30 innings was that he could continue to miss bats at the professional level. He was striking hitters out at a rate of 10.7/9. Robertson biggest problem wasn’t that he didn’t have the “stuff” to get major leaguers out – it was walks.
Robertson had a higher strikeout rate last year than Joba did.
Think about that for a minute.
And remember, of Joba’s 100 innings tossed last year, 25 came as a reliever so the comparison with Robertson is a useful one.
Sj–
I have heard that they re-signed Giles in order to trade him and that Greene is on the market as well as previously mentioned Peavy. If you are the Dodgers and see that SD is trimming back big time, Dback just layed over all that front office staff you are chomping at the bit big time.
Also in terms of front office staff does anyone know what positions were let go. How will it effect the overall club were they just pencil pushers or people who had real roles and authority. Will it effect draft? scouting etc etc.That could have major long term effect on that team.
–Dempster would be a terrible signing for the yankees. His body of work in the major leagues is mediocre at best. He doesn’t have great stuff.
I agree. This year was a fluke for Dempster. He’d get killed in the AL.
The Marte signing makes sense as long as Girardi doesn’t misuse him like he did that one time.
The woman that married Youk should have her eyes checked. He’s uglier than sin and he’s a whiner.
Vinny,
1 word: NO. lol
Am i the only one who thinks that Bruney = Farnsworth? I just cant trust him. I know he had a good year last year. But im waiting for the farnsworthless in him to come out. I hope you guys are right about him. Hope Jenny Craig keeps his mechanics right.
cb if you don’t think that burnett and lowe can blow up in the yankees faces you are out of you’re mind.
i don’t know who would be good or bad with the yankees but i don’t think anybody else does either.
it is impossible to know.
burnett might get hurt and never pitch.
dempsters numbers are not bad and were excellent in 08 regardless of him in the nl.
Laura – Ready for ‘09
_________
Can you recall the last time you woke up on the right side of the bed? Was it some time last year?
Just curious….
**Robertson was very up and down last year – but that’s not very surprising. He was a 23 year old rookie who blew through the minor in little more than one season.**
Agreed. I also think Girardi overused him, which he’s been figured out and his ERA sky rocketed.
SJ,
If San Diego wants to unload some of their players. What do you guys think of sending Igawa(eating some of the salary) plus cheap bullpen help for Kousmanoff at first? Has some pop and in only 27. Thoughts?
The economy is going to affect MLB in a big way this off-season.
For every CC Sabathia, there are 10 free agents who aren’t going to get what they think they will get this off-season.
Its also going to be difficult for teams to “double up” on FA signings.
If a team (like the Dodgers for example) sign one of the big guys, they will put themselves out of the mix for another one of the big guys.
Its why the Yankees need to be smart. Go all in for Sabathia because he is the most pressing need.
If they succeed, take a deep breath and let the marketplace settle down before going forward.
If they do, I think they will be able to fortify their roster with some very good players without breaking the bank.
bru,
No offense, again. But it cannot be overstated how much a difference pitching in the two leagues are. Even down to the division you’re in.
Even Josh Beckett had a rough transition. He had a lot of “blisters” his first year.
You may be right about Dempster, but the point about NL pitchers in the AL is a valid one.
“if you don’t think that burnett and lowe can blow up in the yankees faces you are out of you’re mind.”
Didn’t say either Burnett or Lowe couldn’t blow up in the yankees faces.
That’s free agent pitching. It is a crap shoot to some degree.
That said, the probability of Dempster not working out is far, far higher than the probability of either Burnett or Lowe not working out. Far higher. Dempster has been a relief pitcher for much of his career. A relief pitcher – and now he’s suddenly worth 5yrs/ 70M or whatever he’ll get.
Dempster does not have the stuff or track record as a starter of either Burnett or Lowe. Not even close.
He’s Carlos Silva waiting to happen again.
I think 4yrs at 20M per gets Manny at this point. As long as all 4 years are guaranteed, no option years. He may be worth 27 per year if that is what Arod is getting, but I can’t see anybody giving him 4 years at that rate. Maybe somebody comes out and blows those numbers away, but it is possible that the longer Manny waits, the market may shrink for him the way it did for Arod last year.
Anybody can get hurt. That’s a strawman argument.
Ryan Dempster could get hurt if he signs with the Yankees.
So could Sabathia, Tex, or anybody else they sign.
If you talk to teams, there isn’t one team that would take Dempster over Burnett if they had the option. Burnett is the better pitcher.
I bet most of the teams would also take Lowe over Dempster. Lowe is a better pitcher than Dempster.
Dempster is nothing special. He certainly isn’t worth 5 years in this marketplace.
SOS,
Nobody wants Igawa. He has passed through waivers twice since he has been a Yankee with no takers.
For a team like SD, which is shedding payroll, he has even less appeal because of the money owed to him.
Just have to chalk up his signing as a bad one and move on. They won’t be able to recoup anything of value for him.
this contract doesnt make much sense – we went from one yrs at six mill the kind of contract that cash drools over to 3 yrs at 4 M/yr. Essentially, cash did the exact opposite of what he claims he likes to do. This is all based on the fact that mlbtraderumors is correct.
“Robertson does not have the stuff to be competitive in MLB. His fastball is 88-92. His breaking pitches are average to below average.”
low 90s is more than enough to succeed in the majors. Man people really seem to have the idea in their head that you need to throw mid 90s to be any good. High 80s is questionable, but with good control you can get by. Low 90’s is pretty much league average, and with a good secondary pitch (which Robertson DOES have, as his curveball was ranked highly by scouts) a pitcher can have a long career in the bullpen.
Veras and Ramerez would most likely bring back a “non-tender” candidate if traded.
SJ,
any chance that the Yanks might go after Hermida or Ross, taking the advantage of the Marlins’ firesale??
*Ramirez-
head full of DayQuil
Now Cash has a proven lefty reliever under his control at a really reduced cost over the next three years, as opposed to having to hope that Phil Coke repeats September for a full year in ‘09 or having to pay a free agent a presumably longer and more expensive contract. I don’t understand this angst about re-signing Marte–his new contract represents even further savings going in to the heat of the FA signing period, and $4 mill guaranteed for ‘10 and ‘11 isn’t that big of a deal considering how few players on the current roster have guaranteed contracts going that far ahead.
mel
November 12th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
bru,
No offense, again. But it cannot be overstated how much a difference pitching in the two leagues are. Even down to the division you’re in.
Even Josh Beckett had a rough transition. He had a lot of “blisters†his first year.
You may be right about Dempster, but the point about NL pitchers in the AL is a valid one.
————————————————————
i don’t disagree but do we exclude every nl pitcher?
i heard it with peavey,dempster,we are willing to sign pettitte and he had a much better era with the astros and we took him back knowing we were getting a pitcher with an era of 4-5.
i understand that pitchers numbers won’t be as good in the al but to exclude almost every pitcher?
we need him for a # 3 starter not an ace.
i just am worried that burnett at 18 million per year for 3-5 years is going to kill us.
it is usually the trades that are not as popular that work,brosus,oneill and many others.
jmo.
i know dempster can be a disaster but i also know that it is possible that he might not be.
It does make sense. Cashman wants Marte for more than one year.
He also doesn’t want to play “Linebrink Money” (what the marketplace is set at for a guy like Marte) if he hits the open market.
So, they compromised. Added one more year to the deal for less AAV.
Clearly, Marte wanted to stay with the Yankees for more than one year or he would have turned this deal down.
He would have gotten 3 year offers as a free agent. Perhaps even for more money.
Compared to the Linebrink contract, its a great deal.
Plus, you have a guy who can close if Mo isn’t ready to start the season.
SOS…aside from Gonzalez, Kouz is probably their most valueable asset. They wouldn’t trade him for a AAAA pitcher. Towers is a very good GM.
Ramirez, maybe, but, Veras would be a big arm in most bullpens. It’s just that NYY has more just like him. They can afford to include him in any deal they need.
Would you trade inexpensive players for Kouz? Assuming we arent getting Tex.
Towers is a very good GM who must be slicing his wrists about now having to deal with everything that his ownership is demanding. he spent years trying to get a team together that worked while at th4e same time was not over the top salary wise and now he has been told to tear it all down and not for any other reason than the owner is getting a divorce and needs to shed salary and value most likely so he can sell the team. If you are a good guy like Kevin Towers this is not the job you signed up for.
The Marlins aren’t having a fire sale. They have a bunch of guys who are arbitration eligible and they will move guys they don’t see as having a long term future with the team.
Cody Ross is nothing special. I don’t see what he would bring to the Yankees.
Hermida? If you talk to 10 scouts in the game, you would get a split in their evaluation of him. The Marlins are also torn about him.
Some think he is a star in waiting. Others think he is a RH version of Jeff Francour (highly overrated).
If the Marlins move Hermida, they would ask for some solid parts in return. I believe their evaluation of other teams minor league talent is as good as anybody in the game. They won’t sell him short.
If I could package Veras (they need a closer desperately) and a guy like Jeff Marquez (no idea if the Marlins like him), I’d take a shot at Hermida.
I wouldn’t go overboard though in trying to acquire him.
Ed:
According to MLB.com, Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest noted the team is ready to move forward with Uggla at second base and Hermida in right field.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ru.....mlb,121519
bru,
Yes and no. It depends on if it helps my argument.
Peavy. No, because his splits are really helped by Petco Park.
In general the lineups are weaker in the NL. You’ve got your pitcher and often the #8’s not much better. So you basically have 2 holes in the lineup. Whereas in the AL east, some teams don’t even have a hole at all.
Not only that, the lineups flip less for NL pitchers because they get subbed out for offense. I don’t know the numbers, but I would think that NL lineups, 1 thru 9, don’t get to see the same pitcher 3 times in a game very often.
**If I could package Veras (they need a closer desperately) and a guy like Jeff Marquez (no idea if the Marlins like him), I’d take a shot at Hermida.**
SJ,
I thought Lindstorm is their new closer?
**According to MLB.com, Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest noted the team is ready to move forward with Uggla at second base and Hermida in right field.**
Tom,
yeah I saw that. Nothing is set in stone yet. Who knows, he might change his mind from now to the Winter Meetings to spring training.
“aside from Gonzalez, Kouz is probably their most valueable asset.”
Brian Giles may be 37 but he’s still a terrific baseball player.
He put up a 136 OPS+ last year. Outstanding. And he’s still a good defensive RF. Probably around 3 runs better than a league average right fielder.
Giles would be a considerable upgrade from Abreu. The Padres are absolutely going to have to trade him.
He’s a guy I’d like the Yankees to look into. It seems like the reason he refused the trade to Boston had more to do with contract issues – establishing his 10/5 rights and getting a $2M clause to kick in if he finished the season with San Diego.
Mark,
You are probably on the money. 4 years is the term Manny said he wanted back in July-August. Boras in his typical fashion jacked it up to 6 for negotiating purposes. For an NL team, 4 is excessive (as 3 also is). For an AL team, it’s not unreasonable; if after year one (or perhaps from the getgo) in the AL Manny is told to check his glove at the door and focus solely on batting (and not have to stand in the outfield for hours each game…which can take its toll), it makes sense as it takes him to age 40.
I’ve been a Manny fan since “95″ and must say that I’ve never seen him with the bat savvy/speed as that with the Dodgers…Donny Baseball, a man not given to verbal excess, obviously agrees as to Manny’s preparation and prowess given his comments of last Friday evening.
More likely than not, he will end up with an AL team on the East Coast with a 4 year deal at or around the numbers you mentioned. That’s my take. I do have my thoughts on which team but choose not to open another discussion along those lines.
They would like Linstrom to close. That doesn’t mean he is going to close.
Plus, they lost their projected 2009 setup guy, Henry Owens, for 50 games yesterday. He got nailed for PED use.
“Light in the loafers” is an oldfashioned term referring a male homosexual.
Was that your intended meaning?
Well normally I’m against giving FA relievers multiyear deals, but in the case of a lefty specialist like Marte, that’s the only way you get him and he is still probably the best in the game. Honestly though, this reminds me a lot of the deal the Orioles gave Jamie Walker and I just hope it works out better than that one. Of course, Walker is not the source of the O’s problems though.
Anyway, it’s funny cause I was just telling my mom this morning that the Yanks should sign Marte to a long term deal, but keep Coke around and then trade Marte if and when Coke proves he can handle the job vs lefty sluggers. Marte will always be a valued commodity. Look how long Mike Myers continued to get paid and Marte is 10x better than him!
Anyone else think that may be what the Yankees have in mind too?
Oh, someone mentioned Veras…anyone else think we should try to trade him to the Twins? Neshek is lost for the year with injury and they need a setup man. Rather than sign a guy like Farnsworth, they’d probably rather assemble a couple of cheap options and try them all out in Spring Training.
mel
November 12th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
bru,
Yes and no. It depends on if it helps my argument.
Peavy. No, because his splits are really helped by Petco Park.
In general the lineups are weaker in the NL. You’ve got your pitcher and often the #8’s not much better. So you basically have 2 holes in the lineup. Whereas in the AL east, some teams don’t even have a hole at all.
Not only that, the lineups flip less for NL pitchers because they get subbed out for offense. I don’t know the numbers, but I would think that NL lineups, 1 thru 9, don’t get to see the same pitcher 3 times in a game very often.
————————————————————
apparently a lot of teams agree because dempster isn’t being mentioned a lot.
Chase Headley, whom the Padres called up when the Padres appeared at the Stadium, is an excellent prospect. He performed very well for a rookie; the Padres will hold on to him as well as Kouz and Gonzo.
“Light in the loafers” is an oldfashioned term for a certain type of preference that we are not allowed to refer to here.
Was that your intended meaning?
CB, I agree Giles will be attractive, especially since its on a one year deal. Problem is Giles is a 10/5 guy, so he’d have to approve the move. But then the problem is you have to put Damon in center, which makes life tough on Girardi who will always have to juggle the lineup to give Damon a rest yet get regular playing time for Giles and Nady.
I thought Giles wanted to stay because of his family?
Love this move. I was stunned when all the conjecture in here was let Marte walk and take 2 picks for him.
We’ve been craving this kind of LH reliever for years. Now we have him for 3 more.
Good job Cash.
Joey’s Poodle,
It was a big joke. A play on Leiter’s name.
I think someone called Kay “light in the loafers” and when people told her what it was, that person thought it was something else. I totally believed her. It was just funny.
MEMO:
To: Scott Boras
From: Hal Steinbrenner
Subject: Free Agency..Spending Money
Scott, in case you didn’t hear me yesterday, this one’s for you..it should “make your day”:
“We’re going to do what we do every year, and that’s try to field a championship team,” Hal said Tuesday at a Manhattan press conference. “If that means spending money, it obviously means spending money.”
If it’s a done deal, with Marte, I am very, very happy about it.
I think with any transaction, trade or FA, you kind of throw salt over your back, knock wood, and say a few prayers. No one can see into the future and players get injuries.
I just hope that the Yankees will have seen the end of their string of really bad luck with injuries, especially to the pitching, but really, all around since Sheffield and Matsui both injured their wrists in the same season a couple of years ago. You gotta figure the karma’s got to change at some point.
“But then the problem is you have to put Damon in center, which makes life tough on Girardi who will always have to juggle the lineup”
If the yankees don’t make a trade for a stop gap CF to play in 2009, and are going to try Gardner/ Melky again, then I think they have to have a backup plan in case Gardner and Melky just don’t hit at all.
I think they may need to have a 4 man outfield to create some options/ flexibility to plan for the possiblity that Gardner hits .215 or something next season and shows he just isn’t a starting player.
What that means would be playing Damon in center but resting him and allowing Gardner to fill in against teams that run like the Rays/ Angels.
But this would require them to pick up another corner outifielder. If Giles was available reasonably I’d do that. Alternatively, I think signing Juan Rivera cheaply would be a good move to create depth.
Ah you gotta love the hypocrisy here.
Making fun of one’s looks= bad taste.
questioning somebody’s sexual orientation by using a homophobic term= a laugh riot!
Thanks, Mel.
I missed the earlier exchange and was a bit surprised to see that type of commentary here …
Giles has had a power outage the last few years and it’s not due to Petco. He may be an upgrade over Abreu defensively but not at the plate. There are better options.
Juan Rivera is an interesting option CB, I agree with him being a 3rd/4th outfielder. But he may be looking for a starting job
Tom,
Are you talking to me? I was here during the original exchange and it was a riot. Good, clean fun. And no one’s feelings were hurt.
Joey’s Poodle,
It was a riot. Good, clean fun. And no one’s feelings were hurt.
“Giles has had a power outage the last few years and it’s not due to Petco.”
Giles is a well balanced player. No he’s not a slugger. But he’s a well balanced hitter.
He had an OPS+ of 136 last year. Abreu’s OPS+ was 120. Giles had a .398 OBP. Abrue .371. Abreu slugged .471. Giles .456.
Given the differences in ball parks and line ups you have to look at factors other than home runs/ RBIs to asses their offensive performance and how much power they hit for.
Neither is a slugger. They are comparable offensively. Leaving Petcon/ the Padres Giles would hit more HR and drive in many more runs than he did last year.
Giles is a far superior defensive player. Abreu was one of the worst defensive players in baseball – around 20 runs worse than an average RF. Giles was around 3 runs better.
‘Good clean fun’ as long as people were ignorant of the meaning, no doubt. But now that everyone knows, that does change the tone and hopefully we can move on to other terminology when we want to put some one down ‘in fun’.
Joey’s,
Gotcha.
“that does change the tone and hopefully we can move on to other terminology when we want to put some one down ‘in fun’.”
You guys can make fun of my spelling. Its o.k. I can take it.
Hey mel,
Spurs had Hill and Mason starting. Finley and Bowen riding the pine. I like it!! If anyone watched the game. Can you tell me if we have a chance in hell of playing .500 ball till Ginoblii and Parker gets back?
We need a broadcaster to keep Kay on his toes?
Manny sounds perfect. >_>
marte will be 34 in february in case anyone was wondering
This post is in reference to marte signing – i have been in classes all day. Of course, the marte deal made sense – they gave up tabata who was supposedly untouchable to get him and it wasnt a couple months rental. However, was three yrs really necessary? I guess it was but to me that seems like a long time for a lefty reliever who is past his prime already at the age of 33. Seems like two yrs and 12 million probably would have done the trick with a club option for a third yr. That would be adding 6 mil to the option and adding a new option. I hate signing relievers to long term deals and granted, this is only three yrs but that seems like a lot- marte is not the best reliever in the game and relievers in general are soo volatile. Im happy that marte is back though and it certainly solidifies the pen although i would like cash to get someone that can replace the eighth inning parade of relievers that we have had. If joba is going to start, who is the bridge to Mo? Is it marte? I wouldnt mind signing a guy like fuentes. I was begging for him last yr and he looks even better now. I bet a a multiyr deal with a lot of money involved will get him to be a setup man rather than a closer. And if a reliever can succeed in colorado, I think they can be successful anywhere. I also wanted him last yr.