So what’s next for the Yankees?
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Dec 10, 2008 
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Now that CC Sabathia is in the fold, what is next for the Yankees? This is the likely scenario:
Another top starter: The Yankees either have or shortly will extend offers to A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets. First to the altar wins.
Andy Pettitte: With the rotation they’re putting together, Pettitte would be a perfect No. 4 or No. 5 starter. If he’s willing to take a cut from the $16 million he made last season, they can get a deal done.
Center field: There could be a trade to me made to fill this spot. Rick Ankiel? Mike Cameron? Somebody else?
Bench: The Yankees badly need help here. It’s a back-burner issue for now, although they could sign somebody like Nick Punto fairly soon.
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Sorry for the delays on the blog today. As it often the case when big news breaks, it caused technical problems. I was trying fruitlessly to post for about an hour.
Pete how bad is the hangover? I can’t believe you slept through this.
If Yankees get burnett, lowe, or sheets, and sign pettite, who will be the no.5 starter? Joba or Hughes?
I would definitely welcome a trade for ankiel.
There was so much chatter and posting this morning that we kept Pete from contributing to his own blog.
See, us Yankee fans aren’t as worthless as NESPN makes us out to be.
Francessa did bring up a good point though… what if Hughes outperforms Joba in the Spring? Then what?
Brandon, Joba is already part of the rotation. It’s shaping up to look like this right now:
CC
Wang
Joba
Burnett/Lowe/Sheets
Pettitte/Hughes/Aceves
“Francessa did bring up a good point though… what if Hughes outperforms Joba in the Spring? Then what?”
I don’t see it happening but then Joba goes to the bullpen and Hughes to the rotation. Win-win.
I don’t mind Joba in the bullpen as the future Mariano if Wang continues his awesomeness and Hughes is the next coming. 2 low-cost pitchers in the rotation is fine.
Bottom line -
This is a 3 year deal… Cashman’s contract expires at the same time as CC’s opt out. We have 3 years to win it all. No guarantee either of those guys are here after 2011.
Let’s not get too attached to CC. I’d imagine he accepted this deal with the idea of going West for his last big contract at age 31.
With CC locked up… Lowe, Burnett and Sheets will be signing up with teams fairly soon.
Kennedy+…? for Ankiel would be awesome.
(I’m also a Cardinals’ fan).
Is anyone else liking Sheets more than AJ and Lowe??
“Francessa did bring up a good point though… what if Hughes outperforms Joba in the Spring? Then what?”
—-
It shouldn’t really matter – I think Joba is going to be in the rotation regardless of what he does vs. what Phil Hughes does. Perhaps if Joba is a complete disaster in spring training, they’d reconsider – but that doesn’t seem likely.
What is the best way to structure so that the bullpen does not get burned out?
CC
Wang
Sheets
Joba
Pettitte
That way, the bullpen gets a rest with Pettitte going longer into the game (you would hope). Or does it work better with Wang after Joba? Sheets? Hmm..
I think if Hughes outperforms Joba in the spring then it will make Hughes the top candidate to step in should one of our starters go down, which he probably already is anyway. I mean, spring is one thing. Joba has outperformed Hughes in the majors to this point, so he’d probably still be my top choice. A lot of starters struggle in spring and it doesn’t have much of an impact on their year. If Joba has a rough spring, i’m not going to campaign for him to go to AAA to start the year and have a panic attack like so many others here will.
CC’s agent just came out looking the next Boras.
Got a team to up their bid, when the next closest was $61M.
Got his client an opt out clause when his client can still sign another contract.
I’d still like to see Hughes start out in AAA next year no matter how well he does coming out of spring training. Joba’s earned his spot. I don’t think Hughes should be able to take his spot in the rotation based solely on spring training. If the Yanks choose to put Joba in the pen, that’s a different story though.
I know you’ve said it won’t happen but Mark Teixeria sure would look good in pinstripes batting 3rd. He fills a huge gap we have right now.
CC is a great sign! I’m not a fan of the opt out clause though. Everyone who’s had one has used it.
“Francessa did bring up a good point though… what if Hughes outperforms Joba in the Spring? Then what?”
How is that a problem? I think the Yankees would be thrilled. I also think they would send Hughes to AAA regardless–Joba’s stuff is major league bonafide, and he proved he could start last year, whereas Hughes has yet to prove that he’s polished the arsenal enough to get MLB hitters out every 5 days. No spring training results are making that a certainty, I think they will have him go through AAA for a while regardless. As for Joba in the pen, please. Francesa probably has no idea who Mark Melancon is, and probably thinks Dave Robertson is an OF on the Giants, so he must be assuming the Yankees have no young arms on the cusp of excelling in the bullpen but Joba.
I would say, to your question Chris AU, that most people here like Sheets more than Burnett and Lowe.
I’m fairly certain the Yanks will sign him and not Burnett
It won’t matter what Hughes does in the spring. If Joba is healthy, he’s the #5 starter.
Absent injuries, Hughes will start the year in AAA.
Why did CC want to know the details of the rift between Jeter and Arod? Did he feel that our clubhouse was divided?
I gotta see Sheet’s hammer curve in pinstripes
“Francessa did bring up a good point though… what if Hughes outperforms Joba in the Spring? Then what?”
Oh, like last Spring. What happened after that?
The Yankees really need to add a big bat to round out the lineup. ARod has no protection and you can’t rely on Posada or Matsui to be big run producers coming off injuries. They have to replace Abreu and TBG’s run production.
“Is anyone else liking Sheets more than AJ and Lowe??”
Yup.
Let’s go for Ankeil PLEASE. That would be a great trade.
I love how mel is already counting the days until CC is gone.
Oh my goodness gracious!
“Let’s not get too attached to CC. I’d imagine he accepted this deal with the idea of going West for his last big contract at age 31.”
don’t be so sure, word is he wanted an opt out clause no matter where he signed, its protection for his family more then for his own preferences…hard to argue with him wanting that…
myrtlebeachfan, I am also on the Sheets train. I say let AJ sign with the Braves and get him out of the division. Lowe.. well.. just NO to Lowe.
Your rotation is going to be
CC
Wang
Sheets
Pettitte
Joba
and since Joba will have an innings limit and since you cant 100% rely on Sheets either. That’s why a 2 year deal for him would be perfect. That also give the youngsters time to grow in the system first.
so you use Hughes and Aceves as your spot starters.
Great job Cash keep up the good work.
I love Andy, but for what he might be asking, I’d go after Sheets (assuming we can get Burnett).
The what if’s Mike is throwing out is so stupid.
Cam,
Thanks, for some reason I thought he and hughes would be in question for the No. 5 slot. Must’ve been my marketing final getting to my head.
The pitching rotation looks solid now, but what about the lineup? Does anyone have suggestions?
With CC soon to be signed I like Sheets the best. He has the greatest upside. I feel we can take a chance on him now since we have CC signed. And it seems he’s available for less than a 4 year contract. You know what you’re getting with Lowe but he’s on the down slope of his career. AJ is the greatest risk to me since even in years when he’s been healthy he hasn’t always been effective.
As much as everyone hates this opt out clause. You have you put yourself in CC’s position being both a player and a father/husband. Why would he stay anywhere if his family is not happy?
I also vote for Sheets over the other two. I’d say probably equal or more upside and likely to cost less.
And I would take Cameron over Ankiel because the Cards will ask for too much talent. Meanwhile both guys are going to be free agents after the season.
CC obviously goes very deep into games as well (more often than Pettitte), so having him at #1 and Joba at #5 makes a lot of sense.
I wanted CC as bad as anyone for the Yanks, and there was no debate that it would cost a bundle so pointless to argue. But if there was ever a cautionary note to sound, it was in the MLB.com story, which was accompanied by a list of all the $100M+ contracts (17) in baseball history. There are the flat-out busts: Todd Helton, Mike Hampton, Ken Griffey Jr., Kevin Brown (again, not me); and then there are the ones on their way to being flat-out busts: Miguel Cabrera, Barry Zito; and lastly there are the ones who just never lived up to the contract, or look like they won’t: Jason Giambi, Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano. That’s over half the list. And I didn’t include A-Rod, who has the top two contracts. Let’s all pray that CC is in the other half…
As it has been said numerous times – a team will need about 7 starters per season. If the Yankees can acquire a couple more and have their starting five set with Aceves, Hughes, Kennedy, Coke, Horne, Hacker in line for 6-7 that is incredible. With some of the injury question marks for the guys under contract and AJ, Sheets, etc there will be starts for those guys.
O – that is an interesting question. I think I saw that CC is friends with Jeter so maybe he has a bit of a heads-up on that issue.
I can’t help but compare last year to this year.
This year, Hank kept his mouth shut and let Cashman do his job.
Last year, Hank opened his mouth and screwed up the whole Santana deal.
Don’t want to go 5 years on Burnett. Sheets for 2 and Andy for 1 would be perfect, as I still believe that PH and IPK are real MLB starters. To have these guys on short deals leaves room for young– and cheap– guys to mature and step in. If they sign CC for 23m per year, Andy for 10m and Sheets for 13m, they could STILL sign Tex and reduce payroll, especially with 26m coming off next year (Damon and Matsui) and hopefully Ajax ready to step up. With a dearth of positional talent at the upper levels of the minor leagues, Tex is a vital ingredient to winning team. Everyone says they can’t do both, but why not? They would still be reducing payroll. I have searched for an intelligent analysis of this, and even debated Davidoff in a chat yesterday. Pete, can you weigh in?
Sheets should be above Burnett and Lowe.
If they’re looking to improve their bench, Punto isn’t the answer. A career 74 OPS+ is ridiculously bad. Cody Ransom should be able to do that.
ChrisAU, I don’t think anyone is against the opt-out from the player’s perspective, of course it’s great for CC and his family. It’s just not as great for the team. But, it’s the price of doing business these days thanks (as far as I know) to the Rangers accepting that clause from Scott Boras. “sure, even though we’re paying you a massive amount of money more than anyone in the world is willing to, we’ll also let you walk away from us no questions asked if you should feel like it, no problem Alex!”
Who knew those Rangers were trend-setters……
I wouldn’t touch Sheets with a three pronged pointy spork.
I like Sheets over Burnett and Lowe since it’s not a huge risk if we only give a 2 year contract.
I’m guessing after another pitcher or two is signed, Kennedy will be packaged for an OF.
My opinion from last thread.. not that anyone cares:
I’m not a big fan of the opt out, there’s no way it helps the Yankees or gives them more flexibility as some suggest. I can also see why some critics are complaining about the $40-50 million gap between the Yankees’ offer and the next closest.
All that said, Sabathia is worth it. New York wasn’t his first choice so the Yankees HAD to overpay. This guy is a legit ace, he’s one of the top pitchers in the league and he’s in his prime. These kind of guys don’t hit the market very often. When was the last time the Yankees had a pitcher of Sabathia’s skill under 30 yrs old?? I can’t remember.
The opt out sucks, there’s no way around that. If Sabathia plays up to his contract or better he will opt out. If he gets hurt or underperforms, we are stuck with him. Either way its good for CC and bad for the Yankees. That being said, 3 years of Sabathia is better than 0 years of Sabathia. It will also give the organization time to develop some #1 SP’s of their own. Also, who knows, maybe after 3 years he’ll love NY and stay with the Yanks.
Mike Fran. just said “CC is not Doc Holliday”.
Man he’s going nuts.
As of now Hughes is still in the rotation. In fact he is the number 4 starter. Also, the Yankees may only sign one more guy, so let’s not write off Hughes just yet.
I don’ have a problem with the opt out clause. If he winds up being a total disaster and can’t hack it in new york, which very well could happen although i doubt it, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. if he is phenomenal, i have confidence the yankees will be able to make another offer he can’t refuse to stay on should he opt out after ’11.
“Joba Chamberlain, converted reliever…”
grrrrrrr
I liked how the writer from the Prividence Journal tried spin it to suggest that CC’s meeting with the Red Sox spooked the Yanks.
The opt-out clause is ridiculous. CC is a Boras client. OBVIOUSLY he’ll opt out in any case, unless he’s injured, and milk more money out of the Yanks.
I much prefer Sheets over Burnett and Lowe.
Ankiel for Kennedy+ looks perfect, IMO.
Burnett really worries me. I’m not quite certain why the Yankees would rather have him for 4 or 5 years rather than Lowe for the same period (or even 3 years) at less money.
If we can have Sheets for 2 years with club options for a third or fourth year, I think it could work.
Quite simply, I do not understand why Ben Sheets’ injury history leads to talk of 2-3 year contracts, but Burnett’s history still has teams offering him at least 4 years.
Overall though, while Santana may be a better pitcher than CC, we have CC, Hughes and Kennedy, as opposed to just Johan.
Sheets over Burnett. Both injury risks, but Burnett too many years. Lowe fairly old. Even if Sheets ends up holding his elbow after a few months, we have Hughes waiting.
If they sign Pettitte and Lowe, they have 4 200 inning starters in the rotation.
Joba Chamberlain becomes the best #5 starter in the game.
Their bullpen, already good, becomes better because they won’t have to pitch as many innings.
If they sign Sheets, you don’t get the innings. Greater upside if healthy but, the health is a big thing.
Francesa: “Sabathia is not in the class of Santana or Halliday. Good pitcher, not a superstar pitcher”.
Has this guy actually watched Sabathia pitch the last two years?
Really, how can some of you listen to this guy and think he knows ANYTHING about sports.
His ignorance is hysterical to me because the guy truly believes he knows what he is talking about! lol
“The opt-out clause is ridiculous. CC is a Boras client. OBVIOUSLY he’ll opt out in any case, unless he’s injured, and milk more money out of the Yanks.”
Um, no he’s not.
Nick,
I would’ve gone 3/$75M, but $69M’s even better!!
Sign AJ for 4 (5 if you have to)
Sign Andy for 1
Trade for Ankiel
Wait until January to see what starters are left to fill the bench needs.
From the last thread…
Patrick,
I’m not a fan of the opt out at all either. I agree with you – there’s little advantage to the yankees.
That said it’s likely that including the opt out was part of the price that needed to be paid.
If CC was demanding it from everyone – then the yanks were no different and that’s just how things are. When a player has as much leverage as CC he dictates terms.
The only “advantage” to the yankees in the clause has to do with the opportunity it provides them – which is the opportunity to sign him in the first place. It was part of the price of the freight so to speak.
That’s the only “plus” of the opt out – it allowed them to sign CC. That’s the important thing. There’s no long term benefit but you can argue that there was considerable short term benefit if it was a must have for CC.
Just forget it. It is what it is.
They desperately needed CC. There was no way to substitute for him given the current composition of the team. He has immense value to the yankees.
And, can anyone say they WOULDN’T take Sabathia for a 3 year $69M deal? Because that’s what this is if he opts out. Sounds fine to me.
Rebecca, I agree. And if you touched him with a three pronged pointy spork, Sheets would probably get injured.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Staying to write the story December 10th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
“I wouldn’t touch Sheets with a three pronged pointy spork.”
“That’s the only “plus” of the opt out – it allowed them to sign CC.”
CB, you’re preaching to the choir man. I don’t like the opt out but I can accept it. Like I said in my previous post, 3 years of Sabathia is better than 0. Its sounding like the opt out was necessary to get him to New York.
On an entirely separate note, I don’t want anything to do with Nick Punto, he’s hilariously bad.
Alex –
I think everyone thinks that every big free agent is a Boras client. CC is not.
i hate burnett, please do not sign that crack head
My god, Mike Francesa is absolutely awful. This guy is the biggest hoax. Not only is he clueless on many of the things going on in Yankee land, but he takes credit for so many ideas that people have already had. I can’t listen to him any more today.
Derek Lowe = Kevin Brown
Stay away.
Get Sheets… if he is healthy, his upside is a legit ace. If he gets injured, just plug in Hughes.
Rather have upside than proven mediocrity, especially when the upside will cost far less.
Amazing how little people pay attention to details on here sometimes.
A) it is a player option, not a team option. We cannot opt-out if CC stinks for 3 years. Nor would he, because no-one would give him more than $23M per year if he spent the last 3 years stinking up the joint.
B)CC is NOT a Boras client.
CC is not a Boras client. Greg Ganske is his agent. He doesn’t work for Boras.
The opt out clause was going to be in any deal he signed. If you wanted CC, you had to give him the opt out.
Brandon,
I wouldn’t touch Lowe with a spork.
A-fraud,
But you would love to have Josh Hamilton, riiight?
Francesa: “Sabathia is not in the class of Santana or Halliday. Good pitcher, not a superstar pitcher”.
Has this guy actually watched Sabathia pitch the last two years?
————————————————————
He just said, “Santana is an ace, Sabathia is a really good pitcher.”
This is actually comical.
The Yankees may value Punto because he has an outstanding defensive reputation. To be exact, if anything, I would bet Punto would not sign with the Yankees because nobody in the Yankees’ infield ever takes a day off, which will severely limit his playing time.
As for the opt out clause, supposedly his agent wanted that clause regardless of who he signed with. I am not a huge fan of opt out clauses, and the Yankees should be very strict in who they offer them to. But in this case, I agree with caving into the demand.
I see your strategy, mel: the bigger the risk and the worse the pitcher is, the more years you want to sign him for.
All of you people who are talking about the opt out clause are forgetting a few things:
1 – if he stinks and is treated poorly by fans because of it, he will opt out
2 – if he is great and embraced he will be happy here and not want to leave
3 – if he does want to go west, he will take a healthy pay cut to do so
On the radio… Michael Kay BLOWS Mike Francessa away.
Francessa is always so bitter and arrogant and disagrees just for the sake of it to present his superiority to the world.
Kay is far more levelheaded.
Bottom line is if you’re an agent, you better do as Boras does…or you’re losing your client. You could field 3 All-Star teams with Boras clients. He gets top dollar for his clients. And that’s his job. It’s not to make fans like him.
Kevin – Please explain to how Miguel Cabrera is already on his way to being a bust? One year does not a contract make. And Carlos Beltran deserves his contract 100%, the Mets are actually underpaying him for his production level.
I’d to IPK for Ankiel in a heartbeat.
Ankiel in YS can hit 40 HRs.
Francessa is kind of right when he says Sabathia isn’t as good as Santana or Halladay. Santana and Halladay have been better over a longer period of time, they both have better career numbers than Sabathia.
HOWEVER, over the past 2-3 years all 3 of them are pretty equal. They are all excellent starting pitchers.
Nick,
No strategy. I’m not a big fan of giving out $23M contracts. Even to the pitchers I like.
It may be a different story if one of our home grown pitchers actually reaches free agency here.
After everything I have read and heard about CC over the past few days, I agree with the opt-out clause.
All indications point to CC being the type to opt-out solely because his family is struggling to be happy in NYC. Furthermore, no one could approach the contract we are about to give him, and I doubt anyone could approach it in three years. If he opts out, it will not be for more money.
Can someone call into Francesa and ask him what the difference is between an “ace” and a “really, really good pitcher”?
time for lunch. i’m glad i don’t get 660 in my car…
Sabathia has been better than Santana by a significant margin over the past two seasons.
Santana has been tremendous – but not the pitcher he was during his great run from 2002-2006.
In particular, if you take into account the defense each pitcher was pitching in front of CC was considerably better.
Bottom line –
This is a 3 year deal… Cashman’s contract expires at the same time as CC’s opt out. We have 3 years to win it all. No guarantee either of those guys are here after 2011.
Let’s not get too attached to CC. I’d imagine he accepted this deal with the idea of going West for his last big contract at age 31.
________________________________________________________
Good point Simms. I can see this happening.
It just makes me sad that you despise CC and want to see him fail. But I think he’s going to win you over!
Whats Next . . I’ll Take Burnett .. and i also think its time to move on Past Petitte . . I just don’t care for him as a pitcher anymore
“1 – if he stinks and is treated poorly by fans because of it, he will opt out
2 – if he is great and embraced he will be happy here and not want to leave
3 – if he does want to go west, he will take a healthy pay cut to do so”
1 – not if it means a 5 or 10 million dollar paycut because he hasn’t been as good.
2 – maybe, but not necessarily.
3 – no way to know that. the market at that point could be 23 million for a #3, more for a #1. he could end up getting a contract for the same $23M at home at a time when a #1 maybe gets $30M. you can’t predict what the market will be 3 years from now.
When we signed Pavano, 10 Million was a lot. Now, it’s a bargain for a good pitcher (not that we got a good pitcher for 10M with Pavano, but everyone around the league thought we did).
Let’s put an end to this right now. Stop pretending that the Yanks gain something from the opt-out clause. The only thing they gain is convincing CC to sign, which normally does not take an opt out clause like this.
A player option opt out clause is 100% for the benefit of the player. It does not benefit the team in any way whatsoever
Sabathia was just handed not just 2 more years than anyone else offered him plus $60M more than anyone else offered him. He was also given the right to sell himself on the free agent market again in 3 short years if he wants to, with the option of just keeping the last 4 years and $90M if he chooses not to or is injured/sucks.
That is a massive give by NY.
No one but Cashman, CC and Ganske knows whether the opt out was necessary or not. CC reportedly wanted one, and the Brewers reportedly offered an opt out, but the Brewers’ offer was a lot lighter. We’ll never know whether harder bargaining would have got CC without the opt out.
Frankly, I don’t care and I doubt most Yanks’ fans do either. You play one hand, you go on to the next one.
mel –
I agree to some extent, but at the same time, Johan Santana did set the bar for whoever the next big pitcher to hit the market was to be – turned out to be CC Sabathia. Once that bar is established, that next guy is going to want a little bit more.
As a Yankee fan who lives in Los Angeles, I would value Lowe over Burnett or Sheets, by far. Having seen him a lot, he may not be as talented, he’s definitely older, but he’s a brutal competitor who knows no approach less than full-out, all the time. Maybe he’s not a “stud,” but he’s a horse. I remain perplexed why the Yanks are so clearly willing so pay so much for so many years with the fragile Burnett.
P.S.: Very disappointed that Cashman agreed, or more likely had to agree, to the opt-out on CC. If he’s a bust, he stays and collects his massive paycheck; if he’s a success, he opts out and gets more money, probably from someone else. And as Marc pointed out above, everyone who has it has used it. It only protects the player and only hurts the team.
“I wouldn’t touch Sheets with a three pronged pointy spork.”
I wouldn’t touch Lowe w/ a sling shot.
There was a Gammons sighting. He was seen inquiring about tooth whitening strips at a hotel gift shop.
I admit Santana has had a better career than CC. But right now, CC is just as good as CC if not better. Plus we get CC for basically the same money and don’t have to give up 3 or 4 prospects which would have included Hughes. But, of course if we had Santana last year we would have made the playoffs like the Mets did with him. Right?
He’s reading stats that show how CC is better than Johan.
MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANY!
Sheets, Manny, and Pettitte. Get ‘er done Cashman!
Francesa is doing his best to belittle Sabathia. Nice job fat Mike trying to pump up Santana.
bottom line
santana/tex or burnett/sheets/tex >>>> cc/swisher
Nick,
Au contraire! I want CC to suCCeed. I knew it was going to take a huge contract to land him. Not a big fan of that. So if he wants to go back to Cali after giving us his best, peak years. Yeah.
If AJ’s healthy, if Sheets is healthy, they’re a much better value without much dropoff.
This is comical how he’s using the career basis now over the last few yrs. he makes no sense about Johan over Sabathia not one bit.
According to Francesa’s reasoning Santana is a better pitcher than CC because his 2003-2005 was better. Does that even make sense?
teixeira.
“I don’t want anything to do with Nick Punto, he’s hilariously bad.”
As a starter Punto is a very bad idea. As a utility guy he’d be a terrific addition, IMO.
He hits for absolutely no power at all.
But if he did he wouldn’t be considering a utility role.
One of the most difficult things to find in a utility guy is someone who can play a decent SS. SS is the hardest position to fill and most utility guys just aren’t good at SS – see Betemit and Ransom. They are “able” to play SS only in the loosest definition.
Punto has played SS as an everyday player and played the position very well. That’s a huge plus – especially when the starting SS is as old as Jeter is. When was the last time they had a guy who could reliably fill in for Jeter at SS and could actually field the position?
Punto has no power but hits for a decent average. He is a switch hitter and has very good speed. He’d be an excellent pinch runner.
In addition to SS he has played 3b, 2b, CF, LF and RF.
He’d be a very positive addition to the bench.
He’s exactly the kind of guy they’ve lacked in the past.
I don’t mind the opt out. Perhaps it will keep him motivated.
Trevor, you’re watching an emotionally stunted adult male carry on like a baby.
It is going to take Kennedy and someone else to get Ankiel. He would be the power lefty we need though.
Ok my last post on this matter, and BTW I expect CC to win 20 this year and be a great number 1, and he better be
The point is that a team hopes to get good value for the deals they sign. The Yanks would love to see Sabathia pitch great for all seven years and actually earn his paycheck.
With the opt out, there is no upside for them. If he does well, he’ll leave. If he doesn’t do well, they’re stuck with him. The opt out itself isn’t the issue. It’s that they didn’t get anything in return for it.
If he had agreed to accept less money in exchange for the opt out, that’s one thing. But they added another $21m to the offer PLUS included the opt out.
Whether you’d sign him for 3/69 isn’t relevant because that would never be an option. The question is, did the Yanks get good value in exchange for committing to $161m, and the answer is no.
“teixeira.”
Washington buddy 180/8 yrs….NY is not getting in this bidding longterm the risk of carrying a player w/o insurance, no chance.
Starting with C.C., every pitcher signing or acquisition lessens Kennedy’s value to the Yankees.
If Cashman can pull off a deal of Kennedy for Ankiel, jump all over it.
he wouldn’t be going on about santana today had he not spouted off yesterday- he’s a total joke
Just read this on rotoworld:
A source told Gerry Fraley that the Braves increased their offer to A.J. Burnett to $80 million over five years.
Not only are they going the extra year, but they’re apparently matching the Yankees’ offer of a $16 million salary. They had been $60 million for four years. With the CC Sabathia matter decided, everything else could tumble into place soon. That may involve Burnett joining Atlanta and Lowe jumping to the Yankees, leaving Oliver Perez and Ben Sheets as perhaps the best SPs remaining.
Source is foxsports.com
5 years 80 million? You can have him Atlanta!
Ben Sheets, step right up.
Mike clearly has the hots for Santana.
Why do you guys listen to Francesa. He is a pompous and totally unprepared jerk.
To Rich I.:
Okay, you’re right on Beltran. Out here, I don’t see him as often as you do. I think the jury is still out on Cabrera, although I believe he came around towards the end of the season…?
Somebody tell Fatcessa that CC is 3-1 head to head vs Santana with the 3 wins in 2007 and the 1 loss in 2006.
Adios AJ !
Why is Francesca so hung up on this deperation thing?
Who cares? They wanted him, they got him. Why do you care that they won’t say they overpaid?
What a moron this guy is.
“Somebody tell Fatcessa that CC is 3-1 head to head vs Santana with the 3 wins in 2007 and the 1 loss in 2006.”
He’ll respond how the Minnesota offense was weak.
The free market will determine AJ’s and Sheets’ value relative to CC’s, won’t it?
Adam Smith would have made a good GM. Always bet on the invisible hand, especially if it’s a hard-throwing left hand.
Rosenthal is reporting that hte braves have guaranteed Burnett’s 5th year while also upping their AAV to 16M/yr.
Their offering 5yr/80M. Wow. Who would have thought at the start of the 2008 season AJ would get that kind of deal.
I don’t see the yankees matching that – this is part of the advantage of having CC signed. They don’t need to make desperate moves for the higher risk guys.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....tings-blog
I doubt the Yanks do much this year to strengthen their middle infield bench. Given how many innings Jeter and Cano will play, and considering how many other needs need to be filled on a limited budget, it’s just can’t be a big priority. I see somebody there at the major league minimum, and the Yanks will keep their fingers crossed.
It will be interesting to see where the Yanks put their remaining dollars, though. If they get just one of AJ, Lowe or Sheets, they will have a competive chance for the playoffs. How much more will they be willing to spend to better that chance?
Mike is playing the contrarian on purpose.
Russo is gone.
Mike is boring.
Now Mike is ragging on the Yanks on a day when in the past he would be crowing.
Callers are arguing.
People are are ragging on him.
Point Mike.
ugh someone tell Mike to stuff a sock in it. Why must he be a wet blanket.
I’m fine with AJ to Atlanta. Just as long as he’s out of the AL East, especially Boston.
However! Lowe still has no business in the Bronx.
CC
Wang
Sheets
Pettitte
Joba/Hughes
or if we don’t get Sheets:
CC
Wang
Pettitte
Aceves/Hughes
Joba/AAA guys
“Wait until January to see what starters are left to fill the bench needs.”
CC’s got the bench covered.
Literally, he covers the whole bench.
I’m listening to Francesa right now, and while we have some absolute retahd’s on the radio here in Boston, this guy sounds like a total clown.
I wouldn’t trade Kennedy for 1 year of Rick Ankiel. Ankiel is a FA after this season. I’d love to have him, but not if it costs Ian Kennedy.
rumor says Braves offered 5 years, 80 million to Burnett.
That seems pretty hefty.
Re-Sign Pettitte TODAY.
Manny…Manny…Manny…Manny
Sabathia’s stuff is better then Santana’s. I saw Santana pitch this past year and his stuff isn’t as good Sabahia’s. He got a lot of K’s did Santana but that is dew to his change-up being great. That’s his best pitch.
Overall CC has better stuff. IMO
If it’s Lowe for 2, then yeah. But I’m not signing a guy through 40 years of age.
“ugh someone tell Mike to stuff a sock in it. Why must he be a Fat diet coke draining wet blanket.”
Fixed.
This is Sabathia through HBT
http://www.hardballtimes.com/m.....lling-off/
How is it overpaying for CC when a year before Johan got a 6 year deal for 137 million dollars?
That is what CC was looking at in terms of a deal. He knew the Yankees had the money to offer him a Santana like deal and that’s what he wanted.
You would think that the money being paid to CC is a tax coming out of some people’s paychecks on this blog.
I’d trade Kennedy for Ankiel in a flash.
The Yanks seem to want to sign FA pitchers by the dozen. When is Kennedy going to get a chance for the rotation? Not likely any time soon.
If the Yanks go ahead and sign another FA pitcher or two, it is time to start turning some of our minor league pitching talent into offensive talent.
I’d so give Burnett 5/$80 million, before I’d give Lowe 4/$66 million.
Francesca, “The Yanks are down on Hughes.”
Really?
That’s news to me.
My God the stupid just flows out of this slobs mouth.
mel,
I can’t agree with your second proposal…Hughes should not be in the rotation to start 2009. In fact, he should be banned from the rotation until 2010…lethim work the pen in the second half, long relief.
Aceves…don’t think we’ve seen enough of him to warrant a spot in the rotation.
Cash will sign Sheets or Lowe with Burnett going to the Braves.
We’ll re-sign Pettitte and have our rotation of:
CC
Wang
Lowe/Sheets
Pettitte
Joba
Why worry about this opt-out clause. It is three years from now. Hopefully Hughes and Joba will be anchoring the staff by then anyway. So why worry about three years from now. Worry about this year. Cashman did a good job on getting C.C. They have a legitimate #1. Things are getting better.
“Having seen him a lot, he may not be as talented, he’s definitely older, but he’s a brutal competitor who knows no approach less than full-out, all the time. Maybe he’s not a “stud,” but he’s a horse.”
I agree with much of this assessment of Lowe. Yankee fans are seriously underestimating Lowe’s value. He’s been a terrific pitcher over the course of his career outside of 1 poor season in boston.
The pitchers you worry about changing leagues the most is fly ball pitchers. More of those fly balls will be HR in the AL than NL.
Lowe is an extreme ground ball pitcher – 60-65% ground balls. That’s higher than Wang.
On top of that he’s as good a bet to throw 200 innings as anyone.
I’m not saying they should just throw money at Lowe. I don’t like him on a 4 year deal. I’d rather have sheets for 2 years if he’s healthy.
But if sheets medicals are clean than I’d guess he’ll get more than 2 years, unless he jumps at the fist decent offer he gets. Given how in demand pitching has been – i don’t see him jumping.
Please stay away from Rick Ankiel. His numbers over a full season(which he’s never played) are comparable to Nick Swisher. and remember this is the same guy who went from being the best rookie pitcher in the majors to incapable of throwing the ball over the plate. and he is also an admittied user of HGH.
Its gonna be
CC
Wang
Pettitte
Lowe
Joba
(split up the two sinker ballers)
Hat, utility guys don’t cost much. No reason to think we won’t grab Punto or someone else.
If the Braves really offered 5/80 guaranteed to AJ I also can’t see the Yankees matching that.
I really want AJ in the rotation (I don’t want Lowe and I’m afraid of Sheets), but that might be too much money for the Yanks to guarantee…I think even at this point, now that CC is locked up, I’m not sure I do it and I usually don’t care about contract length and dollars.
That said, CC, AJ, Wang, Joba and another veteran starter would be a colossal rotation. Is it worth the 5th year at 16 million to get it? Tempting, but not a no brainer.
Bronx Jeers, please don’t make that kind of joke until the deal is really inked. CC’s pals are still monitering this board.
Gammons is on. He’s being gracious in defeat. He’s even saying that Kennedy is having a ‘great winter’.
Didn’t the Yankees already offer 4 / $64m for Burnett and suggested that we would go to 5 ? If so, then we would match ATL’s offer. Atlanta was 20 games out last season, if we match it, AJ would come here, IMO. Of course, do we want to match that is another question…..
I’m kind of disappointed that Burnett is likely going to the Braves. He was probably my top choice out of Sheets/Lowe/Burnett. I know a lot of you guys are anti-Burnett but he has amazing stuff and it seems like his arm troubles are behind him.
Sheets has a ton of talent too but I’m afraid that he’s a TJ surgery waiting to happen.
Yikes! CC has an 8.61 ERA in Yankee Stadium. That can’t be good!
Thinking Hughes, Kennedy and melancon for Josh Hamilton.
Let it rip, farmers!
I am already salivating thinking about teams having to face Joba one day and CC the next. Poor, poor AL teams
“Yikes! CC has an 8.61 ERA in Yankee Stadium. That can’t be good!”
Yeah, but just think what CC’s ERA will be when he doesn’t have to face the Yanks!
The Yankees are not “down on Hughes”. They still consider him part of the team as a fifth or sixth starter. Further proof Francesa is clueless. The Yankees NEVER said Hughes would win 15 games. However I distinctly remember Francesa predicting Hughes would win 15 games in ST down in Tampa.
It’s Francesa that had those pre-mature high hopes for Hughes and now he’s disappointed in him, making it seem it’s the Yankees fault.
The longer I watch baseball the more I appreciate the art of pitching. It’s amazing to watch a guy like Wang or Joba pitch every time they do because you realize how special it is the more subpar pitchers you see. Wang has that Super Sinker that people can’t seem to get good wood on while Joba’s slider and fastball make hitters look silly. That being said adding CC and maybe another quality pitcher (Hopefully Sheets and Pettite if this 5 year Burnett offer is true) it’ll be fun to watch every turn in the rotation. I certainly couldn’t say that last season when every day i’d look at the probable pitchers and wince because I knew the lineup would have to hit its way to victory. Rasner–Ponson– Pavano all were making starts in August, replace that with CC — Wang– Joba and that would have to be a 6-10 game swing right? Exciting.
how about the Stetson add with Tom Brady that is on mlbtraderumors? Seriously, STETSON, Tom?
What’s the matter, Old Spice wouldn’t take you???
I agree CB. Fans on this board are seriously devaluing Lowe. I’d love to get him on a 4 yr deal as opposed to a 3 yr deal for Sheets (which seems like what will be needed to get him at this point after ATL went 5 on AJ).
pat
December 10th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Yikes! CC has an 8.61 ERA in Yankee Stadium. That can’t be good!
-
It would be 1.61 against our current lineup if we don’t go get Tex or Manny.
Who is a Lowe fan out there?
4yrs for 68 mill at 36 yrs old???
Burnett is a 32 yr old fixed power arm.
The more I think about it the more I like the Ankiel idea. And the Yankees can throw in Shelley DUncan as one of the extra players. The Cardinals can always use another Duncan
In defense of Ankiel, the HGH is why he lost his pitching control. He had more power and kept throwing past the plate into the backstop.
“A source told Gerry Fraley that the Braves made an offer to A.J. Burnett late Tuesday of $80 million over five years.
Talks between the Braves and the free-agent right-hander “progressed through the night,” with the Yankees still a factor in the discussions, major-league sources told Ken Rosenthal.
The Braves are pushing hard to land Burnett, the second-most desirable starter on the market after lefty CC Sabathia, who has a preliminary agreement with the Yankees”
Why do I picture Frank Wren w/ a middle finger after he countered.
“If the Yanks go ahead and sign another FA pitcher or two, it is time to start turning some of our minor league pitching talent into offensive talent.”
The yankees are going to trade Kennedy. The real question is when they do it and for whom.
With regard to ankiel – the question is whether Kennedy as a chip is best used to trade for yet another OF who is going to be a free agent after the 2009 season.
With Ankiel in CF, Damon LF and Nady in RF the yankees would not only have all three of their OF free agents after 2009 they would all be represented by Boras.
That’s not necessarily a good position to be in.
They could lose all three OF – boras will take all three to the open market and Kennedy + talent it took to get ankiel.
So next year they’ll be desperate for OF. And of course the best OF available is likely to be Matt Holliday – another Boras guy.
I think they should let Kennedy build more value and trade him for an OF who will be with them longer than 1 season.
“I agree with much of this assessment of Lowe. Yankee fans are seriously underestimating Lowe’s value. He’s been a terrific pitcher over the course of his career outside of 1 poor season in boston.”
I don’t think it’s irrational to question a pitcher who succeeded in one of the top pitcher’s parks but struggled mightily in his last two seasons in the AL (albeit in a hitter’s park). Is 4yrs/$68M worth a 4.00-4.20 ERA? At least he eats the innings but it seems like a lot of money for a #3 starter.
Kay on ESPN now.
Rumor is 4 years/66-72 million for Lowe.
How did he become a $17/million a year pitcher at age 35? I’d prefer him to either Burnett or Sheets just because he’s the only one that can pitch 200+ innings a year, but geez!
I’d love Cashman to re-sign Pettitte (trusting Phil Hughes to pitch as the fifth starter) and get Adam Dunn. Or pry Ankiel away from the Cardinals. I understand the emphasis on pitching, but this current Yankees lineup would be the weakest-hitting in over a decade.
The “opt-out” is the name of the game for any big-name who has negotiating leverage. I noted this 2 weeks or so ago. Fortunately, Cashman had enough sense to realize this. Though not so stating, Yankee ownership/management is focussed on image restoration and on-field success over the next three years, while accomplishing something worthwhile in the pipeline.
Hopefully, he will not get carried away (as to years or $$$$) with any of the three remaining pitching “names” each of whom has enough question marks to make a deal (tho necessary) somewhat of a gamble.
If he adds one, IMO, that should suffice, with attention then directed to the issue (in my view, an over-arching one) of offensive “inconsistency”.
I know what I would do, but I am not the GM.
I love how people say Santana is better than Sabathia after what we saw last season from both of them.
It just may be that Johan is a more attractive guy – I can’t seem to see any other reason people might just, for whatever reason, suddenly believe this beyond doubt.
But CC destroyed Santana last year, after sharing time in the AL and NL. I’m not necessarily saying this will always be the case, but right now it is. Do not forget, also, that Santana is a few years older than Sabathia.
I guess we’ll just see.jn mn
Interesting:
T”om Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Brewers GM Doug Melvin met with Ben Sheets and his agent Casey Close yesterday. The Brewers did not make an offer, but haven’t ruled it out. Haudricourt notes that Sheets signing with the Yankees would be bad for Milwaukee, since the Brewers can’t get a second first-round compensation pick from them.”
Does this make it more enticing to pursue Sheets?
I hope that DeJesus is at least on their radar. Nothing special, but there is something to be said about knowing the quantity and quality of the player you are going to get.
“It would be 1.61 against our current lineup if we don’t go get Tex or Manny.”
I’d love to see the Yanks pair Teixeira with either Sheets or Lowe, but I’m dubious that will happen as it would push the payroll up to $200MM.
I think people need to quit fantasizing about us getting Manny. It would require trading Matsui, which would cut into the benefit from Manny, or hoping Manny can hold down LF in Yankee Stadium while Damon can stay in the line-up as an everyday CF. I can’t see either of those things happening.
Speaking of caps. Does the deal have a side cap wearing agreement? Or did Cashman win that battle?
“How did he become a $17/million a year pitcher at age 35? I’d prefer him to either Burnett or Sheets just because he’s the only one that can pitch 200+ innings a year, but geez!”
And still inning for inning he isn’t on Sheet’s level.
Um, Kay just talked about getting two more pitchers PLUS Pettitte and moving Joba into the bullpen as a possibility.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Shouldn’t he know better?? Yes, he should.
CB,
I don’t think trading Kennedy for a one year fill-in makes sense, ya know?
I’d love to see them pursue a David DeJesus or someone of that nature, but I’m not sure that would be a fair trade.
I do think there is some importance to bringing back Pettitte. I think having a rotation with 3 new guys vs. 2 new guys and Andy in it is a better rotation.
Andy’s presence on the team and in the locker room is worth something in addition to his ability.
He could help be the veteran presence that unites the starting staff (a role he seemed to take to last season) and there’s less risk in knowing 3/5 of the rotation can handle NY vs. 2/5.
He’s a perfect 4 starter.
AJ, Sheets or Lowe should be the #3.
I just don’t want Lowe. I think he’s another Red Sox player at heart.
S.o.S.– I’ll tell you what if the Yankees let Chacon wear his hat to the side Carsten Charles can wear his cap with a freaking spinning propellor on the top.
You have to think if they truly want Manny then somehow they have to trade Matsui. That’s too many DH’s with Manny, Matsui, Damon (sometimes) and Posada (sometimes). But I wouldn’t give him no more then 2 years. And Manny in LF I have no desire to see him play LF at YS.
Damon
Jeter
Arod
Manny
Cano
Posada
Swisher
Nady
Gardner/Melky/Jackson
“Shouldn’t he know better?? Yes, he should.”
I just don’t get these guys. What is the fascination with Joba in the pen? We might as well just throw Sabathia in the pen. Kay is only a thin slice above Francessa when it comes to intelligence.
“Gammons is on. He’s being gracious in defeat. He’s even saying that Kennedy is having a ‘great winter’.”
That’s probably the Baileys talking. He’s been up binging all night and is drunker than an Irish widower.
“I don’t think it’s irrational to question a pitcher who succeeded in one of the top pitcher’s parks but struggled mightily in his last two seasons in the AL (albeit in a hitter’s park). Is 4yrs/$68M worth a 4.00-4.20 ERA?”
BD,
I never said it was irrational at all. In fact I said I wouldn’t sign Lowe to a 4 year deal so i agree with your caution.
I was only saying that people here are making it out as if Lowe were just garbage. Yet another NL guy who will get trashed in the AL.
I think he’s a better pitcher than people are giving him credit for. I also think people are making too much out of his bad season in his last year with Boston.
That said, I wouldn’t want him for more than 3 years.
WOW…..ATL offered 80 mil to Burnett?? SO LONG!!!
CASH-$……REEL IN SHEETS IMMEDIATELY!!!!
NO on LOWE!
Wave Your Hat,
Give up on Teixeira.
EVERYONE,
GIVE UP ON TEIXEIRA!!!!!!!!!
Not really Mad Prince. Sheets/Lowe/Burnett….it doesn’t matter. We lose our 2nd round pick for signing any of them since we already lost the 1st for signing CC. The only difference would be if we signed Tex then our 1 would go to the Angels and our 2 to the Brew crew. Otherwise, it’s 1 to the Brew Crew for Sabathia and our 2nd to whoever for the other FA pitcher.
“And still inning for inning he isn’t on Sheet’s level.”
But it’s not inning for inning in any way.
Sheets on the DL isn’t particularly helpful.
Looking at Sheets rate stats is very misleading as he’s just difficult to project how many innings he will throw.
Enough is said on the Brewer blogs regarding Sheets’ capacity to deal with the pressure of New York. There are many who state that he had problems dealing with the “pressure” of Milwaukee.
Of course, Burnett, with his “Pavano-like” (not quite but enuf in the way of similarities to flash a red light) and propensity to rise to the occasion only in his walk years, likewise raises issue.
Lowe, the aged innings burner and not a Yankee lover, may well have a shot arm by the time he is mid-way through the term his Boras-hyped contract request is satisfied.
So who do you take? Cash must take one, and no more (hopefully). I would pick in the above order…then it’s on to dealing with the remaining needs.
Even if Santana is slightly better than Sabathia (I would concede that is ever-so-slightly true), the Yankees got a better deal because they did not have to pay twice for Sabathia by giving up a big prospect haul and then signing him to a huge extension (which is what the Mets had to do for Santana).
“Yahoo’s Jose Mota (new guy) says the Nationals made an offer to Tex for at least seven years and $150MM.”
Well they are serious about him. Enjoy Washington Tex.
“The Yankees are not “down on Hughes”. They still consider him part of the team as a fifth or sixth starter. Further proof Francesa is clueless. The Yankees NEVER said Hughes would win 15 games. However I distinctly remember Francesa predicting Hughes would win 15 games in ST down in Tampa.
It’s Francesa that had those pre-mature high hopes for Hughes and now he’s disappointed in him, making it seem it’s the Yankees fault. ”
That’s BS. He was apart of the “Big three”. They hyped the guy up to be a future #1.. Kennedy, a future #3. Francesa wasn’t the lone guy in NY hyping them up.. Everyone was. Here’s an AP story from that time period to refresh your memory:
http://www.associatedcontent.c.....038;cat=14
The way Kay phrased it was even odder. He acknowledged that the Yanks view Joba as a starter and want him to be a starter and that the #5 slot could work with his innings cap, but he made it sound like they would consider putting Joba back in the pen if they sign too many of these FA pitchers they’re in talks with. As if everyone will accept the Yanks’ offers at the same time and they’ll be stuck with all these pitchers and have to put Joba back in the pen. Ridiculous.
Swisher .220 mendoza line at first,,,yuchhhh
posadas right! joba BELONGS in the pen!
“I think they should let Kennedy build more value and trade him for an OF who will be with them longer than 1 season.”
I think you are over-estimating how much value Kennedy will have. Right now, Ankiel has a lot of value. I highly doubt St. Louis would do that deal straight up. Plus, Kennedy might have a so-so year, you never know.
Ankiel, even for one year, would help a lot and be a good bridge to AJax. I don’t think you need to go beyond a year to be willing to do that deal.
Arial: I forget, did we bet a full case of Moose Bars on the CC signing or was it just the value pack?
Just kidding.
Tex is now gone, unfortunately, and more likely than not he will be wearing white in Fenway. That will now be a most formidable lineup.
I know what Cash now must do to shore up the offense and deal with the issue of “inconsistency” and certainly tweak the Sox at least 18 times a season. It will not be a popular move until the season is under way and then all the uproar will fade as actual performance sets in.
I don’t believe a word out of Heyman’s mouth. “if they don’t get Burnett they’ll go for Sheets” Why would the Yankees want Burnett right now anyway with getting CC now?
Heyman predicting at the beginning of the off-season the Yankees will get CC Sabathia Burnett & Lowe. I have to think he’s just sticking with his guns. Some just doesn’t make any sense. Lowe for 4 y/rs and all that money is ridiculous. MAYBE Lowe for 2 y/rs but not what Heyman is speculating.
Nick,
Interesting bit on Joba.
Its complicated you know? We don’t want to wear him out or place him at injury risk, but we also need him to build arm strength and innings.
I think the #5 slot works best in this respect, but no way do I put that guy back in the bullpen. This flip-flopping cannot be good for the arm/shoulder.
Nick,
No we did not. As I had stated (ad nauseum, I must admit) it was a 50-50 proposition, and, more importantly, I would never bet against anything that would be beneficial for the Yankees. I did, however, propose as an alternative “MooseBar” bet, USC v. Cal, which you suggested we revisit next fall. Cheers.
Why the hell is it so freaking warm out today? It should be snowing out not raining.
Nick,
BTW, what is a “MooseBar”?
Sheets Do it…Dooooooooooooooooooooooooo it !
I never thought it was 50-50, but anyway, Pete Abe is already two posts ahead of this thread.
Sheets is incredibly high risk/high reward. AJ is less risk/similar to less reward. Lowe is minimal risk/minimal reward. AJ has made 18 more starts than Sheets the past four years and has the additional plus of being proven in the AL East.
If the commitments are close in terms of $$$ Lowe should clearly finish third in this debate.
Pettite plus Sheets or AJ would create one tremendous pitching staff and there should still be some cash for bench enchanements.
Moose Bars: http://tinyurl.com/4fkux7
Burnett will have to accept Atlanta’s 5/$80M
I think Cashman could make his life even easier if he would just lock up Pettitte already.
Then put agreements out to Sheets and Lowe and see who bites.
While he is at it, take a look at Garland too, and see what he would be asking for. 3/$36M maybe? I have no idea what he is looking for. He will make a nice 4-5 guy though.
Boston Dave
December 10th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I am already salivating thinking about teams having to face Joba one day and CC the next. Poor, poor AL teams
followed by wang.
francessa talking about joba in the pen again & heyman agreeing.
you do not put a pitcher like joba in the pen unless he can’t handle starting or injuries are a concern,ever.
it goes against all logic.
there pen is already good.
the yankees wan’t lowe.
Go for it
Derek Lowe
Nick Punto
Stay Away
AJ Burnett
Ben Sheets
Mike Cameron
Rick Ankiel
I jknow you are just reporting but the Yankees scouting must be worse than awful if they are looking at cameron Ankiel and Punto
Their planning is awfull — they need everyday players — good for 8 years as much as tey need pitching
They need Tex more than they need Sabbathia — nice to have Sabbathia – Sabbathia Wang Joba Hughes Pettit works — go get Tex and fix the 3 – 4 hole and 1B for the next 8 years – the 2 a switch DH
And for heaven sake do somwthing about Catcher — even if Posada makes it back – he is one slide, one swing, one collision away from being done.
Cameron and Ankiel are not needed adds — Gardner is a better OF than either — he can put up a terrifc OBP and give the team speed on the bases — with some tutoring he may be the lead off speed guy they will need when they lose Damon.
Dumping Bettemit improves the bench by substraction they don’t need to compound the problem with “I have no OBP” Punto on the bench –