Cashman on another recruiting trip?
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Dec 11, 2008 
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Brian Cashman left the Bellagio before the Rule 5 Draft. When another Yankees official was asked if Cashman went back to New York, he refused to answer.
Makes you think that A.J. Burnett could be getting a visit. Or somebody.
More on this as it (or if it) develops.
the intrigue…
Here’s hoping that plane is heading to Texas.
wow the coals are on fire in the Yankee hot stove. It went for iced cold to burning hot.
When does CC go for his physical?
“SJ44
December 11th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I’m not friendly with Sabathia’s agents. I don’t know the inner workings of how the whole thing went down.
I do know the Yankees have targeted him for a year. They knew all of his concerns about playing/living in NY, were prepared to address them and do whatever it took to sign him.
They also felt unanimously that if they got him, they are a MUCH better team than going without him and trying to fix the pitching staff in other ways.
They were were blown away by his character reports. Guys all around game rave about CC. They also know that if what he did last year in Milwaukee was ever done in NY, he would have Willis Reed-like reverance from the fan base.
I believe they got word of the Brewers going to 6 years/125 on their offer. Knowing that offer also included a buyout, my guess is, they wanted to make him an offer so good that he couldn’t turn it down prior to their leaving Las Vegas.
In essence, its a 3 year deal. If you look at what the Yankees are doing, aside from Arod, Cano and AJ (if he indeed signs with the Yankees), most of the contracts on the team are up by 2012.
It looks like they are putting it all on the line for the next 3 years and see how it pans out.
They are keeping their front end prospects, and not rushing them to the majors, and will look to win as much as they can in the 3 years they know Sabathia will be here.
I don’t think they will sign Tex.
However, given how they seems to be re-structuring things on the fly, it wouldn’t shock me if they made a run at Manny (if he is still on the market) after they address all their pitching needs.
I would have never thought that to be the case prior to the economy crashing.
But, if the Red Sox sign Tex, and all Manny has going for him are the Angels and Yankees, I could see the Yankees putting a 2 or 3 year offer on the table, even though they will deny it to the Gods.
If they went long term on Tex, that would surprise me. Short term on Manny? At this point, that wouldn’t be a shocker to me”
SJ: hope you don’t mind, i re-posted your post.
thank you for the insight.
when Cashman ducks out, good things happen.
Is an MRI a part of a physical for athletes? I’d imagine CC would need an open one…just saying.
With C.C. on board and Burnett on the horizon, at least the Yankees will have no problem winning all of those National League (C.C.) and intrasquad (A.J.) games . . . phew !!
Now, if we could only find somebody to pitch the other 158 games (assuming C.C. would get 4 starts against NL teams during interleague play)
. . . let loose with the vitriol . . .
Brian Cashman is officially a ninja.
There’s no debating.
cash ducked out?
maybe he’s visiting peavy? the cubs deal is deeeead!
the Straw Man to be on Francesa
Gotta love when Ca$h-Ninja breaks out the black hood and goes on a mission.
don’t bring up Peavy again dude
Cashman is Santa, dropping bundles of money to good little boys.
Pel-
I always thought Cashman was more of a Pirate…
Tsk, tsk, Towers. Why did you back yourself into a corner with your last hope being a team whose owner is in bankruptcy?
So far….
On the first day of Christmas my GM gave to me … A Cy Young w/ initials !
And a patridge & a pair tree !
not the peavy-heads again
Any chance we jump in with Peavy now??
I hope Cash is bringing back AJ.
I also hope this Cameron deal goes down not only for the upgrade he represents but also for his clubhouse presence. I think Mike Cameron can help to be a great uniter in the clubhouse since he’s good friends with Arod as well as CC and others. He could be the guy that helps Arod fit in a little better.
Furthermore, Chicago is just plain stupid. You have a chance to pick up Jake Peavy? And you let it die? Oi.
If we had Peavy and CC at the top of our rotation we could win the 2007 world series!
Why would they go for Peavy? They just got CC. They need 3/4 or even a 5 starter, not another ace.
I wonder if AJ’S house was on mtv cribs? If so, advantage Cash.
Cash is definitely “showing some love.”
No worries, Vinny. Not a problem.
My guess is, that’s an AJ visit. They look to be trying to finalize that deal prior to leaving Las Vegas.
It would help them greatly if that deal can be done today.
“He could be the guy that helps Arod fit in a little better.”
So long as he hits better than Doug Meintkeivitzteghduejowjd
2007 world series?
If ARod has not fit in by now; he is a hopeless case.
I think he is very comfortable with being a Yankee and fits in fine. Having said that, Cameron would be a great addition.
Melky for Peavy? I just don’t see it happening.
Come on let it be Sheets, let it be Sheets !
Cash is a Closer.
Can people get off Peavy already. He doesn’t want to play in NY, I think that has been made pretty clear by his agent.
Can people get off Peavy already. He doesn’t want to play in NY, I think that has been made pretty clear by his agent.
Brandon
And a Partridge Family & a pair of trees?
You’re not old enough to remember them….kids…tsk, tsk, tsk
“S.o.S. December 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I wonder if AJ’S house was on mtv cribs? If so, advantage Cash.”
well, his wife like the limo trips to the ballgame, Cash should pimp out a limo for her.
Here we go again with Francessa bashing the Yankees and Sabathia. Ugh.
“You have a chance to pick up Jake Peavy? And you let it die? ”
This is why roster/ payroll flexibility is so valuable.
Think about it – the cubs passed on a deal for Peavy in which they were giving up close to nothing all because they have Jason Marquis signed at 10M and couldn’t move his salary.
That was as big an issue as anything. They just couln’t clear salary from their rotation.
“If we had Peavy and CC at the top of our rotation we could win the 2007 world series!”
We would also need a time machine
If the Camaron deal blows up,how about taking a chance on Rivera?
As long as Cash comes back with Adrian Gonzalaz.
Also, if this is truely going to be a three year run, than you need to add Manny and go for it…deal with Matsui later.
Matt– yeah, bad joke on my part. They both won the 2007 Cy Young.
I love it. I would call Cashman the Closer, but it’s not really fair. It’s Yankee money that’s doing the closing.
But the old college recruiting trip touch is very nice indeed.
The question is, does Cash show up with a big cardboard check and balloons?
Here’s hoping that Cash is taking a detour through Maryland.
I really hope NYY have decided on AJ Burnett instead of Sheets, due to Sheets medical records.
as a lesser contract to Sheets (in years) would’ve been ideal for the pitching prospects in the NYY system.
No Burnett!!!!!!Please!!!NO! NO! NO!
See: Wright, Jared, Johnson, Randy, Brown, Kevin.
Sign Sheets or Lowe and Pettitte!
“Think about it – the cubs passed on a deal for Peavy in which they were giving up close to nothing all because they have Jason Marquis signed at 10M and couldn’t move his salary.”
Couldn’t get it done without DaRosa it sounded like and their top prospect would have been in the deal, but Marquis definitely hurt them.
Someone needs to slip a GPS in Cashman’s pocket
““If we had Peavy and CC at the top of our rotation we could win the 2007 world series!”
We would also need a time machine”
I think it would be worth it Mike. Not only would it earn us #27 but also take away a world series from the sox. Thats priceless.
If the Cameron deal doesn’t go through I will be pretty disappointed, he could really help this team.
vinny-b,
Dude. What is Steve Kerr doing? And did you read Diaw’s comments? I bet they echo a lot of the Suns’ players thoughts.
Where does AJ live??Is he still in Vegas??
Wow. Lot of phony posts this morning. Sad to see people taking that route.
I’d have no problem registering for the blog, if it would eliminate the garbage posts.
SJ44 is probably the most astute poster on here. He’s always been respectul to others, no reason for someone to swipe his handle and post nonsense.
My hope is that the Yankees can lock up Burnett then Sheets to a 2-year deal, but from all reports that looks like option D right now.
willing to bet Francesa has no idea regarding the amount of bullpen talent in the NYY system. And probably never even heard of Mark Melancon.
Francessa: “You have to put Joba in the bullpen, now. Hopefully between now and spring-training the light will go on (and they will)”
hilarious.
The call him the Wanderer, yeah the Wanderer, he roams around and round and round and round and round…
Rosenthal indicates Braves still making a push and will guarantee Burnett the 5th year. Cashman may indeed be going to see Burnett.
But when has Rosenthal been right this week?
Fredo,
It was a number of issues but essentially Towers had no leverage and was basically going to sell off Peavy for nickels on the dollar in terms of talent.
Vitters and DaRosa didn’t stop the deal. Or at least I cant’ imagine they did. The cubs are an old team with lou as manager built to win now. That window closes and that 101 years without a series win gets much longer.
I think it was the Marquise situation that was a major factor. Hard to believe but I think that was the main thing.
Maybe I’m wrong. But in terms of talent, the cubs were getting a bargain.
“Where does AJ live??Is he still in Vegas??”
According to wikipedia, Burnett lives in Maryland during the offseason.
If it comes down to either Sheets or Petitte who should we sign? Leaving the loyalty thing at the door.
“You have to put Joba in the bullpen, now. Hopefully between now and spring-training the light will go on (and they will)”
I wonder why he doesn’t want them to put CC in the pen. CC setting up for Mo would be lights out.
Can we get Peavy for next to nothing? Like the Cubs supposedly.How come we always have to give up more ?
Can we monitor AJ’s house from Google satellite?
Aside from Robertson’s hiccups last year, I think he could be pretty good…but not a setup guy, more like a sixth or seventh inning guy. Melancon may end up being the setup man by the end of next season.
Forget Peavy! We don’t have a BFF of his signed, so he wouldn’t have anyone who could help him adjust to New York.
I seriously hope Ninja Cashman is on his way to see Sheets. How did he slip unnoticed in Las Vegas ?
“Dude. What is Steve Kerr doing? And did you read Diaw’s comments? I bet they echo a lot of the Suns’ players thoughts.”
this very thought crossed my mind yesterday. Raja have been my favorite player on the Suns in the past years. The demolition began with the Shaq trade and is not letting up. Although, ultimately, their cheap owner is the reason the Sun has set in Phoenix.
Mike Francessa is mind-numbingly stupid. He just doesn’t know baseball as it is today. He can remember all the history of the game but thats it.
“Rosenthal indicates Braves still making a push and will guarantee Burnett the 5th year. Cashman may indeed be going to see Burnett.”
Fredo,
What do you make of the braves making this huge push for AJ?
If 5/85M is potentially falling off a cliff in terms of risk for the yanks for AJ it’s the himalayas for the braves.
For them he must be the anchor of that staff. A true #1. And if he doesn’t then they are basically doomed. They can’t absorb that kind of salary hit.
And it now seems that part of the reason why they didn’t give on the peavy deal was the fact that AJ was another option.
That’s what’s so interesting to me on this whole AJ thing. It’s not just the yankees valuing him in this way – it’s two franchises. In fact if the jays had the money or the economy wasn’t so bad I think they would have been right there also.
he went to go protect the honor of Reegie Corona
Melancon isn’t a power arm like Putz.
Melancon isin’t going to be a big strikeout guy, he is more of a pitch to contact, quick out type guy. He isn’t the quintessential SU man that blows people away with gas like Putz, Joba, Broxton, Madson etc.
vinny-b
Mike F’s head has a light on but no one his home.
personally, i’m apprehensive about picking up Burnett OR Sheets with their injury histories, but…
if the yankees are going to bite the bullet and commit to an injury prone pitcher either way, WHY are they pursuing burnett so hard rather than sheets? and for FIVE years? they’re both going to miss starts, but sheets has top of the rotation stuff when he’s healthy, and you can sign him to a shorter term deal. burnett is just alright, and we’ll have to see his face for half a decade.
Does Peavy want to come here all of a sudden too? I thought he wanted nothing to do with the Yankees? Did he change his mind?
On MLBTR, it saying that Cameron-Cabrera deal might be unlikely because the Yankees want the Brewers to eat some of the contract. I sure hope this isn’t true, the Yankees need him in CF.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....s-for.html
guys, if you dont want to hear mike francessa complain or give his opinions, for the love of god don’t listen. and if you are going to listen, just stop complaining about it.
The fact that a small-market, well-run, efficient organization like the Braves is going this hard for Burnett shows how highly he is valued.
“I think it would be worth it Mike. Not only would it earn us #27 but also take away a world series from the sox. Thats priceless.”
Hah! Pull the contract off the table for Burnett and reinvest in time travel!
I’m expecting this Burnett deal to be done; but if not I can see us going for Sheets instead.
Regardless of whether they sign Sheets or Burnett, I still think we will go after one of either Lowe or Pettitte.
That way you sign a traditionally healthy, dependable guy in Lowe or Pettitte, as well as taking a gamble on a high ceiling fire-baller in Burnett or Sheets.
Either way, our rotation is going to be solid, and we will have quite a few backup plans in the minors if the injury bug hits.
Is it April yet?
The money is going to be close. Its up to AJ as to whether he wants to be an ace of a staff (Atlanta) that is rebuilding, or a #3 starter on a team (Yankees) looking to win the World Series.
He’s told enough people over the course of the past few months he wants to be a Yankee. Its now put up or shut up time for him.
There is no discernable difference in the offers. Its just time for him to decide what he wants to do.
Mike Francessa show prep:
Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Arroyo Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen
Has anybody heard Peavy say he didn’t want to come to New York ?
“He’s told enough people over the course of the past few months he wants to be a Yankee. Its now put up or shut up time for him.”
Biggest BS recruiting tactic in baseball now a days
If the money is the same between NY and Atlanta, how does Burnett pick Atlanta ? Didn’t they finish 20 back in 2008 ? We were a better team last year, will soon add CC officially, and have been linked to Sheets and Lowe.
excuse me, not recruiting, i meant to say negotiating
what happened to lowe???
i don’t hear much.
would he be safer than burnett???
For those looking to Nick Punto just heard he signed a new 2 year deal with the Twins
Melancon isn’t a “pitch to contact” guy.
In 101 professional innings, he has 96 strikeouts.
In 167 college innings, he had 167 strikeouts.
Those aren’t pitch to contact numbers.
“If we had Peavy and CC at the top of our rotation we could win the 2007 world series!”
Of course, those two dudes have terrific playoff records! Don’t they?
Can I get Cashman to swing by my house?
“Mike F’s head has a light on but no one his home”
word, Jennifer.
the irony.
Thank God !
SJ44
December 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
The money is going to be close. Its up to AJ as to whether he wants to be an ace of a staff (Atlanta) that is rebuilding, or a #3 starter on a team (Yankees) looking to win the World Series.
He’s told enough people over the course of the past few months he wants to be a Yankee. Its now put up or shut up time for him.
There is no discernable difference in the offers. Its just time for him to decide what he wants to do.
————————————————————
Someone, a player, I think, said that the idea of not being THE GUY appealed to Burnett than being the staff ace and Sabathia took the place of Halliday.
CB,
You can’t help but wonder if the Sox weren’t so hot and heavy for Tex would they be in on AJ, too?
AJ has no leverage… we odn’t need him like we do CC.
If we miss out on Burnett, we still have Lowe, Sheets, and Pettitte.
We’re sitting pretty, we have substantial offers out to everybody.
Atlanta is a small market?
CB
Burnett is a very very good pitcher, he is past his injury phase, his only issue is motivation. The Blue Jays could not get him engaged (although his contract year did).
Wow Pete, sounds like you’re really on top of things.
Cameron? Nothing against him but that is not enough.. We need offense. We just lost 2 guys with obp’s near 40% and RBI totals near 100.. that’s a lot of runs.
“If the money is the same between NY and Atlanta, how does Burnett pick Atlanta ? Didn’t they finish 20 back in 2008 ? We were a better team last year, will soon add CC officially, and have been linked to Sheets and Lowe”
we will soon see if winning mattters to AJ.
to this point AJ Burnett have been an underachieving mercenary.
Carl,
Your opinion on Melancon disagrees with every scouting report I’ve read. According to several reports he has an above average fastball (93-94), an amazing curve and an average changeup. He definitely has the stuff to be a big league closer.
If the Brewers arent willing to work with us and we have an itch for a trade. How about Delmon Young?
I hope Arod can remember how to hit with RISP next season or we really are screwed..
“Mike Francessa show prep:
Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen McClouth..Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen McClouth… Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Arroyo Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen Joba in the bullpen”
harwood it’s like he’s trying to send subliminal messages. I really hope the Yankees flip him the bird.
“what happened to lowe???
i don’t hear much.
would he be safer than burnett???”
The whole interest in Lowe started because he was supposed to be the shortest term contract of the available FA pitchers. Hes asking for too much in my opinion. Burnett has better stuff and if its a choice between the two Id take Burnett. But then if you risk Burnett and pass on Lowe I dont think you can risk Sheetes too so youll have to pick up Andy.
Come on Cash . . Land AJ .. man i hope we get him !
Red Sox were in hot pursuit of Burnett for a while until the price became ridiculous.
If he would take 4 yr deal, BOS would be right there with us but now that he has 2 5-yr offers on the table, Boston dropped out
Tampa Bay Rays– Win a world series. Your team has a terrible record in the WS. Or is that an unfair statement because it uses a small sample size to make assumptions about the future?
Delmon Young?
NO WAY!!!!!
Come on Cash land Sheets !
Rob NY — 2009 The Road to Redemption
December 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Counting Cash Sabathia—The Yanks didn’t need to add 17-19 wins. They were behind the Sox by 6 games for the wildcard. Sabathia adds 6 wins to the team and they’re in the playoffs. You get a 2 out of a potential 10 because you found a way to say that signing a top 5 pitcher in baseball is a bad thing. You got the 2 points because “Counting Cash” is an alliteration, and I like those.
ill take my 2 points.
so ok. you were 6 games behind the socks. alright. lets start there.. lets say CC wins 18 games.
woah. your +12 on the sox. so far i give you 10 points.
but wait. you lost mussina. ah crap. that puts you -8 to the sox. ok so ill give u 5 points.. i had to take 5 away because forgetting about losing a 20 game winner is ridiculous.
so. we are -8.. ah shucks. what about pettite. he is gone. will we resign him.. he won 14. that puts us -22 of the sox.
we are closer to the bottom then the top!
so. with your math. you are -22 of boston.
u get 0 points. sorry. but as a yankee fan. you should know u lost 34 wins how fun making up 22 games. ha
Heyman is saying that the Yanks are in on Tex?
http://www.fannation.com/si_bl.....sts/31261#
Cashman’s love affair with old 2nd tier baseball player’s continues. Last year Melky and Cameron had similar numbers. At least Melky has a better arm and is less injury prone and has the potential to improve. Cameron only has the potential to decline further.
Cashman’s love affair with old 2nd tier baseball player’s continues. Last year Melky and Cameron had similar numbers. At least Melky has a better arm and is less injury prone and has the potential to improve. Cameron only has the potential to decline further.
Where do the uninformed posts come from re: Melancon?
The guy whiffs one per inning, at least.
He’s a real sleeper for the 2008 Yanks, folks. Mark my words..
“Delmon Young?
NO WAY!!!!!”
What about Delmon Young?
Melancon is like Scott Shields, aka one of the best SU men in baseball for the past 5 years. A guy who can get quick outs, strikeouts, great control, etc.
Those guys are often times better than the guys who try and blow everyone away
“You can’t help but wonder if the Sox weren’t so hot and heavy for Tex would they be in on AJ, too?”
mel,
Tough to say. It’s not the typical Theo move. They have 4 starters so I’m not sure they’d upset the cart so to speak for AJ. Would they really want to pay him that much more than Beckett is making?
That said there’s not doubt the way AJ completely shuts down both the Sox and Yanks is a big reason for the interest.
It’s really put up or shut up time for AJ. The yankees have given him everything he could practically want in terms of money.
If he takes an equivalent offer from Atalanta that will speak volumes about him.
He has the chance to be part of what should be the best staff in baseball, pitching in front of the greatest closer of all time and to compete for a world series every year of his contract.
He’s made a big deal about his wife living in Maryland and not flying. Hopping on the train from Baltimore to NY is very easy. Driving is much easier to NY than it would be to Atlanta.
Even with AJ the Braves’s are not that close to contending – that is a very competitive division. But it would be easier for him to pitch to those NL hitters and play in a smaller market.
Let’s see. He’s got two dream offers. Money may be the same so this one looks like it’ll get down to other priorities.
“Last year Melky and Cameron had similar numbers.”
Oops try again!
The 2007 World Series joke was actually clever. Think about it.
Guard,
AJ doesn’t need leverage. He has two 5-yr offers in hand. And if he’s open to 4-yrs he’d have even more suitors.
We don’t even need AJ at this point, but if Cash is closing in on the deal that says a lot. It means we’re all in, which goes back to what was said months ago. “We’re going to get some big names…We’re going to show a lot of love.” We all assumed they would pursue both CC and AJ in hopes of getting one or the other. But, they’ve seemed to have set their sights on getting both.
This isn’t a leverage situation. IMO, the Yankees want their man and they’re going to get him.
The players will be so stoked to look to the left of the clubhouse and see CC. And to look the right of the clubhouse and see AJ. And to look somewhere else and see Wang. And somewhere else to see Joba goofing on someone.
No wonder Gammons looked green around the gills.
“Last year Melky and Cameron had similar numbers.”
holy hell
Punto signed with the Twins 2/8.5M with option for year 3.
I thought we were making headway with him.
WOW did Hamels really go on WFAN and say the Mets are choke artist ? Damnnnnn !!!
“We don’t even need AJ at this point.”
I’m not sure I agree with that. Relying on the youngsters to fill AJ’s innings with Joba on an innings cap is not a great strategy…it didn’t work in 2008.
Of course, that assumes AJ stays healthy.
ramagnetic,
Not sure if you were serious on you post or not.I know that Young had attitude issues. But he was rated the #1 prospect just a couple years ago and i would think has more upside than what we have right now. Would it not be worth taking a chance on him with all the veterans around to keep him straight?
Phil,
In the real world, where you have one big signing per year, we don’t. You could get Lowe to fill those innings. You could get Sheets to replace AJ’s stuff.
But that’s not how they roll. In this coupon-clipping era of baseball, the Yankees are flaunting their checkbook. If they land AJ, it’ll be an embarrassment of riches. Which I love!
I am an AJ Burnett fan (have an autographed Jersey on my wall) but you guys are nuts to give him 5 years.
AJ needs motivation and having being complecent with a long term contract is not what drives him. I guess the pressure may work well for him pitching in New York but the problem is that he hates to be critized. There were a lot of local writers he would not talk to because they were critical about him. I saw him give a fan the finger when he said, “come on AJ throw strikes tonight” before a game. The “bronx cheer” will not work well with AJ.
With AJ, when things are good they are EXTREMELY GOOD. When things are bad they are EXTREMELY BAD.
What would they want for D.Young ?
WOW did Hamels really go on WFAN and say the Mets are choke artist ? Damnnnnn !!!
Just heard that too!
Brandon – Are you kidding? Did you hear that yourself?
Boy, I guess some people/teams really do not like the Mets.
BTW, I’m not commenting specifically on Delmon Young. So don’t take this the wrong way.
We need smart players. Smart players don’t have anger issues. They don’t storm the broadcast booth. They don’t have terroristic threatening and TRO’s in their past.
Smart players off the field usually make good decisions on the field. Give me those kind of players, even if they don’t have the ceiling of the more volatile players.
You know the Yankees must be making positive headway because today, the blog is filled with impersonators, trolls, and moron fans from other teams looking to stir things up.
If Cash pulls another signing or two today, some of these folks will lose their minds. At least what’s left of them.
“AJ needs motivation and having being complecent with a long term contract is not what drives him.”
I think being competitive for a World Championship every year would help motivate him.
It always seemed to me that AJ pitched best in the biggest games. Pitching in a sold out Yankee Stadium on a regular basis might drive him to perform.
Couldnt agree more SJ44. Cant wait to see ol Pete Gammons reaction to another YANKS signing as well!!!!
“guess the pressure may work well for him pitching in New York but the problem is that he hates to be critized. ”
JB,
As you can tell many yankee fans – actually most – aren’t real enthused about this.
Do you think AJ changed at all this year as has been said over and over or do you think it was just a contract year push in the second half.
And why are people inside the Jays organization so positive about him if he’s been so difficult and inconsistent. Cito has raved about him. Ricciardi has completely changed his tune from a year ago when he was saying that AJ needed to compete harder and learn how to distinguish soreness from pain, etc.
Why so positive given his dubious track record? I don’t get it. Just recruiting? But in the end why would the Jays want to sign him to a 4 year deal if motivation/ criticism are such a problem?
SJ44 — I am giving you my honest assessment. I would love to have AJ back in a Toronto uniform, but I would never give him five years. He will give you some great games though.
It will be a roller coaster ride though — remember I said it here.
We need registration here.
Maybe Cash is visiting Boras to give Tex and Varitek a package deal. Then he will buy the Citgo sign behind the green monster and will replace it with a big middle finger
Wow, Cash is rocking my world right now!
Once you’ve got AJ, on to Tex please!!
“You know the Yankees must be making positive headway because today, the blog is filled with impersonators, trolls, and moron fans from other teams looking to stir things up.”
If you are pi_sing off the other teams, you are usually doing something right!
The pullback on the Cameron for Melky trade rumor has me back to where I was yesterday regarding what the Yanks will do.
After signing CC, by my math they have about $16MM to spend for a $180MM payroll, $26MM for a $190MM payroll, and $36MM if they are aiming for a $200MM payroll.
After a brief bit of euphoria this morning, I am now thinking that the Yanks won’t go over $200MM and all these reports of trading for Cameron and signing Lowe and Burnett and being in on Teixeira have to be viewed in that light.
The bidding on Teixeira now seems to be up in the $23MM per year range, with multiple teams still in. Looks like he’ll go for even more than $23MM per year, then.
At a maximum of $36MM (probably less in actuality), the Yanks can’t sign AJ and Teixeira, and that assumes no Cameron. And they can’t do AJ, Lowe and Cameron either. They might be able to do Lowe, Pettitte and Cameron if you think Andy will sign for $10MM.
Well, it’s fun to see it play out, anyway.
melky in 08: 249/301/341
cameron in 08: 243/331/477
those stats aren’t similar
Vito
December 11th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
“Maybe Cash is visiting Boras to give Tex and Varitek a package deal. Then he will buy the Citgo sign behind the green monster and will replace it with a big middle finger”
Vito…Vito….you are giving me a heart attack!!!
How are you my old Yankee friend?
Pettitte
who wakes up in the morning and thinks “today I’m gonna go on the Yankees blog and pretend to be the posters there. It will be so fun!”
I mean, who are these losers?
JB,
Thanks for the inside look from the outside.
We’ve had plenty of headcases over the years. We’ve dealt with Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown, etc. Mussina wasn’t a head case, but he didn’t deal with errors by teammates very well.
Pitchers are a different breed, very fickle and set in their ways. So it’s good to know what to look for if AJ ends up here. Can’t say we’re sorry to see him leave Toronto, though. The players hated facing him.
well that’s sad about punto.
I have to admit I fear what this BJ fan says in regards to AJ. 5 years seems like a lot to guarantee a guy with his history. Hopefully the Yankees are thinking that the organizational depth will fill in if injuries happen.
“We need smart players. Smart players don’t have anger issues.”
AJ Burnett? Or is that whole implosion in 2005 down the stretch when he got suspended in the past?
Again, who cares about AJ Burnett for 4 versus 5 years? This is a team that just paid Carl (who) Pavano $40 million for nothing? That just got out of a giant revenue sharing hit with the new stadium?
Most of the moans on this board are from imposters having hissy fits about how Cash is schooling everyone right now.
Remember the Cashmoney slogan: “Nobody doubts we have the most money. Once we have the right process in place, God help the rest of baseball.”
If you Sawx fans are sad to see this day–then ask for a salary cap. Oh wait…weren’t the Sawx the team who totally went overboard on the Matzuaka posting fee? That basically tampered with JD Drew?
As they say in the Bronx: “Cry me a river, baby.”
I think the issue of motivation and AJ is very similar to what people used to say about Curt Schilling for years.
All of a sudden (supposedly, after a heart to heart talk with Roger Clemens), the light went off, and the guy became a beast for about 8 years.
I think a lot of baseball people see (or want to see) a similar pattern with Burnett.
Let’s face it, the guy has the stuff to be one of the best 6-8 pitchers in the game. He’s that good.
If he goes to Atlanta, I could see motivation being an issue because its a very laid back media and sports town. Also, if the team isn’t in the race, nobody cares down there.
In NY, its a whole different animal.
Some guys thrive in it (which I believe CC will), other guys (Randy Johnson) hated it.
AJ? All I can say is some of my friends in the game think he has grown up a lot in the past 2 years.
Salary drive maturity or legitimate maturity? That’s the call teams have to make with him.
JB, for the record, I wasn’t including you in the moron fan grouping.
Take a look at some of the posts here today and you will see who I’m talking about. lol
ray (sox fan) …that wasn’t me….I am good,,,how are things on your end of the planet ?
1:01pm: Cameron’s agent told Tyler Kepner nothing has been completed. Kepner says the Brewers have actually been asking about Igawa.
Someone actually wants Kei Igawa?
I guess every team needs something for comedic affect, and Milwaukee has lost CC and probably Sheets.
Are the Yankees interested in Rios playing centre (spelled in the Canadian way)? The Jays are going to test the market for Rios so they can make way for Snider and Lind.
C’mon Yankees. Give the Brewers Igawa already for Cameron. I don’t want to see him on the mound again here.
you know what the yankees should do? sign burnett AND sheets and they can trade off starts. injury problem solved.
Fetch us a Teix!
CB,
Wasn’t aware of that incident. I was thinking more along the Elijah Dukes (domestic violence) and Milton Bradley (mad at the world).
But, good to know.
“C’mon Yankees. Give the Brewers Igawa already for Cameron. I don’t want to see him on the mound again here.”
unless he is pitching against us…
Please God somebody tell me they saw the video clip of Marlins President crying about the Yankees. HIL-AR-I-OUS!
Anyway, Why doesn’t anybody have a serious problem with signing Burnett to a 5 year deal. I feel like there are other guys out thre commanding much more reasonable terms as far as money and years is concerned (Garland, a 4 or 5 horse for your team, Sheets, with plenty of upside and is realistic about his health). Burnett has Pavano written all over him for this kind of money. I’m weary about giving AJ 16M for the next 2 or 3 years, we want to guarantee 5! By year 4 of this, this fanbase will be pulling out our hair that we have this contract on the books, especially bc our core will be on the steep decline in 3 years and we will need to rebuild a bit.
Thoughts? Criticisms?
I do not understand the love for Burnett. To me he is not a smart pitcher , injury prone, and dogs it.
HMMMM interesting he has good seasons when he hits the open market, and gets hurt while under contract..
Nah that is just a coincedence..
Mike Cameron is nothing special, fading, overpaid, and losing range besides that he is great..
I invision regretting a Burnett signing quite a bit, the guy is 32 and his career is all about underachivement
Vito A. Bellamo
December 11th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
“ray (sox fan) …that wasn’t me….I am good,,,how are things on your end of the planet”
I am good Vito, but I am worried about what is looking like what could be a monster Yankee starting rotation!!
If we sign AJ, Gammons will go on ESPN and tell everyone how, “the Boston front office did a thorough background check on AJ and learned that in his spare time he like to slap children, steal hot pretzels from sidewalk vendors and drinks Jameson in the clubhouse in between innings.”
Then we’ll hear how the move is bad for baseball, how the Yankees are buying a championship (not that Dice K, Drew, etc. weren’t bought) and that all those incredible young arms in the Yankees minor league system will now be stalled.
If AJ signed with Boston, Gammons would report, “The Boston from office did a thorough background check on AJ and found him to be one of the best guys in the game. The mere fact that he fought his way back from TJ surgery to regain his velocity proves what a hard worker he is and he fits right into the profile of what the Red Sox are trying to do being the greatest organization on this planet. Not to mention it gives the talented pitching prospects in the Red Sox system more time to develop”.
mel,
AJ’s been well known to be very thin skinned and to have a fairly short fuse.
Don’t know if he’s the same person he was in 2005. Everyone changes. But that was not a good incident with the Marlins. They suspended him and as I recall they still weren’t completely out of the playoff race. Or at least not mathematically eliminated.
And they just sent him home.
I hope he’s a changed man. Because if he isn’t and he comes to NY it’s going to be very bad news.
This whole idea of him having matured really needs to be true.
That’s a big if to bet $85M on.
JB (Blue Jays Fan)
December 11th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Are the Yankees interested in Rios playing centre (spelled in the Canadian way)? The Jays are going to test the market for Rios so they can make way for Snider and Lind.
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Rios is a marvelous talent, both as a right fielder and center fielder. Tough to match up with the talent to send to Canada, though.
People with past issues are now ok!
ESPN as a whole is in the camp for Boston.
Yesterday they had Linda Cohen? and a couple of reporters talking about Sabathia.
They were ripping into him, and Yankees buying their team again, and being desperate, etc.
Not a single mention of 51.1 to talk to Dice-K, 8/160 for Manny, Ortiz from Minnesota, 5/75 for Drew, Beckett from Florida, Schilling from AZ, and on and on.
CB,
I hope he’s changed, too. For his own sake, not ours.
3 years ago is forever, so maybe he has.
Greenberet — the Jays will be interested in Phil Hughes for Rios. Ian Kennedy is another possibility if more is thrown in.
G Love, since when is dirnking a little Jamo a bad thing?
The non-deal on Cameron has me reconfiguring my paper team as well. Adding a pricey veteran like Cameron to the roster made me think they were going to pass on Manny (given age and cost) and also end talks for Kemp in CF (since Cameron would play CF).
I find this whole situation very intriguing. The Melky-Cameron rumor has been around for awhile but the way the reports sound, the Brewers seem to have only recently been pushed to pay a portion of Cameron’s salary. Why would they feel so upset with the Yankees if they were informed of Cameron’s salary issue from the very begining of the talks. It sounds very much like the Yankees sprung this demand for more money at the last minute and thus were perhaps never serious enough about Cameron from the getgo.
If Cameron was never a serious target then this lingering rumor had the effect of floating Melky Cabrera’s name out there on the trade market. The only other team I can link Melky to right now is Joe Torre’s Dodgers who were recently rumored to be interested in Cano + Melky.
JB (Blue Jays Fan)
December 11th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Greenberet—the Jays will be interested in Phil Hughes for Rios. Ian Kennedy is another possibility if more is thrown in.
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Kennedy would be a probability. Assuming the Jays are asking for MLB ready starters, Aceves would be another. Are the Jays still looking to move Overbay?
AJ at 5 years might be a big risk, but i don’t see a lot of parallels to the pavano situation. while the yankees need a starter or two and he’s the best one available and there are a lot of teams in on the player, i think we all need to keep in mind that pavano was a once in a generation character. no one really has done what he’s done and completely failed to fulfill the duties of his contract. aj’s issues are injuries, not mental incompetency. every pitcher gets hurt, that why it’s good to have a guy like hughes in aaa who is supposedly hungry to prove himself.
NYY’s biggest commodity is money and relief pitchers. What does the death of Mr. Rogers do to the day to day ops of the team, now?
This interview with Strawberry is great. Wide open and no BS.
I think the Jays would be very stupid to move Overbay only because it would be “selling low”. He is reasonably priced as well. He is also one of the few guys in the lineup who really works the count (although Cito is against that school of thought).
I would move Rios, even though he has HUGE potential to be a 30/30 guy. It would have to be someone like Phil Hughes though. The Jays nearly got Lincecum for him last year until someone in SF thought that one through.
“They were ripping into him, and Yankees buying their team again, and being desperate, etc. ”
did any of these people criticize the Mets for signing Johan to a comparable deal (and giving away prospects) ?
Hating the Yankees is good for business. Since ESPN can’t make a business out of being factual, insightful, and entertaining, they need to go to plan B.
If we sign AJ, Gammons will go on ESPN and tell everyone how, “the Boston front office did a thorough background check on AJ and learned that in his spare time he like to slap children, steal hot pretzels from sidewalk vendors and drinks Jameson in the clubhouse in between innings.”
Then we’ll hear how the move is bad for baseball, how the Yankees are buying a championship (not that Dice K, Drew, etc. weren’t bought) and that all those incredible young arms in the Yankees minor league system will now be stalled.
If AJ signed with Boston, Gammons would report, “The Boston from office did a thorough background check on AJ and found him to be one of the best guys in the game. The mere fact that he fought his way back from TJ surgery to regain his velocity proves what a hard worker he is and he fits right into the profile of what the Red Sox are trying to do being the greatest organization on this planet. Not to mention it gives the talented pitching prospects in the Red Sox system more time to develop”.
—-
If we sign AJ and Tex or Manny, Gammons may not make it through the season
No one knows. The Blue Jays (as Rogers, the company) have much more money than most MLB teams. They have a monopoly on cable, cell phones, home phones, own radio stations, three television networks, etc. A lot of their corporate types see the Blue Jays as something to put on their networks and radio but don’t get the whole business model of running a sports franchise. Ted Rogers was becoming a bit of a fan of the game, and was willing to put his own billions into the franchise. Now that he has passed away, who knows what direction the team is going. There is a power struggle, I presume going on in the company.
JB (Blue Jays Fan)
December 11th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I think the Jays would be very stupid to move Overbay only because it would be “selling low”. He is reasonably priced as well. He is also one of the few guys in the lineup who really works the count (although Cito is against that school of thought).
I would move Rios, even though he has HUGE potential to be a 30/30 guy. It would have to be someone like Phil Hughes though. The Jays nearly got Lincecum for him last year until someone in SF thought that one through.
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I’ll have to call Cashman first, but, I don’t think he’ll be happy. Yeah, that Lincecum trade….it’s a tossup. Great young pitcher, or great young hitter that kills the Yanks. Kill me slow or kill me quick.
Brewers interested in Igawa??? SELL!!! SELL!!!! SELLLL!!!!!!!!!
what bothers me is that because the yankees have tons of money players,agents,teams demand more money from the yankees & ny is more expensive to live & the yankees pay a luxury tax and revenue sharing.
look at all the teams & find out the percentage of their revenue that they spend on team payroll and ask yourself are the yankees really any different???
if the yankees spend 200 million of their 350 million on payroll and the red sox spend 160 million of their 300 million or whatever it is what is the difference???
if i own a car wash & a guy down the road owns a car wash but i make 10 thousand dollars more a week than the guy down the road of course i am going to have more employees,better ones & a nicer business.
this would be true in any case wether it is a business or an individual.
should anybodys money be taken away from them and distributed to less fortunate people when you earned it?
every single person in the world would spend more & live better but the yankees get critisized by writers,gm’s,etc…
how about a writer that critisizes the yankees or a gm who is jealous?
if they made more money would they spend it to live a more materialistic life???
give me a break..
what about a team with an 80 million dollar payroll that can be covered by their own revenues but they take revenue sharing money & stick it in their pocket???
how nice is that???
JB (Blue Jays Fan)
December 11th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
No one knows. The Blue Jays (as Rogers, the company) have much more money than most MLB teams. They have a monopoly on cable, cell phones, home phones, own radio stations, three television networks, etc. A lot of their corporate types see the Blue Jays as something to put on their networks and radio but don’t get the whole business model of running a sports franchise. Ted Rogers was becoming a bit of a fan of the game, and was willing to put his own billions into the franchise. Now that he has passed away, who knows what direction the team is going. There is a power struggle, I presume going on in the company.
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That’s a real pity about him. He would have rebuilt a great franchise, and it would have been fun to hate you guys, again.
AJ….Sometimes you have to dance with the devil in the light of a full moon……I just hope he indeed comes to the Bronx……Wow, It’ll be a whole new ballgame for him…..It means that every Febuary when pitcher and catchers report there really is baseball in October….New mind set….
“did any of these people criticize the Mets for signing Johan to a comparable deal (and giving away prospects) ?”
Linda Cohen is a Mets fan, what do you think?
Bru — the problem that MLB has is that it has to figure out if the teams are individual businesses or is MLB one business. If you own Macdonald’s, you want to make sure each of your franchises are doing well be it the one in New York, Boston, or Toronto. If the one in Florida is not doing so well, you might lose that market forever as people choose other sports, or in the Macdonald’s case, Burger King.
Did that make sense? Probably not but you know where I am going.
JB (Blue Jays Fan)
December 11th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Bru—the problem that MLB has is that it has to figure out if the teams are individual businesses or is MLB one business. If you own Macdonald’s, you want to make sure each of your franchises are doing well be it the one in New York, Boston, or Toronto. If the one in Florida is not doing so well, you might lose that market forever as people choose other sports, or in the Macdonald’s case, Burger King.
Did that make sense? Probably not but you know where I am going.
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Sports franchises are an unusual breed. Individual businesses that need competition from other like businesses to survive. The one thing different…they all need one or two teams to be extremely strong to give fans of other teams to hate with passion.
“the problem that MLB has is that it has to figure out if the teams are individual businesses or is MLB one business.”
Neither. MLB and other sports leagues are closer to cartels than anything else.
And many of the tensions inside of the industry are similar to problems seen in other kinds of cartels.
Kei Igawa is god.
Linda Cohn is frustrated because she craves attention and those toothy smiles from Gammons and he ignores her.
The talks between the Cubs and Padres about Peavy are said to be over. Peavy’s agent always says they won’t consider the no-trade until something is presented to them. My guess is Cashman may be selling the Yankees to Peavy with a tentative agreement with the Padres in place.