Bernie’s back in baseball
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Dec 12, 2008 
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This from the AP:
Former Yankees All-Star center fielder Bernie Williams is expected to play winter baseball in his native Puerto Rico.
Williams, who never announced his retirement after New York let him go in 2006, is expected to join the Carolina Giants in about a week, said Enrique Cruz, the team’s general manager.
“With a ballplayer like him, even though he hasn’t been playing for two years, you can’t say no,” Cruz told The Associated Press.
Cruz said the 40-year-old outfielder wants to get back into the game in hopes of joining Puerto Rico’s squad in next year’s World Baseball Classic.
As New York’s center fielder from 1991-2006, Williams made five All-Star teams, won four Gold Gloves and was selected MVP of the 1996 AL championship series. He turned down the Yankees’ offer of a minor league contract to come to spring training in 2007.
Isn’t this his granddaughter’s dream, to see him play for PR?
“Isn’t this his granddaughter’s dream, to see him play for PR?”
Lol.
Hell he’s better than Taveras…
Good for Bernie, I hope the PR team has room for him and allows him to go out on his own terms.
Bern Baby Bern!
I really hope he makes the Puerto Rico team. It will be fantastic to see him play again.
PR’s now my favorite team in the WBC. Good luck to #51.
Pete? Is your idea of “a day off to enjoy yourself” 12 posts instead of 16?
Is Bernie a Hall of Famer?
It’s too bad the way it ended for Bernie in NY. If he accepted that minor league deal, he probably would have gotten a decent amount of playing time with all the injuries we had.
good for bernie!
Can we get a signing soon?
was there a minor league offer? i thought it was just a spring training invite?
Tom: maybe the tables were unkind to Pete early.
I always smile when I see who Baseball-Reference lists as Bernie’s most Similar Batter:
1. Paul O’Neill (905)
He’s posting from a bus outside of Denver
The other option was to shoot a man in Reno just to watch him die, so this is better.
Oh man I hope he makes the team! I’d love to watch him play one last time. Go Bernie!!!
Can somebody explain why we don’t somewhat pursue Milton Bradley? I’m actually looking for reasons, so don’t be shy.
“PR’s now my favorite team in the WBC. Good luck to #51.”
All will be whipped by D.R.
“will blog for casino chips”
Brandon, has Sheets said whether he’ll pitch for the D.R. yet?
“Can somebody explain why we don’t somewhat pursue Milton Bradley? I’m actually looking for reasons, so don’t be shy.”
because we have a DH, and both corner OF spots are filled. oh yeah, he’s an injury phone too. still don’t know how he could injuried himself while arguing with the umpire 2 years ago.
Chris Duhon is the best PG in the Eastern Conference
Mike Francessa suggested last year that we should bring back Bernie and teach him how to play 1st base
“Devin Harris is the best PG in the Eastern Conference”
FIXED
“Chris Duhon is the best PG in the Eastern Conference”
Haha good one!
“Devin Harris is the best PG in the Eastern Conference”
agreed.
So if Bernie hits .300 in the WBC and shows he’s still got it, how much pressure will there be on Cashman to bring him back?
The most stressful part of the off-season is over… we got our ace CC, thats what we needed going in and we got it.
Now we can sit back and enjoy watching the other dominoes fall. I want Burnett, but even if we don’t get him… we can still get Lowe/Sheets. Either way we will get our 2nd pitcher to join CC.
I’ll even go this far
Raja Rondo >>> Chris Duhon
Bernie… don’t do this, it isn’t worth it dude.
Rajon *
This is the best time of the year….
Hot stove in full force, Hollidays, NFL season winding down
Hey Ed,
I believe bud black (his manager at the time) took him out and he tore his ACL accidently when he tried to stop milton from attacking an umpire
could’t find it on you tube but i watched the game when it happened
duhon is just keeping steve nash’s seat warm for 2010…
G.love,
regarding pressure…
ZERO!! i don’t care how well he hits we have 6 outfielders
-damon
-matsui
-nady
-gardner
-swisher
-cabrera/camerin
“Devin Harris is the best PG in the Eastern Conference”
after the trade last season, mark jackson predicted he’d make the east all star team this year. looks like he’ll probably be right
Tom
December 12th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
He’s posting from a bus outside of Denver
————————————————————
He pawned his plane ticket back to NY and maxed out his corperate MasterCard. He’s working his way back from LV by working in the bus stations, sweeping up. There’s about 94 more cities to go through. He should be back by May 21, 2012.
“Chris Duhon is the best PG in the Eastern Conference”
I disagree. However having a crappy team around him he does get a bunch of assists and he is perfect for the D’antoni system. Harris isn’t a true PG in my opinion. 6 assists for a starting PG is pretty low and he mostly looks for his own shot, I’ll put it this way PG’s rarely avg 25 ppg, unless their name is Chris Paul.
“duhon is just keeping steve nash’s seat warm for 2010…”
Yes a 35 yr old PG thats what we should spend our cap room on in 2010. I want Lebron and Stoudemire in 2010 and I want Duhon to stay to throw the alley-oops
I was expecting this to be Pete’s first Post of the Day:
“What was I doing here? What was the meaning of this trip? Was I just roaming around in a frenzy of some kind? Or had I really come out here to Las Vegas to work on a story? Who are these people, these faces? Where do they come from? They look like caricatures of used car dealers from Dallas, and sweet Jesus, there were a heck of a lot of them at 4:30 on a Sunday morning, still humping the American dream, that vision of the big winner somehow emerging from the last minute pre-dawn chaos of a stale Vegas casino.” -HST
defense,
Matsui won’t see a day of grass aside from making the turn running to first base. Swisher is our 1B. It is conceivable that Cash goes and gets a OFer considering Nady, Matsui (our DH), and Damon are all off the books after this season. Jackson will not be used for opening day 2010. Our outfield after this season is Gardner-Cabrera, unless we get Cameron, in which case it’s just gardner. Taking on a smart outfield contract wouldnt be crazy
We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold. Then I signed AJ Burnett for 5 years. – BC
“Sweeny, you drive, this is bat country”
“Did you see what Boras did to us?”
“I disagree. However having a crappy team around him he does get a bunch of assists and he is perfect for the D’antoni system. Harris isn’t a true PG in my opinion. 6 assists for a starting PG is pretty low and he mostly looks for his own shot, I’ll put it this way PG’s rarely avg 25 ppg, unless their name is Chris Paul.”
Dude Harris 6 assists w/ Bobby Simmons as his SF, VC chucking shotts and having no interior presence other than a high ceiling rookie in the starting 5. You know he’s shooting 49 % from the field, for a PG that’s not an easy feat ?
It really is funny here to talk so statically, when the Yankees are always dynamic. Just because someone does or doesn’t get signed now does not mean this is the team the Yanks will go to battle with! I look at last years opening day roster and lots of people are gone & were within weeks after the season started. So be patient!
LOL! Sign AJ, BS, AP, Tex, & Manny!! LOL! Now!!!
Tom: what a book. Though you probably get more from “Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72″.
OT: Andre Ware looked funny when he won the Heisman in 1989.
Nick – I am actually reading 72 lately. Great book, but still no Las Vegas
jay destro: )
I did the smiley wrong. Let me try again:
jay and Tom:
Bad news for the Yanks. Another top first baseman and switch hitting power hitter was just taken off the market.
Wilson Betemit has signed with the White Sox.
BERN BABY BERN!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Here’s hoping he wins the WBC MVP! Go Puerto Rico!
(No I’m not a traitor….Bernie Williams first, America second
Woohoo, cant wait to watch him swing the bat again! Anyone know where online we can keep track of how he does in winter ball?
Nick, HST and Jack Kerouac (I know, How Cliché!)are the two writers I grew up reading.
My favorite HST book is Hell’s Angels…
oh and yeah, Chris Duhon is the best overrated system player in the Eastern Conference.
Forget Devin Harris….Mo Williams and Rondo >>>>>> Duhon and its not even close.
Please let the Steve Nash type hype not be starting again w/a new PG now! Thought I’d heard the last of it, lol
MGM Sports Book/ Vegas has made the Yanks favorites since the signing of Sabathia.
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/.....favorites/
I have the Great Shark Hunt sitting on the table waiting to be read next. Then I am moving on to Hell’s Angels
Hell, take away D’Antoni’s system and Allen Iverson and Dwyane Wade are better PGs than Duhon, and theyre not even really PGs.
Did you guys watch Duhon on the Bulls, that is the kind of player he really is! (without the system)
Hey Joey A,
i agree with absolutely everything you just said but i was responding to someone asking if cash would feel the need for a 40 yr old bernie williams for 2009 thats all. i was just listing the backup that would be ahead of him.
Please read this article and envision NY when the writer is talking about LA and Boston.
This makes no sense for the Yankees to not be in on this right now. I truly believe that Tex would choose us over the others if all is equal after reading this article.
If we need to give him an opt out clause so be it. It would actually potentially shorten the deal which is what everyone seems to be scared of.
http://www.bostonherald.com/sp.....ce_of_two/
All I want for Christmas is the Nationals to sign Teixeira and give us Johnson….
“Bernie… don’t do this, it isn’t worth it dude.”
you know, bernie just might like playing the game. i doubt it has anything more than that. old players can still have skills . they just can’t do it everyday.
this seems a perfect way for bernie to have a few more days in the sun before he hangs em up for good. who can blame him for that. we’d all kill to do it.
GreenBeret7
December 12th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Bad news for the Yanks. Another top first baseman and switch hitting power hitter was just taken off the market.
“Wilson Betemit has signed with the White Sox.”
Now let me return the favor and ask YOU..how do you really feel about Wilson Betemit? LOL
Good afternoon!
YankeeRay
December 12th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Please read this article and envision NY when the writer is talking about LA and Boston.
This makes no sense for the Yankees to not be in on this right now. I truly believe that Tex would choose us over the others if all is equal after reading this article.
If we need to give him an opt out clause so be it. It would actually potentially shorten the deal which is what everyone seems to be scared of.
————————————————————
And, of course Adams makes no mention of the two other known legitimate offers….Washington and Baltimore…not one word about NYY. Go figure.
“All I want for Christmas is the Nationals to sign Teixeira and give us Johnson….”
affirmative. He could be our #3 hitter.
When it comes to Betemit, it’s a moat point.
Drive 4-5
December 12th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
GreenBeret7
December 12th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Bad news for the Yanks. Another top first baseman and switch hitting power hitter was just taken off the market.
“Wilson Betemit has signed with the White Sox.”
Now let me return the favor and ask YOU..how do you really feel about Wilson Betemit? LOL
Good afternoon!
————————————————————
He’s gotten a bum rap. He could start at any of four positions for any team.
It would be a fitting end for Bernie’s career. I hope he does play.
Arguing about Santana and Sabathia is a moo point.
“He’s… a bum…at any… position… for any team.”
Yankee Ray-
Thanks for the article.
Teixeira, IMO, is all about the money, or he would have worked something out with the Atlanta Braves, where his wife is from. Hopefully he goes to the Nationals, but if the Yankees were indeed planning to spend the years and money, I believe his preference would be us. However with all the money the Yankees are spending on pitching, don’t hold your breath.
and, it must be official. Hal Steinbrenner chimes in on AJ Burnett.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....;fext=.jsp
This is the first comment to that mlb story:
“Joba is good in the pen. It is a good thing that the yankees are close to signing Burnett. When they sign Burnett they should go after texirra. I think the next goal is texirra or ramirez. If you look at it they have started giving offers to free agent hitters. The next goal is to talk to scot boras about texierra and ramirez and make an offer to them both.”
““All I want for Christmas is the Nationals to sign Teixeira and give us Johnson….”
affirmative. He could be our #3 hitter.”
Exactly. More OBP, less money, and still the flexibility for Miranda and/or Montero to have a future with this team at that position.
Plus, we’d get to chant “Nick the Stick!” again. Sounds like an all around winner to me!
Not to mention, dealing with Bowden is no more of a PITA than dealing with Boras.
From Newsday
Brewers GM Doug Melvin said talks with the Yankees regarding a Mike Cameron-for-Melky Cabrera deal hadn’t picked up since the two sides left Las Vegas.
The Yankees might be busier with A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte at the moment. It still sounds like this trade is going to get done, though the Yankees are expected to send a second player along with Cabrera.
Nick,
I saw that. I just stopped reading after the first sentence. lol, that person sounded like Mike Francessa.
BBB,
I guess whoever isn’t DFA after signing CC and whoever could be traded for Nats. If the Nats seriously landed Teixeria, Bowden would seriously want to dump him ASAP.
Bernie you are still missed. Good luck.
okay, i’ll keep my fantasy football advice request short this week.
to fill in for Frank Gore:
A) Maurice Morris of Seattle vs St. Louis
or
B) Sammy Morris of New England vs Oakland
i at least some money if i win my matchup this week…
Maybe Nick Johnson will be non-tendered!-Coming of a bad injury though!
No Manny. Plans to retire if he doesn’t get the money/love.
Please! He’ll be the first to quit on the Yankees, the first time something doesn’t go his way. Great hitter, but not worth the Aggravation.
No more Peavy talk please. He wants to stay in NL, and his mechanics are bad-arm injury in the making!
Agree another bat to hit behind A-Rod would be nice. To bad Adam Dunn can’t play a lick of defense, and Matsui unlikely to be traded before spring training.
Burnett will choose the Braves unless we offer $10 million more than ATL. If the offers are similar, he will go to the easier league and less stressful environment.
“Wilson Betemit has signed with the White Sox.”
I posted this yesterday. They signed him for 1.3mil. I said that it was 1 mil too much.
“Burnett will choose the Braves unless we offer $10 million more than ATL. If the offers are similar, he will go to the easier league and less stressful environment.”
You must have missed Pete’s post. ATL would be the more stressful environment as he would be viewed as their ace while in NYY, he’s just another guy in the rotation.
Yankee Trader,
Bowden isn’t planning to non-tender Johnson, if so then he would have no 1B. I don’t think Bowden is serious about using Willingham as their 1B.
the post says that the Braves have offered AJ the same deal as the Yanks. I really hope we get him. Has anyone heard anything new?
GreenBeret7
December 12th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
YankeeRay
December 12th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Please read this article and envision NY when the writer is talking about LA and Boston.
This makes no sense for the Yankees to not be in on this right now. I truly believe that Tex would choose us over the others if all is equal after reading this article.
If we need to give him an opt out clause so be it. It would actually potentially shorten the deal which is what everyone seems to be scared of.
——————————————————————————————
And, of course Adams makes no mention of the two other known legitimate offers….Washington and Baltimore…not one word about NYY. Go figure.
—-
GB, actually the article starts off by talking about Balt and Wash. It states that they will be dropping out which most people agree with especially that rat faced Gammons on Mike and Mike this morning.
As far as not mentioning the NYY, the writer has obviously bought in on that sentiment that we have no payroll flexibility left.
This is right where we want them as Cash should be trumping the deal this weekend and swoop in and put the dagger in the Sox, their new little logo and Gammons.
If that happens Gammons may have a stroke on the spot.
This Joba in the pen stuff from Fatcessa is starting to make me irate. No one ever considers that Joba was a starter his whole career before August of 07! Also I know it doesn’t matter but HE wants to be a starter. I know players wishes are not important to fans but I feel he knows that he is a starter and spending his life in the pen would not only mean less innings down the line but less money when he hits the market. Joba was on 1050 with Kay last night and he basically said how hes pumped to start and how he is taking some weight off and plans on being in the best shape of his life come spring training. Also when Kay asked him about his shoulder he said he hasn’t had any pain from that since September and how he feels he could throw 150 innings without tiring or blowing his arm out. I was very encouraged by this interview he sounds like he has big plans as a starter.
AJ+ Tex =WS
Or maybe:
AJ + Tex = Chapter XI
“Burnett will choose the Braves unless we offer $10 million more than ATL. If the offers are similar, he will go to the easier league and less stressful environment.”
Less stressful? No one will be watching Burnett in NY. Hes expected to come here and hurt himself. If he doesnt break his foot rounding 3rd the first year he will be deemed a successful FA contract. All eyes are on Arod and now CC.
The Braves want an Ace. And he would have the largest contract of anyone on that team.
saucY
December 12th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
okay, i’ll keep my fantasy football advice request short this week.
to fill in for Frank Gore:
A) Maurice Morris of Seattle vs St. Louis
or
B) Sammy Morris of New England vs Oakland
i at least some money if i win my matchup this week…
—
Saucy, I have the same problem. I at least had Forte last night. I have to choose between Gore, Benson and Brandon Jackson. I’m going Benson.
“This Joba in the pen stuff from Fatcessa is starting to make me irate.”
seriously. he’s also brainwashing my father
saucY
December 12th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
okay, i’ll keep my fantasy football advice request short this week.
to fill in for Frank Gore:
A) Maurice Morris of Seattle vs St. Louis
or
B) Sammy Morris of New England vs Oakland
i at least some money if i win my matchup this week…
—-
Saucy, I have the same problem. I at least had Forte last night. I have to choose between Gore, Benson and Brandon Jackson. I’m going Benson.
–
Oops, left out my pick. I’d play Sammy Morris.
YankeeRay
GB, actually the article starts off by talking about Balt and Wash. It states that they will be dropping out which most people agree with especially that rat faced Gammons on Mike and Mike this morning.
As far as not mentioning the NYY, the writer has obviously bought in on that sentiment that we have no payroll flexibility left.
This is right where we want them as Cash should be trumping the deal this weekend and swoop in and put the dagger in the Sox, their new little logo and Gammons.
If that happens Gammons may have a stroke on the spot.
————————————————————
I missed the Wash-Balt part. With Teixeira, if washingto offers more, that’s where he’ll go. He would be monsterous at Camden Yards, though. He could win a Triple Crown, there.
Al from BK( Welcome to the Yankees CC!)
December 12th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
This Joba in the pen stuff from Fatcessa is starting to make me irate. No one ever considers that Joba was a starter his whole career before August of 07! Also I know it doesn’t matter but HE wants to be a starter. I know players wishes are not important to fans but I feel he knows that he is a starter and spending his life in the pen would not only mean less innings down the line but less money when he hits the market. Joba was on 1050 with Kay last night and he basically said how hes pumped to start and how he is taking some weight off and plans on being in the best shape of his life come spring training. Also when Kay asked him about his shoulder he said he hasn’t had any pain from that since September and how he feels he could throw 150 innings without tiring or blowing his arm out. I was very encouraged by this interview he sounds like he has big plans as a starter.
—-
If he stops the drinking he’ll drop the weight quicker.
GreenBeret7
December 12th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
YankeeRay
GB, actually the article starts off by talking about Balt and Wash. It states that they will be dropping out which most people agree with especially that rat faced Gammons on Mike and Mike this morning.
As far as not mentioning the NYY, the writer has obviously bought in on that sentiment that we have no payroll flexibility left.
This is right where we want them as Cash should be trumping the deal this weekend and swoop in and put the dagger in the Sox, their new little logo and Gammons.
If that happens Gammons may have a stroke on the spot.
——————————————————————————————
I missed the Wash-Balt part. With Teixeira, if washingto offers more, that’s where he’ll go. He would be monsterous at Camden Yards, though. He could win a Triple Crown, there.
—-
He would crush at the stadium as well as he would be batting left handed the majority of the time.
One tour of the stadium is all it would take me to make up my mind. Supposedly Donnie baseball was his idol. Too bad he wasn’t still coaching with us.
harwood
December 12th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
“Burnett will choose the Braves unless we offer $10 million more than ATL. If the offers are similar, he will go to the easier league and less stressful environment.”
Less stressful? No one will be watching Burnett in NY. Hes expected to come here and hurt himself. If he doesnt break his foot rounding 3rd the first year he will be deemed a successful FA contract. All eyes are on Arod and now CC.
The Braves want an Ace. And he would have the largest contract of anyone on that team.
————————————————————
Stop drooling and wipe the oatmeal off of your chin.
AJ has agreed to contract worth 5 years 82 mil. Best rotation in baseball
Check ESPN for link
yankeeray, the guy i’m up against has Forte. but i couldn’t watch last night since i lost power (and heat).
i also have portis. hopefully he’s fired up!
Apparently It’s a done deal. 5 years and 85 mil Burnett to the Yanks.
Yanks and Burnett agree to deal
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3765754
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3765754
We got Burnett. five-year, $82.5MM deal
5 years….
Burnett better stay healthy!!!!
I am assuming he will have an opt out also after 3 years
sweet!!!
S.A.- CC you soon Mr. Sabathia
December 12th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
We got Burnett. five-year, $82.5MM deal
5 years….
————————————————————
You’re sad?
ESPN is reporting that AJ has agree to terms with the yankees for 82.5M/5yrs
Let’s hope for the best.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3765754
At least its not Lowe is all I can say.
Wow. Whether you like it or not, the Yankees are 2 for 2 so far. Gotta like that.
Okay, next we need to hear from Texas…
we got AJ = good news
news
we have him for 5 years =
Wow, now Pettitte or Sheets and look out AL East
GreenBeret7 December 12th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
S.A.- CC you soon Mr. Sabathia
December 12th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
We got Burnett. five-year, $82.5MM deal
5 years….
——————————————————————————————
You’re sad?
——————————————————-
Not sad, just a little…worried.
Hope he stays healthy.
Ed – CC chose the Yanks! where’s those people that thought he wasn’t coming?
December 12th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Burnett better stay healthy!!!!
————————————————————
I have more faith in Burnett staying healthy for 4 of the 5 years than Sheets through the first year.
GB,
that’s true though.
You guys need to get over Teixeira and Manny.
Those guys were never really on the Yanks’ radar and signing Sabathia seals their fate.
People shouldn’t be so worried about what the Red Sox are doing. Teixeira would probably make them marginally better – but he’s no superstar – he’s just a very good player.
Now I’d be worried if Albert Pujols was on the verge of signing with the Red Sox – but not Teixeira.
The Red Sox hopes of going to the postseason next year will fall squarely on the shoulders of Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Lester – not Ortiz, Teixeira, Bay, or Youkilis.
“Whether you like it or not, the Yankees are 2 for 2 so far. Gotta like that.”
What happened to all of the talk about how the Yankees weren’t attractive to free agents anymore? How it was a return to the 1980′s?
Funny how things change.
…just updating my handle!
Don’t be sad, SA, it probably won’t *seem* like 5 years of pitching from AJ.
Get ready for Pavano Part 2.
Tex is next and it will be the ultimate hat trick.
John Sterling will be calling the homers ” A Text message from the Tex “
At least hes not Lowe. Allegedly he was giddy talking to a Yankee player expressing how much fun he would have in pinstripes. That is a good thing at least the guy is enthused, now he just has to stay healthy his stuff will take care of the rest.
CB -
I don’t know how that talk started. Last season it wasn’t Santana who chose not to come to the Yankees because it was a trade situation. He would have been fine coming to NYY. Other than that they Yankees weren’t even really in the market last year. I really don’t know how it got started. Someone wrote it and it became an “urban truth.”
Yay Bernie! im going to be rooting hard for PR in the WBC!
love that guy…
LOL Nick
Well the rotation is definitely looking better.
I’d have to think that Andy Pettite will come back now.
The opportunity to pitch in the new stadium in that rotation with that pen in your last year in the league must be very compelling.
Laura – Welcome, CC!
December 12th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Get ready for Pavano Part 2.
—
Cmon Laura have some faith on this one. Trust me, this is no Pavano. I live in So Fla and was pissed when we signed Pavano. Burnett is fixed and a stronger body and person than Pavano.
He will be perfect for us.
We now have 3 starters under the age of 32 with career ERAs under 4. Plus Joba.
So what’s the payroll at right now with CC and AJ? I think around 160mil, no?
“He will be perfect for us.”
I’ve got my fingers crossed that you are right. And a few toes as well.
The Years are irrelevant. He is going to be hurt long before the 5th year. might as well have more years and more chances to be healthy.
Mel– I just read the news about your boy AJ. You may go ahead and do a happy dance now.
I’m pretty damn excited about what CC-Wang -AJ -Pettite -Joba means every 5 days. With an even average offense that is going to be something to behold if they all pitch to their potential. That CC:Wang:AJ 3 game trip into Fenway has me salivating.
AJ is a Yankee, now they need to keep him healthy
180ish
Gammons should be getting nice and liquored up right about now for the 6pm Sportscenter. It’s can’t miss TV.
Good thing the Yanks will have Hughes and Aceves in the minors when or if Burnett needs time off and Joba reaches his innings limit.
Doreen
December 12th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
CB –
I don’t know how that talk started. Last season it wasn’t Santana who chose not to come to the Yankees because it was a trade situation. He would have been fine coming to NYY. Other than that they Yankees weren’t even really in the market last year. I really don’t know how it got started. Someone wrote it and it became an “urban truth.”
————————————————————
Cashman was on Hot Stove Talk on Yes, today, and said the reason they turned down the deal for Santana was because of the 4 players involved and the fact that it would cost FA money to extend him, and the Yanks were not prepared to do that. He didn’t mention the players, only that there were 4 of them.
So now instead of giving Pettitte 10 give Sheets 13 – highest upside rotation ever
We got Burnett:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3765754
180ish? That’s not including 12-13mil for Pettite, right? Hmmm. They might be done after that if they are serious about staying under 200mil.
SO now its either Pettitte or Sheets. I really want Pettite back but Sheets intrigues me. As Girardi said 20 Sheets starts is better then 35 of someone else.
The next question is do they put Joba in the pen or as a starter. I have always wanted Joba to be a starter but the more I look back to last year the more I realize the best they played was with Joba in pen (begining and end of the year.)
Wish the opt out clause worked both ways.
If Burnett does have an opt out clause, that might make him more motivated to work hard and stay healthy!!
Why cant baseball players be more like their brethren in football and basketball, and defer some of their money so their teams can imprive themselves on needed players, much like Roy Oswalt has just offered to do to get the Astros to sign another pitcher.
Wonder why the Brewers GM told Newsday that he hasn’t spoken to Cash today…Cash has been a busy man.
No update from Pete means he lost his iPhone and wifi cards at the craps table.
C’mon Pete any news on Burnett.You don’t need to confirm from Bud Selig for you to say something is going down.
Doreen,
I agree it’s just nonsense. Everything with the yankees is completely over heated.
CC likes the living on the west coast where he is from somehow gets translated into how free agents as a whole no longer find the yankees compelling to play for.
Atalnta and the yankees had basically offered the same money so that wasn’t the factor.
AJ simply chose the yankees. He chose to pitch in the much more difficult league and division.
That says something.
18 wins in the a.l. east last year, in 225 innings! he’s got an injury record, but any way you slice it, that is STUDLY picthing.
The payroll is not $180 mill. It should be about $148 mill…
I am not a fan of this signing, Burnett is everything bad about sports.. He doggs it, cares about only 1 thing $$$$ and is a career underachiever..
I hope he proves me wrong..
Pettitte and that is it.. ANdy suck it up and take the measly $1o mill. in peasant wages..
cc, wang, joba, aj, and pettitte.. If Andy does not come give Phil his shot..
Enough spending already…
Bdog: we didnt get Burnett, he is a Yankee not a member of the LoHud Blog.
GB7
Nice to hear Cashman confirm the reasoning, if not the specific players involved in that deal.
Pete stepped on my joke. D’oh!
MLB.com is reporting that the Rangers want Sheets.
“So what’s the payroll at right now with CC and AJ? I think around 160mil, no?”
With arbitration and raises it figured to start at 140M, so it’s around 180 million now, I believe.
I think Pete and Kepner went on an ether binge…
CC takes giambi $23 mill and AJ takes Abreu’s $16 mill, they still have eliminated Mooses $11 mill., Kyles $5 and change, Pavano’s $11, and on and on…
matt
December 12th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Bdog: we didnt get Burnett, he is a Yankee not a member of the LoHud Blog.
===================
matt -
I agree with you, but I gave up that fight a long time ago. You can’t win it.
Doreen
December 12th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
GB7
Nice to hear Cashman confirm the reasoning, if not the specific players involved in that deal.
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Hey, Doreen. Yeah, it was. That’s a very legitimate reason for not doing the deal. The Hot stove Show runs an hour and is updated at least once a week and shows 4-5 times a week. Good info and interviews with Cashman and Girardi, among others.
not to be a nit-picker, but espn is saying that one source says its a a done deal although they are still negotiating and he still has to pass a physical. thats very qualified and alot of media wouldnt ever run a one-source story anyway. so it is intruguing but may not really be a news story at all.
Trading for Mike Cameron looks like a worse idea every minute, as the payroll continues to increase.
Melky can play center field better than Cameron and can hit for a higher average. Sure, Cameron will drive in around 70-90 runs, but Cabrera has the potential to drive in 70 or so, too.
People are too easily writing off Cabrera. Sure, he was a poor player last year but in the previous season he played pretty well. Did all of that just suddenly go away?
Give him another chance. Cameron does nothing tangible for this team for $10 million. If it’s 3 or 4 mil, then sure its a good deal. Otherwise, no way.
No need to sign Andy now.
of course now that espn says in a very qualiffied manner that its a ‘done deal’ everybody else in the world can now blast that espn is reporting that its a done deal, so i guess unless somebody sends out a denial, it is the story (until the story changes.)
Show ‘em what you can do Bernie!
I won’t say I’m thrilled about this, but as someone else said, at least it isnt 36 year old Lowe.
I actually aint even sweating years 1-3 of AJ’s contract, it’s what might happen in years 4 and 5 that stick in my craw. But hopefully we’ll have some WS bonus money by then so those years will pay for themselves.
Welcome to NY, AJ! <—-that’s 1/8th the amount of exclamation points as CC got, cause I’m 1/8th as excited.
I knew he wouldnt pass up the opportunity to get revenge on Ricciardi.
also, the Yankees just beat the Braves again, lol.
Like it or not, with Burnett in the fold and Andy soon to follow, it can be sensed that a change of plan for Joba could be forthcoming with him being the 8th inning guy or just an occasional starter when the schedule piles up.
Look for another deal from Cashman for a utility man with more moving parts available such as Chris Britton, Shelley Duncan, Steven Jackson among others.
Vrsce
December 12th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
No need to sign Andy now.
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Who would the 5th starter be? It won’t be Hughes.
“AJ simply chose the yankees. He chose to pitch in the much more difficult league and division.
That says something.”
That is a very good point. I dogged him yesterday when the report came out that he preferred not to be the no. 1 guy as he would be in Atlanta, so it is only fair to acknowledge that he wants to play in the more difficult league/div, for a more demanding team, fan base and media.. that says something too.
Now I just hope the Blue Jays sign Glass Carl. Burnett – Pavano matchups will be priceless!
o no, the joba-to-the-pen people are back….
Gary
December 12th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Like it or not, with Burnett in the fold and Andy soon to follow, it can be sensed that a change of plan for Joba could be forthcoming with him being the 8th inning guy or just an occasional starter when the schedule piles up.
Look for another deal from Cashman for a utility man with more moving parts available such as Chris Britton, Shelley Duncan, Steven Jackson among others.
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Aaron Miles and Alex Cora are both FAs and available as utility infielders.
matt
December 12th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Bdog: we didnt get Burnett, he is a Yankee not a member of the LoHud Blog.
===============
matt –
I agree with you, but I gave up that fight a long time ago. You can’t win it.
=============================================
Thanks guys. How dare I refer to the team I root for as “we”. If the “we” was true then that would have me way too closely related to zealots like yourselves.
That’s two, Utah! Can’t wait to see who the final piece of the rotation puzzle is. C’mon, Andy. Come pitch in the new Stadium.
the evidence:
joba said yesterday on michael kay that he is a strater.
cashman has said that joba is a starter. girardi has said it.
billy connors said on xm yesterday that joba is a starter.
but guys who wanted him in the BP last year think everybody in the organization is lying about it and theres secret plan to make him a reliever….
BBB
December 12th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
“AJ simply chose the yankees. He chose to pitch in the much more difficult league and division.
That says something.”
That is a very good point. I dogged him yesterday when the report came out that he preferred not to be the no. 1 guy as he would be in Atlanta, so it is only fair to acknowledge that he wants to play in the more difficult league/div, for a more demanding team, fan base and media.. that says something too.
Now I just hope the Blue Jays sign Glass Carl. Burnett – Pavano matchups will be priceless!
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There might be more pressure in Atlanta being the 31 guy, but, even more being the guy that has to replace three living legends there….Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz.
Correction: Atlanta being the ***#1 guy***
GreenBeret7
Sheets
The whole Joba/starter debate is a joke in terms of the national medias coverage. There was some clown on Baseball Tonight (I can’t remember which) at the end of the season talking about Joba, and said how much of a failure he was as a starter! I mean, are you kidding me? He was quite dominant as a starter, especially once he got his rhythm down. 2.76 ERA – 74 K’s in 65 innings!!
Give me a frontline ace over a frontline closer any day of the week.
ham biter
December 12th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
the evidence:
joba said yesterday on michael kay that he is a strater.
cashman has said that joba is a starter. girardi has said it.
billy connors said on xm yesterday that joba is a starter.
but guys who wanted him in the BP last year think everybody in the organization is lying about it and theres secret plan to make him a reliever….
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Chamberlain was a given and Pettitte would be the 5th pitcher in the rotation.
sorry but anybody who thinks there’s more pressure in atlanta, pithing in front of indifferent fans is anything like the pressure in NY and the AL East needs to re-think it.
sure, when those yahoo’s arent chopping, they’ll boo and say this guy’s no smoltz, but that’s nothing like the pressure he’s gonna feel in NY
and bravo to aj, he’s been here in the division, he’s seen it, he’s heard it, and he’s diving into it head first.
had to be some disgruntled braves exec who came up with that ‘didnt want to be a #1″ bullcrap because he knew the yankees were gonna school the braves on burnett.
Vrsce
December 12th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
GreenBeret7
Sheets
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If Pettitte doesn’t sign, maybe, but, it’s doubtful the Yanks would go 30 mil and two years on Sheets, after signing Burnett….too much risk. Aceves would be a safe choice. Lowe and Perez won’t be it.
ham biter
December 12th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
sorry but anybody who thinks there’s more pressure in atlanta, pithing in front of indifferent fans is anything like the pressure in NY and the AL East needs to re-think it.
sure, when those yahoo’s arent chopping, they’ll boo and say this guy’s no smoltz, but that’s nothing like the pressure he’s gonna feel in NY
and bravo to aj, he’s been here in the division, he’s seen it, he’s heard it, and he’s diving into it head first.
had to be some disgruntled braves exec who came up with that ‘didnt want to be a #1” bullcrap because he knew the yankees were gonna school the braves on burnett.
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They have nearly full parks for the games and aren’t above booing. They’re hardly appathetic.
Toronto Blue Jays get their man….signed Matt Clement to a minor league contract. Could Carl Pavano be next?
I simply think it is wonderful that Burnett is coming to the Yankees! Now, I will listen and laugh at all the naysayers who say he will be injured. Well let’s just think about this okay.
All pitchers get injured at sometime. It usually is a mechanical issue or a deep rooted overuse issue. AJ had a mechanical issue that he fixed last pre-season and last year was lights out! Wang got injured last year running the bases, but the Yankees had to pay him anyway. Randy Johnson had back injuries and missed games but tried to gut it out and pitched poorly and got crucified for it by the fans. David Wells had back problems & perhaps cost the yankees a WS title with his problem.
No one knows what can happen. Pavano was a freak accident waiting to happen, but he was never injured before he came to NY. Accidents happen. AJ is a real competitor in my book. He didn’t cost anything but money. There is still lots of depth in Yankee’s AAA & AA.
BTW, I would not be surprised in Carl Pavano went to NL and thrived next year! Pitching is a funny thing!
There was this pitcher who pitched for 6 years in the majors but who had talent. There was always something going wrong. Too many walks. ERA’s hovering around 4.00 in a pitchers park with a great defense behind him. Some thought he’d never make it as a real star. Then at the ripe old age of 25 he made the All-Star team & even was named the All Star MVP, but fade the rest of the year. Lots of folks wanted him traded or wanted to give up on him. At the end of the very next year at age 27 someone figured out a flaw he had in his delivery that caused his fastballs to be erratic and his stats the next year were as follows:
IP-311
GS-40
CG-20
K-308
BB-58
ERA-1.88
He was named MVP & CY Young winner. So anything can happen! Oh, his name was Sandy Koufax!!! And he only pitched 3 more years and retired at the age of 30.
i’d still take Bernie over Cameron, any day of the week.