CC is in a New York state of mind
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Dec 18, 2008 
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Just spoke to Sam Borden, who passed along a few notes:
The press conference was attended by Hal Steinbrenner, Jessica Steinbrenner Swindal and Felix Lopez. Hank Steinbrenner was a no-show.
CC said his infamous opt-out clause was Brian Cashman’s idea to make him comfortable. But he plans on being in New York for the duration of his deal. He and his wife said they plan to sell their home in California and relocate full-time to New Jersey. Amber Sabathia said that Johnny and Michelle Damon were instrumental in the recruiting process.
So much for preconceived notions.
CC took No. 52 from Dave Eiland, who was there to see his new pitchers.
As they usually do at large press conferences, the newspaper reporters and television types were divided up and interviewed each player individually along with Joe Girardi, Brian Cashman and other there. The newspaper crew didn’t get their time with CC until close to 3 p.m.
But according to Sam, CC was all smiles, very jovial and seemed to enjoy everything. In speaking to reporters who have covered him in Cleveland and Milwaukee, Sabathia is not going to have any trouble fitting in or handling New York.
CC advocated the addition of Mike Cameron. While that trade talk obviously has cooled, it could be revisited. Cashman said the Yankees still hope to make a deal with Andy Pettitte.
Sam is going to send me some more info later on once he has a chance to go through his notes.
How about Allen?
Going to Bonnaroo this year Pete?
Reporting that The Boss will close it out Sunday night.
http://www.rollingstone.com/ro.....urces-say/
Excellent day for the Bronx Bombers. Pettite and a bat and off to Tampa they go!
Steve G NY, NY: Keith Is the upside of Andrew Brackman the same as David Price? I heard they were rated 1,2 prior to the year they were drafted. Let me know your thoughts?
SportsNation Keith Law: Brackman’s upside is that of a #1 starter, but he’s a long way away from it, not in the least because he blew his elbow out during his junior spring. Price hasn’t been hurt or lost that development time, and he was more polished to begin with.
Looks like we might be set for some time. It’s an exciting day to be a Yankee fan
http://assets.nydailynews.com/.....urnett.jpg
This pic cracks me up
Lynn,
What was Bruney’s thought on Swisher, AJ, and CC?
So the reports that an opt-out would be included in any deal with any team (and reported in multiple outlets) was wrong?
Stephen -
Kay played a clip from CC and he said he wanted that from any team.
Is AJ getting number 34?
Pettitte – please turn down the offer so we can sign Sheets.
Sabathia
Wang
Burnett
Chamberlain
Sheets
Hughes in reserve incase AJ/Sheets gets injured.
Wow!
Welcome to Jersey CC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt_H1zTvWlQ
Does Cashman ever say anything remotely interesting?
He’s on with Kay now and he has been talking for 5 minutes and has said nothing.
“Sabathia
Burnett
Wang
Sheets
Chamberlain”
FIXED.
It’s going to be a blast watching the Yankees pitchers this year. The rotation (pending Pettitte) is going to be great and the bullpen is also looking really nice. Sabathia, Burnett and Chamberlain all seem like really charismatic guys, its going to be a lot of fun watching them pitch.
In view of how the injury bug has spreaded through the clubhouse the last 4 seasons, I wonder who’s going to be the first starting pitcher to be on the DL in 2009. Mr. AJ ?
Johnny Damon should win the MVP of the off season with his recruiting of BOTH CC and Burnett
“Does Cashman ever say anything remotely interesting?”
That’s good it’s his job to keep things under wraps, no one should know what thier next moves are. Hope it’s Adam Dunn.
Cashman just told Michael Kay that the focus was/is pitching but they will continue to look at the offense and see if something fits including Giambi and/or Abreu.
Dunn is going to be a bargain
40 HRs/100+ RBIs/100+ walks
Despite his low average, he is a good clutch hitter. We have good average hitters in Damon, Jeter, Matsui, A-Rod, Cano, Posada. Time to add some LH power.
Get Pettitte in & let’s get going with 2009! Like, now!
Why do people keep putting Burnett ahead of Wang, that’s not going to happen. Wang is a #1 ace on any team, and if we didn’t have Sabathia he’d be the #1 on ours also. Burnett is a high quality #2. It will be:
1. Sabathia
2. Wang
3. Burnett
4. Pettitte/Sheets
5. Joba
the more a GM says the more he hirts himself. The best ones are lousy interviews… the best interviews (Steve Phillips) are lousy GMs. Every heard Theo interviewed? Pretty damn boring… maybe not as boring as Cash, but close
“Does Cashman ever say anything remotely interesting?
He’s on with Kay now and he has been talking for 5 minutes and has said nothing”
Cashmoney is not as candid as he once was.
Although, Eric Mangini and Mike Tannenbaum, are even worse.
Cashman explicitly said on Kay’s show that he chose to pass on Santana last year in order to make a run at CC this winter while still holding on to the 4 players it would have taken to get Johan.
Great decision. The franchise is in a much better position with CC and hughes, kennedy, melky and hillgoss than they would have been with Santana alone.
This winter is the culmination of long term planning and its paying off.
.
t-rock
December 18th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Dunn is going to be a bargain
40 HRs/100+ RBIs/100+ walks
Despite his low average, he is a good clutch hitter. We have good average hitters in Damon, Jeter, Matsui, A-Rod, Cano, Posada. Time to add some LH power.
————————————————————
When did clutch become .214 with 2 outs/RISP or .230 in late and close?
“1. Sabathia
2. Burnett
3. Wang
4. Pettitte/Sheets
5. Joba”
Because that’s what it is going to be.
Burnett and Wang can play beer pong in order to determine who gets to be the #2 starter.
Yeah, right. He won’t opt out.
It’s great to have both of these talented pitchers join our staff, with such a good rotation going to any game at the new stadium will be a pitching treat.
I don’t think the Yankees will add another outfield bat unless Damon is going to play centerfield. How many DH’s do you need on the team? Dunn is a retched fielder, and he strikes out so often, we don’t need to load the lineup with so many Ks.
You are out of your mind if you think Burnett is going to be the #2 over Wang. Do you even watch Wang pitch lol
Eric in NJ
December 18th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Why do people keep putting Burnett ahead of Wang, that’s not going to happen. Wang is a #1 ace on any team, and if we didn’t have Sabathia he’d be the #1 on ours also. Burnett is a high quality #2. It will be:
1. Sabathia
2. Wang
3. Burnett
4. Pettitte/Sheets
5. Joba
————————————————————
Who cares? The #1 pitcher is whoever is starting that day.
CB:
it will be very interesting to see who has the better year, next year; CC or Santana
as have been mentioned, NYY didn’t want to aquire/pay a pitcher for his past 5 years. But rather, based on the present time & performance.
“When did clutch become .214 with 2 outs/RISP or .230 in late and close?”
.468 OBP% .623 SLG 1.091 OPS
GB OPS in high leverage spots 1.044
Selling his home huh? Dang, the photos I saw of it were pretty sweet.
Having either Wang or Burnett at #3 is a huge advantage for the Yankees. What other team can have a border-line #1 as their 3rd starter?
“Wang is a #1 ace on any team, ”
No. he’s a #1 on a Yankee team, but now he’s bumped into a #2.
7 Up,
CC – 52
Aj – 34
Pete- Either Sam Borden or Sweeny Murti got it wrong ?
Sam- “CC said his infamous opt-out clause was Brian Cashman’s idea to make him comfortable.”
Sweeny- “The opt-out was something that my agent said that we wanted to put in any contract, anywhere, that I didn’t want to go somewhere, a small market team and kind of hold them up if…we couldn’t sign other players and I’d be the reason.”
Aj wearing stripes > Putz wearing stripes
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/im.....mmKUok.jpg
trade Robi !”
December 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
“When did clutch become .214 with 2 outs/RISP or .230 in late and close?”
.468 OBP% .623 SLG 1.091 OPS
GB OPS in high leverage spots 1.044
————————————————————
Actually, in his career, it’s .916…Using that stat Rodriguez is a killer at .975.
I agree with Eric in NJ. Wang will be ahead of Burnett. And Sheets would be ahead of Joba, but if the Yankees sign Pettitte then Joba would be the fourth.
Ed –
Wang pitches to the quality of a #1 ace regardless if it’s the Yanks or not, he’s pitching in the A.L. and his stats are ace quality.
Can they put Joba 4th? Won’t he get more starts than the 5th spot and reach his innings cap quicker?
“GB OPS in high leverage spots 1.044″
That’s a big number sure, but you look at the low batting averages with RISP and you can deduce that he’s just drawing walks and passing the baton to guys behind him in those “high leverage spots”–I think to call him clutch is to say that drawing a walk and then having the guy behind you pop out to end an inning is clutch.
“Can they put Joba 4th? Won’t he get more starts than the 5th spot and reach his innings cap quicker?”
NO. then what’s the point of them giving Joba a limit on the innings? they want to preserve his arm, not kill it.
Ed – CC and Wang, the Dynamite Duo!
December 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Aj wearing stripes > Putz wearing stripes
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/im.....mmKUok.jpg
Putz doesn’t look good with stripes on. lol
————————————————————
What would you expect from a Putz?
Yeh and then you have to off set it w/ a low BABIP and wonder.
If CC opts out in 3 years, he leaves 92 million dollars on the table.
What are the odds of a pitcher leaving that much money on the table at age 31?
If the clause made it easier for him to pull the trigger and sign with the Yankees, fine by me.
It would take brass, you know what, for a pitcher to leave 92 million on the table.
Worry about 2012 in 2012.
The debate over the order of the starters is just plain goofy. Style-wise you can justify # 2 and # 3 in either order. If Pettite signs he should be # 4 to split up the lefties. The rest really doesn’t matter.
It’s like the obsession with a “leadoff hitter” when that guy may only leadoff an inning once a game. In the AL a protoptyical “leadoff hitter” is almost irrelevant; but in the NL it matters more because pitchers end so many innings when they bat.
Brandon — nice retort to BG 7′s sleective use of stats. Dunn is a very good offensive player who might become great in a lineup like the Yanks instead of the guys he’s been playing with. If the regular Of is Dunn, Damon and Nady and you can have late inning defense from Melky and Gardner that’s a pretty good situation.
Last year the Yanks OPS in LF was .776 and in CF it was a miserable .711… pitching was the # 1 priority, but they still need a bat.
John (Charlotte): Klaw, am I crazy to think that CC isn’t even the best lefty in the AL East, never mind the AL. John Lester produced against better line-ups all last year and when comparing post season numbers, CC isn’t even close to the pitcher that Lester is.
Keith Law: You are crazy
I like this pic of CC
http://assets.nydailynews.com/.....speaks.jpg
He will save us!
“Worry about 2012 in 2012.”
concidentally, if CC does opts out in 3 years, King Felix becomes a free agent.
Come on, does anyone really think CC was gonna say
“Yeah, of course I’m going to opt out after 3 years and get another mega-deal.”
Of course he’s going to say he’ll be here for the duration. PR 101.
Does anyone have a link to the video of the press conference today? I’ve been looking around and can’t seem to find one.
per Michael Kay show
I often wonder if the diaglog between the traffic girl and Kay’s sidekick, is legit ?
“I like this pic of CC
http://assets.nydailynews.com/.....speaks.jpg
He will save us!”
Jesus Sabathia or CC Christ
86w183
December 18th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Brandon—nice retort to BG 7’s sleective use of stats. Dunn is a very good offensive player who might become great in a lineup like the Yanks instead of the guys he’s been playing with. If the regular Of is Dunn, Damon and Nady and you can have late inning defense from Melky and Gardner that’s a pretty good situation.
————————————————————
It wasn’t a selective use of anything. It’s the same stats people use to bang Rodriguez about.
Brandon is already trying to sneak Wang out of the rotation. Forget it!
Brandon,
OPS with RISP is completely misleading.
By not acknowledging the significant weaknesses in Dunn’s game you are actually hurting your argument for the team to sign him.
Dunn is simply not a good player at driving in runs outside those he get via the home run. Now he hits a lot of home runs and will create a substantial number of runs.
But he’s a terrible player in general with men on any base other than 1st.
If there’s a guy on 1st his OBP will help a lot. That could be a real plus of batting him in front of ARod for instance. Damon or Jeter gets on and good chance after Dunn gets up they’ll be on second base.
But with guys on 2nd or 3rd Dunn is horrible and will be a significant drag on the offense.
I wonder where they will buy houses.
Start: Alpine, NJ
End: Bronx, NY
Total Estimated Time: 25 minutes
Total Estimated Distance: 16.46 miles
The order of the rotation really doesn’t matter. It’s pretty rare for a team to have the same 5 guys making all their starts on regular rest throughout the season (as we all have witnessed recently). Even heading into a playoff series, it doesn’t really matter because of things like matchups and giving guys the proper rest.
Fans ranking the pitchers in terms of ability and qualifications is one thing, but trying to come up with the best “pitching lineup” in December is a waste of time.
SA,
that pic made him look like Jesus. lol
“I often wonder if the diaglog between the traffic girl and Kay’s sidekick, is legit ?”
He couldn’t pull that chick if he had a..
“Jesus Sabathia or CC Christ”
see I’m not the only one that thinks so.
“He couldn’t pull that chick if he had a”
don’t mean Kay.
his sidekick Don, whatever his name.
Do we need anymore evidence that Hank is a fraud? He doesn’t even show up for the press conferences of 2 of the biggest names we’ve had in years.
CB
December 18th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Brandon,
OPS with RISP is completely misleading.
By not acknowledging the significant weaknesses in Dunn’s game you are actually hurting your argument for the team to sign him.
Dunn is simply not a good player at driving in runs outside those he get via the home run. Now he hits a lot of home runs and will create a substantial number of runs.
But he’s a terrible player in general with men on any base other than 1st.
If there’s a guy on 1st his OBP will help a lot. That could be a real plus of batting him in front of ARod for instance. Damon or Jeter gets on and good chance after Dunn gets up they’ll be on second base.
But with guys on 2nd or 3rd Dunn is horrible and will be a significant drag on the offense.
————————————————————
As long as he gives Damon and Jeter enough time to steal bases, he could help there in the 3rd spot. That would be the real issue with batting Rodriguez third….it would cut down on the top of the order base running.
“Start: Alpine, NJ
End: Bronx, NY
Total Estimated Time: 25 minutes
Total Estimated Distance: 16.46 miles”
Alpine, NJ looks like it’s the hub for rich, black celebrities who live on the East Coast. Hopefully, CC will stay away from Chris Rock’s crib as I believe Chris is a Mutts fan.
“Jesus Sabathia or CC Christ”
see I’m not the only one that thinks so.
——————————————
LOL It did remind me of Jesus.
La Greca is married and in his 50s IIRC
And why is a girl like her doing traffic reports? She should go to events like Jen Sterger
“Brandon is already trying to sneak Wang out of the rotation. Forget it!”
http://farm1.static.flickr.com.....e6cb45.jpg
Anyone else look at the depth chart on yankees.com?
I was surprised to see that they have Justin Christian listed as a first baseman.
Greenberet –
The #3 starter gets, on average, 3-5 less starts per year than the #2.. so i’m sure the Yankees would rather have the less injury prone Wang in the #2 spot, not to mention he’s the better pitcher and should get more starts regardless.
Damn CC’s wife is SEXY!!!!!
http://www.bittenandbound.com/.....bathia.jpg
“I was surprised to see that they have Justin Christian listed as a first baseman.”
I’m surpised that he’s on the roster even though he got nontendered.
“As long as he gives Damon and Jeter enough time to steal bases, he could help there in the 3rd spot. ”
This is a good example of another one of Dunn’s pluses. He sees 4.4 pitches per at bat. It would give guys who want to run a chance to do so.
That also brings up one of his big weaknesses especially batting him high in the order.
He strikes out so much that he’s a terrible hit and run player. Horrible.
Those are the kind of huge trade off you get with a guy like Dunn.
It’s much more productive to acknowledge both his good parts and bad than to pretend that he’s one or the other.
Brandon wants to vote Wang off the island, but you got the wrong island, buddy!
Eric in NJ
December 18th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Greenberet –
The #3 starter gets, on average, 3-5 less starts per year than the #2.. so i’m sure the Yankees would rather have the less injury prone Wang in the #2 spot, not to mention he’s the better pitcher and should get more starts regardless.
————————————————————
I’m not going to argue with you about some silly slot number, but, that’s not true. It may be for the 5th starter, but not the 2nd and 3rd.
“If CC opts out in 3 years, he leaves 92 million dollars on the table.
What are the odds of a pitcher leaving that much money on the table at age 31?”
—
right now i’ll agree.
but after a-rod signed his first big deal with texas, did anyone think he’d be looking for more cash when his opt out clause came up? you really never know what the market will be like in 3 years, until it happens…
Mike R,
he read it wrong, its Juan Miranda, not justin Christian.
**you read it** ….
Brandon wants to trade Wang for Jay Bruce
Who cares about 2012. By the time that rolls around we’ll have 2 more Aces on the team and a #2.
Joba
Brackman
Hughes
Can we stop the Wang isnt an Ace nonsense? Who cares as long as he keeps winning us some games. Im more worried about which one of these pitchers comes up ACES in the playoffs. Its not like they all have great track records there.
CB
December 18th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
“As long as he gives Damon and Jeter enough time to steal bases, he could help there in the 3rd spot. ”
This is a good example of another one of Dunn’s pluses. He sees 4.4 pitches per at bat. It would give guys who want to run a chance to do so.
That also brings up one of his big weaknesses especially batting him high in the order.
He strikes out so much that he’s a terrible hit and run player. Horrible.
Those are the kind of huge trade off you get with a guy like Dunn.
It’s much more productive to acknowledge both his good parts and bad than to pretend that he’s one or the other.
————————————————————
He’ll be instant 1st inning runs or rally killer. With luck, he can load the bases for Rodriguez,
atsui and Posada on ocassion.
If I was Kay or Francessa I’d be asking CC and AJ if they are now going to recruit any other players for this season. I know AJ said he’d recruit Halliday in a couple of years but they should be asked if they are calling on Tex or Manny etc…
Would have been good to hear their reaction to adding either of those two.
That’s right Nick !
OK now I got to get home we’ll continue this later until then Nick…
http://img477.imageshack.us/im.....h22zh5.jpg
I know that Bruney, Hughes, Joba, and maybe Kennedy live in NJ (or atleast they did when they were in the majors). Cano/Melky as well.
Wang lives in Fort Lee too I think. A-Rod was looking to buy a pad in Hoboken where Eli Manning lives, dont know if he did.
Greenberet –
Actually it is true… there is a difference in the #2 and #3 slots… Read
http://www.hardballtimes.com/m.....62-starts/
oh boy oh boy
from Yahoo Sports:
Dec 18 Nick Cafardo, of The Boston Globe, reports the New York Yankees have made a three-year, $66 million offer to free-agent OF Manny Ramirez (Dodgers), according to the New York Daily News.
“Going to Bonnaroo this year Pete?
Reporting that The Boss will close it out Sunday night.”
Forget The Boss, Phish will be there!
Arod is a position player. An entirely different scenario.
For a pitcher, its much tougher to be 31 and leave 92 million on the table to get another deal. Especially for a guy who throws the innings CC throws per season.
Could he do it? Sure. Will he do it? Very unlikely unless he just hates NY and wants out. Which I believe is not likely to occur.
I loved hearing how AJ would recruit Halladay when he became a free agent.
JP Riccardi’s blood must be boiling ha ha ha
“you read it wrong, its Juan Miranda, not justin Christian.”
Doh!
If Wang’s was Chico Miguel Wang instead of Chien Ming Wang, Brandon would be all over him like syrup on pancakes.
Ok once again AJ has moved wayyyy up on my list of Yankees already.Look at this quote from K. Obrien Yankee blog
*A.J. said he talked to former teammate Carl Pavano, who actually said good things about NY, but that: “I only listen to some things Carl says. … Carl’s a beauty. He’s a piece of work.”
“He’ll be instant 1st inning runs or rally killer. With luck, he can load the bases for Rodriguez,
atsui and Posada on ocassion.”
In certain ways. But he does get on base 38% of the time. In front of alex he’d get on base 40% of the time.
He’s a good pass the baton player. He’s on base all of the time.
If there’s a guy on first good chance he’ll either hit a 2 run home run or he’ll walk and get that guy into scoring position. That’s very valuable within the context of the yanks line up, particularly hitting in front of Alex.
But he would be a terrible hit and run player and poor coming up with a guy already in scoring position. He also can’t run at all so there’s times when he’ll have trouble scoring from second or going first to third.
Lots of good. Lots of bad. Not too much in the middle.
Cashman on with Francessa now
“Dec 18 Nick Cafardo, of The Boston Globe, reports the New York Yankees have made a three-year, $66 million offer to free-agent OF Manny Ramirez (Dodgers), according to the New York Daily News.”
people will go crazy, if he accepts it right away.
If Manny accepts that deal, if the deal is true, then that means he’ll have earned himself an extra 26 million. Not bad for a guy who’s a malcontent.
Is that offer true however? Would Manny accept 3 years and 66 million?
gayle December 18th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
oh boy oh boy
from Yahoo Sports:
Dec 18 Nick Cafardo, of The Boston Globe, reports the New York Yankees have made a three-year, $66 million offer to free-agent OF Manny Ramirez (Dodgers), according to the New York Daily News.
____________________________________________________________
Do you have a link to that story?
Uh Oh
Cashman on with Francesa
Gayle,
Link please on the Yankees offer to Manny?
I would rather bat Dunn fifth and give A-Rod protection, I would be thrilled if Cano could mature into a 3 hitter.
ok Francessa, now that you have Cashman on the phone, tell Brian how you said he and the Yankees were being played for a fool and they should back out on CC. You jack@ss.
Here is the link. Not sure as to the validity of this blog but they quote Boston Globe
http://zellspinstripeblog.com/.....o-man-ram/
That Caffardo story is bogus. He’s speculating on the Daily News’ speculation.
Kat O’Brien and Ken Davidoff have very good sources with the yankees.
They reported today that the yankees haven’t even semi-seriously considered Manny yet.
They haven’t figured him into the plans as much as they’ve projected Tex into the team.
Caffardo is trying to fire boston up and get people to read his column.
Now is the perfect time to withdraw our offer to CC and sign Tex. It’s obvious we’re being played. Time to teach CC a lesson. Never mess with the Yankees and have fun on the West Coast burger boy.
There is nothing in the Daily News, or on their website, confirming any offer to Manny Ramirez.
Why would a reporter from the Boston Globe “report” on something from the Daily News? Especially when there is nothing from the Daily News confirming this “news”?
Eric in NJ
December 18th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Greenberet –
Actually it is true… there is a difference in the #2 and #3 slots… Read
http://www.hardballtimes.com/m.....62-starts/
————————————————————
Those are baseball averages and it includes about 10 bottom feeding teams that change rotation pitchers like people change underwear.
Go back and look at the Yankee rotation from 96-03. With the exception of 2002 and one other year, there weren’t more than two starts difference between the 2-4 pitchers.
Hoboken is for champions, Arod. You’ll have to wait.
Eli
Sinatra
Yo La Tengo
speaking of Manny, its on Mike Francessa now.
Franceesa is the biggest fraud of all.
He put his tail in between his legs when the spotlight shifted to him to backup his comments.
Believe you me I would like nothing more than for the Yankees NOT to get Manny
On Ben Sheets: Thought there were too many red flags in his medical report but we’re still hearing his name. I don’t get it.
In tandem with the generous number of pitches Dunn sees per AB, didn’t someone post here the other day that Swisher had more 3-2 counts on him last year than any hitter in baseball, or something like that? I could be getting the exact fact wrong, but I remember reading something of that nature, and if that’s even close, especially considering Swish had a subpar season last year, him and Dunn together would REALLY stretch the lineup alot. People have been worried about replacing Abreu/Giambi’s OBP and power but Swisher and Dunn would exceed it imo.
“Thought there were too many red flags in his medical report but we’re still hearing his name. I don’t get it.”
they will look into it either way.
Cashman on Francesa: “Most of the information re: Manny and the Yankees in the last 72 hours has been bogus”.
Take it for what its worth.
“Why would a reporter from the Boston Globe “report” on something from the Daily News? Especially when there is nothing from the Daily News confirming this “news”?”
Because Heyman was told by Boras to write this, and that’s not even the case here.
A Yo La Tengo reference on LoHud Yankees?
I love this blog
pop quiz, what do Mark Teixeira, AJ Burnett and Fugazi have in common? lol
“But he would be a terrible hit and run player and poor coming up with a guy already in scoring position. He also can’t run at all so there’s times when he’ll have trouble scoring from second or going first to third.”
CB,
Are you sure you werent talking about Giambi?
oh brother…Cash just said Damon can play CF on a regular basis…yikes…please let this be like “Bubba Crosby is the starting center fielder!”
and PLEASE let the Manny offer rumor not be true. Nothing on MLBTR, only on a Boston blog which is encouraging.
Just. Sign. Dunn! What is so hard? Fatcesca should ask Cash about him!
The “pitching and defense first is the future” line from Cashman will make all those “Yankees need a BIG BAT” toddlers angry.
BBB: Yo La Tengo is my favorite post-Elvis Costello band.
I wish I could make it up to Maxwells for their Hanukkah shows this year.
Cashman is not going to tell Francesa, or anybody else, what their plans are right now.
Why do that? All that does is allow for agents to jack up prices.
You say nothing and just work. Whatever you say publicly, its always positive when it comes to talking about your own players. Its common sense.
If Cashman and the front office does truly believe that Damon can play CF on an even semi-regular basis then their ability to add a bat expands tremendously.
I’m not sure how much Cashman should be believed on that point. It’s in his interest to say Damon could play CF so he has some leverage in trying to obtain another CF whether it’s trade or free agency.
Here we go with another Joba in the 8th plug.
I KNEW IT….
Mike would ask Cashman is Joba is going back to the pen if he suck as a starter next season.
I saw Yo La Tengo at McCarren pool in Brooklyn this summer. Great show.
Nick: I’m more into ADD-infused punk rock and cheesy 80s metal, but the Yo La Tengos and Sebadohs of the world (few and far between that they are) will always have a soft spot in my heart.
Sonic Youth at Maxwell’s would be my ultimate “birthday and Christmas all rolled into one” moment. Well, that and the Yanks signing Adam Dunn. Oh, and A-Rod hitting a Joe Carter HR in the WS.
Saying Damon can play CF is to suggest that if the Yankees sign Teixeira then Swisher would move to LF and Damon to CF.
If the Yankees are targeting Teixiera then Cashman just raised the price of Tex for the Yankees.
If the Yankees aren’t interested in Tex but want to increase the cost of Tex for the Sox then more power to ‘em.
The question about Chamberlain was asked in the context of Rivera not being injured. Obviously, if he he can’t hold up physically in the rotation, he’ll move to the pen. Cashman said that he’s in the rotation until and if something happens, then, they’d make a decision, and much would depend on the progress of Hughes and the other kids.
how bout dem cowboys. . . .
It been a long time since I’ve seen Yo La Tengo in NY/NJ
Luckily, they play SF a lot. And other places I like to visit. My Yankee-fan buddy in Taiwan saw them in Taipei in October, but I couldn’t make it.
CB
December 18th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
If Cashman and the front office does truly believe that Damon can play CF on an even semi-regular basis then their ability to add a bat expands tremendously.
I’m not sure how much Cashman should be believed on that point. It’s in his interest to say Damon could play CF so he has some leverage in trying to obtain another CF whether it’s trade or free agency.
—-
My take on cash interview.
He obviously wouldn’t commit to anything.
He said he would keep the payroll under last years which hurts any chance of adding a big bat and a pitcher.
I do feel that he will sign Pettite for 2 reasons. 1 is that it is a 1 yr deal like he said and it doesn’t lock up the other spots for the younger pitchers and 2 because he left it open for Joba to pitchout of pen for eitehr a Mo injury or because Hughes pitches lights out. So for Hughes to break into rotation that could send Joba to pen and that won’t happen unless Andy is in rotation.
I also heard his understanding that we are lacking at 3 hitter.
I think he would lie about payroll as he would about Bubba Crosby.
All added I think he will get a bat and I really believe that we are in the Tex hunt as the 3 hole is the biggest need. That doesn’t mean we will get him but I think that he thinks thats what we need.
John Schuerholz is one of the most respected guys in baseball and very well may be on his way to the hall of fame.
He made some comments today about Furcal’s dealings with the braves that are remarkable:
“Having been in this business for 40-some years, I’ve never seen anybody treated like that,” Schuerholz said. “The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company — ever. I told [agent] Arn Tellem that we can’t trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I’ve never seen any [agency] act in such a despicable manner.
“It was disgusting and unprofessional. We’re a proud organization and we won’t allow ourselves to be treated that way. I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs and we’ll deal with the other hundred agents.”
I don’t know how any club can possibly trust paul kinzer again. When a guy who is as respected as Scheurholz says stuff like this that’s got to be a major problem – outside of the fact that Atlanta won’t be doing business with this agency anymore.
http://www.ajc.com/braves/cont.....rholz.html
BBB: I saw Steve Shelley play a set with YLT at Maxwells (I think he’s a part ownwer) – hit me up if you want an mp3 of them doing “Hotwire My Heart” in a thrashed-out way.
Wow, what an indictment of an agency.
That’s as bad as it gets.
Also, other agents will use those quotes against that firm when they go after their players, or college players.
Its going to be a hit to Tellem’s firm. No question about it.
Is Rafael Furcal really worth putting your agency in MLB’s crosshairs? I think not.
“John Schuerholz is one of the most respected guys in baseball and very well may be on his way to the hall of fame.
He made some comments today about Furcal’s dealings with the braves that are remarkable:
“Having been in this business for 40-some years, I’ve never seen anybody treated like that,” Schuerholz said. “The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company — ever. I told [agent] Arn Tellem that we can’t trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I’ve never seen any [agency] act in such a despicable manner.
“It was disgusting and unprofessional. We’re a proud organization and we won’t allow ourselves to be treated that way. I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs and we’ll deal with the other hundred agents.”
I don’t know how any club can possibly trust paul kinzer again. When a guy who is as respected as Scheurholz says stuff like this that’s got to be a major problem – outside of the fact that Atlanta won’t be doing business with this agency anymore”
I applaud John Sherholtz.
sidenote: his activity on AJ Burnett, confirms (to me) NYY made the right decision to sign him.
Wait-Now Francesa would not have signed Burnett? Didn’t I hear otherwise last week?
Who am I kidding, of course I probably did
CB-
How about the fact that the Braves have a player under contract that IS represented by that agency.The whole thing is am embarassment and I had always heard that Arn Tellem was a respectable guy he must not be a happy camper
SJ,
Why would Tellem just not fire Kinzer? I can’t believe they would risk the integrity of the business on this.
Scheurholz literally said in public that Kinzer “shopped” the signed term sheet.
The idea that you ask for a contract signed by the team and faxed to you but don’t sign it is reprehensible.
The faxing part is just a formality of process. If the technology wasn’t around they would have negotiated this in person and only signed it with Furcal sitting their pen in hand waiting to sign.
I really can’t believe they’d do that to the braves.
SA
Francessa was always against signing AJ. Has said he doesn’t trust he’ll stay off the DL. He said he would go Sheets and Lowe before AJ.
CB
December 18th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
John Schuerholz is one of the most respected guys in baseball and very well may be on his way to the hall of fame.
He made some comments today about Furcal’s dealings with the braves that are remarkable:
————————————————————
If Atlanta did fax MLB a copy of Furcal’s acceptance (LOI), this could become very ugly. It could lead to a fight with MLB and Donald Fehr ovr MLB trying to decertify Tellem and Pinzer as agents.
gayle,
I’ve only read good things about tellem. Why he didn’t fire Kinzer, particularly when Scheurholz told him he was going to go public is something – unless Tellem truly believes the Braves are lying about this.
But neither tellem nor kinzer has made any public statement at all.
And not too many people are going to believe Scheurholz is being the dishonest one.
I don’t know anything about their organization, but Kinzer is SOOOOO fired. How could he not be? Tellem probably knew what was going on, but Kinzer will be the fall-guy.
This is really a case of he-said/he-said. I’ll have to find the article, but one of Furcal’s representatives said they were going to sleep on it, but in the am he had tons of calls and it went from there.
I’d believe Scheurholz before an agent. The Braves were very gracious in “defeat” re: Burnett and the Yankees. He said they couldn’t move Atlanta any closer to Maryland.
Do we have any Tellem clients? I know Mussina was one.
Tellem represents Matsui and one other Yankee, no?
here is more info from Heyman’s column with quotes from Frank Wren and a detailed explanation of what happened
http://www.fannation.com/si_bl.....ents-again
“Tellem represents Matsui and one other Yankee, no?”
Mussina and Giambi.
JS and the Braves have missed all their targets. Weird situation.
he represents Matsui, Giambi and ever popular Kei Igawa
Mel,
I think you asked earlier – YES is replaying the CC/AJ press conference at 11:30 PM tonight.
Burnett, Peavy, Frucal… Braves have had horrible luck.
Also they represent Juan Miranda
“JS and the Braves have missed all their targets. Weird situation.”
No kidding, watch them swoop in and offer Tex 250 million out of sheer frustration.
Francessa said they would replay the press conference at the top of the hour. Probably leading up to Yankees Hot Stove at 6:30 today
Wasn’t Tellem the agent, that George ripped a new one in Spring Training a few years ago?
Fran,
Thanks. I can’t get YES. YES=NO.
But I think it’ll be archived later.
I have a solution for the rotation:
1. Sabathia
1. Wang
1. Burnett
4. Joba
5. Andy/Sheets/???
Tellem has always been sleazy. I remember George cursing him out several years ago in Tampa over the Giambi/steroids stuff. He hated Tellem.
He has always played “at the margins” of the business.
I have to admit, I don’t know Kinzer that well. Seen him around a few times, heard mixed reviews on him but, nothing substantial.
If he did in fact shop the term sheet, that’s a big no no in this biz. Its not just something you do.
Yes, “technically” they didn’t have a deal with Furcal in Atlanta. However, if a term sheet is done, it means you have an “agreement in principle” and folks in the business understand what that means.
Now you see why a guy like Cashman is so paranoid about giving information or confirming any signings/player contact etc.
You just don’t know how this stuff can come back to bite you.
Better to be safe and say nothing, than be sorry.
vin
December 18th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
“JS and the Braves have missed all their targets. Weird situation.”
No kidding, watch them swoop in and offer Tex 250 million out of sheer frustration.
————————————————————
It won’t happen, but, it would be pefect for NYY. They have young pitching to move to Atlanta for Kotchman.
SA
Francessa was always against signing AJ. Has said he doesn’t trust he’ll stay off the DL. He said he would go Sheets and Lowe before AJ.
—————————
Ah! I mixed em all up!. Thanks pat
Eric in NJ, did you read that Hardball Times article?
“Let’s look at how both leagues did in terms of total starts by the five pitchers who had the most starts on their team. Note these numbers are not necessarily by spot in the rotation, just total starts.”
The “#1, #2, #3″ had NOTHING to do with “slots” in the rotation.
So…no, over the course of the season, the guy who stars the 3rd game of the year does not average 5 fewer starts than the guy who starts the first game of the year; the guy who makes the third most stars on the team, on average, starts 5 fewer games than the guy who makes the most starts. That speaks to how hard it is to find consistent, healthy pitchers — but does not support your point.
Saw that Trot Nixon signed with the Brewers. Must’ve been the brewsky for life clause.
Good. Won’t have to deal with his trash-talking mouth.
Hey Pete, he’s not coming to your beloved WESTCHESTER, he’s coming to JERSEY baby!! He is buying a house in Alpine in Bergen County where Sheffield had a house too.
“I have a solution for the rotation:
1. Sabathia
1. Wang
1. Burnett
4. Joba
5. Andy/Sheets/???”
Flip flop 4 and 5 due to Jobas innings cap and your good.
For those with interest and have YES TV, at 6:30 PM and 10:30 PM tonight, must see TV with Yankee Hot Stove.
CC, AJ, and Joba will protect Yankee hitters against the Sox.
No more soft tossers afraid to throw inside. We have guys who will bust it up and in.
No longer does Joba have to take it upon himself like he did last year, he has backup.
Yanks are still players at the Texeria poker table….Expect a few to be checking out of the game in the not too soon future…..Yanks, Sox and the Halos will still be in the game……
Poor me, I’ve been working all day and haven’t had a chance to chime in on Dunn, who seemed to occupy a lot of people’s comments today.
I’m cursed to be a contrarian by nature, so despite the fact I’d like the Yanks to get a different guy, I’m going to defend Mr. Dunn a little.
I spent some time at Baseballreference.com, and I think the stats show that, overall, Adam Dunn does not hurt his team when runners are in scoring position, at least when compared to his overall performance.
Overall, Dunn is .247/.381/.518, and I think we all agree that overall those are fairly impressive numbers.
Now, when runners are in scoring position, Dunn’s batting average, career-wise, does drop, to .225. Now, my guess is, when you look at major league hitters as a whole, their batting average also drops with RISP. How much on average I don’t know, but I’d be surprised if it didn’t drop.
However, when you break down Dunn’s year by year results for BA with RISP, you find that he was the worst in his first two years in the league, with BA with runners in scoring position of .208 and .170. Since then, his BA with RISP have been relatively close to his overall BA, and last year in fact it was a little higher.
Now, I’m not disagreeing with CB’s overall point here, because a career BA with RISP of .247 is not good.
However, in those situations he doesn’t hurt you, and he could help you a lot, for two reasons. His SLG remains very high, and his already good OBP becomes phenomenally high.
Dunn’s career SLG is .513, and his career SLG with RISP is .474. Again, you could expect some fall-off generally with RISP. But most of Dunn’s fall-off is attributable to his first two years in the league. Since then, his SLG with RISP has been ahead of his overall SLG as often as otherwise.
Next, his on base percentage skyrockets with RISP. His career overall OBP is .381, with RISP, .416. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, it is .533. With runners on third, .460, and with runners on 2nd, .423. Clearly, pitchers don’t want to pitch to him in those situations. Just as clearly, you can’t accuse him of being a rally killer.
Walks aren’t useless – they aren’t as valuable as hits but they move the line-up along and most importantly avoid an out.
I also looked at how “clutch” Dunn is. Personally, I remain unconvinced such a thing exists; I am at least agnostic if not an out and out atheist on the “clutch” issue. But I looked at his performance when his team is within two runs (in order to get a significant number of at bats), and his BA stays about the same (.247 career vs. .245) and his SLG in fact goes up (.518 career vs. .523).
So, overall, it’s fair to say BA is not the biggest part of Dunn’s game, and it also may be fair to say, I guess, that if you just need a hit to win the game Dunn may not be your man.
However, he clearly doesn’t hurt you with RISP. His OBP provides runners and won’t kill the inning, and his isolated power could help you a lot.
I have more to report on Dunn but I’m sure those of you who have read this far probably want me to stop, so I will.
DAMNNNN ITTTT. breaking news: TEX TO RED SOX
Looks like the Sox are trying to close the deal. Reportedly close to $185M.
http://www.thebostonchannel.co.....etail.html
The flame is flickering for Tex to Yankees fans…
How about Burnett’s comment: ‘The only time I was in the post season I was on the DL’. Yikes…he should have kept that one to himself.
Burnett looks like Donnie Baseball, facially.
I have a feeling that the Sox will end up with Teixeria and Peavy. They certainly can afford both and have the prospects to make it happen.
I thought it was interesting today, during the C.C. interview (I was watching it on Sportscenter because I live in VA), how they cut to, I want to say Olney? and Olney made a comment about how scary the top three of the rotation was for the Yankees and how, if they got Pettitte/Sheets it would be even scarier.. Now I agree with that.. BUT WHAT ABOUT JOBA? He never even talked about a kid who has potential ace/future face of the franchise written all over him.. Also I enjoyed the “if the season started today Hughes would be the 5th starter plug..” yeah… I’ll believe that when I see Manny, I mean it..
The Sox signing Teixeria kind of neutralizes our addition of CC and Burnett.
Certainly puts them ahead of us to start the year. We’ve come this far and are now getting shy when it comes to a 2-way player like Tex. It will come to bite us.
I didn’t want Tex.. so I’m not to upset by that..
there is no way that the signing of Tex will neutralize the Yank’s signing of Sabathia and Burnett. He is good, but as good as our offense has been over the last several years (minus last year) the obvious need is starting pitching. starting pitching wins championships
I think New Jersey is a fine place to live but I don’t understand why a ballplayer with unlimited resources would choose to subject himself to George Washington Bridge traffic.
Surprisingly, it seems that Joba grew close to CC and AJ. They both referenced him numerous times during their PC. CC even said they he and Joba texted eachother back and forth a lot during the off-season.
Joba is the man, he has been in the league a year and is already friendly with the big stars lol
Ralph, I was thinking that too.
Is Alpine really better than Westchester County? It would be an easier commute probably from Westchester.
I can’t get over this Arn Tellem stuff. First of all how stupid do you have to be to alienate an executive as well respected as Schuerholz? Second, I’m kind of dismayed that Moose spent all these years being represented by such an apparent sleazeball!
And yeah, looks like Teix to the saux is iminent. *cue the arrival of the ledge jumpers flipping out about the Yankee offense*
Personally, I’m not going to freak out. Pitching wins over offense every time and I like our pitching better than theirs. It’s a good addition for them, but it isn’t the end of the world imo.
But here’s hoping if the Yankees are going to counter, it’ll be with DUNN, not Manny!
-Sabathia was listed at 311 pounds in the postseason. “I work out every day,” he said. “In December and January I do two-a-days. … I don’t think my physical appearance is going to change much.”
• Ten minutes after GM Brian Cashman left Sabathia’s house, on the night of Dec. 9, Sabathia turned to his wife, Amber, and said, “I’m going to be a Yankee.”
“It was kind of a stressful deal,” Sabathia said of the free-agent process. “I was just trying to make sure I made a good decision, the right decision.
“I don’t want anybody to think I didn’t want to come here. That’s definitely not the case.”
He claimed the Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Angels were his top three choices going into free agency.
• Sabathia on being able to opt out after 2011: “I look at it as I’m going to be here through the duration of the process.”
• Sabathia said he has been asked to play in the World Baseball Classic but is leaning against it to he can spend all of spring training getting acclimated to the Yankees. Burnett said he has not been asked and would decline if he is.
• Burnett can name 10 teams per year to which he cannot be traded.
• Cashman on Burnett’s injury history (10 DL trips from 2000 to 2007): “He’s a bona fide front-line starter, when he’s healthy. I know there’s risk to it at the same time, based on the past history. So we’re hopeful that luck will be on our side.”
More tidbits here:
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....nkees.html
So CC is 311-ish. That’s a lot of McNuggets
Mike D’Antoni has his own private transportation to take him to and from the Manhattan to Westchester County after home games.
CC will probably set that up too so he doesn’t have to drive during rush hour every day.
“The Sox signing Texieria kind of neutralizes our addition of CC and Burnett.”
No it doesn’t.
“Certainly puts them ahead of us to start the year”
I don’t think so.
“We’ve come this far and are now getting shy when it comes to a 2-way player like Tex”
They don’t need him to get to and through the post-season. Pitching is the name of the game.
“It will come to bite us”
Remains to be seen. With players having bounce back years: Cano, Arod, Matsui, Posada some players with speed/stolen base threats: Damon, Gardner. That’s more then enough offense to score runs.
“Is Alpine really better than Westchester County? It would be an easier commute probably from Westchester”
in general, I will take Westchester over the suburbs of New Jersey i’ve seen. New Jersey is nice, but i prefer the hills of mainland new york, and the neighborhoods seem more ‘homey’. Maybe it is the architecture.
“I think New Jersey is a fine place to live but I don’t understand why a ballplayer with unlimited resources would choose to subject himself to George Washington Bridge traffic.”
Maybe he plans on pulling a “Scooter” to beat the traffic.
In other news it appears we also signed a 1B.
http://yankeesmtom.blogspot.co.....nkees.html
BBB,
if Teixeria does in fact sign with Boston tonight, expect half the blog going sucidial.
“Mike D’Antoni has his own private transportation to take him to and from the Manhattan to Westchester County after home games.
CC will probably set that up too so he doesn’t have to drive during rush hour every day”
helicopter?
I think anywhere in Bergen County beats the hell out of Westchester anyday, but obviously I’m biased. Exit 159 represent!!
I am not sure how this works in the MLB arena, but in the pharma world, shopping a term sheet is tantamount to career/business suicide. it’s not done and if it were to be done, it’d be on the front page of all of the trade journals.
if furcal’s agent is really that stupid, he deserves what he gets.
i do remember george steinbrenner saying that he couldn’t trust tellam, didn’t know it was about roids. i just can’t see players wanting to be represented by a firm with that reputation
No Dunn. No more Giambi-ish players.
Sign Manny or bring back Abreu.
Man Burnett PUMPS me …… Anybody that says he wants the big stage and wants the ball . . is OK in my book ..
Can’t wait to see him pitch
M. Teixeria vs career
C. Sabathia – 6 for 21 (.286), 1 double, 7 Ks
A. Burnett – 4 for 11 (.364), 1 HR, 5 Ks
BBB (Welcome CC&AJ. Now we need a bat, let’s git’er Dunn!)
December 18th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I can’t get over this Arn Tellem stuff. First of all how stupid do you have to be to alienate an executive as well respected as Schuerholz? Second, I’m kind of dismayed that Moose spent all these years being represented by such an apparent sleazeball!
And yeah, looks like Teix to the saux is iminent. cue the arrival of the ledge jumpers flipping out about the Yankee offense
Personally, I’m not going to freak out. Pitching wins over offense every time and I like our pitching better than theirs. It’s a good addition for them, but it isn’t the end of the world imo.
But here’s hoping if the Yankees are going to counter, it’ll be with DUNN, not Manny!
————————————————————
And, yet, this is the only site reporting it. No way does Boras take that without going back to the other teams. As to whether NYY jumps in at 9 years and 190-200 mil and an OPT-OUT after 5 years, I don’t know.
I don’t know the areas too well, but would I be off if I thought that Westchester was “Wall Street” and Alpine Hills was “Hip Hop Mogul”? If I’m right, it’s pretty obvious where CC would feel more comfortable.
So, AJ has a revolving no-trade list? No need to list Boston. Was Babe Ruth the last trade with the Sox?
“Ralph December 18th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I think New Jersey is a fine place to live but”
As a life long resident I feel the need to refute this statement. That is all.
Ed: I’m already steeling myself for it, but plan to handle their angst by mocking them mercilessly. If nothing else, at least it will be good for a laugh!
Also, regarding Teix in general, anyone else think it’s kinda funny that he was never looked at as a franchise type player until people saw free agency approaching? I’m not saying the guy isn’t a really good hitter and defender, but I think part of the frenzy over him is a product of the Boras hype machine, personally. Again, I think he is very good, but he is not worth franchise player type money IMHO.
vin,
No, he has his own driver and car service to take him to and from home games.
Mel: No, I don’t think you would be off in thinking that at all. I try to avoid that moneyed part of the county because all the Chanel and Choo makes me jealous, but the wealthier towns in Bergen County in general have become somewhat of a hip hop haven over the past few years, and the Godfather himself (Simmons) is in Alpine.
Sox to sign Teixeira for $185 million? How could that be?
I thought they were just a small market team trying to make ends meet and compete against the Evil Empire? How could this be true?
Tex on the Sox will be AMAZING. They will go from 2nd in runs scored AAAAAALLLLLL the way up to 1st in runs scored which is WAAAAYYYYYY better than 2nd in runs scored. Just imagine all the games they win 14-2 instead of 12-2 or 8-0 instead of 6-0. Their offense is MIND BOGGLING.
harwood, refute it good or bad?
“No way does Boras take that without going back to the other teams.”
Very true. If I had to guess, I don’t think the Yanks will add the extra year, but I definitely think people continuously underestimate how high the Nationals will go on Teix.
Players get to the Stadium hours before the game and leave after 11 so not likely to hit all that much bridge traffic at those times except people leaving the game.
“I don’t know the areas too well, but would I be off if I thought that Westchester was “Wall Street” and Alpine Hills was “Hip Hop Mogul”?”
I know little about both areas. I’ve never heard of Westchester being “Wall Street”. Last I checked Wall Street was in Manhattan.
Alpine hills is the most expensive places next to Miami Beach. Median home price 3.4 million.
LOL Bret. So true. Kind of like our adding Abreu, or even Sheffield for that matter.
“No way does Boras take that without going back to the other teams.”
obviously Boras will call Cashman for one last chance to make an offer.
mel,
The area that CC is looking is home to many NY-area celebrities – Chris Rock, Denzel, etc.
Westchester overall is very wealthy, good schools, serene, big houses, right on the river, quaint communities etc. Most of the NYC elite live there (the ones that don’t live in Manhattan).
AJ wants the big stage, he wants the ball… But he doesn’t want to be the man… So he’s a little crazy. Y are you going to feel comfy in the box facing a guy who throws 95 and might be a little crazy?
Advantage: Yankees.
BBB,
Thanks for that.
Trevor,
Hello? I didn’t mean literally. But you knew that. “Wall Street” means banker types that commute to the city.
That particular part of NJ is very wealthy and has tons of expensive houses and good schools.
Westchester overall is probably better, but there are some pockets of Northern NJ that will Wow you and are better than Westchester.
Ugh I was holding out hope that the Angels would sign Tex. But I doubt that John Henry and Theo would fly out to Texas unless they were coming back with a contract. Boston’s offense is going to be scary next year.
Trevor,
Oops. Did you mean “wall street” types live in Manhattan? lol. sorry, if you did.
BBB (Welcome CC&AJ. Now we need a bat, let’s git’er Dunn!)
December 18th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
“No way does Boras take that without going back to the other teams.”
Very true. If I had to guess, I don’t think the Yanks will add the extra year, but I definitely think people continuously underestimate how high the Nationals will go on Teix.
————————————————————
Maybe off on the extra year, but 190 mil and opt-out after 4-5 years would move Teixeira to NYY, I think.
Derek Jeter is said to own a home on the navesink river in here in Middletown, NJ. On the same Street as Bruce.
“Maybe off on the extra year, but 190 mil and opt-out after 4-5 years would move Teixeira to NYY, I think.”
if only Cashman is that smart enough.
Jack J,
You think Tex on the Sox is scary now?
Just imagine when they add PUJOLS!!!
They will go from 2nd in runs scored to 1st in runs scored to 1st in runs scored + INFINITY!!!!
CC should just move into Tony Soprano’s house. He can feed the ducks and it’s a short drive to the pork store. I was going to mention the Bing too but I know it’s a violation of the blog’s TOS to plug Lace and Stiletto’s competition.
Is the Mets situation with F. Rodriguez and Putz splitting the closer situation a disaster waiting to happen? That was announced today and brought up by Michael Kay a little while ago.
I-N-F-I-N-I-T-Y
ESPN was just saying that Tex and the Sox were getting very close to a deal. Ortiz and his wrist is a concern so Tex is kinda insurance for them, but Yanks I feel do need to get a hitter cause i’m not sold on Matsui and Posada in 09. Dunn would be a great addition, but Manny has a track record and he hate the Sox! Clutch IMO..
Here’s video of CC’s “tour”. I call it a “tour” because it looked more like an autograph session. Yeesh.
If you don’t want to be totally disenchanted, stop when you see the still of CC in a uni at the end. It’s a total ticket campaign with a voiceover by CC. Yeesh. He’s only been a Yankee for a day and they’ve got him pimping the new stadium.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.....2183722009
Bret: I know you’re kidding around, but the reality is that it wouldn’t just mean winning games 14-2 instead of 12-2. It would also mean winning some game 6-5 instead of losing them 5-4.
Boras will call Cashman anytime now.
Bret – True, they were second in runs scored. However, many of their games were lost by one run. With a healthy Ortiz and the new addition of Tex, they’re gonna win a lot more. Considering that they won 95 last year, I’m not looking forward to what they can do in the upcoming year.
In the end, Tex with the Sox is bad for the Yanks.
I found a lovely place for CC to live in Alpine, NJ.
6 bedrooms, 7.5 baths, 3 car garage! Only for $59,000,000
http://tinyurl.com/3p968c
I really don’t see the logic in the Sox making a move on Tex. A few things would have to happen for it to make sense:
1) they are able to deal Mike Lowell. (good luck not paying most of that salary)
2) they can either deal hot-prospect (I believe) Lars Anderson or switch him to the outfield, or maybe they’re not all that high on him.
3) maybe they really don’t think Ortiz has much left in the tank due to his injuries (knee and wrist).
To me, acquiring Tex seems like the same diminishing returns we all saw with NYY in 2006 (among other years).
Nick in SF,
Not a chance. I’m a glass half full kind of guy
But seriously, my point was that the Sox are paying 200 mil for overkill which is of course not to be confused with road kill. Every little advantage helps but it doesn’t guarantee them anything more than what all the big bats have delivered for all these Yankees offense heavy teams since 2001.
Wow, after watching the press conference and the interview with A.J., if he can back up his words with his actions, i will be one happy yankee fan for at least 5 yrs.
Im pumped about cc, but i listened to A.J. when he was in florida and he sounded nothing like the person who spoke today. He is aware of being mature and of how to take care of his body. I suspect if being a yankee means this much to him, he will surely take care of his assets.
You can add Teixeira’s numbers to Boston, but, you’d better subtract Lowell’s.
“Tex is kinda insurance for them”
That’s one expensive policy.
Vin,
If number ’3′ then nothing can save them, not even a 200 mil upgrade from Lowell to Tex.
Wave the Hat: “Now, my guess is, when you look at major league hitters as a whole, their batting average also drops with RISP.”
I thought the opposite was true, on account of all the deep fly balls that count as sacrifices instead of outs when there’s a runner at third.
I don’t even think CC will spend $59,000,000 on a house.
Teix is Boston is going to make the Yanks do something stupid…like signing Manny
“If number ‘3’ then nothing can save them, not even a 200 mil upgrade from Lowell to Tex.”
I agree… personally, there’s nothing Theo can do that would scare me more than a healthy Ortiz with a motivated Manny hitting behind him. We all witnessed it first hand. They could sign Tex and trade for an all-star SS, and I still wouldn’t fear that lineup as much as the ones from 2003-2007. That Ortiz-Manny dynamic was otherworldly.
“Teix is Boston is going to make the Yanks do something stupid…like signing Manny”
If the Boss was still running the show, then I’d agree without a doubt. Luckily things have changed.
Say it ain’t so…
vin
I agree with you – Ortiz/Manny is irreplaceable. Teixeira is good, but not that good. He would have been (could be?) a significant upgrade to Giambi and a really, really nice player for the Yankees to have. But I don’t fear Teixeira.
“If the Boss was still running the show, then I’d agree without a doubt. Luckily things have changed.”
havent you heard that the Stein bros want Manny Ramirez?
SA-
Does the 59 million include the horse?
Teix is Boston is going to make the Yanks do something stupid…like signing Manny”
If the Boss was still running the show, then I’d agree without a doubt. Luckily things have changed.
don’t think there’s much difference between father & sons on spending
By the way – CC looks like an awesome person. I love his smile – infectious and genuine. A great addition to the team, IMO. AJ impressed me, as well, since I really didn’t know what to expect.
I can’t picture CC on a horse.
Here’s a question, if the Sox sign Tex where do you put Papi in the inter-league games at NL parks, besides the bench?
Central CT Yankee -
I would think they’d simply switch them – Tex DHs and Ortiz plays 1st.
The boys look pretty comfy in their new home.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/.....15701.jpg/
pat-not sure, but I would hope so. CC can ride around on it.
an interesting Braves signing. They signed 1st baseman Lance Niekro, son of Joe, nephew of Phil….as a knuckleball pitcher.
Vin – I agree with you as well. Texiera protecting Ortiz doesn’t scare me like Manny did. And let’s see how Tex adjusts to the pressures of playing in Boston.
NO DH’s in the NL
Here’s a question, if the Sox sign Tex where do you put Papi in the inter-league games at NL parks, besides the bench?
he has played 7 games in the OF years ago
“havent you heard that the Stein bros want Manny Ramirez?”
As we all remember, they also wanted Johan… how did that work out?
Here’s a question, if the Sox sign Tex where do you put Papi in the inter-league games at NL parks, besides the bench?
he has played 7 games in the OF years ago
upon futher looking he’s played 32 games in the OF
“Here’s a question, if the Sox sign Tex where do you put Papi in the inter-league games at NL parks, besides the bench?”
It would be an opportunity to rest Ortiz. It’s ONLY the NL anyway.
big papi might get traded
The inter-league play question:
Youk also has some experience in the OF. Maybe Ortiz at first, Tex at third, and Youk in OF…?
If the Sox sign Tex, we pretty much have to counter with Manny.
It looks like Boston is ready to bloat their payroll. This could trigger a Manny counter punch by the Steinbrenners if they’re so inclined.
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....tra_bases/
JackJ
December 18th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
The inter-league play question:
Youk also has some experience in the OF. Maybe Ortiz at first, Tex at third, and Youk in OF…?
————————————————————
And replace who? Ellsbury? Drew? Bay?
“I can’t picture CC on a horse.”
More like the horse on C.C.. Hell whos bigger?
PETA would be pissed
Probably Ellsbury, he has the lowest offensive numbers of the three.
I’m guessing that they would just give Ortiz rest though.
In Interleague play, Tex at 1b, Ortiz catching in place of Varitek. Think of all the offense.
If the Sox sign Tex, that would be fiscally irresponsible in these tough economic times
I didn’t realize that Youkilis will be 30 before the season starts. What the Sox do with him for a contract/arbitration is going to be interesting.
If Tex signs with Boston the doom and gloom crowd is going to come out in full force. 2 questions for the d&g crowd.
1. Were you the same people who thought the Halos were going to win the championship after signing Tex?
2. There were people who thought the Yankees should get their fingers sized including Affleck after signing Arod.
My point is he himself isnt going to get them to the promise land. Alot can happen in a season. As someone earlier said. He might not be able to handle the pressure. Who knows.
From an economic standpoint, CC is losing a ton, depending on when he bought that place in Cali. Though, he will get a good price on a house in Jersey and he can flip it in 7 years for a good profit.
On another note, why are people so high on Sheets? We have a ton of upside with our team and some risk. People forget, Joba had a blip on the DL last season AND will be on an innings count. We should work on getting a reliable arm, i.e. Pettite or IMO Garland.
ALSO, a lot of people should realize that the A’s will not contend this season, and Holiday WILL be on the market, along with other OF FA’s after the season.
Rick Ankiel STL
Jason Bay BOS
Marlon Byrd TEX
Frank Catalanotto TEX
Endy Chavez SEA
Coco Crisp * KC
Carl Crawford * TB
Johnny Damon NYY
David Dellucci CLE
Jermaine Dye * CWS
Ryan Freel BAL
Brian Giles SD
Vladimir Guerrero LAA
Matt Holliday OAK
Geoff Jenkins * PHI
Reed Johnson CHC
Andruw Jones LAD
Austin Kearns * WAS
Hideki Matusi NYY
Jason Michaels CLE
Xavier Nady NYY
Magglio Ordonez * DET
Dave Roberts SF
Gary Sheffield DET
Jason Werth PHI
Randy Winn SF
* is option.
Calm down with all the moves. Overreaction and panic is how you end up signing contracts you regret.
Brandon (SHOW SHEETS THE MONEEEEEY !, CC & AJ are Yankees!)…”Don’t trade Robi !”
December 18th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
“1. Sabathia
2. Burnett
3. Wang
4. Pettitte/Sheets
5. Joba”
Because that’s what it is going to be.
————————————————————
i seriously doubt it.
not because it can’t or shouldn’t but despite the strikeouts wang might is better & they might wan’t to take the pressure of aj.wang has been a number one for years.
it makes more sense to drop wang 1 spot instead of 2 & keep burnett at 3.
if burnett was no doubt better than wang then he would be 3 but that is not the case.
Tex is a very good player. But I don’t see him tipping the balance that IMO has been restored, if not surpassed, by the Yankees’ signing of CC and AJ.
I just caught myself (and was slightly disturbed) referencing Sabathia and Burnett as “CC” and “AJ.” One of my major problems with Boston fans over the years has been their whole first name basis thing. Between Pedro, Nomar, Manny…ugh… it makes me sick. I’m determined not to do it again.
Anyway, don’t fret, folks.
Well if this id to be true, that means I will not be getting Jennifer Aniston, a new Jag & Mark Texeria…..But I do get a CC & a AJ…..I’m fine….
wang is probably better(correction)
“My point is he himself isnt going to get them to the promise land.”
c’mon, the Arod signing GUARANTEED that we would win every world series for the next 50 years. HE’S THAT GOOD. And so is TEX
TEX TEX TEX TEX TEX
In a 3-game series scenario, Girardi will sandwich Wang between C.C. and A.J.
Wang’s sinker will keep hitters off balance and force hitters to adjust.
A.J. will have no problem being used as the 3rd starter. In a 4-game series, using Andy and his cutters will throw hitters off balance from A.J.’s heaters.
Hitters don’t like different looks.
Only horse CC is riding is a Clydesdale….
Loved what I heard from AJ at the Press Conference today. Really impressed. I’m jacked about this season. Go get an upgrade in CF and we’re set!
“AJ wants the big stage, he wants the ball… But he doesn’t want to be the man… So he’s a little crazy. Y are you going to feel comfy in the box facing a guy who throws 95 and might be a little crazy?”
Converse of that is do you want this guy, who has no desire to be the man, on the hill with the season on the line?
Advantage: ?
I’m still not wild about the AJ deal. He supposedly learns to pitch last yet he posts a 4.07 ERA and puts 300+ guys on base in 220 innings. Not within a country mile of being sold on this guy.
Central CT Yankee
Oops! Brain freeze.
In that case, good question!
- last YEAR
Exactly Glenn. Putting Wang as the number 2 has less to do with his talent as compared to AJs than his stuff compared to AJ and CCs. Wanger gives hitters a much different look from those guys and slots nicely in between them in the rotation.
update your ******* blog
The Sox rotation is almost as good as ours
CC> Beckett, but in a big game not even close
Lester > Wang
Matsuzaka > Burnett
Joba > Masterson
Pettitte = Wakefield
Their lineup is considerably better than ours with Tex. They will be the #1 offensive team in the league, while we will be 7th or 8th.
Bullpens are a wash. Both have dominant closers and some decent middle relievers (Marte/Bruney; Okijima/Delcarmen).
Sox are better than us with the signing of Tex. Even without Tex, it is still a wash or SLIGHT advantage Yanks. These signings of CC and AJ essentially just put us on even ground with them.
eric in queens,
Never noticed how we call ours by last names and Boston does by first. You have me sold. From now on its Young Steinbrenner or Old Stein.
For all that think Manny is coming here,dont forget one team that will immediately jump in the race and probably over pay. Yes the Angels have been empty handed all winter. Arte wont go that quietly and Scocia just mentioned this week that he wouldnt mind having him. Maybe they already knew he was going east.
Tex to BOS is more annoying than anything. I don’t see his signing with them neutralizing what we’ve done so far. Come on, think about it. We’ve replaced Rasner and Ponson with CC and AJ. Nothing tops that!
ESPN.com has finally put a good video interview on the board. Bernie Williams, his music and his feelings about being dropped by the Yanks.
On free agents after 2009: I thought I saw Brian Roberts on that list at some point. Is he still on it?
SJ44
December 18th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
If CC opts out in 3 years, he leaves 92 million dollars on the table.
What are the odds of a pitcher leaving that much money on the table at age 31?
If the clause made it easier for him to pull the trigger and sign with the Yankees, fine by me.
It would take brass, you know what, for a pitcher to leave 92 million on the table.
Worry about 2012 in 2012.
————————————————————
he will leave it on the table if he can get a 7yr/175 million dollar contract.
the agents probably have a pretty good idea of the market.
plus if he hates ny he might take a any other contract if it pays him the same or close yearly.
“Matsuzaka > Burnett”
Source????
Francis,
The yanks bullpen is much better than the sox.
“Go get an upgrade in CF and we’re set!”
Did i miss something? Did Pettitte or Sheets sign?
On the Angels and Manny: What if they’re looking at more of a long-term solution since their pitching is young and Vlad is getting old? What if they’re eyeing another Boras client for 2010, say Matt Holliday?
If I’m the Yankees I offer Manny 2 years tops and no more than 50 million bucks.
Fredo, what were the alternatives?
Derek Lowe is 36 yrs old and coming off a career year in the NL West. He is a GB pitcher behind our awful infield defense. He was a wreck in his last go around in the AL. He wants 4/$16 and will be getting paid when he is 40.
Sheets has huge medical red flags. There is a reason that despite the fact that he is a bonafied ace when he is on the mound, he has not received any offers. Not one. The guy is one of the best pitchers in baseball, under 30, willing to take a short term deal and he has no suitors.
Perez? Another NL pitcher with no track record. Garland? No Thanks.
Cashman said he wanted to have 4 reliable, proven starters and get 2 big ones. Where was he going to go for pitching? Burnett was the best bet of the 2nd tier guys and it’s not even close.
““Matsuzaka > Burnett”
Source????”
Fredo,
Can I add Petttitte=Wakefield as well?
“Nothing tops that!”
Laura,
I got one more for ya. Sheets or Pettitte replacing Karstens.
Sorry S.o.S…..should have been “Go get that last starter, an upgrade in CF and some bench pieces and we’re set.” I do think we’ll eventually sign Pettitte though. Makes too much sense for each side to not come together on a contract.
rodg12,
They need to stop this stand off and meet halfway at 11 mil.
The Yankees had 63 total starts last year from Hughes, Kennedy, Rassner, Ponson, Geise, Pavano, and Iagawa.
Their W-L record as a group was 14-28.
I agree S.o.S. He wants to pitch one more year and open the new stadium. Plus, he owes us a little for standing behind him during the HGH mess last year. We need another solid SP. He fits in really well as our #4 behind CC, Wang, and AJ and in front of Joba. I mean, what’s the hold-up.
I don’t even recognize the guy who was walking into his hotel in a white sweatsuit with takeout food.
Supposedly he wants 12 mil and we offered 10 mil. Thats where i came up with 11 mil. Im sure there is 1 mil laying aroung under someones couch.
CC did not sound like an ace.
Tips
http://njfrogman.blogspot.com/.....me-to.html
With Rasner gone, Marte gets his favored No. 43 uniform and gives No. 34 to A.J.
I love the Yankees and appreciate their commitment to placing a quality team on the field every year, but CC scares me. The man is one donut away from a major heart attack.
The latest comments on Teixeira from MLB Rumors.com Basically, nothing expected tonight, which means that Boras will shop the offer to the Angels, NYY, Washington and Baltimore.
6:55pm: Dan Roche of WBZTV also confirms the meeting. He suggests an eight-year Red Sox offer in the $180MM range, but hears that Boston doesn’t expect anything “conclusive” tonight.
6:38pm: Buster Olney and Peter Gammons confirm Lynch’s report. ESPN has heard from major league sources that Boras may soon meet with Red Sox executives. Olney and Gammons heard from another team’s executive who expects the offer to be for “about $22MM” per year for eight years, or about $176MM in total.
5:21pm: Mike Lynch from Channel 5 in Boston reports John Henry and Theo Epstein will meet with Scott Boras tonight with the aim of signing Teixeira tonight or Friday morning. Lynch says the Sox are offering eight years and $184MM.
“the offer to be for “about $22MM” per year for eight years, or about $176MM in total.”
Nice math skills there by mlbtraderumors or Olney/Gammons.
Is it too late to throw AJ back into the river and fish for Tex? Guaranteeing the 5th year for Burnett was insanity. Clearly, the money would have have been far better spent on Teixeira.
im fired up! we are a MUCH BETTER team tonight then we were this morning. better for the regular season, and much better for the PS!
I don’t agree Matsuzaka > Burnett or Lester > Wang. At best, these are both draws.
On Dice K v. Burnett, AJ had the better year in terms of peripheral stats. His FIP was 3.45 compared to 4.03 for Dice K. Matsuzaka walked the world and didn’t get as far into games as AJ (appx. 5.7 innings/start vs. 6.5 for AJ). Burnett has been less durable, of course, but “if healthy,” Burnett is at least as effective as Matsuzaka.
On Lester v. Wang, to make Lester the clear favorite you have to assume that his 2008 record is reflective of his actual skill level and not just a career year. Wang would seem to be a safer pick given how he’s performed over a span of several years now. Again, I’d call this a draw at best.
And Arm Tellem fires back….the gun looks like a misfire, though.
7:51pm: Tony Jackson received a statement, apparently from agent Arn Tellem, about the events of the past couple days. It suggests there was “never an agreement reached” between Furcal and the Braves. The statement says Furcal’s agents “will continue to present opportunities to the Braves” when it’s in a client’s best interest. It concludes, by asking that the event will not color the Braves’ “better judgement” once “emotions have subsided.”
Correction: ***And Arn Tellem***
“CC did not sound like an ace.
Tips
http://njfrogman.blogspot.com/.....me-to.html”
CC was talking about going on 3 days rest 20 times in a row. He thought other teams would try to abuse him because they saw what he did last year and he liked the NYY because he has players around him.
fans of the tribe are PISSED that CC signed with the yanks lol
http://www.letsgotribe.com/200.....sabathia-i
this is my favorite line: “What C.C. is really saying: “I want to have the postseason gift-wrapped like a special gift for me, every single year. I don’t want to have to compete for it and earn it.”"
ummm excuse me, but since when was competing in the AL BEAST turn into a piece of cake?
That Tellem statement is interesting.
the third point is interesting:
3. Moreover, the Baseball rules which all agents and teams operate under are clear that no deal exists between a player and a team unless and until: (i) there is a signed and executed player agreement or; (ii) the Player’s Union and the Commissioner’s office have otherwise confirmed the deal. Neither occurred here.
It seems what Furcal did was within the rules. BUT, it was unethical.
“The final point “If it serves our clients we will continue to present opportunities to the Braves, which in accordance with the rules governing Major League Baseball, the Braves must entertain.”
Do the Braves have to “entertain” Tellem’s clients?
Bitter Brewers and Indians fans are such great comedy. “wahhhhh our teams are poor wahhhhhh”
pat December 18th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
SA-
Does the 59 million include the horse?
___________________
For 59 mill it better!! I don’t think CC would buy a house that expensive. 1/3 of his contract would be gone!!
Tom- That poor horse if he did ride it!
Well…
So I was thinking all day today that its great we upgraded our pitching staff.. but offense really needs alot of help.
So i did a quick study of NYY record last year (by no means is it a comprehensive analysis or did I use detailed stats, just quick and rough).
of the 73 losses last year, 63 of them were poorly pitched (defined as giving up 4 or more runs). That means there were only 10 games we lost were we pitched well (gave up less then 3 runs) and our offense failed to help. Basically pitching is and always is the key.
That being said.. i still think we a bat. there are to many questions with to many hitters. But i dont think we need Manny. I think bringing Bobby Abreu back though is a good idea.
Tom
December 18th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
That Tellem statement is interesting.
the third point is interesting:
3. Moreover, the Baseball rules which all agents and teams operate under are clear that no deal exists between a player and a team unless and until: (i) there is a signed and executed player agreement or; (ii) the Player’s Union and the Commissioner’s office have otherwise confirmed the deal. Neither occurred here.
It seems what Furcal did was within the rules. BUT, it was unethical.
“The final point “If it serves our clients we will continue to present opportunities to the Braves, which in accordance with the rules governing Major League Baseball, the Braves must entertain.”
Do the Braves have to “entertain” Tellem’s clients?
————————————————————
No, they have no obligation to talk to any players that they don’t already have under contract. Extremely unethical, yes. Schuerholz is an honorable man, and considers handshakes and verbal agreements as a bond. He also isn’t given to idle threats. If Atlanta has anything in way of a terms sheet ot LOI from Tellem and Furcal, this could get ugly.
Has an agent ever been disciplined by MLB?
YankeeVIP: Not sure how it would affect your analysis, but I can’t disagree that giving up 4 runs over 9IP constitutes “poor” pitching. In fact, even 5 or 6 runs scored may not be poor pitching.
Look at it this way: Giving up 0-3 runs over 9 innings is the single-game equivalent of a Cy Young Award-level performance. Four runs should be categorized as average at worst. That’s one thing.
I think if you adjusted for these factors, you’d find there were a lot fewer than 63 poorly pitched games, and therefore a lot more than 10 games that the Yankees lost despite good or okay pitching.
Another thing: some of the runs you are attributing to poor pitching are undoubtedly unearned runs (unless you spent a lot more time poring through the data than your post indicates).
Finally, some runs happen on account of bad luck rather than bad pitching (bloop hits and seeing-eye singles, for example).
GB7 –
I’m currently reading John Schuerholz’s book, “Built to Win”. The impression he gives is that he is a man of honor. In it, he tells one story of agreeing with Ted Simmons, at the time the GM of the Pirates, to trade Barry Bonds to the Braves. After Simmons verbally agreed to it, he backtracked hours later when Jim Leyland and the Pirates ownership wouldn’t back him on it. In a polite way, Schuerholz was clearly unhappy about how things played out. He clearly gave me the impression that you should honor your word.
You’re right – this sounds ugly.
Okay, the 3d paragraph of my last post is supposed to be the FINAL paragraph.
Excellent new post by Sam Borden on CC and AJ.
Tom
December 18th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Has an agent ever been disciplined by MLB?
————————————————————
I think so. I remember that the NBA, NHL and NFL decertified some agents a few years ago, but, was thinking MLB has, also. I do know that baseball threatened to decertify any agent that represented any replacement player back in 1994. Shane spencer was one of them.
Joe from Long Island
December 18th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
GB7 –
I’m currently reading John Schuerholz’s book, “Built to Win”. The impression he gives is that he is a man of honor. In it, he tells one story of agreeing with Ted Simmons, at the time the GM of the Pirates, to trade Barry Bonds to the Braves. After Simmons verbally agreed to it, he backtracked hours later when Jim Leyland and the Pirates ownership wouldn’t back him on it. In a polite way, Schuerholz was clearly unhappy about how things played out. He clearly gave me the impression that you should honor your word.
You’re right – this sounds ugly.
————————————————————
Yeah, and Simmons got caught in the crossfire, because he had to have gotten permission fom the owners to have traded Pittsburgh’s only drawing card at that time.
Excellent interview with Hal by YES! Gotta love Hal saying Hank told him its all about “pitching pitching pitching”
Steinbrenner Brothers >>>>>>>> Jeff Wilpon
don’t know if anyone sees this comment as it is now two articles down the list, however:
ken davidoff reports that the opt out clause was CC’s agents doing. another report i saw elsewhere says it was Cashman’s idea to make CC feel more comfortable. What’s true here?