Teixeira should fit right in
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Dec 23, 2008 
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Nice piece here by SI’s Lee Jenkins on how Mark Teixeira should be a good fit in New York. I covered the Mets with LJ for a bit and he’s a terrific writer.
Thanks, great article
He is like a blander version of ARod.
He’ll fit in fine: Winning creates chemistry. Number 27 in 2009!
“Joel Sherman says the Yankees made this decision with the 2010 season in mind, given the weak free agent market. He says they’ll now attempt to trade one of Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Xavier Nady, and Nick Swisher.”
My money’s on Nady… guy comes off a huge year so his trade value is high plus he is a Boras client after this coming season so the Yanks won’t have to deal with that. All said, I still really like Nady but he would seem odd man out. Can’t get rid of leadoff hitter, can’t lose Japanese market (though bouncing Matsui would make most sense otherwise), and I wouldn’t dump Swisher who is young, versatile, signed to a very reasonable contract, good clubhouse guy, and is an OBP machine.
Yea let me cheer for those CEOS cause I am such an idiot who, if truly loved the game, would never cheer for these guys, uhuh. Swell.
TAKE A LOOK AT SOMEONE WHOS EATING CROW:
Guiseppe Franco December 11th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
There’s a lot of Yankee fans who really need a dose of reality.
Neither Manny Ramirez nor Mark Teixeira are coming to the Bronx. It’s not going to happen.
The strategy this entire offseason was to do two things:
A.) Upgrade the rotation
B.) Upgrade their defense
This club has never shown any real interest in either Teixeira or Manny since Day 1.
If the reports are true and Burnett gets signed, Pettitte returns, and Cameron becomes the new center fielder – they would have accomplished most of their goals.
This team does not have an unlimited payroll – contrary to what many believe – and they are not going to add another big slugger.
With the new and expected additions to CF and the rotation – this club is significantly better than last year.
The only thing that might keep them out of the postseason is health because they will have a rotation that can stack up with anybody in baseball.
“disgusting!
how depressing….
I’m going to be sick…”
those are 3 consecutive red sox posts on a sux blog, it makes me giddy inside
MrPappageorgio what the heck is your problem why cant you just be happy with the siging why you gotta come here and run your freaking mouth
“disgusting!
how depressing….
I’m going to be sick…”
Translation for Yankee fans”
CC
AJ
Tex
I think Mr. Pappageorgio is quite justified in his freaking mouth running.
this is HILARIOUS!!!
http://slidingintohome.blogspo.....s-off.html
lol The funny part is that we are trying to get rid of the corporate Yankee image and then we bring in one of the most corporate players in the game
Now I have to add “Teixeira” to MS Word’s ABC check.
I think he wasnt because all Pete does in give his opinion and if he is wrong so what
“lol The funny part is that we are trying to get rid of the corporate Yankee image and then we bring in one of the most corporate players in the game”
I think you’re misusing the “we”‘s… we (the fans) would like to see a less corporate Yankees (somewhat, but they (the Yankee organization) wants to put the best possible team on the field.
Could Manny be next? It is not so much of a reach to think that. Hank loves him and this DR paper stuck to the story even after Cashman and Hal played it off. Anything is possible this offseason.
“The timing of this must suck for the beat writers… most of them are probably on vacation and don’t want to be bothered with this. Now they have to write articles and look for quotes 2 days before Christmas and on Christmas Eve lol”
well it could be worse. Catfish Hunter signed on New Year’s Eve. And tex could have done this tomorrow night, so 3 in the afternoon is not too bad.
Interesting read from Jenkins. Thanks Pete.
Wasn’t Mussina the Yankee player rep?
I wonder if Tex will take over that role now?
I find it hard to give Cashman much credit – other teams weren’t willing to pay as much and dropped out. If any team offered one penny more than the Yankees, BorAss would have taken it. The same as just about any other free agent in history – Sabathia, Pedro, etc.
I think it is kind of a reach to think Manny is next. There is already a surplus of DH/OFs. Tex filled a need. I’m not sure Manny does. He’s older, an indifferent defender, and clubhouse cancer.
I have to agree that this move like others was forward thinking. Yankees have no first baseman or real position players in the minors. The free agent class has guys like Holliday who is very good, but is he the same level as Tex and Tex fills a position with a gold glove and switch hits. It certainly means the Yankees now have a lot of flexability next year adding outfielders to fill in for expiring contracts and not forced into a big bat out there. Lets face it if they didn’t land Tex they would need to land a big bat next year. Now they can see where Austin Jackson is. They can see if Melky doesn’t show any improvement again or if Gardner is a major leaguer. They have Swisher locked up and he can play in LF or RF depending. They can move Nady, a hot commodity last year and get something back. They probably let Matsui walk. Now the DH spot is open if need be for Posada to still bat and rest him from the field. They also could bring back Damon short term if they want if he has another strong year because great leadoff hitters are hard to come by. 2010 OF could look like Swisher, Austin Jackson, Damon and a decent FA. That’s where they will lose some money off the payroll and work younger, cheaper players in as OF is the easiest position to get people in.
Wow, don’t some of you guys have anything better to do than try to show up Pete? He runs probably the most updated beat writer Yankee blog and with that gives his opinions on topics. He was wrong on this one based on what he was lead to believe and in trying to temper the incredible rampant expectations of an entitled fanbase. So what? How much solid information and opinion has he brought? Quite a lot.
Anyway, not a huge fan of this signing due to the money but he is a very solid player who will make up some of the numbers that were lost this offseason in letting Giambi and Abreu walk.
You know who’s really hurt by Tex signing with us (besides Boston, lol!) – the Angels.
By losing out on Tex, they will also have lost Casey Kotchman, a good, young 1B, for nothing (trading him to Atlanta for Tex in July), as well as losing K-Rod. So they now have to identify a 1B, as well as a closer. And they lose a bat they had to have.
Tony Reagins has been quoted on ESPN that they will not pursue Manny. That leaves guys like Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu, who may be more the DH type. Problem for the Angels, is that that is what Vlad is at this point in his career.
Oh well. I’m enjoying myself this evening, listening to Christmas carols, sipping a good port, and dreaming of CC, AJ and Tex. Life is good, indeed.
now, who would you rather see traded?
Damon
Nady
Matsui
swisher
no one?
personally, i see there is no way they trade damon, i prefer if they trade Nady or even Matsui
trade nady now because he had a good year, if you trade swisher what are you going to get? crap. maybe we can use nady for a bullpen guy, that i would see as a good scenario
The most insightful post of the day after the Texeria deal was announced was by CB as he brought back to light the decision not to offer arbitration to Abreu and co….It set eveything in motion…..
Manny is screwed. The market for him just crashed. The Angels don’t want him, obviously the Red Sox don’t. Now that the Yankees are out, there aren’t any teams that will shell out big money. The Nationals won’t because they won’t have to get in a bidding war with any other teams. I bet he wished he accepted that offer from the Dodgers for 2/45.
I’ve got an odd feeling teix is headed towards someones no likey group
“You know who’s really hurt by Tex signing with us (besides Boston, lol!) – the Angels.”
Joe,
Keith Law had a similar take as to what this means to the angels.
This was devastating to both the yankees biggest rivals in the AL simultaneously.
Here’s what law said:
“Although the Angels pulled out of the Teixeira bidding earlier in the week, they are the team most directly hurt by its inability to sign Teixeira, because the Angels’ offense is weak without him. Unless Vladimir Guerrero suddenly gets healthy and hits like he did before knee and leg problems sapped him of much of his power, the Angels don’t have an impact bat in their lineup.
There’s an even chance, at worst, that they don’t have a hitter who draws 60 walks, hits 30 home runs or slugs .500 next year, which leaves them very reliant on their run prevention (which is strong, and may get stronger if they sign free-agent closer Brian Fuentes) to contend in an improved AL West. The only free agent who would make any sense at all for the Angels would be Adam Dunn, who could play first base. But he’s not their kind of hitter at all, and there’s no reason to expect him to be an asset defensively there.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....=law_keith
MrPappageorgio most yankee fans are morons so i think it was justifed that he treat u like one
good article on why signing teix made every bit of sense for the yanks:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12.....145601.htm
To me, it never made sense for the Angels to sign Tex. They are hands down the best team in that division for the foreseeable future, why bother? Certainly it’s not because of fan or media pressure. I knew once the Yankees seriously started thinking about Manny, they would realize that they should just bite the bullet and go all in for Tex. He’s a switch hitter who plays great defense and fills a need. No more moves, other than signing Andy, are needed for this team to complete for a championship in 09.
I wonder what free agent has gotten the most money from a team other than the Yankees? They are cornering the market, and I’m loving it.
anyone see the yahoo sports article saying Derek lowe and the Mets are deep in negotiations — talk about putting coal in the red sox stockings.
Tim Kurkjian om ESPN News just said the Yankees had 12 different guys play 1B last year! (including Cody Ransom 19 games)
Can that be correct?
Michelle – The Red Sox do need pitching, and not just in their ‘pen.
If you look at their starters, they’re got DiceK (Japanese for man of a thousand walks), Tim Wakefield, and Masterson/Bowden/Bucholz (who regressed last year). Of course, Beckett and Lester are high quality. But the rest cannot be depended on.
So, who’s on the pitching market? Both Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez are Scott Boras clients – that should make for an easy-going negotiation. Ben Sheets is so high risk, I haven’t heard of anyone but Nolan Ryan (who apparently wants to corner the market on native Texan pitchers) sound interested. Make a deal for Jake Peavy? That will cost prospects, in addition to his salary line.
Yeah, Theo and the Sox have their work cut out for them. My heart bleeds.
Why worry about who doubted those of us who didn’t think the Yankees were ever out of the Tex sweepstakes?
So what!
Isn’t the most important thing is that he is going to be in pinstripes?
Tex is as excited about this as we are about having him. Hence the no-trade clause and no opt-out. Tex wants to finish his career in the Bronx.
I for one am super excited!
Seems like Boras left Manny out in the cold….or did he?
“Tim Kurkjian om ESPN News just said the Yankees had 12 different guys play 1B last year! (including Cody Ransom 19 games)
Can that be correct?”
wow… it is – scroll down to Team Fielding by position:
http://www.baseball-reference......2008.shtml
Woohoo!!!
Was Joba texting Teix too?
Teixeira is the perfect yankee suit wearing corporate image like Derek Jeter. Yankees are dressed for sucuess. And his gold glove ability and his plate difference will surpass Don Mattingly in YANKEE LORE!!!
LOL @ Youkillis he needs to take a shower he just looks like he smells. I cant wait till CC and AJ deliver more chin music for Crybaby Youkillis!
It surely didn’t take long for the media to question Cashman’s honesty. Joel Sherman is such a class act.
***Yesterday, Brian Cashman said, “We don’t have any offers out there” for any other free agents, including Teixeira and Manny Ramirez.
Unless this deal was put together today, that could not have been true.***
Did that idiot actually think Cashman was going to call him on the phone and tell him that he had a secret, but not to tell anyone?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12.....145598.htm
Did that idiot actually think Cashman was going to call him on the phone and tell him that he had a secret, but not to tell anyone?
——————————————
Haha
Sherman probably did think that.
arial
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Seems like Boras left Manny out in the cold….or did he?
————————————————————
Ramirez put himself in this position after last summer’s BS. He deserves this, totally, as does his caretaker for his advise. They both screwed up. Varitek did too. They overplayed their self-importance.
Did Cash read Sweeny’s article? This is nuts. In the words of Sweeny, lets now trade for Rowand.
***advice***
S.A.-Brian “The Ninja” Cashman: Showing free agents lots of love
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Did that idiot actually think Cashman was going to call him on the phone and tell him that he had a secret, but not to tell anyone?
—————————————————————
Haha
Sherman probably did think that.
————————————————————
I haven’t read Lupica yet, but, for sheer entertainment value, it should be priceless. Not sure that my sides and heart can handle reading the Boston articles. The emails to Baltimore’s Peter Schmuck (how’s that for a writer’s name) letters were “different”.
I haven’t read Lupica yet, but, for sheer entertainment value, it should be priceless. Not sure that my sides and heart can handle reading the Boston articles. The emails to Baltimore’s Peter Schmuck (how’s that for a writer’s name) letters were “different.
———————————————————-
Oh that blowhard Lupica. I am sure he is busy right now typing his dumb article for tomorrow. Get ready for some giggles.
I find it amusing we didn’t have to fly down to texas, in a private jet, and the three stooges couldn’t get it done…ha ha theo, john, larry
Man I’m bumed
LMAO. Please help the Boston Globe fill out their survey about the signing.
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....ra_survey/
I wouldn’t expect a press conference until after New Years
“Teixeira should fit right in”
Nice one, Pete. Sour grape much?!
Don’t worry there’s more “gritty” white baseball players out there who would fit right in with your Sox.
HEY, IF ANYONE CARES THE RED SOX 2008 HALL OF FAME DINNER CEREMONY IS ON NESN…LOL
i’m pretty sure manny and varitek land on their feet. hate him or love him, boras makes very few mistakes.
i don’t think people appreciate how little he cares about anything but hitting. the dodgers would probably take him back, and i wouldn’t be surprised to see the giants and nationals surface with offers. manny would be perfect in san francisco – they’d absolutely LOVE him there.
i would not be shocked to see varitek get an offer from the mets.
how little manny* cares
It seems baseball people have misled the media more this year than any other year. Boras and Cashman have probably been the two biggest ones, but this offseason has had so many headlines that have turned out to be completely false. The Yankees weren’t supposed to get 3 big free agents, Tex was supposed to have $200 million on the table, the Mets weren’t interested in K-Rod, Cameron to NY was a done deal, Furcal is on Atlanta, no wait, LA, no wait, Atlanta…
It’s definitely more BS than I remember in any other winter.
Avid Reader
That is a disgraceful slur on Pete Abe. This is the best sports blog on the net, because of P.A. why would you stoop to such a low level?
Hey, here’s a thought for all the conspiracy theorists out there: do you think Cashman signed Swisher in part to fake everyone out that we no longer needed a 1B, when he planned to go after Tex all along?
I dont think pete is a sox fan.
GB-7
“LMAO. Please help the Boston Globe fill out their survey about the signing.”
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....ra_survey/
Loved it-Only one I could vote for is “I don’t know who to blame.” Good Riddance got the most votes. I guess that’s the same treatment Varitek will get if he signs elsewhere.
Actually there’s no-one to blame, except maybe Red sox owners for getting their fans expecting Tex, because Teixeira wanted to be a Yankee all along-winning tradition, new Stadium, close to his parents home.
Alright, can I now sell this site on how and why we need and could still get Manny?
It’s been in many of my previous posts.
1- We still need protection behind Arod
2- He gives us one of the most feared hitters in the game
3- He would be a better DH than Matsui
4- He would fit well with the 3 yr plan
5- He would further stick it to the Sox
6- He would further drive revenue and the entertainment factor around this team
7- He would keep Girardi on his toes
8- He would put us over the top as we’re close now but not there
The way I see it we need to trade an outfielder right now since Swisher needs to play every day. It has to be either Nady or Matsui. Nady will be around 8 mill this year and Matsui 13 mill. Starting to see the picture?
Trade both for very low level prospects in a salary dump clearing 21 mill to pay Manny on a 2 yr deal. He would come here in a heartbeat.
Manny goes to DH and rotates occasionally in LF with Damon.
Manny will probably be on the market for a few weeks at least giving Cash some time to pull off the trades. If he can’t then we stay pat. If he can then we pay Manny. We have to move one of them anyway so if he can move both then Manny can be had.
New line up:
Damon LF/DH
Jeter SS
Tex 1B
Arod 3B
Manny DH/LF
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Melky/Gardner CF
CC,AJ,CMW,Joba, Pettite or Hughes
Call me crazy but this was my vision from day one. Anyone think this is remotely possible?
If not I am more than happy right now but I see this as possible and after everything else Cash has done why not the Grand Slam?
alvaro_espinoza’s_hipster_frames
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
i’m pretty sure manny and varitek land on their feet. hate him or love him, boras makes very few mistakes.
i don’t think people appreciate how little he cares about anything but hitting. the dodgers would probably take him back, and i wouldn’t be surprised to see the giants and nationals surface with offers. manny would be perfect in san francisco – they’d absolutely LOVE him there.
i would not be shocked to see varitek get an offer from the mets.
————————————————————
If you don’t think that all three of them didn’t overplay their hands, thnk again. Ramirez has maybe two people bidding for him and it win’t be for 3-4 years and 25 mil and VCaritek blew a 10 mil a year deal and arbitration from Boston. He’ll be lucky to get half of that. No doubt about it….well played, kids.
IMO, Teixiera will be a great Yankee 1st baseman, shades of Donnie and Tino. Even if he’s not exactly another Iron Horse, he’s another high character guy – somebody Girardi will love like a son.
Just remember that Teixeira is a slow starter at the plate and may not be red hot in April ’09. So don’t get all over Teix and Cashman if Teix isn’t hitting .400 the first month of the season with 10 dingers. He’ll get there eventually.
“It seems baseball people have misled the media more this year than any other year.”
I think it’s more the media, hopping on any rumor, so they could be first to print a story in this very “slow” free agent market. Ken Rosenthal is a prime example. That’s why I like Pete’s blog so much- we can agree to disagree on all these rumors.
Ed Price had an interesting recap of how the signing happened.
The yanks didn’t think this was going to be possible per price until last thursday when the sox left texas without a deal. Price also said his source told him the yanks thought they’d he’d go to boston and the yankees would be left to make a run at Manny.
What a turn of events. It’s clear that they were definitely going to get a bat and now wound up with tex instead of manny:
“Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met with Teixeira earlier this month, and the Yankees had asked agent Scott Boras not to sign Teixeira anywhere else without giving them a last shot, according to a Yankees official who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak publicly.
The official said before this week that the Yankees expected Teixeira to go to Boston, leaving them to make a run at Manny Ramirez instead.
Boras got back to the Yankees on Monday evening, the official said, and let them know that Teixeira wanted to be a Yankee — he lists his favorite player growing up as Don Mattingly — and they could get him for $180 million over eight years.
The Yankees had been at $160 million but Tuesday added the extra $20 million to get the deal done.”
Price also said the mets are interested in xavier nady.
I don’t think the team should be in any hurry to trade nady or matsui. I’d prefer they keep them if possible.
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....20_mi.html
Boras is awesome… best agent in sports.
The Yankees made their offer after Cashman’s statement stating there were no offers out there.
He was not asked if he was about to make an offer.
Cmon CB, what do you think of my previous post on Manny? I stood stong behind AJ and Tex and still think Manny wants us too.
You know we have to move Nady or Matsui and if we move both then we can bring the baseball world to it’s knees.
New stadium, new revenue, new World Champions.
Very nice article from Tony Massarotti”
“Please, no whining, crying, kvetching or moaning. The Red Sox had their chance. They have the money. They ultimately lost Mark Teixeira to the Yankees for maybe $1 million-$2 million a year, roughly 1 percent of their 2008 payroll.”
http://www.boston.com/sports/c.....ust_1.html
we better not trade Nady, hes a baseball players.. He’s a true baseball guy
Getting Manny-”Call me crazy but this was my vision from day one. Anyone think this is remotely possible?”
Anything is possible, but I hpe they don’t.
Vrsce
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
The Yankees made their offer after Cashman’s statement stating there were no offers out there.
He was not asked if he was about to make an offer.
—
He also didn’t deny the Manny rumor. When asked if it was true that we had a 3 yr 25 mill offer out there his response was “not true’. He didn’t say anything regarding a 2 yr offer though
Yankee Trader
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
GB-7
“LMAO. Please help the Boston Globe fill out their survey about the signing.”
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....ra_survey/
Loved it-Only one I could vote for is “I don’t know who to blame.” Good Riddance got the most votes. I guess that’s the same treatment Varitek will get if he signs elsewhere.
Actually there’s no-one to blame, except maybe Red sox owners for getting their fans expecting Tex, because Teixeira wanted to be a Yankee all along-winning tradition, new Stadium, close to his parents home.
————————————————————
Here’s the Boston Dirt Dogs. It’s even better. If you get the chance, read the emails to the Baltimore Sub and Peter Schmuck. I’ll link it next.
http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/
Ricciardi throwing in the towel:
“We won’t be in on anyone who’s going to cost any money,” Ricciardi said. “This is going to be a year where a lot of our kids are going to get exposure. That’s going to be a fun thing, to see how some of these kids develop.”
http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/ar....._done.html
From KLaw:
“The Blue Jays are in an unenviable position now, staring up at three clearly superior teams despite having a roster that would contend in just about every other division. It may now make sense to explore trading core players like Vernon Wells and even *Roy Halladay*, although the latter’s no-trade clause may limit the return.”
Hmmm…
Nady’s hitting dropped off late 08 big time. Trade him as he really has not proven he is an everyday player – one decent season as one in 08. Swisher gets RF. No Manny.
I saw something posted here earlier and I agree. How arrogant is Peter?
I think Cashman meant it’s a fantasy to acquire 3 big free agents, to have them all want to play for you. CC wanted to play WC baseball and we pried him away, the Sox were the favorites for Tex, and Burnett was in serious discussions with the Braves. Essentially, it was a fantasy.
Something from the Ed Price article – He says the Yanks won’t have a draft pick next year until the 4th round. I thought that they still held the compensatory pick from Gerrit Cole?
Baltimore Sun. at the end of the article are the emails…a real screamer.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.co....._deux.html
“we better not trade Nady, hes a baseball players.. He’s a true baseball guy”
and Matsui is not? Matsui is the perfect yankee. i gentlemen and class act on and off the field.not too mention clutch and a lock for .300avg 20 hr and 100 rbi….and $$$$$ from the japanese market
Matsui is going no where
I think the highest priority now should be OF defense.
I still can not believe this has happened…well I guess the Stadium will have to host one more event.
Also, if it is a choice between Nady and Swisher, I would take Swish, appears to be a great clubhouse guy, he is a switch hitter, obp machine and IMO Guillen was the reason for his poor season.
If we don’t trade Nady then we can always go Swisher, Damon, Nady left to right and use Melky and or Gardner to spell guys once a week and as late inning defense subs.
I guess the aliens landed in Central Park again.
well, it’s either nady or swisher. i say package one of them with kennedy and see what it gets you
GreenBeret7
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Baltimore Sun. at the end of the article are the emails…a real screamer.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.co....._deux.html
Leave a Reply
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Everyone is going to hate us anyway now go get Manny so we can guarantee a chmpionship because if we don’t win now we will be the laughing stock and Girardi will be gone.
Yankee Trader,
Absolutely positively no manny. No way.
This team is going to be the best team in baseball on paper.
Now they just need to play the games. They have far more talent than anyone else.
The only thing that’s going to hurt his team is distractions.
The last thing they need is manny because he’s the kind of fuse that can blow up a season.
Ask the sox.
And right now there’s ton of pressure on Girardi’s shoulders. He had an up and down year and the last thing he could possibly need is manny to deal with.
Nady is the only guy of the bunch who is tradeable, unless we eat salary
Matsui is a DH and has a no trade clause
Damon isin’t going to get traded
Swisher has no trade value until he proves that last year was a fluke… there was a reason he was acquired for Betemit and no name minor leaguers. His contract is pretty bad too.
I have a hard time believing they want to eat the salary of one of these guys just to trade them. With Nady, you don’t have to. He is also a free agent after this year.
Joe,
The yankees have a first round and second round pick due to not signing cole and bittle.
price was probably referring to the non-compensatory 2009 picks. Those were the only picks the team could lose for signing free agents.
CB
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Ed Price had an interesting recap of how the signing happened.
The yanks didn’t think this was going to be possible per price until last thursday when the sox left texas without a deal. Price also said his source told him the yanks thought they’d he’d go to boston and the yankees would be left to make a run at Manny.
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Sean Mcadam gave a rundown on what happened between the Sox and Boras.
http://www.bostonherald.com/sp.....imminent_/
Sorry my prior comment was answering YankeeRay’s question not yankee trader’s.
Swisher is a proven OBP/power guy. He was at the top of the league in pitches per PA last year. He is the definition of a grinder. He has a swing built for YS and he is a switch hitter. In right field, he is a good fielder too.
He is also under control through 2011 and all of the other OFers are free agents next year, so he can slide right into one of the corners next year.
Nady is the one who needs to go.
Price is wrong, they can not lose the first and second rounders from last year, from what I have read, I believe BA
http://www.baseballamerica.com.....66992.html
“Everyone is going to hate us anyway now go get Manny so we can guarantee a chmpionship because if we don’t win now we will be the laughing stock and Girardi will be gone.”
I heard Tex has a unique clause:
The first year the Yankees dont win the WS, Giradi gets fired and Mattingly gets the job.
Just play Damon in CF, Nady in left, Swish in right.
Posada 13.1
Molina 1
Teixera 22.5
Swisher 5.3
Cano 6
Jeter 20
Rodriguez 32
Ransom 0.4
Nady 6
Cabrera 0.75
Gardner 0.4
Damon 13
Matsui 13
Rivera 15
Marte 3.75
Bruney 1
Coke 0.4
Ramierez 0.5
Veras 0.5
Aceves 0.5
Sabathia 14
Wang 5
Burnett 16.5
Pettite 10
Chamberlain 0.5
Yanks are sitting at about 201.1 for the upcoming season, provided they didnt backload some Tex money. This is counting Andy. If they don’t sign Petitte, Hughes would be your #4…and the payroll comes in right around last year….190 million.
That being said, I say Melky gets moved for a utility infielder and we’ve got a pretty set team.
Peter,
I just read your comment about being duped. WHO ARE YOU TO BE UPSET ABOUT BEING ‘DUPED’. YOU ARE A LOWLY REPORTER WHO SHOULD BE LUCKY TO COVER THE GREATEST SPORTS FRANCHISE IN THE WORLD. BRIAN CASHMAN DID NOT LIE TO YOU PERSONALLY OR TO THE REST OF THE MEDIA. HE SIMPLY KEPT HIS PLAN UNDER WRAPS, WHICH IS THE SMART BUSINESS MODEL. I GUESS wouldnt understand smart because you are 600 pounds and continue eating McDonalds.
Re: Pitching and Defense
They say defense up the middle is the most important. We have Posada (torn labrum), Cano (day dreamer) and Damon (noodle arm + made of glass).
I like Swisher in LF, Nady in RF and Tex over Giambi at 1b. But if they can do something special with catcher and do something about Cano then they will have kept their word.
So far CC, Burnett, Tex, Swisher and Nady fit the philosophy yet we’re extremely weak up the middle.
Doesn’t seem right.
The Yankees had already lost their first and second round picks for signing CC and Burnett So in essence, Teixeira cost money and the third round pick in the 2009 draft (even though the Angels actually get the first round pick, the Yanks still had lost it).
thus, signing Teix was less costly from a draft position as opposed to waiting a year for Holliday who would have cost a 2010 first round pick.
Just got home and read the news…not sure how I feel. On one hand, I’m thrilled Tex isn’t going to Boston. On the other hand, enough is enough. I feel like the spoiled kid in the toy store. You know, the one who goes in and just starts pointing out everything he wants. And after picking out the biggest, most expensive toys in the store, his parents glady hand over a huge chunk of cash.
Signing CC was a must. AJ was a great bonus. Tex, however, is excess. What CC and Tex are making next year is about equal to the Ray’s payroll. I’m a huge Yankee fan, but above all, I’m a baseball fan. How are smaller market teams suppose to compete?
What happened to focusing on and developing our farm system? Wasn’t Cash quoted saying he is in favor of improving the system? People complain about the Sox buying their championships (though claiming they bought the 07 WS win is inane). Any win we get from now on will have been bought. If our record is 150-12 next year, everyone will just refer to our off-season splurges.
Joe: The Yanks get 2- Cole and Bittle are protected picks.
Last year’s payroll was 209 mil, not 190 mil
“The Yankees had already lost their first and second round picks for signing CC and Burnett So in essence, Teixeira cost money and the third round pick in the 2009 draft”
Technically the yankees first round pick now goes to the angels.
Tex had the higher elias rating than CC.
Brewer get shafted – they wind up with only a 2nd rounder for CC making that trade much worse for them.
Jays now get a third rounder for AJ.
CB,
The one thing that Girardi has going for him is his bullpen management…and now with CC, AJ and a full year of Wang, the bullpen innings should go down, as well as the team ERA.
“Technically the yankees first round pick now goes to the angels.
Tex had the higher elias rating than CC.”
I know that’s true, but if the Yankees hadn’t signed Teixeira they’d still have their third round pick, but not the first two rounds. My point bigger point is that the Yankees were able to get 3 big free agents and only lose one first round pick, as opposed to if that had waited a year and would have lost another first rounder.
sunny and CB – thanks.
i liked nady but there is simply no room for him now, Damon is not a starting CF, and if you believe so then u werent watching last season, he is also our leadoff so i doubt he will be traded
swish will get you nothing of value in a trade, and matsui is seen as untradeable
trade nady now while his value is high for either a bench player or a pen’ guy, then we are set!
I cannot believe Peter feels duped. He thinks that he is entitled to the truth. He thinks that Brian Cashman answers to him. He answers to the Steinbrenners. Same with Joe Girardi. The other thing is, it is how Cashman conceives his own plan that determines if he is following it. It’s not how Peter Abe coneives of Brian Cashman’s plan. Cashman is following his plan, keeping his younger talent.
Pete, where was all this outrage when the NFL was duped by Bill Belichick and all his cheating for 7 years. As a fan of that team, I’m sure you didnt mind it that much.
Bullpen management will be the least of Girardi’s concerns next season.
Being yankee manager – especially yankee manager after an off season where the team spends close to half a billion dollars in free agents – is about dealing with pressure and managing relationships.
Those are relationships with the players and with the press.
Those are all areas where girardi didn’t excel.
Managing a baseball team isn’t that technical. It’s nothing like coaching football.
Managing baseball has a lot more to do with dealing with a very long season that is bound to have ups and downs.
The pressure on this team to win will be immense.
Girardi is going to have to deal with this. He didn’t do a great job of it last year and seems to have some problems relating to the players.
He needs to relax more and keep the team relaxed and focused.
Yankee fans may hate that and think it’s ridiculous – but dealing with the press is nearly as important a skill for a yankee manager as bull pen management.
“Yankees were able to get 3 big free agents and only lose one first round pick, as opposed to if that had waited a year and would have lost another first rounder.”
Ok. Got you. Sorry I missed that point.
CB, GB7, Bret and others. I would like to host a short conf call to talk yankee baseball at 10:15. I can handle about 10 participants.
If you want to join in just dial 1.866.994.6437
participant code: 577597
When you get prompted for your name just press the # sign.
I should be able to go for about 15 minutes at least
Sorry Jack, I have to disagree, they lose Abreu and Giambi, therefore Tex is needed, also did you like seeing Rasner, Ponson and Pavano/Geise pitching every fifth day.
Also, as a baseball fan I will always be a Yankee fan and never feel bad for any other team…look at the owner of the Twins a multi-billionaire and if he wanted to he could pony up some of his money.
As far as the outfield is concerned why trade anybody? Giradi can mix and match between them all. Early in the game offense and match-ups. Late inning defense could be Melky, Gardner, and Swish.
In other words Melky and Gardner’s bats just became a lot less important. Thier defense, speed and youth is what makes them valuable.
CB-
Thanks for correcting yourself. I told Yankee Ray the same thing-NO Manny. Let him stay at home and sulk.
I stand corrected. 190 million was the 2007 payroll. So, figure we do have a payroll this year in the mid 180s. That’s right in line where they want to be. We then will have an additional 40-45 million coming off the books for 2010. CC jumps to 23 million, which lops off 9 million on this total. So figure we’ll save about 31-35 million in 2010. If you take away 35 million from 190, you get 155 million. The luxury tax threshold will be 174 million in 2010, therefore we have about 20 million to upgrade our OF in 2010, AND we’ll come in under the tax threshold and will not owe a thing.
Great moves Cashman.
* 2009: $190,000,000(est)
* 2008: $209,081,577
* 2007: $189,639,045
* 2006: $194,663,079
* 2005: $208,306,817
CB
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:04 pm
He needs to relax more and keep the team relaxed and focused.
Yankee fans may hate that and think it’s ridiculous – but dealing with the press is nearly as important a skill for a yankee manager as bull pen management.
————————————————————
The biggest issue will come if there is another rash of injuries like those that nailed the Yanks is past year, starting in Spring Training. That’s when the pressure will build.
Merry Texmas Everybody!
CB,
I agree about Girardi and the press, but I would have to think that someone in the FO had a little talk with him about it.
IMO, last year was going to be tough year no matter what, with youth in the rotation, closing the Stadium, the All-Star game and nevermind replacing Saint Joe.
One thing is for sure Hal is a lot like his father.
Re: Manny, where does he go?
Dodgers? Angels? Rays?
Vader
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:16 pm
CB,
I agree about Girardi and the press, but I would have to think that someone in the FO had a little talk with him about it.
IMO, last year was going to be tough year no matter what, with youth in the rotation, closing the Stadium, the All-Star game and nevermind replacing Saint Joe.
One thing is for sure Hal is a lot like his father.
————————————————————
Hank is like his father, loud, but no money. Hal is Silent Death.
Can’t help but wonder what CC, AJ and Swisher think about the Tex signing. Yank players who have been around for awhile are used to this but even some of them had to have said “Really?” when they heard about the Tex signing. To those not used to it, it had to make them shake their head in amazement to be on the inside of the spending rather than on the outside looking in
Silent Death with a big wallet and no fear of using it.
There be panic in Bah-ston:
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....l#comments
pat
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Can’t help but wonder what CC, AJ and Swisher think about the Tex signing. Yank players who have been around for awhile are used to this but even some of them had to have said “Really?” when they heard about the Tex signing. To those not used to it, it had to make them shake their head in amazement to be on the inside of the spending rather than on the outside looking in
————————————————————
Quiet, stunned and mouths hanging wide open.
Vader – It’s ok to disagree; it makes it much more enjoyable to talk about something w/ two sides. True, we did lose Abreu and Giambi, but we have a lineup that consists of Jeter, Arod, Posada, Matsui, and Cano. Tex was not a need – he was a splurge and is not worth what we gave him.
Watching Rasner, Ponson, and Pavano/Geise pitch were definetly not the highlights of the year for me. Like I said before, CC was a must and AJ was a very good signing.
I’m not very sure how the financial end of baseball works so I won’t attempt to argue anything on the owners – I’ll probably just embarrass myself.
Joel Sherman makes a point:
“The Yankees … will try to lower it further by trading at least one and possibly two from among Damon, Matsui, Nady and Nick Swisher.
They most want to protect leadoff-hitting Damon and move the worst defender, Matsui. The Angels, after losing out on Teixeira, could use Matsui’s production, so might Texas or Oakland. The Braves, shut out all over the place this offseason, are among the teams that like Nady and, especially, Swisher.
In trades, the Yankees should try to add multidimensional players who can help across the diamond, such as the Angels’ Chone Figgins (who might even be able to start in center) and Atlanta’s Martin Prado. The Yankees also will want prospects to ease the loss of three high compensatory draft picks due to signing the Type A free agents (Sabathia, Teixeira and A.J. Burnett).”
So the question becomes – just how feasible are these possiblities that Sherman throws out there? Likely? Unlikely? Does ninja Cashman have a few throwing stars left in his arsenal?
sduncan appears to be odd man out on the 40.
cabrera or gardner go as part of a trade for a UIF.
no manny – PRICELESS
CC stated in his press conference, that he knew that he wouldn’t have to do it alone and that the Yankees would get supporting players…he prbably didn’t think it would be so soon.
Vader
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Silent Death with a big wallet and no fear of using it.
————————————————————
Like a Great White…Just cruises around, waiting for the slightest smell of blood in the water and ATTACK.
sunny-
Good stuff! Too funny!
Wow. Over 1300 comments on this blog (so far) today. Is that a record?
I’m sorry but football has to be the dumbest sport ever invented. Can it just retire? Can we trade all Giants/Jets coverage on YES network for Manny Ramirez?
Yankees sign Kevin Cash per Joel Sherman
Re: Trading Matsui
I’d be shocked if the Angels gave us Figgins for Matsui. But just for the record, I feel Matsui is the most likely to be traded out of the four and the reason is because of the possibility that Posada’s shoulder won’t be able to sustain a full season post-surgery. Posada might need to DH for all we know. We’re not the ones watching his throwing sessions or looking at his MRI’s.
Looks like Tex’s contract is shaping up like this
5 million signing bonus
2009 – 20 mil
2010 – 20 mil
2011 – 22.5
2012 – 22.5
2013 – 22.5
2014 – 22.5
2015 – 22.5
2016 – 22.5
I thought so too Buddy. Some of those comments are just hilarious. You’d think Theo traded away Youk, Pedroia, Beckett and Matzu for a can of worms and a box of used tissues as well.
Jackj,
No problem
Just trying to screw Boston over as much as possible today by signing Kevin Cash lol
Bret the Hitman
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Re: Trading Matsui
I’d be shocked if the Angels gave us Figgins for Matsui. But just for the record, I feel Matsui is the most likely to be traded out of the four and the reason is because of the possibility that Posada’s shoulder won’t be able to sustain a full season post-surgery. Posada might need to DH for all we know. We’re not the ones watching his throwing sessions or looking at his MRI’s.
————————————————————
Absolutely. The fans would know better whether Posada is throwing well and swinging the bat a lot more than the dim-witted coaches, trainers and front office.
Matsui, IMO is on the top of the list for players to go because he’s a player without a position and there are many current players on the roster that could easily fill the DH spot (Posada, Damon, Swisher, etc).
I don’t see a glaring need to unload any of the above mentioned players. None of them are giong to get anything we need (unless Cash is having an illicit affair with some other GM), and obviously there is no budget.
So just keep them all so that we have inury insurance, because odds are someone will get injured netxt year. and if they don’t, having all those good utility/platoon players will help prevent injury and keep everybody fresh.
NOW, I really think we should sign Manny.
discalimer: But like Pete said – Matsui would also be the hardest to trade considering his $13 mil salary (overpriced in today’s market) and his 2 knee surgeries in the past 10 months as well as he’s only good for a DH role (limited to the AL).
Bat Tiexiera behind A-Rod. Bat Cano third and hope he’s over the total brain slump of last year.
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Cano 2B
A-Rod 3B
Tiexiera 1B (yeah that sounds good)
Matsui DH
Posada C (lets hope)
Nady RF
Cabrera/Gardner CF
Maybe having A-Rod & Tiexiera hitting immediately behind him will get Cano more pitches and also more confidence to be patient. Time to step up Robbie … if the .340 Robbie shows up and is patient enough to take some walks, there are tons of runs to be scored with them 4 bats following him. TONS.
Dang ….
Bret the Hitman
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Re: Manny, where does he go?
Dodgers? Angels? Rays?
—-
Yankees
GreenBeret7
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Bret the Hitman
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Re: Trading Matsui
I’d be shocked if the Angels gave us Figgins for Matsui. But just for the record, I feel Matsui is the most likely to be traded out of the four and the reason is because of the possibility that Posada’s shoulder won’t be able to sustain a full season post-surgery. Posada might need to DH for all we know. We’re not the ones watching his throwing sessions or looking at his MRI’s.
——————————————————————————————
Absolutely. The fans would know better whether Posada is throwing well and swinging the bat a lot more than the dim-witted coaches, trainers and front office.
—-
I’m sure the yankees experts KNOW more than we do, but it’s highly questionable whether they are willing to share that superior knowledge with the wee little fans. i think we learned last season not to listen to anything ever said about Posada ever again.
Matsui has a not trade protection. He also has negative trade value at this point.
If you have to eat $10M to move him what is the point.
Matsui could be a very important advantage at the DH slot – if healthy he’ll put up an .825-850 OPS. That’s very valuable.
The position players are mostly set now – they can afford to concentrate resources on having the best DH possible.
If they are going for the jugular this year I don’t think they should be in a hurry to move any of these guys.
Why? Say they trade Nady and then Gardner and Melky flop and they are forced to move swisher or damon to CF.
They are still an older team in several spots. Guys like Nady and Swisher give them flexibility and depth.
We got Tex because we needed another bat
and now some of you wanna trade Matsui who is clutch and a lock for .300 avg 20 hrs and 100 rbi and not to mention $$$ from the japanesse market and he has a no trade clause
Some of you are brain dead
we should trade nady for some prospects and/or utility fielders for 2b and ss. maybe rp, we can never have too many arms! damon cant play cf, we all know he doesnt have the arm! so we have an of consisting of damon/matsui lf melky/gardner fighting it out for cf and swisher as our rf/1b sub when tex gets a day off
Suave
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:44 pm
We got Tex because we needed another bat
and now some of you wanna trade Matsui who is clutch and a lock for .300 avg 20 hrs and 100 rbi and not to mention $$$ from the japanesse market and he has a no trade clause
Some of you are brain dead
——
I only trade him if we sign Manny. Nady is the most likely to go and if you move both then you sign Manny and it is a huge upgrade over matsui.
I keep thinking that the Yanks could sell Matsui to a Japanese team. His remaining skills would go further in Japan than in the US and he’s an icon there. It would maximize his value and give Matsui, who’s a great guy, a classy way to finish his career.
good point CB – so at this point – other than the unresolved Pettitte issue… do you consider the Yankees done?
Matsui is also an economic asset because of his stature in Japan. Combined with Hideki’s inability to play the field on a regular basis, his trade value will be lower than Nady or Swisher. Swisher has the most positional flexibility. I’d guess that Nady is the most likely trade token from the offense. Package him with a pitcher to get prospects or an eighth inning type reliever.
so you wanna get rid of Matsui who is a class guy on and off the field. too add a club house cancer who plays when he feels like it
like i said brain dead
I’d still rather pass on Manny. He’s not the type of player that I’d want on this team after witnessing his antics for the past 7 years in Bahston
Suave
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
so you wanna get rid of Matsui who is a class guy on and off the field. too add a club house cancer who plays when he feels like it
like i said brain dead
——
Yes, I’d rather have Mannys bat for 2 yrs than matsuis for 1 yr. Matsui will ground into too many DP’s as he has been rolling over on most pitches unless they are hanging inside.
He can be pitched to and Manny can’t. Matsui will not protect Arod and he is gone after 1 yr anyway. I likd Matsui and definitely repect him but in my opinion he is almost done.
As far as Manny being a cancer, I think this team would keep him in check and the fact that he is from NY would play a big part of him behaving.
JMO
Matsui hitting fifth is going to be a thing of beauty……
“In trades, the Yankees should try to add multidimensional players who can help across the diamond, such as the Angels’ Chone Figgins (who might even be able to start in center) and Atlanta’s Martin Prado. ”
Figgins would be good, I glad that they are going after Prado. A potential 300 hitter off the bench, but defense sucks. My choice for bench, Martin Prado.
“As far as Manny being a cancer, I think this team would keep him in check and the fact that he is from NY would play a big part of him behaving.”
LOL
“Sherman says they’ve added catcher Kevin Cash on a minor league deal potentially worth $700K.”
ewww why?
“so you wanna get rid of Matsui who is a class guy on and off the field. too add a club house cancer who plays when he feels like it
like i said brain dead”
ive always been on the fence w the whole manny issue. he has a monstrous bat, but he would drive joe up a wall if things dont go his way, or if there is a conflict of personalities and clubhouse philosophies. im happy w what we have for the most part, maybe trade nady/ipk for a couple aaa relievers or a utility guy and aaa rp
“other than the unresolved Pettitte issue… do you consider the Yankees done?”
Bring back Pettite (very important). Backup middle infielder who can play SS decently. And that’s your team.
That’s what I’d do unless Nady could bring back some very good position player prospects particularly a younger outfield.
I’d also possibly look into trading some of the middle relievers for prospects but that’s not pressing.
But on the whole – Pettite/ utility infielder that can play SS (which is not cody ransom…) and that’s the team.
It’s a very strong team. This is a 100 win team as far as one can estimate. Can’t build a much better team.
new post up – people there still spewing the trade Matsui blather. Like CB said – don’t see it happening.
It’s better to risk geting rid of a player a year too soon than to keep him a year too long. I fear that with his injuries and surgeries, Matsui’s about cooked. Give Manny an incentive laden contract and he’ll stay motivated. I’m not a Manny fan but I do want to win. I’ve changed my mind about getting him if we can get him on a 1-2 year contract, which could only happen if there are no other bidders for his services.
“Matsui hitting fifth is going to be a thing of beauty……”
Pat M.,
Going into the seaon Matsui will be one of the 5 best DH’s in the league. They are not going to trade an .825-.850 OPS bat to create a hole in the order for no reason.
You still have to have fingers crossed for posada – he gets hurt and then it’s molina the black hole. Say Cano doens’t bounce back. Or damon gets hurt.
Getting tex if they could fit it in the budget was a move you had to make.
But one of the biggest reason they needed another bat – any bat – was that there was too much risk in the line up. To many if’s that had to pan out for the team to score.
You don’t add Tex and then start weakening your depth when you have all of those question marks. That would defeat part of the advantage Tex gives you as a team.
I also don’t see Matsui getting traded. But it will be discussed a lot. If Jorge gets hurt and they trade Matsui they’ll have no bat behind Alex and they’ll be back in a fix again.
Great day to be a Yankee fan. Nothing makes my Christmas like the robust re-assertion of our fiscal dominance over the rest of baseball’s backwaters. I was begining to think that the Wonder Twins didn’t have the Boss’ drive (wallet-wise) for excellence. No fear of that.
And let’s give credit where credit is due. While I suppose we can look at Cash not giving Texiera $60M more than the second bidder as real progress on his part, this deal (like Sabathia, like Burnett) was about our owners outspending everybody else. Period. Kudos to the Brothers Steinbrenner.
The only downside is reading Pete’s tear-stained posts. I know it’s tough when your heroes disappoint you, but Pete should know by now that Cashman’s one real skill is manipulating the press (and his employers). How else do you think a guy who’s spent so much dough, and been wrong so often, continues to keep his gig?
The first cut is the deepest, Pete. You’ll learn to love again.
Way to eat those words Pete!!!
No way I move any of our bats. With Matsui’s knees and Damon’s bumps and bruises, we’ll be lucky if we can cover the 3 outfield spots and DH with 5 players. At least one of those two (and/or Nady and Swisher) will miss significant time. Someone always does. And if a logjam developes, we have someone to deal at the break for whatever need crops up.
Likewise, a deal has to get done with Pettitte. After blowing this enormous wad are we really going to drive off our one proven post season pitcher for what amounts to ash tray money?
Neither Wang nor CC has exactly distinguished himself in Oct. Not to say they won’t, but so far they haven’t. And I’ll give even odds that long before the leaves are brown Burnett is permanently disabled and comfortably living out the rest of Pavano’s lease in Tampa.
Maybe Joba will stay healthy all year, won’t have exhausted his innings cap, and will be primed for Game 3. Maybe. But wouldn’t it nice to know that Andy will be there, cap pulled down and unafraid?
I love it, life is good my friends.
Hey Pete!
Long time, first time.
Just have to say that you should stick to reporting and not predicting.
I believe it was you two years ago that made some reference that there was a better chance of aliens landing in Central Park than A-Rod going back to the Yankees.
Then, this year, you called all the Yankees fans (and a lot of your fans) a whole slew of unsavory words when Yankees fans on here would write, beg and plead for the NYY FO to sign Tex…
You can add SJ44 to the list of people that should be eating foot today and just keep their uneducated, unknowing mouths shut.
Salt, or pepper, with that crow?
Furthermore, lets look at the last month:
Yankees sign CC = Pete asleep after up all night at the craps table in Vegas.
Yankees sign AJ = Pete asleep again… Probably after a vodka and Red Bull induced evening.
Yankees sign Tex = Pete at Marley and Me, or whatever movie you went to yesterday.
Seriously, I thought it was your job to break the news?
NYYWS27in09!!!!
sorry, Pete, but no one who publishes a sentence like this should be called “a terrific writer”:
In high school, he played on some of the same fields as Babe Ruth.