Today in The Journal News
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- December
- 24
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The Yankees wielded their financial power effectively yesterday, landing free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.
Sam Borden’s column provides a reminder that spending money is not necessarily the path to victory.
————
If you’re listening to the radio today, Yankees beat guy Sweeny Murti will be on WFAN from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and surely will be talking Teixeira. He has Harold Reyolds lined up as one of his guests.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
So what now for Jesus Montero. Can he play SS?
He’s going to have to improve as a catcher.
Joe Mauer is 6′5″ 220
Montero can catch its possible. Give him time.
Interesting article on the Yankees by Rosenthal:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....l#?eref=T1
Quote of the article: “They’re going against the tide in baseball in terms of getting players in the prime of their career and allowing roster flexibility. … They’re more dangerous than ever.”
Isn’t Joe Mauer coming available in 2010 (via trade) or 2011 (as a FA)? Do the Yanks pursue him and move Montero to the OF or DH?
Buying talent doesn’t necessarily win championships, but it doesn’t hurt to try either.
The Celtics traded evryone for what they needed, and now look at them, the Pat’s try and get what they need..Moss
So the Yanks got yesterday what they needed..
Rosenthal: The Yankees play the Darth Vader of baseball.
Cool.
Yesterday alot of people said there no way your crazy, but there were some of that said..maybe it’s unlikely but it is not impossible…
I think the Yanks got 2 more pieces to add, I’m happy were there at….Andy is one piece, I’m up in the air on the other…it’s obvious they want to Win…
Joe Mauer should be interesting. I dont see him making it to free agency. The Red Sox will be really desperate for him no matter what they do in the meantime. We have alot of internal prospects and Posada. I think the way this year plays out with prospects and Posada dictates our direction on him. But I expect him to go to Boston.
Sorry there’s no way, and some of us…
Sunny that article is by Verducci not Rosenthal. Rosenthal works for Fox.
Joe Mauer’s contract is up a year before Posada’s. It’ll be interesting to see what happens after 2010. The Yankees have a few internal catching prospects but none of them will likely be ready until Posada’s contract is up.
right – sorry – I was reading two articles at once – got em confused.
I wonder if all the haters would be saying the same thing if the soxs signed him.
I think the Yankees should embrace this whole dark vader evil empire thing. Market it, sell t-shirts, give away masks at a game. I think it would be gold!! it would be a big f you to all of baseball.
I agree that Mauer won’t make it to free agency.
from the other side…
when john henry said this:”“We sought to reduce the financial gap and succeeded to a degree. Now with a new stadium filled with revenue opportunities, they have leaped away from us again. So we have to be even more careful in deploying our resources.”
was he starting another campaign to replace thier rat-infested ballpark in the swamp?
I know it’s a nonsense argument but I don’t see why people get so hellbent on “you can’t buy a championship.” What in the hell are they even talking about? The Yankees improved their chances, if they had the option to buy a championship for another $400 million they would
“I think the Yankees should embrace this whole dark vader evil empire thing.”
the yankees have been darth vader since babe ruth.
ever seen ‘damn yankees?’
Tex’s preference has always been to play for the Yankees. Boston didn’t really stand a chance. The only way he was going to sign with the Sox is if the Yankees were completely out of it.
Boras did a great job hiding the fact that there was some level of desperation for Tex to land his dream job.. (Yankees) but Boras convinced everyone that if he didn’t sign with the Yankees it wasn’t a big deal.
Kat had a great piece this morning: http://www.newsday.com/ny-spma.....7966.story
Russell NY:
Agreed……
Lost in Tex-is:
Good job yesterday, I had doubts but kept my faith…nothing is impossible..
have to admit… very strange to hear pro-yankees sports talk on WFAN, but i love the job sweeney does on the radio.
Golly – someone in Philly is unhappy about our signings:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ru.....mlb,131129
I have been saying for weeks now that the Yankees could sign CC, AJ and Tex and STILL reduce payroll. The certain verbose know-it-alls (they and you know who they are) ridiculed my naivete that such an incredible feat could be accomplished. And, of course, Pete himself joined that chorus, dismissing the notion as preposterous. So much for know-it-alls? And Merry Christmas Yankee fans. As I said in those earlier postings, the Yankees had to make this deal given the paucity of positional talent at the upper minor league level. This gives them the ability for Ajax, Montero and others to develop and gives Alex (who otherwise would have walked 200 times this year) some protection.
I posted this last night and CB adamantly said no to Manny. I am a realist and know that it probably
won’t happen.
But, if they could do the below, would you want this? If we could get him for 2 yrs at 20mm per? Read the post and think it through.
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?
You know my grandfather said: during the depression people turned to baseball, to forget about the tough times..he was from ireland, came through ellis island and settled in the Bronx..
Great to be a Yanks fan………….
If Yankee and NYC envy were a terminal disease, Boston would easily lead the country in funerals.
“Golly – someone in Philly is unhappy about our signings:”
*WAH!!!*
How cool is it that Teixeira chose the Yankees over the Sux. DID YOU HEAR THAT SUX FANS?
That’s what makes it all good for me since I didn’t care at all about getting Teixeira or even if Boston got him. But that Boston wanted him desperately and that he chose the Yankees over Boston – well, that makes me smile from ear to ear!
We should send John Henry some cheese and whine.
YankeeRay:
I thought for sure we needed Tex or Manny, Tex was my 1st option..but I was skeptical….do I think A-rod needs Manny now for protection, honestly no…but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he falls in our lap….wouldn’t that be something…
I really don’t see Manny becoming a Yankee now.
I think that if Pettitte turns down the 10 million, there may still be some pitchers we go after.
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!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_LZYi49QaQ
The Empire Strikes Back!
able 21:
Did you think Tex was coming, all I’m saying is nothing is impossible, his market will plummet, no Sox or Anaheim bidding..Manny wants to win…were the Nationals i highly doubt it, but it’s not impossible. The Yanks for 1 or 2 yrs resonable..could happen..you never know..
http://www.boston.com/sports/c.....ust_1.html
The Texeira signing (coupled with those of AJ & CC), and the concomitant reaction of Yankee/Sox fans, brings to mind the german word, Schadenfreude. Schadenfreude means to derive joy at someone else’s misfortune.
If all Yankee and Sox fans end up in hell, it will because of their mutual propensity towards Schadenfreude …. and I’m as guilty as anyone.
Unfortunately, today the Schadenfreude is on me (more fun the other way).
P.S. Kevin Cash signings do NOT cause Schadenfreude.
jennifer, Henry already has tons of whine… just send the cheese to go with it.
Tim – No I didn’t think Tex was coming and I get your point on the dollars. But I really think that it won’t happen with Manny based on chemistry.
able 21:
With his market falling, he needs to do image repair..unless baseball is gonna “Bonds” him…not offer anything..otherwise, the chemistry wouldn’t be a problem on this team, IMO.
Tim – I’d be fascinated to hear you outline the way’s that Manny does image repair.
Brian (Red Sox Fan:
To help console you during the holiday’s that’s how I felt when you guys got Beckett..
Kevin Cash…LMAO
able 21:
I wish I knew, I could get alot of money for that…it’s just my opinion thats it..
Tim – BTW. It was recently reported that Roman Polanski is attempting to do image repair. Do you think people will forget history?
able 21:
I guess in NY he could hit the series winning homer against the Sux in the ALCS, he’d be good in my book…:)
Tim – A HR like that does make people forget a lot
able 21
December 24th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Tim – No I didn’t think Tex was coming and I get your point on the dollars. But I really think that it won’t happen with Manny based on chemistry.
——
We may have seen Tex coming but many of us believed that it was a no brainer of a fit and a must from an offensive perspective.
As far as Manny coming, I don’t see it as a chemistry issue, in fact I think he would be kept in check and actually lighten things up a bit.
The main problem now with Manny is the payroll. If we did what I said above we could pull it off and definitely would be the team to beat. Everyone already hates us and we are expected to win so anythiing but a win and we would be laughed at everywhere. Manny would stil not guarantee a championship but I would bet the house if we got him. I’m not betting the house right now.
able 21:
Very unfair to compare the Manny situation to what the other did….
Thats like comparing Charlie Manson to Bonds it doesn’t fit.
Tim – comparison issues aside, all I meant to say is that some images are indelible.
Given Andy is not signed yet, I think there is more than money going on here.
1. If it is only money, they would have reached an agreement by now.
2. I think that Andy wants a Clemens like deal to come in the middle of the year.
3. The yanks are open for it and try Hughes/Aceves/Kennedy for half a season.
4. This way yanks can keep the payroll well below 2008 level. From a perception point of view, the payroll when the season starts is what every one looks at. If and when Andy joins in the middle of the year, there won’t be so much outcry.
5. When Cash visited Andy, this is what they might have discussed.
6. This whole Andy does not want to take a salary cut is media making, just like they said Tex is going to Sox and Yanks are not in it.
7. If this is what happens, this is the best for Yaanks.
able 21:
I understand it was just a real drastic difference between the image damage, thats all.
YankeeRay – thanks for the input. Let’s see how things play out
I think after this, Mauer will eventually land in Boston. They’ll lave Lars whats-his-name coming up soon too. They’ll survive.
Montero? I hope he can become a good catcher if he can hit in the majors like we hear he could. Posada was converted to catcher … can lightning strike twice? If so, just a few tweaks to the outfield over the next 14 months and we’ll be in a good position for several years.
Santa Clause expected to sign a 6-7 year deal with the Yankees by the end of the day.
They are going all out to win next year!
Lovin’ it.
Thumbs down on Mr. Borden’s column. NOBODY that I’m aware of believes that spending a ton of money on free agents “guarantees” a championship. Obviously, no matter what the FO does to assemble the best set of players, the players still need to stay relatively healthy and perform to their expected level of achievement. At most, spending money on top-flight FAs puts you in a better starting position to compete for a championship, but that’s as far as it goes.
My other objection to Mr. Borden’s column is his insinuation that the Yankees have somehow opted to dump a lot of money on FAs as an ALTERNATIVE to developing young players through their farm system. It’s simply untrue. The Yankees have not only tried but succeeded in developing young talent for the major league club. Prospects, however, do not consistently pan out, and no team wins championships solely on the strength of their farm system. You need a mix of homegrown talent, FAs, smart trades, and a lot of luck to succeed over time.
Hey guys,
Thanks for all the kind words about the Sabathia column. I certainly appreciated them and the emails I got from a number of you. I’m sure I’ll get some less supportive e-mails today
Anyway, just wanted to mention that we’re debating a Yankees topic today over at faceoff.lohudblogs.com. The question is: Are the Yankees now the team to beat in the AL East? It might seem like an easy question (especially if you back the Yanks), but it’s worth debating since there were two teams that finished ahead of them last year. If you get a chance, come on over and participate in the discussion. (And thanks to loyal reader there – and here – Sunny, for suggesting it.)
Happy holidays!
Here’s an active link (I hope):
http://faceoff.lohudblogs.com/
YankeeRay
December 24th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I posted this last night and CB adamantly said no to Manny. I am a realist and know that it probably won’t happen.
But, if they could do the below, would you want this? If we could get him for 2 yrs at 20mm per? Read the post and think it through.
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
————————————————————
all of that & you wan’t to keep gardner/melky in cf???
i know the lineup will more than cover for the lack of cf production but trading matsui will be very difficult.
why not trade matsui or nady or both,move swish to rf & try to get a cf or move damon to cf & have this lineup
damon
jeter
tex
arod
matsui
nady
posada
swisher
cano
i would rather the yankees sign pettitte to align the pitching staff up the right way then get a true cf.
if melky & gardner struggle in st & we do not trade for a cf the yankees will probably move damon to cf anyways to get swisher,damon,matsui,nady all in the lineup.
i find it hard to believe that swish will be on the bench when gardner & melky are struggling.
i see a trade for a cf coming.some package of nady,kennedy,matsui with a bullpen arm or two combined with a prospect or two.kennedy has no spot at all with hughes,brackman,cc,wang,burnett,joba.
mclouth is having contract issues with the pirates.i would love to land him.
Pete,
I really feel bad that you are taking a beating from number of posters here with Tex signing.
Obvioulsy, you do not deserve it. You do a great job here with this blog and I applaud and thank your commitment to this blog.
However, I think you should take the criticism in the right spirit and see what you should do differently in the future. No one is perfect and every one can make improvements.
You need to really look at how you treat the people who disagree with you. You are very high handed in dealing with such situations and put them down with typically nasty comments – specifically telling them they do not know any thing about baseball. I am still aghast at that nasty note you wrote against Clare with references to A-Rod’s underwear. It is beneath you.
Look, to gain respect you need to treat people with respect. The messages you are writing can be written more politely.
For those who are simply Pete’s apologists, it is a free blog and both Journal News and Pete benefit from it financially. Every one has the freedom to express thier views, a long as they do not cross the line. When Pete himslef crosses the line, all the bets are off.
Here is a question for the farm afficionados out there:
Who among: Kennedy, Igawa, Cox, Whelan, Horne, Hacker, Miranda, Curtis, Suttle and Lairs (or others gets traded)?
There is now a logjam at many positions in the majors. Who can be packaged (including Gardner and Melky)to bring back a top prospect or useful young player?
I find this whole signging all the big names for outrageous overmarket prices amusing in that there’s just no upside for us anymore. Just signing the biggest names each and every year is the plan, and it seems kind of lame to me. Hughes and Kennedy don’t play well- so we gotta get Burnett and Sabathia! The thought of Nick Swisher, a good enough ballplayer, playing everyday at 1B is so disturbing to usthat they have to go out and get Teixeira.
This whole “WS champs or bust” mentality is only going to get worse, and when expectations are that high, pressure is higher and the payoff is lessened. Every time we lose, it will be a disaster and even a championship (which I don’t think will happen) will be a ho-hum affair.
We are well within our rights to do what we’ve done, but it lacks creativity and is just us displaying our power and might.
Maybe Pope SJ XLIV isn’t infallible after all, eh ?
SJ44
October 7th, 2008 at 9:21 am
One thing we won’t see this off-season are the Yankees signing a bunch of guys to large, long term deals to fill all of their areas of need.
If there is one recurring theme this post-season, and the season in general, its that you don’t fill all of your needs through free agency.
Its about using money WISELY, something the Yankees have been poor at doing the past few years.
If they sign Tex, forget about CC and think smaller (in terms of talent) names for pitching help. Someone like Derek Lowe, for example.
If they sign CC, forget Tex, and think about the trade market for a first baseman.
Especially with the economy in the condition its in, I don’t expect the Yankees to be wallpapering MLB with checks.
I expect the payroll to be at least 10% lower next season and they will have to fill their needs within those parameters.
It can be done. This is not exactly rocket science.
SJ44
October 29th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
23 million a year for Tex? That would be nuts.
Especially in this economic environment.
If he gets an offer of 7 years at 18 million per, and doesn’t jump on it, he will regret it.
I don’t see him topping the 20 million mark.
Perhaps Boras can get it out of Angelos or Moreno.
I don’t see him getting it out of the Yankees.
SJ44
December 18th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
The issue with Tex from the Yankees perspective is not his AAV. Its the length of the contract.
Adding another fixed cost, over 8-10, at close to 200 million simply isn’t in their budget.
They can’t and won’t go there.
That’s why every salary model they ran in the off-season did not contain CC and Tex in them. They knew they couldn’t afford both over the long haul, which is why they haven’t bid on Tex.
SJ44
December 18th, 2008 at 9:04 am
So Ray, you have already mapped out the season before the games are played?
There is a reason why you play the games. Nobody can predict the future. Certainly nobody on this blog.
They aren’t going to commit 180-200 million dollars on Mark Teixiera. Its not happening.
They haven’t made him an offer, aren’t making him an offer, and he isn’t taking a paycut to come to NY.
They have improved the team greatly with the additions they have made. There is a lot of time between now and the start of ST to continue to upgrade the team.
One upgrade won’t be Teixiera. That doesn’t make the off-season a failure
I seriously wish you could all know Brian the Sox fan personally. He is hysterically funny via the most dry and wry sense of humor I have ever come across – which makes it ever the more enoyable. He barely has a pulse and so you end up listening even harder to everything he says. He is endlessly bright (English major I believe, or certainly should have been) and he is really barrels of fun. But above all else, he is one of the most genuinely nice people I know. He laughs easily and can also be pretty goofy when he wants to be!
So here is a shout out to you Bri. Only your rooting interest keeps you from being top shelf!
Laughing in Lancaster
December 24th, 2008 at 11:03 am
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!!!!
————————————————————
get real.
no blogg on the planet that i know of is as well kept up,passionate as this one.
people all have opinions & pete admitted he was wrong.
you could of put it in a nicer way.you do not have to be mean you just chose to be.you can say it many ways to get you’re point across.
people respect mariano rivera much more than papelbon because he is humble,never insults people & always says the right things.this is one example.
As a further, more general comment on the Yankee Derangement Syndrome that seems to be going around, I would add the following:
What people seem to really object to is the fact that the Yankees are trying their hardest to WIN, not merely field an entertaining team or make the team as profitable as possible for the owners. Personally, I don’t see that as something the Yankees should have to apologize for. I specifically don’t think teams like the RS, which could afford to spend far more money than they do, have any right to complain because the Yankees do not voluntarily refrain from spending money in order to give them a better chance of landing coveted free agents.
Since the Yankees are trying to win, it only follows that they are going to become more aggressive in signing players as the competition from other teams in the AL East becomes more intense. During the dynasty years, the RS simply weren’t a very good team, and the Rays were a joke. As those clubs have since then become powerhouses, it only makes sense that the Yankees would step up their own efforts to assemble a winning team. To suggest that the Yankees shouldn’t do this is to suggest that the Yankees should let other teams win. It’s a juvenile attitude that completely distorts the idea of competition.
Does any one know what the payroll will be without pettitte?
Obviously, we need to account for Arbitraiton increases for Nady and Bruney.
seriously, people dont have anything better to do with their lives than try to internet bash someone who had some opinions that turned out to be wrong, but wasnt the only one to say/think that?
and to have to go back and search thru all the blog postings and copy and paste, and go thru all that… for what? whats the point?
Sorry couldn’t resist:
Have a holly jolly Christmas
It’s the best time of the year
Well I don’t know
if you Know CC now is here
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to Tex you know
And everyone you meet
Ho ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn’t hear, AJ’s here as well
Oh bygolly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year
Southern Yankee
SJ44 certainly blotted his copybook on the free agent signings, as you have itemized, he could not have been more off base.
Nevertheless he is an intelligent respectful commentator and an asset to this blog. If everyone was always right, no one would be posting here.
*Does any one know what the payroll will be without pettitte? Obviously, we need to account for Arbitraiton increases for Nady and Bruney.*
i think i read its estimated to finish up around $190-195 million without Pettitte, and about $200-205 million with Pettitte on board… but thats not official by any means.
BBFan, I’ve got to agree with you about Pete. I find myself sticking up for him from time to time and even speaking out on his behalf – and then I remember the really meanspirited stuff he has said about me and my posts (calling me delusional and some other things when I have posted things with which he disagreed) and the cutting things he has said to other people here. I see him as at least a notch above us in terms of power and pelf and as such think he should be a lot more “above it all” in the way he addresses his audience, rather than resorting to put downs and nastiness.
Just my opinion.
Hey SJ44 said he was happily wrong…whats the problem, he’s a fan as well…
ESPN Radio had some blithering idiot on late last night complaining about the Yankees spending so much money; not because he thought the Yankees were going to win as a result, but on the principle of the thing. Yankee Derangement Syndrome, indeed!
everybody says manny/boras lost alot of leverage with the yankees signing of tex but i dont see that.
if hal and cash swore on a stack of bibles that they were not going to bid on manny, nobody would believe them, so in negotiations for manny everybody has to assume that the yankees will be ready to pounce if they lowball him.
so in effect, the yankees are in on manny even if they aren’t.
I don’t anybody believed until it actually happened that the Yanks would end up signing Tex.
We all wanted it and got excited when it was reported that the Yanks were involved yesterday but I think we all believed that it was just to drive up the Sox’s price.
I wouldn’t knock Pete, SJ44 or anybody else just because they felt that Tex wasn’t going to happen.
I don’t think there’s a writer in the country that thought the Yanks were going to spend all that money.
Yanks hierarchy probably just weighed the options if Tex ended up in Boston (signing Manny to a possible 3yr/75 mil) and decided the extra 100 mill for 5 yrs of a switch hitting gold glove slugger was worth it.
Tim:
Sounds like you are very excited about the new teammates!
I am as well.. this is going to be a fun year. I can’t wait until spring training to start.
Now, I am looking forward to the Yankees introducing Tex.
Hey no one likes my song???
http://www.latimes.com/sports/.....4349.story
“Man, that’s crazy,” Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said. “Those damn Yankees! They don’t play around. When they’re trying to win, they’re trying to win. It’s crazy. They just paid $27 million in luxury tax. That’s like 27 dollars to them. They don’t even care.”
Said Hunter: “They’re scary. Their rotation is one of the best, if not the best, in the game, and now look at their lineup. They have A-Rod, Jeter, Teixeira, Hideki Matsui, Xavier Nady, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada is coming back [from injury], Nick Swisher . . . golly, that’s a nice lineup.”
“That’s going to be a dogfight, a pit-bull fight,” Hunter said. “It’s going to be pretty rough in that division. Tampa Bay has the confidence. Boston has won two championships. Toronto and Baltimore play you hard too. Good luck in that division.
“They’ve had the best lineup I’ve seen for seven years in a row and they haven’t won it all,” Hunter said. “They can still be beat. It will take dedication, hard work, and you’ve got to have heart. When you have that, you have a chance.”
“They’re the Beasts of the East,” Hunter said. “The Evil Empire.”
“We all wanted it”
Um, no.
But I believe I can adust…
Tim: I’ve been humming ever since you posted it!
“They’ve had the best lineup I’ve seen for seven years in a row”
Yep.
Tim – I LOVED your song!
Is anyone else attempting to work today?
Bob
December 24th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I find this whole signging all the big names for outrageous overmarket prices amusing in that there’s just no upside for us anymore. Just signing the biggest names each and every year is the plan, and it seems kind of lame to me. Hughes and Kennedy don’t play well- so we gotta get Burnett and Sabathia! The thought of Nick Swisher, a good enough ballplayer, playing everyday at 1B is so disturbing to usthat they have to go out and get Teixeira.
This whole “WS champs or bust” mentality is only going to get worse, and when expectations are that high, pressure is higher and the payoff is lessened. Every time we lose, it will be a disaster and even a championship (which I don’t think will happen) will be a ho-hum affair.
We are well within our rights to do what we’ve done, but it lacks creativity and is just us displaying our power and might.
————————————————————
unless we start producing players from our farm system also.the difference this time is that we kept our prospects & are aware that we need to keep drafting & developing players.
if we can build a great farm system our options are unlimited & will pull miles away from the pack if we aren’t already.
ellen:
I can’t..:)
trisha – CC and AJ and Sheets – OH MY!”:
Thanks Trisha, not sure Burl would approve..:)
I have already said I was wrong. Happily so.
When the GM himself tells you, “we aren’t going there”, in September when discussing (off the record) free agent plans, I have ZERO problems admitting I was wrong.
If, on Christmas Eve no less, somebody feels good posting my incorrect ramblings, I say, Merry Christmas! lol
If you talked to anybody that has the ear (or is in conversation) with any Yankee decisionmaker, nobody was told, on or off the record, they were going to “blow up the budget”, and go this route.
Frankly, I’m glad they did it. I have no problem with them changing course. Nor, do I think they need to justify what they do to anybody.
Simply sharing stuff I find out along the trail. If folks don’t like it, no worries, life goes on.
Bbfan hit the nail on the head.
Love Pete, this site & the majority of the posters on here!
But, the tone can be awful negative sometimes…
I don’t think anyone should be getting on SJ44, Peter, or anybody else for arguing as to why the Yankees wouldn’t sign Tex. It is pretty clear across all sports broadcasts that this deal was quite a surprise.
That said, I’d like to thank Peter, SJ44, CB, and everyone else who contributes quality information and analysis to this blog. The kind of information discussed here is unmatched, and has made me a regular reader.
Happy holidays everyone!
SJ44:
Merry Christmas, I always enjoy your point of view, regardless if we don’t always agree…
*Simply sharing stuff I find out along the trail. If folks don’t like it, no worries, life goes on.*
and the insight and addition to the discussion here is appreciated ane enjoyed, despite what a small few might indicate otherwise.
I’m just glad we have a site…thanks to all who post…
Well done Tim
77 Bomber from the Bronx
The tone may be questionable sometimes, but the grammar is usually impeccable, until “awful negative” showed up in your post.
Ellen, we made a very good decision to close for the day!
So I am able to fully enjoy everything going on. Nothing worse than having “big doings” and having your job pull you away!
From film clips, Teixeira’s lefthanded swing seems like Tino’s in the 90’s. Being a switch hitter, Mark is twice as dangerous and carries a slick glove like Tino did.
What’s not to like ?
I really don’t know why people have to attack somebody because their opinion was not the final result. Pete was absolutely certain that Arod was not coming back and that Tex was not coming.. Pete does a great job here and provides us all with consistent updates regarding the Yankees.. SJ44 has a lot of very insightful posts.. for anyone to attack someone over predicting what the Yankees will or will not do is just silly.
Not many people saw the Tex deal coming.. in fact almost every journalist was mislead intentionally. How can you fault someone for posting that here? The whole point of this forum is for us to discuss and share our ideas and opinions.
P.S. Most of the Yankee players didn’t know Tex was on his way..
Maybe it all happened with over a Bid D with cheese at Duchess in Darien..
I for one am focused on what a great job Cash has done and what my team looks like this year
If i am not mistaken, Mark Feinsand of NY Daily News reported that if the Yankees did not get Teixeira, they were ready to move aggressively on Manny.
If that is true, then the Yankees had reconciled that despite the “baggage” that may/may not come with Manny, he was worth pursuing.
If that is the case, then if the market continues to collapes around Manny and one by one and teams he thought would be interested in him opt not to pursue him, I dont think anybody should quickly dismiss not getting him if he comes to us and asks to come on board.
Honestly, I think that would be the only scenario that the Yankees would do it … because they would completely dictate the terms and have the hammer in terms of leverage becaue they dont have to get him now. The could probably say, “we will give you a one year deal, with a club option for 2010 … take it or leave it.” You never know … he may just say, “OK, where do I sign”
Again, it probably wont happen, but what a lineup we would have if he ever fell into our laps … mercy!!!
who care what other gm’s say about the yankees.they would trade positions in a minute & are just jealous.
it is within the rules so if nobody likes it change the rules or shut up.
thank the lord we have the yankees to make things interesting instead of 30 boring teams with a 40 million dollar payroll.
this is what makes the world fun.not everyone or everything is the same.
Hey Dixie, SJ44 wasn’t the only one wrong on Teixeira. Every single sports writer in the New York area, besides John Heyman, insisted the Yankees weren’t going to sign him.
But that’s because Cashman wanted it that way.
Cashman’s coyness induced complacency and/or hubris in the Yankees’ competition. The illusion that the Yankees weren’t eager to sign Teixeira emboldended both the Angels and the Sux to issue ultimatums to Boras because they bet Teixeira didn’t want to play for the Nationals.
Had the Yankees been active player for Teixeira, the Red Sox and Angels would have been far more circumspect.
In the end, the Red Sux lost Teixeira over $10 million. That’s chump change. The Sux, in the abstract, never would have conceded him for that price. The Sux lost him because they miscalculated their leverage and bungled the negotiations. By publicly withdrawing they froze the market and allowed the Yankees to outbid them for a mere $10 million.
Lord know, I’m no Cashman acolyte. But he handled the Tex negotiations with a tactical brilliance worthy of a statesman. I’d kiss him– or at least his wife– if I could.
“Maybe it all happened with over a Bid D with cheese at Duchess in Darien..”
That was supposed to be a “Big D with cheese @Duchess” mmmmmmMMMmm
Bru…
Get over yourself. Seriously, all you are to this site is comedic relief.
We all just LOVE reading your trade proposals. Some of my favorites have been:
Peavy for Igawa, Kennedy and Melky…
Or Kennedy, Gardner and Nady for McLouth…
Seriously, stick to your ‘PS3 GM fantasy proposals’ and stop trying to stick up for Pete. He had it coming.
Same with that “I know everyone in baseball” SJ44 fool…
When we need a stupid, idiotic trade proposal, we’ll let you know. Otherwise, shut your mouth, stick to videogames and stay in your lane !
Please understand: EVERYONE ON HERE LAUGHS AT YOU !!!!
NO ONE LIKES YOU !!! YOU WILL NEVER FIT IN !!!
It doesn’t matter how much Diet Coke, McDonalds or Red Bull you send Pete. Nor does it matter how many roses you insert up his arse. He probably laughs at your stupid posts more than anyone.
Go ahead, continue to stick up for someone that shows you NO respect.
If you want respect, you must give it. Above all else, earn it first…
I’m out! Merry X-mas to all the true NYY fans and all the Lohud posters that never gave up on the hope the NYY would sign Tex.
Much love for the REAL Lohudders!!!!!
disco stu:
amen, that would make you want to dance…:)
LOl, Vrsce:
Meant awfully negative…
Are you really Mr. Moro, my high school Lit teacher?
If so, I’m so happy you’re a Yankees fan.
SJ44
December 24th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I have already said I was wrong. Happily so.
When the GM himself tells you, “we aren’t going there”, in September when discussing (off the record) free agent plans, I have ZERO problems admitting I was wrong.
If, on Christmas Eve no less, somebody feels good posting my incorrect ramblings, I say, Merry Christmas! lol
If you talked to anybody that has the ear (or is in conversation) with any Yankee decisionmaker, nobody was told, on or off the record, they were going to “blow up the budget”, and go this route.
Frankly, I’m glad they did it. I have no problem with them changing course. Nor, do I think they need to justify what they do to anybody.
Simply sharing stuff I find out along the trail. If folks don’t like it, no worries, life goes on.
———————————————————–
very nice response.way to take the high road.
it is much easier for some to be mean & nasty & it is nice to see some people who are nice,honest,humble.
kill-schill(ing):
It also helps very much when the player you are targeting very much wants to play for your team first and foremost.
Rest assured, Without that.. negotiations would’ve been much different.
Anyone else fear this is the straw that breaks the camels back in terms of a transition to a Salary Cap?
I find it quite comical how people are commenting on the wrong guesses of other posters. I read this blog daily and all of the people critizing SJ, Pete or whomever, where was your opinion 6 months/3months/1month ago? At lease they provide insight and explanations on the outcome or projected moves by the Yanks. Even when they are wrong they still add a hell of a lot more value that the idiots who post saying “I bet they are eating crow now.” Does that really make you feel better that they had logical reasoning for expressing their views? Maybe some of you should form your own opinions instead of bashing those who share valuable info in their posts.
The only thing I will say about these signing is, from the Yankees standpoint, I don’t think they can ever talk about “budget” again with the media a straight face. lol
Even though their payroll will be less in 2009, they can’t get upset any longer if folks question their word when they talk about payroll.
From an organizational perspective, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
The Yankees are what they are. They spend THEIR money. That’s their right.
The Marlins brought in approx, 100 million dollars in revenues in 2008. Their payroll was 14 million dollars, or 14% of their revenues.
The Yankees brought in about 400 million dollars in 2008 and spent about 200 million in salaries. That’s 50% of its revenues.
Speaking as a fan, if my team spends half their revenues on players, I can’t complain. Its a whole lot better than spending 14% on players, that’s for sure.
They got younger, more athletic, and better this off-season. They haven’t had to trade a single top prospect to achieve it.
They can now give their prospects time to develop instead of rushing them to the majors.
The haters will never admit it but, their decisions were sound baseball decisions.
Even the most vocal Yankee haters have to see that.
I admit, I know nothing.
All I know is that this leather on my Birkenstock tastes just fantabulous.
That, and my dog is currently eating week-old Jif Peanutbutter from my arse.
Bru, you da’ fool.
Pete, I’ll be over later to toss your salad!
Happy Kwanza to all!
The Red Sox are going down this year like a plane full of Kennedys.
77 Bomber from the Bronx
Yes I am Mr. Moro and although you are still a poor student you have shown keen insight as a baseball fan.
Merry Christmas
That last one wasn’t me…
I could tell, b/c I fill my McCracken with jelly and fluff, not PB…
Looks like we got an imposter
Blow me, Vrsce. You should be good at it, b/c your mom is.
HA Ha… Out.
Have fun online all day, idiots!
SJ44
You forgot Festivus.
Trisha – I’m heading out of here soon, have to go home and cook!!! What type of law do you practice, BTW?
Guys, I need your help.
I’m lookin to buy a 2009 baseball game for 360 whenever they come out. Or maybe just a cheap 08 and update the rosters. What’s the best baseball game? MLB 09? Baseball 2k9? that new one that comes out? Help?
Don’t have time today to read through all the comments but I skimmed a litle and saw some talk about what position does A-Rod play in a few years. I heard someone (Showalter I think) say that Tex came up as a 3rd baseman. If A-Rod can’t play 3B down the line, could a Tex to 3B and Alex to 1B scenario be possible?
“Cashman’s coyness induced complacency and/or hubris in the Yankees’ competition. ”
KS,
I never thought I’d ever see a post from you in which you not only praise cashman but charge Theo with hubris!
Vrsce,
As you can tell, the 12:18 and 12:19 posts were not mine.
At least we know what Santa will bring our imposter.
20MG of lithium. His daily dosage.
Reality Check
i don’t let losers like you hurt my feelings & it is not my fault that you can’t take pete hurting you’re feelings.
grow up & shrugg it off.
i can care less if someone like you or pete insult or critisize me.i can take it trust me.
you & you’re words don’t bother me one bit.
so unless you can personally make me shut up wich i seriously doubt do not suggest it.
Everyone:
Have a very Merry Christmas and I wish you and your families much prosper in the new year..
Tim
John Harper had a very interesting bit in his column and I think it really speaks to how rapidly this deal evolved.
According to Harper the Yankees themselves weren’t certain that they would get in on the bidding in a serious way until the market price for Tex had matured at around $170-180M.
Harper’s source told him that if Tex had gotten up t $200M the yankees were going to be out:
“Still, according to a club source, the Yankees weren’t at all sure they would ever jump into the Teixeira sweepstakes as they did, waiting first to see where the bidding went for Teixeira among teams such as the Red Sox, Angels, Nationals, and Orioles.
“If (the Sox and Angels) had stayed in it and bid the price up near $200 million, (Cashman) wasn’t going there,” one person close to the situation said last night. “When those teams got frustrated with the whole Boras production, it opened a door.”
Over the last several days the Sox publicly called Boras’ bluff regarding other offers and then the Angels announced they were pulling out of the bidding altogether.
That and the fact that Teixeira apparently was reluctant to sign with the Red Sox, according to a baseball source, led Boras back to the Yankees late last week and again on Monday night in a conversation that led to Cashman seizing the opportunity and negotiating a deal Tuesday.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo....._on_e.html
Ellen – civil rights law. I’m at a local college so it’s primarily employment discrimination stuff, sexual harassment and the like.
francona on wfan.interesting.
Last night Manny Rameriz was playing MLB2009 and was very confused at which team he wanted to be because he doesn’t know what team he will be playing for.
In the end, he created his own custom character to play for the 1916 RedSox and couldn’t help but wonder if he has the right agent..
o O (Why would my agent do this to me)
It has nothing to do with the fact that.. well, “Manny being Manny” is exactly why he is in this position, should we say without a position or even a team.
What’s the Dominican Paper reporting now about the Yankees signing Manny?
Trisha – cool! I’ve been working on a very exciting Article 78 challenging NYC on an eminent domain issue. Big fun for Christmas Eve!!
CB:
Makes alot of sense, especially since how fast it all went down after 2:00pm yesterday.
It’s fine to point out who was right and who was wrong but some of it has bordered on character assassination and should stop.
The apoplexy around baseball is a riot because most of it comes from people who should know better. Even some n this blog buy into the notion that the Yankees “throw big money at every FA every year”. It’s simply not true… not even close.
With the three signings this season do you know how many Yankees on the likely/potential 2009 opening day roster were signed away from MLB teams that wanted to keep them? FOUR! Only Johnny Damon also goes in that category.
Career Yankees — Posada, Jeter, Cano, Gardner, Cabrera, Wang, Joba, Mariano, Coke, Melancon,
Trade Acquisitions — ARod, Nady, Swisher, Marte, Bruney, Albaladejo
Castoffs/Intl FA —- Matsui, Aceves, Giese, Ransom, Veras, Edwar, Miranda
If they re-sign Pettite you could debate which category he goes into, but the point is clearly made.
Wow! Things going downhill fast today.
Seeing as the NYY stole their Christmas present yesterday, I’m sure their troll army is out in force!
SJ44 – you have nothing to apologize or feel bad about.
In order to succeed in Tex’s pursuit, Cash had to be stealth. And, quite possibly, the Yankees’ thgought process may have changed as time went on.
As Yankee fans, we should all be celebrating this off-season, and be looking forward a lot more optimistically than a couple of weeks ago. Ragging on people about who predicts what is silly.
Me neither, CB, but hey I’m positively giddy today. It’s Christmas and Tex is here. For the first time in weeks, I didn’t go to sleep last night worrying about the Yankees’ lineup. That might have been the egg nog, though.
Lost in Texas. Come on, be honest. Do you really have inside dope about Teixeira’s desire to play for the Yankees? I read an article this morning in which Rudy Jaramillo said he didn’t even know where Tex was going.
Hey, if you’re Tex’s sister’s girlfriend or Boras’ wife, good for you.
I’m still not convinced Tex had a preference among Boston and NY, but hey, if he wants to be the next Mattingly, then well, great. Let the comparisons begin.
Terry Francona on FAN now.
Nick Caffardo upped the ante on the Sox “lust” for Tex.
Caffardo uppped the Gammons “the boston front office been focusing on Tex for 2 years” up to 3 years.
Let’s just assume that’s true (which I don’t). 3 years of methodical, patient planning.
All undone in a couple of hours once Tex told Cashman he had wanted to be a yankee all along.
Sign Manny and screw the world…..
“Trisha – cool! I’ve been working on a very exciting Article 78 challenging NYC on an eminent domain issue. Big fun for Christmas Eve!!”
Yeow. It actually sounds a little too something (intellectual? challenging?) for my taste! I feel for you. That’s the kind of stuff that makes your head hurt.
i heard someone on espn say this am that tex was a combination of tino’s glove in the field and bernie’s switch hitting power bat in the lineup.
that was a pretty good combo for us…
Many are buzzing about how the Yanks abandoned the youth movement.
But if Phil hughes and Joba end up being the studs they project to be(albeit that may be in 2010), Yanks have a 60% home-grown rotation. Not too shabby.
Yanks didn’t really trade away any chips. They lost some draft picks but still own a 1 & 2 pick from last draft.
And maybe it’s just holiday cheer talking but I’m really hoping that Melky gets his act together because his future didn’t look too bad 1 year ago. Or maybe Gardner can get on base a bit more. OK a lot more.
“I’m still not convinced Tex had a preference among Boston and NY, but hey, if he wants to be the next Mattingly, then well, great. Let the comparisons begin.”
I never thought I’d write this – but Bill Madden’s column today was actually good.
Here’s what he had to say about how and why the yanks went after Tex.
According to Madden the Yanks got the sense that Tex did not want to play in boston:
“After sitting on the sidelines acting like nothing more than casual observers as the Red Sox, Angels and Nationals engaged in active and aggressive bidding for Teixeira, Brian Cashman & Co. waited for Boras to come to them when the time had come to make a decision.
In recent days the Yankees had gotten hints that Teixeira really didn’t want to go to Boston, and that became even more evident when the Red Sox hierarchy flew down to Texas – at Boras’ behest – in anticipation of making a deal only to be told there were higher bidders and they would have to increase their offer.”
I to would really like Melky to pan out well for us, it would help the OF spots…alot…
“All undone in a couple of hours once Tex told Cashman he had wanted to be a yankee all along.”
To quote Kato Kalin at the Simpson Trial – WOULDN’T YOU?!?
I don’t find that hard to believe at all. For a brief moment, any skeptics out there, imagine you are a major league baseball player. That automatically assumes that the name “New York Yankees” means something to you. Now imagine you have the opportunity to actually play for that team. Again, to quote Kato Kalin at the Simpson Trial – WOULDN’T YOU?!?
Hells bells, I know I would!
I guess I could use this coal to keep warm…
Congrats all. It has to be a great day.
I am still trying to wake up from this bad dream.
-dennis
One thing to add about the whole buying championships… evil empire perspective
By the Yankees signing every big name player in the market…it only adds fuel to the fire for the rest of the league to give us every ounce of their effort
I hope this team is ready (mentally and in the heart) to deal with it!
Terry Francona is such a class act. What a manager. They are so lucky to have him managing that team in the baseball fishbowl that is boston.
trisha – CC and AJ and Sheets – OH MY!”:
Me to..:)
Isn’t it great, CB?
I heard Theo was seen in a bar last night, smashing bar stools, a la Contreras.
Forget the trolls! Jealousy must be awful.
I love SJ’s insight!
lets hope tex doesnt get all ‘porch happy’ like giambi did. giambi was an excellent all-fields hitter in oaktown and then came here and fell in love with RF.
the few times giambi concentrated on hitting to all fields, he hit much better, but it never lasted long.
Well I’m happy.
As I said seemingly a thousand times, I couldn’t see the sense in spending more $ per year on Manny Ramirez than on Tiexiera when we needed a big bat and a good 1B.
Swisher … I could have accepted that he was our 1B. Of course I thought Tiexiera was better but I could have lived with that being that. We’d still need other areas addressed, but Swisher’s able to do some things Giambi was not able to and he gave us room to make the other moves we needed to.
I only wished Swisher was the ultimate decoy in the Tiexera sweepstakes. Turns out he was after all. Hey, some of us wished, some of us thought it was impossible from practicality standpoint, some of us wished but conceded the practicality and a few (perhaps) were even told from the source that it wasn’t going to happen. We were all fooled. Happily so, but still fooled.
SJ says he was even told by Cash himself (correct or no, SJ?) that they weren’t going there. But when hearing that Hal or Hank or anyone in the organization was willing to say they’d even consider signing Manny (while Tiexiera was available and in Boston’s sights) ya know … well it just didn’t add up to me. But Tiexiera? Whoah .. outta nowhere! None of us had any clue Tiexiera was a real possibility and that any wisp of speculation wasn’t out there only to drive the price tag up for Boston. Thank you, Santa Cashman. You blindsided us all.
Hopefully Swisher can be a contributor elsewhere or as a backup. If not, maybe there can be a deal struck at some point that addresses the other areas of need.
kill-schill(ing)
Not trying to ignore your questions.. I just think that Tex has earned the right to be his own voice regarding his personal feelings.
I’ll refer you to a few of my posts on 12/21.
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200.....ent-623078
I myself didn’t know what was going to happen (I didn’t know what the Yankees would or would not do). I did know that if the Yankees were in it *for real* (I knew they were up to something.. but Cash really pulled some CIA type stuff) that Tex was going to be in Pinstripes.
THIS is the only article that matters today. Check out the middle of page 2 that describes Tex’ experience in the MLB draft with Boston.
Revenge…served up cold:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....ira.boras/
Any clue, CB about why Tex didn’t want to go to Boston?
I read something about him having no privacy in Boston. And then something else about the Red Sux snubbing him in high school or something.
I don’t know, neither sounded especially persuasive.
Don’t you hire Boras because you want to go to the highest bidder?
Even my all-time favorite Yankee, Bernie Williams, would have ended up there had George not intervened. I think, incidentally, that was the last time I was this ecstatic over a Yankee move. With A-Rod’s initial acquisition and return a close second.
(Please forgive me: I do admit to a suppressed cheer when I learned the Yankees signed Carl Pavano.)
Dennis,
Happy Hollidays. I said this to ray – I’d tell you I was sorry but then you know I’d be lying.
In some ways I think people are overestimating the impact this has on the sox.
The yankees offense is in no way better than the sox – even with Tex. They’re around the same with the sox having less risk in the line up as there are fewer players coming off down seasons/ injuries.
I also wonder if all of these assumptions about Papi “declining” may be overdone.
The guy was outrageous in 2007. People really don’t understand how good he was in 07 – he hit 20 fewer HR and people think he had a worse year than 06. But in many ways he was better in 2007 than he was in 2006.
I think last year was more about his wrist. Those are tough injuries for hitters.
Ultimately the yankees needed Tex in the near term much more than the Sox did, especially since the sox farm system is so full of young position players.
Tex doesn’t put the yanks ahead offensively – he does no more than bring the two teams to even, though I’d still give the nod to you guys.
“i heard someone on espn say this am that tex was a combination of tino’s glove in the field and bernie’s switch hitting power bat in the lineup.
that was a pretty good combo for us…”
That does sound about right.
I think the writing is on the wall for Melky – “prove to us that you can play and improve at the ML level, and we’ll get you in the lineup. Otherwise, you’ll be banished to a place like Milwaukee.”
SJ44 stated that the Marlins spend about 14% of their revenues on team payroll. Does anyone know the figures for the Milwaukee Brewers? I was just wondering how much money Mark Attanasio is pocketing, as he cries poverty.
Re: Tex or Manny
If the Yankees were uncertain about Tex up until the last moment and instead seriously considering plan-B (Manny Ramirez) then what were they planning on doing with Matsui? Were they able to find a market or were they prepared to deal with Matsui as a sunk cost?
And, the outta nowhere FA catch probably PO’d everyone in Sox Nation to a new level!
Now Jeter, A-Rod AND Tiexiera will all be beanball targets there. I guess as long as they have Youkilis and we have Joba, everything is kept in check.
CB.
Happy Holidays to you as well. I agree with your post yesterday that Cashman did a terrific job withis deal. He is every bit as good Theo.
Francona is a class act. It is how we felt about Torre as well.
I had to jump on the site today even though it was the last thing I wanted to do however it would have been pathetic not to check in…
Hope time goes lightly for everyone over the holidays.
Respectfully. -dennis
CB how could be possible say the Sox lineup has less risks?? Posada and Matsui are the only injury risk and Posadas injury impacted his defense more than his bat, so really that leave Matusi. Redsox have injury risk with Ortiz,Lowell, which is more important to their lineup than Posada and Matsui are to the Yanks since we signed TEX. Also JD Drew is always an injury risk. The SOX lineup is still good but in no way are they less-risky than the Yanks line-up
“Any clue, CB about why Tex didn’t want to go to Boston? ”
I have no insight into this at all. I don’t buy the idea that Tex has held a grudge for years due to the way the sox treated him after they drafted him.
To me that is implausible. Completely implausible.
I’d read in other sources that he respected the Sox as an organization and would have signed there if he had to. But that he and his wife weren’t crazy about the boston area.
Just my 100% guesstimation – to me it sounds like Tex truly wanted to be a yankee for a long time and in the end told boras to make it happened.
And it did. The yankees don’t quibble with paying guys what they’re market value is. Tex’s market value became very, very well defined by the end. That number fit inside their financial issues and they made it happen.
But my sense is that it really was Tex who drove the process in the direction that led to the yankees.
Dennis,
Thanks for checking in. Very class move on your part as I’m sure it is not an easy day given all the build up.
It a pleasure having your insight return to the board here.
I’ve said this to you before – Lars Anderson is really good. You guys will be fine.
It’s funny how people in New England despise the Yankees and their actions. Meanwhile, the BOSTON CELTICS went out and BOUGHT 2 guys to make THE BIG 3. And what happened when the Big 3 played an entire season together? Oh right, they won a championship. This season they’re setting all kinds of records. So when the Yankees purchase all-stars to play together, it’s wrong, right? Unreal…
Red Sox fans will be happy with this blog from Ken Davidoff. Yankee fans? Not so much. Only read this if you like Mike Lupica:
http://blogs.trb.com/sports/baseball/blog/
“I guess as long as they have Youkilis and we have Joba, everything is kept in check.”
Seriously, it’s gonna be crazy watching the next game where Joba pitches to Pukey. There definitely is something odd there. Maybe Joba is frozen with horror having to look at him and the ball just sails out of his hand and to a spot where, if contact is made, it would definitely help to beautify the world…
Simply put:
Mark requested one meeting with one team. The NYY. That should say something..
I am sure Mark will tell us all about his decision process soon enough.
IMO: I think it really all came down to Tex wanting to a Yankee, the Boston area is very nice..
regarding the marlins payroll/revenue ratio, its important to remember that thier minor league costs, front office costs and stadium operations cost are likely to be something like 60% or more of total revenue. i dont know what the yankees other operating costs vs. thier revenue is, but as a % of total revenue its likely 1/4 of the marlin’s ratio.
I completely agree with CB. For all my triumphalism, The Tex signing really only brings the Yankees about even.
In fact, if Posada– God forbid– or Matsui don’t recuperate fully from injuries– or Cano repeats his 2008 instead of his 2007, the Red Sox are a better lineup than the Yankees.
In fact, I’d still give the edge to the Red Sox.
I think people underestimate how much better Jason Bay is than Xavier Nady or for that matter, Nick Swisher.
Do the comparison.
1) Ellsbury vs. Damon– (Depends which Damon, 2008 Damon then Damon. 2007 Damon then Ellsbury)
Cano vs. Lowrie or Lugo– Cano
2) Jeter vs. Pedroia– Pedroia (heresy, yes)
3) Drew vs. Tex– Tex
4) Ortiz vs. A-Rod– if Ortiz recovers, even. If not, A-Rod.
5) Youklis vs. matsui– Youklis
6) Bay vs. Posada– Bay (Posada had a career year in 2007)
7) Lowell vs. Nady– Lowell (in fenway anyway.)
9) Gardner vs. Varitek– even.
“Posada and Matsui are the only injury risk and Posadas injury impacted his defense more than his bat, so really that leave Matusi.”
Posada and Matsui are huge question marks. But so are Swisher and Cano who are coming off huge off seasons. Nady is a question mark – who is he as an everyday player – the guy in pittsburgh? the player we saw in NY? In between?
Jeter is also coming off the worst offensive year of his career. Is he in decline?
CF right now is a huge uncertainty. Can either melky or gardner even hit anywhere close to league average for CF? Can Damon play there?
Literally the only guys in the line up that don’t have serious question marks attached are Alex and Tex. That’s it.
This is why they spent $180M on Tex.
Boston has some issues – which team doesn’t? But far fewer. Lowell is definitely one. I think the reports of Papi’s demise are a bit premature. Catcher is a question. But other than that they have far fewer questions than the yanks line up.
Happy Holidays All.
We’ll see you in 2009!
“Mark requested one meeting with one team. The NYY. That should say something.. ”
Negotiations are about leverage. When you go to the other guy you are handing leverage over to the other guy.
Given the position he was in Tex had very little reason to give any team any leverage at all.
But he did both a month ago. And then last friday when boras called Cashman to see if a deal was feasible.
That says a lot.
i agree that the tex signing doesnt guarantee anything, just ask last year’s hands-down favorites, the tigers.
but what i find so great about it is that it helps the yankees not only for next season but for a long time. i think ny is going to love this guy, he’s mr. consistency and you wont hear a peep out of him off the field, unless he’s raising money for a charity.
i dont know who’s going to be playing for the sox in 5 years,but i know we’re gonna have a stud 3rd baseman and a stud 1st baseman!
Can Papi hit without Manny?
Can JD Drew stay healthy? and protect in the lineup
Can Dustin repeat his season?
Is Lowell on the decline?
Whos playing Short?
Whos going to catch? Can Var rebound?
Is Jason Bay a difference maker in that lineup?
Can Jacoby be an everyday CF?
Whos giving the ball to Pap??
Everyone and team has questions I will take that Yankee lineup over Bostons anyday.
Betsy, another very good moment in life. Lupica’s Christmas has to be ruined in a very big way.
I can’t stand the guy so won’t bother reading his drivel. But nobody will ever tell me that the Yankee’s signing Tex hasn’t absolutely ruined his holiday. If he could get his head any higher up the butts of the Sux he’d look like some iteration of a siamese twin!
btw, im still predicting a big comeback year for matsui as full-time dh. look for .300/28/110 hitting behind arod. (the would get more rbi’s, but its an odd # year so arod wont leave him many.)
Loopy, his articles just aren’t any good…unless you have a big “B” on your hat…
CB, I’ll grant you about Posada and Matsui, but I think you are assuming the worst about the others.
Putting Jeter as a question mark is not something I would do – he’s been too reliable for us for one year (and one in which he suffered a bad hand injury) to put a dent in my confidence in him.
I know you are not a fan of Cano, but the kid can hit period. I think he’s worked hard this off-season; he’s a darn good hitter and I think he will bounce back.
I am not familiar with Swisher, but all the boards I go to, people love what this guy brings to the table. They expect Nick to be very solid.
I have a lot of respect for the Sox and I think they have the same for us. The Sox are an excellent team – so are the Yankees and the Rays. This division, as you have said before, is just brutal. That said, I’d rather be in a tough division that pushes you to be good than to be in horrible division that allows you to skate by and be mediocre.
very interesting Texiera article…
sounds like a better guy then I thought.
yanks vs sux.. first of all on paper means crap but just to have fun. the yanks have a better rotation, a better pen, and there offense should be slightly better.
On paper the yanks are the best team in baseball pettitte or no pettitte as is.
cc, wang, burnett, joba, and hughes….. tremendous staff;; kennedy, aceves and others just in case.
pen; mo, marte, bruney, coke, veras, ramirez, melancon, etc..loaded and many many arms…
lineup;;damon, jeter, tex, arod, matsui, cano, nady, posada, and gardner or melky.. They have some patience, some power, some speed, this is a good lineup.
bench; molina, swisher, and we will see…
I trade matsui or nady.. this will get them back some position prospects for the next few years, save money, and eliminate the excess corner OF..
they will lose; nady, matsui, and Damon next year and any legit OF prospect at present is AJAX..
I love it when guys like Steve Phillips, Olney and Gammons make the wrong predictions.
Also goes to show you, SJ44 really doesn’t know everything:)
Trisha, I heard one Sox fan on WFAN say yesterday that his Christmas was ruined…..lol. This made my Hannukah, even though I posted on other boards that I was against an 8 year deal. The Yankees like it when players want to be Yankees and that probably sealed the deal.
The argument that some mediots are making (like Davidoff) that winning the off-season doesn’t guarantee anything is idiotic. By that account, teams shouldn’t try making moves to improve their team.
I haven’t read Lupica in a dog’s age, nor Madden (though because CB said it was good, I did read his article today). I’m starting to think that I need to stop reading sportswriters altogether. This anti-Yankee nonsense is completely unprofessional and unworthy of their profession
*and to show that Yankee fans often differ in their thoughts and interpretations*
I just got a good giggle after reading a few Yankee-fan posts that said this signing basically brought the Yankees even with the Sux, with one poster still giving the edge to the Sux.
Try this on. I had the Yankees taking it all BEFORE the signing of Teixeira.
I believe in gratuitous comments sometimes as an act of kindness, but this isn’t one of them. Because when gratuitous comments actually rob my integrity, I can’t go there.
Dennis – Costanza, I think it was a total class act for you to come here and say what you did. I won’t lie and say I believe the Sox still have a chance, because I honestly don’t. I would be totally destroyed right now if the shoe were on the other foot. I think the Yankees have turned into the three-headed monster. But I will say this and mean it sincerely. I hope that the true meaning of this holiday is with you to the nth degree, because it if is, nothing the Yankees or anyone else does could begin to ruin the beauty of Christmas.
Thanks for being a very good sport and an even better person.
“but I think you are assuming the worst about the others.”
Betsy,
I’m not particularly assuming the worst. I was just try to come up with a kind of range of potential risks.
Any complex organization has to assess their risk in order to create contingency plans and make the best decisions possible.
On Cano – I actually like him a lot and have been very reticent to trade him. Perhaps you’re thinking of that whole kemp vs. cano thing? For me that wasn’t really about not liking cano as much as feeling that kemp could be a truly special player. But I like Cano a lot. Very rare talent in 2b. But he did have an awful year so that has to make you wonder.
The team should be fine – but there are question marks that concern me. Just my opinion.
anyone listening to WFAN? Did Harold Reynolds really just say – “Kyle Farnsworth are you sh@tting me?”
“I’m starting to think that I need to stop reading sportswriters altogether. This anti-Yankee nonsense is completely unprofessional and unworthy of their profession”
Betsy I absolutely don’t bother. Whether Pete wants to admit it or not, unfortunately the profession has turned into a ratings war. I heard as much watching a panel with some very respected members of the media. They decry it, but they admit it. It’s all about ratings. So if they spin it, or try to make it provocative, who cares about how much “truth” there is. That’s not for me.
I’m really cool with getting official announcements without any spin.
kill-shill — Your lneup analysis is terribly flawed and quite inaccurate.
Under no circumstances can you rank Ellsbury ahead of Damon after one season as a full-timer in which he hit .280
Ortiz even with ARod is pure foolishness. Did you do any research? If you look at their career averages per 162 games played ARod versus Ortiz, ARod has higher BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+, more HR, more RBI, many more SB. It’s not even debatable
Varitek should be compared to Swisher not Gardner, but after 2008 he loses in comparison to almost any offensive player in the world.
Boston i still a very good team, but their lineup is not superior to the Yanks.. not any more.
CB, I definitely agree that there are question marks. I usually go by the philosophy that not all ? have to be answered negatively, but on the other hand……they still exist. I completely agree with your statement about an organization having contingency plans; I suppose that is why they felt it was necessary (up to a $180 million point) to get Tex. They can use their surplus of young pitching to obtain useful parts, but of course, if Posada and Matsui are bad, I’m not sure what they can do. I’m glad I’m not the GM, lol.
I apologize for misunderstanding your thoughts about Cano. I’m not going to pretend that I didn’t want to strangle him last year – I did. There were more than a couple of moments where I said to myself that they need to trade this guy.
I just hope that the Yankees young position players (those that are a few years away) are actually good prospects….I can be patient for those.
Here’s a good article at cnbc about the Yankees and money…
http://www.cnbc.com/id/28370215
i love the yankes but sometimes its hard. there is always this balance of the # of guys on the team you like/respect and you pull for them b/c you like them and they are yankees, vs. the guys you dont really like or outright dislike who you root for only BECAUSE they are yankees.
its been less fulfilling rooting for the yankees since paulie, tino and bernie left and guys like sheffield and randy johnson came aboard. ill just say im neutral on arod; of course i root for him but dont personally like him.
these 2 seasons are a turning point, bc likeable guys like giambi, damon, matsui and pettitte are out or leaving next year. i like cc and especially aj, but the specter of losing all those guys and adding manny was something i didnt really want to think about. of course jeter, mo and posada will still be there, but….manny?
THAT would be hard to swallow.
instead, they got tex, a likeable guy who plays the game right, a quality guy, not a clubhouse cancer.
it realy changes the equation for the better!
is anyone else aware that since the yankees are building a new stadium they DO NOT have to pay a luxury tax?
maybe that explains the spending spree.
http://www.alnyethelawyerguy.c.....w_sta.html
The best news for Hughes, IPK and all of the other Yankee prospects is that the pressure is now off them. They will not be counted on in April/May to make an impact like they may have been in 2008. That is huge for their development. Cashman’s signings have HELPED the youth movement!!
It is so difficult for NY,Bos,Phil,Chi to develop prospects in a pressure cooker at the major league level. It is even more difficult when you expect these kids to make a tangible impact at 22-23 in those markets. It is much easier to develop a kid in SD,Mil,Hou in August in Sept than in NY in April/May. JMO. -dennis
the new stadium costs offest revenue sharing payments, the dont effect the luxury tax at all.
The Yanks in 2009, if they resign Petitte :
Rodriguez 32.00
Teixera 20.00
Jeter 20.00
Burnett 16.50
Rivera 15.00
Sabathia 14.00
Posada 13.10
Damon 13.00
Matsui 13.00
Petitite 10.00
Cano 6.00
Nady 6.00
Swisher 5.30
Wang 5.00
Marte 3.75
Bruney 1.00
Molina 1.00
Cabrera 0.75
Chamberlain 0.50
Veras 0.50
Ramierez 0.50
Aceves 0.50
Coke 0.40
Gardner 0.40
Ransom 0.40
TOTAL 198.60
If they don’t resign Andy, they are looking at around 185-188million payroll. This is where they want to come in. Hughes/Kennedy/Aceves would be your #5 starter, behind Chamberlain.
In 2010, the luxury tax threshold will be around 170 million, so the Yanks are going to want to be as close to that as possible. Shedding Damon, Matsui, and Nady will help cut 32-35 million off the books.
Did someone mention a 3-headed monster? Je-rod-ia? Someone call Michael Kay.
What is the deal with all the anti-Tex post by Pete? One post he’s a corporate, money obsessed, complacent bore. Next post the Yankees can’t “buy a championship” with him. Other links refer to the fact Tex never finished above 7th in MVP voting, not being worth the money, not being an elite hitter. Not a positive thing about the guy really.
Sabbathia got the star treatment from Peter, how selfless he was, how much he will love New York, how much he can handle the pressure. I don’t think it is because Peter got scooped on Tex, I think he just doesn’t like the guy…
just got of the phone with a boston fan, my wifes brother.so hows things going, bla bla bla. then of sudden he attacks me about tex. you guys play unfair,the league should step in,yada yada.i say to him have a merry christmas.
Another interesting point is Jeter. He is only signed thru 2010, at 21 million per. Would Jeter be worth a 3-4 year contract worth 80 million? And, would he be our SS or our LF?
Decisions, decisions.
sox fans wanted to keep thier little rat infested ball park when the sox wanted to replace it. now they are crying that they cant compete with the yankees. if they had a new stadium, they might be able to compete with the yankees, but they’d rather squeeze into those tiny seats and wait 2 innings to go to the john.
just keep living in the past and crying about the yankees revenue red sox fans!
“just got of the phone with a boston fan, my wifes brother.so hows things going, bla bla bla. then of sudden he attacks me about tex. you guys play unfair,the league should step in,yada yada.i say to him have a merry christmas.”
two words: “Daisuke Matsuzaka.” A $50 million posting fee? Not to mention spending quite a bit on Drew and Lugo that same offseason. After all that… all bets were off.
Who really cares about the payroll, the Yanks don’t why do we keep re-hashing it???
“On Cano – I actually like him a lot and have been very reticent to trade him.”
i believe when all is said and done, cano will have a much better career than pedroia. i wouldn’t even consider trading him. as far as hitting goes, i think the yankees should let him do his thing and not mess with his style of hitting. people forget that mattingly once said something to the effect that just because a pitch wasn’t a strike doesn’t mean that he couldn’t hit it .
Does every writer have Johnny Damon’s cell phone number? Need a quote in the off season, call Johnny.
From the NY Post:
“The Yankees are spending their money in a good way,” Johnny Damon said. “It’s amazing, we’ve gotten three of the top four guys so far.”
Does the “so far” at the end of his quote mean he thinks they are still in on Manny?
from Joe I’s cnbc article he posted:
“Sure, the Yankees have contracts that come off the books, but that’s not the reason why the Yankees can do this (sign Teixeira). The reason the Yankees can do this is because their owners, the Steinbrenners, have no other primary business besides the Yankees. ”
Never thought of it that way. Great point.
My friend came up w/ a knickname for Jeter Rodriguez and Teixeria
Jeter Arod Marky Mark = JAM
or
Derek Arod Marky Mark = DAM
IMO they both suck and I nearly punched him at the barber shop.
Was “Ray (Sox Fan)” just on WFAN with Sweeni Murti?
Call me crazy again, but I really think Manny could be coming to NY…I know it’s sounds absurd…just a feeling..
Brandon (CC & AJ now Marky Mark (they stilled over paid him) are Yankees):
Come on Brandon, next year you will love these guys in October…:)
these guys ? my overpaid comment goes to Mark I don’t have an issue w/ CC or AJ, Mark has to prove he’s worth those dollars, the guy has no idea what he is walking into.
randy,
It’s often said that Cano is relatively expendable because teams win all of the time without strong offensive 2b.
But here’s what that argument misses. For the yankees roster spots are more valuable than money. That’s their business model.
Given that they are best using their resources when they maximize each roster spot. This is much more true of their starting 9.
After catcher, 2b may be the thinnest position in terms of talent in the game.
Even if the yankees were willing to spend whatever it takes, they may not be able to find another 2b comparable to cano’s talent for years. The supply is very small. Replacing him would invariably add an inferior talent and make inefficient use of that roster spot and that starting spot.
He’s got wonderful hands. He should be the best 2b in the AL for years to come. But he’s got to show it now.
Brandon (CC & AJ now Marky Mark (they stilled over paid him) are Yankees:
He’ll prove his worth…give him a chance, it’s childhood dream of his…
I’ll go out on a limb, Cano will have an MVP type season…
“He’ll prove his worth…give him a chance, it’s childhood dream of his…”
Dude it’s not me you have to worry about, 23 million dollar athletes don’t get overlooked, like I said he has no idea what he has walked into. He better be ready.
Brandon (CC & AJ now Marky Mark (they stilled over paid him) are Yankees):
He proved in the play-offs last year he is ready…
I doubt very much, Tex signing with the Yanks will all of the sudden mean he can’t hit, field, be a club house hassle..this is a good fit…for both him and the Yanks..
“He proved in the play-offs last year he is ready…”
that was only a short sample.
PLEASE don’t move Juan Miranda.
I know he plays 1B, but is there anyway we can move this kid to the OF???
I think he has incredible upside, he’s young, and he has a great bat…Thoughts on this guy?? Am I wrong for seeing a future Yankees OF of Miranda, AJax, and Melky?
Ed – American League, prepare to be scared! CC, Aj, and MT!!:
Small sample yes, but that was his only opportunity to this point in his career…he did good when he got the opportunity..
Yeah…..all the Boston fans I know are taking the typical Red Sux nation stance…..
“I didnt want him from the beginning” ,”He sucks, you overpaid”, “He’s Overrated”
Too Funny.
Yet if they signed him it would be….
“What an outstanding sign”, “The Boy Wonder does it again! He’s amazing”, “Tex is the perfect fit for our lineup”, “We are geniuses”…..etc, etc, etc.
Its always the same song and dance with these clowns!!!!!!
http://bloomberg.com/apps/news.....refer=home
*Brewers Owner Suggests Salary Cap After Yankees Spree (Update1)
By Danielle Sessa
Dec. 24 (Bloomberg) — Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said Major League Baseball may need to impose a salary cap to preserve competition after the New York Yankees spent $424 million to sign three players.
The Yankees agreed on an eight-year, $180 million deal with Mark Teixeira, according to a baseball official familiar with the contract, continuing to acquire the most expensive free- agents on the market before moving into a new $1.3 billion ballpark next season. New York signed former Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia for seven years and $161 million, and got pitcher A.J. Burnett for five years and $82.5 million.
“At the rate the Yankees are going, I’m not sure anyone can compete with them,” Attanasio said in an e-mail. “Frankly, the sport might need a salary cap.”
Baseball is the only one of the major U.S. professional sports that operates without a salary cap, which sets a ceiling on payroll. The sport imposes a tax when teams surpass a payroll threshold and redistributes revenue from the highest-grossing teams like the Yankees to the clubs that produce the least revenue like Milwaukee.
The Yankees have exceeded the payroll limits every year since baseball began imposing a penalty in 2003 and has accounted for 90 percent of the money collected, the Associated Press reported. The methods baseball implements to curb spending aren’t working for the Yankees, Attanasio said.
Luxury Tax
“Obviously, the 34 percent they kick into the revenue- sharing pool and the luxury taxes don’t affect them one whit,” said Attanasio, who is also a managing director at Los Angeles- based TCW/Crescent Mezzanine, which has invested about $4.7 billion via leveraged buyouts, acquisitions and project finance.
Major League Baseball spokesman Rich Levin and Yankees spokesman Michael Margolis declined to comment on Attanasio’s salary cap suggestion.
New York beat out the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles for the services of Teixeira, a Gold Glove first baseman.
The Yankees also topped the Brewers in acquiring Sabathia. Milwaukee offered a five-year, $100 million deal for the left- hander before the Yankees began negotiations with a deal worth $40 million more.
“They are on a completely different economic playing field,” Attanasio said in a telephone interview. “I paid $220 million for my team; now they get three players for $420 million.”
According to Forbes magazine, 16 of the MLB 30 teams are worth less than what the Yankees paid for Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett.
The Yankees began last season with a $209 million payroll, marking the 10th straight year they led the sport. The Florida Marlins had the lowest payroll at $22 million. The disparity is an issue, Attanasio said.
“At some point it gets to be absurd when a team has a $200 million payroll,” he said, adding that the Brewers won’t raise their $81 million payroll because of the recession.*
–
Everyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyybody hurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrts…
sometimes.
The luxury/payroll/competitive balance tax is based on average annual value for multi year contracts including buyouts and “easily attaned bonuses.
CC costs $ 23 in this category, it appears Tex will be about $ 22.5, Jeter $18.9, ARod $ 27.5, Cano $ 7.5.
Thus adding Pettite at $ 10 puts them closer to $ 205 although the actual cash might be a good bit different.
Good point on Jeter… his status will be a major story next off-season heading into the last year of his deal.
“He proved in the play-offs last year he is ready…”
That’s a very small sample.
Yankees don’t care about payroll or the economy like some people tried to tell us this entire off-season. They only care about winning, nothing else.
And that is the way it should be.
Teix came here because he could blend in and not assume the role of leader or face of the franchise. He thought he could kind of be in the background a la Abreu and not have the pressure of carrying a team with the likes of A-Rod, Jeter, CC etc. here
Time to move Jesus Montero to one of the corner OF spots
Unless they want him to be the full-time DH when he comes up.
“I’ll go out on a limb, Cano will have an MVP type season…”
That’s a pretty thin limb there, buddy. Here’s hoping you’re right and stay out of the bushes below.
““They are on a completely different economic playing field,” Attanasio said in a telephone interview. “I paid $220 million for my team; now they get three players for $420 million.””
ATTENTION: you paid 220mill and got the Brewers. It’s like saying, “you paid $300 for shoes? I could go to Wal-Mart and get a whole outfit for $100 bucks.” The Brewers were lovable before this guy starting spouting off. If he has a moral objection to the spending, then I hope he doesn’t partake in receiving any luxury tax or revenue sharing dollars… only seems fair.
Zach in Port Jeff
December 24th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
“Was “Ray (Sox Fan)” just on WFAN with Sweeni Murti?”
Not this one.
As for Sox fans reaction to the Tex signing most of the people I have talked to are very realistic about it.
We still know that Tex is an outstanding player and that the Yankees have dramatically improved this off season.
Sounds like this guy just wants to suck his team/fanbase dry to add to his own pocket.
“I’ll go out on a limb, Cano will have an MVP type season…”
I totally agree with you Tim
Question to the Brewers Owner…….how much Luxury Tax money do you actually put back into your team?? My guess is ZERO. Shut up and enjoy your free Yankee money.
“Time to move Jesus Montero to one of the corner OF spots”
Jesus will be catching.
NEW YANKEE STADIUM begins to flex it’s muscles! the sox-yanks rivalry has been seriously altered by the new park.
this is just like what the original YS did for the yankees!
Here’s what I hope happens next, in no particular order….
To make the Texeira deal cash-neutral for next year, rescind the $10M offer to Pettitte and trade Matsui to the Dodgers or Angels for a prospect.
Let Hughes-Kennedy-Aceves battle for the #5 slot, and if one of them doesn’t nail it down by the beginning of May, put together a Melky-Igawa-B prospect package for a veteran hurler in his walk year.
Prepare an Andy Pettitte Appreciation Day at the new Stadium.
Then you might as well sell Romine high if Jesus is now the full-time catcher
*Question to the Brewers Owner…….how much Luxury Tax money do you actually put back into your team?? My guess is ZERO. Shut up and enjoy your free Yankee money.*
not only that, but understand the inveastment you are buying into,and know what kind of business model you can run in the sport, etc… do the research before you buy in, and if you arent ready to spend cash to make a larger investment to make more money and invest more into the team, then maybe you shouldnt own a baseball team, or maybe you own it for the wrong reason.
i heard yesterday, i think from Max Kellerman maybe, that Bud Selig bought the Seattle Pilots for more than George Steinbrenner bought the Yankees, at about the same time, like the same year or a year apart…
he chose to invest his money different, and chose to move them from Seattle to a city in the midwest, and chose the business model on how to run the franchise.
talk about luck for yankees fans, huh?
*Then you might as well sell Romine high if Jesus is now the full-time catcher*
you arent anywhere near close to having to make this decision yet.
The only downside to this deal is that it makes the Sox the favorites to land Matt Holliday next year and Albert Pujols in 2011.
Actually you can forget about Pujols now. He has no position to play here and he’s a 1B.
Try and guess who said this.
You probably wouldn’t believe it.
“I think the Steinbrenners, coming off a miserable last season in Yankee Stadium, are dead set on opening the new stadium with a World Series and they don’t care how much it costs. Good for them. You can bitch all you want about the Yankees and greed but they spend money in a sincere effort to win it all, every year. What fan wouldn’t want their teams to do that.”
I nearly fell out of my chair when I read it.
while i disagree about the need for a salary cap, the new brewer’s ownership did make a commitment to winning it last year and have greatly improved thier team from the joke it was under the seligs.
I’d be shocked to see Pujols leave STL. And if I had to choose between Holliday and Tex… give me Tex everyday. I can’t see Theo not re-signing Bay, which takes them out of the Holliday derby, IMO.
For the Cub exhibition games:
Season ticket holders- free
Bleacher Seats- 25 cents
Grandstand Seats- $1.10
First look at the new Stadium- priceless
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12.....145720.htm
st louis is a great baseball town and has a new stadium, and pujols is a god in missouri. i wouldnt bet on albert wanting to leave or st. louis allowing him to without giving it everything they’ve got to keep him.
i love the yankees, i love the signings
but long-term … maybe baseball needs a cap, the yankees have done nothing wrong mind-you
and to peter, congrats on the pats, it kills me to say that, but this is a team to be proud of, i was all pumped for the jets after those 2 big wins … and you know how that goes … so good luck
turntwo- You ain’t kidding. The thought of Bud possibly owning this team.
Re: Red Sox and Holliday
Are they going to let Bay walk?
Question to CB or SJ44…
Mauer. He probably doesn’t see Free Agency (2011) – which means the Twins will sell high on him in 2010. Who gets him? Do the Sox empty the farm for him or do the Yanks?
“He’s got wonderful hands. He should be the best 2b in the AL for years to come. But he’s got to show it now.”
you’d think that robinson, with three players around him that are incredibly professional in their workouts and preparation and who have turned that with their talent into 20 million dollars plus a year long term contracts, would pay attention to jeter, arod,and teixeira and let them be an example to him.
he couldn’t be in a better position than the one he’s in now. all he has to do is follow their example, pay his dues with hard work and game time focus ,and let his talent come out on the field.
i’m expecting big things from cano over the next few years.
Some of you guys crack me up! You’re concerned about Montero and Romine when they haven’t even played high-A ball. You’re concerned about not being in the market for Pujols who may never be a FA.
What do you do when you open your presents tonight and/or tomorrow? Do you enjoy what you got, or do you think about all the presents you no longer want/need/will get because of the ones you just got?
Do you enjoy every day or do you go to bed realizing you are one day closer to being dead.
The Yanks just got the two best FA pitchers and the best FA position player on the market and did so without mortgaging the future or even raising the payroll from 2008.
Enjoy it! Merry Christmas!
86w
amen and merry christmas one and all!
Two other things…
Selig bought the Pilots specifically to bring baseball back to Milwaukee. He never would have been a player for the Yankees.
The Players Association will never go along with a salary cap nor should it. Why is it needed? Because of the Yankees winning the World Series every year? Correct me if I’m wrong, but they haven’t won a playoff series since the collapse of 2004 and they’ve had the highest payroll every year.
You want to know the funniest thing. I am hearing red sox fans calling up and complaining about what the Yankees just spent on Tex. They have short team memory problems. Their team had an offer for Tex for 170, but pulled it. Who’s fault is that?
im about to drive from here in philly to albany, so all you people in between, get off the road im in a hurry!
Merry and Happy to ALL!
After reading all of the posts – actually, I read them everyday but stopped posting due to some rude responses when I didn’t even ask for a response but I just want to add 2 things to all of this –
1. Mr. Attanasio, grew up a Yankee fan – in fact, a Willie Randolph fan (which I can totally understand) and didn’t seem to mind the Yanks/Steinbrenners’ spending money back then.
At least Mr. Henry said he knew and understood the money spending with the new stadium, etc. It seems time for Attanasio to grow up – maybe Willie should talk to him.
2. If any of you saw Fran Healy’s MSG segment with Tex over the summer Tex came as close to saying he wanted to play in NY as he (probably legally) could. Though he isn’t from NY his grandfather, aunts, uncles, and cousins live in the Westchester area. He spoke about his wife’s family living in the Atlanta area and how that was nice for her but he was hoping to live near his family. While he said he had no preference whether it was for an AL or NL team he has long said he wore #23 because Don Mattingly was his favorite player growing up, spoke about the stadium, etc.
Not quite Jeteresque in his desire to play 1st base for the Yanks but I do believe the combination of that and his annoyance with the Sox for the draft stuff helped to lead him here.
Re Tex:
In 2001, Teixeira re-entered the draft and was selected by the Texas Rangers with the fifth overall pick. The Philadelphia Phillies were considering drafting him with the fourth pick until Teixeira’s agent, Scott Boras, advised the Phillies against it. The Phillies looked to avoid another J.D. Drew-type situation (Drew held out and re-entered the draft under Boras’ advice) and passed on Teixeira.
I got that from Wikipedia – does anyone know anything about this and Tex’s health issues? I only know of the quad injury in 2007.
ham- you better watch the roads, in many areas it is slick. Stay safe!
What I love about the Tex move is that it forces Boston to have to trade some young talent if they want to shore up their offense. I can’t imagine Dunn or Burrell are high on their list.
With the perception their prospects have in baseball don’t be surprised if they land a star or two if they are open to trading.
Mauer’s a long way off though and Minny has a new ballpark opening and I can’t imagine they are not allocating money to keep him a Twin. He’s from Minny if I recall.
What would hurt the Red Sox is having to trade minor league prospects for a guy like Salty who you still don’t know if he’s an every day catcher worth that kind of trade.
Texeira was a security blanket for them as he will be for us that allows us to take a chance in CF and allows prospects not to get rushed.
He would have been a great asset to Boston in that regard as they don’t know if their young positional prospects are what they are projected to be.
I’m still giggling over this move. Cashman completely redeemed himself in my eyes and can’t be criticized for these moves as they all fit the “now-ness” of this team and they didn’t sacrifice any of the future.
Anyway, I wish you all Happy Holidays Yankee Fans (even the posters on here I don’t like). I’m off to make the fried calamari for Xmas eve. Ciao!
Try and guess who this quote comes from.
Trust me it’s a strange source.
“I think the Steinbrenners, coming off a miserable last season in Yankee Stadium, are dead set on opening the new stadium with a World Series and they don’t care how much it costs. Good for them. You can bitch all you want about the Yankees and greed but they spend money in a sincere effort to win it all, every year. What fan wouldn’t want their teams to do that.”
I nearly fell out of my chair!
Maybe one of the items Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio should have pondered before buying the club.
“Do the Sox empty the farm for him or do the Yanks?”
Red Sox empty the farm and sign him to an extension.
The one caveat to this is the new stadium in Minnesota. It’s completely 100% tax payer financed. If the Twins trade maeur – a home town hero and future hall of famer – there will be riots in MN and well there should be.
If there’s one player who the twins would and should go to the wall for it Maeur.
He’s more valuable than tex and should get $200M in the market. Perhaps he takes home town discount?
But if they don’t sign him it’ll be the sox who get him. No other team with a good farm system will have the need for a young catcher like the sox do. Not texas, not atlanta, not the giants, not the angels, not the yankees (assuming they are now committed to montero behind the plate).
If he’s available I think the sox will be very motivated to get him unless they make a huge push to get their catcher of the future now.
With the addition of Teix, 7 of the 9 possition players have hit over 300 at one time in their career. My thought was if we trade Melky(who is having a good winter)and Kennedy for a cheap center fielder in Dejesus?
Or
Call the Mets up and see if the would take some package of maybe Nady, Swisher and Kennedy for Beltran. They havnt won anything with him and they might want to rid themselves of his salary.
I am watching, the Moose/ Pedro duel! The one that Pedro ‘accidentally’ hit both Jeter and Sori.
Try and guess who this quote comes from.
Trust me it’s a strange source.
“I think the Steinbrenners, coming off a miserable last season in Yankee Stadium, are dead set on opening the new stadium with a World Series and they don’t care how much it costs. Good for them. You can b**ch all you want about the Yankees and greed but they spend money in a sincere effort to win it all, every year. What fan wouldn’t want their teams to do that.”
I nearly fell out of my chair!
Curt
another person to send some cheese to.
“Man, that’s crazy,” Angels center fielder Torii Hunter told The Times. “Those damn Yankees! They don’t play around. When they’re trying to win, they’re trying to win. It’s crazy. They just paid $27 million in luxury tax. That’s like 27 dollars to them. They don’t even care.”
Re: Darren Rovell & the CNBC article:
Rovell is wrong; the Steinbrenner’s still have the hotel business and the thoroughbred horse farms.
He is also an ex-ESPN guy; need I say more?
OH no!! What will Kay ever talk about?! No more big headed Menche
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3791569
*OH no!! What will Kay ever talk about?! No more big headed Menche*
perhaps his own ridiculously large head, and im not just talking about the size of his hat, either.
well i’m out for the day… may all have a very merry, and safe, xmas!
I just read an article from Sherman suggesting the yankees go after a player like Figgons for center. I like that idea even better. What would it take to get him from the angels? They need a bat. Matsui?Nady? Now that they lost out on Tex maybe Swisher? Thoughts?
Again.
Where does this leave Juan Miranda. Will he be able to make the move to and OF position. I think this guy has tremendous upside and we SHOULD NOT move him…
Thoughts?
MEMO TO MR> ATTANASIO:
Why don’t you think before you open your trap?
No one forced you to trade your best prospect for CC? Did you really think you could resign him against big market teams? So don’t complain now if you made a mistake. And by the way, with no salary cap in place your impoverished small market team made the playoffs and the wild-spending Yankees did not.
Why don’t you wait til the Yankees actually win something before you complain?
Take you revenue sharing dollars and luxury tax dollars and invest in a minor league team. That’s where you belong.
(sorry but i need to type that again, grammatically that was awful)
Again.
Where does this leave Juan Miranda? Will he be able to make the move to an OF position? I think this guy has tremendous upside and we SHOULD NOT move him…
Thoughts?
Boo hooo hoo… cry babies… stop crying. I bet the Brewers owner won’t cry once he receives his share revenues. I don’t see him crying about walmart taking amller companies out of business. He’s probably walmarts favortie customer. Cry baby. He wouldn’t last one day in NY.
Ryan,
Miranda hits good on one side of the plate and not the other(cant remember which one). His defense was supposidly worse than Giambi(didnt think anyone was). I see him more of a part time dh and more likely trade bait. Unless they trade Swisher, I cant see how and who he would replace on the team. Being traded might be something he’d want.
Gammons actually sounded pretty grounded on the Tex deal. I was very suprised to hear him like this.
http://insider.espn.go.com/ins.....id=3791664
Juan Miranda has terrrrrible splits. Can’t hit lefties at all. Also…not much of a defender. Could be handy as a part-time dh is matsui goes down, or as sweetener in a deal with a team who wants some lefty pop on the cheap
Provided they get him some MLB abs to show off his power.
ANSKY
December 24th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
And, the outta nowhere FA catch probably PO’d everyone in Sox Nation to a new level!
Now Jeter, A-Rod AND Tiexiera will all be beanball targets there. I guess as long as they have Youkilis and we have Joba, everything is kept in check.
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I don’t think that too many pitchers will be wiiling to take shots at the Yankee hitters. The Boston hitters would take their pitchers out to the woodshed for a long talk. With 4 fireballers in the Yankee rotation, the Boston hitters will embarrass themselves in front of full houses.
the owner of the Brewers is a big shot at a company called TCW. Trading COmpany of the West here in LA.
I am sure he was all for a salary cap when he was getting ridiculous compensation in the $50 + mill a yr. while manipulating markets like the other wall street parasite!!!
I love when mega rich owners who often fleeced there shareholders(read the paper recently?) plead poverty and ask for a salary cap.
I thought these guys are the titans of business you know the free market crwod. Kinda like; CIti, or Goldman Sachs, or about 50 other greedy jack ass-s…
I love how ESPN blabs on about the Yankees buying a championship while the fact is the Boston Celtics essentially did that last year too. Hypocrites.
Okay thanks for the feedback guys!!
Super post, love this blog