For your holiday reading pleasure
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- December
- 25
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When you get some time, read this terrific story by Alex Belth on the last night at Yankee Stadium.
Alex is the man behind Bronx Banter and gave me the idea to start this blog back in 2006.
Also, and most importantly, please join me in sending good wishes for a speedy recovery to Todd Drew. A long-time reader of this blog, a dedicated Yankees fan and a great guy, Todd recently had surgery for cancer.
Todd started his own blog, the excellent Yankees For Justice, then hopped over to join Alex, Cliff and Co. at Bronx Banter. He can flat-out write.
Todd, see you on Opening Day.
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on Thursday, December 25th, 2008 at 1:48 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
What are you doing up at this hour!
Feel better, Todd, and Merry Christmas, Pete, and all you blog participants!
Merry Christmas, Peter
merry christmas pete, thanks for the great coverage
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, Peter.
Merry Christmas Pete.
Happy Holidays of all kind to all the posters and readers here !!!
(even Festivus)
…a highlighted “Thank You” to Pete for this great website/blog !!!
…and a special handful of luck & best wishes to Todd !!!
See you at opening day !!!
To Tom: may the lord keep you always! we love you! GO YANKS
Merry Christmas every one.
Seriously, I see my self typing right now, and spelling seems good, but im drunk/high as a f*cking kite right now and I could very well be spelling every word wrong
Anyways, please be safe and have a merry Teix-Mas
pete -
have you read story about WANG’s contact posted by Cliff Corcoran on 12/23(Bronx Banter). Do you think Yankees will dump Wang after 2011 free agent season. It’s an interesting story according to Cliff Corcoran.
Feel better Todd and Merry Christmas Pete!
Merry Christmas to all Yankee fans. Be of good cheer!
We have a great 2009 season to look forward to.
I got the official Yankee Stadium retrospective book for Christmas! Very nice.
Anyone else get any cool Yankee stuff?
I got Scrooged again! No Yankee cap under the tree. No tickets to Yankee games in the stocking. Pete, ask Cashman to hold a lottery for free tickets for some lucky Yankee fan–and maybe I can get a free Yankee cap as a consolation prize. Seriously, where can you get a real, true, Yankee cap? If Santa, my wife, and kids can’t get this done, I’ll have to do it myself.
Happy Holidays all.
Nice article in NYT
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12.....f=baseball
Merry Christmas, Lohud Blog! Merry Christmas, Movie House! Merry Christmas, you old Building and Loan!
SAM
December 25th, 2008 at 6:08 am
pete – have you read story about WANG’s contact posted by Cliff Corcoran on 12/23(Bronx Banter). Do you think Yankees will dump Wang after 2011 free agent season. It’s an interesting story according to Cliff Corcoran.
—–
I posted about this a few days ago and got blasted. The reality is that if we do develop Hughes,Joba and 1 more and if CC and AJ are healthy and lights out, then Wang could be a goner.
The thought of us trading him at the trade deadline to save money is somewhat funny considering the money we just spent but it could make sense.
I like Wang but if healthy, AJ,CC could be better. Now if we develop 3-4 out of Joba,Hughes,IPK,Mcallister,Brackman ???
Could happen and if it does it means Cashmans development plan has worked. Trade Wang for a young stud prospect or two, wow the tables will have really turned.
http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/
YankeeRay, I would be very surprised if Wang is traded if he continues his record of winning–but nothing is certain in Yankeeland.
Another question that is sure to stir the lurkers–how will the Yankees treat Jeter as his contract approaches expiration? Will he get the Bernie bye-bye, or the Posada pamper?
Socks in financial pickle ?
http://people.boston.com/forum.....6314300336
Why would the Yanks trade a homegrown pitcher who has one of the best career won/loss records/ratios in MLB?
Insanity – I’d assume Wang would fall under the “homegrown pitcher who Made It” category and would be far from trading consideration.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12.....f=baseball
By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT
Published: December 24, 2008
Do not hold your breath if you are expecting the Yankees to feel apologetic about all the money they are spending. After the team’s third major off-season signing, the Yankees’ president, Randy Levine, surveyed the criticism of the club and said, in effect, that a really good Yankee team is beneficial to baseball.
*“The philosophy of George Steinbrenner, which has been continued by Hal and Hank, is that the Yankees are a sacred trust to their fans and they believe in continually reinvesting in the team rather than reinvesting in themselves,”* Levine said Wednesday in reference to the team’s principal owner and his two sons. *“We follow all the rules of baseball, we pay millions of dollars to other teams and we are essential to the revenues generated by Major League Baseball and its networks and other entities.”*
In signing C. C. Sabathia and A. J. Burnett to big free-agent contracts and reaching agreement with Mark Teixeira on an eight-year, $180 million deal, the Yankees have now spent far more money this off-season than the other 29 major league teams combined. For those keeping score, it is $423.5 million to $296.6 million. That kind of discrepancy is too much for some commentators and for the Milwaukee Brewers’ owner, Mark Attanasio, who on Tuesday resurrected the idea of a salary cap as a way of reining in the Yankees.
Levine will have none of it. He said that the Yankees, by spending substantially on players, were making sure they remained a top asset in the sport.
*“We are usually in the top of road attendance and we get some of the highest television ratings, both when we play national games and when we visit other teams,” he said. He said if the Yankees’ new stadium, which will be ready for the 2009 season, allows the team’s revenue to increase, then “so will the revenues of the rest of the game.”*
Levine added: *“We are sensitive to the economic times and our fans. We believe it is good for the franchise and good for the fans to put the best product possible on the field, and that is what we strive to do.”*
Levine singled out the criticism that he said some ESPN’s commentators had directed at Yankee spending and said he wondered why they were not criticizing their own network for reinvesting in its product by outbidding Fox by millions of dollars to acquire the rights to the Bowl Championship Series.
No apologies, and a little feistiness. And less than two months until spring training.
—-
Awesome.
Yes or No, will ESPN run Levine’s response?
Especially this part:
*Levine singled out the criticism that he said some ESPN’s commentators had directed at Yankee spending and said he wondered why they were not criticizing their own network for reinvesting in its product by outbidding Fox by millions of dollars to acquire the rights to the Bowl Championship Series.*
merry teix-mas.
way to celebrate, gardner
Merry Christmas Pete!
Thanks for the great coverage this offseason!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
I’m really liking what I’m seeing from Cashman the last couple of years. Signing 3 type A free agents in the same offseason is a really smart move, from a draft pick standpoint. Having to give up only only one first round pick instead of 3 is a huge plus.
I know you don’t make $80 million dollar moves just because you won’t lose a first rounder, but this is a great example of how the Yankees can use their financial advantages wisely, while still continuing to build up the farm.
Cashman should also be given credit for looking ahead the last couple of years, both this year and last year. Waiting for CC instead of trading Hughes for Santana was a great move, Tex this year makes much more sense than next year’s premier free agent, Matt Holiday. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them sit out next year’s free agent market entirely.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
I’m really liking what I’m seeing from Cashman the last couple of years. Signing 3 type A free agents in the same offseason is a really smart move, from a draft pick standpoint. Having to give up only only one first round pick instead of 3 is a huge plus.
I know you don’t make $80 million dollar moves just because you won’t lose a first rounder, but this is a great example of how the Yankees can use their financial advantages wisely, while still continuing to build up the farm.
Cashman should also be given credit for looking ahead the last couple of years, both this year and last year. Waiting for CC instead of trading Hughes for Santana was a great move, Tex this year makes much more sense than next year’s premier free agent, Matt Holiday. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them sit out next year’s free agent market entirely.
Will
How did Gardner celebrate?
Trading a two-time 19-game winner who is 34 games above .500, not yet 29 years old and costs just $ 5 million would be pure stupidity.
I can’t see the Yankees ever dealing an asset at the trading deadline to save $$$ when has that happened?
The 2010 Jeter question will be the most difficult the Yankees have ever faced.
Do you give $ 20 million+ a year to a shortstop who no longer covers the ground you need covered and delivers grossly inadaquate power to be moved to LF or DH?
By the same token, how can you say goodbye to a guy who has helped you win six World Series (hopefully) and is on the verge of becoming the franchise’s first 3,000 hit man?
Glad I don’t have to decide that one.
“how will the Yankees treat Jeter as his contract approaches expiration? Will he get the Bernie bye-bye, or the Posada pamper?”
It depends on how Jeter handles it.
Yanks will not do another Posada type mistake. In fact, Posada was still considered a good catcher when the deal was done, thouhg he got hurt later.
By the time his contract is over in two years, Jeter will be below average for a SS and his offense will not be good enough for a DH or a corner outfielder.
So, it is going to be a very difficult decision for Yanks. Unless he agrees not to accept it, he will not be offered arbitration as Yanks will not pay 20+ mil for declining player.
Yanks will certainly offer better than any other team will be willing to offer, but not exhorbitant pay. I see the negotiaitons going similar to what is happening with Andy.
Before anyone jumps with the argument that Jeter should be paid for what he did before, he was paid very well (I think even more than what he deserves).
Speaking of Jeter, this is from the Associated Press…
PERTH AMBOY, N.J. (AP) – An ailing Perth Amboy teen got his Christmas wish a little early this year with a visit from Yankees’ captain Derek Jeter.
Fourteen-year-old Richard Guillen has a form of bone cancer called ostersacoma. He was diagnosed earlier this year.
The Make-a-Wish Foundation of New Jersey arranged for Guillen to take a limo to the Marriot Marquis Hotel in Manhattan to meet Jeter.
When he got there, Jeter made him an honorary member of Jeter’s Leaders, a youth group promoting academic performance and community responsibility.
Guillen says it was a dream come true.
His mother says her son gets paralyzed with excitement can’t always find words. However, the big smile on his face spoke plenty.
86w183, I wondered the same about Jeter. No one seems to have ventured this, but might he simply walk away at the end of the contract? He has plenty of money, and that would allow him to leave near the top of his game. Or are there some milestones he might reach if he stays past his most productive seasons?
hope you get well soon, Todd
Peter Gammon’s take:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....mons_peter
“No one seems to have ventured this, but might he simply walk away at the end of the contract? He has plenty of money, and that would allow him to leave near the top of his game. Or are there some milestones he might reach if he stays past his most productive seasons?”
I do no think he will leave the game until he has 3000 hits. For that to happan, he needs another contract for 2 or three years.
BBFan
December 25th, 2008 at 11:20 am
By the time his contract is over in two years, Jeter will be below average for a SS and his offense will not be good enough for a DH or a corner outfielder.
————————————————————
Where is the idea that a corner outfielder or a DH has to have 25-40 homer power? Roy White played left field for years and averaged about 12-13 homers an year. Paul Molitor was a dA for ears and averaged 12-14 homers a season. people want Carl Crawford and his 13-15 homers a year.
Good morning all!
The biggest Jeter milestone is the one I mentioned, 3,000 hits. Jeter has 2,535 right now, so it’ll take three seasons for him to reach that number at 155 per. He should reach it easily.
He’s 25 SB from 300, 89 2B from 500, 533 R from 2,000. He’d likely reach the stolen bases and doubles in three seasons, but the runs would take five or six.
I can’t see any milestone other than 3,000 keeping him in the game. But milestones or no, he may just want to keep playing.
i get a kick out of a discussion on wfan right now about the yankees not being a team but a business & a monster & they havn’t won the ws sinse 2000.
a question was asked,how much have the yankees spent since their last ws.my question is how much have the mets spent since their last ws 22 years ago? much more than the yankees last ws.
i compare the yankees with the mets because it was a mets fan on wfan saying how can a yankees fan look in the mirror.
what these people do not realize is that no sympathy whatsoever will be given imo.
it is the way the world works.if you own a business you spend as much as you wan’t & can afford.the same is true if this person rambling on wfan were to hit the lottery.would they live in a shack,no.they would live a more materialistic life.
the yankees make more than every other team in baseball,maybe sports period & they are going to spend more.
the mets,red sox & a few other teams are not much different.the red sox payroll in 08 was & i am guessing around 150 million,not too far off.what was their revenue? 300 million?? that is 50 percent spent.
the yankees 420 million in revenues & spent 240 million with penalties,still around 50 percent.
the yankees are forced to mpay more for free agents.why?? i don’t know for sure.i am sure it is because players & agents know the yankees will pay but this has to be recognized.
the yankees could never get becket for 10 million,kashmir for 5 or 8 million & the list goes on for every single player in the game.
if the yankees were able to sign players like pujols for 7 yrs/100 million & wakefield for 3 or 4 million a year their payroll will be in line with most other clubs.
i am sure the yankees can compete with a hard cap & would like some day for them to put their foot down & refuse to overpay every player.it seemed like they started to do this but threw it all out the window with cc,burnett,tex but got better with wang,cano,etc…
it is not so much the money,it is the money combined with the years involved.if they have a 215 million in 09 with pettitte they have 45 million coming off payroll with matsui,damon,nady,molina,pettitte & will be sitting around 170 million,just under the luxury tax threshold with jeter,mo’s contract ending after 2010,posada after 2011,cc might opt out after 2011 also.
my problem once again is it costs the yankees more for players than it does the rays & every other club so ask the gm of the brewers the next time he cashes the yankees checks to buy his wife a condo or players for his team how come it costs him millions less for every player.
even in drafting gm’s complain that the yankees overpay for players,they can’t win.
the yankees have to put a good team on the field & george was so passionate about this & made baseball exciting again.
they have a lot of players in the minors to be able to reduce payroll going forward but what would people say if revenues were at 500 million with a 120 million dollar payroll??
what other team would have that much profit in all of baseball??? no team.380 million in profits & paying no luxury tax.what would gm’s say then???
GB 7 —
Roy White was a solid player on bad teams, not exactly the standard for the future. Crawford also gets lots of triples, steals more bases etc and is seven years younger than Jeter so he has a lot of upside still.
You don’t have to have big HR numbers from any position, but Jeter had just 39 extra base hits last year. If he returns to to being the guy who typically has 50+ extra base hits a year then I’d be fine with him in LF. But if his 2008 productivity is the start of a serious decline that’s a problem.
Like I said, I’m glad I don’t have to make the decision, and I’m certain Jeter’s performances over the next two years will be the determining factor.
ejn
hello
Pete, what did you get for xmas? I know your NlECE probably got something nice from you…but keep the meat away from her you pig!!
Oh wait – I spelled his name wrong. Pardon me!
86w183
December 25th, 2008 at 11:44 am
GB 7—-
Roy White was a solid player on bad teams, not exactly the standard for the future. Crawford also gets lots of triples, steals more bases etc and is seven years younger than Jeter so he has a lot of upside still.
You don’t have to have big HR numbers from any position, but Jeter had just 39 extra base hits last year. If he returns to to being the guy who typically has 50+ extra base hits a year then I’d be fine with him in LF. But if his 2008 productivity is the start of a serious decline that’s a problem.
Like I said, I’m glad I don’t have to make the decision, and I’m certain Jeter’s performances over the next two years will be the determining factor.
————————————————————
Two hand injuries from being hit by pitches killed most of Jeter’s ability to drive the ball. Cano’s August dip was also from a thumb injury, or, he would have hit in the low .290s and the homers would have been there (deep bone bruise at base of the left thumb).
It’s a shame that Pete feels he was duped by Cashman. Who does he think he is? Go eat a burger and shut up. Cashman should just stuff your face with food while he talks so you don’t bother him with your terrible questions.
.
P e t e r A b r a S C A M
December 25th, 2008 at 11:50 am
It’s a shame that Pete feels he was duped by Cashman. Who does he think he is? Go eat a burger and shut up. Cashman should just stuff your face with food while he talks so you don’t bother him with your terrible questions.
————————————————————
Why don’t you give the board a Christmas gift and take a break, today. You can come back tomorrow and be a jerk.
Merry Christmas everyone
Merry Christmas, S.A. Hoped that you and you family have had a great morning. Please Email me a drumstick, pumpkin pie and some mashed potatoes nd gravy?
Those Levine comments are great – I’m so glad the Yankees don’t give a hoot about what anyone is saying; they are just going to go about their business, period. That pointed comment to ESPN was great.
Betsy
December 25th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Those Levine comments are great – I’m so glad the Yankees don’t give a hoot about what anyone is saying; they are just going to go about their business, period. That pointed comment to ESPN was great.
————————————————————
As far back as I can remember, that’s the first positive contribution that Levine has made to the Yankees.
Betsy – agree. I usually don’t pay attention to what Levine says, but that was so true. But of course ESPN would never see themselves overpaying and being “like the Yankees”!
Besides the Yankees did not really overpay for Teixeira – there were bids close to that amount.
“Where is the idea that a corner outfielder or a DH has to have 25-40 homer power? Roy White played left field for years and averaged about 12-13 homers an year. Paul Molitor was a dA for ears and averaged 12-14 homers a season. people want Carl Crawford and his 13-15 homers a year.”
There was no reference to HR power.
The point was Jeter is degressing and he his output three years form now will be well below an average corner outfielder. Now, if other positions are strong and above average, they could conceivably carry him as a full time player. But, if we the fans expect them to win all the time, such nostalgia has to take a back seat.
As crazy as it sounds, if Andy is not coming back, I would not be surprised if Pavano is given a chance with low guarante (2 or 3 mil) and incentives bassed on innings pitched.
GreenBeret7 December 25th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Merry Christmas, S.A. Hoped that you and you family have had a great morning. Please Email me a drumstick, pumpkin pie and some mashed potatoes nd gravy?
————————————-
Happy Holidays!
No pumpkin pie. We do have a double chocolate layer cake. Yum.
“*And remember not to feed the trolls. Or read them, for that matter.*”
–
So, you’re telling me not to watch ESPN/ESPNEWS or go to ESPN.com, right?
Gotcha!
Maybe it’s the economy but the furloughs from Bellevue are overly generous this year with laptops and all.
86w183
December 25th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Trading a two-time 19-game winner who is 34 games above .500, not yet 29 years old and costs just $ 5 million would be pure stupidity.
I can’t see the Yankees ever dealing an asset at the trading deadline to save $$$ when has that happened?
——
86, I am not saying to do it, just pointing out the possibility. The fact is that he will be 31 at that time and will warrant 20mm plus if he keeps winning.
Now, we have never traded a player to save payroll that I can remember, but my point was that if we did, it would say a lot as to what Cash has been able to build.
Will be interesting to watch along with Jeters situation.
For now, lets play and win two !!!
Sorry to hear about Todd Drew and his current challenges. His writing is really a pleasure to read, with flourishes of Jimmy Breslin and an evident love of the game of baseball and life.
Be well, Todd. We’re pulling for you.
Merry Teixmas Yankee Fans!
I hope I’m not ruining your peace, but does anyone know any barnes and nobles/borders/etc open in the city today?
Does anyone know how we are planning on replacing Abreu? I think we still need one more big bat.
Is this loser kidding me…It is XMAS jackass!! Act like an adult unless you are a mentally ill child…if that is the case I hope your parents put you back in your bubble
Grow up and enjoy the day. It is XMAS.
S.A.-Brian “The Ninja” Cashman: Showing free agents lots of love
December 25th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
GreenBeret7 December 25th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Merry Christmas, S.A. Hoped that you and you family have had a great morning. Please Email me a drumstick, pumpkin pie and some mashed potatoes nd gravy?
——————————————————-
Happy Holidays!
No pumpkin pie. We do have a double chocolate layer cake. Yum.
————————————————————
I’m still waiting, though, I get a feeling that somebody ate my share of that cake. (Tears are rolling down my cheeks.)
Ignore him & he’ll go away.
It’s not much, but, Teixeira did have a higher offer from Washington. Nobody knows for sure, but, here’s the report, courtesy of MLB-Rumors-R-Us.
Teixeira Had Higher Offer From Nationals
By Ben Jones [December 25 at 10:38am CST]
Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com is reporting that the Washington Nationals offered about $5MM more to first baseman Mark Teixeira than the New York Yankees did, even though Teixeira struck a deal with the Yankees on Tuesday.
Kubatko adds that the Nationals would have gone even higher, but they were never given a chance to compete with the Yankees’ offer. He guesses that it wasn’t all about the money after all.
***Kubatko also writes that the Baltimore Orioles are still looking to add another bat to the lineup, possibly a first baseman, outfielder or designated hitter***
Where’s Rodney King when we need him?
GB7,
If that’s true about the Nats offer that would be a change for a Boras client. Usually highest bidder wins. Guess Teixeira really wanted to be a Yankee (or not a National!).
Happy holidays!
If there’s any trace to the source(s) of the harassment by the troll(s) Pete and/or the newspaper would be justified in pursuing legal action or even pressing charges if that’s within the realm of possibility. I’m not pointing any fingers or saying this directly to any person specifically, I’m just sayin’ in general that’s the way I see it.
ARod Fan
It wouldn’t surprise me if Abreu came back at a lower price, kind of like how they’re approaching Pettitte. I’m not expecting it, since there are 4 to 6 OF’s already. But it wouldn’t surprise me if there were a series of events or transactions that led to Abreu coming back at something less, perhaps $12-15 million so.
It also wouldn’t surprise me if Manny went back to LA at a lower price per year once it’s clear there’s no market for him.
If he didn’t burn his bridge in Boston it might have eventually happened there too, now that they didn’t get Teixiera. That wouldn’t have surprised me if their divorce hadn’t been so bitter.
It also wouldn’t surprise me if there were enough instances of teams not offering a guy arbitration then re-signing them, there could eventually be some sort of review of the process by the players union.
The dimwits don’t get Christmas off……How is this IDIOT anyway…..I’ll refrain from mentioning a name…….Merry Christmas guys…
Hey GB7
Just wanted to wish you and your family a good holiday today.
Looks like the crazies have shown up on here!
Hey everyone just checking in. What a great time to be a Yankee fan, can’t say the same about my Jets
Al from BK
I will be cheering hard for your Jets Sunday.
Of course I have no ulterior motive!!!
“Al from BK
I will be cheering hard for your Jets Sunday.
Of course I have no ulterior motive!!!”
I’m not a Jets fan this weekend just a Bills and Ravens fan
ray (sox fan)
December 25th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Hey GB7
Just wanted to wish you and your family a good holiday today.
***Looks like the crazies have shown up on here***
————————————————————
Thank you very much for the thoughts, Ray, and best wishes fora great holiday season to you and the (sox fan) family.
And, yeah, the crazies have shown up again, but, you’re a little less crazy, so, you’re still welcome…and you look great in your new Yankee cap and Teixeira jersey….lucky dog.
green beret is a dirty old man
if he actually is still in military service, its no wonder we are getting our asses handed to us in Iraq and Afganistan
were you in Nam?
is that what went wrong?
everyone smoking that good cheech and chong…
found this interesting about Teixeira and his position (from NY Times article). Does this mean he could change positions later in his career if Montero or someone else needed to play firt?
“Teixeira played third base at Georgia Tech but, after being selected No. 5 over all by the Rangers in the 2001 draft, switched to first base because Texas already had Hank Blalock. After the 2004 season, when the Rangers were considering Carlos Delgado, Teixeira volunteered to switch to the outfield.”
nice to see he is a team player.
Just a little food for thought regarding the money the Yankees have spent since their last WS victory in 2000.
First, they DID at least GET to the World Series in 2001 and 2003. They reached the League Championship in 2002 and just missed (how I hate to remember) in 2004. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Yankees won a ton of games in the regular season reaching the playoffs each of those seasons. Last season was the first in a REALLY, REALLY long time the Yankees missed the playoffs and they still won 89 games (not getting into right now the details of 2008).
My point? The Yankees have been a contending team every season since 2000. Even last season, they weren’t TOTALLY out of it, though we all knew it was an unlikely possibility given all that happened (or didn’t) last season.
So, the Yankees spend money and put a winning a team on the field every season. No team is going to win a WS every year, regardless of the money they spend. Every team is going to have its ups and downs. At least the Yankees are entertaining and purposeful each season.
These people would MAYBE have an argument if in any of the years since 2000 the Yankees spent money and were not a contending team. My opinion has always been that that’s really all you can expect from any team – that they field a team that is capable of contending for a title every season. The particulars within a season are unknowable and unpredictable. But if you go into opening day with a good team, the possibilities are always there. The Yankees as an organization seem to ‘GET’ what baseball is about.
PAT M
December 25th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
The dimwits don’t get Christmas off……How is this IDIOT anyway…..I’ll refrain from mentioning a name…….Merry Christmas guys…
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Merry Christmas, PAT M. He you and your family’s day has been filled with happiness and you got the Pebble Beach golf invitation that you asked Santa Steinbrenner for.
Doreen
December 25th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
“Just a little food for thought regarding the money the Yankees have spent since their last WS victory in 2000.”
Even as a Sox fan I have to admit (could it be the holiday spirit infecting me?) that you make some very good points about the Yankees expenditure of money and their results since the year 2000.
What I didn’t realize until a year ago is that some of the other owners actually have more money than the Steinbrenners, but simply choose not to spend it.
Case in point that the owner of the Twins apparently has a ton of money but just holds on to it.
The Yankees are playing by the rules and so other owners and fans of other teams really have no valid reason to comnplain. ( did I really just write that?)
Doreen,
good point. no other team in sports is considered a failure if it doesn’t win it all. I consider that a sign of respect though the Yankee haters won’t see it that way. Only one team (the Red Sox) have ever won a world series with a payroll over $100M. Yet, people continue to whine that the Yankees try to buy championships.
The detractors will soon come to the painful realization that the Yankees have a new philosophy. Spend money where needed on top free agents while at the same time investing heavily in the draft and player development. The Yankees value their prospects much more than they have in the past. This mix of young guns and solid veterans will be the foundation for the next dynasty.
Doreen
December 25th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Just a little food for thought regarding the money the Yankees have spent since their last WS victory in 2000.
First, they DID at least GET to the World Series in 2001 and 2003. They reached the League Championship in 2002 and just missed (how I hate to remember) in 2004. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Yankees won a ton of games in the regular season reaching the playoffs each of those seasons. Last season was the first in a REALLY, REALLY long time the Yankees missed the playoffs and they still won 89 games (not getting into right now the details of 2008).
My point? The Yankees have been a contending team every season since 2000. Even last season, they weren’t TOTALLY out of it, though we all knew it was an unlikely possibility given all that happened (or didn’t) last season.
So, the Yankees spend money and put a winning a team on the field every season. No team is going to win a WS every year, regardless of the money they spend. Every team is going to have its ups and downs. At least the Yankees are entertaining and purposeful each season.
These people would MAYBE have an argument if in any of the years since 2000 the Yankees spent money and were not a contending team. My opinion has always been that that’s really all you can expect from any team – that they field a team that is capable of contending for a title every season. The particulars within a season are unknowable and unpredictable. But if you go into opening day with a good team, the possibilities are always there. The Yankees as an organization seem to ‘GET’ what baseball is about.
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Hope you have had a great day with your family, Doreen. Best wishes to ya’ll this holiday season. I look forward to your daily comments all year long.
NYY hasn’t won in years, but, unlike many other teams, it’s not for the lack of passion to win or doing everything they could regardless of cost. That’s all a fan can really expect from an owner..trying.
AHHH!!!! The truth is out. Ray (sox fan) has pin-striped blood coursing through his veins.
ray,
it’s true. Most owners treat their teams as a business (which is certainly their prerogative). Fortunately for us Yankee fans, the owners of the Yanks are just as interested in winning as they are in making money. That’s not to say that teams like the Sox don’t want to win. Of course they do… but they are perhaps more rational from a business perspective about how they go about doing it. Teams like Minnesota and Florida are a disgrace to their fans. I feel sorry for the teams that pocket the record MLB profits rather than rewarding their fans by signing quality players or at least keeping their top homegrown talents come free agency.
GreenBeret7
December 25th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
“AHHH!!!! The truth is out. Ray (sox fan) has pin-striped blood coursing through his veins.”
You are a scoundrel GB7, but I will begrudgely admit a likeable one.
ray (sox fan)
December 25th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
GreenBeret7
December 25th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
“AHHH!!!! The truth is out. Ray (sox fan) has pin-striped blood coursing through his veins.”
You are a scoundrel GB7, but I will begrudgely admit a likeable one.
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LMAO. you may as well join “The Evil Empire”, Ray. I’m spreading the news all over town. Even your family is movig away and not leaving a forwarding address. Even your dog has adopted a new family.
A lot of the media and even the GM of the Brewers are calling for a salary cap. Maybe what they should institute is a minimum payroll based on the revenue sharing each team receives. Instead of the owners pocketing the profits for themselves, they should have to put a certain percentage back into payroll.
Oh and by the way I don’t see any teams complaining when the Yankees come into town and sell out their stadiums.
I hope you get better Todd.
“The Yankees are playing by the rules and so other owners and fans of other teams really have no valid reason to complain. (did I really just write that?)”
Ray (Sox Fan) – Be careful! They could revoke your Sox Nation citizenship for even thinking that!
Happy Holidays to ya.
There’s nothing worse than rooting for a team that seems determined to screw up its chances of winning with every move. I know this because I’m a Knicks fan!
Give me the Steinbrenner family any day. I don’t always agree with their moves, but appreciate their instiable desire to win. I went to my first game in 1964 so I’ve been through a lot of seasons that make the last seven seasons of “failure” seem pretty damn good.
I never liked the mindset that anything short of the WS Championship is a bad year. Last year, a non-playoff season was a bad year, but it was the first bad year in a long time. One good thing that might come out of 2008 is the realization that every season that gets the Yankees to post season is a good year and that every advance in post-season play is cause for celebration.
Abreu for $ 12-15 million? Why? The Yanks already have six guys for four jobs, why spend millions on a seventh?
“Abreu for $ 12-15 million?”
86w183, I wasn’t saying they should do that. Actually, I don’t think they should. Just saying (hypothetically) that if something like that did happen, it wouldn’t surprise me in these market conditions.
BTW – what the hell is ‘86w183′? (said with same accent as the taxi driver in the old ANSKY commercials)
BTW I’m a Knicks fan too. Very hard to watch them these past few seasons.
The apartment building in the Bronx that I lived in from 1958-70.
I don’t think they’ll do anything major except Pettite… maybe a little bench tweaking.
ray (sox fan) -
I hate the Red Sox, but I also respect them. The rivalry would not be what it is if the Red Sox did not match the Yankees in their passion to win. The truth is, they seem to drive each other forward. That is good, actually.
GB7 -
Thanks for the good wishes. I also hope you and yours are enjoying the holiday season. I’m taking a short break from our newly installed Wii. (It has the potential to compete with this blog for my extracurricular attention!)
Every one on the other teams talks now about salary cap.
A few observations:
1. Salary cap has to be approved by the players union and they will never agree to it.
2. Even if the union is open for the salary cap, once the details are discussed, all these bottom / small market teams will realize it is not in their interest for the following reasons.
3. When there is a salary cap, given how it works with NFL, certain percentage of the total baseball revenue has to be guaranteed in player salaries. That would also inevitably place floor on the minimum every team has to pay in salaries. There is no doubt, at least 10 or more teams will be affected by this and they have to increase their payroll.
4. Once there is a salary cap, there will be no luxury tax. So, these teams and baseball do not get that money (26 mil this year)
5. Yanks will have more money at thier disposal due to less payroll and no luxury tax. They will use that money to sign every good 16 year old latin kid by throwing much more money than any one else. Also, in the draft, they can sign unsignable players in later rounds by thorwing money at them.
6. If you really look at it, in three years the only long term big contracts will be those of A-Rod, Tex, CC and AJ.
So, salary cap will be more detrimental to the other teams than to Yanks relative to how they are today. May sound crazy, but that is what will happen.
“Ray (Sox Fan) – Be careful! They could revoke your Sox Nation citizenship for even thinking that! Happy Holidays to ya.”
ANSKY,
You and GB are ganging up on me! Not fair.
Hey, I hope you are having an excellent holiday too!
Doreen
December 25th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
GB7 –
Thanks for the good wishes. I also hope you and yours are enjoying the holiday season. I’m taking a short break from our newly installed Wii. (It has the potential to compete with this blog for my extracurricular attention!)
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Thank yo for the kind thoughts,Doreen. Sounds like Santa found no faults in your behavior this year. That’s great. I received my Christmas gift about 3 weeks ago, so, I’m happy. Nothing better than getting good news from doctors. I’ve been on the board trying to get people to email me a turkey leg and some pie, but, all I got was somebody (S.A.) bragging about double chocolate cake. They wouldn’t even send me the bowl to lick.
Pete, any word on the Yankees interest in Nelson Cruz? He’d be perfect for the bench this year, somewhat young, really cheap, tremendous power. He could win a role in the OF in 2010. Cashman ever mention him? Ask!
I have always felt that owning a pro franchise should be a passionate hobby. There is no doubt it is a business and needs to be treated as such. I find nothing wrong with taking the profits for the pocket, that is after you’ve spent every dime possible to upgrade and win. To allow a team coninued decline is a sham. It almost feels fraudulent to me.
I don’t know or do I particularly care how much the family realizes from owning the yanks. The point is if all teams operated like the yanks we would watch better baseball. The amount of millions this ownership has spent trying and often failing to field the best team is staggering. Yet they continue to try to improve every fascet that is the Yanks. My hat is off!
I come onto the blog on a quiet moment on Christmas Day, and what do I find? Pete with some references to good writing, and a discussion going on between GB7, Doreen, Ray the Red Sox fan, BBFan, 86, Ansky, and several other good contributors.
On Christmas Day.
You gotta love the blog and the good folks who post here.
I’ve got company coming over momentarily. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
(And I’ll probably check in later, lol!)
Joe from Long Island
December 25th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I come onto the blog on a quiet moment on Christmas Day, and what do I find? Pete with some references to good writing, and a discussion going on between GB7, Doreen, Ray the Red Sox fan, BBFan, 86, Ansky, and several other good contributors.
On Christmas Day.
You gotta love the blog and the good folks who post here.
I’ve got company coming over momentarily. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
(And I’ll probably check in later, lol!)
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Thans for the kind words, Joe and best wishes to you and your family.
Isn’t it great that we’re getting along with a Red Sox fan like Ray, and Santa’s not even due for another year?
GB7 -
Great news for you! I hope you have continued good health in the new year.
We had lasagna and gumbo last night and are going to work on leftovers today (and probably a good part of the week, for that matter). But the real stars of the show are my yearly Christmas cookies. Although, this year I was a “slacker” – only made 8 different kinds (I’ve done upwards of 12 most years!).
I have one question. If the Red Sox signed Tex, would you hear ANY talk of a salary cap? Simple answer: nope.
It’s nonsense talk and nothing more.
Today is yet another example to why we need some form of registration here.
What do you guys think of the Yankees packaging Swisher and a prospect for Chone Figgins? He would then take over center field.
Doreen
December 25th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
GB7 –
Great news for you! I hope you have continued good health in the new year.
We had lasagna and gumbo last night and are going to work on leftovers today (and probably a good part of the week, for that matter). But the real stars of the show are my yearly Christmas cookies. Although, this year I was a “slacker” – only made 8 different kinds (I’ve done upwards of 12 most years!).
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Doreen, please, stop. You’ve got me so hungry and
drooling so bad that I’m licking my eyebrows off.
Thank you very much for the kind wishes.
Joe29
December 25th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
What do you guys think of the Yankees packaging Swisher and a prospect for Chone Figgins? He would then take over center field.
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I’d rather the Yanks keep Swisher and send Nady (1st base), Ramirez and a minor leaguer.
That would work. You could bat Damon lead off and have Figgins bat last so you would have speed at the top and the bottom of the lineup.
Joe29
December 25th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
That would work. You could bat Damon lead off and have Figgins bat last so you would have speed at the top and the bottom of the lineup.
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That would be my choice, also. Add Jeter’s speed in the 2nd spot and they could run on days when the power doesn’t show up. With Rodriguez in the fourth spot, that’s a lot of speed. Keep the speed together.
We need Swisher hes not getting traded.
Merry Christmas everybody. Nice gift from my brother:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9.....135722515/
Salary cap concept is interesting, but the only sport it seems to work in is the NFL where the contracts aren’t guaranteed, so getting under the cap (which has risen every year) is a simple as cutting the aging veteran.
The NBA system is a disaster when a team is incented to bag it for two years to begin to recover from a terrible decade of transactions.
Anyway, the salary cap concept is similar to instituting a flat tax, would’ve been nice if it was initially that way no way you can get there from here.
Don’t see why Angels would send Figgins away, but I’d be happy to take him off their hands.
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/.....boston/?hp
This is an interesting read, implying that Boston was never going to get Teixeira unless they blew everyone out of the water by a large margin. My guess is that the Yankees ultimately beat out Washington, not Boston. A slight in 1998 came back to bite Boston in the ass.
Re the lineup, are we married to Damon-Jeter one-two? I think reversing it is the way to go, kinda like this:
Jeter (R) SS
Damon (L) CF
A Rod (R) 3B
Teix (S) 1B
Posada (S) C
Swisher (S) RF
Matsui (L)
Nady (R) LF
Cano (L) 2B
finally, the NYTimes getting it together
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12.....ref=sports
Jeff,
I like that you’ve got Teix batting behind A-rod and the two big hitters moved up a slot. Wonder why, absent Abreu, Girardi wouldn’t go this route.
If Cash’s dream is realized and we eventually have a good enough farm system where we don’t have to spend 400 million dollars during free agency every few years… will the Yankees go below the luxury tax level? What happens when they do? What will people complain about then?
I’m really glad we got Tex and CC, but I was kinda hoping our payroll would go down steadily each year with Hal at the helm as we turned more towards the farm system to plug holes rather than free agency.
I guess what I’m saying is I wish we didn’t sign AJ because Cliff over at Bronx Banter made a post about what I sorta suspected, which is that this might push out Wang in a few years when he hits free agency if a few of our pitchers develop like we hope they will. Was hoping for a Sheet/Petitte combo instead of AJ.
Merry Christmas, Pete!
Wang is too good, too young and too cheap to get pushed out by young up-and-comers. Right now two spots in the rotation are designated for young guys… Joba plus whoever. If they add Pettite for 2009 they get to fight for one slot in a year.
No one knows what will happen with anyone’s health or development but tell me why would anyone worry about the possibility of having too many good starting pitchers?
I only worry because Wang’s my favorite player on the team right now, and I fear he might get pushed out in 2 years (or whenever it is he hits FA) in favor of up-and-comers. Why resign Wang for (presumably) a good deal of money when you already have AJ and CC on the books and can have younger talents that are years away from FA instead?
I want what’s best for the team, which might be in that instance to not resign Wang and let X young guy take his slot, but it’s hard to be objective when you form emotional attachments towards players.
another idea for a blog poll – which farm starter who has never played in the ml will be first up – horne, hacker, kontos, garcia, delarosa, brackman, mcalister, betances, heredia, ortiz, bleich, banuelos, ???
I would not worry about Wang.
If he has a good 2009 and stays healthy, he will get a long term contract at the end of next year.
Regarding somebody getting traded, other than CC who has a blanket no trade clause, any body else can be traded if the trade improves the team. AJ has partial not trade clause.
No good starting pitcher won’t be retained. The Yankees are not and will never be an organization that tosses away proven MLB talent for kids. Wang pitches like he did in 2006-07 and he’ll be taken care of.
If young arms prove to be “ready” Cashman will be fielding offers left and right.
As for the pitcher question, from that list I would bet on McAlister
Merry Christmas to all!
Those comments under the blog are ridiculous. One apparent ex-Ranger fan calls Tex a greedy, cynical machine. This is how the mediots will probably portray Tex as they don’t like any player who is humble and private; they only like players who make big splashy statements so that their stories can be written for them. I already like the guy…in fact, I love all of our signings. CC is what we expected, but AJ just surprised the heck out of me. I didn’t realize he was so funny……and refreshingly honest.
Just wanted to stop in quick and wish a Merry Christmas to all my fellow posters an their families. Hope everyone is having a great day.
There is a good chance Wang would be traded before it’s time to actually pay him. I don’t see the Yankees giving him at the age of 30 a big contract. They haven’t given him a contract thus far. It appears to me they are hesitant.
Of course the Yanks will give Wang a contract, just like they gave Pettitte a contract when his arb ran out.
Why give someone a contract when you don’t need to?
“I only worry because Wang’s my favorite player on the team right now, and I fear he might get pushed out in 2 years (or whenever it is he hits FA) in favor of up-and-comers. Why resign Wang for (presumably) a good deal of money when you already have AJ and CC on the books and can have younger talents that are years away from FA instead? ”
Because Wang is a better pitcher than AJ and CC.
You have nothing to worry about.
Wang better than Aj or CC……ummmmm not so much….Playoff game-I want CC or AJ starting over Wang…..love Wangs game but he doesnt miss enough bats to get the start over a ready CC or AJ. Wang is super but AJ and CC are better.
I know most wont agree on AJ, but if healthy, there really isnt much of a comparison
Anyone realize how bad the American League is?
Seattle – awful
Baltimore – awful
Toronto – mediocre
Oakland – mediocre
Texas – awful
KC – awful
Detroit – awful
Minnesota – average
White Sox – average
Cleveland – mediocre
It’s the Sox, Rays, Angels and everyone else. Even the Angels are without K-Rod, Teixeria, and Anderson. No excuses at all next year…
Who exactly on ESPN was complaining about the Yankees?
Olney, Phillips, Law, Kurkjin, Gammons, etc. were surprisingly positive. Sure, they said we are not a lock to win the division, but they never complained about our spending and said it was bad for baseball. Olney was the only one who brought it up, but he was basically saying what other GMs told him, not that he agreed with it.
Most of the hate came via anonymous quotes from disgruntled execs/GMs, columnists in other cities outside of NY, and the Brewers owner. As well as the fans on the blogs and message boards.
Yet another case of Levine sticking his foot in his mouth. ESPN had very fair coverage of Teixeria and he attacks them.
Many those teams that look crappy now will look a lot better by opening day. There are so many good free agents out there who will be signing for much cheaper deals than in the past.
Like I said, I’m a big Wang fan, but…
Were I GM of the Yankees (And that only happens in my dreams and in video games), if CC/AJ are working out and Joba stays healthy, wouldn’t it be a good idea to trade Wang for positional or more pitching prospects before Wang hits free agency?
I don’t see the yankees offering a contract to Wang when the time comes unless all the farm arms go bust or injuries decimate our other starters. You figure that between Phil, IPK, Alfredo, Brackman, Betances, Horne, etc etc etc you gotta have at least one or two develop right?
So, I’m pessimistic about Wang’s long term future with the Yankees. But maybe if he continues to refine his stuff then the Yanks will trade the up and comers rather than move the more proven Wang.
But if we get another Joba coming up through the ranks, I mean, I think people here would agree that Joba’s future is potentially much brighter than Wang’s and would take Joba over Wang if forced to decide between the two.
I’m rooting for my favorite prospect Dellin Betances to develop into something.
Just came on the site.
Want to wish Todd Drew a speedy recovery and a better Holiday Season and Healthy New Year.
Pete and all of you Yankee die-hard fans, and even Boston Ray-Best wishes for a wonderful New Year.
Question? How would you rank our corner outfielders on defense? I don’t see a need to trade Nady or Swisher right now until early in the season, if at all, until we see how Matsui responds, and if anyone gets hurt playing in the cold weather.
Is the luxury tax of 40% for every dollar over 162M calculated at the beginning or the end of the season?
Still feel it would be helpful to have one more starter on a one year deal, allowing Joba to slide into the 5th spot to limit his innings. Whether it’s Pettitte or maybe Smoltz or Penny if recovered from their shoulder injuries would be best. Maybe a recruiting call to Mussina would entice him with our new signings, for one more chance at a ring.
Thoughts??
“Who exactly on ESPN was complaining about the Yankees?”
Eric Kuselius on ESPN Radio Wednesday morning hosting Mike and Mike, which was also on ESPN 2, was whining more than I’ve ever heard anyone whine. He sounded like an owner of a small market baseball team. Of course he’s a Red Sox fan.
yanksince57-was this 1959 or is it 1965?
December 25th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
another idea for a blog poll – which farm starter who has never played in the ml will be first up – horne, hacker, kontos, garcia, delarosa, brackman, mcalister, betances, heredia, ortiz, bleich, banuelos, ???
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Kontos is possibly he first up as a starr. Horne is still hurt. Hacker a going to be a relief pitcher and Ortiz is a closer. None of the others have pitched above high A ball.
Kontos is possibly he first up as a ***starter***
Well, my company’s gone, we had a real good Christmas dinner (baked ham, was delicious), and now I’m back.
The beauty of these signings for CC and AJ is that the younger pitchers don’t need to be rushed, and can develop properly. Brackman, Betances, DelaRosa, all need 2-3 min, as they learn how to pitch to professional hitters.
We’ll see what happens down the road, but it sure is nice to have the luxury NOT to rush young pitching.
“Brackman, Betances, DelaRosa, all need 2-3 min, as they learn how to pitch to professional hitters.”
Does Brackman have 2-3 years before he needs to be signed to a new deal?
just checked… looks like they can control Brackman til 2013. I hope he can move up the ladder this year.
According to Cot’s, the Yankees have club options on Brackman through 2013.
gb7 – i have NO idea why i typed in ortiz as a starter! as for hacker he started all 26 of his games – where did you hear that he’s going to be a reliever?
best wishes for a speedy recovery to Todd! one of the few Yankee fans on the internet that I feel like I truly know personally, though I’ve never met in real life. A great person and writer indeed!