boras also wanted 4 years for manny and varitek…and got 2 instead…

damon isn’t getting 4 or even 3 years – it’ll come down to how much less money will he take to play in the WS again with the yankees..

Well, it really depends on how you look at things.

The Red Sox gave up Hanley Ramirez for Beckett. So far, they have one WS to show for it – so you may or may not think it was worth it to them.

All I know is, they have no short stop, instead of having one of the best hitters in the game who plays an up-the-middle position (albeit not all that well).

Still, a Red Sox fan might consider that one title worth it.

I would disagree.

In this case, Tabata isn’t Hanley – he’s not a SS and probably will end up a COF, although he can play CF – that’s a huge plus (you saw what it was like having only TWO players who we could even think about putting in center).

But Marte isn’t a front-rotation starter – he’s a reliever out of the pen.

I do not deal a potential every day star who can play CF for a reliever.

I am nonetheless grateful for what Marte did – and we had a huge strategic advantage over the Philles with our two lefty starters and Marte for specific hitters.

Finally, you – and I – have no idea what Tabata will do over the course of his career.

Based on potential alone, I wouldn’t make that trade – but it really can’t be evaluated quite yet.

As for Tabata not being “that good,” – having seen him a bit, I think he will be very good.

How often have you seen Tabata play?

Just curious.

But the crop of Shortstops is decent.

Orlando Cabrera, Marco Scutaro, and Tejada are available.

You could sign one of them and put Jeter in LF. Save Jeter’s body the wear and tear of playing short and you fill the corner outfield hole.

So what does that have to do with the price of a camel?

Let’s not forget that last time around Boras was shopping Damon for a 7 year deal.

I haven’t heard as many posts about how horrible the Damaso Marte for Tabata trade was lately.

Marte was a key to the WS win. Nady will net the Yanks a 1st/2nd rd compensatory pick.

Tabata hasn’t really progressed yet. Ohlendorf is a quality arm but perhaps not for an AL East team. Karstens is filler.

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A-HA, but you cleverly neglected to mention MRS. TABATA.

Somewhere in the Tri-State area there’s a shy young man who did not get to enjoy a “Mrs. Robinson” moment because of that trade.

I really think Gary Sanchez is our catcher of the future.

The guy is 17 and already has a power bat and is very good defensively behind the plate.

He’s going to GCL this coming year – that’s quite a jump from DSL and shows you how advanced his bat is.

I’m hoping Montero can hack it behind the plate – what a two-headed monster we’d have there.

If the Yankees don’t keep Damon then they will use the money they allocated to his signing on a free agent or trade target.

If Bay and Holliday were off the market by the time Damon makes his decision then they will focus on:

Marlon Byrd
Randy Winn
Mike Cameron
Dan Uggla (who they would convert to LF)
Rick Ankiel
or bringing back Xavier Nady.