Fall League wraps up for Yankees
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 20, 2009 
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The Surprise Rafters played their final game of the Arizona Fall League season yesterday. They finished second in the division with generally encouraging numbers for the Yankees on their roster.
Colin Curtis, one of the Yankees who would have to be added to the 40-man to be protected from the Rule 5 draft, finished with a .397 average. He had seven doubles, two triples and five home runs in 20 games. Even in a hitters’ league like the Fall League, those are eye-popping numbers. The outfield is thin in the upper levels of the Yankees system, but Curtis is an interesting player with a lot of tools. Can’t overlook him.
Third baseman Brandon Laird finished tied for second in the league with six home runs, tied for third with nine doubles and fifth with 24 RBI. He hit .333. With Brad Suttle coming back from injury, Laird may have established himself as the top third base prospect in the system (assuming he doesn’t move to first fulltime).
The Yankees other position player in Arizona, catcher Austin Romine, suffered a minor finger injury and played just four games, with six hits.
Of the four Yankees’ pitchers, Ian Kennedy was the only starter and he led the league with 29.2 innings, which was by far the most important thing for him. This was about work, not results, for Kennedy. In his last start, he went five innings, striking out five, walking none and allowing one run. He finished with a 4.25 ERA, 28 strikeouts and five walks.
Power lefty Mike Dunn had 20 strikeouts in 10.1 innings, but he also walked 10 guys. Power righty Grant Duff had a 2.89 ERA, but he struck out only four while walking five. Zach Kroenke struck out 14, walked four and pitched well in most of his outings, but he also had three multi-run games and finished with a 5.28 ERA.
As I’ve stated, I don’t like the pen, but obviously I agree that the Yankees have other priorities.
As to Damon, the Yankees aren’t going to wait around for the market to develop – that could take months. They’ve got to have a decision on Damon very quickly so they can make plans should he not be re-signed.
There has been no buzz about Cashman and Sheets. The Yankees apparently loved him last year before his medicals came out – no idea if they would love him now. I expect him to sign with Texas.
Boy, I hope Cash doesn’t pull that “first one to take the offer returns” stunt. That would be insulting – and I would not want my GM working that way.
Why Betsy? That’s just good business.
If you don’t want things to drag out, one way to get a resolution is to put offers on the table with time limits.
Put it to you another way. Scott Boras isn’t embarrassing about asking for “Derek Jeter Money” for his clients. Why should the Yankees be embarrassed by putting “first guy who takes the offer is in” offers to Damon and Matsui?
Usually, if there is no “buzz” about the Yankees and a player, it usually means they are interested in the player.
At least that’s the way its been in the past.
Its not personal. Its just business.
repost:
Putting 21M per year out there for Damon is obviously posturing, but that’s a long way from the 7-9M per year that teams would likely be willing to pay.
My point is that even if the eventual dollars for Damon come down to that, it will take a long time for it to move that far. I don’t think the Yanks will have a LF need by that time.
It is one thing if he is saying 21M, knowing the eventual market will bear 16M, but to go from 21M to 7-9M will involve Damon getting involved and a lot of egg on Boras. He is going to be committed to keeping the Damon #s as close to that as possible until he is totally ignored by the league.
Another repost:
Matsui’s market is NYY, LAA, CWS, and maybe one or two others. With all the other DHs out there, it is a buyers market with a few DH types probably forced into retirement.
I’m off to LI to pick up daughter for Thanksgiving break.
For the purposes of today’s discussions, I am in basic agreement with SJ44 (and those of the same mind) with regard to any and all agent-speak, trade rumors, bullpen construction and possible FA signings!
Have a great time today everyone!
Chad – I am really intrigued by Colin Curtis – either as a 4th outfielder or a nice piece in a trade package bringing something nice to NY. Watched him in Trenton early last season and was disappointed I couldn’t watch him play anymore when he was promoted to SWB, though happy for him.
Good showing for IPK, too. Happy to see that. Again, love to have him with the Yankees at some point, but I’m trying to get used to the idea of divorcing myself from some personal favorites, and if he can bring back a really nice something for the Yankees, well, that would be okay, too.
I find as time goes by, I’m caring less and less about Damon coming back, and more and more about Matsui coming back, but that could change.
And now, I’m really, really off to LI!
Lots of things have changed with the Yankees off this great season.
The #1 question CC Sabathia had for Cash last year in Las Vegas was the clubhouse. He heard some bad things about the clubhouse and didn’t want to play in a place where there was tension in the clubhouse.
Cash was honest with him and told him the clubhouse “needed work” and that CC could be a guy that could help turn that around.
The rest as they say is history.
Now, the Yankee Clubhouse has a reputation among players in the game as a great clubhouse.
That plays well with FA players. They are going to get their money. They don’t want to miserable while cashing checks.
Its why the Yankees are in such a great position this off-season. They are World Champs, have a great core of players returning, a robust minor league system, and have the rep again for having a great clubhouse.
They can pick and choose which way to go instead of overpaying to bring players to NY.
A far cry from just a few years ago.
Doreen, your daughter gets a whole week of for Thanksgiving? I’m jealous-the most I ever got was three days. LOL
Cashman has the power and he knows it. As much as Cashman wants to repeat next year, he also realizes that he doesn’t have to be desperate and over pay the free agents he wants to sign this offseason because they have won a WS. Cashman will try his best to repeat, but he’s only going to acquire the players he wants at his pricepoint.
From CBSsports.com:
“Brian Cashman told the New York Post that he doesn’t have concrete ideas about retaining his free agents or signing free agents from other teams.
“Agents are calling me but I haven’t returned their calls,” Cashman said . “I haven’t talked to agents about players. I saw Arn Tellem in Chicago (at the GM meetings) but I told him we had to wait to see about payroll.”
“I don’t see anybody hot to do anything,” an industry source said. “Everybody seems to be in a wait-and-see mode and that plays into how the Yankees have been working…”
Assuming this is true, any rumors linking the Yankees to anybody are figments of the imagination.
“I don’t see anybody hot to do anything,” an industry source said. “Everybody seems to be in a wait-and-see mode and that plays into how the Yankees have been working…”
I think Cashman really wants to take his time because he senses the bottom could fall out of the free agent market. Without the availability of elite talent like we saw last year and with the Yankees apparently wanting to be rather conservative, it’s really unclear where the major dollars will come from. If the premiere free agents are unable to cash in, that should have a ripple effect throughout the market. So I can see this, at a minimum, allowing the Yankees to bring back Damon/Matsui on modest short-term contracts. Or, if everything broke in their favor as it did with Tex last year, I could see the Yankees getting involved with Holliday–assuming the price is close to Bay and not Tex.
tk,
I can see the Yankees getting involved with Holliday if the price comes down a lot-like 4 or 5 years for 13-15 per. But I don’t see them going for Bay at any price.
Mark in Tampa
November 20th, 2009 at 8:14 am
I like the in-house bullpen options for the Yankees, except for one thing. I think the only potential 8th inning guy anybody really seems to trust is Robertson. Yet, he is largely unproven, and Girardi himself showed little trust in him during the playoffs.
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I doubt that Girardi lacked faith in Robertson. Just didn’t want him going against the Angels, in particular. 3 career games with 8 runs, 7 earned runs in 3.1 innings for an 18.90 ERA. PS is no time to experiment.
This is a pretty weak FA market in a weak ecomony that has signs of not improving very soon.
Jobs are not being created, so that means teams will see a downturn in their fan support. I don’t think there will be a lot of big buyers this season. Trades are being talked about for a lot of clubs, meaning they are getting rid of higher payroll players and looking for cheaper help.
In some cases I can see the Yankees and most other clubs waiting out the players and then signing contracts for lower dollars and shorter terms.
to NYY:
please get Curtis Granderson
Laird can play both 1st and 3rd, but, defensively, he’s pretty rough in both spots. Like Romine, I think he’ll be seeing time as a corner outfielder as he moves up to trenton and Scranton. He doesn’t walk a lot, but, he also doesn’t strike out much for a power hitter. Ya’ll will love his bat and hustle.
Not sure what to think about Curtis. This 20 games is about as long a hot streak as he’s had in the pros. Even if he’s a Cabrera type, he’ll be useful for someone.
I think the offer Bay got from Boston is not going to get much better. Maybe he gets a 5th year, so 5/75 tops.
Matt Holliday is a little better player and 2 years younger so he is likely going to get more than Bay. But who is going to give it to him? The Mets? Naaaa
I could see the Yankee going after him if the price around 5/75.
No way do I see the Yankee doing any deals for 100+mil.
Off of realgm.com:
Yankees interested in DeRosa.
Uh DeRosa = Hairston, is he cheaper? otherwise stick with the one that had a role in the championship season.
So much for Keith Law’s intelligence. He’s one of two voters that left Chris Carpenter off of his voting list for the Cy Young. His reason? The Cardinals played better defense than the other pitcher’s teams.
Not sure where Wainwright pitched during the year. I thought he pitched for the Cards, but, maybe they loaned him out to other teams.
GreenBeret7,
The first 3 times Robertson pitched, it was in extra inning games past the 9th inning when most of the other pitchers had already been used. Girardi seemed reluctant to use him in the high pressure role, yet he was very good during the season in the 7th inning.
I don’t know that it was because of a lack of faith in him, probably he was just choosing to rely on Joba and Phil, which is understandable. But I am not sure how comfortable Joe would be if his best 8th inning options to open the season are Robertson and Marte. For the record, I am in favor of Robertson 8th inning, I just hope Joe is too.
Unless NYY plans on putting Derosa in the outfield, he’s not signing with a team to sit on the bench.
playballnyy,
I agree with you, but based on Cashman’s comments(above), the Yankees aren’t interested in anybody in particular right now. More likely, the writer of that article is the one interested in the Yankees being interested.
playballnyy
November 20th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Off of realgm.com:
Yankees interested in DeRosa.
**********************
I think someone should write an article listing who the Yankees aren’t interested in. lol
Many writers throw in the Yankees as being interested because it sells. Love em or hate em, the Yankees being involved drives up interest, and it being a SLOW period in baseball right now they need all the interest they can generate.
The way the Angels have hammered Robertson so far in his short career, I wouldn’t have pitched him against the Angels in big spots, either. I’m rather surprised that he got into 2 games and got the outs as it was. Same against the Phillies. They’re pretty much the same team as the Angels, but, not really a need to go away from what Girardi had working.
SJ, I definitely agree as far as offers having time limits. I think Damon and Matsui have to be aware that this is the case – the Yanks have to make plans if they aren’t going to return. I like that the Yankees will place a value on those two and will not give what they consider bad contracts out of sentimentality. I’m just not sure I like the “first come, first serve” offer……that implies that only one will be back. Do you think that’s the case?
“For the record, I am in favor of Robertson 8th inning, I just hope Joe is too.”
Agreed. Robertson should a lot of poise coming in with men on base, which Girardi did a lot.
Sign Sheets, Chapman and DeRosa, and re-sign Pettite. If Damon insists on more than a 2 year deal, move on.
“He’s one of two voters that left Chris Carpenter off of his voting list for the Cy Young. His reason? The Cardinals played better defense than the other pitcher’s teams.”
I also heard him cite Carpenter’s low innings total as a primary reason for leaving him off the ballot. Carpenter and Wainwright provided essentially identical value this season, despite Carpenter’s IP. Since it was a tossup between these two for third, I think Law wanted to vote for the guy who was less likely to steal the Cy from Lincecum.
Wasn’t too many years ago that the NYY faxed Mike Stanton an offer and told him take it or leave it and he had to decide right then and there.
Why would the Yankees move Romaine to the OF? He’s a strong defensive catcher and with Montero’s future behind the plate in question it makes no sense to move Romaine out from there.
Cashman always takes his time in free agency – he’s not going to rush into anything.
I get why he would look at DeRosa, but another name I would throw out there is Casey Blake – similar type players though I like Blake a little more than DeRosa.
My limit with Damon would be a 2 year 19 mil deal and under no circumstances would I offer him arbitration.
I don’t care if I’m considered sappy, but I love reading about how great the clubhouse is. CC, Tex, AJ – all have said this is the greatest clubhouse they’ve been in. I think all of them fell in love with NY and NY fell in love with them (even AJ, despite his inconsistencies, is well-liked in general by the fans). It was very, very unusual that these 3 (and Swisher, too) came to NY and had zero problems adjusting; whatever struggles they had had nothing to do with the usual NY claptrap. AJ said that he if he was going to “survive here”, he’d have to be himself- good choice. I credit the veterans for welcoming these guys with open arms…..
LOL If you watch any of these shows that MLB airs, it’s obvious that during the downtime, the players like to have fun – they act goofy and downright dopey at times (in a good way). Why wouldn’t they want to be in a clubhouse that’s loose and fun? The season is a grind and being with people you like and respect makes it a lot easier to deal with the grind.
Just call me Mr. Clutch
November 20th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Many writers throw in the Yankees as being interested because it sells. Love em or hate em, the Yankees being involved drives up interest, and it being a SLOW period in baseball right now they need all the interest they can generate.
******************
I know; I just have to laugh at how the Yankees are “in” on every available player.
Betsy,
JMO but, I don’t believe Damon and Matsui will both be back.
I think its one or the other and its still too early in the process to figure out which guy will be back.
GreenBeret7
November 20th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Unless NYY plans on putting Derosa in the outfield, he’s not signing with a team to sit on the bench.
—-
Saw a great interview with Derosa last season. He is a local NJ boy and he and his dad are huge Yankee fans. You could see in his face that he was gushing about being a Yankee when asked.
For the right price I’m sure he would come here and would play many different positions and probably start anywhere from 80-100 games in one spot or another.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see that happen and he is Hairston on steroids.
No question – Cash is in a great position and he’s making the most of it. He’s controlling this process – I love it.
The Yankees are linked to everyone, sort of makes it hard to determine who they really have interest in.
Has DeRosa ever played on a WS team? He’d get plenty of playing time on the Yankees even if he doesn’t have regular position. If he hasn’t played on a WS team, he might want to seriously consider signing with the Yankees. How many chances is he going to get to get a ring at this point in his career?
betsy
November 20th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I don’t care if I’m considered sappy, but I love reading about how great the clubhouse is
*********************
betsy-I’m the exact same way-I can’t get enough of hearing about how close those guys are.
Seeing Tim Lincecum on MLBTV without the hat for the 1st time.
Can you say Mmmmmm Bop?
SJ, that’s the tough part of this business. I would love to have everyone back, but I know that’s not possible…..
Erin, we’re both peas in a pod!
Lincecum needs a haircut; he’s unbelievable, but he looked like a girl on MLB last night when he was interviewed. Then again, I hate long hair on men.
If he hasn’t played on a WS team, he might want to seriously consider signing with the Yankees.
Or with the Phillies where he can possibly be on a WS team and play everyday.
“Lincecum needs a haircut; he’s unbelievable, but he looked like a girl on MLB last night when he was interviewed. Then again, I hate long hair on men”
————————————-
lol. When he said, “I haven’t decided what i’m going to do with it yet” (his hair). He sounded like such a girl.
this is why he’s on the west coast. And i’m on the east coast
Chip
November 20th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Why would the Yankees move Romaine to the OF? He’s a strong defensive catcher and with Montero’s future behind the plate in question it makes no sense to move Romaine out from there.
Cashman always takes his time in free agency – he’s not going to rush into anything.
I get why he would look at DeRosa, but another name I would throw out there is Casey Blake – similar type players though I like Blake a little more than DeRosa.
————————————————————
Because, for starters, Romine allows too many pitches get past him, Montero has a better arm and Romine has good speed….good enough to play either corner outfield spot. He has the speed to steal 15 or more bases.
Hey, I would love to have Damon and Matsui back – but then again I still think Paulie should be in RF, Bernie in CF, Tino at first and Cone, Nellie, et al on the pitching staff – but things have to change, teams have to move forward and while I don’t expect Jeter to recruit Hideki’s replacement (just like he didn’t recruit Giambi because he wanted Tino to stay) I’m sure he gets the business side of this.
Has DeRosa ever played on a WS team? He’d get plenty of playing time on the Yankees even if he doesn’t have regular position. If he hasn’t played on a WS team, he might want to seriously consider signing with the Yankees. How many chances is he going to get to get a ring at this point in his career
___
The Cardinals are legit too, where he played last season.
Having never seen Austin play I’m just spitballing here – but is it possible that Romaine allows a lot of balls to get past him because the minor leaguers throwing to him don’t have the best control in the world and bounce/throw away more pitches than would happen in the majors?
Also, as I understand it, Montero won’t be sticking behind the plate for very long. I know I know, there are other big catchers (Mauer, Weiters, Piazza) but as I understand it Montero has awful footwork behind the plate and a very long throwing motion.
I just think they’ll want to keep Romaine behind the dish until they know one way or another what they are going to do with Montero.
YankeeRay
November 20th, 2009 at 10:09 am
GreenBeret7
November 20th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Unless NYY plans on putting Derosa in the outfield, he’s not signing with a team to sit on the bench.
—-
Saw a great interview with Derosa last season. He is a local NJ boy and he and his dad are huge Yankee fans. You could see in his face that he was gushing about being a Yankee when asked.
For the right price I’m sure he would come here and would play many different positions and probably start anywhere from 80-100 games in one spot or another.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see that happen and he is Hairston on steroids.
————————————————————
Like I said…unless he’s a starting outfielder, NYY isn’t paying 8 ,il a year for a part time player, and he’s not giving the Yanks a “hometown discount”. He’s going to play full time somewhere.
NYY isn’t paying ***8 Mil*** a year
By the way – never mind my statements about Casey Blake – I had seen him listed as a FA last night on Yankee Hot Stove but he’s not.
Chip
November 20th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Having never seen Austin play I’m just spitballing here – but is it possible that Romaine allows a lot of balls to get past him because the minor leaguers throwing to him don’t have the best control in the world and bounce/throw away more pitches than would happen in the majors?
————————————————————
Are you going to blame all 29 passed balls and 16 errors in 134 games caught on pitchers?
Any thoughts on bringing in Kelvim Escobar for the back of the rotation?
Escobar missed all of this year with injury but last year he made 30 starts, 195 IP, 160 K, 66 BB, 3.40 ERA
I think DeRosa is going to cost too much $$ to only play him 80-100 games. And, I don’t think he’s good enough to play more than that on the Yankees.
I guess if Damon is the LF for 2/3 of the games, you could pencil in DeRosa out there for 1/3.
If A-Rod is healthy enough to play 140-150 games, I don’t see a need for a high priced swing man like DeRosa.
Escobar missed all of this year with injury but last year he made 30 starts, 195 IP, 160 K, 66 BB, 3.40 ERA
————
Sorry again – those stats are from 07 as he missed all of 08 & 09 with injury. Question remains – would you bring him in on an incentive loaded contract for the back of the rotation? He did come back to pitch in the end of 2009 so he is healthy.
I think a more likely guy than DeRosa is Brooklyn’s own Rich Aurillia – he’s at the age (38) where he isn’t going to look for a big deal or a promise of playing everyday. And he’s an accomplished bench guy.
Cashman to be on 1050 within the next hour.
Heck – if we’re looking for someone who can back up at 3rd and the corner OF spots – why not just sign Fernando Tatis?
Escobar.
talk about a pitcher who was great when healthy. Cuz he would kill the yankees
I also hope that we don’t trade for Halladay. He’s already gonna be 34 and is going to want a ton of money to sign a new deal, plus the cost in prospects, not worth it. I personally would love to see Austin Jackson and Montero in our lineup a year from now. Sheets or Brett Meyers would be a solid 4th starter behind CC, AJ and Andy, assuming he comes back. Leave Joba in the pen and return Hughes to the rotation.
Cashman to be on 1050 within the next hour
———————————–
thank you for the word
Another plus on Escobar – if Hughes and Joba both grab spots in the rotation you can use Escobar out of the pen.
Ok, that clinches it – he’s on my list of “less obvious guys that I would sign”
Escobar
Tatis to replace Hinske
and also still investigate trades for DeJesus and Hawpe.
Just like last year, I think the first priority for Cash will be pitching. Make Andy an offer and go from there. If Andy is in, then the job just got easier. If Andy retires then Cash needs to go get another prooven Vet for the rotation. No Lacky at 100+mil either, so it will likely be via trade or a level B FA…
I can see the outfield situation taking time unless Damon is offered and excepts a 2 year deal. I’m hoping Damon comes back and they bring up a hot AJax to spell him come summer…
Chip-
Your not going to be happy! Barnes and Hawpe isnt happening. According to MLB Trade Rumors the Rockies and Clint Barmes are close to completing a two year extension. Maybe you still get your wish with Hawpe. Sorry Chip back to the drawing board.
Dodgers interested in Halladay. Go get ‘em Torre so we can save our young guys !
Hawpe’s a DH that got a glove for Christmas one year. It’s still just like new.
I have been keeping an eye on the Escobar situation as well. He has bullpen and starter experience and would be really cheap since he hasnt pitched in two years. I guess it depends on what the Drs and scouts think of him. When healthy hes got a pretty good fastball change combo. Might be worth a shot.
I’m OK with Joba and Phil both in the rotation if you’ve got 3 solid Vets and lots of depth backing them. I think Andy is the key, give him 12mil and get him locked up.
I don’t know if Wang will come cheap enough but a couple of rehab guys building up for the second half is a good way to add depth. It worked OK with Metre last year.
GreenBeret-
Yea when Hawpe opened the gift on that snowy Christmas morning he had that look of shock on his face. Is this a baseball glove? How does it work? Why would anyone get me one of these? It was probably from a great aunt.
Dodgers interested in Halladay. Go get ‘em Torre so we can save our young guys
—————————————-
well too bad Halladay is not interested in them. He only wants to play on the east coast, cuz his home is in florida
October -
Barmes will have to remain – like Hunter – just someone to admire from afar.
GB -
I’m not going to argue with you about Hawpe’s defense. Mostly because I think he and Swisher are interchangable in their defense. Both of them will be in the lineup, one of them will be in RF and one will be at DH – I don’t care which.
Now you’re going to respond with – well if Hawpe’s just going to DH why not just bring back Matsui – and my response to that will be that Hawpe is younger and has better knees and, while he may not be a great fielder, he, unlike Matsui, can play the field without fear that he’s going to fall apart.
News from mlbtradrumors.com, Wang is open to pitch for the dodgers and torre if the yankees cut him loose. I think if you can sign up for 1M with some incentives, he’s worth having around as depth.
tom
November 20th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Dodgers interested in Halladay. Go get ‘em Torre so we can save our young guys !
============================================================
Works for me!
All this talk about Halladay being traded to the Yankees bugs me. The price was too high last year, and will be too high this year. Give up 3 guys and then sign the guy to 100+mil extension? No way; they spent the big $$ last year and won it all. I just don’t see it happening again.
I’m sure they are just kickign the tires on Halladay, I don’t think the Yankees should get him, he’s a great pitcher, but the cost would be very high, and we don’t need 3 pitchers with untradeable contracts getting old at the same time together.
Patrick from Ct-
I read that the price from the Dodgers might be Billingsly.
And who do you propose to give up for The Jewel Of The Rockies?
Halladay’s not coming to the Yankees.
The Yankees refused to give up Hughes, Melky and Marquez for Johan two years ago because Cashman didn’t want to give up prospects and then have to sign a guy to a big contract then.
Why would he want to do it now?
GB –
According to Rosenthal – the Rox are said to be looking for a late game relief pitcher and another outfielder – I would go Aceves, Melky, McAllister and their choice of Bruney or Coke.
It’s not much worse (or better) than what they took for Holliday from the A’s.
Chip
November 20th, 2009 at 11:07 am
GB –
According to Rosenthal – the Rox are said to be looking for a late game relief pitcher and another outfielder – I would go Aceves, Melky, McAllister and their choice of Bruney or Coke.
It’s not much worse (or better) than what they took for Holliday from the A’s.
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Are you sure that NYY shouldn’t add Hughes and Cano plus cash to pay for Cano’s salary, just to even up the trade?
GB…
I get that you don’t like Brad Hawpe because of his glove, but if you think that Alfredo Aceves (a spot starter/long reliever) Melky Cabrera (an average all around player), Zach McAllister (a RH pitching prospect in a system loaded with RH pitching prospects) and either Brian Bruney or Phil Coke is too much for a 29 year old left handed slugger – well then you’re just flat out wrong.
and not only are you wrong – but you’re grossly overvaluing the Yankee players.
I actually think there’s a better chance of Colorado turning that down than anything else.
Melky and McAllister are really the only two players with any real value in that deal (from the Yankee standpoint) and McAllister is still a couple of years away from being a back of the rotation starter (if he even makes it) and Melky is about to be made obsolete by the progression of Austin Jackson and the eventual arrival of Slade Heathcott.
Chip, we just drafted heathcott, you can’t project him as a surefire ML starter yet.
Are you forgetting that hawpe is a FA at the end of the year if his 10 mil option isn’t picked up? That’s a stiff price for a DH.
The idea i think with having Romine play some outfield is twofold and i think it makes alot of sense when you look at the Yanks position strengths.
Romine is a very good athlete and an extremely athletic catcher. He’s kinda like Inge in that he has the speed and athletics to offer versatility to a club and he has a real good bat.If we assumed in 3yrs that Romine and Montero are the catchers on this club then days that Montero catches Romine could play the outfield.
Also with guys like Farnham and Murphy and Sanchez behind him and Montero in 4-5 yrs you could have a Gary Sanchez as your primary catcher with guy like Romine moving to LF if you wanted to keep his bat on your club.So adding the OF position to his game makes sense both now and for the future.
as far as his defensive game Romine is very good defensively much better than Montero i think the high passed balls and errors does in fact include alot of the wildness from catching Brackman and Betances the last few years..
Why no love for Melky. He did great last year. I know he had a down 2008, but he’s been a good contributor for 3-4 years now. AJax is not replacing Melky on the roster in 2010; maybe Gardy, not Melky…
Melky will be the starting CF in 2010 unless the Yankees trade for a guy like Granderson…
alos Hawpe is overrated if you look at his #’s away from Coors he’s a league average of’er with a terrible glove
his road splits profile him to be a .275/20/hr guy away from Coor’s why would i package 4players for that when there are 20 of those guys avail in the FA/arb route. No Rockies offensive player who left Coor’s went on to put up the same #’s when moving to other organizations.Not one!
even Holliday went from 36hrs to 24hrs and his road slugging % for his CAREER is .450% which is about the same as Jeter. Be very careful of Rockies bats
I’d more interested in Ankiel for 2yrs as he’s cheaper,more athletic,gold glove caliber defense and a cannon arm,can play CF/RF and has i think more power in his bat and if Long can get to him could be a .280-.290 guy i think with legit 30+ hr power in his bat.
and i keep my prospects for a better deal/day
Cashman on ESPN made it sound like they aren’t looking big ticket this year.
Describing whether Austin Jackson is ready to go out of the gate or more of a break glass in case of emergency guy was an interesting way of describing him.
Then again, it could just all be part of the stealth “process” and he’s just oiling the machine.