Mauer wins big; Tex second, Jeter third
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Joe Mauer is the 2009 AL MVP after receiving 27 of 28 first-place votes. Mark Teixeira finished second and Derek Jeter was third. Miguel Cabrera finished fourth and received the one non-Mauer first-place vote. Full balloting will be posted in a moment.
UPDATE, 2:07 p.m.: Here’s the top 10 vote-getters. Unlike the other awards, where voters list only their top three, MVP ballots have a top 10 (first place gets 14 points, nine for second, eight for third on down to one for 10th).
1. Joe Mauer – 387 points
2. Mark Teixeira – 225 points
3. Derek Jeter – 193 points
4. Miguel Cabrera – 171 points
5. Kendry Morales – 170 points
6. Kevin Youkilis – 150 points
7. Jason Bay – 78 points
8. Ben Zobrist – 34 points
9. Ichiro Suzuki – 33 points
T10. Alex Rodriguez – 31 points
T10. Chone Figgins – 31 points
Others: Mariano Rivera (17 points); Robinson Cano (12 points); CC Sabathia (four points)
You can see the full ballot here.
UPDATE, 2:12 p.m.: I’m not sure what to say about the other first-place vote going to Miguel Cabrera. Put it this way: I’ll be very curious to hear the rationale. I mean, hey, he did look pretty valuable over that last weekend of the season ….
UPDATE, 2:40 p.m.: According to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, the writer who voted Cabrera first is Keizo Konishi of Kyodo News, based in Seattle.
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on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm by Sam Borden.
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Chad Jennings
Josh Thomson
Wow…someone put a guy who was getting drunk with the opposing team and fighting with his wife the night before his team’s biggest game of the season over Joe Mauer? They have some explaining to do…
Guarantee it was a Detroit voter for Cabrera. So dumb.
must have been the same idiot who voted Justin for Cy Young.
Same guy who gave Verlander a Cy Young vote.
Detroit should have its newspapers burned to the ground. At least then they’d match the rest of the city’s look.
Nice. Yankees need to sign Maur next off season
That Detroit writer needs to have his vote taken away. First he votes Verlander 1st now he put Cabrera 1st. What a joke
Oh wait it couldn’t have been the same idiot, since he doesn’t have a cy young and MVP. But it was most def a writer from Detroit.
So Jeter is Ralph Nader to Tex’s Al Gore?
It was probably the same moron Detriot writer who refused to give Jeter the nod in 2006 and voted Magglio for some reason. Biased PIG.
REPOST
Thats the one thing that pushes Matsui over the top.
and what brings him back to the pack is that when Girardi wants to DH Tex, Jeter, Alex or anyone else Matsui has to go to the bench since he is physically not able to play in the outfield anymore.
The Yankees would rather have someone at DH who can play the field without having to worry that his knees are going to fall off.
“That Detroit writer needs to have his vote taken away. First he votes Verlander 1st now he put Cabrera 1st. What a joke”
I didn’t think a writer could have a vote in more than 1 award per year. Probably a Detroit writer, but a different one than the guy who cast a 1st place vote for Verlander.
and what brings him back to the pack is that when Girardi wants to DH Tex, Jeter, Alex or anyone else Matsui has to go to the bench since he is physically not able to play in the outfield anymore.
The Yankees would rather have someone at DH who can play the field without having to worry that his knees are going to fall off.
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Someone is going to have to sit eventually. Might as well be Matsui. If you have a DH that CAN play the field, how well can they play? Why aren’t they playing full time? If they switch with the guy DHing that day what happens to the bench ?
A-rod isn’t going to have to DH as much next season, and guys like Jeter and Tex hardly ever DH anyways.
You’d only DH Posada based on match ups. I think that argument just isn’t sound enough especially when there are not that many candidates for DH that can play the field at a position that we’d sit someone at.
even Cano got votes haha
He really deserved it, monster year with a huge finish. Pretty cool that Tex and Jeter got 2nd and 3rd, though.
If you have a DH that CAN play the field, how well can they play?
As I said on the last thread – how about revamping the OF with better all around players and DHing Swisher
How about getting a solid catcher on a short term deal and DH Posada more often to keep him from wearing down?
Let’s say you keep Matsui at DH. Either due to fatigue or injury Girardi wants to DH an OF for a day – now you replace Matsui’s bat with that of the replacement outfielder (call him Gardner). If you have someone like Swisher at DH and you want to give that same OF a day off – you’re not weakening your lineup at all.
I have no problem with Mauer getting this award – he had a monster year and practically carried his team the whole year….I do have a problem with Cabrera getting a first place vote – give me a break!!!
Front 4 guys were named on all 28 ballots. Morales on 27, Youkilis on 25.
Was shocked to Arod named on so few. When the vote goes 10 deep, he should have appeared on more than 7 ballots IMO. No accident the Yankees took off when they did.
Congrats to Mauer
Look at all those Yankees getting votes.
You just can’t have a 150 game DH on an older team like the Yankees where you have at least 3 guys who, due to age, nagging injuries, and general baseball wear and tear, are going to need time off – unless you want to take those guys out of the lineup all together.
This is especially the case if you also plan to bring back Damon who is, at this stage, also best served as a DH.
How does Ben Zobrist get completely overlooked? He was considered the most valuable non-pitcher in the AL this season… even higher than Mauer. Unbeleiveable.
Also, how come no one gave votes to Greinke, who had one of the most spectacular seasons in the last 10 years. Only Randy Johnson in 2004 and Curt Schilling in 2002 had higher WAR since 2002 (and those were in the weaker NL).
what a dope to give his first place vote to Cabrera…. guys like that should be banned from future ballot!!!
Between Verlander vote to Cabrera vote, this is why writers are losing credbility every year.
Same people who said Matsui isn’t a rookie, but gave ROTY to Ichiro and voted Volquez a rookie when he wasn’t one.
Do these people even watch baseball?
The writers got the 1st place guy right but were pretty awful after that.
Zobrist and Greinke should have been 2nd and 3rd, not sure which order.
Arod got 31 points?
That’s a million bucks in salary per point!
Its MVP not MVT (most valuable Tiger). Nice to see the city of Detroit take voting for these awards so seriously. sheesh.
Can’t argue with Mauer as the choice for MVP. I’d say the twins finish 3rd at best in the central without him this year.
Those darn twins are always keepin Jeter from an MVP. Jeter has no beef this year but I will always say he got hosed in 2006.
Let’s say you keep Matsui at DH. Either due to fatigue or injury Girardi wants to DH an OF for a day – now you replace Matsui’s bat with that of the replacement outfielder (call him Gardner). If you have someone like Swisher at DH and you want to give that same OF a day off – you’re not weakening your lineup at all.
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I don’t think the Yankees do that because anyone out there that has a bat and a glove is going to be expensive. For example, retaining Damon and getting Holliday pushes Damon out of LF and into the DH spot and upgrades our defense, but I don’t think Damon does as well at the DH spot as Matsui so the upgrade is marginal.
What RF are we acquiring that is going to be better than average on defense (Swisher is average)? Who is our LFer?
I like that idea in theory but I don’t think the pieces exist in the market and I don’t think Cashman pulls off enough trades to do it.
Whoever gave Cabrera a first place vote needs to get his/her brain checked. Just- wow.
I’d be curious to know if there has ever been another 35 year old SS that finished third or better in the MVP voting
You just can’t have a 150 game DH on an older team like the Yankees where you have at least 3 guys who, due to age, nagging injuries, and general baseball wear and tear, are going to need time off – unless you want to take those guys out of the lineup all together.
This is especially the case if you also plan to bring back Damon who is, at this stage, also best served as a DH.
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Damon is ugly but servicable in LF. And I think the yankees can definitely have a 150 game DH. You just don’t play him for 150 games, but the yankees are going to win a bunch of games regardless, and then when you get to the playoffs suddenly you have no need to Dh tex/jeter/arod and you want the best lineup.
if I were going after a guy who could play RF and DH, I’d try to trade for Milton Bradley.
While were at it, how did Placido Polanco get a vote??????? He was basically Melkey Cabrera. Amazing how stupid some of these voters are.
While were at it, how did Placido Polanco get a vote??????? He was basically Melkey Cabrera. Amazing how stupid some of these voters are.
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The back end of the vote doesn’t matter. Its the votes 1-3 that really matter
This is from Ken Davidoff -
“Keizo Konishi of Kyodo News, based in Seattle, voted Miguel Cabrera first”
What? did I miss something?
Probably the same guy who gave Verlander his lone first place Cy vote, and voted for one of the other Tigers who was undeserving of an award. I don’t mean to imply that Verlander was undeserving of Cy consideration, but Cabrera is undeserving of a 1-4 MVP vote at least, as was the other Tiger that I can’t think of right now.
@ Jerkface– I don’t care if only 1-3 matters, there is a certain amount of professionalism that should go into these votes, and looking anyone in the eye and saying Polonco is the 9th most valuable player in the league is a criminal offense to baseball journalism.
same detroit voter that gave Miggie a 1st place tally must have voted for Polanco.
Congrats to Mauer on a monster year.
“I’d be curious to know if there has ever been another 35 year old SS that finished third or better in the MVP voting”
Be a long time ago if one did. Rizzuto won at 33 and finished 6th at 36.
Honus Wagner?
Disappointing that Arod only got votes for any place on 7 of the 28 ballots. He didn’t deserve the MVP, but, IMO, he deserved at the least a 10th place vote on every ballot. Obviously, some writers are taking their anti-PED stand here.
I wouldn’t expect Arod to get much MVP consideration in the next couple years, no matter what he does. At least there are many years to go and time for perceptions to change before his HOF referendum.
I don’t think the Yankees do that because anyone out there that has a bat and a glove is going to be expensive. For example, retaining Damon and getting Holliday pushes Damon out of LF and into the DH spot and upgrades our defense, but I don’t think Damon does as well at the DH spot as Matsui so the upgrade is marginal.
What RF are we acquiring that is going to be better than average on defense (Swisher is average)? Who is our LFer?
I like that idea in theory but I don’t think the pieces exist in the market and I don’t think Cashman pulls off enough trades to do it.
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1. If the Yankees were to get Damon and Holliday then you’re right – Damon would move to DH. But offensively you’re not losing anything – Damon would give you what he gives you and Holliday would balance the loss of Matsui. The reason Damon’s #s at DH are lower is because he played there when he was hurting or tired.
2. Upgrading the OF defense is easy. Just using FA’s rather than getting into who is and isn’t available via trade:
a – sign Holliday for LF and Ankiel for RF
b – sign Holliday for LF and Mike Cameron for RF
c – sign Cameron for LF and Ankiel for RF
d – Bay in LF, Cameron or Ankiel in RF
e – Damon in LF, Ankiel or Cameron in RF
Let Melky/Gardner/Jackson fight it out for CF – lots of different ways they can go. And any of those moves parks Swisher at DH.
And while Holliday will be expensive guys like Ankiel, Cameron, Winn, will be relatively cheap – and we still don’t have a list of the players who could be non-tendered like a Ryan Church, Josh Willingham, Cody Ross, etc…
On another note, Alex was booed last night when he introduced Jay-Z singing Empire State of Mind at the American Music Awards. Stay classy, LA.
Yup, Wagner finished 3rd at age 37 and 2nd at 38.
But that was literally a century ago.
Damon is ugly but servicable in LF
if I were going after a guy who could play RF and DH, I’d try to trade for Milton Bradley.
Damon can’t throw and Milton Bradley is a clubhouse cancer that can’t stay healthy.
So if you guys had to choose…who would you want as the 5th starter for the yankees next season:
a:Harden
b:Sheets
c:Duchscherer
d:Bedard
Roger –
Give me Sheets (or E. Kelvim Escobar)
“So if you guys had to choose…who would you want as the 5th starter for the yankees next season:
a:Harden
b:Sheets
c:Duchscherer
d:Bedard”
e: Joba Chamberlain
“e: Joba Chamberlain”
Word!
Squidward,
What award are you referring to? I thought MVP has only been since 1931.
Damon can’t throw and Milton Bradley is a clubhouse cancer that can’t stay healthy.
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Damon’s throwing doesn’t have a large enough impact for me to care enough because his offense is usually good enough to cover. I don’t buy into the clubhouse cancer thing, Bradley was fine in Texas.
His whole deal in Chicago is that he wanted to be left alone and had to deal with racism from the Wrigley bleachers.
Plus I think Chemistry is overrated + the yankee clubhouse is a place he could thrive. He was teammates with Swisher and CC before.
Check the latest update: Those of you who were so sure it was a Detroit writer that voted for Cabrera ended up being a little off …
That rain in Seattle sure has those writers minds all screwed up. Im just surprised Mo didnt get a vote.
a – sign Holliday for LF and Ankiel for RF
b – sign Holliday for LF and Mike Cameron for RF
c – sign Cameron for LF and Ankiel for RF
d – Bay in LF, Cameron or Ankiel in RF
e – Damon in LF, Ankiel or Cameron in RF
Let Melky/Gardner/Jackson fight it out for CF – lots of different ways they can go. And any of those moves parks Swisher at DH.
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Cameron I’d go for, I wanted him the last few seasons. Ankiel I wouldn’t go after. He is older and not very good. His story was fun when he first came back to the majors and hit some bombs, but he sucks. Bay is a disaster.
“So if you guys had to choose…who would you want as the 5th starter for the yankees next season:
a:Harden
b:Sheets
c:Duchscherer
d:Bedard”
“Give me Sheets (or E. Kelvim Escobar)”
How about F. None of the above…
If you are going in order from most likely to make 20 starts to least I’d say:
Duchscherer
Harden
Bedard
Sheet
Escobar
Jerkface
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Plus I think Chemistry is overrated + the yankee clubhouse is a place he could thrive. He was teammates with Swisher and CC before.
*********************
Just say no to Bradley. He can’t handle Chicago-how in the world would he handle New York?
The 33 yr old Scooter won it in 1950. So far closest besides Wagner
Just say no to Bradley. He can’t handle Chicago-how in the world would he handle New York?
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The cubs are a team of futility and negativity. I think he’d be fine. He wouldn’t be the big bopper brought in the offseason for 36 mil or whatever he signed for, he’d be the reclamation project brought in on the cheap in a trade.
Plus he gets on base like a mad man, I don’t care how crazy he is.
Mark:
Per baseballreference.com, they voted for MVP in the NL from 1911 thru 1915, before resuming for good in 1924.
Bradley does have a strong arm when throwing to the right field bleachers with less than 2 outs.
Id have to pass on that headcase.
Jerkface,
Why do you say that bay is a dissaster? Last year he came in and practically duplicated Manny’s numbers. I would pass on him simply because of the contract he’s looking for.
Ankiel I wouldn’t go after. He is older and not very good.
Huh? Ankiel is 30 (6 years younger than either Damon or Matsui)
He’s very good defensively and while he had a down season offensively last year part of that was due to injury.
Another option is to deal Melky and a low level prospect for Aaron Rowand who San Fran has put on the block.
Jerkface…..If Mats walks, how does Cashman protect Alex ???? Posada is a poor option in my opinion
I’d go with sheets for sure there. I think he’s been largely just unlucky in his career with injuries thus far. he throws strikes and has dominant stuff.
I think the reward outweighs the risk with him
William Buckner
Who would you have as the 5th starter then?Yuu have Hughes and Joba in the rotation?
Neither of them showed that they where solid starters.Why let them both start then?
With Hughes and Joba as you’re 4th and 5th starter you’re bullpen will have A LOT to do a whole season long…
Mark:
A further look into things shows that 1931 was the beginning of the MVP voting as we know it today.
Huh? Ankiel is 30 (6 years younger than either Damon or Matsui)
He’s very good defensively and while he had a down season offensively last year part of that was due to injury.
–
He is 30, and hasn’t shown much other than power in his offensive game. Doesn’t get on base, doesn’t hit for average. Pass, even if his defense is good.
As for Jason Bay, he is probably the worst left fielder in all of baseball. Is 30, has knee issues, can’t field, pretty much going to become a dead pull power hitter.
Jason Bay for 1 year? 2 years? Yeaaa maybe. Jason bay for 4+ years at 18 million? I’d rather have Holliday.
if matsui walks then you sign holliday unless u want Alex to get walked and pitched around all year.
If the market for Holliday is around 100 million and most indications say it will them it makes Perfect sense to sign him. He’s good, relatively young, and fills a need both in LF and as a #5 hitter.
Jerkface,
I’m on board for Milton Bradley too
“A further look into things shows that 1931 was the beginning of the MVP voting as we know it today.”
Yes, the earlier ones(1911-14) were known as the Chalmers Award. 1922-1929 were known as the League Awards, which is why Babe Ruth has no official MVP on his resume. And he only won 1 of those, if you can believe it.
Jerkface…..If Mats walks, how does Cashman protect Alex ???? Posada is a poor option in my opinion
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Thats why they really have to get Matsui back. If the yankees don’t, then they need a bat like Holliday. Matsui’s steady patience and lack of platoon split make him the ideal protection for A-rod. They can’t walk A-rod and go to a lefty to get out Matsui.
Even Bay has a .100 point OPS split vs righties.
One of the hidden strengths of the Yankees has been a pretty unnavigable middle of the order. Switch hitter, one of the GOATs, and then a guy with no discernable platoon split at 3-4-5? Sign me up.
Damon is a 1 or 2 hole guy, or a 7,8,9 guy in my opinion.
I like Holliday, Bradley, Bay(if we have to sign him), Dunn in the 5 hole.
the writer who voted Cabrera first is Keizo Konishi of Kyodo News, based in Seattle.”
He probably just thought the vote was like a horse race and was going with the long odds.
Miguel Cabrera probably sounds like the name of his pet goldfish or something in Japanese.
Jerkface,
I’m on board for Milton Bradley too
–
yea! I wish I was a scout, I’d be whispering in Cash’s ear about Bradley all winter. Right now he could be had for a song. Its really simple, you call up Swish and CC, ask them about Bradley, or even Washington, see what they say. If a guy like Swish says go for it, pull the trigger.
The yankees are not some bumbling cubs organization. And they’ve fielded more cantankerous players in the past 10 years.
Bradley is never mean or angry to his teammates, I don’t think he’d poison the clubhouse.
There are 2 options here. 1) stick with Matsui and Damon 2) sign Holliday.
If you don’t go with option 1 them why would you gamble on Milton Bradley who is never healthy and has been a malcontent everywhere he’s been. you get what u pay for with baseball players just like anything else in life.
Roger,
I don’t like many FA and yes I do think you need a back up plan. I hope it come via a trade.
I kind of like Duchscherer because he can start and relieve.
I do think Joba and Hughes will come in as starters. Joba no longer has innings limits and hopefully he commits himself to training during the off season.
As for the pen, you can’t buy one. Too much risk in year to year pen performance. I think that’s a problem best left managed with internal pieces.
I’d take a look at Marlon Byrd as a decent RHB who can play the OF before I’d look at Bradley. Too much $$$ in Bradley and he’s too fragile mentally and physically.
Jeter should have finished 2nd……..these voters are clueless and are completely biased towards HRs and RBIs.
Jerkface, If they fail to acquire Granderson, and they let Mats move on, then Holliday is the only viable option to not only play left, but to hit in the 5 slot…..However if Damon does leave and ther is no Granderson, then they have lost too much lefthanded pop…..
“Jeter should have finished 2nd……..these voters are clueless and are completely biased towards HRs and RBIs.”
I liked Jeter to finish 2nd as well, but let’s not downplay Teixeira’s defensive contributions, of which Jeter was oftentimes a recipient, and how they may have helped his vote totals. Don’t think that vote was entirely about his bat.
I’d take a look at Marlon Byrd as a decent RHB who can play the OF before I’d look at Bradley. Too much $$$ in Bradley and he’s too fragile mentally and physically.
–
Bradley is so fragile that he out OPS’s Byrd for his career by 60 points while also being younger and playing better defense.
Byrd as a 4th outfielder? Yes, definitely. But Bradley is a full time player in terms of production.
Jerkface, If they fail to acquire Granderson, and they let Mats move on, then Holliday is the only viable option to not only play left, but to hit in the 5 slot…..However if Damon does leave and ther is no Granderson, then they have lost too much lefthanded pop…..
–
Yea I agree, the Yankees have to look at Yankee Stadium as well when planning the team. It wasn’t playing as big later in the season, as the yankees got their pitching legs under em, but they need lefties who can reach over the scoreboard and into the bullpen.
One of the reasons I like Holliday, even though I dont think he is worth 18 mil a year, is that he is a solid line drive hitter with power the other way.
20% LD rate for his career, he could hit a few shots in the right field bullpen.
Byrd has scary road splits and Milton Bradley is certifiably insane. They’re gonna spend money on LF, we’ll see which one.
Bradley is never mean or angry to his teammates, I don’t think he’d poison the clubhouse.
With the exception of his time in Texas, Bradley has been a talented, oft-injured malcontent his entire career. It would be like having Randy Johnson or Kevin Brown back. He’s been on 6 teams in a 9 year career – there’s a reason for that.
I’d take a look at Marlon Byrd as a decent RHB who can play the OF before I’d look at Bradley.
I’m also passing on Byrd – he picked a great time to finally learn how to hit
“Byrd as a 4th outfielder? Yes, definitely. But Bradley is a full time player in terms of production.”
As Melky’s playing time indicatess, the Yankees don’t have much problem using a 4th outfielder as an everyday player.
I know Bradley’s a better bat, but he’s the anti Damon. Doesn’t play hurt and gets hurt all the time. He’s been in the majors for a decade and has seen 400 AB’s twice and 500 once. You get him and it requires you to carry a caddy or two to cover the 50-60 games he’s not going play.
Just to clarify a few things:
In the early days of the MVP award, a player generally only won once in their career. If you won it, you weren’t considered eligible after that. That’s why Babe Ruth only has 1.
Justin Morneau didn’t deserve the MVP in 2006. The person who did is named… (drum roll please) Joe Mauer. That’s right, he finished 6th in voting that year, but he had a higher batting average and OPS than Jeter or Morneau, and he was an above average defensive catcher. It’s strange that this always seems to get overlooked in the “Jeter was robbed in ‘06″ debates.
The Seattle-based Japanese writer who voted for Miguel Cabrera has lost his credibility as a sports writer. People are going to wonder if he even watches baseball. Incredibly stupid, and it cost Joe Mauer a well-deserved unanimous MVP.
Mauer is great awesome. Honestly, I think the award should go to a team that wins. Therefore Jeter or Tex should get it
Mauer could win player of the year- but not MVP
can we please please please please please get rid of the pictures of the authors of the posts?!!!!???? it is so irritating looking at those pics above the date. i’ve been reading since fat peter started this thing and i actually find myself reading less because i can’t handle looking at sam’s mug. just make the post. we can see who posted it at the bottom. stop with the pictures. thank you.
With the exception of his time in Texas, Bradley has been a talented, oft-injured malcontent his entire career. It would be like having Randy Johnson or Kevin Brown back. He’s been on 6 teams in a 9 year career – there’s a reason for that.
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One reason is that he has been on bad teams and is a good player but not great who is injury prone, so he gets traded for to boost offense by teams on a run. If he was so bad why did he net players like Andre Ehtier?
I think he gets a bum rap for having anger issues. He has never been punched by a teammate, which is more than you could say for Kevin Youkilis.
Holliday proved one thing last year, and you can only go by track record. He tore up the NL, and was quite Mediocre in the AL. Bradley is a complete loser. Spend your time on getting another high end starter, Lackey/Halliday etc-
Pitching wins
the Yankees signing Byrd or Bradley would be like Donald trump choosing a 92 camaro over a new porsche. If you can afford the porsche (holliday) then why buy the iroc?
I know Bradley’s a better bat, but he’s the anti Damon. Doesn’t play hurt and gets hurt all the time. He’s been in the majors for a decade and has seen 400 AB’s twice and 500 once. You get him and it requires you to carry a caddy or two to cover the 50-60 games he’s not going play.
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He has played 125 games each the last 2 seasons. Thats more than enough for 40 games shared between Posada/Tex/A-rod/Jeter/Whomever to rest.
“Byrd has scary road splits and Milton Bradley is certifiably insane”
Speaking of splits, the one year Bradley did survive to 500 AB’s was in Texas. He lost 210 points of his slugging %age and 190 OPS points when he played somewhere other than the friendly confines in Arlington.
Pat M
I think some here are trying to see how fast they can make the Yankees a 4th place team.
can we please please please please please get rid of the pictures of the authors of the posts?!!!!???? it is so irritating looking at those pics above the date.
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I like the picture, I immediately know who wrote the article so I can get in the right mindset (Chad: looking at the minors/future progression yankees, Sam: straight news without much editorializing)
its great.
Mauer is great awesome. Honestly, I think the award should go to a team that wins. Therefore Jeter or Tex should get it
Mauer could win player of the year- but not MVP
————————————————————
Uhmmm.. The Twins won. Remember? The Yanks played them in the ALDS.
The voting is done at the end of the regular season.
“Another option is to deal Melky and a low level prospect for Aaron Rowand who San Fran has put on the block.”
Bradley also had a .646 OPS on the road last year as opposed to .892 at cozy Wrigley.
Holliday hit .322 I think during interleague play while with the Rockies. if you’re going to count his time in oakland against him then you have to count that for him
Speaking of splits, the one year Bradley did survive to 500 AB’s was in Texas. He lost 210 points of his slugging %age and 190 OPS points when he played somewhere other than the friendly confines in Arlington.
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I’d always be wary of guys coming from Texas, but Bradley has shown power and discipline at every stop of the road in the AL and NL. I don’t think he is park dependent. Plus as a switch hitter he’d get a lot of lefty time in NYS.
“can we please please please please please get rid of the pictures of the authors of the posts?!!!!???? it is so irritating looking at those pics above the date.”
You’re kidding right? That seriously bothers you? You need a grip.
“I’d always be wary of guys coming from Texas, but Bradley has shown power and discipline at every stop of the road in the AL and NL. I don’t think he is park dependent”
He has been the last two years, but I’d grant you that one prior to 2008.
There are a lot of better options for finding left handed power than overpaying Damon and/or Matsui or trading for a headcase like Milton Bradley.
Any of the following work:
1. Trade for Brad Hawpe
2. Trade for Josh Hamilton
3. Sign Aubrey Huff
4. Sign Rick Ankiel
5. Sign Hank Blaylock
6. Sign Jim Thome
Wait for Ryan Church or Luke Scott to be non-tendered and sign one of them.
“As Melky’s playing time indicatess, the Yankees don’t have much problem using a 4th outfielder as an everyday player. ”
The thing is Melky had a OPS+ of 99 this year. Basically league average, and he’s a CF.
Holliday is going to cost more than the Yanks need to spend.
The Yanks could sign both Damon and Matsui, or Cameron and either Damon or Matsui, for what it will take to sign Holliday, and either way be committed for significantly fewer years than if they go with Holliday..
The length of Holliday’s contract will also significantly reduce the Yanks flexibility in the long run.
IMO the Yanks should put a band-aid over 2010 while waiting for Montero and AJax and the better 2011 free agent class to arrive.
He has played 125 games each the last 2 seasons. Thats more than enough for 40 games shared between Posada/Tex/A-rod/Jeter/Whomever to rest.
When you’re using the fact that he’s going to miss at least 1/4 of the season as a positive that’s pretty much the end of the discussion.
i have a grip and yes it bothers me. their pics are already on the side. we can see who posted at the bottom of the post. looking at smiling faces newspaper blogger dudes is annoying. somebody at lohud made a decision after fat pete left to show the smiling faces in the upper left of each post and i don’t get it. stupid. every post should have a pic of oscar azocar instead.
MaineYankee……Everybody has opinions as to what the club should do this offseason, and that’s cool…..Of course some are more thought out than others….That being said, I just see as of right now the most pressing concern is how do you protect the Leagues best hitter if Matsui is to walk……Strenghtening the outfield and the rotation I feel is acxademic at this time until the # 5 slot in the order is resolved……Good point you make though…
There are a lot of better options for finding left handed power than overpaying Damon and/or Matsui or trading for a headcase like Milton Bradley.
Any of the following work:
1. Trade for Brad Hawpe
2. Trade for Josh Hamilton
3. Sign Aubrey Huff
4. Sign Rick Ankiel
5. Sign Hank Blaylock
6. Sign Jim Thome
None of the last 4 are a better idea than signing Damon and/or Matsui. Can’t why Texas moves Hamilton when they have another three years of control.
Hawpe is interesting. The rare Rockie whose home/road splits are pretty much even. Rocks have him for pretty short money this year and a $10M option for next. I imagine they view themselves as competitors in ‘10, so he may be tough to pry away.
Responding to a couple of things:
1. I have no problem with Melky being the Yankee starting CF (provided he wins the job in open competition vs. Gardner and Jackson) but under no circumstances should he be starting in a corner spot.
2. I think the Holliday scenario plays out in the following way:
He really wants to come to the Yankees – doesn’t want to have to carry a team and wants a chance to be on the big stage. As a result of that combined with Boras as his agent his negotiations are going to go slowly. The Red Sox will end up bringing back Bay, the Angels would like him but need to do a lot of reorganization to fit him in. So for a while it will come down to the Cards and a mystery team like San Fran or something. Neither option will really appeal to him and so it’s going to drag.
The negotiations will get to be around Christmas and the Yankees (as they did with Tex and should have done with Beltran) will come in with 1 reasonable offer – 6 years 100 mil for example – and boom. That’ll get it done.
Pat M.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
MaineYankee……Everybody has opinions as to what the club should do this offseason, and that’s cool…..Of course some are more thought out than others….That being said, I just see as of right now the most pressing concern is how do you protect the Leagues best hitter if Matsui is to walk……Strenghtening the outfield and the rotation I feel is acxademic at this time until the # 5 slot in the order is resolved……Good point you make though…
————————————————
I’m with you. I think Matsui is more important than Damon. The one issue is what is the condition of his knees? If they don’t resign him it may be due to the knees rather than money.
When you’re using the fact that he’s going to miss at least 1/4 of the season as a positive that’s pretty much the end of the discussion.
–
Anyone can get hurt in baseball. Everyone usually does, to varying degrees. Jeter kills the team when he gets those nagging injuries and hits .150 for a month, so if Bradley is going to sit out 20 games instead of bat terribly I’m fine with that.
Even ubermensch like a-rod get hurt.
I just think Bradleys production on the field is worth any risk inhereant in his injury-proneness.
You offer up choices of Hamilton/Thome/Ankiel/Blalock
Thome – 39 with a bad back/bad legs
Hamilton – 90 games played in 2 out of 3 seasons, drug addict
Blalock – played less than 65 games in 2 out of last 3 seasons
Ankiel – Bad vs lefties, injury prone
Bronx Jeers -
Thanks for giving that reminder. I was listening to XM just a little while ago, and they were incredulous about Mariano ending up where he did in the MVP voting, and all they kept saying was, ask any Twins, Red Sox, Angels or Phillies fan – they’ll all tell you how valuable Mariano was.
Now, indeed Mo could have been named MVP of the post season.
But these awards are for the regular season. It is clear they are for the regular season and not the post season.
And on XM they said they should wait and do the voting because the post season is when you really find out how valuable a guy is.
I’m not sure if I agree with that. The post season has its awards for the Championship series and for the World Series. So post season MVPs are definitely recognized.
I knew Mauer was going to win; I had no idea it would be almost a unanimous vote. From the way most people were talking/covering the award, I assumed Jeter would be second, but I myself went back and forth on whether it should be Jeter or Teixeira within the realm of Yankeedom. I felt Teixeira improved the entire infield defense and as a result made life easier for the pitchers. So, I have no problem with him coming in second place.
Mo was never gonna place high because the award is mostly seen as a position player’s award, and also, has a relief pitcher EVER won MVP? (Not that they shouldn’t, but has one?)
MVP is not a lifetime achievement award and it’s not an award based on general feelings. It is mostly a reward based on offensive production, with rare exceptions. Intangibles are probably only considered if the hard data is too close to call.
Jeter and Mo will get their recognition later on.
None of the last 4 are a better idea than signing Damon and/or Matsui.
Didn’t say signing them was a bad idea. I said over paying was.
If Damon seriously wants a bigger contract for more years than what Bobby Abreu just got then he can take his noodle arm and have a nice finish to his career somewhere else.
If Matsui wants more than 1 year at 5-9 mil then he can take his gimpy knees and giant earlobes and do the same.
As for why Texas would move Hamilton – they are undergoing an ownership change and Hamilton is due a heafty raise.
And regarding Hawpe – the Rockies want to get better defensively and according to a couple of reports are willing to move him for a 7th or 8th inning reliever and an outfielder who can cover some more ground (can you say Alfredo Aceves, Brett Gardner and Mark Melancon)
And I don’t want to sound like I’m arguing against any of those guys, I’d rather argue FOR Bradley and Matsui. I would be fine if we somehow got Hamilton or Thome. Thome was my mid season pick to be DH next year.
Although I wouldn’t want Huff. He looks finished. Or Blalock.
Hey Sam, any idea who Pete voted for??
Jerkface -
Alex missed significant time for the first time in his career. Wanna guess how many times in his 9 seasons Milton Bradley has played in even 100 games? 4. 4 times in a 9 year career Bradley has played in 100 games or more. Out of the other 5 years he has missed more than half the season 3 times
No Milton Bradley, no Milton Bradley, no Milton Bradley…
What about seven teams in ten years do you not understand? Everyone who gets him immediately sets about getting rid of him.
Hawpe can hit, but is a lousy OF. No idea what he’ll earn next year but the difference plus prospects will not be better than Damon or Matsui
Ralow
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Hey Sam, any idea who Pete voted for??
——————————————————
Mauer got 27 out of 28 1st place votes.
We’ve established who didn’t vote for Mauer.
Think about that.
“the Rockies want to get better defensively and according to a couple of reports are willing to move him for a 7th or 8th inning reliever and an outfielder who can cover some more ground (can you say Alfredo Aceves, Brett Gardner and Mark Melancon)”
Gardner? He wouldn’t start for the Rocks even if Hawpe was moved. Gonzalez, Fowler and Smith are all better players. I’d think they’d need more than that, but who knows.
Alex missed significant time for the first time in his career. Wanna guess how many times in his 9 seasons Milton Bradley has played in even 100 games? 4. 4 times in a 9 year career Bradley has played in 100 games or more. Out of the other 5 years he has missed more than half the season 3 times
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From 2000 to 2004 he wasn’t a full time player. From 2005 to 2009 he played in more than 100 games twice. His value, and the cost to get him (a Castillo or Pat Burrell type, basically a guy with no value) make him a good target.
“No idea what he’ll earn next year but the difference plus prospects will not be better than Damon or Matsui”
$7.5M. Rocks have a $10M option for 2011, but it’s voided if he’s traded.
No Milton Bradley, no Milton Bradley, no Milton Bradley…
What about seven teams in ten years do you not understand? Everyone who gets him immediately sets about getting rid of him.
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Being a good GM is not often about ‘following the pack’, the rest of MLBs loss is the Yankees gain if they can get a guy who will OBP .380+ with power.
“Being a good GM is not often about ‘following the pack’, the rest of MLBs loss is the Yankees gain if they can get a guy who will OBP .380+ with power”
Sure did the Cubs a world of good.
Sure did the Cubs a world of good.
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They overpaid. We’re trading for him at a low value after he came off a 1.000 OPS season at DH. Classic Cash move. He wanted Bradley before as well.
i’m sorry if this has been discussed before, but there was a mlbtraderumors post about the what the yankees would need to give up to trade for josh johnson. it’d be a lot, but does anyone know if he’d translate well to the al east?
Sure did the Cubs a world of good.
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Also bradley had a very good OBP for the cubs, and if you look at his BR page check the banner.
“B-R made it easy to realize that MB’s 284/402/443 between April 28 and September 4 didn’t tank the Cubs’ season. Too bad the Chicago media don’t use it. The 0.5% of Cubs fans who see beyond batting average and RBI wish you the best of luck.”
Milton Bradley is a time bomb in this market.
He seems to be very sensitive and that generally doesn’t work here.
Also, I’m not sure we can count on his injuries coinciding with Girardi’s scheduled rest days for the rest of the team.
i’m sorry if this has been discussed before, but there was a mlbtraderumors post about the what the yankees would need to give up to trade for josh johnson. it’d be a lot, but does anyone know if he’d translate well to the al east?
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He throws ridiculously hard and has great secondary pitches, he’d translate into swahili if he had too. I was at the NYY@FLA game where Johnson shut us down this year, it was impressive.
I don’t think Cash pulls the trigger on the kind of prospects it’d take to land JJ though.
If I were going after him I’d start at Joba + Romine, and build from there. I’d let FLA know that Montero is off limits.
Again, Yanks are spending money on LF and P, not on DH’s.
Being reported that the 1st place vote for Cabrera earned him $200,000. I think he owes someone a very nice dinner next time he’s in Seattle.
I agree Bradley’s a talented ballplayer, but talent just isn’t enough in this case. The Yankees had a team that legitimately got along, good guys who understood what it meant to be part of a team rather than growling if he wasn’t getting the “respect” he felt he deserved. The Yankees already had their Milton Bradley – his name was Gary Sheffield.
As for Brad Hawpe – he’s 30, never been injured, and is a left handed slugger made for this park…and oh yeah – unlike Bradley, not a tool.
“If I were going after him I’d start at Joba + Romine, and build from there. I’d let FLA know that Montero is off limits.”
If the Yankees were to trade Montero to the Marlins…it would be pretty impressive to watch Montero & Stanton join Hanley Ramirez to form the heart of their order. However, of course it would be best to watch Montero join the heart of the Yankee lineup with Tex/A-Rod and have a chance to fulfill his monster potential on this great stage.
The Yankees already had their Milton Bradley – his name was Gary Sheffield.
==
Sheffield was one of my favorite players, coincidence? I just love jerks.
I just wish the hot stove would heat up! I’m tired of speculation and fantasy trading.
Brad Hawpe is an underpriced left-hand hitting OF with OPS+ of 120, 130, 121 and 128 the last four years.
The Rockies are rumored to be willing to listen to offers which include a right hand hitting OF and a reliable reliever.
For Brad Hawpe, that OF is NOT going to be Melky Cabrera or Austin Jackson. And the reliever isn’t going to be Phil Coke or David Robertson.
The Yanks aren’t getting Hawpe barring some Cashman magic.
“I just wish the hot stove would heat up! I’m tired of speculation and fantasy trading.”
I don’t expect it to catch fire until after arbitration. Then you’ll see a ton of deals.
As an aside, if anyone knows why Kenny Williams signed Visquel, please let me know. My friends who are White Sox fans are, shall we say, upset by it. Ozzie has been wanting to get younger, yet they sign a guy who is 42yrs old. Puzzling.
Now look – if Jim Hendry were to call Cash and say, “we’ll send you Milton and $7 mil for Kei Igawa…” I think Brian would think long and hard on that. But I don’t think that’ll be the case.
Because Bradley is talented Hendry will be able to trade him for another team’s headache that at least fills a Chicago need. For example, Luis Castillo may be an over-paid bust for the Mets, but Chicago needs a 2B and if all it costs them is a guy they want to rid themselves of, then they’ll do that.
If Hendry wanted he could call up the Angels and say – “look, you need a DH, we need a CF – how about Milton for Matthews?” That makes sense and fills a need for both teams (though after the Jose Guillen fiasco I doubt the Angels bring in Milton Bradley)
Just to play Devil’s Advocate – if I were to do a trade that wound up with Milton Bradley in NY – this would be something I think both teams would look at:
Chicago gets: Brett Gardner, Kei Igawa, Andrew Brackman, Ramiro Pena, Ian Kennedy
NYY get: Milton Bradley, Ryan Theriot, Carlos Zambrano (another Lou favorite)
Bronx Jeers
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Ralow
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Hey Sam, any idea who Pete voted for??
——————————————————
Mauer got 27 out of 28 1st place votes.
We’ve established who didn’t vote for Mauer.
Think about that.
===================================================
What about 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc..
My guess is one of Youkilis’s two 2nd place votes came from the Big Guy..the other 2nd place vote also coming from a boston scribe…
I don’t want Hawpe either. He can’t field and he can’t hit lefties. Even if the Yankees were to get him it still leaves a hole at DH, he certainly isn’t going to start vs lefties.
To paraphrase an old Graig Nettles quote: Some people wanted to grow up and join the circus. Others wanted to grow up and write about baseball. Keizo Konishi got to do both.
Chicago gets: Brett Gardner, Kei Igawa, Andrew Brackman, Ramiro Pena, Ian Kennedy
NYY get: Milton Bradley, Ryan Theriot, Carlos Zambrano (another Lou favorite)
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I would do this in a heartbeat. The Riot owns.
A Yankee-fan buddy in Taiwan writes:
” “I will try my best to secure a return to Major League Baseball (MLB), and my first choice would be the Yankees though it would be okay for me to pitch for any other MLB team,” said Wang at a press conference following his arrival at the Taoyuan International Airport with his wife and newborn son.
So I guess he will try to stay in the Yankees even with lower payment. After all, he has purchased a house in NY and his family likes NY anyway. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes to another team. Too much pressure to stay in the Yankees. However, I will still stick to the Yanks, haha!”
The only real news in that is that my friend plans to stay a Yankee fan even if Wang goes elsewhere. That’s gotta be good news for the team!
It’s a shame that one first place vote ended up pushing Cabrera past Kendry Morales in the voting. Morales had a much better year, and seems to be less of an all around clown than Cabrera, who thought it was more important to party with opposing players and get arrested than to worry about those silly little playoffs.
“Just to play Devil’s Advocate – if I were to do a trade that wound up with Milton Bradley in NY – this would be something I think both teams would look at:
Chicago gets: Brett Gardner, Kei Igawa, Andrew Brackman, Ramiro Pena, Ian Kennedy
NYY get: Milton Bradley, Ryan Theriot, Carlos Zambrano (another Lou favorite) ”
That is laughable dude. That wouldn’t even get you Zambrano alone.
In that trade scenario I posted above – the Yankees are essentially dealing Gardner, Brackman and Kennedy for Zambrano (not an insane offer really).
Chicago clears a bucketload of payroll with which they can go after John Lackey to fill Zambrano’s spot in the rotation.
Gardner gives Lou a CF (so he can move Fukudome back to RF) and a potential leadoff hitter. Pena gives Pinella a slick fielder for 2b.
The Yankees absorb a lot of payroll (but give some back in Igawa) and go with a front three of CC, Zambrano, AJ – that’s two real horses in the front of the rotation. And Bradley, if healthy, would be a good DH.
Again – because I feel this can’t be said enough – I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS WILL HAPPEN. I DO NOT EVEN REALLY WANT IT TO HAPPEN. JUST PLAYING DEVIL’S ADVOCATE
Patrick -
Lou hates Zambrano and Zambrano hates Lou – I think coupled with the fact that you’re taking back his mega contract and the headache that is Bradley – it would be something for Hendry to consider, especially, as I said, if he believed he could use the Zambrano savings to go get a John Lackey and maybe another pitcher.
Chicago gets: Brett Gardner, Kei Igawa, Andrew Brackman, Ramiro Pena, Ian Kennedy
NYY get: Milton Bradley, Ryan Theriot, Carlos Zambrano (another Lou favorite)
———————————————————-
A few thoughts here -
1) Yankees giving up quantity not quality – I don’t think the cubs would do that
2) As much as the 5 yankees in the trade won’t ever be All stars – I’d still wouldn’t make the trade from a yankees viewpoint why because
3) Zambrano at $18.5 million a year isn’t worth the AJ’esque pitching performance you’ll be getting from him -plus you are also getting bradley the sociopath on this team – not good
4) if i’m spending $18.5 million a year on another pitcher it better be roy halladay
Sab -
Well right – the Yankees are giving up quantity (and one major upside player in Brackman) over quality. But that’s because of what they’re taking back – 2 bad contracts along with 2 bad personalities.
It’s a video game trade more than anything else – if for no other reason than that players don’t go crazy in video games.
Doesn’t matter if Lou hates Zambrano. The dude is a quality 1 or 2 starting pitcher and there’s no way the Cubs would give him up for several B and C level prospects. It just isn’t going to happen.
How would the cubs justify giving up their starting SS, starting RF and ace starting pitcher for not a single top prospect?
Think about it. Ian Kennedy is a 5th starter at best, MAYBE a 4th in the NL. Ramiro Pena will be lucky if he ever bats above replacement level. Gardner has a slightly better bat, but not by much. Brackman is bordering on bust territory and he has a major league deal. Kei Igawa would just be a salary dump.
I’m fine with hypotheticals, trust me, but lets try to make it at least a little realistic.
Hawpe would be the perfect marketing match for Lobel’s Steaks in the left field corner as the guy’s an absolute butcher.
I like Thome for a cheap DH option if Hideki isn’t retained.
I think the Sox want him back though. They just signed Omar Zizquel and now they need another guy that knows how to play parcheesi.
Twins are working to lock up Mauer – what do you think it takes to get it done?
I say 8 years $200 mil with it being backloaded.
Milton Bradley is not a sociopath. He is mentally unbalanced with a bit of a persecution complex, who just wants to feel ‘respected’. Sociopaths will walk over everyone to get their way and care not for the feelings of others, and have a high percentage chance to want to wear your daughters skin as a suit.
Joe Torre is more of a sociopath than Milton Bradley.
thanks jerkface.
if you’re going to give up joba, romine, and someone else, why not him over 1 year of haliday?
Patrick -
That’s fine, I don’t actually want Bradley or Zambrano (much less both of them) anyway
I think Milton Bradley would be a better fit for a market that was subject to less scrutiny.
Twins are working to lock up Mauer – what do you think it takes to get it done?
I say 8 years $200 mil with it being backloaded.
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If I were the Twins I’d frontload it due to their new stadium allowing them to get out of some of the revenue sharing type deals (forget what they get exemption from). And a cheaper backend makes him more tradable down the line.
thanks jerkface.
if you’re going to give up joba, romine, and someone else, why not him over 1 year of haliday?
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If you have the same package on the table from Florida and Toronto, you pick Johnson every time. In my opinion. Young, budding ace > 35 year old roy halladay
Jerkface
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Milton Bradley is not a sociopath. He is mentally unbalanced with a bit of a persecution complex, who just wants to feel ‘respected’. Sociopaths will walk over everyone to get their way and care not for the feelings of others, and have a high percentage chance to want to wear your daughters skin as a suit.
Joe Torre is more of a sociopath than Milton Bradley.
———————————————————-
OK, is psychopath better?
Well I guess Maurer is ok. Maybe the should have a player of the year award based on stats compilation. Ask Arod if stats equate to value in team performance. I just don’t see how you should be most valuable player in a losing effort. you lost where is the value. Hands down Mauer was the best offensive player but MVP? MVP to the twins yeah ok, but the league MVP, not in my book.
How about instead of Milton Bradley, instead of Brad Hawpe, instead of long term deals to Damon or Matsui – we just bring back Xavier Nady?
He’s bound to sign a reasonable contract coming off of injury. He’s a nice hitter and good fielder and can play a few different spots.
Ho hum with the awards. The Yankees got the top prize with rings to follow.
Something in the vicinity of 85 days before pitchers and carchers report to Tampa. Early arrivals will be at the minor league complex sooner.
And a cheaper backend makes him more tradable down the line.
There’s as much a chance of the Twins trading Joe Mauer as there is of the Yankees trading Derek Jeter – regardless of his contract.
You backload the contract because of inflation. 5 dollars 10 years from now has the value of 1 dollar today…that sort of thing.
How about instead of Milton Bradley, instead of Brad Hawpe, instead of long term deals to Damon or Matsui – we just bring back Xavier Nady?
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Not a good enough hitter. He was fine in a swisher/nady platoon, but I don’t like Nady on his own. 4th outfielder or part of a platoon? yea I guess. A hawpe/nady platoon wouldn’t be the end of the world.
Chip
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm
How about instead of Milton Bradley, instead of Brad Hawpe, instead of long term deals to Damon or Matsui – we just bring back Xavier Nady?
He’s bound to sign a reasonable contract coming off of injury. He’s a nice hitter and good fielder and can play a few different spots.
——————————————————–
Chip if nothing else at least you are keeping the blog going with your trade ideas….very much appreciated in the absence of Erica and her blog games…
Josh Johnson…..Wonder how many Cy Young’s are that boys future…..I can only hope that Brian Cashman called just to see how much it’d cost for rotation conerstone…..
There’s as much a chance of the Twins trading Joe Mauer as there is of the Yankees trading Derek Jeter – regardless of his contract.
You backload the contract because of inflation. 5 dollars 10 years from now has the value of 1 dollar today…that sort of thing.
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He’d also be a 10/5 player, but I’m not sure how much inflation helps these teams with 20 mil AAV backends. Look at Toronto and Vernon Wells.
I’d also think it’d help to assemble a better team down the road. 30 mil for the next couple of years thanks to the savings from the stadium, then bring it down to 15 or something and all of a sudden you get an extra couple of bucks to play with.
No thanks on Bradley – and I wouldn’t even ask what Swisher thinks. How would Swisher know, anyway, since Bradley was on the Cubs and Swish on on the Sox?
So there it is –
Re-sign Xavier Nady (2 years 14 mil)
Sign John Lackey (5 years 90 mil)
if he becomes available, sign Ryan Church – if not trade for David DeJesus.
Call it a day.
Milton Bradley isn’t so bad. He attacked an announcer who he overheard talking smack about him.
I bet the next time that announcer thinks about bad mouthing a player he’ll have second thoughts.
speaking of backloaded and frontloaded contracts – is it illegal to sign jeter to a 4 year 5 million dollar per year contract – and then once he retires make him a spring training coach/pr guy ala reggie jackson/yogi berra paying him 15 million dollars a year..
i know he is a top 5 yankee of all time but signing him to another $20 million 4 year contract is suicide if they are trying to keep the payroll down AND be competitive… plus its not like he needs the money -
Jason Giambi says that DHing aint as easy as most yall think it is. Just cause you can hit well everyday doesn’t mean you can DH really well. DH is both skills and mindset.
By the way, when did Posada become such a bad hitter?
rover
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Jason Giambi says that DHing aint as easy as most yall think it is. Just cause you can hit well everyday doesn’t mean you can DH really well. DH is both skills and mindset.
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Which is why they really need to bring Matsui back, IMO.
No thanks on Bradley – and I wouldn’t even ask what Swisher thinks. How would Swisher know, anyway, since Bradley was on the Cubs and Swish on on the Sox?
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Swisher and Bradley were teammates on the A’s. CC and Bradley were briefly teammates on the Indians.
Rover is correct. One of Matsui’s strengths is staying focused, makes him a good DH.
Erin
Precisely my point
“He is mentally unbalanced with a bit of a persecution complex, who just wants to feel ‘respected’.”
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Like Bernhard Geotz only trade the Smith & Wesson for a Louisville Slugger.
but I don’t like Nady on his own. 4th outfielder or part of a platoon? yea I guess.
Nady’s splits are actually better against RHP than LHP.
Go with a lineup of:
Jeter
DeJesus
Tex
Alex
Jorge
Cano
Nady
Swisher
Melky/Gardner/Jackson
Rotation of CC, Lackey, AJ, Andy, Joba/Hughes (Hughes will be on a very strict IP limit this year)
rover
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Erin
Precisely my point
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I figured, but any chance I have to say “Bring Mastui back”, I take it
Pat M.
Check this out, all about what it would take for the Yanks to get Josh Johnson.
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ish-20278/
Matsui’s its my job attitude and how I help the team attitude is what makes him deluxe jmo Course the can hit too.
it illegal to sign jeter to a 4 year 5 million dollar per year contract – and then once he retires make him a spring training coach/pr guy ala reggie jackson/yogi berra paying him 15 million dollars a year..
Illegal – no.
Union will never ever let it happen though. Sets an awful precident. Derek’s going to get a 4 year deal at 20 – 25 per.
“I’m with you. I think Matsui is more important than Damon. The one issue is what is the condition of his knees? If they don’t resign him it may be due to the knees rather than money.”
Maine Yankee and Pat M-
Questions-
Which is more important, finding a lefty hitter to fill the 2nd spot in the order, with decent OBP and speed, or finding a homerun hitter batting behing A-Rod.
Personally I would like to see the Yankees getting younger, and maintaining their left handed power, while staying within their budget, in order to be flexible at the July trading deadline to take on a contract if needed.
If available at a reasonable cost of prospects, I still like Granderson in CF[working with Long in the offseason to improve his BA], Melky in LF, Swisher in RF with late inning defensive replacement and Damon as DH. Perhaps Matsui[remember he's having further minor knee surgery] could be had for one year at a reasonable base rate with incentives-like a % of Yankee sales of Matsui items!!!!
Your thoughts are always welcome.
By the way, when did Posada become such a bad hitter?
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Posada isn’t a bad hitter by any stretch. He is a low average, (.338 year not included >:) ) power hitting catcher who relies on ‘guessing’ for a lot of his damage. He has an ugly swing and is prone to getting fooled on really ugly pitches when he guesses wrong.
He is a catcher, so he can get banged up which might lead to nagging slumps, and he isn’t very good in his career at DH.
He is also slower than Matsui/a possible 5 hole replacement.
Jorge to me is the ultimate 6 hole hitter. You want flexibility at catcher in case he needs a day off, and I would want the 3-4-5 hitters to bat together as much as possible during the year.
Erin -
I don’t disagree with you (or Giambi for that matter) but I just think the Yankees want their DH to be able to play the field on the days they want to rest someone.
For example if they wanted to rest Damon this year by DHing him they had to sit Matsui because he couldn’t play the field.
Jerkface, if Holliday isn’t worth $18 million, then the Yankees shouldn’t give it to him.
Also, what the heck is a GOAT?
And what is your plan, MaineYankee, that you think is so sure will keep them at the top of the heap?
Chip, where is this proof that Holliday wants to come to the Yankees? The only reason any player wants to come here is for $$$ and he’s not going to get the $$$ he wants from us.
Jerkface, if Holliday isn’t worth $18 million, then the Yankees shouldn’t give it to him.
Also, what the heck is a GOAT?
–
Agreed, they shouldn’t, but at 15-16.5 I’d take Holliday, 4 years or less. If the yankees got him at 18, I’d definitely want 4 years or less. He will probably get 5+ years from the Mets or something.
GOAT = Greatest of All Time. Aka Mariano Rivera when taking relievers.
Teams like the Marlins get me on my nerves. Johnson is only asking for 4 years 38 million and they’re too cheap to pay even that amount
Buddy B-
Read that article from the blog earlier.
If it takes one of either Hughes/Joba plus Montero then NO!!
Montero is the most exciting hitter to come up in the Yankee system in a very long time. Another catcher in our deep minor league pool of catchers, and yes-Josh Johnson is the righty version of CC, IMO!!!!
My first choice would be King Felix, but Seattle isn’t trading him. They were 8 games above .500 and improving.
Chip-I see your point. I know there are legitimate reasons for not bringing him back, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting him back. LOL I’m biased, because he’s always been one of my favorite players.
Teams like the Marlins get me on my nerves. Johnson is only asking for 4 years 38 million and they’re too cheap to pay even that amount
–
If I were management I’d sign that contract anyways because its soo sooo tradable. Its not even 10 million per year and you can escalate it. He is going to get 5-7 million this year in arbitration anyways so do
‘10: 6.0 ‘11: 8 ‘12: 10 ‘13: 14
If you look at his stats, even the 14 million in 2013 would probably be a steal.
Hamilton, in NY? No thank you……..not that the Yankees would give up the farm (which is what it would take) to get him.
Jerkface, so you want a mentally unbalanced player with a persecution complex in NY? Perfect.
raymagnetic-
With revenue sharing the Yanks would be footing part of the bill too.
Jerkface, so you want a mentally unbalanced player with a persecution complex in NY? Perfect.
–
I think the current Yankees management plus clubhouse would foster a great environment for Bradley to truely be able to express himself as a human and overcome his issues. Girardi has great human empathy, and guys like Swisher/CC/AJ/A-rod are so friendly I can’t help but think he’d fit in. Plus the team needs to get blacker.
And we get the added bonus that he will inevitably strangle Michael Kay >:)
“Chip, where is this proof that Holliday wants to come to the Yankees? The only reason any player wants to come here is for $$$ and he’s not going to get the $$$ he wants from us.”
Betsy-
I agree. Just because his father is a die-hard Yankee fan [Chip are you his DAD?], Boras won’t be giving us a discount!!!!
Chip, where is this proof that Holliday wants to come to the Yankees?
I believe it was a Ken Davidoff article. Jon Heyman had something on it also.
Now, the Yankees have said they’re not interested – but then again the Yankees also said they weren’t going to sign CC and Tex….
Jerkface, thanks!
Only if Holliday can come at a reasonable price do I want him…..I’ve yet to determine what I think is reasonable, but I don’t think it matters as I think the price will be too high.
GOAT – got it, love it, lol. Speaking of Mo, MLB has new Prime 9 shows tonight and the first is about the best closers. If Mo isn’t #1, then they ought to just pull the plug on MLB.
Its been known from the beginning that Holliday’s dad wanted him on the Yankees and that Holliday wanted to go to a New York team. Part of it is probably true, part of it is probably a ploy to get the bigger markets involved.
Either way its win-win. We either sign holliday and get a good young player. Or we save our money.
Unless we sign Bay instead. Then its win-lose.
Holliday is not worth CC or Tex money. All Boras clients want to get the Yankees involved.
Betsy
I have no plan as such.
The model was set back in the mid 90s that worked well.
Not go out and get all the big names and sign to long contracts.
No to Bradley. Just no. Why take on an emotional reclamation project? Sure, the Yankees have a good clubhouse and it MIGHT foster some good will for Bradley – but they’d also have to be on guard to run interference for the guy – the problems he’s had, if I’m not mistaken are not necessarily clubhouse related. How does one protect a player from hearing/reading any negative sentiments flowing from the broadcast booth or the press box? How does one ensure that all umpire’s calls will be seen in an objective light by Bradley and not taken personally? No. Just no. Not worth it. Just one guy who requires too much “TLC” can mess with clubhouse chemistry – I call it being an attention vacuum.
There are other options. So why go there?
LOL gotta love ya, Jerkface – that’s pretty funny.
I like Kay, but I think we should sign or trade for all the pranksters in MLB – just to drive Michael Kay crazy. First he hates Mussina, now he hates Swisher. I’m laying odds as to who he will hate next.
I do love saying the name Milton Bradley, lol. It’s my favorite ballplayer name, next to a Texas Rangers pitcher named John Dillinger.
I’m really torn about Damon and Matsui. Damon, I’d like back for no more than 1 year…and a club option for another. I don’t think he’s got a ton left, though I think he’d be fine next year. After that? I think he’s breaking down (plus, he plays hard all the time – the guy is rough on himself out there) and he’s a bad LF. Matsui is the perfect DH, but I do wonder how much more his knees can take. Prior to the forced rest of interleague play, he was struggling terribly……..
Bay will stay in Boston, otherwise he’s best served as a DH. He did have 15 assists in LF, throwing shots off the left field wall 30 feet to nail the runner trying for second or third!!!!!
Maine, I absolutely agree. That’s why when people suggest taking on Vernon Wells’ contract (or Magglio Ordonez, etc…..), I laugh. Cashman just got out from under the albatross contracts of Giambi, Pavano, etc…; there is no way he’s going to take on bad $$. We are still dealing from a position of strength. Sure, we’ve got some improvements to make, but not as much as 99.9% of the rest of the teams.
Yankee Trader
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Bay will stay in Boston, otherwise he’s best served as a DH. He did have 15 assists in LF, throwing shots off the left field wall 30 feet to nail the runner trying for second or third!!!!!
——————————————-
You mean playing short field in the softball league?
Buddy B,
It’s ridiculous. If teams can not afford to pay their own players when they’re getting hometown discounts, then they don’t deserve to have a team.
Please no more Bradley talk.
Hawpe is available but no thanks-another DH!! I’d rather try to get youn up and coming lefty carlos Gonzalez. The Rockies have 5 Ofer’s for 3 spots!! Smith, Spilborghs,Gonzales,, Fowler and Hawpe.
Maine Yankee-
LMAO!!
Please look at my 4:57 post about Matsui vs. Damon, directed at you and Pat M, and give me your thoughts!
Doreen
Didn’t Bradley also throw a bottle at a fan in the stands?
Chien-Ming Wang’s new nike trainer – http://bit.ly/7kx6hQ , not bad! hopefully he’s injury free and does well next season, wherever that may be.
Maine Yankee and Doreen-
Another Bradley incident!!
http://www.buzzle.com/editoria.....-60297.asp
Yankee Trader
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Maine Yankee-
LMAO!!
Please look at my 4:57 post about Matsui vs. Damon, directed at you and Pat M, and give me your thoughts!
————————————————-
My opinion of Matsui would be based solely on the condition of his knees. If the Yankees deem them to be able to hold up over the course of a season I think his value is greater than Damons.
I like what Damon has brought to the Yankees but am concerned that he is showing signs of decline. Seems to be having leg troubles more often and when he does it effects his offense.
If I had to choose one to DH I think Matsui has more value if his medicals show his knees will hold up.
If Matsui stays and Damon leaves, who currently on the team do you feel comfortable hitting in the 2 hole?
Someone above wondered who voted Youk 2nd. Ken Rosenthal said one of them was him and he voted Alex 3rd.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....-for-place
Matsui’s a goner.
Not a big Rosenthal fan, but his article has good reasons on why he voted the way he did.
Yankee Trader, I think replacing what Matsui brings to the lineup is far more vital than Johnny Damon’s game….His defensive lapses are going to be more frequent ( remember he has trouble with his eyes as well ), and he hit in 09 beyong anything we’ll ever see again……Buddy, Very inertresting read on Josh Johnson….It would be an outstanding trade, but you just can’t give up Montero….
Keizo Konishi writes glowingly of Milton Bradley.
Calls him “healthy and wise” and “the consummate team-first player”.
Konoshi also describes Pavano as possessing “buttocks of gold, not unlike a bluefin tuna”
Yankee Trader
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:35 pm
If Matsui stays and Damon leaves, who currently on the team do you feel comfortable hitting in the 2 hole?
——————————————————
I’m not sure the replacement is on the team now. Also no way to know because we don’t know what deal is possibly in the works. With all the talk of arb. type players possibly available we may be suprised by who Cashman may be able to get.
Could even be a Swisher or Brosius(sp) type that fits well but not a star.
# Bronx Jeers November 23rd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Mauer got 27 out of 28 1st place votes.
We’ve established who didn’t vote for Mauer.
Think about that.
———————————–
Well duh…I was talking about his entire top 10 list…particularly his 2nd and 3rd place votes. Its pretty obvious Pete voted for Mauer 1st. I guess I should have been more clear.
Yankee Trader
The Yankees were fortunate they had an opening in left for Damon or the deal wouldn’t have looked so good the last couple of years because he wasn’t an option in center.
YankeeTrader……That’s where Curtis Granderson comes into play……If Matsui leaves, then they start looking at Matt Holliday…….Maybe Edwin Jackson come nack into play with Granderson…….The 2010 Yankees will have a different look in 2010…I see 4 new players at least……
http://slickdeals.net/forums/s.....?t=1687895
$3 free in amazon MP3 downloads.
You can create as many amazon accounts under the same email address, they just have to have different passwords.
Then follow the quick simple direction to get the free.
I’ve already downloaded the whole Owl City Ocean Eyes Album and of course, Empire state of mind.
Pat M-
Yes I mentioned that I would like to see Granderson, after working with Long on his batting average against lefties, patrolling CF for the Yankees.
Jackson is a maybe right now as the Mariners have apparently stopped negotiations for him because the asking price was too high.
If Josh Johnson would be available, he’s the righty version of CC, IMO. But as I said before I want us to keep Montero, the most exciting Yankee hitting prospect in a very long time!
Fair enough Ralow.
Pete always said he’d reveal after the vote was announced but that was in here not at his new gig. Not sure if he’ll divulge now. Don’t really care although if he was still here it might have been interesting.
Maybe he voted for Tex and Jeter ahead of Bay & Youk and doesn’t wish to alienate his new readers.
Davidoff hates Jeter – just read any of his articles and it’s apparent. These mediots let the power get to them; they let their personal feelings get in the way of their professional duties. Youkilis above Jeter? Sure, he was so valuable, the Sox finished a distant 2nd in the AL East. What a dope.
Oops, since it’s Rosenthal, scratch most of what I said. However, it’s still idiotic to vote Youkilis over Jeter.
Pat M-
Four new players?
An outfielder, backup catcher, starter, and all-purpose utility player, or a reliever?
Milton Bradley will never be a Yankee.
Tinker. That’s all that’s needed.
1. Resign Damon to a 2 yr deal worth $20 million. It’s overpaying in my mind, but worth it if its just for 2 years.
2. Resign Pettitte – 1 yr/$10-$12 million. As above.
3. Sign Nady to a 1 yr, $5 million contract. If his arm is sufficiently healed, he could be no worse than Damon in LF. Regardless, he’s capable of being as good a hitter as Jason Bay.
4. Sign Mike Gonzalez for the pen.
5. Resign Jerry Hairston as your super utility guy.
Done
Saint
Yankee Trader those 5 that you selected are exactly what I had in mind….Now we need to attach a name & a face to them……
The day I start giving a rats patoot about MVP, Cy Young, Silver Slugger, Rolaids, etc. is the day I’m rooting for someone else besides the Yankees (ie – NEVER).
I care more about the font style in this thread than any useless personal awards.
Give me RINGS, nothing else mattes!!!!!!
My eyes are hurting reading all this Bradley talk. I hope its just a 24 hour bug. I cant remember the year that we hadnt picked anyone decent by this time of the year. The wait is killing me. I wouldnt mind going younger in left and dh.
Lets talk Turkey!! When the hell is the NFL going to stop making Thanksgiving a day to watch some sorry team like the Lions year in and year out? Why not treat it like a Monday Night game or go American Idol and have us vote on that Thanksgiving game. Hate the Cowboys but are usually a decent team and the Lions shouldnt sniff any T.V. set till they can win more games than Pavano wins in a season.
Does anyone know how these two teams earned the right to play every thanksgiving?
Milton was just filler b.s.
Rotation: CC (L), AJ, Pettitte (L), Chamberlain, Hughes
Pen: Rivera, Gonzalez (L), Marte (L), Bruney, Robertson, Aceves, Melancon
AAA Pitching depth: Gaudin, Mitre, Kennedy
This is Yankee Stadium, and therefore (ideally) you need 2 lefties in the rotation, and preferably 2 lefties in the pen.
Saint
Pat m
Three of those can be filled from within the system don’t you think?
S.o.S-
“My eyes are hurting reading all this Bradley talk. I hope its just a 24 hour bug. I cant remember the year that we hadnt picked anyone decent by this time of the year. The wait is killing me. I wouldnt mind going younger in left and dh.”
Just when I thought the Bradley nonsense was done!!
OK-Trade prospects for Curtis Granderson for CF, prospects for DeJesus in left[13 assists, no errors], put Melky in RF and Swisher is your DH. Have Long work overtime with Granderson and Swisher in the offseason.
Nady is not capable of being as good a hitter as Bay. People have gotten too excited about the 1 out of context half of a season in Nady’s career.
Before last season, I kind of wanted Bradley but was 1000% sure Cashman wouldn’t touch him. Now I absolutely positively do not want anything to do with Bradley and am 100,000% percent sure Cashman wouldn’t touch him.
But it’s a long off season so what the hey.
I like the idea Yankee Trader but the only problem i see in that outfield is the lack of power. I would love to see Granderson come roam our centerfield and have another base stealing threat in the lineup.
I mentioned Dejesus last winter to replace Melky in center but most thought he would be a down grade.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p;c_id=nyy
Just some filler to keep us busy……..
Mauer had great numbers but Teix was truly the MVP of the league because he changed the balance of power between the top 3 teams in baseball – Yankees, Sox and Angels. Whichever team he chose last winter would have won the WS. That’s an MVP.
Mauer is overrated.
Yankee system finally has some depth. Would love to see Cervelli, Pena and Melancon make the team, but that would not preclude me from signing Mike Gonzalez. Not a must do, but would bring additional certainty to the pen, based on his experience setting up and closing. Would allow Mo some additional rest during the season.
Nady could be a sleeper. Proven bat. Decent fielder, decent arm – at least before the surgery. Needs to prove he’s completely healed, so may be willing to take an incentive laded deal with the hope of returning to the Free Agent market next season. And wouldn’t cost us a draft pick, as he’s our own FA.
Saint
I think there’s no action because there’s no need to rush this off-season.
I think it’s wise to wait it out, let the market settle a bit, see where things lead.
The Yankees have needs but they’re not as dire as in seasons past. Important, yes; dire, no.
I really don’t expect anything to happen at all until after the winter meetings.
And, actually, wasn’t CC signed after Thanksgiving last season?
I remember my family went on vacation during Thanksgiving week last year, and every day I’d worry that I’d missed the news of CC’s signing, but it didn’t happen.
Swisher was kind of early, wasn’t he? Man, I wish I could remember these things.
But for the most part, nothing happens of real import until after the first week in December. Groundwork is probably being laid behind the scenes, but nothing solid for public consumption. So we just have to survive on the rumors.
Plus, the news of the award winners always takes precedence. Maybe some news (at least for other teams) after all the awards are given out? And once other teams start announcing their transactions, we can have a better idea of how it will sort out for the Yankees.
My wish list includes Granderson, IF Damon doesn’t come back. My wish list includes resigning Matsui, but I have no idea what I’d want if he decides to go elsewhere (or the Yankees decide he should). If the Yankees could pull of the deal of the century for Halladay, that would be good (and I’d miss Joba, but it’d be okay if he was included), but I don’t expect that.
Also, Pettitte for one more year would be great, but frankly, I wouldn’t expect another 2009 out of him. His greatest asset may be mentoring.
Here’s something nice……..
http://www.myyesnetwork.com/12.....hip_awards
Saint-
Problem with Mike Gonzalez is he’s a Type A.
He’s going to cost a first round pick which is much more valuable.
Plus, you never know year to year with middle relief. It’s not a position to drop a lot of cash/years on, and that’s what it will take to sign Gonzalez.
Otherwise, I agree with just about everything you’re saying. Tinker away.
Jason Zillo is short, lol. I know AJ is 6′4, but Jason looks like a smurf next to him,lol.
Anyway, that’s a wonderful thing the Yankees did and I hope they continue it next year.
the Ghost -
What a great point! Tex did indeed do that. Ah, but that’s an “intangible” and intangibles only count when the numbers are too close to call.
Doreen-Swisher was before everybody else if I remember right. I can’t remember if it was in November or December though. And yes, CC was after Thanksgiving. That I remember.
Not a big deal. what was ridiculous were those two writers not putting Carpenter on the ballet. That cost him the CY young he deserved. That is unexplainable. It directly affected the whole results. Who cares if the writer voted for Cabrera, it doesnt matter
Betsy -
That was nice!
Whatever happens with the actual make-up of the team, I hope it can hold onto this special something that they had – I loved what Zillo did as far as Yankees out-reach. And it seemed like all of the players really bought into it.
It seems to me that whatever players the Yankees pursue, they need to do some due diligence with respect to a players me vs. team attitude. Not just with regard to things like HOPE week, but, also, it seemed to me that every player that spoke after the playoffs and WS spoke of “buying into” Joe Girardi’s team-first approach (which seems like “duh” kind of thing to me!).
Erin -
Yeah, I remember Swish being first, but I can’t remember when it was.
I do remember that it seemed kind of lousy that all he got was, what, a conference call? I guess trades just don’t get the same attention as big free agent signings.
Doreen,
Yes Swish came before anyone. I shouldnt be complaining being that our off season started in October last year. Im not sure why they have those GM November meetings. It seems like a total waste of time. Hopefully they arent spending Yankee money when doing them(luxury tax or any other methods they use to milk the Yanks for money). Lets hope stealth can have another successful off season reloading and let that NEVER FAILS IN ANY TRANSACTION GM in boston get the credit for the low rist HIGH reward signings they always seem to mention.
Erin -
I just looked it up. November 13th last year. That was early! I remember thinking at the time, gee, I guess they really DON’T intent to go after Teixeira!
S.O.S.
Did ANY of those low risk, high reward types pan out for our friend up north?
I never underestimate those guys up there, though. They’re a thorn in the side, and not a bad organization. It is annoying though, when all that credit goes out, but no comeuppance when the moves fail. Interesting, that, isn’t it?
Doreen
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Erin -
I just looked it up. November 13th last year. That was early! I remember thinking at the time, gee, I guess they really DON’T intent to go after Teixeira!
**********************
Wow, they did get him early. I was the same way-I was convinced they weren’t going to go near Tex. LOL
Doreen, I totally agree……..what’s odd, is that Cashman did do his due diligence with CC (but everyone knew he was a great guy, Tex and Swish, yet he didn’t do that with AJ. He said more than once this year that he wasn’t sure exactly what he was getting with AJ as far as the kind of teammate he would be……….strange that Cash would go out of his way to change the culture in the clubhouse and then not pay that much attention to the kind of person his 2nd big FA signing was.
As to next year, well the guys genuinely care about each other, so that won’t change…….and the way Cash talks, he won’t be signing any malcontents. I think anyone we sign (or trade for) will be a very happy addition to the clubhouse.
Did ANY of those low risk, high reward types pan out for our friend up north?
———–
Doreen,
Its in the eye of the beholder. In Gammons and espn’s eyes, he hit a homerun on those Baldelli,Penny,Smolts deals. Yeah whatever.
“comeuppance”?? Im stumped. Im going to have to go back and look at the last couple years of espn’s spelling bee competetion to see the origin of that word and what the heck it means.
BJK, I agree. The Type A designation could be a problem, but in today’s economy, it seems like teams are wary of offering arbitration, for fear that the players will accept.
If reducing payroll is the issue, then Coke or Dunn become options at 1/10 the cost.
The Yankees control the market this offseason, and they know it. They will be careful and deliberate. Until they show their hand with either Pettitte or Damon, no other major moves will be made.
From a sentimental standpoint, I hope Wang accepts a deal from the organization after being non-tendered. Would love to see him return to near form, say 14-16 win seasons, as it would probably be unrealistic to ask for more.
Saint
Saint
Why is Xavier Nady never mentioned as someone the Yankees would resign?
Obviousy his heatlh would be an issue, but if he was taking a 1 year incentive laden deal and obtained a clean bill of health, why wouldn’t you want him as your left fielder?
Does having 2 TJ surgeries for an outfielder become an automatic kiss of death?
Doesn’t cost a draft pick, can hit and field, has been around the team for 2 years (so no need for him to get accustomed to anything).
Kevin Page
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Why is Xavier Nady never mentioned as someone the Yankees would resign?
*******************************
I would have no problem with the Yankees resigning Nady. I have no idea whether or not there’s any interest in bringing him back.
It’s because of the surgery Kevin. You’d be signing a contract prior to being able to know with certainty that he could throw as well as before. Therefore the incentive-laded deal, as you would a rehabbing pitcher.
But I do think he’s an option. But who knows, he may prefer to return to the NL where he’s more familiar with the pitchers. He did need some adjustment to the AL East.
Saint
Doreen
The “comeuppance” is having to watch the Yankees celebrate the WS win.
Also for those that had to eat crow when they were predicting the Yankees 3rd in the east.
Betsy -
The only thing that might explain that, (well, the only thing lowly I can think of) is that so many players apparently told Cash he should get AJ.
AJ kinda grows on a person. I am really astounded by how humble and soft-spoken he is. I wonder if he’s as confident as he could be? Anyway, I like him. He’s not perfect, but I think he’s in a good situation.
S.O.S. -
Comeuppance, in this case, basically means for those people who came out and said those were “genius” moves to call a spade a spade and say they didn’t work out so well, did they? A little negative press, in other words.
Maine Yankee -
Yes, I should be satisfied with that.
You’d be signing a contract prior to being able to know with certainty that he could throw as well as before.
=======
That wouldnt be a much of a problem. If he is going to left field, give him a left handed glove and have him throm left. Cant be worse than what was out there.
Doreen, you’re anything but lowly, lol……You could be right, but I would still expect my GM to do more research.
I liked AJ right from the start, but then I had read a lot about him even before ST. By all accounts, he’s a fantastic teammate and a good person for sure. He mentions this a lot, but he’s sort of a quiet guy. I guess no one expects him to be that way, whatwith his tattoos and love for Marilyn Manson, lol. I’m not sure how confident he is, but then I’m not sure we really know how confident anyone is. What they say for public consumption could just be false bravado……
Doreen
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
AJ kinda grows on a person.
********************
You said it! I love AJ-I think he’s an incredible teammate. I didn’t know anything about him until the Yankees signed him, and now I have a mad crush on him.
I’m sitting in a good seat at the Ziegfield, watching the crowd file in and waiting for the show to start. Big screen, high definition: it should be fun. I hope people get boisterous at appropriate moments.
The whole middle section of seats is reserved for VIP’s and is virtually empty right now. Figures!
There are two small tables and a podium aset up on the small satage in front of the screen, so I guess there will be some kind of pre- or post-movie ceremonies. Who knows, maybe John and Suzyn will supply commentary during the movie, a la Rocky Horror Picture Show. I hope John isn’t dressed like Tim Curry, though.
Erin -
He’s got better eyes, to me, than Cervelli!
Gross, I had to turn MLB off. Heyman predicts the Sox will land Halladay because they are hungry to do something…….
Erin, I crushed on AJ the moment I knew the Yankees were going for him. Doreen, I’m the one that first mentioned his guys – gorgeous, aren’t they ? Sort of blue/gray – very hooded.
Mauer is overrated.
——————–
please tell me you are just being satirical (otherwise you are completely insane).
And Phil, I respectfully disagree with regard to your statement that Nady is not capable of being as good as Bay. He may not be able to hit for the same power, but was just as productive, and hit for better average when they both were on the Pirates.
2008
Nady: 148 Games,25HR,97 RBI,.305 AVG,.357 OBP,.510 SLG
Bay: 155 Games, 31HR, 101 RBI,.286 AVG, 373 OBP,.522 SLG
Both are lifetime .280 hitters. Only one of them will command $15 million in 2010 though, while the other may be almost as productive.
I’ll take Nady for $5 million, for 1 year, as he has something to prove, and would be working for another FA contract in 2010. Besides, he could keep LF warm for Carl Crawford.
Saint
Saint
Doreen
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Erin -
He’s got better eyes, to me, than Cervelli!
*****************
AJ does have incredible eyes, but I think Frankie’s got him beat!! LOL
LOL @ Erin and Doreen!
in other news…Keizo Konishi of Kyodo News, based in Seattle, will no longer be allowed to watch baseball.
Hmm its not letting me post howPete voted
Heyman predicts Chapman to the Sox because they are big on international free agents (sheesh, look at the offseason he thinks the Sox will have).
Thinks Bay to Mariners, Lackey to Yankees.
I’ve no idea if he knows anything – seems to me he’s just guessing. I admit that even though I don’t want Doc at too high a price, it would hurt if he went to the Sox. As to Chapman, I’d be surprised if the Yankees got outbid, but then if they do, maybe it would be because of potential makeup issues?
As a man, i think eyes are over rated. What men look for is package first-tail lights, air bags, grill and eyes come last.
Yankee fans would know if Cashman had interest in Milton Bradley or Carlos Zambrano if he called for a full evaluation from Bellevue.
Erin, no way……Frankie’s nice, but his eyes do nothing for me, lol
Pete voted for Mauer, Tex, Youk, Jeter, Cabrera, Morales, Zobrist,Young, Ichiro then Greinke
Ralow,
If you’re here:
From Pete’s blog.
“Pete******** wrote:
Jacques:
I voted for Mauer, obviously. I had Teixeira second, Youkilis third, Jeter fourth followed by Cabrera, Morales, Zobrist, Young, Ichiro and Greinke.”
And I eat some minor crow as I said he probably wouldn’t post if he voted a Yankee above a Sox player.
But he was true to his word.
I guess it this blog won’t allow a cut and paste from Pete’s new blog
I think they all throw as much spaghetti as they can at the wall. Some of it will stick, I guess. But most of it just falls behind the stove!
You know, I should be excited about his Chapman guy, but I’m not. To me, he’s as unproven as a kid out of college.
Does anyone think that kid that Washington signed might be a bit fragile? He had two minor things crop up during the AFL. First was a back thing that cleared up quickly, and then he twisted a knee, which they say will be fine by spring training. If I spent that much money, I’d be a little crazy right now.
I’ll go for legs, um, tail lights, eyes and grill. Air bags just need to be operational.
Saint
At least it wouldn’t let me post it. How did you do that Brinx Jeers
Bronx not Brinx
Betsy – high on pie
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Erin, I crushed on AJ the moment I knew the Yankees were going for him
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You’re smart, you got a jump start!
Can’t believe I posted that.
DaSaint,
you’re talking about half a season and very superficially. Jason Bay’s career OPS+ is 131, Nady’s is 108. That’s a vast difference for two 280 hitters. Huge. Lots of 130 OPS+ type OF’s end up in the Hall of Fame. No 108 OPS+ OF’s do, at least not now that people understand the primacy of OBP and SLG over BA. Save for half a season in Pitt when Nady was playing way over his head, they are not close. And to think he’s going to get close after his second TJ surgery will probably end in disappointment.
The Yanks are not gonna put a 108 OPS+ guy in a corner spot. They plan on spending some money in left. I’m not sure on whom, but it will be there and pitching, and not DH.
Betsy – high on pie
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Erin, no way……Frankie’s nice, but his eyes do nothing for me, lol
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Frankie’s another one I have a huge crush on. I could stare into those eyes all day!
What the heck is a grill?????
And don’t you know eyes are the window to the soul????? They’re the most important thing. That and the smile.
Back to realities…does anyone think that Ian Kennedy ever has a chance to ever make this team? Or am I the only one that thinks that he’s just perpetual trade bait, waiting to be packaged with the Austin Romines of this world.
Saint
Grill = Smile
Doreen, the only thing is that the Yankees will very rarely have a chance to get an arm like Chapman’s because of where they draft. His attitude seems a bit off-putting, but he could just be immature…….which isn’t the end of the world.
Grill could also = Face+Smile
DaSaint007 -
It’s a slow – well, I was going to say night, but it’s a slow month. Any filler will do!
ABsolutely the eyes are the window to the soul – I believe that.
Betsy, that ‘off putting’ or ‘arrogant’ attitude is what got Kennedy in trouble. And exiled.
Grill = Face in my book
DaSaint007
I’m an Ian Kennedy fan, and I hope he does make this team at some point, perhaps next season getting his feet wet via the bullpen. I think both he and Hughes had a disservice done to them in 2008. Too much expectation too soon; though I do believe the offense failed them at the time to some degree. I expected slow starts, but that the offense would cover enough to get them over the “hump” so to speak, but it didn’t work out.
I sometimes believe it will be Kennedy & Hughes, with Joba somewhere else, who will fill out the rotation at some point.
RM,
His last name gets caught in the filter.
Oops. Forgot to add,
Betsy -
You’re right about Chapman in that respect. But I just can’t seem to get worked up about him. Maybe I don’t want to be disappointed?
When Dice-K was being bidded on, everyone expected the Yankees to be the highest bidder. It really was a total shock that not only were they not the highest bidder, but not even the second highest bidder. And I was astounded by how high Boston went. Now, at that time I was disappointed, but not so much anymore. And of course, the Igawa signing made it all better (not!).
Oh, okay. Like sometimes when you see a car and it reminds you of a face? Grill. Okay. Got it. Thanks.
Ledger_Yankees Cashman: “I’ll talk to our guys first. And after I have my conversation with our guys, I’ll be full blown into the marketplace.” –Carig
13 minutes ago from TweetDeck
I forgot about the cars & women thing with men.
Rishi
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Ledger_Yankees Cashman: “I’ll talk to our guys first. And after I have my conversation with our guys, I’ll be full blown into the marketplace.” –Carig
13 minutes ago from TweetDeck
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I wish he would hurry up and talk to “the guys”. I’m getting very impatient! LOL
Xavier Nady had a great year in 2008 (really only a great half a season). Other than that he has been an average baseball player his entire career.
Betsy – high on pie November 23rd, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Erin, I crushed on AJ the moment I knew the Yankees were going for him. Doreen, I’m the one that first mentioned his guys – gorgeous, aren’t they ? Sort of blue/gray – very hooded
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I knew this was the reason you loved the guy.
Why couldn’t you admit it when we discussed it?
“Key to the Yanks success,” weren’t those your words?
Wait, i cant even visit the Kyodo News website… is it an international site
i know Japanese reporters covered MLB but if they are based in US they get to vote too?
Average? JD Drew is average. Adam Dunn is average. There are only 1 or 2 superstars per position. Most everyone else is ‘average’, but there are varying grades. I’ll take a 31 yr old with 25/100/.280 capability any day if he’s affordable.
Saint
Dan Quisenberry and Lee Smith are #s9 and #8 on MLB’s Prime 9….
I remember Quisenberry – even as a relative youngster, I loved him. I loved his name and I loved how he threw
Mick, I’m not going to admit it because that is not the reason why I thought he was the key. I’m not going to get into an argument tonight – I’m just not in the mood
Betsy – I was living in Chicago when Bruce Sutter made it big as a relief specialist. He really was tremendous.
Looking at these guys – now Goose – they were tremendous pitchers. Just great. Hall of Fame great.
And yet, Mo has better numbers than they do, and it’s not even close. Look at ERA+. Not even close.
Amazing.
DaSaint007
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Average? JD Drew is average. Adam Dunn is average. There are only 1 or 2 superstars per position. Most everyone else is ‘average’, but there are varying grades. I’ll take a 31 yr old with 25/100/.280 capability any day if he’s affordable.
Saint
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Yeah no….
1. Both JD Drew and Adam Dunn (obviously not defensively for Dunn) are much better than Nady
2. Most everyone other than superstars are not average. Your assertion does not make sense on so many levels. If that was was the case their would be only three types of baseball players. Superstar-Average-Sucks. There is a HUGE group of players between Superstar and Average.
3. Nady has had one above average season in his entire career and that was 2008.
His career OPS+ is 108. That is a touch above average. By contrast Bay has a career 131 OPS+. Bay is not a superstar but a great offensive player.
Take out Xavier Nady’s career year in 08 and he is the definition of an average baseball player.
The real Xavier Nady is:
.270-280 AVG .330 OBP 15-20 HR 60-70 RBI
Not even close to enough production in RF or LF on a great team.
Next on the list:
Sutter – 7
Goose -6
Eck -5 (too low)
Hoffman -4
Wilhelm -3
Joe, I can’t even put into words how unbelievable Mo is….I’m in awe of him.
Joe, did Sutter invent the split finger FB or was that Roger Craig?
I like Gossage, I think he’s a good guy – but he’s too bitter about his place in history vis a vis Mo
Joe, did Sutter invent the split finger FB or was that Roger Craig?
I like Gossage, I think he’s a good guy – but he’s too bitter about his place in history vis a vis Mo
just for fun, check out last year’s blog on this day:
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200...../#comments
especially from the middle on. lot’s of interesting thoughts on sabathia , teixeira burnett, use of swisher, etc. possibly signing sheets.
melky was considered a dud not worthy of much conversation. cano was not well thought of.
i think looking back puts some perspective on how difficult it is to forecast and predict needs and moves.
the blog appeared near unanimous on sabathia, high on sabathia, mixed on burnett for 5 years.
not a bad job by the blog.
And…….Mo was #1, of course
Next up is best clutch hitters.
Betsy – I had had the impression that Sutter “invented” it, but then I read a while back that Roger Craig had come up with it, and Sutter used it with devastating effect.
It’s weird to look at old posts, lol – I remember those conversations, too.
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....own_f.html
The Yankees are going to move like a glacier…..
What about Josh Johnson?
The Marlins can not resign him, and he is the next best pitcher (in terms of age + stuff) next to King Felix (I think he is better that Doc cause he is 9 years younger)??
I heard the Marlins are looking for a catcher, so would you do, Joba+Montero+another prospect for him?
Jeter is #4 on the list of best clutch hitters. What amazes me about him is that he hits more HRs in the post-season (against better pitchers) than he does in the regular season.
Betsy – high on pie
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Joe, did Sutter invent the split finger FB or was that Roger Craig?
I like Gossage, I think he’s a good guy – but he’s too bitter about his place in history vis a vis Mo
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I have no more patience with Goose.
It’s one thing to make a distinction between eras and even try to qualify success, but his taking every opportunity to discredit Rivera’s successes – it’s frankly embarrassing.
If anyone can claim unqualified success – it’s Mariano Rivera. But of course, Rivera, unlike Gossage, never makes claims, he just gets outs.
Even making the Hall couldn’t salve Gossage. Pathetic.
It is sad, Bodh – and of all guys to denigrate. Mo? Mo is one of the classiest players ever to step on a field. When he retires, I will just bet that he will be accorded accolades from all over the game – not just because he’s so superb, but because the guy wins the right way (respectful). He looks so innocent, Mo does, but inside lurks an iron will and as competitive a spirit as baseball has ever seen. Goose is not quite as bitter as Jim Rice, but he’s up there.
By the way, Rollie Fingers was #2 on the list.
just for fun, check out last year’s blog on this day:
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200…../#comments
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ugh, I had almost forgotten how I used to cringe when I’d see Pete’s name in the comments section.
He seems like a very bitter and spiteful man.
I gotta tell you that I think most baseball fans think that Mauer winning the MVP is a joke. I don’t care what his stats were. The only reason he won is that the Yankee haters couldn’t bring themselves to give another award to a Yankee. I’d prefer to give the MVP to a player who led his team to 103 wins and the best record in baseball then give it to a player whose team was barely even in the playoff hunt until 2 weeks to go in the season when the team in front of them collapsed. Would Mauer be the MVP if Detroit had won the division? Not a chance.
The American League MVP was Derek Jeter. If Jeter played for Boston he would have won it going away.
Bronx Jeers
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Ralow,
If you’re here:
From Pete’s blog.
“Pete******** wrote:
Jacques:
I voted for Mauer, obviously. I had Teixeira second, Youkilis third, Jeter fourth followed by Cabrera, Morales, Zobrist, Young, Ichiro and Greinke.”
And I eat some minor crow as I said he probably wouldn’t post if he voted a Yankee above a Sox player.
But he was true to his word.
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Thanks man!