A few minor updates
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Dec 07, 2009 
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Just talked to a source who seems to agree with most of the conventional thinking that’s floating around. He sees the Yankees going after Johnny Damon but letting Hideki Matsui slide, he sees Andy Pettitte as an early key to the Yankees offseason, and he’d rather keep Phil Hughes and give up Joba Chamberlain in a trade for Roy Halladay.
It’s not breaking new ground, just another guy in the business who shares some common opinions.
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Just a few very small Red Sox notes because folks like to keep tabs on Boston (but mostly because Terry Francona just addressed the media).
• Francona was asked about keeping track of the Yankees in the offseason: “They’ve got a couple of things that make life difficult for us. They’ve got a lot of money, and they have smart people deciding what they’re doing.”
• Francona has talked to Jason Bay this winter, but much like Joe Girardi talking to the Yankees free agents, Francona has kept the conversations casual and hasn’t asked about Bay’s plans.
• Someone asked if the Red Sox are interested in Hideki Matsui: “Where would we put him?” Francona said.
• Daisuke Matsuzaka will prepare the same as always, for a role in the rotation with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz. “We like our starters,” Francona said. “At the same time, we have to be realistic enough to know you need more than five.” Next in line for the Red Sox would be Michael Bowden and Junichi Tazawa.
• In one of the more bizarre moments I’ve seen, someone in the back of the pack asked Francona if the Red Sox would play Marco Scutaro at second and Dustin Pedroia at short. Francona responded with, “Why?” and the guy said because Pedroia might have better range. That drew a how-do-you-respond-to-that type response, and when someone from MLB asked to see the reporter’s credentials, the guy mumbled and left the room. I honestly believe it was someone who just happened to wander into the room.
That’s actually pretty funny.
Just bring Halladay to the Bronx, resign Pettitte and Damon and i’ll be happy.. Matsui will be greatly missed if that’s the case.
@ Nick. Good observations. This update is right in line with your thinking:
mlbtr: We’ll kick off today’s John Lackey post with a Buster Olney tweet: the ESPN scribe says the Mets will meet with Lackey’s agent Steve Hilliard tonight. Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote earlier today that the Mets are hesitant to exceed four years with Lackey. Lackey, however, might be looking to top A.J. Burnett’s five-year, $82.5MM deal.
Francona was asked about keeping track of the Yankees in the offseason: “They’ve got a couple of things that make life difficult for us. They’ve got a lot of money, and they have smart people deciding what they’re doing.”
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Yeah the Boston Red Sox asre such a small market team. Lame excuses as usual from boston…
Typical mumbling, non-thinking Red Sox fan….probably had a pink RS hat, too !
i’d rather have matsui than damon.
lol @ that last story.
Francano was a little bit blunter about Hideki. Where’s the full quote?
Why would they let Hideki slide when they could probably get him one year very cheap? Really wondering how they’re going to replace his production. And please don’t tell me it’s with a rotating DH slot. Because Cervelli won’t replace Jorge’s production on the days he DH’s. And Gardner won’t replace (presumably) Damon’s production on the days he DH’s.
That sounds like something a new Boston writer would ask. Probably thinks that Cody Ransom would be a better third baseman than Alex Rodriguez.
He sees the Yankees going after Johnny Damon but letting Hideki Matsui slide
That makes sense based on what Cashman said about not letting the post season influence his decision making. Before the playoffs everyone assumed this was the case and Cashman’s not the type to let emotion get in the way. As he said, “you start thinking like a fan and soon enough you end up having to buy tickets like a fan.”
….lastest on the ‘The Pedroia/Scutaro Flip Affair’….would someone please check on Pete Abe’s whereabouts during the recent outbreak of mumbling?
I didn’t realize the red soxs were poor. Now really enough of this cry poor garbage. That team bid 50 million on a pitcher that never pitched in the majors.
Daisuke Matsuzaka will prepare the same as always, for a role in the rotation with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz
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This lineup works if DiceK doesnt hit the DL for a third straight year with a dead arm, Beckett doesnt have back and blister problems, Wakefield doesnt cripple after three months again, and Buchholz only has to face baltimore and toronto.
Then, they have an excellent rotation.
$51.1mill just to talk sushi with diceyK. When are the Yankees getting Randy Winn ?! We can’t winn without Winn!
thats hilarious
Surprised that Francona is at the GM meetings. Is Girardi?
If Jack Cust is cut lose by Oakland as expected, I wonder if NYY makes an offer to him? Basically, he’s a left handed version of Swisher and a Jason Giambi of 3 years ago.
was the insider sj44?
If Jack Cust is cut lose by Oakland as expected, I wonder if NYY makes an offer to him?
Now lots of folks have said this to me and I hate it when they do so please forgive me in advance – but if you’re going after an immoble DH who can’t play the field why not just stick with Matsui other than salary?
That’s hilarious.
Any Girardi sightings?
Daisuke Matsuzaka will prepare the same as always, for a role in the rotation with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz
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Not surprised being that they gave him a gagillion dollars to throw the gyro-sandwich. Youd think they would want him to do everything opposite of what he normally does so that maybe he can stop walking as many guys and throwing his gutsy 5 innings.
I never believed that the Mets were after Jackson. He’s not old enough to attract them(anyone older than 36 and a has been. Santana was a mistake. They thought he lied about his age on his certificate).
DT – OPPC member
December 7th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Surprised that Francona is at the GM meetings. Is Girardi?
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Part of Francona’s job is to burp Boy Wonder when he drinks is milk too fast.
Girardi is actually at the Chipotle on 45th raising money for his charity.
GreenBeret7
December 7th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
DT – OPPC member
December 7th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Surprised that Francona is at the GM meetings. Is Girardi?
————————————————————
Part of Francona’s job is to burp Boy Wonder when he drinks is milk too fast.
******************
Nice, GB!
GB7,
Havnt watched him play much. Hopefully his defense doesnt resemble Giambi and Swishers.
Chip
December 7th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
If Jack Cust is cut lose by Oakland as expected, I wonder if NYY makes an offer to him?
Now lots of folks have said this to me and I hate it when they do so please forgive me in advance – but if you’re going after an immoble DH who can’t play the field why not just stick with Matsui other than salary?
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At $3.5-4 mil a year, it makes more sense than some of the things I’ve seen you spout out in the last two days.
joe was in NYC for a charity event at Chiptole.
Francoma is real crybaby.
Always whinning about money.
S.o.S.
December 7th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
GB7,
Havnt watched him play much. Hopefully his defense doesnt resemble Giambi and Swishers.
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his defense isn’t very pretty, but, he tries like Hell. Swisher’s a regular Baryshnikov in comparison.
Cust’s numbers have gotten progressively worse over the past 3 years.
Joe picked a good place to hold his charity event. Love Chipotle.
these aren’t the “G.M.’s meetings”…those were 2 weeks ago…these are the “Winter meetings” and team reps as well as minorleague affiliates show up as the meetings are actually hosted by minor league baseball and not MLB
Francoma is real crybaby.
Always whinning about money.
____
There are 26 other teams in baseball that want to tell Francona to shove it.
that seemed like a perfectly reasonable question, why would MLB freak out and demand to see credentials? I mean, it’s not as if it was a Stuttering John question.
At $3.5-4 mil a year, it makes more sense than some of the things I’ve seen you spout out in the last two days.
I just can’t see the Yankees spending any money at all on the guy who has led the AL in K’s the last three seasons. Can’t play anywhere other than DH and slugged .417 last season.
If they want that kind of player then invest the money and the minor leaguers to make Adam Dunn a Yankee. They are both high strikeout sluggers, Dunn is just better at it than Cust.
Also, just because his name will come up, the soon-to-be non-tendered Jack Cust could also be an option. However the only two departments in which he provides value – on-base ability and power – have been in decline during the past three years. Is OBP has dropped from .408 in 2007 to .375 in 2008 to .356 in 2009, while his SLG has gone from .504 to .476 to .417. If more advanced stats are what you crave, his IsoD has gone from .152 to .144 to .116 in that time while his IsoP has dropped from .248 to .245 to .177. After three full years in the league, the book may be out Cust, and he doesn’t appear to have adjusted back yet.
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....-dh-20860/
Chip
December 7th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
If Jack Cust is cut lose by Oakland as expected, I wonder if NYY makes an offer to him?
Now lots of folks have said this to me and I hate it when they do so please forgive me in advance – but if you’re going after an immoble DH who can’t play the field why not just stick with Matsui other than salary?
———————————————————-
Hooray for you Chip – you’ve mentioned someone other than the normal scrubs you mention….unfortunately jack cust may be worse then the dejesus’s, hawpe’s, winn’s and ankiel’s you have been parading the last 3 weeks….so kudos for you for not suggesting cust and in his place to keep matsui…you’ll get there eventually..
When things are going bad in Bahhstin the fans refer to the manager as FrancoMa.
Phat Abe ragged on Girardi often. It’s tough to imagine how Terry Francona will be drilled after a bad loss.
I just threw Cust’s name out there because the other crap has been hammered to death. It’s getting tiresome.
Just so some of you guys know the Yanks were high on Ankiel internally last year
If the Boy Wonder isn’t ‘burped’ properly – will the milk come blasting out of his nose ?
Just a thought ….. and one heck of a mental visual !!!
5 moves:
Re-sign Andy
Sign Sheets
Sign Scott Podsednik
Deal IPK & Colin Curtis for David DeJesus
Deal Melky, Pena, Whalen, Pope for Adam Dunn
Jeter -SS
DeJesus – LF
Tex – 1b
Alex – 3b
Dunn – DH
Posada – C
Cano – 2b
Swisher – RF
Podsednik – CF
CC, AJ, Andy, Sheets, Joba/Hughes
Chip
how many options do you have on posting lineups?
I also am getting tired of those poor, poor, Red Sox always whining about how much money the Yankees have. There’s about 20 other teams who wish they could just be close to what the Red Sox have. I can’t ever remember the Sox making such a big deal about it until John Henry took over. He must be such a joy in meetings.
I just threw Cust’s name out there because the other crap has been hammered to death. It’s getting tiresome.
Fair enough.
Look, we’re all entitled to our opinions on this stuff – that’s what is supposed to make it fun.
I really wish everyone would relax. Nothing said on this board (or any other board) will influence the way Cashman goes about his business. The guys I’m suggesting – DeJesus, Dunn, etc…they’re just simply guys I think would fill spots on the team and go along with what the Yankees have been feeding us (younger, cheaper, more versitile) if you disagree, cool.
The guy may actually be correct….Scutaro is grossly overrated, as Boston will soon realize. But on the other hand, they are not known for making sound decisions regarding the shortstop position in the “post-Nomar” era.
Surprised that Francona is at the GM meetings. Is Girardi?
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Part of Francona’s job is to burp Boy Wonder when he drinks is milk too fast.
Well now I’ve seen it all. I’ve turned into GB’s straight man.
(nice line btw…. and no typos either… someone had a nap I see)
Francona SOUNDS bitter, bitter that his team didn’t do nothing in the playoffs.
Chip should lay off the drugs. Crazy stuff
according to a detroit sports talk radio release, the yankees are preparing a package for granderson and jackson. not quite sure what to make of this, as i know there are a dozen teams who have made offers for jackson and he will likely be traded tonight or tomorrow. however, could the yankees be stepping in at the last minute and making things happen?
This one is juicy.
Far-fetched? yes but it’s fun to speculate.
http://blog.mlive.com/cutoffma.....ive.com%29
Come on people, the Yankees do have money and it is an advantage. Francona did say they have smart people running the club. Let’s not be sensitive about having money. They earn it and they should be able to spend it. I recall what it was like when the Yankees didn’t spend money. They had 5,000 people in the stands. I say spend it, spend a lot of it, and spend it wisely.
Chip gets bored and thinks of every scenario he can come up with.
How bout we trade ian kennedy for pujols and put HIM in left field.
Then you have:
Jeter
Alex
Tex
Pujols
Posada
Cano
Swish
Melky
and a DH there somewhere.
#Tigers and #Yankees are in talks on Granderson, but “lukewarm” cause Yanks so far won’tdeal prospect A.Jackson & Det wants CF in return.
http://twitter.com/ed_price
how many options do you have on posting lineups?
Roger – several. Here’s one where Cashman turns to Hal and says “please” and Hal says “fine, spend what you want”
Yankees sign Damon (2 years $16 mil)
Yankees re-sign Andy
Yankees sign Lackey
and then – when you think everything’s done – Holliday pulls a Tex and says to Brian “if you give me 10 mil more spread over 6 years I’m yours” and the Yankees give him 6 years 100 mil
Jeter – ss
Damon – dh
Tex – 1b
Alex – 3b
Holliday – LF
Posada – C
Cano – 2b
Swisher – RF
Melky/Gardner/Jackson – CF
CC, Lackey, AJ, Andy, Hughes/Joba
I like how it was reported that Anthopolous wanted other GMs to come to his office, rather than the other way around. He’s trying to let it be known that he’s the one with the carrot dangling in front of a drooling bunch of GMs – therefore, he’s got the power. He certainly seems to be in control of the situation, not allowing more then 4 people in the room…
austin, its not about the money its about hearing that from the manager of the team with the second biggest pockets. its an excuse, thats all.
Podsenic Chip? Isnt he Gardner with a more recognized name. The only reason i would want to sign Scott is just to see who would win in a foot race between the two. One slappy hitter on this team is one too many IMO.
How bout we trade ian kennedy for pujols and put HIM in left field.
That’s just silly Tex – Everyone knows that with Pujols’ arm problems he can’t play the OF. Come on!
Kepner says, Yankees interested in Aroldis Chapman,FOR LESS THAN $15mm
Chip
December 7th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
5 moves:
Re-sign Andy
Sign Sheets
Sign Scott Podsednik
Deal IPK & Colin Curtis for David DeJesus
Deal Melky, Pena, Whalen, Pope for Adam Dunn
Jeter -SS
DeJesus – LF
Tex – 1b
Alex – 3b
Dunn – DH
Posada – C
Cano – 2b
Swisher – RF
Podsednik – CF
CC, AJ, Andy, Sheets, Joba/Hughes
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Chip – NO,NO,NO, just when you were starting to turn things around you fall off the wagon again and start proposing the dejesus’s and adam dunn deals….
you realize the idea is to WIN games right? Dejesus, Dunn and podsednik will do the opposite – and winn, and ankiel and cameron suck as well..come on bro, drop it..
#Tigers and #Yankees are in talks on Granderson, but “lukewarm” cause Yanks so far won’tdeal prospect A.Jackson & Det wants CF in return.
Give them Melky or Gardner instead HA!
DT – OPPC member
December 7th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Surprised that Francona is at the GM meetings. Is Girardi?
————————————————————
Part of Francona’s job is to burp Boy Wonder when he drinks is milk too fast.
Well now I’ve seen it all. I’ve turned into GB’s straight man.
(nice line btw…. and no typos either… someone had a nap I see)
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You’re my Jackie Gleason to my Art Carney….my Oliver Hardy to my Stan Laurel….my PeteAbe to my GreenBeret7.
It is going to be kind of hard to acquire an All-Star CF like Grandy without giving up Jackson.
Dejesus, Dunn and podsednik will do the opposite
Just out of curiosity how can adding a good defensive LF with a .358 OBP and good splits, a DH who can jack 40 and 100 and a .400 OBP, and a pesky hitter to the bottom of the lineup hurt the Yankees?
I wonder if the Yankees are holding onto Jackson for a Doc trade………
Boy, they really like him if they won’t give him up for Granderson.
Pujols is working on strenghtening his arms and his stamina this off-season…so with just a bit of luck and Cashman’s talent he may be able to become our left-fielder for several seasons after all !!!
It will likely take at least 2 more players in addition to IPK to make the deal work. (they want Swisher, too) We may also be forced to take back a ‘bad contract’ from STL.
Won’t happen at these meetings, though.
I doubt the Yankees will get Chapman for that price. I think he’s worth it as they will never get that kind of talent where they pick in the draft.
Chip
December 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Dejesus, Dunn and podsednik will do the opposite
Just out of curiosity how can adding a good defensive LF with a .358 OBP and good splits, a DH who can jack 40 and 100 and a .400 OBP, and a pesky hitter to the bottom of the lineup hurt the Yankees?
================
This will hurt Melky’s feeings.
Good point Betsy.
I would be fine with this lineup
Jete
Damon dh
Tex
Alex
Posada
Cano
Swish
Melk lf
Granderson(speed at the bottom)
C.C.,Halliday or Lackey, Pettitte, A.J.,Hughes
Joba in the pen if not traded for Roy.
#28 IN THE BAG
i think the right moves are to let Damon and Matsui go unless and let lackey collect a check from somebody else…
resign Andy for 1yr @ 12mil tops
and promote Hughes to the 5th spot with Joba in the 4 spot and Melancon in the bullpen…let these kids know early what will be expected of them and set them up with appropriate training/trainers to begin to prepare now for next year.
Sign a guy like Duchscherer for depth and start him in the pen and sign Aroldis and send him to AA to start the season…
Miranda would be my 1st choice to take the “primary” DH role
Jack Cust named in Mitchell report fyi!
jUSTIN Duchscherer(A’s) declined salary arb,he’s free to test the market mlbtraderumors
Rays want Halladay could offer Wade Davis BJ Upton,tweets MlBastian
Here is what is comes down to as far as $ goes right now….teams and team owners are much more frugal in the current environment and as a result “money” is down across the board..
so Chapman will get no more than $20mil in this environment and it most likely will be from the Yanks
Tyler Kepner says Yankees interested in Chapman for less than 15 million
Jack Cust linked to steroids in Mitchell report.
Why would anyone put a Tops limit on Andy’s contract,the most WINS postseason pitcher,HOW?