Reports suggest Wang non-tendered
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Dec 12, 2009 
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Not that this is surprising news, but there are multiple reports that Chien-Ming Wang has been non-tendered. One of them, oddly enough, comes from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I first saw it from Ken Davidoff.
Still nothing official from the Yankees, though. And still no word on the other arbitration-eligible Yankees.
UPDATE, 8:49 p.m.: Still nothing from the Yankees. Very strange.
He’s going to do well between Kershaw and Billingsly for Torre.
By the way, I think the Angels are on both Lackey and Halladay until they secured one of them then they’ll turn their attention to their lineup.
Good luck to CMW. I bet he ends up signing a deal with the Yanks and rehabbing down in Tampa.
Even more ominous news: the Rays have agreed to a one-year deal with Randy Choate!
Rosenthal says Bay has turned down the Red Sox latest offer.
“I bet he ends up signing a deal with the Yanks and rehabbing down in Tampa.”
I bet that too — $25 worth, with LoHud commenter Erica. If you want a half-share of my bet, I’m listening.
The Yankees don’t need a 1. They paid CC. The real need is a replacement for the guy penciled in as the 2 at the start of 2009 – Chien Ming Wang.
Sure Cashman is willing to trade anyone for the right player – but the Yankees have an ace already and Cash can keep all his bullets while adding a 2.
Lackey + Yankees prospects > Halladay. Without CC, maybe you double pay for Hallday. With him, you sign a 2 for cash alone and keep your chips.
What does everyone think about signing Garett Atkins for a bat off the bench/DH
I prefer Ryan Doumit as DH/RF/emergency catcher.
I hope we bring the Wanger back but I’m also wondering if the best place for him wouldn’t be to hook up with Dave Duncan in St.Louis…he’s the clear cut sinkerball specialist in the sport right now.
I hope he is in pinstripes rehabbing in Tampa w/us
Doumit is actually a good good idea..good hitter switch hitter power hitter allows you to carry 3 catchers and he’s cheap @ 3.5mil but he’s injury prone too
Has Boston picked up Ryan Garko yet?
Doumit, being cheap, also frees up funds for Cashman to target pricey pitching.
Sign Ben Sheets…Sheets is a legit ace when healthy,and has nastier stuff than CC
Sign Wang to a Lieber like deal
Buster Olney says the Mets have made an offer to Lackey.
Dr Mustard,
I was just thinking the same thing.
That’s a great move by the Mets if it’s true. Santana-Lackey in the NL? Whoo. That would definitely force Philly to respond by trading for Halladay. (and keeping Lee, you idiot Rosenthal)
The Yanks are not signing Lackey….
deal with it already Brett
Halladay is a wishfull thinking. no way they trade him within the division and the prospect hit would be too great
plus we need to keep homegrown talent like Montero,Montero will be a beast
I like Sheets too but the health is a big risk…I disagree however about his stuff being nastier than CC’s…I just think Sheets will have more value to another team than too us and will go for more $ than we will want to give him…I actually think that’s who the Mets should be pressing 2yrs/25mil and you go Johan,Sheets,Maine,Pelf and Ollie that’s what they need right now
champ809
December 12th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
The Yanks are not signing Lackey….
deal with it already Brett
—
Well, they’re definitely not coughing up top prospects for Halladay while Lackey’s on the market.
I don’t think the Yankees go for Lackey. They picked up 2 huge FA pitching contracts last winter.
Trading & extending Halladay. Now that’s thinking outside the box.
m
December 12th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I don’t think the Yankees go for Lackey. They picked up 2 huge FA pitching contracts last winter.
—
They would’ve payed Wang the same money (after 2010) Lackey is demanding now, had Wang stayed healthy.
The Yankees would be wise to pay big money for 3/5 rotation spots and fill out the 4 + 5 spot with Joba and Hughes or other cost-effective internal solutions.
I think the Yanks would have ended up eventually trading Wang had he been able to maintain his health.
I don’t know. Lackey *might* be a health risk. Do you really like Lackey that much?
Phil
December 12th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I think the Yanks would have ended up eventually trading Wang had he been able to maintain his health.
—
And leave AJ the #2?
Bret,
I think they expected Phil and Joba to be fine starters by the time they would be ready to trade CMW.
m
December 12th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I don’t know. Lackey *might* be a health risk.
—
No moreso than AJ.
I like Lackey as the 2.
I think CC, Lackey, AJ and Andy would be tough to beat.
Phil
December 12th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Bret,
I think they expected Phil and Joba to be fine starters by the time they would be ready to trade CMW.
—
And if they weren’t? A healthy Wang would be re-signed IMHO.
AJ’s been healthier lately than Lackey.
“I think they expected Phil and Joba to be fine starters by the time they would be ready to trade CMW.”
However, that didn’t happen with Phil and Joba so a trade might not have happen until after next year.
Bret,
Depends on what else was available.
Lackey had elbow issues as recently as 6 months ago. Not “no moreso than AJ”.
So you guys really think that the Yankees developed Wang just to use him and trade him?
You think they have 5 year plans to trade away pitchers who by that point could be approaching 100 wins?
Phil
December 12th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
AJ’s been healthier lately than Lackey.
—
176 IP’s for Lackey in 2009.
He’s also less of a ‘thrower’ than Lackey, has better mechanics and pitches effectively on a more consistent basis.
I agree with Phil about Wang. The Yankees would have most likely traded him at some point. For whatever reasons, Yankee brass prefer power/strikeout pitchers in the rotation. Mussina was a bit of an exception: he was a strikeout pitcher, but not overpowering.
I hope Wang signs a minor-league deal and rehabs with the organization, and maybe returning late in the season, but I see him being picked up possibly by LA or St. Louis. Dave Duncan could do wonders with him.
At this point, I want neither Halladay nor Lackey, and would much prefer Sheets as my #4.
edit: Less of a ‘thrower’ than AJ
Give Sheets the same deal Pettitte had this year.loaded with incentives
If Sheets has a injury free year,pitches well and wins a world series in 2010,his stock goes through the roof
Sheets’ agent said that if were anything to happen,it was going to take some time after he talked to Cash.
From what I’ve read about Ben Sheets, the Yankees looked at his medicals at the end of 2008 and saw too many red flags. Other teams saw the same thing and they passed on him and he sat out 2009 rehabbing. You wanna talk about health risks?
Lackey is not a #2 pitcher, and if he was to be the #2 pitcher, you’d have to pay him higher than AJ’s $16.5 million per, and the Yankees are NOT paying Lackey $17 million per.
When you compare their stats, AJ comes out ahead overall. I think Lackey would be signed if he dropped his demands to $15 million over 4 years.
Lennon now says the Mets have not made an offer to Lackey.
That’s $15 million per year, over 4 years.
I’d prefer a pitcher that’s at least had some experience pitching in the AL. Sheets has NL numbers and I don’t trust them.
Maybe Cashman is waiting for him to drop his demands. Whatever the case, he’s been winning divisions as the Angels ace for some time now. He’s a 2.
Knew the Mets weren’t that smart….
Lackey back to LAA?
He’s also started the last 2 seasons on the DL.
Angels are pushing hard for Halladay – that should tell you everything you need to know about how they view their ability to retain Lackey.
The team doctors will look at the medicals on Lackey. Maybe he’s a safe risk, maybe not. I’m not a medical expert.
E-Gawa
Have you seen Sheets even pitch?…dont matter what league he in, the guy is an ace
And Sheets would not cost prospects and either Joba/Hughes
But, but….
Sheets >> CC >> Beckett >> Halladay
Sheets is the beeesssttttt!!!!!
Groundball pitcher, ball park that’s been playing small.
Doesn’t seem like someone you would want to lose or move unless you thought they couldn’t get it done.
and even what they think of Lackey.
Phil
December 12th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
and even what they think of Lackey.
—
I’m sure they thought plenty about Teixeira.
Gotta be realistic though.
Bret the Hitman
December 12th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
The Yankees would be wise to pay big money for 3/5 rotation spots and fill out the 4 + 5 spot with Joba and Hughes or other cost-effective internal solutions.
******************************************************
that’s exactly what they have now
CC @ 23mil #1
AJ @ 18mil #2
Pett @ 12mil #3
Joba @ 440k #4
Phil @ 440k #5
Personally, I don’t want to pay the price in young talent for Halladay. I don’t want to pay the money for Lackey.
I’d rather get a filler for this year and take my chances for next off-season, when more starting pitching talent is slated to be available: Halladay, Lee, Webb, Beckett – all of which can be argued are better than Lackey.
I’d offer an incentive based contract to Ben Sheets and hope he lasts at least the first half of the season. Then I’d sign Wang to a minor-league deal, with the hope that he rehabs and is able to contribute come June or July when Hughes may be out of innings. And I’d keep Gaudin in the bullpen and send Mitre to Scranton if possible.
So it’s smart for the Angels to trade prospects for Halladay — maybe just for a year or maybe with a big extension too — when Lackey would just cost them money and no prospects but it would not be smart for the Yankees to trade for Halladay because they can just get Lackey for money?
repost for murphydog
On Lupica, I do not even bother mentioning him, because he is such a little weasel. He recalled the greatest NY championship teams of the last 50 years and did not mention any NYY year (not even 1998).
Lupica has a face not even his own mother can love.
Hopefully Wang can pitch again. That being said the Yankees should, assuming the medical reports are good, have gone to Wang and offered him a contract to come back at 2 or 3 million a year plus incentives. That just makes sense. If they don’t see him as being able to return to form then unfortunately they’ll let someone else deal with him. He was gentleman and gave his all while in a Yankee uniform. Unlike some of the guys we now call prospects he came ready to pitch from the day he was called up. A great record for someone so young. Good fortune, C. M . Wang!!!
that’s exactly what they have now
—
Right, but giving Joba and Phil 2 spots right now is a risk. In 1 year, when Pettitte is off the books, maybe they mature and develop into more trustworthy starters and you give them 2 spots.
Nick in SF
December 12th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
So it’s smart for the Angels to trade prospects for Halladay — maybe just for a year or maybe with a big extension too — when Lackey would just cost them money and no prospects but it would not be smart for the Yankees to trade for Halladay because they can just get Lackey for money?
—
If you’re the Angels, do u think u can outbid the Yankees?
If you’re the Yankees, do you think u can outbid the Angels?
Apples and oranges.
Besides, the Yankees ace led them to a WS championship whereas the Angels are in desperate need of an ace not a 2.
If the Angels really, really wanted to hold on to Lackey they would’ve.
He wasn’t healthy so they were leery, understandable.
They don’t want to overpay for him. Plain and simple.
Lackey’s the best FA pitcher in this class. I don’t see a big clamor for him. I don’t think anyone wants to overpay for him. Teams not shopping for aces. Other teams don’t want to pay him ace-type money to be a number 2 (Yankees, Boston, Seattle)
Bobby Meacham was a good 3rd base coach. Ask Chien-Ming Wang.
The Angels are not interested in re-signing Lackey? When did this happen?
There’s going to be a profile on Granderson in the NYDN tomorrow.
K.Long has been calling him already.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blo.....nt=Twitter
The Angels offered Lackey 72mil over 4yrs and he turned that down thinking he could get 6yrs/100+mil…it ain’t happening
For me Lackey is a #3 on a good staff stuffwise that competes like a good #2 and that’s his problem. He wants to be paid like an elite pitcher when he’s actually a very good pitcher with a bulldog’s mentality. Good for him but that intangible isn’t worth an extra 30-40mil.
Sheets if healthy is the best starter available in FA bar none.
Cash knows he overpaid for AJ because he needed him last year But at least Burnett has legit #2 stuff it just that he pitches like a #3 with it.
I wouldn’t pay Lackey 90mil to come here I’m sorry I think the smarter move assuming Sheets moves out of my price range would be to sign Duchscherer for 3-4mil and let him backup Joba and Phil
CC is overpaid.
AJ is overpaid.
Andy is overpaid.
Randy Wolf just got overpaid.
Harden – same thing.
Overpaying starters is no new thing.
Lackey deserves to be overpaid, just like the rest of ‘em.
So just tell Lackey that we don’t value him as an Ace and he should sign for $13M.
Champ and Nick hit it on the head. Lackey isn’t a #2, and shouldn’t be paid like one. He will not get AJ money, and AJ was overpaid. IMHO, AJ should have received 4 years at $15 million, or maybe an additional year.
With CC and AJ locked up for the next 4 to 6 years (I’m ignoring CC’s opt-out clause) at the top of the rotation, Hughes and Joba can continue to develop as starters, and if they do, neither will be eleigible for big money for a few years.
I think it will be interesting to see what Pettitte does after 2010, because if he pitches well (defined as 14+ wins), he could continue to want a sizable contract, which the team may not want to do. Imagine what they would have had to pay Wang had he continued to win and not been injured.
If the Angels get Lackey, they don’t need to push SO hard for Doc; if they don’t, then they do……..except then the Angels wouldn’t exactly be Doc’s best chance to win…..Interesting conundrum
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....index.html
Granted, a Nov. 9 article but nothing has changed with Lackey since this was published.
Does anyone know if Mike Lupica is actually a human being?
My gut feeling is that he is just an anti-Yankees robot, built by Stephen king.
I’d also look hard at Eric Bedard.
Lefty, AL East tested, young, strikeout pitcher.
When healthy.
From the SI article:
one league source said of Lackey, “He’s definitely on their radar.”
Word is that the Yankees probably will be willing to repeat A.J. Burnett’s $82.5 million, five-year contract for Lackey.
More from the SI article:
Yankees people always have liked Lackey, but they were especially impressed by the toughness he showed in this year’s American League playoffs. Lackey was seen on camera begging Angels manager Mike Scioscia to leave him in Game 5. “The Yankees think Lackey is a bulldog,” the league source said.
DaSaint007
December 12th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I’d also look hard at Eric Bedard.
Lefty, AL East tested, young, strikeout pitcher.
When healthy.
—
He’s a jerk though and lately character seems to count for something in NYC.
Nick, good point!
Lackey for 5?
I’ll believe it when I see it.
M, it’s hardly over with the Angels and Lackey – all signs point to them trying to re-sign with them.
If the Met offer were true, I’m not about to give them a ton of credit for that – it’s an obvious move for them as they have to do something.
He’s 31. He’ll get 5.
The Yankees are not interested in Lackey at anywhere close to that price….and I doubt he’s even really on their radar now.
Good bye Ian Kennedy, it’s great to see you go. As a season ticket holder, while living in NE PA, I brought my grandsons to numerous games, and all the players were great at giving autographs, and even pictures when time permitted. All except Ian Kennedy, when kids came up to him, he acted like a snob, and told them not to bother him. I saw this on several occasions, and he was only nice when a reporter or club officials were near by. No big deal him being gone, the Yankees saw the same guy that did not fit in, that’s why he was dealt. Getting Lackey gives us a great #2, costs $, but no prospects. Matt Holliday in LF is a great plus, if Cash can get it done.
Here’s a Granderson article:
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....erson.html
This guy seems too good to be true…….I love him already
Let me clarify:
Lackey with the Yankees for 5?
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Didn’t mean they don’t want him.
Just meant if the Angels really, really wanted Lackey they could’ve showed him the love ($$$) and locked him.
I’m sure they’d like him back, but they probably don’t want to help escalate the bids if/when he eventually comes back. And for this they’re willing to risk losing him.
The Yanks are not giving a 31-32yr old pitcher a 5yr deal(at least not one not named Roy Halladay)
The Yanks may like Lackey’s grit,everybody in the game does,but they ain’t paying him like he’s a #1 when he’s a #3 just because there are no real #1′s out there this year.
Teams like Lackey but all those same teams are reluctant to go more than 4yrs right now…same with Bay’s market
The first team that blinks and offers 5yrs on either player will get him. won’t be the Yanks in either case
Too bad about Wang, I hope the Yanks sign him to a contract. I think it would be an extremely short-sighted move to cut him loose. Mark my words, this guy will get healthy and be the pitcher he used to be. I honestly think he will be ready to pitch in the big leagues on June 1.
No way no how to Lackey’s kisser every 5th day for 5 years.
Fans will no longer be holding hands and singing “Sweet Caroline” at Boston Field.
There will be a different Neil Diamond classic heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ighSddnnaPE
Matt… sounds good to me…
Hope this link works. Breathtaking.
http://yanksfansoxfan.typepad......970b-800wi
There are far to many GREAT pitchers on the free agent market in the near future to get tied into a long term contract with a GOOD starter in Lackey.
If Wang wants to sign a minor-league deal, great. If not, what are you going to do? There’s no reason to believe just on the basis of a gut feeling that he’s not only going to be ready to go on June 1, but that he’ll be anywhere close to the pitcher he was….
Why are people so hung up on Lackey’s looks? I don’t particularly want him, but I don’t care what the heck he looks like.
murphydog, that link needs a disclaimer: do not click on a full or empty stomach.
Why are people so hung up on Lackey’s looks? I don’t particularly want him, but I don’t care what the heck he looks like.
–
Some of us watch baseball on hi-def TVs. Also some of us are vain don’t want to cheer for a team of uggos.
“murphydog, that link needs a disclaimer: do not click on a full or empty stomach.”
Haha seriously, that pic is freaking heinous
We should consider signing Johnny!!! Not that Johnny, but this Jonny-Gomes, who was nontendered by the Reds, made $600,000 last year with 20 homers in 281 ABs. Then turn your remaining financing for pitching.
“Why are people so hung up on Lackey’s looks? I don’t particularly want him, but I don’t care what the heck he looks like.”
Because I hate ugly people.
Cashman=crazy What the heck is a few million dollar risk for us?? I don’t get it…
Anyone hear Posada on the Herd?
Two things of note:
-Posada said he expects to catch about 115 games this year.
-When asked about Montero, Posada called him “raw” defensively but reminded him of Piazza with his opposite field power. When asked if he was scared of losing his job to Montero, Posada laughed and said “he can have it after 2010.”
I still get flashbacks to Lackey snarling “It’s mine!!” right before Scoscia yanked him from the ALCS game.
Not in pinstripes, please!
Betsy -
Thanks for linking that story on Granderson. Wow is all I can say. No matter what, the Yankees got one of the best people in baseball to play for them.
So Patrick, you only go for the hot men?
“murphydog, that link needs a disclaimer: do not click on a full or empty stomach.”
It was thoughtless of me. Mea maxima culpa.
Seriously, that’s what I call “feral.” You biology majors out there might want to double check me on this but Lackey is, I think, genus “a bocca aperta”
Let’s go yanks and I agree in something! you don’t want to tie up money and years in lackey when there are potentiaLly three #1 starters that are free agents next year and Felix the year after. Its either Halladay, sheets, or just go with what you’ve got IMO..
“So Patrick, you only go for the hot men?”
First of all, I was just joking.
Secondly, think about it this way dude. Would you rather watch a team full of good looking people or a team full of ugly dudes. The 2004 Boston team was damn hideous. Lets be honest with ourselves. There is nothing gay about it, I’d rather have good looking people on my team.
Doreen, you’re welcome……I think the Yanks have cornered the market on good guys, lol
Actually I thought Lackey did a decent acting job in the movie “Der Name Rose” which also stared Sean Connery.
http://i378.photobucket.com/al.....Rose-3.jpg
I meant to type also starred Sean Connery.
Blake,
Its the end of the world as we know it. In all honesty the dreaded “eye test” tells you all you need to know about Lackey not being a wise investment.
I also hope you saw my message last night apologizing if I came off as too confrontational…
also, not to mention Verlander and Josh Johnson looming in a few years as well.
Let’s go Yankees, yea I saw it, no worries. Everybody disagrees on things sometimes but ultimately we are all Yankee fans and are on the same team here. The blog would be no fun though if everyone agreed on everything.
http://browniepoints.mlblogs.c.....e_bay.html
I don’t think Bay is going back to Boston
So, Nick in SF, that display of Lackey’s didn’t impress you? it impressed most people, including me. Don’t you want that type of competitor on the mound for the Yankees?
Of course the flip side was the Mussina-esque glare when a fielding miscue was made…
Seeing that it was the St. Louis Dispatch that was one of those who reported that Wang was non-tendered, it makes me wonder if St. Louis is interested in acquiring Wang.
It seems an odd source unless there has been some talk about interest in our tenderless Wang.
Bay is rumored to have gotten an offer for 5 years. No indication on who that is from. Of course it may not be for the amount per year he is looking for, but the Red Sox seem like they only want Bay for some discount.
If they are looking for bargains, they won’t find one with him or Holliday. Neither will give a discount to play in Fenway at any rate.
If Bay Signs with Mets. Sox gona have to pay serious money on both of boras clients.
Lackey is a quality pitcher, but I would be shocked to see the Yankees giving him or any other pitcher five years this go-round.
Neither do I see Sheets very likely with his high contract expectations. After all, no one really knows if he can pitch this year.
“When asked if he was scared of losing his job to Montero, Posada laughed and said “he can have it after 2010.”
Am I mistaken, I thought Jorge was under contract through 2011? As many times as he forgot the count/number of outs this year, I would not surprised if he mis-counted his contract years as well.
Have the Yankees yet confirmed that Wang is tenderless? It seems widely reported that he is non-tendered, but nothing official yet.
If Bay signs with the Mets his power production is gonna drop way off. Citi field is much larger than the Jai-ali court (fenwway).
Sheets probably won’t get anywhere near the amount he is said to be wanting. He is a good pitcher, but with being out for a year and with his shoulder not being exactly pristine, that high dollar contract doesn’t seem like a good risk for him.
“Bay is rumored to have gotten an offer for 5 years”
MLB.com is reporting that he turned down Boston’s latest offer, but says nothing about a 5 year offer. I would suspect that if he got a 5 year offer at the appropriate per year money, he would jump on it after a short period of offering his first choice to match.
Macdougal non tendered. Theres our bullpen guy. Perfect for yankees. What your thoughts?
Jason Bay Rumors: Saturday
By Mike Axisa [December 12 at 4:46pm CST]
4:46pm: A major league source told WEEI.com that one club has offered Jason Bay a five-year deal (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Ian Browne of MLB.com says that its “starting to appear unlikely” that Bay will remain with Boston.
_____________
From http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....urday.html
It could be speculation, or the ML source could be either from the club that made it or Bay’s camp.
Jack Cust got non-tendered. That’s a lot of walks and homers if we don’t bring back Hit-deki.
Abdababdaserser,
It’s probably true then, I hadn’t checked that site in the last hour or so. If they are giving him 15 per or better, I’ll bet he goes to whoever offered that. I can’t see a bidding war escalating from 5/75 for Jason Bay.
“it impressed most people…”
Be a leader, not a follower!
Competitive fire is nifty, but more so before you’ve screwed up than after. On Lackey that day is looked positively putzified.
What a maroon!
“Jack Cust got non-tendered. That’s a lot of walks and homers if we don’t bring back Hit-deki.”
I wouldn’t be comfortable with Cust batting 5th, so IMO, he wouldn’t adequately fill that need.
Phil
December 12th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Jack Cust got non-tendered. That’s a lot of walks and homers if we don’t bring back Hit-deki
Deff worth checking out. Should be realy cheap to.
Being that the Mets are being linked to him, it wouldn’t surprise me that they look to sign Bay. Did they finish low enough that their draft pick is protected? That would be an added twist.
if the yankees still want a dh, they would get matsui back.
they dont want a dh.
Kind of surprised by this non-tendering of Wang. They will put in $4 million as the arb number and get it.
Assume he comes back and can pitch even as a #5 in 2010. He is then reasonable trade bait for 2011. Alternatively, he is great and still under the Yankees control (maybe gets $6 million in arb in 2011). Or, he is terrible and non-tendered for 2011.
That’s $10 million for two years. Worst case scenario: they’ve blown $4 million. You’re the Yankees, you can do this.
Maybe that’s why they haven’t announced it yet–still trying to work something out with Nero at the last minute?
I don’t really see Cust being protection for Alex, but Posada or Cano might be put in that role. Cano might even hit with RISP! or not.
Wow. Boston is really looking like toast for 2010.
Abda-
I’m with you on Sheets. Either he can demonstrate his health, or he takes an incentive based contract much like Harden. If he can convince on his health then he is even more of a get for the Yankees IMO. Either way I do not think he is going to be overpriced and the Yankees might want to be in on him. He has lot to prove this year. If I were the Yankees under the above conditions I might even consider 1 year with a mutual option and a lowered buyout.
Nick in SF -
Well, I have since clicked on murphydog’s link, and I’m now decided. No Lackey.
Abda-
meant a 1 +1 on the contract terms.
PittsburghYankeeFan, I was wondering the same thing. According to the article on the Yankees official site it says that Cashman is weighing his options. Maybe that means talking to the boss about seeing the 4 million as something other than part of the budget he is working with.
I would think that this isn’t a shock to Wang, give how things have gone.
The other possibility is Cash is working with Nero to get another acceptable deal in place that is lower guaranteed but has incentives to put it back up to normal range if he hits the targets.
I do think at even 4M, its worth it if he can come back. As a back of the rotation pitcher it isn’t totally out of line, but will he be able to pitch, that is the big question looming over this.
Zell has an amazing piece on jeter:
http://zellspinstripeblog.com/.....ike-jeter/
I’d sign Sheets too with the incentive-laden deal. The Yanks can reward him after he has a produtcive, healthy season. It’s a high risk, high reward thing, but damn he was a stud before this injury!
Package Gardner for DeJesus and he becomes our #2 hitter and LF’er.
Bring Matsui back and sign Cameron to play RF and dump Swisher while his value is high and contract is cheap.
MTU, I could see that. The one thing that I read that puzzled me was that he wouldn’t do a bullpen session to show what he has. I understand that this is the off season, but I don’t think anyone is expecting to see mid-season form. I think if he can show he can get it over the plate for a number of pitches it might be enough of a look to take the chance.
It would seem to all depend on Wang’s medicals. Didn’t Cash say they would review them prior to making a decision. Perhaps they did and they like his prospects for recovery at the right price. If the meds are bad they will non-tender him IMO because it would likely just be dead money.
Heck, if Sheets pitches near to his old level he would be worth the amount he is looking for, or close to it. Adding from a lower guaranteed to 10 or 11 Million might look good enough to land him.
Would the Yankees think so? And even more, can they do this and stay in budget along with adding the DH, and possibly the LF players?
Might be smart to keep Joba and Phil, not give 15 mil a year to Lackey and instead sign either Sheets, Bedard or Duchscherer to a 1 yr deal with incentives. Tough call on who, if any of them will stay healthy in 2010, but that’s what Cashman gets paid for. Duchscherer might be the least expensive but could be a nice addition. Bedard hates the media is uncomfortable when the spotlight is on him. That worries me but I do love his stuff and he is a lefty. Sheets has been filthy but he always has some sort of injury. Should be interesting. I am not that big on Pinerio or Marquis for the type of $$ they want.
Terry-
the smart play might be to go 1 + 1 right now so if he does come back to form you have locked up for an addition year at a bargain price. If he doesn’t perform you use the less expensive buyout on the 2nd year. If sheets can perform he is one hell of a weapon.
IMO, there are 2 problems with paying Wang 4 mill.
1. There is no guarantee the guy even pitches next year. Shoulder surgeries are serious and it would not surprise me at all if we do not see Wang pitch an inning in the major leagues next year. Even if he does pitch next season 4 million is a lot for someone who is most likely going to miss a huge chunk of the season
2. He takes up a roster spot, plain and simple
Unless Wang takes a minor league deal I do not see him returning to the Bronx
Also, in regard to the Jack Cust idea. The guy has had some serious dip in production the past couple years. The league may have figured him out.
It seems to me the Yanks have looked over his medicals. Cashman wouldn’t be “weighing the options” on the Wang decision if they weren’t good enough, it would have probably been announced he was non-tendered yesterday.
I might be reading too much into this, but it seems there are enough questions raised to him being able to come back that the Yankees might just keep him or set up a come back home deal both can live with before non-tendering him. I think it seems more positive than it did before.
Abda-
They might not want anybody more than Damon or mats so it is possible they can do it for Sheets.
It might simply be that the pitching market is so overpriced that Wang at 4 million, question marks and all, is a relative bargain.
Good points there LGY, but they do currently have room on the roster. The 4M is a big sum to just give to him.
The Yankees have the best idea of how his surgery has gone, but it is so early on that its tough to know how he will come around.
Does anyone have a read on Duchsherer’s medicals or contract demands at the present time ? Also, has there been any reported interest ?
“Good bye Ian Kennedy, it’s great to see you go. As a season ticket holder, while living in NE PA, I brought my grandsons to numerous games, and all the players were great at giving autographs, and even pictures when time permitted. All except Ian Kennedy, when kids came up to him, he acted like a snob, and told them not to bother him. I saw this on several occasions, and he was only nice when a reporter or club officials were near by. No big deal him being gone, the Yankees saw the same guy that did not fit in, that’s why he was dealt. Getting Lackey gives us a great #2, costs $, but no prospects. Matt Holliday in LF is a great plus, if Cash can get it done”
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thank you for the insight. If this is true i don’t have to root for him now
Just think the Daily News article on Granderson will get read by Damon. It will remind him the Yankees are prepared to move on. Cashman addressed this first in the winter meeting,even before Andy, and knocked Boras feet from under him!
The only thing that would make it funnier, is if Damon has to come crawling back like Alex did.
“Secondly, think about it this way dude. Would you rather watch a team full of good looking people or a team full of ugly dudes. The 2004 Boston team was damn hideous”
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lol. Not gay either. But David Justice was the coolest looking yankee player
I’d rather see Boston spend their money this season on a weaker free agent market then save it all for next year when they can sign legit all-star caliber guys.
In case you don’t know who could be a free agent after next season:
Joe Mauer
Albert Pujols (has an option for 2011 though)
Derek Jeter
Carl Crawford
Jayson Werth
Jimmy Rollins (option)
Jose Reyes (option)
Victor Martinez
Adam Dunn
Michael Cuddyer
Jason Kubel
Derrek Lee
Lance Berkman
Paul Konerko
Pitchers:
Josh Beckett
Matt Cain (option)
Roy Halladay
Cliff Lee
Brandon Webb
Javier Vazquez
Kevin Millwood
Mariano Rivera
Brian Funetes
Huston Street
and more…
do you really want the Sox armed with $100′s of millions to spend next year??
or would you rather they open their wallets for Jason Bay/ Matt Holliday and/or a guy like John Lackey?
Every time I see Lackey’s name come up, I think back to Dr. Cox telling his story of talking with Lackey, and Lackey mentioning that he hates New Yorkers.
boston could do this year, what Cash did when he passed up on Santana.
“Every time I see Lackey’s name come up, I think back to Dr. Cox telling his story of talking with Lackey, and Lackey mentioning that he hates New Yorkers”
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yup. Looks the part as well. Texas people (and other assorted rednecks) can be funny that way.
Mark in Tampa
December 12th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
“When asked if he was scared of losing his job to Montero, Posada laughed and said “he can have it after 2010.”
Am I mistaken, I thought Jorge was under contract through 2011? As many times as he forgot the count/number of outs this year, I would not surprised if he mis-counted his contract years as well.
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I was thinking the same thing. Either he mispoke, miscounted, or thinks he’ll be spending 2011 mostly as a DH/2nd Catcher a la Joe Girardi was to him.
Cashman said Piching, Pitching, Pitching. I believe him.
Who are the best options for yankees if that is true (not in order) :
Sheets
Duke
Escobar
Bedard
Wang
other ?
Conditions:
Known healthy or incentive-only
minimum # 3 stuff
willing to go on a 1, or 1 + 1 contract
reasonable price (no more than 10 Mill guaranteed 1st year only)
AL experience a +
Availability
BJK,
I heard it as well. The interview was concluding, and he might have been taken by surprise and misspoke. But considering he mentioned his time behind the plate would be curtailed to 110-115 games in 2010, he may have merely been acknowledging that if Montero is ready, he would be the primary catcher in 2011.
MTU, I would be considering sheets and ducsherer (however you spell it) unless something happens with Halladay or Lackeys price drops a ton.
MTU
Did Duke get tendered a contract yet.
Blake-
let’s just leave Halliday and Lackey out of it for the moment. My choices would be similar. But I would like to double-down so to speak with Sheets/wang, Duke/wang, or possibly Sheets/duke. Can never have enough pitching.
No contract for Duke that i am aware of ?
Yanks could sign Ben Sheets and have a 3-man rotation for the #4 and #5 starter spots.
I doubt they would do that, but it would be one way to keep Sheets from overworking and take into account innings limits for Joba and Phil (in addition to keeping them fresh).
If the Yankees don’t watch it all the pitching is gonna be gone. I mean the sox have already stolen Boof bonser from us..
“do you really want the Sox armed with $100’s of millions to spend next year??”
That entirely depends on whether or not Joe Mauer resigns with the Twins.
I agree that next season’s free agent class is better, but at this point, I actually think it’s being over rated in many way because there are two factors that make it special and those two factors are being generalized to the entire class:
1. Joe Mauer could be available (Forget Pujols – his option is getting picked up)
2. A deep crop of front line pitchers – though those pitchers are on the older side (Cain’s option will be picked up as long as he doesn’t blow out his arm).
And there’s a real limit to next year’s class – most of the key guys available are on the wrong side of 30.
The red sox major problem isn’t their pitching – it’s their position players. Their big league roster has gotten very old and their minor leagues are baron with respect to upper division talent and power hitting throughout the system.
Next year how much the Sox could leverage the market to improve in pitching is unclear because they very well could lose Beckett.
Would they really resign Beckett and then splurge again for a Cliff Lee, etc? I’m not so sure. Lee at this point is likely a better pitcher than Beckett but it’s a marginal gain.
Next year’s free agent class for the Sox really gets down to Mauer. Joe Mauer availability is the factor that would re-accelerate the Sox ability to catch up to the Yanks faster than any other.
But Mauer looks like he will resign with the twins.
And if he does hit the market the yankees will go after him very hard.
Jeter is going to be a yankee – so scratch him off. Martinez is already on the Sox so at best with him they are staying even.
Berkman is a terrific bat but he’ll be fairly old when he hits the market and is not a good defensive player. And he’s a left handed bat which isn’t ideal at Fenway.
There’s a real argument to be made that Holliday is better than any other likely free agent next year other than Mauer. Bay may be better than anyone else in next year’s class other than Maeur and Berkman (again – no way Pujols option isn’t picked up).
Red Sox pass this year and then Maeur resigns with the Twins they are in a real hole and would have let a season go to waste and opportunity pass.
I think Wang is a goner. $ 4 million is huge for a pitcher who has been injured for 2 consecutive years. It’s a big risk and the Yankees will probably go to a much sure and positive direction. The Yankees could use the $ 4 million on starting pitching or another arm in the bullpen.
Or maybe Jorge was just talking off the top of his head – hey, catching is a hard job, man if he’s ready, he can have it.
Maybe he really meant nothing at all by that statement – you know? Like all of us do from time to time.
Bodhisattva,
Is 115 games really curtailed? He hasn’t started more than 126 games at catcher since 2003.
Doreen:
“It might simply be that the pitching market is so overpriced that Wang at 4 million, question marks and all, is a relative bargain.”
Maybe. The used car market is booming right now because money/credit is tight and new cars cost too much. But price only gets the buyer in the door. Show me the Carfax!
IMO, the flip side of a down market is that teams will be more risk averse, not less. Based on what I understand about shoulder surgery (right, not a heckuva lot) I think risk to reward on Wang is not favorable right now, certainly not worth $4 million just to rehab from a non-projectable surgery. Maybe Wang misses 2010 and comes back for 2011 if at all.
all kidding aside Blake if good pitching is the aim, and I think cash thinks it is then he ought be focused on it like a laser beam (where have I heard that before). I hope he is investigating the scenarios we spoke of like yesterday. Personally, I dont see Joba and huhges in the rotation together this year. I think cash is gonna want more depth, and i dont mean Aceves/gaudin, or mitre JMPO.
MTU
Waiting to see what happens with Accardo to. Crossing my fingers lol
I still think he will re-sign.
Joba wouldn’t be on innings limits that would require he be part of a three man rotation, but Hughes is under innings limits.
blake, I know I am so upset that we didn’t get Boof. We could have had shirts made saying “Where’s the Boof?”
Boston have had a very bad off-season. However in fairness, that can change fast.
- if they lose Bay they WILL sign Matt Holliday
- it is not too late for Boston to trade for Halladay (i admit not likely), or sign Lackey, Sheets, or Bedard
“boston could do this year, what Cash did when he passed up on Santana.”
Not particularly. No pitcher available next year is close to as attractive as CC was when he was a free agent due to the differences in age. CC was 28-29 when he hit the market. Next year’s pitchers are all older or not as good.
And if Mauer reups with the Twins no position player available next year will be close to as good as Tex is (again – no way Pujols hits the market).
The Sox desperately need Joe Mauer. But his probability of hitting the market is far lower than CC or Tex’s was in 2008 so Boston’s gamble is even more high risk than the yankees was when they passed on Santana in 2007.
And even if Mauer does hit the market the Sox would have to outbid the yankees and I that is a very poor risk.
Sac-
where does Accardo fit in. Isn’t he a reliever ?
murphydog -
It makes sense that teams would be more risk averse than in flush times. Every cent (ahem) really has to count.
I’m just thinking in terms of what Cashman himself said, that the prices are really very high this year, which is kind of surprising. It is almost as if they are in some kind of denial about the state of the economy – like if they act is if there is no problem, then there isn’t any problem. Do you know what I’m trying to say?
“If eaten way too much fish…..”
“I suddenly have to go BOOF”
The funny thing about Boof is that is his given name, and not a nick-name.
CB-
There is always the outside chance that they could pry A-Gon loose wouldn’t that change the equation ?
“if they lose Bay they WILL sign Matt Holliday”
I woouldn’t be so sure about that, since it seems he is going to be @2-3M per year more expensive than Bay.
“The funny thing about Boof is that is his given name, and not a nick-name”
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weird. My money is on him bein from california
CB, if there is a very real chance that Holliday will be the best position player available next offseason other than maybe Mauer (I agree with you ) then shouldn’t they perhaps go after him this year when they need a LF and the economy stinks?
MTU
We need a good arm in the bullpen.Lost Bruney and Coke. Dunn is not ready yet.He will be just not at the start.
“I woouldn’t be so sure about that, since it seems he is going to be @2-3M per year more expensive than Bay”
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Mark: they have the money. I expect the Bay offer is about what they believe his value is.
that said, i don’t at all like bein an apologist for them. And i hope you’re right
How much more boring can this offseason get?
NOTHING is going on….no rumors…nothing…the only things that were exciting were the 3 days of the winter meetings and so far, 90% of those have just been the normal rumors that happens every other year that the sports writers have elevated this year to make some news..
FYI sports writers who are ignorant enough to even write this:
The phillies aren’t trading Cliff Lee for prospects and then shipping those prospects to Toronto! For the phillies, Cliff Lee = Roy Halladay…. Halladay isn’t going to be able to win them anymore games than Lee has to take a risk and bring in a different pitcher and make him adjust when you already have Lee adjusted..
NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!
“weird. My money is on him bein from california”
Sadly, he’s from St. Petersburg, FL. I know, that was your 2nd choice.
The Sox oftentimes seem to be too clever by half. How many times have they shot themselves in the foot recently. Maybe that explains things. Too smart for their own good, or too cheap.
CB, I agree that while the FA group from next year has some issues with it.
Mauer is the big deal if he goes that far. The Twinkies are going to be trying very hard to keep him. New Stadium might help give them enough extra to sign him. Of course he might feel that the Twins, while they compete, just seem to tread water rather than have the tools to go all the way. Championships do mean a lot to these guys, especially when they get into their later years.
Halladay is a good example of that. Will Mauer be the next to feel time slipping away and look to go to a contender rather than going on hope that they can slip in?
“There is always the outside chance that they could pry A-Gon loose wouldn’t that change the equation ?”
But that isn’t directly related to next year’s free agent class. Gonzalez doesn’t hit the market next year.
So that potential trade isn’t related to whether they should spend this year or next.
If you want to make an argument that if they don’t spend this year it increases their liklihood of being able to trade for Gonzaelz because they could more easily extend him, I guess there’s that could be the case.
But whether or not the Sox can eventually get Gonzalez is going to have to do much more with what the state of their minor league/young talent base looks like than their economic situation.
I just don’t see how the Sox could possibly make decisions on free agents this year on the hopes they can trade for Gonzalez in the future. That is the opposite of what the yankees did with Santana. Much easier to pass on a trade and then hope to sign a comparable talent on the free agent market than it is to pass on a free agent now in the hopes of making a trade in the future.
Next off season if Texas decides they really want Adrian Gonzalez the Sox have no shot of acquiring him.
Sac-
see where you are coming from but my concern had to do with the immediacy of the starting rotation. I think it will be easier to backfill the bullpen later on. But OK go get us Accardo if you think he will really help.
Boof was born in St. Petersburg, Florida.
CB – good to see/read you again. Hope you’ve been well.
As a baseball fan, I would prefer Mauer to resign with the Twins; he is a hometown boy and a big favorite there, him and Morneau. As a Yankee fan, of course, it’s a no-brainer.
mtu – what I think is missing, and not just from you, is San Diego’s motivation. What motivation do they have to move Gonzalez? He’s another hometown favorite, one of of the best players in the game, and he’s a big bargain right now. Why would the Padres’ trade him? The package would have to be enormous. Bucholz and Bard just to start the conversation. I just don’t see San Diego moving him.
PeteAbe has a thread up, “Agent :Bay is moving on from sawx.”
Twitter David Lennon, a mystery team has went to 5 yrs on bay. If that’s the case, been told it was not the Mets.
jake, are you talking about Rosenthal’s article or a response to Rosenthal?
In Rosenthal’s article he had a “hunch” that the Phillies would look to do a three team deal, trade Lee and trade for Halladay. Its just filler to give people something to talk about. It was a stupid “hunch” that no one really buys into.
Doreen:
“like if they act is if there is no problem, then there isn’t any problem. Do you know what I’m trying to say?”
Yup, I gotcha. SJ and maybe randy (and of course our gracious hosts) were pointing out that things are quiet now because the agents are still out working the market trying to drum up demand at their price and so far, nothing. When the price settles down closer to more teams’ strike point, things will start to move and probably rapidly. The Yankees are in a position to wait the market out this year.
Rather than collusion, which is an unlawful agreement to artificially set prices, I think there is a normal pricing process going on factoring in serious economic concerns. The owners are frugal this year with a straight face.
Accardo-Righty who held righthanders to a .381 BA. No thanks. Now if Jason Fraser gets non tendered???
Cust-think Dunn “lite” with more strikeouts.
Jonny Gomes looks best so far.
Scott Olsen young lefty might be a good reclamation project, if signed to a minor league contract.
MacDougal and a WHIP of 1.59 and I think Girardi would tear out what little hair was left!!
CB-
see your logic and I guess I mixed up my metaphors. I was just thinking we were discussing changing the power equation by any potential means not just thru free agency. The sox offered quite a package for A-gon and were rejected anyway so it isn’t very likely they could ever get him as you pointed out. He is the type of player that might re-order things though. That’s all.
too bad for you Accordo fan club:
The Blue Jays have decided to tender a contract to reliever Jeremy Accardo.
Upset with his treatment last season, Accardo was hoping to be set free. The Blue Jays, though, want to get something back for him rather than just give him away. He was mentioned as a possibility to go to the Pirates in a Ryan Doumit trade.
http://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/6613189278
If Bay was really offered and is accepting a 5 year contract it could be the Mariners!
“Agent :Bay is moving on from sawx.”
If Texas finds something wrong in Lowell’s medicals and backs away from that deal, Theo is breaking out the gorilla suit.
“then shouldn’t they perhaps go after him this year when they need a LF and the economy stinks?”
Yes. The Sox should sign Matt Holliday. He is not going to get Teixeira money. Holliday will be expensive but he’s a very good fit for the Sox in many, many ways.
I don’t see how they can pass on him at a total package of $120M or so. But that does mean they have to deal with Boras and we’ve seen the Henry/Lucchhino – Boras circus before.
The yankees over the past two years added Teixeira who is under 30. They added two above average to very good under 30 outfielders. Cano is under 30.
And while it’s all projection right now, Montero is one of the best pure bats to play in the minor leagues over the past 5 years.
The Sox don’t have anyone remotely close to Montero in terms of hitting.
They will need to close the gap via free agency.
I’m glad to see the Sox offseason in disarray so far, but it’s pretty naive to think that they are really going to go into 2010 the same team they were last year, minus Bay.
They will make some kind of big move. If they lose out on Bay, they might go for Holliday who is quite frankly, the better player and younger. Holliday will destroy Fenway. And considering he is not getting many offers, the Sox might get him at a fairly reasonable price (under $100 mil).
Or they might shift their attention to Lackey/Halladay and try to pitch their way to a title.
Either way, as much as I would love to see it, the Sox are not going into next year as bad as they look now.
If the Padres trade Gonzalez this year the new GM will be the former GM.
The Padres need someone who can draw in fans, they have someone. Gonzalez. They have no need or motivation to trade him unless they are getting back multiple players who are going to have them winning a whole lot more. The Saux would have to give up far too much to justify making that kind of trade.
I still don’t know why the Sox are not in on Holliday. He is younger and a batter player than Bay.
I would hate to see the Sox get him. Let them give a 4 yr deal to a 32 yr old Bay and his declining OF play. Holliday in Boston is not good news.
CB-
While you’re on do you have any projections on how many wins Granderson adds with or without Damon and/or Matsui?
Watching the RnR Hallof Fame Concert – again! It’s just so amazing.
Two things particularly — well more then two, but, anyway. Fergie with Mick Jagger. All of U2.
And Metallica. I was so impressed by them, though they’re not exactly me. I had never (and I mean NEVER) listened to them before (including Enter Sandman). Had no idea what to expect. Was pleasantly surprised.
Joe,
Doing fine. Thanks for asking. Hope things are well with you also.
I also hope Maeur stays in Minnesota. One, it would be a plus for the game as a whole. And two, selfishly, I really do think he’s the best chance for the Sox to move past the yankees in the near future.
All that said, if the Twins bungle this and he hits the market the Yankees will not let him pass.
Trader-
Gomes is one of the “dirtiest” players in the game IMO and i would never want to see him on the Yanks. When he was with the Rays he was a real cheapshot artist. Great in a streetfight but not on a baseball team.
Trader, just curious, are you in the medical field ? Earlier when speaking to GB7( I thought it was you)you seemed to give him some very technical medical advice and it piqued my curiosity.
“Holliday will destroy Fenway”.
Actually Bay already destroys Fenway as a pull hitter. I’m not sure Holliday would hit as many homers in Fenway because he hits a lot to center and rightcenter.
I think the Yankees should call Damon back and offer him the same contract (2 yrs, 18 million) that they already have offered. If he says no they should call Ben Sheets and offer him the same deal. Then offer Matsui a one year 9 million dollar contract. By my calculations, Sheets for 9M and Matsui for 9M in 2010 makes the payroll about 205 million which is 1 million lower than last year.
“I was just thinking we were discussing changing the power equation by any potential means not just thru free agency. ”
MTU,
You’ve touched on the real issue – perhaps we’re being over confident as yankee fans. But there does seem to be a gap in power between the yanks and sox due to the position players in each organization, their ages and the distribution of young talent in the minors. Things will likely look very different next year but right now it does look like there is a significant gap and much of that was due to Tex.
But part of the question I’m trying to touch on (and doing so indirectly in my prior posts) is this -
Can the Sox change the power equation by a trade given what it would cost to pay twice in money and talent (e.g. for someone like a gonzalez).
Gonzalez is a better player than Holliday. But it would take giving up say Buchholz, Bard, Westmoreland + to get him. Is he that much better than Holliday?
I think the Sox will need to use free agency to change that power equation given the state of their minor league system.
And that would be a huge sea change in their organizational philosophy.
MTU-
Didn’t know that about Gomes. Just looking at his stats and cheap $600,000 contract, that might allow more to be spent on pitching needs.
And the answer to the other question is yes.
Thanks.
so whats the scoop on bay, is it the mets?
There have been some rumors about the Sox having interest in Holliday. Some that even sounded as if Holliday was their preferred player.
I still think the Sox are under a tightened budget. While they can still sign talent, last year they went the cheap route for SP. This year they seem ready to let Bay go (even with a back up of Holliday, that is a risk that could cost them a good deal more).
They also are paying for players who are playing for another team.
Henry and Tito throwing out comments about money and revenue sharing. When you are flush you don’t flap your gums about finances. They also keep raising prices at Fenway.
It won’t keep them from making moves, but the organization is pushing the bar lower and lower to keep expectations down.
Doreen-
How they were able to condense 12 hours of music into 4 hours was amazing. Yes Bono, Fergie and Jagger were great.
Ozzy was the pits- but I didn’t expect much more as his
brain is fried!!!
Cut and dried, plain and simple. Boston will not be a serious threat in 2010 unless they make several more personnel changes of which they have limited resources to do so. They can try the bandaid approach but this is the AL East and that doesn’t fly.
I’m also rooting for Mauer to stay with the Twins – as a baseball fan. It just seems right. The Twins need to make it happen. If they don’t, it’s their loss in more ways than the obvious. Mauer strikes me as the type that would stay, but one never knows.
If the Twins bungle the situation,then it would be perfect timing, wouldn’t it, and I’d hope the Yankees would break the bank to get him.
My guess is Bay to the Mariners!
I don’t like the idea of Gomes. He has been on a number of different teams. There is usually a reason for a player not sticking with a club for any length of time.
He just doesn’t seem like any kind of fit for the Yanks. He comes off as a punk.
Theo has said that 2010 is a bridge year for them. Maybe they are content going with what they have next year and are thinking more about trying to win again in 2011. Just a thought.
Yankee Trader -
Ozzie is not good.
But I am planning on buying whatever DVD they produce. I’ve watched the HBO condensed show 3 times already and have not tired of it yet.
i’d really love it if bay signed with the cards or cubs or someone. the mets are desparate for a power hitting corner OF and if bay goes somewhere other than boston or the mets, then holliday will spark a bidding war between the mets and socks. in that scenario, even if the socks end up with holliday it will cost them alot, and they mets could even end up shutting them out altogether
Cb-
That was exactly my point. Talking about changing the power equation. And frankly I am not sure the Sox can accomplish that thru free agency because they seem to have a tendency to misjudge some critical situations. the most recent example being tex. I think they make too many decisions with an eye to the bottom line, and therefore you would be correct in saying that they would have to change their culture to accomplish the end. I do not think they will do so willingly. Henry is way too tight and too clever by half. The fans might force the issue though ? If they fall far enough relative to the Yankees who knows ?
“While you’re on do you have any projections on how many wins Granderson adds with or without Damon and/or Matsui?”
YT,
This is a complicated question. Granderson’s value needs to be looked at in two ways. First, is comparing him to the players who otherwise likely would have played CF next year – Cabrera/Gardner.
I’d estimate that Granderson is likley a 1.5-2 win improvement over Gardner/Cabrera and with less potential variance in performance.
The more important question right now is the second – which is whether or not acquiring Granderson affects what they do in LF.
If they play Granderson in CF and play Melky in the corner, much of Granderson’s potential value will be washed away. Having a plus CF does not given you a reason to have a minus corner bat. This is a very bad idea.
In this scenario, Granderson’s primary value to the 2010 yanks compared to the 2009 yanks would be as a hedge against risk. Granderson would simply act as a hedge against Damon’s potential age related decline.
So if Melky plays LF then Granderson’s value is risk mitigation. Which is a real value but in some ways also a waste.
Granderson becomes a huge plus if they get a better than average player in LF.
So what Granderson’s utimate value is depends on other moves (which is always the case with hot stove moves, but particularly so in this case).
Signing Granderson is not justification for not signing a real LF.
Mauer will be a Twin. Just think of how much money that they saved by not putting a roof on the new stadium, putting it into an account to save for signing him!!!!!!
Personally I’m not a big fan of watching sports live in extremes of weather. It’ll be interesting what kind of attendance they draw in April, early May.
Nice job by MLB with our schedule next year-start with 3 at Fenway and end the same way!!!
I’m surprised Mystery Team hasn’t won more titles… they always seem to be in the mix on the top free agents and they don’t pay any Luxury Tax.
CB, good to see you. I gave you a shout-out when we lost Bruney. I was able to trade my “I’m a Bruney Believer” pin for one that said “I Believe in a Player To Be Named Later” — sadly for you, that deal is now off the table.
“Have Hoffmann?” is already on back order.
CB, when I asked you if “they” shouldn’t go after Holliday I was talking about the Yankees. They need a LF, do you not see any way they get involved with him? He fills a lot a their needs and as you said he may be better than anyone else available next year.
The Sox did miss the playoffs in 2006 after letting Damon go and basically dismantling their 2004 team in a 2 yr span aside from 4 guys.
What happened in 07? Re-tooled and won the WS. Theo has shown he is not afraid to lose the battle to win the war. I wouldn’t be shocked if they came into next yr with a weaker team rather than overpaying for guys on the downside.
The question is… Will Henry stand for that? Especially after we won the WS?
“good to see you. I gave you a shout-out when we lost Bruney.”
Why do you think I haven’t been posting much?
It’s called mourning.
My pin stuck deep, shackled as it was around the vessels of my heart.
66 stripes, I think thats exactly what they might do. Lay low this offseason, save their money, and go into the better market next offseason when their “wonderful prospects” should be coming along.
Hopefully the Yankees will have #28 by then.
Listening to Francessa earlier and he and his guest made it sound like the Mets were VERY interested in Bay.
Wouldn’t be surprised to hear it’s the Mets who went to a fifth year. can’t understand why the Mets don’t spend more money. They have a huge fanbase, their own network etc. I would think they have money to spend. The Mets should sign Bay AND Holliday and Lackey. They’d be the instant favorites in the NL.
CB-
Thanks for your input. If Damon doesn’t come back, but Matsui does we haven’t lost any power from the left side. Can you say that carrying Melky then in LF would make sense?
If not Melky in left-Byrd, Cameron, trade for DeJesus, others besides Holliday who won’t be signed by us?
“The fans might force the issue though ? ”
How? By selling out every game at Fenway? By buying the newest color combinations Sox jersey?
Not fair to ask the fans to do that. It’ll be interesting to see. Boston has the money. If they don’t spend it they’re assuming on some level that the money will just come pouring in anyway.
Still no official word from the Yankees on their non-tenders. Wang expected to be non-tendered, but they seem to be undecided on Mitre.
25 minutes ago from web
l get your point but bay holliday and lackey would not make them the favorite. the phils would still have better pitching and a better lineup.
“when I asked you if “they” shouldn’t go after Holliday I was talking about the Yankees. ”
Oh. Sorry. We were in the middle of discussing Holliday potentially to the Sox so that was what I thought you were referring to.
I think the yankees can afford to be very price sensitive on holliday. He is a good fit for the yanks. But he is not a must have.
5 yrs/ 85M I’d be interested. Even 6/100M perhaps.
If the gets more than that in money or years I’d pass.
That said, I do think he’s being under rated some by many fans do to that brief stint in Oakland and that dropped ball in the playoffs.
He’s a very good ball player. And playing on a deep team like the yankees would be in his best interest in that he wouldn’t have to be the main “guy” getting it done. I don’t think he’s a franchise player.
CB-
Well then what do you see as changing the equation then if anything ? They have money but they misjudge the critical moment in it’s use sometimes. That can be a fatal flaw. And I wonder if the money will always keep pouring in ? Always is almost as long as forever.
“Can you say that carrying Melky then in LF would make sense?”
Not really. Melky in LF just doesn’t make sense to me. He’s not a corner OF. Over the course of the season, the average opposition LF would be considerably better than melky. The team shouldn’t put itself in a positional disadvantage in that fashion.
CB, thats about exactly how I feel about him. I think he would be a great hit for what they need, younger LF’er than could hit behind Arod but I wouldn’t go over 100 M for him. Maybe his tag will fall to around there.
When will Theo learn about playing with the extra year. This very year, was the year in question that caused Damon to bolt.He got another ring now. Thanks Theo.
MTU,
As I said before, I think free agency could close the gap between the yanks and sox. That and an unexpected/ optimal performance in their minor leagues where they develop a source of real power.
Holliday would help them immensely, IMO. Not only was the Sox offense very inconsistent outside of Fenway, but their defense was quite bad.
Holliday is a good defensive LF – good range, good arm. He would be a huge step up from Bay.
Holliday also has far fewer holes in this swing than Bay and is a much more balanced hitter.
Holliday would be a very positive step for them.
But ultimately, the guy who really could change the balance of power in the AL East is Joe Maeur. He really is that good.
Are they involved in some type of negotiations with Wang or just waiting until it’s daytime in Taiwan to deliver bad news????
the yankees have positional advantages over just about every team in baseball at c, 1b, 2b, and 3b, so melky in LF isnt going to be a huge problem.
stop the all-star at every postition nonsense
If Mauer hits the open market then the Yankees will outbid the Sox for him unless he just wants to go to Boston. I agree that he’s that good. I think he’ll be a career Twin though.
At the end of the day I believe the Sox are going to sign Holliday, I say that because of how quiet they’ve been about him.
Think about the fact virtually any FA or attractive trade candidate has been linked to the RS this year. Interestingly enough very little buzz about Holliday. Also explains their apparent lack of interest in Bay beyond 4 years or over a certain $ amount.
The Redsox are just waiting for the price to come down and are in stealth mode over Holliday. They will get him and the media will be lauding the Sox acquisition.
“the yankees have positional advantages over just about every team in baseball at c, 1b, 2b, and 3b, so melky in LF isnt going to be a huge problem.”
Melky if LF wouldn’t necessarily be a “huge problem” but he would be a problem.
No one is talking about “an all star at every position.”
What I’m shooting for is simply “above average” in LF.
There is just no reason for the yankees to be starting a below average player in their starting line up.
Having a positional disadvantages at one position wipe out positional advantages else where.
In a competitive AL East there’s no reason to do that over the winter when there are numerous options.
If its an injury during the season – I have no problem playing Melky in LF.
But you can’t plan on below average performance – and below average with high variance.
Cb-
Thanks for engaging me. I am new around here. Couple things I would like to say since you are here. I, like so many others, am a big fan of your posts. Their quality is a bit difficult to describe but IMO they add a dimension that few of us can. And speaking of quality posts that discussion you had with Randy about Wang’s arm slot was one of the most fascinating of all to me. Please post more frequently. Your analysis and insight is most appreciated. By the way, I know you wont understand this but i hope my complimenting you wont force GB to leave his hospital bed and come after me with his Blunderbuss. He has a thing about me giving certain people swollen heads.
I don’t think it is a lead pipe cinch the Yankees pursue Mauer if the Twins are dumb enough to let him walk after 2010.
The Yankees decision hinges on two things, both of which are tied to Montero in 2010.
1. How has his catching skills developed in AA/AAA? Is he showing improvement, any potential there of being at least the equal of Piazza or VMart? Or is there still a problem with footwork, ball transfer etc…
2. Is he still hitting the crap out of the ball to the point where observers are just amazed. Is he truly a once in a decade type hitting prospect, or does he come down to earth a little.
If the answer to these questions is a resounding yes, I doubt the Yankees pursue Mauer with any vengeance other than driving up the price for BOS or whomever.
If the answer to any one of these questions is maybe, then yes, the Yankees will pull all the stops to get Mauer.
Hey CB, on your Berkman comment earlier, he is a switch hitter not just a LH bat.
Is he a FA next year? Would be an interesting DH option who could play some first though next years DH will probably be Posada and company.
No reports of John Henry being bamboozled by Bernie Madoff but his hedge funds are not as solid as once thought. His Rousch Racing Team is not doing very well as are others in the racing business also being affected by the economy.
He married a woman half his age this year that may have ideas other than pouring money into a baseball team.
http://deadspin.com/5194194/re.....r+old-lass
YankeeRay,
You’re of course absolutely right on Berkman’s switch hitting. Berkman’s a much better hitter from the left hand side and I always picture him in my mind hitting from the left side.
He would be a very attractive DH on a short term deal – he will be entering free agency as a 34 or 35 year old however. Very good hitter. Great hands.
Maybe the best way to get Yankee management to keep Wang is to appeal to their sense of spite… do they want to see him play well in Dodger blue with Mr. Torre sipping green tea in the dugout???? NO!
Then again, maybe they truly believe Wang will be a flop and theor sense of spite is looking forward to seeing Mr. Torre make his slow trudge out to the mound to take the ball from Wang’s hand in the 3rd inning…
Berkman is so much better lefty I’m surprised no one has asked him to bat there full time. Unless turning around righty is seriously his only defense against lefties.
Dr. Sun is watching, Yankee brain trust, so do the right thing!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9.....451651434/
CB,
Do you consider Damon an above average LF?
Man. The medical’s on Wang must be very complicated.
Sawx fans are tired of mgmt allowing Cashman to embarrass Theo.
Pete’s thread is an interesting read.They don’t want Holliday. They are disgusted that 60 mm isn’t enough for a person. They think the sax feel Bay won’t stay healthy.
The best is they think the Yankees sign,Bay,Holliday,Lackey.
Trade for Halladay,A Gonzalez,and Felix Hernandez….some funny stuff.
Berkmans not a free agent is he?
“Man. The medical’s on Wang must be very complicated.”
I don’t understand the delay from the Yankees because even if they are negotiating a contract, it can only be a 20% cut in pay according to the arbitration rules?
Craw-
To me cart before the horse. The medical’s would have to allow for the reasonable possibility of Wang returning to major league form otherwise it’s dead money regardless of the amount.
“Do you consider Damon an above average LF?”
Sure. His defense is terrible but he’s still a very good hitter. So on the whole he’s above average to good.
I would say however, that there’s risk involved with him where he could age fairly quickly. His bat really seemed to slow the second half of last season which was somewhat concerning.
But overall, Damon would be a very good fit for LF next to granderson.
I would like him back on a one year deal, however. We’ll see – Damon doesn’t have much leverage in this market.
“Dr. Sun is watching, Yankee brain trust, so do the right thing!”
Alsa, dr. sun was someone everyone could agree on. Communist. Nationalist. Let’s all get along.
Wang’s shoulder – not so much.
Where’s Dr. Andrews when you need him.
damon was a terrible OF last year and will be worse this year. his legs are shot, his range is shrinking and even balls he got to bounced off his glove last year. and then ther’s his arm, enough said. his hitting really fell off the 2nd half as pitchers caught on to his hook swing homers on inside offspeed stuff, so he saw very little of those pitches at YS after the asb.
now he’s a year older.
id take him on a one year deal as the dh but he’s not a starting OF any more.
“To me cart before the horse. The medical’s would have to allow for the reasonable possibility of Wang returning to major league form otherwise it’s dead money regardless of the amount.”
The medicals don’t explain the delay, it’s 9:00 p.m., the medicals haven’t changed from yesterday or even this morning. Andrews operated on Wang and the Yankees have some very good doctors themselves to evaluate the progess Wang has made in his rehab so I really don’t understand why basically he’s the last man to know about his tender status in MLB?
“even if they are negotiating a contract, it can only be a 20% cut in pay according to the arbitration rules?”
That’s only if they tender him, but if they non-tender it’s like negotiating with a free agent. But they can still negotiate before making the announcement.
The delay could have nothing to do with Wang; maybe it’s got to do with one of the others but they want to announce them all at once.
Or maybe Cashman is just messing with us al and having a laugh.
“Berkman is so much better lefty I’m surprised no one has asked him to bat there full time. Unless turning around righty is seriously his only defense against lefties.”
Berkman as a DH option would make sense for the Yankees, but what would we have to give up to get him? I’m sure it would be for a pretty hefty price and there’s no point in giving up a bunch of additional talent when there are viable DH options on the market already. But if Berkman was a FA, that wouldn’t be a bad choice whatsoever.
Maybe the Yanks are making a trade.
If the Yankees sign Damon, I think they’re signing him for LF despite what some fans think about his decline in his fielding ability.
ham-
then you are obviously prepared to move on (might prefer it).
IMO there is no way Damon will take a 1 year probably not even a 2 year deal. Can you imagine Boras telling johnny that the best he can do is 1 year. Dont see it. I think the market for him has to be better than that.
raymagnetic – The reason the Mets don’t, and won’t, sign bigname FAs (sorry, Henry Blanco) is that the Wilpon family is sucking money out of the team. They lost a ton of money in the Madoff scandal, and need to make it back to finance their real estate deals. I would be shocked if the Mets actually sign Bay, Lackey, or anyone else with a significant price tag.
Notice the difference between what Cash did with CC – blowing other teams out of the water with their initial offer – and the Mets just squeeking a bit more over the reported Red Sox offer. They’re expecting and praying someone else steps in to top it. They are cynically playing to the press, their fans, and to the team that they are actually doing something.
Personally, I think they’re scaling back across the board (I read where they’re cutting back on instructional league, also), in preparation for putting the team up for sale in the next 12 months.
“That’s only if they tender him, but if they non-tender it’s like negotiating with a free agent. But they can still negotiate before making the announcement.”
Nick,
That’s a good point that perhaps they’re negotiating a contract that Wang will accept after they non-tender him.
It could be that the Yanks are going to announce every non-tender/tendered candidate at one time. Gaudin and Mitre are two others who are in that mix that could be some of the hold up.
There are different ways that they could be trying to work things out.
With it dragging out this long there might be some possibility that they are working with Wang on some kind of deal he could accept after being non-tendered, one that has incentives built in.
Wang has some of his star power in Taiwan tied to the Yankees. There is also the work that the Yankees have been putting into Taiwan they might be thinking about.
I think this is probably far more complex than usual non-tender moves.
unfortunatly i agree, he wont take a 1 year deal. i love johnny but his decline in the OF was pretty shocking. I’ve been a fan of his since i first saw him play at royals stadium his rookie year.
id love to see him come back but a 2 or 3 year contract is a very bad idea. and i say this knowing that everybody thought the yankees were crazy for signing him to the contract he just finished and he proved everybody wrong. but if you look at his OF play last season, you have to see that anything beyond a 1 year deal at the $’s hes going to want is going to become a terrible contract.
love ya johnny and best of luck wherever you get the multi year deal.
The thing about signing Damon is that he clogs the DH spot next year when he will be further away from playing OF then he is now. This year he would DH and probably play 60-70 games in the OF. Next year not so much. So if we sign Damon for 2 years then next year Posada has to catch more and if Mauer is available then we have a DH log jam. The best scenario would be Damon for 1 yr which is not happening so maybe Cash is just being polite right now and Matsui will be the choice.
Make sense?
CB, As always great stuff, however I was hoping for a more favorable numbers report on the improving Melky C…..Is Damon that much better going forward, as I think he and his career are on fumes……Sighning Texeria last winter just devestaded Boston, it was the perfect storm of signings……Has GB checked in yet & if so, what was the Medical staffs report….
I think they should be firm with their offer of 2 years 18 Million to Damon. Thats a fair offer and I’m not convinced anyone will beat it. Give him a couple more weeks and then move on..
Love us tender Cashman!
Tender CMW!
Or non-tender Wang but then re-tenderize him with a new contract.
As long as he treats the situation tenderly.
Joe from Long Island December 12th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
“raymagnetic – The reason the Mets don’t, and won’t, sign bigname FAs (sorry, Henry Blanco) is that the Wilpon family is sucking money out of the team. They lost a ton of money in the Madoff scandal, and need to make it back to finance their real estate deals.”
Actually that’s not what is being reported. You may want to take a look here for example:
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....98233.html
Bronx-
you, DT and Nick form SF need to have your comedy show.Great stuff.
“from” not form
im not sure matusi will take a 1 year deal either, if he gets more than 1, you have the same problem after year 1.
I think Matsui really wants to return to the Yankees and would be more likely to accept a one year deal than Damon, I could be wrong.
the mets have to sign someone. without some kind of shiny new star, they will sell alot less tickets next season. i agree they are being really carefull with thier money, but they have to protect thier investment and give fans some reason to come to the park, so they will sign one name FA and i dont think bengie molina is gonna cut it.
there comes a point where not signing someone costs you more than signing one.
Thanks for my third of the compliment, MTU.
But it’ll be the tears of a clown if we get bad news tonight…
“UPDATE, 8:49 p.m.: Still nothing from the Yankees. Very strange.”
See, not us clueless commenters who are confused.
Bill Porter – thanks for the link.
The problem in figuring this out is in figuring out what money went where. Apparently, Madoff actually sent out dividend payments and cash redemptions out, to help build confidence in him and keep the cash flowing in.
Unfortunatley, the WSJ link wouldn’t let me continue to read the story, to see just what was being reported. From what I’ve read in the NY papers, the payouts that Madoff sent out may be subject to confiscation by the feds, as ill-gotten gains. (Ironically, the taxes paid on these false payouts may not be refundable from the IRS.) If true, then any money paid out by Madoff to the Wilpons may be taken away.
The local papers have recently upped the amount that is being rumored the Wilpons lost, from $500-700M to as much as $800M. Again, this is rumor. But, taken in context of the team’s cutting back on dollars spent on draft signings and minor league development, you have to wonder.
Nick-
you’re very welcome. You are one funny dude ! If you want Wang back (which you obviously do) find dr. andrews before midnight and lock him and Cash in a room until Cash realizes the errors of his ways, or use one of those magic bobbleheads
of yours.
Bill – Further, Fred and Jeff Wilpon have been quoted as sahyng that they have, indeed, lost money in this scandal; that was back when it broke, about a year ago. Though they deny the dollar amount was anything as large as is being reported.
Joe,
I stillthink they need to be spending more money on their team right now. If the Mets get good again they’re bound to start making more money.
Why are some media outlets and blogs saying that Wang has been non-tendered, when the Yankees haven’t officially announced anything yet in regard to their tender players?
is it possible the Yankees are working out a trade right now or no
first off, lets remember that the mets had the highest payroll in the NL last season. so they aren’t cheap. but they do need to sell tickets next season, and they had some bucks come off the books last year, so they will go get someone. they are getting killed in the papers and on the radio already and it will get worse as the season approaches if they dont do something. also, omar’s job is definitly on the line, he wont make the asb if they tank again next season.
Dee-
Where are Melky/Gaudin/Mitre going ? Burnin up the phone lines huh ? I thought Melky/gaudin would be an easy decision but you never know.
I’ll bet the reason it’s taking so long is, because Cashman and Wang’s agent are working out a deal, for his minor league contract. Before it’s announced.
I pray that Cashman IS talking with Dr Andrews some more, though the good doctor might be celebrating the Ingram Heisman right now.
If the delay really is about Wang and not one of the others, I suspect the non-tender leaks are true and it’s just about some other offer to him. But who knows.
Haiku-
Why would that take so long ? Could a minor league deal be that complicated.
“Where are Melky/Gaudin/Mitre going ? Burnin up the phone lines huh ? I thought Melky/gaudin would be an easy decision but you never know.”
That’s why I was curious. Doesn’t make sense. I mean, they could be working out a deal with Wang but I guess I just didn’t expect them to wait until to last minute. It will be very interesting to see what happens. Personally, I hope Gaudin stays. I think he will be very valuable out of the bullpen.
Craw,
Maybe Wang’s agent has told them.
Contracts can take a while to work out.
I think this whole thing involves a lot more than just Wang. Remember how much of a superstar Wang is in Taiwan. The Yanks have things starting up in Taiwan as well, which could have some ties to Wang.
I could see them working hard on both sides to get some kind of agreement together, which could be a lengthy process. Especially if there is a minor league deal that has incentives tied into benchmarks.
Joe I see what you’re saying and I read the seizure stories as well last summer. However, assuming the investors did not have guilty knowledge of the transactions, I’m not sure what legal theory any prosecutor or claimant in a civil proceeding could employ that would convince a Judge to allow them seize or force disgorgement of those funds given the paid investors have already received the funds or even more complexly have commingled the returns on investment with their own funds. I just can’t see that happening. If they want to try it good luck to them but I think they’re only going to manage to create some jobs for some of my brother attorneys who are currently out looking for jobs and not much else.
I do get your point about the Wilpons though: they have turned cheep fast and one has to wonder what’s going on with them It may well be that they lost their shirts somewhere. As an aside I do have to admit that it would give me some small pleasure to read that Mr. Murdock’s bunch got any story wrong (not because I want to see the Wilpon family hurt) but I do recall seeing it reported in the Washington Post as well (Can’t find it on-line).
Maybe Cashman went to see “The Blind Side” and he’s trying to tender a contract to Sandra Bullock.
Does Cerv have any options left on his contract? Also any news about Conor Jackson yet.Thanx for the info.
If the Mets sign Bay, aren’t they in the lower 15 who have protected draft picks?
MTU
I’m only speculating, but agents drag things out. IF this is the case he has to get the best deal for his client.
I hope Wang stays,so I’m biased
I think a lot of us are pulling for some kind of deal for Wang and the Yanks.
Wilpon’s lost 700mm with Bernie Madoff. They should be cheap by now.
White smoke means tender?
Dark smoke means not tender?
Or is it the other way around?
I REALLY hope cash is planning on offering wang a small one year deal worth less than 5 mil. We literally have absolutely nothing to lose by re-signing him. His value has never been lower so we can get him back real cheap and he still has the potential to be better than whoever is going into the fourth and fifth spot at the least. I figure hughes is one and who exactly is going into the fifth spot? Wang could not have sunken so low, he doesnt even retain the potential to fulfill the fifth spot in the rotation. I could only hope this is a sign the yanks have some interest in lackey. If i were cash, I would re-sign damon for a reasonable contract and re-sign wang for a one year deal. Then, go hard after lackey.
That will give us – Jeter SS, Damon LF/DH, Arod 3B, Tex 1B, Posada C/DH, Cano 2B, Swisher RF, Granderson CF and depending on who is playing DH that day, whoever in DH. And a rotation of CC, Lackey, AJ, pettitte, Wang/Hughes. It will give ample dh time to posada and damon allowing molina and melky/garden to fill in for them to prevent injury. I think the payroll would be either the same or less than that of last year. If wang works out – great and if not, we only give him a few mil and have hughes a full yr as a starter. This provides ample protection against injuries to the rotation and greatly bolster the pen with hughes and joba in it possibly.
Bill – yes, this whole affair is mess. They may never get an accurate accounting of all the money. The one thing we know for sure is that the Mets/Wilpons have gotten very cheap very quickly. Whether it’s because of Madoff, or the NY real estate market taking a nosedive, but they’ve been acting more like the smallest market, take the money and run team, rather than being in the biggest market in the country, with a new ballpark and RSN to-boot.
I wonder if Wilpon’s ex-wife got her half out of Madoff before the collapse.
LoHud is the It is High blog of the Decade by 18 votes!
Sorry, link:
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/
Ledger_Yankees RT @nyypinstriper: #Braves sign former #Yankees prospect Eric Duncan.
8 minutes ago from TweetDeck
The Eric Duncan signing is old news. The Braves and Pirates horde ex-Yankee prospects.
“Ledger_Yankees RT @nyypinstriper: #Braves sign former #Yankees prospect Eric Duncan.”
hmm good lunck Duncan.
Here’s another ex-Yankee prospect.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/.....erId=43037
new thread >