Steinbrenner: Yankees, Damon have a “difference of opinion of what the pay is”
Posted by: Josh Thomson - Posted in Misc on Dec 17, 2009 
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To quote Hal Steinbrenner specifically, he said he is “excited” about Curtis Granderson, and raved how the Yankees “all love Johnny Damon.” But when it comes down to it, the club simply has placed a different value on the left fielder than the one Damon and his agent Scott Boras have suggested.
“He was a big part of the reason we won that championship,” Steinbrenner said. “But I think right now there’s just a difference of opinion of what the pay is, quite frankly.”
Steinbrenner said the club still hopes to add a pitcher and a bat. He, Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi all expressed a willingness to find a pitcher first. That partly because Phil Hughes will have an innings limitation next season, according to Cashman, while Joba Chamberlain will not. Girardi said that does not mean Hughes is the more likely young pitcher to find himself in the bullpen.
In truth, there were many tidbits that came out of today’s press conference. I’ll throw out a bunch, then post all the audio:
• Girardi expects to wear No. 28. He will talk to Granderson again to make sure he is comfortable with it.
• The manager is interested in an “almost full-time DH,” but values the flexibility to rest starters in that spot. We knew that already. But Cashman indicated a desire to get more from that position than simply use it as a weigh station.
• Francisco Cervelli is the backup catcher. “It’s a job we think he can handle,” Girardi said. The desire to DH Jorge Posada more could lead the Yankees to consider carrying a third catcher.
• Girardi is not worried about the status of his contract. “I worry about this year. I wouldn’t expect them to talk to me until it’s over. I’m under contract. I don’t worry about it. I worry about 2010.”
• Steinbrenner said he would not “slam the door” if Cashman showed a need to stretch the budget they set last month. Cashman wouldn’t declare the club out of talks for marquee free agents (read: Matt Holliday, Jason Bay), but it sure sounded like it. “I’m not saying yay or nay, but I’m saying we’re operating at this number and that’s that.”
• Why? Because this market dictates caution, unlike last winter’s. “We were very aggressive in last year’s free agent market and it turned out for good reason. There were terrific players available. This market’s a lot different. We played in the better market last year; we’ll be less aggressive in this market.” The Yankees have key free agents to deal with ahead, like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Plus, Cashman called next year’s market is “incredibly more impressive than this one.”
• Cashman agreed with Boras about Damon’s value in one regard, saying “he’s the perfect 2-hole hitter for this place. It doesn’t mean he’s the only guy though that can do that.”
• Alex Rodriguez knows for sure now: He will not need offseason hip surgery. A-Rod was examined by Dr. Marc Philippon on Monday. He said if the exam went poorly, he would’ve had surgery today. Instead? “Great news, so I got the green light to move forward in my offseason conditioning program.” Rodriguez began conditioning two weeks ago. He threw yesterday for the first time and can begin hitting at any time. He does not need to visit Philippon again this offseason and appeared genuinely delighted. This may not seem like news, but he clearly still had uncertainty.
• Unlike in the past, CC Sabathia kept glued to the hot stove chatter. To put it mildly, he has not liked where analysts have ranked the top of the Yankee rotation since the Sox added John Lackey and the Mariners added Cliff Lee. “They don’t give us enough credit. Everybody keeps talking about Boston now, and about Seattle with Cliff and Felix (Hernandez), but I think we have some guys in our clubhouse that can match up with anybody.”
OK, here’s the audio. Sorry the first clip is so long. I was unable to start and stop from where I was seated:
Granderson/Steinbrenner (10:00)/Girardi (17:00):
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Cashman (crank the volume a little):
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I love CC
“They don’t give us enough credit. Everybody keeps talking about Boston now, and about Seattle with Cliff and Felix (Hernandez), but I think we have some guys in our clubhouse that can match up with anybody.”
*****************
I agree, CC!
Blake, that’s exactly why I don’t want to see a competition. Hughes in the pen will be a huge setback for his career as a starter – that is to say, he’ll be 25 in 2011, with major innings limits. Then, in 2011, he’ll be just like any other #5 starter, with his ups and downs. By the time he starts living up to his potential, he’ll be 27/28 years old……
The Yankees are locked into Mo and Jeter contracts and there’s nothing they can do about it. They’re going to have to give them big $$…. and that’s going to be a problem as far as roster flexibility goes.
in this thread i want people to explain to me why posada can’t bat 5th.
Yeah,audio!
betsy, if you believe that the yankees would handcuff themselves over something as trivial(to them) as money, you’d be crazy.
To be fair, Felix/Lee is going to be an insane 1-2 punch.
Beckett/Lester is about even though. CC is better than Beckett. Lester is better than AJ.
Tom B,
hits into too many DP’s.
Jerkface December 17th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
The yankees would be foolish if they signed a starter for the 4 spot and then had Hughes/Joba battle it out for 5 with the loser going to the BP.
IF anything all 3 should be in competition for the 4,5 spot. If the 3 are all really good in spring what happens? You’d be pissing away a starter.
—
I agree. What if BOTH Joba and Hughes outpitch this mystery starter that Cashman has penciled in above them.
That reminds me…
If this mystery starter is definitely better than Joba and Hughes, how can Cashman be so sure he’s better and WTH is he?
Tom B December 17th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
in this thread i want people to explain to me why posada can’t bat 5th.
—
In short.
Holliday is a better 5th hitter than Jorge.
I agree. I love CC.
Bret the Hitman
December 17th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
It’s still 2 years 20 million bucks, not exactly an insult to offer that to a 40 year old.
—————————————————————–
Would you want to take a 33% paycut at your job? (assuming you’re the best of all time at what you do, of course).
If Mo is still pitching like Mo, it doesn’t matter if he’s 40.
I’ve seen this crap before. Cut all the real players and bring in the big timers. The old guys do better, not the new guns. Brosius, Tino and Paul anyone?
Well either all that is a smoke screen or the truth.
IMO, it’s the truth which equates to no Holliday under the tree.
A DH, a solid # 4 starter, maybe a lefty arm for the pen and see you in Tampa.
I would go to War with CC, ANDY, and AJ (Nervously) at the top of my rotation any day.
Lester is the ace in Boston now. He and CC are probably a draw. AJ and Beckett are a draw too when they’re both at their best. Unfortunately, Beckett is more consistent (even though he’s overrated), so they get the edge there.
And I think pettitte and lacky are even too.
SJ, I agree………………but don’t you think that Phil’s development as a starter will be severely curtailed? A year in the pen, IMO, is completely wasted on him. The Yankees think he’s a starter…….by the time he finally gets his chance, he will not be young anymore.
Joe really cares about #28?
Hmm, so much for Holliday. I guess Melky in LF – I don’t like that at all.
Good for CC, even though I don’t agree.
I’m going to read between the lines and be the eternal optimist here:
I think the Yankees wind up with Sheets and Holliday.
It works financially and fits team needs and is just the kind of bold stroke that Cashman showed last year – though without the massive outlay of cash.
The Yankees saved 8 mil going from Damon to Granderson, that 8 + the 13 on Matsui’s deal and the other 6 from the departures of Hinkse, Nady, Hairston and Molina should be enough to cover both Sheets and Holliday.
What I would do, is offer Ben the chance to make the 12 mil he wants.
Give him a 2 year deal at the same base salary that Rich Harden got from Texas, with incentives to take it up to 12 mil per year and a vesting option for a third year at a guaranteed $15 mil.
Offer Holliday 5 years, $85 mil and see what happens.
CC was worth a lot more than just his numbers – he brings a lot to this team. Nice to see – and I think Granderson is similar. It’s nice when your team is not only good, but also very likeable. The Yankees have had their share of unlovables (e.g., Clemens, Abreu to some extent), and you can easily see how much easier it is to pull for a team of great guys.
We’re not signing Sheets for 8 million to put him in a competition.
He will be in our rotation.
Duchester is a different story because he has done both in the past and would be much cheaper.
I’ve never seen an offseason where the Yankees constantly cried poor like this.
I think there will be 3 players fighting for the last two rotation spots, Joba, Hughes and Kelvim Escobar. He used to dominate when healthy.
“Erin December 17th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
“They don’t give us enough credit. Everybody keeps talking about Boston now, and about Seattle with Cliff and Felix (Hernandez), but I think we have some guys in our clubhouse that can match up with anybody.”
”
*****************
I agree, CC!
I love CC, he’s the man and has really embraced being a Yankee. It also can’t hurt having our rotation have a chip on their shoulder while the media once again falls in love with Boston and ignores the defending Champs…so ESPN keep praising Boston, they’ll be disappointed once again
That quote doesn’t sound like we are getting Holliday.
Didn’t Escobar say that his shoulder will not allow him to be a starter and he is only a reliever now?
Duchesherer is my number 1. Followed closely by sheets. Justin will be a great fit in NY, he will be close to philly, where his kid is and he is AL tested. He wont be the # 1 like he was in oakland. less pressure = more success.
LOL… Cashman essentially comes and and says they aren’t going for Holliday and fans interpret that to mean they in fact are.
Can we just get the handwringing and cliff-jumping over Holliday signing someplace else NOW and avoid the Christmas rush?
Bret The Hitman,
It’s those Legends seats!
Unlike in the past, CC Sabathia kept glued to the hot stove chatter.
—-
I love the vision of CC leanign over his computer for hours constantly refreshing Lohud, ESPN, MLD trade rumors and twitter like we do.
If all 3 starters competing for the two spots are good— we’ll cross that bridge when it comes there. It is a nice problem to have. All depends if our pen needs them or not, I guess.
Damon is being foolish plain and simple. If Damon does not come back I like the idea of N. johnson and then signing Sheets. As for the competition between Joba and Phil I like that. With Phils innings limits it will work out. I am for one also sick of the Matsui talk. I love the guy but people are behaving as if Cashman just let Babe Ruth out the door.
Even if Sheets looks good, remember, he is a ticking time bomb. You can never rely on him to remain healthy.
LG Blind Item:
Which recently singled d*bag’s publicist has been calling every tabloid begging them to print his version of the breakup in order to protect his ego? The rep has been desperately trying to play competing publications against each other to make sure his client comes out of it with his p* size preserved which only reinforces the widely held belief that his client is a giant p* – in personality, and not necessarily in his pants.
Are you reading Yankee’s management? Your star is making an ass out of himself again with Madonna’s PR
“genius” being about as stupid as one can be. What happened to the Yankee’s handling A-Rod and his PR? It’s a debacle right now and needs to be rectified for the team’s sake.
“Can we just get the handwringing and cliff-jumping over Holliday signing someplace else NOW and avoid the Christmas rush?”
Yes, and how about we also just skip the next season entirely since it’s clear the Yankees won’t be any good without every freeagent on their team. We can do all of our crying now and have a pain free 2010.
(yes, sarcasm – but I must say, I love the idea of avoiding the Christmas rush)
“I’ve never seen an offseason where the Yankees constantly cried poor like this.”
——————-
And you still haven’t. The Yankees have by far the highest payroll in baseball. They aren’t changing that.
It seems like some of you expect them to INCREASE the payroll every year and regardless whether there are players worthy of increasing payroll for.
THAT’s the definition of “poor”??
Crying poor? Their payroll has been over 200 mil the past 2 years and will approach that number again. And that doesnt even count the luxury tax and the money spent on the minors (and the revenue sharing in past years). Why is it hard to understand that, like any business, the yanks have a budget?
Yankees fans crying that their payroll is “only” 200 mil is pretty silly.
If Sheets looks awful in ST, then keep the loser of Joba/Hughes in the minors as a starter.
If Sheets continues to be awful a month into the season, release him, and bring up Hughes/Joba.
Pretty simple.
CC is Lost in Tex ?
He probably could have saved Al in BK a few panic attacks.
stuckey
December 17th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
LOL… Cashman essentially comes and and says they aren’t going for Holliday and fans interpret that to mean they in fact are.
—————————
Stuckey – Cashman around this time last year said that there was “no way” that he was going to bring in Mark Teixeira.
For the record-
I have purchased mega millions tickets for tomorrow. If I win, I will buy Johnny Damon
PR person?
Why are you here? Kate and A-rod broke up, both are trying to protect their images. Leave Alex alone for once. He’s finally trying to do the right thing and stay quiet.
Betsy,
Most teams believe that after a pitcher gets to age 24 there is less risk in ramping up a pitcher’s innings. I think they still view both Joba & Hughes as starters, but it’s too risky to break both of them in at the same time. They have to establish one of them first.
Cashman also knows that message @ Granderson’s presser is going to get back to both of them. You want the Job? Show up ready to battle!
so who here knows what the Yankee budget is this year or what they considered it to be last year?
Bottom line, we still have holes, even with a $200 million dollar payroll.
We need a LF, DH, and starter. Hal should allow Cashman to fill those holes as adequately as he can. He should strive for the best. Not going through the trash bin for guys like we’re the KC Royals (or the Boston Red Sox of last year).
Is the Yankees enterprise going to fold if the payroll is at $212 million rather than $12 million?
Erica – always OPPC – Bring Back Johnny!!!!
December 17th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
For the record-
I have purchased mega millions tickets for tomorrow. If I win, I will buy Johnny Damon
***********
Good luck!!
When the smoke clears we will probably look back and say, “Oh, that was Cashman’s plan. Now it makes sense!” But at the moment things seem contradictory. The team is getting a pitcher, C-Money is pretty clear about that. But if it is Sheets, whom most of the talk is about, that clearly puts Joba or Hughes into the pen since Sheets is strictly a SP. That doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense for either Joba or Hughes. 2010 is a big year for both of them to prove they belong in the rotation. Putting Joba in the pen tends to counter everything they worked for last year. Another year of Hughes in the pen and he’ll be so far removed from starting you wonder if he’ll ever get back to it. It would seem to make more sense for them to get a guy like Duchesher(sp?) who can start or relieve as need be, but there has been little reported on him coming to the Yanks. I am for both Joba & Hughes in the rotation with a backup plan in place (Ducsherer or someone like him) in case something goes wrong (unlike 2008 when the backup plan consisted of Ponson and Rasner). It’ll be interesting to see what happens.
Nobody cares about Arod and Kate Hudson. All the focus is on Tiger and his many women.
Who is the mystery east coast team?
Hearing Holliday has another legit offer beyond Cards and O’s, from an East Coast team. Boras response: “Matt has multiple offers.”
about 2 hours ago from web
TBrownYahoo
http://twitter.com/TBrownYahoo/status/6770397151
“so who here knows what the Yankee budget is this year or what they considered it to be last year?”
Budget is at $200 million on the mark.
Payroll last year was $205 million.
The goal is to lower payroll by $5 million each year, to eventually get down to $150 in 2020.
Erica – always OPPC – Bring Back Johnny!!!! December 17th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
For the record-
I have purchased mega millions tickets for tomorrow. If I win, I will buy Johnny Damon
—
Hope we don’t see you on the front page of the NY Post being escorted off his estate by an NYPD with your wrist in one hand and a restraining order in the other.
Gary December 17th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
The goal is to lower payroll by $5 million each year, to eventually get down to $150 in 2020.
Mystery team for Holliday is the Mets. They are poking around him if Bay doesn’t take their offer.
Yanks are not in on him.
Gary, I’m not sure that’s accurate.
“Cashman around this time last year said that there was “no way” that he was going to bring in Mark Teixeira.”
Did Cashman essentially throw water on last year’s entire class of free agents and say this year’s would be much better.
If people are looking to read between the lines, here is what Cashman is saying…
Holliday and Bay and Lackey’s “values” are as much of an inflated product of being at the head of a poor FA class, than their value and he’s not commit for 5 years of overpaying when he has internal options.
Holliday may be the smartest kid in a dumb class, but that doesn’t make him a genuis.
Get it?
Bottom line, we still have holes, even with a $200 million dollar payroll.
We need a LF, DH, and starter. Hal should allow Cashman to fill those holes as adequately as he can. He should strive for the best. Not going through the trash bin for guys like we’re the KC Royals (or the Boston Red Sox of last year).
Is the Yankees enterprise going to fold if the payroll is at $212 million rather than $12 million?
——-
Bottom line…our holes are so much less then any other teams in the league. As I’ve said before, we could put a corpse or some sort of farm animal out in left field and we would still compete.
We don’t need the best at everything. Is Nick Johnson the trash bin? I haven’t heard a single “trash bin” name connected with the Yankees yet this off season. Just because someone isn’t Matt Holliday or even Johnny Damon doesn’t denote them as “trash bin”
That is absurd and mildly insulting.
“For the record-
I have purchased mega millions tickets for tomorrow. If I win, I will buy Johnny Damon”
Great, after you’re through with then he’ll have jelly legs to go with his spaghetti arm.
Thanks but no thanks!
We’ll just take this guy with his peanut-brittle wrists/hands.
http://razzball.com/wp-content.....ohnson.jpg
The funniest thing about the hotstove is the impatience of some fans! They start to panic if things don’t happen right away. I for one am trusting Cashman to fill the holes needed.
Tom B
December 17th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
“in this thread i want people to explain to me why posada can’t bat 5th.”
Tom, i thought long and hard….. I got nothing!
Again, some ??? to ponder…
What if BOTH Joba and Hughes outpitch this mystery starter that Cashman has penciled in above them?
That reminds me…
If this mystery starter is definitely better than Joba and Hughes, how can Cashman be so sure he’s better?
If he’s most assuredly superior to Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, WTH is he?
Phil,
Probably 196-198M with ability to go slightly over 200 at deadline
“I don’t believe we’re done yet,” Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner told reporters. “We always worry about pitching and we did lose (Hideki) Matsui.
“Granderson is going to go a long way toward replacing the offense there but I still think we’re looking possibly at another bat,” Steinbrenner said.
Yankee officials said they were still interested in retaining free agent Johnny Damon(notes) at the right price, and Steinbrenner noted the improvement of arch-rival Boston, who recently signed free agent pitcher John Lackey(notes).
“It’s concerning,” the Yankees owner said. “They are going to have a great pitching staff. But I think we have a great pitching staff, too. Is there room for improvement? Yes.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
Phil,
last year’s payroll was really 215-220M (Pettite’s incentives, Tex + Sabathia bonuses & Igawa)
Granderson reminds me of Dave Winfield’s personality and candor.
My take in all this talk is that the Yankees are going to sign Chad Curtis or give Miguel Cairo an outfielders glove to roam left field. Then after the signing file for bk.
Brett,
It almost has to be Sheets. Who else is there? Duchnester is wayyy to risky. Bedard is a malcontent. Escobar said he only wanted to be a reliever
It sure as hell isn’t Pinerio or Marquis.
Cashman has to be talking about Sheets. But he isn’t even accepting offers yet.
JK
What a waste of home grown talent. IMO, the Yankees are truly messing around with two exceptional young pitches who if developed in another team system would both be at least #3 pitchers on their respective teams.
I know it is a business. But damn!
JK, if that’s true, then I guess there’s less reason to worry; ordinarily, I’m fine with competitions, but this one is a foregone conclusion. Phil isn’t ready to compete for a spot. He’s got two pitches, FB and curve, and his curve is inconsistent (being in the pen didn’t help last year). He should be spending time developing his pitches….which he can not do in ST now. JK, Phil will still be very much behind the 8 ball in 2011 because his secondary pitches will be weak.
Hearing Holliday has another legit offer beyond Cards and O’s, from an East Coast team. Boras response: “Matt has multiple offers.” ( yankees ? )
Damon needs to come to his senses. The Yankees are not giving him a 4 year deal at 13 per. Even 3 years is asking alot. Take the 2 years Johnny. Nobody else is giving you more.
Halladay would be the best OF in next year’s class, too.
“Holliday may be the smartest kid in a dumb class, but that doesn’t make him a genuis. ”
Well said – this is a really poor FA class. But if you can get Holliday near his long term market value (i.e., not overpay in a sellers market) then he’d be a nice addition. There aren’t many better FA options coming along for the outfield, especially at his age. So if you can get him for a decent price, they should do so, but if it takes ‘genius’ money to sign an above average player, then they should show the same great patience they have been showing.
” TBrownYahoo
Tim Brown “
The Yankees saved 8 mil going from Damon to Granderson, that 8 + the 13 on Matsui’s deal and the other 6 from the departures of Hinkse, Nady, Hairston and Molina should be enough to cover both Sheets and Holliday.
===============================
its more than 6.
Molina: $2,125,000
Hinske: $1,500,000
Nady: $6,550,000
….and whatever was left on Hairstons $2,000,000 contract.
Its around $10MM + Matsui’s $13MM + The $8MM Diff between Damon/Granderson….so $31MM
“Bottom line, we still have holes, even with a $200 million dollar payroll.”
Yankees have “holes” as defined by an entirely relative and subjective definition of “holes”, which is the part some fans just can’t seem to grasp.
Melky Cabrera was a starter enough to be perhaps one of the 1 or 2 best bottom of the line-up hitters in the game, and help his team win a world series.
But in “Yankee-fans-with-no-f’ing-perspective land”, he’s a hole.
When a world series title learns you NOTHING, what hope is there?
If he’s most assuredly superior to Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, WTH is he?
===========
**THIS JUST IN!**
Cashman just traded Montero for King Felix pending an extension. Seattle thought long and hard about having a one two punch and decided against all the expectations, the pressure of being on top of the division. Quote from the owner”Why likes having rain in their parade?”.
Great Article ” http://bleacherreport.com/arti.....es-in-2010
“The Yankees saved 8 mil going from Damon to Granderson, that 8 + the 13 on Matsui’s deal and the other 6 from the departures of Hinkse, Nady, Hairston and Molina should be enough to cover both Sheets and Holliday.
===============================
its more than 6.
Molina: $2,125,000
Hinske: $1,500,000
Nady: $6,550,000
….and whatever was left on Hairstons $2,000,000 contract.
Its around $10MM + Matsui’s $13MM + The $8MM Diff between Damon/Granderson….so $31MM”
Don’t forget hte non-tender of Wang: $5,000,000 saved
7*7 December 17th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Brett,
It almost has to be Sheets.
—
Sheets missed a whole entire year of baseball. He has also never pitched in the AL East.
One could make a case that BOTH Joba and Phil may outpitch him in spring training.
If that the case, it’s unfair to only give Joba and Phil 1 spot if they both throw exceptionally.
Let’s say both Joba and Hughes throw as starters like they do as relievers, mid-upper 90′s fastball’s with movement and with a polished secondary pitcher, slider/curve. What if they are both attacking the strike zone?
It’s a good problem to have but Cashman seems to have lifted this mystery starter above them – automatically.
that’s just the thing. I don’t think Sheets is automatically better than Joba and Phil. The recovery from 1 whole lost season raises questions. The adjustment to the AL East, cause for concern.
Sheets is going to have a ton of offers if he shows his stuff is back. So we’re going to have to pay him. Also, perhaps he may not want to come to the AL East on a 1 yr deal if he is trying to showcase himself.
That really is the only option though
Melky isn’t a hole when you have Arod, Tex, Jeter, Cano, Granderson and Swisher. He simply fits in at the bottom just fine. I always found the argument of this guy plays this position so he must hit this much to be irrelevant.
One bat – that means NJ. If so, it’s Melky as a LF (no thanks). If Damon, it’s Miranda/rotation as DH. Either option is unappealing
Hey all,
Quick question when people talk about money for Aroldis Chapman and use number like 18-20 million are they talking signing bonuses? major league contract? minor league? what do those numbers mean?
Thanks,
A confused fan
Don’t forget hte non-tender of Wang: $5,000,000 saved
===============
Right forgot that….as well as Bruney/Coke/Kennedy’s combined $2MM
Bret, whether Holliday is better or not does not answer the question.
and too many GIDP is not a legit answer. Posada doesn’t even rank in the bottom 100 of worst GIDP offenders. Try harder.
Posada has averaged 4 WAR per season for his career, switch hits to help eliminate RP’s brought in just for a-rod, is a pure 80% contact hitter, and won’t cost us $18mil a year to add to the club.
Brett,
You are right. Sheets is no guarantee to perform in the AL East. He is also made of glass.
It is risky signing him and expecting him to outperform the kids. But the problem is that he is going to be paid $8 million or so, so he is going to be in the rotation. He has never pitched out of the pen.
If they sign Sheets, their scouts better be sure that he can perform. That is why it is good that he wants a workout sesssion. We can see first hand what his stuff looks like.
Bret don’t forget Phil will be on an innings limit slightly lower than what Joba’s was last year.
I don’t know what the Yankees or cashmams plans are but I out no stock in anything he says publically. He never tips his hand to the press. That doesn’t mean he’s going to so the opposite of what he says but it also doesn’t mean he’s neccessarily going to do what he says either..
Chip
What I would do, is offer Ben the chance to make the 12 mil he wants
******************************************************
That’s cool but the problem is that the Yanks won’t be sheets only option. If his meds are clean and he does a showcase bullpen session and he’s free and easy 93-95 and snapping off that curve some team with a REAL NEED(like the Mets) will give him a better deal than that. Joel Pinero is probably going to sign somewhere for 3-4yrs @ 12-13per. A healthy sheets should top that.
I think Duchs makes more sense because he can start but would prefer to at least begin in the pen to build up his arm strength and get back into a groove. And he just went through a divorce and would like to be close to his ex and his 3yr old son who live in NJ. Hughes can begin in the 5th starter spot with Duchs in the pen and as Phil nears his innings limit you can transition a role switch with Duchs making 10 starts and Hughes finishing out the year in the pen. Joba should be a lock for the #4 with no limits and looking to give us 190-200 innings and a sub 3.50 era.
JeterJobaCanoFan2010,
It’s a lot harder to develop in NY. Do you remember the way Phil was booed off the mound 2 years ago? What about Joba last year? The media and fan base don’t have the patience. It’s the main reason the Yankees were historically VERY conservative with promoting young players (>300 ab & >100 inning @ AAA). You will NEVER see the Yankees jump a prospect from A+ to the majors like the Tigers.
defense matters December 17th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Hey all,
Quick question when people talk about money for Aroldis Chapman and use number like 18-20 million are they talking signing bonuses? major league contract? minor league? what do those numbers mean?
Thanks,
A confused fan
—
Ask a poster by the name of SJ44.
He’s GOD.
No, I’m dead serious.
He is God.
defense matters
It means whatever the team gives the guy.
The Yankees could give him an 12 million signing bonus, and a 4 year deal worth 2 million per year.
I believe the signing bonus does not count toward luxury tax.
4 years essentially for 20 million is pretty reasonable.
Holliday averages more GIDP per at bat than Posada does for their careers. Find a new argument people.
Betsy,
Phil has 3 pitches. Fastball, Curve, Cutter
Is Nick Johnson the trash bin?
—————————————————-
if he ends up on the DL, and history says he 100% will for a part or even most of the season, then yes he would be as good as trash for the production he will bring to the yankees.
Also, don’t forget the 5M they had to pay Giambi not to play for them last season.
defense matters…
The short answer is yes.
It can be bonus/minor or major league salary and most likely a combination of any and all of them.
Confused Fan
it would be a major league contract
Matsui is no less an injury risk then NJ.
LF is a whole
Melky is a below average player in left field. That is a fact. He is below replacement level.
Nick Johnson is also made of glass. If he gets hurt, we have Miranda in the lineup who is almost certainly going to be below replacement level as well.
The offense is NOT set. We need 2 medium-level bats (Damon/Johnon) or one big bat (Holliday).
Been out all day so catching up…..
Granderson always impressed me when he did postseason TV work. Very insightful and well spoken. Looking forward to watching the press conference on YES later.
Nice of CC and Alex to stop by and support a new teammate.
Good news on Alex’s hip.
Don’t mean to burst anyones bubble about Jeter being on SNL but the listed Guest Host is James Franco for this week.
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/
And don’t forget we also save 6.5 losing Nady.
There is plenty of change out there for Holiday and Sheets.
I am going to freak out if the Sox sign Chapman…
I just heard Boras say on XM Radio that he hasn’t talked specific contract numbers with Cashman yet. So either he’s lieing or Hal in that regard. Let the games continue.
Corey,
CC’s pay goes up $9 million next year ($14 in ’09, $23 starting in ’10);
Cano gets a $3 million bump next year too.
Bret don’t forget Phil will be on an innings limit slightly lower than what Joba’s was last year.
–
Cashman has said he will not, in fact, have an innings limit even close to Joba. But in the opposite direction. he said that they are going off his 140 IP career high, which means he’ll throw 165-180
pat
December 17th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Don’t mean to burst anyones bubble about Jeter being on SNL but the listed Guest Host is James Franco for this week.
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/
***************
I saw something about that earlier. It seems like James Franco just hosted not too long ago. Very disappointing.
JK
Hughes’ put away pitch in high school and his 1st yr in the minors was his slider. the Yanks had him scrap it and learn the curve to protect his arm. He should insist on bringing it back.
Why freak out if the Sox sign Chapman? odds are he’ll be just as wildly inconsistent as most other cuban pitchers… and he wasn’t even touching 95 at his last workout. he’s like a cuban version of Joba, same stuff, same arsenal… except one of them doesn’t get paid $15mil yet.
Check yins later.
gotta run.
Holliday hits for a way higher average, has a better OBP, a better SLG% and a better OPS. He’s much better protection than Jorge for Alex…….Holliday GIDP 13 times in 2009, 9 in 2008.
I don’t believe a word Hal or Cashman says about payroll right now. Let’s see what their payroll is going into the 2010 season first.
Cash and Steinbrenner kept on mentioning trades. I think that’s the route there going to plan to go with DH or LF, but not with SP.
Find me that cashman quote on phil’s innings and i’ll believe you. until then he’s throwing 140-150 and that’s it.
Johnson is in the trash bin because he never stays healthy.
He is the ultimate tease. And we are one injury away from Miranda at DH.
LF is a whole
Melky is a below average player in left field. That is a fact. He is below replacement level.
Nick Johnson is also made of glass. If he gets hurt, we have Miranda in the lineup who is almost certainly going to be below replacement level as well.
The offense is NOT set. We need 2 medium-level bats (Damon/Johnon) or one big bat (Holliday).
—–
Lets just make sure to differentiate here between what you WANT and what the yankees NEED.
I don’t think they are done by a long shot but the Yankees could compete with the roster they have now. No doubt.
I like CC’s quote. AND Cashman is NOT done yet ! This is good news for us.
Corey the question was not if Holliday is better. It’s why Posada can’t/won’t already do it perfectly fine.
And like I said, you can go do all the math I did if you want, but Holliday grounds into more DP’s than Posada does.
He is the ultimate tease. And we are one injury away from Miranda at DH.
–
We’re one signing away from not having Miranda as DH, he is the DH right now!
Phil
December 17th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
“Halladay would be the best OF in next year’s class, too.”
its holliday…. and isn’t carl crawford a free agent next year??? i’ll take him over holliday anyday….
Cashman could blow everyone away with a ridiculous trade for someone like Verlander. Something completely out of left field.
speculation Cashman may already have his man (pitcher)
is Eric Badard a remote possibility?
“LF is a whole
Melky is a below average player in left field. That is a fact. He is below replacement level.”
Again, that’s completely superficial logic.
Switch Granderson to left field and Cabrera in CF and they are both “above replacement level”.
However, keep them in the same line-up slot, and switch them defensively and NOW you get the EXACT same offensive production and perhaps better defense, but we also get the “He’s below replacement level in LF” criers.
Isn’t the flaw in the argument obvious?
Damon 13
Matsui 13
Nady 6.5
Wang 5
Molina 2.1
Bruney 1.2
Giambi – Rasner 4
That’s about 45million in savings. We brought on:
Granderson: 5.5
Petitte 7 (difference)
Jeter 1 (difference)
CC 9 (difference)
Cano 3 (difference)
Swisher 1.4 (difference)
Be increased 27 on the guys we now have. That leaves about 18-20 million for the 200 cap.
Holiday at 12 in ’10 and 20 in 11’14 and Sheets at 8+ incentives gets us right to 200.
Rick
December 17th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Brett,
You are right. Sheets is no guarantee to perform in the AL East. He is also made of glass.
It is risky signing him and expecting him to outperform the kids. But the problem is that he is going to be paid $8 million or so, so he is going to be in the rotation. He has never pitched out of the pen.
If they sign Sheets, their scouts better be sure that he can perform. That is why it is good that he wants a workout sesssion. We can see first hand what his stuff looks like.
———————————————————
What have joba and hughes shown you? that they can’t perform in pressure situations (ie the playoffs) and are inconsistent at best as starters and at age 23 they haven’t been the poster boys of being able to stay healthy either… give me sheets 100 times out of 100
Find me that cashman quote on phil’s innings and i’ll believe you. until then he’s throwing 140-150 and that’s it.
–
Suck it down.
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ore-19897/
Duchester has never thrown more than 141 innings… and he did in 2008, got hurt, and missed the entire year.
He is a reliever. At least Bedard has shown he is a workhorse. Yeah, he is a malcontent, but if Cashman wants a pitcher that badly, he cannot afford to be picky. There are not many options at all.
Tom B, you make valid points and Posada could do fine hitting #5. But the fact is that Holliday would provide better protection and could do so for several years, not just next year. Plus last time I checked Jorge can’t catch and play LF at the same time..
Holliday has an unusually high BABIP over his career, and they have identical walk rates. The difference in their career slg can be attributed directly to the .075 bump in coors field.
So far no one has come up with a good reason that Posada can’t protect A-Rod in our lineup AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS.
blake, we have a left fielder. there is no question that holliday would be better… that’s why no one is arguing against that point…
sheesh is this that hard to follow?
Phil
in your opinion who had the better all around-offense/defense- this past season Holliday or Werth?
which is a better value to you say Holliday for 6yrs/108mil or Werth for 4/60?
Fat Adam,
we disagree, but happy holidays.
Jerkface…
The Yanks may be willing to allow Hughes throw approximately 175 innings in 2010 because of that past.
Yeah that sounds like rock solid info a week after the Parade.
I say lets cut Igawa. Use the extra change to add an extra bat boy designated to only handle Hollidays bats.
Seriously. Wouldnt cutting him at least give us a chance of some othe team picking him up for minimum and having saved enough for the AAA bus money?
champ809,
Werth scares me. He’s an HGH freak and they’re likely to start testing for it during the life of his next contract. Also, if you take that stuff to the point he has: where your chin starts growing; there can be other medical complictations.
The Yanks may be willing to allow Hughes throw approximately 175 innings in 2010 because of that past.
Yeah that sounds like rock solid info a week after the Parade.
–
Believe what you want, but Hughes is nothing like Joba. He has a minor league track record, and they already went through a process of building up his arm. If you want I’ll wager with you on the amount of innings he throws, friendly wager or whatever. Over/under at 150. Barring injury Hughes will throw over 150 innings in 2010.
Counting playoffs? over. My point is it will not be a completely unrestricted 35ish starts.
joba and hughes dont choke. hughes arm was done at the end of the year. hughes also won the only game in the 2007 playoffs 4 or so innings of relief in game 3 against cleveland down 2-0. thats choking?
Tom B.
Hughes career high in innings is 130. and last year he threw a combined 115 so his limit wont be as severe as Joba’s last year as Cash has stated three time now. they would prob want to keep him around or under 180..
Posada can’t protect A-Rod because he is always hurt. He doesn’t scare you when he is AB. Matsui scared you. Holliday scared you.
We need someone who can scare the pitcher.
tex’s friend… obviously he is comparing Joba and Phil to all of those other 23 year olds that are highly successful in their first postseason.
lol
Posada COULD protect A-Rod, but he is on the downside of his career. He posted a 26.4% K rate in ’09, and it has been climbing the past few years.
Holiday K rate was 17%, much lower, and much less of a chance they will walk A-Rod/Tex to get to Holliday.
Not to mention, Holliday’s splits are better than Posada’s too.
Why are we still debating Hughes/Joba? Cash said that both will be competing for a spot, not both of them in the rotation.
The more interesting topic is who Cash is going to get?
Hughes career high in innings is 130. and last year he threw a combined 115 so his limit wont be as severe as Joba’s last year as Cash has stated three time now. they would prob want to keep him around or under 180..
–
His career high is 146. You don’t ‘regress’ when you have an injury. You don’t see 30 year old starters off surgery throwing 120 innings and getting limits. The limits are for gradually increasing a load, and Hughes has already gradually increased up to 150.
If he is a starter next season, barring injury, he will throw like a normal 5th starter. Over 150 IP
Jack, because he’s always hurt? what a terrible reason. next!
I think that they would like to get 25-27 starts from him an avg of 6innings per would get you 150-165 and then another 20ish from the pen and playoffs
champ809,
His career high is 150 innings in 2006. He pitched 5 innings in the AA playoffs.
Tom B, I’m not sure what point you are trying to make. Yes posada could hit behind Arod and the team would be fine. However, holliday is a significant upgrade over melky and would make the team better offensively and defensively than it was last season. Posada is what 38, even of he can protect Arod next year who is gonna do it the year after. Holliday instantly solves several problems the Yankees have. Sure Posada would do a good enough job protecting Arod but the team would be better with Holliday on it
JK, the cutter really is just a variation of the FB, isn’t it? Phil will never gain consistency of his secondary pitches if he doesn’t get a chance to use them….and I thought the Yankees wanted him to work on his change. He won’t use that in the pen either…..nevermind being able to develop it in ST.
Forget Bedard – the one bad apple spoiling the bunch thing. His rep travelled with him from Baltimore to Seattle; he’s just not a good guy and he’s not even healthy.
Posada is just not a great hitter. As a catcher he is, but he is not a guy who should be protecting A-Rod on the best team in baseball.
He is an OK choice, but we certainly do better. He is not as good as Matsui or Holliday.
“in this thread i want people to explain to me why posada can’t bat 5th.”
Posada had a great season in 09, but he only started 97 games last season. Ideally, I think the Yankees want a 5th hitter that is going to be in the lineup almost everyday.
That’s why if the Yankees don’t add another big time bat, I see Cano hitting 5th next year. His power is starting to come around, he hits righties and lefties, and he was 3rd in the league in total bases last year.
Fans complain about his numbers with RISP, but he’s too talented of a hitter to let those splits continue throughout his career. Eventually, those numbers will come closer together, and I think it could be next year.
SS Jeter, DH/LF Damon, 1B Teixeira, 3B Rodriguez, 2B Cano, C Posada, CF Granderson, RF/DH Swisher, RF/LF Melky
Nothing would stop a team from walking arod and bringing in a lefty to face holliday any more than “not fearing” Posada.
Holliday k’s 1 out of 6 ab’s vs lefties.
hughes arm was done pitching ONLY 90 innings last year? – if so then what does that tell you how good he is? Oh Ok joba doesn’t choke in big games i forget it was the locusts that did him in (roll eyes) – and did you happen to see both of them pitch in the palyoffs this past season?
if cashman and others had any confidence in either of them they wouldn’t be saying they are looking for more pitching..
rumor on mlbtraderumors that yankees are not the only looking at nick johnson. it is rumored the bidding is close to 6 million. would it not be smart to pay matsui 6.5 for one year?
So when is Sheets going to have this work out? How much logner does he want to wait? The 2 top starters are already off the market.
Sheets is basically the only option if Cash wants a starter on the FA market. Duch is even more of a risk.
Phil also throws a slider and split-change.
In 127 plate appearances batting 5th in 2009, Jorge put up .177/.260/.354. As you might imagine, that was, by a spectacular margin, much worse than his performance in any other slot. Not a fluke either, in my estimation.
I must have missed something somewhere, but what happened to Jose Molina? Did he sign somewhere? Retire?
The worry over who will protect Rodriquez is rich.
You know the 3 months the Yanks scored the most average runs last year was?
August
April
May
That’s right. The scored more runs in the month A-Rod missed entirely and the month where he missed a couple of weeks, over 3 months he was there everyday.
And we’re worried about PROTECTING him?
A-Rod is an offensive asset, I certainly don’t argue that, over the long haul he’s a +, but shouldn’t so-assumed “informed fans” understand you don’t play baseball on paper?
If we get Sheets, there isn’t necessarily a problem that can’t be worked out, unless all 3 competing for #4/5 are phenomenal. Besides, I thought you “can never have to much pitching”.
Hughes may be great next year, he’s on an innings limit.
Joba, I hope he lives up to the SP hype.
Sheets may be perfect, may not.
Andy is Andy, but he is going to be 38.
Gaudin, Mitre, Alceves- who knows?
Little late now to give Matsui the same money they will have to give Nick Johnson. They painted themselves in a corner now.
Phil
December 17th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Fat Adam,
we disagree, but happy holidays.
whoever “we” is… I disagree, i dont see how anyone could disagree! he’s faster, better D, younger, cheaper(by a little), he doesnt take balls of the “balls” in the playoffs, has played in the AL East his whole career… the list goes on! hey cash… save stiens money and spend it next year! please!
no.27, i like it… an intelligent response! there should be no reason for posada to start only 97 games since he’s not coming off of surgery. cano progressing next season into the 5 hitter is exactly what i expect (i projected him as a 3 hitter before we got tex) so there is no reason to pay all this money for holliday for a problem that will completely work itself out internally and not hurt us a damn bit this season.
If someone honestly believes that missing the production from Holliday for Melky will sink us this year you need to wise up.
if the yankees are going to play with all these b type free agents and end up with nothing but headaches…they might as well go for holliday
Pass on Cano batting 5th till he can stop swinging at crap in the dirt at the 6th and 7th spots with runners on.
sab – warming up and pitching every other day has no bearing on performance or durability as a starter, they are 2 totally different beasts.
rick – matsui is gone, it’s time to get over it.
Fat Adam,
“we” would be you and me. And we still disagree. Holliday is a better baseball player than Crawford. We’ve been over it on this blog several times so I won’t go over it again. Enjoy the holidays
Cano in the 5 hole Tom? Really? The guy cant hit with anyone on or near the base paths….even the first and third base coaches back up a few steps….and talking about GIDP….Cano knocks into more of those than Jorge Posada and Matt Holliday.
Tom B
December 17th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
tex’s friend… obviously he is comparing Joba and Phil to all of those other 23 year olds that are highly successful in their first postseason.
———————————————————-
first of all it wasn’t their first postseason – and second they weren’t much better as starters last year either – for god’s sake wang beat out hughes for a starting position last year TWICE – and joba was the reason they HAD to go to a 3 man rotation in the playoffs –
but don’t take my word for it cashman and girardi have both said they need another starter – if that isn’t an indictment of how confident (or not confident)they are in them then i don’t know what else to tell you..
rick: I agree.
Even if there is no evidence of a formal offer for Holliday from the Yankees, Cash’s word is enough for Scott.
Brian and Hal make a great team. I would say almost as entertaining as G. Steinbrenner and Martin, or Batman and Robin. Well, maybe not quite that entertaining.
I can tell you that the Yankees are not interesting in going full-steam with Holliday like they did with Tex last year, and the fact that EVERYBODY knows they are always ‘the sleeper’ that can jump in at any time.. what you heard today, is exactly what they wanted you to hear and nothing more..
Holliday has high-hopes for a Yankees offer.
Corey, you are right….why are they fishing in the water they are…this year sounds like a few years ago when pettite walked and they were sorry for that.
he doesnt take balls of the “balls” in the playoffs
=========
lol. Iv seen that play a million times and never noticed where exactly the ball ended up hitting at. And he lived to talk about it?
“would it not be smart to pay matsui 6.5 for one year?”
Not very, considering he’s now under contract with the Anaheim Angels.
Did you mean a personal services contract or something?
Tom B
Chapman threw roughly 30-35 pitches sitting @ 93 but going about 85% effort. His last two pitches were 96-97 and his breaking pitches were a lot crisper than most expected. In fact the scouts who had seen him before and again yesterday were thoroughly impressed with how quickly he made an adjustment in his delivery to eliminate a hitch that he had which they say will improve his control and the quality of his secondary pitches. He’s picked this up in just the last 3 weeks. He physically looked like a lh Kobe Bryant with a 100+ mph fastball. Sounds like he may be very coachable along with blessed with a HUGE arm.
What exactly is there not to like about him.
I magine in 2yrs a rotation that includes CC,AJ,Joba throwing 95-99 from the rh, and a 23yr LHP throwing 96-102 and Hughes in the 5th spot….
Pay tha Man!!!
Id gladly give up Montero, Melky, McAllister for Verlander. lol
GO CC! I love this team! I miss them though….that part sucks.
Welcome, Curtis. =)
no stuckey i know he is with the angels…..i was just in wish mode
Where is Lost in Holliday Inn when you need him?
Knew Damon was looking at Seattle…
Let me sum up what Tom B is saying ..the 2010 Yankees will be fine without Holliday but they would be better with him.
Does everyone agree with that, ok let’s move on.
Holliday just makes so much sense
Stop settling for 2nd tier guys like Damon/Johnson/Vlad. We are the NY Yankees.
We have an opening in LF and he is the best OF bat available for the next couple of years. Why are we shopping at Walmart when we have the resources to shop at Tiffany’s?
Again, with the money we allot to Damon AND NJ, would be better allotted to Holliday alone. Younger, no injury risk, #5 hitter, everything is in his favor.
Would be disappointing if we ‘settle’ for B/C level players when an A-lister is staring us right in the face.
champs, are we teaching cc how to throw with his right hand now?
corey, obviously cano won’t continue to progress and will repeat whatever pointless stats you’ve looked up.
if you have no foresight or positive projections for our own in house players, please just don’t answer me.
what you heard today, is exactly what they wanted you to hear and nothing more..
====
Damn bobcat it took you long enough to finally post again. Good times.
I have to agree with Phil. Holliday is a better player than Crawford and i am more convinced that it should be the move of the two with what gb7 mentioned. Crawford has been playing on turf for quite awhile now. We have no idea what damage that has done to his legs. Once Crawfords legs go, then whas left?
Signing Holliday allows us to use Miranda or someone inferior at DH because we would have added 40 HRs to our team.
Signing Johnson alone still leaves us with a hole in LF, no #5 hitter, and questions about his health.
I like how my Cano stats are “pointless” when theyre factual and yours are nothing more than thin air hopes and wishes right now for his future. Give me a break.
Team with most money in baseball: NYY
Agency with highest paid clients: Boras Corp.
Which team has made Boras Corp the most money on a per player basis? NYY
Now who is your daddy, Scott?
Let’s put it this way -
Granderson as a #2 hitter is much better than Posada as a #5 hitter.
Phil
is that true about Werth? HGH? I’d take him on my team for the next 4 yrs i know that. GG caliber D in RF 30/30 production tremendous athlete…
To say Cano is DEFINITELY going to have a better season than he did in 2009 (200+ Hits) Is nothing more than bias and ridiculous. Do you project Melky to bat .300 this year too?
rick, granderson can hit 5th and johnson 2nd. and i dont think holliday was going to hit 40 homeruns each year, if any.
If we did sign Holliday, I wouldn’t mind using Miranda as DH as seeing how that goes. But without someone like Holliday, then I wouldn’t trust him there.
The thing is, Holliday is very nearly as good as Tex, and he’s gonna cost roughly half as much.
Cash pays players what they are worth and then some.. he is maturing as a GM with all his experience. He knows how and when to make an offer or what and when to leak to the media..
Cash (as well as Tampa) has set a value on Matt Holliday. Boras, of course has set a value as well.. they are not the same obviously..
Gone are the days when Cash goes all-in, he is in a position of power. Why? Believe it or not, the yankees have great leverage in the market.
Let Cash do his job, and I am sure everyone will be happy with the end result.
corey he doesnt have to have a better season to become a more proficient batter. you are ridiculous.
“Let Cash do his job, and I am sure everyone will be happy with the end result.”
I am not going to be happy with Johnson at DH and Melky in left.
I will only be happy with Holliday.
Rick
Holliday will not hit 40hrs on our team. He’s not that kind of hitter.
Corey and everybody else
Cano had a bad yr hitting with risp LAST YR but for his career he’s been a good ab in an rbi situation….don’t forget he drove in 97 rbis from the 9 hole a couple yrs ago. i personally like him in the 2hole next yr as he’s the best fastball hitter on the team and should see a steady diet of ‘em sitting between Jeet and Tex/Arod.
In the video chat, Brad Hawpe’s name was mentioned. Would he be a good fit? Idk much about the guy
Tweeet:
RT @ed_price: I hear #Cardinals not inclined to offer Holliday above 5-6 yrs x $15M. // Would 5/80 get it done for another team?
Well until he gets to that point of being more “proficient” you have no basis to say that he ever will be. Until he proves to be “proficient” there’s no need to even bring up the idea of him batting 5th. Period.
champ: I Have no qualms sitting him in the 2 hole, I think he would fare better there than in the #5 that Tom is expressing his interest in.
Why would Cashman come out and say Hughes/Joba will be competing for one spot?
Doesn’t he want leverage with Sheets’ agent?
He has played this pitching this very strangely. He has basically exclaimed how much he wants pitching this off-season in every interview that he has done. He always holds his cards close to the vest. Now he comes out and says that both kids will not be in the rotation.
He is basically showing all his cards that he wants another starter. Makes me think maybe he is doing it just to motivate the kids, not because he is indeed after another stater. Cash never negotiates like this where he lets the world know his intentions. Has to be a purposeful leak to get Joba’s ears perked up to get in shape.
“I am not going to be happy with Johnson at DH and Melky in left. I will only be happy with Holliday”
—————————————-
spoiled. Sign Nick Johnson, cashmoney
Early predictions for 2010 from baseballhq has damon offensively ranked slightly ahead of granderson…granderson beats damon in homeruns 27 to 17 and sb’s 16-13. OBP damon .365 grandy .342… damon also bats 20 pts higher. fantasy value…damon $19…grandy $17
interesting
corey, i don’t have to prove him to be already proficient. he hit 200 baseballs last year. how many bad batters accomplish that feat? 0.
REPOST :
Putting the DH, LF, and SP questions aside, it would be uplifting news by itself to hear that Joba had decided on coming to Tampa in mid January to get a head start on conditioning.
If he doesn’t know by now that it would best for his career then he needs a serious reality check.
champ,
In NYS, anything is possible. He has hit 34 and 36 in the past. May not hit 40 but will definitely hit 30-35 in this park in this lineup.
the only reason i say #5 for cano (#2 is fine too, probably better) is that he has no splits to take advantage of with RP’s. that is how you “protect” someone in the lineup.
Let go and let Cash.
Melky won’t work for peanuts forever.
Fantasy value != real value
Phil, have you looked at Holliday’s 162 game averages vs. Teixera’s. They are very similar. Tex hit more homers but Holliday has a higher avg, steals more bases and even has a higher OPS. Now its true that a lot of those numbers were put up at Coor’s Field but a point many people miss is that Coor’s Field today isn’t the same Coor’s Field that Vinny Castilla, Helton, and Dante Bichette feasted off of. Coor’s hasn’t ranked as the top hitters park in baseball for quite awhile, although it is still a very good one.
Listen Tex is the better player but is he 80-100 million dollars better?
“in this thread i want people to explain to me why posada can’t bat 5th.”
Posada CAN bat 5th. I just don’t expect him to be very successful at it. IMO, guys will walk Alex to get to Jorge. When Hideki was there, that didn’t happen too often. And when it did, Godzilla usually made them pay. I see a lot of DPs in Jorge’s future if he bats 5th.
If Cano could remedy his issue with hitting while men are on base he’d be a prototypical 5 hitter. High average, high slg translates to a good 4, 5 or 6 hitter.
Tom B
I didn’t think that i had to write out that CC’s a lefty and AJ’s a righty….the point was behind the vets CC and AJ we have three “kids” in a 25yr old Joba throwing 100, a 24yr Aroldis throwing 100+, and our 5th starter is a 25yr old Hughes throwing 96…this is of course a projected 2012 rotation
Phil
I don’t think personally that Holliday is as good as Tex I think he’s a notch below
This Yankee team is sort of reminiscent of the 36-41 teams that won 5 out of 6 WS. On those team, people were always on base.
Phil,
Excellent point. Holliday could conceivably sign for 1\2 of what Teixira signed for. And we all know that in reality, he is only slightly less valuable than Teixieira. Yet the contract terms won’t dictate that. He could be a steal for us if we can get him.
Assuming the Yankees have money to spend and I believe they do. I’d like Sheets for two years with some vesting options plus a pitcher or two from the scrap heap although we already have two of those in Gaudin and Mitre. I’d also like to see us sign Nick Johnson. Then I’ll feel confident about 2010. Damon at this point is last years news. I hope he finds a team where he makes a bundle. Also I’d still like to see the Yanks find a way for Wang to come back, if he indeed wants to.
Laura, I know something, but I can’t tell you what it is.
For those who cite Coors Field…
Teixiera put up most of his numbers in Arlington,another launching pad, except for 1.5 years of his career.
And NYS is a hitters park. The drop off from Coors is not that much.
“Laura, I know something, but I can’t tell you what it is.”
Nick,
About the Yankees or L O S T? If it’s L O S T, I don’t wanna know.
“And NYS is a hitters park”
Actually its a neutral park
Cano is not batting higher than 6th until he can prove that he can handle it. To date, he has not been able to.
Whatever pitches Phil throws, he only uses 2 of them in the pen – it’s just a waste of material.
Cash did a great job of picking up Curtis, but if we whiff on Damon and Matsui both, that is going to be pretty disappointing. Clearly for whatever reason, Cash was never going to re-sign Hideki, a guy that without his services last year, the Yankees would probably have lost to the Phillies in the World Series.
Where was the risk signing Hideki for a 1 year deal for a measly 6.5 million bucks? Limited to a DH, the injury risk for him is minimal, and for one year the risk overall is almost zero. And 6.5 is such a bargain for him.
I figured that when Cashman let Hideki walk so easily, a deal with Damon was all but a sure thing this offseason. News to Cashman: THE DH SPOT ISN’T DISAPPEARIN. YOU NEED A DH. AND NOT NAMED NICK FREAKIN JOHNSON. WE NEED DAMON, and for 2 years only, who cares how much you pay him? get it done. Losing Damon and Matsui and replacing them with just Curtis granderson isn’t enough.
He hit those homers in Colorado he would not hit as many here in our ballpark. He would hit quite a few in Fenway although he’s not a true pull hitter….
Anybody want to guess what Tex’s #’s would looklike if he played 5yrs in Colorado?
I just saw a Holliday drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic’s.
His hair was perfect
You don’t want to know.
Interesting stat about melky is his 50% groundball rate according to baseballhq. This means ten homers is about what he will hit. Also his 2009 batting average and xba are the same as 2007 which means that he has not progressed any since 2007 though he did rebound from 2008.
their prediction is what you saw offensively with melky in 2009 is probably what you get in 2010.
Ok, fine. Don’t get Holliday then. Enjoy Melky in LF. And when “Glass Johnson” goes on the DL, it is Juan Miranda time!
Yankee Stadium is a neutral park… right.
It is not the launching pad the media makes it out to be, but it is far from neutral.
I like “Let go and let Cash”.
I’m sure that Cash knows that he has to add another bat. Who that bat is will keep us guessing indefinitely.
Lost, we’ll see…..but I just don’t think Hal is going to agree to spend the $$$ on Holliday. Plus, Cash hardly sounds like he’s going to bat for the man,like he did for Tex. Next year? Well, IMO forget Mauer. I’m not interested in Beckett……Lee? We’ll see…….but that’s next year. We need a LF now….at some point, we’re going to need one permanently. Trying to find a LF every few years is dumb.
As to Holliday, he may want to be a Yankee, but he also wants the $$ (which is great – good for him). He’ll go where the $$ is – even if the Yanks do make him an offer. He is not going to take less to come to the Yankees.
Holliday played in Colorado from 2004-2008.
In 2004 the rating for Coors was 1.412, the second highest was 1.217. Coors has ranked under 1.2 ever since except this year and Holliday didn’t play there this year. Coors doesn’t skew the numbers nearly as much as it used to. Its still a great hitters park but really no more than New Yankee Stadium, Fenway or that Cracker Jack box in Philly.
Corey,
“To say Cano is DEFINITELY going to have a better season than he did in 2009 (200+ Hits) Is nothing more than bias and ridiculous. Do you project Melky to bat .300 this year too?
Well until he gets to that point of being more “proficient” you have no basis to say that he ever will be. Until he proves to be “proficient” there’s no need to even bring up the idea of him batting 5th. Period.”
I never said Cano was definitely going to have a better season. I think he’s got a great chance at continuing to hit for more power. He’s 26 years old and already an amazing contact hitter that had 75 XBH last season. To put that in perspective, Holliday had 65 and 66 XBH in 08 and 09, respectively.
I also think that it’s going to be pretty much impossible for Cano to keep up his splits w/ RISP. Do you think he’s going to be the only person in the history of baseball to have such a drastic difference between hitting w/ guys on base and w/ the bases empty? That just doesn’t make any sense.
Also, I don’t think Cano makes much sense as a 2 hitter. It’s going to take a lot more for him to raise his OBP to the point where it makes sense for him to hit second than it will for him to start hitting w/ RISP.
Either we have a different opinion on what kind of talent Cano has, or you think it’s possible for Cano to continue his career as 2 different hitters with RISP and the bases empty. I’m pretty sure you’re wrong either way.
Lost, I don’t agree that the Yanks are in a position of power…not in terms of Holliday. Damon and the Yanks are probably finished…so outside of that, where are the Yankees going?
Corey, are you really comparing Melky to Cano?
NYS is a homerun park, but it takes away other hits and is neutral. The old Polo Grounds baseball stadium where the NY Giants played was a home run park, that took away other types of hits, too.
King George is saying a done deal by tomorrow:
Yankees move closer to DH deal with Johnson
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....z0ZzE9Mb3F
I don’t even think Hal’s budget comes into play on Holliday considering signing him would be the same amount of $$ as signing Damon/NJ.
I just don’t think Cashman wants to lock the guy up for 6 years. I’m sure he is aware of all the players lobbying for Damon and values chemistry of the clubhouse and doesn’t want to mess with that.
About the Yankees or L O S T? If it’s L O S T, I don’t wanna know.
=========
You can tell me Nick. It will save me the time in watching all these flashing time machine crap they force fed us last year. Hope the final season is better.
I think Cano will keep improving. A lot of players, for whatever reason, sort of take off at 27 and he’s been hovering around becoming great for awhile. I think it’s gonna happen, because he does want to be great.
I will enjoy Melky in left because next season I will enjoy Cliff Lee and Joe Mauer playing for the Yankees.
Betsy, if the highest offer on the table for Holliday is 5 years for 80 million then the Yankees are in a position of power.
Cando, good point – that was a very strange comment from Cash…. unless it was a slip of the tongue.
KO
that’s not only a myopic view it’s also wrong. Health is the only thing that Damon has over Nick Johnson. If you put both players in the 2 hole next year for 140 games I’d be willing to bet that Johnson gives you more production. 300 with a 420 obp with power is what Nick would give you in a healthy season
Betsy,
I’m pretty sure every Free Agent to hit the market has said they want to be a Yankees. Either they actually want to (I think maybe 1% of the players actually care), the Agent says it so it can rise their stock, or I believe the Player says it because they want the Yankees to cash it out big for them. OR of course, a fan for some reason makes up a rumor that the player wants to join a particular team. Either way, I HATE when some people use “oh well he wants to be a Yankee” as a basis to the Yankees actually signing the player. It’s just so unrealistic, from both perspectives. Teams won’t pay more because a guy wants to be there, and a player won’t take less because he “likes” a particular team.
Some people are just in fairy tale land where everybody is real and honest.
Forget Holliday, go hard next season for Joe Mauer and Cliff Lee. Two people who deserve 18 million easy.
champ809,
You may be right, but if we were just going to sign Nick, I think Matsui would have been better choice. Maybe he cost a LITTLE more, but he is a proven commodity in NY. I’m not so sure the Yankees are truly considering him.
Joe Mauer’s not gonna be a free agent.
Ian, the players don’t run the team. If Damon is gone, they will love Holliday or whomever…they’re professionals.
Oh Lost in Holliday(Heyman) is back.
If the Yankees sign Johnson then it better be for significantly less that the 6.5 million they could have likely had Matsui for. So much for not being interested in a straight DH.
If Cash signs Johnson, Matsui should call him up and call him a liar because that is what he will be.
That said Ian – Cash won’t mess with chemistry by bringing in players like Bedard.
Blake, only if the Yankees are interested. I’m skipping over Cash right now and talking Hal. I don’t think he’s got any intention of spending the $$$ on Holliday.
It wouldn’t be wise to place your hope and dreams on Mauer being available next year. He will likely give the Twins a discount to stay there.
Bottom line is Damon isn’t going to get 13 mil a year for multiple years from anyone, let alone the Yankees. So Cash is low balling him cause he can.
We still need a LF even if we sign the OBP Jesus
And Cash can call Matsui after the Angels refuse to let him play the field anymore because his knees are literally falling apart.
Did it ever cross your minds that maybe matsui wouldn’t have signed with the yankees for 6.5mil? he knew they were going to aim for that(or less) so he took the best offer at the time?
Yeah people Mauer will not be a FA and why would i break the bank for him if I have Jesus Montero my untouchable hypothetically ready to report to duty in 2011?
Tank we won a WS with melky in the OF i’m pretty sure he’s not going to stop us from winning another one.
Betsy, if the price stays at what it is rumored to be then I just can’t imagine them not getting involved. I obviously don’t know that for sure but it makes a lot of sense.
everyone seems to forget that montero stop being projected as a catcher and is most scouting reports is referred to as a future dh/1b.
and i’m not so sure that mauer will stay with the twins, it would be career suicide to do so. boston will offer him a billion dollars to pull 40-50hr’s over the short fence. either way we’re not getting him.
Melky/Johnson…. ehh….
“Did it ever cross your minds that maybe matsui wouldn’t have signed with the yankees for 6.5mil? he knew they were going to aim for that(or less) so he took the best offer at the time?”
Yes, but Matsui was quoted many times that his preference was to stay in NY. The Yankees put him on the back burner and kept saying they weren’t interested in a straight DH, so he signed with the Angels and I don’t blame him. Now here they are less than a week later talking to a DH (Johnson) for about the same money.. It makes very little sense to me..
Does Matsui’s interpreter go with him to LAA?
Tom B
December 17th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Tank we won a WS with melky in the OF i’m pretty sure he’s not going to stop us from winning another one.
==================
Not because of his bat. THey won a WS thanks to the bats of Matsui, Damon and A-Rod….and two of which probably wont be on the team in 2010.
Betsy, LAA is not going to put Matsui out into the field. They know that and so does Matsui (deep down).
Better have a good back up plan for NJ when he goes on the DL, like he has in his previous 10 ML seasons.
It’s very possible that the offer to Holliday from an East Coast team is the Sox – man, what an off-season they will have had if they sign him. Boras is likely whispering in Cash’s ear about that, hoping Cash will whisper in Hal’s ear
sab
Will you stop with the rant about Joba and Hughes being garbage. They both have shown promise and they are young pitchers so what do you expect ? Do you expect them to turn into Bob Gibson and Cy young over night ? Give it a rest !
All young talented pitchers struggle so stop with the rant. They will improve this year and next year and they will turn into really good pitchers.
But I agree with you about getting another starter because you can never have enough pitching.
So i was listening to John Lackeys press conference yesterdady and he sounded like someones voice iv heard since i was born. I want you to close your eyes next time he talks and tell me if he doenst sound like Kermit the Frog. And here i thought he signed that 5 year deal because he needed the money.
Tom B
who stopped projecting Montero as a catcher? Toronto’s scout department? Montero will be the starting catcher in either Trenton or Scranton when the season starts so if the Yanks thought that he wasn’t going to be a catcher they’d have him playing at another position.
If you want to know what the YANKS feel about their catching situation and prospects there is an interview with the guy in charge of THE YANKS catching development program today on pinstripes plus. Educate yourself.
The Yanks might have signed Matsui if he waited a bit longer, but he had an offer. The original reason why the Yanks weren’t gonna have a DH was cause they wanted a certain pitcher and a certain LF. The pitcher is now gone.
I like Melky, I really do but the argument that the Yankees won the WS with Melky and they therefore don’t need to improve is kinda silly. The real story is that they won the WS in spite of having one of the worst outfields in baseball.
Betsy -high on pie
If Epstein didn’t pay out for Jason Bay what makes you think the Sox will do it for Holliday when Boras is his agent and they don’t like him ? It’s not going to happen !
Blake,
Clearly, the Yankees weren’t comfortable with Matsui’s knees.
So, after the press conference, I was out and about all afternoon. I was just catching up reading through the comments.
For the third time, I have to say, I absolutely LOVE Curtis Granderson. I think the media may have found its new “go-to” guy, especially if Johnny leaves.
So, based on the comments of Cashman, it sure does seem like a pitcher is the first order of the day and it’s not one of the variety that will have to challenge Hughes and Joba for a spot.
It also sounds like no Holliday this holiday season. It sounds like they’re gearing up for next post-season already. So, with the Yankees, when thinking about who they are interested in, it’s going to be a game – how far ahead are they looking. And yo know what, they are right – this is not a good class of FAs and just because a guy leads the class, if it’s a “b” class, he’s just the best of the “b’s.”
I LOVE CC, too. I love his comment. That’s EXACTLY the chip on the shoulder attitude the Yankees pitching staff needs to have, and they will have, going into 2010.
ARod also made a good appearance during the press conference. Said he was going to invite Granderson to join him and Tex in Miami to workout with K Long. Called long a cage rat.
Looked really, really happy about the news about his hip.
So, do both sides eat a little crow and Johnny comes back for just slightly under $13 million a year for 2 years? It’ll be interesting to see now what shakes out.
Unless the Yankees are just playing all of us! Hal also mentioned trades.
We may have even less of a clue than we actually thought we had as far as where their interests lie. Always a mystery with Stealth Cashman at the helm!
The press conference was so much fun to watch. A big part of that was the very excellent answers that Granderson gave to all the questions asked of him. And the incredible smile on his face.
S.o.S.
December 17th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
So i was listening to John Lackeys press conference yesterdady and he sounded like someones voice iv heard since i was born. I want you to close your eyes next time he talks and tell me if he doenst sound like Kermit the Frog. And here i thought he signed that 5 year deal because he needed the money.
***********
s.o.s, I was saying the same thing this morning. I had my back to the TV and got all excited because I thought the muppets were on. lol To me, he sounds like a weird cross between Kermit and Fozzie.
The Orioles also expressed interest in Holliday Betsy…could be tham remember they offered 140mm to Tex last yr, maybe they make the same offer to Holliday
“It’s very possible that the offer to Holliday from an East Coast team is the Sox – man, what an off-season they will have had if they sign him. Boras is likely whispering in Cash’s ear about that, hoping Cash will whisper in Hal’s ear”
Red Sox with a 180M dollar payroll, right…..
Julio Mosquero believes Montero will be a catcher. And if a team has a chance to get a twenty year old who’s an 80 hitter with 80 power, they grabe him. That’s how we know he was not offered, regardless of what was leaked to Heyman.
Does it make sense that they would sign Johnson as a DH and then also sign Damon as a DH/LF?
It’s beginning to look like a Holliday and a Holiday are not too far off.
“Clearly, the Yankees weren’t comfortable with Matsui’s knees”
So they are more comfortable with Johnson’s whole body?.
if george king is right and the yanks are close to a deal with NJ im going to be happy..a one year deal for a solid player (albeit injury prone) player like him is very good especially since it gives us the flexibility to make a splash next year in the much stronger FA class
Tom B
Mauer is not going to the Sox. He is staying in Minn. because he loves it there. The Twins have the money, so stop talking about Mauer because no one is getting him. And even if he was a free agent Cashman would out bid Epstein.
“So they are more comfortable with Johnson’s whole body?”
Erica?
Sorry it Said “Johnson’s” I SAW “Johnny’s”
Posada has been one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball for years and the Yankees have won 5 titles with him back there. If Montero can just get to that level of defense then its worth it to try and keep him back there. Having a catcher that can hit is a huge advantage over other teams.
“So they are more comfortable with Johnson’s whole body?.”
If they sign Johnson then yes.
“So they are more comfortable with Johnson’s whole body?”
Haha, ok maybe I didn’t word that so well. What I meant was why would they care about Matsui’s knees when NJ should probably live in a bubble to avoid injury.
Based on today’s interviews, I thought Steinbrenner kind of hinted that they would be willing to spend money on let’s say Holliday. He said he believes in budget, but for the right player it could be adjusted. So, there is still a chance. Personally, if the Yanks get Holliday, Sheets/Duscherer, and then a Bullpen arm via trade, I think they’re pretty much done this offseason. Then the DH wouldn’t be much of a pressing need.
We need to get a #5 starter who slots in if Hughes or Chamberlain are injured. Or if Hughes hits his innings limit.
We have to go in with the idea that these two guys can pitch in the rotation. Joba has proved it. Phil has shown consistency when given the chance. Now it’s time to step away and let them pitch.
We have Aceves who is a legitimate starter, as is Gaudin. Mitre can be a lot better than he was for us last year. We have a ton of depth. We don’t need another SP unless he’s an innings eater and only there to slot in for Hughes later on.
I’m sick of all of this talk about Holliday. We don’t need him and I don’t want him. I don’t want Damon either. Let’s sign Nick Johnson and potentially Duchscherer and start the season already. It’s OK for teams to appear competitive. We don’t have to have clearly the best team every year (even though we still would).
4:24pm: King now says the Yankees are “moving toward” a one-year deal with Johnson, which could be announced tomorrow
Oh well, I like the move as a piece of the puzzle but not the whole thing.
If they sign Holliday I’ll DH – no biggie
We DIDN’T need Holliday. But with the loss of Matsui and possibly Damon, at this point we do need him or at least another impact player if not Holliday.
Erin,
LOL. My kid asked me is that really his voice? Iv been in socal all my life and an hour from anaheim. Never paid attention to him speak. If i were the Sox, i would have him take out a puppet of Kermit and advertise it to the younger crowd. It just seems right to have smaller people sitting in those tight seats in that sardine can they call home. Less big sweaty people the better. I changed my mind, what do i care. Let them keep stinking up the joint.
If Johnson signs for anything more than $3m, it doesn’t make sense. Obviously if Cash uses the extra money to get a good pitcher then it will be fine. For some reason Cash had no interest in Matsui, but now is ready for a DH again. Johnson is extremely injury prone so the money you are saving doesn’t definitely make it a better deal.
We need better than a replacement level LF, and that’s all Melky is in LF.
I repeat.. If they sign Johnson, someone needs to be fired.
Gotta love CC. He keeps it gully. The Yankees just won a series with their top three, you tell them CC.
blake,
I think Johnson, while injury prone, is a significantly lower risk player than Matsui who is 5 years older.
Johnson will play the field minimally.
This is a great, relatively low cost move and its A ONE YEAR DEAL!!! That’s the best part.
Don’t count on this indicating that the Yankees are done on offense. They COULD just call it quits and go into the 2010 with this lineup and probably be just fine, but we all know that won’t be the case.
The Yankees could still get a LF.
Steinbrenner said he would not “slam the door” if Cashman showed a need to stretch the budget they set last month.
Still think there is NO chance for Holliday after reading that quote from Hal. There is NOT a “hard” cap on the budget only a goal. If Cash goes to Hal and can make a strong case on why it would be a wise investment to go after Holliday Hal is open-minded about it . Just like Cash is.
Cash is gonna get the last right of refusal from Boras on Holliday because of his leverage with Boras from previous buisness dealings.
The stars are aligned to make something work.
Damon has probably moved on.
Holliday wants to be a Yankee all other things equal.
Hal will stretch the budget for him if Cash can make his case.
And Cash will get the last bid.
Means, Motive, and opportunity.
I say the party is guilty (The Yanks). You might call getting Holliday “murdering” the rest of the league.
“Did it ever cross your minds that maybe matsui wouldn’t have signed with the yankees for 6.5mil? he knew they were going to aim for that(or less) so he took the best offer at the time?”
-If Matsui had identical offers on the table from the Yankees and Angels, there’s no way I see him turning the Yankees down. Why would he?
“Yeah people Mauer will not be a FA and why would i break the bank for him if I have Jesus Montero my untouchable hypothetically ready to report to duty in 2011?”
-If one of the best catchers EVER is available, you don’t ignore him because you have a prospect in the minors who plays the same position. They could handle the problem of having 2 amazing catchers.
“everyone seems to forget that montero stop being projected as a catcher and is most scouting reports is referred to as a future dh/1b.
and i’m not so sure that mauer will stay with the twins, it would be career suicide to do so. boston will offer him a billion dollars to pull 40-50hr’s over the short fence. either way we’re not getting him.”
-Montero is still very young and the Yankees say they still consider him a catcher. They are going to do everything they can to make him fit at that position. There’s no reason not to.
If Mauer does decide to test the free agent market, there’s no way the Yankees sit back and let the Red Sox have him. When have the Yankees ever let a player they wanted go to the Sox without at least trying to get him here?
E-gawa,
“I repeat.. If they sign Johnson, someone needs to be fired.”
Fair enough. YOU’RE FIRED!!!
Forget Holliday, go hard next season for Joe Mauer and Cliff Lee. Two people who deserve 18 million easy.
—————————————————-
Agreed!!! Thats smart. This year’s free agent class is a B-/C+ class. next year’s class is A+. Save the $$$ for next year.
Folks i mentioned this earlier. With Granderson 30 bombs which will for sure go up in our ballpark. Melky taking over in left. We are only down 19 homeruns assuming Matsiu and Damon were to repeat last years stats. Are you telling me that whoever we put as dh will not get 19 or at least close to it? Even if its Miranda dhing, he’ll get there. We are making the loss of the two bigger than it really is. We have added Pettitte and Granderson to this years mix already. Our outfield will already be much better with what we have now than it was last year defensively. Lets get a pitcher first so we dont have to win another W.S. with a 3 man rotation.
Ya know what baffles me? Guys like Tim Duncan are willing to take pay cuts to give their team flexibility and ultimately to win championships.
I know basketball has a salary cap and all, but if Holliday wants to play for the Yanks, as some of you assert, then I personally don’t see it as being unfair to expect that he ask them to pay less. That obviously won’t happen, but hey, we can dream right?
Damon, if you’re reading this, take notes…
Not yet Mad Prince. I’m hoping this is all just one of those dumb rumors that are invented by writers with nothing to write about.
Uncle Ellsworth (Expert textpert choking smokers, don’t you think the joker laughs at you)
December 17th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
If they sign Holliday I’ll DH – no biggie
***************
Go Uncle E! Way to step up for the team!
Yeah people Mauer will not be a FA and why would i break the bank for him if I have Jesus Montero my untouchable hypothetically ready to report to duty in 2011?
———————————————————
If the Yankees have a chance to get Joe Mauer then they absolutely must do so. They can figure out where to play Montero later.
Does Matsui’s interpreter go with him to LAA?
——————————————–
Yep, he gets 1 yr @ $6.5 million too.
SoS,
THANK YOU for writing that.
Logic alas.
Pitching wins, everyone knows this.
Furthermore, offenses can be considerably effective in scoring runs without hitting HRs.
MTU, I also think things are perfectly in line for a Holliday signing. You have a player that wants to be a Yankee. The Yankees need a LF’er and #5 hitter. The player fills both of those needs. Everything is pointing towards them signing him but at the end of the day that doesn’t really mean that they will. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see. I think it all depends on Whether Hal says yes or no.
Craw, I have no idea what the Sox budget limitations are; I never underestimate them.
Phil, who’s Julio Mosquero?
E-gawa,
I hope this rumor is true.
I love the one year deal.
-If Matsui had identical offers on the table from the Yankees and Angels, there’s no way I see him turning the Yankees down. Why would he?
========
He would never get the same offer the Angels gave him. With his daily visit by the doctors to drain his knees. Thers is noway they were going to play left field. Maybe he was tired of getting splinters in his rear and no offer would have made him stay riding the pine.
New Post——>
Betsy,
he’s the Yankees minor league catching czar. Great teacher. Was a minor league catcher forever. He’s from Mo’s area in Panama.
“I think Johnson, while injury prone, is a significantly lower risk player than Matsui who is 5 years older.
Johnson will play the field minimally.
This is a great, relatively low cost move and its A ONE YEAR DEAL!!! That’s the best part.”
The best part of signing a player is it’s a one year deal?
The best part of the Angels signing Matsui was that he’s the best DH in the league. Signing him to a 1 year deal was a bonus.
Cashman will have some splainin to do on this 1.
Blake, we’ll see if Holliday wants to be a Yankee. He’ll take the most $$$ that is offered to him – why wouldn’t he? Sometimes a rose is just a rose; let’s not make it any more complicated than it is. There’s no proof that the Yankees are interested at all in Holliday…and we heard the owner speak today.
As to next year, forget Mauer…….I would be very disappointed in Cash if he just sat tight and waited for 2011 when we need some holes to be plugged now (even if we sign NJ, we need a LF – Melky is not the answer).
I know basketball has a salary cap and all, but if Holliday wants to play for the Yanks, as some of you assert, then I personally don’t see it as being unfair to expect that he ask them to pay less. That obviously won’t happen, but hey, we can dream right?
========
Mad Prince,
Cant say it didnt almost happen. Beltran was going to take 20 million less than what the Mets final offer was but we turned it down. Maybe Holliday will give us a 12 hour discount as well. If not, we are loaded in the minor leagues with pitchers. Everyone needs pitching. We cant count on us landing Crawford or Mauer next year(people had fitted beltran in pinstripes with bernie being his idle). There is always the option for a trade. Option that wasnt there just a few years ago.
Blake-
If Cash goes to Hal and says he wants him and things are right he WILL. In my mind the real question is wether Cash wants to go there or not ?
SJ has said it many times, and he knows negotiations probably better than anyone on the board, that if the deal is properly structured it can be fit within the target budget.
Even if it is slightly above ? Do you really think Hal is gonna override Cash’s judgement. I dont. Odds of Holliday as of now. Much higher than 50/50. Much more likely. I haven’t seen anything to convince me otherwise.
Negotiations and media leaks are a controlled process, and filled with manipulations of all sorts. Ever been in the Military ? If you were then I am sure you have heard of disinformation campaigns.
Just a thought regarding Montero as a catcher. It might be the Yankees are planning on him being the backup catcher and DH rather than the starting catcher. As a backup his ability behind the plate could be less given his bat is so good.
That is dependent on how good the starting catcher is of course. If they are able to hit for a decent average and are really defensively having Montero as backup makes some sense.
Regarding Mauer, the Twins are possibly moving toward spending more on their team than in the past. The Central is a weaker division and investing more in their team would have them as the powerhouse of the Central division. Mauer could feasibly take a home town discount and still come out ahead in the value of his salary. Living in NY or Boston or any of the larger cities would reduce the buying power of the money made.
While money drives the way with most of the players, even Halladay signed for a discount to play in Philly. (though I think he will not be as happy there as he is now.)
Mauer also has had back problems already, which could mean his time behind the plate may not be as long as desired.
King did not say NJ is a done deal, nor did he say he was looking at only a one year deal.
Listening to the Granderson interview and am glad he’ll be patrolling CF for the Yankees.
Really don’t think the Yankees, if they sign Johnson, will stretch the budget for Damon more than the 9M/2 year deal Abreu got.
If that’s the case, unless Holliday/Boras are creative in a backloaded deal, I’m not getting my hopes up that he’s coming over either.
Focus, as mentioned by the brass, is focusing on another starter, probably thru FA, as I don’t see them trading more hot prospects for a pitcher, nor do I see them taking on an onerus contract.
Finally, as things stand now, the AL East will be providing the Yankees and the Sox in the playoffs.
Yankee Trader
Could have another Yankees/Red Sox ALCS in 2010.
Betsy,
He’s the Yanks’ minor-league catching coordinator.
Betsy – high on pie
Why is Melky not the answer in left field ? Is Damon that much better?
The Yankees have such a deep lineup that I don’t understand why he would be a issue. You guys do remember that the Yankees had guys like Shane Spencer, Ricky Ledee, and Chad Curtis in the outfield during the 90′s-early 2000′s and the Yankees won multiple titles. I didn’t hear any complaints then.
Johnson is a good hitter he can be the number 2 hitter if Damon doesnt sign. And you can bat Granderson 5th or 6th.
It doesn’t look like Damon will be resigned. I am with fine with Melky as the leftfielder and Gardner as the 4th outfielder. An outfield late in games with Granderson in center, Gardner in left and Melky in right would be one of the best defensive outfields in baseball.
Nick Johnson (Larry Bowa’s nephew) last played in the AL in 2003. Except for facing AL teams for interleague games, he’s played 1st base or had pinch hitting roles.
Given a choice between him and Swisher when Girardi rests or has Teixeira as a DH, Nick is a much better glove than Swisher.
Austin Romine is the better catcher in the Yankees minor leagues as far as defensively, Montero is being hyped as the number 1 prospect because of his hitting, yanks will get Mauer next season if they can afford him, Although should the twins fall out of contention early you can see Mauer being traded this season, yanks will have some good prospects left and ability to sign him to a big extension. Red sox minor leagues is depleted and doubt they will give up ellsbury and buchholtz where yanks can give up Hughes or joba and montero etc..