Comments on: Steinbrenner: Yankees, Damon have a “difference of opinion of what the pay is”

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:25:34 +0000

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..

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:50:51 +0000

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.

By: Seven

Seven — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:40:53 +0000

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.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:21:17 +0000

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.

By: Bodhisattva - Destiny Wears Pinstripes

Bodhisattva - Destiny Wears Pinstripes — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:19:32 +0000

Betsy,

He’s the Yanks’ minor-league catching coordinator.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:14:17 +0000

Yankee Trader
Could have another Yankees/Red Sox ALCS in 2010.

By: Yankee Trader

Yankee Trader — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:06:54 +0000

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.

By: Abdababdaserser

Abdababdaserser — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:03:18 +0000

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.

By: MTU

MTU — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:02:14 +0000

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.

By: S.o.S.

S.o.S. — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:01:24 +0000

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.