Looking back to look forward
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Dec 18, 2009 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
My first year covering baseball in New York was 2002 and that also happened be Nick Johnson’s rookie year.
As one of the Yankees top young talents, Johnson – like many of the Yankees prospects in the late 1990′s and early 2000′s – existed in a world of uncertainty. His role was murky (Jason Giambi was the primary first baseman); he batted all over the lineup (literally every spot from second to ninth); and he lived in perpetual fear of being sent back to the minors or, more likely, being traded (which he eventually was, in a package for Javier Vazquez).
Even back then, though, Johnson’s exceptional plate discipline was noticeable. It probably helped that the other young Yankee at the time was Alfonso Soriano (who swung at everything), but Johnson’s pitch-recognition and bat-control drew raves both within and outside the organization (Omar Minaya, who was the Expos GM at the time, was particularly enamored with it). Johnson may have been – and still is – a pretty laid-back guy, but he was flat-out tenacious at the plate.
One game that I remember is a Yankees-Red Sox game at Fenway in August of 2003, Johnson’s second full season. The Yankees were facing Pedro Martinez and Johnson came up in the fourth inning of a tie game. Johnson worked the count to 3-and-2 and then proceeded to foul off four straight pitches as the Fenway crowd got all amped up only to give a collective “ohhhhhh” each time Johnson spoiled another one.
Finally Martinez tried to beat Johnson with a breaking ball and Johnson singled to left to give the Yankees a lead they’d hold the rest of the way. Johnson, who was 24 at the time, finished the day a career-best 4-for-5 with four RBI.
Seeing Martinez get visibly frustrated during that at-bat is exactly what Johnson is hoping for whenever he goes to the plate. “Just touch it,” he said when asked about his gameplan that day. “That’s all I want. Just to touch it.”
Johnson only played 96 games that year (and 73 the following year), but even as he’s worked through a career dotted with injuries, his style of hitting hasn’t changed. Last year, playing for Washington and Florida, Johnson saw an average of 4.38 pitches per plate appearance, third highest-in the majors. He simply refuses to be rushed.
Now that Johnson is set to return to the Bronx, the Yankees are hoping to see more of the same from Johnson. Pedro may be long gone, but the approach Johnson took to the plate that day seven years ago – and every at-bat since – hasn’t changed at all.
I really do like Johnson in the 2nd spot in the order. He’s going to grind pitchers down early and give Tex and Alex plenty of pitches to see.
Can we expect him to score from first on a double? No. But I bet that Girardi will have no fear about putting out the hit and run sign with him at the dish.
Nick Johnson.
Welcome back.
Agree with SJ: Jeter and Rivera are givens. Lee could be a replacement for Pettitte. Only other option I would target would be Crawford.
The only major contract oming off the books after 2010 is Pettitte’s $11.75 million. With renewals of Jeter’s and Rivera’s contracts, and with addition of a SP and LF, the payroll could push to almost $210 million. Forget the LF, and it could be around $195+.
Chip,
I suspect Brett Gardner will be pinch running close and late for NJ quite often.
“This is not the only discussion board with Yankees fans. What about NYYfans? I’m sure there are others, and I suspect that Holliday is a topic everywhere”
—————————————-
paco: come’on now. You know Kay was referring to this site
Brett “Nick Johnson’s Legs” Gardner.
Why do we need a great defensive DH?
Hi, Michael Kay!!!
All we need now is a pitcher or two and lets rock and roll.
Where are these posts coming from that Swisher has a bad contract or was a salary dump?
He made 5.5 million last year and will make 6.5 million next year. That is a great contract for Nick Swisher. According to fangraphs he was worth 16 million last year.
There are not many teams in baseball who would not be happy to have Swisher’s contract on their hands.
SJ44,
“Matsui got 6.5 from the Angels and Nick Johnson got 5 from the yankees.
Better all around hitter and 5 years younger for 1.5 million less.
If you add in the 5.5 million Granderson makes next year, Johnson and Granderson make 10.5 million combined in 2010.
Damon and Matsui made 26 million total last year.
That’s more than double the money for what may be similar (or close to) production.”
ESPN says that Matsui got $6M for 1 year and Nick Johnson got $5.5M with the ability to earn incentives based on plate appearances.
I also don’t see how you can call Nick Johnson a better all around hitter when he is only better at drawing walks. Matsui hits for a better average, has more power, strikes out less, and he’s proven he can come through in a big situation.
Where did you get your info on the contracts and what makes you think Nick Johnson is a better all around hitter?
I’m not even sure that Brett Gardner will be on the roster – but yes, late in games, whether it’s Hoffmann or Pena, someone will be running for Nicky.
Agree with SJ: Jeter and Rivera are givens. Lee could be a replacement for Pettitte. Only other option I would target would be Crawford.
I’m not sure I wouldn’t pass on Crawford and look at Werth instead. He’s a bit more of a complete player than Crawford.
Once Holliday is added Melky is a goner.
Between Hoffman’s defense and Gardner’s speed, Melky has no role as 4th OF on the bench.
Somebody’s interested in Melky.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
a raving lunatic – regardless of where or whom his rage is addressed towards is a trouble making cancer in the clubhouse – but why take my word for it – why not read the hundreds of people that actually know more about it than me (our old friend peter A for one) – bradley has been on what 7 teams the last 8 years – THATS a mark of a good guy?
and again from what i’ve read just about everyone wants to choke ichiro and his primadonna attitude so what silva allegedly did just about everyone else on that team probably wanted to do it –
–
Milton Bradley is not a raving lunatic. That is a lie and I would no less trust the loathsome dogs of the media such as PAbe than I would a snake. One merely needs to view Milton in his year with the Rangers to see what he is. A good guy when welcomed, who has troubles with OUTSIDERS. No one on a professional baseball team has said anything about Milton Bradley and I dare you to find me quotations. I can find you plenty of quotes from black players alleging racism from the bleacher’s of wrigley. Even his own son was slurred in his school. Bradley posted a .378 OBP for the Cubs and the newspapers killed him for his every move. No one blamed Soto or Alfonso Soriano for sucking. They put the blame on Milton when he lived up to his end of the bargain with the exception of a lack of XBH.
And then they run him out of town when he says atmosphere is negative?! Certainly if you were the focus of constant media scorn you’d think it was negative too.
And I laugh at your defense of Carlos Silva. Ichiro does nothing to deserve the scorn of his teammates, and though you claim those same teammates must share Silva’s feelings, I doubt they share any feelings other than hatred towards Silva. When the mariners were losing Silva blamed everyone on the team other than himself. A classic clubhouse cancer move.
no. 27,
what you are refusing to accept and understand is that we are not talking about 2009 Hideki Matsui. 2009 Hideki Matsui was the best DH in baseball
2010 Hideki Matsui is going to decline and it could very well be a steep decline given the state of his knees and the amount of games he has missed the past 4 years.
2010 Nick Johnson has a very good chance to be better than 2010 Matsui.
Where are these posts coming from that Swisher has a bad contract or was a salary dump?
He made 5.5 million last year and will make 6.5 million next year. That is a great contract for Nick Swisher. According to fangraphs he was worth 16 million last year.
There are not many teams in baseball who would not be happy to have Swisher’s contract on their hands.
——————-
In 2011 and 12 he makes 9 mil.
I don’t think anyone was calling him a “salary dump” just saying that to have a shot at signing Holliday they have to clear his contract and also that there aren’t many teams that can afford to pay a guy like Swisher that much money.
Sam: nice take on NJ.
had Nick Johnson remained healthy his career (and not traded) he would have had a monument in YS
I appreciate all the underbelly laughs that Michael Kay has given us — inadvertent as they may have been.
Nick Swisher has a great contract for his production especially in comparison to comparable corner outfielders this year and next. That’s what makes his value so high.
Ben Sheets (Cashman) get it done
I want Conor Jackson for LF.
Isn’t Swisher’s and Igawa’s contracts done after the 2010 season?
There are not many teams that can afford to pay Nick Swisher 9 million?
What teams are those?
Other than the Marlins, Pirates, and potentially Padres I do not know of another team who could not afford Nick Swisher at 9 million.
We aren’t signing Holliday. It aint happenin’
Seattle has been developing in an incredibly smart manner, and are positioning themselves to be a force for years. The first thing Jack Z had to do was get out from under all the bad Bavasi moves, which he is succeeding in quite nicely.
Bavasi drafted Aumont in the first round, where he was a very good starter, and immediately converted him to reliever because of his hip. He got rid of most of Bavasi’s trades and free agents so far as well.
He has built a team that excels at outfield defense, and is grabbing pitchers which will take advantage of the spacious confines of Safeco with that great outfield.
They could have a top of the order of:
Ichiro
Figgins
Bradley
Bay/Branyan/Dunn
Guitierrez
Which is very good. They are now shopping Morrow for a 1B/DH/OF big bat. the Nats could take a chance on him and ship Dunn out west, where his considerable power would not be held back by Safeco.
Pitiable:
of a kind to evoke mingled pity and contempt especially because of inadequacy
can’t*
Chip, I’m not as sold on Werth. Not knocking him at all, just saying I prefer what Crawford has to offer for LF. Have no idea how things would play out, but I’d prefer an outfield of Crawford in LF, Granderson in RF, and Melky in RF. Yes, Melky in RF, only because I feel that if it were to happen, salary would have to be lost somewhere, and Swish is it.
Granderson is a given so it all comes down to matsui or nick if they do not add a significant bat. If granderson strikes out a lot (lefty or righty), it comes down to who you trust more, jeter to get on base or posada hitting with 2 outs, bec. with matsui, granderson bat 2nd while with nick, granderson bats 5th. One more thing, in the 2nd hole granderson can use bunt more often either to move jeter or to get on base.
Can someone tell me what bobca-im mean Lost meant when he said there is going to be some news/move by today no later than tomorrow(I know its not verbatem. Similiar)? Did he mean the Yanks landing Holliday or the O’S being that he asked that trivia question after?
Assuming the Yanks sign Holliday. Do you think that would catipolt the sox to doing what it takes to land Gonzolez?
DaSaint007…Melky will soon be done as a Yankee so you shouldn’t plan on him being around.
Nick,
Did you get to read my Santa % response?
“Somebody’s interested in Melky.”
How about the Mets? They can add “Melky is traded to the Mets” with some of their other off-season, blockbuster headlines, such as:
“Mets Resign Elmer Dessens” or,
“Mets Sign Everts”
After 2010 you can deduct the following:
Pettitte (11.75) + Rivera (3) + N. Johnson (5) + Jeter (3) + K Igawa (4) = 27 million
Hello Cliff Lee and Ryan Doumit
well- here is my VERY early GTLU (for Game 1 against Beckett)
1-Jeter (r)-SS
2-Johnson (l)- DH
3-Teixera (s)-1B
4-A-Rod (r)- 3B
5-Granderson (l)- CF
6-Posada (s)- C
7-Swisher (s)- RF
8- Cano (l)- 2b
9- Melkey – (LF)
“Can someone tell me what bobca-im mean Lost meant when he said there is going to be some news/move by today no later than tomorrow(I know its not verbatem. Similiar)? Did he mean the Yanks landing Holliday”
——————————————-
what-up, SoS. I took it to mean news of a certain team being linked to Holliday, would break
Sam, thanks for the look back – and that at bat does epitomize what Nick is about. I don’t remember that particular one, but I remember just loving this kid – and yes, Francesa loved him at the time, too (which he still does). I don’t think the farm system was in good shape (actually, it was probably pretty bad), so I took special pride in Nick the Stick. I don’t recall when or how he hurt his wrist….but what a frustrating injury. I really haven’t kept up with his career, but it’s nice to have him back. How great is it that he actually wanted to be here? He remembered his time in NY fondly and even though he could have gone elsewhere for more playing time and $$$, he chose to return. How can anyone not love this guy?
Adrian Gonzalez is not leaving the padres. Also why only the Red Sox? There are plenty of teams that could trade for him too. Especially with a cheap contract of 2 yrs, 10 million left.
Gonzalez is not going to the Red Sox. Just wishful thinking in part of the Media and Boston fans so that they can over take the Yankees.
Bret,
And add raises to Swisher, Cano, Granderson, and Melky (if still around)
Seattle is looking to trade Brandon Morrow for a 1B/DH type. I’d do Juan Miranda straight up.
Dan, I hear you, and you may be right. We’ll see.
Brett the hitman,
have you been superkicked once too many times? why would the yanks let jeter and Rivera leave?
Bret,
You can’t be serious: You really think Jeter and Rivera are getting pay cuts?
If Jeter and Rivera’s salary change at all it will be raises
“carl
December 18th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
We aren’t signing Holliday. It aint happenin’”
I didn’t realize Cashman posted under the name Carl. I hope the Yankees do sign Holliday just to shut up all of the posters who say the Yanks won’t get him as if it’s a known fact. Anything is possible with this team. Any real Yankee fan knows that.
I hope Jeter and Rivera don’t do a Damon next year. 10 mil per for their ages is fair. That’s more than what Damon was offered.
I think this is a good move. But my clearest memory of Johnson is this: One yr in spring training, Mattingly stopped in as a guest instructor. He, of course, worked with the 1st baseman. After practice, the reporters all flooded to Johnson to get his reaction to the legendary Mattingly giving tips to the soon to be rookie 1st baseman of the Yankees. And they were floored when they learned that Johnson didnt really have a clue of who Donnie Baseball was.
I still can’t believe that a guy in his early 20′s didnt know Mattingly, especially since he had just retired a few years earlier. But like a lot of players, Johnson swore that he never really watched baseball.
S.o.S.: I can’t remember, it’s been a busy day!
Wait, I think I did. If there was a Pedroyer/elf reference!
SOS,
lost in holliday is lost in Tex-is from last year. he is actually legit. he kept saying Tex will become a Yankee, and he did.
lets go yankees (formerly lets go twins)
December 18th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Bret,
And add raises to Swisher, Cano, Granderson, and Melky (if still around)
—
Plus 1 for Cano, 2 for Swisher and 3 for Granderson.
That’s plus 6.
So 21 million off the books after 2010.
Hello Cliff Lee and Ryan Doumit.
You guys are dreaming if you think Jeter and Rivera are taking pay cuts.
lets go yankees,
“what you are refusing to accept and understand is that we are not talking about 2009 Hideki Matsui. 2009 Hideki Matsui was the best DH in baseball
2010 Hideki Matsui is going to decline and it could very well be a steep decline given the state of his knees and the amount of games he has missed the past 4 years.
2010 Nick Johnson has a very good chance to be better than 2010 Matsui.”
Matsui had a great second half and an incredible run in the playoffs. There is no reason to believe he’s going to all of a sudden fall off a cliff after the year he had last year. He had his best year at the plate since 2005. To just assume he’s going to fall apart doesn’t make sense. Especially when your comparing him to a guy that has had Nick Johnson’s injury history.
Whats going on vinny. Thanks bro. I just cant stand the i have a secret crap. Never was good on surprises. My wife and i start giving Christman presents one at a time few days before the 25th. Just because we would probably closeline Santa that eve if we had to wait till then. A quick fix to our anxiety. I guess its bobcat riddles all over again.
Underbelly?
He makes us sound like degenerates.
Now its being reported that Nick Johnson is getting $5.75M.
Minus 1 for Arod.
Seattle is looking to trade Brandon Morrow for a 1B/DH type
——————————————————-
thanks jerkface you just added to their gm’s incompetence –
their OF is set, they just resigned a broken down ken griffey to DH and traded for bradley plus didn’t bother to resign their only real power threat russel branyan AND they’re looking to trade an above average pitcher who is relatively cheap(good pitching is what wins games… i think) – if he was so smart why not just resign branyan who has been jumping from team to team the last 5 years and when given the chance was pretty good for them…
Minus another .75 for NJ.
“I just cant stand the i have a secret crap. Never was good on surprises”
No wonder L O S T annoys you!
Nick,
BINGO!! Yes the Kibler reference.
ED,
Thanks. Couldnt recall a lost in tex last year. All i can remember is Peter A. killing some here about them even having Tex in pinstripes cross their minds.
I know the sox arent the only team that can get Gonzalez. But if they panic and unload the farm plus Bucholz and their center fielder. It might be too entising to resist.
It makes very much sense to believe Matsui will fall apart.
Both his knees are shot
He has not stayed healthy for 2 straight seasons since 2004-2005.
He had to get his knees drained several times last season as purely a DH
He is going to be 36 years old next season
The Yankees have had access to his medicals for years and if they think his knees will not hold up, as not an MD myself, I trust that.
Did we hire Kevin Towers yet ?
To amend earlier tweet, after the exchange I reported between #Yankees and Johnny Damon, Damon came back with 2 years, 22 mil. NYY said no
Davidoff
**Wow
yeah, but I don’t know when it will be announced.
Pencil in Johnson for an all star berth
It’s becoming clear that the Yanks are using their constant references to the budget to make the team younger.
lol Nick. Tell me that time travel flash 5 times an episode didnt do you in? LOST being part of his name is just a coincedence. Honestly, i think.
I love Damon – he was a wonderful signing and a great guy. You won’t find me trashing him. His needs were different than the Yankees – that’s all. I’m disappointed that he was so unwilling to budge because the Yanks did want him back, but that’s business. I’m glad the Yankees moved on…….In any case, there are obviously no hard feelings (and, in fact, he obviously has very warm feelings about the Yankees despite the ending of the relationship) and that’s nice. Damon will get a huge hand when he returns and he’ll always be a Yankee….to me, to most fans and definitely to the organization
EdWhitson
December 18th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Did we hire Kevin Towers yet ?
****************
I thought I saw something the other day that they had come to an agreement, but I’m not sure if it’s official yet. I haven’t seen anything more about it.
brother Ed:
new MLB 10 The Show, info:
http://sports.espn.go.com/vide.....id=4749938
Yanks offered Damon 14mil for 2 years….Boras wants 26mil
They are miles apart…Damon is gone
Deductions after 2010:
Pettitte (11.75) + Rivera (3) + N. Johnson (5.75) + Jeter (3) + K Igawa (4) + ARod (1) = 27.5
Raises after 2010:
Swisher (1) + Granderson (2) + Cano (3) = 6 million
Total deductions after 2010 = 21.5
Cliff Lee (16.5) on a backloaded deal + Ryan Doumit (5)
Just for entertainment value only
Yankees throw almost all their money next year at Cliff Lee and Josh Beckett.
They then trade Joba Chamberlain, Nick Swisher and Zach McAllister to Cleveland for Sizemore and sign Adam Dunn to play RF
Lineup
Jeter
Sizemore – LF
Tex
Alex
Dunn
Posada – DH
Granderson
Cano
Montero – C
Rotation: CC, AJ, Lee, Beckett, Hughes
Bret,
First you need to accept that there is no freaking way Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera are taking pay cuts
Second WTH would the Yankees want Ryan Doumit
I saw a post elsewhere about how the Yanks hate Boras (because they turned down the proposal for 2 years, $11 million each). I don’t think they hate Boras – Cash has a good relationship with him. I think the Yankees had already moved on and they might have gotten ticked off at how unyielding the two were (plus, Damon with his public comments as to having several offers; Boras with talking about Granderson/Damon)….. Who knows, but …wow.
Now its being reported that Nick Johnson is getting $5.75M.
=======
Time to unload Igawa and use whatever we save to cover the .25. Seriously, can they use the extra money for free Johnson bobble wrist night?
Sorry.
1 for Cano, 2 for Swisher 3 for Granderson in raises after 2010.
Yankees are pinching Damon and Boras hard here. Seems to me they just don’t want him unless it is for a massive discount.
Considering the lack of official offers for him from other teams, I’m not surprised Cash is playing hardball.
It’s not an insult to offer a 36 year old 18 mil and a 40 year old 12 mil – multiyear deals no less.
their OF is set, they just resigned a broken down ken griffey to DH and traded for bradley plus didn’t bother to resign their only real power threat russel branyan AND they’re looking to trade an above average pitcher who is relatively cheap(good pitching is what wins games… i think) – if he was so smart why not just resign branyan who has been jumping from team to team the last 5 years and when given the chance was pretty good for them…
–
Bradley will DH, they will get another LF. Griffey is a bench bat brought in for fan appreciation. And Morrow has diabetes and arm troubles which puts his starting in jeopardy.
You do not know of which you speak.
Now that we signed a dh for 1 year plus and option for a second. I dont care if Johnny wanted a buy one get one free deal. You snooze, you lose. There is no room for him after this upcoming year with Posada needing some dh time as well in 11.
I think we should just hit 2 birds with one stone and have Kevin Towers announce Johnson in a press conference.
RLYB has 2010 CAIRO projections up for Nick Johnson:
http://www.replacementlevel.co.....ut_it_was_
FWIW, CAIRO has the combination of Granderson and Johnson as about a 2 win upgrade over Damon and Matsui.
It is an insult when their names are Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. They are not taking pay-cuts. Johnny Damon refuses to take a pay-cut to return to the Yankees. Bobby Abreu refused to take a pay-cut. New York Yankee ICONS are not taking pay-cuts. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
People seem to forget how Bernie’s salary went down. The Yankees will offer a competitive offer for every Yankee given age and talent due consideration.
18 mil for Jeter at 36?
12 for Mo at 40?
Multiyear deals?
Hardly an insult.
After Johnson trips running to 1st and sprains his knee, he’ll be out for weeks. Later he’ll be hit by a pitch on a hand and be out for months.
Matsui wasn’t out that much, despite his knees.
I’ll look back at this board in mid-season after Granderson is on his way to a strikeout record.
Not to mention Rivera regardless of age is still the best closer in baseball and there may only be one SS better than Jeter right now.
Davidoff reported Damon countered 2 years for $22M, Yanks said no.
“It makes very much sense to believe Matsui will fall apart.
Both his knees are shot
He has not stayed healthy for 2 straight seasons since 2004-2005.
He had to get his knees drained several times last season as purely a DH
He is going to be 36 years old next season”
And through all that, he was the best DH and 5 hitter in the league.
You were the guy who swore Matsui would be playing in the field for the Angels, now your saying he would completely fall apart as the Yankees DH.
What are you talking about?
Derek Jeter was worth 33 million dollars last year. He has no reason to take a pay-cut even if it was based solely on performance
I think Mark is a Met fan non-too-pleased with the image of Vladamir Guererro hobbling down the dugout steps sometime in June for his Metsies
Wave Your Hat
December 18th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
RLYB has 2010 CAIRO projections up for Nick Johnson:
http://www.replacementlevel.co…..ut_it_was_
FWIW, CAIRO has the combination of Granderson and Johnson as about a 2 win upgrade over Damon and Matsui.
—
That’s interesting.
So there’s no need to sign Holliday.
But it’s still gonna happen.
Bernie’s salary went down because his performance went down. There is no indication of that happeneing with Jeter and Mo.
Mo and Posada just signed deals 2 yrs ago. Both were old at the time and neither one took a paycut.
Its really sad when these Hall of Famers dont know when to hang em up. Griffey on the bench?
Who are some of the H.O.F. players in any sport that should have hung em up sooner rather than later?
Montana
Rice
Griffey
Iverson
Jabbar
Emitt Smith
???
Yeah I did swear Matsui will play the OF. The Angels promised him as a condition of him signing with them that they will give him a chance to play the OF.
He will play the OF.
And there is a very high probability he will not stay healthy next season. And there is an even higher probability that he sees a drop-off in his numbers. If the Yankees thought he would stay healthy they would have resigned him. Like I said, Matsui has been unable to stay healthy for 2 straight seasons since 2004-2005. With his knees more shot than ever it is extremely wishful thinking that he will stay healthy for another full season.
Matsui played less than 94 games in 2 of the past 4 years…and in one of them he only played 51. Stop acting like he’s the Matsui of 7 years ago.
Rivera and Posada signed those deals in an inflated market.
Razor thin aycuts complimented by performance bonuses and milestone benchmarks.
That’s the way it’s gonna be for Jeter and Mo.
18 for Jeter.
12 for Mo.
“Whats going on vinny. Thanks bro. I just cant stand the i have a secret crap. Never was good on surprises. My wife and i start giving Christman presents one at a time few days before the 25th. Just because we would probably closeline Santa that eve if we had to wait till then. A quick fix to our anxiety. I guess its bobcat riddles all over again”
——————————————————-
lol, SoS. Don’t like the secret game either. Too high school’ish
Davidoff reported Damon countered 2 years for $22M, Yanks said no.
========
Way to hold your ground Damon. He never said he wouldnt go to them with a less than 13 mil offer.
Damon will not be in LF for 1 year, nor for 2.
Nick Johnson is the DH.
Johnny Damon was never in the plans.
if anybody is worried about the yankees offense as presently constructed…read this via Fangraphs
“The Yankees have absolutely refused to stand pat this offseason. After adding Curtis Granderson in the first big trade of the winter, the Yankees have now agreed to terms with 1B/DH Nick Johnson. Johnson will receive roughly 5.5 million dollars for his services.
The champions have revamped their outfield and DH positions from last season, and it’s hard to deny that they’ve made a significant improvement. The signing of Johnson replaces the recently departed Hideki Matsui, and also makes Johnny Damon unnecessary. Johnson is a significant on-base threat, with a career OBP of .402. His power declined significantly last year, but despite below average power numbers – .114 ISO and .405 SLG – he still posted a .373 wOBA. It’s likely that Johnson regains some of his power this year, especially as a left handed batter in New Yankee Stadium, and will be worth well above his salary if he can only stay healthy – a task that should be made easier by the DH role.
The lineups that the Yankees can use with Johnson are absolutely ridiculous. Between Johnson, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees will have 3 players with a 2009 OBP over .400, and with Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher, 5 players over .370.
Toss in Robinson Cano (.370 wOBA), Jorge Posada (.378 wOBA), and Curtis Granderson (.340 wOBA, .374 Fan Projected wOBA), and the Yankees can throw 8 players that are star level hitters in their everyday lineup. The last spot goes to either Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera, both of whom are average to above-average players in left field depending on their defense, and there is still the chance that the Yankees add Jason Bay or Matt Holliday.
The Yankees have put themselves in a position to be even better than last year, and they’ve managed to do it while shedding payroll and making shrewd transactions. The Red Sox and Rays should be afraid. The American League should be afraid. Baseball should be afraid. The New York Yankees are back, and they’re here to stay.”
2010 Nick Johnson has a very good chance to be better than 2010 Matsui.
Do you even know who Nick Johnson is? The potato head has played 747 games in the past 7 seasons (I didn’t even include his rookie year because he probably did not get to play much for being a rookie=23games played). That’s 107 games per season. The dude is legit injury prone.
And whoever said Nick Johnson is a better all-round hitter than Matsui is… I don’t even know what to say.
Only thing Nick Johnson is better than Matsui is to draw walks, that’s it. He is like Nick Swisher without power, which makes him a not very exciting player in my book.
They’ll be creative with Jeter and Mo and be paying them till they’re old men.
“That’s the way it’s gonna be for Jeter and Mo.
18 for Jeter.
12 for Mo.”
That depends on the economy and their performances in 2010.
he’s only had no power since his wrist surgery. The power will come back, especially in NYS.
Every offseason I think it’s over for Mo. Than the season starts and he does better every year.
This year will be no different – I’m hoping.
Every offseason I think it’s over for Mo. Than the season starts and he does better every year.
This year will be no different – I’m hoping.
“They’ll be creative with Jeter and Mo and be paying them till they’re old men.”
Phil,
I could see that as both of them will have a lifelong relationship with the franchise.
S.o.S.: ok, the particular episode with all the flashes and that annoying noise wasn’t a favorite, but I thought season five was a lot of fun… season six is going to be great. Complain all you want, but don’t miss it.
Can we please sign Holliday and Chapman and settle on a rotation before we argue about what Jeter and Rivera will or won’t cost after 2010?????
Is there a record for how often a player needs his knees drained? Because Matsui would break it. He needed his knees drained twice a week from what i hear just for riding the pine and swinging a few times a day. Unless he’s some type of Hulk Hogan, no THUNDER STICK or RALLY MONKEY will be able to pump him up enough to not have to take a trip on that dl train.
Even though I really did not want Damon back for 2 years, 2 years at 22 million was very reasonable on his part.
“Can we please sign Holliday and Chapman and settle on a rotation before we argue about what Jeter and Rivera will or won’t cost after 2010?????”
We’re not doing the signings so we can argue about anything we want to here.
Can we please sign Holliday and Chapman and settle on a rotation before we argue about what Jeter and Rivera will or won’t cost after 2010????
—
“It’s going to be contingent on his health and how Hideki feels,” Scioscia said. “It’s much more important for us to have his presence in the lineup swinging the bat everyday than it is to try to ask him to go play the outfield if it’s something he’s not ready for. That being said, we’re a much deeper team and have many more options if he can go play the outfield whenever we need, 2-3 days a week.”
That’s what Scioscia said about Matsui playing the field. Combine that comment with Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu, Juan Rivera, and Garry Matthews Jr being on the roster and Matsui is a full time DH.
Matsui’s injury history has been as a fielder. His body held up well enough to have a great year at the plate in 2009 as a DH. He had a great year at the plate in 2009 and his swing showed NO signs of slowing down.
On one hand you say he’s going to play in the field and on the other you say he would lose his swing and fall apart as the Yankees DH.
Make up your mind.
I wonder if we’ll resign Alex after his contract is up?
If Jeter and/or Rivera do not take a pay cut, I will be sickened.
I would expect Jeter to try to help the team.
I would not be upset with Mo.
That FanGraphs write up is DEVASTATING for the rest of baseball. And to think the Yankees can upgrade the rotation significantly right now if they so choose.
After Holliday they’ll have Melky as a trade chip to go with Hughes or Joba, Miranda and possibly Montero.
What does this get you for starters?
Jesus Montero (c)
Phil Hughes (sp)
Melky Cabrera (cf)
Juan Miranda (1b)
Hideki Matsui Rally Bucket?
They’re not trading Jesus Montero.
lets go yankees,
You change your argument on why Nick Johnson is a better option than Matsui everytime you’re proven wrong. Now you’re basing it on speculation that he’s going to suddenly forget how to hit and not be able to repeat the level of durability he had last season.
I said both he will get injured regardless.
For the Angels Hideki Matsui will see some time in the OF. If it does not work out in the beginning of the season they will stop, but he will absolutely get a chance.
No one cares about Hideki’s swing. If his knees go out his swing is worthless.
If you do not think that Hideki has a very, very, very high chance of hitting the DL for significant time next season you are delusional
My argument has always been that Nick Johnson will be better than Hideki Matsui in 2010. I stand by that and I have no reservations saying that.
Phil
December 18th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
They’re not trading Jesus Montero.
—
I agree. They can upgrade the rotation significantly without trading him. Base any package on Phil Hughes and they can upgrade a rotation spot.
What does this get you for starters?
Jesus Montero (c)
Phil Hughes (sp)
Melky Cabrera (cf)
Juan Miranda (1b)
====
Tim lincecum come on down!!
They’re probably not trading Phil or Joba, either.
no.27
I think Matsui will end up being a strict DH. That’s the way it has to be for him as much as he would like to play defense.
What I wanted Cashman to do was to say what Angels told Matsui and sign him, and let him be the DH. I am pretty underwhelmed by this Nick Johnson signing…
I guess Cashman is an honest man…
Phil
December 18th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
They’re probably not trading Phil or Joba, either.
—
If they really want to upgrade the rotation, they will.
The Yankees’ issue with Matsui was not productivity, but durability. Combine that with Matsui’s ludicrous demand to keep playing the OF, and it was sayonara Hideki.
Granderson can either match or better his numbers from last season in the #5 spot, considering his productivity as a leadoff hitter in a pitcher’s park with no short porch. It would not be surprising to see Granderson have a 35 HR/100 RBI season hitting 5th in front of Jeter-NJ-Tex-ARod.
“If you do not think that Hideki has a very, very, very high chance of hitting the DL for significant time next season you are delusional”
This is coming from the person who yesterday said, “why can’t anyone bring up a stat that matsui is better than johnson at?” after i brought up ba, slg, k/pa, and proven playoff/clutch success.
then you say obp is the most important stat,
then you say ops+ is the most important stat,
and then you take it all back.
Matsui was able to avoid the DL in 09 by playing DH and getting rest as needed. If the Yankees used him in the same role in 2010, he’d have a good chance at having a similar level of durability and success at the plate.
Matsui wanted a chance to prove himself in the OF, because that increases his value significantly in 2011.
For the Angels he will get a shot. If it is 2 games, 3 games, 4 games, whatever. But he will get a shot. If Matsui proves he can handle the OF he will continue to get more opps to play there.
Cashman refused to give him that shot. The Angels will give him the opportunity to play the OF
“Only thing Nick Johnson is better than Matsui is to draw walks, that’s it. He is like Nick Swisher without power, which makes him a not very exciting player in my book.”
This is so wrong it’s not even funny. Johnson hits for average, which Swisher doesn’t do. Johnson does have power, although the numbers have not been there the last few years in terms of HRs. Johnson does not strike out nearly as much as Swisher, so that comparison is again wrong. Johnson’s approach is totally different than Swisher’s, in fact. He is a contact guy, not a guy who swings from his heels on every pitch he decides to offer at.
Brett,
if they really want to upgrade their rotation, they can just keep them, scotchguard the O with Holliday and let Phil and Joba grow into great starters.
Prediction for “10
Granderson hits 38 homers
Johnson hits 22 homers
Matsui’s gets a VIP(vastly injured pavano)card for being a frequent member.
no. 27,
Yeah, I took it all back because that was not what I was trying to say. I was not articulating myself or my thoughts well at all. And I think I had a pretty good excuse coming back from a 4 hour exam that racked my brain. The whole point I was trying to make yesterday was 1 thing:
Now that I can articulate myself properly this is it:
2010 NJ will be better than 2010 Matsui
2010 NJ’s OBP will be more valuable to this Yankee team than anything 2010 Hideki Matsui will bring to the table.
Jeter will probably get a 4-5 year contract for about 17-20 million a year.
Rivera will probably sign a 2 year deal for about 32 million.
They are worth the money because they bring in more money than other players do. Their value comes from having them in the first place, not just on how much they help the team win. It’s the same with Andy. I’d go to a game simply to see Andy pitch. And I bet without Jeter, a lot of people attend less games.
Look at seasons where Jeter was hurt for a period of time and i bet you the attendance went down temporarily.
The Yanks are very much aware that the Jeter and Mariano contracts are going to be “legacy deals” that are going to carry a risk premium to them.
Jeter will not be playing next to ARod making half of what he’s making….just aint happening I think at least 4yrs/80-85mil for Jeter.
As far as Mo he’s arguably had 2 of his best 4 or 5yrs of his career over this last contract so far and so he will ABSOLUTELY not take a paycut. He may also want a 4yr deal equal to Jeter’s and Mo is a very tough negotiater. I think you’re talking at least a 3yr/50mil deal for him….@ 42!
Where did these demands for him to play the field come from? He wanted to prove he could play the field so that there would be more of a market for his services. I haven’t read anywhere that he demanded to play in the field. Got a link?
There should not be any discussion about who is better between HIdeki Matsui and Nick Johnson.
Just stop it, for the sake of children.
Two injury porn players, one of them clearly has more overall talent as a hitter, the end.
I meant injury prone, but porn works for Matsui.
Brett
Curious who would the Yanks upgrade the ro with in a trade for Joba or Phil
Phil
December 18th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Brett,
if they really want to upgrade their rotation, they can just keep them, scotchguard the O with Holliday and let Phil and Joba grow into great starters.
—
I’m ok with either option. I’m just sayin…
chips are there to significantly upgrade the rotation instantly rather than waiting for development.
Both are options Cashman has.
Just stop it, for the sake of children.
=======
All i know is my dad can beat your dad up.
Phil
December 18th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Brett,
if they really want to upgrade their rotation, they can just keep them, scotchguard the O with Holliday and let Phil and Joba grow into great starters.
————————————————————
Phil, this is where we disagree. I don’t think you upgrade the rotation by ‘scotchguarding’ (hey, you’re violating a trademark!) by adding more offense. If you want to improve a rotation, you improve the rotation.
Champ,
You just need to look at Peter Gammon’s last Tweet and think about its implications with Peter being a diehard Sox fan, constantly fixated on potential moves the Yankees could make.
He’s reminding me of the same Peter Gammons who covered the Javier Vazquez and Jeff Weaver (to a lesser extent) trades.
Take a look.
Especially intriguing to me was his use of the term ‘pitiable’.
“Hideki takes special pride in being a complete player — at the plate and in the outfield — and from the start of negotiations, the Angels made every effort to accommodate him. On Sunday, during a meeting with team officials at my home, manager Mike Scioscia offered Hideki the chance to show that he can still play the field. Hideki is a longtime fan of Scioscia, and the lunch cemented his desire to play for him. Scioscia’s current plan is to have Hideki test his knees and mobility in spring training. Ideally, Hideki would start in left at least once or twice a week. The rest of the time, he’d DH.”
-Arn Tellem (Hideki Matsui’s agent)
Bret,
there’s just nothing particularly good on the pitching market right now, and they should just blow up the farm for the sake of blowing it up.
Hi Guys -
I’ve been out literally all day and just came aboard here. If I had time, I’d ready everything that was written today, but can you guys be kind enough to give me the shorthand?
Is Johnson a Yankee yet?
Is Damon not a Yankee anymore?
Thanks, guys.
Nick Johnson still has to pass a physical Monday, so Damon still has a “fleeting” chance. Damon might end up being the $5 million, Abreu, bargain basement one year deal for some team.
Silva for Bradley. Which one goes on the DL first?
BTW, someone blogged about Branyan not being resigned. He’s recovering from back surgery.
Don’t think Holliday will be a Yankee, nor will DeRosa. Right now its Cabrera in LF.
Focus on a starting pitcher who will sign for 7-8 million plus incentives to stay on budget.
Hey Doreen,
Nick Johnson has signed.
Damon is out, for all intents and purposes.
Cash says he has a budget he has to stick to.
again what available pitchers could the Yanks acquire in a trade that would be an upgrade to Joba and Hughes?
and please don’t mention King Felix or lincecum or Greinke as they aren’t available….
a name or two please?
no.27
Demanding to play the OF would be out of character for him. I have never read anything like that anywhere.
He was upset for not even being given a chance to prove what he can or cannot do. There goes Nick Johnson.
Jeter and Rivera are different cases IMHO. Rivera will likely still be the top closer in baseball in 2011. Old closers can still do well. Look at how well Trever Hoffman has pitched at age 41. So, Rivera will merit a raise and/or multiple years. That’s what he’s likely to be worth in the open market.
Shortstops don’t get better as they age. By 2011 Jeter may not even be able to play SS at a major league level. Even if his hitting skills don’t deteriorate, he’ll be worth at best $10 – $15 million to another team. The Yanks don’t need to give him $20 million or more to sign him.
“The whole point I was trying to make yesterday was 1 thing:
Now that I can articulate myself properly this is it:
2010 NJ will be better than 2010 Matsui
2010 NJ’s OBP will be more valuable to this Yankee team than anything 2010 Hideki Matsui will bring to the table.”
OK, well for someone that took 2 days to try to articulate 2 sentences, I think it’s a stretch to call me delusional because I think Matsui had a good chance of staying as healthy as he was in 09 in 2010 if he’s used in the same way (as a DH with days off when needed).
Now, I think that Johnson’s OBP will be an important to the Yankees’ success if he can stay healthy. That being said, I am sure his walks will go down hitting in front of Teixeira and Rodriguez. To say his OBP is more important than everything else that Matsui does better than him isn’t an argument I would make.
Having said all that that, I’m happy that you were finally able to figure out how to say those 2 sentences. Good work.
Doreen,
Lost Holliday says christman might come as early as tomorrow for a team(hoping he meant us).
Damon’s options shrink by the hour…not that seattle would have ever been interested in him as they value defense and know that he sucks and they are also quite aware that he would revert back to a 10homer hitting toad in outside of Yankee Stadium….But now that they have Milton for LF and Bay’s going to the Mets most prob where does he go?
He’s already scrambling with a 2yr/22mil offer? shoulda laid off the kool aid
Thanks Da Saint007 – much, much appreciated.
Final question: Is everybody “OKAY” with this????
What’s the blog consensus after having digested the information from yesterday? Any change? More people on board with Johnson, or about the same divisiveness?
My fleeting thought on the Damon situation today: If he really had wanted to stay with the Yankees, he would have instructed Boras to work out a deal. He would have taken Cash’s talk about budget to heart and maybe taken just a token less than he really was hoping for. No obligation to do so, and I am not upset that he didn’t. And he’s certainly entitled to want the most he can get from whoever is willing to give it. But then don’t make a huge stink about how you love being a yankee and want to stay. Take a page from Matsui’s book. When asked, he merely said he’s loved being a Yankee, but all that will have to be worked out. Yes, it would be nice to stay, but… (But then, there’s only one Matsui, isn’t there?)
The Yankees are not trading Montero OR Hughes and very likely not Joba
On a serious note. Some here want the Yankees to save money and use it to break the bank on Lee. He’s 31 will be 32 and he’s only had 2 good seasons. Is there something im missing here? Is he really worth C.C. money?
Champ,
What about making a trade for Billingsly?
6 RBI in a World Series game?
Let’s be real. It was only Pedro.
You ever get yor knee drained? It feels good!
Is it possible to get your wrist drained? I don’t think so.
Thanks S.O.S.
WHOA! Bay signed with the Mets???!!!??
Sheesh. You spend one day slacking from your favorite pastime and you miss everything!!!
They just spent years developing Phil and Joba so they can trade them – lets have a rotation that costs about $200 million. Let’s never develop kids and see what they turn into……Fans should face the fact that the Yankees love Phil Hughes and they are not trading him.
That is about as far from a demand as possible.
David
the issue is not if Mo can be effective next yr @ 41. A 3yr contract pays him til he’s 44….who’s to say that he doesn’t lose the cutter and it’s effectiveness in the 1st yr of the new deal? If he did a Pettite and would be willing to go yr to yr perfect! But Mo has said he wants to pitch for another 5yrs! And he hopes the Yankees show him the proper respect when the time comes!
Bret the Hitman December 18th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Damon will not be in LF for 1 year, nor for 2.
Nick Johnson is the DH.
Johnny Damon was never in the plans.
——————————————————–
Somehow I get the same feeling that Damon could come in under the Yankee offer and they would turn him down.
“Uh Johnny, we didn’t want you all along, we’re going after Holliday at our price, don’t tell Scott, ok?”
Unfortunately when the season comes, around all the people on here criticizing Cashman and acting as pretend MD’s thinking they know better than the Yankee medical staff are going to disappear instead of owning up to their stupidity. Same thing every year.
By the way, and I shoudl ahve done his first: Congrats to Mo on being named Sportsman of the Year!
Now, off to dinner out – yay.
Catch you all later.
Well, IMO, the Yankees had Matsui’s best interests (and the team’s) at heart by not allowing him to play the field. The moment the Angels see that it is useless and that his knees can’t take even the slightest pounding, Matsui will have to pick the splinters out of his behind.
Bay signed with the Mets?
I’m sorry did I ever say Matsui demanded to play the OF. Oh yeah I did not. I said he wanted to play the OF and the Angels told him they would give him a shot to do that. Based on that promise I said Matsui will be playing the OF for the Angels and will continue to play the OF if he proves he can do it
Billingsly is not better than either Joba or Hughes in my opinion. He’s only further ahead of them developmentwise because the Dodgers put him in the ro and let him go. Joba would DOMINATE the NL and def the NL West vs. lineups like the Pads and the D Backs and Gints and pitching in ballparks like Petco and Chavez Revine and Pac Bell
I dont dislike the moves done so far in the Bronx, but it just begs the questions…and of course, it remains to be seen…but with the additions and subtractions and additions, have the Yankees gotten better?
I just can’t tell as of now.
Cash did not say that- Doreen, go onto 1050ESPNradio.com tonight and Kay’s interview with Cash will be on Kay’s podcast. I don’t think we’re getting Holliday either, but Cashman definitely danced around the question and I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.
I didn’t hear that Bay signed as yet.
The debate between Johnson and Matsui is confusing “talent” with “likely performance/ productivity.” Neither Johnson nor Matsui is a young pup and who is more “talented” or who is “better” is secondary in many ways.
What the yankees really care about is likely performance.
And its extremely difficult to speak with any confidence about who is going to be more productive next year.
There is no way anyone can have a high degree of confidence on this subject.
There’s a old saw in finance that applies here. Bankers like risk – because in theory, you can put a price on risk. That’s what markets do. However, bankers hate uncertainty because it’s an unknown and you can’t price an unknown rationally even in a market even theoretically.
In turn you can lose your shirt with unknowns.
Johnson and Matsui’s injury history makes them more than risky – they are almost unknowns.
Dr. Cox,
Most people on here thinking logically realize there is very little chance that Matsui and Damon replicate their 2009 season. Just bringing those 2 guys back meant inevitably the Yankees would get worse. Bringing in NJ and Granderson give them a much better shot to be as good if not better than 2009.
And even if Grandy does not live up to expectations offensively, his defense alone makes them a better team then if they had Damon
I still find it fascinating that Damon came back to the Yankees with a 2 year, $22 million proposal and they said NO. If that’s not an indication that this is a different Yankee regime, I don’t know what is.
Yanks only offered Damon 2yrs/14 mil?
Please Mr. Scrooge! Just one more piece of coal for the fire?
weird how the look of the lineup has changed after a great year….hopefully this lineup in ’10 clicks
To me I see Lee as a risk in that way too. He doesn’t have the resume so to speak to get paid CC $. His CY year was great but the year before he got demoted to AAA because he had a near 7.00 era at the break. 3 yrs later he’s due a 100mm+ in guaranteed dollars?
NJ just has to avoid ridiculously fluky injuries – you can’t predict that he will suffer one. With Matsui, you know his knees will always be a problem
Thanks Betsy, I’ll check it later.
Time for dinner.
I still find it fascinating that Damon came back to the Yankees with a 2 year, $22 million proposal and they said NO. If that’s not an indication that this is a different Yankee regime, I don’t know what is.
————————————————
Why do I get the feeling Johnny could tell the Yanks he’d play for free and they’d turn him down?
Could the answer be Matt Holliday? It seems so plain to me.
Scrooge? LOL
Johnny Damon was a real good player for the Yankees. Yes his defense was weak and his arm is the worst. But Damon was a winner. There was a confidence about him that made him a winner. He was the ideal #2 hitter too. He could take the extra base and had smarts…remember the play taking third in the world series. I am afraid Johnson would still be standing on second. Don’t trash Damon or Matsui…they are two big reasons the Yankees are World Series champs. The Yankees trashed them by dropping them like hot potatoes and now everyone here is doing it. If it is true Damon would come back for 2/22m it is a shame the Yankees didn’t do that. Damon was durable and played all the time even hurt. Pavano Johnson will never play anywhere near those games next season.
First,
I do not work for yankees org.
second:
drone means, “a person who does no useful work and lives off others”. It was an attempt at humor.
third:
I am not Bobcat
Lastly,
I said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if news broke before I got to Miami (trip cancelled). That I do expect at the very least some news either breaking or via a leak as to Holliday.
Nowhere did I say that the Yankees are going to sign him by the weekend.
Mick, I just think they set a value on Damon and that’s it. $7 million a year is a lot less than I thought – they had to know that he would turn it down. I really don’t think Holliday played into this at all.
Yanks only offered Damon 2yrs/14 mil?
Please Mr. Scrooge! Just one more piece of coal for the fire?
—————————————————-
They don’t want him, they want someone else, his name is Holliday, he will be #6 and play LF.
Mick, I just think they set a value on Damon and that’s it. $7 million a year is a lot less than I thought – they had to know that he would turn it down. I really don’t think Holliday played into this at all.
betsy…they made him an offer he had to refuse…they obviously insulted him and do not want him back.
it seems so obvious they are going after Holliday. am i missing something?
lets go yankees,
Someone else mentioned something about Matsui’s demands to play the field, not you.
“Unfortunately when the season comes, around all the people on here criticizing Cashman and acting as pretend MD’s thinking they know better than the Yankee medical staff are going to disappear instead of owning up to their stupidity. Same thing every year.”
I’m definitely criticizing Cashman for signing Nick Johnson instead of Matsui, but I’m not “acting as pretend MD”. This was the first year Matsui was used in this role and all I’m saying is that I think he could repeat the durability he showed in this role next year.
And when it comes to “owning up to their stupidity”, I would think you’d have to say or do something stupid first, right? Like yesterday when you eventually said something along the lines of “forget everything I said today, I don’t know what I’m talking about”.
Right…
Lost
Once you say anything about Bobcat, people here will think you know him….
Dr. Cox,
until all the moves are in, it’s best to reserve judgment.
Right now, the Yankees are still shopping.
Here’s my NYDN backpage headline prediction:
“YANKS TAKE A HOLLIDAY from spending. Slugger Matt Holliday says Meet Me in St. Louis”"
I think “going after him” is a misstatement.
I don’t think they are chasing Holliday at all.
They have no intentions of getting into a bidding war for him.
I think they are open to creative financing ideas.
Absent that, they won’t consider it.
PittsburghYankeeFan:
I didn’t say I didn’t know him. I said I am not him.
Matsui and his knees are just as big of an injury risk as Johnson.
And to put to rest the Matsui is oh-so-much-better than Nick Johnson debate:
BA/OBP/OPS:
Matsui: .274/.367/.876
Johnson: .291/.426/.831
It’s a wash, and Johnson gets on base much more. The dropoff in power numbers isn’t felt as much if Johnson is batting 2nd, and it will be more than made up for with Granderson in the 5 hole. What’s important for a #2 hitter is to get on base, and NJ does a LOT of that.
Bobcat AND Miller.
Less we not forget.
the bobcat/miller days were some of the best on this blog. i literally got nothing done at work for two days.
who would be the most likely ‘leak’ reporter?
I am not a Met fan. I’m trying to continue to be a long-time Yankee fan. It got real difficult when they didn’t keep Andy Pettite. It got hard again when the new (unneeded) stadium and its outrageous prices produced lots of empty seats behind home plate on every TV game. And now it’s again getting difficult because some mysterious “only Cashman knows” information says Nick Johnson is less likely to be injured than Hideke Matsui — yes I’ve read that this makes the team “younger” — for 1 year. (No one is mentioning the loss of revenue from Japan due to Matsui leaving). Cashman, as we all know, is perfect in every decision (Igawa who??)
Oh well, let’s wait for the first Johnson injury (won’t be long) and the walks to Arod because (easy strikeout) Granderson is hitting next.
What ever happened to Hmmmm?
This is just not acceptable
Damon and Matsui are both getting the pinstriped edition of “He’s Just Not That Into You” for Christmas.
SJ, Sickels thinks highly of your nephew:
3) Tony Sanchez, C, Grade B: He was a slight overdraft but I like him, excellent defense and it doesn’t look like his power was all aluminum.
http://www.minorleagueball.com.....tes-top-20
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/1066/mattyp.jpg
Erica, this should cheer you up. It always makes me laugh:
http://www.emergencyyodel.com/
Lost
Now you will really stoke some serious speculation! You know Bobcat? Uh oh…
Let state some facts to clear a few things up:
– Yankees do have a strong interest in Holliday
– Yankees have a budget.
– Last night I said 5/85 would be yankees ‘comfort zone’.
SJ44:
“I don’t think they are chasing Holliday at all.”
Cash is obviously standing firm. He’s dealing from strength right now. Does he risk losing the player he wants? Sure, but that’s business. I am fully comfortable in the way the Yankees are handling this and still remain confident that they’ll make it work.
Predicting injuries is fan babble and nothing more.
Arn Tellem told Cashman he had one day to give Matsui 7 million dollars or he was going to Anaheim.
Cashman couldn’t and wouldn’t make that deal in a vaccum with other, more pressing, needs.
So Matsui went to the Angels. That’s the business of baseball.
You don’t pay a 36 year old DH-only guy 7 million in this market. That’s BAD baseball business.
One of the cooler things if they signed Holliday would be John Sterling…
It is high, it is far, it is gone! It’s another Holliday–take the day off!
Tom on N.J.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Erica, this should cheer you up. It always makes me laugh:
http://www.emergencyyodel.com/
**********
It didn’t cheer me up. I am getting hit with crappy news at just about every angle today
Lost,
I am too.
The way I see it…..
If Matt wants to be a Yankee, there is an avenue for it to happen. It’s either the Yankees way (structure-wise) or no deal.
Then again, I’m not telling you something you don’t already know! LOL
If the emergency yodel didn’t work, little will.
Hope you feel better for your birthday.
How about..
Yanks take a pass on the Holliday and get back to work by signing another starter.
45 points in OPS is pretty significant. Wouldn’t call it a wash for sure.
Tom on N.J.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
If the emergency yodel didn’t work, little will.
Hope you feel better for your birthday.
*****
Thanks. But I am worried about the plans for tomorrow. It will snow yet again, on December 19th. Kind of comical that this is the second year in a row (and too many to count during my existance) that snow will be wreaking havoc on my birthday plans. I am supposed to be going into the city so hopefully the LIRR will keep running
Lost-in-holliday:
thank you very much for taking time to post. It is not like you have to
One doesn’t preclude the other.
Holliday doesn’t preclude the starter they want.
Tom,
What’s funny is, all these so called minor league “experts” who ripped him for being an “overdraft” have changed their tunes after actually watching him play.
Funny how that works! LOL
Matsui: .274/.367/.876
Johnson: .291/.426/.831
Yeah, let’s purposely not include other meaningless stats as SLG (Matsui 502 NJ 404), HR (Matsui 28 NJ 8), or RBI (Matsui 90 NJ 66) at about the same at bats (Matsui 456 NJ457) when you compare two DHs…
It’s A WASH. And I would buy your argument about NJ batting 2nd. Hmmm, who was that guy who hit many crutch homeruns and crutch hits last year batting 2nd… Hope NJ would get tons of crutch walks and tough at-bats!
I know how that feels, Erica. I’m a January birthday myself. Snow was cool on my birthday was cool when I was a kid-no school. Now it just sucks.
clutch, man my spelling balls today
Nick in SF
December 18th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Damon and Matsui are both getting the pinstriped edition of “He’s Just Not That Into You” for Christmas.
************************
LOL
Tom on N.J.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I know how that feels, Erica. I’m a January birthday myself. Snow was cool on my birthday was cool when I was a kid-no school. Now it just sucks.
******
Its just so much more of a hassle than it has to be. First I have to deal with weeks of everyone I know telling me they are too busy or broke with holiday crap to do anything with me to celebrate (Last year one friend actually said, “I can’t- Christmas is coming”). Then I finally put together a plan… get excited… and it snows. ARGH!
I would like to legally change my date of birth to a quiet day in May.
And its not just birthday nonsense causing my mood. My best friend’s family had a tragedy last night and I feel awful for them. So in the wake of what they are going through, I am just being petty- but really, nothing is going right.
And I will not remove my Johnny Damom pictures until there is absolutely no hope left
Tom Verducci loves the Nick Johnson signing for the #2 hole. He believes people are selling his power short.
but what does Verducci know…
SJ, then what do you make of the $7 million offer? There’s no way Damon would accept that (but I hardly think it’s an insult either)…….so the Yankees had to know that. What, then, was their backup plan for LF? What IS their backup plan for LF?
Also, what do you make of the fact that Damon came back and they rejected his proposal? That by then it was too late or that they honestly thought $11 million was too much?
Erica, sorry to hear you’re having a bad day
Will a visit from Super Grover do anything to help?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOF5s9k-cLA
Sayonara Kid December 18th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Matsui: .274/.367/.876
Johnson: .291/.426/.831
Yeah, let’s purposely not include other meaningless stats as SLG (Matsui 502 NJ 404), HR (Matsui 28 NJ 8), or RBI (Matsui 90 NJ 66) at about the same at bats (Matsui 456 NJ457) when you compare two DHs…
It’s A WASH. And I would buy your argument about NJ batting 2nd. Hmmm, who was that guy who hit many crutch homeruns and crutch hits last year batting 2nd… Hope NJ would get tons of crutch walks and tough at-bats!
———————————-
You’re another one of those fans who is looking for a Yankee player to fail (and thus the team to suffer) just to prove their argument.
The bottom line is that Johnson was signed to bat 2nd and be a table setter for the middle of the order, which his OBP will do nicely. Between Jeter and Johnson you have two of the best eyes in baseball w/ regards to balls and strikes. Johnson was not brought in to knock in 100 runs. He was brought in to SCORE 100 runs.
If you’re looking for the guy who is supposed to be replacing Matsui’s production, look at Granderson.
Matsui is the better run producer, but Johnson is a much better fit as the #2 hitter.
I just would love the Yanks to target Ben Sheets…..but, then, it’s not like they are his only suitor. We discussed this a few days ago. The easy way would be to sign with an NL team…………the hard way, but potentially a lot more rewarding, would be to sign with the Yankees and show the baseball world (on its biggest stage) that he’s back. That’s what he would do if he were confident in his health and ability.
I’ve heard that the year after wrist surgery, power should be back almost to normal, so perhaps Nick will show more pop than we expect. What kind of surgery did he have? Did he break his wrist?
Betsy-
Right now there is no back up plan for LF-it’s Cabrera.
Starting pitching is next on the list.
Thanks for the tip, Vinny. I have a set routine as far as the websites I check out and I always check out CNNSI.com. Now I have a particular reason to…….
Boras to Cash:
“We’d like you to think about 2yrs/22 mil. Give us a call tomorrow.”
Cashman:
“Scott? You can have my answer now, if you like. My final offer is this: nothing. Not even the .10 cents for the phone call, which I would appreciate if you would put up personally.
OOps, Vinny – was that on MLB or CNNSI?
SJ44:
Matt puts a lot of faith in his religious beliefs, even if he doesn’t thank the lord publicly in the media. The preferences are well known. He wants to play for the Yankees and he wants it done before Xmas to celebrate with his family. He is not against playing in a few other places but the Yankees are without doubt his first choice.
It’s safe to say he is very fair, even though Boras is his agent. Collectively, everybody wants a Holliday deal done before Xmas. I would say that there is a good chance for that to happen.
The only roadblock I see right now is “market value vs. Boras value”. Scott will eventually get it.
Betsy,
The Yankees set a value for Johnny and it’s not what Johnny thinks it should be.
That happens and it’s nothing personal. It’s just business.
They always have backup plans. Just because they don’t announce it to the world doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
An example of that is how they replaced Matsui.
“I’ve heard that the year after wrist surgery, power should be back almost to normal, so perhaps Nick will show more pop than we expect. What kind of surgery did he have? Did he break his wrist?”
————————————————
yes, Betsy. And it is believed at this time it is now completely healed. Between this fact and the short right porch/dimensions, the informed are expecting 20+ HR’s
Sayonara kid -
Matsui was on a better team and played in a better hitting ballpark.
You can say the AL was tougher to hit against than the NL but I’d thought I add my two cents.
Verducci was/is on MLB Network. It will repeat at 7p (Hot Stove)
Betsy
I think the Yanks plan was to upgrade the OF(LF/CF) by trading for Grandy as Cash began to put that together in Sept/Oct….and that matsui would be allowed to leave and Damon would replace him as the primary dh….
I don’t think that the Yanks had any designs on Damon as a LF’er. So again the plan was to replace Damon in the field with Grandy sliding Melky/Gardy over to LF and “replace” Matsui’s DH bat with Damon on a 1yr deal.
When Johnny hard bargained himself out of that plan then the Yanks moved on to plan B and replaced Damon as a DH/#2 hitter with NJ.
Viewed Correctly Grandy’s glove replaces Damon’s…upgrade.
Grandy’s bat replaces Matsui’s bat…potential upgrade if he can improve the #’s against lefties but could supply more power tha Sui.
NJ replaces Damon’s bat as the #2 hole hitter…upgrade!
Imo if NJ stays healthy and gives us 500abs then this will be an improved offense from last years team. How scary is that?
Erin
December 18th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Erica, sorry to hear you’re having a bad day
Will a visit from Super Grover do anything to help?
*************
Actually yes….
However, it reminds me of another less pressing problem. I lent my office manager my Christmas Eve on Sesame Street DVD so her 7 year old daughter can “recapture the Christmas magic” and she promised she would give it back to me by the start of my vacation today…. except she got strep and didn’t come to work for a few days. Now I need to make a housecall to pick it up or my Christmas Eve tradition is in severe jeopardy… ARGH!!!!!
Hi guys, I’ve been outta town this week.
Anyways, I’m watching ESPN and B. Olney says Johnny Damon will not return to the yanks because they signed Johnson.
it that true?
Erin-
Explorer Ernie is seriously cute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=channel
To read these guys you would think that Nick is the arrival of a future hall of famer. Lets see if he matches Matsui’s production.
Erica – always OPPC – Bring Johnny Back!!!
December 18th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Actually yes….
However, it reminds me of another less pressing problem. I lent my office manager my Christmas Eve on Sesame Street DVD so her 7 year old daughter can “recapture the Christmas magic” and she promised she would give it back to me by the start of my vacation today…. except she got strep and didn’t come to work for a few days. Now I need to make a housecall to pick it up or my Christmas Eve tradition is in severe jeopardy… ARGH!!!!!
**********************
Not good. Hopefully you can get it back. I bet her daughter didn’t even appreciate it!
Sorry, I didn’t mean to remind you of yet another problem!
I’m off to dinner-hope your night improves
Nick Johnson hit: .313 .488 .482 .970 with RISP
Matsui hit: .303 .426 .521 .947
They are both good, clutch hitters. Johnson is a contact hitter, so not only did he hit for a higher average than Matsui (not looking to walk) but when the pitcher didn’t give him as many pitches to hit he took his walk (higher OBP) he just missed that Hideki Power we all loved.
And the power may increase for Nick Johnson. Basically we replaced a great hitter with another great hitter, they just have different skills. Matsui is liable to hit a double or HR more so than ole St. Nick, but Nick is more liable to keep the inning alive.
That offer to Johnny was probably not their final offer though.
I bet they were willing to come somewhat closer to the Abreu deal.
And Johnny would have been a perfect fit as a primary DH that can also play LF against tough righties, interleague away games etc.
But in the end though, 5.5 guaranteed money offers more flexibility than 18 mil guaranteed. I heard there’s a mutual option for a 2nd year for Nick but that means nothing.
I hope everybody’s right in that the Yanks are saving for an impact bat like Holliday but personally I see them spending it on a starter.
Once again a Boras client asking for something that he will never get. Damon is going to be the Abreu of 2 years ago. He will probably sign with the Cubs or Giants for 1 year $5m. He should of just took the Yanks offer at least it was for 2 years, I highly doubt another team will give him 2 years.
There are two different points of view to look at what has gone on with the Damon offer/Yankee offer.
While Johnny came down to 2 years at 11 million per, it isn’t a back scaling back, but it was cutting 2 million off his old rate while his defense has declined. He was signed to be a CF not a corner outfielder.
The Yankees going to 2/14 seems cold, as that is pretty much cutting the salary in half. This could either be to drive Damon lower. It could be that he held off too long and they are moving a different direction unless they get a bargain.
Its tough to be hearing about all this, but it is business. Damon talked a bit too much also, which probably didn’t help things for him.
“That offer to Johnny was probably not their final offer though”
——————————————-
it was the last one from the Yankees.
Boras still believes that Matt’s best payday will come from NYY and Damon’s will come elsewhere.
If another team steps up on Holliday that goes beyond what NYY have budgeted as realistic, then Damon may come in to play again but only on our terms.
Off to dinner. I’ll try and check in later.
the guy yankee fan
thanks for your 2 cents.
here is mine
286(AVG)/383(OBP)/567(SLG)/950(OPS)
Matsui’s away stats. When you talk about Matsui, the conventional wisdom sometimes doesn’t apply as he hits lefties pretty well too. Matsui certainly did not need the short porch to get his numbers. Most his homeruns were homeruns anywhere.
Last year we were all worried that AJ Burnett would get injured and not contribute to the Yankees, but he went the whole season and though he was inconsistent, helped get Yankees to the WS victory. Hopefully, Nick Johnson will remain healthy and contribute in a similar way.
“Off to dinner. I’ll try and check in later”
———————————————–
thank you, Lost. Be safe
Erica – always OPPC – Bring Johnny Back!!!
December 18th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Erin-
Explorer Ernie is seriously cute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..re=channel
*******************
OMG, I love it!!
OK, really leaving now
Its going to be fascinating to watch this utter conviction that Holliday is in the Yankees plans turn to bitter resentment when he doesn’t.
Don’
You got it. This isn’t Joe Torre staffing the Yankees anymore.
Lost/SJ…
If Holliday was to become the big Christmas present for all Yankees fans, which player would be moved Melky or GGBG and what do you think either could fetch?
The 2nd year of Damon’s deal would of been an absolute disaster. By ’11 he will be terrible in LF and Posada will need to DH most of the time also. So basically they would have 2 DH’s and Girardi would have to decide who sits that day and who plays. I love Johnny but a 2 year deal makes no sense. Everyone knows that he wouldn’t take a 1 year deal from them….which he will wind up taking from another team. Letting Matsui go puzzled me, but not Damon.
5:33pm: Tyler Kepner of The NY Times says that Damon came back to the Yanks late Thursday and asked for two years and $20MM, however by that point the team had agreed to a deal with Johnson and there was no going back
stuckey
It’s fun to speculate since it’s a possibility that some here have thought through and it makes sense, even though the Yankees, the media, and the player all deny it.
Kind of the fun of the internet, being Kay’s “soft underbelly.” (PS–Kay is going to catch enormous grief this coming year from the fan blogs–more than usual).
If he doesn’t sign with the Yankees, so be it. Someone made him a much better offer that he liked. Unlike Lackey, who was never going to play for the Yankees.
The fun is in the speculation. Yankees still are going to win 95-100 games and likely kick the crap out of Boston this year whether they spend another dime or not.
Nick Johnson hit 23 HR’s in 500 AB’s for Washington in 2006 with very little protection around him. Thats 1 shy of Damon’s career best of 24 last yr.
If NJ stays healthy which should be made easier as he will play mostly as a DH, the fact that he is a left handed hitter in Yankee Stadium, the protection he has in that line-up, & his natural development as he matures could find NJ able to hit 25-30 HR’s from the #2 spot in that lineup.
NJ will post an OBP of .400 +, 25 HR’s, 80-85 RBI’s, .290 Avg. & 90-100 BB’s, & 100 R’s.
He is also on a 1 yr. contract which means he will be trying to earn another contract for the following season.
Good signing.
Its funny, but since the postings of “Lost” have gotten quite interesting, when I read them I picture a guy in the shadows, wearing a trench coat and hat pulled low, speaking in a low, almost whisper voice.
LOL. I can’t read it any other way.
I guess I can see how Nick Johnson is a better fit than Matsui right now, he’s a little cheaper and can actually play in the field. Still though, there was sentimental value with Matsui. I’m not convinced this team is as good as the 2009 team at this point. I guess a mid season trade is always a possibility.
“I’m going to observe first before really speaking out and opening up at something until I really get to know people,” he said. “I’m honest and loyal and really like to win. I’m pretty simple, really, if you just treat me like a man.”
Milton Bradley on Ken Griffey as well
“I just look forward to playing baseball again in a positive environment with a good group of guys,” Bradley said.
One interesting thing he discussed was how he’s looking forward to teaming up with Ken Griffey Jr.
“Some of the things that happen to you in your life as a baseball player are kind of surreal to you and getting to play with Ken Griffey Jr. is one of them,” Bradley told me when I asked him how much interraction they’d had over the years.
–
Sounds lke a club cancer to me! I bet in the right environment (seattle w/ Griffey, NYY w/ CC, Jeter, Swisher, Granderson, A-rod) Milton will thrive, just like he did in Texas
lol, Abdababda
vinny-b (NJ and Granderson – thank you Cashman!)
December 18th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
5:33pm: Tyler Kepner of The NY Times says that Damon came back to the Yanks late Thursday and asked for two years and $20MM, however by that point the team had agreed to a deal with Johnson and there was no going back
***********
Poor Johnny
I guess he played it a little too coy about all of the teams that were interested
I am really going to miss Damon. Not just because of his personality, but his presence as a leadoff/#2 hitter for the last 4 years really completed this lineup and he really did take a liking to that right field porch at YS. He re-invented himself. It’s too bad Boras is pricing him out of reach. I am concerned that Melky will be the starting LF. I am hoping for Holliday, but who knows…..
Vader
If they sign Holliday, they will try to spin off one or the other of GGBG or Melky (I prefer they spin off GGBG since Melky is a switch hitter) for a #4 or #5 to replace Joba, who will then become Mariano’s trainee for closer.
The pitcher they get back would depend on the prospect they package with Melky or GGBG. This can wait until January since everyone wants to see what Sheets has and wants to do.
Matsui is the better run producer, but Johnson is a much better fit as the #2 hitter.
vbo3
Ha. I am not trying to diss the new yank. I just thought the argument over who is better Nick Johnson and Hideki Matsui was silly.
I read that somebody said that Nick Johnson is a better overall hitter than Matsui and I just tried to prove that he is not.
2nd, 5th, HD, 1B, Granderson, I don’t care. Stating that Nick Johnson is a better overall hitter than Matsui is false.
If Damon had a different agent then I think he would of been back. Damon probably trusts Boras too much and he is steering him no where. Matsui is lucky he had the agent he did and just took a good offer from a good team. Boras never would of let Matsui accept that offer so early(in Boras time) in the off season.
I really wish we could have both Damon and Holliday. Couldn’t Johnny play RF with Holliday in LF? Trade Melky, and get Swish his ABs?
SJ, well I’m glad that to Johnny and the Yanks it’s just business and there is no bad blood……Johnny will always be a Yankee and I’m sure the Yanks feel the same way.
Vinny, thanks. More power would be great, but if not, it’s no big deal as we’ve got more than enough in our lineup as is.
If Gardner was moved I would miss his speed…he has that type of speed you can see on TV.
I too like that Melky is a switch hitter off the bench and defensive replacement for Swish.
I wonder is they could get a Meche/Banister type for either?
“Sounds lke a club cancer to me! I bet in the right environment (seattle w/ Griffey, NYY w/ CC, Jeter, Swisher, Granderson, A-rod) Milton will thrive, just like he did in Texas”
Actually, he sounds a lot like Gary Sheffield did when he got to Detroit. Glad to be around a team that will treat him like a man, and all that. Guys like Bradley and Sheffield can’t help themselves, sooner or later their true colors will come out.
Rule of thumb-If you have to constantly demand to be treated like a man, it’s because you aren’t acting like one.
That latest information on Damon is tough to read. Basically he came down to the half way point from where he was to what the Yankees offered.
I think Damon over played his hand and that he really did want to keep playing for the Yankees.
With DH taken for this year – at least we hope Johnson will remain healthy for the season, it leaves Damon as being the main LF player. That isn’t horrible, but his defense isn’t going to improve.
This is tough to see though. Like its tough seeing Wang non-tendered and Matsui in that ugly red cap.
So, is there zero chance of Johnny returning? Just read the updates and it looked like he came down on his asking price, but it was too late.
Question, did the Yankees ever have a formal offer on the table?
Poor Johnny. He’s never been in this position before, but players his age can’t expect too many years and dollars. The game has changed so much, and a lot of good players weren’t even picked up on 1-yr. deals in recent years. Just not an old player’s game anymore.
If the Yanks get another outfielder then Melky will be the one traded. He is going to make almost $2m more than Gardner they aren’t going to pay him that to be a 4th outfielder. But with Cash’s budget I don’t expect them to get another outfielder.
If Gardner was moved I would miss his speed”
The Yankees don’t have to move Brett or Melky. Melky can be the 4th OF, Gardner can still be sent back to the minors.
If they have an opportunity to move one for some real value, however, they wouldn’t hesitate. I would think Melky would get more in return, while he is not seen as a high ceiling guy, I think the jury is still out on whether Gardner is even an everyday player.
“Melky can be the 4th OF, Gardner can still be sent back to the minors.”
I mean if they sign Holliday, obviously.
This team has no intention of signing Holliday. They are cutting salary. What part of this do you miss? Anyone expecting a Holliday signing is setting him or herself up for a big big disappointment.
This is the Yankees for 2010 except for a pitcher or two. They will take a chance on a dushcherer at 3 to 4 million.
I think once Halladay went to the Phillies,the Yanks decided to go for their 2nd ranked target who is a left fielder not named Johnny Damon. Damon needed to agree before Halladay landed elsewhere.
Rule of thumb-If you have to constantly demand to be treated like a man, it’s because you aren’t acting like one.
_________
I do agree with this. Good point Mark. Its just like demanding respect. Respect is earned.
This change of scene may help the Board Gamer. Time will tell.
New thread….
Nick Johnson is a nice ballplayer, however let’s not get all giddy about him being remotely close to being in the same class with Matsui when it comes to swinging the stick….They are different players with different roles…..It’s just silly and boarderline foolish to think Nick is the hitter that Mats is right now…..Lets go yankees, if your out there, we’ll send $ 100.00 to Nick in SF on Matsui’s numbers in 2010…….You remind me of a 20 handicap Golfer, you’re all over the place with your opinions……Time to put up !!!!!!!!!
Lost-
What did you mean by this little riddle:
It’s only a matter of time before what doesn’t come out in the wash comes out in the rinse.
Nick Johnson is not perfect but will fit nicely in the 2 hole. He is not as fast as Damon but he has better plate discipline and on-base percentage.
Welcome back Nick!
..It’s just silly and boarderline foolish to think Nick is the hitter that Mats is right now…..Lets go yankees, if your out there, we’ll send $ 100.00 to Nick in SF on Matsui’s numbers in 2010
–
Pat you need to get off this tangent. They are not the same players, but Matsui is not some mythical beast that is lightyears ahead of Nick Johnson with the bat.
They have different skill sets. When he is on, Matsui is very good at going with a pitch and isn’t afraid to go the other way and he has excellent power. Nick Johnson has always walked around the same amount or more than he struck out, and is as good a contact hitter as Matsui is. He swings at less pitches, and if he can return from wrist surgery he will be as powerful as Matsui.
Nick Johnson’s career high in ISO (SLG-AVG) is the same as Johnson, both can be .200 ISO type players.
I love Matsui, he was my favorite Yankee, but you are mythologizing him and its unfair to Matsui going forward and its unfair to Nick Johnson going forward.
Johnson isn’t worth the room he will take up on the bench.I can’t understand why the yankees would want this bum.He couldn’t even carry Damon’s or Matsui’s jock strap.
http://www.gals7.net/?@?A?_???g?`???b?g