Heyman: Yankees sign Thames
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 08, 2010 
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Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees have signed Marcus Thames. Nothing official, but I have to assume this is a minor league deal.
Brian Cashman has said several times that he would like to add a right-handed hitting outfielder, and this could be exactly the addition he’s been looking for. Good competition in big league camp, and more outfield depth if Jamie Hoffmann struggles.
UPDATE, 3:38 p.m.: Just confirmed with Brian Cashman that Thames has signed a minor league deal.
UPDATE, 3:58 p.m.: The Yankees just announced the Randy Winn signing. That news broke so long ago, I think I had forgotten it wasn’t official.
I like bringing Thames on board. Especially if this is a minor league deal. Good pop from the right side. Good buds with Granderson from what I hear as well.
Good idea- lets keep signing low budget outfielders and maybe they will equal one of what Johnny Damon has to offer
lol erica… how long will you carry that cross?
He’s a terrible defensive OF.
the yankees have brought back 2 of their first round picks from the 90’s
Chad, you have the worst luck! As soon as you post something, the Yankees go and sign somebody. LOL
Tom B
February 8th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
lol erica… how long will you carry that cross?
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Until Brian Cashman listens or Johnny Damon signs elsewhere
he also doesn’t walk much.
Chad:
I nominate you repost that long catcher post tonight. It looked really good
Excellent signing, always thought Thames would be a good part for our puzzle.
lmk what you think of this prospect list…
http://www.cappingthegame.com/.....tcount=133
@yanks27sox7 on twitter
He’s not going to play a lot of OF. He will get replaced for D in the late innings.
He gives them an excellent righty bat off the bench.
Bench power outweighs lack if walks.
Solid, no risk signing.
Move the catcher thread above this one. It’s more interesting than a minor league signing.
i think they don’t know who melacon and brackman are
Note to self…expect transaction news whenever Chad spends lots of time writing up a very useful, informative post.
Is it OK with everyone if I re-set that catchers post to run later this evening? It’s probably worth some discussion, but clearly the next few hours will be all about Thames and the outfield situation.
DaSaint won’t have to post “one more signing” anymore.
Chad Jennings
February 8th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Is it OK with everyone if I re-set that catchers post to run later this evening?
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Absolutely
“Excellent signing, always thought Thames would be a good part for our puzzle.”
I agree, vs. lefties he has a career .845 OPS in 691 plate appearances with an .804 OPS last year in 124 plate appearances. Can definitely see him making the 25-man roster.
Good idea, Chad.
Take it down. You took the Damon’s New Crib post down.
I think Thames talk will run its course quickly, so I’m glad you’ll be resetting the catchers thread.
Chad – maybe if you write up and post an even longer post analyzing and dissecting the entire farm system then simultaneously Cashman will listen to Erica and announce the signing of Damon.
Seriously, this is probably not good news for those that want Damon to return. Anyone else bored out of their minds waiting for spring training?
five iron from denway
February 8th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Chad – maybe if you write up and post an even longer post analyzing and dissecting the entire farm system then simultaneously Cashman will listen to Erica and announce the signing of Damon.
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I like this suggestion. Please start typing Chad
Poll on espn.com
Biggest rivalry of the last decade?
Lakers/Spurs
Yankees/Red Sox
Colts/Patriots
TX/OK football
Duke/UNC
Marcus Thames…You just knew this was coming, very nicely dodne Brian Cashman….Nice power option from the right side….He’ll be hearing some cheers this summer
Chad -
Good idea to re-set.
I was thinking it would be Thames.
Spring training’s going to be eventful. Good.
“Yankees/Red Sox”
Biggest and most tedious.
The Boomerang Yankee tour continues!
m
It was reported last month that the Mrs. stayed at the Favres’ while in town so privacy could be maintained.
Yanks/Sox, easy.
Alright, the catchers post will go back at the top in a few hours. Let’s stick with this outfield situation for now.
m
February 8th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Poll on espn.com
Biggest rivalry of the last decade?
Lakers/Spurs
Yankees/Red Sox
Colts/Patriots
TX/OK football
Duke/UNC
*********************
Yankees/Red Sox
“Solid, no risk signing.”
I think this strategy will prove relatively successful. Having Hoffman, Winn, and Thames, in addition to GGBG, gives the team a variety of options. Also like the attempts to bolster the upper-level minor league depth too. Too bad Hoffman can’t be stashed in the minors. I wonder how Thames contract is structured, specifically if he’ll have the option to leave if he’s not on the 25-man by a certain date?
hoffman likely going back to sd now.
i demand cashman be fired for not spending 400 million free agents every year jk
Erica, I really don’t know what more you wanted Cashman to do.
Good move by Cash.
Forgive me, but essentially it looks like we now traded Bruney for nothing since Jamie Hoffman would have to have the most ridiculous spring of his life to make this team and not be returned to the Dodgers.
The only way we keep him if he doesn’t make the team is to trade another player for him to the Dodgers and who in their right mind would trade Bruney and another player for Hoffman if he can’t make the Yankees this spring?
I don’t want to go on a rant, but I don’t think Bruney was that much of a problem than needed to be shed. He was very up and down, but so are most hard throwers in the pen not named Rivera. He was a useful piece in a major league pen that had the potential to be a decent set up option when he was hot and on his game (which happened occasionally over the years).
I didn’t know there was a catchers post, lol
the yankees have brought back 2 of their first round picks from the 90’s
Johnson and Thames?
Ledger_Yankees Club source confirms Thames gets 900k if he makes bigs.
I think the OF situation turns on Gardner’s ability to provide credible enough offense to hold the CF job. If that happens, then both offensively and defensively, it becomes one of the better OF in MLB if both Granderson and Swisher put up a 125ish ERA+, which I believe they will.
At this point, Damon will be seen outside of Steinbrnner Field as an assistant ticket scalper.
Good stuff from Bill Simmons. Check out the Google Ad comment. You’ll crack up.
And there’s a comment from his mailbag saying that Payton looks like Frankie muniz. Watching the presser today, Payton without the visor looks like Spencer from King of Queens to me.
Anyway, Bill Simmons is one happy camper after last night’s game. Back in good form.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....ortCat=nfl
Betsy -Romine wasn’t built in a day
February 8th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Erica, I really don’t know what more you wanted Cashman to do.
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Its quite simple Betsy. I wanted him to sign Johnny Damon.
Johnson wasn’t a first round pick and I don’t think Thames was either.
The big question now, is, can Juan Rivera be far behind?
When will Cashman break the news that the Yankees signed Joe Dimaggio?
G. Love…..The entire Bruney situation never made sense for me…It’s been a very odd off-season, but Brian had value, at least I thought he did…..
But Erica, that would’ve required 1 of 2 things. 1)Damon accepting either of the two offers from Cashman. 2)Cashman overpaying.
Cash did the right thing. Even though it hurts.
It hurt a lot of us that Cash let Hideki and Wang go, but we understand it.
I haven’t posted in the comments in a while…but are there really people on here who still think Damon is coming back?
Really?
m
February 8th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
And there’s a comment from his mailbag saying that Payton looks like Frankie muniz.
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LOL…there is a little bit of a resemblence to Frankie Muniz. Whatever happened to him???
And Damon had the opportunity while Hideki and Wang never did.
Dry your tears now.
I didn’t know this about Winn’s contract:
Associated Press
NEW YORK — Randy Winn and the New York Yankees have finalized a $1.1 million, one-year contract.
The outfielder can earn an additional $900,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. He would get $100,000 each for 50, 75 and 100, and $150,000 apiece for 125, 150, 175 and 200.
—
Smart contract for the Yanks.
Pat M.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
G. Love…..The entire Bruney situation never made sense for me…It’s been a very odd off-season, but Brian had value, at least I thought he did…..
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I stick by my theory that Bruney spraying champagne on Hal is what did him in.
# Rich in NJ February 8th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
I think the OF situation turns on Gardner’s ability to provide credible enough offense to hold the CF job. If that happens, then both offensively and defensively, it becomes one of the better OF in MLB if both Granderson and Swisher put up a 125ish ERA+, which I believe they will.
—
I think Swisher could put up a 125 ERA+, but I’m not sure about Granderson. I haven’t seen him pitch before…
steveoh
My bad.
steveoh February 8th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I think Swisher could put up a 125 ERA+, but I’m not sure about Granderson. I haven’t seen him pitch before…
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Swisher’s 2009 ERA was 0.00. I think he can keep it under 125.
“If that happens, then both offensively and defensively, it becomes one of the better OF in MLB if both Granderson and Swisher put up a 125ish ERA+, which I believe they will.”
That would be nice, two plus defenders and one average defender…pretty remarkable difference from, say, 2006. I think the best part of Cashman’s strategy is that even if the situation you outlined doesn’t work out, they can turn to Winn. If he rebounds to the production levels he demonstrated up until last season, we would be pretty solid both ways. Even in the worst case scenario this should be a very solid defensive outfield.
I figured that out, Erica; nevermind.
Maybe Jamie Hoffman wins a spot on the roster. That hasn’t played out yet. But if he doesn’t and the Yanks gave up a good but eratic arm for nothing, the Bruney move would be a terrible one. But we should wait till Spring Training ends before we decide that.
Erin,You mentioned that when he was moved and it may have some merit to it …..I mean Jamie Hoffman and a years pass to the Washington National Zoo is not enough for Bruney….
Thames was a 30th round draft pick. I would have preferred Baldelli even with his injury and illness issues. Thames can’t really play LF effectively.
Winn got $1.1M guaranteed and Thames got $900K if he makes the team for Cashman’s magical $2M left to spend.
With all these OF signing why did the yankees not take a pitcher with the first pick for the rule five draft?
steveoh February 8th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
“The outfielder can earn an additional $900,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. He would get $100,000 each for 50, 75 and 100, and $150,000 apiece for 125, 150, 175 and 200.”
–
That’s the most unusual performance-based incentives I’ve ever heard. That comes out to $2,000, $4,000 and then $6,000 per plate appearance, but PAs against righties are worthless. Interesting.
Pat M.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Erin,You mentioned that when he was moved and it may have some merit to it …..I mean Jamie Hoffman and a years pass to the Washington National Zoo is not enough for Bruney….
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LOL I don’t know, I think I’m onto something.
“With all these OF signing why did the yankees not take a pitcher with the first pick for the rule five draft?”
The took what they felt was the BPA. None of these OF options are particularly good.
The Yankees are actually in a position to make decisions by looking at the big picture. Melky cost 6X as much as Gardner. Good job by Cash of moving him before he had to make a non-tender decision. Bruney had health and attitude issues. And would be blocking some young (cheaper) arms in the system.
Bruney was a hoot, a real roller coaster ride when he was here. But Cashman didn’t trade him for a rule 5 gamble. I think he found the opportunity to get rid of a moody, petulant pitcher with arm issues.
Keep up the good work, Cash.
As for all the OF they’ve signed? A couple of the moves were to fill out the upper levels of the farm system. Then Gardner’s the big question on O. And Winn is probably cheap insurance in case of an injury. Thank goodness we had that back-up 1B to replace Nady last year.
I think the Yankees will survive without Bruney.
Betsy -Romine wasn’t built in a day February 8th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
I think the Yankees will survive without Bruney.
Bruney was the glue
Good move by Cash. I think Thames will help and a good threat off the bench and another DH option aganist lefties he can hit.
Another question i’d like answered about the Thames deal is if it includes options. Can he be moved back and forth between MLB and AAA, or is he at the MLB level for good if he starts there or gets a call up?
I really like Bruney. Whenever he got in a funk, it seemed like it was always because of something. He had such great stretches at times. Like he was with us for the first year, and was on a roll, than the season ended. He had another great stretch, than was sidelined because of discomfort, than he had another great stretch, than he was on the DL. There always seemed to be something there when he got in a funk. The main issue I had with his, is why did it take him months at a time to pitch like a pro.
Brian Bruney was going to make at least 2 million next year. He was going to be non-tendered by the Yankees and everyone in baseball probably knew it. That is why he had no value on the trade market.
It has been 4 years of inconsistency and injuries with Bruney. When you are paying a reliever 2 million+ at the very least he better be on the playoff roster and Bruney could not even do that the past two times the Yankees were in the playoffs.
Getting anything for Bruney even if it was Jamie Hoffman is a win considering he would have been non-tendered otherwise.
re Bruney – I’m pretty sure Cashman said he would not sign Bruney (who wanted around $2 million) so it was an easy decision for him – get a look at Hoffmann for someone who would not be on his roster in 2010. Also, remember that the minors did not have any outfielders ready for the majors so in that respect Hoffmann made sense. I’m sure he called around to see if Bruney was of interest to any clubs and the best he could do was the deal he did with the Nationals.
I was at that Marcus Thames game where he took the first pitch he saw in the majors and from Randy Johnson and put it over the wall. That was a great game.
I have to agree that Bruney’s overall demeanor probably did him in as much as the unknown aspects of his health going forward. (The K-Rod stuff, he did throw a chair a couple of seasons ago, some sulkiness, and then, the coup de gras, sprayiing Hal Steinbrenner – the look on Hal’s face was not pleasant).
The Yankees had Vazquez, Thames, and Nick Johnson in the 2000’s and didn’t help the Yankees win squat, why would this be any different
Carl, crazy glue maybe. I didn’t like his attitude and he was pretty bad this year. I know GB think his struggles were overrated, but I don’t. He’s got a good arm, but maybe the Yankees are tired of trying to figure out these “good arm, not-so-good head” pitchers. I don’t think Bruney dumping champagne on Hal was a big reason for his departure, but then I suppose it is a possibility. Perhaps the Yankees just liked the look of their pen better without him. I don’t think it’s so great myself, but I recognize the potential.
m
February 8th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
DaSaint won’t have to post “one more signing” anymore.
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I heard that.
Ok, Cashman made his move, and a Thames is a decent one.
Granderson
Gardner
Swisher
Winn
Thames
Hoffmann
Not bad. I’m sure if the need arises later in the season, as it almost always does, that we can get a thumper like a Dye or maybe even a Damon
trading Bruney was addition by subtraction.. They subtracted his salary and additude.
curt schilling takes shot at PEte Ab
http://38pitches.com/2010/02/0.....ett-today/
Awais February 8th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
curt schilling takes shot at PEte Ab
http://38pitches.com/2010/02/0…..ett-today/
Poor Pete. Owned. haha
So, Schilling took a shot at Pete Abe? Check out what Pete actually wrote:
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....tra_bases/
1) Seems thin-skinned of the millionaire-mouth-that-roared to take on Pete Abe over a comment like the one Pete made; Petty much, Curt?
2) Some folks believe that one way to define a person is to look at the people who don’t like that person.
If Curt Schilling didn’t like me I’d kinda think that was a badge of honor. But that’s just me.
Why do Pats fans all seem to hate P. Manning?
Same conference but different division and the 2 teams aren’t natural rivals.
whatever
February 8th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
The Yankees had Vazquez, Thames, and Nick Johnson in the 2000’s and didn’t help the Yankees win squat, why would this be any different
………………………..
Very easy answer. They weren’t surrounded with the type of supporing cast they will see this time around.
In his entire 6 year career Bruney has been able to stay (1) healthy and (2) effective for more than 20 innings just one time.
I think his effectiveness may be even more exaggerated than his struggles.
Curt Schilling is the biggest phony in baseball. The guy was dying to come to the Yankees when he was put on the trade block in 2003. Then suddenly he gets traded to Boston, he becomes their biggest cheerleader and hates the Yankees.
He named his freaking son after Lou Gehrig
Schilling’s mouth in NY would have been gasoline on a fire with the NY media no matter how many games he may have won.
Very good against lefty pitching and GREAT #’s as a pinch hitter.
Career 1.067 OPS as a pinch hitter, very nice.
I have an observation about Schilling.
He was at the Congressional hearing. Every player at that hearing has been heavily implicated, proven to be, or admitted to be a steroid user. Why was Schilling there? Because he has a big mouth?
Just a thought
was hoping NYY would take a flier on Rocco Baldelli
perhaps Baldelli is holding out for a guaranteed contract with another team…
Assuming the Yankees go North with 12 pitchers (not saying they will … just assume it for the moment) that leaves 4 position players on the bench – Cervelli, Pena or Russo but probably Pena (the better glove), Winn and Thames. If they go North with 11 pitchers that leaves room for Hoffmann and the loser of the Russo/Pena battle. How does that sound for a bench?
I have frequently wished that Curt Shilling would either:
a) Choke on his bloody sock
b) Break a finger blogging
It could be the mean streak in me, but maybe I am just a Yankee fan
Non-roster invitations announced! New post.
pat
February 8th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Why do Pats fans all seem to hate P. Manning?
Same conference but different division and the 2 teams aren’t natural rivals.
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), so I’ll do it the easy way:
It would take a long time for me to explain (plus I’m a Colts fan, so obviously biased
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.....ts_rivalry
Not sure why people are crying about Damon….cashman offered him 14 million dollars over 2 years Damon turned it down..if you want to blame someone blame Damon
Thames is a good sign, cheap, tough vs leftys and a good power bat off the bench with good ph stats. The Winn signing makes no sense unless you think he’ll beat Gardner out as a starter vs right handed pitching. Should have signed Damon, he got cheap enough. Cashman got pigheaded and it got personal. He could have used the $2m from Winn the $3m from Gaudin and the $1m for Mitre to sign Damon. Those others are easy to find elsewhere, guys like Damon aren’t. A Damon, Thames, Gardner, Granderson, Swisher of is far better than the one with Winn in it. He’s 36, declining, had his worst yr last yr, and can’t hit righthanded.