State of the Yankees address at noon
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 25, 2010 
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The Yankees season ended three days ago. Today, Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman will give what amounts to a State of the Yankees press conference at Yankee Stadium. The manager will answer questions at noon, the general manager at 12:30.
There’s plenty to discuss.
Girardi just finished the final year of his contract. Cashman has said publicly that he wants Girardi back, but the Yankees manager faced intense scrutiny through the final month of the regular season and into the playoffs. His team struggled down the stretch, played very well in the division series, and could hardly have played worse in the ALCS.
Cashman faces a winter in which three cornerstone players are eligible for free agency. Last winter’s moves did not work, and now he’s facing not only the free agency of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte, plus the looming temptation of Cliff Lee and possibly Carl Crawford. Pitching seems to be an obvious area of need, but Cashman might first work to re-sign Girardi.
I have no idea how much Girardi or Cashman will be willing to talk about the future, but those will be the most interesting questions. The past is the past. Talking about it won’t change it. More important now are the days ahead.
Cashman: “It’s a process.”
Chad you are spot on!
I think that the Granderson move worked pretty well. After adjusting his swing in August, Granderson hit very well down the stretch. He should have a very good year next year.
Hopefully Cashman will learn to stay away from pitchers who were successful in the National League and stick with guys who have had some success in the American League.
Cashman might first work to re-sign Girardi.
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I definitely think that’ll be the first thing that happens. Cash even said as much the other night.
Chad -
“The past is past. Talking about it won’t change it.”
Yes.
Smart people learn from their missteps, mistakes, whatever you would call them.
What I think is worth mentioning is that sometimes good decisions don’t turn out well because of the human element. So things that look like mistakes are not. I have no doubt Girardi and Cashman, once Girardi is re-signed, will sit down and take a good long look at what the team has and what it needs; how they perhaps might approach things in the future – perhaps a change in strategy in some instances. Whatever. But they will talk and they will work toward making this a better team.
Will whatever they do work? Maybe not. But the important thing to me is that they will work at it. Can only guarantee effort; can’t guarantee results.
Doreen-great post.
Just as some players shouldn’t be playing in NY, some shouldn’t be coaching/managing. I believe Girardi is one of them. There were moments in September when he looked ready to implode in the dugout and when questioned on his moves after the game. Can’t be good for his long-term health.
But really — who is going to turn down a contract with the Yankees, if given the opportunity?
I see a few “fans” and the media is back to harping on Girardi being “deceitful and not forthcoming”. About what? Disagreements between players? Players injuries? Players personal issues? None of that is the fans or the media’s business. Personally, I’m getting sick of the constant demands for everyone to know everything. All I want to know is about the game. I’d be a lot happier if the the Steinbrenners, Cashman, Girardi or players didn’t talk to the media about anything except the game.
Only an idiot would question Phil Hughes postseason makeup based on one bad start.
GB, SJ or anyone that may know….is Montero.playing anywhere this winter and if so has he played yet?
Chambliss October 25th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Hopefully Cashman will learn to stay away from pitchers who were successful in the National League and stick with guys who have had some success in the American League.
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Cashman certainly has an inexplicable fascination with NL pitchers. How many has he brought over, only to fail? If Cashman can get multiple chances to blow it with importing subpar NL pitchers to the AL East, then I guess Girardi also gets multiple chanes to “lighten up” as manager.
I do believe people can change, but only if they 1) see that there is a problem and 2) have the desire.
Even if Cashman traded for Josh Johnson, I swear he’d figure out a way to lose 10 MPH off his fastball and all the movement on his secondary pitches.
Blake, Montero’s supposed to play winter ball in the Venezuelan League. Not sure when he’s going to join them.
Bret The Hitman October 25th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Even if Cashman traded for Josh Johnson, I swear he’d figure out a way to lose 10 MPH off his fastball and all the movement on his secondary pitches.
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Hah! Someone brought up Josh Johnson in another thread and all I could think was, NO! He’s NL and will be an automatic failure in the AL East. It’s funny how this bad streak we’ve had with NL pitchers had destroyed any confidence I have in any of them. Period.
GB7 -
They don’t like his answers. They don’t like “I liked the matchup.” I really don’t know what they expect Girardi to say after a game. “Why did you make such-and-such a move?” Well, duh, because he thought it was the right move to make based on his information and (regardless of people think) his belief that it was the right move at the time. He can’t control outcome. Does he err on the side of conservativism? Definitely.
They also don’t like that he’s not the kind of guy who you can get a juicy quote out of, or who they can feel like is a “pal” (see Jerry Manuel).
I thought if you watched the manager’s report (granted, a much more friendly environment than the post game) you could get a better perspective on where Girardi is coming from, and a better feel for his personality.
And Girardi is right, even though it sounds defensive, no matter what move he makes, if it doesn’t work it will be second guessed and that comes along with the territory.
I’ve seen other managers after games be a lot less accommodating and they don’t get half the grief Girardi does.
I would point out that AJ was a pitcher in the AL east, who has a reputation as a Yankee/red sox killer
that should be “had” a reputation, altho the way he pitched this year, AJ was a Yankee killer!
Negotiating with his own and checking in with other GMs is all Cashman can do until 5 days after the WS ends so getting the Girardi contract put to bed seems the logical step 1.
Cashman’s moves last year were good in theory. Translating theory to practice just doesn’t always work out.
The first order of business is addressing the managerial situation. Most players want to know who they’ll be working under. Next comes the coaching staff.
Girardi has until February to review what he made for mistakes and the corrections needed.
Cashman can’t do much in the way of personnel moves except to add / subtract from the present 40-man roster in lieu of moves made after the World Series is finished.
As with any team, at least 20% of the roster will change.
Gb7,
Thanks…im.excited about the hope to finally get a peak at him next year. I saw him maybe 20 games or so online this year but we both know about the video quality there.
Doreen October 25th, 2010 at 9:24 am
GB7 -
They don’t like his answers. They don’t like “I liked the matchup.” I really don’t know what they expect Girardi to say after a game. “Why did you make such-and-such a move?” Well, duh, because he thought it was the right move to make based on his information and (regardless of people think) his belief that it was the right move at the time. He can’t control outcome. Does he err on the side of conservativism? Definitely.
They also don’t like that he’s not the kind of guy who you can get a juicy quote out of, or who they can feel like is a “pal” (see Jerry Manuel).
I thought if you watched the manager’s report (granted, a much more friendly environment than the post game) you could get a better perspective on where Girardi is coming from, and a better feel for his personality.
And Girardi is right, even though it sounds defensive, no matter what move he makes, if it doesn’t work it will be second guessed and that comes along with the territory.
I’ve seen other managers after games be a lot less accommodating and they don’t get half the grief Girardi does.
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Girardi reminds me a lot of Ralph Houk in makeup/personality. He never gave the press anything and they hated that. Houk loved his players and protected all of them, regardless of where they ranked within the team structure. Players were players to him. He too had his favorites because he was team mates with quite a few of them. Not the same type of manager, but, still what you would call player’s managers.
I was very much against the Nick Johnson move, as well as the cries for Mike Cameron, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Randy Winn (yes there were a few of those).
I loved the Granderson move and liked the Javy move when Lackey went to the Sox. I remember wanting Lackey here last year and Holliday.
I also lobbied hard for Rafael Soriano.
You win some, you lose some.
This off-season, I’m pulling for John Buck, Carl Crawford, JJ Putz/Benoit and Zack Greinke.
Doreen,
I don’t think it’s just because reporters “don’t like his answers.” It seems to be the way he delivers his response — with a lot of defensiveness — as in, “how dare you question my move?. Don’t you know I’m smarter than all of you?” I think that falls flat in that room.
Typically when I have a problem with someone it’s not because of what they said, it’s how they said it.
It’s a necessary evil of the game — it’s entertainment and you gotta work with the media who connect with a lot of fans. I do think Girardi realizes some of his moves are bonehead ones, and that’s when he really has a problem being questioned.
I’ve found, as a manager, that when I’ve been upfront about a wrong move, there was a lot of generosity given back from my staff and clients.
There are some decent men and women working as reporters. They are not all “media-idiots” as some on this blog like to label all of them. That’s a pretty broad brush and unfair.
blake October 25th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Gb7,
Thanks…im.excited about the hope to finally get a peak at him next year. I saw him maybe 20 games or so online this year but we both know about the video quality there.
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I’m hoping that he gets a real chance this winter. Part of his problem last year was he was recovering from a broken bone in his hand last year and reinjured it early on. That could be part of the reason for his slow start and lack of power early on this season. Those that haven’t seen him play are going to love him. One other thing is, he speaks English very well and is a great interview.
I know he’s not a Yankee, but Josh Beckett? Also from the NL.
Carl Pavano – didn’t work out for the Yankees, but is doing a great job for the Twins – was from that same NL team that brought over AJ an Beckett.
pat -
Good point and I agree. The thinking behind his moves was solid. The way things actually turned out? Not as well as hoped.
Heck, even in signing Nick Johnson (who?) the theory was okay – at DH you should be able to limit his exposure to injury. But even if you allowed that he’d probably spend some time on the DL, no one for sure would have predicted him missing all but one month of the season. Even the most anti-Nick Johnson signing fan would have to have been at least a little surprised by that particular turn of events.
Benoit is most likely going to be Soriano’s replacement in Tampa. He’s the perfect replacement for them. He’s cheap and soriano is going to cost upwards of $10 mil a year for 3-4 years.
JCPD
dont know if youre still around this morning but I loved your tribute. I loved the colors. Here in FL. our leaves go from green to brown, im so jealous you get to see the colors change.
Wang IS Taiwan -
I agree that there are good reporters that cover the Yankees and I have NEVER referred to them as “mediots” – I think it is demeaning and, as you said, paints with far too broad a brush.
But I disagree with you on two points. I think the NY media would prefer an easier going personality in the manager’s seat for the Yankees. And I don’t think his attitude is “how dare you question my move,” because he’s said he understands that’s part of the job, and I don’t think it’s indicative of his believing he made a “boneheaded” move. I think that there are a lot of questions that are repeated in post-game, and I’m actually surprised that any manager in NY doesn’t flip out at some of them.
I think dealing with the press is a different animal than dealing with the people he is really accountable to – his players and his employers. I seriously doubt he’d be being considered to be re-signed if he was as obstinate as people think he his based on post-game interviews.
I will agree he doesn’t like to give out too much information.
Girardi had a very poor ALCS IMO but he should be brought back.
The last thing you want is to fire a manager coming off a WS and ALCS appearance. You would turn the position into one with unreasonable expectations and an insecure manager.
We saw how that worked out in Torre later years. You can’t have a manager who is always looking over his shoulder and therefor pedal to the metal 24 7.
Girardi may be a bit too future thinking to a fault occasionally but it is much beter than the alternative and has helped bring a lot of success to this team the past 2 years.
He is the right guy with the right personaility for the job.
I guess what it comes right down to, is who would be better able to manage the Yankees?
Girardi appears to be a manager who really cares about his players, all of them, not just a select few.
Torre- lost the Dodger clubhouse
LaRussa- had public issues w/ a young star player
Francona- also had clubhouse issues, players publicly complaining about each other, especially the treatment of Ellsbury and Lowell.
Doreen
I think part of the disconnect between Girardi and the media is Girardi knows he isn’t accountable to them- just to Yankee management and the players- and acts accordingly instead of doing the dance to pretend he is. Some of the media likes the dance.
Wang IS Taiwan -
Just a thought. Girardi does not have “the gift of gab,” like, say a Joe Torre does. He doesn’t enchant the media with stories and annecdotes. He doesn’t seem like the type that will schmooze.
Joe Torre got away with a lot of non-answers by disarming the press with his charm. Other managers do the same. But it’s not in Girardi’s make-up, and he’s never going to be able to win these guys over with his personality.
Jerry Manuel over in Queens got a lot less scrutiny and a lot more sympathy, and I don’t believe his answers on his moves were any more enlightening. He was just able to make people laugh – or laugh at himself. Girardi can’t and will never be able to do that, not publicly, anyway.
I know for a lot of people they see this as important. I think Girardi has improved about as much as he can over his first year, which even I thought was hard to watch, as far as media relations went.
95 wins in the AL East is a very good year. In fact the Rangers might not be in the position they are now if it wasn’t for them being allowed to take on more contracts as a bankrupt team.
5 days after the WS ends, which I hope is a 4-0 sweep by the Giants, the Yankees can start wooing free agents.
Hopefully they are able to sign Lee and Pettitte returns[great lefty starters are needed]. I don’t expect an offseason like 2008 as the Yankees already have some 144 million in guaranteed money alloted with Jeter and Rivera sure bets to return at big $$$$.
pat -
Yes.
I was telling my husband yesterday (in relation to something different) that I take 2 paragraphs to say what you can say in one sentence and I wish I could do that!!!
Doreen,
We’ll have to agree to disagree on why Girardi gets defensive, then. You can say that you understand something and still react poorly.
I wish saying I understood a situation actually changed how I reacted at times.
Girardi has obviously has given off an air of superiority — whether he intended to or not, based on how many writers have put that element of his personaility into their column.
And as far as not being obstinate — well, he was fired in Florida even after a terrific season. He’s found a friend in Cashman, someone who at least buys into the black binder approach, and that seems to go a long way with Cashman.
I disagree with you on dealing the press. Truly savvy managers/leaders know how to deal with anybody who impacts their success. And yes, the press is part of the package, whether Yankee fans want to believe it or not.
I’m not sure anything of value is going to come out of this press conference, but again, it’s part of the entertainment package — dealing with the press and getting word out to the fans. I say, “call me when you’ve made a few deals and then I’ll tune in.”
I’m hoping Jeter gets only 3 years and only 15 million per season.
Since Pettitte only threw 120 innings, he should get a slight pay cut as well, maybe from 15 to 12 or a lower base of 10 with incentives.
They could free up 10 million for 2011 with pay cuts to Jeter and Pettitte.
I was hoping Mo would take a paycut but he had a career year at 40 and I really didn’t expect that. He’ll make his usual 15 million.
I like Girardi and hope he is back and it sounds like he will be. Some of the things that make him great (loyality and big picture thinking) also tend to get him in to trouble at times as he likely just doesn’t have the experience to properly balance that out. I think he will improve and has the potential to be really good. Plus by all accounts he’s a really good guy and while that may not matter to some folks, it does to me as I like cheering for good people.
Seeing someone ask about Montero playing winter ball made me think of this.
I read this story last week and thought Montero needs to be attached to Tony Pena’s hip because he has much to teach (about baseball and about life) to a young talented player.
I saved it because I thought it a better thing to post after the season.
http://joeposnanski.si.com/201.....ena-story/
Wang IS Taiwan -
As far as I know, no one knows the precise reason he was fired in Florida. But from what little I’ve heard, it didn’t have anything to do with his use of the binder.
It may be a fact of life, but I for one do not like the idea that a manager has to play games with the media in order to get better stories written about him in the paper. And it’s human nature to be uber-critical of someone who just rubs you the wrong way. That may be the way it is, but I don’t like it.
I do agree with you, however, that I don’t anticipate this press conference today to be very enlightening or even entertaining. It’s just touching base. I could have waited until there was actual news to report. But perhaps they will announce Girardi being re-signed today?
3/45 would be good for the yankees if they could negociate that with Jeter but I just don’t think they will get by with that. I think it’ll be 3 years but probably a little higher annual salary.
Girardi is most definitely one of the good guys.
“Since Pettitte only threw 120 innings, he should get a slight pay cut as well, maybe from 15 to 12 or a lower base of 10 with incentives.”
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Pay Pettitte 12 million?
I thought you said you wanted to give him a pay cut, not a pay INCREASE???
Doreen,
The firing was about Girardi, not his binder.
Thanks tyanksfan36. Glad you enjoyed. Have Chad send me your e-mail address and I can send you my season ending tribute.
Why shouldn’t Girardi get short/curt with some of the media? When you have idiots like Sherman/Matthews and a couple of others asking some of the questions they do, over and over, or calling him a liar repeatedly, I’d give refuse to answer their questions and cut ‘em off at the knees, too.
Nobody has to take that sort of crap. Would you be pleasent with that sort of jerk/ He should deck a couple of them.
Doreen October 25th, 2010 at 10:00 am
. But perhaps they will announce Girardi being re-signed today?
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Doreen-that’s funny, I was thinking the same thing! LOL
OK, here we go with the idiots/jerks/crap stuff.
Ya’ll have a good day.
What’s done is done but at the same time, what’s past is prologue.
pat October 25th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Seeing someone ask about Montero playing winter ball made me think of this.
I read this story last week and thought Montero needs to be attached to Tony Pena’s hip because he has much to teach (about baseball and about life) to a young talented player.
I saved it because I thought it a better thing to post after the season.
http://joeposnanski.si.com/201…..ena-story/
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pat, I brought that up last week. For the last couple of years, Posada spent all spring working with Montero on his game calling and defense, and now, it’s time for Pena to give Monteri his final buff and shine. I expect Posada to take Romine under his wing next spring. It really helps having Girardi, Pena, Posada and Wynager in the system.
with jeter, some think 5 years, most believe it should be 3 years max.
most likely jeter will get a 3 year offer with a very high annual salary to make up for not going the 5 years.
i was picturing something ridiculous like 3/65 or something like that. I dont agree with 20+ a year and i hope that for the good of the team, jeter agrees to a ‘reasonable’ annual salary, or money deferred into later years, but who knows.
I thought Pettitte made 15 million in 2010. Pettitte made 11.75 million in 2010 so they’d probably be able to get him back at 10 million. Between Jeter and Pettitte I’m hoping for 7 million in savings.
The coaches will probably be back, however i still believe we need a new pitching coach.
About the only change that I can see in Girardi’s coaching staff might be Rob Thomson. If that happens, I’d look for Brian Butterfield returning to the Yankees are bringing in Torre Tyson from the Tampa Yanks.
Good morning all.
Got up far to early this AM. I am glad to see ‘my friends’ here today.
You know Girardi can’t be right. He loses his DH at the beginning and his CF’r when Granderson went down. Obviously, from the GTLU you could tell he couldn’t just set a lineup and go with a few days in a row. IMO, a lot of the guys played hurt which caused problems that we are not privy to.
I don’t know if Girardi could be my friend in my personal life if what I see is what he is really like, but none of that matters. His job is to run a team effectively. 95 wins plus the the ALDS. and a couple more is not shabby. We just have such high expectations every year. We are expected to win the WS every year and that is just not fair. It’s a tough go especially with all the layers before the WS even occurs.
A certain portion of the “shark” NYC / Metro writers will never adhere to Girardi’s style because those types are tripping over one another looking for extra “juice” to print or fuel a rumor.
I suggest that Chad, Sam, and Josh are not of that journalistic makeup to make a mountain out of a molehill.
It’s also noteworthy that few if any players oblige to any question asked and some of that rubs off from Girardi.
Jeter is the master at giving the media a dry story to the point of them not knowing exactly what he said. A-Rod learned from it and is much the same. Most Yankees know when to bite their tongue.
Why do they need a new pitching coach? A new bullpen coach maybe to replace Harkey, but, not likely to happen unless the move comes from higher up.
Pettite made 11.75 and Jeter made nearly 23 last year. Even if they can shave that down some that will likely be taken up by the raises that others will get. Teixera, granderson, and swisher all get raises of around 3 million.
GB
Pena usually manages/coaches in the DR in the off season.
Even a short stint there followed by a trip to Miami for the annual K.Long clinic couldn’t be a bad thing.
I like Granderson’s interviews. He is very articulate, and will speak at length. When you stop to consider what he actually has said, he is very much like Jeter. He doesn’t really give much away.
I can agree with GB-7 that Rob Thomson could be gone from the coaching staff and replaced by either Brian Butterfield or Torre Tyson, both good baseball men.
An announcement is expected today naming Boston pitching coach John Farrell as the next Blue Jay manager. Rob Thomson is from Canada and may wish to be close to home and be one of Farrell’s coaches.
Brian Butterfield has previous Yankee connections.
Not many people and articles are calling for offensive help for the Yankees…but as I watched the team struggle all year vs. mediocre to pretty good pitchers culminating with 3 hits vs. Colby Lewis in game 6 I know we need offensive help…leading the league in runs scored was overrated as we scored many of those runs in blowouts….now it can officially be said…..we missed Matsui and Damon and their clutch hitting…..I think we really need to sign an offensive player as well as Cliff Lee…someone like Adam Dunn to be the DH, or dare I say Damon or Matsui for DH or Carl Crawford to play LF, move Gardner to CF, and Granderson to RF and Swisher to DH and let Posada be the back-up catcher as at age 39 he should only be a back-up to Montero for 75 games or so…..I hope Cashman realizes we need offensive help as much as starting pitching……
My wife and I are in Italy for a couple weeks. The MLB international package I bought is not so useful now.
The off-season is dependent upon Lee unfortunately. The other pitching options are non-existent in the free agent market, and very costly via trade. I would hate to see the improving minor league take a beating in a trade, but that will be the necessary option if Lee isn’t signed.
All I want is Lee, Crawford and Scott Downs. Of course I am greedy, but I hope the Yankees see what CC and Tex did for them last year and go that route.
“His team struggled down the stretch,……and could hardly have played worse in the ALCS”.
“Last winter’s moves did not work”.
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Careful Chad, if you dare to say anything even remotely critical you m might be labeled a troll and a Red Sox fan.
I think it would be interesting to see how many years Jeter will get, consider the Yankees had extended Arod’s contract til he is 42. Beyond that, the concern about jeter are the same concern with any long term contracts given to an aging icon which is the Yankees tying up players a year or two too long at the league premium price thus limiting their ability to better allocate resources elsewhere.
Posada is a pretty good example of that, so is Giambi, Bernie and many others.
Is Laird the super-utility player for 2011 that everyone clamors for every year?
http://www.baseballamerica.com.....10853.html
very disappointing end to the season. cashman is sure to improve the team in the offseason.
i disagree. talking about the past can do something. it can help one avoid past mistakes. forget history, more likely to repeat it.
Anyone know if this will be on YES?
Any offense no matter how good they are can be prone to slumps and slumps at bad times. I don’t think the offense needs a major overhaul…I just think they need better health and better performance from the guys they already have….and they need the pitching to be good enough to cover for it if that doesn’t happen.
Raises and cuts should be a wash.
Arod made 32. He’ll drop down to 31.
Jeter made 21. He should drop down to 16.
Pettitte made 12. He should drop down to 10.
That’s 8 in cuts.
Granderson goes up 3.
Tex goes up 2.5.
Swisher goes up 2.
Cano goes up 1.
That’s 8.5 in raises.
Vazquez gives them 11.5.
Johnson gives them 5.5.
Gaudin gives them 3.
Mitre gives them 1.
That’s about +20 million to spend assuming the budget remains the same. It could go up.
HOWEVER, the real big money COULD (I said, “could”) come off after 2011.
Rivera – 15
Posada – 13
Pettitte – 10
Marte – 4
Igawa – 4
The question is, do you start spending some of that money now or do you wait until after 2011?
wcyf, ur one of the most cogent posters on here. i often disagree with u, but ur ability to express an opinion w/o attacking other posters is very commendable
I hope Cashman admits he made a mistake getting rid of both damon and matsui !! And AL east good luck charm hinske. Their workman like and clutch at bats were sorely missed. Everyone knows it.
Is Laird the super-utility player for 2011 that everyone clamors for every year?
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If Laird can hit he will be in ML soon or later in some capacity. Unless he can man ss,cf and 2b as well 3b and corner, I would not call or think of him as super utility guy.
pat, Laird is playing a lot of left field in Arizona this fall and a little 1st base. I’ll be curious to see if he gets any time in right field. I’d prefer seeing him and Nunez replacing Pena and Curtis or Russo. Golson as the 4th/5th outfielder would be just fine.
But does Girardi have the stature/confidence and good sense to be able to make the hard decisions? Can he bat Jeter 7th or 8th? Will he drop Tex to 6th when he slumps rather than costing the team some wins they need later on? Can he tell Posada that he will be a DH? What if Mo slips? What id Arod has to become full time DH at some point?
Girardi has consistently shown that he is either too loyal or too intimidated to do what has to be done with big name stars. And over the next year or two, there are going to have to be some dicey conversations and moves.
I think as usual there won’t be much actual news from this. There really can’t be as Cashman is not going to tip his hand.
Outside of signing Lee, Pettitte yes/no (and his possible replacement), and Montero majors/minors I don’t think there will be much in the way of major changes. Outfield will be the same. Infield will be the same. Posada will catch roughly half the games.
From that article about Laird he sounds like “just what the doctor ordered” and could fit in well with the team and be even more versatile than the bench players from last year, and it sounds like he has some pop in his bat.
I really liked him from that article. GB has been talking about him for a long time.
Good morning –
Great story by Posnanski about Tony Pena. Too many people in this country have no idea how fortunate they are.
I know this may not be appreciated by everyone here, but I really don’t think the Yanks need a major overhaul this winter. Lee, Wood (my preference) or Downs, and maybe John Buck. I realize finances will be important considerations, more so for the latter two guys. Then, figure out bench pieces, Nunez, Colin Curtis, Thames. That sort of thing. And make a very important decision on the future of Jesus Montero – how much they can count on his catching. The rest of the roster construction, esp. the Buck question, will ride on that decision.
The manager and coaching staff is not a problem.
Later.
Clown,
This is not a computer game. We are dealing with real people who have unforeseen problems.
Andy Pettite had a mid 5 era his first 3 years in the postseason.
In other words one of the greatest postseason pitchers of all time was “slaugtered” his first 3 years.
The only people with questions about what kind of postseason pitcher Hughes will be, whatever that even means, are the same people that have no patience or perspective with young players.
I would like to see Robbie batting 3rd, and Tex dropped to 5th
I doubt Jeet is going to be dropped in the batting order
Joe, I’m not really sure that Curtis has all that much of a future with the Yankees. Much will depend on the progress of Laird and just as importantly, Daniel Brewer, who can play all three outfield spots, has more power, speed and is a very good hitting prospect and will be moving up to Scranton in 2011. He just needs to cut down on his strikeouts, but, he does draw walks.
Overall, Phil had a great first full season as a starter. He came thru in some big games against the red sox at the end of the season, and won the ALDS clinching game. He and CC are the least of the Yankees worries, same for Andy if he returns.
If Rob Thomson leaves, Larry Bowa perhaps, who was let go by Ned Colleti.
Bret-
I’ve read that the Yankees have in the neighborhood of 144 million or so committed in contracts next year. The luxury tax cap goes up to 178 million from 170 million. I believe their 2010 payroll was close to 206 million.
looking at 2011 and beyond, the big question will be if the touted minor pitching depth will be able to contribute at the major league level in some significant capacities. As Brett pointed out, Mo and Pettite will retire soon or later. If that money can be adequately replaced or partially replaced by league minimum earning rookies. It will go a long way in helping address other areas of needs.
The Yankees sent Brandon Laird to the AFL for a specific reason …… to make him more versatile. His bat speaks for itself. He’ll be one of Cashman’s 1st additions to the 40-man roster. The chance can’t be taken to expose him to the Rule 5 draft.
As posted yesterday Montero, Laird, Nunez, and Golson will be the most closely watched position players in spring training. The Yankees liked what they saw of Laird last spring and he did nothing to erase that thought at AA and AAA levels in 2010.
the concern with dropping tex to 5th is he seems to need a good hitter behind him to get HIS pitches. batting 5th, he will be subject to swisher or posada behind him, instead of arod.
Hi folks – have you missed me? I missed you guys (and gals).
It was a strange, interesting season that ended with the Yankees looking old and poorly run. I don’t think the team is in as much trouble as the latter half of the season and the ALCS made them look though.
I started suggesting some off season moves this weekend and want to post them again for the weekday regulars. Please forgive me if this is redundant:
1. Girardi is back. He has no place to go but home and the Yankee upper managment love him.
2. Dave Eiland, maybe not so much. It isn’t Eiland’s fault that AJ and Javy had bad years, but he also hasn’t really helped the young guys take that next step. I think the Yankees could look either to their minor leagues or outside the organization to find a new tutor for the pitching staff.
3. Jeter and Mo will be back, Andy who knows.
4. Most important non-Cliff Lee related matter; Cashman has to have “the talk” with Jorge Posada. Jorge may still feel he’s got enough to be an everyday catcher but I think we can all agree at this point that the body isn’t on the same page as his heart. He has broken down each of the last three years and his defense is dreadful. The Yankees should prepare him for the fact that he will be splitting time with Jesus Montero at catcher and DH and as the season wears on he will be spending more time at DH than at Catcher.
Montero’s going to struggle; as fans we’ll have to get over it. And his defense won’t remind anyone of Ivan Rodriguez, but at this stage he can’t be worse than Jorge. Cervelli will remain with the team as a back up catcher. I know people cringe at the idea of carrying three catchers, but since Posada and Montero will be in the lineup at the same time this isn’t really taking away from a roster spot.
5. Cliff Lee at almost all costs. All the “Lee may stay with Texas” stuff sounds very familiar to the reports after the 2008 season that CC wasn’t going to come to the Yankees. Let’s put it this way, if Cliff Lee isn’t a Yankee next year he’s going to have had to turn down a very appealing offer for that to be the case.
6. Guy who is going to be shopped heavily – Joba. I don’t think the Yankees know what to make of him anymore and will look to see what his return would be on the trade market.
7. I started thinking about where the Yankees go if Lee doesn’t sign here or if Andy retires. If Lee’s here and Andy retires the Yankees could go with Ivan Nova in the back end of the rotation with an eye on one of the kid pitchers making a move around the All-Star Break. If Lee’s not here, then things become more difficult. The Yankees need to bring in another high impact pitcher. Grenkie wants no part of New York, so forget him (I could see him winding up in St. Louis – I think they’re going to be major players this offseason to make one more strong run before Albert’s contract is up). I also eliminate all pitchers on National League teams. I’m done with you national league – you are not a real league and your pitchers stink. Matt Garza will also be on the market but I can’t see Tampa and the Yankees doing a deal so forget that.
So what did I come up with? How about this:
Oakland A’s get: Joba, Swisher, Ivan Nova, Brandon Laird
NYY get: Brett Anderson and Craig Breslow.
Why? Beane could move Joba back into a starting role – that massive park would certainly help, and Nova is ready for the show. Laird would give them a 3b prospect who is maybe a year away to take over what is a huge void for them and Swisher brings the OBP game that Beane loves – I mean he was an A originally.
For the Yankees, Anderson was hurt off and on last season but he’s a high impact arm and Breslow is a very good lefty specialist – something the Yankees will need given Marte’s injury. Swisher had a great year that is quite out of the norm of his career numbers, he’s also going into his walk year.
Yankees can replace Swisher by signing Werth.
My 25 man roster:
Jeter – SS
Granderson – CF
Tex – 1b
Alex – 3b
Cano – 2b
Werth – RF
Posada – DH
Montero – C
Gardner – LF
Bench:
Cervelli, Thames, Eric Hinske, Eduardo Nunez
Rotation:
CC, Lee, Hughes, Anderson, AJ
Pen:
RHP: Robertson, Mosley, Mariano, Aceves
LHP: Logan, Breslow, Scott Downs
LGY-
Pettitte also pitched a 1-0 gem over the Braves and John Smoltz in 1996 WS, game 5, after getting bombed by Andruw Jones in Game 1 12-1.
Yankee Trader October 25th, 2010 at 11:02 am
The luxury tax cap goes up to 178 million from 170 million.
************
That’s interesting and maybe an indication that they plan to boost payroll. I count at least $20 million to spend now and an additional $17 million at least if you want to dip into the post 2011 savings 1 year early.
That’s enough for Lee and Craword.
However, if Lee stays in Texas…
It’s also enough for Greinke + Crawford + Buck + Downs/Putz.
Laird does tend to be a little streaky every year arounf mid June to mid July, but, the guy is a big time power bat and run producer as well as hitting for a pretty solid average.
At Scranton right now, they don’t have a lot of outfield prospects beyond Golson. They have a couple of emergency fill-ins with Curtis and Russo, so, I look to see Justin Christian to get a crack an outfield spot in ST.
pat -
Thanks for both links.
GB7 -
Curtis impressed more the first time up than the second. I don’t think he’s the answer to anything, as much as I wanted to see it. At least he has that memory of his first HR and then the pinch-hit HR!
I know that trade-deadline moves are supposed to improve your team, but this year, I do wonder if the Yankees lost a little something when they returned the rookies who were contributing back down. Probably not. But it’s something that crossed my mind.
SAS,
Yeh, I know they’re real people and that’s why its important to have someone who can do what has to be done without alienating them. BUT…simply choosing to do nothing so that no one gets bent out of shape is not an option for a leader in any walk of life.
Its team first. And Girardi has not shown that he can put the team’s needs ahead of the individual players’ egos. He has to manage with the goal to win…its not Little League.
Hi Chip
I have missed you and your crazy trades
I like what I’ve heard about Laird – I think he could probably be an Eric Hinske type guy, but if the Yankees have to move someone this winter I could see him being the guy they are most willing to part with.
With Jeter (especially) getting older I think they’ll want to keep Eduardo Nunez around – in fact he’ll likely take Ramiro Pena’s roster spot next year. And Nunez can play 3b and the corner OF spots as well as both middle infield spots.
Tex and Alex aren’t going anywhere so Laird really wouldn’t have a spot on this team outside of a bench role. That makes him expendable in the right deal.
Plus, I can’t see the Yankees going with a rookie catcher and a bench with potentially only one veteran bat (if they bring Thames back)
Kate -
Well I’m glad to be able to bring at least one back to you (though I’m not sure how crazy it was)
There are two NL “young” starters that I believe would do well in the AL East- lefty Clayton Kershaw and righty Josh Johnson. Those are the only two I’d even consider including Jesus[the next Mick] Montero in a trade.
Well, let’s see. In 2009, Girardi moved Jeter out of the 2 hole and put him leadoff with Damon behind him partly because of Jeter’s propensity to hit into dps. So, I do think he will make changes if he thinks it will be an improvement.
Doreen, I think Curtis was the better option to keep than Russo, other than the fact that russo could play the infield. Russo, Curtis, Huffman and Nunez all helped to win more than a few games in their short time in NY, but, other than Nunez, none will likely ever be more than emergency types. Their excitement was fun to watch, though.
Brewer, possibly Adams and if they are still in the system, I suspect those 3 outfielders will show up in NY sometime. I’d like to see Rene Rivera get a shot at replacing Cervelli, too. He can hit a bit with power and he’s a fine catch and throw guy behind the plate. he also has some MLB time and is only 26 years old.
Listened to Francesa yesterday morning and he’s right, the Yanks have a lot of issues to deal with this winter, mainly due to having so many aging players. The catching position is a real dilemma. Now that the whole of baseball knows Posada can’t throw anyone out, they’ll be running on him more and more. Is Montero a good enough catcher to play 80 games next season? Is Romine a better proposition behind the plate? What do you do with Cervelli? Much as I admire his spirit, the minor league numbers don’t lie. After flattering to deceive, he clearly can’t hit at the Major League level. I have mixed views about Brett Gardner continuing to wear the pinstripes. At best, he’s an average hitter who can work the pitch count and there’s not much use having speed around the bases if you don’t use it. He needs to steal far more often. Francesa was also suggesting that Swisher might be moved on after two desperately disappointing post-seasons. Not sure about that one. He may have a point that Swish can’t hit good pitching but I would hate to lose his enthusiasm from the clubhouse. Any opinions?
Chip
you were on my list of posters who hadn’t been around in awhile, so it is nice to see you back
I think you are right about Joba, he may be better off somewhere else w/ a fresh start
Understanding he is under contract for 2011, what makes anyone think a 39 year old Jorge Posada will be a good DH? He had over 100 AB’s at DH in 2010 and hit .245 with 4 home runs and 14 runs batting in.
Understanding this will never happen in the Yankee universe, his role should be that of a pinch hitter and back-up catcher. This acceptance of mediocrity due to some misguided sense of loyalty is a bad way to run a baseball club IMO.
SHOULD GIRARDI BE BACK?
If we step back and look at his track record, he has won a WS in 3 years and not made the playoffs in the one of the years and then this year. That is not bad. I don?t think Girardi is a terrible manager, however, I think he was terrible the final 1/3 of the year and in the playoffs?simply awful. He was inconsistent in every one of his approaches and he had no clear direction. I also don?t like his disingenuous way of acting and he rubs me the wrong way and honestly I don?t want to root for the guy very much. You have recently read some of my views and there are many examples I have, but one that stands out was the time where ARod was coming back from his injury and he was babying ARod to the point where he might have cost us some important games and then when ARod got on base where it was clear he should have been pinch run for, he left him out there to risk injury (if he was as bad as Girardi had been saying). He then answered the questions as to why he left ARod in to run, only to take him out the next inning for Nunez or Pena (I forget) to play the field, when they could have just pinch run and stayed in the game, by saying, ?I thought if we batted around ARod could have gotten up again.? What? Talk about being FOS! That was the start of Girardi losing his mind the final part of the season.
One other point is that if you look back on the moves made down the stretch and in the postseason with 20/20 knowledge, Girardi pushed every wrong button and was behind Washington at almost every turn in this last series. The moves he made never worked and the non moves didn?t work either, therefore he could have only hurt us.
So my answer is that while I think many times the grass is not greener and a change just to change is actually a bad thing usually with managers, I would be OK with replacing Girardi because he rubs me the wrong way and he was awful down the stretch. That being said, while Joe may still always rub me the wrong way, he has some good qualities and could improve as he is still relatively young in his coaching career. I do not know of any good options out there (although I am sure there are) and more important I would be extremely surprised if Cashman would replace him just because of the way he talks about him. So we are stuck with him IMO.
This was written in my blog:
http://www.stevewigdor.blogspot.com/
Teixeira has a lot of moving parts at the plate, which should be adjusted. Also he has a worse BA from the left side .247 vs .278, as he practically has to swing for the fences when the shift is on.
Surprisingly the worst full time position player against lefty pitchers was A-Rod this year at .217. What gives??
Trisha’s brother passed away unexpectedly last night. He visited last week and was fine. Needless to say she is in shock.
I will be temporarily taking over Trisha’s World Series prediction chart. If you have any picks, post them for me and I’ll pick them up.
We’ll take picks until 1 hour before Game 1.
Andrew Brackman draws curiosity. He’s fully healed from TJ surgery. Is 2011 the time for him to make a case to stay ? Unless Chamberlain takes his career more seriously over the winter, he could figure in a deal for a good backup defensive catcher and Brackman could assume a bullpen role.
It remains to be seen.
Posada’s numbers as a catcher will look pedestrian in the DH spot. I think a Branyan and Thome type of bat is needed.
GB –
My problem with using Rene Rivera to replace Cervelli is that in a sport that is right now starved for good catchers; if Rivera was even slightly useful as a backup someone would have grabbed him. Instead he tolls in AA.
Think of it this way. If Montero’s here next year, he and Posada will probably catch between 140 – 150 games – leaving Cervelli somewhere between 15 and 20 games to start. I can deal with Cervelli in that limited role.
Yankees won’t wow anyone with their defense behind the plate, but the offense put up by a rested Posada and Montero should be a major plus.
Trader, I can only assume that his hip kept Rodriguez from getting to the outside pitches like he normally does. Very few homers to right or right center.
If Posada can’t catch 100-110 games next year the Yanks are in trouble. There’s little to indicate Montero or Romine are ready to assume that load and the Yanks aren’t getting John Buck or any other major-league proven full time catcher.
The major reason Posada had awful numbers at DH was because the reason Posada was DHing was that he wasn’t healthy.
He was nursing some nagging injury that wouldn’t allow him to catch but wasn’t so terrible that he couldn’t play through it.
If you have him healthy, and not sulking about DHing, I think he’ll be fine there.
Fran the original October 25th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Trisha’s brother passed away unexpectedly last night. He visited last week and was fine. Needless to say she is in shock.
I will be temporarily taking over Trisha’s World Series prediction chart. If you have any picks, post them for me and I’ll pick them up.
We’ll take picks until 1 hour before Game 1
———————————————————————————————————————-
Fran, if you’re in contact with trisha, send my condolences, would you please? Sorry to hear about that. My assumption is that he is pretty young.
Fran-
Please send Trisha my condolences on her and her family’s loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Kate -
I just think the Yankees seriously screwed up Joba. He has no defined roll on this team and won’t have one if he’s here next year.
He needs to go to an organization that is prepared to pick a role for the kid deal with the ups and downs of developing him.
Could Joba have done more to help his own cause, sure, but I just think he’s so confused right now that he doesn’t know what the organization really wants from him.
One more point. The AL East is going to be the “Group of Death” next year. I fully expect the Blue Jays to be challenging for the pennant too. Their starting pitching may be even better than Tampa’s. Add in Buck’s Orioles to the mix and the Yanks are going to have to get better rather than stand still.
Wave -
I think the Yankees will deal with Montero’s growing pains much the way they dealt with Cano’s.
The kid has undeniable talent and they’ll work him in much the same way they did with Jorge when he broke in with Girardi and Leyritz.
I must assume that Girardi called and said that Chamberlain has no “defined role” on the 2011 team?
GB and Yankee Trader,
Will definitely send your condolences along.
yanks need to get better bigtime as the AL East is indeed getting tougher. Checking out the schedule, there are more road games in august and september next year, 2 brutal months to conclude the season.
hopefully next season Girardi won’t be so dogmatic. if he’s incapable of thinking outside the box, then it falls on Cashman to force his hand at times.
as far as I know, there are no biblical verses that state “Jeter must bat leadoff, and lo, Teixeira must bat third.”
being loyal is an admirable trait, but being blindly loyal gets you what we saw this year.
This says it all…
http://www.pinstripedbible.com.....g-mystery/
“The kid has undeniable talent and they’ll work him in much the same way they did with Jorge when he broke in with Girardi and Leyritz.”
Undeniable talent as a hitter. Not as a catcher, the jury is out. There’s no substitute for Jorge playing 100-110 games at catcher.
The Blue Jays were perhaps the 5th best team in the AL after the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox and Rangers. They however stand to lose the bulk of their bullpen in Downs, Frasor, and Gregg. The Rays are reducing payroll and the loss of Crawford and Soriano will hurt. If the Yankees sign Lee and beef up their bench and bullpen, their real competition in the AL East will probably be the Sox.
Thank you very much, Fran. It’s got to be a rough time for her and her family. I seems from what she’s said, they are all very close.
Fran-
I am so sorry to hear that. What a tragedy. Please pass along my sympathies to Trisha.
GB7 -
I think Cervelli’s struggles behind the plate this season make it a real possibility that Rivera gets a serious look-see in ST. He was worth keeping over Molina (Cervelli, that is), because of his salary and because in 2009 he looked to be solid behind the plate and slightly better offensively than Jose Molina. Overexposure in 2010 pretty much showed a different picture this season.
To repeat:
The Yankees rotation fell apart in August. The fact that despite this, they almost made it to the World Series speaks a lot to their manager as well as their offense and BP. Yes, he made some questionable moves, but look at Boston–they didn’t even make the playoffs.
The rotation needs to be solidified, and some transition questions with aging (but still productive) players need to be addressed.
That’s it.
Fran
please pass along my condolences to Trisha as well.
I will say Giants in 7, thanks
Fran,
I left the computer for a few minutes, and just saw your post. Please tell Trisha that I send my sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to her and her family. Someone else said he must have been young which makes this more of a tragedy.
I will be going out in a few minutes for a while.
Please pass along my condolences to Trisha as well. It’s important to understand what’s important in life.
AL East may be getting tougher, but
(1) The Rays will not be as good.
(2) Neither will Boston (sorry, but they just won’t–they have many more questions than the Yankees).
A much more balanced division, but the Yankees are still good for 95-100 wins.
GreenBeret7 October 25th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I must assume that Girardi called and said that Chamberlain has no “defined role” on the 2011 team?
—————————-
Strictly my opinion. Though what defined role do you see him having? Consider his path this year – he was a starter, no he was “the bridge to Rivera” no he was splitting the 8th with Robertson, no he was the 7th inning guy, no he was the 6th inning guy – at this rate his Yankee career path will have him mopping up 11-1 games in Scranton.
ac1 October 25th, 2010 at 11:04 am
the concern with dropping tex to 5th is he seems to need a good hitter behind him to get HIS pitches. batting 5th, he will be subject to swisher or posada behind him, instead of arod.
=====
Oh well, too bad because thats where he needs to bat
Fran-that’s awful. Tell Trisha I’ll be thinking of her.
Fran -
Please extend my deepest sympathies to Trisha. I can’t imagine how she’s feeling right now. Tell her, she’s in my prayers.
Doreen
Prayers and best wishes to Trisha and her family on their shocking loss. RIP.
Fran,
I will say Rangers in 7. I don’t want Chris Mad Dog Russo to win.
It is nice of you to do this.
Rays are going to take a huge hit this winter.
Not only are Crawford and Pena free agents, but their entire pen is up as well. Soriano, Benoit, Choate, Balfour, all of them are free agents.
Forgot to give my pick in my last post-
Giants in 6. Thanks!
Doreen-
Are you talking about Rene Rivera?
Best to Trisha and her family.
RiverAveBlues Speculation: Yanks won?t be too interested in Jayson Werth. Too much money, too many years, too old.
Erin –
and equally important – no place to play Werth.
I’m all for posting fun trade rumors, but the odds are that the only way the Yankees consider trading Swisher is if they miss out on Lee and Andy retires and they are desperate for pitching.
I don’t see that happening and so the odds are that Lee will be the major pickup, they’ll tweek the bench and pen – and that’s that.
Yankee Trader -
Yeah.
I did get to see him in Trenton. He could be a solid backup. Could be. Hey, listen, I never pretend to know for sure what the Yankees do. But I figure they’re more apt to look from within (for cost purposes) first then outside.
Doreen, I wasn’t that unhappy with Cervelli’s bat. He had a dry spell but, for a singles hitter, he drove in quite a few runs. I never expected every part of his defense to crash and burn as badly as it did. It was mentioned that Rivera was buried in AA, but, that was only because he was there to help out Romine and Moeller held down the AAA spot. Rivera could be a fine fall-back at AAA next year or depending on what happens in the catching department this winter, in NY next year. Rather hard to ignore his throwing, with a career 39% success rate.
Fran – like many others, please send my best wishes to Trish.
The Yankees rotation 2011:
CC
Hughes
Burnett – Can shop him, cant DFA him = he’s pitching
Lee – Pay him!
Pettitte
If Pettitte retireres sign a 5th starter to 5-7 mil.
Lineup:
Jeter – He is not going anywere
Swisher – RF
Tex – get Healthy
A-Rod – stay healthy
Cano
Montero – Posada is dreadfull behind the plate anyway
Granderson
Posada – DH
Gardner
Bullpen:
Mo
Joba
Logan
Robertson
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
Crawford would be nice, but pitching is the most important area considering the fact that the Yankees need a reliable starter other than CC.
Too much money, too many years, too old.
————————–
Heh, that sounds like Jeter’s next contract.
Does anyone think the pitching starved Dodgers would be interested in a reclamation project like Joba?
Do you think they’d take Swisher + Joba for Ethier.
Swisher actually had a better year than Ethier and they’re about the same age.
Ethier is a better contact hitter for his career at .292.
He plays better defense in RF.
He has some clutch hits in the post season.
It would save the Yankees from having to pay Swisher 9 million but Ethier makes 6 million and his nearing free agency.
Having Joba would save the Dodgers from having to overspend for a free agent starting pitcher.
Fair deal or wishful thinking?
Nobody in the yankee bullpen has a “defined role” in 2011 other than Rivera.
Chip-I agree. I don’t see them moving Swish either.
GB7 -
When Posada started playing more and Cervelli less, Cervelli’s bat started to come back. You’re right – his defensive decline was unexpected.
New Post: Piece by piece at Yankee Stadium
Erin, SAS and Kate – Got all of your predictions. Will update the chart.
To Everybody Else,
I will extend your condolences to Trisha and her family.
Too bad we’re stuck with Burnett and his 16.5 M/year contract for 3 more years, plus his ability to block trades to 10 teams of his choosing each year. Wonder if there’s a deal to be made by taking on another player with an onerous contract.
Press conference is not on YES?
Doreen, all we ever heard about Cervelli’s bat was that he didn’t have any power. Not sure why fans were surprised, because he’s never had any. I’m sure that the Yankees weren’t shocked. He base running left much to be desired, too. He probably should never play more than 35 or go games a season where he gets at bats, and never needs to face the same pitchers over and over.
I fully expect Burnett to rebound to being no worse than his 2009 season or somewhere between his 2008 and 2009 seasons.
I know its a long shot but does anyone think a NL team would take AJ Burnett if we were willing to pay 1/2 his salary for the remainder of his contract?? Or is it more likely to swap bad contract for bad contract? What 10 teams can he block trades too?
*If Posada DHd all the time he wouldn’t hit worse than when he was catching…he will get used to it. he should still give you an .800+ OPS.
*Swisher hit well against Minnesota and then struggled against Texas. Outside of Lee, he didn’t struggle against good pitching, he just struggled. Anyone watching the game saw Colby Lewis groove mediocre fastball after mediocre fastball and Swish and others just missed them…it was a simple case of bad hitting.
*Texas swung the bats great all series and they did it throughout their lienup. Theie number 9 hitter Moreland had great AB’s.
*I don’t see any reason for the Yankees to sign another catcher and unless Montero or Romine are traded I do not expect them to get one.
*Cervelli hit well against lefties, but is simply awful against righties. If he stays with the team (I would package him), he should only play against lefties.
*Gardner is a much better players than people understand. His defense is worth a lot as he saves at least 5 hits a month over the average guy and some of those are doubles. If you take his SB’s, he added 29 extra bases (subtract 2 for every CS) and then add about 30 bases for his defense over an average guy you could add enough to put his OPS at about.900 if he is an average OF’r. So if he were Swisher in the OF with a .900 OPS that is what you are getting. he is also very cheap which allows money to be elsewhere. I am not sure what is contract is, but he is far more valuable than people understand…I also think that he is a better defensive CF’r than Granderson.