One move that can wait
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 30, 2010 
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When I made my list of the Yankees offseason priorities, I intentionally left out the need for infield depth. I think it’s a legitimate need, but I think Brian Cashman is on the right track when he suggests the Yankees might not go after that sort of thing during the offseason.
“Sometimes you don’t get all those pieces in place in the winter time,” he said. “And we utilize the summer to do that.”
Yes, the Yankees need to give Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter occasional days off, but even in a year when Rodriguez spent time on the disabled list, Ramiro Pena had only 154 at-bats. Pena or Eduardo Nunez can fill occasional holes in the infield next year, and if the Yankees decide they need more than occasional place-fillers, they can get a guy mid-season.
Bottom line, if the Yankees are going to pay for a guy to get 150 to 200 at-bats, they’re not going after much more than someone like Jerry Hairston Jr., Mike Fontenot or Pedro Feliz, all of whom were traded for low-end prospects the past two seasons.
If the Yankees decide they need more than 150 to 200 at-bats from of their utility guy, that’s not something they’re going to find out until mid-season anyway and there’s no sense spending that money up front if it might not be necessary. Just this year, Cristian Guzman, Miguel Tejada and Jhonny Peralta were traded mid-season. Solid replacements can be found if absolutely necessary.
The Yankees need to be prepared to fill a spot in the infield, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they need to make move right now. Not all needs are offseason needs.
Associated Press photo of Pena
Not a fan of Nunez or Pena, but then again, no player is going to take the Yankees $$$ to sit on the pine for the majority of the season when they can start.
Jeter needs to take 15 million a year for 3 years and be done with it. 15 million is 200% what he is worth but so be it.
Mo gets 13 million on a yearly contract until he retires.
Forget Cliff Lee, for the rotation. Trade for Lincecum and give Joba, Pena, and Posada in exchange. Sounds like a good deal!
“We don’t know that Cashman will be formulating the negotiating strategy or even if he will be involved. He was shut out of the A-Rod negotiations (his advice was ignored), and that could happen again if the suits decide that non-baseball considerations should trump common sense.”
The difference is this time Hal is in-charge.
He has shown that he would set the budget and let Cash deal with the signing the way he sees fit.
In the case of A-Rod, Hank was in-charge.
Melkmanisinhotlanta October 30th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Trade for Lincecum and give Joba, Pena, and Posada in exchange. Sounds like a good deal!
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No day is complete for me unless I have a good laugh about something.
Thank you.
Ken Belson from the NYT wrote: “Cashman was more direct, saying that older players were not worth keeping on a team just because they were popular or chasing personal records like home runs or saves. Ultimately, they must contribute on the field.”"
This serves notice on Arod that he will be traded in the next 2 years once his skills completely disintegrate. Looks like the Yanks will be paying one way or the other.
That is not at all what Cashman said…………that’s what you read into it.
Amazing that Girardi gets a miniscule 9 million deal to manage very old players whose best days are behind them and whom earn significantly more in one year than poor ole Joe in three.
This serves notice on Arod that he will be traded in the next 2 years once his skills completely disintegrate.
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uhhhhh ……. never mind.
Melkmanisinhotlanta October 30th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Amazing that Girardi gets a miniscule 9 million deal to manage very old players whose best days are behind them and whom earn significantly more in one year than poor ole Joe in three.
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You’re just on a roll today, huh?
Those players with the high salaries who you denigrate? Do you think even one of them has any doubt about whether “poor ole’ Joe” is in charge?
I dont think anyone would be willing to pick up the rest of Arods contract. He made like 2 million less this year than the whole pittsburgh pirates team.
What about Nick Johnson? Cashpoor thought he was good to sign for 2010. Why not 2011? What was Bribri thinking?
Repost:
“The difference is this time Hal is in-charge.
He has shown that he would set the budget and let Cash deal with the signing the way he sees fit.
In the case of A-Rod, Hank screwed it up,”
Hal, as well as Hank, had to sign off on A-Rod’s contract.
He is also possibly influenced by the same suits (Levine, Troast, some Goldman Sach types) that somehow thought it was a good idea to give A-Rod that ridiculous contract.
So maybe you’re right (and I certainly hope you are), but I have to see it first.
Haha trading for Lincecum would probably cost us Cano, Hughes, Montero, Gardner, Banuelos, and McAllister.
Give Nunez a shot before the fungible Hairston types.
“”Those players with the high salaries who you denigrate? Do you think even one of them has any doubt about whether “poor ole’ Joe” is in charge?”"”
Outside of the business/game Joe is their servant lol. Even if Joe tells them no play play, the playas are guaranteed their cashola and can ski behind their yahts.
“”Haha trading for Lincecum would probably cost us Cano, Hughes, Montero, Gardner, Banuelos, and McAllister.”"
Ok, fair enough, the NYY pick up the option on Nick Johnson and include him in the trade lol.
# Melkmanisinhotlanta October 30th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
“”Haha trading for Lincecum would probably cost us Cano, Hughes, Montero, Gardner, Banuelos, and McAllister.””
Ok, fair enough, the NYY pick up the option on Nick Johnson and include him in the trade lol.
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lol just for fun, lets throw in AJ Burnett.
Quote from Cashman:
‘“We’re not going to be interested in retaining players because of future milestones,” Cashman said. “The stars don’t put fannies in the seats. Wins do. If it’s a bad team, people will stop showing up by July. They’ll go to the beach.”‘
Rivera gets a one year deal along with Andy. Andy is not going to retire and spend time with his family especially after how well he continues to pitch. Jeter needs to support Kelly so he will destroy the NYY with a 25 million 4 year deal.
Arod’s body is beginning the breakdown phase from whatever PED’s he was on.
Scary times ahead.
Melkmanisinhotlanta October 30th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Outside of the business/game Joe is their servant lol. Even if Joe tells them no play play, the playas are guaranteed their cashola and can ski behind their yahts.
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If you want your posts to be taken a bit more seriously, I would suggest you not use the word “playas.”
Just a suggestion.
going back to a topic from earlier this morning -
Stars and momentous events put people in seats from time to time, but sustained sell-outs happen when you have a winning team.
there are exceptions, and Tampa is one of those – and it sounds like there are factors that have nothing to do with the product on the field that keep people away.
The cost of parking could become a factor that will have an impact on the attendance at the stadium – and if the team doesn’t win, the cost of parking will be a reason for people to stay away.
At the time the Yankees went for the contract with ARod they were blinded by greed – the $$$ they saw from side money that would come to them because ARod was going to be the all-time HR leader, as a Yankee, and untainted by PEDs.
Don’t think they do that deal the same way today. But you can’t use today’s knowledge against them.
#1 If Jeter had signed the original shorter deal it would have come due at the same time Alex’s opt out did in 2007 and Derek would have been in a better position to sign a longer/larger deal because of the uncertainty of what was happening with Alex or because of the deal Alex eventually signed.
#2 Alex has 10/5 protection and a no trade clause so he isn’t going anywhere he doesn’t want to except on the bench. They have to pay him but don’t have to play him if his presence on the 25 man roster is less than a positive.
When you surround yourself with Boras and Buffett, you end up on the positove end of a business deal more times than not. Simple as that.
This made me laugh:
BrianCostaWSJ RT @bigleaguestew: Judging from the size of the Texas flag in the outfield, the pregame ceremonies may involve secession from the Union.
Doreen
Thanks for clearing up Donut-gate.
pat -
I never thought I’d create such a monster!!
I like glazed donuts.
I think George was still very much a factor when A-Rod signed his deal. At least in spirit if not practically.
Jury is still out on Hal IMO. I don’t know what his level of commitment to winning is. He vetoed the mid-season acquisition of Dye, or was it Cameron a few years back, and he was adamant about his budget in 2009. I think the suits, Trost, Levine and Hal will come up with a number and hand it to Cashman.
Way back then, I thought the Yankees made a mistake not signing Jeter to that deal that they negotiated prior to the one he signed later.
Maple bars are good too.
“Jury is still out on Hal IMO. I don’t know what his level of commitment to winning is. He vetoed the mid-season acquisition of Dye, or was it Cameron a few years back, and he was adamant about his budget in 2009. I think the suits, Trost, Levine and Hal will come up with a number and hand it to Cashman.”
Hal forced his GM to be more creative which is how we ended up with Hairston and Hinske. A commitment to winning doesn’t mean you throw the budget out of the window and sign off any deal.
Once the organizational meetings are over, expect a news leak from an anonymous yankee official that given the budget set by the owners, they have to make very tough choices on how to improve the team and also sign the legacy players for big contracts. Mind games will beign then….
Doreen
Yanks are going for the rich fan, they don’t care what parking or tickets cost, it’s obvious.
It makes you wonder if they care if anyone shows up at the ballpark, as long as they have 50,000season ticketholders, theyd be happy.
It shouldn’t mean you sign Rndy Winn either.
“A commitment to winning doesn’t mean you throw the budget out of the window and sign off any deal.”
Well said.
Some here think budget is funny money…
Does the budget include free donuts ?
“It shouldn’t mean you sign Rndy Winn either.”
It means you can sign Marcus Thames
Look, some deals you win and some deals do not work out.
That is the nature of the beast.
Unfortunatley, last year more deals did not work.
Hopefully, this year it will be different.
Yankees have zero control over parking. They don’t operate the lots nor profit from them.
What is a Rndy ?
I do not think parking fees really make much difference to attendance.
People who do not like the parking fees will take public transportation if it works out for less.
The rich folks can afford them anyway.
Cold milk and donuts yum.
“It shouldn’t mean you sign Rndy Winn either.”
Name me a GM that doesn’t make mistakes?
Doreen,
GB, a couple of others and I had fun with donut-gate this morning.
You’re more likely to make mistakes when you have $2.9 million to spend on your entire bench.
winn, park, johnson–NO
thames,wood,berkman-YES
it was a crapshoot after damon/matsui were gone
I’d like to see parking go to $100.
I only go to 2-3 games per year and would love if there was less traffic after the game getting from the garage to the Deegan.
Just Kidding!
Or am I?
People who do not like the parking fees will take public transportation if it works out for less.
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Not true. Many will just stay home and watch on HDTV.
They are attracting a younger crowd. Many families have given up bringing the kids, not a good thing.
More than 1/2 the fans are drunk at most games, the quality of fan has gone down, notice the fans in the seats behind the plate, staring at their blackberrys or off into the distance.
“Not true. Many will just stay home and watch on HDTV.
They are attracting a younger crowd. Many families have given up bringing the kids, not a good thing.”
Yuo have a point….
Tried to post this earlier but it wouldn’t work. I went to pay my respects to a friend who passed away a few yrs ago. I brought her a pumpkin for halloween. Anyway. She is buried in the same cemetery as George Steinbrenner and while I wasn’t looking for it, the mausoleum is pretty hard to miss, right in the front where I always park. The thing had always been there just with no name on it. So I took a picture to share.
http://i1039.photobucket.com/a.....0/GMS1.jpg
All kidding aside, it has gotten prohibitly expensive to take your family to a game. However, I blame that more on 3rd party ticket vendors than the Yankees.
Also, in fairness, this is not isolated to the Yankees. Boston is worse and Philadelphia is very close behind.
That’s why Minor League teams have grown in popularity – every aspect of going to a minor league game is cheaper, from the tickets to the food.
You don’t have to go to the game to be a good fan.
But if parents stop bringing their kids, there will be less fans in the future.
NEW YORK — Although Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he had no prior knowledge that pitching coach Dave Eiland would be fired following the season, a person with knowledge of the relationship between Eiland and Girardi said it went south after Eiland returned in June from his nearly month-long personal leave of absence.
The person said that, upon his return, Eiland believed his opinions were de-emphasized. It is unclear if by the end of the season if Eiland and Girardi were working better together. Neither could be reached for comment Saturday.
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-.....id=5744816
West Coast Yankee Fan October 30th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
It shouldn’t mean you sign Rndy Winn either.
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Hindsight is wonderful, isn’t it?
2011 is the year that A-Rod and Derek see some time as DH’s for certain games. They’ll be pulled from games in late innings when the Yankees are holding a safe lead.
This is where guys like Eduardo Nunez and Brandon Laird will be useful.
This generation of fans, 30 or so and younger, only know winning and full houses.
It seems hard to imagine, but if they ever go on a prolonged losing season streak, where they don’t make the playoffs, ticket prices will come down as will attendance.
mick, you’re making huge generalizations.
RSM
The point about minor league games being the more family friendly option is definitely true. I went to 3 different stadiums in the FSL and the most I paid was $6.50 to get in. Minor league teams also offer daily deals to bring more people in. Kids eat free mondays, bogo tuesdays, senior night wednesdays, thirsty thursdays and facecook fridays is what the Tampa Yankees offered this year. The most expensive ticket is 6.50 but they went as low a 3 for a student or senior ticket. For 40, they have a family 4 pack that comes with a voucher for a hat, soda, hot dog and chips for all 4 people. I overheard families talking about how they can’t afford to take the whole family to Rays games and their kids don’t care cause they can run around and catch foul balls.
Under the current economic system, the Yanks will never not be competitive.
Ridiculous – AJ is to blame for AJ. The greatest pitching coach in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with him……………….thanks for posting, Eroc
AJ needs a psychiatrist not a pitching coach.
There is nothing wrong with AJ’s head. The man simply is a bad pitcher who has no clue where the ball is going half the time.
AJ’s head is fine. His pitching, not so much.
As far as AJ’s head it is large, shaped like a mailbox.
Getting rid of Eiland was a potentially terrific move. Kudos to all involved.
w/the bat, Peña seems like the kid who just finished tee ball, and now older kids are pitching to him for the first time. it’s as if he’s waiting to find his swing, or grow into it.
Núñez, otoh, has a plan. he’s able to fight off the tough pitches, and he drove some balls for meaningful hits this summer that only someone w/major skills can.
hopefully he can finish taking that step ahead of Ramiro in the pecking order.
The cost of parking could become a factor that will have an impact on the attendance at the stadium – and if the team doesn’t win, the cost of parking will be a reason for people to stay away.
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I was surprised that it’s only $35 bucks to park for Yankee games – I though it would be a lot more, considering it’s for a consistent winner. Even though the M’s have been consistent losers, parking in lots around Safeco Field is usually $25-30 ($40-$50 for Opening Day). One of the main reasons I take light rail – paying to park my car has always been one of my least favorite ways to spend money.
My husband, on the other hand, has no problem paying for parking because he doesn’t like waiting for the train. So, when we attend Seahawks games together, he shells out the $30-40 ($50-60 for the playoffs) per game.
I like Pena. I thought he was a good player with a lot of potential. He seems to fill in quite well on the infield.
Was AJ a phenom the year before the Yankees stupidly bought him? What made them think he was going to be dynamite. He has not lived up to the hype at all. He’s been inconsistent the whole time he’s been a Yankee. He needs to focus on baseball instead of tats.