He’s Grand in the kitchen
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Nov 09, 2010 
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As many of you know, I’m a fan of food.
Macaroni and cheese, in particular, has always been a favorite of mine. Growing up, my grandmother’s housekeeper had a fantastic recipe for a mac & cheese casserole that was insanely good and, thankfully, was carried on by my mother (and now, occasionally, by my wife, too). I think it uses Velveeta or something, but whatever the secret, it’s fantastic.
I mention this because if you’re a fan of the Yankees, Curtis Granderson or macaroni & cheese, you might be interested in today’s edition of “The Martha Stewart Show.” Granderson will be appearing on the show, and he and Martha will be making comfort food – specifically mac & cheese.
Click here for a link to the show’s site where you can find out what time it’s on in your area.
* That’s an AP photo of Granderson with CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez.
I can’t wait to get home and watch this tonight-which is weird since I don’t like Martha Stewart.
I’d rather he just stick to hitting 30-40 dingers next year.
Now that’s cooking.
I’m doing OK MTU. A little sleepy from a late night at work. Glad to be on my last two weeks at the job. Then a week off and go home for Thanksgiving and wait to hear where the new job will send me for 7 weeks training. I’m hoping for the Carolinas or Virginia that they mentioned. That would at least give me a reprieve from some of the winter.
JCPD-
I responded in the previous thread.
So Granderson is a Mac Daddy, but not in the usual way…
I LOVE Mac and Cheese !!!
My DVR is set.
A few thoughts:
1. I make a tremendous mac and cheese – in fact whenever my wife and I go visit my inlaws my father-in-law pouts if I don’t make it. Some folks will say that velveeta is garbage but I say you need it to give the sauce the right texture, even if you make a white sauce and melt the other cheeses in that it just isn’t the same.
2. Thrilled that Miller and Morgan are out – maybe now I’ll be able to listen to Sunday Night Baseball
3. Interesting debate on MLB Network last night – Werth or Crawford. Verducci made an interesting point, that if you look at Crawford’s progression he may be growing in some power and that combination of power and speed would make him an elite player.
4. I’m thrilled that the A’s won the bidding rights to the Japanese pitcher. MLBTradeRumors.com reports that if they sign him, Beane will have an excess of pitchers and will be looking to spin one off to improve the team’s offense:
A’s get: Swisher, Laird, Joba and a prospect
Yankees get: Brett Anderson, Coco Crisp and Craig Breslow
Crisp offsets some of the salary for Swisher and joins the Yankee bench as a 4th outfielder
Yankees sign either Werth to replace Swisher or Crawford and slide Gardy and Grandy over one spot each.
Chip-
First of all, I don’t think Anderson will be made available will he ?
Secondly, he has had some trouble with a sore flexor tendon in his arm. That’s not a good sign for a young pitcher IMO.
MTU –
Probably not, but I have dedicated myself this winter to trying to figure out ways to get either Brett Anderson or Brandon Morrow to the Yankees. They are my new David DeJesus.
Call me a mac and chese snob if you like but Velveeta is neither mac nor cheese.
Very sharp cheddar stirred into a bechamel sauce, poured over elbow macaroni and baked in the oven with a crunchy crumb topping. Yum!
Chip-
Got ya. Can’t believe Jack Z traded away Morrow. What a tool.
And what advantage is there for either team? Just to move players around? Oakland can resign Kouzmanoff to play 3rd base and if Laird is better than Kouzmanoff, he’s good enough to back up up Rodriguez and Teixeira as well as the corners. If he’s not as good, why would Oakland want him? Anderson is probably Oakland’s best pitcher, makes very little. Why would NYYs want to play $6 mil for a back-up outfielder and then pay $15-17 mil a year for for another outfielder? Breslow isn’t an $8 mil a year reliever… the likely difference pay. Who’s backing up third base? Another year of Pena?
Mac and cheese is one of my son’s requests when he is home from college. No velveeta tho, is that even really cheese? Sometimes I throw a little smoked cheddar in there.
MTU –
His worst trade ever! Morrow is going to be an elite starter in this game within the next year or two. Brandon League is going to be Brandon League. I’m so annoyed that Cashman couldn’t get in there and offer them David Robertson or something for him – then again the Yankees likely would have screwed up Morrow much the same way they’re screwing up Joba.
Who’s backing up third base? Another year of Pena?
——————-
Eduardo Nunez
Technically, Velveeta is not cheese and I suspect Sam is just trying to throw us off the scent on this famous mac n cheese recipe.
IIRC, Sam’s a foodie and likes to dine at places like Le Bernardin, Daniel, Grammercy Tavern etc. etc. Generally speaking, people that eat there don’t eat Velveeta.
Pat and Kate -
I just use a little velveeta to carry the other cheeses. I find that even using a rux and cream the cheddar gets a little grainy – the velveeta on the other hand tends to carry my combination of cheddar, smoked grueyer and provolone along.
Also when I pour the cheese sauce onto the mac I crack in a couple of eggs and just mix them around with it before putting a few dashes of hot sauce and some panko across the top and sticking the whole thing in the oven.
upstate kate November 9th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Mac and cheese is one of my son’s requests when he is home from college. No velveeta tho, is that even really cheese? Sometimes I throw a little smoked cheddar in there
———————————————————————————————————————-
Smoking cheddar cheese. Don’t the ZigZags get really sticky and hatd to keep it?
I have to admit, I love mac ‘n cheese made with Velveeta. Guilty pleasure.
Chip-
Jack Z engaged in unethical conduct. I don’t think he’s in Cash’s Rolodex any more.
Morrow has great stuff. Like so many young guys he’s still learning.
Needs to work on his command. If he stays healthy he should be a good one.
Who do you think is gonna be our next Pitching coach ?
JCPD -
If you’re coming to NC, you can stop by and say hi.
MTU -
The only cooking you do is on that fire inside the tee pee.
Oh, and by far the best thing to do with left over mac and cheese is you stick it in the fridge overnight – take it out the next day when it’s cool and firm, scoop it onto a plate, roll each scoop into a ball, dip them in eggwash and then roll them in bread crumbs and fry them up in some oil….absolutely the best.
MTU -
Eh, I can’t blame Jack Z for what he did – until the paperwork is filed he’s free to back off if he finds a better deal which in his estimation he did.
I’m leaning more and more towards Harkey as the pitching coach – not so much because reports coming out from guys on the pitching staff say that they want him, but because the Yankees are looking for a way to promote Josh Paul who managed their Staten Island team and whom they are very high on, to the big club and his natural role would be as the Bullpen Coach.
Just going to ignore the rest of the problems with that trade? What happens if both Rodriguez and Jeter are out for and extended period? Not totally unheard of given their rapidly advancing ages and clearly diminished skills…both well noted among some on here.
Al-
Morning.
“The only cooking you do is on that fire inside the tee pee.”
I knew an Indian once who almost drowned in his own tee pee.
I think there’s a difference between using some velveeta and using that overly salted stuff that comes in the boxes of Velveeta shells and cheese.
GB
well you know the winters are long up here, we have to smoke all kinds of things
Chip
I never have put eggs in my mac and cheese, does it change the texture?
GreenBeret7 November 9th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Just going to ignore the rest of the problems with that trade? What happens if both Rodriguez and Jeter are out for and extended period? Not totally unheard of given their rapidly advancing ages and clearly diminished skills…both well noted among some on here.
—————————
Yes I am going to ignore it because I don’t really think that the A’s would be dumb enough to make Brett Anderson available in the first place so why waste time arguing with you about it?
NYYs are more interested in getting Patterson back than moving a rookie league manager up ahead of others.
MTU -
Too early to think about those play on words. All this talk about frying Mac & Cheese is making my stomach sick.
Kate -
I tend to find that eggs (2 per pound of maccaroni) make it a little creamier and the yolks add some extra color to the party.
Chip-
I don’t agree with you on Mr. Z Technically you are correct but I believe he had an “understanding” with Cash which he violated.
No matter. I think the word is out on him.
Don’t care for Harkey. All I care about is that is someone with a track record of success and who is a complete professional.
I’d love the Pitching equivalent of K. Long.
Yankees should have the best in as many departments as possible.
• Jon Heyman did an interesting column on free agents to be wary of and free agents who could be big bargains. I tend to agree with him on Hideki Matsui – in the right situation, he can still be a serious hitter.
=====================
Would love to see Matsui back.
GreenBeret7 November 9th, 2010 at 9:55 am
NYYs are more interested in getting Patterson back than moving a rookie league manager up ahead of others.
——————–
Chip: Sky is blue
GB7: No it’s not.
I’m wasting time on a proposed deal put forth by you?
Chip-
And by the way, If you keep eating like that you’ll never make 50.
AL, I absolutely will. Even if they send me to Virginia (I believe Newport News), I’ll drive over on a day off. Would be great fun!!
JCPD -
What part of NC where they thinking of sending you?
were – not where
MTU -
Harkey wouldn’t be my first choice either, but then again I wasn’t a huge believer in Kevin Long when he first came up replacing Donnie.
The issue with finding a new pitching coach from outside the organization is that Cashman and Nardi Conteras basically run the pitching from New York and Tampa throughout the organization and so whomever is brought in needs to buy into their philosophy – that’s why you won’t see a Leo Mazzone in here who believes that pitchers need to work more – because Cashman and Nardi want them to work less.
Why Nardi Conteras – who has failed at every level as a pitching coach – is in charge of the Yankee pitching throughout the organization is a question I have been wanting answered for years. I would much rather that the club employ someone like Mazzone or Dave Duncan for that role and then let that person bring in the pitching coaches for all levels of the organization.
Can’t see them holding the DH job for Posada.
Starting the season with 2 catchers, he and Montero, like they broke Jorge in with Girardi, is the way to go.
Matsui back at DH, I can see it now.
MTU -
Eating healthy doesn’t make you live longer – it just feels longer.
I’d love to see Matsui back as a Yankee, and let him finish his career here. He was a great Yankee team mate.
I think eating healthy relates more to the quality of life of your later years, not being bed ridden and ill with diabetes, heart and other serious health issues.
AL
How is Alfredo doing? Back next year?
Can see Damon or Matsui back at 1/2 last years price.
“Matsui back at DH, I can see it now”
Would think there will be some pretty legit competition for his services. White Sox, Rays, and Tigers will probably be in on someone like Matsui.
Chip-
If I had to guess I would say that Patterson, Aldred, and Kranitz are the most likely possibilities though not necessarily in that order.
I don’t know if Rick Peterson was interviewed.
Green Beret –
Fine, here’s the why for the deal.
Oakland gets a starting RF that they can probably move at the trade deadline for additional prospects
Laird is cheaper and probably better in the long run than Kouz
Joba they can either leave in the pen or bring along as a starter
For the Yankees:
Anderson is a high ceiling LHSP that can join Hughes in the rotation and help the team cut some age off their pitching staff
Crisp fills the club’s need for a veteran fourth outfielder
Breslow is a very strong left handed relief pitcher.
The money would essentially be a wash: Anderson + Crisp + Breslow = about 8 mil; the Yankees would likely have to kick in some cash to make the deal work – perhaps 2 mil to offset whatever Joba’s going to get in arbitration.
As for the Yankees – they have a plethora of back-up infielders available to them:
Nunez
Pena
Russo
Corona
Vazquez
and that’s not counting whatever veteran the club might sign to a minor league deal such as they did last year with Robby Hammock or Eric Bruntlett
Martha just asked Curtis about his “special hitting classes”
So far, no Velveeta sightings.
mick -
As of now, Alfredo is doing very well, and he expects to be ready to go when ST starts. He has not, and will not pitch until spring, so they expect it will be a slower process, since his arm strength will have to be built up. He normally starts throwing in Dec., but not this year.
Chip-
“Eating healthy doesn’t make you live longer – it just feels longer.”
Whatever you say. The two are not mutually exclusive you know.
If NYYs was bringing in a minor leaguer for the coahing staff, Tyson is a much better choice over Paul.
Well also you can eat whatever you want so long as you do it in moderation – too much of anything isn’t good for you. When I have Mac and Cheese for dinner I generally have a salad for lunch or spend a little extra time at the gym…it all balances out in the wash.
MTU -
Peterson is still under contract with Milwaukee.
Al, I have no idea what part of NC if they send me there. My best friend from Little League lives just outside of Charlotte, so that would be cool if I went to that area. Of course, my luck, he’s a cruise director, he’d be on ship while I’d be there.
MTU -
The Yankees were denied permissin to speak with Rick Peterson.
GB-
Who do you want for our next Pitching coach, and don’t say MM ?
MTU, I thought I read somewhere that Kranitz was picked up by someone.
JCPD -
I’m about 15 minutes south of WQinston-Salem, and about 1.25 hrs from Charlotte.
MTU, Kranitz is now the minor league instructor for the Astros
OK guys. Thanks for the updates. Looks like I whiffed on Peterson and Kranitz.
I’ll try to do better next time.
Amazing the Yanks did as well as they did without Aceves and Marte…
I think Gil Patterson gets the job.
Russo is not a good defensive 3rd baseman and Corona is a flop with the bat. He’s Pena Lite. Vazques is 27 and not exactly the glove man you want playing 3rd base. As far as Anderson goes, maybe he can stay healthy for a year before picking him up. In other words, your trade make zero sense for either team.
MTU -
If there is a next time …………..
I think Kranitz would have been Girardi’s choice but not Cashman’s. Not after all the injuries that hit the Florida pitchers the year after Girardi and Kranitz were bounced.
MTU November 9th, 2010 at 10:13 am
GB-
Who do you want for our next Pitching coach, and don’t say MM
———————————————————————————————————————-
Patterson or Aldred, in that order. I’d replace Harkey with Aldred.
Al-
What’s your take on Patterson ?
Is he the right Man for the job IYO ?
GreenBeret7 November 9th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Russo is not a good defensive 3rd baseman and Corona is a flop with the bat. He’s Pena Lite. Vazques is 27 and not exactly the glove man you want playing 3rd base. As far as Anderson goes, maybe he can stay healthy for a year before picking him up. In other words, your trade make zero sense for either team.
—————————-
Ok.
Aldred does more good for the organization at SWB then being the bullpen coach for the Yankees.
GB7 -
Don’t you think Aldred would be more value staying as PC in SWB, working with the up and coming pitchers, rather than in the Yankees bull pen?
Al-
No 2nd chances ? You’re a tough taskmaster.
GreenBeret7 November 9th, 2010 at 10:17 am
MTU November 9th, 2010 at 10:13 am
GB-
Who do you want for our next Pitching coach, and don’t say MM
———————————————————————————————————————-
Patterson or Aldred, in that order. I’d replace Harkey with Aldred.
——————————————-
Yankees aren’t replacing both their pitching coach and bullpen coach in the same year.
Teams generally like to have at least one person on the coaching staff who has worked with the pitchers in previous years so that the new guy coming in has someone to talk with about them.
MTU -
My first choice would have been Rick Paterson, but since we can’t talk to him, I’d go with Gil Patterson. I like him as a PC, he’s done well in the past.
that is of course unless the entire coaching staff is being turned over – which generally means a new manager.
Gil Patterson is a good pitching coach and the only reason why he left the Yankees was because they had Contreras already as their pitching coordinator so he took the same job with Oakland.
Rick Peterson dah
Al-
Ok. Thanks. Next question.
Who do you like better as our new special Bunting and Base stealing
specialty coach.
Mickey Rivers or Rickey Henderson ?
the other advantage to Patterson is that maybe he can get through to AJ – the two worked pretty well together in Toronto.
MTU -
You might be joking about the bunting and base stealing coach but I would love to have Mick the Quick show up in Tampa this winter to work with Gardner
Rickey and Mickey together would be worth the price of admission…
Chip-
Nope. I think we need one.
MTU -
Two different outlooks.
Bunting goes to Mick the Quick.
Base stealing goes to Rickey.
Mick can still lay it down today, and his form would be perfect to teach Gardner, bunting, while starting to move towards first. I think Gardner could pick-up an additional 25 hits, if he could bunt like Mick.
If he could learn to read pitchers like Rickey, he’d have 75-80 stolen bases a year.
After all that, only a moron would include Gardner in a trade.
Chip-
I’ll even go a step further and say that we should have the best strength and conditioning Coach in the buisness too.
Al-
The Yankees are good for the sagging Economy.
Looks like they’ll be hiring.
Patterson wasn’t the pitching coach in Toronto when Burnett was there.
“the other advantage to Patterson is that maybe he can get through to AJ – the two worked pretty well together in Toronto”
Not to let the facts get in the way of a good story, but Burnett didn’t pitch for Toronto until two years after Patterson was gone.
GB-
And nobody can get thru to Burnett.
MTU -
I’d like the Yankees to have their players swim a great deal. Swimming causes the mustles to be longer, rather than tighter, thus less injuries while running, and making sudden lateral moves. I believe a lot of injuries in todays game, come from players adding too much bulk.
From G. King:
Sabathia has no idea who the next Yankees pitching coach will be. But he does have a suggestion.
“I think [Mike] Harkey did a good job filling in [for Dave Eiland],” Sabathia said. “I’d like to see him get an opportunity.”
It’s not an issue as to whether somebody can get through to Burnett. It’s an issue of Burnett getting through to himself. Burnett just needs to realize that all of his pitches are very good to exceptional and then believe in them.
MTU -
I’m not looking for a job, but if they call, my bags will be packed and ready to go. As long as someone can point me in the right direction, I think I can find my way.
Al-
I understand what you are saying. Completely.
I was just saying that the Yankees need to be like Ford where quality is job 1.
Someone out of a place like API in AZ. might be the perfect S/C coach.
Their program’s are targeted specifically for the sport and the type of player.
Check out their website sometime.
GB-
Too bad you can’t just inject “confidence”.
MTU -
I am familier, a friend of mine is there now.
Al-
Muy Bueno.
MTU -
GB7 says to AJ, You will perform, you will have faith in your pitches, you will run 10 miles with a full bag of balls, and you will not lose, do you hear me mister. AJ to GB7, yes sir.
AJ’s problem is fixed, GB goes back to sitting with Killer in front of his computer, knowing he’s done his job well.
Al-
That sounds good but I think Killer is in the doghouse, so to speak, because of his late night antics.
He’s giving Gb a bad name in regards to his perfect spelling and typing.
We all know that every typo and spelling error is really Killer and not GB.
The Mops are calling. Back in a while.
My Free Agent targets for the Yankees:
Cliff Lee
Carl Crawford – if an outfielder is traded
Grant Balfour
Randy Choate
Scott Downs
Eric Hinske
Likely Non-Tenders I would target (list provided by MLB TradeRumors http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....dates.html)
Jeremy Accardo
Joel Zumaya
Ryan Theriot
Andrew Miller
Brandon McCarthy
Wil Nieves or Dioneer Navarro (as a veteran to stash in AAA)
Clint Barmes
Chris Ray
(oh and GB7 – if you look at that list you’ll notice that Kevin Kousmanoff is one of the players they anticipate would be non-tendered – so Oakland would be looking for a 3b after all…I’m just sayin’)
GreenBeret7 November 9th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Patterson wasn’t the pitching coach in Toronto when Burnett was there.
——————
My mistake
Chip -
Is all that based on a no limit budget?
Can’t imagine anyone is going to part with a 1st rounder to have Scott Downs. Can see a team whose 1st rounder is protected getting in on him, but otherwise I don’t see it.
Harkey, by all media accounts, is Girardi pal who got a job on the staff by his relationship with Joe.
I don’t see the Yankees giving Girardi a vanity hire like that as pitching coach.
If you’re looking for the pitching coach to reach players like AJ and Joba and even Phil, you need a new voice. I don’t see where Harkey has a track record that indicates that ability. It’s not like he’s coached Mo up in the past few years.
Later folks.
i think the pitching coach job is patterson’s to lose.
Just saw an interview with CJ Wilson on first take….seems.like a really good guy and he’s another one that the Rangers are going to have to pay pretty soon if they want to keep him. He’s a FA after next season and another season like he had this year could lead to a big pay day.
Big Al -
Not talking about getting all of those guys but those would be guys I would target as free agents.
Blake -
Wilson’s one of the guys in baseball I would very much like to see as a Yankee – he had a great line when he was asked in the ALCS how much having Cliff Lee on the team affected him. He said, “well before Cliff got here I was a right handed second baseman so I would say alot.”
The one thing I would worry about on Wilson is that he went from being a relief pitcher throwing 73 innings in 2009 to a starter throwing over 230 innings (including playoffs) in 2010 – that kind of jump could lead to arm issues next year.
Chip,
I agree. I like him a lot and he should only get better. Unless the Rangers work out an extension with him then he will hit the market next winter. The Rangers have a lot of players that they are going to have to pay in the not too distant future if they want to retain them…..that’s why signing Cliff Lee and keeping that team together would eventually take them into big boy payroll land…..like 140+ million, don’t know if their current revenues can support that.
No way would I give up a #1 or #2 draft pick for a 35 year old middle reiever, one that’s going to be asking for a big pay raise for multiple years. He’s going to be asking for $6-7 mil a year.
Blake -
I think they’re going to almost have to let Lee walk to deal with the money they’re going to have to pay to Wilson, Hamilton, Andrus, Feliz, Cruz and Kinsler in the not too distant future.
The biggest factor facing them is what to do with Josh Hamilton.
He’s an MVP candidate but there’s an incredible amount of risk that comes with giving him a long term contract. Forget the health issues that he’s battled, there are his addiction issues that could resurface at any time.
Chip,
I don’t disagree but there are examples where that has worked with no ill effects…one.of which is Adam.Wainwright who threw 75 innings in 2006 as a closer then jumped to 202 innings in 2007 as a starter. Wilson is another solid season away from a big contract IMO.
The Rangers’ farm system is generally believed to be the best in baseball.
My guess is they will muddle through somehow,.
GreenBeret7 November 9th, 2010 at 11:20 am
No way would I give up a #1 or #2 draft pick for a 35 year old middle reiever, one that’s going to be asking for a big pay raise for multiple years. He’s going to be asking for $6-7 mil a year.
—————————–
Ok.
My suggestion – apply for jobs as a GM and then not sign a player like that.
I, on the other hand, would give up a 2nd round draft pick (assuming the Yankees sign Cliff Lee) for a dominant late game left handed relief pitcher who can close if you need him to.
Especially given the vast number of left handed hitters that the Yankees face from contending teams and the fact that outside of Boone Logan the Yankees don’t have a single left handed reliever other than Kei Igawa above AA.
It is certainly a better option than not signing a pitcher like that then discovering midseason that you need one and having to go out and trade for one.
Chip,
I agree. Hamilton is going to be a big decision for them. He’s currently the face of that organization and one.of the best players in baseball but he is also nearly 30 with a lot of wear and tear and injury history. As you say, lot of risk in a long term deal.
blake November 9th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Chip,
I don’t disagree but there are examples where that has worked with no ill effects…one.of which is Adam.Wainwright who threw 75 innings in 2006 as a closer then jumped to 202 innings in 2007 as a starter. Wilson is another solid season away from a big contract IMO.
————————–
Oh absolutely he would be in line for a big payday with another strong season – and there’s no guarantee he would get hurt.
There is a difference though between him and Wainwright – the year before Wainwright was brought up to close for St. Louis he pitched 200 innings (minors and majors) so he was already stretched out. Wilson on the other hand hadn’t thrown more than 100 innings in years.
Great farm systems really only help though if you are going to mix the coming prospects with retaining selective veterans. You tread water otherwise.
re: pitching coach…
how ’bout Jamie Moyer?
granted, the Yanks aren’t in the habit of hiring rookies at that type of position but, I’ve always thought Jamie would be a great coach.
I mean, a guy who has pitched till the age of 47, has 7 kids, directs his infield like a soccer goalkeeper and keeps a little black book on evey hitter he’s ever faced …
What better resume?
There are a few contracts that really intrigue me:
Josh Hamilton
Prince Fielder
Albert Pujols
are probably the top three for position players.
Hamilton has the demons and the injury history
Prince is not likely to age well and with both him and Phat Albert I just don’t know what their markets are.
The big money teams all have 1b locked up:
Yankees – Tex
Mets – Ike Davis
Philly – Howard
LAA – Morales
Boston – Youk
Detroit – Cabrera
That leaves the two Chicago teams.
Sure, Boston could move Youk to third and the Mets could trade Ike Davis for pitching help but that’s still not a major amount of teams who are going to get in the bidding.
I could see Prince winding up with the Nationals if they don’t keep Dunn – they’re a team dying to make a major splash and while Prince would probably be the wrong guy for them, he absolutely qualifies as a major splash.
But who the heck is going to bid for Albert? Given that he’s the best offensive player in the game he’s going to probably want to use A-Rod’s contract as a benchmark. The economy is very different than what it was when the Yankees re-signed Alex, but still, he’s got to at least be looking in the 7 year range at 25 mil per. That’s way out of St. Louis’s range and pretty much the range of every team that will be looking for a 1b.
That’s part of the reason I think the Cards go all out this winter – try to build a team that is going to go all the way this year so that either Albert gives them a hometown discount to stay or they at least win a secocnd championship before he leaves.
Chip:
Rather than Downs, who simply isn’t worth a high round draft pick, I’d look to a guy like Feliciano. Won’t cost you a pick and has absolutely owned lefties for an extended period of time (sub .600 OPS against for last 5 years running).
WYH-
This is just purely artificial and hypothetical on my part so keep that in mind.
Here’s my question to you.
If you had to rate the Yankees on only their Pitching and Catching talent in the Minors how would you rate them compared with the Rangers ? Other teams ?
I know it’s a loaded question but I’m just curious so please indulge me with a response.
Rosy-
If we’re talking in the realm of the not possible then how about Maddux ? Way better in every way.
Albert has said.he’d like to get an extension.worked out with the Cardinals before ST. I wouldn’t touch Prince with a 10 foot pole for anything more than a couple years years….especially NL teams where he would have to play defense. You are right though Chip…the Nationals are going to land one of these big names sooner or.later if they keep baiting their hooks with big money.
Mell November 9th, 2010 at 11:39 am
Chip:
Rather than Downs, who simply isn’t worth a high round draft pick, I’d look to a guy like Feliciano. Won’t cost you a pick and has absolutely owned lefties for an extended period of time (sub .600 OPS against for last 5 years running).
————————–
Mell – I would be fine with Feliciano.
First of all – I think the Yankees need to add 2 lefties (and would like Randy Choate to be one of them)
Second – the reason I prefer Downs over all other options – and the reason I would like Choate – is that the two of them have had success in the AL East. They know the guys who the Yankees are likely to face: Ortiz, Markakis, Pena, Mauer, Morneau, Hamilton – etc.
Again – any two of Feliciano, Choate, Downs would be fine.
Blake -
The scary thing is that Cliff Lee would make a TON of sense for the Nationals.
I don’t think they can compete with the Yankees as far as the money – nor do I think Lee wants to go to a team that’s not going to compete next year, but check out what they could have in their rotation in 2012:
Lee
Strasburg
Zimmerman
Lannen
Maya
and with some good young position players like Zimmerman, Flores, Desmond and Bryce Harper – that would be a very good team in the NL East.
GB-
Speaking of lefty relievers.
What ever happened to WDLR ?
I fully expected him to become part of the mix as a power lefty out of the BP. He seemed to be progressing nicely.
Did he drop off the radar ? Is he hurt ?
MTU-
Beats me. I don’t claim to be a minor league expert. My comment referred to general belief, not my own.
Wave-
I think it would be near the top of baseball. Especially in the Catching dep’t.
Pitchers and Catchers are the Platinum and Gold so it’s an interesting way to look at things.
I would love to see Matsui back in pinstripes. He is a true professional.
But I don’t think it will happen. He can’t/shouldn’t play the field, which cuts down on team depth. At least that’s how I think Cashman/Girardi will see it.
MTU-
JMO, but the Yankee minor league pitching prospects seem to range from A- to C+, no elite prospects. So balance that a team having with less depth but one A or A+ pitching prospect.
The Yankee minor league catching depth seems pretty good, as you say, assuming they can actually catch.
Wave-
I think the Picthing is quite good interms of cieling.
Is it your opinion that most teams have guys like the Killer B’s, and then in back of them guys like Phelps, Warren, Stoneburner, and Ramirez ?
I may be wrong but I’d be surprised if that’s the case.
And IMO the Catching is way more than just pretty good.
We can agree to disagree though.
There is something about the thought of Mets pitchers in pinstripes that I find unsettling.
Feliciano, for example. Decent option against lefties, a BP pitcher for righties.
MTU-
If the Yanks’ minor league catchers can actually catch, they are real good. “Pretty good” was sloppy talk.
I wasn’t knocking the Yankee pitching depth. As you say, it is very deep with solid pitching prospects, just not elite level prospects. Again IMO.
WYH-
I’ll drop it after this but I think guys like Betances, Banuelos, or Brackman have the stuff to be elite if they hit their ceilings.
That’s true of any talented MiLB prospect.
For example, Toronto’s Drabek. He has to prove himself too. Stuff isn’t any better than several of the guys mentioned above IMO.
MTU-
Like I said, I don’t claim to be an expert. I certainly hope you are right!
Hi all,
Good discussion this morning.
I like the mac and cheese part best. Believe it or not, I have never made it, but I do like it.
The fact that there can be a discussion about someone other than J is most interesting.
I can’t offer any incite into the present discussion since I know little about the minors…so I will read on.
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MTU,
Great pictures.