Maybe there will be actual news today
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jan 06, 2011 
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Most likely, this will be another day of nothing but light speculation.
But!
It was exactly one year ago that the Yankees announced their 2010 coaching staff, bringing everyone back after a World Series championship. It would be barely a blip on the offseason radar, but at least announcing the coaching staff would provide something real to discuss for at a minute or two before everyone goes back to wondering about Freddy Garcia.
We already know Kevin Long is coming back, Dave Eiland is on his way out and Larry Rothschild is taking over the pitching staff.
Are there any other changes you’d like to see?
Sure Chad.
Mickey Rivers and Rickey Henderson as special ST coaches for teaching bunting and stealing technique.
I think they should hire someone to advocate for Joba being put back in the rotation.
It seems so obvious, Rich. We’re not smarter than the Yankees’ brain trust [I hope!], so the only conclusion I can draw is that they have access to some information which we do not.
Agree with MTU, a bunting and baserunning coach would help, as for the first time in years we have several members with speed: Gardner, Granderson, Golson, Nunez, Pena, Jeter, Martin, and even Cervelli.
Would be nice to see a speed element to Girardi’s game this season.
Rich-
If Joba really wanted to have another shot at starting he could open a lot of eyes by slimming down and showing a commitment to excellent conditioning.
Has he done that ? Seriously doubt it.
And please don’t say that the Yankees need to tell him to prepare because he’s the one who needs to do the convincing.
I agree with Chuck though.
There is more than meets the eye on why Joba is so type cast.
There must be.
“There is more than meets the eye on why Joba is so type cast.”
Agreed. Cashman seems entirely dug in on this. I believe it’s because Chamberlain hasn’t given any reason for him not to be.
Cervelli?
Might have speed by catcher standards, but he’s not a speed guy by any stretch of the imagination.
Chad -
I like the coaching staff as it stands. The only spot I’m questionable about is Rob Thompson, but it’s not a big deal.
Chad can you get in the ear of the new pitching coach? Find out what he’s about?
Good morning folks.
Doreen, good luck in getting the new car of your dreams.
I agree we need to sign Soriano, 3 @ $10M, no longer.
I too would like to see all HOF votes made public, why the need of secrecy.
Carmona would be an OK addition, but should not cost that much, rather have Zambrano, I think he’d continue where he left off last season.
I like the pickup of Schlitter – I know he’s not the Cub pitcher people were hoping the Yankees would get, but as Chad points out the Yankees are very thin at relief pitcher in AAA. They’re probably hoping that the Angels and/or Red Sox won’t want back Fish or Turpen and that a few other arms shake loose during spring training.
Plus you have to figure that the odds are pretty strong on Prior at least opening the season in the minors if he makes it through Spring Training healthy.
I would imagine that Romulo will be given a chance to fight for a spot in the pen, but if he doesn’t get one he’ll probably be dealt for a similar pitcher with minor league options remaining.
If anybody can gauge what has become of Mark Prior between 2006 – present, it’s Larry Rothschild.
Chip -
I agree with your statement on Schlitter. Too many people on this board think when putting together the puzzle, only the big pieces count, when in fact there are many little pieces needed to complete the entire picture.
With Damon, Manny, Thome, and Vladdy still on the market and the only teams looking for a DH are the Rays, maybe the Angels, Blue Jays, or Twins, there is no reason why the Yankees shouldn’t add another stick to their team.
There is no reason why with the options available and the extra money they have to spend why they should pass on this opportunity.
Can you imagine Sterling/Waldman dealing with Schlitter on a regular basis?
Mell,
You had to single someone out, right? Such a positive outlook. Had to find something or someone who didn’t quite fit the rest.
Ok, he is relatively fast for a catcher, and frankly you don’t have to have blazing speed to steal bases, just situational awareness and an understanding of pitchers, which catchers generall have. Plus yes, he has some speed, probably more than Cano.
He’s at least faster than you. Maybe not me.
LGY -
Agreed, but my vote would be Thome, no interest in the others.
There is no reason why with the options available and the extra money they have to spend why they should pass on this opportunity.
__
Only logical reason is because adding most of those means two DHs, and one less roster spot for a back up for Jeter and the OF. Still think Andruw Jones makes sense, as he can still field and probably can play all 3 positions in a pinch, is a righty with power, etc..
Personally, i would love to see Manny behind A-Rod in the lineup, just because that would be sick.
But the Yanks don’t need a DH, they need a RH hitting OF who can play LF and RF.
It’s why I thought they should hold on to Austin Kearns
I want to see Tex behind Alex with Robbie Cano hitting 3rd. It’s time.
“But the Yanks don’t need a DH, they need a RH hitting OF who can play LF and RF.”
————————
2 questions
1. Why can’t they have both?
2. Is Posada playing everyday?
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 9:42 am
With Damon, Manny, Thome, and Vladdy still on the market and the only teams looking for a DH are the Rays, maybe the Angels, Blue Jays, or Twins, there is no reason why the Yankees shouldn’t add another stick to their team.
There is no reason why with the options available and the extra money they have to spend why they should pass on this opportunity.
——————
Have you seen the recent reports about Thome’s asking price? $8 mil is a lot of money for a guy who would likely get fewer than 200 ABs
Of the players you mentioned my preference would be Damon simply because he has the ability to play the field – not well – but he can do it. The other three, while nice bats, are strictly bats and offer no flexibility to the bench.
Austin Kearns? The only thing he could do well is SO. He was a total waste!
# MTU January 6th, 2011 at 9:24 am
Rich-
If Joba really wanted to have another shot at starting he could open a lot of eyes by slimming down and showing a commitment to excellent conditioning.
Has he done that ? Seriously doubt it.
And please don’t say that the Yankees need to tell him to prepare because he’s the one who needs to do the convincing.
I agree with Chuck though.
There is more than meets the eye on why Joba is so type cast.
There must be.
——————————————–
You could be right about that but the Yankees let it be known to Joba back in ST 2010 that he was a reliever going forward and nothing more. So let’s say he came into camp in shape would it immediately change their mind about him starting…probably not.
No Austin Kearns sequel. Please.
No issues with the coaching staff- sign em up!
Also no issue with Cashman loading up on low risk reclamation projects hoping there’s an “Aaron Small” in there somewhere.
Makes more sense to save the cash for when something better than mediocre surfaces between now and July instead of letting it burn a hole in the pocket now and having buyers remorse later.
Al-
I think the Yankees are looking to add a rt-handed power hitter who can play the corners on a PT basis.
Posada is our main DH.
Thome wants a bigger payday after last season.
I don’t think he’s a fit.
“With Damon, Manny, Thome, and Vladdy still on the market and the only teams looking for a DH are the Rays, maybe the Angels, Blue Jays, or Twins, there is no reason why the Yankees shouldn’t add another stick to their team”
Only guy I’d want from this group is Thome. Ramirez and Damon are toast and Vlad’s not far behind as he faded in the 2nd half of 2010 and had a miserable postseason. Thome would be a great get. Read somewhere he’s looking for real money after playing for meal money last season. Guess the issue with him is how he’d fit in. DH on the rare day Posada catches? Simply a bat off the bench? He’s the best bat of the aforementioned lot by a country mile, but he doesn’t do much for the team’s flexibility.
There is also no reason why Posada can’t catch 1-2 times a week. If they add another big stick, they shouldn’t worry about Posada getting hurt and I don’t see how just once or twice a week behind the plate substantially increases his likelihood of getting injured.
If you add another DH bat and Posada gets hurt, then you have Martin behind the plate full time and a legit bat on DH, just like you have right now.
Posada should be the backup catcher, not Cervelli. It is worth taking that risk because then you have Posada at C and the newly signed DH in the lineup together 1-2 times a week.
Regarding Soriano a 10M/year, here are the currently highest paid closers:
Mariano Rivera (NYY): 15M/yr
Brad Lidge (PHI): 12.5M/yr
Francisco Rodriguez (NYM): 12.3M/yr
Joe Nathan (MIN): 11.75M/yr
Francisco Cordero (CIN): 11.5M/yr
It’ll probably take 12M/year.
86w183 January 6th, 2011 at 9:43 am
Can you imagine Sterling/Waldman dealing with Schlitter on a regular basis?
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LGY January 6th, 2011 at 9:48 am
“But the Yanks don’t need a DH, they need a RH hitting OF who can play LF and RF.”
————————
2 questions
1. Why can’t they have both?
2. Is Posada playing everyday?
—————-
1. Look if you want to tell me sign Damon (or even Manny) and a Reed Johnson type – that’s cool with me. I think though that those guys you mentioned are looking for more money and/or more playing time than you’re going to find the Yankees willing to provide them with. The guys willing to accept that kind of role are more your Andruw Jones, Troy Glaus, Marcus Thames types.
2. I would say that not having to deal with catching everyday you’re going to see Jorge play about 135-140 games at DH. Maybe another 5 behind the plate. And if the Yankees were to need another DH I think Girardi would prefer to keep it open so that he can rotate players through there when he wants to give them a day off from fielding during a long stretch of games.
“He’s at least faster than you. Maybe not me.”
OH YEAH!!!!
The price for DH types such as Vlad, Thome, Manny and Damon went up the minute Berkman was signed to that rediculous contract to ‘play LF’. He’s essentially a DH but somehow convinced them he could play a position he hasn’t played in years so he could get a bump in salary. Every other DH is now probably saying they too can play LF and therefore warrant a similar salary.
At least Damon knows where LF is.
Rediculous.
MTU -
If Joba wanted to be a SP, he’d have his agent contact Cashman, tell him Joba was in an off season conditioning program, had been working during the off season to build up his arm strength, and wanted a fair shot at SP come ST.
I’ll bet the farm none of those things ever happened, and that’s on Joba, not Cashman or the Yankees.
This is what I would do. Approx. 6 games per week.
Posada: C-bench-DH-C-bench-DH
New DH: DH-DH-bench-DH-DH-bench
Martin: bench-C-C-bench-C-C
Those 3 would get 100-110 games played, plenty of at bats, and a good amount of rest to keep them healthy per week.
DaSaint007 January 6th, 2011 at 9:50 am
No Austin Kearns sequel. Please.
****************************
Agreed. Ugh.
I remember one game where he struck out in a big spot and my brother turned to me and said “what is the point of this guy?” LOL
Spring training can’t come quickly enough for some positive news. I want to at least see some of the kids in action. At this point it doesn’t look like Andy will be saying a word one way or another. All you can really hope for is a Bonderman signing and hope somehow he gets back some of what he had a few years ago. Soraino will not be coming here no matter what. No way will they spend that kind of money after so many bullpen signing disasters they have had.
If Andy returns, I could see Po catching him.
As far as the catchcing situation goes, ideally, I’d keep 3 catchers on the roster. Whether thats Martin, Montero and Posada or Martin, Cervelli or Posada.
Martin can start and finish his games. Montero should start some games and finish some as well. Posada should start some, and have either Montero or Cervelli finish them, say the 7th, 8th and 9th innings of large margin leads.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 9:52 am
There is also no reason why Posada can’t catch 1-2 times a week. If they add another big stick, they shouldn’t worry about Posada getting hurt and I don’t see how just once or twice a week behind the plate substantially increases his likelihood of getting injured.
If you add another DH bat and Posada gets hurt, then you have Martin behind the plate full time and a legit bat on DH, just like you have right now.
Posada should be the backup catcher, not Cervelli. It is worth taking that risk because then you have Posada at C and the newly signed DH in the lineup together 1-2 times a week.
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But you’re completely discounting the fact that the Yankees have done everything under the sun to remove Jorge from the catching mix.
Swisher is turning into quite the TV star. Last year he was on How I Met Your Mother, and this year he’ll be on Better With You (Joanna’s aka Mrs. Nick Swisher show)
http://www.tvline.com/2011/01/.....-with-you/
I think Soriano signs with the White Sox.
Cashman then signs Rauch and Fuentes for the pen.
White Sox make either Buhrle or Jackson available for trade, and Cashman obtains him for salary relief plus Joba.
“But you’re completely discounting the fact that the Yankees have done everything under the sun to remove Jorge from the catching mix.”
——————–
I’m saying it’s a bad move for them to do so.
Erin
have you seen the show? Is it any good?
Al-
I agree that it’s not likely that Joba went into an OS conditioning program.
I offered to help by having him retrieve backpacks from the bottom of the Grand Canyon, or by trying to turn him into a peak bagger.
I have not heard back either.
The Yankees appear to see him as reliever and a reliever only.
With his behavior he hasn’t helped to change any minds.
It may also be health related although I don’t buy that one.
At this point, it is what it is.
If Joba wants to start it probably will have to be in another uniform
most likely in the NL.
Hi, Erin! Hi, Kate!
Agree with Big Al on Kearns. I wanted to like the guy, but he reeked of failure. Nothing personal, but he just did not have that “Yankee Look” to me.
Later folks, have a nice day.
# BIG AL January 6th, 2011 at 9:54 am
MTU -
If Joba wanted to be a SP, he’d have his agent contact Cashman, tell him Joba was in an off season conditioning program, had been working during the off season to build up his arm strength, and wanted a fair shot at SP come ST.
I’ll bet the farm none of those things ever happened, and that’s on Joba, not Cashman or the Yankees.
——————————————————
Yea I’m sure it didn’t happen either but let’s say it did does anyone honestly think they would say ok kid we’ll give you another shot. They told him in ST that he’s a reliever and that’s it. He;; Eiland and Eppler basically made it known he’d never start again.
CC is opening day starter, Marting catching.
If Andy returns, Posada caddys for him alone.
Montero/Cervelli catches for Hughes.
I keep saying as well, you want a pitcher that flies under the radar, stays healthy and always just gets the job done, go get Buerhle if he is available in the last year of his contract $14 million. Just think of a Jimmy Key type of addition right there. He is capable of pitching the big game, is a lefty and still young enough that he is a perfect veteran pitcher like Andy for the middle to the back end of this rotation.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 9:55 am
This is what I would do. Approx. 6 games per week.
Posada: C-bench-DH-C-bench-DH
New DH: DH-DH-bench-DH-DH-bench
Martin: bench-C-C-bench-C-C
Those 3 would get 100-110 games played, plenty of at bats, and a good amount of rest to keep them healthy per week.
————–
The goal in any lineup is to have as few moving parts as possible. Yes you want flexibility to protect against injury – but you want a steady lineup so that players can get and stay in grooves.
I understand that it’s tempting with those guys out there – but they just don’t fit any need. You have a DH…no team carries two.
The Yankees don’t want Posada catching. It would take three guys going down for Jorge to see any sort of meaningful time behind the plate.
Saint-
You might be onto something with Buerhle.
kate-I do watch the show. I think it’s really cute. I can’t wait ’til Swisher’s episode airs. Although I think he should have gotten his good buddy Cano to join him.
I think Soriano signs with the White Sox.
Cashman then signs Rauch and Fuentes for the pen.
White Sox make either Buehrle or Jackson available for trade, and Cashman obtains him for salary relief plus Joba.
———————————————————————-
That’s my hunch also. I think it’s more likely to be Jackson, then Floyd, as trade bait.
MLBTR.com:
Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and Phil Coke will likely start for the Tigers.
Not a bad starting set. Young guns led by Verlander. Detroit after Penny though, and still looking at Bonderman.
Regarding Joba, while i am not a fan of the idea fo try to start him again as he is now, i think if we can strengthen the pen, the option to send Joba back to Tampa to rework EVERYTHING (Halladay and Lee style) should be there. Sacrifice Joba in 2011 for 2012-2022.
Good morning Chuck!!
I would be happy w/ Buerhle
Saint
who would you have catch AJ?
Hi Chuck
Erin
I guess I will have to check it out
Yankee Trader January 6th, 2011 at 10:04 am
I think Soriano signs with the White Sox.
Cashman then signs Rauch and Fuentes for the pen.
White Sox make either Buehrle or Jackson available for trade, and Cashman obtains him for salary relief plus Joba.
———————————————————————-
That’s my hunch also. I think it’s more likely to be Jackson, then Floyd, as trade bait.
—————————————————–
I’m ok with that, and have been for some time:
CC, Hughes, AJ, Edwin Jackson, Ivan Nova
Mariano, Rauch, Fuentes, Robertson, Logan, Feliciano, Mitre
“But you’re completely discounting the fact that the Yankees have done everything under the sun to remove Jorge from the catching mix”
Certainly actions (signing Martin) speak louder than words, but in addition to informing Posada that his role for 20111 was going to be as primary DH, he also told him to come to ST prepared to catch. It’s not like Bench and Fisk are here. Martin is coming off of 2.5 miserable seasons and is a gamble. Cervelli demonstrated he’s far better suited to be a backup C as opposed to an everyday one. Montero’s abilities as a C remain something of a question mark. Posada as a catcher may be in the coffin, but nobody’s thrown the 6 feet of dirt on it yet.
And i think in the back of his mind, Cashman is iffy about making a trade using the big minor leagers because he believes one of the superstars will come available in the summer and he will not have the pieces to trade (Johnson or Felix, etc)
DaSaint007 January 6th, 2011 at 10:02 am
CC is opening day starter, Marting catching.
If Andy returns, Posada caddys for him alone.
Montero/Cervelli catches for Hughes.
—————————–
I seriously doubt that even if Andy came back that you would see Posada catching him.
The Yankees have done everything short of FedExing Jorge’s catching gear to Alaska to spell out to him that they don’t want him back there next year in any meaningful role.
And I don’t blame them.
This isn’t a knock on Posada but he’s an old man for a ball player – especially for a catcher. Last year he played 80 games behind the dish and his body couldn’t hold up to that little amount. His offense suffered big time in every meaningful way.
Why stick him back there at all at this point? The Yankees are a better team when Jorge’s bat is fresh and in the lineup doing what it does best. The lineup is plenty deep enough to carry Martin and Cervelli at the catching spot to open the season and, if Martin struggles and Montero is playing well – you’ll augment the position by bringing him up around midseason and letting him play.
“I understand that it’s tempting with those guys out there – but they just don’t fit any need. You have a DH…no team carries two.
The Yankees don’t want Posada catching. It would take three guys going down for Jorge to see any sort of meaningful time behind the plate.”
———————
The Twins did last year and it worked out really well for them, because of Morneau’s injury. Either way, who cares what other teams do? The Yankees are in a position with a weak starting staff right now, so why not beef up the offense? Why not make moves to ensure a circular lineup as possible everyday of the week?
Why not guard against probably the inevitable injury Posada suffers this season. I really don’t see how people can be confident Posada’s body is going to handle playing everyday or close to a full season.
The Yankees need to stop worrying about strict needs right now. They just need to make moves, maybe some unorthodox one like this to improve the team as much as possible. At some point going strictly for need is not worth it. At some level having a huge bat like Thome who is just a DH is more valuable than some guy who can play a position and hit a little.
Kate,
Martin needs to catch CC, AJ, and the new guy TBD.
Posada needs to catch Andy if he returns or anyone but AJ.
Montero/Cervelli need to catch Hughes and Nova.
# DaSaint007 January 6th, 2011 at 10:05 am
MLBTR.com:
Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and Phil Coke will likely start for the Tigers.
Not a bad starting set. Young guns led by Verlander. Detroit after Penny though, and still looking at Bonderman.
———————————————————————-
Yea thats not a bad starting rotation. Porcello should bounce back after his sophomore slump
DaSaint007-
It could be that discussion has been explored by Cashman, but the Sox might want non-arb Robertson instead?? Now would you do that deal for Jackson?
Mell January 6th, 2011 at 10:07 am
“But you’re completely discounting the fact that the Yankees have done everything under the sun to remove Jorge from the catching mix”
Certainly actions (signing Martin) speak louder than words, but in addition to informing Posada that his role for 20111 was going to be as primary DH, he also told him to come to ST prepared to catch. It’s not like Bench and Fisk are here. Martin is coming off of 2.5 miserable seasons and is a gamble. Cervelli demonstrated he’s far better suited to be a backup C as opposed to an everyday one. Montero’s abilities as a C remain something of a question mark. Posada as a catcher may be in the coffin, but nobody’s thrown the 6 feet of dirt on it yet.
———————
Mell,
Even if we accept that fact – the Yankees aren’t going to sign a second DH on the gamble that Martin, Cervelli and Montero don’t work out and they have to put Jorge back in at C.
You mention that Martin is coming off of 2.5 bad/injury plagued seasons. Same can be said about Jorge.
I’d love to see Manny in pinstripes but it’s pretty unlikely and he’s basically a DH now anyway. I still think he can hit though.
Andruw Jones makes the most sense. He can still field OK and hits lefties very well. He had a 1.5 WAR last year so he could be worth $6-7MM and probably be signed for less.
The issue with keeping Montero in AAA, is Romine. They probably feel he would be ready to move to AAA also. I think they want Montero/Romine both on this team in 2012, splitting catching and getting creative with Montero dhing some and Romine either backing up 3rd of in LF/RF on days he isnt catching.
Both should know that to start everyday (particularly Romine), they should probably also be servicable at a second position (DH for Montero)
Against All Odds January 6th, 2011 at 9:49 am
# MTU January 6th, 2011 at 9:24 am
Rich-
If Joba really wanted to have another shot at starting he could open a lot of eyes by slimming down and showing a commitment to excellent conditioning.
Has he done that ? Seriously doubt it.
And please don’t say that the Yankees need to tell him to prepare because he’s the one who needs to do the convincing.
I agree with Chuck though.
There is more than meets the eye on why Joba is so type cast.
There must be.
——————————————–
You could be right about that but the Yankees let it be known to Joba back in ST 2010 that he was a reliever going forward and nothing more. So let’s say he came into camp in shape would it immediately change their mind about him starting…probably not.
////I think there’s waaaayyy too much assuming going on about Chamberlain’s character and physical fitness with no basis,probably because some hanger ons in here bleat on about it from their drinkin buds & everyone takes it for gospel.could the kid be a degenerate?sure,but I’ve not seen any evidence of that so I’m not takin some board guy’s word who likes to hear himself talk.
what seems more likely to me,is billy eppler has a big say in what goes on and he decided a while ago that joba’s a reliever.that bias convinced cashman at some point to come over to the dark side,because he was reportedly against joba the reliever until capitulatiing suddenly,now my assumption on that is because they decided developing the guy was over their heads & they decided their short run return was best in the BP.
now that it’s become this big political thing,cashman has become stubborn about it & maybe the LAST thing they want is for Joba to turn it around as a starter,making them look dumber for their over-the-top protests that a 25 yr old with documented success as a starter is ONLY cut out for relieving and will ONLY be a reliever.
Completely removing Posada from the catching mix just doesn’t make any sense.
Cervelli was awful last season and Martin has basically been that bad for 2.5 years.
You are telling me Posada can’t catch just 1-2 days a week?
Even if you think he is definitely going to get injured catching that little, why does it matter if you are already comfortable throwing a Martin/Cervelli tandem out there everyday.
Martin has potential, but at the same time the Yankee catching position has the potential to be awful with Martin and Cervelli behind the dish.
Chip,
While I understand your reasoning I disagree about Posada. He may no be able to catch 80 games, but 30 or so for Andy shouldn’t be a problem. I could be wrong, but I thought that you once wrote that Posada catching is negated by Andy’s excellent pick off move, which makes sense.
He no longer has the agility nor dexterity to catch AJ, nor the patience for a Nova. He could catch CC on occassion, as CC throws well to anyone.
Point is, Posada is going to catch between 30-50 games. Maybe not complete games, but he’ll get in them, which he should as he needs to retain the skillset…just in case.
It could be that discussion has been explored by Cashman, but the Sox might want non-arb Robertson instead?? Now would you do that deal for Jackson?
__
I may be in the minority, but i feel that Robertson should be excluded from any trade discussion unless it is for a HUGE name. He is young, has a great arm, and cheap.
Yankee Trader January 6th, 2011 at 10:10 am
DaSaint007-
It could be that discussion has been explored by Cashman, but the Sox might want non-arb Robertson instead?? Now would you do that deal for Jackson?
——————
I don’t trust Edwin Jackson. He’s been in the league for what – 6 years now? and has had a good half season to his credit.
I know that that half season was pretty incredible, but to me he’s a slightly more consistant version of Daniel Cabrera.
Cashman probably won’t make a move unless it is a salary dump or money relief for someone. The White Sox are perfect as they have made trades in the past and may want to unlaod someone. Plus as mentioned I prefer Buerhle, but Jackson and Ffloyd both have very good stuff as well even if they can be inconsistent. If it costs Cashman guys like Nova, Warren, Noesi etc then I think something gets done. If it is one of the catchers or includes Buenlos it has zero chance. Ultimately Nova is one guy you would like to hold on to. Not because he is the best of the bunch, but he is the most ready to actually pitch and probably could turn out to be a perfect Mendoza type guy. He also would be part of any bigger trade as he could step right in and pitch elsewhere.
A few teams have already essentially given up on Jackson even with his stuff, that says quite a bit I guess. But he was very good for the Sox when he came back and pitched well for the Rays. Don’t trust him though, that’s for sure. With the Backs he was awful in the NL ! Dodgers, Rays, DBacks, White Sox, there has to be more to his makeup that these teams don’t want to hold onto him.
And Tigers, sorry, five teams.
Geez, if only Posada had not pushed for a 4 year deal, we could be looking at Vlad as our right-handed DH. LOL
YT, I don’t trade Robertson. I’d have to substitute a couple lower level arms instead.
Chip, I like Jackson’s upside. Yes, he’s been in the league for a bit, but he’s still young, and enough folks believe in that upside to have included him in major deals. He hasn’t stunk it up as yet, so sure, i’d take a young gun over an older guy most times.
“Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and Phil Coke will likely start for the Tigers”
Scherzer may end up being really good. He struggled for about a month in late April – early May, but over his last 21 starts, he was 10-6 with a 2.33 ERA and 1.10 WHIP and about a K and inning.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Completely removing Posada from the catching mix just doesn’t make any sense.
Cervelli was awful last season and Martin has basically been that bad for 2.5 years.
You are telling me Posada can’t catch just 1-2 days a week?
Even if you think he is definitely going to get injured catching that little, why does it matter if you are already comfortable throwing a Martin/Cervelli tandem out there everyday.
Martin has potential, but at the same time the Yankee catching position has the potential to be awful with Martin and Cervelli behind the dish.
———————
LGY –
Obviously this is pure speculation on my part – but I believe the Yankee plan is this:
Open the season with Martin and Cervelli with Martin catching everyday with Montero in AAA and Romine in AA.
Sometime in June recall Jesus Montero and send Cervelli to AAA and move Romine to AAA.
At the ML level start working Montero into the lineup catching 1 or 2 pitchers (Probably Hughes and whomever the fifth starter is as that will likely be someone Montero has worked with in the minors)
By year’s end, Martin will have caught about 100 – 110 games; Montero about 50 and Cervelli and Posada will have split the remainder.
Why does anyone want Posada to catch when he is the worst option defensively? Catch Pettitte…why? He’s going to do what he does best – hit. And Martin is going to strengthen the defense with Cervelli/Montero to give him breathers. Its a great plan. I just don’t get why anyone thinks its a good idea for Posada to catch when there is a barn full of better catchers on the team.
did I mention we had a rotten pitching coach that contributed to the yanks folding their hand on joba the starter?because i do think Dave Eiland as mentor left a lot to be desired.
yeah, I agree LGY. I like the catching rotation that Saint has set up.
I don’t pretend to know what is going on w/ Joba. It seems a shame to waste so much potential. I would hope it isn’t a question of Cashman being stubborn. I think it would look worse if Joba got traded somewhere and became a dominant starter.
“I don’t trust Edwin Jackson. He’s been in the league for what – 6 years now? and has had a good half season to his credit.”
———————
4 fulls seasons, 3 good half seasons!
-3.24 ERA once trade to the WS last year
-2.52 ERA Pre ASB 2009
-3.93 ERA Pre ASB 2008
I would trade for any WS pitcher except for Peavy. Jackson had a 3.86 FIP last year. I’m down with E-Jack.
Chamberlain’s main problem is between his ears. Cashman has done everything but outright say it. A good reason why he’s had difficulty repeating his mechanics which is his biggest obstacle in becoming consistent.
It’s why he comes out of the bullpen, gets 2 hitters, then suddenly self-destructs.
DaSaint007 January 6th, 2011 at 10:13 am
Chip,
While I understand your reasoning I disagree about Posada. He may no be able to catch 80 games, but 30 or so for Andy shouldn’t be a problem. I could be wrong, but I thought that you once wrote that Posada catching is negated by Andy’s excellent pick off move, which makes sense.
He no longer has the agility nor dexterity to catch AJ, nor the patience for a Nova. He could catch CC on occassion, as CC throws well to anyone.
Point is, Posada is going to catch between 30-50 games. Maybe not complete games, but he’ll get in them, which he should as he needs to retain the skillset…just in case.
——————————-
We’ll have to wait and see on that for two reasons:
1. Obviously we all stink at predicting stuff
2. For Jorge to catch Andy, Andy first has to return and that’s far from certain.
“You mention that Martin is coming off of 2.5 bad/injury plagued seasons”
I could mention it, but I’d be wrong. He was injured in 8/2010. Two years prior to that, he just sucked. Might have been because he was overused, but it wasn’t because of injury.
108 stitches January 6th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Chamberlain’s main problem is between his ears. Cashman has done everything but outright say it. A good reason why he’s had difficulty repeating his mechanics which is his biggest obstacle in becoming consistent.
It’s why he comes out of the bullpen, gets 2 hitters, then suddenly self-destructs.
////Except you & I have no shred of evidence that’s remotely true,so it just comes off as emotionalism on yr part.the delivery repetition is the only part of yr post that can be substantiated & there’s nothin new in that.the question is not even why he can’t repeat it,the question is why have the yankees decided the task of helping him repeat it is too big for their organization to tackle.
LGY -
We’ll have to agree to disagree about Jackson and Posada’s role with the team.
As for Jackson – it’s relatively pointless to debate him at this point since if the White Sox were to move him it would be later in the season when they’re sure of Peavy’s health and given their additions in the pen it certainly won’t be for a reliever like Robertson.
Each time a FA goes off the board, the blog goes off a little more. I don’t even want to see what happens when Soriano gets signed before the Yankees even make another move.
“There is more than meets the eye on why Joba is so type cast.
There must be.”
mtu-
this is nothing new.
because of inside info i had , i know that cashman never liked the way wang pitched with such a low strike out rate and was always behind the scenes encouraging coaches to mess with him to increase it. i had numerous emails back and forth with peter a. about this. he knew all about it. it’s not one of those things a sports writer is going to talk about if he wants good relations with a team.
now “joba is a reliever” is his present misguided fixation .
cashman’s tendency to fall in love with his personal opinion despite all evidence to the contrary is a major personality flaw for a gm.
all he would have to do to be fair with joba is to be open minded .
how hard is it to give him a chance to compete for the fifth spot?
what’s the down side?
the yankees are the one that pays the price for throwing away a chance that they have a starter already among themselves . it’s going to be costly to come up with someone as good as joba is as a starter.
I guess b/c we don’t know that there is a barn full of better catchers. Montero has yet to play in the ML, Martin was injured and Cervelli was used way too much. If all goes according to plan, then I would agree w/ Chip and Clown, just use Posada as DH, but there are too many variables at this point.
Listen guys it’s fine to rip Kearns, but why don’t you offer up an affordable alternative that hits lefties reasonably well AND plays an acceptable LF and RF. I’m listening.
The Yanks may add Rausch or Soriano, but hard to understand why they would also pay big $$$ to Fuentes.
Edwin Jackson or Fausto Carmona is okay by me. I’m guessing it takes Joba, either Nova or Noesi and Romine. Maybe more. I prefer Carmona, as most of you probably know by now.
$ 13.1 M for the primary DH and you want to spend $ 8 M more to make Jorge a part-time DH? That economic nonsense. Even more so when you realize Alex and Derek will probably DH at least once or twice a month each.
I’d take a chance on Bonderman and or Carmona.
Mell January 6th, 2011 at 10:23 am
“You mention that Martin is coming off of 2.5 bad/injury plagued seasons”
I could mention it, but I’d be wrong. He was injured in 8/2010. Two years prior to that, he just sucked. Might have been because he was overused, but it wasn’t because of injury
—————
My mistake – last year was injury marred for Martin. It’s Posada who is coming off of the injury plagued seasons….more reason to keep Jorge at DH.
I don’t know why people want to put Jorge back there – even for a couple of games a week.
He can’t throw
He can’t catch
and everytime he catches he winds up getting hurt which robs him of his bat
What’s the upside? Giving the team a reason to sign Jim Thome and give him some at bats? No thank you.
86w183 January 6th, 2011 at 10:26 am
Listen guys it’s fine to rip Kearns, but why don’t you offer up an affordable alternative that hits lefties reasonably well AND plays an acceptable LF and RF. I’m listening.
———————–
Reed Johnson
Lastings Milledge
Andruw Jones
Buehrle has full no trade protection- righties hit .303 off him, lefties .275.
Jackson becomes a FA after this season and makes 8.35M-also a Boras client.
While Gavin Floyd would be my choice, signed thru 2012, with a 2013 club option, the asking price would be higher.
John Danks would be ideal, but for what the White Sox would want, I’d rather get another lefty in Clayton Kershaw.
upstate kate January 6th, 2011 at 10:25 am
I guess b/c we don’t know that there is a barn full of better catchers. Montero has yet to play in the ML, Martin was injured and Cervelli was used way too much. If all goes according to plan, then I would agree w/ Chip and Clown, just use Posada as DH, but there are too many variables at this point.
———————
Kate -
Yes, Posada will probably give Girardi a security blanket in case Martin stinks, Montero’s not ready and Cervelli is Cervelli – but the Yankees aren’t going to go out and sign a DH to sit on the bench in the event that all three of those things happen.
And more to the point – the guys being mentioned, Thome, Manny, Damon, Vlad – aren’t going to sign without being assured they’re going to play and play regularly.
The Yankees have a plan for what they want to do with the catching spot and Posada’s not a part of it.
Randy-
You may be right but the reality is what it is.
Joba still should have done his part to open some eyes IMO.Maybe if he came into camp looking and acting like 2007 Joba people would be forced to take notice.
It might not have helped but at least Joba could have said to himself that he did everything in his power to convince people.
On the other hand, he may know the door is wired shut and he sees no incentive to try and change it.
I have wanted to see him move on for greener pastures for a while now. For his own sake.
Randy
Are you paying attention to me criticizing Cashman?
“Reed Johnson
Lastings Milledge
Andruw Jones”
Andruw Jones is a perfect fit. Given the options if I were Cashman I would sign him in a heartbeat, up to $5M.
Yankee Trader January 6th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Buehrle has full no trade protection- righties hit .303 off him, lefties .275.
Jackson becomes a FA after this season and makes 8.35M-also a Boras client.
While Gavin Floyd would be my choice, signed thru 2012, with a 2013 club option, the asking price would be higher.
John Danks would be ideal, but for what the White Sox would want, I’d rather get another lefty in Clayton Kershaw.
————————–
I agree with all your points – except wanting Gavin Floyd – but the fact still remains that the White Sox aren’t going to move any of their starters before the season starts.
They are loading up to fight for the division this year and need to see what they’re going to get from Jake Peavy before they would consider moving a Floyd or Jackson.
It’s similar to the Cubs and Zambrano – check back with them in July if the season slips away from them, but for now, the motivation for them to make a move like that just isn’t there.
And more to the point – the guys being mentioned, Thome, Manny, Damon, Vlad – aren’t going to sign without being assured they’re going to play and play regularly.
****
Who will give them reg playing time?
There is only one team in the AL with a real hole at DH
Cashman’s major problem with Wang wasn’t the strikeout rates – it was that Wang had several shoulder related injuries in the minors and the Yankees weren’t sure when his shoulder would give out next.
Turns out their worries were not without merit.
?Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and Phil Coke will likely start for the Tigers?
The grass is always greener. If the Yankees were proposing to throw that rotation this year, many would be pointing out that there is more than 1 question mark there and would be answering those questions in the negative.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 10:34 am
And more to the point – the guys being mentioned, Thome, Manny, Damon, Vlad – aren’t going to sign without being assured they’re going to play and play regularly.
****
Who will give them reg playing time?
There is only one team in the AL with a real hole at DH
——————–
Tampa
Angels
Twins
A team might even sign Damon with the idea of him playing some in the OF
Or they could sign with an NL team where they know they’ll at least get an AB every day like Giambi did in Colorado
and then there’s always the possibility that if they don’t find a situation that they like they go the way of Jermaine Dye and wait for something to open up during the season.
# J. Alfred Prufrock January 6th, 2011 at 10:19 am
did I mention we had a rotten pitching coach that contributed to the yanks folding their hand on joba the starter?because i do think Dave Eiland as mentor left a lot to be desired.
————————————————————————————–
That’s what I don’t get about Eiland. In 2009 he defended Joba as a starter. Hell he was one of the most vocal supporters but in 2010 it almost felt like he was strongly against him starting.
Wonder how things are goin’ for AJ in the new barn ?
He’s showin’ some dedication to improve.
This is good.
Against All Odds January 6th, 2011 at 10:40 am
# J. Alfred Prufrock January 6th, 2011 at 10:19 am
did I mention we had a rotten pitching coach that contributed to the yanks folding their hand on joba the starter?because i do think Dave Eiland as mentor left a lot to be desired.
————————————————————————————–
That’s what I don’t get about Eiland. In 2009 he defended Joba as a starter. Hell he was one of the most vocal supporters but in 2010 it almost felt like he was strongly against him starting.
——————–
Maybe he saw something from Joba during the winter and in ST that we aren’t privvy to.
Does anyone agree with this:
If Andy really wanted to retire, he would have done it already.
Therefore they are negotiating causing the delay.
Does it take this long to negotiate?
Andy: I want 16m.
NYY: All we have is 12.
Chip —-
Noy a bad list. I’m okay with Andruw, but I bet he costs a lot more than Kearns. We’ll see.
Johnson is a similar hitter to Kearns with less power and it not nearly as good an OF.
Milledge is an attitude risk, but very talented. Offer him $ 750 K plus playing time incentives and see if you strike gold.
WYH-
Could K Long help improve Jones contact rate ?
Help him to cut down on the K’s while preserving the power ?
Gary January 6th, 2011 at 6:45 am
I read this morning on the ESPN site, not much I would argue with
To: Brian Cashman
From: Andrew Marchand
Re: Rafael Soriano
CC: Scott Boras
Dear Brian:
The move now is to go get Rafael Soriano. That is what you should do even if Andy Pettitte decides to come back.
The misnomer on Pettitte is that he is some sort of sure thing. If Pettitte were to come back, he will turn 39 before the All-Star break. Last year, the break was basically midnight on his season. He had the groin and the back injuries that made him a half-season pitcher. It was one heckuva half season, but a half season nonetheless………………………………………
====================
This is such nonsense, just a repetitive post about nothing. Pettitte needs to go back to Hawaii and stay there. No one cares about an almost 40 year old pitcher who is often injured. Spend that $ 15 million on something else to help the club………………………………..TODAY ! ! !
“Tampa
Angels
Twins
A team might even sign Damon with the idea of him playing some in the OF
Or they could sign with an NL team where they know they’ll at least get an AB every day like Giambi did in Colorado
and then there’s always the possibility that if they don’t find a situation that they like they go the way of Jermaine Dye and wait for something to open up during the season.”
————————
Tampa- Yes, but at the same time they are cash strapped so some of the DHs may be too rich for their blood
Angels- Maybe, but yesterday a source said they have no interest in Vlad, because they have Abreu, Rivera, and Napoli to DH. Maybe.
Twins- You just got done telling me they won’t go to a team that already has a DH!
The Yankees could give the DH a pinch hit opp everyday as well. They could pinch hit for Martin/Cervelli. Jeter if a RHP is on the mound. Gardner or Grandy if a LHP is on the mound. Of course depending on if you get a RHB or LHB.
And Jermaine Dye Chip!
The guy STILL does not have a job.
86w183 January 6th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Chip —-
Noy a bad list. I’m okay with Andruw, but I bet he costs a lot more than Kearns. We’ll see.
Johnson is a similar hitter to Kearns with less power and it not nearly as good an OF.
Milledge is an attitude risk, but very talented. Offer him $ 750 K plus playing time incentives and see if you strike gold.
—————————
I’m not sure if you were bringing up Kearns because you think the Yankees should bring him back or you’re upset that they didn’t bring him back.
If your take is that they should bring him back it’s not viable anymore – he signed with the Indians last month.
Am I the only person who isn’t sleeping on the Angels just because they didn’t sign any free agents to deals they’d likely regret?
They still have the better rotation of their division (IMO, obv), which always seems to turn out weak regardless of what the off-season moves are/have been.
Jason Giambi got 222 PA last season and 144 of them came as a 1B.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 10:46 am
And Jermaine Dye Chip!
The guy STILL does not have a job.
———————
That’s right – and that’s how it ends sometimes for these guys. There’s no job out there that they like and so they just stop playing.
Dye
Sheffield
Lofton
Piazza
Isn’t the Andy thing just postponing the inevitable?
If he signs, we buy another year. Good, if a child emerges, but is next year’s class any better?
This is what is making this a constipated offseason.
Burnett is probably taking boxing lessons in that barn so he doesn’t get punched out by his wife / ex-wife again. Wooosey.
Buerhle earned his 10 & 5 rights in Chicago meaning he has to approve a trade. He’s made it known before in the past that he wanted to pitch in St. Louis if he wasn’t in Chicago. So he has to approve any deal with him in it making the deal harder to make since the player has the hammer.
Not to mention none of the White Sox starters are available at the moment and I don’t see why they would be when that team is built to win next year.
On a side note I’m guessing the news stories from Monday that Andy’s decision was a day away were inaccurate. If that was a media move by the Yankees to elicit a decision from him at this late date it appears to have failed.
Chip,
So you are telling me these guys won’t play next year?
Jermaine Dye didn’t get a job, because he is cooked. It wasn’t by choice.
MTU-
Maybe. I’m more pessimistic about improvements from coaching than most though. Anyway, given the available options Jones would help even if he strikes out every 4 or 5 plate appearances.
Maybe they are negotiating a half year contract for Andy.
They might want a full years pay for 1/2 season.
That could be the holdup.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 10:45 am
Tampa- Yes, but at the same time they are cash strapped so some of the DHs may be too rich for their blood that brings up another good point – Thome is said to be asking for about $8 mil; I don’t know what the others are looking for but I would assume it’s the same range. How high are you prepared to go for a back-up DH?
Angels- Maybe, but yesterday a source said they have no interest in Vlad, because they have Abreu, Rivera, and Napoli to DH. Maybe.
Twins- You just got done telling me they won’t go to a team that already has a DH! Given Justin Morneau’s injury situation there’s a better chance for playing time there as we saw last year
The Yankees could give the DH a pinch hit opp everyday as well. They could pinch hit for Martin/Cervelli. Jeter if a RHP is on the mound. Gardner or Grandy if a LHP is on the mound. Of course depending on if you get a RHB or LHB. very doubtful; you’re comparing Granderson, Gardner and Martin/Cervelli to pitchers at the plate
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 10:49 am
Chip,
So you are telling me these guys won’t play next year?
Jermaine Dye didn’t get a job, because he is cooked. It wasn’t by choice.
——————-
I’m saying given the choice between not signing and hoping that a spot opens up during the season or signing for peanuts to ride pine I do believe that some of these guys would opt for not signing.
Against All Odds January 6th, 2011 at 10:40 am
# J. Alfred Prufrock January 6th, 2011 at 10:19 am
did I mention we had a rotten pitching coach that contributed to the yanks folding their hand on joba the starter?because i do think Dave Eiland as mentor left a lot to be desired.
————————————————————————————–
That’s what I don’t get about Eiland. In 2009 he defended Joba as a starter. Hell he was one of the most vocal supporters but in 2010 it almost felt like he was strongly against him starting.
/////
Odds – my guess is that Eiland,who really does seem to be a “cover my a**” kinda guy,went dark on Chamberlain when he realized he was going to be a fallguy for the inevitable bumps on the rocky road to pitching development.he went awful swift & hard to the dark side,didn’t he??after those protestations?he obviously knew there was support within for him to switch positions & get himself off the hook in the process.that’s my thought any way.the groupies who cry that the yanks are not to blame ad nauseum don’t have a leg to stand on,because the kid WAS NEVER SENT DOWN AGAIN. that’s an indictment right there.the organization could not be bothered long enough to focus on putting him back in the lab.I don’t want to hear about the shoulder,either.He has thumping to the tune of 98,99 last yr which means his arm had at least come around enough to give it another try.let’s see what happens in ST.
Notes to NYY’s:
1) Check out Colon.
2) Get head out of Schitler.
WYH-
Well at least he still can shag ‘em. Especially from the corners.
I don’t like his low contact rate though. I would like to see that improved upon. He’s not too old of a dog to teach some new tricks IMO.
Too bad Golson hasn’t shown much with the bat.
He certainly has the other tools.
Gee…What will they discuss on Yankee Hot Stove tonight?
MTU January 6th, 2011 at 10:56 am
WYH-
Well at least he still can shag ‘em. Especially from the corners.
I don’t like his low contact rate though. I would like to see that improved upon. He’s not too old of a dog to teach some new tricks IMO.
Too bad Golson hasn’t shown much with the bat.
He certainly has the other tools
———————
I could see Golson making the team as a 4th OF.
There are two spots here – a RH bat and a 4th OF – they don’t have to be the same guy.
The Yankees could sign Jones to replace Thames’s role and use Golson as a pinch runner/defensive replacement.
And if he’s a complete zero offensively and just not worth keeping on the bench – well that’s what the trade deadline is for.
Unfortunately the Yanks need a backup infielder who can hit more than they need a fourth OF even. ARod will probably continue to miss games, and I guess we can expect Jeter to rest more often as well. If on some of those days the Yanks move ARod or Jeter to DH, they’ll lose Posada’s bat if he’s not allowed to catch.
Jermaine Dye made 75m in the past 10 years.
Time for a career change?
“How high are you prepared to go for a back-up DH?”
If it is only a 1 year commitment, I don’t see a reason why they can’t overpay for one of these guys. Given the limited options it is unlikely they all get as high as they want and even if they do the Yankees can afford to pay the high premium given the money they now have available.
“Given Justin Morneau’s injury situation there’s a better chance for playing time there as we saw last year”
What about Posada’s injury situation. You betting on the 30 year old Morneau who suffered from a concussion last year or the 39 year old Jorge Posada? Plus the Yankees can GUARANTEE playing time if the commit to catching Jorge here and there and not DHing him everyday.
“very doubtful; you’re comparing Granderson, Gardner and Martin/Cervelli to pitchers at the plate”
What does it matter who they compare to? All that matters is if the DH is a better hitter than those guys, which he should be, especially Martin. Giambi only got 44 PA’s as a PH last year.
“I’m saying given the choice between not signing and hoping that a spot opens up during the season or signing for peanuts to ride pine I do believe that some of these guys would opt for not signing.”
———————-
Why are these guys only signing for peanuts?
Given the choice between a few million and some mythical midseason job, they are taking the job. Thome signed on for $1.5 million last season.
When it comes to shopping at garage sales, Cashman is King.
Imagine our payroll when our high priced infield retires.
Given the choice between a few million and some mythical midseason job, they are taking the job. Thome signed on for $1.5 million last season.
===============================
For one year. His walk year.
SI_JonHeyman #yankees willing to give pettitte raise to $12-to-13 mil. what’s taking him so long? does he want more $? is he an mlb favre?
joba showed bad command using 2 pitches in the BP, now everybody wants him to go back to the rotation where he can spread his bad command over 4 pitches.
the yankees are around this guy and girardi and eiland worked with him every day and they dont think hes cut out to be a started. it could very well be work issues, or attitude or maybe he’s just too thick or obstinate to get what they are trying to teach him. in any case, alot of people who know alot about pitching are around this guy every day for years now and they don’t thinnk he’s cut out for SP.
my own take is he hasnt mastered what it takes to get 2 or 3 guys out in a row with 2 or 2 pitches, i dont want to expand his role till he shows consistency out of the BP.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 11:04 am
“I’m saying given the choice between not signing and hoping that a spot opens up during the season or signing for peanuts to ride pine I do believe that some of these guys would opt for not signing.”
———————-
Why are these guys only signing for peanuts?
Given the choice between a few million and some mythical midseason job, they are taking the job. Thome signed on for $1.5 million last season.
—————-
And this year he’s asking for $8 mil
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....argo-.html
Chip-
That’s fine with me.
WYH-
Nunez or Laird ?
I think they both can hit. Especially Laird.
they’ll lose Posada’s bat if he’s not allowed to catch.
====================================
Is Po’s production a given?
“Nunez or Laird ?
I think they both can hit. Especially Laird.
MTU-
I’m dubious, especially for 2011.
randy l. January 6th, 2011 at 10:25 am
cashman’s tendency to fall in love with his personal opinion despite all evidence to the contrary is a major personality flaw for a gm.
all he would have to do to be fair with joba is to be open minded .
how hard is it to give him a chance to compete for the fifth spot?
what’s the down side?
the yankees are the one that pays the price for throwing away a chance that they have a starter already among themselves . it’s going to be costly to come up with someone as good as joba is as a starter.
—————————————————–
Cashman gets respect for standing by his guns like refusing to trade Hughes for Johan but there are moments when his pride and stubborn attitude gets in the way of rational thinking. Look how much of a fight he put up with Jeter but yet he was a puppy when it came to Lee. The problem that the Yankees put themselves in is the came into the off season with limited
Andy got 11.75 last year.
Are they kidding?
No wonder he is ticked.
Piss him off again , he’ll go to Texas.
“Is Po’s production a given?”
It had better be.
If anyone thinks Jorge will make it thru this season injury free, I have a bridge for sale.
Options for Johnny Damon. AL LF:
Orioles: Pie
Red Sox: Crawford
Yankees: Gardner
Rays: Jennings
Blue Jays: Davis
WS: Pierre
Indians: Brantley
Tigers: Raburn/Boesch
Royals: Gordon
Twins: Young
Angels: Abreu/Rivera
A’s: DeJesus
Mariners: Saunders/Bradley
Rangers: Hamilton
Unless Damon is getting a full time gig as a LF in the NL, not a lot of options. Have to assume teams are looking at him as a LF/DH. Rays are the most logical option, unless he is fine going to a cellar dweller like the Royals or Orioles.
WYH-
Nothing wrong with bein’ dubious. It’s what you do.
Maybe they’ll get a chance to show you what they’ve got.
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll become convinced.
I hope so.
Lol at Heyman..
I don’t buy that. The Yankees are as close to desperate as any team can be right now re: the starting rotation. They need Pettite back and just saved $150+ million this off season. A one year deal for what could be considered an large sum of money shouldn’t be an issue for a lefty with Pettite’s reputation.
“And this year he’s asking for $8 mil”
——————
Player’s ask for a lot of things.
How often do they get it, especially with dwindling options?
Johnny Damon wanted 2/20 from the Yankees last year.
What they ask for doesn’t really matter. What their market is matters.
Vlad Guerrero can generally be counted on for a 100 RBI season. Too bad his knees are shot and he doesn’t carry the glove or OF versatility of Andruw Jones.
But, the name of the game right now is pitching, pitching, and pitching.
Cash and Co. get enfatuated too easily.
Instead of going for the sure thing, they play hardball.
Lee was the answer.
But they forget the question.
bring in a dh type and the most effected is probably going to be martin/cervelli/montero not jorge. i think its a good idea to bring in someone cheap and put pressure for everyone to earn a roster spot. but if jorge loses ab’s at dh, you can bet he’s going to get most of them back behind the plate. and its good not to just hand cervelli or montero a spot and make them show they belong.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 11:02 am
“How high are you prepared to go for a back-up DH?”
If it is only a 1 year commitment, I don’t see a reason why they can’t overpay for one of these guys. Given the limited options it is unlikely they all get as high as they want and even if they do the Yankees can afford to pay the high premium given the money they now have available. Overpaying for players you don’t need just because you can doesn’t make you a better team. It makes you a dumb organization
“Given Justin Morneau’s injury situation there’s a better chance for playing time there as we saw last year”
What about Posada’s injury situation. You betting on the 30 year old Morneau who suffered from a concussion last year or the 39 year old Jorge Posada? Plus the Yankees can GUARANTEE playing time if the commit to catching Jorge here and there and not DHing him everyday. Posada’s injuries all came as a result of catching (Michael Cuddyer foul ball broke his foot; another foul ball led to the concussion; shoulder was hurt throwing) – something he won’t be doing this year. In your scenario you’re opening Jorge up for injury so that you can accomodate a DH that you don’t need.
“very doubtful; you’re comparing Granderson, Gardner and Martin/Cervelli to pitchers at the plate”
What does it matter who they compare to? All that matters is if the DH is a better hitter than those guys, which he should be, especially Martin. Giambi only got 44 PA’s as a PH last year.Because again, much like with Thome with the Twins, Giambi was on a team where there was a huge injury risk in the field (Helton) which opened up more opportunities for him.
If I was Damon or Manny I would sign with the Phillies where they don’t know what they’re going to get out of Raul Ibanez and Dom Brown
Thome could and should return to the Twins; if not them then
Vlad or Manny would be great fits in Tampa
“I think they both can hit. Especially Laird”
I’m with Wave. Laird hit to the tune of a .275ish OBP over about 250 PA’s in AAA and the AFL with a 5.5/1 K/BB ratio. That doesn’t scream “MLB ready”. He probably needs at least a half season worth of AB’s in the International League before being ready for prime time.
Bring back Gabe Paul.
Or even Stick Michael.
How about Bob Watson…
MTU January 6th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Chip-
That’s fine with me.
WYH-
Nunez or Laird ?
I think they both can hit. Especially Laird.
——————
Barring some sort of spring training explosion I think Laird’s opening the year at AAA. He didn’t spend much time there last year and he’s just learning the OF.
Plus, as we’ve seen with lots of other players (Josh Phelps, Shelley Duncan, Andy Phillips) being able to rake playing everyday in the minors and being a productive hitter in spot starts in the majors are not the same thing.
I would like to see them use Laird in more of a reserve role in AAA to get him used to it and see how he responds to that role.
As for Nunez, I think he’ll also open in AAA – playing everyday and building trade value. The Yankees can either go with Pena or a veteran utility IF like Jerry Hairston.
Mell-
Doesn’t matter what we think.
Only what the Yanks think.
He’ll get a chance to make his case in ST IMO.
If he opens eyes he heads North. If not he continues at AAA.
Of course, he will have to take a back seat to the Messiah of Mash in any case.
Thome. Vlady. Not happening.
Last year was Nick Johnson.
Bargain basement deals.
That’s where Cash is King…
You get what you pay for…
SI_JonHeyman #yankees willing to give pettitte raise to $12-to-13 mil. what’s taking him so long? does he want more $? is he an mlb favre?
__
I feel like that is what people are starting to think. I don’t like the Favre drama and I dont like the Pettitte drama either.
“Overpaying for players you don’t need just because you can doesn’t make you a better team. It makes you a dumb organization”
What are earth are you talking about Chip? Do they give out medals for not overpaying certain players to improve the team. It is a one year commitment we are talking about. When it comes to the Yankees, paying a player for 1 year it is almost impossible to overpay.
I won’t copy and paste your Posada quote. I’m with mick. If you think Posada is staying injury free as a DH, I have a bridge to sell you. He has gotten banged up and injured in the past few years just swinging the bat and running the bases. Posada missed 3 weeks in May of 2009 with a pulled hamstring and he will be 2 years older now. It is foolish to count on a 39 year old to stay healthy if he is playing regularly, regardless of position.
“Because again, much like with Thome with the Twins, Giambi was on a team where there was a huge injury risk in the field (Helton) which opened up more opportunities for him.”
So Giambi can do the same thing next year. What you are not seeing is that there is simply not this playing time out there. Look at how many reasonable DH options are still available:
Branyan
Damon
Giambi
Glaus
Vladdy
Manny
Thome
The playing time+money is not there for all these guys. There are just not enough opportunities for them, where the Yankees can’t score with one big stick.
Catching lightning in a bottle works sometimes….gotta go with that theory.
If you’re the Yankees.
Makes sense, right?
They mock us when we go big and laugh at us when we go small…
how much do you think stick michael knows about hundred million dollar contracts, opt-outs, maketing agreements, etc? and he’s 72.
stick is in just the right place for him, advising cashman, who places a very high value on his advice.
mick January 6th, 2011 at 11:21 am
Thome. Vlady. Not happening.
Last year was Nick Johnson.
Bargain basement deals.
That’s where Cash is King…
—————–
Well this year he’s replacing Nick Johnson at DH with Jorge Posada and improving the team’s defense behind the plate with Martin.
So really what you’re comparing Vlad and Thome to is Marcus Thames who (at under $1 million) was perfect in the role he served.
And I forgot about Thames again. Add him to the list of reasonable DH options.
mick January 6th, 2011 at 11:21 am
Last year was Nick Johnson.
*********************
Who??????
Chip-
These are utility guys. Why not give the youngsters a chance as fill in’s ? We aren’t getting the Wiggintons and the de Rosas anyway.
It’s kind of like the pitching equivalent of breaking in new starters out of the pen. Let them get their feet wet.
Might not be such a bad idea.
The Steinbrothers have a clamp on Cash.
Literally .
George is rolling over.
This is why Hal never wanted any part of the NYY’s when George was running things.
“The Yankees can either go with Pena or a veteran utility IF like Jerry Hairston.”
The aggregate slash line of those two guys last year was .233/.275/.327/.602.
All of these DH’s without jobs is showing the value being placed on actually playing a position.
I thought the Phillies were try to cut payroll but trading Blanton.
Where are they getting the money to sign Damon or Manny?
The aggregate slash line of those two guys last year was .233/.275/.327/.602.
=========================
Yea but if you could save a million…
All of these DH’s without jobs is showing the value being placed on actually playing a position.
=========================================
They are looking for Werth money…not happnin.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 11:23 am
“Overpaying for players you don’t need just because you can doesn’t make you a better team. It makes you a dumb organization”
What are earth are you talking about Chip? Do they give out medals for not overpaying certain players to improve the team. It is a one year commitment we are talking about. When it comes to the Yankees, paying a player for 1 year it is almost impossible to overpay.
I won’t copy and paste your Posada quote. I’m with mick. If you think Posada is staying injury free as a DH, I have a bridge to sell you. He has gotten banged up and injured in the past few years just swinging the bat and running the bases. Posada missed 3 weeks in May of 2009 with a pulled hamstring and he will be 2 years older now. It is foolish to count on a 39 year old to stay healthy if he is playing regularly, regardless of position.
“Because again, much like with Thome with the Twins, Giambi was on a team where there was a huge injury risk in the field (Helton) which opened up more opportunities for him.”
So Giambi can do the same thing next year. What you are not seeing is that there is simply not this playing time out there. Look at how many reasonable DH options are still available:
Branyan
Damon
Giambi
Glaus
Vladdy
Manny
Thome
The playing time+money is not there for all these guys. There are just not enough opportunities for them, where the Yankees can’t score with one big stick.
——————————–
I’m not debating with you that there are a lot of good DHs available. It doesn’t change the fact that the Yankees do not need one; at least not a pure DH
I’m not even debating with you that some of them would make sense – Damon, Branyan, Glaus – those three you don’t need to sell me on.
Our disagreement boils down to this:
I’m against Vlad, Thome, Manny because all they can do is DH – they serve no other function in the field.
Branyan, Glaus, Damon even Andruw Jones who I have openly been suggesting – you can give someone a day off in the field and play one of those guys. The only way you get Thome, Vlad or Manny into the lineup is by either catching or sitting Posada – which brings us to the second part of our disagreement
I don’t think Posada will or should catch enough to open up the DH spot as regularly as you seem to think.
That’s all this is – so if you want to sit here and say “Yankees should sign Russ Branyan” I’m with you 95%.
If the question is Andy or Bust, we are in a heap of trouble.
MTU January 6th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Chip-
These are utility guys. Why not give the youngsters a chance as fill in’s ? We aren’t getting the Wiggintons and the de Rosas anyway.
It’s kind of like the pitching equivalent of breaking in new starters out of the pen. Let them get their feet wet.
Might not be such a bad idea.
—————
My issue is that you’re asking a kid who has come through the system playing everyday to now do something he’s never done before without first seeing if he can do it – and that’s sit for 3 or 4 days, grab a bat and be productive.
I just think it would be beneficial to both the player and the team if they were given a chance to adjust to a role like that in AAA for a month or two before being asked to do it on the Grand Stage.
Erin January 6th, 2011 at 11:06 am
SI_JonHeyman #yankees willing to give pettitte raise to $12-to-13 mil. what’s taking him so long? does he want more $? is he an mlb favre?
************
He’s waiting for God to tell him what to do.
“I came to the Astros becuase the Lord was leading me there. That’s why I signed with the Astros”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAXZ1cQvc5o
Erin January 6th, 2011 at 11:25 am
mick January 6th, 2011 at 11:21 am
Last year was Nick Johnson.
*********************
Who??????
———————
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Ness_Monster
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 11:25 am
And I forgot about Thames again. Add him to the list of reasonable DH options.
—————-
Again, Thames is fine with me.
I just think there are two groups that you’re merging into one:
Guys who can DH
Guys who can’t do anything but DH
if you want to sign anyone from that first group I’m with you – leave the guys in the second group for another team.
I’m just once again floored by these supposed Yankees fans who come on here and do nothing but tear down the organization constantly, only one year after another championship.
The Yankees have a great team which as currently constituted CAN win the WS this coming season.
Don’t tell me about what you see when you compare teams on paper in January, because if that mattered, the Mariners would have won the pennant last year.
This team will make the playoffs, and it will change continuously all the way to September (as will every other team.)
I can’t wait for 2011 to start.
Let’s Go Yankees!
Erin January 6th, 2011 at 11:06 am
SI_JonHeyman #yankees willing to give pettitte raise to $12-to-13 mil. what’s taking him so long? does he want more $? is he an mlb favre?
—————-
Maybe Jeter, Mo and Jorge should get on Hal’s private jet and fly to Deer Park to spend the weekend with Andy.
Chip,
Fair enough. I am of the mindset offensive ability outweighs limited position flexibility. Also, I think Manny could fill in here and there in the OF!
I also think the Yankees could sign a guy like Andruw Jones AND one of the DHs. That is also the disagreement here.
I think there is room on the bench for both a RH OF and a DH.
You can scratch the Rangers off the list –
The Rangers are not currently pursuing Rafael Soriano and were not engaged with him at any point this winter, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter links). The team signed Adrian Beltre this week, so there’s not enough money remaining in the team’s budget for Soriano, another Scott Boras client.
The Yankees have a great team which as currently constituted CAN win the WS this coming season.
=====================================================
CC, Hughes, AJ,Nova, Mitre….
Posada might catch 40-54 times a yea, but not likely more than that. He’ll DH another 80 or so and sit at least once a week. He’s still an older guy whether he catches or not.
Alex and Derek will DH on occasion as might Tex or Swish.
An additional RH bat, for maximum flexibility should either be a corner IF or corner OF.
im beginning to think andy’s working toward a partial season. He’s leaving the door open and he seems in no rush, perhaps he’s starting to think of a mid-june return. The Yankees would never agree to that in advance, but Andy’s in the driver’s seat now and can easily just hang till May then call Cash for the Money. And more power to him if that is what he’s thinking.
“Alex and Derek will DH on occasion as might Tex or Swish.”
—————
Why is Derek DHing?
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 11:36 am
Chip,
Fair enough. I am of the mindset offensive ability outweighs limited position flexibility. Also, I think Manny could fill in here and there in the OF!
I also think the Yankees could sign a guy like Andruw Jones AND one of the DHs. That is also the disagreement here.
I think there is room on the bench for both a RH OF and a DH.
———————-
I think there’s room on the bench for a RH OF and a DH too – I would just prefer if that RH OF offer more defensive ability than a Manny Ramirez.
My pairing would be something similar to last year where the Yankees had Thames and Winn/Kearns
I would go with one of:
Jones
Branyan
Glaus
Thames
and one of:
Golson
Reed Johnson
Scott Hairston
Milledge
Manny I basically discount because I don’t see the Yankees wanting his baggage
What good is Russ Branyon going to do? The Yanks need someone that can play the corner OF positions and someone that can hit at 3B/SS.
Otherwise, sign Thome and squeeze in Posada’s ABs at C, in RF at home and DH. But the Yanks aren’t going to do that, so see paragraph 1.
Bench:
Andruw Jones, Jim Thome, Cervelli, Nunez/Pena.
My guess on Soriano is that he returns to the Rays on a 1 year deal.
mick the yankees won with a rotation of cc aj pettitte joba wang (injured). they have all the way to the trade deadline to find someone to replace pettitte, if indeed he needs replacing.
the yankees absolutly can win the WS if the season started today.
I think Justin Christian and Greg Golson will battle it out for 4th OF if Cashman doesn’t pick up one of the names bandied about.
# mick January 6th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Does anyone agree with this:
If Andy really wanted to retire, he would have done it already.
Therefore they are negotiating causing the delay.
Does it take this long to negotiate?
Andy: I want 16m.
NYY: All we have is 12.
=======================================
# Erin January 6th, 2011 at 11:06 am
SI_JonHeyman #yankees willing to give pettitte raise to $12-to-13 mil. what’s taking him so long? does he want more $? is he an mlb favre?
=====================================================
I know Heyman reads this blog but this is ridiculous.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 11:40 am
Bench:
Andruw Jones, Jim Thome, Cervelli, Nunez/Pena.
—————–
Mine:
Jones, Milledge, Cervelli, Nunez/Pena
“I came to the Astros becuase the Lord was leading me there. That’s why I signed with the Astros”.
===============================
“Rangers”
Wave Your Hat January 6th, 2011 at 11:27 am
“The Yankees can either go with Pena or a veteran utility IF like Jerry Hairston.”
The aggregate slash line of those two guys last year was .233/.275/.327/.602.
—————-
The primary job of a utility IF or backup C has always been solid glove work – offensive production was a bonus.
(Plus you’re taking a year from Hairston that was way off his career norms)
KPB January 6th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Who??????
???????
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Ness_Monster
**********************************
Jerry Hairston is a butcher, ask Andy.
“The primary job of a utility IF or backup C has always been solid glove work – offensive production was a bonus. ”
Not when the guys you are backing up are ARod and Jeter. The Yankee back-up infielder will get 200+ PAs this year, and if they don’t hit it will be ugly.
If Cashman really is interested in Soriano then he’s not going to announce that Pettitte retired (if he did) because it gives Boras more leverage.
“The goal in any lineup is to have as few moving parts as possible. Yes you want flexibility to protect against injury – but you want a steady lineup so that players can get and stay in grooves.”
Chip, I’ve always had a lot of respect for your reasoning, but Casey Stengel, at least, wouldn’t agree
Outside of Mantle, he moved position players all over the place – some more than others. I like the flexibilty LGY is suggesting.
Sorry for the late posting – I’m just catching up.
# mick January 6th, 2011 at 11:44 am
“I came to the Astros becuase the Lord was leading me there. That’s why I signed with the Astros”.
===============================
“Rangers”
————————–
mick – I love you, man!!
My bench: Cervelli, Nunez/Pena, Milledge, Christian/Golson.
All can be jettisoned any time I want, which is what I want in a bench. Replacability, particularly at the trade deadline.
one thing i think we can be sure of, if Andy is thinking about a short season, we’re not gonna see him in the owner’s box….
Eduardo Nunez, Brandon Laird, and Greg Golson will be watched closely in ST. If they show ability to hit, A-Rod, Jeter, and Swisher can be used at DH for some games.
The versatility with any of the 3 allows it.
Andy returns post ASB. He’s our trade deadline pitching pickup.
All Buhrle/Jackson/Carmona/Millwood/Garcia have to do is hold the fort. So I’m either signing a FA or giving up small chips in a trade.
If Andy doesn’t come back the Yanks had better hit. That means a 4th OF who can hit LHP, a back-up infielder who can hit, and a back-up catcher who can hit. I don’t see them yet.
Too much faith placed in a 39 year old.
Andy or Jorge.
If our 9 guys in our lineup don’t hit we have a real problem.
Not our backup IF, backup OF, and backup C.
When was the last time a season was decided because a teams backup OF, backup IF, and backup C didn’t hit?
Come on WYH! You know better than that.
They’re making Andy feel like if they had gotten Lee, they would’ve kicked him to the curb.
This is Andy to Astros, Part II.
J. Alfred Prufrock January 6th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Odds – my guess is that Eiland,who really does seem to be a “cover my a**” kinda guy,went dark on Chamberlain when he realized he was going to be a fallguy for the inevitable bumps on the rocky road to pitching development.he went awful swift & hard to the dark side,didn’t he??after those protestations?he obviously knew there was support within for him to switch positions & get himself off the hook in the process.that’s my thought any way.the groupies who cry that the yanks are not to blame ad nauseum don’t have a leg to stand on,because the kid WAS NEVER SENT DOWN AGAIN. that’s an indictment right there.the organization could not be bothered long enough to focus on putting him back in the lab.I don’t want to hear about the shoulder,either.He has thumping to the tune of 98,99 last yr which means his arm had at least come around enough to give it another try.let’s see what happens in ST.
—————————————–
You could be right about that because the change he made happened overnight. How do you go from Joba is a starter, give him time, he’s young, he’s learning to pitch in the AL East, to “”We get more out of his ability as a reliever,” Eiland said. “We feel like he can be a good starter. We feel like he can be a great reliever. He’s in the bullpen, and he’s there to stay, period.”
True they never once sent him down and allowed him to get the proper teaching in the minors. So we are left with a middle reliever that they also refuse to trade lol. Is their ego getting in the way so much that they can’t even entertain the thought of starting him or trading him. What the hell
“If our 9 guys in our lineup don’t hit we have a real problem.
Not our backup IF, backup OF, and backup C.”
You are wrong, because the Yanks need hitting up and down this lineup. Black holes in the lineup against LHP, or when ARod or Jeter have to sit (which will be often), or at C will hurt when you have to play so many games in the AL East and your pitching is suspect. JMHO.
DaSaint007 January 6th, 2011 at 11:53 am
If our 9 guys in our lineup don’t hit we have a real problem.
Not our backup IF, backup OF, and backup C.
————-
Well said.
“Too much faith placed in a 39 year old.
Andy or Jorge.”
you’re right there. right now, even if andy comes back you need at least a good back-up dh and another starter. otherwise you go into ST with guys like cervelli, nova, mitre basically guaranteed a roster spot. they need to stock up and force these guys to fight thier way onto the roster or go someplace else.
i have alot of confidence in both andy and jorge, but we still need to stock up.
YankeesWFAN Jorge Posada joins Bernie Williams at Neighbors Helping Neighbors benefit in New Rochelle, Jan 29. For tix call 914-747-0095.
Wave Your Hat January 6th, 2011 at 11:55 am
“If our 9 guys in our lineup don’t hit we have a real problem.
Not our backup IF, backup OF, and backup C.”
You are wrong, because the Yanks need hitting up and down this lineup. Black holes in the lineup against LHP, or when ARod or Jeter have to sit (which will be often), or at C will hurt when you have to play so many games in the AL East and your pitching is suspect. JMHO.
———————-
In my NSHO I think given the guys who are likely going to make up the back end of the rotation I would prefer a team that can defend.
And what black holes are you talking about in the lineup against LHP? Granderson?
As for Jeter and Alex – hold off on the panic with them having to sit all the time.
back up infielders and outfielders can always be brought in during the season – a bench is a fluid thing like that.
Wave Your Hat January 6th, 2011 at 11:55 am
“If our 9 guys in our lineup don’t hit we have a real problem.
Not our backup IF, backup OF, and backup C.”
You are wrong, because the Yanks need hitting up and down this lineup. Black holes in the lineup against LHP, or when ARod or Jeter have to sit (which will be often), or at C will hurt when you have to play so many games in the AL East and your pitching is suspect. JMHO.
——————————————-
Ok. Show me all the competition’s linueps that are better AND have better backups and I’ll consider your point. Until then, I think you’re overblowing the backup issue.
YsGuy January 6th, 2011 at 11:57 am
“Too much faith placed in a 39 year old.
Andy or Jorge.”
you’re right there. right now, even if andy comes back you need at least a good back-up dh and another starter. otherwise you go into ST with guys like cervelli, nova, mitre basically guaranteed a roster spot. they need to stock up and force these guys to fight thier way onto the roster or go someplace else.
i have alot of confidence in both andy and jorge, but we still need to stock up.
————–
You can only carry four guys on the bench – no room for a guy who can’t do anything but DH.
DaSaint007 January 6th, 2011 at 11:59 am
Wave Your Hat January 6th, 2011 at 11:55 am
“If our 9 guys in our lineup don’t hit we have a real problem.
Not our backup IF, backup OF, and backup C.”
You are wrong, because the Yanks need hitting up and down this lineup. Black holes in the lineup against LHP, or when ARod or Jeter have to sit (which will be often), or at C will hurt when you have to play so many games in the AL East and your pitching is suspect. JMHO.
——————————————-
Ok. Show me all the competition’s linueps that are better AND have better backups and I’ll consider your point. Until then, I think you’re overblowing the backup issue.
—————-
And what’s more – no team that I can recall has ever gone into a season thinking – “boy, I better stock up on my bench because half my starting lineup is going to need to miss significant time.”
These ideas are better suited for an X-Box than for real baseball teams.
btw. the bret favre comment is a cheeap-shot. Andy’s not on Sports Center talking about what he’s thinking this week (as opposed to what he told SI last week…ad nauseum). Andy’s with his family, out of the spotlight, and quietlly thinking about the situation. And likely, he is conflicted, but he’s keeping it to himself. All the speculation is other people’s.
Leave the guy alone and let him decide when he’s ready, he’s certainly earned that.
“You can only carry four guys on the bench – no room for a guy who can’t do anything but DH.”
——————-
I just gave you a bench that has no problem carrying a DH
“Ok. Show me all the competition’s linueps that are better AND have better backups and I’ll consider your point. Until then, I think you’re overblowing the backup issue.”
——————–
The other teams have better SP though, which is why the Yankees need to stock up on offense and mash their way to the playoffs.
i should have said backup dh/OF you’re right. but my point is make all these guys earn a roster spot.
There is no reason to carry two backup OF.
DaSaint-
Right now, the Yanks are about a 90 win team. IMO, that’s wild card but not comfortably so. The Yanks have $$ to spend, and anything they can do to move from a 90 win team to a 92 win team (expected) could make all the difference.
What could give us a win or 2?
Having a 4th OF that can hit LHP better than CG or BG, and can play every day at decent numbers when one of BG, CG or NS inevitably gets hurt.
Having a back-up infielder that can hit .700+ for those 250 PAs when ARod or Jeter are DHing or sitting.
Now, I doubt whether that infielder is available right now. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have one. The 4th OF is available.
And, if the Yanks could sign Thome or Vladdy at the right price, I’d do it and worry about it later.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
“You can only carry four guys on the bench – no room for a guy who can’t do anything but DH.”
——————-
I just gave you a bench that has no problem carrying a DH
————
Well right but again that goes back to our disagreement over how the Yankees intend to use Posada.
# YsGuy January 6th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
btw. the bret favre comment is a cheeap-shot. Andy’s not on Sports Center talking about what he’s thinking this week (as opposed to what he told SI last week…ad nauseum). Andy’s with his family, out of the spotlight, and quietlly thinking about the situation. And likely, he is conflicted, but he’s keeping it to himself. All the speculation is other people’s.
Leave the guy alone and let him decide when he’s ready, he’s certainly earned that.
———————————————————-
He has earned it but with pitchers and catchers reporting in five weeks how much can we depend on Andy at this stage. He’s in his late 30′s and battled through injuries last yr.
“Well right but again that goes back to our disagreement over how the Yankees intend to use Posada.”
——————–
The Yankees could not catch Posada a single time next year and have no problem carrying a DH on the bench.
Why do you need 2 backup OF or 2 backup IF?
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
There is no reason to carry two backup OF.
—————–
Sure there is.
Not all outfielders were created equal; especially when you’re talking about guys who would be filling bench roles.
The guy who is serving as the “Bat” should be able to play another position – for example, Marcus Thames “can” play the OF but I certainly wouldn’t consider him the team’s fourth OF.
Renteria may be able to give you .700+ OPS
Folks:
Jeter, Granderson, Martin, Posada: All are capable of 15+ HR, 60-70+RBI, 20 SB (except Posada)
Tex, Arod, Swisher, Cano: All are capable of 30HR, 80-110+ RBI, .300AVG
Gardner is capable of 50+ SB.
Are you kidding me? Holes?
The bench needs to be versitile:
Milledge plays all 3 OF positions. Golson & Christan can play all 3 OF positions AND steal 20SB.
Cervelli is a decent backup C. Montero, should he be on the team will get his chance to show if he can hit ML pitching. Nunez has a proven arm, is versitile defensively (3B/SS and limited 2B) and can steal 20SB. Pena has proven over 2 years that he too is versitile, and while not a hitter for average, has shown a propensity to hit in clutch situations as shown by his RBIs.
Come on folks, it’s not that bad. Don’t let the big bad boston scare you. It’s the SAME pitching staff. Toronto hasn’t improved. Baltimore hasn’t improved. Rays have lost their ENTIRE bullpen (so far).
We/Yankees need to hit, sure, but the bench gets strengthened down the stretch, not at the start of the season. I think we’re just jumpy because we still have holes in our rotation, so we’re grasping for straws.
Patience. Approx. 40 days to ST. Lot’s can still happen.
“The guy who is serving as the “Bat” should be able to play another position – for example, Marcus Thames “can” play the OF but I certainly wouldn’t consider him the team’s fourth OF.”
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Then don’t sign Thames.
Sign Andruw Jones and he is more than fine as a 4th OF. You don’t need anything more than that.
The Yankees do not need a backup OF that can play CF, because they already have 2 CF on the roster.
Because of that luxury, the Yankees just need a single OF who can play the corners and hit LHP.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
“The guy who is serving as the “Bat” should be able to play another position – for example, Marcus Thames “can” play the OF but I certainly wouldn’t consider him the team’s fourth OF.”
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Then don’t sign Thames.
Sign Andruw Jones and he is more than fine as a 4th OF. You don’t need anything more than that.
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Andruw Jones is a long way removed from being the quality OF he once was.
“Andruw Jones is a long way removed from being the quality OF he once was.”
Andruw Jones can play the corner OF at an average level defensively. That’s all that is required from a defensive standpoint. He is certainly no longer an All-Star at the plate but he managed a 1.5 WAR last year and hit LHP very well. That’s all that the Yanks need in a fourth OF.
LGY January 6th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
The Yankees do not need a backup OF that can play CF, because they already have 2 CF on the roster.
Because of that luxury, the Yankees just need a single OF who can play the corners and hit LHP.
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You may well have a point – but based on the way the roster’s been constructed the last few years I don’t see them putting together a bench that’s that inflexible.
Andy Pettitte has made his decision to retire from what I can tell. Cashman says he was told not to count on him. Could he change his mind? Sure, but from all accounts, unless he has a change of heart, he is done.
austinmac-
Think positive. I refuse to believe Andy isn’t coming back. It improves my outlook on life!
Wave Your Hat January 6th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
“Andruw Jones is a long way removed from being the quality OF he once was.”
Andruw Jones can play the corner OF at an average level defensively. That’s all that is required from a defensive standpoint. He is certainly no longer an All-Star at the plate but he managed a 1.5 WAR last year and hit LHP very well. That’s all that the Yanks need in a fourth OF.
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I just do not see Cashman wasting a bench spot on a guy who can only hit and can’t give you anything in the field.
We’ve said for years that the Yankees are a team with too many DHs and not enough ballplayers – signing a Thome or Vlad simply increases that issue.
Johnny Damon > Andruw Jones > Lastings Milledge
heyman_sux January 6th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Johnny Damon > Andruw Jones > Lastings Milledge
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I like your way of thinking
new thread
If Posada as DH hits 20HR and has 80RBI, we’re ok, and therefore you don’t need a Vlad or Thome. If Posada was still catching, maybe, but with Montero due up, and folks having an off year last season, I dont think they’re expecting a drop in offensive production.
ie, no Vlad/Thome necessary.
“I just do not see Cashman wasting a bench spot on a guy who can only hit and can’t give you anything in the field.”
I don’t think he will either. I said if I were Cashman I would.
We’ve said for years that the Yankees are a team with too many DHs and not enough ballplayers – signing a Thome or Vlad simply increases that issue.
I’d sign Jones for the fourth OF spot. There’s no room I guess for another DH unless Jorge is the 2nd catcher instead of Cervelli, which is the way I’d go.
I don’t read this blog much in the off season but the negativity about the Yankees for 2011 is beyond ridiculous.
The team won 95 games last year in spite of AJ being terrible, Vazquez not being able to stay in the rotation, Andy missing most of the 2nd half, Jeter having his worst year ever, Teix having a down year, Arod not having a great year, Grandy being pretty bad until August. Do I have to go on?
Signing Martin will help out behind the plate defensively, AJ has to be better than last year, Hughes will most likely be more consistent throughout the season, and several key position players will have better seasons.
I don’t want Mitre as the #5 starter either but it’s almost 3 months until the start of the season, don’t you think the Yankees are working on an upgrade? I do.
Maybe the Sox are improved from last year, maybe not, we’ll see what happens on the field. At worst the Yankees are a wild card and once it’s playoffs time it’s whoever is hot wins the World Series, no one could have predicted that Cody Ross and Edgar Renteria, both rejects, would be the key players in the Giants’ scoring enough runs to win the WS last year.
Chip,
I have been to Deer Park. Not the place to spend a weekend unless one wants an oil refinery tour. It always amazed me Pettitte still lives there.
Does Heyman’s Pettitte statement suggest they have discussed money with Pettitte? It seems to, but no one else has made that suggestion. I think that is Heyman speaking out of his . . . hat.
For me it’s Andruw Jones, Greg Golson, Edwardo Nunez & Jesus Montero (If you consider Martin the starting catcher.) Laird probably needs a full season at Scranton WB. This’ll give you Martin, Montero and Jorge as your catchers and Cervelli in case there’s an injury. I think Martin could help some of the young pitchers and catchers, too.
The change I’d like to see is $ashman Being fired. Hecould get a job with the circus as a clown, he has plenty of practice at that, just look at his trades. What a rube. He wants to be a small market G.M. let him go to Pittsburg.