Finding Yankees connections in the postseason
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 14, 2011 
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The Yankees are out of the playoffs, but these guys are still playing, all with ties — some stronger than others — to the Yankees organization.
C – Omir Santos
The Tigers backup catcher came up through the Yankees minor league system, advancing as high as Triple-A without ever getting to New York. Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (brother of Jose) and Gerald Laird (brother of Brandon) could also apply here.
1B – Miguel Cabrera
The Tigers cleanup hitter was already emerging as one of the best hitters in the game when he played for Yankees manager Joe Girardi back in 2006.
2B – Jerry Hairston
The Brewers utility infielder have played all over the field, and so far he’s hit .375 in both the division series and the LCS. He played a similar, but more limited utility role with the Yankees in 2009.
SS – Elvis Andrus
The Rangers shortstop got to Texas as part of the prospect package the Braves gave up to acquire current Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira back in 2007.
3B – Wilson Betemit
One of several Tigers third basemen, Betemit spent a year and a half as a utility man with the Yankees before being included in the trade for Nick Swisher, one of the more lopsided deals of the Brian Cashman era.
CF – Austin Jackson
The Tigers center fielder was long considered the Yankees center fielder of the future before he was traded as part of the package that brought Curtis Granderson to the Bronx. His offensive numbers have slipped since his near Rookie of the Year debut, but his defense remains outstanding.
LF – Carlos Guillen
Who would have thought an outfield corner would be a hard spot to find an obvious connection to the Yankees? Guillen isn’t even on the Tigers active roster because he’s rehabbing a calf injury. He’s played all over the field — including left field — and even his Yankees connection is weak: He was once traded for former Yankees starter Randy Johnson.
RF – Lance Berkman
The Cardinals right fielder and cleanup hitter was a short-term rental for the Yankees last season. When his career seemed all but over, Berkman has rebounded to have a season similar to those he had in his prime with the Astros.
DH – Prince Fielder
The Brewers first baseman is the son of former Yankees first baseman Cecil Fielder, who hit .391 in the 1996 World Series.
Associated Press photos
Harper thinks Prince will be on the Yankees next year.
bye bye jesus
don’t forget Greinke, whose brother Luke was a pitcher in the Yankee system. I won’t count the player that fans wanted to give up the farm for.
Jesus walks with me.
Momtero is as good as gone this offseason
This is what happens when managers need to have a #2 batter. I love Jerry Hairston, but he shouldnt be batting at the top of the lineup, potentially getting more plate appearances than Braun or Fielder. You want your best hitters to get to the plate as many times as possible. And now, they failed to get a runner in from 3rd w. 1 out because of the need for a #2 hitter.
Firlder won’t sign anywhere that he can’t play defense.
Montero = a man without a plan
St. Louis is going to cold deck Milwaukee and whover they play in the Series
Harper’s full of it.
Just curious…
What batting order/lineup do you think was the best we had in the past 10 years ?
Cold deck? They have no pitching. Their pitching couldnt last 3 innings against the Rangers, with Nelson Cruz batting 7th.
Which still begs the question, why is Nelson Cruz still batting 7th???
What batting order/lineup do you think was the best we had in the past 10 years ?
–
2009 or 2007 Yankees were the best. Unmatchable up and down
This is Harper’s article. Nowhere does it say he thinks Prince will be a Yankee next year. “You can’t rule out the possibility” Great insight.
What is with people rumor mongering lately?
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....index.html
Fielder has been quoted as saying he is open to anything. When asked about possibly DH’ng, Prince did not rule out the possibility.
I rather keep Montero & Not sign Fielder
That’s cruel connecting Cabrera with the Yankees
Fielder can’t be traded for an elite starter. That’s the difference.
I’d rather have Fielder + an elite starter.
It’s not like we have a crises situation at catcher.
Name one “elite starter” on the trade block.
When Kershaw becomes available, then let me know. Until then, I’ll watch a young cost controlled stud rake.
I think maybe you should contact Miss Cleo’s psychic hotline.
How the hell should I know?
The team is already in trouble roster wise because Tex and A-rod are both signed to long term deals. Why add another, for a fatter player? One who is just as likely to hit .260 as he is .300?
Because Fielder + elite starter > Montero + CJ Wilson
Name one elite starting pitcher that is not on the trade block.
Exactly, you cant… because we’re not inside any of these organizations.
6 years of Montero for like 20-25 million total (ages 21-26)
Or
7-8 years of Fielder for 20+ million bucks per year (ages 27-35)
Which seems better?
Exactly, Teary.
Blake,
You left out two things
1)Fielder can’t be traded for an elite starter
2)Montero’s trade value is the highest it’s ever been.
Bret,
If you can find a taker for Tex you can sign Fielder…..otherwise it doesn’t fit. They are already paying a 1B 23 million dollars a year.
NYYs already have one dead pull left hander (when Teixeira hits) and they don’t need another one like Giambi seduced by a short porch.
They’re paying a 7th inning guy closer money.
Why wouldn’t a 1b take 1b money to DH.
Bret,
They need a young hitter more than they need an elite starter IMO. Fielder makes them much less flexible…and in 3 or 4a years it adds another bloated contract
Blake-
Sorry but I had to go after saying you guys sold me on making Joba a starter again.
Just turned on the Cardinal game. The Phillies have to be kicking themselves playing their regulars the entire game against the braves the last few games, and having the Cardinals get the WC!
If you want to trade for a #2 find a starter who is not a FA after next season-Danks and Cain are.
After CC’s contract is reworked by the end of the WS, it might be best to go the FA route and sign an older pitcher who might sign for 1-2 years, so as to not impede some of the great arms in AAA.
Buehrle, Kuroda?
Fielder, Kemp and Cano are all young enough, Blake.
Jerkface October 14th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
What batting order/lineup do you think was the best we had in the past 10 years ?
–
2009 or 2007 Yankees were the best. Unmatchable up and down
—–
the 2007 batting order was crazy,.. Cano hit 8th it was so deep !
CF: Damon
SS: Jeter
RF: Abreu
3B: Rodriguez
DH: Giambi
LF: Matsui
C: Posada
2B: Cano
1B: Phillips/Phelps
I know we are talking offense.. but the ’07 rotation was pretty damn deep too !
Rotation:
1. Johnson
2. Pettitte
3. Mussina
4. Wang
5. Hughes ????
I just reminded myself of how much I miss seeing Moose pitch.. (of course Andy too) I can see the way Moose walks off the mound, pitching good or not, with the same expression on his face almost every time.
Fielder has trouble keeping his weight under 285 pounds and 5’11″ when playing the field. What’s he going to be in 3 years of DHing? Just like his old man…eat his way out of baseball at age 34.
Prince just turned 27. And he seems to be doing just fine playing overweight. CC as well. So maybe cut the fat prejudice?
Bret-
At this point it only makes some sense if you are trading Montero to bring back another stud young hitter who could play a position of need-maybe corner OF-like a 20 yo Mike Stanton or a 24 yo Justin Upton.
Even then, I think Montero with his power to all fields is a keeper!
Excuse me.
Fielder, Kemp, Cano and Granderson are all young enough.
That’s a 5 year smackdown.
Sabathia is about 8 inches taller
Trader,
Some say it would make sense to try and acquire an elite starter for Montero. There is plenty of offense on the board these next few years.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play......d=18874809
Crazy, The Brewers 1-3 hitters.. Betancourt, Braun, harriston are a combined 20 for 48.. that’s more hits than our entire team has this year and last year post season combined !
5 years?
Cano and Granderson are only signed for two more years.
Do you think Cano and Granderson are going somewhere?
Yeah, except for those other 79 hits
Bret Just wants Fielder so that the Yankees will be forced to hire a nutritionist.
Bret The Hitman October 14th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Trader,
Some say it would make sense to try and acquire an elite starter for Montero. There is plenty of offense on the board these next few years.
——
Hi Bret, I usually agree with you but not right now.. Who in the next few yers will be available hitter that would replace a very young potentially 30+HR a year guy (Montero).
I’d like to see our team get younger man, if that means having a sub-optimal rotation for a couple years, so be it.. I don’t even know if I would trade Montero in a King Felix package.. well, maybe for Felix or Lincecum but that would be about it.
Wow our hand-me-downs, Dotel and Hawkings are getting it done for Brewers this series.
The prince and the pauper…
Hey Tar.
Do you think Cano and Granderson are going somewhere?
——-
So in two years you are planning on having Cano, Granderson, Tex, Cano, Alex, Prince Fielder, and Matt Kemp all on massive long term contracts?
With all of them 30 or older as an added bonus.
Seems like a sound strategy…
Montero + Darvish
Tar,
I will say this.
Prince Fielder is living proof, meat (and its saturated fat content) doesn’t make you fat.
I’ve known several obese vegetarians.
Meat is not the enemy.
LGY,
The pitching staff will be cheap. Burnett will be gone. Swisher will be gone. Jeter might be gone. Mo’s money will be off the books.
Bret-
To get an elite #! starter, you’ll need to find one signed for 3 years on a team that doesn’t figure to be in contention for the next few years. You don’t want to give up Montero and one of Banuelos/ Betances for an older starter with one year before FA.
Who is possibly obtainable, Realistically, on a team that doesn’t figure to contend that will give up a young pitcher under contract or team control for at least 3 years?
Gio Gonzalez a #1?
Felix Hernandez NTC and Mariners will certainly ask for the moon.
Josh Johnson-coming off injury?
Klayton Kershaw is not going anywhere this year until ownership is settled.
Jered Weaver?
Ian Kennedy?
Who do you have in mind that would be worth getting that would be under Yankee control for at least 3 or more years?
Excuse me. Kemp will only be 29. The yougin of the group.
CC will be a Yankee next year, I just have a feeling he is not going anywhere. I bet he’ll opt out, but won’t matter unless another team goes after him with a ridiculous Carl Crawford type offer. That’s just my opinion, I didn’t hear anything from my dad.
Hey J alfred.
Is it me or is this place getting back to normal again? I know I haven’t been around much (some lurking) but everytime I have checked in, there has been some really good conversations going on.
Trader,
I really like Gio Gonzalez. Young, cost-controlled lefty with swing and miss stuff and excellent off speed pitches. It think his stuff translates in the playoffs. Rothschild and Martin would bring out the best in him (IMHO).
LGY October 14th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Do you think Cano and Granderson are going somewhere?
——-
So in two years you are planning on having Cano, Granderson, Tex, Cano, Alex, Prince Fielder, and Matt Kemp all on massive long term contracts?
With all of them 30 or older as an added bonus.
Seems like a sound strategy…
—
I’ll take Cano twice, and three times on Sunday.
So roughly $170 million for a #1 starter, 1B, 2B, 3b, RF, CF, and DH.
Leaves plenty of money for four starters, a SS, LF, and an entire bullpen.
Oh and a catcher.
Tar October 14th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Hey J alfred.
Is it me or is this place getting back to normal again? I know I haven’t been around much (some lurking) but everytime I have checked in, there has been some really good conversations going on.
///
Well, Red Sox trolls like Howard and WCYF have fled in disgrace, if that’s what you mean. Their trying to vaunt it over us would ring a little hollow about now…I have my complaints, but it’s not as rife with reptiles.
One interesting rumor: A scout told the Daily News that the San Francisco Giants might be interested in a Montero-for-Matt Cain swap. Because the Giants already have Buster Posey behind the plate, they could use Montero as a first baseman. One criticism of Montero early in his career is his defense.
The Oakland A’s Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill, the San Diego Padres’ Mat Latos and the Tampa Bay Rays’ James Shields are other possible trade targets mentioned by the Daily News.
The Yankees have depth at catcher, with Montero, Francisco Cervelli, Austin Romine and prospect Gary Sanchez. Russell Martin, this season’s primary starter, is a pending free agent.
Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ml.....z1aoNLqA00
213 (2010 payroll) – 170 = 43 million per year. PLUS in two years R. Soriano will be gone…so tack on another 13 million and we’re up to 56 million for SS, LF, the rotation and bullpen
Nunez at shortstop.
Gio, Nova, Betances, Banuelos after CC
Robertson as closer
Trade Hughes, Joba and Gardner for cost-controlled LF and relievers.
Bret-
Look at Gio Gonzalez’ split stats this year. Didn’t pitch well in Yankee Stadium, Fenway, Rogers Center, Arlington and was worse post all star.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/.....o-gonzalez
If not him anyone else you have in mind?
Romine at cacher then Gary Sanchez.
Cervelli can be dealt for an OF prospect.
I’m not trading Montero for Matt Cain.. nopw.
Otagon Dotel actually looking pretty good.
Trader,
Look at those offenses though. Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers
I think Gio is gold.
I haven’t really thought about much outside him except for guys that although better pitchers, make too much money.
You can’t tack on Soriano’s expiring salary to a baseline subtraction from 213.
He has nothing to do with the 170.
ron-
Giants have a young 1st baseman in Brian Belt. Matt Cain is a FA next year.
That deal would not work for me.
Nova, Gio, Nunez, and Robertson are all arb eligible in two years.
Not cheap.
5 years from now, I’m betting the NYY payroll will be higher than 213.
I’m sure people said the same thing back in 2005 yet the payroll has barely changed.
Bret-
No offense, but I’m not including Montero for a pitcher. Start with either Banuelos or Betances for a young cost controlled. I just think Montero is just what the Yankees need to energize the offense and the fan base.
Pitcher for pitcher, Eye for an eye. “Eye of the Tiger!”
The defense has had some bad moments behind Greinke.
Yankee Trader :
There was talk about moving belt to the of.
We will never know beforehand..
Also,i would never deal montero unless it is for a guaranteed stud pitcher.
But i think the yankees see sanchez as montero’s replacement that softens the blow.
Also arod will be dh’ing a lot more & sooner than we think.
Imo we will have a new 3b sooner than later & it won’t be nunez.
big at bat for Al
2011: $207,047,964
2010: $213,359,389
2009: $201,449,189
2008: $209,081,577
2007: $189,639,045
2006: $194,663,079
2005: $208,306,817
That’s why the Cardinals will find a way and the money to resign Pujols!
LGY,
How do you get 170 million 2 years from now for these guys?
Cano – ?
Granderson – ?
Tex – 22.5
Alex – 25
Prince Fielder – ?
Matt Kemp – ?
Gio Gonzalez got handled by the red sox, pass.
I can’t wait to see this…
In what? A 2 game sample, Jerkface?
Its 5 players sharing 122 million which is roughly 24 million per player which isn’t unreasonable for Fielder, CC, Kemp, Cano, and Granderson
see what ?
Greinke wasn’t his best tonight. He didn’t have his sick slider. It was a workmanship night for him. But the defense let him down too. He gritted it out but 3 unearned runs.
In what? A 2 game sample, Jerkface?
–
His 4 BB/9 is in a much larger sample. That doesn’t play. Look at the top pitchers in baseabll you won’t find many that walk 4 per 9.
We’re gonna keep hearing this BS about Fielder for the next two months until he inevitably signs somewhere else.
There is absolutely zero chance the Yanks sign a $100M+ DH when they’ve already got Montero, A-Rod, and Jeter on the team.
I would love to wager Bret, but since he doesn’t pay up (how much do you still owe Nick in SF?), I guess there’s no point in it.
Not gonna lie, the Yanks would be better signing Ortiz if they wanted to sign a straight DH because he’d demand less money and you could probably get him on a on year deal whereas your spending a ton on Fielder.
..personally I think the Yanks do neither. I don’t think we’ll see many changes in the line up.
joeman October 14th, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Momtero is as good as gone this offseason
———–
LOL. You’ve been saying this for 3 years.
Montero could be having his number retired by the Yanks after a long and productive career and Joeman will still be saying he’s as good as gone this offseason, trade deadline, etc. etc.
Jerkface October 14th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Its 5 players sharing 122 million which is roughly 24 million per player which isn’t unreasonable for Fielder, CC, Kemp, Cano, and Granderson
*******
If you’re giving me part of that money to have CC then I guess I have more of that 43 million than I thought as I address the 4 spots in the rotation, the bullpen after Robertson, and LF.
43 million for:
Nunez at shortstop.
Romine then Sanchez at catcher.
Gio
Nova
Betances
Banuelos
Plus I have Joba + Hughes + Gardner + Cervelli as trade chips to address relievers and bench spots. Plus I have a whole minor league system, 2 years matured.
And this is all assuming the Yankees payroll is 213 million in 2014.
LGY,
I saw that post about Darvish from SG. As usual, it was a very reasonable take on the situation in terms of estimates.
That said – I’m still leery of making that move. It would be nice to be able to believe that one can estimate future performance of pitchers from Japan here because their performance is a linear extension minus some decrement to what they will do over here – but I just don’t have confidence that that approach is true. To me it’s a very open question.
Again, I can’t say I’ve seen him much. But from the small amount I’ve seen him I was surprised by his stuff. It wasn’t as good as the descriptions suggested. Not saying that is a reason not to sign him – but personally I can’t say this is a guy you have to go out and get.
Chapman was a guy I really felt was a guy you go out and get. I just loved the way he threw the ball. Darvish – I’m just not sure.
You’re missing a leftfielder.
Have we seen a great performance by any teams #1 in the ALCS and NLCS?
Gallardo, Carpenter, Verlander Wilson?
It’s pretty clear the money’s there.
Euthanize the Detroit Tigres tomorrow .
40 million for 18 slots. Not really.
For 2012, if the Yankees keep the payroll at 207M, and do not resign Posada, Marte, Jones, Garcia, Colon, Mitre, and Chavez, after adding in the raises due the players, picking up Swisher’s option, I looked at that and came up with approximately 15.3M dollars, and that’s before players due for arbitration-Hughes, Gardner, Chamberlain, Martin, ?Cervelli.
Yeah, really. Those 18 are all cost controlled spots.
The Yankees won’t have 18 players making league minimum.
The average of 18 (mostly bench players and relievers) making 43 million is more than league minimum.
So now we learn that John Henry “personall opposed” signing Carl Crawford but he went along with Theo and let him sign him….Gotta love the Red Sox. Let the trashing of Theo begin!
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports......-crawford/
The average of 18 (mostly bench players and relievers) making 43 million is more than league minimum.
–
Its 4 starting pitchers, closer, setup man, extra setup man cause we’re NY, the rest of the bullpen, LF, catcher, backup catcher, SS, IF, 4th OFer
Atleast 7-8 of those slots will push your 40 mil budget because the Yankees arent going to cut Martin after trading Montero and go with AUSTIN ROMINE.
One person’s estimates of the 6 arbitration eligible Yankees.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....nkees.html
43 million
4 starting pitchers, all cheap: Gio, Nova, Banuelos, Betances
Cheap shortstop: Nunez
Cheap catcher: Romine
Cheap closer: Robertson
Cheap LF: Trade Hughes, Joba, Cervelli, Gardner, Noesi etc.
Minor league system 2 years matured for:
6 relievers after Robertson
4 bench players
It should be obvious, the money’s there.
43 million covers it.
And the 7 big contracts that make up the core of the team would be 7 gangsters.
m-
Thanks for the link to the arbitration eligible Yankees. i forgot to add Logan and DRob to my post earlier.
JM-
Thanks for the link on John Henry. I’m not sure the deal for Theo is a done deal, as I understand the Cubs want to send the RS money and not players. Wouldn’t that be something if the deal falls thru and the RS are still paying his salary?
This Motte has been awesome.
YT,
That would actually be hilarious if the deal fell through. Also, the Sox are stuck with Crawford for a long time. I’m sure Crawford feels really great hearing about how the club’s owner never wanted him in the first place.
The implosion of the Red Sox is a delightful sight. That’s why I was rooting so hard for the Rays at the end of the regular season. I was really looking forward to seeing this meltdown and it’s been more joyous than I ever imagined!
JM-
Just saw this on MLBTR’s-
•While the Cubs and Red Sox continue to haggle over compensation for Theo Epstein, one GM told Buster Olney of ESPN.com that the North Siders should hold firm on giving up little for Boston’s GM (Twitter link). “What are the Red Sox going to do — bring Theo back? No way,” said the GM.
# Yankee Trader October 14th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
JM-
Just saw this on MLBTR’s-
•While the Cubs and Red Sox continue to haggle over compensation for Theo Epstein, one GM told Buster Olney of ESPN.com that the North Siders should hold firm on giving up little for Boston’s GM (Twitter link). “What are the Red Sox going to do — bring Theo back? No way,” said the GM.
————————
The deal should have been done already. Didn’t this start on Tuesday?
Ha! The Sox may wind up getting very little for Theo. At this point ownership is already starting to trash him; it’s not like he can go back to Boston.
The Yankees aren’t catching Romine and playing Nunez for a pittance. Robertson will not be cheap as he is going to be arbitration elig.
Gio Gonzalez also arb elig.
The red sox have no leverage at all in the Theo negotiations. They never did. Theo’s gone. He probably doesn’t want to be there and despite Henry’s words – doesn’t seem like they tried very hard at all to keep him.
This whole idea that they were going to reap some major return (nevermind Castro…) was just a continuation of this notion that boston is run by people who are smarter than everyone else in the game.
Despite the fact that the team is collapsing – they are suddenly going to tap into their innate shrewdness to turn Theo into parting value.
The real issue in those negotiations is how many people theo will be able to take with him.
Gotta go. Everyone have a great night. Good discussions today. Blake, Jerkface, and Prufrock even convinced me that Joba should be a starter again, after I wrote that his best pitch, the slider causes the most stress on the elbow. Good job guys.
Blake, Jerkface, and Prufrock even convinced me that Joba should be a starter again, after I wrote that his best pitch, the slider causes the most stress on the elbow. Good job guys.
—————————–
Now all they have to do is convince Cashman
Matt Holliday really would have been valuable to have in pinstripes these past two post seasons.
He’s the kind of hitter they (or any team I suppose) could really use. Really nice, balanced swing.
Holliday finishing off this game. The Brewers will have a tough time coming back tonight. 7-1 in the bottom of the 8th.
Wouldn’t Holliday mean no Tex?
Wouldn’t Holliday mean no Tex?
–
If they were smart it would have meant no Burnett. But also might have meant no Granderson. Gardner would have been in CF
Night Trader.
Can’t the Cubs just pay Boston in beer and fried chicken?
Blake,
Did Teixeira enjoy his time in Atlanta? There’s a team starving for offense. Big-name players waive no-trade clauses all the time. Oswalt comes to mind. Jake Peavy…
Holliday made all the sense in the world at the time……it was very un-Yankeelike for them not to pursue him. Tex was signed the previous year……
Blake,
Good evening. On your question earlier – yes I would definitely shop Swisher to see what he will bring back.
I would shop Gardner as well to see what he can bring back.
As an aside – the idea of just letting Swisher walk away is just bizarre. Just letting an asset walk away without getting anything back?
Finally – go get John Danks.
Bret,
I think he did yea…..but the Braves aren’t taking on that contract when they have a good going player in Freeman that they are paying nothing. They need a SS and outfield help…..they could use Swisher more.
Oswalt comes to mind. Jake Peavy…
–
Yea these players waived their no-trade clauses from their perennial contenders to go to…
Holliday made all the sense in the world at the time……it was very un-Yankeelike for them not to pursue him. Tex was signed the previous year……
–
You’re right, Blake, I mixed up the years. I remember them saying they used money for Holliday to sign Tex the previous year.
Blake,
What if the Yankees took on Derek Lowe’s contract?
“Finally – go get John Danks.”
Absolutely ….that’s the guy I also would like them to target. You can deal with Williams and it would be a rental for one year to bridge to their younger kids and the better market next winter. What would it take though?
Also agree on Swisher….you have to pick the option up but I absolutely would see what he’d bring and as you mention Gardner’s value may never be higher either.
I think the Yankees were a little concerned over Holliday’s Rockies stats. He would have been nice to have.
Burnett, Teixeira, were already with the Yankees prior to Holliday’s FA.
I think we will be seeing the Cards in the WS facing the Rangers. The Brew Crew looked like they’ve been following the RS super secret relaxation method with how they played tonight.
“What if the Yankees took on Derek Lowe’s contract?”
Why would they want to do that?
Blake,
To entice the Braves to take on Teixeira?
They could have afforded Holliday without a real problem.
For one year the payroll would have expanded. But they had money coming off the books after.
Holliday only made 17M this season. 17M. That’s like Soriano + a few useless, injured LH relievers.
If you looked closed at Holiday’s numbers…..he hit everywhere except Oakland. He hit in a fair St Louis park after he was traded and he had fairly good interleague numbers with the Rockies…..also just his swing and ability …..if you watched him you could tell it wasn’t just the altitude. He’s a really good player……and his contract is steep but a bargain by todays standard set last winter.
Many of us pointed out the problem with passing on Holliday to wait on Crawford……because Holliday was and still is a much better player.
Bret,
They have Lowe for one more year…..they aren’t taking on 23 million a year for a guy that can’t hit RHP.
Also Tex would have to leave the super winning team he is on. Like that would happen. He doesnt even get booed.
It’ll be interesting to see – because the White Sox may got into something of a rebuild or reset mode next season.
Danks with only 1 year left is only going to command so much in a return. Don’t think it will take multiple premium prospects.
I think it’s really more about the white sox deciding to put him on the market and rebuild.
Romine + Warren + Something like that.
I could see Kenny liking Nunez.
Atlanta has the possible NL ROY in Freddie Freeman. Are they sending Freeman to NYY with Lowe who is miles worse than Burnett?
The Braves ownership hasn’t even noticed their season finished.
They aren’t taking on money.
That’s not going to increase share holder value.
Blake, I’m not saying that they were right about Holliday, but the talk all over the place was about his hitting in Coors being so much better than elsewhere.
I think his contract looks better now, but remember they were probably saving salary for Lee’s contract once he hit FA. The Yankees are usually looking forward to what up coming available FA’s are coming up that would be good pieces for them to target. If they had Holliday and added Lee then it would have been quite a bit extra. Soriano was ownership driven probably because of losing out on Lee.
I don’t think the Yankees were serious about Crawford. I think it was Lee where the money was targeted to go to instead of Holliday. They liked Gardner enough to pass on him and Crawford.
White Sox have Morel at 3rd, Ramirez at SS and Beckham at 2nd. Not much need for Nunez and it leaves NYYs without an infield backup.If they got Warren, I wouldn’t send Nunez. send Pirela or Pena instead.
Yogi,
yea I know. I think a better question is that if they had planned on signing Holliday would they still have made the Granderson trade? (that was the same offseason)…..and had they signed Holliday instead of trading for Granderson would that have been better? Consider that they’d still have Ian Kennedy, Jackson, and Coke…..who knows.
Tex isn’t going anywhere. He is a GG 1st base, hits over 30 hrs, drives in over 100. He just needs to hit in the post season. Plus, I think Girardi and Cashman love him.
Last year, NY had about $38-$40 mil marked for Lee and Pettitte.
Too bad Pena can’t hit worth a lick. He’d be a pretty good player for some team.
“I don’t think the Yankees were serious about Crawford.”
Yea I don’t either because last winter they had a better handle on what gardner could do…..they had no idea the winter before when Holliday was available…..they may have thought he’d be ok but he’d never really played enough to know. Passing on Crawford was a easy decision because they knew more what they had with Gardner by then.
If the White Sox had any contracts they’d want to unload, it’s Dunn and Rios.
Tex isn’t going anywhere and he’s a great defender….but he needs to perform better against righties….his LH swing is a mess and it’s really hurting their offense against good RHP…..considering that there are a lot more RHP than LHP….and that without correction his issues are likely to get worse not better…..it is concerning.
“If the White Sox had any contracts they’d want to unload, it’s Dunn and Rios.”
trading Danks wouldn’t be about unloading a contract because he’s just got 1 arbitration left…..it would be about getting value for him before he walks as a FA
m October 14th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
Too bad Pena can’t hit worth a lick. He’d be a pretty good player for some team.
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If he could hit .265-.270 and run a bit, he’d help a team, like the Dodgers or KC as an infield back-up and emergency starter.
# Bret The Hitman October 14th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Blake,
To entice the Braves to take on Teixeira?
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Tex isn’t going to wave his no trade clause
I thought the Yankees might have coveted Crawford for a while. But they probably thought his skill did not justify what it would cost to get him. And Gardner gave them a similar player for a lot less. Good non-move on Crawford.
I’m aware of why they want to move Danks, but, they have two ugly contracts standing in the way of them playing with the heavy weights in the FA market.
Larussa would drive me crazy as a manager…..but he’s done a fantastic job in these playoffs
There’s no place for Teixeira to play in Atlanta.
Yea but I think they may just have to eat the Dunn and Rios deal…..Rios is pretty much cooked….I can’t see him making a comeback. You can hope Dunn rebounds (and he could) this year and then try to trade him maybe….he has very little value right now. They need him to play better first
Shouldn’t they send Beckett and Lester to Taiwan to spread the good cheer
I think the Yankee plan was spending bigger on pitching being that they had good offense, especially since having added Teixeira.
Looking back it is easy to see moves they could have/should have made, but Cashman does look ahead at moves or signings he wants to make.
Cashman has also shown a lot of restraint with the deals he will make. He is also showing that he has a cost in mind, and if the other GM’s try pushing too much he is willing to walk.
This should be an interesting off season, seeing how Cash looks to fill in pitching roles.
As wacky as things have gotten for Henry (of his own doing…) – the unhappy fans he’s going to have to deal with tomorrow could be much larger.
The soccer team henry owns – Liverpool – their fanbase is… let’s say… passionate. There’s no analogy in baseball to how fantatical soccer fans are and Liverpool fans are way up there.
Tomorrow is the biggest game of their season. The team they are playing is better than them and they are most likely going to lose – at home.
Henry was supposed to be there. The idea that the owner would miss this game will be incomprehensible to them. If they lose they are going to be very unhappy and he’s gong to get skewered there relentlessly.
And the reason why Henry cancelled his trip to England was due to all of the outrage in boston about him not caring enough about the sox. And part of that is a perception the idea that Henry doesn’t care about the Sox – he’s too interested in his new toys – the soccer team and the race car team he purchased.
On top of the 300M or so in guaranteed contracts on the baseball side, Fenway Sports group dished out around 100M on soccer players. This is a huge year for Henry in terms of financing and his sports investments. And the Sox have already been a disaster.
Yogi,
yea….one thing is that they didn’t know at the time that Tex was going to develop such a significant platoon split….had they known that who knows.
Tex was like a joker for Cash. And Cash played it perfectly.
Remember how mad Henry was when Tex signed with the Yankees? Ah, good times.
“And the reason why Henry cancelled his trip to England was due to all of the outrage in boston about him not caring enough about the sox. And part of that is a perception the idea that Henry doesn’t care about the Sox – he’s too interested in his new toys – the soccer team and the race car team he purchased.”
oh what a tangled web we weave…..
CB,
As you know, I’m not much of a soccer fan. So, I didn’t read this article. But here’s an English writer’s POV of Liverpool’s “absentee” owner. Via Pete.
http://articles.boston.com/201.....ox-england
Actually, this writer spent time with John Henry. And this was his take on the owner.
Gnight all….good convo today.
Waive*
m,
It’s a major issue there. It’s just inconceivable for them for the owner to not be completely focused on that team. He’s trying to bring stats to how liverpool is run – just like he did with the sox, etc.
But the same thing goes with Sox fans.
Interestingly – henry is trying to break up collective TV contracting for the teams in that league. If that were to happen it would destroy how soccer is played in england. Right now it’s sort of like the NFL. He wants it to be – more like baseball.
The problems of the rich…
It was an amazingly good investement by henry and his group – they will make a fortunate on it – bought if from Tom Hicks basically close to bankruptcy – yes not only did hicks ruin the rangers he ruined a second sports team – one that is probabaly worth 700M-1B or so.
But this isn’t just business. It’s not running a hedge fund. He is going to be criticized in very personal, insulting ways. The stunt he pulled to actually steam down to a talk radio station – and not just a talk radio station – but the competitor of WEEI the station that is the sox flagship is unbelievably think skinned and poor judgement.
How his PR people allowed him to do that is a mystery.
LeBron James owns part of that soccer team. He’s going to be representing ownership there at that game.
They are not going to be happy that a 25 year old is there to oversee the mothership.
Tex isn’t getting booed- yet. Like it or not, fans at the Stadium next season aren’t likely to be super patient. A first round playoff exit this year was clearly underachieving. They should have at the very least made it to the ALCS. If Tex’s struggles continue next season, I think he’ll start receiving the treatment soon enough.
CB,
Fascinating. Looks like he chose the two neediest fanbases in the world!
I saw the link that LeBron was going to go to his first Liverpool match. I skipped over it thinking, “So?”
Now I understand what the big deal is.
Back to Henry, he does not seem to possess much leadership skills. And he does seem to be spread a little thin. Now, he’s ticked off people on both sides of the pond.
But he’s also given Yankee fans lots of entertainment. Good times. May the fire continue to smolder into spring training. Can they survive another 2-10 start?
Or, rather, beat the odds with another 2-10 start.
Octavio Dotel and LaTroy Hawkins are still making meaningful appearances.
Hell, I’m half expecting to see Jose Veras somehow pitching for the Cardinals in the next round.
The Yankees would have to be overwhelmed in a deal to part with Eduardo Nunez. He’ll work on his defensive deficiencies in the Dominican League and be better in 2012.
The team lacks in muti postion infielders except for Ramiro Pena who has little in the way of a bat.
With a good spring, Brandon Laird should make the team as a utilty corner IF or corner OF.
Somebody like Walter Ibarra is still 2 years away.
If Cashman were to have interest in John Danks they can use Phelps, Brackman, and one of Golson / Dickerson / Maxwell.