What’s next?
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 01, 2011 
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Always good when I get to use my go-to West Wing quote as a headline, but this time it feels a little different. I think I usually ask What’s next? as a rhetorical question. This time, I really don’t know.
It’s the first of November, and the Yankees have already addressed their most glaring offseason need. They’ve signed CC Sabathia to an extension, avoiding the opt out and keeping their ace under contract.
“The fans, the energy, everything it is to be pitching in New York, in the Bronx,” Sabathia said. “It’s just so much fun, and to be a part of this organization is a dream for me.”
But what does the organization do next?
At some point soon — possibly today — Brian Cashman’s new contract will become official, but that won’t be news, and it won’t be news when Rafael Soriano officially decides not to opt out of his current contract.
It’s the first of November, and the Yankees have most of their key pieces in place. So, honestly, what’s next?
“I don’t know what our biggest need is,” Sabathia said. “We’re a pretty good team. We’ll see what happens. I’m just glad to be a part of the organization and glad of being a part of their plan going forward.”
Associated Press photo
Chavez ?
Jones ?
A 2nd lefty reliever ?
Offer Garcia arb ?
Make a trade.
“Make a new plan Stan.
Just drop off the key Lee and set yourself free.”
Who knows ?
I think your last post for today should be titled “What Kind of Day Has It Been”
Storyline on Robinson Cano and his father in Taiwan, along with game schedules.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl…..8;c_id=mlb
Curious:
Would any of you still want King Felix if seattle made him available? Do any of you believe that Nova’s forearm will become an issue this up-coming season?
Is it possible that the yankees might trade montero this winter?
With regards to Swisher, he was very good from the left side in 2010. If he can duplicate those numbers in his walk year, and get out of the gate quickly, he’ll be an asset.
2010 split stats:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/.....ck-swisher
Benny-
Depends on what they would want for him.
Lotta miles on that arm.
I think Nova’s arm will be fine (hey I’m an optimist).
I hope not on Montero.
nice story GB, thanks for the link.
Villa
I have the same complaint regarding the playoffs and WS.
With absolutely no spin required, how as a Yankees fan do you not love everything that CC said and also at the same point not buy into his character as a person? I don’t care about the money or what he may be at the end of this, but the guy is a class act and I am very happy he is sticking around. Arod can be a phoney, Jeter is very guarded, Swisher is probably too out there at times, but CC is about as real as everything written about him. And even with getting all the additional money he stayed true to his word on not opting out and wanting to be here.
Gotta go for a while. Until later.
Phranchise,
I’m with you 100000%.
Next on the agenda should be obtaining a legit #2 starter. Enough in pretending AJ is that guy. Nova is more of a #3. Go hard after Matt Cain as the Giants are stacked with pitching and need offense. Swish, Noesi & Nunez for Cain.
GreenBeret7 November 1st, 2011 at 9:01 am
Storyline on Robinson Cano and his father in Taiwan, along with game schedules.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl?..8;c_id=mlb
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Cannot wait to watch the game tonight. What do their uniforms look like BTW? Will I approve?
Erin,
In the pix that Cano is sending out, it looks dark blue with his number and name on the back. That’s the only photo of the top that I’ve seen. That link to his photos that you have from the other night keeps updating as he adds pix.
“Would any of you still want King Felix if seattle made him available? Do any of you believe that Nova’s forearm will become an issue this up-coming season”
Of course…..but I wouldn’t trade Montero for him. I don’t believe Nova’s forearm will an issue…..I think we would have heard something if it were a concern.
Erin-
Half Muppet/half Ninja.
Dark blue is good. Thanks GB. I must not have been paying close enough attention to his pictures-I don’t remember seeing any of him in his uniform. That, or my blackberry screen is too tiny.
Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1
Column nyp.st/sm7XE4 By retaining CC,#Yankees can spend offseason shopping comfortably rather than desperately
46 minutes ago via web
MTU November 1st, 2011 at 9:14 am
Erin-
Half Muppet/half Ninja.
********************
Awesome combo.
Erin,
He wasn’t wearing the jersey (pullover). He just held it up when he presented it and a Yankee hat to a Taiwanese player.
From the Sherman article
His return allows the Yankees to pretty much keep intact a roster that won an AL-high 97 games with the expectation Jesus Montero will assume a bigger role and their two best prospects — Manuel Banuelos and Dellin Betances — are closer to helping in the majors.
Of course, the Yankees are still going to continue to shop. They want to add another starter. They have no affinity for free agent C.J. Wilson. Their scouts really like Japanese ace Yu Darvish. So the Yankees will probably bid to win the post for his exclusive rights. But they will not go to extremes, especially because they have the comfort of having Sabathia back.
If starters such as the White Sox’s John Danks or the Athletics’ Gio Gonzalez become available, the Yankees can make a play for them, especially since they would like a second lefty to team with Sabathia in the rotation.
But in the worst-case scenario, the Yankees rotation will be Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes, A.J. Burnett and Hector Noesi. Because Freddy Garcia is a Type-B free agent, the Yankees will probably offer him arbitration. If he accepts, Garcia probably bumps Noesi from the rotation. If he doesn’t, the Yankees get a sandwich pick in next June’s draft.
In addition, the Yankees have David Phelps and Adam Warren just about ready to pitch in the majors, and Betances and Banuelos in position to help during the season. All are likely to begin 2012 at Triple-A.
Erin-
Just think if Papelbon were there he would be wearing his ballerina outfit.
And Pedroia his elf costume.
Youk wouldn’t even need a Halloween costume.
Big papi could dress as Mr. T
Blake-
Now that CC is back in the fold the Yankees are gellin’.
I don’t thinkthe Yankees can trade Burnett despite his great inconsistency. He give 180 plus innings each year. Those innings would need to be replaced. They cannot create a hole in the rotation.
Writers and other people are sleeping when then continue to ignore DJ Mitchell’s chances of making the Yankee roster or even the rotation in 2012.
Austin-
AJ IS the hole in the rotation. Noesi could probably do a better job.
GB- oh, I see. Thanks
MTU- that’s a very disturbing image.
Blake,
Banuelos has all the pitches right? The last thing he needs is to command them. Could he be better than tampa’s moore once he does?
GB-
I think you have always been high on DJ. He’s a groundball guy which is good.
Mlbtraderumors has their top 50 FAs and predictions ..they have Freddy staying with the Yankees and Bartolo going to Boston ….others….
Fielder: Seattle
Pujols : cards
Reyes: brewers
Wilson : nationals
Ortiz: Jays
Darvish: Jays
Paelbon: red Sox
Beltran : red Sox.
I don’t thinkthe Yankees can trade Burnett despite his great inconsistency. He give 180 plus innings each year. Those innings would need to be replaced. They cannot create a hole in the rotation.
——-
Wouldn’t most if not all of those innings be replaced by a better pitcher?
BTW,
Our AAA pitching staff is gonna be insane!
Phelps
Warren
Banuelos
Bentances
Noesi….
Speaking of Felix…
Unfortunately, he was the best thing about the Seahawks/Bengals game on Sunday…
http://tinyurl.com/3o4popm
“Could he be better than tampa’s moore once he does?”
I think he would really have to improve his command and secondary stuff to.match Moore’s ceiling as Moore justas has better natural stuff. Manny can’t touch the upper 90s and doesn’t really have the frame to suggest that he ever will…..that doesn’t matter though as he coukd dominate at 92-95 if he develops the way he could. You never really know with young pitchers but I would say Moore has a higher ceiling ……however we have to remember that Banuelos is way ahead of where Moore was at a similar age. Moore was pitching in low A when he was Mannys age. Both have a chance to be really good.
AJ is a hole in the rotation……eating innings is only valuable if they are quality innings. AJ throwing 180 5+ era innings doesn’t help much
If Noesi makes the rotation, Michell could move into Noesi’s spot. I’m still betting on 2 of Warren, Phelps, Mitchell and Noesi are traded along with someone like Ayala if NYYs re-sign him and young infielders. There are a few teams that are in need of all of those positions being filled.
Oh, I almost forgot. The calendar turned, so we are now in Joba Chamberlain month.
I hope Nova’s arm will be fine, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about it. As of last week, it was still bothering him & he was still getting treatment.
I’m guessing he overthrew the ball in the 2nd inning. He said he had no issues in the 1st & it happened in the second. So my guess is he overthrew for velocity to overcome his bad 1st inning performance. He was probably stressed out & end up hurting himself.
Hopefully he’ll be fine & it’s just a matter of taking off the whole off season. But if it ends up serious, I wouldn’t be shocked. But I would be upset.
The Yankees can absolutely afford to trade AJ….and especially if they bring Garcia back or sign or trade for someone better than him.
Anyone know when the Darvish bid takes place?
“however we have to remember that Banuelos is way ahead of where Moore was at a similar age. Moore was pitching in low A when he was Mannys age. Both have a chance to be really good.”
Wow,
that makes me even moore ( pun intended) excited about manny’s potential.
The Yankees are not in a desperation mode for 2012. Cashman just needs to be resourceful in what the team needs will be from 2012 going forward. Mark Newman, Gene Michael, and Billy Eppler will be helpful in deciding what players in the system are best kept and which can be moved to fill needs. The Yankees have options other teams only wish they had.
Cashman will be a good listener at the Dallas winter meetings December 5-8. He’ll come out of it with another LHSP and possibly a LH for the bullpen to push Boone Logan into having a better all around season.
Maybe one surprise OF.
BryanHoch Granderson pleased by CC’s decision http://wp.me/p1rXvG-8WBB
I hope Nova?s arm will be fine, but I?d be lying if I said I wasn?t concerned about it. As of last week, it was still bothering him & he was still getting treatment.
******************
He said it’s getting better every day and the doctors have told him there will be no problem going forward.
I know there’s always a risk with that type of injury, but I’m not too concerned (as of now anyway)
good morning –
gb you’re making some sense here. and, there are teams (cards come to mind) that could use some young starters and middle infielders. as sherman said, the yanks have the luxury of being able to shop comfortably, instead of desperately. you get better deals that way.
Considering that Banuelos & Betances are the front runners for the future, it makes no sense to just stock pile pitchers who will not be part of the future. The yankees have offensive needs.
I don’t see the dodgers being able to afford Kemp. Trading him is better than a draft pick. Give them a package which can include some combination of:
Dickerson/Maxwell/Swisher (yanks eat up a lot of $)
Hughes/Noesi/Warren/Phelps/etc
Vazquez/Laird
Erin-
He said it’s getting better every day and the doctors have told him there will be no problem going forward.
I know there’s always a risk with that type of injury, but I’m not too concerned (as of now anyway)
———————
Cautiously optimistic. Joba thought he was fine & look what happened to him.
Just hope for the best!
If Kemp is made available I don’t see any team getting him without giving a top prospect as a centerpiece……there will be too much competition for his services for a package of b listers to get it done.
The Dodgers will be looking for quality not quantity if they deal Kemp.
Maybe they see Hughes & Noesi as quality
Plus add $$. I’m guessing the dodgers could use that.
“Mights”, “coulds” and “probablys” get GMs and managers fired.
MTU,
Noesi could possibly pitch to Burnett’s level, but isn’t he replacing Garcia or Colon? Now, is not the time to get rid of pitching. There are far too many question marks, such as Hughes, Nova’s health and whether any of the AAA pitchers can get out major legue hitters. It is time to add pitching. Then, with major league depth, they can check his trade value.
blake November 1st, 2011 at 9:36 am
The Yankees can absolutely afford to trade AJ….and especially if they bring Garcia back or sign or trade for someone better than him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Burnett’s contract language says he can block deals 10 teams yearly. With his wife not liking air travel, it would seem that Washington or Philly would be the best suitors. West coast teams are out of the question as are the AL East teams. The Mets don’t have the financial resorces to eat half of his salary.
The Braves rid themselves of Derek Lowe because he blocked a rotation spot for a young starter. The Yankees are in the same position except for another year in 2013.
Austin-
I doubt they’ll move anyway so it’s probably just a moot point.
Gotta run soon. hike day.
Maybe they’d like Noesi as part of the deal but not as a primary piece…..Hughes is too close to free agency for teams to have a ton of interest there. If the Dodgers traded Kemp then Im thinking something more along the lines of.
Betances, Romine, Mason Williams., Noesi……is what it would take. Maybe more……
This picture will be making it’s way to my cubicle wall very soon.
http://news.daylife.com/photo/.....inson+Cano
Even if AJ can block 10 teams…….that still leaves 20 GMs I would call.
Benny,
While Banuelos has good stuff and may well be a quality starter, Moore throws significantly harder. That doesn’t mean he will be the best pitcher, but his stuff is hard to match.
Who is this lockout person?
If Kemp is willing to sign an extension with the yankees, then it may be worth it to give up more. Yankees have so many positions locked up & RF is the one they could make a serious upgrade. Again, why stock pile AAA players if you’re not going to trade them. They can’t play them all. They’re not going to have an 10-man (or whatever) rotation in 2014.
So if Kemp extends with the yanks, trade: Romine, Noesi, Williams, Betances (last option, but do it), if they want Hughes throw him in.
Get Darvish!
Darvish is Japanese for “the grass is always greener on the other side …”
Mason Williams is Granderson’s replacement and just finishing Rookie ball, he’s not going to be much more than filler. Swisher gives them the same draft picks that Kemp would give them and a left fielder for 2012 unless they trade Ethier, too. Dodger needs are infielders and pitching.
You have to consider what other teams will offer if Kemp is made available.
If you make NO offer, then NOTHING happens. Sitting there with the but they’ll want, or maybe they’ll want, but what if someone else offers etc….
If the yankees do nothing, another team will make an offer & get Kemp (a possible extension).
But hey, we can watch our stock pile of pitchers player in AAA & winter ball…. How exciting….
If the dodgers need infielders & pitching:
Romine, Betances, Noesi, Hughes/warren/etc, Laird/Nunez/Vazquez
And I love romine, but gotta do it. But if they don’t need a catcher (Romine), then another pitcher/outfield & extra money.
What are the better packages out there that will beat this so badly that the yankees shouldn’t even try?
You also have to consider that few teams are going to give up their best prospects for one year and then have to convince Kemp to stay by burying him in a mountain of greenbacks.
I’m just suggesting this acquisition, but, it comes with drawbacks. Will Kemp repeat 2011 or 2010? I’m more of the opinion that NYYs should go after Danks instead. Even for one season, if they can’t re-sign him, they can reload with the draft, then go and try to outbid ML teams for Kemp at the end of the season.
MLB is moving aggressively so they can get a new Dodger owner in place before the team has to make Kemp available.
Frankly, I don’t see the NEED to upgrade the offense from signings or trades. In 2012, it’s reasonable to expect that Alex will bounce back. Tex will raise his avg, Montero will have impact.
I’m more concerned with pitching. I feel like we caught lightning in a bottle with Freddy and Bartolo in 2011. Which of the young ‘uns will step up this season? I’m intrigued by GB’s take on DJ Mitchell. I’m anxious to see who seizes the moment next spring.
I know his track record in the playoffs, but Swisher brings that element to the team and clubhouse that say … oh, the Red Sox … need and would love to have.
AndrewMarchand No more initials: Yanks seem unlikely to get C.J. – Yankees Blog – ESPN New York http://es.pn/vkg7cT
I don’t think Kemp will sign with anybody until he sees what he can get on the market and he’s going to want a bunch. Texas has a full outfield and need to find pitching and enough money to pay for a lot of upcoming FAs and arbitration eligibles. Philadelphia could provide a pitcher and an outfielder, but, they’re aging fast and will they gamble what they have as Utley ages and gets worse, because he isn’t the best 2nd baseman in baseball anymore. He’s not even 2nd. NYYs can and will outbid for the right player. Just can’t see teams unloading the farm on a one year gamble.
About AJ – he’s going nowhere. So here are your choices:
1. You can sit there like a bunch of whiny malcontents and biotch about him like alley cats the same way you railed nonstop about CC’s opt out that never happened
2. Or you can support him and STFU.
The choice is yours.
Erin, they can add JJ Putz, RA Dickey, AJ Pierzinski, BJ Upton and bring PJ Pilittere up from the minors.
Hello Trisha, GB, Erin, Blake & MTU!
So CC didn’t opt out? LOL!
“I’m more of the opinion that NYYs should go after Danks instead.”
Im definitely down with that.
GreenBeret7 November 1st, 2011 at 10:58 am
Erin, they can add JJ Putz, RA Dickey, AJ Pierzinski, BJ Upton and bring PJ Pilittere up from the minors.
******************
Hi Ray
Trisha-I agree about AJ; I don’t think he’s going anywhere either
RayVT,
Hey! Well its semantics…..technically you coukd say he did but signed with the Yankees before hitting the market. Either way….CC chose to decline his chance at free agency to stay a Yankee….that’s what I was wanting to see him do as a fan.
In 2012, it?s reasonable to expect that Alex will bounce back. Tex will raise his avg, Montero will have impact.
—————————————————————————–
Mark hasn’t hit for a decent average for 2 years now so why is it reasonable to expect him to raise it?
Kemp is worth a lot more than B level filler prospects even as a one year rental.
I thought Arod was going to have a monster 2011 after the way he looked in spring training and the way he started the season. But unfortunately, injuries derailed him. I would like to think that he’d bounce back in 2012 but I don’t know whether I expect it at this point.
The yankees & the phillies had the 2 lowest ERAs in the first round of the playoffs, how did that work?
But hey, why change anything, hope for the best.
We need a healthy A-rod & for Teix to figure it out, but if that doesn’t happen it’s okay because we still have Swisher
Morning, Ray. How’s the crook catching business going? Hope all is well up in your area and with the family.
JM-I think the big thing for Alex next year will be staying healthy. If he can do that, I think he’ll have a bounce back year.
Triple Short of a Cycle November 1st, 2011 at 11:02 am
Tex has been pull happy ever since he got to NY from the LH side. He needs to get over it and use the entire field. Tex isn’t very flexible as an athelete but he is a great defensive 1B, but wasn’t a good 3B.
I think that Tex will fix his LH swing this winter. Probably will report earlier too to get more reps from both sides as well. Tex is too good of a hitter not to correct these YS flaws.
JM November 1st, 2011 at 11:04 am
I thought Arod was going to have a monster 2011 after the way he looked in spring training and the way he started the season. But unfortunately, injuries derailed him. I would like to think that he’d bounce back in 2012 but I don’t know whether I expect it at this point.
——-
Yup.
I thought he was going to be in MVP contention. I hope he’s healthy next year because he can carry a team when he’s on, but I won’t count on it.
If he gives us 2 good years & 1 decent year out of the remaining 6, I’ll take it at this point.
“Kemp is worth a lot more than B level filler prospects even as a one year rental.”
Yea I agree…..now the extension price would probably keep some teams off him….but there would be plenty of big market clubs that would drive the price up.
AJ is what he is. I guess some feel uncomfortable trading him because we fear the unknown.
He’s going to take the ball every 5th day and be one of the worst pitchers in baseball based on runs against measures at the end of the season.
Supporting him, not supporting him, whatever won’t change who AJ is and what he will do next season.
FakePeteGammons If #Redsox sign Grady Sizemore it will be the smartest move in MLB. If he goes somewhere else, he’s an injury risk. This is Peter Gammons.
Hello GB!
Slow! LOL! It is beautiful here with all the leaves changing color & so many trees too. Hope you are doing okay!
Spoiler alert:
RobinsonCano Great game tonight and great win for, hitting the road tomorrow for game 2 on thursday #TaiwanAllStarSeries
The Yanks have already added 1 bat for 2012! Montero! I look for the Yanks to either bring back A Jones or someone like Sizemore on a 1 yr contract. I expect Chavez to retire & Laird to replace him.
What will be interesting is whether Cervelli comes back or not. (Maybe AAA)
I like Danks and think he could do well in YS. I also still like AJ. I think AJ will do well in 2012 as he will build on his playoff success.
Doing fine down here, Ray. Cool nights, warm days. Thank God there weren’t any ghosts and goblins here last night. Thanks for asking.
Erin – of course AJ isn’t going anywhere. Just like CC wasn’t going anywhere. But it didn’t stop the cacophony of alley cats in heat sounds eminating from this forum, especially since they were convinced he would opt out.
Just once I’d like to see this forum refuse to put the cart before the horse (there are exceptions, of course – thank you, exceptions. You help me keep my sanity, optimism, and sense of humor here…) Just once.
AnthonyMcCarron Yanks announce Cashman 3-year deal to stay GM
“AJ is what he is. I guess some feel uncomfortable trading him because we fear the unknown.
He’s going to take the ball every 5th day and be one of the worst pitchers in baseball based on runs against measures at the end of the season.
Supporting him, not supporting him, whatever won’t change who AJ is and what he will do next season.”
Just like your crystal ball told you that CC was going to opt out and so you railed about that endlessly, right?
Well if supporting him or not supporting him won’t change AJ, then if you’re a Yankee fan, try to show it. Support him.
“AnthonyMcCarron Yanks announce Cashman 3-year deal to stay GM”
YAY!!!!!
Yankees continue to remain cohensive while the Titanic to the north continues to sink beneath the waves of uncertainty!
Hi Ray!!!
New Post: Yankees make it official with Cashman
If Larry Rothschild doesn’t go to Burnett’s barn in Mayland for one last attempt to get him fixable, it’s a clear sign that Rothschild has declared him on the undisputed downside of his career.
If stuck with him (which is ludicrous) the least Girardi can do is have the bullpen up and ready at the very first sign of of the implosions he’s known for.
Support is one thing but less than a 50/50 chance of throwing (not pitching) a quality start for most appearances is a whole other thing for $82.5M.
Hot dogs @ yankee stadium $6.00, Parking $40.00. signing CC priceless or very expensive tickets !!!
Mark hasn’t hit for a decent average for 2 years now so why is it reasonable to expect him to raise it?
————
Cause I don’t believe he’s a .240-.250 hitter.
Do you?
I believe Teixiera will improve his average. Opponente have so much data to learn from on how to pitch to any hitter. I believe he’s smart enough & skilled enough to make adjustments in response.
Would I trade for King Felix? Sure. A few players would have to be off limits though: Jeter. Cano. Teixiera. Granderson. Banuelos. Either of Romine or Montero. I believe Hughes should be a keeper unless medical staff sees problems. I think Gardner has an upside, I probably wouldn’t trade him. Mo, Robertson.
For King Felix I’d be open to trading a few of: Pena. Nova. A-Rod in still good but not as good as he was, and he Swisher are probably too much $$ for Seattle. But I’d be willing to part with them. Pick 3 other pitchers from the bullpen, including (and I would never have said this 2 yrs ago) Joba. I’m only including Joba on the list because of the injury (which may have been causing a drop in performance for a while) and who he’d be traded for.
AJ … I’d trade him in heartbeat and pay his salary. If he’s really a .500 pitcher, and it sure looks like he is, then the Yanks are paying him to lose as many games for them as he wins. Addition by subtraction … I’d rather pay him to lose half the games he pitches for another team.
Would Seattle trade for anything you could come up with that? Probably not. They may want a package that includes Hughes & Gardner. But that’s what I’d be willing to do to acquire King Felix.
And of COURSE you have to include CC in the off limits list in a King Felix trade.