Kuroda throws in Tampa
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 18, 2012 
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For the most part, things are quiet down in Tampa. The minor league complex where players have been working out for the past week is locked, but over at the big league complex, Hiroki Kuroda just threw a 25-pitch bullpen.
Kuroda included quite a few offspeed pitches and said he threw bullpens “several times already” before getting to Tampa. He was wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
“It’s not an actual uniform,” he said. “But I feel really proud to wear this (Yankees) uniform… I always felt a lot of energy from (New York City).”
If Kuroda pitches like he has the last 3 years then he’ll win 15+ this year.
“If they don’t hit the 189 in 2014, they can try again to reset it in 2015, no?”
Sure…but there are some pretty prime free agents in 2015 that’s getting under in 2014 might allow them to pursue.
For if they are at $189 million or less for the three seasons from 2014-16, they not only avoid paying one cent in luxury tax, which would rise to 50 percent for them as repeat offenders, but they also would get roughly $40 million in savings via the to-be-implemented market disqualification revenue sharing program. However, only teams under the luxury-tax threshold get reimbursed in this program, which is designed to prevent big markets such as Toronto and Washington from receiving revenue sharing dollars, which in turn will lower how much teams such as the Yanks pay (as long as they are under the threshold).
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....z1mkoAbd8x
Joelsherman1
Hear current Hal Steinbrenner #Yankees budget even after AJ trade has room only for Chavez or LH DH (likely Ibanez) not both but if AJ passes #Pirates physical Sun, #Yankees execs plan to meet again to discuss if room can be made for both areas
Good grief…..just sign neither and let Laird and Dickerson fill those roles.
For the 1st time since Matsui left, the Yankees will have a fair sized Japanese media contingent covering what Kuroda does.
I’mf for signing neither also, but letting Bill Hall, if he has a good spring and Russell Branyon be given a chance at the lefty DH bat, with Nunez as a super utility player who could cover some OF positions
Good grief…..just sign neither and let Laird and Dickerson fill those roles.
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Agree wholeheartedly. Give it to the young guys. Chavez is injury prone and Raul is shot.
I gotta See how hitters are reacting to Kuroda’s pitches, before I predict just how he is gonna do in the AL. Predicting anything outta Kuroda at this point is Karnac material. I learned my lesson when Randy Johnson came over. He was good, but certainly not the absolute dominator we saw in the NL.
If the Budget still only allows 1 million now then it would seem maybe Hal ordered AJ traded to clear money after the Kuroda signing.
Everybody keeps forgetting about Vazquez. I would give him a shot at DH. Ibanez does nothing for me.
We keep getting back to signing Beltran and passing on Kuroda.
Starting next year teams that pay revenue sharing if they are under the luxury tax threshold can receive rebates. 25% in 13, 50% in 14, 75% in 15 and 100% in 16 so the Yankees have the potential to save well over 100 million in years 14-16. If the Yankees could be under for all 4 years there revenue sharing savings could add up to well over 150 million after taxes.
I like Nunez more than most. Last year, as Michaels said, he was anxious. He was also playing third for the first time or close to it. He has speed, an arm and a surprisingly good bat. Nunez and Laird/Hall suit me. Go ahead and bring in Ibanez at a low cost and let him compete for the LHDH spot.
I don’t really like rotating DHs….but I think the rotating DH with Nunez playing the field might be more productive than Ibanez….
pat February 18th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Joelsherman1
Hear current Hal Steinbrenner #Yankees budget even after AJ trade has room only for Chavez or LH DH (likely Ibanez) not both but if AJ passes #Pirates physical Sun, #Yankees execs plan to meet again to discuss if room can be made for both areas
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Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1 47m #Yankees still favor Ibanez over Damon because, of all things, think better on defense and better vs. RHP. But Damon not off board
Defense for your platoon DH is vital
AJ will win 20 games with the Pirates—-but it will probably take 2 years!
Its all smoke and mirrors designed to get the FAs remaining to come down off of their expected pay numbers. This leak will probably save the Yankees a million or so.
Cots has them at $202 million right now after the AJ deal. My guess is that Hal wants them under $207 million (last year’s payroll).
Let’s see where this goes. Any two of Ibanez, Chavez, Damon, Matsui, or Vlad that makes it $5-6 million total will do.
Assume Chavez signs the same deal as last year ($1.5 million). That leaves $3-5 million for the remaining player.
OK boys (this means you Vladdy, Damon, Raul)–Matsui would play for $3.5 million. Want to play for us? Take our $3-4 million or find it elsewhere.
Dan,
The Yankees saving money by not spending doesn’t do much for me the fan. Frugality is encouraged even more which, of course, takes away the ability to spend for the better players. Yippee.
blake February 18th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Good grief…..just sign neither and let Laird and Dickerson fill those roles.
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Seconded ! ! ! !
Dickerson I can live with. Laird? NIX. Again, what about Vazquez?
If you haven’t seen it, check out the espn season preview:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/spring2.....son-review
and FYI – sounds like most people loved the Pineda-Montero trade and the vast majority see the Yankees as the winner of the transaction.
“Cots has them at $202 million right now after the AJ deal. My guess is that Hal wants them under $207 million (last year’s payroll).”
That 202 number doesn’t include some arbitration and minimal salaries…..donuts probably closer to 204-205 now.
Laird can play a serviceable 3B from all accounts and Vasquez cannot.
I am perfectly fine with letting Nunez, Pena, Laird, Dickerson, Maxwell, Branyan et al compete for the bench/DH type roles.
If the $$$ is seriously that tight save it for a mid-season pickup if/when needed.
Keep in mind, the Yanks can free up more $$$ by dealing Garcia if Hughes/Nova look good this spring. There will be a market for him somewhere.
“If the Budget still only allows 1 million now then it would seem maybe Hal ordered AJ traded to clear money after the Kuroda signing.”
Why would you think differently that Kuroda’s signing means Burnett was going to be traded. IMO, I think it was always a part of their game plan to get rid of Burnett if they Kuroda and Pineda. Also, by that time of January 13th, Cashman probably had a good idea he could move Burnett somewhere.
“and FYI – sounds like most people loved the Pineda-Montero trade and the vast majority see the Yankees as the winner of the transaction.”
This is the only Yankee board that I visit regularly that thinks differently.
“That 202 number doesn’t include some arbitration and minimal salaries…..donuts probably closer to 204-205 now.”
I can understand the minimal salaries as to who might make the club, but they have no arbitration salaries as the rest have signed their contracts.
and FYI – sounds like most people loved the Pineda-Montero trade and the vast majority see the Yankees as the winner of the transaction.
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Most would say we’re quite far from determining the “winner” if there is one at all.
Hear current Hal Steinbrenner #Yankees budget even after AJ trade has room only for Chavez or LH DH (likely Ibanez) not both but if AJ passes #Pirates physical Sun, #Yankees execs plan to meet again to discuss if room can be made for both areas
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No point in going to OTD
austinmac February 18th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
“… as Michaels said, he was anxious. He was also playing third for the first time or close to it. He has speed, an arm and a surprisingly good bat.”
I agree. Supersubs are scarce, and noone wants to pay good money for good ones. They really add to the team, especially the good ol’ Yankees. So, it’s worth it, I was thinking, to suffer learning pains. Because of the above, and learning to cope with ML pitching.
I love Ramiro, but it is up to him to make contact. Laird, color me doubtful. Dickerson hasn’t torn up pitching in AAA, I don’t think.
I like Chavez, if he feels up to it. I would plan with him to play, either 3rd or DH 3 -4 times a week. He’s a very smart hitter, with a very articulate, smooth swing. Line drives when you need them. If he goes down with injury, c’est la vie, and work on a backup plan. With him and Nuney covering the infield and LHDH, you could go with that.