Wednesday notes: Mo on the road?
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 22, 2012 
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Every spring training, Mariano Rivera gets to his locker and finds a pair of gray pants hanging on the rod. They’ve always been a joke… until now.
Rivera is actually planning to go on the road this spring. From March 31 through April 3, the Yankees play four consecutive road games, including two exhibitions at the new Marlins stadium in Miami. Rivera said today that he’s actually planning to make that trip. At that point, he’ll need to pitch, and apparently he’s going to do it on the road against big leaguers rather than in Tampa at the minor league complex.
At least, that’s what he says now. Let’s see what he’s saying on March 30.
Speaking of things Rivera is saying: The Yankees closer acknowledged today that Derek Jeter is one of the few non-family members who know his plans for next season. Speaking to reporters at the minor league complex this morning, Jeter refused to spill the beans.
“You appreciate him while he’s here,” Jeter said after a morning workout. “I think everyone should just focus on that as opposed to if and when he’s going to retire.”
• Except for Rivera, all of the obvious big league pitchers threw bullpens today. Rivera said he’s thinking Sunday might be the day of his first bullpen. That seems a little earlier than usual, and Rivera said that’s because it’s a little warmer than usual. “I know that when it’s time, he’ll be ready,” Girardi said.
• Joe Girardi on the David Aardsma signing: “Power arm. Closer. We’re looking at him down the road, maybe being ready in August, possibly. It’s another option you have for your bullpen. You look at our bullpen, last year we went through a lot of arms. We had some injuries to Soriano, Joba, Feliciano, so we kept changing people out. I think the more you have, the more options it gives us, and that’s a good thing.”
• A few young starters threw live batting practice today, and Girardi said it was in anticpation of early spring training games. “We want to make sure everyone’s ready to go,” Girardi said. Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and D.J. Mitchell threw live BP, and Girardi’s wording suggested at least one of them could get an early start this spring. Lefty Rule 5 pick Cesar Cabral also threw batting practice.
• Over at the minor league complex, Brandon Laird, Jayson Nix, Doug Bernier, Ramiro Pena, Bill Hall, Corban Joseph and Jorge Vazquez went through infield drills together. Hall was at second base, Vazquez was at first, Nix was at second and third, Laird was at third and first, and both Bernier and Pena got their reps at shortstop.
• Girardi said, as far as he knows, everyone came through today with no physical problems. No one to add to the injury list today.
• It was reported earlier this winter, but the YES Network announced today that Lou Piniella has joined the network as a special contributor who will provide game and studio analysis.
• Girardi’s fairly generic comment on today’s workout: “I thought it went great. I thought the guys threw well. You see them throwing more breaking balls, and they increased the amount that they threw. You’re always curious to see how they bounce back, but they seemed to bounce back pretty well.”
Associated Press photos
“Why is it pitchers lose their velocity when they join the Yankees? Vasquez lost it every time he came and regained it when he left.”
I think Javy was hiding a shoulder injury…..even if he wouldn’t admit it…..he was on the side of the ball all season and he lost 3 mph on his fastball over the winter that season…..then got a lot of it back in the 2nd half of 2011.
Hangin’ with Michael Pineda…
http://tinyurl.com/6pcm58e
“Pedro Martinez,” Pineda said, smiling and gushing. “He is my best pitcher. I like his emotion when he is on the mound. He attacked the hitter. I loved him.”
When it was pointed out to the 6-foot-7 Pineda that he is nothing like Martinez because of his size, Pineda said, “Pedro’s a little guy, but on the mound he is a big guy.”
Pineda has never met Martinez, but two have spoken once on the phone.
It’s going to be interesting to see how these young players handle themselves this spring. They’re not fools, they know that the roster is set – but now they’re trying to impress the coaching staff enough so that when an injury hits they’re the ones who get the call.
If Mo retires after this season, Soriano will probably be in line to close in 2013 if he stays healthy & pitches well in 2012. Most likely he will opt for a soft out where he keeps his $14M but signs an extension of 1 or 2 more years.
I see where Lou Piniella is joining the Yes team.
Hi CompassRosy. The last Mariner to hit 30 homeruns was Russell Branyan in 2009. Who will be the next? Smoak or Montero? Neither?
RayVT February 22nd, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Most likely he will opt for a soft out where he keeps his $14M but signs an extension of 1 or 2 more years.
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No chance Cashman goes for that. He’s looking at clearing that salary for 2014′s drive for $189 mil. He didn’t want to sign Soriano for that much in the first place, he’s certainly not going to extend it.
If Soriano opts out – the Yankees will let Joba, Aardsma and Robertson duke it out and go after another guy to put into the mix. But I would be shocked if they spent more than $10 mil on a reliever again.
Good piece by Bryan Hoch on the last spot on the 25
I think it is almost impossible for the Yankees to stay competitive and get under the $189 million threshold by 2014. There are just too many bad contracts on the books for that to happen.
RayVT-
If i were a betting man, I’d have to bet, no matter how well Soriano pitches,as a Boras client he won’t opt out, and he won’t be getting an extension in 2012 from the Yankees. There are enough in house candidates, including Robertson, Chamberlain, even Hughes, and possibly Betance, as well as next years FA’s.
“But I would be shocked if they spent more than $10 mil on a reliever again.”
I’d be shocked if Hank ever spent $10m on anyone again.
And if Cashman ever gets $10m he’ll probably have to use to to pay off some women he met on Craig’s List…
Heyyyy-oooooo!!!!!!
“I think it is almost impossible for the Yankees to stay competitive and get under the $189 million threshold by 2014. There are just too many bad contracts on the books for that to happen.”
Last 2 world series winners had payrolls around $100m. Even if you were to assume NO to below average production from both Tex and Arod (the latter of which neither is even close to), the idea the Yankees couldn’t field a competitive team with $140m is a ludicrous position.
I think it is almost impossible for the Yankees to stay competitive and get under the $189 million threshold by 2014. There are just too many bad contracts on the books for that to happen.
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Patrick-
I thought that also, until I saw this spread sheet from Cots. They might be able to do it, but it might mean letting Granderson go. Maybe not?I believe, especially with the added wild card they’ll still be contending for a playoff spot.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tpQLwiiQL4kzEzLhsUqVjLQ&output=html
“I think it is almost impossible for the Yankees to stay competitive and get under the $189 million threshold by 2014. There are just too many bad contracts on the books for that to happen.”
The Yanks will be competitive in 2014 if the payroll is below the LT threshold. How competitive is the question. But if Pineda comes through and one of Banuelos or Betances blossom, the Yanks will be just fine.
My comment to Patrick is mainly about getting under the 189M LT threshold. After looking at the spread sheet, I think they can do it and still stay competitive.
“I think it is almost impossible for the Yankees to stay competitive and get under the $189 million threshold by 2014. There are just too many bad contracts on the books for that to happen.”
Nah they can do it……but their young pitching HAS to pan out both in the rotation and bullpen……if their entire pitching staff aside from Sabathia is relatively cheap then they can do it.
Mo could be back in 2013.
If the Yanks offer him 20m.
Mo is sly as a fox.
Jeter too.
Have there been any recent rumors on Jorge Soler?
Last 2 world series winners had payrolls around $100m. Even if you were to assume NO to below average production from both Tex and Arod (the latter of which neither is even close to), the idea the Yankees couldn’t field a competitive team with $140m is a ludicrous position.
–
Both of those came from bad divisions though. The Yankees do not have the advantage of young cost controlled position players ready to break in. They are going to need to replace a couple of key positions externally. They can still be competitive, but they do have an awful lot of money tied up in a small amount of players, which makes filling out a roster more difficult than worse teams that have had time to draft develop cheaper players that defray costs.
Can they do it while also extending Granderson and Cano? Who plays RF, catcher, shortstop, 3 of your starting pitchers? Don’t forget, Hughes and Joba will be free agents by then. Can we trust that Cashman won’t overspend on the bullpen once Mo retires?
It’s not impossible but it will be very difficult to get under $189 million by 2014 while maintaining the quality of talent that we’ve seen from 2009 till now.
The Yankees will have to depend on their prospects making it or trading prospects for young cost controlled players. If getting below $189 million is truly the Number 1 goal for the organization there is no way they go after Hamels or Cain either.
The question is has Mo told the team what his plans are?
Mo is leaving the door open.
Patrick,
Its tough to say…..but I think they are serious about doing it….so as mentioned I think the question is can they donut and field a WS caliber team? I don’t know…..the young pitching has to pan out….and they are probably going to have to find some cheap offense somehow somewhere.
River Avenue Blues did an in-depth analysis of the 2014 possibilities:
http://riveraveblues.com/2012/.....ead-62600/
Bottom line, the Yanks can be competitive. They can afford either Granderson (or Granderson replacement) or a top pitcher like Hamels.
I prefer to count on Pineda and to keep Granderson or replace him with similar offense.
Pineda is key.
Mo is leaving the door open.
———————————————————————————————–
I feel that Mo is going to retire and will not change his mind. I think he wants to be with his family full time.
iver Avenue Blues did an in-depth analysis of the 2014 possibilities:
http://riveraveblues.com/2012/…..ead-62600/
Bottom line, the Yanks can be competitive. They can afford either Granderson (or Granderson replacement) or a top pitcher like Hamels.
I prefer to count on Pineda and to keep Granderson or replace him with similar offense.
Pineda is key.
—
Ok I just read that and lets say they spend the money on a RF and CF, that leaves them with Romine starting at catcher, 3 empty spots in the bullpen, no DH and no 5th starter. And also it’s assuming that Nova, Banuelos and Pineda are good in 2014.
Way way way too many holes and assumptions for me. That team is not as good as the teams we’ve seen in 2009-2012.
It just doesn’t make sense that mo said jeter knows of his plans,if he is still going to play in 2013.
Mo is retiring after this year,imo.
Why would you tell jeter,i’m playing in 2013?
River Avenue Blues did an in-depth analysis of the 2014 possibilities:
–
One of their assumptions is Romine being the starting catcher for 2014,but I don’t know that is realistic. If they sign Martin to a 3/2 year deal that will really hurt them for 2014. I don’t know if he’d make less than what he is making in arbitration so 8-10 million per year? Thats only 30 million for SP, RF, CF, LF, DH, Bullpen. Also assumes Pineda won’t be a super-two, but I think he will be. Thats another 3-5 million.
They should use excess starting pitching to try and acquire a cheap OF for 2014. They only have to beat the luxury tax one every handful of years, so they only need to get players that will be cheaper for the specific 2014 season.
The $3.5M projected by RAB for Pineda in 2014 as a number two starter seems low given that Lincecum settled for $9M in his corresponding “Super Two” season.
typed too slow
lounge lizard – We could only be so lucky for him to be as good as Lincecum… That seems like a realistic projection to me, if he beats it then the rest of the league is in trouble.
“And also it’s assuming that Nova, Banuelos and Pineda are good in 2014.”
It assumes that Pineda is good. It has Banuelos and Nova in the rotation, but you could replace them with Betances and someone else, I guess.
Overall, the team would only be better if Pineda and say, Banuelos, become extremely good. More likely than not the team won’t be as good, as you say, but they could still be competitive.
Unfortunately, by 2014 the Jays are going to be really good and so will Tampa.
Unfortunately, by 2014 the Jays are going to be really good and so will Tampa.
Why?
They won’t have any offense left at all by then?
The new collective bargaining agreement will change the Super Two rule from the top 17 percent of players under three years of service time to allow the top 22 percent to qualify for Super Two status. In the past, teams were safe with top prospects by calling them up in late May or June to avoid Super Two qualification. Now, though, that cut-off date will be pushed ahead, perhaps several weeks. We could start seeing top prospects a month later now in late June.
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Nova would be a threat for super-two status as well.
Why would you tell jeter,i’m playing in 2013?
==========================
it’s called negotiating, jerry.
“They should use excess starting pitching to try and acquire a cheap OF for 2014. They only have to beat the luxury tax one every handful of years, so they only need to get players that will be cheaper for the specific 2014 season.”
Yup
Let’s try it this way.
There were the payrolls of the other 7 postseason teams in 2011.
$165,976,381
$109,048,000
$106,953,000
$ 92,124,290
$ 83,590,833
$ 56,489,833
$ 42,171,308
Okay, so we want to narrow it down to the AL and even the division.
Tampa, which is in no danger anytime soon of drawing any fans, is never going to escalate payroll. They’ll probably always be in position of selling off vets and bringing up kids.
Boston will still have Crawford and Lackey on their books in 2014. They’ll have to pay Lester and Ellsbury, and find replacements for Ortiz and maybe Youklis.
And hope Beckett and Gonzalez are still performing.
Texas is going to have to Kinsler, Cruz, Hamilton, Napoli and Young to deal with either by paying them or replacing them.
I’m not going to do the entire league.
The point is, fans, as they tend to do, are comparing the 2014 Yankees to a younger version of themselves in a vacuum.
This process usually assumes their competition are all on the rise and/or are immune to the age/ecalating salary issues the Yankees will face.
They’re not.
mick February 22nd, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Why would you tell jeter,i’m playing in 2013?
==========================
it’s called negotiating, jerry.
————————————————————————————————————————-
Doubt it mickey
If Mo hasn’t told mgmnt. then it is their move on offering an extension.
But they won’t as they want to see what he’s got left.
It’s a waiting game.
The Jay’s always seem to be right on the cusp…
Mo in mid july, ” I was going to retire but have changed my mind.”
Tampa’s pitching is loaded. They have good offensive talent a couple of years away. The Blue Jays have a great farm system.
Tampa could stand to buy a free agent hitter, though. Just glad they don’t seem to want to.
“Way way way too many holes and assumptions for me. That team is not as good as the teams we’ve seen in 2009-2012.”
As I like to say, the 2014 won’t ever have to play the 2009-2012 NY Yankees. Comparing a team to a previous version of itself is utterly irrelevant.
Stuckey,
Those teams don’t have the number of 20+ million dollar contracts on the books that the Yankees do …..and another looming in Cano…..that’s the point.
As I like to say, the 2014 won’t ever have to play the 2009-2012 NY Yankees. Comparing a team to a previous version of itself is utterly irrelevant.
—
You’re right, with teams like the Rangers, Rays and Blue Jays seemingly on the rise, they will have to play better than the 2009-2012 Yankees.
Of course anything can happen,but when you look at it,not even that hard,this will be his last year,and most think so.
He is 42 yrs old,his contract is up,he doesn’t need the money,and it just doesn’t make sense to say,”jeter is one of the few,outside of family that knows my plans”.
I’d be shocked if he didn’t retire,but very happy.
This process usually assumes their competition are all on the rise and/or are immune to the age/ecalating salary issues the Yankees will face.
They’re not.
–
The Yankees are trying to beat the field every year, which most other teams are incapable of doing. The Yankees win about as much as most of the other top teams in the league while spending a lot more, it doesn’t matter who the other top teams are they change every year while the Yankees remain the same.
By filling the roster with very expensive players, it makes it more difficult for the Yankees to beat the field while trying to play under a budget. The 2014 club could be more susceptible to missing the playoffs than any Yankee team in a while because they don’t have young players coming up or on the team at that point helping alleviate the strain. Prior clubs spent tons and that was with the benefit of a cheap Wang, Cano, Gardner, Melky, Swisher, etc.
The 189 cap will be hard to get under, they can do it and still be a good team, but then they will also have no room for deadline deals because it will put them over without swapping salary or having another team pay.
Mo in mid july, ” I was going to retire but have changed my mind.”
—————————————————————————————–
Didn’t Mo say he made his decision and would not change his mind?
If Mo told his family he was retiring, I don’t think Mo is the kind of person who would go back on his word, especially to his kids.
Maybe his decision was to see how he felt pitching this season and consult with his family at that point.
Maybe his decision was to see how he felt pitching this season and consult with his family at that point.
—
If that were the case, he would have said that. Unless he’s trolling us…
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?d.....38;gl=USko
Some video of the Yanks newest outfield addition
If that were the case, he would have said that. Unless he’s trolling us…
==========================================
why not say what his decision is instead of the tease?
why not say what his decision is instead of the tease?
—
In case he changes his mind?
In case he changes his mind?
=================
and what would make him do that?
and what would make him do that?
—
Injury, lack there of, winning a world series, who knows?… what is your point?
It’s pretty obvious he has made a decision to either continue another year or retire. The latter is more likely. But he is not making it public because any number of factors could change that decision and it would make him look back to flip flop his decision after the season. If he truly didn’t have any feeling one way or the other I’m sure he would say ” his decision was to see how he felt pitching this season and consult with his family at that point.” similar to what he’s done every other year in his career.
“would make him look bad* to flip flop… ” is what I meant
I wish Mo had said nothing because a whole season of “this is the last time Mariano……..” is going to get on my nerves.
Blake your youtube link don’t work
Injury, lack there of, winning a world series, who knows?
===================================
waiting till the season is over to announce his decision? i doubt that.
not announcing it now and waiting for the drum roll is equal to making no decision.
he could be letting the yankees make the decision for him.
give him an offer he can’t refuse.
he could be just as easily thinking he wants to return.
why announce that now? to be lowballed.
mick,
I am not following your train of thought at all…
It’s pretty insanely obvious that Mo has made a tentative decision on whether to retire or not after this season….
exactly.
a tentative decision is not a decision.
he is leaving the door open.
Just a quick question – what do people expect out of Nova this year? When people dream of the future of the rotation he seems to get lost in the mix. Maybe everyone is like me and ust don’t seem to feel like he will repeat the same level of success. But his 16 wins and 3.70 ERA in his first full season as an MLB starter was huge success. If he can continue, they already have a huge 1,2,3 punch for the future, and Kuroda gives them quite a starting 4 (and I am betting that we will see an effective Hughes as the #5). So what do people think – will Nova has another successful campaign, or was last year his peak performance?
“Those teams don’t have the number of 20+ million dollar contracts on the books that the Yankees do …..and another looming in Cano…..that’s the point.”
But they’re competing at a $100m…
Yanks have a LOT of wriggle room before $100m, which is the point.
How come Toronto’s record never seems to reflect their perpetual “rising” status?
They can sign Cain and Melky or Cain and BJ Upton and still fall under in 2014:
2014
Derek Jeter-ss (8 player option)
Granderson-cf (17)
Robinson Cano-2b (22)
Alex Rodriguez-dh (27.5)
Mark Teixeira-1b (22.5)
BJ Upton-lf (12)
Austin Romine-c (.5)
Eduardo Nunez-3b (1)* For one year. Nunez ss in 2015 and Bichette Jr. 3b
Trade-rf (.5 million – 7 million max)
Bench (4.5 in 2011)
CC Sabathia-lhp (23)
Matt Cain (20)
Michael Pineda-rhp (3.5)
Ivan Nova-rhp (3.5)
Manny Banuelos-lhp (.5)
David Robertson (8)
Joba Chamberlain (6)
Dellin Betances (.5)
Diego Moreno (.5)
Warren (.5)
Phelps (.5)
Mitchell (.5)
Other middle reliever candidates or trade assets for middle relievers:
Marshall
Stoneburner
Campos
Total = 182
$7 million max for RF
Trade assets for cheap RF and or middle relievers:
Phil Hughes-sp
Russell Martin-c
Brett Gardner-cf
Prospects for promotion or trade for cheap players:
M. Williams
R. Santana
G. Sanchez
Dante Bichette Jr.
JR Murphy
Heathcott
But they’re competing at a $100m…
Yanks have a LOT of wriggle room before $100m, which is the point.
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They are competing at 100 million with cheaper, better players because they have to develop as they dont have access to the same consistency of acquiring FAs that the Yankees have. We dont care if the Red Sox or Rays are strong in 2014 specifically, only that 1 of them may be strong or another team will be strong. A currently strong team may fall back, and a team that brings up a bunch of very good prospects will suddenly be competing at a lower payroll point because they are getting above average production from cheap players.
We only care about the yankees, as we want them to be competing, not a random team in the field. They do not have this cheap, good talent coming up. That means the 100 million they are using to ‘compete’ is being used to buy expensive free agents, not pay minimum or relatively cheap salary to prospect players. And another thing is that those teams have room to make trades, which the Yankees will not have in 2014.
Good news on Nova
NYPost_Yankees New York Post
Yankees pitcher Nova says arm is ‘perfect’ after strain http://nyp.st/ywjneU #Yankees
New and improved PITCHf/x data
By Larry Koestler
————————————————————————————————————————-
Very good article about ivan nova & pitchf/x data.
http://riveraveblues.com/2012/.....ata-63540/
“The Yankees win about as much as most of the other top teams in the league while spending a lot more, it doesn’t matter who the other top teams are they change every year while the Yankees remain the same.”
Okay.
Why are we assuming many, most, some other teams are going to bump up to $189m.
My point is even if you disqualify $40m dollars (just to make an point, Arod and Tex could still be productive players in 2014) who’s to say the Yankees STILL won’t have a financial advantage over most of the league?
As I’ve taken great pains to point out, Yankees payroll has been static for 7 years. The prevailing wisdom seems to be the Yankees needs to escalate payroll to keep up with the Joneses, I’d I’ve yet to see a logical basis to this argument.
“The 2014 club could be more susceptible to missing the playoffs than any Yankee team in a while because they don’t have young players coming up or on the team at that point helping alleviate the strain.”
I think fans are making a mistake thinking all their talent in Charleston and Tampa are going to be on the full year at each level plan.
And they’re going to have depth at AAA in the near-term to try spin.
The point being, if we remain laser-focused on the Yankees and Yankees only, you’re going to emphasis the cracks, flaws and stresses.
But EVERY team has them.
The other Joneses ALL have their own issues.
Phillies hardly have an offense as is, and have Howard’s contract on their hands. The starting rotation is impressive, but hardly spring chickens.
I already detailed Boston’s issue (who wants to swap organizations with Boston right now?).
Texas has as many age/new contract issues (including some real tricky ones – Hamilton) as the Yanks.
Tampa rarely holds onto talent long-enough to develop an experienced 95 win team year-in and out.
I’ll believe the up and comers are coming up when they actually come up.
Bret,
You’re going to continue to perplex people with BJ Upton NOT because of questions of whether the Yankees can afford him, but legitimate questions as to why the Yankees would want him?
I’m much less interested in not IF the yankees can afford, but why would they want to try to?
Projecting he becomes a different player than he is, and also justifying payroll is skipping a very important step.
My point is even if you disqualify $40m dollars (just to make an point, Arod and Tex could still be productive players in 2014) who’s to say the Yankees STILL won’t have a financial advantage over most of the league?
–
The Yankees will still have a financial advantage, I’m not saying teams will jump up in payroll. I’m saying there are always going to be a random assortment of very good teams because of the young talent they are developing that the Yankees have not had the luxury of bringing up, and because of this the Yankees have spent more money than any other team simply to ensure that they are one of the best teams in the league each year.
The Rays were garbage until suddenly they weren’t. The blue jays seem to be under pretty good new management. The royals are looking to be a threat into the future. Teams like the angels, rangers, and red sox will spend money to compete. The Twins & Mariners will spend money to compete. It doesn’t matter which of these teams is strong in 2014, only that there will be other strong teams.
Saber-humor
JPosnanski
Just found out that “This Means War” isn’t about baseball stats. Had imagined Reese Witherspoon playing UZR. Sigh.
“They are competing at 100 million with cheaper, better players because they have to develop as they dont have access to the same consistency of acquiring FAs that the Yankees have.”
Yankees have a highly rated farm system. I don’t see his this remains and/or becomes a disadvantage moving forward from now?
“and a team that brings up a bunch of very good prospects will suddenly be competing at a lower payroll point because they are getting above average production from cheap players.”
And the Yankees can’t do this why?
And the Yankees can’t still compete with a deeper talent pool because they’ll always be willing to push the payroll ceiling when other teams can’t why?
The Yankees aren’t the only teams with albatross contracts. Tex’s isn’t even an albatross yet.
“We only care about the yankees, as we want them to be competing, not a random team in the field.”
They are STILL going to enjoy a payroll advantage. What is unclear about this?
“They do not have this cheap, good talent coming up.”
Yes, they do. It’s just not in AAA or AA yet, where they do have outstanding cheap, young pitching.
I’m sorry JF, you’re using a lot of words to try to get around the fact the Yankees will likely STILL maintain a sizeable payroll advantage over most other teams, they have a good farm system, prospects for a good, reasonably priced rotations and Arod and Texeira doesn’t wipe that advantage out.
That’s chicken little thinking and indicative of the very same “watch out, xxxx team is coming up behind the Yanks this year” mindset that has been a characteristic of this forum since I’ve been here.
Like I say, I can’t imagine how much some your necks hurt with you looking over your shoulder at ALL times.
Yankees have a highly rated farm system. I don’t see his this remains and/or becomes a disadvantage moving forward from now?
I’m sorry JF, you’re using a lot of words to try to get around the fact the Yankees will likely STILL maintain a sizeable payroll advantage over most other teams, they have a good farm system, prospects for a good, reasonably priced rotations and Arod and Texeira doesn’t wipe that advantage out.
That’s chicken little thinking and indicative of the very same “watch out, xxxx team is coming up behind the Yanks this year” mindset that has been a characteristic of this forum since I’ve been here.
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In the contexts of 2014, they don’t have young cheap talent coming up to offset cost in the field. This is only about 2014. I think they can be competitive I do not agree they will not be competitive in 2014, but to keep at under 189 they are going to be more vulnerable against missing the playoffs for that season. Payrolls are already rising in the majors to the point that the average payroll figure is almost near 100 million. To drop down to 189 shrinks the advantage the yankees have, which was already shrinking, and because of their willingness to fill the books with 20 million dollar players they will have less money to spend on the rest of the roster. Necessitating that they hit on a lot of prospects soon or make a trade.
They have spent the most money in baseball to maintain a marginal advantage over the field, so that they can make the playoffs each year (and still missed it once).
I think you’re misunderstanding my point, but I don’t know how I can better articulate it to you.