Last winter’s guide to this winter
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 31, 2012 
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The current Yankees situation is quite a bit different than it was at this time last year. The team has a ton of soon-to-be free agents, more uncertainty about the pieces in place, and no standout upper-level prospect to dangle in trade talks. But in a lot of ways, every offseason includes some similar choices, and the Yankees decision makers haven’t changed, so we might be able to draw some expectations from the way the Yankees approached last winter.
Month-by-month, here are the Yankees key moves last winter, along with how each one ties to the decisions facing the Yankees this offseason.
The list starts with a move that was made exactly one year ago…
Last October: CC Sabathia’s contract extension
On October 31, just hours before Sabathia was sure to opt out, the Yankees agreed to extend his contract through 2016 with an option for 2017. The move kept the Yankees best pitcher under team control well into the future.
This offseason: With their best pitcher locked up, Yankees could entertain the idea extending their best hitter. Robinson Cano has a team option for next season — exercising it is the Yankees easiest decision of the winter — but does it make sense to look beyond 2013? Would Cano, and his representation, make such a move worthwhile for the Yankees?
Last November: Minor league contract with Jayson Nix
One of those moves that’s easy to overlook at the time. The Yankees wasted little time in giving Nix an invitation to big league camp — Nix would later say that the Yankees aggressive pursuit was one of the reasons he signed — and the move paid off in a big way when the Yankees lost faith in Eduardo Nunez and gave Nix their big league utility job. Nix could stick around to play the same role next year.
This offseason: In the past it was hard for Nix-type players to see a path from Triple-A to the big leagues with the Yankees, but that perception might have changed with guys like Nix, Chris Stewart, Dewayne Wise and Clay Rapada earning lengthy stints in the Bronx this year. With a thin outfield, aging players on the left side of the infield, and a recent willingness to give unproven relievers a chance, the Yankees roster doesn’t look as inpenetrable as it’s been in past seasons. That could make courting a Nix-type a little easier.
Last December: Freddy Garcia and Andruw Jones re-signed
The Garcia move technically happened in late November, but it didn’t become official until early December. The Jones move came a little before New Years Day. At the time, Garcia seemed like valuable rotation depth and Jones seemed to be a natural right-handed complement to the Yankees left-leaning outfield regulars. Of course, it’s telling that neither player landed on the postseason roster.
This offseason: Re-signing familiar faces could be a big part of the Yankees winter. Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte, in particular, could be key to filling a rotation that’s currently full of holes. Mariano Rivera is also expected back, Russell Martin could be the Yankees best option at catcher, and left-handed-hitting veterans Raul Ibanez and Eric Chavez could reprise their 2012 roles if the price is right. Of course, the Yankees have to wonder whether Ibanez or Chavez — or someone else, for that matter — is another Jones situation waiting to happen.
Last January: The night that defined the winter
A quiet winter got really, really loud on the night of January 13 when the Yankees agreed to trade for Michael Pineda and sign Hiroki Kuroda. It was a rotation makeover – it was supposed to be, anyway — in a span of a few hours.
This offseason: Given all the players and money coming off the books this offseason, the Yankees have little choice but to make a splash at some point. Hard to imagine a night like last year’s double dip, but the Yankees are in a position to do something. They have at least one opening in the outfield, at designated hitter and in the rotation. As Cashman showed with the Pineda trade, he’s often able to work below the radar to make moves that no one sees coming. Of course, this winter he’ll be looking for a deal that has nothing to do with April shoulder surgery.
Last February: Last-minute deals with Clay Rapada, Raul Ibanez and Eric Chavez
Three guys who were with the Yankees all season were not a part of the organization a week before pitchers and catchers officially reported to spring training (Rapada signed the day before camp opened). The lesson was simple: When it comes to the fringes of the roster, the Yankees will take their time.
This offseason: The Yankees are actually well positioned to take their time finding role players this offseason. In Stewart and Francisco Cervelli, they have two options for backup catcher. In Chris Dickerson, they have a ready-made fourth or fifth outfielder. In David Adams, Corban Joseph, Melky Mesa, Zoilo Almonte and Austin Romine they have Triple-A-ready prospects who could be pushed into a big league bench role right away. In Adam Warren, Chase Whitley and Juan Cedeno, they have guys with good Triple-A numbers who could be just-in-case big league options out of camp (kind of like David Phelps was last spring).
Associated Press photos
Trader,
Id like to take a gamble on a Haren bounce back but what can they trade to the Angels?
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Blake-
After Soriano takes the qualifying offer from the Yankees they can trade him for Haren, both of whom are FA after the 2013 season!
I’m sorry, but I’m not a big Soriano fan. Pretty good, as you said, doesn’t fit with my idea of an elite closer.
OK.
I’m ready for Gordon, or Upton.
Works for me.
YT-
Forget Soriano. Mo will be back.
Go get Haren if you want him.
Use other means.
Blake-
For Haren to “bounce back”, hopefully he won’t have any more back issues.
Id probably trade both Nova and phelps for Gordon if the Royals would do that…..if Kuroda and Andy come back and they could get Hughes signed
People need to be thinking if they can cope with Nunez as their SS for a while.
Blake-
Any of the 3 should be on the table.
And it will take a bit more IMO.
I think the pen will be ok if Soriano leaves…..I do think mo comes back and I think Joba will be better and they have Montgomery coming…..you can find relivers
Blake-
I agree. I’m not overly concerned about the pen.
My focus is retooling the O.
Need to get AP and Hiroki inked early.
MTU says:
October 31, 2012 at 9:07 am
People need to be thinking if they can cope with Nunez as their SS for a while.
That’s why I think they really need to sell Scutero on a utility role…. He’d get to play a lot
Today is a hike day.
Got to get going soon.
I’d rather get Keppinger, and pencil in Nunez at SS.
I wonder if Ervin Santana isn’t a better one year choice over Haren?
Haren in parenthesis:
Santana ERA-5.16[4.33]; WHIP 1.27[1.29]; righties BA-.213[.320]; lefties BA-.262[.234]
Santana looks like his ERA was inflated with too many walks and homers.
Both were good in 2011
Need to get AP and Hiroki inked early.”
Yup
Keppinger better BA, OB%, Fielding%, more homers in far less at bats.
Scutaro will get a full time job for sure.
Blake-
What are the chances you’ll get Pettitte inked in November?
“What are the chances you’ll get Pettitte inked in November?”
He says he’s gonna decide soon so I hope he does
I like Keppenger too…..they need a legit utility guy for 2013 IMO.
Mark de Rosa used to be that type of guy but he’s been injured and is
too old now.
Id try to sell Scutero that he’d play 3B a bunch and SS at least a day a week…..
Keppinger is an upgrade over Nix, but how expensive an upgrade?
Need to re-make the OF and rotation for 2013 before spending too much time worrying about the right spare parts.
I believe FA can start signing on Saturday. Would like to see a very active weekend.
We’ve talked about trading for corner OF bats-lefty Gordon, righty J. Upton.
What other bats-righty if that’s what the Yankees would prefer to compliment Cano in the middle of the line-up could be realistic trade targets for the Yankees?
Michael Morse of the Nats?
Corey Hart of the Brewers?
Michael Cuddyer of the Rockies?
Juan Batista of the Jays?????
Josh Willingham of the Twins?
Alex Rios of the WS?
Thoughts?
Just get me Gordon, Keppinger, and Melky.
Upton is optional.
See. I’m not really that greedy after all.
Talk to the Dodgers, Cubs, D’backs, Rox,Pads, and Marlins.
Talk with any team that can use Pitching.
Make guys like Williams, Austin, Flores, Santana, or Heathcott
available.
Try to keep the best 2.
Make one of Adams or Joseph available.
Make Murphy available.
Few guys should be untouchable in the right trade.
That’s my ancient wisdom for today.
I still have ten minutes to make a blockbuster trade.
If Im trading any of that ( Austin, Williams, Sanchez, Heathcott) group then I need a youn and cost controlled position player back……
Blake-
Gordon is that.
I’m sure there are others.
I’d love to get my greedy hands on Cargo or Stanton.
MTU-
I thought you were a member of Team Greedy.
Which Melky -Cabrera or Mesa. Don’t answer, I know!
Bring back Larry Bowa first and I’m OK with Melky on a one year incentive deal.
And I’ll settle for McCutchen of the Bucco’s.
YT-
I don’t think the Yanks would consider Melky but he is a great bargain right now.
It’s tempting.
I’ve got to run, or in my case walk.
Catch you guys later.
Please feel free to come up with a blockbuster trade in my absence.
I’ll check back later to see what you came up with.
make it happen Greedy boys.
MTU-
Just made a blockbuster trade and Gordon is in it!
The Yankees get Alex Gordon and catcher Salvador Perez, for Phil Hughes, Bret Gardner and Brett Marshall.
MTU-
After that trade the Yankees resign Ichiro on a one year deal with a club option for a 2nd and bring in Reed Johnson as their 4th OF’er on a one year deal.
The Yankees get Alex Gordon and catcher Salvador Perez, for Phil Hughes, Bret Gardner and Brett Marshall.
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Cashman would hear a dial tone the split second after Dayton hears “Salvador Perez”.
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Cashman would hear a dial tone the split second after Dayton hears “Salvador Perez”.
Yea…..
Cashman would hear a dial tone the split second after Dayton hears “Salvador Perez”.
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I knew that. Just trying to stimulate that blockbuster trade talk.
Find the Yankees a corner OF’er, preferably a righty, thru a trade.
The Yankees can’t get their knickers twisted over Soriano potentially ‘opting back in’. League just got 7 AAV for 3 years and he isn’t anywhere near as good as Soriano.
JF-
Soriano, for me, just doesn’t cut it as a come in, get 3 quick outs, blow away the oppositions best hitter, and call it a job well done, despite his stats.
As a Dodger League gave up no homers, Soriano gave up 5 to the last 16 batters he faced.
Not worth the 14.8M he’ll make by opting out and then taking the qualifying offer.
Just my 2-3 cents.
I think it’s worth the risk to offer Soriano the 13.3 million
It doesnt matter if he is worth it or not. The risk isn’t big enough to warrant losing a draft pick. League is a ‘ground ball’ type guy who spent the entire season in cavernous pitchers parks, that HR stat doesnt really matter when Soriano is better than league at everything else.
And I certainly don’t want Soriano on the team either, but they HAVE to try to get the draft pick. Strategically it is the only move that makes sense. If he accepts it they can trade him like the Braves did.
I think it’s worth the risk to offer Soriano the 13.3 million
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If you’re to believe Fangraphs, Soriano was worth a little less than $7M in 2011……and 2012….combined.
Not GM Levine’s finest moment. Still think Soriano is a very good reliever, but don’t know that using Ned Colletti’s insanity to support the idea that it’s OK to pay Soriano $13M+ flies.
And I certainly don’t want Soriano on the team either, but they HAVE to try to get the draft pick. Strategically it is the only move that makes sense
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On the other hand, this is entirely true.
“If you’re to believe Fangraphs, Soriano was worth a little less than $7M in 2011……and 2012….combined.”
1) I think those salary things on fan graphs are close to useless
2) for one year it’s worth it to get the draft pick as if he opts out he’s likely leaving because boras thinks a multi year deal is there…… If he falls back on the Q offer then so what…., you get Soriano for another year for about the same money you would have had him anyway
MLTR (presumably from Jon Heyman) suggests that the Yankees could make a two year offer to Soriano. That sounds like a horrible suggestion. One of the few areas that they can look to save money for the 2014 budget is in the pen. Robertson and Joba (plus Montgomery) are decent in-house options. Use that pen money elsewhere.
Regardless, I find this very unlikely if Cashman is making decisions. He has learned his lesson about spending money on relievers and I assume he would not be interested in spending a lot for Soriano.
1) I think those salary things on fan graphs are close to useless
Sure, but he wasn’t worth near the $21M they paid him. Cashman was right to be against it.
2) for one year it’s worth it to get the draft pick as if he opts out he’s likely leaving because boras thinks a multi year deal is there…… If he falls back on the Q offer then so what…., you get Soriano for another year for about the same money you would have had him anyway
This we agree on
They definitely make a qualifying offer to Soriano given that they would only end up paying him a little more than he made this year if/when he opts out and were to sign the qualifying offer. That is little risk, especially for a one year deal, and they must value a near first round draft pick and assume it is worth a lot of money on its own.
Having picks for Soriano and Swisher would be a nice way to build more minor league depth going forward. You have to think that the qualifying offers system is one of the few remaining ways that the team can flex a little financial muscle to stay at the top…
Thanks for your input. If you really don’t want Soriano, then don’t be surprised if Boras doesn’t find him a 3 year great offer and he takes the QO after opting out today, netting 14.8M[13.3M+ 1.5M].
Boras did this to the Braves in 2002, convincing Maddux he’d get more thru arbitration than in a 2 year contract, He got 15M and the Braves couldn’t afford to resign 18 game winner Kevin Millwood.
Soriano ends up back as a Yankee after taking the QO, there’s no draft pick and no Mariano Rivera.
Soriano ends up back as a Yankee after taking the QO, there’s no draft pick and no Mariano Rivera.
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This is hysteria, dude. First of all, there are clear differences. Under the old system, players had a much longer time before they could no longer accept the arbitration request. 2. Greg Maddux was going to be 37 and did get a 3 year deal the next season. 3. They dodged a bullet on Millwood. 4. No, stop, Soriano signing a qual offer is not going to stop the Yankees from retaining Mariano Rivera, that is baseless fear mongering.
In any scenario where Soriano ‘opts back in’, only a week of free agency has gone by & the Yankees will be free to trade him for the rest of the offseason.
I think Boras has the Angels very interested in Soriano. Question will be if Boras can get him enough in a 3 year deal during those 7 days he’ll have after the Yankees give him a QO Friday?
If he comes back to the Yankees I suppose the Angels could have already had discussions to swap him for Dan Haren in a trade!
Describing this as Scott Boras’ master plan to get $800k is funny. Closers are still over valued on the market, thats why Boras is going to opt him out.
JF-
Dude is not my name. I’m just bringing up the point. Personally I don’t think Rafael Soriano, despite the 2012 stats, and after watching him pitching most of the year, is going to duplicate the saves.
I truly believe the Yankees have already begun cost cutting, looking to cut 20-25M from the opening day 2012 payroll of nearly 210M. 42.5% on every dollar over 178M at the end of the 2013 season is still a hefty sum.
No apology needed Face!
While $14 million could certainly be spent elsewhere, we should all recognize that Soriano may have been the most valuable Yankee last year. Robertson didn’t look good as a closer, to put it kindly. If Mo doesn’t come back and be Mo, the pen then has a big hole.
The team really needs to find out about Mo, Pettitte and Kuroda.
The Angels are considering non-tendering Haren. They can’t expect much in a trade.
I would still think that Alex Gordon for Nova and Robertson or Hughes and a lesser reliever makes sense for both sides.
The Royals want to trade hitting for pitching this winter and Gordon makes the most sense of the guys they could deal. With Rivera and Soriano up in the air dealing D-Rob might give people pause, but he’s replaceable. Between Joba, Aardsma, Phelps and Montgomery on the way the Yankees have relief arms. And the relief pitcher market is pretty deep.
I do like the Soriano for Haren proposal – that also makes great sense for both teams, but I think there is some team that will offer Soriano a 2 or 3 year deal and Soriano/Boras know that so I don’t think he’ll take the QO.
I’m down on Granderson so I would offer him to the Angels for Haren. They could put Curtis in one of the corners and move Trumbo to DH once they non-tender Morales as expected.
I would love for the Yankees to sign Jeff Keppinger but unless they’re prepared to make I think he winds up with a team that can offer him a starting role – my guess would be the Phillies where he could play 3b now that they’ve let Polanco go.
Yankees could look to sign a guy like Ronny Cedeno who is much better defensively than Nunez. They could have him and Nix on the bench with a BUC and an extra OF – probably a RH bat. Hairston would be nice, but I think he looks for a spot with more playing time, Jonny Gomes is a defensive butcher, but he crushes LHP and if the Yankees were willing to play Ibanez in LF when Gardy went down, Gomes shouldn’t be a problem for them.
“Sure, but he wasn’t worth near the $21M they paid him. Cashman was right to be against it.”
Of course not….but he was pretty darn valuable last year
Energy, and thought should be directed Forward, Not backward. I appreciate every new Thread, but this one is pure Filler. Obviously, a slow day. We can only hope this is Not indicative of the offseason ahead.
Rivera’s indecision is putting the Yanks inna tough spot. Should they offer Soriano the $13.3 after he opts out? I say NO. The going rate for a Closer ain’t that high. Should the Yanks offer Swisher the $13.3? I say NO. The Yankees need to Turn The Page.
Should they offer Soriano the $13.3 after he opts out? I say NO. The going rate for a Closer ain’t that high. Should the Yanks offer Swisher the $13.3? I say NO. The Yankees need to Turn The Page.
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They have to offer them to get draft pick compensation, it is not about retaining either player. Nevermind that Swisher for 1 year is a steal.
I’m not a big fan of moving Nova. It’s really selling low on a guy who was 16-4, 3.70 a year ago and will be 26 next year.
I know you gotta give something to get something, but Nova still has great upside to me.
Robertson didn’t look good as a closer, to put it kindly
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Isn’t it more true to say that Robertson suffered an injury before he got much of an opportunity? Way I remember it is that he recorded a save in his 1st chance, then blew up against the Rays in his 2nd and was on the DL a day or two later.
Boras probably knows what teams will spend the money and years to give Soriano a pretty good 3 year deal. Look at all of his 2012 stats, compared to all the other 2012 closers, and focus on other stats besides saves. Is he a top 5 closer?
Does Boras have 5 teams in need of an elite closer with money to spare?
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/closers
“I’m not a big fan of moving Nova. It’s really selling low on a guy who was 16-4, 3.70 a year ago and will be 26 next year.”
Could still be selling high as well …. 2011 may have been the outlier given that he was never really supposed to be that type pitcher and that he never really had great command. I like nova and wouldn’t want to give him away…..but I wouldn’t hesitate to deal him for a good bat.
Does Boras have 5 teams in need of an elite closer with money to spare?
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Wonder whether the Tigers would consider him? The “money to spare” thing could be the issue there.
86w183 October 31st, 2012 at 11:13 am
I’m not a big fan of moving Nova. It’s really selling low on a guy who was 16-4, 3.70 a year ago and will be 26 next year.
I know you gotta give something to get something, but Nova still has great upside to me.
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ah, i think they shoulda sold high on him after that season, i think that was better than he really is
Boras wouldnt opt out unless he thought he could get his client better.
BTW, I bet you don’t know what Soriano has in the inside brim of his hat that he looks at before throwing his 1st pitch after being called in to “save the day.”
It’s, “May God give me the strength to pitch a 1-2-3 inning and not give my manager an ulcer.”
Here is the deal with nova…..he got good stuff but hitters really seem to see the ball well out of his hand…..
Hitters hit roughly the same slash line off nova in. 2012 as Pujols hit for the season…..he doesn’t really have great command and he doesn’t have much deception so wen he misses spots hitters really hammer him….his 95 doesn’t play like 95 to the hitters for whatever reason.
Jerkface October 31st, 2012 at 11:22 am
Boras wouldnt opt out unless he thought he could get his client better.
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Doesn’t really matter. If Boras didn’t have teams lining up for him he would still opt out, get the QO, accept it and net an extra 800k. Boras’s thoughts on Soriano’s market will be known by weather or not he accepts the QO.
I do think there are a few teams that could be interested, but we’ve seen a lot of teams move away from the typical high priced closer. The Marlins could be interested but after what just happened with Heath Bell I doubt it.
I would honestly rather move Hughes than Nova. Phil’s a FA at the end of the year and I have no idea what sort of money he’s going to get.
blake,
agreed, his stuff is not bad but his pitches get rocked
but we’ve seen a lot of teams move away from the typical high priced closer. The Marlins could be interested but after what just happened with Heath Bell I doubt it.
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Not really, all the high priced closers got high priced deals. Papelbon literally got 50 million last offseason.
Nova was 12-3, 2.86 in Scranton in 2010 and 16-4 3.70 in NYC in 2011. That’s a pretty strong run.
Straight up Gordon I’d probably do, but people talking about Nova AND Robertson is way too much as far as I’m concerned.
If Boras didn’t have teams lining up for him he would still opt out, get the QO, accept it and net an extra 800k.
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This would be game theory then, because Boras cannot assume he will receive the QO.
Jerkface October 31st, 2012 at 11:27 am
but we’ve seen a lot of teams move away from the typical high priced closer. The Marlins could be interested but after what just happened with Heath Bell I doubt it.
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Not really, all the high priced closers got high priced deals. Papelbon literally got 50 million last offseason.
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Yeah I guess. It just seems like more teams are opting to go with lower cost options.
OK, Soriano will opt out today and likely Boras has teams in need of a closer and with money-perhaps the Tigers, Angels, and even the Jays might be players-are already calling him with interest.
Hopefully the draft pick is a slam dunk, Rivera comes back for a team friendly deal to retire gracefully and in front of his fans, and the Yankees spend the savings on a corner OF bat!!
Jerkface October 31st, 2012 at 11:27 am
If Boras didn’t have teams lining up for him he would still opt out, get the QO, accept it and net an extra 800k.
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This would be game theory then, because Boras cannot assume he will receive the QO.
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Why not? It’s a good bet if you’re Boras. Soriano had a good season for the Yankees last year, Mo’s status is unknown and the Yankees had already planned on having that money spent for Soriano anyway. I would say that the odds were greater for them giving him a QO than not
Yeah I guess. It just seems like more teams are opting to go with lower cost options.
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That happened before as well. Teams which wanna spend for closers will spend. Teams which cannot spend will not.
Why not? It’s a good bet if you’re Boras. Soriano had a good season for the Yankees last year, Mo’s status is unknown and the Yankees had already planned on having that money spent for Soriano anyway. I would say that the odds were greater for them giving him a QO than not
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Sure, but its still game theory.
I agree Nova’s command, especially fastball command really dropped off last year.
I thought he threw too few FB last year. No matter who has him next year that team should insist he throw a much higher percentage of FB and that the emphasis in spring training is developing FB command.
What Scott Boras THINKS the market will be is not always accurate. We shall see. My guess is neither Swisher nor Soriano accepts the qualifying offer.
JF is right about Soriano. It’s a no brainer to offer him the QO. Boras is very likely not planning on taking only a week to find him a multiyear contract and then chickening out if he can’t find one and taking the QO. Even if that happened, it should not be hard to trade Soriano with only a one year deal, even if it’s 14 mil. They could also pay a little of that 14 and it would be easy, if necessary.
And people have become to used to having Mo, even after one year of Soriano, apparently. Robertson is good enough to close. He is better than other pitchers that are already closers. If Soriano opts out and Mo retires, I just don’t see it as a big deal.
Robertson – CL
Joba
Aardsma
Logan
Montgomery
(loogy)
Phelps/longman
They can pick up another good, inexpensive reliever if they are not confident with that.
The bullpen is the best place to save payroll when they are cutting it. Just Mo and Soriano gone is 26 mil off the 2012 payroll. That is huge and is a big part (or all) of the cut down to 189.
I guess I’d feel a lot better if the Yankees and Rivera work out something before this Friday to come back, give Soriano the QA. At least then I feel that he won’t be back to be a caddy.
I’m going on record to say that Soriano will not statistically be among the top 5 closers in baseball next year, and possibly not be in the top 10.
What say you JF?
- Jerky -
I understand the process\draft pick. Swish embarassed himself and the organization with that Stunt of his in RF during the Playoffs, and that lame exuse offered afterward was Weak at best. His whining about the fans and what they were saying, was the marachino cherry on top of the entire fiasco. I wouldn’t offer him a nickel, draft pick or no draft pick.
The Angels are aggressively trying to trade starters Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. It’ll be an upset if they don’t complete at least one deal, and one MLB executive expects both right-handers to be moved. The Angels have been weighing possible trades for at least two days now.
The contracts of Haren ($15.5MM option) and Santana ($13MM option) both include options that could appeal to other teams, even though they aren’t particularly appealing to the Angels. The Angels will decline Santana’s option and there’s every indication they’d decline Haren’s, Rosenthal reports.
Angels GM Jerry Dipoto isn’t the only one discussing possible deals. A number of teams are already engaged in serious trade talks for starting pitchers, according to Rosenthal. Some of the names in play are more appealing than Haren and Santana.
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Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....sRBJ4VJ.99
I think if the Yankees want Keppinger they will need to jump on that fast, as I think he will have interest from several clubs.
By what metric? I have already said Soriano for the length of his contract will never be as good as he was in Tampa. I have no stake in how Soriano will perform next year. He was 6th in WPA though out of all relievers. 4th out of Closers.
Blake-
Which one had an outlier year and might rebound, Haren or Santana?
I wouldn’t offer him a nickel, draft pick or no draft pick.
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You offer him a nickel if there is a huge chance he won’t accept it. Which is what they should do. Getting a draft pick is no longer just about the opportunity to draft another player, each supplemental draft pick will increase the teams signing bonus pool by ~1 million dollars. That means they can throw away the picks on college guys who will sign for 40k and then draft signability guys later on down the line to go over slot with for 1 million bux. Increasing the pool should be a big priority.
“Which one had an outlier year and might rebound, Haren or Santana?”
Id much rather have Haren if his health checks out
If I am Hal, and I see the Angels aggresively looking to dump Haren and Santana, I contact them about a blockbuster involving A-Rod. Maybe discuss Vernon Wells.
Jack-
Keppinger would be a terrific addition if he’s willing to get a part-time job. He hasn’t played SS in 2 years, but his OB%, BA, Fielding% are all better than Marco Scutaro who likely wants a full time position.
Sign me up for that one.
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