Nix clears waivers; outrighted to SWB
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Dec 07, 2012 
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Off the roster, straight to the top
of the third base depth chart.
Jayson Nix has cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He signed his $900,000 deal with the understanding that he would be designated for assignment and would go to the Triple-A roster if he cleared. He will
come to spring training with a chance to win his job back.
Even though he is off the roster, Nix is probably the top in-house option to play third base next year. He played there quite a bit when Alex Rodriguez was hurt last season, and the Yankees seem unwilling to let Eduardo Nunez try it again. Neither David Adams nor Ronnier Mustelier has a full season of Triple-A experience.
That said, it seems all but certain the Yankees will sign someone. And it
could happen fairly soon if Kevin Youkilis accepts his current offer.
Re Kevin Youkilis:
I hope not.
@JimBowdenESPNxm: A source has told me that Greinke was blown away by Nolan Ryan and Rangers Front Office..loves the ML team, prospects and chances to Win WS
At least if they get Greinke they supposedly can’t get Hamilton too….,
Offensively I’m not sure Upton alone is as good as Hamilton + Andrus….. Actually I’m sure it’s not
In Nix we trust.
Cervelli/Romine
Nix/Adams
How many platoons make up a brigade ?
Or
Alternatively, How many pontoons are needed to keep a boat afloat ?
Now that Nix has been secured, I return to my fear that Joba may be discouraged from using a driver — with potentially bad results — after reading this tweet:
Joba_62 My driver just offered me a mint that he pulled out of his back pocket, it was all crushed…gross #smh
Blake-
With all the scouting and due diligence you have put into the efforts to get Josh Hamilton, I hope the Yankees can pull this off if Greinke signs with the Rangers.
Lol that’s funny
@mikeaxisa: Andruw Jones signed with a team in Japan? Wow. He would have found at least an NRI here.
YT-
Keep an eye out. It’s on it’s way.
“With all the scouting and due diligence you have put into the efforts to get Josh Hamilton, I hope the Yankees can pull this off if Greinke signs with the Rangers”
Hey I have done my part
I see where Dayam Viciedo, 23 yo outfielder is available. Righty with power. Then I checked these splits. Any interest?
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/.....an-viciedo
Dayan Viciedo
One of the New York newspapers ran a story today on the impact of not spending along with a declining team and lessened excitement. It is being noted by the money boys at Fox. They won’t be happy. What impact, if any, I haven’t a clue.
Blake has already been “pretend” awarded JH for his efforts.
MTU-
Keep an eye out. OK, it’s out, now what?
YT,
He looks interesting to me. Would you please let Cashman know and tell he’s cheap!
Austinmac-
I believe that article was in the Wall Street Journal.
YT-
Put a patch over that one and use the other eye I guess.
Hi MTU,
I believe four platoons make a company, 4 companies a batallion, 4 batallions a regiment, 2 or 3 regiments a brigade, 2 or 3 brigades a division
so you need plenty of platoons.
About the current Chad post, I believe Adams and/or Mustelier must have a long look in ST. I don’t think Youk can play third anymore. But he certainly fits the mold… He is certainly ugly… He is certainly hairy… He wiffs a lot, so he will fit right in… A monster?, remains to be seen
One thing I am sure, I would rather get AJP than youk for that kind of money.
I heard Matt Holliday co-hosting on MLB radio today. He made a comment about being surprised when a team didn’t show interest in him as a free agent. Who could he having talking about? He is very articulate and knows a great deal about what is going on around baseball.
Greetings Luis-
Thanks.
As far as Youkilis goes.
I guess a human being can get used to just about anything.
Still think a trade or two might be possible.
We definitely need a RF’er. No in-house solution there.
Nunez hasn’t really had *a* chance at 3B, let alone a second chance. Only sporadic appearances there.
Anyway, he should be Jeter’s caddy with Jeter getting plenty of DH days.
Matt Holliday
he was the first player my efforts were wasted on…..
MTU,
Yup… Hamilton would be very nice, manning that position!
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....61484.html
I’m not sure you’ll be able to open this link to the WSJ-Why the Yankees aren’t spending.
YT,
The article I saw was in the Daily news. I didn’t see the one in the Journal. Draw your own conclusions of me from that.
Many of us have been forecasting fan unhappiness. How could it be otherwise? Yankee fans are pretty sophisticated. They see the income and prices charged and don’t expect to be short changed on the team.
Luis-
More likely to be Ichiro/somebody right-handed.
luis,
I think I’m with you there. I’d rather have AJP behind the plate if I had to choose between him & Youk. While I think Youk helps the lineup, I don’t think his defense is great and paired with Jeter could be a problem. I’m all for Adams/Mustellier being given a shot. Would much rather see that than a Jack Hannahan signing.
I still hope the Hamilton thing is more than just lip service. I think his signing allows us to get better and younger by not moving prospects in a trade and giving them the time they need to come up. With Grandy leaving next year and Gardner coming up on free agency in a couple of years, the young guys will not be blocked in the OF.
Sadly, I think it probably is lip service though.
I just don’t understand putting this kind of pitching staff together with an offense that Jim Bowden on XM today called “an embarrassment” as it stands today.
They’ll have to pitch to a 2.00 ERA to win with the group as assembled.
And I am not at all optimistic that we’ll see an even competent Arod play a game next season.
Ichiro + Ross/Haiston and AJP behind the dish would be much better than where we presently stand.
Would MUCH rather see Nunez at third than Youkilis.
One question to the forum:
What happens if Arod is not able to play anymore? I know that they still have to pay him the contract. But does that money comes out of the books for payroll porpouses?
I didn’t get Kepp, Soria, Haren, or Upton.
Can I at least have Michael Young, AJ P or Ruiz, and IchiRoss ?
MTU,
No. You’ll take gruel and like it.
Luis-
I don’t think so.
Either generally or for Porpoises.
luis, there has been a lot of discussion about Arod and what could happen. There’s no one answer as there are a few different ways it could play out.
I think that he would have to retire himself for the money to come off the books as far as the official payroll. He might have his own personal insurance policy so that he would get some of his money if he quits for medical reasons, but as long as the Yanks are paying the contract, it counts against the payroll whether Arod is playing or not and whether their own insurance on his contract is paying them or not.
G. Love-
That’s OK. I’ll just watch the kids.
I’m very adaptable.
DANIEL BARBARISI from Wall Street Journal
In a situation that highlights how much has changed for the big-budget Yankees, general manager Brian Cashman came to the winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn., with his hands so fully tied that he lacked the authority to make offers to free agents.
The Yankees are interested in former Red Sox rival Kevin Youkilis.
This revelation was first brought to light by agent Scott Boras, who quietly suggested Wednesday that Cashman lacked the power to make offers.
“He had indicated that right now, he’s working with ownership on getting advance authority,” Boras said Wednesday. “He really is not involved in a lot of dealing right now, but is doing due diligence to go back and meet with them about that
What does Scott Boras know? Are you kidding me?” the official said, arguing that Boras is trying to stir things up because he lacks good markets for his players. “The only reason that Cash didn’t have the authority at that point, if you want to use the word authority, is that he wasn’t making any offers; there was nobody out there that he thought, at these prices, that he should make offers on.”
The Yankees are working to get under a $189 million payroll ceiling by 2014, but it wasn’t clear until recently how much that frugality would affect the 2013 payroll as well. Combined with the significant money other teams are spending in free agency, the Yankees have been on the outside looking in so far this winter.
It is simply the latest hiccup in what has been a strange off-season for the Yankees.
The biggest team in baseball has been shockingly quiet, watching midlevel players sign deals at high prices while they fail to make a splash. The Yankees haven’t signed a single big-name free agent from outside the organization this off-season.
Cashman acknowledges that he doesn’t have enough to win right now—although, he adds, “there’s a lot of time between now and first pitch.” Over and over, he reminds observers that baseball’s off-season is a four-month slog, and that the Yankees usually don’t do their business early.
But the deals that the Yankees have been so good at consummating—low-risk, high-reward signings like starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda and Chavez, the erstwhile Yankee backup third baseman—may be more difficult to make this year. The introduction of new television money into the game has made lesser teams more willing to spend on the older players that the Yankees were fond of targeting on one-year deals.
In previous seasons, the Yankees were one of a few teams that could gamble on those types of signings—if the player didn’t work out, what was $2 million to the Yankees? But now other teams can replicate that approach, and it is taking many of the traditional Yankee options off the market.
That said, Cashman isn’t looking at the contracts signed so far this off-season and wishing he had gotten those deals. He left no doubt that those deals were more than he would want to pay.
“So far what’s transpired, I wouldn’t do, in terms of what’s happened this particular week,” he said. “Players have come off the board; those opportunities I’m comfortable with.”
One Yankee official said that the Yankees will spend this year, when they are comfortable doing so. They don’t want to make mistakes and get locked into unfavorable contracts. But they expect to have a payroll over $200 million this season, before dropping to $189 million in 2014.
“When you look at the $189, look at it and try to keep some perspective,” the official said. “Our payroll today, in this year, is going to be over $200 [million].”
“It was the best of George, it was the worst of George…”
And I loved both.
I do think the Yanks should introduce some Payroll Porpoises to their Tampa facilities, just to lighten the mood down there.
We may not make the postseason for a couple years as we get and stay under the Luxury Tax number, but our cheerful Payroll Porpoise™ promotions will still bring ‘em out to the Bronx.
As punishment for not getting us the players we so ardently desire I think I may have to reduce the
# and quality of tributes I offer to the Yankees.
Perhaps converting to human sacrifices instead.
They should feel that.
Although I do feel there could still be a significant # of Pitching-related photo tributes.
GLove,
My concerns with Youkilis are that he can’t stay healthy playing that position, plus he has been struggling against RHP the last few seasons. So we probably end up with another platoon like player for a lot of money.
AJP OTOH, even though I don’t believe he can replicate last season’s numbers, he would be solid both behind the plate and at it.
I do hope that Jeter is going to be able to play short, but that still is in the air. But I agree that playing both of those guys ( Jeet and Youk) on the left side of the infield couod mean a lot of extra hits and runs.
About Hamilton… Yeah, I think is lip service… But I am in your boat… I do think that the plan you layed out was very sound… It helps us in the present while at the same time preserves the future.
But I think they will gut the farm to either get a 3B ( if Youkilis doesn’t sign) or an OF. That could be potentially catastrophic for the future of the team.
“What happens if Arod is not able to play anymore? I know that they still have to pay him the contract. But does that money comes out of the books for payroll porpouses?”
Nope….still counts 27.5 per year towards the luxury tax unless he officially retires…..hey I guess he couldn’t get the homer bonuses though….
Luis-
ARod has to retire for the contract to become null and void. The Yankees apparently have some insurance if ARod is on the DL for the entire season, and perhaps ARod has his own disability insurance.
However many insurance companies no longer insure professional high profile athletes and there apparently have been cases where the insurance companies have refused to pay out the entire amount and won in the courts.
Solution if ARod might consider retirement. Void the contract, offer him a limited partnership as a consultant. He’ll be in line to net a very handsome profit when the Steinbrenner’s sell the Yankees in the next few years for billions.
Does that work?
What I really would like to see happen is for Texas to give Greinke like 150 million and pass on Hamilton….the Yankees sign Hamilton and then the Braves jump in and steal Upton…..that would make me smile
Maybe the yanks should sign that Japanese guy to play 3B? He can play SS too and apparently can hit…..how much will he cost?
I also note in passing that the course of Human History has been signifcantly altered recently with the death of the “twinkie” (No, not the Twins. The food.)
Very sad indeed.
Another American Icon bites the dust and a significant source of calories along with it.
Nakajima? The one the Yankees couldn’t come to agreement with this past season to sign after winning the postal fee? He’s a SS.
Yankee Trader says:
December 7, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Nakajima? The one the Yankees couldn’t come to agreement with this past season to sign after winning the postal fee? He’s a SS.
Yes….he could probably play 3B
In honor of the twinkie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XspQjtWv1pc
I still think they should try to get Wilmer Flores from the Mets, as he is now very blocked, send them someone from our outfield depth in the minors.
I am esconced in the secret command bunker West and sadly must leave soon.
Even though Mrs. MTU now has her very own tablet she still hogs the home computer.
Found this Blake-
The Arizona Diamondacks may no longer be interested in Hiroyuki Nakajima because they signed Eric Chavez. From AZCentral.com’s Nick Piecoro:
… That is, aside from infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima, who seems unlikely now that Eric Chavez is on board.
… The Chavez signing means the Diamondbacks are “less likely” to sign Hiroyuki Nakajima, Towers said.
Thanks for that moving tribute SB.
Sign Nakajima instead of Youkalis
Good news, Little Miss Debbie’s Cloud Cakes™ are pretty much the same thing:
http://littledebbie.com/products/CloudCakes.asp
Not sure if Little Miss Debbie manufactures 3rd basemen.
Thanks guys.
That means no matter what happens, we are screwed
Trader,
I think that if they try that strategy, they can’t get away with it. At least that’s what I understood from a conversation I had with JF.
dammit Blake.
You change players more than a flea changes dogs.
I’m beginning to wonder about you. Can’t keep up.
“Have faith in the Yankees my son.”
Sign AJ Pierzynski for the 12M instead and find another 3B’man.
MTU,
Any player but ugly
Mr. MTU,Use her tablet, then!
Nick-
NOTHING will ever replace the Twinkie.
Except for maybe Ding Dongs.
But they’re gone too !
“That means no matter what happens, we are screwed”
Probably, but not definitely. If Arod decides he’s not medically able to play at the level he wants to play at and his own insurance policy will pay him many millions of dollars, he could conceivably retire at some point and then the Yanks wouldn’t be on the hook for the remainder of his salary.
MTU,
When you are cornered like we are… You become resourceful and looking at ways to get out of it… Blake’s is thinking outside of the box
How ’bout what I call a hot-hand month-to-month 3B?
Start the year with Nunez. If he sucks go with Nix for May. If he sucks, go with Mustellier for June. If he sucks go with Adams for July. If he sucks or A-Rod is out for 2013, try to get a 3B via trade for the rest of the season. If A-Rod is out for 2013 and the Yanks can’t get a 3B via trade, play the best 3B among the April through July guys.
Don’t tell these 3B they only a month each to prove themselves so they don’t feel pressured to produce.
Sign Miguel Tejada to a minor league contract and let him compete with Adams and Mustelier for the third base job.
First bring back Larry Bowa in a meaningful capacity.
Mister Tom-
I’m am reduced to going to the Library.
If I attempted to do as you say I would suffer a “sharia law’ type punishment.
Then I woud have to use a straw to type.
hey nice job Jose Ramirez in his last winter league start – 4 IP, 7 Ks – no runs – much improvement over his previous appearances – - – - -
Luis-
Glad somebody is.
“Have faith in the Yankees my son.”
Stoneburner, The Old Man and the Sea was written and published in the early 1950′s, in the middle of the Golden Age of Yankee baseball (and New York baseball).
Since that time the Yanks have had TWO droughts of over a decade in which they didn’t even make the postseason, the longer of the two under the esteemed leadership of one George M. Steinbrenner.
So yeah, have faith in the Yankees to not fall off the face of the earth forever, but what about 2013 and 2014 and 2015?
Nick in SF December 7th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Now that Nix has been secured, I return to my fear that Joba may be discouraged from using a driver — with potentially bad results — after reading this tweet:
Joba_62 My driver just offered me a mint that he pulled out of his back pocket, it was all crushed…gross #smh
——————————————-
wonder if joba is hitting the gym and trying to add another 20 lb of muscle
Well my time on the Library computer is about to expire so I guess I’ll catch you all later.
Remember this.
Tonight. Before you go to bed. Say a prayer for the dearly departed Twinkie.
It will be sorely missed. I can promise you that.
Thanks Nick,
Both for the grammar lesson and your opinion
I wasn’t sure how to spell porpoises, so thanks I wonKt forget it in the future.
Let’s hope that he is proud enough for him to leave some money on the table if he is not able to play at a certain level. But I wouldn’t count on it though.
@Ken_Rosenthal: Source: #Indians still pursuing Youk, as well as multi-team A. Cabrera trade with #DBacks. Also exploring number of alternatives to both.
JF,
Can Nakajima play 3B? How much will he cost?
Nick in SF December 7th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
“Have faith in the Yankees my son.”
Stoneburner, The Old Man and the Sea was written and published in the early 1950?s, in the middle of the Golden Age of Yankee baseball (and New York baseball).
Since that time the Yanks have had TWO droughts of over a decade in which they didn’t even make the postseason, the longer of the two under the esteemed leadership of one George M. Steinbrenner.
So yeah, have faith in the Yankees to not fall off the face of the earth forever, but what about 2013 and 2014 and 2015?
********
http://www.hark.com/clips/sbwg.....-the-abyss
Braves GM Frank Wren said he has interest in certain outfielders as one-year stopgaps, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports (on Twitter). The Braves need another outfielder, even after signing B.J. Upton.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#aIuWPJLG5pZMEzVf.99
Nick,
Yup… I agree with you… We are heading for a downward period… I just hope that it is as short as you point out… I think 2015 would be ideal, but in order to do that, they must keep the prospects and probably trade some current players for more prospects. By 2015, we may have the new core in place and enough payroll space to compliment it.
Blake-
I don’t know if Nakajima has ever played 3rd.
http://www.baseball-reference......kaji001hir
The club is still in the market for a corner outfielder. The Phillies “have seriously considered” signing Ichiro Suzuki
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#aIuWPJLG5pZMEzVf.99
Can Nakajima play 3B? How much will he cost?
–
No idea about cost, but probably looking for the same kind of deal Keppinger got. He has probably the minimum arm you’d want at third. I liked him as a guy that could spell A-rod & backup Jeter & Cano, but I don’t know about full time at third.
Grandy to the Braves after signing Hamilton
I don’t know if Nakajima has ever played 3rd.
–
he is a SS in the NPB, but he can actually play defense so I don’t think he should have much trouble moving to third. Nunez may scare the Yankees off, but guys who know how to play defense can move to other positions.
There is a lot of fundamental practice in Japan, so I’d be confident he could play third without messing up. Just the arm strength I worry about.
At this point I’d take anyone over youk, and if its not Mustelier or adams or a surprise trade I’ll take Nakajima. He has a real good batting approach, has some opposite field power that could play in NYS. I think he could hit .280/.350/.450 in the majors.
With Alex Rodriguez a near lock to miss time next year, he could get his opportunities at third base. Prior to Kazuo Matsui leaving the Lions for the Mets, he did play third base so he has experience. His range to the left hand side and arm strength might translate well there, even though second is ideal.
http://www.yankeesource.com/in.....es-win-bid
How old is Nakajima?
I believe the Braves want a leadoff hitter and would probably have more interest in Brett Gardner, than another lefty power hitter as they have Freeman, Heyward, and McCann in the middle of the lineup.
Off to dinner.
Nakajima is 30. I attached the link.
Until later.
“I believe the Braves want a leadoff hitter and would probably have more interest in Brett Gardner, than another lefty power hitter as they have Freeman, Heyward, and McCann in the middle of the lineup.”
I’m sure they’d rather have Gardner…. But he will cost more
Nakajima was an OFer in HS, and played around less than 40 games at third in his first year with Lions. Became the starting short stop after that.
So he is an OFer who converted to become a pretty good SS and who readily played third as a rookie in his first year for a bit. I think he’d be fine.
I hope NPB/MLB’s re-negotiated posting system puts some of the proceeds towards the NPB’s infrastructure. Their stats pages are woeful. Seems like batting & pitching data only, no positions played or anything.
Ludwick signs for 2 years+mutual option, around 15-20 million probably
Why Youkilis? And for 12 million? He is in decline and has a bad back. Use someone in house.
As far as Hamilton, Yankees will not sign him. NY is not the place for him. He is too expensive and they want to keep Cano.
Great news about Jonsey – I was dreading the possibility that the Yankees were going to wind up with an Ibanez/Jones platoon in RF.
The real reason that the Yankees won’t sign Hamilton has nothing to do with money or his addiction problems or the years on the contract. It’s because you can’t add “ey” to the end of his name…I mean what would Girardi call him; Hammy? Joshey? It just doesn’t work. Or would he have to shorten it like he does for Jete and Al and Tex to just Ham?
Hammy for sure
I have the same question about Nakajima that I had about Drew and Keppinger – why would he sign on to be a reserve player when the quality of starting SS and 3b across the league is so poor that he could get a starting job with another team?
Did we sign Andruw Jones yet?
blake December 7th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Hammy for sure
————–
It could get confusing though – if he gets hurt then what happens Hammy has a hammy issue? Just not worth it Blakey
mick December 7th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Did we sign Andruw Jones yet?
—————
Lost out on him to a Japanese team.
“I have the same question about Nakajima that I had about Drew and Keppinger – why would he sign on to be a reserve player when the quality of starting SS and 3b across the league is so poor that he could get a starting job with another team?”
We need a starting 3rd baseman
blake December 7th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
“I have the same question about Nakajima that I had about Drew and Keppinger – why would he sign on to be a reserve player when the quality of starting SS and 3b across the league is so poor that he could get a starting job with another team?”
We need a starting 3rd baseman
————–
Yeah but as has been pointed out to me on several occasions Girardi is going to play Al in the field once he comes back from injury so whomever the team signs is going to have to be good with DHing and/or riding pine.
Just go with David Adams (another guy who is unfairly going to be held down because his name doesn’t lend itself to being an “ey”) and call it a day.
I was really hoping Nakajima would be signed last year.. I’m pretty sure we just insulted him though because he’s another one of those guys who ‘didn’t have a position’ according to the Yankees.
Me and squat got into it a few weeks back because I still find it absurd that with guys as old as Jeter and Arod on the left side they’d be worried they wouldn’t be able to find enough playing time for him.
“Yeah but as has been pointed out to me on several occasions Girardi is going to play Al in the field once he comes back from injury so whomever the team signs is going to have to be good with DHing and/or riding pine.”
I think if they are smart they will make Alex the primary DH if and when he comes back
If they end up with Mustelier there – would he be insulted when Girardi calls him “musty”?
Highly likely that Nakajima just signs with Oakland as a starter, but keep in mind these Japanese guys who come over as free agents are older. They may want to win.
blake December 7th, 2012 at 7:58 pm
“Yeah but as has been pointed out to me on several occasions Girardi is going to play Al in the field once he comes back from injury so whomever the team signs is going to have to be good with DHing and/or riding pine.”
I think if they are smart they will make Alex the primary DH if and when he comes back
—————–
I agree with you, but I don’t think they’re that smart. Ideal world, Adams or Mustellier gets the job out of spring training and makes it impossible to take them out of the lineup.
One thing about Youkilis. He will not be platooned at 3rd.
Honeemh….we don’t know if Alex will ever even be able to play again much less play 3B at a big league level so the Yanks had better figure out a way to find a 3B for the future….
I wish they could get Mike Olt somehow
blake December 7th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
I wish they could get Mike Olt somehow
———————–
They can with the right mentality: Honey badger don’t care, honey badger don’t give a sh*t – it just takes what it wants.
Maybe this is the quiet before the storm
Davey Adams
It’s rumored the Rangers would trade Olt for Dickey if Greinke doesn’t work out. If they would trade Olt for Dickey, would they trade Olt for Granderson?
It’s rumored the Rangers would trade Olt for Dickey if Greinke doesn’t work out. If they would trade Olt for Dickey, would they trade Olt for Granderson?
–
Because 1 is an absolute steal and the other is a fair price?