Nomar to LA

by John Amato on Dec 18, 2005 3:46 PM EST in New York Yankees News

The Nomar watch is over. The NY Post and the LA Times are reporting that Nomar is headed to the Dodgers:

...worth $6 million in base salary to play first base in L.A. According to a plate-appearance incentive, Garciaparra could earn more than $8 million next year.

I thought he was a perfect fit for the Yanks even though he's viewed as jerk and many in the media thought it was a bad idea to entertain the idea of Nomar adorning pinstripes. I had a feeling that the media would drive him away and that was part of his reasons for going to LA. I think he made a mistake myself. He's been hurt for the better part of two years and the DH/1B role would have been ideal for him. If he had an injury free-close to Nomar like season, he could have scored big bucks the following year. I don't see him being as effective in the National league, so in the long run a long term contract won't be forthcoming to him.

Will this seriously damage the Yanks-NO. Will the Yanks turn up the volume on Damon now-YES. The cost would have been worth the trouble of bringing Nomar over here, but our offense is good enough as it stands. We probably need to bring another first basemen over although I haven't heard many names talked about. Is Andy Phillips the guy?

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Nomar...

I also think that Nomar would have been a good fit, so it's unfortunate. The silver lining is probably that Giambi will play more 1B next season. Although this is a horror story for defense, his increased plate production when playing in the field more than outweighs the defensive harm.

With Nomar out of the picture, the Yanks are still one bat short. My concern is that they will re-sign Bernie and, because they didn't get anyone else, give him a lot of at bats. Bernie's got nothing left and if he get a lot of plate appearances, it will definitely hurt the team.

I guess that leaves the Yanks with Andy Phillips. Although it's pretty much impossible for a 29-year-old to have upside, I think Phillips is a lock to outpace what we got from Ruben Sierra last year.

by screechpowers on Dec 18, 2005 4:35 PM EST reply actions

Nomar, Bernie, Phillips

The one thing about Bernie's skills that hasn't waned is his ability to hit. His decreased speed and agility has hurt him in the field a bit and on the basepaths but not at the plate. If he hits like he did last year then he can still help the team.

Should he be the regular center fielder? No, not any more. I've heard a lot of good things about Andy Phillips so he's a possibility and Damon would be great if the Yanks can get him (which they probably can). Nomar can do a lot for the Yankees in a lot of different ways as well but I don't think they really need him--not with Jeter still going strong. As far as first base goes, Giambi can hold his own defensively and hopefully his hitting will be consistent.

From what I can see, if the Yanks are going to spend big money on someone it should probably be a center fielder--possibly Damon.

by sleepy g on Dec 18, 2005 5:00 PM EST reply actions

What?

Bernie hit .249/.321/.367 last year, how can that possibly be helpful to the team? Among qualified hitters, he ranked 133rd out of 148 in OPS last year.

by nycfan @ Pinstripe Alley on Dec 18, 2005 5:11 PM EST up reply actions

Bernie's done, with the bat as well

I agree with nycfan on this one. Bernie's SLG% last year was lower than Neifi Perez. When you're slugging lower than Neifi Perez, it's time to call it a career.

Though I'm always wary of long contracts for 32 year olds, signing Damon would probably be a good move. If the Yanks get him with a four year deal, they are going to regret the last year of the contract; with a five year deal, the last two years will be a washout. But for the next few years, Damon can really help this team.

But if the Yanks think they have a realistic shot at signing Andruw Jones next winter, I would rather they skip Damon and move on Jones in the offseason.

by screechpowers on Dec 18, 2005 6:39 PM EST reply actions

Hee Seop Choi or Miguel Cairo

Those are the two suggestions I've heard as utility men now that Nomar is out out of the picture.

As for centerfield, I adhere firmly to the motto: "Anybody but Damon." Given his shoulder problems at the end of last year, it would be wise to avoid overpaying him in the four-year deal Damon and Boras are demanding. Besides Damon has never really been known for his defensive skills, and thats really what cost the Yankees ball games last year.

Best-case scenario: Damon joins the band of Sox exiles for the fun n' sun in Chavez Ravine and the Yankees deal for someone like Jason Michaels or Gary Matthews Jr.

by Lou Reed Is My Hero on Dec 18, 2005 8:19 PM EST reply actions

Forget Damon

He's going back to the Red Sox, I think. They're just making Boras sweat the way they did with Varitek.

And forget Bernie as the bat we need. I'm glad to have him on the bench, but we've got to get another big hitter in that lineup.

The jury's out on Phillips. He hasn't impressed me one way or the other, but he hasn't had much of an opportunity so let's see what he's got.

As for Nomar, sure he has a house in the LA area, but I have a feeling that despite not wanting the scrutiny he got in Boston, he didn't want to share the spotlight with all our stars.

by Yankee Fanne on Dec 18, 2005 8:30 PM EST reply actions

Nomar

He never liked being the center of attention in Boston, so I'd think going to the Yankees would be the perfect escape. We've got Johnson, and A-Rod, and Giambi to blame for anything that goes wrong; Jeter, Matsui, Posada, and Mo to praise when things go right.
I don't underrate the value of being close to home, but I also don't underrate Grady Little, Bill Mueller, and the NL West. Everybody knows what a joke that whole division was last year, so this is Nomar's chance to lead the Dodgers back to glory.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Dec 18, 2005 8:50 PM EST reply actions

DH/1B

I don't see how they could open the season with Andy Phillips as the DH/first baseman. At best he should be the last guy on the bench.

Cashman has already said he's not interested but I don't get why they don't go after Frank Thomas. He'll come relatively cheap, and his hitting style fits right in with the rest of the lineup. He and Giambi can take turns DHing and playing first. Though neither option would be ideal, I'd rather have Thomas than the recently signed Nomar.

Cashman is making me nervous. His track record suggests that he knows what he's doing, but I hope he doesn't plan on breaking camp with Bernie as the full time DH. I just don't see Bernie being productive enough.

Any other DH's out there ?

by matthaggs on Dec 18, 2005 10:18 PM EST reply actions

What about Durazo?

I haven't heard any mention of Erubiel Durazo as a possible 1B/DH. I think he's a free agent, but I'm not sure. It seems like he'd be a perfect fit in that role for the Yanks.

He was hurt last year and the season was a wash out, but in 2004 he put .321/.396/.523 and he's got a career .381 OBP.

If he's healthy, I think he's definitely worth taking a chance on. He'll be 31 on opening day and will probably come cheap.

by screechpowers on Dec 18, 2005 11:35 PM EST reply actions