Slightly more realistic yankees roster

by postseasonpush on Aug 21, 2008 1:04 PM EDT

Rotation:

#1 AJ Burnett/ or Ben Sheets

#2 Wang

#3 Joba

#4 Pettite

#5 Moose

Defense:

C: Posada

1B: Teixeira

2B: Cano

SS: Jeter

3B: Arod

LF: Nady

CF: Damon

RF: Abreu

DH: Matsui

Bench:

IF: Betemit

OF: Christian

C: Molina

IF: Ransom

Lineup:

1. Damon

2. Jeter

3. Abreu

4. Arod

5. Tex

6. Matsui

7. Nady

8. Cano

9. Posada

Bullpen:

CL: Rivera

SU: Scott Downs/Rafeal Soriano

MR: Veras

MR: Edwar

MR: Brunley

MR: Marte

LR: Giese

0 recs | Comment 33 comments

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Comments

I don't think so ...

I have a feeling there’s going to be significant changes in 2009—far more than you note, here. I think Sabathia or Teixeira are possible, but I don’t see both. I think Burnett’s eye-opener against us put him on their radar, and he’d likely come more reasonably than Sabathia.

I think it’s a good bet that Abreu, Matsui, Cano, Melky, Pettitte, Moose are gone next year. I’m not suggesting all will go or even should go, but these are the guys I think are most likely to move—either by trade or retirement.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 21, 2008 1:30 PM EDT 0 recs

bold statement

about all those guys going, i don’t know if “good bet” is what i’d say as blanket staement — of those, i would say ‘good bet’ abreu and melky are gone. Cano, i think sticks, they still see the potential, and they just signed him to multi-year deal. Pettitte stays if he wants to.. and Moose is a wildcard. somebody might offer him more than he deserves to leave NY. I don’t think they get anything resembling value if they try to trade Matsui, so I would say he’s the DH next year.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Aug 21, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

Cano

isnt going anywhere. Hes a fan favorite with wayy too much upside. lets just hope he can hit the ceiling

as for pettite, i think hell be back to christen the new stadium. i say moose signs a 1-2 year deal with us or baltimore. melkys done for and abreu well let walk.

by Soriano NY 12 on Aug 21, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hamiton?

His contract is up with Texas isn’t it? He’s said himself he’s a big Yankee fan and he’s a great player…

To the tune of the classic children's song "This Old Man" (the part with nick nack patty whack)

Big Snack, Silverback, take the Dawg Pound's Bone, the Black and Gold sent the Brownies crying home.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Aug 29, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

No to Burnett and Sheets

Both are going to get overpaid- too many years, too much money- for guys who are as injury prone as they are.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Aug 21, 2008 2:25 PM EDT 0 recs

Can't throw away the "new" with the old

And by the new i mean Cano , who’s a 4 year veteran of the squad. I agree with the crux of your statement. I simply do not see the Yanks re-upping with the vets: Abreu, Pettite, and Moose. I think Pettite has by far the best shot to come back. Abreu will want too much money , and frankly we got Nady who can take over his spot.

Melky is going to ride the Scranton shuttle next season if he’s not traded. But right now, he kid has no trade value so why not hold onto him and hope he figures something out. Cano is sitting on a team friendly contract , and there’s zero positional depth in the farm. He’s capable of turning it all around in ’09.

Matsui will be on the last year of his contract in ‘09. He’s likely a DH from here on out. As long as Matsui hits he should be a contributor.

by BxCitizen on Aug 21, 2008 2:29 PM EDT 0 recs

revision

Ok so first lets just say that Posada, Jeter, Arod, Nady, Entire bullpen, Cano, Joba, Wang, and Matsui are locks.

Put Nady in right, Damon in left and hope melky/gardner can hold center until Austin Jackson arrives?

For first base, I see only two viable options (And I dont see turning matsui or damon into firstbasemen as options)

Sign Texeira at premium. He wont turn into Giambi. He is too good a fielder, as is more athletic than giambi was. Also he has a better track record.

Resign Giambi for 2 year 6 mil a year contract. Then have Juan Miranda or Jesus Montero take over half way through or begginning of 2010

You guys made a good point, I dont see them resigning moose, even after the year that he has had. Cashmen is done with signing 40+ year old pitchers for multi-year deals.

Joba, Wang, (FA), Pettite, Hughes

It might make sense to look for someone who is not looking for the Johan Santana type deal, because the yanks have a lot of good pitching prospects in AA that should be ready by 2010-2011.

Again, the yankees pitching has not been the problem this year, they need to spend that money on the lineup, and throw money at Tex

by postseasonpush on Aug 21, 2008 3:02 PM EDT 0 recs

Hear me on this one ...

There is NO CHANCE the Yankees bring back Giambi … zero, zip, zilch, nada. He’s gone. I think fans realize that he’s taken us to the bank. Without the ‘roids, he’s a one dimensional hitter who isn’t capable, or desirous of hitting the ball the other way. If Matsui stays, he’s a DH, and Giambi is thankfully the odd man out.

Throw some coin at Tex, but remember, Boras got beat by the Yankees last season. If we want Tex, it’s gonna cost us huge. I’m not sure he’s worth it.

I’d run at Moose but not for more than 2 years and reasonable coin.

In my opinion, Cano is on the bubble. Fans want to love him, but that love will sour if he continues at a .260 clip with no walks, no stolen bases, and only occasional hustle. I loved Cano up until a month ago. Unless we can bring back Bowa or someone who can keep their foot up his ass, I say “sell high”.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 21, 2008 3:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

Dude

who gives a crap about Giambi not going to left field. Let it go.

“Taken us to the bank” applies to Pavano, not Giambi. Look at the numbers he has put up during his time here.

I’m not married to the idea of bringing The Big G back, but Tex isn’t realisitic and there are no other viable replacements, unless you want to try some combo of Miranda/Duncan/Betemit/Nady/Posada.

"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death

by matthaggs on Aug 21, 2008 3:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

Giambi in leftfield ... huh?

Look at the numbers. For what we gave him, did he bring us a championship? He misrepresented himself and scored huge. His numbers aren’t that great.

He took us to the bank … He just did it differently than Pavano.

I said throw some coin at Tex, but if his asking price includes 10 years, I’m walking away. There are viable options but it will likely cost us some prospects.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 21, 2008 4:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Ha

If you think the sweet innocent Yankees had no idea his numbers in Oakland were juice inflated at the time they signed him then I have a few bridges to sell you.

There is a very short list of people with better power numbers than Giambi for 5 of the 7 years that he has been here.

I’m not saying he’s Lou Gehrig, but to say he took us to the bank is really pretty disingenous.

And there are no real viable options beyond Tex and rolling the dice that someone who is already here can handle the gig. If you’ve got others, I’m listening….

"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death

by matthaggs on Aug 21, 2008 4:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

No Burnett

What is with all this talk about Burnett being such a god? His ERA is 4.51 and he is one of the most injury prone pitchers on the market. I could see Pavano happening all over again with this guy. Sheets is also really injury prone. Our team complains about injuries but the people we sign are not reliable at all.
Cano should stay. He’s just had one bad year but has so much potential to hit for huge average. Either Petitte or Moose should go. Moose has had a great year but probably won’t hold up for the next. Hughes should eventually be ready to start sometime next year and Giese can spot start when the rotation is screwed.
I think Abreu should definitely stay even if we need to pay him big figures because he’s a consistent hitter that any team would love in the 3 spot. Matsui should go. He always seems to be injured and Abreu is just much better. Also, please no Scott Downs or Rafael Soriano. We have so many good arms in our bullpen, we don’t need any more. Marte or Veras can go the 8th and Edwar can go the 7th.

by jeterfan21 on Aug 21, 2008 3:32 PM EDT 0 recs

Even if

We get a free agent pitcher Wang is still our #1 and Joba is right there competing for #2

by LosGiantes08 on Aug 21, 2008 4:25 PM EDT 0 recs

I wonder if we could

entice Philly to trade Uttley and/ or Howard? I think a package for a package is workable, say Cano, Melky, Hughes, IPK for the above two…we’d probably have to sweeten the deal due to the lackluster performance this year. (Ironically this deal would have brought Santana and probably another Twin to the Yanks…hindsight)

by ilBrutto on Aug 21, 2008 6:32 PM EDT 0 recs

1B for 2009

NYY’s 1B for 2009 is Jorge Posada. Posada won’t be an effective catcher after the surgery and there is no other place to put him but 1B. Forget sign Tex or bring back Giambi, it will be Posada’s job as he has 3 years remaining on his massive contract. As for SP, I would say no to Burnett/Sheets and sign CC who can at least eat up some quality innings. Matsui also isn;t going anywhere with his bum knees.

by yankeesintexas on Aug 21, 2008 7:02 PM EDT 0 recs

Posada

would need to be on board for that… and with all the bitching who was doing earlier in year whilst being injured— i can’t see a healthy posada giving up the catcher spot so quietly..

i think may be other 1B options out there other than trying to plug Jorgie in there..

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Aug 22, 2008 12:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

Agree on Posada

If he’s not on board he’ll be a 50 game a year guy. His full time catching days are over. He’s the first baseman next year.

And forget about moving Cano. why trade him when his value is at its lowest.

The original roster posted is awful defensively. Our pitchers will kill us with Jeter/Cano and Damon up the middle. Damon has to play left and we need a centerfielder. If Nady can play right he can replace Abreu. if not, then we need to re-sign Abreu and let Nady walk. Matsui is locking up dh.

I’d take CC happily but hate giving huge contracts to pitchers. If there are any mid-rotation starters out there, I’d buy low on one of them.

by stusviews on Aug 22, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

Before we jump off the ship with Posada as a catcher

Remember that before this year, he had caught a minimum of 137 games every year since 2000. Plus, he didn’t really become a full time catcher until after he was drafted, and wasn’t a full-time catcher in the big leagues the first few years.

Now, certainly it’s possible that his arm is done, but let’s not just assume that a guy who has no real history of injury can’t come back from shoulder surgery.

by 3460kuri on Aug 25, 2008 8:56 AM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe a bit hasty but . . .

I’d be nervous going into next spring with Posada as the only option as catcher. His bat and leadership are very important on this team. He’ll be 37 next year though and while he did start catching late, that is old for a catcher. And by the time we know whether he is at full strength (and we won’t really know until well into spring training), it will be too late to explore other options if he isn’t.

by stusviews on Aug 26, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

Cano, Melky, and Hughes

for Ichiro and a journeyman 2b.

by runbrettrun on Aug 22, 2008 10:14 PM EDT 0 recs

That makes sense

Um, no.

by anaconda on Aug 22, 2008 10:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

I like that

Improves middle defense, and gets us a clutch hitter. Cano and Hughes need to be traded while they still have some value.

by BrianByron on Aug 30, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'd be open to moving Cano

but not Hughes. And acquiring a 36 yr old outfielder when the team needs to get younger is hardly a good idea.

by anaconda on Aug 30, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hmm...

I like where your thoughts are headed – sadly, a perfect team is difficult to plan. Some players may not be so durable in the long run. And some on your roster need to go. Oh and hate to be a B$@#! but I believe you mean, Bruney… Brian Bruney, no “Brunley” that I am aware of. He could certainly be a value in the bullpen.

Oh and for those who even think that Jorge won’t be in fighting shape for 2009 – think again. His worst nightmare would be stuck stationary at 1st base. Only one bug for Yankee fans… could he ever be a dominant force throwing people out on the bases?

by CaseyDreamz25 on Aug 24, 2008 2:26 AM EDT 0 recs

could he ever be a dominant force throwing people out on the bases?...

Probably not, but I think you’re underestimating him.

He’s thrown out 29% of baserunners attempting to steal throughout his career, which is neither spectacular nor horrible.

For example, last year, he threw out about 24% of baserunners attempting to steal. The league leader threw out about 47%. Had Posada done it at that clip, it equates to about 30 more outs over the course of an entire season.

Who’s more valuable, a catcher who throws out 41% of baserunners and has a .620 OPS (Jose Molina) or a catcher who throws out 29% and has an .857 OPS??

by 3460kuri on Aug 25, 2008 9:09 AM EDT 0 recs

IMO

The catcher has traditionally been a"defense first" position. Rarely is the catcher thought of as a big time RBI guy who is batting 4 or 5 in the lineup. There are obvious exceptions, but for every example of the contrary there are dozens of examples of concurrence.

by ilBrutto on Aug 25, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

yeah but

my question still stands – would you rather have a catcher who was merely adequate on defense and a stud at the plate, or a catcher who’s a stud on defense and can’t hit a lick?

Catcher’s defense is important, but a catcher who can hit is a serious asset.

by 3460kuri on Aug 25, 2008 4:23 PM EDT 0 recs

If you add

“Pitcher handling” to the equation I’ll take defensive catcher. Mike Piazza vs Jose Molina as an example, I’ll bet Jose’s 9 innings of calling the game, quarterbacking the squad and keeping the tempo of the game will win you more games than Mike’s 30 homers

by ilBrutto on Aug 25, 2008 5:41 PM EDT 0 recs

If

you’re talking about Mike Piazza in his prime, or even just past his prime, then you’re on crack.

"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death

by matthaggs on Aug 25, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

are you kidding??

“calling the game”, “pitcher handling”, “quarterbacking the squad” and “keeping the tempo of the game” are all completely arbitrary and subjective.

So many of these pseudo-defensive stats we make up for catchers have more to do with the pitchers than his own catching ability.

If you have a starting rotation of Joba Chamberlain, Roy Halladay, and CC Sabatthia, the catcher is going to have a great “catchers ERA” and probably be credited for calilng a good game. Really, he’s just catching good pitchers. And give him a rotation of Carlos Silva, Livan Hernandez, and Barry Zito, and the opposite will be true.

In Mike Piazza’s best season, he posted a .417 on base percentage. In Jose Molina’s best season, he posted a .296 OBP (plus, nobody thinks that Molina is a full-time catcher in the first place). So if you give each of them 600 plate appearances at those rates, Molina makes 72 MORE OUTS at the plate than Piazza – that’s nearly 3 full games’ worth of outs.

You’re telling me that Molina can compensate for that by throwing out 20 more baserunners per year and “calling a good game”???? What are you smoking, because I’d love to get some of it…..

by 3460kuri on Aug 26, 2008 11:09 AM EDT up 0 recs

Example was the word you overlooked

but, how many catchers become baseball managers? Now how many were offensive catchers like Mike Piazza (in his prime)?

by ilBrutto on Aug 26, 2008 12:27 AM EDT 0 recs

what?

what does that have to do with the value of a catcher? the reason offensive catchers like piazza earn so much more than a strong defensive one is because of the varp. 3460kuri looked at the stats and sabermetrics proves that a good defensive one makes up his value. he can still “call a game”, that doesn’t go away with arm surgery, so if he hits and is comfortable at the plate posada is fine at catcher.

by tropmug on Aug 26, 2008 5:07 PM EDT up 0 recs