Bring Them Back - F/A
by jramey on Nov 5, 2009 5:40 PM EST
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Congratulations to all of out team and the organization, this was truely a remarkable year. Now that the season is over, in a few weeks, it comes time to address the free-agent situation. Personally, I would resign Damon and Matsui. Without them, we are not here. Some people mention Jorge's declining defense and the possibility of moving him to the DH spot. He is and will be a better hitter when he is catching. His defense is not Terrible - just average. Both of these guys had very good years. I really do not want to see this championship team broken up quite yet. Sign them to 1 and 2 year deals (Matsui, Damon, respectively). If you ask me, Petitte is a no brainer to resign. You will never have a better big game pitcher. He deserves a 2 year deal, incentive based.
On another note, Marte deserves not to be dealt. He had a huge World Series and became our go-to guy.
Please comment if you have any thoughts or if I missed anything.
Great Season guys, I'm already looking foward to Spring Training
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Cashman's got some tough choices
But I think Matsui is probably gone. They need the DH spot to rest the aging veterans. Damon is such a clubhouse presence, I’d bring him back for one more year.
I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque
by LateInningRelief on Nov 5, 2009 5:55 PM EST reply actions
I would worry about our pitching
We need another solid starter, assuming Wang takes longer to get back. I like our hitters as is. I can see the reason to get rid of one or the other, but dang it, we were awesome this year!
Bring back Matsui
Damon is a poor fielder and has no arm, resigning him alone means he would have to DH some of the time. Matsui is a monster at the plate and crutch. I would rather see someone like AJAX come up and have Matsui DH. When Posada needs a break he can DH and I am sure you can slap Matsui in LF once every week or two. I love Damon but Matsui is younger, more potent of a hitter. Plus I am quite sure the Japanese revenue the Yankees get because of Matsui will be another reason to sign him for 1 year with a 1 year club option. Damon was awesome for us but it is time for us to get younger.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Nov 5, 2009 6:23 PM EST reply actions
..
I would say Mats is probably gone. And Damon stays although I would love both back…
Did anybody hear that Abreu signed with the angels.. and Mark teahen got traded from the Royals to the White Sox.. people are making a lot of quick moves
by Yankz09 on Nov 5, 2009 6:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Now that (some of the) glow has faded I can be a little more clear-headed and I think … neither of them should come back. I’d rather get younger and more flexible. I have to admit, though, that I’m not sure who I have in mind. It doesn’t seem like there’s anyone on the FA market who fits the bill, so maybe Cashman will have to pull off a Swisher-like deal and get someone for nothing.
by long time listener on Nov 5, 2009 6:55 PM EST reply actions
Damon and Matsui are getting up in age...
Have to be cautious with signing either one to more than a one year deal..IMO.
Damon is 36 Matsui is 35
I am much less concerned about Matsui since he would be the DH and didn’t have the rigors of fielding.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Nov 5, 2009 7:00 PM EST up reply actions
Damon and Matsui are both huge to this lineup...
but how bout signing MO for another year…? maybe… Maybe its a maybe cuz i cant stand to watch him retire
Bring them both back
Why not? There were plenty of at bats for both of them this year and they both benefit from not playing every day. If Matsui’s able to play some left next year that’s an added bonus. They can both be had for a lot less than they made this year. I don’t see a reason why they both can’t be on the team in 2010.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Nov 5, 2009 7:57 PM EST reply actions
Because we need to get younger
Damon is a defensive liability. I love Johnny but sooner or later AJAX is gonna need to make it to the bigs. I think Matsui is the no brainer. Revenue from his Japanese fans, clutch, lefty who hits lefties and that tantalizing short porch in right. He can’t run, but if his knees even remotely get better during the offseason he can play backup LF and let Jorge DH once in awhile when Jorge is riding the pine to rest his knees and shoulder.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Nov 5, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
Do we really need to get "younger"?
If Damon and/or Matsui leave we’re going to replace them with A) a poor defensive slugger with a huge contract (Bay, Holliday) or B) a low risk, high reward guy who plays better defense (Nady, Ankiel, etc.). I’d prefer B to A, but in neither case are we getting someone young. If Austin Jackson wins a job in spring training it’ll be in CF so he really has no bearing on bringing Damon and Matsui back.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Nov 5, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
As clutch as both of them were...
I would say probably don’t bring back either. Both will want a lot of money I’m sure, we might be better off getting younger by signing Holliday or Bay. If either of those guys are asking for a ridiculous amount, then I would say bring back Matsui, have Melky play left, and Gardner in center.
This is real tough.
ALL THREE made incredible cases to come back.
I think Andy is his own decision maker. If he wants to come back, lets talk. If he go along with a similar deal…welcome back Andy..lets see if the other hand likes rings.
Matsui? People keep saying that since he’s just a DH…he’s expendable. WHAT ARE YOU NUTS? Teams would KILL for a LH bat of his ability…to simply DH for them. I say bring Mats back. 1 year with option for 2 (or 3?), $10 mill per? Why the hell not…they’re the Yankees (and they’d still be saving on Matsui from this past season…)
That leaves Damon. All along, I thought he was the no brainer to resign over the other guys. Yet….I kinda feel its time to move on. Johnny was quite injury prone in his career. I don’t think its a coincidence that he stayed healthy this year…maybe he was lucky, maybe he was trying a little harder to stay healthy..I dunno.
Either way..bring back the other 2 in a heartbeat. If you want, offer Johnny arbitration (he accepts…so be it) and steal the pick.
I just think its time for AJAX..or maybe the Yanks are patient and find a steal like Abreu on the open market.
Johnny’s defense can be upgraded. I know his bat probably cannot be upgraded…but so be it.
DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The big variable . . .
is what will they ask for. Damon’s agent is Boras. If they are both willing to take short term deals (2 years for Damon, 1 year for Matsui) then they should probably be re-signed. Damon might have his eye on 3000 hits though and want a longer deal. If this is the case, then I say let him go. It is impossible to know what Matsui will settle for.
Why Not Just Keep The Champs Together?
I cant see any of these guys tailing off that much. The pitching staff should be even better with Hughes going back into the rotation and Wang making a return.
I would love to sign all three.
If Andy wants to come back, sign him-no brainer. I would love to sign Johnny Damon again, but where are you gonna put him? He sucks as a fielder, and Matsui is by far the more prototypical DH. This DH by committee thing that people keep suggesting I dont think is a reality. Sure guys like A-ROD and Posada will DH during the year but they re still gonna need a full-time DH. I think Matsui is the guy.
I would like
To see all 3 come back, is that realistic? i am not to sure. I think with Jeter being moved to leadoff, maybe it was a sign of what was to come? to see if replacing Johnny would be a good move. To see who would be the Yanks leadoff hitter without Johnny. I have no problems with Johnny Damon in left, sure he cant throw, but he does everything else well, I would give him a 1 year deal with an option for 2. Would he take that at this stage of his career? doubtful, especially with him in reach of some milestone numbers. He would probably like a guaranteed 3 year deal at 10-12 per.
Matsui is a tougher call, he had a great year and proved that he is a professional hitter, being the DH did not effect him one bit. He did very well against left handing pitching and proved to be very clutch this season and he stayed healthy. Sure he will never see the field again and with Posada declining behind the plate there could be some potential problems, but for 1 more season with Posada as the full time catcher behind the plate, I believe it to be a non-issue. My Feeling on Matsui is that he only wants to be a Yankee and would be willing to except a hometown discount of 1 year 10 million with an option year with attainable incentives. I could be nuts, but I do believe that. If the Yanks decided to not resign Matsui, I think that this is the last you will see of him here in the US. I believe with the season he had and with his popularity at an all time high, if that is even possible? he goes back to Japan and to end his career. Matsui will most definitely get offers from alot of MLB teams but why would he sign? I think that at this point in Matsui’s career he is more concerned about winning and winning championships. I could be wrong. Just what I believe.
Pettitte, he will determine his fate and the Yankees will find a way to make it work if Pettitte wants to pitch again. We will see…
What do we do about Molina?
AJ’s personal catcher. Teach him to pitch to Cervelli, Jorgie? Or do we keep him as a solid backup?
VA Yankee since 93'
I'd say we keep Molina for 1 more year.
Let Cervelli get some experience down in AAA.
Yankees all day.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby
First off, AJ should be pitching to Jorge.
If he really can’t work it out, then he’s shown in the few times he threw to Cervelli that he’s as comfortable with him back there as Molina.
Second…give Molina his ring…and pay for his plane ticket.
I like Jose, I know the team likes Jose…but Jose got to go.
DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+1
Jose did a great job defensively for this team. He had an overshadowed, but HUGE pickoff in Game 2 that really changed the momentum in that series. And he did a fantastic job catching A.J. Burnett. He was the best backup catcher the Yankees have had in years and I really like the guy. But he’s got to go. Maybe he can go and back up one of his brothers. Sorry Jose….
BUT IT’S CERVELLI TIME!!!!!!!!!
Please no Holliday
One of those players that can’t hit in the AL. Also, a Tex-like contract would tie up the payroll and I think it’d be better to wait until next year’s much better FA market.
I think Matsui has to go, even though he’s one of my faves in the last few years. They need the DH spot to rotate Damon (who they should sign to 1 year, option for the 2nd) and Posada. If they do resign Matsui, it should be a similar contract to Damon.
Also, GGBG is ready. It’s time to deal Melky to make way.
And finally, Posada can’t catch AJ. He couldn’t even catch for Andy in Game 6 without allowing a number of passed balls. No way he can handle AJ’s pitch movements.
Hey hey, I think Matsui shoudl stay.
Its not like any of the older players will be DHing EVERY day. Matsui could still get a decent number of ABs if he signs for one more year. Like outta every 7 games, He’d be the DH for at least every 3-4 games. Now that’s not bad at all, especially for one year and considering the ages of the older players on the team. I just don’t want to see Matsui in any other kind of MLB uniform other than the pinstripes.
As for Damon, assuming the Yanks don’t get a top calibar left fielder, I’d say he should stay for at least 1 year.
As for Pettite, he’s earned at the very least 1 year contract, but that’s totally up to him. I know the Yankees would love to have him back but his proities come first.
As for Molina, I think he should stay for 1 more year, so Cervilli can spend 1 full year at the Triple A level.
Yankees all day.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby
yeah you got to remember
Cervelli came up from AA to the bigs. We have Montero in the system too.
VA Yankee since 93'
Way To Bring Back Matsui and Damon
I think both players will get decent offers from other teams but I think the Yanks can sign them. Damon and Matsui can alternate at DH. Damon can still play the field some of the time. Matsui is such a great weapon off the bench. Maybe give them both 2 year contracts.
What about Melky?
I agree with resigning Matsui and Damon as long as the contract is right, given their age and the thin market this year and a better market the next. Andy is a given, if he wants to come back, I don’t think anything outside of a crazy lowball offer will stop that from happening.
But what about Melky Cabrera? I think it’s time to do what the Red Sox did with Crisp to clear the way for Ellsbury. Brett Gardner is too good to be just coming out to pinch run and he’s never going to be a reliable bat if he never gets a consistent chance to hit. Besides, this will probably be the highest value Melky will have in the market. Maybe package him with prospects for a run at Halladay?
Melky/Gardner
I like what Melky brings to the team from an energy standpoint but in general he doesn’t hit well enough to be a corner OF. He’s fine in center but I’d make that an open competition between him and Austin Jackson next spring. As for Gardner he’s valuable off the bench, but to me that type of player needs to have a .400 OBP or very close to it to have any real value and I don’t see that coming from Brett. I’d keep him as a bench guy but if another team ever offered anything of value I’d take it and run.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Nov 7, 2009 6:13 PM EST up reply actions
Brett needs to prove himself at the plate. Being only a good defender does not a Yankee make.
Yankees all day.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby
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