Staying the Course
by jscape2000 on Dec 15, 2009 2:00 PM EST
in New York Yankees Analysis
Email
PrintToday is December 15, 2009. Pitchers and catchers report on February 17, 2010. That's 2 months and 2 days, or 9 weeks and a day. It is a long offseason.
Brian Cashman has kept his trigger finger under control so far this offseason, avoiding committing too much to any of the trades or free agents the Yankees have been linked to.
He's upgraded centerfield at the cost of a minor league centerfielder who needed another year of seasoning, a reliever who might not have made the team out of Spring Training, and a minor league starter who might have challenged for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Then, he returned the Yanks' key free agent at roughly the same cost as last season.
Now he's working on bringing in another pitcher to fight for that fifth spot. While I doubt Cash will be willing to give Ben Sheets the same $12M contract Pettitte received, we have witnessed an impressive exercise in self control. If Cashman thinks that Ben Sheets is the best fit for the Yankees' rotation, I trust his judgment.
Former Pirates closer Matt Capps is still listening to offers, though he'll probably want the future dollars that come with saves more than to be a part of the Bridge to Mo.
Super-subs Jerry Hairston Jr. and Mark DeRosa are both still available. Hank Blalock probably wants a starting job, but if he'd come to sometimes play the field, sometimes DH, and sometimes PH, he's a strong candidate to rebound from his 2009 .250 BABIP (career .299). Reed Johnson could backup any of the outfield spots, covering RF while Swisher serves as occasional 1B/DH. If you want a pure DH, Jim Thome still has a great eye and a ton of power, and Nick Johnson is an OBP machine.
Plus Johnny Damon, Jason Bay, and Matt Holliday are all still on the market. Any one of them transforms the lineup from 'merely' best in the league to legendary.
Today is the 15th of December, and the Yankees have several ways to improve themselves.
77 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Sign Sheets and Nady
Holliday is too expensive. Damon is too old.
Sheets joins the rotation when ready. In the meantime, Hughes, Joba, Mitre, Gaudin fill two slots.
Nady may start slow so let Melky play left early in the season. If needed – get a big bat mid-season when the fire sales start.
DH? Lots of options. Any chance they might try Montero there while he fills a slot as third catcher?
I like what Cash is doing – or not doing as the case may be
Montero for DH would be interesting.
But I think they’re gonna keep him in the minors to work on that glove. If he’s the catcher of the future, you don’t want him DHing in the bigs (even tho…he probably could…) and not catching and working on that…
"It ain't over till its over"---
How come no one covers Steve Smith?
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
Well think about it tho, you're not gonna find 2 better ex catchers than
Girardi and Pena to learn from. Might be better served to see some mlb pitching and work with those guys like crazy behind the scenes. But then again there’s a reason I’m bullshitting on the internet and not anywhere important.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
by CasanovaWong on Dec 15, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't have any problem with Montero
being a September call up and getting some ABs at the end of the year at the ML level. The AAA season would be over anyway, what’s there to lose?
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
The kid has played 44 games at AA, none at AAA. I’m not ready to even call him a call-up yet.
He has to grow into his potential.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
he is 2 years away at BEST
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
Not "at BEST"
If he mashed in AAA the second half of ‘10 you wouldn’t even consider calling him up in September for a few at bats?
by Brendan Scolari on Dec 15, 2009 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
All I'm saying is that
if he tears it up in AAA (I think he’ll start the season in AA, but still) then I don’t think there is anything wrong with letting him have a look at some ML pitching. Now I realize that this risks him coming up and batting .100 and being labeled a bust by some of the less intelligent members of the media and fanbase.
He obviously isn’t ready to play everyday at the major league level, but it might be nice to give him some experience off the bench in September.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
Cmon man it's Jesus
My expectations for him are far from rational and realistic.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
They shouldn't rush Montero
he’s the top prospect in the minors. There is no need to rush him. He hasn’t even had a full season at AA yet. And you’re thinking about DHing him in the majors? He’s only 20. I would be good at giving him some ABs as a September Call up, but as a starter in the major leagues? No.
In those 6 games
the Yankees scored 35 runs and he didn’t finish the 6th inning once.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
My apologies
he didn’t finish the 7th inning once.
He did actually finish the 6th inning in two of those games.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
I like your idea
That would be my plan too.
by Brendan Scolari on Dec 15, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
HOLIDAY TOO EXPENSIVE???
IS WINNING CHEAP?? HOLIDAY IS WHAT NEW YORK NEEDED—NOT BATSGREAT PITCHING ALWAYS BEATS GREAT HITTING!!!!!!CASHMAN YOU BETRAYED THE YANKEES BY SENDING THE BEST PITCHERS TO YOUR COMPETITION—RESIGNATION IN ORDER?
wait...
Jim Thome is out there?
I know him and Matsui are basically one in the same…tho…wait, they really are not.
Jim Thome for DH anyone? Dude could hit 50 HR in Yankee stadium…..
"It ain't over till its over"---
How come no one covers Steve Smith?
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
That’s what I’m thinking. He’s basically the 2008 version of Jason Giambi, and there were plenty of people willing to bring Giambi back when it looked like Tex was headed to the Sox.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
By plenty do you mean
like more than 3 people?
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
He was still productive last year tho in Chicago.
And I don’t think he’ll cost much.
He’s not shot like Giambi is either.
"It ain't over till its over"---
How come no one covers Steve Smith?
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
I think IF that 8/128 deal for Holliday was true he would have taken it already.
So it was either completely fabricated or maybe he actually wants to be a Yank. If that’s the case maybe Cash is trying to work on a more team friendly deal. Maybe a little higher AAV than 16 but shorter years.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
Honestly something like 5/90
would be my ceiling for Holliday. He’s a great player, but I’m just not going to drink Boras’s cool aid. He’s not Teixeira and he’s not Pujols.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
Yeah, I'd even do 5/100 but i dont wanna start getting into 6, 7 or 8 years.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
by CasanovaWong on Dec 15, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
He's not
But he still is Halladay, an elite outfielder that, just like jscape said, would transform our line-up into legendary. 8 years is too much, but it is doable. I’m thinking 6 with 2 team options, but Boras probably wouldn’t want that with the Cards offering 8.
BUT OMG THE RED SOX GOT POWERHOUSES MIKE CAMERON AND MARCO SCUTARO
TRADE EVERYONE
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
In a perfect world
Well, in my perfect world at least:
1) Let Damon walk.
2) Sign Nady for like 10 bucks
3) Let Nady and Melky compete at LF
4) Sign Wang for the 5 million. If he still can’t pitch when he comes back, oh well it was a good gamble. If he comes anywhere close to his previous form you have a former ace pitching in the 4 spot. Maybe he is the Anti-Pavano.
5) Sign Matsui for 6 million and a club option for 2011
6) Save every penny you can for Mauer. He is NOT going to give the Twinkies a home town discount worth over 20+ million. Not gonna happen. If you sign Mauer, you let Mats go his merry way and push Jorge into the DH spot full time
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
Matsui is already gone and the Yanks already passed on a chance for Wang at $4M.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Yes
In a PERFECT world. Those things would not have happened.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
In my perfect world
the Yankees win the world series every year and Curt Schilling has genital warts.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
How do you know he doesn't have genital warts?
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
He probably does
just in my perfect world its a definite.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
Forgot to mention
Nick Johnson. He’s Bobby Abreu with less speed but a better eye.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Boom.
"It ain't over till its over"---
How come no one covers Steve Smith?
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
You're joking right?
Nick is a .273 lifetime hitter
Abreu is a .299 lifetime hitter
Nick’s career OPS is .849
Abreu’s career OPS is .896
In 14 seasons Abeu has driven in 100 Rbis or more 9 times
Nick has never driven in more than 77
Nick has a lifetime .402 OBP
Abreu has a lifetime .404 OBP
Please. Nick maybe a good baseball player but he isn’t a slower Bobby Abreu with a better eye. That is just plain old wrong.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
Look at their triple slash from the last three season
.283/.426/.462
.290/.377/.451
Career numbers give to much credit to who they used to be. A 3 year sample gives you a better estimate of who they will be.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Oh
That’s Nick Johnson on top, Bobby Abreu on the bottom.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Nick Johnson
Is nowhere near the hitter Bobby Abreu is. Never has been. Is not currently. Never will be. Sorry.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
He's not.
He could be Bobby-lite tho.
And Bobby for a fraction of the cost.
Also…Bobby that wouldn’t play the field much (where he’s better off).
How about settle that they are similar style hitters?
"It ain't over till its over"---
How come no one covers Steve Smith?
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
Similar
In that they both swing bats from the same side of the plate. It’s like calling Brian Fuentes Mo-lite because he is cheaper and pitched well in a tiny fraction of the sample size of Mo’s.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
Not your over doing it....
Look at what Johnson did last year.
I’m not saying that if both were available..I’d chose Johnson over Abreu.
I’m saying a guy with a .426 OBP last year…
Johnson has a .400 career OBP, and .447 career slug.
He’s not the RBI MACHINE that Bobby is, no doubt about that.
But…Johnson, as a fall-back option for a HD spot, would be a nice #2 hitter
Johnson’s no slouch as a RBI guy either, when he had 500 AB’s with the Nationals, he had 77 RBI’s.
THE NATIONALS.
Johnson would not be a bad option for the Yanks.
"It ain't over till its over"---
How come no one covers Steve Smith?
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
Hey I have nothing but love for Nick
He grew up a Yankee. I just will not have him compared to Bobby Abreu who I consider right below the level of elite player.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
Nothing against the stats,
but we also have to consider injury history.
Just my 2 cents.
by Vancouverguy on Dec 16, 2009 2:23 AM EST up reply actions
How you could possibly
Look at those two slash lines and come to that conclusion? The’re obviously pretty close at the least.
by Brendan Scolari on Dec 15, 2009 10:17 PM EST up reply actions
One really good season for Nick does not mean anything
Look at Abreus’s stats over his career and compare it to Nick’s. Not even close.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 16, 2009 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
The difference between the two is that in the last 3 seasons
Abreu has played 158, 156, and 152 games.
Johnson played 147 in 06, 0 in 07, 38 in 08, and 133 in 09.
The only way that they are the same player is if you have magic powder to keep Johnson healthy. And if you’ve got some, sign him and Ben Sheets and sprinkle it on both of them.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
True statement
But I think Johnson would have a better chance of staying healthy as a DH.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Ahh
Yes. But I still rather have kept Matsui. I am still irritated that RevHalo gets to lavish love upon OUR Godzilla.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
SIGN...................
Damon at 2 yrs 28 mil. Sheets at 1 year 8 mil plus incentives. Derosa at 2 yrs 12 mil. I do also like escobar who is rehabbing shoulder surgery and is said to look good and has had positive reports from doctors observing his workouts. He could be a nice reliever or 5th starter. Bostons offense sucks so they will have to win alot of 3-2 games which won’t happen much. In not worried. BOSTON SUCKS!!!!
by RangerFan5 on Dec 15, 2009 3:16 PM EST via mobile reply actions
7 million a year is too much for Damon
You are paying for what? His fielding? NO. His bat and speed? Yes. His speed is not worth 2X what the Angels signed Matsui for.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
He can actually play the field at least
But I probably wouldn’t sign him for that much either.
by Brendan Scolari on Dec 15, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
This is what they should do
Resign Johnny Damon. Now that Matsui has walked, they need to bring someone back to play DH/LF, and there is no one better for that than Johnny Damon, is there? I believe they will work something out eventually if Damon truly wants to return. Maybe 2 years, 22 million? Even throw in a team option for the third, so at least Damon/Boras may think that there is a chance that he could come back for a third year. But now that Matsui is gone, it is even more of a priority to bring him back.
Sign a fourth starter. Ben Sheets would be nice. Maybe 1 year, 7 million with incentives? He could make up to what he wants (11 million) if he pitches well. He would be my choice. Not a lot of money, ton of upside. I still also really want to see Wang back, but thats looking less and less likely every day.
And maybe one more reliever on the market. Capps is young ,and a good option, but may be too expensive. But they do need another reliever.
Jeter
Damon
Tex
A-Rod
Posada
Cano
Swisher
Granderson
Melky
CC
A.J.
Andy
Sheets
Joba/Hughes
Mo
Joba/Hughes
Marte
Aceves
Robertson
FA signing
Melancon/Ramirez/Dunn
I’m thinking back to back Championships!!!!!
Yea Jscape
Exactly what I was trying to elude to in my post earlier 2day. There is still plenty of time to get things done. The pool still has room to make a splash. I wish pitching was the 1st move this offseason though. Its gone from CF to LF to DH. By the time we look up for a pitcher, I hope somebody good is left!
Anybody in the mood for a repeat?
by ReggieARodJeter on Dec 15, 2009 3:47 PM EST reply actions
Well we already locked up Pettitte
and the asking price for Halladay and Lackey would have made them poor investments.
We already have all 3 pitchers from our World Series winning rotation, along with committing Joba and Hughes to start, so I don’t think it’s absolutely urgent.
But a healthy Ben Sheets sure would be nice.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
Jerry Hairston Jr.
needs to come back. We need a couple of backup IF, especially with A-Rod and Jeter being a year older. I’m thinking this should be Cashman’s next priority That and Holliday to a short term deal.
If we could sign Holliday to a short term deal...
like 5 years…or orgasmically…4 years with a team option….That would be incredible…
"It ain't over till its over"---
How come no one covers Steve Smith?
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
Yankees have as much chance of that
As you getting blown by a supermodel accidentally on your way home from work.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
o.
I guess the Yanks’ chances were good until you said accidentally……
"It ain't over till its over"---
How come no one covers Steve Smith?
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
Just saw this on the web. Not sure the validity.
Against the Yankees, Lackey has gone 5 and 7 in his 16 career starts giving up 115 hits in 102.1 innings pitched with 12 home runs and 42 BB. His career ERA against the Yankees home and away is 4.66 with a WHIP of 1.53 and a .289 batting average against that team
Hope thats worth 16 mil a year.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions
just wait
till he gets word that his $16 million is not in $$$…
its in Grittines, guttiness, a piece of the Monstah, 300 bowls clam chowdah, and Ted Williams cryo-frozen ballbag.
"It ain't over till its over"---
How come no one covers Steve Smith?
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 15, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
Can you imagine the lovefest thats going to go on
for how much of a “bulldog” and a “fiery competitor” Lackey is?
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
perfect for the sux
who are of course better than all others because they have “grinders” and a lot of “heart”. Don’t worry Lackey. Just throw your hat, kick the fences, and maybe take the big water thing they have and throw it on to the field every time you have a bad start, all the Sux fans will think you are a “fiery competitor” as you said, and thats all they need! LOL BOSTON SUCKS!!!!!!!
I still love saying that.
I know!!!!!
It’ll be like Curt Schilling pt.2….
Anybody in the mood for a repeat?
by ReggieARodJeter on Dec 18, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
I just want to see Wang back
was always a big fan of his and was really dissapointed that we couldnt reach an agreement.
They could also regret watching him have another season of 9 ERA baseball too
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
by Lord Duggan on Dec 15, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions
The benefits highly outweigh the negatives in Wangs case.
You get 2, MAYBE 3 bad starts from Wangs and you know you lost the gamble.
Wang comes back to form, you get 10+ good starts depending on when he begins playing and if Cash decides to limit him.
Certainly a gamble I would consider taking.
by Gelatin on Dec 16, 2009 9:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
We Need Another Pitcher
I agree with NYYRocks29 that the Yankees should re-sign Damon. I also would go up to $11 million for two years. However, I would make Damon the DH. I would not sign him to a three-year deal, either. I can’t stand the thought of another year with him as a full-time outfielder. I don’t see any better possibilities. Bay and Holliday want too much money, Holliday got his good numbers in the NL (easier pitching to hit) and choked in the playoffs (might not succeed under NY pressure), and Bay is a bad fielder. I would make Melky the left fielder and play Damon in left field against poor-hitting teams to give Posada some starts at DH.
I understand that Cashman is trying to avoid overspending, but I don’t feel good about the Yankees’ rotation going into next year. I am very happy that Pettitte got re-signed, and I can live with Gaudin as a fifth starter, but I would prefer to see both Hughes and Chamberlain come out of the bullpen. That means the Yanks need one more starter. I would go after the best healthy starting pitcher in free agency. That pitcher is Jarrod Washburn. He could probably be had for a reasonable salary and would be a capable, OK fourth starter. The Yankees need one of those. I don’t want Ben Sheets and Justin Duscherer; neither of them pitched at all last year, and it is too risky. I don’t want Wang back, either, unless he is signed to a minor-league deal. We need someone dependable out of that fourth slot. Neither Hughes nor Chamberlain has had anything like consistent success as starters; let them do what they can do well and be setup men. This way, the Yankees would have probably the best bullpen in baseball and one of the best starting rotations.
by albanyattorney40 on Dec 16, 2009 3:11 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
Related FanPosts on Pinstripe Alley
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Does Billy Beane’s contract extension signal an optimistic dawn for Oakland fans?
- Ask Alex: Will Alex Avila be an All-Star again?
- Create-a-Caption: Matt Cain’s great pair of golf pants
- Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries autographed ball being auctioned by Twins
- George Brett lawsuit claims his company falsely advertises ion necklaces’ health benefits
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
