A case for Chapman?

by jpoppejr on Dec 16, 2009 7:33 AM EST

I really like what Cashman is doing this off season. Hopefully, we does not screw it up by picking up Bay or Holliday. He seems to be creating roster flexibility to feed in the young players and keeping payroll down. I think taking a flier on Chapman would fit well with the strategy.

Supposedly, Chapman's stuff is fast but straight. Possible high end bullpen instead of a SP? Who knows. But let's say the Yanks bring him in. Now, the Yanks have a lot more flexibility. The Mo countdown continues and the Yanks need to prepare a replacement. By bringing in Chapman and slotting him as a SP initially (#5 guy) and keeping Hughes as the 8th inning guy, if Joba or Chapman struggle then you can flip flop.

Bringing in Chapman allows:

SP - CC, AJ, Pettitte, Joba (SP/RP), Chapman (SP/RP) RP- Mo, Hughes (SP/RP), Marte, Robertson, Aceves (SP/RP), Brackman, Beimel (FA - lefty), Gaudin (SP/RP)

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Chapman

Most projections don’t have him contributing in ‘10 and some think he’ll turn out to be the equivalent of Oliver Perez (if he still starts). That doesn’t sound that great, but really, if we only pay 20-25 million for him for 4 years or so, we don’t need him to be that great to repay our investment. He just can’t pull a Kei Igawa on us. I don’t think he’s a bad deal unless he has to be put in relief.

by metric on Dec 16, 2009 9:02 AM EST reply actions

In every sense, you do want to maximize your returns on investment. I wonder if the failed signing of Kei Igawa has anything to do with Cashman’s reluctance to sign Japanese relief pitchers. Boston has found some moderate success in doing so.

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 16, 2009 9:10 AM EST up reply actions

Signing Chapman

doesn’t create more flexibility in the near future because he’s just another high-ceiling prospect that still needs plenty of seasoning in the minors.

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 16, 2009 9:02 AM EST reply actions

I get Bay

but how does Holliday “screw up” our offseason? He’s in his prime, and if we can get him for fewer years than the Cardinals, I say do it.

by moose35 on Dec 16, 2009 9:45 AM EST reply actions

Chapman will not be ready to pitch in the majors in 2010

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Dec 16, 2009 11:10 AM EST reply actions

Getting Bay or Holliday does not screw up the offseason.

These guys in their career have been very good hitters. In the Yankee lineup, they’d have more RBI opportunities than their hearts could ever desire playing in Pittsburgh or Colorado, where they used to stomp.

Also…Chapman has NOTHING to do with 2010, unless coming to America and earning millions motivates him to find the strike zone and develop secondary stuff.

Chapman is a 2011, 2012 option. Or if the team that gets him is extremely lucky/good at developing top talent…maybe a September call-up.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 16, 2009 11:11 AM EST reply actions

One concern about hitters.

Yankees need more than home run hitters… need guys with high OBP, good clutch hitters, high contact guys. All that with power, too, great! But we don’t need the big, slow, low-contact slugger types… nothing kills a postseason rally faster than a big guy with a propensity to strikeout or hit a home run, and not much else. Poor defense makes all the above even more critical. Any signing Cashman makes, I hope takes into account getting a good all-around player and not just a slow, poor-defense masher.

by pinstriper on Dec 16, 2009 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

Bay had 13 steals last year.

How he got them..I dunno, but he’s certain;y not Posada or Matsui out there.

Holliday had 14 steals too.

THese 2 are not slow…more like A’-Rod’ fast’

Bay I dunno why he’s not a better defender, Holliday is a good defender.

These 2 are certainly, high OBP, power hittings clutch guys.

Holliday is a better contact hitter than Bay tho…..this is why if I chose, I’d shell out a bit more to get Holliday, he’s a better all around player.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 16, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

the guys who would be like you say...big-slow, low contact sluggers...

that’s the Jim Thome, Jack Cust’s of the world.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 16, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

I'd say

hitting into DP’s is a bigger rally killer than a high strikeout guy. An out is an out, but a double play is 2 outs.

by moose35 on Dec 16, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

DP's are more bad luck

combined with someone who hits the ball on the ground a lot.

Just cuz a guy is fast, doesn’t mean he’s not gonna hit into DP’s…see: Jeter, Derek.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 16, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

Except when...

the strikeout comes with a man on 3rd and less than 2 outs. I’m not saying I’m against hitters who strike out – as some of the best hitters in the game have high strikeout totals – but it’s not always the same as any other out.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Dec 17, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions