New York Yankees Mid-Morning Links

by Frank Campagnola on Oct 10, 2011 10:01 AM EDT in New York Yankees News

Happy Monday, Pinstripe Alley readers. There's not much going on in the land of the Yankees right now, which is still strange for me to comprehend. However, there are some things floating around the inter-Google that are worth reporting.

Buster Olney cited "sources" when saying that contract talks over a new deal from general manager Brian Cashman are going smoothly, and could be concluded by the end of next week. I am a Cashman supporter, so this is great news for me and the other fans who like Cashman. The faster he is re-signed, the fast he can begin his offseason plan.

Speaking of that offseason plan, Cashman reiterated that pitching will "always, always, always" be a priority during the winter. Cashman also noted that he doesn't expect next year's roster to be drastically different than the 2011 version.

Joel Sherman reported that Eric Chavez "is leaning heavily toward retirement." Chavez had a 79 wRC+ and a .294 wOBA in 2011, so maybe it is time to call it quits.

Some questions for you:

Alex Rodriguez has six years and $143MM left on his deal. How worried are you about his decline? Adam Kilgore and Brian Costa both expressed worry.
Are you worried about giving CC Sabathia a new contract? Johnette Howard warns that a new CC deal could turn into an A-Rod-esque albatross.
Building off the potential Jesus Montero matches mentioned in Travis' morning news post, I'd rather trade for Madison Bumgarner if the Giants really are a potential trade partner. Both are cost controlled, pre-arbitration players, and the Yankees need pitching while the Giants need offense. It might be a good match. How is trading for Cain fair value for the Yankees? He has one year and $15MM left on his deal. Montero is cost controlled for six seasons. Thoughts?

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Bumgarner? NO.

Pitchers park much?

We play at Yankee Stadium. No to Cain too. If we trade Montero for non elite pitchers, but other prospects it’s just a waste. Elite bat. ELITE BAT.

Residing on the BEast coast.

by DCyanks21 on Oct 10, 2011 10:04 AM EDT reply actions

2011:
Innings: 204 2/3
WAR: 5.5
ERA/FIP/xFIP: 3.21/2.67/3.10
K/9: 8.40
BB/9: 2.02
GB Rate: 46%

Oh, and that was his age 21 season.

Try realizing how good this kid is before just saying “NO.” Back it up. The pitcher’s park has nothing to do with his great command, great strikeout rates, and great GB rates.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

by Frank Campagnola on Oct 10, 2011 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Well that's a good argument.

I can’t lie you got me here, but I still rather have Montero.

Residing on the BEast coast.

by DCyanks21 on Oct 10, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

To put it into even greater perspective, he was tied with Felix Hernandez for the 10th highest WAR for starting pitchers in all of baseball.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

by Frank Campagnola on Oct 10, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Doesn't matter

He can't handle New York

by Branta on Oct 10, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I never said that.

If you were implying that towards me. I just like to see FB, GB, and SO rates before going after a pitcher. Yankee Stadium is a hitters park. I don’t want FB pitchers starting for us.

Residing on the BEast coast.

by DCyanks21 on Oct 10, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, I'm worried about A-Rod's

decline. Worried isn’t the appropriate word, disgusted fits better. I expect more of the same next season.

"Unpleasant Internet Dude"

by david d on Oct 10, 2011 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

I’m not worried about A-Rod losing the ability to hit, but I am extremely worried about A-Rod getting hurt too often.

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

Writer/Editor for Pinstripe Alley, Blueshirt Banter

"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."

"Every day is a great day for hockey."

by Brandon C. on Oct 10, 2011 10:21 AM EDT reply actions

He hasn’t already lost the ability to hit?

"Unpleasant Internet Dude"

by david d on Oct 10, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t believe so.

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

Writer/Editor for Pinstripe Alley, Blueshirt Banter

"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."

"Every day is a great day for hockey."

by Brandon C. on Oct 10, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I do, and we’re stuck with the type of production we got this season for another what, 6 years? Lovely.

"Unpleasant Internet Dude"

by david d on Oct 10, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

When he's not injured he's one of the best hitters on the team.

Remember earlier in the year when he was on fire?

Residing on the BEast coast.

by DCyanks21 on Oct 10, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

he got hurt a few too many times this season

Next season, I see him DHing or resting at least 1 game/week, if not more. Hopefully that will keep him healthier. However, they’d better find a good veterinarian to replace Gene Monahan!

by pastor2b on Oct 10, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I take ARod's decline as a given so I don't worry about it anymore.

by garp on Oct 10, 2011 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

Madison Bumgarner would be nice.

I like Clayton Kershaw and Matt Moore as well. That’s about it.

by E-ROC on Oct 10, 2011 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

Kershaw might be the best pitcher of the choices

but LA isn’t giving him up. the Rays aren’t trading with the Yankees, and especially not the number 1 pitching prospect in the entire league. Bumgarner would probably be the only available one. he is very good though and is only 21

I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee fan.

by NJsandman on Oct 10, 2011 11:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Matt Moore needs to show more.

No pun intended.

Residing on the BEast coast.

by DCyanks21 on Oct 10, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Ditto for Jesus Montero.

by E-ROC on Oct 10, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Montero seems more concrete than Moore.

Residing on the BEast coast.

by DCyanks21 on Oct 10, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Matt Moore

lets be honest…had anyone even heard his name before his start against NY ? Way too small of a sample size from him…even though I do believe he has awesome POTENTIAL, Kershaw is an awesome

by jeters02 on Oct 10, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

got cut off

Kershaw is awesome, but teams aren’t in the habit of trading their Cy Young winner for a completely unproven prospect, as much as we’d like to believe we can just go out and get whoever we want in trade.

by jeters02 on Oct 10, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

If you follow prospects you would know him

Far and away the best pitching prospect in baseball.

by Yankees10 on Oct 10, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes...for a long while even

by Scooby Snacks on Oct 10, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Trading Montero?

Yes, the Giants need offense, but the Yanks need Montero. Bumgardner would probably be worthwhile but not at that price. The Giants might want Austin Romine as part of a package given Posey’s injury. Remember that we have Banuelos and Betances, both of whom might be ready for the back of the rotation next year. Even eliminating both Garia and Colon, one would have (presumably) CC, AJ, Nova and Hughes with Joba returning to the bullpen. We don’t need to overpay for starting pitching. If CC goes elsewhere, then I might be more inclined to consider trading Montero even though he is definitely a major-league bat already.

by logiet on Oct 10, 2011 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

I don't know if ManBan will be ready next year; he's only 20 right now, isn't he?

Perhaps after July 1 we will see him a few times, but until then I expect him to stay at SWB. Betances may be an option, however.

by pastor2b on Oct 10, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn’t say to trade him, just building off what was said in another article that was mentioned earlier today.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

by Frank Campagnola on Oct 10, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Random Thoughts

The Giants already have an All-Star catcher, so what would they do with Montero? If they think he can play right field, then we should be considering that option ourselves. I have a feeling (or wishful thinking) that if A-Rod continues to struggle and have injury plagued seasons, he will retire before his contract is up. Also, I am not a fan of trading for pitchers who have been successful in the national league, especially in a week West division. Finally, Texiera needs to spend the winter with KL…and fix his swing. We need him to hit 25-30 HR and hit 310….otherwise he is Jason Giambi with a better glove at 1st.

by jeters02 on Oct 10, 2011 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

Jason Giambi with an elite glove isn’t a bad thing, it’s just not what the Yankees were expecting when they signed him.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

by Frank Campagnola on Oct 10, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

At $23 million a year?

Not sure the New York version of Giambi is worth that kind of money.

by bango31 on Oct 10, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Hence why I said:

it’s just not what the Yankees were expecting when they signed him.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

by Frank Campagnola on Oct 10, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Right

I was just stating the obvious. Wasn’t disagreeing.

by bango31 on Oct 11, 2011 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think the Yankees should play Judas to Jesus.

by bango31 on Oct 10, 2011 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think they will/should trade Montero, but

I don’t think he’s going to be used as a catcher full time. I think Romine will catch.

by powerlifter610 on Oct 10, 2011 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not panicking about this Yankee team.

Granted that could change if the Yankees do something stupid like can Cashman or trade Montero for a middle-of-the-rotation-pitcher-that-we-pretend-could-be-an-ace-but-probably-won’t-be.

I think Alex Rodriguez is very easy to make a scapegoat out of, but he does a lot more things “right” than wrong. Yes, he gets paid too much but that is not a concern of the fans. Regardless of whatever “slump” he goes into, pitchers will ALWAYS pitch carefully to him. He is always gonna be a threat to hit a homerrun or an extra base hit. I share Brandon’s perspective that we need only worry that ARod will become susceptible to injury. But when he is healthy, I want him in the game and playing 3rd base. I have a lot of confidence in him still and for the next 3 years at least.
The same should be said for Teixeira too. He has proven himself for many years to be an excellent hitter and a fantastic glove. Even as he hit .248 this season, he still dropped 39 bombs and drove in 111 runs. At 31, he has plenty left!!

Lastly, I hope CC doesn’t shakedown the Yankees for more money. He makes a ton as it is, and adding to it will probably be something we regret when he is near the end of his contract. If he DOES make a move for more $$, well… we will probably have to pony up. We need a frontline ace and he is an elite pitcher. Besides, aren;t pinstripes supposed to make you look thinner?

"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate basketball stage. That's where I belong. That's where I live. That's the home of the New York Knicks." - Amar'e Stoudemire

by Chris Child's Fist on Oct 10, 2011 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Worried about A-Rod?

Not for next year. He got injured too much this year but it was really his first lost year in pinstripes (and of his career actually). In April-June of this year when he was healthy, he was crushing the ball, on pace for well over 30 and 100 and possibly on his way to a fourth MVP. He got injured and wasn’t the same this season. It happens. It was a shame, but I don’t see any reason why he can’t get back to being a great hitter if he’s healthy. He’s not the player he once was, but getting back to 30 HR and 100 RBI is certainly reachable for him. He certainly still knows how to hit- that much I’m sure of.

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 10, 2011 4:19 PM EDT reply actions