Yankees and MLB Hot Stove: Things Still Happening

by Lord Duggan on Dec 12, 2011 1:00 PM EST in New York Yankees News

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The Rays have locked up young phenom Matt Moore for the near future, with a deal that could keep him in Tampa Bay until 2019. While the deal promises a minimum of $14MM (and a maximum of $40MM) to a pitcher who has thrown all of 19.1 major league innings (including the playoffs), if Moore comes within shouting distance of his potential, this will provide a lot of surplus value to the Rays. If Jesus Montero could be signed for a comparable deal, would you do it?
Joe Sheehan of Sports Illustrated opines that Edwin Jackson's perceived value has been greatly reduced by struggles early in his career and having already been a member of six teams. If the Yankees have intentions of bringing in another starting pitcher, Jackson seems like a great bang-for-your-buck candidate.
The market for Carlos Beltran has been surprisingly thin. If a team can sign the 34 year old Beltran (151 wRC+, 4.7 fWAR in 2011) for a one or two year deal, they'll probably get good value.
Francisco Rodriguez has accepted arbitration with the Milwaukee Brewers. As it appeared unlikely that he could secure a job closing elsewhere, K-Rod will make ~$13.5MM to be the primary set up man for Mustached American Hero, John Axford.
The Cardinals have re-upped with Rafael Furcal.
The idea of the Red Sox shifting Daniel Bard into the starting rotation seems to be picking up steam. No word yet on the importance of his demeanor, fastball velocity, and ability to shorten games.

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Understatement line here

Francisco Rodriguez has accepted arbitration with the Milwaukee Brewers… K-Rod will make ~$13.5MM to be the primary set up man

You left out the LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL that is supposed to accompany news of this kind. PS, the Brewers are screwed this year unless Braun pulls one out of his ass.

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by Cory Braiterman on Dec 12, 2011 1:10 PM EST reply actions

If Jesus Montero could be signed for a comparable deal, would you do it?

Absolutely.

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 12, 2011 1:13 PM EST reply actions

Yes.

The Yankees wouldn’t though since they’re still figuring out a position for him though.

"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth

Posting pictures

by Andrew GM on Dec 12, 2011 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

The players value actually increases once they sign a deal like that:
1) $40M/8 years is $5M/Y. In 2011, that’s a little better than a 1.0 WAR player: Jake Westbrook (183IP, 4.66 ERA, 4.08 FIP, 1.53 WHIP and 1.88 K/BB) or a Gordon Beckham (.230/.296/.337). So that’s the floor beneath which the player would need to fall for the deal to be a failure (for Moore or Montero, both will be busts if that’s the level they perform at in their primes).
2) Once the ink is dry, a team knows what that player’s share of the budget will be for a long time going forward. That enables a team to splurge in other areas. It also opens up the trade market: the Rays could trade Moore to the Royals, who wouldn’t have to worry that the kid will win a pair of Cy Youngs and need to be dealt to avoid a $20M arbitration hearing. It also allows a team to plan its marketing for several year (note of caution, see: Braun, Ryan).
3) The deal will actually look better in 2017 than it does now. Barring catastrophe, everything about baseball economics has trended upward since the advent of free agency. 1 WAR costs $5M now, 5 years ago it was about $3.4M. In 2017, Moore will be making large peanuts, but still peanuts compared to what the superstar free agents receive.

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by jscape2000 on Dec 12, 2011 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

To modify your first point, only $14 million of the deal was guaranteed, and if 1 WAR today is worth $5 million, then Moore only needs to be worth about .5 WAR a year.

I’m surprised that teams don’t do this with their top MLB ready prospects every year. Getting a young player locked up for 6+ years while only risking about one half of Albert Pujols’ annual salary is the definition of an undervalued resource.

Jesus Montero has to be a full-time catcher, or the Yankees have to trade him. One or the other. Based on the age and contracts of the other players on this team, that's the only place he fits long-term on the Yankees roster.

by 3460kuri on Dec 12, 2011 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

if only the Yankees believed in this sort of policy

i’ve come to loath the ‘no contract extensions ever’ way of thinking. I know why they would want to do that but its also ridiculous to not look at players on a case by case basis. Cano should have been locked up but now he’ll hit free agency so we can overpay for him as per usual. Montero will be the same thing. As much as we say that Jeter, Posada, Pettitte etc. didn’t exactly take a home town discount to stay with the Yankees, the team pretty much did it to themselves (not that this sort of deal making was prevalent back then)

by jetanumba2 on Dec 12, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

The Yankees did extend Cano after the 2007 season, buying out his arbitration years and first free agent year, plus two option years (2012-2013).

I understand why they’re not locking up Montero – he may have no position to play.

by 3460kuri on Dec 12, 2011 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

Ditto

Love the idea but they won’t do it. They’re buying the “He can’t catch, he’s only a DH” hype.

by Arkansas Yankee on Dec 12, 2011 2:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Bahd as a stahter?

This intrigues me!

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Dec 12, 2011 1:59 PM EST reply actions

should do wonders for Tex's numbers

Doesn’t he hit Bahd like the redcoast did Crispus Attucks?

by long time listener on Dec 12, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

It could be just the kind of pick me up Tex needs

Like a dose of Cialis to his bat!

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Dec 12, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

The person who supports 'Bahd as a stahtuh' [correct spelling and enunciation] most is Bahd himself.

That could go a long way toward getting it done.

I would do the Montero deal even quicker if I were inclined to trade him- the locked in salary makes him more valuable to lower- budget teams who would like to add his bat.

Even the Yankees think $13.5m for a set-up reliever is silly. The only difference is that it doesn’t stop them from doing it.

by designatedquitter on Dec 12, 2011 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

He was a starter for us, and really good at it. They moved him to the pen after being pretty dreadful in A ball. I think he could do it.

Jesus Montero fangirl

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Dec 12, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

But when is the last time someone named Daniel was an effective starter for the Red Sox?

Not a lot of precedent to suggest that he can do it.

by Briceratops on Dec 12, 2011 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

for us?

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Dec 13, 2011 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

UNC

Romine!

by david d on Dec 13, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

gotcha. I was pretty confused, I knew the Yankees drafted him out of high school but he didn’t sign…

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Dec 13, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

ex Cubbie 3B Aramis Ramirez signs with the Brewers for 3 years

"I really can't stand that NFL guy, what's his name? Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." - Coach Trickett FSU

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by nolesbroncos3456 on Dec 12, 2011 5:32 PM EST reply actions

link fail

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111212&content_id=26148942&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

"I really can't stand that NFL guy, what's his name? Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." - Coach Trickett FSU

ronburgundy banned by BBS for making comments on MCM, Champion of the People, I bow down in awe

Datsyuk, He could deke Victoria out of her secret… He’s THE MAN. posted by Josh Howard on Winging it in Motown 10/13/11

Titans DE Dave Ball on Blount: "It’s like trying to tackle a greased up, naked guy in the shower" 11/27/11
follow me on twitter: @nolesunited247

by nolesbroncos3456 on Dec 12, 2011 5:32 PM EST up reply actions