Around the Yankees..Galaxy?, Monday, 12/14/2009

I think "galaxy" works, so we don't have to worry about getting sued.

-It seems like Brian Cashman has gone all Bernie Williams on Chien-Ming Wang, ending his Yankees career for all intents and purposes.  I’m beating a dead horse here, but I don’t get it.  Nobody, not even Wang’s agent it seems, was expecting anything unrealistic.  But a non-guaranteed, minor-league deal?  Rich Harden just got $6.5 million guaranteed for crying out loud, and while he’s is more talented, I’d bet on anybody (Wang included) to pitch more innings than Harden next season.  We’re going to have to trust that Cashman knows something we don't, but I’m worried this move will could back to bite the Yankees.

-Something isn't adding up with Johnny Damon.  Jon Heyman was reporting that Scott Boras was basically asking for a redux of his last contract, but Damon is saying that's not true.  It’s easy to revile Boras, but it is his job to earn the most he can for his clients, and he usually does his job well.  We’ll see what happens, though; even he has a big swing and miss occasionally.  I remember Jeff Weaver rejecting a 3-year offer for about $25 million from the Cardinals the year after he won the World Series with them.  That worked out well.  On a side note, if Damon does leave the Yankees I hope he goes for the Biblical look again. 

-No new developments on the chances of trading Brett Gardner.  As much as I like seeing a home-grown player make a contribution with the big league club, I think Gardner’s speed makes him the type of player who’s perceived value may far exceed his actual value.  Let's face it, he has no power, doesn’t get on base at an exceptionally high clip, and plays good, but not great defense.  If Cashman can turn him into something useful, he should. 

-Chad Jennings over at LoHud posted a great rundown of the Yankees rotation depth as of right now. 

-Brian Cashman is kidding, I hope.