Posted by: Patrick
Our next guest in our series of interviews is SG of Replacement Level Yankees Weblog.
When you're not blogging about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
Mainly working long hours for my large IT corporation employer. When I'm not working I like to work out, play guitar or read.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
About 2 years. I started out just reading Larry Mahnken's stuff and then when he went on hiatus he asked a few of to help him out.
When you're not blogging about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
Mainly working long hours for my large IT corporation employer. When I'm not working I like to work out, play guitar or read.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
About 2 years. I started out just reading Larry Mahnken's stuff and then when he went on hiatus he asked a few of to help him out.
01/24: MMMmmm...Piazza
Posted by: James
I think it, the reporters print it.
In the last post, I mentioned in closing that Piazza would be a far more attractive option as a backup catcher and now there are conflicting reports that the Yankees might indeed be interested. Newsday reports:
In the last post, I mentioned in closing that Piazza would be a far more attractive option as a backup catcher and now there are conflicting reports that the Yankees might indeed be interested. Newsday reports:
The Yankees have some interest in Piazza and will consider whether to offer the Cooperstown-bound catcher a contract, American League sources told Newsday yesterday.
Piazza's agent, Dan Lozano, has called Yankees general manager Brian Cashman regarding the free agent's interest in playing for the Yankees, and Cashman did not dismiss the offer. On the contrary, it is expected that the Yankees soon will consider the merits of signing Piazza - primarily as a designated hitter - if they haven't already.
Reached yesterday by phone, Cashman, back from a rare Caribbean vacation, indicated that organizational higher-ups hadn't yet weighed the pros and cons of the Piazza possibility. But he didn't close the door at all.
"We're fairly set. Our designated hitter spot is taken by Bernie Williams and Andy Phillips. But I'll keep an open mind," Cashman said. "I'm always open to consider any possibility that may help the ballclub."
Piazza's agent, Dan Lozano, has called Yankees general manager Brian Cashman regarding the free agent's interest in playing for the Yankees, and Cashman did not dismiss the offer. On the contrary, it is expected that the Yankees soon will consider the merits of signing Piazza - primarily as a designated hitter - if they haven't already.
Reached yesterday by phone, Cashman, back from a rare Caribbean vacation, indicated that organizational higher-ups hadn't yet weighed the pros and cons of the Piazza possibility. But he didn't close the door at all.
"We're fairly set. Our designated hitter spot is taken by Bernie Williams and Andy Phillips. But I'll keep an open mind," Cashman said. "I'm always open to consider any possibility that may help the ballclub."
01/23: Molina: Yanks Would Be Nice
Posted by: James
Benjie Molina seems to have missed out on the free-agent shopping spree that was taking place earlier in the off-season. He wasn't even offered arbitration from his former team, the Angels. Still, he holds out hope that he will be signed soon and says there are several teams still interested, one of whom is the Yankees.
Hey, I'm a dreamer but if I was a GM and was looking for a backup catcher who wouldn't be a huge dropoff at the plate if, God forbid, Jorge was to get hurt, a certain Mr. Piazza, who is still looking for a job, would be tops on my list and would certainly be more attractive than Molina.
"(The Angels) just didn't do their part," Molina said of the split. "They were just trying to save my money for the younger kids. People think that the Angels offered me money but they never offered me nothing, nada. I never turned down anything because they never offered me anything.
According to Molina, several teams are still showing interest in the catcher's services. He and his agent, Alan Nero, have continued talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, as well as the New York Yankees, who would like to find someone to platoon behind the plate along with current catcher Jorge Posada.
Molina said he would like to keep playing close to home on the West Coast, making the Dodgers an ideal fit. But the idea of putting on the pinstripes for George Steinbrenner's Yankees also has its appeal.
"(The Yankees) would be great," Molina said. "It would be a lot of fun to play there."
Molina said he believes his worth as a veteran catcher with a .273 career batting average is around $6 million a year, which is $2 million more than the possible offers he has been hearing so far. If a deal isn't reached with a Major League team soon, the idea of sitting out a season remains a possibility.
According to Molina, several teams are still showing interest in the catcher's services. He and his agent, Alan Nero, have continued talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, as well as the New York Yankees, who would like to find someone to platoon behind the plate along with current catcher Jorge Posada.
Molina said he would like to keep playing close to home on the West Coast, making the Dodgers an ideal fit. But the idea of putting on the pinstripes for George Steinbrenner's Yankees also has its appeal.
"(The Yankees) would be great," Molina said. "It would be a lot of fun to play there."
Molina said he believes his worth as a veteran catcher with a .273 career batting average is around $6 million a year, which is $2 million more than the possible offers he has been hearing so far. If a deal isn't reached with a Major League team soon, the idea of sitting out a season remains a possibility.
Hey, I'm a dreamer but if I was a GM and was looking for a backup catcher who wouldn't be a huge dropoff at the plate if, God forbid, Jorge was to get hurt, a certain Mr. Piazza, who is still looking for a job, would be tops on my list and would certainly be more attractive than Molina.
Posted by: James
Shawn Chacon and Aaron Small have submitted their proposals of how much they think that their services are worth and the Yankees have countered.
Chacon, who earned $2.35 million in 2005, asked for $4.15 million (a 76.6% raise!) and the Yankees countered with an offer of $3.1 million (31.9% raise). Small made $350,000 last season asked for a raise to $1.45 million (a 314.3% raise!!!) and the Yankees countered with $1.025 million (192.9% raise). If they do end up in front of the arbitrator, I think Chacon will probably get the figure he wants based on his years in the league. Chacon might have been able to ask for a little more based on the absurd market for mediocre pitching this off-season (see Washburn, Jarrod) but who knows, there are added benefits for Shawn now that he plays for NY. Small is more of an unknown quantity so the Yankees should have the advantage there. In any case, I think that we can all learn a lesson here: we should have all become professional ballplayers!
Chacon, who earned $2.35 million in 2005, asked for $4.15 million (a 76.6% raise!) and the Yankees countered with an offer of $3.1 million (31.9% raise). Small made $350,000 last season asked for a raise to $1.45 million (a 314.3% raise!!!) and the Yankees countered with $1.025 million (192.9% raise). If they do end up in front of the arbitrator, I think Chacon will probably get the figure he wants based on his years in the league. Chacon might have been able to ask for a little more based on the absurd market for mediocre pitching this off-season (see Washburn, Jarrod) but who knows, there are added benefits for Shawn now that he plays for NY. Small is more of an unknown quantity so the Yankees should have the advantage there. In any case, I think that we can all learn a lesson here: we should have all become professional ballplayers!
Posted by: Seamus
Alex Rodriguez has decided to play for the United States in the inaugural World Baseball Classic, according to the Associated Press. Rodriguez had initially decided against playing in the WBC because he was torn between playing for the U.S. or with the Dominican team and said he would not "dishonor" either country.
Well now that A-Rod has joined, it is quite possible that the entire top third of the American lineup will be Yankees (Damon, Jeter and Rodriguez). So much for the Yankees being selfish ugly Amerians.
"In recent weeks, following dialogue with caring friends and players, both Dominican and American, I reached the conclusion that if I played in the Classic, I would play for the United States and honor my American citizenship," Rodriguez said in a statement on his Web site.
Well now that A-Rod has joined, it is quite possible that the entire top third of the American lineup will be Yankees (Damon, Jeter and Rodriguez). So much for the Yankees being selfish ugly Amerians.
01/17: Best Team Ever
Posted by: Patrick
Roger Weber over at Baseball Almanac ranks the greatest teams ever.
Including all teams? 1920 and later? 1927 Yankees. 1947 and later? 1961 and later? 1998 Yankees. The 1920 and later list has the Yankees in 8 out of 10 spots while the 1961 and later list (the list with the fewest Yankee entries) has them in 2 slots.
Via Steve.
Including all teams? 1920 and later? 1927 Yankees. 1947 and later? 1961 and later? 1998 Yankees. The 1920 and later list has the Yankees in 8 out of 10 spots while the 1961 and later list (the list with the fewest Yankee entries) has them in 2 slots.
Via Steve.
01/16: Draft situation
Posted by: James
With most of the wheeling, dealing and signing done, here is where the Yankees stand in terms of draft picks.
-With the Damon signing, the Red Sox get the Yanks first round pick (28th overall)
-For Farnsworth, the Braves' compensation pick will get dropped down to the 2nd round (71st overall).
-With the Tom Gordon signing, the Yankees actually move up, going from the 28th pick to the Phillies' 21st overall pick. They also receive the 40th pick in the draft in the sandwich round between the first and second rounds.
In essence, the Yankees will have 2 picks in the first round and none in the second.
-With the Damon signing, the Red Sox get the Yanks first round pick (28th overall)
-For Farnsworth, the Braves' compensation pick will get dropped down to the 2nd round (71st overall).
-With the Tom Gordon signing, the Yankees actually move up, going from the 28th pick to the Phillies' 21st overall pick. They also receive the 40th pick in the draft in the sandwich round between the first and second rounds.
In essence, the Yankees will have 2 picks in the first round and none in the second.
01/16: Nelson to the Cardinals
Posted by: James
It looks like Jeff Nelson has decided to forgo pinstripes in exchange for some Cardinal red. St. Louis gave him a minor-league contract worth about $800,000 if he makes the big-league club out of spring training, with incentives could push the deal to more than $1 million.
As much as I liked the results that Nelson put up when he was with the Yankees, I'm happy to see him being added to another team's roster. I wasn't enthused with the rumors ealier this month that Jeff was going to be given a spring training invite. Of course, now we have word from NY Newsday that Tanyon Sturtze is still hurting.
I don't think that losing Sturtze would be an enormous loss but it would explain the interest in Jeff Nelson.
As much as I liked the results that Nelson put up when he was with the Yankees, I'm happy to see him being added to another team's roster. I wasn't enthused with the rumors ealier this month that Jeff was going to be given a spring training invite. Of course, now we have word from NY Newsday that Tanyon Sturtze is still hurting.
Tanyon Sturtze took his late 2005 right shoulder woes seriously enough to spend his offseason in Manhattan so he could make thrice-weekly visits to a Columbia-Presbyterian specialist. Tests showed the Yankees reliever's pitching shoulder to be "worn down and weak," Sturtze said Friday at Mohegan Sun.
I don't think that losing Sturtze would be an enormous loss but it would explain the interest in Jeff Nelson.
01/16: Molina
Posted by: Patrick
When Hall freezes over:
Now, I don't want to release Jorge. I like Jorge. Jorge's a good guy and a smart, good player. But, back in my plan, I mentioned signing Molina to split time with Jorge. Jorge could take some time at DH, possibly 1B (no idea?). He'd take time at DH away from Bernie (I'm not saying that's good or bad, but that would be a result). Back then, it did seem pretty unlikely. But, as Molina does not yet have a team, you never know. I don't want to pay Molina backup money, I want to pay him virtual starter money. Not the deal he probably could have received at the beginning, but good money nonetheless. Might he be up for a 1 year deal on a top contender and then next year, depending on what we do with Jorge, we could bring him back or let him go.
Looking back at that plan, there were 10 guys out of the 25 that we did not have under contract. We got 3 of the guys I wanted - Matsui, Bernie and Cairo. Damon for Torii Hunter (the one trade in the plan). Stinnett for Molina (as of now). Andy Phillips for Tino. ? for Damian Jackson. Farnsworth for Ryan. Dotel for Gordon. Myers for Sauerbeck.
Via Derek Jacques.
Poor Benji Molina, who weeks ago found himself without a chair when the music stopped and still is looking for a team. What were the odds that Alan Embree (Padres), Fernando Vina (Mariners) or, for that matter, Bret Boone would get jobs before Molina, who hit .295 with 15 homers and 69 RBI last year? Molina turned down three years, $21 million from the Mets and will probably wind up with a one-year deal from the Blue Jays. But now that Molina can probably be signed on the cheap, maybe the Yankees should consider signing him and releasing Jorge Posada (who they have to pay anyway next year) in order to save themselves $12 million on the '07 option that kicks in if he starts 81 games in '06? Just a thought, although they would probably have to first consult with Randy Johnson.
Now, I don't want to release Jorge. I like Jorge. Jorge's a good guy and a smart, good player. But, back in my plan, I mentioned signing Molina to split time with Jorge. Jorge could take some time at DH, possibly 1B (no idea?). He'd take time at DH away from Bernie (I'm not saying that's good or bad, but that would be a result). Back then, it did seem pretty unlikely. But, as Molina does not yet have a team, you never know. I don't want to pay Molina backup money, I want to pay him virtual starter money. Not the deal he probably could have received at the beginning, but good money nonetheless. Might he be up for a 1 year deal on a top contender and then next year, depending on what we do with Jorge, we could bring him back or let him go.
Looking back at that plan, there were 10 guys out of the 25 that we did not have under contract. We got 3 of the guys I wanted - Matsui, Bernie and Cairo. Damon for Torii Hunter (the one trade in the plan). Stinnett for Molina (as of now). Andy Phillips for Tino. ? for Damian Jackson. Farnsworth for Ryan. Dotel for Gordon. Myers for Sauerbeck.
Via Derek Jacques.
Posted by: Patrick
Our next guest is Jennifer Muller of NoSenseWorrying.com.
When you're not blogging about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
I got a new job recently, so that has been taking up much of my time. I happen to be in the pre-paid phone card business now.
As a hobby I shoot archery. Just got back from league actually. On another Yankee related note, the archery shop I go to has been visited by a few Yankee players. Pettitte, Wells, Stottlemyre, Chad Curtis. Mike Stanton came in recently on a recommendation from his former teammates. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the store on any of these occasions but I get to hear all the stories.
I'm also a Rangers, Giants and Metrostars fan. So this off-season hasn't been too bad what with both boys in blue doing well this year.
When you're not blogging about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
I got a new job recently, so that has been taking up much of my time. I happen to be in the pre-paid phone card business now.
As a hobby I shoot archery. Just got back from league actually. On another Yankee related note, the archery shop I go to has been visited by a few Yankee players. Pettitte, Wells, Stottlemyre, Chad Curtis. Mike Stanton came in recently on a recommendation from his former teammates. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the store on any of these occasions but I get to hear all the stories.
I'm also a Rangers, Giants and Metrostars fan. So this off-season hasn't been too bad what with both boys in blue doing well this year.
