Posted by: Patrick
From the official site:
Congrats to A-Rod.
When stacks of yellow Sporting News ballots made their way to lockers around the Major Leagues late this season, the very first question asked turned out to be the easiest.
Alex Rodriguez was a runaway selection as the publication's Major League Player of the Year, as selected by his peers, earning 353 of 488 votes cast by big league players. Rodriguez's closest competitor was the Detroit Tigers' Magglio Ordonez, who received 39 votes.
Alex Rodriguez was a runaway selection as the publication's Major League Player of the Year, as selected by his peers, earning 353 of 488 votes cast by big league players. Rodriguez's closest competitor was the Detroit Tigers' Magglio Ordonez, who received 39 votes.
Congrats to A-Rod.
10/15: Here's the Plan
Posted by: Patrick
There are lots of offseason plans for the Yankees floating around. So, let's take a crack at one. I'm going to keep it reasonable - no trades for players we'll be using. Only guys we have or guys that will or will likely hit the free agent market. There are two trades I'd like to see in the realm of addition by subtraction, however.
This offseason, I want us to trade Jason Giambi and Kyle Farnsworth. Yes, I know "I want to trade Jason Giambi" and "I want to buy a Bentley" are similar. They both sound nice - but how's that gonna happen? Cashman was able to deal Sheffield, Randy and Wright and net us good deals (yes, it'll be even harder to trade Giambi), so I'll leave this to him. We owe Giambi $26 million dollars - $22 in 2008 and a $5 million dollar buy out on a $22 million dollar club option in 2009. So, yeah, we'd have to include a good amount of money. But, I'm sick of him taking up a roster spot.
He's terrible in the field, he's always a moment away from an injury and, this year, he couldn't even hit when he was actually available. He didn't even hit against righties - .239 against lefties, .246 against righties. .295 OBA against lefties, .389 OBA against righties. Overall, .236 AVG and .356 OBA. Yeah, he gives us some homers and some walks, but at what cost? When he walks, you pinch run for him or you get one of the slowest baserunners in the game. I don't want him taking any more time at first or really any more spots on the roster.
Kyle Farnsworth has some talent, but it's probably pretty plain to see that he'd be better somewhere that is not New York. He's had his moments, but he can't be relied upon to take a lead. He has some value, even though he'll make $5.5 million. Yeah, he cleared waivers this year, but I think he's definitely dealable if we eat a little of his salary (note: less than half). I don't want him taking a spot away from someone else. It's not worth it.
This offseason, I want us to trade Jason Giambi and Kyle Farnsworth. Yes, I know "I want to trade Jason Giambi" and "I want to buy a Bentley" are similar. They both sound nice - but how's that gonna happen? Cashman was able to deal Sheffield, Randy and Wright and net us good deals (yes, it'll be even harder to trade Giambi), so I'll leave this to him. We owe Giambi $26 million dollars - $22 in 2008 and a $5 million dollar buy out on a $22 million dollar club option in 2009. So, yeah, we'd have to include a good amount of money. But, I'm sick of him taking up a roster spot.
He's terrible in the field, he's always a moment away from an injury and, this year, he couldn't even hit when he was actually available. He didn't even hit against righties - .239 against lefties, .246 against righties. .295 OBA against lefties, .389 OBA against righties. Overall, .236 AVG and .356 OBA. Yeah, he gives us some homers and some walks, but at what cost? When he walks, you pinch run for him or you get one of the slowest baserunners in the game. I don't want him taking any more time at first or really any more spots on the roster.
Kyle Farnsworth has some talent, but it's probably pretty plain to see that he'd be better somewhere that is not New York. He's had his moments, but he can't be relied upon to take a lead. He has some value, even though he'll make $5.5 million. Yeah, he cleared waivers this year, but I think he's definitely dealable if we eat a little of his salary (note: less than half). I don't want him taking a spot away from someone else. It's not worth it.
10/15: Pettitte Triggering Option?
Posted by: James
Don't know how much of this is simple speculation but Ken Davidoff over at Newsday has the following towards the end of his article about the Rocket:
While Clemens likely won't be a Yankee next year, Andy Pettitte almost certainly will. Pettitte, one of the most honorable players in the game, intends to exercise his $16-million player option for 2008 even though he surely could get a long-term deal in the free-agent market.
Posted by: James
If you have a subscription to Pinstripes Plus, this is when you get your money's worth. They have a six-part (so far) interview with Nardi Contreras, the Yankees minor league pitching coordinator, up that is very much worth your time.
If you don't have a subscription, I will see if I can summarize some of the more important points as the day goes on.
If you don't have a subscription, I will see if I can summarize some of the more important points as the day goes on.
10/14: Bring Back Mo!
Posted by: Patrick
I just wanted to mention the Bring Back Mo! feature on MarianoRivera.com. Just launched, if you have a website, blog, MySpace, etc., we have a graphic that you can take and add to your page and if you link to the site, we'll link back to you. So, if you're interested, give it a look. Thanks.
Posted by: Patrick
Brad Hamilton has an interview with Hank Steinbrenner.
"George has taken on a role like the chairman of a major corporation," said team president Randy Levine. "He's been saying for years he's wanted to get his sons involved in the family business. Both of them have stepped up and are taking on the day-to-day duties of what's required to run the Yankees."
"There's always been a succession - and that's myself and my brother," Hank told The Post in an exclusive interview.
He said he and Hal will have final say on baseball decisions as well as the running of the YES Network and the construction of the new Yankee Stadium.
"I'll pay more attention to the baseball part. The stadium, that's more Hal. But basically everything will be decided jointly."
"There's always been a succession - and that's myself and my brother," Hank told The Post in an exclusive interview.
He said he and Hal will have final say on baseball decisions as well as the running of the YES Network and the construction of the new Yankee Stadium.
"I'll pay more attention to the baseball part. The stadium, that's more Hal. But basically everything will be decided jointly."
Posted by: Patrick
From Pete Caldera:
No shock on Phil, but there had been a little discussion about Joba. I'm behind the move to starter, so I'm happy to see it. The article notes that Moose and Sir Ian may need to compete for the 5th spot. Wang (/Santana?), Pettitte, Hughes, Joba, Kennedy... that makes me a little giddy. Please let the last 3 on that list live up to the expectations.
"I think it could be that just about everything that's on the table now could be decided by the end of next week," Hank Steinbrenner told AP. "The only thing that's been decided, that we all agree on, is that Chamberlain and Hughes start out spring training as starters."
No shock on Phil, but there had been a little discussion about Joba. I'm behind the move to starter, so I'm happy to see it. The article notes that Moose and Sir Ian may need to compete for the 5th spot. Wang (/Santana?), Pettitte, Hughes, Joba, Kennedy... that makes me a little giddy. Please let the last 3 on that list live up to the expectations.
10/13: Wang for Santana?
Posted by: Patrick
Dave and Aziz discuss the possibility of trading Wang for Twins' ace Johan Santana. They note that Peter Gammons reported that 2 hours after our season ended, a call was made to discuss what could be packaged with Wang to get Santana.
I like Wang. He's a good pitcher and he's proven that he can pitch in New York. And while he may not be an ace, he is a very good pitcher. I like how he goes about his business. Quiet, calm, professional. A great fit for New York. He's also under our control for the next 3 seasons.
But, of course, this is Johan Santana we're talking about. He's definitely an ace. He's won the Cy Young twice. And he is only one year older than Wang. He'll be a free agent after the 2008 season and, obviously, any deal for him will result in him signing a new (and large) long term deal. How much will that be? Well, on base salary, Roger Clemens was the highest paid pitcher in baseball this year, making about $17.4 million dollars (the contract was for $28,000,022, but it was prorated from when he actually became a part of the MLB roster). According to USA TODAY, second was a tie between Bartolo Colon and Andy Pettitte at $16 million. Johan is slated to make $13.25 next year.
I'm not very good at predicting this sort of thing, but Carlos Zambrano's recent deal probably gives us a decent point of guidance. He signed a 5 year, $91.5 million dollar extension. That works out to an annual salary average of $18.3 million. Zambrano is not the pitcher that Johan is, in numbers or decoration. It's pretty safe to say that Johan's next deal will make him the highest paid pitcher in the game. So, I'm thinking we may be looking in the $20-$22 million dollar per year neighborhood. Maybe that's conservative, but it seems about right.
For the Santana deal to work, I can't really see us giving up Wang and another premier player or prospect. So, for example, no Wang and Cano/Hughes/Joba/Kennedy. In fact, I don't really want to trade any of those young pitchers or Cano for Santana - at all. Cano is young, under our control and improving. He's already one of the best offensive second basemen in the game. Dave and Aziz float the idea of Wang and Melky, since Torii Hunter is a free agent. Though I like Melky, I could do that as we could find another center fielder. But, would they go for it?
Thoughts?
I like Wang. He's a good pitcher and he's proven that he can pitch in New York. And while he may not be an ace, he is a very good pitcher. I like how he goes about his business. Quiet, calm, professional. A great fit for New York. He's also under our control for the next 3 seasons.
But, of course, this is Johan Santana we're talking about. He's definitely an ace. He's won the Cy Young twice. And he is only one year older than Wang. He'll be a free agent after the 2008 season and, obviously, any deal for him will result in him signing a new (and large) long term deal. How much will that be? Well, on base salary, Roger Clemens was the highest paid pitcher in baseball this year, making about $17.4 million dollars (the contract was for $28,000,022, but it was prorated from when he actually became a part of the MLB roster). According to USA TODAY, second was a tie between Bartolo Colon and Andy Pettitte at $16 million. Johan is slated to make $13.25 next year.
I'm not very good at predicting this sort of thing, but Carlos Zambrano's recent deal probably gives us a decent point of guidance. He signed a 5 year, $91.5 million dollar extension. That works out to an annual salary average of $18.3 million. Zambrano is not the pitcher that Johan is, in numbers or decoration. It's pretty safe to say that Johan's next deal will make him the highest paid pitcher in the game. So, I'm thinking we may be looking in the $20-$22 million dollar per year neighborhood. Maybe that's conservative, but it seems about right.
For the Santana deal to work, I can't really see us giving up Wang and another premier player or prospect. So, for example, no Wang and Cano/Hughes/Joba/Kennedy. In fact, I don't really want to trade any of those young pitchers or Cano for Santana - at all. Cano is young, under our control and improving. He's already one of the best offensive second basemen in the game. Dave and Aziz float the idea of Wang and Melky, since Torii Hunter is a free agent. Though I like Melky, I could do that as we could find another center fielder. But, would they go for it?
Thoughts?
Posted by: Patrick
Congrats to A-Rod on picking up the AL Oscar Charleston Legacy Award.
A-Rod has been selected as the American League recipient of the Oscar Charleston Legacy Award as the Most Valuable Player in leading his club to the postseason.
10/12: Wang and the ALDS
Posted by: Patrick
Last night on WMAR, one of the things that we discussed was Chien-Ming Wang and the ALDS. I was asked if bringing him around to pitch game 4 on short rest was the right call. I feel it absolutely was and I supported it at the time. Hindsight says it was a mistake, but hindsight is worthless.
The fact of the matter is that Wang is our ace. Whether or not he is AN ace or not, he is OUR ace. He's our horse. You give him the ball in game 1 and you give him the ball in game 4, facing elimination, when your other option is Mike Mussina. It blew up in our face and we lost, but that doesn't mean it was the wrong call at the time.
I like how some people think that Wang just completely forgot how to pitch. He had 2 bad games. He's 38-13 with an ERA around 3.66 in the last 2 seasons. He was 1-1 in 2 postseason games with an ERA of 2.71 or so before these two games. He didn't suddenly turn into a pumpkin. He's 27 years old and, besides being the ace of a team with a payroll nearing $200 million, he'd be the ace for plenty of other teams. He's a high value player that has performed - a player we should be glad to have. So, let's keep these 2 games in perspective.
The fact of the matter is that Wang is our ace. Whether or not he is AN ace or not, he is OUR ace. He's our horse. You give him the ball in game 1 and you give him the ball in game 4, facing elimination, when your other option is Mike Mussina. It blew up in our face and we lost, but that doesn't mean it was the wrong call at the time.
I like how some people think that Wang just completely forgot how to pitch. He had 2 bad games. He's 38-13 with an ERA around 3.66 in the last 2 seasons. He was 1-1 in 2 postseason games with an ERA of 2.71 or so before these two games. He didn't suddenly turn into a pumpkin. He's 27 years old and, besides being the ace of a team with a payroll nearing $200 million, he'd be the ace for plenty of other teams. He's a high value player that has performed - a player we should be glad to have. So, let's keep these 2 games in perspective.
