02/15: Mo: I'm Not Upset.
Posted by: Patrick
The best thing you can do to see how Mo feels and what the current situation is, better than reading any article, is to listen to the audio clip that Mark Feinsand posted. There is rarely anything clearer than hearing it directly from the source. I listened to the entire clip and I feel like the whole thing was overblown. While some articles posted online today are focusing on the line where he says that once he is a free agent, everyone will get an equal shot (and the Yankees will not have an advantage), you have to listen to the whole thing.
He speaks complementary of the Yankees, he says that they have never disrespected him, they have always taken care of him, he wants to remain a Yankee and he understands the Bernie Williams situation. The clip is definitely worth a listen (especially for anyone who may have already thrown Mo under the bus, so to speak, as hard as it is to believe that anyone would be so unfair as to do that because of a few quotes in some articles). He said that opening day is really the deadline to get anything done. After that, they won't be talking further because he doesn't want to be a distraction.
He speaks complementary of the Yankees, he says that they have never disrespected him, they have always taken care of him, he wants to remain a Yankee and he understands the Bernie Williams situation. The clip is definitely worth a listen (especially for anyone who may have already thrown Mo under the bus, so to speak, as hard as it is to believe that anyone would be so unfair as to do that because of a few quotes in some articles). He said that opening day is really the deadline to get anything done. After that, they won't be talking further because he doesn't want to be a distraction.
Posted by: Patrick
From Mark Feinsand:
The Yankees just announced that they will wear a black armband on their uniforms this season to honor the memory of Cory Lidle, who died in a plane crash last October.
02/14: Mo Doesn't Rule Out Boston
Posted by: Patrick
George King:
Determined to become a free agent? I don't really think that's accurate. Or, I hope not.
Via PSD.
Sitting in his car outside Legends Field yesterday, Rivera was asked by The Post if he could be Boston's closer next year.
"You never know," said Rivera, who is determined to become a free agent after the World Series since the Yankees didn't react to his December request for a two-year contract extension.
"You never know," said Rivera, who is determined to become a free agent after the World Series since the Yankees didn't react to his December request for a two-year contract extension.
Determined to become a free agent? I don't really think that's accurate. Or, I hope not.
Via PSD.
02/14: Hughes Next to Jeter
Posted by: Patrick
From the New York Daily News:
Philip Hughes found his locker located next to Derek Jeter's instead of in the middle of the rookie section. Apparently, the Yankees are hoping that Hughes can learn a thing or two from the captain, who doesn't officially report to camp until Sunday.
02/13: Yanks Re-Sign Villone
Posted by: James
Hmm - this is an interesting (and very curious) move. According to John Heyman over at Sports Illustrated, the Yankees have resigned Ron Villone.
Well, considering how many relievers and prospects are mentioned when Yankees roster is analyzed, I'm very surprised at this move, especially considering Villone's overuse and subsequent meltdown last year (2.27 ERA before the All-Star break, 8.35 ERA after; in 2005, 2.52 and 6.04, respectively.)
He stands to make $2.5 million if he makes the club, which is likely, and an additional $300,000 in incentives based on games pitched. He will compete with Sean Henn and Mike Myers for a spot in the bullpen
Well, considering how many relievers and prospects are mentioned when Yankees roster is analyzed, I'm very surprised at this move, especially considering Villone's overuse and subsequent meltdown last year (2.27 ERA before the All-Star break, 8.35 ERA after; in 2005, 2.52 and 6.04, respectively.)
02/13: Extending Mariano
Posted by: Patrick
Ken Davidoff writes that extending Mo isn't wise and says that Mo would sign for about 2 years at $12 million a year now ... or next November. With all of the money everyone is making these days, that doesn't seem like enough to me, but I guess it makes sense (although, it would not at all shock me to see someone come in and go much higher than that - $20 million? - to get him away from New York and, if he has a great year this year, it'll still be a good deal).
I understand that Mo will be 38 next year and I understand that that is old. But, who is going to fault Cashman if he picks Mo up at around that money and then Mo never pitches another game. How could you fault him? If that happens (besides crying myself to sleep), I'll always, always look funny at anyone who looks back and says "well, Cashman shouldn't have signed him."
I don't need to cite numbers or performance because everyone already knows. There are pros and cons to both approach. However, one major pro is that if we lock him up now, there will be nothing for him to think about come November. Mo wants to be a Yankee, we know that. But, when he actually has the options in front of him, that could change. Do we want that to happen?
I don't even want to imagine not having Mo in 2008. My brain can't process things like that. But, forcing it to do so, I look at the FA class next year, from Cot's. Nothing that excites me. I mean, yeah, Trevor Hoffman is good, but he's two years older than Mo which defeats the purpose. The Twins aren't going to let Joe Nathan walk at that price. We have a very good bullpen (with Mo being a very big part of why it is so), but as far as a closer... eh. Minors? Who knows. Mo was a nobody once, too, of course. Some work in '95, setup in '96, closer in '97. So, the next great Yankees closer could be waiting, certainly. As great as Mo? Probably not. But, that day is going to come eventually. Still, we should be hoping that it's later, rather than sooner.
Forget the fact that he's a career Yankee, a model citizen, etc. etc. Looking at it from risk/reward. Is it worth the risk of him suddenly imploding to prevent him from having options in 2008? Or, is it worth running the risk of him having options in 2008 to prevent us from being stuck paying him for 2 more years if he implodes? Personally, I'd take the former.
I understand that Mo will be 38 next year and I understand that that is old. But, who is going to fault Cashman if he picks Mo up at around that money and then Mo never pitches another game. How could you fault him? If that happens (besides crying myself to sleep), I'll always, always look funny at anyone who looks back and says "well, Cashman shouldn't have signed him."
I don't need to cite numbers or performance because everyone already knows. There are pros and cons to both approach. However, one major pro is that if we lock him up now, there will be nothing for him to think about come November. Mo wants to be a Yankee, we know that. But, when he actually has the options in front of him, that could change. Do we want that to happen?
I don't even want to imagine not having Mo in 2008. My brain can't process things like that. But, forcing it to do so, I look at the FA class next year, from Cot's. Nothing that excites me. I mean, yeah, Trevor Hoffman is good, but he's two years older than Mo which defeats the purpose. The Twins aren't going to let Joe Nathan walk at that price. We have a very good bullpen (with Mo being a very big part of why it is so), but as far as a closer... eh. Minors? Who knows. Mo was a nobody once, too, of course. Some work in '95, setup in '96, closer in '97. So, the next great Yankees closer could be waiting, certainly. As great as Mo? Probably not. But, that day is going to come eventually. Still, we should be hoping that it's later, rather than sooner.
Forget the fact that he's a career Yankee, a model citizen, etc. etc. Looking at it from risk/reward. Is it worth the risk of him suddenly imploding to prevent him from having options in 2008? Or, is it worth running the risk of him having options in 2008 to prevent us from being stuck paying him for 2 more years if he implodes? Personally, I'd take the former.
Posted by: Patrick
From the mouth of Mo:
Definitely a little out of character. Maybe he was just in a (decidedly rare) bad mood, out of frustration.
"I definitely want to finish my career here, but if they don't give me the respect I deserve, I have to move on," Rivera said. Asked if he felt he wasn't being given that respect, Rivera responded, "The Yankees always give me the respect. When it comes to these times (contracts ending), I don't like to talk about it. It's a business.
"If they have somebody who will do the job better than I do, they will do it. I don't worry about those things. When the time comes, if they want me back, they want me back. Otherwise, I am not going to sit in my house crying. I have to move on. I would definitely love to be a Yankee and finish as a Yankee, but I only have one more year for that."
"If they have somebody who will do the job better than I do, they will do it. I don't worry about those things. When the time comes, if they want me back, they want me back. Otherwise, I am not going to sit in my house crying. I have to move on. I would definitely love to be a Yankee and finish as a Yankee, but I only have one more year for that."
Definitely a little out of character. Maybe he was just in a (decidedly rare) bad mood, out of frustration.
Posted by: Patrick
From The New York Times:
Via Steve.
... Williams said, he would maintain a waiting game of sorts by staying home, staying in shape, spurning offers of guaranteed contracts from other teams and waiting for the Yankees to change their minds and offer him a guaranteed spot on the roster. He spoke in his usual calm demeanor.
“I think if they wanted me, they would have signed me already,” said Williams, who has spent 16 seasons with the Yankees, the only team he has played for. “The option to go to spring training and see what happened — I don’t think at this moment it is something I want to consider.”
“I think if they wanted me, they would have signed me already,” said Williams, who has spent 16 seasons with the Yankees, the only team he has played for. “The option to go to spring training and see what happened — I don’t think at this moment it is something I want to consider.”
Via Steve.
02/09: Sickels on Clippard
Posted by: James
John Sickels over at MinorLeagueBall.com checks in with his look at one of the more polarizing prospects in baseball, Tyler Clippard. I'd also check out the comments as they are often as good as the post.
I am more than a little biased when it comes to Clippard as I've always been the type who roots for the underdog.
The list of comparable pitchers generated by Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA system is intriguing, including Anibal Sanchez, John Patterson, Ralph Terry, and Javier Vazquez on the positive side, with Pete Broberg, John Stephens, Dicky Gonzalez, and Scott Sobkowiak on the `not-so-positive' end.
I am more than a little biased when it comes to Clippard as I've always been the type who roots for the underdog.
02/09: Hank Bauer Dies
Posted by: Patrick
Bill Madden reports that Hank Bauer has passed away:
Rest in peace.
Hank Bauer, the rough-hewn, much-decorated ex-Marine who went on to become an integral player on nine Yankee championship teams from 1949-59 and set a record that still stands of hitting in 17 consecutive World Series games, died today of lung cancer. He was 84.
Rest in peace.
