06/17: Barry Zito? Preston Wilson?
Posted by: Patrick
From Ed Price's piece at the star ledger:
Via Pride of the Yankees who suggest the following trade possibilities:
Both deals are intriguing.
On Wilson: He'll turn 30 in under a month and (I believe - might be wrong) he is in the last year of his contract. He is having a decent offensive year (low OBA, as he always has), but that could, of course, worsen when he leaves Colorado. He used to be quick (36 SBs in 2000), but his SB totals have dropped off a bunch (read: basically zero) in the last two years. I haven't been watching him, so I don't know exactly how good his defense is.
Being the last year of his contract, he'd be our "adequate" CF to get us through this year, then we let him go and find someone next year, presumably. Bernie is backup OF and DH while Giambi is backup 1B and DH.
On Zito: Last year, 11-11 with a 4.48. This year, 3-7 with a 4.47. A bit removed from his Cy Young season of 2002 where he went 23-5 with a 2.75. I haven't been paying too much attention to him, either. Is there a problem? Is it because the A's aren't doing well? Losing Womack doesn't bother me as he's hitting .240 something. Wang has been good and I like him. So, the question is if he is performing above himself or not... who knows, really. Could be. And then you have another prospect in Henn. Henn's 24, Wang's 25. Zito is only 27, of course. And he's a lefty, as is Henn. From what I've read, Zito is signed to his modest deal through 2006, so we'd have him for two years at least (obviously the idea of the trade is for him to pitch well and then we extend his contract... some of the 15 million that Brownie opens up next year could go to that).
The issue with the trade, for me, is mainly Wang because of the way he's pitched. But, it's not like we'd really be getting that much older. Zito 27, Wang 25. Zito has a Cy. Zito is an "ace", although he hasn't been pitching like one in the past 2 years. Wang's ERA is only 3 points lower than Zito. If Zito was in NY, would he have a better record/a lower ERA?
I don't want to trade Wang, as I've said before, but if he is tradeable, this is the kind of deal we need to trade him in. A deal for a top, young/reasonably young SP. Are there many Zito's available out there? Probably not.
I don't think I'd be complaining if both deals went through, although I'm not sure just how good Wilson is or why Zito has had some trouble in this and last year.
Thoughts?
A person who spoke to Cashman recently confirmed Cashman is pursuing a significant deal.
"It sounded like he was close on some stuff," the person said. "He's working it."
"It sounded like he was close on some stuff," the person said. "He's working it."
Via Pride of the Yankees who suggest the following trade possibilities:
1. Andy Phillips and any medium-grade minor-league pitching prospect for Preston Wilson. The Yanks need the outfield help desperately and Wilson's stock is low and ceiling is high. His salary is $12.5 million for 2005, but almost half of that is already paid for. The Yanks' willingness to pay the rest of Wilson's deal could allow them to get him on the cheap. And Wilson's presence in the outfield would clear the way for...
2. Tony Womack, Chien-Ming Wang, and Sean Henn for Barry Zito. It sounds like a lot to give up, but Wang may be overachieving and Henn may yet not amount to much. Also, picture this: Randy Johnson, Zito, and Mike Mussina going 1-2-3 in a playoff series. In the meantime, while Wright is hurt Tanyon Sturtze can undoubtedly become the fifth starter if the Yanks fail to obtain another starter in a trade. We should qualify this deal by saying that Zito is the only player for whom Wang should even be considered packaging for.
2. Tony Womack, Chien-Ming Wang, and Sean Henn for Barry Zito. It sounds like a lot to give up, but Wang may be overachieving and Henn may yet not amount to much. Also, picture this: Randy Johnson, Zito, and Mike Mussina going 1-2-3 in a playoff series. In the meantime, while Wright is hurt Tanyon Sturtze can undoubtedly become the fifth starter if the Yanks fail to obtain another starter in a trade. We should qualify this deal by saying that Zito is the only player for whom Wang should even be considered packaging for.
Both deals are intriguing.
On Wilson: He'll turn 30 in under a month and (I believe - might be wrong) he is in the last year of his contract. He is having a decent offensive year (low OBA, as he always has), but that could, of course, worsen when he leaves Colorado. He used to be quick (36 SBs in 2000), but his SB totals have dropped off a bunch (read: basically zero) in the last two years. I haven't been watching him, so I don't know exactly how good his defense is.
Being the last year of his contract, he'd be our "adequate" CF to get us through this year, then we let him go and find someone next year, presumably. Bernie is backup OF and DH while Giambi is backup 1B and DH.
On Zito: Last year, 11-11 with a 4.48. This year, 3-7 with a 4.47. A bit removed from his Cy Young season of 2002 where he went 23-5 with a 2.75. I haven't been paying too much attention to him, either. Is there a problem? Is it because the A's aren't doing well? Losing Womack doesn't bother me as he's hitting .240 something. Wang has been good and I like him. So, the question is if he is performing above himself or not... who knows, really. Could be. And then you have another prospect in Henn. Henn's 24, Wang's 25. Zito is only 27, of course. And he's a lefty, as is Henn. From what I've read, Zito is signed to his modest deal through 2006, so we'd have him for two years at least (obviously the idea of the trade is for him to pitch well and then we extend his contract... some of the 15 million that Brownie opens up next year could go to that).
The issue with the trade, for me, is mainly Wang because of the way he's pitched. But, it's not like we'd really be getting that much older. Zito 27, Wang 25. Zito has a Cy. Zito is an "ace", although he hasn't been pitching like one in the past 2 years. Wang's ERA is only 3 points lower than Zito. If Zito was in NY, would he have a better record/a lower ERA?
I don't want to trade Wang, as I've said before, but if he is tradeable, this is the kind of deal we need to trade him in. A deal for a top, young/reasonably young SP. Are there many Zito's available out there? Probably not.
I don't think I'd be complaining if both deals went through, although I'm not sure just how good Wilson is or why Zito has had some trouble in this and last year.
Thoughts?
Posted by: Michael
I finally agree with Rick Sutcliffe. I'll have to mark this down as a first.
Would firing pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre or hitting coach Don Mattingly help?
"That's not the answer," Sutcliffe said. "This game always has been and always will be about players. That will never change. You are not going to fool the players in the clubhouse by doing something with a Stottlemyre or Mattingly. They know. Players know it is not [Stottlemyre's or Mattingly's] fault. That is not going to be a good move. This team should turn it around no matter what they do. Even if they didn't do anything."
"That's not the answer," Sutcliffe said. "This game always has been and always will be about players. That will never change. You are not going to fool the players in the clubhouse by doing something with a Stottlemyre or Mattingly. They know. Players know it is not [Stottlemyre's or Mattingly's] fault. That is not going to be a good move. This team should turn it around no matter what they do. Even if they didn't do anything."
Posted by: Michael
Yanks fans... hold on to your caps... the season is not over yet. Not by a long shot.
With Randy pitching the way we thought he could, throwing 11 K's against the Pirates and only gave up 5 hits in a complete game.
Giambi, who hit a game winning walk-off home run the previous night, came in to smack an RBI double. He also walked and was hit by a pitch. It is obvious he is hitting the ball better.
It's also interesting to note that Posada did not catch again for RJ. Backup catcher John Flaherty had the honors for the Unit for a 2nd straight start.
Matsui, still playing on his badly injured ankle, hit a 2-run homer in the first. He is certainly excelling at the plate since the injury.
It's Pavano against Zambrano at the Stadium tomorrow night.
With Randy pitching the way we thought he could, throwing 11 K's against the Pirates and only gave up 5 hits in a complete game.
Giambi, who hit a game winning walk-off home run the previous night, came in to smack an RBI double. He also walked and was hit by a pitch. It is obvious he is hitting the ball better.
It's also interesting to note that Posada did not catch again for RJ. Backup catcher John Flaherty had the honors for the Unit for a 2nd straight start.
Matsui, still playing on his badly injured ankle, hit a 2-run homer in the first. He is certainly excelling at the plate since the injury.
It's Pavano against Zambrano at the Stadium tomorrow night.
06/16: Yankees Pace
Posted by: Patrick
I thought it might be fun to check out what type of years the Yankee hitters and Mo are pace to have. Obviously, this only works with players that have been generally healthy. I'm going to stick to guys that have been with us for the whole season and are everyday starters. I've left batting average and OBA off because, obviously, they are on pace for what they have now in those categories.
This is calculated by taking the players current numbers, dividing them by the number of team games played so far and multiplying that figure by 162. It is then rounded down to the nearest whole number. So, for instance, Jeter has played 62 games out of 64, so it is estimated based upon him playing nearly 157 games. A-Rod has played 64 games, so his estimates are for him playing all 162, since he has played all 64 so far. Not a perfect method, but seems like it's as good as any.
Mo
35 S
Don't look now - but Mariano hasn't allowed an earned run in a month and 10 days. In fact, since the opening Boston series, he's only allowed 1. 1.09 ERA would be the lowest of his career. If Mo is done, what's Foulke (on pace for 32 saves with a 5.40 ERA)? That's what I'm wondering.
Jorge
65 R, 146 H, 20 2B, 22 HR, 83 RBI
On pace for a solid year. 146 hits would be the highest total of his career.
Jeter
106 R, 184 H, 22 2B, 5 3B, 15 HR, 65 RBI
Actually on pace for a worse year than last year despite a higher BA and a much higher OBA. Slugging is down. Still a good year, though.
A-Rod
124 R, 194 H, 30 2B, 48 HR, 141 RBI, 15 SB
On pace for a monster year. 48 home runs would be the most home runs for a Yankee since Maris (61) and Mantle (54) chased the Babe in '61. 141 RBI would be the most for a Yankee since Tino put up that number in 1997. If he was to stay on this pace, he'd be a top candidate for the MVP award, given that he's 4th in batting average, 1st in home runs and 1st in RBI. Outside shot at the triple crown if the guys ahead of him in the batting average standings cool off a bit.
Matsui
96 R, 172 H, 45 2B, 12 HR, 108 RBI
45 doubles would be the highest total of his career. 108 RBI would tie for the highest total of his career. 12 home runs and 172 hits would both be the lowest of his career, but 172 hits is close enough to the 179 in his rookie year and 174 last year.
Sheffield
93 R, 167 H, 37 2B, 25 HR, 98 RBI, 15 SB
On pace for a better season than last year in hits, doubles, stolen bases, average and OBA. But, runs, slugging and RBI are all down a solid amount. Still, a very good year.
This is calculated by taking the players current numbers, dividing them by the number of team games played so far and multiplying that figure by 162. It is then rounded down to the nearest whole number. So, for instance, Jeter has played 62 games out of 64, so it is estimated based upon him playing nearly 157 games. A-Rod has played 64 games, so his estimates are for him playing all 162, since he has played all 64 so far. Not a perfect method, but seems like it's as good as any.
Mo
35 S
Don't look now - but Mariano hasn't allowed an earned run in a month and 10 days. In fact, since the opening Boston series, he's only allowed 1. 1.09 ERA would be the lowest of his career. If Mo is done, what's Foulke (on pace for 32 saves with a 5.40 ERA)? That's what I'm wondering.
Jorge
65 R, 146 H, 20 2B, 22 HR, 83 RBI
On pace for a solid year. 146 hits would be the highest total of his career.
Jeter
106 R, 184 H, 22 2B, 5 3B, 15 HR, 65 RBI
Actually on pace for a worse year than last year despite a higher BA and a much higher OBA. Slugging is down. Still a good year, though.
A-Rod
124 R, 194 H, 30 2B, 48 HR, 141 RBI, 15 SB
On pace for a monster year. 48 home runs would be the most home runs for a Yankee since Maris (61) and Mantle (54) chased the Babe in '61. 141 RBI would be the most for a Yankee since Tino put up that number in 1997. If he was to stay on this pace, he'd be a top candidate for the MVP award, given that he's 4th in batting average, 1st in home runs and 1st in RBI. Outside shot at the triple crown if the guys ahead of him in the batting average standings cool off a bit.
Matsui
96 R, 172 H, 45 2B, 12 HR, 108 RBI
45 doubles would be the highest total of his career. 108 RBI would tie for the highest total of his career. 12 home runs and 172 hits would both be the lowest of his career, but 172 hits is close enough to the 179 in his rookie year and 174 last year.
Sheffield
93 R, 167 H, 37 2B, 25 HR, 98 RBI, 15 SB
On pace for a better season than last year in hits, doubles, stolen bases, average and OBA. But, runs, slugging and RBI are all down a solid amount. Still, a very good year.
Posted by: Patrick
06/15: All Star Voting
Posted by: Patrick
ESPN.com has the all star voting results through Monday.
Tino is the leader at 1B, Womack is 4th at 2B, A-Rod has a huge lead at 3B, Jeter is 2nd at SS, Posada is 3rd at catcher, Sheffield is 5th in the OF, followed by Godzilla at 6 and Bernie at 11. Finally, Giambi is 3rd at DH.
Tino is the leader at 1B, Womack is 4th at 2B, A-Rod has a huge lead at 3B, Jeter is 2nd at SS, Posada is 3rd at catcher, Sheffield is 5th in the OF, followed by Godzilla at 6 and Bernie at 11. Finally, Giambi is 3rd at DH.
06/15: Moose Pitches 5 Hit Shutout
Posted by: Patrick
Mussina pitched a 5 hit, 6 K, 1 BB shutout as the Yankees trounced the Pirates 8-0.
Every lineup spot came up with a hit except for A-Rod (who was hit by a pitch twice) and Womack. Cano, Matsui and Posada each added 2 hits of their own. Sierra, Posada and Giambi each had 2 RBI.
Brown goes against Mark Redman tonight.
Every lineup spot came up with a hit except for A-Rod (who was hit by a pitch twice) and Womack. Cano, Matsui and Posada each added 2 hits of their own. Sierra, Posada and Giambi each had 2 RBI.
Brown goes against Mark Redman tonight.
Posted by: David
For the first time in nearly forty-five years, actually since October 13, 1960 when Bill Mazeroski hit a World Series winning homerun off of Ralph Terry the Pirates and Yankees will face each other tonight. The three game series starts tonight at the stadium. Believe it or not the Pirates actually have a better record then the Yankees. The Pirates payroll is only a fraction of the Yankees $200 million plus amount.
The Yankees should and need to sweep the Pirates. They are much better and need to play like they are. On Saturday afternoon a national television audience saw what the Yankees could be. They had Randy Johnson dominating a very good first place team lineup. The Yankees had timely hitting and great closing relief from Mariano Rivera.
Kip Wells is on the hill for the Bucs and Mike Mussina gets the start for the Bombers. They have to put a win streak together on this thirteen game homestand. After the Pittsburgh they play the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the New York Mets. They need to go at least 9-4 on this homestand. After the homestand they finish out the month of June against the first place Orioles in Baltimore. The Yankees went only 3-9 on this just completed road trip. Actually, they lost only two games to the Orioles during the trip. It would be great if they could get the lead down to about two or three games during this homestand.
There are rumors that Joe Torre is in trouble and maybe Lou Piniella will be managing the Pinstripers next year. Piniella is really fed up with the Devil Rays and their reluctance to commit to winning. Is Piniella what the Yankees need? A fiery, no nonsense, hard nosed attitude is exactly what the Yankees need. They are too inconsistent and make way too many mental mistakes. As times they appear to only be going through the motions. Hopefully this will not be like the Royals series.
The Yankees should and need to sweep the Pirates. They are much better and need to play like they are. On Saturday afternoon a national television audience saw what the Yankees could be. They had Randy Johnson dominating a very good first place team lineup. The Yankees had timely hitting and great closing relief from Mariano Rivera.
Kip Wells is on the hill for the Bucs and Mike Mussina gets the start for the Bombers. They have to put a win streak together on this thirteen game homestand. After the Pittsburgh they play the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the New York Mets. They need to go at least 9-4 on this homestand. After the homestand they finish out the month of June against the first place Orioles in Baltimore. The Yankees went only 3-9 on this just completed road trip. Actually, they lost only two games to the Orioles during the trip. It would be great if they could get the lead down to about two or three games during this homestand.
There are rumors that Joe Torre is in trouble and maybe Lou Piniella will be managing the Pinstripers next year. Piniella is really fed up with the Devil Rays and their reluctance to commit to winning. Is Piniella what the Yankees need? A fiery, no nonsense, hard nosed attitude is exactly what the Yankees need. They are too inconsistent and make way too many mental mistakes. As times they appear to only be going through the motions. Hopefully this will not be like the Royals series.
06/12: Yanks Blank NL Champs 5-0
Posted by: Patrick
Randy Johnson went 7 innings scoreless (4 hits, 7 K's, 0 BBs) as the Yankees picked up a win against the NL champion Cardinals 5-0. (Perhaps the Unit is warming up?)
The Yankees were able to put together 10 hits and 4 walks allowing them to score 5 runs. Only three lineup spots failed to get a hit (Tino (1B), Cano (2B) and the pitcher spot). They were able to score the runs without a single home run. 4 of the runs came with 2 outs.
Jeter, Matsui, A-Rod and Bernie each had 2 hit days with Jeter and A-Rod both having 2 RBI (Matsui had the other 1).
Flash relieved the Unit in the 8th and got two outs. Then he took a ball off his right hand and came out (he'll be alright). Mariano relieved him with 2 out and men on 2nd and 3rd and struck out Larry Walker to end the inning. He then worked a 1-2-3 9th (Pujols, Sanders, Grudzielanek). His ERA is down to 1.19. Yeah, he stinks.
The Cardinals came close to scoring a run in the 4th, but Matsui easily threw out Reggie Sanders at the plate to end the threat.
Pavano will take on Matt Morris today as the Yanks look to get back to .500.
The Yankees were able to put together 10 hits and 4 walks allowing them to score 5 runs. Only three lineup spots failed to get a hit (Tino (1B), Cano (2B) and the pitcher spot). They were able to score the runs without a single home run. 4 of the runs came with 2 outs.
Jeter, Matsui, A-Rod and Bernie each had 2 hit days with Jeter and A-Rod both having 2 RBI (Matsui had the other 1).
Flash relieved the Unit in the 8th and got two outs. Then he took a ball off his right hand and came out (he'll be alright). Mariano relieved him with 2 out and men on 2nd and 3rd and struck out Larry Walker to end the inning. He then worked a 1-2-3 9th (Pujols, Sanders, Grudzielanek). His ERA is down to 1.19. Yeah, he stinks.
The Cardinals came close to scoring a run in the 4th, but Matsui easily threw out Reggie Sanders at the plate to end the threat.
Pavano will take on Matt Morris today as the Yanks look to get back to .500.
Posted by: Patrick
BLAST!
Who wants to watch Cubs/Red Sox?
My brother told me the game was on today... which it is in some markets, but apparently not this one. Oh well. No live blogging for me today!
Go Yankees.
Who wants to watch Cubs/Red Sox?
My brother told me the game was on today... which it is in some markets, but apparently not this one. Oh well. No live blogging for me today!
Go Yankees.
