11/15: $51,100,000!
Posted by: Patrick
Wow.
I wish Matsuzaka the best and hope he lives up to the expectations. But, I am glad that we did what we did. We threw a lot of money out there ($32-$33 is a lot of money!) to try to get him, but we didn't go too far. And we ended up 3rd. That's fine. Could you imagine the headlines if we had bid $51.2 or higher? lol. Not that I care about headlines, but man. Still, I like where we are. It was a good play. We put in a bid that allowed us to make it so that no one got him "too cheaply" (I use that term very loosely) and that they had to bid to win, which we did and the Mets and especially the Red Sox, certainly did.
Jim Baumbach:
That's the downside of the sealed bid process.
The $51.1 million winning bid is only the start. Now the Red Sox have 30 days to finalize a contract with the Japanese ace. ...
The Mets finished second with a bid between $39 million and $40 million, according to a baseball official who spoke on condition of anonymity because none of the losing bids were revealed. The Yankees bid between $32 million and $33 million, another baseball official said.
The Mets finished second with a bid between $39 million and $40 million, according to a baseball official who spoke on condition of anonymity because none of the losing bids were revealed. The Yankees bid between $32 million and $33 million, another baseball official said.
I wish Matsuzaka the best and hope he lives up to the expectations. But, I am glad that we did what we did. We threw a lot of money out there ($32-$33 is a lot of money!) to try to get him, but we didn't go too far. And we ended up 3rd. That's fine. Could you imagine the headlines if we had bid $51.2 or higher? lol. Not that I care about headlines, but man. Still, I like where we are. It was a good play. We put in a bid that allowed us to make it so that no one got him "too cheaply" (I use that term very loosely) and that they had to bid to win, which we did and the Mets and especially the Red Sox, certainly did.
Jim Baumbach:
I've got to believe the Seibu Lions officials, after receiving the bid last week, spent their weekends laughing and laughing, and laughing and laughing.
That's the downside of the sealed bid process.
Posted by: Patrick
Joel Sherman:
Boy, that contract was a monster.
After the 2007 season, Rodriguez has the right to void the final three years on his contract and declare free agency. He would be walking away from $81 million (of which the Yanks are responsible for $51 million, with the Rangers picking up the rest). ...
Following the 2007 season, Rodriguez will gain leverage to potentially follow one of three paths: 1) to opt out as a free agent; 2) to push the Yanks to extend his contract upon threat of opting out; 3) to use the threat of opting out and the Yanks getting nothing to push the Yanks to trade him to a desired spot so that he does not have to forfeit the $27 million annually.
Following the 2007 season, Rodriguez will gain leverage to potentially follow one of three paths: 1) to opt out as a free agent; 2) to push the Yanks to extend his contract upon threat of opting out; 3) to use the threat of opting out and the Yanks getting nothing to push the Yanks to trade him to a desired spot so that he does not have to forfeit the $27 million annually.
Boy, that contract was a monster.
Posted by: Patrick
From the New York Post:
Works for me.
Via ESPN.com.
According to several industry Sources, Mussina, 38 next month, and the Yankees have agreed to a two-year deal worth $22.5 million after he went 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 32 starts.
Works for me.
Via ESPN.com.
Posted by: Patrick
Ken Rosenthal:
Via Steve.
Believe it or not, teams are contacting the Yankees about trading for right-hander Carl Pavano; the Rockies are one club that might have interest if the Yankees paid a portion of the $21 million that Pavano is owed over the next two seasons.
The Yankees, naturally, say they won't give Pavano away; their public position is that they want him to get healthy and be productive. Still, it's difficult to imagine the Yankees rejecting even a mediocre offer for a pitcher who has been a severe disappointment.
One rotation possibility that the Yankees might consider, with or without Pavano: Right-hander Scott Proctor, who was one of the team's best relievers last season.
The Yankees, naturally, say they won't give Pavano away; their public position is that they want him to get healthy and be productive. Still, it's difficult to imagine the Yankees rejecting even a mediocre offer for a pitcher who has been a severe disappointment.
One rotation possibility that the Yankees might consider, with or without Pavano: Right-hander Scott Proctor, who was one of the team's best relievers last season.
Via Steve.
Posted by: Patrick
From ESPN.com:
If that holds up... wow. $42 million dollars. On one hand, Matsuzaka is an exciting player. On the other hand, there is a part of me that is glad it's not us.
The Red Sox bid $42 million for the right to negotiate with prized Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons. Boston's bid far exceeded any other team's offer.
If that holds up... wow. $42 million dollars. On one hand, Matsuzaka is an exciting player. On the other hand, there is a part of me that is glad it's not us.
Posted by: Patrick
According to Jon Heyman:
The winner of the Daisuke Matsuzaka sweepstakes should be known in the States by Monday night. While the winning team has been kept quiet, one person in the know suggested there were multiple bids in the $30 million range, and perhaps even a little higher.
The Seibu Lions are expected to accept a posting fee for Matsuzaka that should trump their lofty expectations. ESPN.com reported that the Red Sox bid between $38-45 million, and some competing executives are taking the lack of denial of this story by MLB people as a sign Boston is indeed the high bidder -- even if those figures are slightly off. While industry scuttlebutt had Boston's bid at "close to $40 million,'' one person indicated the reported $38-45 million range was "not correct.'' But if Boston's bid was just a million or two lower than that range, it's still hard to see someone else landing Matsuzaka. It is believed that both the Mets and Yankees bid closer to the $30 million neighborhood, and neither New York team seemed particularly optimistic they'd beaten Boston to Matsuzaka.
The Seibu Lions are expected to accept a posting fee for Matsuzaka that should trump their lofty expectations. ESPN.com reported that the Red Sox bid between $38-45 million, and some competing executives are taking the lack of denial of this story by MLB people as a sign Boston is indeed the high bidder -- even if those figures are slightly off. While industry scuttlebutt had Boston's bid at "close to $40 million,'' one person indicated the reported $38-45 million range was "not correct.'' But if Boston's bid was just a million or two lower than that range, it's still hard to see someone else landing Matsuzaka. It is believed that both the Mets and Yankees bid closer to the $30 million neighborhood, and neither New York team seemed particularly optimistic they'd beaten Boston to Matsuzaka.
Posted by: Patrick
No longer a rumor. According to the The Baltimore Sun:
Britton, a 23 year old right handed reliever, put together a nice rookie campaign in 2006, pitching in 52 games, going 0-2 with a 3.35 ERA after beginning the season at AA Bowie, where he pitched in 13 games going 1-0 with a 2.81 ERA. He never pitched a game in AAA and Baseball America said he had the "best control" of any pitcher in the Orioles system last year.
Seems like a good deal to me.
Via Chris (a quick guy!) and ESPN.com.
The Orioles have agreed to trade reliever Chris Britton to the New York Yankees for starting pitcher Jaret Wright and cash, according to two team sources. ...
Along with Wright, a 30-year-old right-hander with a 68-57 record over 10 major league seasons, the Yankees have agreed to send the Orioles $4 million, according to sources. That is the amount it would have cost New York to buy out Wright's 2007 option.
Along with Wright, a 30-year-old right-hander with a 68-57 record over 10 major league seasons, the Yankees have agreed to send the Orioles $4 million, according to sources. That is the amount it would have cost New York to buy out Wright's 2007 option.
Britton, a 23 year old right handed reliever, put together a nice rookie campaign in 2006, pitching in 52 games, going 0-2 with a 3.35 ERA after beginning the season at AA Bowie, where he pitched in 13 games going 1-0 with a 2.81 ERA. He never pitched a game in AAA and Baseball America said he had the "best control" of any pitcher in the Orioles system last year.
Seems like a good deal to me.
Via Chris (a quick guy!) and ESPN.com.
11/11: Rumor: Wright to the O's
Posted by: James
Excellent. If this report from ESPN bears fruit, I would be very pleased indeed. I mentioned this earlier in the comments about the Sheffield trade but I'm glad to see the Yankees front office thinking along the same wavelengths. The Yankees are on the hook for a 4 million dollar buyout with Wright so why not pick up the option (another 3 million) and then package him and some cash and try to get something potentially useful.
I realize that Wright did go 11-7 with a 4.49 ERA last year but he rarely lasted past the sixth inning (wearing down the bullpen) and infuriated managers, coaches and fans with the way he would pitch from behind in the count. It was maddening to watch the man pitch. Also, even though he didn't give up the longball, he was plenty hittable (.283 /.355/.414/.770 line against), especially against lefties (.314/.390/.487/.876 against - in essence, he basically made every lefty who faced him into Matsui in his best year).
Still, if this were to happen, it certainly would put the onus on resigning Mike Mussina, though most sources say that those negotiations are in the bag. With Moose resigned, you would then have Chien-Ming Wang and Mussina as the only two reliable starters signed for next season. Yes, I know Randy Johnson is signed as well but the man will be coming off back surgery (and a season in which he put up a 5.00 ERA) in what could possibly be his final season in the majors so I can't think of him as a certain part of the rotation. There's always Carl Pavano...and I want to make a joke here but the situation has gone well past the point of being humorous. I wish him a speedy(-ier) recovery and hope he can actually produce for the Yankees (and regain some of his dignity) at some point in his contract. In any case, that's still only two (presumed) solid starters and one starter that's up in the air. How does the rest of the 2007 rotation get filled? Do you trust Darrell Rasner and Jeff Karstens (or Steven White) to pitch in the majors to start the season or do you look for a free-agent addition (i.e. Jeff Suppan or Barry Zito) to shore up the back end of the rotation? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
I realize that Wright did go 11-7 with a 4.49 ERA last year but he rarely lasted past the sixth inning (wearing down the bullpen) and infuriated managers, coaches and fans with the way he would pitch from behind in the count. It was maddening to watch the man pitch. Also, even though he didn't give up the longball, he was plenty hittable (.283 /.355/.414/.770 line against), especially against lefties (.314/.390/.487/.876 against - in essence, he basically made every lefty who faced him into Matsui in his best year).
Still, if this were to happen, it certainly would put the onus on resigning Mike Mussina, though most sources say that those negotiations are in the bag. With Moose resigned, you would then have Chien-Ming Wang and Mussina as the only two reliable starters signed for next season. Yes, I know Randy Johnson is signed as well but the man will be coming off back surgery (and a season in which he put up a 5.00 ERA) in what could possibly be his final season in the majors so I can't think of him as a certain part of the rotation. There's always Carl Pavano...and I want to make a joke here but the situation has gone well past the point of being humorous. I wish him a speedy(-ier) recovery and hope he can actually produce for the Yankees (and regain some of his dignity) at some point in his contract. In any case, that's still only two (presumed) solid starters and one starter that's up in the air. How does the rest of the 2007 rotation get filled? Do you trust Darrell Rasner and Jeff Karstens (or Steven White) to pitch in the majors to start the season or do you look for a free-agent addition (i.e. Jeff Suppan or Barry Zito) to shore up the back end of the rotation? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
11/11: Wait a sec...
Posted by: Patrick
G R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB BA OBP SLG TBNo disrespect to Joe Crede, but how does A-Rod not get the Silver Slugger? Man...
A-Rod 154 113 166 26 1 35 121 15 4 90 .290 .392 .523 299
Crede 150 76 154 31 0 30 94 0 2 28 .283 .323 .506 275
Posted by: James
Polls aren't usually note-worthy but I thought that it would be interesting to point out this ESPN Sportsnation poll on the recent trade.
There are already more than 26,000 people who have weighed in and most (69.2% so far) seem to think that the Yankees got a decent haul, that Bobby Abreu is the better player (69.9%) and that the Yankees won't trade A-Rod (81.9%). Wait, how did he get thrown in the there? Oh right, I forgot we have to have the obligatory A-Rod trade reference in every Yankees piece - my bad.
There are already more than 26,000 people who have weighed in and most (69.2% so far) seem to think that the Yankees got a decent haul, that Bobby Abreu is the better player (69.9%) and that the Yankees won't trade A-Rod (81.9%). Wait, how did he get thrown in the there? Oh right, I forgot we have to have the obligatory A-Rod trade reference in every Yankees piece - my bad.
