Posted by: James
ESPN mentioned that the Yankees just traded Shawn Chacon for Craig Wilson. This is just a rumor right now...but if it's true, Cash is MONEY! That would be an amazing move - they were probably going to DFA Chacon at some point anyway. To get someone that the Yankees actually wanted for him - fantastic...if true, of course.
Update: It's OFFICIAL: ESPN has it up now. For the record, Chacon was 5-3 with a 7.00 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and a .300/.389/.525/.911 line against. Wilson is batting .267/.339/.478/.817 with 13 homers and 41 RBI. Wow...just wow.
Update 2: Peter A. over at the LoHud Yankees Blog checks in with what the Yankees are doing, roster-wise to accommodate this move:
Update: It's OFFICIAL: ESPN has it up now. For the record, Chacon was 5-3 with a 7.00 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and a .300/.389/.525/.911 line against. Wilson is batting .267/.339/.478/.817 with 13 homers and 41 RBI. Wow...just wow.
Update 2: Peter A. over at the LoHud Yankees Blog checks in with what the Yankees are doing, roster-wise to accommodate this move:
Aaron Guiel has been optioned to Columbus (I wasn't aware he still had options). Sidney Ponson has agreed to pitch out of the bullpen as the long reliever (well, that's better than having him in the rotation). Cashman says that Andy Phillips "definitely has a place on this team" and they will announce a move tomorrow.
I would guess Bubba Crosby goes. Once Cano returns, Nick Green won't be needed. No matter how you look at it, their roster is much better today than it was yesterday (Amen to that!).
I would guess Bubba Crosby goes. Once Cano returns, Nick Green won't be needed. No matter how you look at it, their roster is much better today than it was yesterday (Amen to that!).
07/31: Bonus Media Translator
Posted by: Jason
Media Translation Service provided free of charge here at YB.com:
When a member of the media says:
"The Yankees could have a serious clubhouse problem on their hands with a potentially dissatisfied Gary Sheffield...."
The media member is really saying:
"The Yankees' procurement of Abreu without sacrificing top prospects was a huge win for New York. I can't find a downside to this deal. Furthermore, it's really scary for the rest of baseball that Brian Cashman is a highly competent GM who is clearly now in full control of the vast resources at the Yankees' disposal. Therefore, I'm fabricating something about the mood of a player who is a) given to public statements and b) will likely not take another at-bat this season."
When a member of the media says:
"The Yankees could have a serious clubhouse problem on their hands with a potentially dissatisfied Gary Sheffield...."
The media member is really saying:
"The Yankees' procurement of Abreu without sacrificing top prospects was a huge win for New York. I can't find a downside to this deal. Furthermore, it's really scary for the rest of baseball that Brian Cashman is a highly competent GM who is clearly now in full control of the vast resources at the Yankees' disposal. Therefore, I'm fabricating something about the mood of a player who is a) given to public statements and b) will likely not take another at-bat this season."
07/30: Loving Bobby
Posted by: James
Living outside of Philly (and in PA for the last 7 years), I've gotten to see a lot of Abreu. I've always liked the guy as he's always been quick with a smile or a joke whenever I've seen him interviewed. He's generally seemed to be cordial to Phillies fans even knowing that he never really got the love that a player of his caliber should have (this applies on a national level as well).
However, in his final day on the Phillies, the fans at Citizen's Bank park did something very nice for him on his way out. When the trade was officially announced to the crowd before the 9th inning, the fans stood as one and cheered for Abreu, who had remained in the dugout hanging out with his now-former teammates. Bobby came out, waved and blew kisses to the crowd. Lidle also came out and tipped his hat. The ovation continued for a while as the fans thanked Abreu for his 8 years of service. After the game, Bobby did an interview for the station where it was clear to see that he was moved (almost to tears, by his own admission) by the fan reaction. Still, he maintained how excited he was to head to NY and to be reunited with Larry Bowa with whom he had great relations. The Phillies announcers were kind as well and wished him well, saying that they hoped to see him in the World Series this year (as do I). For all the ill spoken about Philly-area fans, today was a good day and I'm glad I got to see it.
However, in his final day on the Phillies, the fans at Citizen's Bank park did something very nice for him on his way out. When the trade was officially announced to the crowd before the 9th inning, the fans stood as one and cheered for Abreu, who had remained in the dugout hanging out with his now-former teammates. Bobby came out, waved and blew kisses to the crowd. Lidle also came out and tipped his hat. The ovation continued for a while as the fans thanked Abreu for his 8 years of service. After the game, Bobby did an interview for the station where it was clear to see that he was moved (almost to tears, by his own admission) by the fan reaction. Still, he maintained how excited he was to head to NY and to be reunited with Larry Bowa with whom he had great relations. The Phillies announcers were kind as well and wished him well, saying that they hoped to see him in the World Series this year (as do I). For all the ill spoken about Philly-area fans, today was a good day and I'm glad I got to see it.
07/30: Deal Details
Posted by: James
Peter A. over at the LoHud Yankees Blog breaks down the deal so head on over and check out what's he found out. A few highlights:
That's great to hear about Bernie because that means that Melky maintains his starting spot until Matsui is ready. Of course, Torre has said one thing and then eventually reverted to something else before (i.e. Bernie platoon) so we'll have to wait and see what happens.
* The Yankees did not have to pick up the option. So they will owe Abreu $4.4 million this season, $13 million next season and a $2 million buyout for 2008. Lidle is owed $1.3 for this year. Once Sheffield is not retained, the money is almost a wash.
* Torre said that Bernie will go back to the role they intended to use him in: occasional DH, pinch hitter and fill-in outfielder.
* Torre said that Bernie will go back to the role they intended to use him in: occasional DH, pinch hitter and fill-in outfielder.
That's great to hear about Bernie because that means that Melky maintains his starting spot until Matsui is ready. Of course, Torre has said one thing and then eventually reverted to something else before (i.e. Bernie platoon) so we'll have to wait and see what happens.
07/30: Potential Ex-Yankees
Posted by: James
Update: It's official and the other minor-leaguers are catcher Jesus Sanchez (19 in 2 months and hitting .264/330/.319/.649 in the GCL) and right-hander Carlos Monasterios (20 and pitching well in the GCL - 2.97 ERA, 24:3 K:B in 30 IP). Awesome - these guys are still at least 3 years away from the majors. A couple weeks ago, the Phillies were talking Hughes and Tabata...now, they end up with these guys. Nice work, Brian Cashman.
If it is C.J. Henry & Matt Smith, I for one will be ecstatic. To get a player of Bobby Abreu's caliber as well as someone who immediately pushes Sidney Ponson (and perhaps Shawn Chacon) off the team for a package of these guys could be (and probably will be) labeled a coup. Joe P. over at the Sporting Brews has done a very good job of looking at the players listed in the trade. Mike A. over at Baby Bombers would be a good source to check in on this as well but while Henry is young (only 20), he has not shown a ton of promise playing in Low-A Charleston. He's not a huge bust ala Jon Poterson (what a waste that was) but he simply hasn't performed to the expectations that were there when he was drafted. At that time, Baseball America had him listed as the second-best athlete and fourth-fastest baserunner in the draft. To date, that athleticism simply hasn't transferred to the field but that's not to say that it won't in the future. In essence, we're not giving up on a sure thing and we're not giving up a stud SS prospect either as he's been just plain bad at short and pretty much any prospect analyst thinks that an outfield move is in his future.
As for Smith, a lot of people are high on him based on his 0.00 ERA so far in his MLB appearances as well as his performance in the high levels of the minors in the last two years. Still, giving up Smith becomes a lot easier to swallow when you think about it in terms of who you would rather keep - a 27 year old who has pitched a total of 12 innings in the majors (8:9 BB:K ratio) or the 29 year old (Scott Proctor) that has performed well to date in the majors and (more importantly) earned Joe Torre's trust.
So far, it looks very good for the Yankees, especially if reports are true that the Yankees won't have to pick up his 2008 option. That would make Abreu a free agent after the 2007 season (Lidle is a free agent at the end of the year) so he would essentially replace Gary Sheffield next year.
If it is C.J. Henry & Matt Smith, I for one will be ecstatic. To get a player of Bobby Abreu's caliber as well as someone who immediately pushes Sidney Ponson (and perhaps Shawn Chacon) off the team for a package of these guys could be (and probably will be) labeled a coup. Joe P. over at the Sporting Brews has done a very good job of looking at the players listed in the trade. Mike A. over at Baby Bombers would be a good source to check in on this as well but while Henry is young (only 20), he has not shown a ton of promise playing in Low-A Charleston. He's not a huge bust ala Jon Poterson (what a waste that was) but he simply hasn't performed to the expectations that were there when he was drafted. At that time, Baseball America had him listed as the second-best athlete and fourth-fastest baserunner in the draft. To date, that athleticism simply hasn't transferred to the field but that's not to say that it won't in the future. In essence, we're not giving up on a sure thing and we're not giving up a stud SS prospect either as he's been just plain bad at short and pretty much any prospect analyst thinks that an outfield move is in his future.
As for Smith, a lot of people are high on him based on his 0.00 ERA so far in his MLB appearances as well as his performance in the high levels of the minors in the last two years. Still, giving up Smith becomes a lot easier to swallow when you think about it in terms of who you would rather keep - a 27 year old who has pitched a total of 12 innings in the majors (8:9 BB:K ratio) or the 29 year old (Scott Proctor) that has performed well to date in the majors and (more importantly) earned Joe Torre's trust.
So far, it looks very good for the Yankees, especially if reports are true that the Yankees won't have to pick up his 2008 option. That would make Abreu a free agent after the 2007 season (Lidle is a free agent at the end of the year) so he would essentially replace Gary Sheffield next year.
Posted by: David
Mike Mussina notched his 13th win of the season pitching seven strong innings and only giving up two runs. He walked two and struck out eight while throwing 97 pitches.
The Yankees started the scoring in the 3rd with the help of a two out double from the captain Derek Jeter. However, Tampa struck right back with a bloop run scoring single to center from Johnny Gomes and an RBI single to right from Tomas Perez after it looked like he was struck out, but the ump called it a foul tip.
Johnny Damon went to the upper tank in right field twice for solo home runs in the fifth and seventh innings to give the Yankees the lead at 4-2.
Kyle Farnsworth struck out the side in the eighth and looked very impressive. He reached speeds of 101mph on the radar gun. Mariano Rivera worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 26th save of the season.
The Yankees have a day off tomorrow before Toronto comes to town for a three game series starting Tuesday night.
The Yankees have confirmed the trade rumors that will bring Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle from the Phillies for four minor leaguers including C.J. Henry and Matt Smith.
The Yankees started the scoring in the 3rd with the help of a two out double from the captain Derek Jeter. However, Tampa struck right back with a bloop run scoring single to center from Johnny Gomes and an RBI single to right from Tomas Perez after it looked like he was struck out, but the ump called it a foul tip.
Johnny Damon went to the upper tank in right field twice for solo home runs in the fifth and seventh innings to give the Yankees the lead at 4-2.
Kyle Farnsworth struck out the side in the eighth and looked very impressive. He reached speeds of 101mph on the radar gun. Mariano Rivera worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 26th save of the season.
The Yankees have a day off tomorrow before Toronto comes to town for a three game series starting Tuesday night.
The Yankees have confirmed the trade rumors that will bring Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle from the Phillies for four minor leaguers including C.J. Henry and Matt Smith.
Posted by: Patrick
ESPN.com is reporting that the Yankees and Phillies have agreed to a tentative deal that would send Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle in exchange for C.J. Henry, Matt Smith and a minor leaguer to be named.
Posted by: Seamus
Looks like James was right. I guess 5-0 would've been pushing it as the Yankees took a 19-6 beating from the Devil Rays and fell a half game behind the White Sox and 1.5 games behind Boston. Needless to say, Randy Johnson wasn't very good as he allowed nine runs in less than 4 innings. The Yankee bullpen went on to surrender 10 more, including five runs allowed by Shawn Chacon, 3 by Mike Myers, and 2 by T.J. Beam. Ron Villone (big surprise) was the only Yankee pitcher not to allow a run.
The game looked promising in the 1st as the Unit retired the side in order, which was followed by back-to-back solo shots from Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi to put he Yankees ahead 2-0. It didn't take long for the Rays to counter, however, as they would score 3 in the second, highlighted by a two-run double by Tomas Perez. Damon Hollins put 3 more on the board in the next inning with a round-tripper. Jorge Posada's two-run double in the bottom of the 3rd brought the Yanks to within 6-4, but that would pretty much be all she wrote as Tampa Bay went on to score another 13 runs. The only real Yankee highlights if you can call it that are Jeter and A-Rod each recording two hits, and Jason Giambi launching his 30th home run of the season.
The Yankees will finish up this series at 1 ET. as they will send out Mike Mussina to face James Shields.
The game looked promising in the 1st as the Unit retired the side in order, which was followed by back-to-back solo shots from Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi to put he Yankees ahead 2-0. It didn't take long for the Rays to counter, however, as they would score 3 in the second, highlighted by a two-run double by Tomas Perez. Damon Hollins put 3 more on the board in the next inning with a round-tripper. Jorge Posada's two-run double in the bottom of the 3rd brought the Yanks to within 6-4, but that would pretty much be all she wrote as Tampa Bay went on to score another 13 runs. The only real Yankee highlights if you can call it that are Jeter and A-Rod each recording two hits, and Jason Giambi launching his 30th home run of the season.
The Yankees will finish up this series at 1 ET. as they will send out Mike Mussina to face James Shields.
07/30: Rumor Mill: 7/30/06
Posted by: Patrick
Actually, Abreu won't require us to pick up his option:
Another SP possibility: Kip Wells:
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Phillies GM Pat Gillick, according to a source, had been given the go-ahead from Abreu's agent yesterday afternoon to work out a deal with the Yanks, Mets or Red Sox. Since Abreu has a full no-trade clause, he is able to dictate which teams he'd be willing to play for; the final trio comprised the ones that he was willing to waive the no-trade clause for without requiring that the $16 million club option on his contract for 2008 be picked up. ...
... Gillick and Yanks GM Brian Cashman began engaging in more serious talks as the afternoon went on, according to a source. It was believed that the Yankees might be sending reliever Scott Proctor to the Phillies in exchange for Abreu and, possibly, former Yankee pitcher Jon Lieber. Prospects could also be involved in the deal. Instead of picking up Abreu's option, the Bombers were expected to pay a lump sum of somewhere near $1 million to Abreu in exchange for him waiving the no-trade clause.
... Gillick and Yanks GM Brian Cashman began engaging in more serious talks as the afternoon went on, according to a source. It was believed that the Yankees might be sending reliever Scott Proctor to the Phillies in exchange for Abreu and, possibly, former Yankee pitcher Jon Lieber. Prospects could also be involved in the deal. Instead of picking up Abreu's option, the Bombers were expected to pay a lump sum of somewhere near $1 million to Abreu in exchange for him waiving the no-trade clause.
Another SP possibility: Kip Wells:
The two New York teams could be at the forefront of those interested in starter Kip Wells. A deal with the Yankees seems more likely, given that team's additional interest in outfielder Craig Wilson and reliever Roberto Hernandez.
Via Pro Sports Daily.
07/29: Bobby Abreu
Posted by: Patrick
Bobby Abreu is good. How good? I'm not sure. But, this much is true: he's 32 years old. Throughout his career, he has been very durable. Starting from 1998 (his first full season), he has played between 151 (1998) and 162 (2001 and 2005) games. He has missed just 2 games this year. He's a career .301 hitter and his career OBA is .412. Coming into this year, he was 8th in OBA among active players. Since 1998, his OBA has been below .400 (.393) just once. Not even OBA machine Giambi can say that. In those seasons, his OBA has ranged from .405 (2005) to .446 (1999). He's at .427 this year, even if he is on pace for the lowest batting average of his career (.277). And he won his first gold glove last year (I know that gold gloves are subjective, but a gold glove is a gold glove, no matter how you slice it).
He's making $13 million this year and $15 million next year. And he wants his 2008 option of $16 million (really $14 million, since it has a $2 million buyout) picked up. By then, he'd be 34 years old, which isn't that bad. The thought, I would guess, would be that we trade for Abreu. He takes RF. Matsui comes back, takes LF. Sheffield comes back, whenever that is, and maybe gets some OF time, but is primarily a DH.
So, for the next two years, Matsui, Damon and Abreu becomes our OF, since they are all under contract. We either decline Sheffield's option or pick him up at a discount to be a DH (not too likely). Offensively, it's a great outfield. Defensively, it seems generally good, as well. That's subjective, I imagine. But, I'd say that at worst, it's "not bad." Imagine this lineup for the playoff run in September and, assuming we make the playoffs, those as well:
C - Jorge Posada
1B - Jason Giambi
2B - Robinson Cano (After Time Off)
3B - Alex Rodrigiez
SS - Derek Jeter
LF - Hideki Matsui (After Time Off)
CF - Johnny Damon
RF - Bobby Abreu
DH - Gary Sheffield (After Time Off)
Of course, it comes down to what will it take to make it happen. If we can make it happen without dealing the cream of our crop, then I'm interested. I don't know how great Lieber is (especially for this and next year), but I guess he's most likely got to be better than Wright, Ponson, et all., so if we have to take him, or Lidle, that would be worth doing. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. We'll know soon.
He's making $13 million this year and $15 million next year. And he wants his 2008 option of $16 million (really $14 million, since it has a $2 million buyout) picked up. By then, he'd be 34 years old, which isn't that bad. The thought, I would guess, would be that we trade for Abreu. He takes RF. Matsui comes back, takes LF. Sheffield comes back, whenever that is, and maybe gets some OF time, but is primarily a DH.
So, for the next two years, Matsui, Damon and Abreu becomes our OF, since they are all under contract. We either decline Sheffield's option or pick him up at a discount to be a DH (not too likely). Offensively, it's a great outfield. Defensively, it seems generally good, as well. That's subjective, I imagine. But, I'd say that at worst, it's "not bad." Imagine this lineup for the playoff run in September and, assuming we make the playoffs, those as well:
C - Jorge Posada
1B - Jason Giambi
2B - Robinson Cano (After Time Off)
3B - Alex Rodrigiez
SS - Derek Jeter
LF - Hideki Matsui (After Time Off)
CF - Johnny Damon
RF - Bobby Abreu
DH - Gary Sheffield (After Time Off)
Of course, it comes down to what will it take to make it happen. If we can make it happen without dealing the cream of our crop, then I'm interested. I don't know how great Lieber is (especially for this and next year), but I guess he's most likely got to be better than Wright, Ponson, et all., so if we have to take him, or Lidle, that would be worth doing. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. We'll know soon.
