Hahaha, I was just on the phone with a software developer from LA. He asked me if I was really happy today (we were smack-talking before the ALCS.) I said "Yup, just thinking about 28 now." He laughed and said "Wow, you New Yorkers really don't waste any time." Pettitte > Wang. Not even a competition. You're not getting 19 win Wang back, if at all. Hughes is the future, but for now, you can't not have Pettitte. Damon and Matsui are the old "Better a year too soon than a year too late" in the flesh. They're both a roster spot that cannot field a position anymore. It's time to get younger. If Bay isn't a Red Sox, they deserve to lose again. As for an outfield of Bay, Melky, Hinske, WTF!?! I'd start cutting my wrists now. Bay is an upgrade over Damon, but Hinske over Swisher? I'm no Swisher fan, but seriously?! And Melky should become a platoon player. Though if Jackson isn't ready I'm willing to let him keep the position warm for one more year. Holliday is the left field answer. Or worst-case, Melky shifts over for Jackson. BTW: I think Swisher will have a significantly better year next year with RISP. Overall he didn't have a bad year, but he struggled with RISP, and struggled in the playoffs. Next year will be different.
I refuse to get locked into another long term contract with a new CBA coming up. I'd rather see us compensate lack of offense for extremely good defense. So essentially: No Holliday. If unable to resign Damon to a 1 year deal (2nd year a player option), offer him arbitration, and take a flyer on a league average LF with amazing defense (need some WAR valuations on this). Re-sign Matsui. Wait on him a long time before we see what his intentions are, and if he's jobless by Spring Training, then we sign him to an Abreu-like 6 mil contract. Take a 1 year flyer on Ben Sheets/Wang/Justin Durscherer as a hedge for the health of our pitchers. Continue grooming Ivan Nova/Zack McAllister to be our 6th spot on the rotation so that tentatively we are looking at: CC-AJ-Joba-Hughes-Pettitte for next year (with Gaudin/Aceves able to fit in in a pinch and Nova/McAllister ready to come up at moment's notice.) Give Kennedy the 08 Hughes/07 Joba treatment and allow him to come out of the pen. It will give him confidence and allow him to develop his art while capping his IP.
I agree with all of this. Keep some money free for Mauer after next year. Not to mention Jeter. God, that's probably going to be a brutal contract.
Also, you have to figure the guy will him more home runs at Yankee staduim next year. What did he have, like 3, at home?
I'm with you on that. If Hal or Hank is going to overrule Cash on ARod, then there's definitely no way Jeter gets less than 4 years 20 per.
Honestly the guy I want in LF is Crawford, but is he realistically going to be available? I don't mind bringing back Damon cheaply, but again, defensively, he's a liability and he's not going to stay healthy. And can the Yankees really bring back both Damon and Matsui? That's an awful lot of lost defense for two bats that can be replaced. I'd be willing to pick up Wang again and give him a chance to be the 5 man. I definitely like the idea of giving Kennedy the Joba-Hughes treatment. Jeter is definitely going to be an insane contract. And you know what? He deserves every freaking penny. The idea of Mauer in pinstripes makes me tingle. So here's a question to everyone. Would you be willing to trade with Minny to get him before they traded him elsewhere and we risk him getting a sign-and-trade elsewhere? If so, what would you be willing to part with?
We have nothing to give minnesota for Mauer. I would trade anyone for him...ANYONE. Joba, Hughes, Cano, Melky EVERYONE. Mauer is the future.
Cervelli/Hughes or Joba/Melky or Gardner Decent developing catcher, A level pitching prospect and a solid defensive outfielder w/ speed
To get Mauer?! How much crack did you smoke at the celebration last night?! Take everyone you just listed and that's a possible starting offer. Still probably low. I wouldn't bother with any trade offer. It'd cost a ton, and I'd rather bet on the fact that he's going to test free agency. (After all, he'd be pretty crazy not to.) As for Jeter being signed to an insane contract and deserving every penny... well... on the one hand, he's already been paid an insane amount of money (and it's debatable whether he was worth every penny, in terms of value). But it's going to be especially tough if any new insane contract that Jeter gets prevents the Yanks from landing Mauer. If they give Jeter $20M AAV (I doubt that will happen), and that means they only offer Mauer $22M AAV instead of offering Jeter far less and Mauer more, I'm going to be pissed.
Honestly I think Poeman is on the right track. Think about what Minny was going after for Santana. Mauer is far more valuable than Santana. I'm thinking the conversation begins with Hughes and Joba, and that's just to get the Twins to answer the phone. There isn't even a remote possibility that Minny even considers just one plus either Melky or Cervelli. If they did, they'd be laughed right out of the league. The real wildcard is Mauer himself. Where does he want to play, and how much does he want to make? If he's looking for the best payday possible, then you don't trade at all. The Yankees will no doubt be in any contractual mix if he hits the open market. I assume he has a no-trade clause to prevent being dealt by force. It's going to be a very interesting period over the next 2-14 months regarding Mauer.
I would think a deal of: Melky or Cano, Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Cervelli, Prospect gets the deal right there or close.
Since when is the amount paid to one player predicated on what was paid to another player for the Yankees? Was the contract for Sabathia affected by ARod's? Was the contract to Burnett affected by CC's? Teixeira's by any of the above? Jeter deserves every penny he gets. I could go on and on about the intangibles that you don't feel have any effect on the game, but I don't even have to. Just his physical performances alone make his case. Jeter should get a fantastic contract. Mauer will be a Yankee if 1) he isn't averse to the idea of playing for them and 2) he hits free agency. The Yankees will offer whatever he desires to bring him, no matter what anyone else is getting.
Using players currently on the Yankees’ roster, this is what I would like to see. Code: SP: CC Sabathia SP: AJ Burnett SP: Andy Pettitte (re-sign) SP: Phil Hughes SP: Joba Chamberlain/Ian Kennedy/Chien-Ming Wang (would have to offer him arb or non-tender & re-sign him) RP: Brian Bruney RP: Joba (if not in rotation) RP: Alfredo Aceves RP: Phil Coke RP: Damaso Marte RP: David Robertson RP: Mariano Rivera C: Jorge Posada 1B: Mark Teixeira 2B: Robinson Cano 3B: Alex Rodriguez SS: Derek Jeter LF: CF: Melky Cabrera RF: Nick Swisher BN: Francisco Cervelli BN: Brett Gardner BN: Jerry Hairston Jr BN: Erick Hinske That is 22-23 players currently under contract with the Yankees/should be easy re-signees. I am all for offering Nady a contract as well, not sure when he will be ready though. Put him in RF and slide Swisher over to LF. I’m sure there is an organizational arm to plug into the bullpen as well (Zach McAllister, Ian Nova, Mark Melancon, Michael Dunn, Ian Kennedy (although I’d prefer to see him work as a starter), Albaladejo, etc.) I would not be against one of Matsui or Damon returning on a contract similar to Pettitte’s last year; low guarantee with incentives. If Damon, he would see a lot of time early in the season until Nady is back, then platoon with him, or (ideally) see more time at DH and off the bench. If Matsui, he would again be the full-time DH, occasionally spelled by Posada and others on their “off-days”.
Percentage of homegrown players on each team's 25-man roster AMERICAN LEAGUE Team Pct. New York Yankees 56% Detroit Tigers 52% Los Angeles Angels 52% Boston Red Sox 48% Minnesota Twins 48% Seattle Mariners 40% Oakland Athletics 36% Cleveland Indians 32% Texas Rangers 32% Toronto Blue Jays 32% Baltimore Orioles 28% Chicago White Sox 28% Tampa Bay Rays 28% Kansas City Royals 20% AL Average: 38%
I think the question I want answered most is: Can Wang get back to the caliber pitcher we all knew? If he can, Joba to the pen, Hughes + Kennedy in the 5th spot.
That percentage is skewed. They are calling "homegrown" players who were signed to minor league deals by the Yankees and called up at some point. Not exactly "Homegrown".
So what is homegrown? Drafted? If it's drafted then the numbers are substantially lower for ALL teams because that's all they do is swap minor league players.
Matsui's days in the outfield are clearly over. If he stays with the Yankees, or anywhere else in the Majors, he will be a DH. I am on board for keeping Matsui, and I've said it even before Game 6. His (clutch) bat is too valuable to get rid of.
