I wouldn't go as far as assclown, but I understand your point. The difference in defensive ability is truly night and day between Matsui and Cabrera. Plus Melky is just a kid. Matsui will be a full-time DH within the next 3 years. Then what? We have one big hole in left. Offensively, there is an argument for having either in the lineup. Matsui is by far going to generate more runs. However, Melky is a fairly smart hitter, who can get on base. (I know most people these days are infatuated with the long ball, but baserunners win games.) Besides, with Melky in left, hitting 8 or 9, and Matsui DHing in the 6 hole, you get the best of both worlds. As for Giambi, here is the way I view first base. If you can get a lefty to play it, that's best case. If not, you want a Gold Glove righty there. (Yes, I would take an average lefty over a Gold Glove righty.) If you can't get either, just get your most potent bat in there. In all honesty, if you don't have a Mattingly or Tino at first, then the difference any first baseman is going to make defensively is miniscule. Just get the offense. In Giambi's case, it works double. He has shown that he is a better offensive player when he plays 1B. So with all the factors put together, with Melky in left, Giambi at first, and Matsui DHing, you get the maximum offensive potential, with the best possible defense this team, as composed, can give you.
Obviously you'd rather have Giambi at 1B because he's proved to be a better offensive player when he plays the field, but he physically he can't play out there anymore. At this point he has to DH. It doesn't matter what may give you the best offensive/defensive output, Giambi HAS to DH. Cashman is meeting with Lilly's agent today, if he matches the Cubs 4/$40 offer, he officially proves he is as clueless about the pitching as the Tampa contingent. The only thing that would save him from being fired is the fact that he turned a bottom 5 system into a top 10 system. Makes no sense to meet with him, someone suggested it's to make Pettitte decide quicker, but that would be stupid, because if he's pressured into a decision he'll just retire or pitch for Houston again.
You know, I never really considered it from the "being able to physically play the position" POV before. That's actually a very good point. I wonder if we could train Matsui to take over first? There would definitely be more time to work with him than with Sheff, and Matsui has a vastly different attitude. I want Matsui's bat in the lineup, but not at the expense of Cabrera. I doubt Cashman is trying to pressure Pettite. There's no reason to. Either he is coming here, or he is retiring. I think he's done in Houston. His agent put a deadline for his decision out yesterday too. I believe it's the 22nd. I think Andy will make a decision by the end of the weekend to be honest with you. I doubt Cash makes a big deal with Lily. $10M/year for 4 years is INSANE for him. I'd go $8M/2 years, take it or leave it. I like Lily, but not that much. I can't wait until these farmhands start coming up. I'm so sick of the geriatric rotation.
10penn is right Alio...Giambi is simply no longer even to play a horrible first base...he cant even move two feet...he does still have decent hands though....but he cannot throw the ball either...just cantthrow brutal
Yankees willing to give Pettitte a 2nd year at $15M if he wants it. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/06/sports/baseball/07yankees.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin Give it to him. For some reason, I really want Pettitte back now.
Agreed, give it to him. It's a risk, but of all the pitching talent out there, this is the best risk you can take. We know Pettite can pitch in pinstripes. We know he can pitch in October. He's a lefty. There's no reason not to make this deal. I never stopped wanting Pettite back in the Bronx. This is a smart offer. That's a lot of money staring him in the face. It's hard to turn down that kind of cash, regardless of your readiness to hang up your cap for the last time.
Pettite announced today that he isn't going to retire. Hopefully he will sign that 15 million deal with us. He was always one of my most favorite Yankees and I loved to watch him pitch.
Sounds like the Mariners really want a SP, and are open to trading Sexson. Cashman should see if he can pull off Pavano and a prospect for Sexson + cash.
He has a career 124 OPS+, and other than a wrist injury in 2004, has been durable his entire career playing 1B. Also, you'd be getting rid of a headache waiting to happen in Pavano, and probably a "decent" prospect at best. I think it would be a no brainer. And considering Bavasi just traded a great reliever in Soriano for a #4 starter, you don't know what he's capable of agreeing to.
http://nysportsdog.blogspot.com/ Who knows how true it is, but this site has been pretty accurate reporting other moves before any of the major outlets, so take it FWIW.
My favorite Yankee beat writer Peter Abraham also has an optimistic take on Pettitte. http://www.lohud.com/blogs/lohudyankees.html Interresting tidbit on Cashman, guess he didn't leave the meetings for good, after all.
If there is a deal involving Pavano for Sexson, do it, now, please! As far as Pettite, I will love it if we hear it today that he's back. Even if he isn't 100% the old Andy, it's still a BIG upgrade to the rotation. Cashman is amazing. Why he didn't have full control of this club all along is beyond me.
Brian, please do not get Barry Zito. I beg you do not make a splash for him...He would flop in the pinstripes, crumble in the Bronx, rattled in Fenway and his little high 80's fastball and great curveball isn't enough. The Yanks already have some soft-tossers... If Cashman gets Zito, it'll flop so badly.
I wanted Zito from day one, and I still do now. A rotation of Wang, Pettite, Moose, Zito, Unit. WoW, just WoW. Imagine having Randy Johnson as your FIFTH starter! Zito's numbers have actually begun to improve over the passt two years. His wins have gone up, while his ERA has gone down. With our lineup to support him, his 3-4 runs a game are nothing.
I wouldn't want to overpay but he has done well under postseason pressure, I think he'd be ok in NY. I think the Mets will get him and if Glavine can give them another year like last year they will be in tremendous shape.
I highly doubt it. But of course, if Cashman does give Zito the fat contract, I will help drive the "Fire Cashman" bandwagon. It's all moot though, Cashman isn't a retard. Zito will not be a Yankee, thank the Lord.
