Yankees out to reduce payroll.
Well I just read that the Yankees are out to reduce thier payroll from $208m to $185m. We’ve known that they have been meaning to do it and as of now, thats the game plan.
My sources tell me (ESPN) that Pettitte is returning to the Bronx in 2010 and its only a matter of working out the contract..
208 to 185. Thats $23m that has to come off the books (thats arithmatic people). What does that tell us? Well it tells me that none of the bench players are coming back. So for Molina, Hinske, Hairston Jr, Nady ……… Thanks for playing, be sure to pick up your WS ring at the door. Looks like we’re going to see a baby bomber boom in 2010. Cervelli, CONGRATULATIONS! You get to be the back up backstop this year.
Now what to do with Matsui and Damon. Well the longer the offseason goes on, the more I think that if either are going to sign, its going to be Matsui at a discounted price. But if Cashman wants to persue Bay or Holliday AND reduce payroll, both Johnny and Hideki too can pick up their WS rings at the door. My thought is, don’t plan on seeing Bay or Holliday in pinstripes this year.
And what about pitching? Pettitte comes back *WHEW*. That still leaves 4th and 5th starters. Reduce payroll by adding Halladay or Lackey? HOW? Does that mean that Wang is going to make a comeback? That would be nice if he is the 19 game winner and not the 100 ERA pitcher. Or are they going to put both Joba and Hughs in the rotation? That means the set up man spot is open for battle again. Do they get someone like Putz (easy killer, its just the first name that came to my head), or do Robertson and Bruney battle it out for pre-enter sandman supremicy?
This whole “addition by subtraction” thing is tricky. But I do like the fact that my brain is thinking farm system right now. Miranda could be used for DH/1B, maybe A-Jax they feel is ready to play in the outfield. Jesus Montero could be seeing the bigs if Cervelli ro Posada go down for a spell, Shelley Duncan can ………… wait ……… Duncan is GONE! Ok, so no Shelley. This could be an interesting off season with a bunch of “I DIDN’T SEE THAT ONE COMING” kind of moves. Next week should be fun.
Here’s another thing to wrap your brain around. I didn’t talk about trades. Everyone talks about Joba, Hughs and prospects getting traded. Well if you want Holliday or Bay, don’t be surprised if you don’t see Swisher wearing the interlocking NY then. I’M JUST SAYIN…….
And lets not forget that just because the brass wants payroll reduced, doen’t mean its going to happen. If a Steinbrenner gets a hair up their a** for a certain player, money means nothing.
Well we got snow here in upstate NY over the weekend. That means it must be time……. So let the winter meetings begin.
Just add ingredients
Well here are on the third day of December in the year 2009. The stove is on, the water is boiling and all of us baseball junkies are frothing at the mouth waiting to see what happens.
So far Wagner has signed with the Braves and I hear Polonco just signed with the Phillies.
And the Yankees have done nada, sqwat, nuttin, sh*t. Do they know that time is ticking. And I’m not talking about to spring training. I’m talking about my stroke with all the scenario’s I have running through my head.
I WANT SOME ACTION NOW! Capeesh? Well so you know, back on 11/25/09 the Yankees outrighted Shelley Duncan to the minors. He refused which makes him a free agent. FIRST! This wasn’t the action I was talking about. SECOND! It looks like we won’t be “running with Duncan” anymore. And THIRD! I bet you Jane of “Confessions of a she-fan” knew this. She knows everything Yankees.
I blame this on Girardi. He won #27 for the boss. He said he was changing his number. Well guess who was #28……….. YES! Shelley was. I really think this kid has got something. But I’m just a fan that only knows one-tenth of the story. I really hope the Shellster catches on somewhere. I’ll even go as far as to say that I hope he gets picked up and comes to Yankee stadium and crushes the ball. WAIT! Lets not go crazy, I still want the team he’s on to lose, but I want him to do well.
I’ve read all these blogs about who to trade to get Halladay in pinstripes. Its amazing that everyone is willing to part with Joba, Hughs, and prospects. Well I just heard that Swisher may be available for the taking. There goes another player I like……… Man, this day is beginning to suck. Just think, the Yanks could resign Damon, Matsui, Pettite AND get Bay or Holliday.
My head hurts from all the thoughts of what the Yanks will do. I need the regular season to start so I can relax the brain and go back to yelling at the TV.
So for now, I’m going over to Jane’s “Confession of a she-fan” blog. She’s giving away awards for all kinds of categories. And if you’re a Yankee fan you’ll like it. If you’re a Yankee hater, well you may want to go watch reruns of Gilligans Island.
Matsui gone ……… you sure about that?
Now looking at it from a pure “on the field” type of view, its easy to say good-bye to Matsui and retain Damon. But we all know that when it comes to Matsui, it goes deeper than “just” being a ball player.
Now I’m not sure of this, and you can call me an idiot. But aren’t the yankees making mucho dinero off Matsui when it comes to Japan. Don’t the Yankees make killer money off of merchandise sales, TV, etc. ON TOP of what they make here in the states?
So lets just make up some numbers. Lets say the Yankees make $30m just from the japanese revenue. And they pay Matsui $15m/yr. Isn’t that still a $15m dollar profit for the yankees?
So if this is the case. Would it make sense for the 2009 World Series Champions to allow him to go elsewhere. Its not like he’s Igawa. Matsui is a very good offensive player that won’t hurt the team. Plus he’s trying to strengthen his knees so he can play the field again.
So if you really want to get younger with a little more pop and a stronger arm, then let Damon go and sign Holliday or Bay to the big deal and lets go from there.
Just something to think about.
Hear me out on this one Mr. Cashman
I’m fairly new to this and I love reading Yankee blogs and getting their take on what’s going on and what should be done. I’m starting to find my favorites bloggers as well. But with all the hype over this years lack luster free agent class, lets try this on for size.
Damon, Matsui, Molina, Hinske…………… GONE! (there will be more ommisions later)
Re-sign Hairston Jr as a utility guy because this man can play everywhere.
Okay, so that leaves Jorge, Tex, Cano, Jeter and A-Rod on the infield.
Now here is where the fun part comes in. Everyone is high on Austin Jackson. To the point that he’s a starter as soon as he comes up. And if you look at his numbers, they aren’t that far off from Gardners. And lets not forget Girardi felt good enough about Gardner to give him the starting job over Melky in center at the beginning of the season. GOOD! So guess what *POOF* Gardner starts in center in 2010. With that move you shift Melky over to right (he’s got the better arm) and put Swisher in left.
Now we need a bench. Cervelli backing up Posada. We’ve already re-signed Hairston (according to me) so we’ll add Pena, Miranda and Duncan. I know Duncan is a little “iffy” but I like him and I feel if given a real chance, he can do some things. You can always re-sign Nady at a bargain price when he’s healthy (around the all star break) if need be.
Now lets move onto pitching. SIGN LACKEY! The guy is a work horse and proved his surgery worked. C.C., Lackey, A.J, Pettitte (yes he’s coming back), and *dramatic pause* Wang.
Onto the pen: Joba and Hughs are the road to Mo. Coke, Robertson, Marte, Aceves. Sorry people have to go so that leaves Bruney, Albaladejo and Gaudan as trade bait or back to the minors.
Line up:
Jeter
Swisher
Tex
A-Rod
Cano
Posada
Miranda
Melky
Gardner
I think this line up, at worst, may not keep you in first place. But will keep you in the hunt. And if you still feel antsy come trade deadline. Make some moves. But you shouldn’t have to worry about pitching.
In 2009, the payroll was $208m. This line up would cost you (giving Lackey $17m/yr and bringing Wang back at a reduced price) somewhere in the $180′s WITHOUT putting too much strain on offense.
Christmas wish list
Well the season is over. The trophy is in its case. The confetti from the parade has been cleaned up. It was just announced that Jeter and Tex won gold gloves. And the mini GM meeting was held in Chicago.
Two of the biggest topics from the Yankees prospective? Damon and Matsui. Rumor has it that the evil empire if agents (Scott Boras) is looking for a long contract with Jeter like money for Damon. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? That is going to change my outlook on what I think the line up will be next year.
Cashman said that the desicion about Hideki was made up before the playoffs even started.
OK, So here is the list of free agents on the Yankees. I LOVE PLAYING GM! My family last name may not be Steinbrenner, but me and my brothers talk the whole off season of what the bombers should do.
Even though I haven’t consulted with my partners, this is what I feel.
Johnny Damon should be offered a one year deal. I’d even give him somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million for one year. Anything higher and longer than that, he needs to go. Why? The Yankees are high on minor leaguer A-Jax (Austin Jackson) who will be ready for the bigs in 2011. Damon is good, but Jeter money? They guy can’t even give an interview correctly.
Hideku Matsui, sorry but you need to go. You’ve been a great Yankee and you have served the pin stripes honorably. But you can’t hang on to the pin strip coat tails and not play the field. WHY? The Yankees are getting old and need that spot for the geriatric core four (well two of them). But here is the real reason you need to go. You’ve been a Yankee for what, eight years now? NOT ONCE have I heard you do an interview in English. Grape vine has it that you speak the language pretty good. Well if I can’t hear it, then you need to go. I’m tired of pressing 1 for English.
Andy Pettitte needs to come back. I wish it was that easy but the ball is pretty much in his court. He has proven that he has Yankee blood flowing through those veins and money isn’t an object. Well not totally anyway. Not too many teams can have their number four pitcher (in the beginning of the year) step into the number three spot and win the deciding game of the world series. Plus my mother loves this guy, so she would disown me if I let him go.
Other free agents that will be exiting will be Jose Molina, Eric Hinske, Xavier Nady. And I haven’t made up my mind yet on Jerry Hairston Jr.
Fransisco Cervelli will replace Molina. And as often as you use Hinske, you may as well put the fan favorite Shelley Duncan in that spot. I must admit, I am a Duncan fan myself. And how many people even remembered that this Nady was still on the team? Even though his name begins with the letter “X”, which is always cool, he’s not needed.
What has me on the bubble with Hairston is that he can play every position on the field. I even think he’s the emergency catcher if needed. His bat is nothing to spectacular, but that and his glove won’t hurt you. Hmmm. What to do? I’m sure the real people in charge will let him go and use Ramero Pena as utility guy for the Infield. Which isn’t that bad either.
Now we get to pitching. So we have CC and AJ as the 1-2 punch. Does Wang come back? Lets say yes. And Andy is back as well. Now do we go after Lackey? I SAY HELL YEAH! This guy is an animal on the mound. He eats up innings, strikes people out and oh yeah, he wins games.
Something tells me Wang isn’t going to be ready for most of the year. So I’m taking him out of this scenario for now. That gives us four starters. Who’s number five? Well I’m going to tell you. I say we give it to Chad Gaudan. Ok fine, I’ll evn give Kennedy a chance to win that spot again. But I’m not holding my breath. Hughes and Chamberlain is a deadly road to travel down to get to Rivera.
Total savings in payroll with the eliminations. Damon and Matsui ($13m each), Nady ($6.55m), Molin ($2.5m), Hinske ($1.5m) and if Hairston goes that another $2m
So lets look at the defensive alignment (according to my thoughts)
P – CC, AJ, Lackey, Andy, Chad
C – Jorge, Cervelli
1 – Tex
2 – Cano
3 – A-Rod
SS – Jeter
utililty – Pena
L – Swisher
C – Gardner
R – Cabrera
Utility – Hairston Jr, Duncan
I think the Yankees should save their money. If Damon commands multi year and mega money, he’s gotta go. And I don’t think we should go after Bay or Holliday either. Not if A-Jax is as good as they say he is. You can’t get Holliday anyway, he wears #15. THATS A NO NO HERE IN THE BRONX. Other than left field and pitching, there aren’t too many gaping holes. Out field is a little weak offensively, but it could be better.
Brain Cashman, if you need more input, you can always find me here. I’ll let you buy dinner and we can talk some more.
THEEEEEEEEEEEE YANKEES WIN!
How about them Yankees? Winning their 27th world series in franchise history.
Hideki Matsui named world series MVP. I can’t argue but he wasn’t my first choice. Personally I would’ve given that honor to Johnny Damon. But thats me.
Offensively Tex and Cano were lets just say, less than steller. Hughes was lost, Joba was good for two outs. Swisher was ”rested” for one game. Cabrera pulls a hammy. And yet, Girardi led the bombers to the world series victory.
Why?
Its all about the pitching. Credit Girardi, his coaching staff and the Yankee brass for sticking to thier guns in going with a three man rotation. They could’ve easily pitched Chad Gaudan in game five against Cliff Lee but decided against it and stuck with Burnett on three day rest away from the friendly confindes of home. And outside of the poor pitching performance in that game, the Yankee starters pitched at least six innings in every other game. And looked good doing it.
What better way to seal the deal then to have good ole #46 on the mound to take it home. Andy has ALWAYS been a fan favorite. And his clutch performances are a big reason why.
Now in a few weeks, Cashman and his staff will be pondering many questions that will have to be addressed this off season.
Damon and Matsui are in contract years. Do you keep one, both or none?
Do you keep Joba in the pen and give Hughes another chance as a starter?
Did Swisher prove himself enough to justify letting Nady leave?
Is Austin Jackson going to be given a chance to play with the big boys?
And I’m sure there are issues in the pen that have to be discussed as well.
But the one thing that everyone will be waiting for come opening day next year. Will Girardi be wearing #28?
Until we meet again………………
Back to the Bronx
Will last night the Phillies kept baseball going for at least one more game.
People question the move of putting Burnett in on three days rest. These are the same people that said it was a “no brainer” to pitch him. Now they are questioning Pettite for game 6.
I don’t think the amount of rest (or lack there of) is what did Burnett in. Burnett is a hot and cold kind of pitcher. When he’s on, he’s on. Like he was in game 2. But when he’s off. HE’S OFF! And any amount of rest wasn’t going to change it.
As for Pettite. There is something about this guy. He’s got the inner strength that allows him to turn it up a notch when need be. I think #46 is going to be outstanding in game 6.
But no matter how great he is, the offense has to back him up. At the plate, Tex is terrible. Cano is just as bad. Now with Cabrera out, Gardner starts in center and his bat speaks for itself (and its not doing a whole lot of talking). So much for speed off the bench.
Now that its back in the Bronx, Matsui is once again in the line up.
If I may go off track here for a second. I’d like to talk about Posada
. Everyone makes a big deal about him when he’s not behind the plate for Burnett. Has anyone been watching him these past couple of games. His bat is the best part of his game. His base running is horrific. He doesn’t score on Cano’s double in the ALCS. He hits a gapper in game 4 and tries for second and is out by 15 feet. I guess his inner Carl Lewis left him hanging. Last night behind the plate, he tries to back a ball in the dirt. Instead of dropping to his knees and blocking it with his body, it bounces off his glove allowing for the Phillie runner to take third. I know a lot of Yankee fans will disagree with what I am about to say, but I think Jorge is a premadonna that is over rated. Yes he is a decent catcher and doesn’t kill a team, but he’s not all that every New Yorker pumps him up to be.
Anyway, like I’ve said earlier. Yankees in 6.
Yankees up 3-1
Game 3: Except for the one bad inning, Pettitte looks fantastic. Not to mention he helped his own cause with an RBI single. And being a Swisher fan, it was nice to see him back in the line up and put one over the fence. And how about Matsui coming off the bench and joining the hit parade. I’m going to miss him next season.
What a relief to see Joba being the Joba of last year. Looks like he has just sealed Hughes fate for the rest of this series. We’ll see what game four has to hold. If both aren’t careful, Marte might tell them both to sit and enjoy the show while he fills their slot.
Game 4: Who does A-Rod think he is? How dare he come up to the plate in the top of the nineth with 2 on, 2 out and rip a single down the left field line to score Damon and give the Yankees the lead. Did he not get the memo? Doesn’t he know that all the bomber fans know he can’t do anything right in the clutch? This guy has got some nerve doing that to all us Yankee fans. And here I was waiting to go to extra innings. THE NERVE! Whats next, dating Goldie Hawns kid? All I can say is “Good job A-Rod”
Not to take anything away from A-Rod, but how about Damon who set the whole thing up. With the shift on for Tex, the aggresiveness of stealing second increases chances to score on a single. But what he did after that had me picking my jaw up off the floor. HE TAKES THIRD IN THE SAME PLAY!!!!! Unbelievable. With the nobody covering third, he decides to get into a foot race which paid off.
Pitching: CC wasn’t flawless, but looked as good as everyone expected. Now we get to see Burnett go tonight. Who is 4-0 in his career when going on three days rest. He’s going against Cliff Lee who pitched a gem in game one. But I don’t think he’s going to have the same outcome tonight. Tonight you will see that Lee is human. I’m not saying the Yankees will win tonight but it won’t be lights out. Joba started off great striking out the first two, but gave up the game tying home run in the bottom of the 8th. Hmmm.
I know that the Yankee fans are pumped up. And some are even getting a little lippy saying the Phils aren’t all that. Well, yes they are. Its just the wrong time of year to have Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and a few others to be in a slump. And as any other baseball team should ………….. smell the weak and pounce. Hence the 3-1 lead.
Series tied at 1
How good is this series? Really good….
Being a fan of one of teams in the series, there is no time to just sit back and relax and “assume” that any game is over UNTIL its over.
A.J. pitched a great game. Is command of all his pitches were spot on.
Not to take anything away from Pedro. But like Francona, Manuel left Pedro in one inning to long.
Swisher got the night off. Was he happy about it? I doubt it. And even though Hariston got one hit, I guess that is to be considered an improvement. I like Swish and I’m sure he’ll be back in the line up next game (don’t quote me)
Scary part is middle relief. Girardi has just about given up on Hughes and Joba. What else is the explination for Mariano pitching two innings.
******************************************************
And the A-Rod bashing continues. WHY? Because he makes crazy money and not hitting? This is the Phillies we’re talking about. Not the Pirates. How does the saying go? It takes good pitching to stop good hitting……..
If you want to ignore the ALCS & ALDS, ok. Then the only bombinos that are performing are Jeter, Posado & Matsui. Where is everyone else? Well lets take a look shall we…
Jeter – 4 for 8 .500
Damon – 1 for 8 .125
Teixiera – 1 for 7 .143
A-Rod – 0 for 8 .000
Matsui – 3 for 6 .500
Posada – 2 for 5 .400
Cano – 1 for 7 .143
Swisher – 0 for 3 .000
Cabrera – 1 for 6 .167
Molina (0-1), Gardner (0-1), Hariston (1-3)
As you can see, six of the nine starters are batting under .200. Yes, A-Rod makes alot (and I mean A LOT) of money. Tex isn’t exactly making minimum wage either. But he seems to be getting a pass. (I’m talking offense now)
To show the comparison, here is what the Phillies have done so far in the series.
Howard – 2 for 9
Ibanez – 3 for 8
Victorino – 2 for 8
Rollins – 1 for 6
Feliz – 0 for 7
Ruiz – 2 for 7
Utley – 2 for 7
Werth – 2 for 6
Stairs – 1 for 4
Fransisco – 0 for 3
As you see, they aren’t killing the ball either. Its all about the pitching. THAT is what makes fans of both teams on the edge of their seats the entire game.
Game 1 – No need to panic
I wish people would stop already. After ONE GAME (in a best of 7) everyone is back to slamming A-rod saying he’s back to the A-Rod of old. Everyone needs to realize that A-Rod isn’t superman. And if you look at the box score, not to many Yankees did anything last night offensively.
And if you’re going to critisize a player for their lack of offense, then spread the wealth. Because last night, the offense was anemic.
Face it, CC was good. Lee was gooder.
What else am I hearing? Oh yeah, Swisher. Do you really want him out of the line up? The man hit 29 homers with 82 RBI and walked 97 times. Who do you want to replace him with, Gardner? Sure he’s fast. But he has to get on base first. Last night, there weren’t too many base runners. How about Hariston Jr? So you want to take a switch hitter out for a right handed bat? I’m not saying its a bad move, Jr is a veteran and can play any position. But do you want Swisher to pinch run for Matsui in the 8th?
Why isn’t anyone bashing Hughes in this world of “what have you done for me lately“? His entire post season has been horrid (Joba’s as well). But you still put him on the mound. Why? Because of what he meant to this team throughout the season. THATS WHY!
The funny thing is that there a lot of people that play armchair manager. And just for giggles, lets say Girardi takes Swisher out and puts in Gardner (or Hariston) and they go zero for the series. These are the same people that would change their veiws mid-stream and start requesting Girardi’s head on a platter for the stupid move of taking Swisher out.
So lets stop focussing on the negitives and just enjoy the fact that the Yankees are playing in the world series. Its only game 1 of a best of 7 series. AFTER the series is over, THEN we can play I’m the manager or I’m the GM.
I still say Bombers in 6
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