December 2009
Brian Cashman Delivers
Brian Cashman never goes againt the grain of his word. Behind closed doors, the Yankee GM had negotiations and made offers to deliver his promise. Promising to deliver a starter by years end, former Yankee Javier Vasquez is heading back to Yankee rotation. In trun the Yankees give OF Melky Cabrera, and two pitching prospects (Mike Dunn & Arodys Vizcaino to the Braves.
Vasquez could now switch between being a no. 3 or 4 – that’s a promise I could deliver and I don’t work in the front office.
Fact of the matter is, Yankees needed depth for Opening Day’s rotation before adding pieces elsewhere. Cashman must now focus on spending small amounts on a LF no not exceed the payroll limit of $$200MM.
Here’s some options:
1. Mark DeRosa is a main utility man who some argue, could be better fit for the infield, but has a lot of time with other teams as the LF. In 08 and 09, he’s managed to average 22 HRS, 82.5 RBIS, AND A .347 OBP. He’s my leading candidate for this position.
2. Marlon Byrd played 146 games last season in Texas with a career high 20 HRS (other numbers in 09 for Byrd include .283/.329/.479). A Dallas Morning Blog today stated the Cubs are shoing interest though.
A reason why the Yankees still won’t take Damon back is his asking price. Yankees are staying put with their offer of 2 yrs at $$7.5MM a yr. As stated before with payroll now still limited, don’t expect a Bay/Holliday calibur player. Think low-budget such as small priced one or two year deals. Don’t even think Jack Cust.
Melky Cabrera was a huge clutch performer in the first months of 2009. But, someone had to go, and Brian Cashman would have loved to keep Cabrera. But in case of a trade who would you rather see go? Chamberlain? Hughes? Gardner? Montero?
I know Yankee fans. I am one. If we win another pennant this year, we won’t be baching Cashman’s moves. This is our GM coming off an incredible winter last season. He’s not spending money. He’s putting it to good use.
Yankees also signed backup catcher Mike Rivera to a minor league deal. With Molina now out of the picture for now, Yankees have Posada and Cervelli on the Major League roster. Mike Rivera sits with Jesus Montero and Kevin Cash in the affiliates.
Until next time Yankees Fans…
Yankees Slashing The Payroll
GM meetings reporters claims Brian Cashman wouldn’t look to sign major contracts with any big time FA (BAY, HOLLIDAY, HALLADAY), but would keep his ear to the ground in case they see an opportunity. In the case for Halladay, I believe the Yankees wouldn’t have had a problem with letting go of prospects Montero or Jackson; but, to add Joba AND/OR Hughes to the mix of that sort of deal, was ‘down right’ way too much. Added, Halladay would have cost the Yankees a great deal of money which Cashman chose to save.
Fans have been more or less upset when Matsui was signed by Anaheim, as it gets no easier with fans now seeing Johnny Damon hit the pavement. The report from Fox Sorts’ Ken Rosenthal was that either Damon or Matsui would remain in a Yankee uniform for 2010. There is clearly no good chance Johnny could return now with the signing of Nick Johnson. Nick Johnson passed the physical and signed a one year deal worth $$5.5M on December 17th – needs citation. Yankees haven’t asked Nick yet, but will eventually tell him to be the number 2 hitter for 2010 in place of Johnny Damon’ role in the batting order. He would be the Yankees primary DH for the upcoming season. Yankees will most likely put Granderson in fifth, sixth, or seventh in the lineup.
Yankees loved how Nick Johnson’s one year contract has a lot less risk for injury than if they were to re-sign Hideki Matsui who was a career .291 hitter with his time in New York. If the Yankees plan to give Teixiera a day off or two, Nick Johnson could also fill that void at first base while Tex could DH. Nick Johnson spent 2009 playing 133 games with Washington and Florida. He is duely noted for his .426 OBP (MLB 3rd best in 2009 – needs citation).
Curtis Granderson also made a ‘GRAND ENTRANCE’ this past week at the stadium. Yankees gave Curtis a contract to pay him through 2012 with an option for 2013.
To sum up, Cashman believes this is the lineup that could be the ‘X-factor’ in repeating as world champions. Not resigning because of his health, Matsui departs to Anaheim. Johnny Damon is now FA looking to sign a contract that pays around $$13M annually (what the Yankees have no interest in doing). Yankees are still seeking pitching to help boost the rotation. I posted a blog where Ben Sheets would be my pick regardless of not pitching a game in 2009 because of injusy. Rumors around the league say Cashman is interested in both Sheets and FA Justin Duchsherer.
Could we see Johnny Damon picked up by a team like Atlanta?
Atlanta just resigned Matt Diaz for 1yr worth $$2.55M avoiding arbitration. RF Ryan Church (traded from NYM for for Jeff Francoeur) was designated for assignment.
On a side note, some clubs showed interest in both Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner this offseason.
Let me know what you fans think.
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Probable Starters for the 2010 Season
Yankees are still looking for pitching for the upcoming season. Brian Cashman stated numerous times that a team “can never have enough pitching” [as stated in a MLB Network short interview and radio interview on 660WFAN.]
With John Lackey signing with Boston, the list of remaining FA starting pitchers has names like Ben Sheets, Joel Piniero, Jason Marquis, Eric Bedard, and Braden Looper.
Yahoo.com Sports posted in an article Brian Cashman is interested in Ben Sheets. FA Justin Duchsherer is also being considered by the Yankees. However, neither Sheets or Duchsherer pitched in 2009. Ben Sheets is looking for a contract that pays about $$11M to $$12M a year. In 2008, Sheets hurled a 198.1 innings and finishing with 3.09 ERA and a 13-9 record. Duchscherer pitched 141.2 innings with a 2.54 ERA and a 10-8 record for Oakland in 2008. He has since declinced arbitration from Oakland after spending 6 seasons with the A’s.
Both have had injuries sidelining them for the 2009 season. I like Ben Sheets’ 198+ innings pitched. I believe he’ll produce an 11 or 12 wins while going 5 or more innings per out. I’d definitley go with this than go with Joba as a starter. If you remember, Joba’s ERA as a starter through June of 2009 exceeded a 6. Justin Duchsherer can be added as bullpen addition. He’s played in 39 games in the previous two seasons combined with a 2.79 ERA as both a starter and a reliever.
If the Yankees sign him Duchsherer, don’t expect him be thrown into the rotation. But I believe Yankees will try to negotiate with Sheets as a fitting number 4. Cashman has informed the media on various accounts that the probable number 5 starter will be either Joba or Phil Hughes.
Halladay/Lee Trade Latest
In case you missed small talk, A’s can be included in the original three team deal between Seattle, Philadelphia, and Toronto. I shall call this the “four-front.”
Cliff Lee lands in Seattle.
Roy Halladay goes to NL champion Phillies.
Prospects will go to the Toronto Blue Jays
Oakland gets OF Michael Taylor in exchange for Brett Wallace.
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MONDAY MADNESS SWEEPSTAKES
A number of clubs participated in aquiring FA’s (pending physical tests) around the hours of 2pm to about 8pm Monday night. Philadelphia Seattle & Toronto were a trio of teams that was included in what was a ‘brushfire’ of numerous team aquisitions. Boston & Anaheim are made a splash.
2003 AL Cy Young Winner Roy ‘Doc’ Halladay checked into a hotel checked into a Philadelphia-area hotel (what was once rumored, is now confirmed by Andy Martino) with his agent to talk with Phillies about a possible trade offer. Philadelphia was rumored to be the leader in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes this winter (rumors undisclosed from the Indianapolis GM winter meetings). Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. was aware he would need to deal a number of prospects and Cliff Lee (the 2008 AL Cy Young Winner), in order to aquire Halladay. Cliff Lee reportedly is due to end up in Seattle in the same rotation as Felix Hernandez. Blue Jays acquires four prospects from Philadelphia (OF Dominic Brown and/or OF Michael Taylor, RHP Doug Drabek, and C Travis d’Arnaud, none of which are confirmed choices to be included in the package deal.)
To sum up on the triple-team deal, Roy Halladay expected to earn $15.75M in 2010. Phillies front office repots that n order to attain Halladay, they could not afford the $9M Lee expected to earn next season. Cutting their payroll was the back-breaker for the Phillies. The Jays pick up prospects as they’ve been asking numerous clubs for in terms of a possible trade(s) for a man who won a minimum of 16 games in each of the last four seasons.
John Lackey signed with Boston for $85M over five years. He is projected to be Red Sox’ No.3 starter behind Lester & Beckett. Veteran OF Mike Cameron, is expected to sign with Boston over two years that pays $7M to $8M annually. (both reported by MLB.com)
Angels signed 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui to a one year deal paying $6.5M. Now projected to be the DH come Opening Day 2010, some sources believe this could erase the chance of resigning free agent Vlad Guerrero.
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Once again, these deals are yet to be finalized, pending physicals.
- Anthony Arroyo http://www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=27613852
Fans Gotta Love Tim Lincecum
Straight from winning numerous awards at Washington’s collegiate level (Golden Spikes Award winner - 2006, Pac-10 Freshman of the Year – 2004, Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year also in 2004), Tim Lincecum worked his way to the front of the Giants rotation and became the face of the franchise (coincidentally, ‘franchise’ is his nickname) over the course of the past 2 seasons winning Cy Young Awards in 2008 and in 2009.
Pay respect for his two seam fastball which is deemed untouchable. His change-up has a hook that baffles hitter continuously. Pitching against Colorado in 2007, Ian Stewart of the Rockies called him ‘the toughest pitcher he’d ever faced. He’s filthy.’ He finished in 2007 with an 7-5 record, 4.00 ERA in 24 games.
Would he be a victim to the sophomore jinx? Nope.
Tim pitched the 2008 season with heavy determination. That season included breaking a single season K record for San Fransisco (passing Jason Schmidt’s single season record of 251), 2 complete games (one being a complete game shutout against San Diego), averaging 10.5 SO per 9 innings (best in ML), a .316 SLG% against & .612 OPS-against (both best in ML). It earned him a Cy Young – the first SFG since Mike McCormick in 1967.
In 2009, his stellar performance in the month of June (4-1, 1.38 ERA and three complete games) led him to be voted by fans to his second All-Star Game (did not pitch in 2008 ASG due to illness) and earning a spot as the National League starting pitcher awarded by NL coach Charlie Manuel (Phillies). He pitched two innings striking out one, and giving up one earned and unearned run respectively. His best performance that year came against the Pirates (one that I watched thanks to MLB.com premium) when he struck out 15 a career high. He’d polish off 2009 with a 15-7 record with 2.48 ERA in 32 games.
That’s not enough? How’s this: 260+ strikeouts in each of the past two seasons and a career WHIP of 1.25.
I have to ask, aren’t some of today’s best teams like the Red Sox and Yankees on top of signing guys this good? It led some friends and family joke ‘we need this guy.’
Every team needs a pitcher to lead the charge.
No one better than Tim Lincecum, ‘The Franchise.’
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It wasn’t until 2006 that he signed a contract with the San Fransisco Giants for a $2.025M signing bonus* (citation from Wikipedia). He was drafted in 2003 by the Cubs and again in 2005 by the Indians (did not sign either year).
Holliday, Damon are indecisive?
How many of you would jump at making 13 million a year doing what you love? Me too. For some, I guess $13M is peanuts.
No secret Johnny Damon want to return to Yankees on a contract that pays him better than his previous season. MLB.com reports his asking price is a little to high for Cashman and the Yankees’ taste.
It’s a waiting game. I personally wouldn’t be surprised if Boras can get his way in this negotiation for his client. After all, that is his job.
Another one of Boras’ clients, Matt Holliday, is currently still deciding whether or not to accept an offer from St. Louis’ front office. The career .318 hitter will pose as a threat in any lineup. His contract will pay him more than $18m yearly if he accepts.
Johnny Damon in 2009 – .282/.365/.489 24HR 82 RBIS 107R
Matt Holliday in 2009 – .313/.394/.515 24HR 109RBIS 94R
Three Man Ferris Wheel
RHP Chien-Ming Wang, 3B Garrett Atkins, OF Jack Cust were all added to the long list of available FA list.
Jack Cust making the list seemed odd. My guess is they’re calling up an promising OF from the farm system.
My gut is telling me to trust smart man Billy Beane.
Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd, signed Atkins to a one-year deal in 2008 worth $7M. Garrett Atkins spent his entire MLB career with the Rockies, played in 126 games in 2009. Rockies fans might have been surprised to see Atkins numbers, despite playing in 29 fewer games than the previous season.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman responds “I won’t hold my breath” when being asked about a possible contract in the future for the back-to-back 19 game winner. Finishing second in the Cy Young race in 2006 behind Twins’ Johan Santana, his 2009 season was a bust (1-6 in 9 starts w/ 9.64 ERA and pitching only 42 innings.
Atkins in 2009 – .226/.308/.342 9HR 37R 48 RBIS
How do Rockies, Yankees, A’s fans feel about these decisions?
LATES MOVES ON THE EASTERN FRONT…
Former Mets Pitcher JJ Putz signing one year deal with the White Sox worth $3m. In his only season with the Mets, he posted a record of 1-4 with an ERA over 5 and pitched only 29 1/3 innings of relief.
Mets pick Carlos Montasterios in the rule 5 draft for the Phillies. Playing in different leagues in the minors in 2009, he posted an overall 3.73 ERA in 89 innigs pitched with a 5-6 record.
Yankees 3b Cody Ransom signs minor league deal with National League Champion Phillies. Cody played in 31 games after starting at third base opening day for Yankees in 2009. He hit 10 extra base hits with 10RBIs in 79 total at bats.
Washington Nationals give the Yankees Jamie Hoffmann (OF) for the Bruney trade (the “played-to-be-named-later). Hoffman was the Rule 5 draft pick for Washington. Hitting .291 in his minor league career, scouts claim he is one of the few athletes for can run for average at his size being 6’3 235lbs. Little known fact, he was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL draft in the early 2000, and signed in as a non-drafted frre agent in 2003.
Johnny Damon has a decision in the next two weeks. What appears to sound like a two year deal from the Yankees, Agent Scott Boras will do more negotiating apparently.
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