Centerfield Issues- A Guest Post

December 2008

Now that the Yankee’s have shored up their starting pitching with two great talents, and signed a true first baseman for the next eight years I have been wondering what we are planning on “really doing” about our glaring hole in centerfield?  We have more than enough corner outfielders but no true centerfielder to patrol that so important area for us for the next year and the many to follow.  I realize a lot of us are waiting for a prospect by the name of Austin Jackson to be our regular centerfielder, but I also realize he is young and is still developing his trait.  Personally as a Yankee fan I don’t like seeing prospects rushed through the system per say in order to fill holes like we did with Cano and Wang; which we must ALL ADMIT AS YANKEE FANS that we were EXTREMELY LUCKY with!!!  I keep reading that Jackson should be ready to deliver for the big club by ’10, but I still don’t see that being an absolute certainty.  Plus I must admit I am one who likes to have options, and at this point I don’t see any other option in our minor league system at this position but him!  Wouldn’t it behoove us to possibly trade some of our corner outfield talent and possibly some our pitching talent (which we get good reviews of so often these days) and trade for another centerfielder/centerfield prospect.  I know this would make me feel a LOT MORE COMFORTABLE about our situation going ahead!  Personally if I had my druthers I would be pursuing a player such a Cameron Maybin from the Florida Marlins who are ALWAYS willing to deal players, but I do realize they are much more willing when they are due their “pay day” than while still being under their control!  I think we have more than enough talent in terms of developed/experienced players and prospects to make such a move, and secure our future centerfielder for the next ten years with such a bold move.  Thus making it more and more of a smarter move as the clock ticks closer to spring training for us!  Then again perhaps I am just another “over worried” Yankee fan/fanatic who wants/expects too much of his team???



Jason

OH NO? More Like - Yeah, Right!

December 2008

NEWS FLASH!!!!!

RED SOX INTERESTED IN TRADING FOR HANLEY RAMIREZ, ALBERT PUJOLS, THE 2000 VERSION OF RANDY JOHNSON AND IN REINCARNATING TED WILLIAMS CIRCA 1958.

C'mon! What an obviously lame attempt to placate the fan base!

Update - Even Bosox butt-boy Peter Gammons admits that the conversation lasted about 20 seconds and was shot down immediately by the Marlins.

"Ten days after the GM meetings, Epstein called Marlins GM Larry Beinfest and asked him if he were interested in trading Hanley Ramirez for a package including Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz. "No," replied Beinfest. End of discussion. "The entire conversation," says one club official, "lasted all of 20 seconds, a week before Thanksgiving."

The Yankees and Homegrown Talent

December 2008

The backlash from the signing of CC, AJ and Tex has been pretty severe and the argument I hear from many Mets and Red Sox fans is that the Yankees simply are buying a championship. Also, they say how could it be enjoyable with no homegrown talent on the Yankee roster? Well perception is not reality;

Yankee Rotation - CC, Wang*, Burnett, Hughes*, Joba* - 3 homegrown starters
Mets Projected Rotation - Johan, Lowe, Pelfrey*, Maine, Perez - 1 Homegrown starter
Red Sox Rotation - Beckett, Dicek, Lester*, Penny, Wakefield - 1 Homegrown starter

Yankee Lineup - Damon, Jeter*, Teixera, Arod, Matsui, Nady, Posada*, Cano*, Melky* - 4 Homegrown Regulars
Mets Lineup - Reyes*, Castillo, Beltran, Wright*, Delgado, Church, Murphy*, Schnieder - 3 Homegrown Regulars
Red Sox Lineup - Ellsbury*, Pedroria*, Youkilis*, Ortiz, Bay, Drew, Lowell, Varitek, Lowrie* - 4 Homegrown Regulars

Yankee Bench - Swisher, Molina, Ransom*, Gardner* - 2 Homegrown Backups
Mets Bench- Tatis, Castro, Anderson, Evans* - 1 Homegrown Backup
Red Sox Bench- Lugo, Bard*, Van Every*, Cora - 2 Homegrown Backups

Yankee Bullpen - Rivera*, Marte, Bruney, Veras, Ramirez, Robertson*, Coke* - 3 Homegrown Relievers
Mets Bullpen - KRod, Putz, Sanchez, Feliciano, Robertson, Smith*, Stokes - 1 Homegrown Reliever
Red Sox Bullpen - Papelbon*, Delcarmen*, Okajima, Lopez, Aardsma, Ramirez, Masterson* - 3 Homegrown Relievers

Total Homegrown Players
Yankees - 12
Mets - 6
Red Sox - 10

So even "buying" three players this offseason the Yankees will have significantly more homegrown players on their opening day roster then the Mets and a couple more the the Red Sox. It just shows you that perception is not always reality.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

December 2008

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for visiting The Bronx Stop.

I haven't had too much time to keep it keep it how I want it, but I hope that you at least get a little enjoyment from reading it. That's why I keep doing this.

I hope that each and every one of you and your families have a very Merry Christmas, and an even happier New Year!!!

Thanks again for your continued support!!!

Go Yankees!!!

-Mark

*if you wanna see some funny holiday videos from last year...PLEASE CLICK HERE...granted they are a little old, but still funny!!!

DEAL WITH IT

December 2008

So our plan for utter world domination is complete - signing Teixeira adds the last piece to the '09 puzzle and the Canyon of Heroes should once again be awash in Yankee confetti this November.

Let's get one thing straight - this is not simply the Yanks trying to 'buy' a championship. This is NOT the Stein-crew opening the wallet for a free agent frenzy. As much as the rest of MLB and the media whine and cry about it, the Yanks' signing of CC, AJ and Tex is nothing short of superior money management. Replacing the $80+million of past-their-prime declining stars with $60-ish million of players aged 28, 29 and 31 is not a spending spree, and it certainly is not recklessly throwing money around.

The Yankees, through an awesome game plan and exceptional execution, have replenished their team with higher quality, YOUNGER players while spending LESS money then last year's payroll.

Is it pure chance that we have all of this payroll coming off in a talent-rich free agency year? I think not.

Bask in our awesomeness all you lesser minds and managers. Prepare once again to be dominated by the hated Yankees - as our plan is complete and all of your whining and calls for a salary cap won't help your team now!

Heyman Offers Up Some Details On Tex Agreement

December 2008

Jon Heyman/SI.com:

The Yankees have reached an agreement in principle to sign Mark Teixeira, SI.com has learned, beating out the rival Red Sox for the free-agent slugger's services.

Teixeira, who hit .308 with 33 home runs and 121 RBIs in 2008, will receive an eight-year, $180 million deal from the Yankees with a full no-trade provision.

The final three teams in the race to sign Teixeira were the Red Sox, Nationals and Yankees. However, it was the Yankees who stepped up their heavy pursuit of Teixeira on Tuesday, as first reported by SI.com.

It appears as if the Yankees were given the last chance to sign Teixiera, an indication that New York was near the top of his list all along. The Yankees quietly remained in contact with the Teixeira camp, but after spending $243.5 million on star starting pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, they didn't appear anxious to be the market setter.

Teixeira's deal now raises the Yankees' offseason spending spree to $423.5 million. Just last Thursday, they gave Sabathia a $161 million, seven-year contract and Burnett an $82.5 million, five-year deal.

Teixeira's agreement came just one day after the Yankees received a $26.9 million luxury tax bill for 2008, when their streak of 13 consecutive playoff appearances ended.

While there were rumors that the Severna Park, Md., product preferred to be on the East Coast, there never was any real evidence of that. He loved his time in Anaheim and continued to live in the Dallas area, so those suggestions may have been overplayed.

Olney: Yankees Reach Agreement With Teixeira

December 2008

WELCOME TO NEW YORK, MR. TEIXEIRA (sorry about what I said about you in those earlier posts! Please don't hold it against me!) !!!

Buster Olney/ESPN.com:

Free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira has reached agreement with the New York Yankees on an eight-year contract worth more than $170 million, a source involved in the negotiations tells ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

The Yankees swooped in on Teixeira on Tuesday when it was believed the Boston Red Sox or the Washington Nationals were the likeliest of his future employer. The Red Sox's offer was believed to be in the range of $170 million, and the Nationals reached out with an offer perhaps greater than that of Boston.

Forget The Over-Hyped Teixeira And Sign Man-Ram NOW!!!

December 2008

Here is my explanation:

The 2009 New York Yankees Lineup with the addition of Hall of Fame masher, Manny Ramirez...

1.) Johnny Damon (CF)
2.) Derek Jeter (SS)
3.) Manny Ramirez (LF)
4.) Alex Rodriguez (3B)
5.) Hideki Matsui (DH)
6.) Xavier Nady (RF)
7.) Robinson Cano (2B)
8.) Jorge Posada (C)
9.) Nick Swisher (1B)

Now imagine that lineup behind a starting pitching rotation that looks something like this...

1.) CC Sabathia
2.) Chien-Ming Wang
3.) AJ Burnett
4.) Joba Chamberlain
5.) Andy Pettitte

Now, I understand that this is only on paper and these players must perform to expectations, but it could possibly be one of the greatest teams ever assembled.

The Yankees seriously need to forget about the risky 8-year contract for Teixeira, and offer Ramirez a two or three year contract and be done with it.

Look at it this way. Yeah, Ramirez is a risk, but the guy doesn't play hard enough in the field to injure himself. Plus, anyone who quits on the Red Sox is an instant favorite in my book.

It would be very unwise for the Yankees to pass on a certified Hall of Famer (who only requires a two or three year commitment) in favor of an over-hyped first baseman and an 8-year $25 million a season commitment.

Manny is only 36 years old. To think that you couldn't get three extremely productive years out of him is absurd.

I don't care what his history attempts to tell us, Manny is a flat out masher and any team that he ends up with will make the post-season, you can bet on it.

That team had better be the Yankees.

When Did Mark Teixeira Become The Best Player In Baseball?

December 2008

Seriously. When did Mark Teixeira become the best player in baseball?

Sure his numbers are good, but are they really on par with the likes of Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez?

8 years $200 million dollars? I mean...really???

If you do the math on that contract the Nationals have supposedly offered him...$25 million a year for 8 years for a guy who has a career batting average of .290? For a guy who has only hit more than 35 home runs twice in his career?! For a guy who has played in just one All-Star game? For a guy who has come only as close as seventh place in MVP voting?!

How Scott Boras has managed to secure offers that are even in the same stratosphere as the contracts of real Hall of Fame baseball players like Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez, is absolutely beyond me.

In fact, it is almost criminal.

Mark Teixeira isn't now-- and in my honest opinion never will be, even in the same chapter (let alone on the same page), as Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez. So why the hell would anyone consider offering him a contract like this?

Come on!!! It has to be a joke that Teixeira is going to make just $2.5 million dollars less a year than A-Rod next season...doesn't it??

Who are these people kidding!!!

Scott Boras is bad for baseball.

Does History Repeat Itself?

December 2008

Newsday via Linsey A. Gardner of One Stop (pop culture) Shop:

When Northwestern defeated Michigan, 21-14, in football on Nov. 15 at Michigan Stadium, Northwestern alumnus Joe Girardi sent a text message to Derek Jeter, who attended Michigan for one semester in 1992.

"The last time Northwestern won at Michigan [1995], the Yankees won four of the next five World Series," Girardi wrote.

Jeter responded: "Thank you for providing a silver lining to my misery."

I sure hope that history repeats itself!!!

Manny or Tex?

December 2008

With the pitching portion of our off season plan for world domination nearing completion (pending only the inevitable Pettitte re-signing), it's time to turn our attention to the offense.

Rumors abound about every available player (and some not so available). The question is - what should we do?

The 2 players in the free agent pool that would best satisfy our needs are obviously Mark Teixeira and the man-child formerly of the Dread Sox, Manny Ramirez. Tex will cost something in the area of 8 to 10 years and in excess of $20mm per; being significantly older and coming with a lot of baggage, Manny's market is somewhat more limited and therefore relatively cheaper. 

The Dodgers have been reported as the most likely destination for Manny as his performance in LA post-trade was insane. Manny posted a .396 BA with 17 HR and 57 RBI in 57 games with the Dodgers; his .489 OBP and 783 slugging % translated into an obscene OPS+ of 219. Dodgers' fans are demanding Ned Colletti bring Manny back.

I believe that a 3 year, $70mm contract would be sufficient to get Manny to the Bronx.

Being represented by Scott Boris, however, makes signing either Manny or Teixeira an even bigger challenge than just the incredible dollars.

So the choices are Tex for 8 years and $165mm, or Manny for 3 years and $70mm. 

Working in Tex's favor are his age (29 on April 11), and the obvious hole we have to fill at 1B. The downside to Tex is the length of the contract. An 8 to 10 year deal comes with significant risk both in terms of dollars and roster flexibility. 

If we are looking at the short term, I think Manny would be the better signing. Bringing him in to NY, his home town, and allowing him the opportunity to help inflict damage upon the team that both embarrassed him and traded him away would motivate Manny to the performance level we saw in LA (330/45/140)...for at least the first year. Thereafter, if all we were to get the last 2 years was typical Manny production (300/30/120) I think we could live with that.

Imagine the lineup of:

Jeter - SS

Damon - CF

Arod - 3B

Manny - RF

Hmat - DH

Nady - LF

Posada - C

Cano - 2B

Swisher - 1B

The problem would be Damon's arm and defense in centerfield. A happy, motivated Manny along with an odd-numbered year Arod (check the stats...every other year Arod is MVP) could mean 100 HR and 300 RBI between our 3 and 4 hole hitters; more than enough to compensate for JD in center!

While I am a huge fan of Teixeira, and while I don't think Swisher is a plus answer at 1B, I think I would rather sign Manny. The flexibility and expected short term production make him a more attractive alternative to Tex. 

Yankes Still in on Texiera and Manny?

December 2008

According to the NY post they are;

"According to several baseball officials, the Yankees remain in the Mark Teixeira hunt. But the same connected voices insist if the Yankees don't land the switch-hitting first baseman, they will turn their money toward controversial slugger Manny Ramirez.

"If they can't get Teixeira, they are right there on Manny," an official with knowledge of the Yankees' plan said yesterday. "

This is good news. The Yankees need another bat. I would prefer Tex but Manny can flat out hit.

Remaining Moves Seem Obvious

December 2008

The Yankees now have 4/5 of their rotation set with CC, Wang, AJ and Joba. Also, 2b, SS, 3B, LF, RF, DH, and C are all set. The bullpen is also set with Mo followed by a cast of thousands. So the three remaining spots are a starter, 1b and cf. The way I see it the Yankees have two options;

Option 1 - Total Additional Cost 20 million(1o for Cameron and 10 for Andy)
Trade for Cameron, Use Swisher at 1B and sign Andy Pettite(12m)

Option 2 - Total Additional Cost 20 million (all for Texiera)
Use Melky/Gardner, sign Texiera and let Hughes, Kennedy and Aceves fight it our for the last spot.

So the cost is equal so which would be more productive? Lets compare the offense first. I am going to use Bill James' projections for 2009 for the comparison.

Option 1 - Cameron(.237/.325/.759) and Swisher(.240/359/.810)
Option 2 - Texiera (.299/.397/956) and Melky(.271/.337/.731)

Now I understand how bad Melky was in the second half but if you substitute Gardner for Melky at times a CF with an OPS of low .700s with good defense is reasonable to expect. Even with that poor production in CF the Texiera/Melky combo is far superior with better defense.

And the pitching-
Andy Pettite - 12-10 3.90, 192 IP
Phil Hughes - 9-5 3.35, 125 IP
Andy is a safer bet but Hughes has more upside for next year.

One other thing, the ages
Option 1 Andy(37), Cameron(36) and Swisher(28)
Option 2 Texiera(28), Melky (23), Hughes(22)

So for about equal if not better production and the same cost you get a group with more upside that is far younger. So why are the Yankees out of the Texeria sweepstakes? The fear of having too many long term contracts should be offset a bit by Matsui and Damon coming off the books next year. Also, the Yankees have no 1b prospects to speak of and the free agent market in 09 and 2010 and completely void of potential answers.

The answer seems obvious to me. Let's hope Cashman sees the light before its too late.

Report: Burnett To Yankees!!!

December 2008

BURNETT TO THE YANKEES!!! WOW. THIS TEAM JUST GOT PRETTY DAMN GOOD.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN.Com:

Free agent right-hander A.J. Burnett has reached preliminary agreement on a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the New York Yankees, a baseball source told ESPN.com.

While Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker are still negotiating final contract terms, the deal is expected to be complete once Burnett passes a physical exam, the source said.

Burnett, who turns 32 in January, will join CC Sabathia at the top of a revamped starting rotation in New York. The Yankees agreed to terms on a seven-year, $161 million contract with Sabathia earlier this week.

The Yankees made a late charge to beat out the Atlanta Braves for Burnett, who went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA in 35 starts with Toronto this season. New York is still looking for one more starter, and Cashman left the winter meetings in Las Vegas this week to meet with long-time Yankee Andy Pettitte.

In December 2005, Braunecker and his agency, Frontline Sports Management, negotiated a five-year, $55 million deal that included an opt out clause after three seasons. It was the first opt-out provision ever in a pitcher's contract.

Between the money that Burnett earned in Toronto and the guaranteed $82.5 million that he's scheduled to receive from the Yankees, his overall payout from the 2005 Toronto contract will amount to $115.5 million over eight seasons.

I Will Miss You Melky...

December 2008

UPDATE:  

Sorry.  This has not happened yet.  I was at work and couldn't fix the post until now.  I'll keep you updated.

I'm pissed. I love Melky. 

Double frown faces on this one. :-( :-(

Mark Feinsand/NY Daily News:

The Yankees have found their center fielder for 2009, as they are set to send Melky Cabrera to Milwaukee for veteran outfielder Mike Cameron on Thursday, according to two major league sources.

The Yankees have been saying that Cabrera and Brett Gardner would compete for the center field job, but the acquisition of Cameron gives them a veteran presence at the position.

Many believed Cabrera would be the center fielder of the future entering the 2008 campaign, but a disappointing season, in which he hit .249 with eight homeruns and 37 RBIs in 129 games, led many to believe he was destined for a future as a utility outfielder. Yankees blue-chip prospect Austin Jackson is not expected to be ready for big league action until at least 2010, making Cameron the ideal one-year stopgap in center field.

Cameron, a former Met, hit .243 with 25 HRs and 70 RBIs in 120 games last season. He will earn $10 million in 2009.

CC Ya In NYC!

December 2008

Good Evening Yankee Fans!

What a day to be a pinstriper....

Order has been restored to the universe and the Evil Empire is ready to strike yet again.

Sabathia should provide the anchor that the Yankees have needed for several years. I am glad to see that this deal got done and they can begin focusing on finalizing the 2009 squad.

I hope their is some truth to the Rick Ankiel rumors....who wouldn't want to see that guy patrolling center field in the Bronx?

Go Bombers!

Chris M./Guest Columnist

Welcome To New York CC!!!

December 2008

While it took a little longer than the Yankees had hoped, Brian Cashman finally announced today that he had got his man. After a lot of speculation and many rumors, CC Sabathia finally gave the nod to Mr. Cashman, and informed him that he, like many greats before him, was ready to "don The Pinstripes".

So welcome to New York Mr. Sabathia.

If you perform well here, you will be loved the world over. If you put in the effort, the dedication, and the hard work we all know you put into the other clubs you have pitched for, you will be idolized by the fans here.

Your time here will be what you make of it, and I, like many others are hoping you make it the best you can.

Oh, and in case no one has told you yet, the Yankees are on a mission...so I hope you're ready for battle.

PS-
I can't begin to tell you how pissed off my friends who are Indian's fans are at the Yankees for "buying" CC (I have been telling them for three years this was inevitable).  I honestly don't know why they are so angry since they are the ones who traded him away at the All-Star break last year.  Doesn't make any sense to me lol.  But that is neither here nor there. 

What is here however, is a 6'7, 250 (on a uhhhh...light day) pound workhorse, and I am loving it

Cashman Get's His Man (With A Little Help From Some Cash)

December 2008

Bill Madden/NY Daily News:

Brian Cashman went to San Francisco and got his man early Wednesday morning, bagging free-agent lefty, CC Sabathia. The
Daily News has learned the deal is believed to be a record-setting 7-year, $160 million contract.

The Yanks had originally offered Sabathia a 6-year, $140 deal in November.
Cashman left the winter meetings Tuesday afternoon to meet with Sabathia and his wife in his home in San Francisco, after getting postive vibes from the pitcher about playing in New York.

It is not clear what the exact terms of the contract are, because as of early Wednesday morning, details were still being worked out.

"It's all but done, but there are still a lot of things that have to be worked out," said a club source.

Cashman was heading back here for the winter meetings and was expected to resume negotiations with the agents for free-agent pitchers A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.

"We're open for business," the source continued. "Our offers are out there for all of these guys, now we just have to wait and see they want to do."

In the case of Lowe, the Yanks are believed to have a four-year offer with a possible trigger for a fifth year, and in Burnett's case, they have an offer superior to the reported 4-year, $60 million offer he has from the Atlanta Braves.

CC's A Yankee!!! (Soon)

December 2008

CC's a Yankee

Stupid work, I can't post more now but it looks like 7 years 160 million.

Wow. CC's a beast even in negotitations!

More soon so stay tuned.

Jayson Stark: CC Sabathia's 140 million-dollar question

December 2008

Good read on CC. Check it out.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove08/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3758723

Cashman Flies To Meet Mrs. Sabathia

December 2008

According to Newsday, Brian Cashman flew to San Francisco on Tuesday
to meet with CC and his wife Amber at their request.

It looks like things are beginning to fall in the Yankees favor (as they always should).

Perhaps by Wednesday morning, our beloved GM will have a deal to announce.

Long day today, so I am headed for bed. Stay tuned tomorrow for updates.

The stove is getting hotter by the minute!!

Yankees/Phillies Highest On Lowe

December 2008

Bryan Hoch/MLB.com:

The Yankees and Phillies have emerged as the two most prominent contenders for free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe, according to a report Tuesday on SI.com.

The 35-year-old Lowe is seeking a five-year deal in the area of $80 million, and has drawn interest from multiple suitors. However, it is New York and Philadelphia who have been most aggressive, according to the report.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said that his club's priority is acquiring starting pitching, and Lowe has been listed among its top three choices to help bolster the rotation. CC Sabathia is sitting on a six-year, $140 million offer and the Yankees plan to meet with representatives for right-hander A.J. Burnett this week.

C.C. Ya!

December 2008

Greetings,

First and foremost, I would like to thank Mark for the excellent job that he does with the Bronx Stop.com.

As his brother and a guest columnist, I have reached a humbling conclusion tonight that some may find incorrect and and ill conceived.

This is an exciting time of year for baseball fans and I must say that coming home from work tonight to an episode of Baseball Tonight was a great feeling. While watching the show and taking in a report about what Milton Bradley ate for lunch, I realized something - something important.

The Yankees need to offer C.C. Sabathia an ultimatum. The contract is on the table until the end of the week - end of story. Not a threat, a simple deadline. I fully understand Mr. Sabathia's desire to play on the West coast and his desire to wait on the Angels or Dodgers to show him the money; however in doing so, he has made it clear that the New York Yankees are not an organization that he wants anything to do with.

One hundred and forty million is a number that the average person can not easily comprehend. Now imagine that is the dollar amount that the New York Yankees are offering you to throw a baseball 60 feet 6 inches at the brand new Yankee Stadium and in turn basically securing yourself a key to Manhattan.

All of this sounds great and Sabathia has certainly given these things consideration and has come to one conclusion-- he is still waiting for the Giants and the Dodgers.

The funny thing about the negotiations is that the offer should speak for itself. The NY Yankees should not have to sell C.C. Sabathia on coming to Yankee Stadium or pitching for the greatest franchise in the history of professional sports. C.C.'s indecision speaks for itself and I think for that reason it is necessary to impose a deadline on the offer, a firm deadline that will not be revisited.

The New York Yankees should wait for no one.

Especially not an overweight (although inarguably durable) starting pitcher that has 117 career wins. Yes Sabathia is an all star; but you could easily make the argument that he is not even the best pitcher in the league. Two seasons with 17 + wins does not make a pitcher great.

I am not against the idea of signing Sabathia, but I want to make it clear that the Yankees need to make a decision to propose a deadline and if Sabathia decides to turn it down; they need to begin working towards improving the 2009 team, leaving Sabathia and his desire to play elsewhere on the table.

It will be interesting to see how the next several weeks play out, but remember one thing. Signing big name expensive all stars has not been the answer for the Yankees recently; so maybe it won't be all bad if Sabathia ends up a Brewer.

Go Bombers!!!

Chris M./Guest Columnist

Yankees Ready To Make Offer For Blankets (Er, Sheets)

December 2008

Mark Feinsand/New York Daily News:

While most of the attention in the Yankees' universe is focused on CC Sabathia, the Bombers are preparing to make an offer to another free agent pitcher from Milwaukee in the next 72 hours.

According to a source, the Yankees will offer Ben Sheets a multiyear deal - most likely for two years in the $26 million range - before the winter meetings conclude on Thursday.

Sheets, a 30-year-old righthander who was one of the heroes of Team USA in the 2000 Olympics, declined arbitration this weekend, so he'll cost the team that signs him a first-round pick in next year's draft.

Sheets earned $11 million last year, going 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in the final season of his four-year, $38.5 million contract. He is 86-83 with a 3.73 ERA in eight seasons, all with the Brewers, but has only made 30-plus starts in four of those seasons due to injuries.

Davidoff Examines Competition For CC

December 2008

Ken Davidoff/Newsday.com:

Red Sox:
General manager Theo Epstein, manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell met with Sabathia and his representatives yesterday. Really? Don't the Red Sox have a deep rotation and a greater need for offense (namely, Mark Teixeira)?

"We wouldn't be meeting with him unless we had legitimate interest," a Boston official said.

All right. Here's what Francona said, however: "We don't feel the need to go sign somebody for more years than the organization is comfortable and put the organization in peril, potentially. We have had a lot of good young kids come through our system and we have some veterans and it's a very good mix."

Translation: it would be out of character for Epstein to commit six years and $140 million to a free-agent starter. Besides, if Sabathia harbors doubts about playing in New York, Boston is an even bigger fish bowl for Sawx players.
_______________

Brewers:
Frustration was the primary mood after their meeting with Greg Genske, Scott Parker and Brian Peters. According to someone familiar with the situation, the Brewers still aren't sure what they need to do to retain Sabathia. It seems they can't stretch their offer by much more.

Translation: It's gonna take a lot (more than the Brewers can seemingly offer) for CC to remain with the Brew Crew.
_______________

Giants:
They loom as the most interesting possibility. They clearly would be Sabathia's top choice, if the money were equal. But can it be equal?

Team officials wouldn't say quite that yesterday, yet they said, on the condition of anonymity, that they were thinking very seriously about Sabathia. Could they possibly offer more than the seven-year, $126-million deal they gave to Barry Zito? If they did, it could crush them. Nevertheless, if they did, they'd probably get their man.
_______________

Dodgers:
That CC approached Dodgers GM Ned Colletti about being a Dodger is fascinating. You wouldn't think Colletti would make something like this up. And the Yankees can't be thrilled to hear about this.

Nevertheless, read Colletti's quote: "It's an interesting dynamic with anybody who is long term at a salary that's higher than most. When you're talking about a player who is long term, it's going to change the dynamic of your team in some way."

Translation: "No, we're not signing him. We can't afford him."

Abraham Offers Some Insight On CC

December 2008

Peter Abraham/LoHud Yankees Blog:

Here are some of the more interesting comments Cashman had on CC Sabathia:
“He’s got a life choice to make that will direct where they will reside for the next however many years determined by the contract he decides to negotiate. He’s going through the process.”

On whether the Yankees would pressure him for a decision: 

“If you’re a marginal free agent or a low-end guy, you can speed the process up – from the club’s perspective — by pushing the envelope. With the premier free agents, all that’ll do is push them away.”

On Reggie Jackson’s involvement: 

“He went through the same (free agent) process at relatively the same age. He’s someone who came to New York, conquered New York and can give the perspective.”
(Slick move by the Yankees here. Mr. October lives in the Bay Area now. He was a free agent, went through ups and downs in New York and knows the terrain. Who better to talk to CC?)

On CC’s process: 

“We’re not being played, we’re not being manipulated, we’re not being used. I just think that he’s making an informed decision, and there’s a process that will take.”

Even More:

I also spoke to Joe Girardi, who said the meeting with Sabathia went well on Sunday. He seemed heartened by the idea that CC was asking about the lifestyle in New York. CC and his wife have three kids, the latest coming seven weeks ago. Joe and his wife also have three kids.

Girardi explained to Sabathia that he encourages players to bring their sons into the clubhouse and to be around the team. He talked about his situation, living in Westchester and putting his kids in school.

In the end, it’ll be about the money. But the Yankees are pleased that Sabathia is asking the right questions. If the guy wasn’t serious about the Yankees, why did he ask for a second meeting? I don’t see the Steinbrenners letting the Dodgers get close.

Joe Gordon Elected To Hall Of Fame

December 2008

Larry Fine, John Mehaffey/Reuters:

Hard-hitting second baseman Joe Gordon of the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by one of the two Veterans Committees, the Hall of Fame announced on Monday.

Gordon, a nine-times All-Star in an 11-season career that began in 1938, was the only one of 20 potential candidates elected by separate committees scrutinizing players whose careers began prior to 1943 and 1943 or after.

No one from the post-1942 era was elected from a group under consideration that included Gil Hodges, Ron Santo, Joe Torre, Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva, Luis Tiant and Maury Wills.

Gordon, who played in six World Series and on the winning side in five, slugged 253 homers and drove in 975 runs in a career interrupted for two years of military service in World War Two. He died in 1978 at the age of 63.

Gordon's election to the Cooperstown, New York, Hall of Fame was announced at baseball's winter meetings in Las Vegas.

Cashman (And His World Series Rings) Ready To Gamble In Vegas

December 2008

Peter Abraham/The Journal News:

Baseball's Winter Meetings get started today at the Bellagio Hotel. But what happens in Vegas will not stay in Vegas this time.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman arrived here yesterday, intending to meet with left-hander CC Sabathia. The Yankees offered Sabathia a six-year, $140 million contract on Nov. 14 and have yet to receive an answer.

Cashman left the hotel to have dinner with a large party of team officials and did not stop to answer questions. But others indicated that Cashman was able to conduct some business earlier.

Tellingly, he was wearing a World Series ring. Cashman does not often wear any of his rings, but was perhaps trying to make an impression.

Given Sabathia's importance to their offseason plans, the Yankees are not likely to give him an ultimatum this week. But Cashman does need at least a sense of where Sabathia stands.

Agent Genske Risking Client CC Millions

December 2008

Bill Madden/New York Daily News:

The $140 million game of chicken began in earnest Sunday night when Brian Cashman met with CC Sabathia and his agent, Greg Genske, on the eve of the winter meetings at the Bellagio hotel.

According to industry sources, it was Genske and not Cashman who asked for the meeting, although the Yankee GM is just as anxious to find out Sabathia's intentions now that the big lefty has had a couple of weeks to mull the six-year, $140 million offer that would make him the highest-paid pitcher in history. The reason Genske wanted the meeting, said one source, is that the agent is trying to buy more time for another team more to Sabathia's liking to approach the Yankee bid.

With each passing day, the likelihood of that lessens considerably. "(Genske) has to be concerned about them pulling the offer and moving on to the other (free agent) pitchers," the source said. "If he blows this deal, he's dead as an agent. For one thing, who's going to approach that $140 million if the Yankees are out of it? Sabathia winds up with a deal $20 million less than Barry Zito? Like I said, (Genske's) dead."

Although they have boldly made Sabathia their No.1 priority, it is unclear how long the Yankees will keep their offer out there, especially with other pitchers they covet now fielding big offers. Hal Steinbrenner has said the offer won't be out there indefinitely and it would seem that Genske, with nothing else even close to the Yankee bid, is going to need to provide Cashman with a satisfactory reason for why it hasn't been accepted. Only the Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants are believed to have made offers to Sabathia, both of them $40 million lower than the Yankees'.

Madden makes an interesting point in this piece.  If the only two teams who are interested in CC Sabathia can only put $100 million on the table, what happens if they Yankees rescind thier offer?  Like he said, CC winds up with a contract that is $20 million less than Barry Zitos.  

I don't know about CC, but if I were another client of Grenske, I would be on a hunt for new representation.  

Angels GM: Teixeira Still #1 Priority

December 2008

Lyle Spencer/MLB.com Via MLBTradeRumors.com:

With Mark Teixeira still the Angels' highest priority, general manager Tony Reagins said he doesn't anticipate anything happening before the Winter Meetings convene in Las Vegas on Monday.

"It doesn't look like we'll have anything done by then," Reagins said on Tuesday.

Reagins made it clear that Teixeira remains No. 1 on the club's list of targets, with everything else lining up behind the power-hitting first baseman seeking a long-term deal in the $20 million per year range.

Regains said "there was nothing to" reports that had the Angels moving past Teixeira and focusing on starter CC Sabathia, adding that the club has "no concerns" about Teixeira's left knee, which was subjected to arthroscopic surgery in 2007. A published report indicated the Angels were too concerned with the knee long-term to go past six years for Teixeira, triggering a move toward Sabathia.

This is a very good sign for the Yankees.  

Yankees Decline Arbitration Offer To Abreu, All Other FA's

December 2008

Ed Price/The Star Ledger:

The Yankees announced they are not offering arbitration to any of their free agents. It means they will not get draft-pick compensation when they sign elsewhere.

A recent rule change means that the Yankees are still allowed to re-sign any of the players.

In the case of Andy Pettitte, the Yankees want him back, but at less than the $16 million he made this year. If the Yankees offered Pettitte arbitration, he could accept it and get a 2009 salary at about the same amount.

As for Bobby Abreu, the Yankees debated on offering him arbitration. But not knowing whether Abreu had long-term offers elsewhere, they didn't want to risk having him accept arbitration, since they are not sure he's worth about $16 million and they are seem committed to Johnny Damon in left field, Xavier Nady in right and Nick Swisher at first base.

Abreu To Be Offered Arbitration

December 2008

Tonight is the arbitration deadline for free agents. The Yankees will extend arbitration to right-fielder Bobby Abreu. I have made it no secret here that I feel Bobby Abreu should be a part of this team in the near future. I really do hope he stays with us.

I see Abreu as one of the most reliable players on the entire Yankee roster. You know what you are getting with a guy like Bobby Abreu as far as offensive production (and contrary to what many think) he still has pretty decent defensive ability. Not bringing back Abreu would leave a big gap in that lineup and in the outfield.

I guess it's up to Bobby.

Ken Davidoff/Newsday.com:

The Yankees intend to offer arbitration to their own free agent, Bobby Abreu, by tonight's midnight deadline.

By offering arbitration, the team essentially presents the player an opportunity to sign for 2009. If a player accepts arbitration, he is considered signed and his salary is determined by a third-party arbitrator - although it's quite common for the two sides to settle on either a one-year or multiyear agreement. The arbitrated salary is not guaranteed until the end of spring training.

The deadline to accept arbitration is midnight on the night of Sunday, Dec. 7. Teams can continue to negotiate with players whom they don't offer arbitration.

Therefore, the Yankees, in offering Abreu arbitration, are indicating that they'd be willing to bring back the rightfielder for next season at a raise from his 2008 salary of $16 million.

Abreu is looking for a multiyear deal and is unlikely to accept arbitration. Should he choose to sign with a different team, the Yankees would receive two draft picks - one in the "sandwich" round between the first and second rounds, the latter in a round to be determined - as compensation.

As far as the situation with Andy Pettitte, the Yankees are looking for him to take a pay cut from his $16-million 2008 salary, so it wouldn't behoove them to offer him arbitration. Pettitte very likely would accept it and then, armed with the arbitration leverage, negotiate a higher paycheck.

Other Yankees free agents who won't be offered arbitration are Jason Giambi, Carl Pavano and Ivan Rodriguez.

Mike Mussina, who announced his retirement Nov. 20, technically still is a free agent, and the Yankees actually got burned five years ago when they didn't offer arbitration to Type A free agent Roger Clemens because they thought he was retiring. He wound up signing with the Astros. While Mussina seems more trustworthy than Clemens, there would be minimal risk in offering him arbitration in case Mussina changes his mind.