Non Yankees related post

I don't often post something that isn't baseball related but as a fan of the Fish I have to post this link that comes from the brilliant minds over at deadspin. 

Funny stuff. If they can get Ricky to autograph it they can list it in a MasterCard commercial as priceless.

Rumors Rumors Rumors

There have been rumors all over the web saying the Yankees are shopping one of their surplus outfielders to try and fill the fifth spot in the rotation. Let’s look at the facts. The Yankees have made no such claims and it would not make much since unless someone out there offers Cashman something for a handful of beans. One of the rumors floating around is that the Yankees might trade Matsui for Bedard. Pete Abraham told me earlier today that he had heard nothing that it was a Seattle radio thing. Yes Bedard has been a great pitcher in the past but he has shoulder and hip problems. He had a torn Labrum to be specific. I speak from the prospective of having had two surgeries to repair mine. He will NEVER be the pitcher he once was. I can't even throw a Frisbee for my dog without feeling the pull. Matsui prior to this knee injury and the freak wrist injury has been very durable, and he’s a .300 hitter. Why would the Yankees consider it? There has also been speculation that they might shop Nady which makes more sense. He only has one year on his contract and he is coming off a great year, but who will pay the price for a one year rental. Swisher is the only corner outfielder they have on the good side of 30 and most believe he will have a bounce back year and he has a very modest contract compared to most on the roster. So trading him is dumb. Damon’s value is not as high as his worth because of his age and poor defense.

 I say go one of two routes

1. Forget Pettite, go out and sign Sheets for two years 30million. Sheets + Hughes = 200 innings

Or 2. Go into the season as is and trade for the hot arm in July to relieve the innings load on Hughes and Joba. This also includes forgetting Andy.

Pettite is a shell of what he used to be and showed it in the second half of the season. Unless he is willing to sign on the cheap, look elsewhere. You would think he would love to pitch on this team considering they are favorites to win the East in 2009. I think he owes the Yankees something standing by him after the drug scandal thing.  The fact that he won't take a pay cut is a slap in the face. Take a pass Cash!

Some Morons think the Yankees are bad for Baseball

Yes I said Morons, (link is to the moron) It makes me mad when people shoot off at the mouth and say that the Yankees aren't responsible in today’s recession spending all that they did this year in free agency. First off they are going to have a lower payroll this year than last. With the departure of Abreu, Giambi, Pavano, and I-Rod the Yankees shed more than 80 million dollars. The Yankees aren't breaking any rules they are just doing what every fan wants their team to do, put a quality product on the field. The Yankees are the best thing for baseball, love them or hate them people will watch the 2009 Yankees win allot of games.

  You want to know what’s bad for baseball. Small market teams! MLB has a system called revenue sharing. The way that it works is that the larger market teams that break a certain payroll threshold have to pay a tax that gets distributed to the smaller market teams. Unfortunately most of the smaller market teams do not use this money to obtain better players and become more competitive. They take the money and stick it in their pocket. For example in 1995 the Yankees Paid 76 million dollars in tax , the Florida Marlins received 30 million in revenue sharing, the marlins payroll was 23 million.  In 2006 they cut their payroll down to 14.9 million dollars. Less than half the money they recieved in revenue sharing.  See where I’m going? The smaller market teams are receiving more in revenue sharing than their payroll yet they are not putting a competitive product on the field. If I were a fan of the Fish or the Royals or any of those teams that are basically getting their payroll paid by the Yankees I would be pissed! Pete Abraham brings up a good point in his blog when he states that good management and staying healthy wins championships there has been 7 different champions in the last eight years.

  The Yankees are one of the few teams that do their fans right by spending money on the team. They have improved their team more than anyone else and at great cost to the ownership. Don't think there aren't other owners who have deep pockets as well. Just not as many that care enough about winning and their fans to spend some money to bring home a world championship.

Are they done Yet???

The signing of Tex certainly may be it for big money contracts and the Yankees this off-season. This could be an open door for Phil Hughes to grab the number 5 spot in the rotation leaving Pettite out of the mix. The Yankees offered Andy a 10 million dollar deal a while back that he either refused or is sitting on. I suppose a deal could still get done but my feeling is that Hughes will be just as good, as number 5 starters go. Many believe that Signing Tex puts them out of the Manny hunt. I believe it makes it less likely but don't count the Yankees out of anything this off-season as we have already learned. The only thing I can predict with a marginal degree of certainly is that they are staying away from Ben Sheets. I think the Yankees should offer Manny two years for 45 million with incentives that could make it closer to 55 million and a mutual option for a third year. But then again who am I. Oh yeah I’m the guy that predicted that the Yanks would sweep in at the last minute and get Tex. :) 

  There is allot of speculation that someone will get traded now that Tex is signed but I think that that Swisher will be a great 4th outfielder and can work some games for Tex so that he can be rested as well. This is the line up that I predict for opening day:

Damon LF

Jeter SS

Tex 1B

Arod 3B

Matsui DH

Posada C

Cano 2B

Nady RF

Gardner CF

Off the bench 

Swisher  

Ransom 

Molina and Cabrera 

Starting Rotation

CC

Burnett

Wang

Chamberlain

Hughes

Bullpen

Rivera

Marte

Bruney

Veras

Ramirez

Coke

Aceves

Yankees seal Red Sox Doom

In a surprising twist the Yankees have apparently swooped in at the last minute and signed Mark Teixera to an 8 year contract worth more than 170 million dollars. It will be hard for anyone not to believe that the Yankees will be the team to beat in baseball this upcoming season. I would think the Yankees are probably done spending money and I would not be surprised to see swisher playing CF. We will just have to wait and see what happens. But this is surely a happy day in New York and there are bound to be allot of pissed off red sox fans out there. Welcome to NY Mark!

Somebody flinch already

It seems that Mark Teixeria may not be off the Yankees radar as everyone would have you believe. Don't believe that the Red Sox are out of it either contrary to what they might let you think. Its all a giant game of cat and mouse. The Red Sox want you to think that they are not involved so they can pay less and the Yankees want you to think that they aren't involved so they can swoop in at the last minute and outbid everyone else. Numerous sources are saying that Tex wants to be on the East Coast and I would think he wants to play for a team with a chance to win for many years to come. So like I said before, "Somebody Flinch already!" First 10 year 200 million dollar offer takes him for sure but teams are going to see if they can get him on the sly. If Tex signs with the Yankees it would be a crushing blow to the Red Sox. They must know this. This is why I say don't believe them when they say they are out of the game.

Will Posada be ready

  This is the million dollar question. Or in the Yankees case the multi million dollar question. You see if Posada cant go catch at least 120 or so games than the Yankees may have to DH him which would prevent them from signing a big bat this off season. You can only have one DH and as it stands right now its Matsui. But what happens if Posada isn't ready? What happens if the Yankees sign Manny or Tex? Who gets moved who gets traded???? These are all big questions. The guys over at The Bronx View have their idea of what happens, what do you think?? Leave some Comments, send me an e-mail.

   I will be sending out a monthly newsletter that will keep you up to date on all Yankees goings on, if you are interested in checking it out simply send me your name and e-mail to mdrook6206@hotmail.com. Next time I'll tell you what Is really going to happen with the Yankees and their quest for a big bat so stay tuned.

Please no Melky

  I keep reading on the blog comments that everyone wants Melky to be the opening day CF'er. My question is why? Yes he has a good arm. Does he hit well?  Does he run well? Is he prone to long slumps? no no yes....  This is why the Yankees sent him down to the minors in the first place. Yes the kid has talent and will probably be above replacement level in the long run. Brett Gardner has a few more tools that we only started to see at the end of last year. I say let the two of them slug it out in spring training for that coveted CF position. Unless We sign Manny and the the battle is for the fourth outfield spot.

Where is Mike Cameron already?

  It seems the Yankees may be getting cold feet on Mike Cameron. Makes sense because he’s not worth 10 million dollars. He strikes out to much and really doesn't hit for average. Yes it makes sense if they will take Igawa in the deal, but they want the Yankees to pick up part of his money. It seems that they may be waiting to see if they sign Manny, which would make Cameron unnecessary. The question that comes to my mind is would they move Damon to center or would they try and trade Nady or Matsui, the latter would be my choice. Damon just doesn't have enough arm to play CF. You would think that Nady would bring some decent prospects. I’ve always been all for Manny on a short tem deal if you can get him for three years with an option pull the trigger. Or maybe we would just be better off signing Tex for 10 years 200 million. It seems that is what it would take to get him at this point.

Yankees Mulling over Tex and Manny

   It seems the Bombers are entering the Mark Teixeria game. Of course they are, why wouldn’t they? I would think they have no real interest in paying him what he will demand, but the mere sighting of the Yankees in on the bidding may drive the price up for other teams. Why would the Yankees care to do that you ask? Good Question, think about it if the Angels were thinking about signing him for lets say 160 million over 8 years they may be forced to raise their offer and or the number of years in order to land him. This will deplete funds that could have been used for other players that the Angels may have been interested in. Now you see don’t you? It's an old game, one that the Yankees are good at.

  However on the other side of the coin Hank Steinbrenner is reported to like Manny and not just him but other members of the organization as well. The Yankees MLB site goes on to speculate that if they got Manny they may shop Nady, who will be a free agent after 09 anyhow. My thoughts , BRILLIANT!! How About Damon,Cameron and Manny in the outfield next year. Oh what the heck it’s like I said before its only money sign um both.

Yankees add Burnett

To add insult to injury the Yankees have added Red Sox Killer AJ Burnett for 5 years and 82.5 million dollars. The Braves had a similar offer on the table but AJ is an East coast guy who likes the American league. Pair that with the fact that his wife doesn’t like to fly and drives to the games and they already live near Baltimore, a three hour train ride, and its a match made in heaven. Burnett won 18 games for Toronto last year and led the American league with 231 strikeouts.

  In other news the Yankees non tendered Chris Britton and Justin Christian to make room ton the 40 man Roster for Sabathia and Burnett. This makes them free agents and I'm certain they will get picked up quickly as they are both very talented. The Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera trade appears to be a lock. (Almost) It seems the Yankees that just spent all that money on Sabathia and Burnett want the Brewers to pick up part of his Salary. Either way it looks as if the deal is going to get done. I predicted this one back on my Nov 26th blog. More details to come when it’s final. Cashman met with Pettite the other day as well. I'm not quite sure why they would want him back in my mind Sheets is younger and more talented and you could probably get him for less than you paid Andy last season. I think they will offer Pettite a 10-12 million take it or leave it offer to be their number five starter. However it would not surprise me to see them sign Derek Lowe or Ben Sheets before it is all said and done. What the heck sign um both its only money.

Yankees could be bringing in friend for CC

   The Yankees MLB site is reporting that the Yankees are rekindling trade talks that apparently were discussed at the winter meetings. The Bombers would send the Brewers switch hitting Melky Cabrera and they would receive Mike Cameron. On the surface this seems like a good trade Cameron is a gold glover with more power than Cabrera, but I  feel that such an expensive stop gap may delay the arrival of Austin Jackson to the big leagues. Cameron is a career .250 hitter but can swipe a bag and has hit 20 or more homers in the last eight seasons. Melky is a Kid who in my mind is still an unproven talent, his upside is that he is only 24 and is a switch hitter with a cannon for an arm. His downside is that he has been streaky as a hitter prone to long slumps and has little home run power. Do I think Melky has what it takes in the bigs? Yes. Do I think he is going to Bat .300 and hit 30 HR next season, no way. Is it a good trade for the Yankees? Maybe, but we can all agree that its an expensive one at 10 Million for 09 compared to Melky or Brett Gardner who will make less than 1 million. But hell it's only money and they are the Yankees. 

Whos next on radar

With Sabathia all but a few signatures and a physical away from being completed their apparently seems to be some urgency for the other big name free agents to get signed. It’s reported that the Yankees have reached out to AJ Burnett, Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets. It seems that if they get only one of these guys that they may reengage talks with Pettitte. If they get two of the three Andy may be odd man out unless he is willing to sign on the cheap. He has already turned down a one year 10 million dollar offer. Will the Yankees end up raising their offer if they don't get two. I would think 12 million for one year of Andy would be reasonable, but the 16 million he made last year is a bit much. Are there any other plan B type free agents the Yankees could engage? Perhaps, Brad Penny? I think they will sign Lowe and Sheets and Pettite will have to take what he can or look elsewhere. But who knows maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part.

Sabathia is a Yankee

After much sneaking around and negotiations CC is a Yankee.  Reportedly agreeing ot a 7 year 160 million dollar contract. Now the Yankees can use this to work on the other free agent pitchers. Welcome CC ! You will make a great Yankee.

Somethings cookin with CC

Apparently Cash money has been MIA for a while this evening and it has now come to light, Via Pete Abraham, that he is meeting again with Sabathia possibly in California. Now if something big wasn't about to happen why would cash jump on a plan and fly to California in the middle of all the fun. I could speculate all night but Ill just wait till something concrete happens then I will let you all know.

update: the daily news is reporting that the meeting with CC may have everything to do with getting his wife Amber involved. In my mind a good sign. Perhaps we will wrap this all up by friday...

Hot Stove is on! Yankees not going to get burnt

The Yankees hot stove is heating up. Brian Cashman Met with Sabathia the other day and at Sabathia’s request had a second meeting. In my mind that’s a good sign, if you’re not interested in something why ask to talk more. Lots of teams have been saying that they will or might prepare an offer for CC. but so far only the Brewers and the Yankees have done so. Sabathia seems to be holding out hoping a west coast team will get involved, being from California I suppose I understand, but ultimately I don’t think anyone will even come close to the Yankees offer and I don’t believe anyone will. While the Yanks continue to court Sabathia they are keeping busy on other fronts apparently preparing an offer for Burnett that reportedly will exceed Atlanta’s 4 year 60 Million Dollar offer and One for Ben Sheets believed to be in the range of 2 years 30Million. That’s a big raise for sheets who made 11million last year. Many teams have stayed clear of Sheets due to past injury concerns. When healthy Sheets is an Ace with a career ERA of 3.72 and last season pitching nearly 200 innings I think he’s a keeper.

  Burnett is a true strike out king. He has absolutely filthy stuff last year he had 231 strike outs and has a career 1278 K's in 1376 innings. Both of these guys and Sabathia would certainly make the Yankees a force in 2009. Think about this rotation kids.

Sabathia

Wang

Burnett

Sheets

Joba

Devastating!!!!! I'll keep you up to date as more happens.

OK so it looks like somethings brewing

Yankees General Manager Brian Cash man met with Scott Boras yesterday who represents Sabathia, Teixeria, and Lowe.  Mlb.com reports that Teixeria was present at this meeting. I wouldn't look into that to much I don't think the Yankees will be pursuing him to the extent of the Angels. However It appears that the Yankees are reaching out to Lowe, who reportedly wants to return to Boston. To me it appears that the Red Sox don't have a glaring need for a high priced free agent Pitcher.  Pete Abraham reports that Cash will be meeting with CC this weekend in an effort to get something done before the Winter meetings next week. I'll get you more when I have it.

Angels say Tex is #1

   It has been speculated that the Angels may be preparing an offer to CC Sabathia. Now it appears that these rumors have been exaggerated and that Tex is still their priority. This is good news for the Yankees being that the only other offer out there is the Brewers and its significantly less. Hopefully this means CC will be signing soon.

No arbitration for anyone

The Yankees in a surprising move did not offer any of their free agents Arbitration. It didn’t' t surprise me about Pettite and Pudge but I really thought they would offer it to Abreu. What does this mean? Well not a whole lot, do to the new arbitration rules they can still negotiate with any of these players. Previously they would have had to wait until May. What it does mean is that if they go to another team the Yankees do not get any Draft Picks for them. I think they still may resign Andy, but now they can do it at a lesser salary. He surely would have accepted arbitration and the Yankees would have had him for more money than they probably want to spend on him considering he mad 16 million last year. I think there is zero chance they resign Pudge and only an outside chance for Abreu if other deals fall apart and there is no place else to get any offence.