Baseball offseason, let's get ready for 2014.

[lgna69xxx]

Excellent! If the Yanks are not satisfied with Kelly J at 2nd and dont trade for Brandon P, then there is also Infante who would slot in nicely. Again not as good as Cano but by adding Ellsbury, McCann and Beltran, the Yanks can afford to have a guy like that at second or someone similiar and their really arnt many Robbie Cano's around.... he is the best of the best at his position but maybe we can get a 2nd baseman who will actually run out a groundball once in awhile, that was my one and only knock on Robbie C.

Cashman will no doubt add a starter to the roster, if not 2. Missing the playoffs was the fire that needed to be lit under the Steinbrenners. They lost millions in YES network and box office revenue and that wont happen again anytime soon.

The Yankees are getting applauded for the moves that they have made and they are not done yet, Jim Duquette from MLB likes the moves so much that he has labeled the Yankees as legitimate challengers for the World Series, meanwhile the Red Sox have let one of their best players go, signed a few of their own players, meaning that they are hoping for a repeat of their fluke season from last year where all the pieces fell in, not bloody likely.

 

[smuler]

maybe we can get a 2nd baseman who will actually run out a groundball once in awhile

Word from Metland is that we are looking at offers for Daniel Murphy during the winter meetings

I certainly hope he stays here, but the move to the Bronx wouldn't be a far commute

Best Regards

Smuler

 

[lgna69xxx]

He would be a good option and is a very good player, i would love to have him on the Yankees roster for the right price.

Word from Metland is that we are looking at offers for Daniel Murphy during the winter meetings

I certainly hope he stays here, but the move to the Bronx wouldn't be a far commute

Best Regards

Smuler

 

[smuler]

He would be a good option and is a very good player, i would love to have him on the Yankees roster for the right price.

He made 512 K in 2012
In 2013, he made 3 million

He played in 161 games last year

Best Regards

Smuler

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Word from Metland is that we are looking at offers for Daniel Murphy during the winter meetings

Murphy is in his 2nd arb year and fairly inexpensive. The Yankees probably don't have the prospects to get him.

 

[Merlot]

BOYZ,

...the Yankees as legitimate challengers for the World Series...

What, no link to prove this. Sure I can dig it up easily if it exists, but why didn't you? Fantasy? Where's the pitching wonder boy. Look at the teams in the playoffs in both leagues and they were almost all PITCHING strong.

I do believe that A-Rod will be suspended. However, i'm betting in the range of 50 games.

You're extremely disconnected from the real and key differences between A-Rod and anyone else, and that would be his involvement in attempted tampering with the evidence, not to mention it's a second offense.

If it's possible he only gets 50 games, which would be a disgraceful slap on the wrist in view of his offenses, it would free only about $7-8 million for the Yankees for all the pitching they need so desperately. If Rodriguez gets what he deserves the saved money would be a boon to the team. Ironically Joe, EB, Iggy are praying the arbitrator takes my view.

Posted December 07, 2013
Carlos Beltran a nice addition, but he won’t solve the Yankees’ problems
Carlos Beltran, New York Yankees
By Cliff Corcoran

http://mlb.si.com/2013/12/07/carlos-beltran-signs-yankees/

With the additions this week of Ellsbury and Beltran, the Yankees, despite the departure of Granderson, have a well-populated outfield. Ellsbury is an All-Star center fielder. Incumbent center fielder Brett Gardner, one of the best defensive outfielders in the game as well as a top-of-the-order speedster with solid on-base numbers, will be pushed to left field. Beltran, another former center fielder, will be the primary right fielder, though he and the soon-to-be-38-year-old Alfonso Soriano, who are of roughly equal value in the field at this point in their careers, are likely to toggle between right and DH. Given the injury histories of Ellsbury and Gardner, they could also often occupy both corners, opening designated hitter for members of the Yankees’ aging infield.

The move to the DH league and a hitter-friendly park is a smart one for Beltran, though this is surely his last multi-year contract. It should benefit the Yankees in a similar fashion, if not by increasing Beltran’s productivity then by softening his likely decline as he continues into his late 30s. At the same time, signing Beltran now is a bitter pill for Yankee fans given that nine years ago he was, according to Tom Verducci and Joe Torre’s The Yankee Years, “willing to take a 20 percent discount” to sign with the Yankees and succeed fellow Puerto Rican Bernie Williams in center field. Instead, the Yankees signed Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright and, at George Steinbrenner’s behest, traded for Randy Johnson while Beltran went on to pad his Hall of Fame credentials with the crosstown Mets.

Nonetheless, Beltran makes the Yankees considerably better even after all of these years, and returns to New York having stoked his reputation as one of the game’s great postseason hitters having hit .306/.410/.571 in 118 postseason at-bats for the Cardinals over the last two Octobers. The Yankees, however, are no longer a lock to play in October on an annual basis.

As strong and deep as their outfield now is (the Beltran signing pushes Ichiro Suzuki to the bench and Vernon Wells that much closer to what seems like his inevitable release), and despite the addition two weeks ago of All-Star catcher Brian McCann, the Yankees infield is a potential disaster. Cano is now a Mariner. Alex Rodriguez still faces a major suspension. Derek Jeter is coming off a twice-broken ankle that never fully healed and, along with other leg injuries, limited him to 17 games last year. And Mark Teixeira is coming off a twice torn tendon sheath in his right wrist that similarly limited him to 15 games last year following a steady decline in production in his early 30s. In other words, the Yankees have very little to bank on in the infield.

VERDUCCI: Mariners got Cano by showing him the money Yankees wouldn’t

Even if they are able to play in the coming season, Jeter will be 40 in June, Rodriguez, who has been limited to an average of 88 games played over the last three seasons due to injury, will be 39 in July, and Teixeira will be 34 in April. Kelly Johnson, who currently stands as the team’s projected second baseman, has hit .226/.307/.395 over the last three years despite playing in hitter-friendly ballparks in Arizona and Toronto in two of those three seasons, while the primary backups either can’t hit (Brendan Ryan: .217/.283/.294 over the last four seasons) or can’t field (Eduardo Nuñez, who was 2. 3 wins below replacement in the field in 2013).

Then there’s the Yankees’ goal of staying under the $189 million competitive balance tax threshold for the coming season in order to reset their tax rate. Based on the average annual values of their contracts, which is how they are measured when assessing the tax, Ellsbury, McCann, Beltran, Kuroda, Johnson, and Ryan have increased the Yankees’ 2014 payroll by $75.36 million, putting their estimated 2014 payroll at $171.66 million, a figure which doesn’t include the salaries of arbitration eligible players such as Gardner, David Robertson, and Ivan Nova, or of the pre-arbitration players who will fill out the roster, who should eat up the remaining $17.34 million.

A full-season suspension for Rodriguez would clear roughly $27.5 million in additional cap room with which the Yankees could sign a replacement for Rodriguez and possibly make some necessary upgrades on the pitching staff, particularly in the bullpen. However, with teams so active this offseason, the Yankees’ options in such areas are dwindling quickly while they wait for the arbitrator’s verdict on Rodriguez, which isn’t due until January 15, though it could come earlier that month. What’s more, Rodriguez is hoping to continue his case against baseball in federal court thereafter, which could result in his suspension being further delayed via an injunction.

Despite committing a combined $283 million to three of free agency’s biggest prizes over the last two weeks, the Yankees could well miss the playoffs again in 2014, doing so in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1992 and ’93. That, or they could abandon their luxury tax plan, a move which would call in to question the decision making behind last offseason’s thriftiness and the hard-line the team took on Cano. In either case, Beltran, regardless of his performance over the next three seasons, could come to serve as a daily reminder of past decisions gone wrong, an aging version of the player the Yankees should have signed a decade ago. The idea that such a reminder could prompt a long-overdue front-office shakeup in the Yankees’ often dysfunctional and seemingly calcified leadership structure, however, seems like wishful thinking.

Thank you for the long run of bad planning Cashman and the Steinbrenners. A-Rod remains the white elephant parasite who by his continued litigation and albatross contract could derail everything with his humongous ego and impenetrable arrogance...unless the Yankees decide to blow up their budget limits, which A-Rod's determination may force them to do since the Yankees are having so much trouble being patient after the Red Sox won their 3rd World Series compared to their 1 since 2001.

For the Yankees the nightmare lesson of 2013 is MONEY counts for nothing if you don't build a real T-E-A-M with it. The Red Sox learned that after 2011 and went on to win another World Series. The Yankees are working hard to ignore it and continue their failed ways.

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[EagerBeaver]

there is also Infante who would slot in nicely.

In fact the Daily News is reporting that free agent Infante is being targeted and that would enable Gardner to be saved as a trade chip for a pitcher:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...-leading-man-replace-robbie-article-1.1540535

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...gree-three-year-deal-source-article-1.1540436

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

You're extremely disconnected from the real and key differences between A-Rod and anyone else, and that would be his involvement in attempted tampering with the evidence, not to mention it's a second offense.

What offenses? I haven't seen any sign of any evidence that he broke any rules. We know a few things. 1) He hasn't failed any tests and 2) MLB purchased stolen documents to make their case against him. 3) Bud Selig is desperate to make a scapegoat of Rodriguez to save is miserable legacy vis a vis the "steroid era." Beyond that, we know approximately nothing of what went on behind closed doors in his hearing.

It's really quite hilarious watching the triplets desperately trying to put a happy face on when the rest of Yankeeland is jumping off of bridges. I'm really enjoying reading the howls of depressed Yankee fans in the comment sections of the depressed NY press.

The Yankees were right not to overpay Cano by $80 M, but I'm not sure that justifies overpaying Ellsbury by $50. Consider: Ellsbury is making twice as much as Pedroia, who is a better player. Ellsbury is making almost twice as much as Victorino, who is a better player. Ellsbury is making 50% more than David Ortiz, who is a better player.

It's really quite hilarious seeing the Beav wetting his pants over Omar Infante, soon to be future Hall of Famer Omar Infante to the triplets.

 

[Joe.t]

BOYZ,



What, no link to prove this. Sure I can dig it up easily if it exists, but why didn't you? Fantasy? Where's the pitching wonder boy. Look at the teams in the playoffs in both leagues and they were almost all PITCHING strong.

Possible Starters according to -http://www.rotochamp.com/baseball/TeamPage.aspx


1 CC Sabathia
2 Hiroki Kuroda
3 Ivan Nova SP
4 Michael Pineda
5 David Phelps
6 David Huff SP
7 Adam Warren

Throw in the possibility of Tanaka, Garza or Santana and I'd say the Yankees are looking pretty good in the pitching department, I am also hearing that Pineda is finally healthy, scary rotation if you ask me.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

1 CC Sabathia
2 Hiroki Kuroda
3 Ivan Nova SP
4 Michael Pineda
5 David Phelps
6 David Huff SP
7 Adam Warren
I'd say the Yankees are looking pretty good in the pitching department, I am also hearing that Pineda is finally healthy, scary rotation if you ask me.

Scary is right, Joe. If my team had only three major league proven starters, one of whom collapsed at the end of last year, one of whom sucked all year, and one of whom spend the middle portion of the season in the minors, I'd be scared too. This has the makings of one of the worst rotations in the AL.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I have no problem with Kuroda & Nova, but Sabathia is a shell of his ol' self. Pineda, Phelps, Huff & Warren are still unproven & questionable.

Once again, their wins will come with offense. But with Derek Jeter on his last legs, A-Rod's status uncertain (he'll likely get at least 50 games), and Texeira being injury-prone at this point in his career, this version of the Yankees will come with many question marks. Plus, how long will Ichiro Suzuki be able to remain productive? He's another player who's a shell of his ol' self.

So all in all, i see big question marks at third base, shortstop, second base & first base. Catching will be one of the team's strenghts as long as Brian McCann remains healthy.

I like the outfield, but where will the power come from since Granderson will now be playing with the Mets? Will Ellesbury be able to remain healthy for a full season? I have my doubts. Will Brett Gardiner be traded in order to fill one of many holes? Time will tell.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

I'm in agreement for the most part, Doc, but...

1. Sabathia - You might very well be right, but it's also possible he just had a bad year. That said, there's an awful lot of mileage on that arm.
2. Kuroda - This guy is 39 and pitched to a 5.40 ERA over the last two months of the season. My guess is that he's a better bet to pitch like dogshit than Sabathia. In any case, I'd say the chances are extremely strong that one of the two will be useless in 2014.
3. Nova - He's been great, but he's also very inconsistent.
4. The rest - I totally agree. None of these guys has done much in the bigs. None has ever been considered a major talent. This is a seriously weak and shallow pitching staff. Also you don't mention the bullpen. They lost a pretty good guy in Rivera. While Robertson might just do a decent job, they haven't done anything to replace him. This is a seriously thin bullpen.

And, yes, the infield sucks, both offensively and defensively. While it appears that the Yankees have abandoned their plan to say under $189, it must be remembered that every payroll dollar they add now will cost them a buck and a half. I know that Joe.T has already handed Dontrelle Willis' locker to Tanaka, but I'd be shocked to see the Yankees outbid Seattle.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I know that Joe.T has already handed Dontrelle Willis' locker to Tanaka, but I'd be shocked to see the Yankees outbid Seattle.

If he does become available, isn't the maximum bid now $20 million since the introduction of the new format?

I also recently heard that the tie-breaker would go to the team with the weakest record, which hasn't been made official yet.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

If he does become available, isn't the maximum bid now $20 million since the introduction of the new format?

I also recently heard that the tie-breaker would go to the team with the weakest record, which hasn't been made official yet.

The way it works is that the maximum bid will indeed be $20 M. You are correct. The latest information is that ALL teams bidding $20 M will be allowed to negotiate with him. My best guess is that all 30 MLB teams will make that offer and he will effectively be a free agent. When you consider a) that Seattle has a huge Japanese population and b) that the Mariners are owned by the Japanese game company Nintendo, you can only imagine how much they will offer Tanaka.

 

[Joe.t]

I guess you don't read the NY papers or listen to talk radio in NY. They are absolutely freaking out.


Yup, their fourth best player...who is now the Yankees best player. Have you noticed that no one in Boston is weeping over his departure?

If the Yankees signed Ruth, Mantle, Gerhig, Dimaggio in their prime those guys would still complain just because it is the New York Yankees, other professional writers who are paid to give an objective opinion such as Richard Justice, Jim Duquette, C.J Nitkowski etc all love the Yankee deals and have said that the Yankees are now better than the team that they fielded last year and they are not even done yet, meanwhile you can make the case that the the Red Sox have become stagnant or have regressed(how can you replace a Jacoby Ellsbury?), good luck.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Richard Justice, Jim Duquette, C.J Nitkowski etc

Actually, just today Joe Maddon called the Yankee moves "a push." I don't know who Richard Justice is. I do know that Duquette was one of the worst general managers in history, and that Nitkowski is a ballplayer. You are just great at choosing your experts, Joe. "Lessee, he likes the Yankee moves, therefore he's an expert.

how can you replace a Jacoby Ellsbury?

You mean the guy who was the fourth best position player on the Sox last year and is now the Yankees' best? Better give up while you're behind, Joe.

 

[Joe.t]

Actually, just today Joe Maddon called the Yankee moves "a push." I don't know who Richard Justice is. I do know that Duquette was one of the worst general managers in history, and that Nitkowski is a ballplayer. You are just great at choosing your experts, Joe. "Lessee, he likes the Yankee moves, therefore he's an expert.


You mean the guy who was the fourth best position player on the Sox last year and is now the Yankees' best? Better give up while you're behind, Joe.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/columnists/?id=richard_justice.


Quit while you are behind, my advise to you.:nod:

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Great quote. "A lot of people have told me that real New Yorkers are Mets fans." - Curtis Granderson.
w
Snap!!

 

[lgna69xxx]

ROFL! what would you expect him to say? The guy was let go for Ellsbury and he got 100 mil less than Jacoby.... i bet many ppl would say even worse! haha

Word has it that Tanaka could now very well be posted at the $20 mil figure if he wants to come play in MLB. Quite the respect from his team in Japan if you ask me.

Great quote. "A lot of people have told me that real New Yorkers are Mets fans." - Curtis Granderson.
w
Snap!!

 

[EagerBeaver]

Great quote. "A lot of people have told me that real New Yorkers are Mets fans." - Curtis Granderson.
w
Snap!!

You have obviously never been to the San Gennaro Festival. Go down some time and you will see Yankees kiosks but no Mets kiosks. Go tell the vendors and other people down on Mulberry Street that they are not real New Yorkers. Almost every person of Italian ancestry in NYC is a Yankees fan and it is/was because of the Yankees signing of Joe DiMaggio. It has been that way for many years. Their parents and grandparents and great grand parents were Yankees fans because of Joe D. This is a cultural phenomenon. If you go to the San Gennaro festival which is as NYC as any cultural event in NYC you will not see any Mets kiosks or merchandise being sold. And the very simple reason is Italians do not buy Mets merchandise.