Sorry for the delay this morning. Technical problems. So let's get right to the latest from the winter meetings:
Andy Pettitte stuck to his pledge that he would either be a Yankee or a retiree in 2008, informing the Yankees on Sunday that he would return. But the Astros _ for whom Pettitte pitched from 2004 through 2006, and, more relevantly, who play major-league baseball in the city where Pettitte lives _ made a hard push.
Among those who called Pettitte in recruiting efforts: New manager Cecil Cooper, ace Roy Oswalt, slugger Lance Berkman and veteran starting pitcher Woody Williams, who has a longstanding relationship with Pettitte and Roger Clemens.
Pettitte had to be somewhat tempted. But one underreported aspect of Pettitte's and Clemens' time in Houston was their frustration with the Astros' team culture _ that, unlike the Yankees, the Astros, in the two pitchers' minds, weren't 100 percent committed to winning.
At this point, just about anything could happen with Johan Santana. I'm betting that he remains a Twin, although that's somewhat due to my contrarian ways. It wouldn't surprise me if the Yankees acquired him, or if the Red Sox acquired him.
The poor Mets just can't get any public-relations love. It's going to be a disappointment if they can't get a new frontline starting pitcher. How much is it going to hurt when Johnny Estrada _ whom they're trying to trade to Washington _ has a better 2008 than new Mets catcher Brian Schneider?
I like the Yankees' acquisition of reliever Jonathan Albaladejo from Washington for Tyler Clippard. It's the kind of trade that Padres GM Kevin Towers makes - an attempt to find a diamond in the rough for the bullpen. Towers is Brian Cashman's best friend among fellow GMs. Albaladejo walked about one guy every three innings in 2007, combining his major-league and minor-league numbers. He's worth a shot. The Yankees, intelligently, won't be giving out any multi-year deals to relievers in this crazy market.
New Yankees manager Joe Girardi wants to rest all of his regulars once a week, which would be very smart. Is it realistic? We'll see. But that's why the Yankees are trying to bring back Nick Green on a minor-league contract. Green offers versatility _ he can play pretty much anywhere in the infield or outfield _ and he is well liked. During his Yankees stay in 2006, he lived with Alex Rodriguez in New York for a while, at A-Rod's invitation.
I'm not a fan of Washington GM Jim Bowden _ people who joke about September 11th and drive intoxicated don't score points in my book, call me crazy _ but he's got guts. In the last week, he has acquired two outfielders, Lastings Milledge and now Elijah Dukes, with shaky pasts and huge upsides.
What a disgrace that Marvin Miller received just three of 12 votes from the revamped Hall of Fame Veterans Committee. You'd hope that people could see past personal biases and appreciate Miller's immense contribution to the game. Prior to Miller's arrival on the scene, players had no freedom whatsoever.
I woke up to George Jones this morning. Tomorrow, I'm going to choose from Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler and Blake Shelton. If you know these singers at all _ I don't, although I do like country music _ feel free to vote.
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Comments (27)
Hey Ken As a transplant from Westhampton,I can't tell you who is better but I can tell you that Neely's has the best barbecue in Nashville.
I'm glad you've got this blog,Ken,I just noticed it.First time I saw that info on the 9/11 comments by Bowden.What planet does he come from with that idiocy.Mr. Dukes is a looong shot.Mr. Pettite is a breath of fresh air.I heard something about the Yanks going with a six man rotation but either way it makes a lot of sense to rest everyone as best you can.I heard today that Kelly Pickler was a riot on that "Are you smarter than a 5th grader? show.She apparently thought Europe was a country.So I'd go with Montgomery Gentry.
Youtube: Kellie Pickler - Is Europe a Country?
Just watched it. Not funny. Horrifying. If she represents our rural youth, we're all going to starve to death.
Hey Ken.
I'm not a big country music fan but I suppose Tug's kid Tim might be worth a shot. Come to think of it, dust off your ipod and enjoy some Springsteen.
~Howard
Howard, funny you should mention the iPod. I lost it here yesterday.
Say it ain't so Ken; I would be lost without my ipod. Looks like we both know what you'll find from SD upon your return to NYC. Happy Chanuka!
Ken-Sorry about the IPOD. Last time that I saw Kelly,on Idol, she had a 1974 Dolly Parton hairdo and looked like she had put on some significant poundage. How is she looking these days?
Hello Ken,
With all the talk about Santana are the yankees doing anything about their lack of right handed power and the overload of left handed DH's?
Who cares how smart Kelly Pickler is? She's smoking hot.
Ken,
If what Bill Madden of NY Daily News says is right and that the reason the yankees did not acquire a dominant ace that they haven't had since guidry is because Brian cashman was worried about the financial ramifications of this deal even though the yankees are shedding almost 80 million in payroll in '09 then he should be fired.
He is the reason they had to overpay to keep Mariano and Posada with this draconian "we don't negotiate contracts during the season" stance. With his previously mentioned stance he cost the Yankees at least 34 million of which 28 will be paid when Mariano will have his arm in a sling and Posada is using a walker to get to the batters box. This is the same guy who traded for Vazquez, Brown, and Weaver.
Now he's holding on to prospects like Gonzalez, Jackson, and Horne who will never see the light of day in Yankee Stadium.
As for Joba, Hughes,and Kennedy. I remember generation K with the Mets. Who did that turn out?
Cashman is credited with being one of the best GM's and yet I don't remember one significant trade he has made that has helped the yankees in the last seven years.
Some people might say the Sheffield trade. But although he got young pitchers back, one of them is already hurt, he left a huge whole in the right side of lineup.
UGHHHHHHHH!
I vote for Hasil Adkins in the morning.
Fair criticisms of Cashman, Robert. That said, I am leery of any long-term commitments to pitchers. Of the 5+-year, $50+-million commitments to starting pitchers, I can think of only two that really worked: 1) The Red Sox's six-year, $75-million contract to Pedro Martinez prior to the 1998 season, which was a smashing success, and 2) The Yankees' six-year, $88.5 million contract to Mike Mussina prior to the 2001 season, which was a modest success.
As for RH power, they're going to give Shelley Duncan a real shot to be that bat.
As for a good trade that Cashman has made in the last seven years: Abreu in 2006 (yes, it was mostly about the $, but Cashman waited out Gillick so that the Yankees gave up nothing in return). Getting rid of Randy Johnson could still pay dividends with Ohlendorf, and Johnson missed most of '07, as you know.
With the Mets lack of (productive) trades/signings, looks like I'll be watching the Victoria Secret show all Spring. Signing Livan Hernandez is tantamount to the Pedro Astascio fiasco of years past.
~Howard
Ken,
Abreu is a stretch. He's at best an average rightfielder who's afraid of the wall and has an ok arm. he has a good ops but homeruns are down and he seems to take the first two months of the season off.
Duncan? You're killing me.
any chance the yanks get back into the santana sweepstakes?
Robert
Robert, Abreu is a well-above average offensive player. They wouldn't have made the '06 playoffs without him. Of course there's a chance the Yanks could get back into the Santana sweepstakes.
With all this negative talk about the Mets, oh how I hope they have a better record next season than the Yankees!
Ken is on the mark about Abreu. He lacks significant homerun power, but drives in runs, is a gamer and I think plays a very decent rightfield with a pretty darn good arm. Cashman made a great deal to get him. Cashman has had some significant slip-ups, but that comes with the territory of being a GM. He has done 10 good things for every one mistake. I think Hank has to tone it down several decibels. Cashman is a professional who has brought some dignity to the Yankees front office. He must hate the way the Sanatana "negotiations" with the Twins played out in public due to Hank. It's not the way to get a deal done. The effort to rebuild the farm system, due a better job scouting and signing young talent and an emphasis on holding on to a core group of youngsters, is already starting to pay off. There shouldn't be panic among Yankees fans.
Hey Ken,
As Yankees GM, Brian Cashman has acquired Jeff Weaver, Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez, Jaret Wright, Carl Pavano, Kyle Farnsworth, and extended a fading Mike Mussina. I don't think I could see a worse string of pitching acquitions in the last seven years. Now after looking at Brain Cashman's track record with pitching I think the yankees would be smart to consult someone else when it comes to what the yankees should do regarding santana and generation K 2.0.
Robert, there is no doubt that Cashman has made some terrible pitching moves over the years - although he had as much to do with the Jaret Wright signing as you and I did. But I think he deserves a chance to follow through on his vision, of which Hughes, Chamberlain and Kennedy are the centerpieces.
Robert, whom would you like the Yankees to consult on this matter? I'd like a name, please.
I'm thinking someone who can read the back of a baseball card and medical reports.
I'm not sure if there is one person but I'm looking. Untilthen maybe they could form a committee and say that anyone older than 30 with 4 years major league expeirence,a .500 record, and/or a history of health problems should be avoided.
Haven't they avoided precisely those kind of commitments in the last 2 years?
bringing back mussina and clemens were mistakes. I know that Brain had little to do with clemens but he could have spoke up just like he did with santana. and relying on pettite is a huge gamble.
Cashman had everything to do with Clemens, Robert. Totally his call. Read my blog entry today for my feeling on Clemens.
Mussina, admittedly, was pretty bad in '07. We'll see whether he can turn it around (as he did in '06, after a shaky '05). Relying on Pettitte, I'd say, is a moderate gamble, not a huge one.
wow I didn't know about clemens. doesn't that kind of prove my point with cashman and his decisions regarding pitching then.
18 million for 99 slightly less than average innings. and they are worried about 22 to 25 million for 200+ cy young type innings and filling two spots. Ace and innings eater. Especially when generation K 2.0 will probably average about 175 innings this year.
sorry didn't mean to be anonymous before
Robert: No, it doesn't prove your point about Cashman and pitching. Clemens was a good signing this past year! The kids weren't ready in '07. They needed Clemens to fill that gap. They prepared, financially, for Clemens by trading Randy Johnson last winter. There is no one else in baseball whom the Yankees could have acquired on May 6 - for only money, no prospects - who could have given them what Clemens gave them.
You can't think of it as $18 million for 99 IP versus $22-25 mil for 200+ IP. You've got to think of it as $18 mil versus $150 mil. All big contracts (5+ years, $50-plus million) are enormous risks. I understand those who say, go for it, get Santana. But it's not a slam-dunk.