On the Yankees beat

Whether they sign Lilly or not I cant see them not signing Pettite if he wants to come back here.

His committment will be short and you can never have enough SP

Now with J.D ("J"ohnny "D"amon) Drew with the enemy,it's time for our pitching rotation to get another lefty. Except for Manny, Red Sux power hitters are lefty (Big Pap Smear, Drew, Varitek) I hope Andy or Lilly or both are signed.

If had an alternative to one or the other. I would take them both. Lilly has a mediocre winning % but it could improve with a better club like the yanks.

We all know with our bats. Its all about pitching and more pitching. Signing both of them could lead to a quicker exit of Crash Pavano.

Jim,

I saw this in the Ny Times this morning. Is this a possible and legitimate way for Boston to get around paying Matsuzaka less in a contract?

"When a reporter asked Boras if the Lions could give Matsuzaka a parting gift, which would be a way for him to share in the posting fee, Boras said there was no rule against such a gesture.

“We’re making every good-faith effort to examine it from a lot of sides to see if there is a way to accomplish something that is fair for all sides,” Boras said."

Here is my plan for BC and crew. Sign Pettite to a one year deal and Lilly to a 4 year deal. Here's the rational.

Pettite is fluxuating with retirement vs playing and a 1 year deal allows him an out at the end of the season if he wants to retire. If he is out after his 1 year, he will be joined by Johnson.

This is where the problem comes in for the Yankees and why I say to sign Lilly also. When Pettite and Johnson go together, now we need to fill two spots in the rotation AND we lose two LH SP.

By signing Lilly, we retain some continuity in the rotation so we can ease the kids in 1 at a time. And, he is a LH to boot.

Remember, the year after, Mussina is set to go. Don't get me wrong. I am all for bringing along the young SP, but I just don't see the Yankees putting 3 rookies in the rotation over a two year period. It is too much too soon.

By signing Lilly, a LH, it allows us to add one young SP each year over the next two years. Does this plan sound reasonable to anybody out there?

Rick- Great post, I agree with you. The rotation in a few years would be nicely balanced with soft throwing lefties and hard throwing righties, if Sanchez and Hughes live up to the promise they've shown so far.
Can you imagine a batter's thinking: On Saturday you face Ted Lilly, generously listed as 6'1", 190lbs and throws pretty soft. On Sunday you are facing Humberto Sanchez, 6'6", 250+ lbs throwing 95+?
The 4 year commitment to Lilly is all that bothers me because we never know if he'll be another Pavano; Wright etc.

Jim A

Thank you. That is exactly my plan. Keep the kids coming in slowly 1 at a time over a 3 year window. In the mean time we have a nice mix of veterans and youth, AND LH and RH, AND soft tossers and flame throwers. Also, it is good to have those veterans around to teach the kids as they grow into their roles. It's like having extra pitching coaches.

Lilly REALLY wants to come home BAD. All you have to do is read the quotes by his agent and look at their actions. Why do you think they haven't accepted the Cubs or Blue Jays offers? He wants to be a Yankee!

And, if BC wants to watch his budget, then I say make a fair offer to him (4 yrs = $38mil) and put the ball back in his court. If he really wants to come home, he will accept a few dollars less to be a Yankee.

Jim,

Is there any truth to the teaser on ESPN last night, that Epstien is interested in talking to the Yankees about A-Rod? I didn't see sportcenter, but heard it on one of their promo's.

Thanks.

They're trading Papelbon, Ortiz and Manny for A Rod.

Good one.

They just set an alltime attendence record and jacked ticket prices through the roof. Quit with the penny pinching for goodness sake.

Sign Lilly
Sign Pettite
Trade for R. Sexson
(probably cost us Melky)
Keep Bernie to be 4th OF
Get a backup C

LET"S ROLL !!!!

Rick: They didn't jack ticket prices through the roof. They raised the prices for the most expensive tickets and left the vast majority of ticket prices unchanged.

Why would you want to rade for Sexson? That's a ridiculous waste of money. There's a difference between spending and smart spending. There's no need to add that much payroll to a total that already tops out well over the luxury tax.

Cashman is now looking at every possible signing or trade with the team payroll in mind. We are not going to sign both Pettitte and Lilly. We might reduce payroll by eating part of Pavano's contract, sending him to the Rockies, and getting Jennings. The "hot" rumor this morning, was us getting Sexson. I don't see this happening for team payroll reasons once again.

Why aren't the Yankees scared off by Hillenbrand's low OBP?

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12062006/sports/yankees/sexson_might_be_1st_option_yankees_george_king.htm

While the Yankees aren't going to give up Chien-Ming Wang or Phil Hughes for Sexson, a package headed by Melky Cabrera could entice the Mariners if they are willing to eat some of Sexson's money. If they don't pay part of the money, they can't expect much back.

Not sure about this move, Sexson is a whiff king and I'm not sure about his defensive abilities. I definitely wouldn't give up Cabrera for him. The remainder of his deal isn't bad though, 2 years/$28 million. Might be worth a shot if you can get him cheap and just take on the salary I guess.

Please Mr.Cashman , Don't trade for Sexson. This guy strikesout too much and has low obp.

I hope the Yankees go for Zuleta rather than Cancers Like Hillebrand and Sexson.

Benjamin

I have field box seats at Jacobs field that cost me $38 each, not $400 !!!!

Let's face it the Yanks are never going to sign 2 free agent starters...I agree with easing the young guys in slowly...Karstens maybe ready ...Hughes is 21 and may need a little time...but is considered by scouts to be the BEST pitching prospect in baseball,might be 1/2 yr away,the thing I like about Karstens is he thru 190 total innings in 06...Sanchez could also be ready....With 5 starters already signed if you include Igawa...maybe you jettison Pavano in spring training or Package him in some deal.Either way Cashman is not going to blow the wad on 2 pitchers....as much as I like Pettitte the Yanks are not going to wait till Dec 22 for him to make a decision.Would not be a wise business move on the yAnkees part...in Lilly the Yanks would be getting what they already had in Jaret Wright.Check last yrs stats....The Yanks don't need pitchers w/4.50 era....anyone who has watched Richie Sexson strike out 160 times a yr and play a crappy 1stbase knows he's not in the Yankees future...Yankee fans would be merciless...you think it got ugly w/A-Rod...If you've watched Hillenbrand play his OBP is low because he doesn't walk much,but he also doesn't strike out much,puts the ball in play,strokes 40+ doubles and will hit .290,and there is the revenge factor the 2 teams that play in the Yanks division discarded him.He's a Chad Curtis type...so what...

The ONLY reason that they could/should go after both Lilly and Pettitte is if they have a deal on the table for Pavano. Otherwise you have a staff that looks like:

Wang
Mussina
Lilly
Pettitte
Johnson
Igawa
Pavano

You would paying a load of money to one if not TWO players who would only pitch if someone (Pavano, Johnson is hurt). Given you have unknowns with Igawa and Pavano, keep them as your 5th and 6th and make your priority to sign Pettitte (for a year) and if that falls apart sign Lilly (if his market value falls).

PS, Rick Keyes, Cabrera-for-Sexson, is ridiculous. While were at it, why not just trade Phil Hughes for a guy who throws a 120 miles-per-hour but can't find the plate.

Roy

This raise prices and cut the payroll thing is welcome to the Steve Swindell era.

1st Priority - make lots of money.

2nd Priority - win, if possible

BOSS: Where have you gone?

Lefties like andy or lilly are needed in this rotation. Look at boston's lineup, its dominated by left handed hitters. Igawa and Big unit are question marks. We need at least 1 sure thing in Andy or Lilly.

Southern Slam24

The Sexson thing is just what I read in a NY paper today. Not my idea for sure.

Pavano will not be on this staff. Why do you guys keep thinking he's in the rotation. Johnson and Igawa are huge unknowns at this point. And, you can NEVER have too much PITCHING.

As far as payroll goes, Pettite's signing is going to be for one year only, so signing Lilly also isn't really a huge financial obligation long term. In 2008, Pettite and Johnson will be off the books. That's a savings of $32 mil. Anyhow guys, this is the Yankees. Can't afford to? Come on now.

1) JD Drew -- Worth 70 Mil? Probably not. A Red Sox need? Yes they needed a right fielder. Does it affect the Yankees? Not particularly. Drew is a slight upgrade over Nixon and he has a hard time staying healthy a full season. Is there 3 - 4 - 5 better? Of course! Ortiz - Manny - Drew is very good. But realize we do have an offense as well Abreu - Rodriguez - Giambi. So don't worry so much about JD Drew.

2) Julio Lugo -- Worth 40 Mil? Again Probably not. Another Red Sox need? Yes they need a Shortstop. Does it effect the Yankees? Maybe? Who knows? However last year in 121 games he batted .278 12 HR 36 RBI and 24SB with a .325 OBP. I wouldn't start trembling with fear. He's going to steal bases. He will hit. But he really is an average player. Again Breath

3) Daisuke Matzusaka -- Worth what he will get? Maybe. A Red Sox need? Look at the bid, what do you think? Does it effect the Yankees? No one knows yet. The truth is we have no idea how Matzusaka will be let alone Igawa who we have. However we do know that Schilling is older and wasn't that effective at times last yr. Beckett gives up a ton of homeruns. Wakefield is coming off being hurt for a year and Papelbon shut it down after 65 innings last year b/c of arm problems and now will be a starter. So the Red Sox pitching is very very enigmatic.

4) Eric Gagne is not a Red Sox. If he succeeds there that is a great signing. He is a tremendous closer. So was Papelbon last year. We have a lineup very few pitchers really can get around. We'll see what happens.

The point I'm making friend is that these moves helped fill needs for the Red Sox. These moves however in no way make this team better then the Yankees. We won our division last year. We will win it agian this year. The Red Sox improved. But how much will 4 players really improve a team that finished in 3rd place. Their pen is still very much in shambles. Their bench is as good as ours. Their lineup is good, not as great as it once was. Their SP is more questionable then ours. The Yankees do not need to make knee jerk reactions. We aren't thinking hey the Red Sox made a move we have to now to. Instead Cash is thinking how he will improve the Yankees. Not how to effect the Red Sox. Have a little faith in what our team looks like. Truthfully we are not in that bad of shape.

Reiltz

Very good points on Boston!

We do need to address our pitching though.

If the Redsox signed Injury prone J.D Drew to ludicrous contract? Why not the Yankees pursue and sign Bonds to a one year deal? There's no risk involved. Bonds could protect Arod's Behind like J.D Drew bats behind Manny. Bonds had .400 obp percentage on his career and walk ratio. Unlike Sheff's who stinks playoffs while Bonds had 7 homeruns.

I agree Rick. We too have many question marks in our rotation and a good way to solve that is to sign Lilly and if they can add Pettitte too but I'd focus on Lilly who wants to sign by the end of the week and really want to be in NY and Pettitte wants to wait. If pass up Lilly and Pettitte waits to then say he's retiring or going back to the Astros or the Rangers because of his family we're up a creek with out a paddle.

Reiltz,I concur.The Yanks have five great lefthanded hitters in their projected line-up ,what have the Jays or Red sox done to counter act that? ...Maybe Johnson and Igawa are ? marks ..so are Andy & Lilly...he's been on the DL 5 or 6 times...Andy has had arm problems of late...Yankees are not going to carry 7 starters into the season...Everyone is banking on the Yanks unloading Pavano,is that a certainty? You don't know...dumping payroll is a 2-3 yr project ...the last time I looked the Red Sox have absolutely no team chemistry...just a mile long grocery list,can those players jell as a team?

NO THANKS JAN!!! Alex has plenty of protection (Giambi, Posada, Cano, Matsui, Abreu) we don't need to add a head case that will surely pick apart the team with his antics and he is a Steroid user with bad knees we already have a DH that's suspected of using steroids. We don't need any more offense we need pitching.

Loretta's type A free agent? Maybe He and Cano can split time playing 2nd base and platoon. Cano plays against right handed and loretta against lefties. Also , play him at first.

The only place Bonds is going if he wants to play is back to the Giants. He's not only a suspected steroid user he's a jerk that requires his own entourage to pad his self-esteem. And if he plays next season he’ll break Hank Aaron’s record, he doesn’t deserve it! So many of his HRs are suspect now. We have Giambi to deal with (at least he apologized and this year produced like his old self with out the juice) I hope you were joking.

now were going to talk about Bonds ? Man !!!!can we keep this banter reasonably focused!

OYF

I'm with you. Get Lilly now while we can. Then if Pettite wants to come back for a year, sign him too. If we wait, we could end up with nothing!

You're right. I'm sorry, I just got a little disturbed that he was even mentioned.

OYF and ruse

My sentiments exactly on Bonds.

Ya Alfred the Yanks are going to platoon the silver slugger winner at 2nd base with Loretta ? anyone out there willing to put me out of my misery?

Ha! I laughed at that one too Ruse. Not only a Silver slugger but also a young dude that is just starting to hit with power. His HR totals are going to increase every year. And he goes the other way with righties and hits lots of doubles. Ludicrous idea! Back to the main topic . . .

Maybe we could just use Cano as a utility player? That would be even better, right Alfred?

For the First time - Mlb Draft will be televised for First time next year. Who will be Mel Kiper's of baseball?

Quote

"For the first time, the June draft is scheduled to be televised, with either ESPN or TBS likely as the host, said a person who was part of meetings on the matter. The plan is to televise the first and second rounds, and the sandwich round in between."

And

"As they continue to redo their scouting department, the Yanks have hired long-time executives Donny Rowand to be their national cross-checker and Kendall Carter to serve in a significant capacity. Rick Williams, the son of Di/ck Williams, was hired away from the Devil Rays, where he had been a special assistant in the scouting department. The Yanks also gave Gordon Blakeley a two-year contract extension. Long-time major leaguer Greg Colbrunn was hired to be the hitting coach at Low-A ... "

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12062006/sports/yankees/no_waiving_goodbye_for_alex__jason_yankees_.htm?page=2

Cano splitting time w/ Loretta? That's crazy. Cano should just be left alone, 2b is not a need for us. Starting pitching is and should be our priority.

Reiltz: Great points on your post, however I think our starting rotation may have more questions than Bostons, although it's close:
Wang: Is he a true no. 1 and can he repeat last year's performance after increasing his IP by 80.

Mussina: Will he get hurt again? is he a no. 2 at this point in his career?

Johnson: Can he come back from back surgery? If so, which RJ comes back, the AZ version or the NYY version?

Igawa: Will he succeed in MLB? Will he figure out his control issues?

Pavano: Will he cut himself shaving and be out for the year?

Hughes/Karstens/Rasner/Sanchez:
Are any of these guys ready and how much can they contribute in 2007?

I guess we could drive ourselves crazy with the rotation questions but I think signing Andy to be the number 2 (so you split the RH's) and maybe even Lilly for all the reasons Rick K. pointed out. At the least, Lilly would make a better no. 5 then anyone we've had lately.
Money is not an issue, we are not becoming the Braves so don't buy into all this fiscal responsibility nonsense. Baseball, and especially the Yanks, have a ton of money and they aren't afraid to spend it. The Yanks are just trying to spend it wisely (a departure from recent history- at least w/ pitching).

I'm just itching for something big to happen though....

Again gentlemen, we are now looking to acquire cheap,young,promising, starting pitchers. Not high priced and over-the hill- pitchers like Pettitte and Lilly. It's almost all about the team payroll now. Get used to it and stop the fantasy of getting both Pettitte and Lilly. That's not going to happen with the way this team is now being run.

MAybe it'll be signing Lillly and then wrapping PEttitte up for CHristmas. ((fingersz crosszedf as I typess))

Roy,
I just plain disagree. The management of this team is not going to entrust the season to "cheap, young, promising starting pitching". They will work in youngsters as old guys like RJ and Moose move on, but they will not just go with 5 young starters when you have a team that is in it's early to mid-30's in the field.
The only reason the Yanks aren't making any deals is because their are no deals to make right now. They are playing a bit of poker, but you can bet they will "Cash" in pretty soon.

Cash is just putting on his poker face, the same technique that got him Damon. I wouldn't be surprised if we get them both. Cash has everyone thinking he's watching his spending so that anyone dealing with him knows they have to be reasonable. It’s a great way to approach things this year since everyone has lots of money to spend and have been freely throwing it around to just about anyone. I don't think the Yankees are going to continue the free high stakes spending they've done which is great but I don't think that they are operating as a bottom line corp. either.

I agree we can go round and round ,my sense is Karstens will be the 5th starter in waiting,provided RJ is healthy, and as insurance the Yanks nab 1 free agent starter.I'm tired of talking baseball ,what do you guys think of Halle Berry?

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Dodgers have landed the biggest free-agent pitching prize to date, reaching a preliminary agreement on a three-year, $47 million contract with right-hander Jason Schmidt, FOXSports.com has learned.

Yes, Alfred. Let's platoon Cano. And while we're at it, we'll sign Shane Spencer to platoon with Abreu.

Jim A and OYF

I agree with you guys on BC lying in wait and the budget concerns being a bargaining ploy. Also, we are not going to go with a bunch of young guys all at once. It is not the Yankee way. I hope we get them both.

We could have Wang, Pettite, Mussina, Lilly, and let Johnson/ Igawa fill the #5 hole and long relief roles.

Ruse - Halle Berry is HOT and I'd sign her at all costs, or trade anybody we got, except maybe Jeter. She is from Ohio you know?

Mets to meet with A's, seek Harden

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/12/06/mets.athletics/index.html

Why would Billy Beane trade Harden who is young and has cy young stuff?

Rick,I'm glad we can agree on something !

Ruse

We probably agree on a few things, I'm sure. They just haven't come up in discussion yet. It is probably a generational thing. What is your age bracket?

Omar is the first GM in baseball to try to make his team 100% latin by 2009. I wonder what he is gonna do with David Wright cause he doesn't seem to fit into Omar's plans.

ruse

We agreed on the Bonds crap. And, we agreed on the Cano/ Loretta farcus. See, that's what I'm talking about. Either way, I respect your opinion and hope you do likewise. That is what blogging should be about, even when we disagree.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12062006/sports/yankees/no_waiving_goodbye_for_alex__jason_yankees_.htm

Interesting article on Yanks asking Alex and Giambi about their feeling on waiving their no-trade clauses.

AJ

I thought this was a Yankee blog? Who cares about Omar and his discriminatory moves?

Ruse: Halle Berry is indeed HOT, although she didn't look good NAKED as I'd hoped (see Monsters Ball) but I wouldn't kick her out of bed even if she was calling some other guy's name. Gotta show some respect to Billy Bob Thornton...Angelina Jolie, Halle..I salute ya Billy Bob!

Rick-

I am just bringing some humor to "our" blog.

Rick,Absolutely !I'm 53 and not a day over 10.I have alotta fun with this ,I try not to take it seriously.There is a good core group of bloggers,it's interesting to see others reasoning abilities.

Again gentleman, it's all about the money now. We could have signed Lilly several days ago. Why wait? Because we are not going to tie up at least 40 million dollars for the next 4 years. The Schmidt\Dodger deal probably raised both Lilly and Pettitte's price. I don't like it any more than you guys do, but the "good old days" of signing whoever we want regardless of the price are gone. We may sign Pettitte for 1 yr to placate the "old guard", but that to me would be a mistake. He is probably going to want $12-13 million, and with his injury history, that is a big gamble.

AJ - I've got it now.

ruse - I'm 54 and also not a day over 10. I do take it seriously only because I take our team seriously. I too think we have a good "core" and enjoy this blog alot.

Roy, I wouldn't say it's all about the money, it's more about the years. The Yanks don't give a sh*t about the money, but they do care about the length of the contracts they are getting into. If they could sign Lilly to a 2 yr/$30M deal, they probably would rather than stretching it out to 4 yrs.
All pitchers are gambles, but Pettitte is probably less of a gamble because he has been there/done that.

Roy

It is being reported that Pettite will get $15 to $15.5 mil for a one year deal. In todays market, Lilly at $40 mil for 4 years is a bargain.

The guy is a 15 game winner, just like Mussina. And, he is a PROVEN AL East SP. And, he is only 30 and LH. And, he wants to play for the Yankees in the worst way. I think we are making a mistake if we let him get away.

If Lilly really wants to be a Yankee and will take less money or years to come here, then I say let's get him. If he can win 15 for us, we'll be in good shape because I feel Moose and Johnson will win 15 each, Wang will win at least 15; maybe 20 and hopefully, the bullpen can pick up the slack.
I also couldn't care less with what Boston is doing. I hope that they spend 300 mil!

I really do enjoy reading the guys who copy and pastes their quotes on 10 dif Yankee blogs.

Especially the idiots who advocate things like Cano platoon.

We should have got Lugo so Jeter can play every other day too

I don't know if anyone is still reading this blog, but if you are, what are your thoughts on this happening?
If Lilly really wants to play here, could Cash get him for 3 yrs. gtd. at 27mil with either a 3mil buyout or club option 13mil for 4th year. This way he is still getting the same 10mil a year, and if he proves a good addition, the 13mil in the 4th year would have been earned and possibly a bargain for 2010. Also get Pettite for 2 yrs. and 26mil if we can. Just like the majority of bloggers, I'm one that feels it gives time for the kids to come up and develop before being thrown into the fire. There's alot of real good opinions in this blog. Let's keep 'em coming Jim B.

Paulie,
I made the same point in the next section of this blog. It's not the dollars that ever bother the Yanks, it's the length of the contract. If they could pay Lilly more money for a shorter contract, I'd say they would do it. They just don't want to be stuck with someone for 4 years who they can't trade.