A couple of deals are starting to break, which could start a ripple effect here...
-- Word is circulating through the lobby today that Ted Lilly is close to a deal with the Cubs, which, if true, is really no big surprise. The Yankees were keeping in touch with him just to know what was going on; they never had any intentions of signing him unless it was a price they were comfortable with. But Lilly's agent, Larry O'Brien, assured me last week he would have no problem getting a deal similar to the four-year, $37.5-million contract Jarrod Washburn signed with Seattle last winter.
-- UPDATE: I was just looking through notes from my last conversation with O'Brien, and he said he wasn't expecting to get to the meetings until late today. So there probably won't be any movement on this until late tonight, maybe.
-- David Weathers agreed to a two-year contract with Cincinnati that I'm told is worth $5.5 million. That's a bargain in this market. A handful of teams expressed interest in Weathers, and one team even offered three years, but he didn't want to leave home.
-- The Yankees have a meeting scheduled with agent Dan Lozano for later in the meetings to discuss free agents Shea Hillenbrand and Octavio Dotel. I doubt they'd give Dotel anything more than another incentive based contract, but he obviously wants to cash in on a reliever friendly market. The upside to him is that he will be entering his second year after Tommy John surgery, which is usually the time when pitchers get their strength back. As for Hillenbrand, it should be interesting to see if the Yankees actually act, or just view the meeting as an informational one. Brian Cashman's strategy has been wait-and-see, then suddenly act. Could this be it?
Comments (32)
Well, there goes Lilly. I feel that will be a big mistake. For the money, Lilly is the best available FA SP other than Zito. And BC is meeting to discuss Dotel and Shea Sheffield....I mean Hillenbrand.
I just read on Fox or ESPN that Dotel is going to go to a team where he can close again. I could be wrong, but I don't think that is the Yanks.
On Hillenbrand, we just got rid of one cancer, why on earth sign another? I thought we were moving FORWARD.
I've read that about Dotel too and of course he is saying the Red Sox are interested in using him as a closer so he can drive up his price. Frankly, he wasn't a great closer before elbow surgery and I don't think anyone is going to give him the job now, except maybe Florida.
Unless Casman get Hillenbrand for almost nothing, he will not sign him. Cashman primarily wants to reduce our payroll, or get a "steal" on the free agent market. The only real deal we may make this week, is trading A-ROD and his $16 million dollar salary.
I hope Cashman is smart enough to pass on Hillenbrand. I would hate to see him in pinstripes. His bat and glove are not worth his mouth and attitude. As for Dotel I would like to see him come back but if not let him go to the Red Sox. It is not like we are losing a key part of our bullpen. We clinched the divison last year without Dotel's help.
JIM BAUMBACH-
I would like to know your thoughts as well as the other bloggers on if you think the Red Sox will indeed sign Daisuke Matsuzaka by the December 14th deadline. I hear the Red Sox were lowballin' him as they do to every player and Boras and the Sox were not even close to closing a deal. I was wondering have you heard anything down at the meetings about that? I would love to hear thoughts from everyone on this.
You're right, Red Sox nation does try to copy the yankees. I guess we should be flattered. I don't believe they will sign Matsuzaka.
Of course they will sign him. It's wishful thinking to think they will not but they basically have to get this done.
No way he "disgraces" the Lions and doesn't accept an offer.
I wouldnt mind Dotel as a late inning option next yr but I see taking a closer job somewhere.
I also love everyones whole opinion of Japanese players. Saying the disgrace and respect things.
Like they wouldnt feel it the other way? Hes a businessman here too and he deserves what he deserves. He wont kowtow to Bostons paltry offer because of ancient respect to the white man.
I agree with Luke. Boston will lose all credibility in Japan if they screw up this deal. Matsuzaka doesn't want to go back to Japan and his old team doesn't want to give that money back either, as they are struggling for cash.
If Boston is lowballing you can't blame them. When you know you are the only party that one can negotiate with, I guess you feel obligated to start with a low offer. I think this will get done at the last minute. The Japanese market will be very profitable for the Red Sox as it has been for the Yanks. I've spent a lot of time in Tokyo and people stop whatever they're doing to watch Matsui and Ichiro play, it's crazy.
If you think he'll take a lowball offer, you crazy.
This is Scott Boras. The best agent in the business. He didnt sign with him to take any offer on the table.
Lilly is the one pitcher the Yankees should go after just for the fact that he's lefthanded. The farm system has a good supply of up and coming rightys led by Philip Hughes but no leftys.
With the uncertainty of RJ's back surgery and not knowing how Kei Igawa will do against MLB hitters is enough reason to go after Lilly.
Rufus,
I never said anything about accepting a lowball offer...All I said was they will get something done and he will accept an offer.
Same here Rufus, I think if Boras can, he'd like to get the guy signed for either the max numbers, matching Zito or he will take a shorter deal so he can represent the guy again in about 3 years when he is still in his prime and is open to negotiate with ALL teams. That gives Boras the leverage he is missing right now. Look for 3-4 yrs/$12-15M per.
My prediction on Dotel is Indians. Just a guess, though. I definitely doubt he returns to the Yankees.
On Matsuzaka, I would be really surprised if he didn't sign with the Red Sox. That really would look like a sign of disrespect to his Japanese team for posting him, and then he not being able to work out a deal. I bet it goes to the very last day. Maybe the last hour, too. But he will sign with Boston, I think.
I hope that the Red Sox sign Dotel as their closer. Last year he was awful,(I know that he came off surgery) and he hasn't been great since he left Houston.
Brian Cashman is proving a point with his latest transactions and the lack there of. He feels the team's budget for salaries is out of wack. He takes comfort that teams are attempting to improve themselves by investing in mediocre talent and shelling close to 40 million for 4 years for pitchers. The Red Sox are trying to trade one of the most prolific hitters in the last decade to fill holes in their infield and outfield. Who knows the price that they'll pay for Matsusaka.
Cashman puts credence in the fact that the Yanks won 97 games going away while resting there starters for a few weeks. They won 97 games with a 3 1/2 man pitching staff. We have a couple of young guys (Hughes and Rasner) who are waiting in the wings. There is another crop of FA's in 2008 available. We will have 17 million bucks of money coming back when RJ moves on. I like the position the Yanks find themselves. Yes, we need a backup catcher but there is no need to go crazy after Hillenbrand. Andy Phillips can do the job with Duncan waiting in the wings. Its getting like the old days with guys waiting to step up.
To get back to playing home grown talent. We need a transition year. 2007 canbe the year. Yankee fans have become accustomed to the Boss opening his checkbook when a player was needed. BC deals of signing Damon and Matsui for 13 million for 4 years is looking better to me than JD Drew at 14 or 15 million a year for 3 or 4 years. I wonder if he'll play with a broken bone in his toe.
Arod trade in my opinion will not bring back value for value. 15 million a year is pocket change for his production. You have no guarantee that the players traded will bring the ring. Arod has the potential to secure the ring. Leave him at 3rd base. Look South to Miami. Willis can be had for alot less than Arod plus we keep an offensive machine in order.
I'm with Jim B on Dotel. I live in Indians country (I'm actually a season ticket holder) and they need a closer since Wickman is gone. But, they are penny pinchers so you never know.
I also agree that Bosox will sign Matsuzaka at the last minute. They will lose face and blow their credibility in Japan if they don't!
YESNetwork.com's Jennifer Royle is in Orlando, Fla., with the latest buzz from Baseball's Winter Meetings.
"It's going to be a quiet week," said Cashman, who seems to be leaning on using a minor-league prospect as his No. 5 starter.
"Cashman said He plans to look within and at 29-year-old Wil Nieves as Jorge Posada's backup"
Our last two backup catchers have hit under .200, so I have no problem promoting Wil," Cashman said.
source -yesnetwork
Hey Jim , the Yankees might take a chance to sign sign Bonds ?
The Yankees 2007 lineup if they signed Bonds.
1)Damon
2)Jeter
3)Abreu
4)Arod
5)Bonds
6)Posada
7)Matsui
8)Cano
9)Philips
Do you think Yankees might trade Giambi this offseason?
Sorry I forgot to add Giambi in lineup. I'm dumbass
A'RODS $16 million dollar salary vs. Crede's offensive production and McCarthy's promise as a starting pitcher gives the Yanks the edge as far as "value for value". Willis is not worth giving up Melky or any of our improving,cheap,young talent.
Roy: McCarthy's promise is all you may be getting back for A-rod. Crede is a solid third baseman who is the number 4 hitting third baseman in slugging in the AL. A-rod is number 1 for third baseman. Crede has back issues which can pop up any time. A-rod is healthy. Handing A-rod over to the White Sox's makes them a more potent team because their pitching is quite good. We have to make the playoffs and get out of the AL which is a daunting task of late. A-rod is not the only reason for our failure to win the world Series of late.
From your comments your approach to correcting the Yankee pitching in my opinion is quite aggressive especially with the best ballplayer locked in for 16 million.
Also it should be noted that the White Sox never mention McCarthy in a trade at all. They're always ready to give up Garcia, Vasquez, Contreras and even Buerhle, but they seem to want to hang on Garland and McCarthy.
Also, the Yanks won't trade Giambi, his contract is untradeable and I bet they would trade Jeter to the Red Sox before they signed Bonds.
bonds??? haha
some of u guys are out of your minds
Yankee fans and Shea Hillebrand deserve each other.
You fans love experience and proven players that can hit the ball.
They shall get that with Shea.
The W\Sox have "initially" offered Garcia,Vazquez, Buehrle,or Contreras in addition to Crede for A-ROD. They do this so they can "sweeten" the offer with McCarthy when the Yanks turn them down. They know,that no team accepts the 1st offer. If the Yanks tell the W\Sox they can have A-ROD for McCarthy and Crede they will make the deal.
I disagree. There are too many questions about Crede's back and we've never seen McCarthy pitch other than out of the bullpen. It's still not enough to pry loose the player who will go down in history as the best all around player of this era.
Looks like yanks are bowing out Hillenbrand sweepstakes. They will not meet his demand for two year contract. This may setup Texiera trade or FA signing in 2007.
Cashman indicated FA signings have not be productive. He did not mention Pavano.
A blogger put me on to www.prosportsdaily.com. It has reporters articles of different papers. Its very interesting.
WOw Ya'll "yankee Fans" amaze me, listen you DO not trade AROD there is only one player in baseball of his value (meaning exp. age numbers etc.) and even that person to me lessons the deal due his position and that is albert pujols. i'm not trading arod for a third base men already injury prone and a untested pitcher. not happening . force it you have to build around AROD and Jeter. that is the yankee foundation for years to come. I 'll trade almost anyone else before i trade a AROD and JEter
Larry M
You refer to A-Rod as the "best ballplayer". I would classify him as the "most talented", but clearly not the best ballplayer. For one, I think Jeter is a better ballplayer.
"It's still not enough to pry loose the player who will go down in history as the best all around player of this era." - Jim A
He neither hits that well anymore and can now be consider a poor fielder.
How exactly does that make him a best all around player.
And don't give me none of that "over the length of his career" nonsense.
Everyone gets judged by what they have done lately and you know it.
Btw, I'm not condoning trading A-Rod.
I just wanted to reply to Jim A's statement.