Moose files; still thinking it over
In what could be nothing more than a paperwork formality, Mike Mussina officially filed for free agency on Wednesday, though there have been no signs that he actually intends to pitch in 2009.
It remains in the “it’s complicated” holding phase where it has sat since Sept. 28, as Mussina went home to Montoursville, Pa. and is contemplating whether or not he will choose to continue his career. Agent Arn Tellem met with Mussina last week but said there has been no progress on that front. Most seem to expect that Mussina will retire with 270 career wins.
Brian Cashman met with the media on Wednesday at the general managers meetings in California. It appears more and more that Andy Pettitte suiting back up will be just a formality, though Cashman would not speak to if the Yankees have negotiations ongoing.
Cashman said that he still has only Joba Chamberlain and Chien-Ming Wang as definites for his rotation. The rest of the internal candidates, and buckle up — Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Phil Coke, Alfredo Aceves, Jeff Marquez, Darrell Rasner, Dan Giese… on and on it goes. Past that, the Yankees will be leaning on the free agent market and trade front.
Bryan Hoch
I know Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy were disappointments but I am not ready to give up on Hughes and neither should the Yankees. In my humble opinion I would rather give home-grown talent a chance to suceed and excel than to go and overpay for a pitcher (or two) that may turn out to be busts in New York. As far as Moose goes, I think with the season he had he at least earned a two year deal for 5-6 million a year but with incentives added on (over 13 Wins, under 4.00 ERA, etc.)
I’m not sure how I feel about bringing Pavano back (as reported today on Yankees.com) but if he could stay healthy I could see giving him a two year deal worth 3-5 mil per year with incentives on IP and Wins/ERA. He showed in his last few starts that he could still pitch and he may be a cheaper option than other middle/end rotation pitchers out there.
I may be one of the few Yankees fans who feels this way but I would rather see them go with younger players for a few years even if it means a losing season or two. Give the young guys time to develop and see what type of ballplayers they become. I am tired of seeing a $200 million team play baseball like it’s a 9-5 bank job. I want to see a team that wants to play and has fun doing it. I understand the mentality in the Bronx is Championship or bust, but until we get a good team at the core, we will not win another championship. Enough with the Free Agent market and start using our farm system. Scranton and Trenton both had good years, so we have some kind of foundation there to build from, let’s start.
Following on from the other blog entry, we have a dearth of “solid number 5 starters” in our organization. So many that we could almost start a different one each week and never repeat a name! I don’t want another pitcher who COULD BE a number 5. For crying out loud, you might as well say he has a great personality too! I want someone ELSE’S number 2 or 3 as our number 5. And no one is giving Matsui ANY respect. Yes, his full time days in the field are numbered. But as someone else pointed out, we have plenty of OF’ers. That means that he doens’t have to play out there every day and can step in where he will do THIS team some good, as a DH in the number 5 slot hitting .300 and belting 20-30 homers. In now way does trading THAT KNOWN quantity for some never-was “number 5/ long reliever” make sense. If we REALLY want a number 5/long reliever, why give up on Pontoon then?
I think a deal based on performance is not allowed by MLB rules. The only incentives allowed are for plate appearences or innings pitched.
Moose may not want to come back. He is afraid that if he does come back, he will feel the need to stay on till he gets to 300. Personally I wish he would come back, at least for another season. He is a HOF talent, I don’t think anyone will dispute that after this year.
There is a Yahoo report that we are talking about Sui, Cano and a prospect and getting back Holliday. Sui to Seattle. Cano and prospect to Colorado.
Giving up 2 .300/25 hitters and getting one in return. Plus a “prospect”. Sure why not. That means that Abreu goes (likely) so thats 3 .300/25 hitters. What a GREAT idea!
And now we need a 2b-man. Sounds like a bird-brained idea from Cashman’s head.
Yeah Bpark, and part of that report says:
“The Yankees would trade Cano in the right deal, but the right deal isn’t a one-year rental of Holliday.”
Interesting in MLBTR, Cashman being more open to trading Hughes this year? Excuse me? To say that Hughes is more tradeable now than last year tell all the fans “Well, sorry, that didn’t work so we pretty much threw away 2008. Yeah, we’re not going to give you season ticket holders your money back because we’ve already spent it but just accept our ‘Sorry’ as payment. Oh, and while we’re admitting our glaring failures, I think we’re ready to admit that signing Pavano may have been is mistake as well. Sorry ’bout that one too….”
Golf, I thought it was nonsense, thats why I posted the info. The Sui part of it seems to be real.
Yeah Bpark, and part of that report says:
“The Yankees would trade Cano in the right deal, but the right deal isn’t a one-year rental of Holliday.”
I think you are referring to Davidson’s response not the initial report.
Cameron for Melky and Hughes are you crazy? Ah Man thats insanity.
It looks like we may not bring Pettitte back if Moose decides to pitch? Thats way I am getting is that we won’t take Pettitte up on his offer until we hear from Moose. Pettitte could already be with Stros or Dodgers by that time.
I dont think that Cashman makes that mistake twice.
didn’t Cameron just resign with the Brewers? Sign him just to trade him?
I can’t believe we would seriously consider bringing in Washburn. Like Pavano, that would have to be only slightly better than Giese or Rasner. And I don’t like any talk at all of moving Hughes.
Also it occurs to me that the movement to a younger team could be more of a long term plan (three years) when some of the kids may be ready or near ready. So two years of Blake or another “old” player may be a reality.
didn’t Cameron just resign with the Brewers? Sign him just to trade him?
By rcngolf99 on November 6, 2008 2:00 PM
It was an option like we did with Sheff and then traded him. Deal is imminent? They asked Arod about Cameron as a teammate.
Mark Feinsand is getting blasted by other writers, he wrote the story the other day that y’all jumped on him, apparently, they thinking he creates rumors. This time he said we had a good shot at getting Peavy.
How about this: Sui would accept a trade to Seattle but no Texas. Lets buy him out? He can return to Japan or go where ever he wants.
Ok. This is just wrong.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2008/11/03/2008-11-03_source_brian_cashman_mulling_wild_pitch_.html
By rcngolf99 on November 4, 2008 9:19 AM
Ok Golf, you have this and now you have his Peavy article from Today which Davidson and other writers blasted him for. Bryan Hoch could be replacing him a second time.
It looks like we may not bring Pettitte back if Moose decides to pitch? Thats way I am getting is that we won’t take Pettitte up on his offer until we hear from Moose. Pettitte could already be with Stros or Dodgers by that time.
By bpark23@gmail.com on November 6, 2008 12:11 PM
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I dont think that Cashman makes that mistake twice.
By rcngolf99 on November 6, 2008 1:56 PM http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/11/yankees_unsure_of_bringing_bac.html#comments
Looks like Newsday is reporting this too and Drake McClane is prepared to offer Pettitte 3 years.
Or whatever the Astros owner’s name is.
What’s the deal with Brad Penny? He seems to be flying under the radar. I know the free agent market for pitchers is deep but if you’re considering injury-prown individuals like Burnett, Sheets, Pavano, shouldn’t his name at least be in slight consideration. He should be cheap after his horrendous 08
I butchered another name I ment Davidoff not Davidsonm he and Sherman think Fiensand is nuts
5:06pm: More on the Cameron situation: Ken Davidoff says Cabrera and Ian Kennedy have been discussed. However, the Brewers will probably wait to see if they can sign Sabathia, since he’s good friends with Cameron.
Also thrown in is Betemit with IPK and Melky in a 3 for 1 type of deal.
Its official? We need another player. Cameron for garbage just isn’t good enough when Cameron has the contract he has.
1 thing I like with Cam is his range. Although his offense is about as dismull as Cabrera.
Giambi is saying through his agent that he wants to return and not go to the A’s. He intends to do what Bonds did and crash the Nevada meetings.
Is the Cameron deal official? I don’t see it.
http://waswatching.com/2008/11/06/cashman-right-now-im-clueless/
Bryan,
In basetball buyouts are rampant, why not buyout Matsui and let him go anywhere he wants?
No official cameron deal thankfully the whispers are that we shopped the three way deal to the Brewers to unload betemit
Interesting piece on Melancon on WasWatching site. The writer is right, his delivery is VERY reminiscent of Clemens…..
http://waswatching.com/2008/11/06/callis-melancon-next-yankees-closer/
http://waswatching.com/2008/07/27/melancon-mania-continues/
But funny, I always thought it was pronouced mel-an-con….. You know, like it’s spelled??
MLBTR says Shilling’s willing to return to the Phils? Between he and Moyer, they’ll be built to be a good 1st half team!
OH, and congrats Moose on your 7th Gold Glove!!! It’s VERY well deserved and yet another plug to put you in the HOF once you retire.
Why has Matsui to the Mariners for Washburn evolved into a 3 team deal with Colorado where we lose Marquez and Cano also? Why not just make the trade straight up. Matsui is said to be comfortable with Seattle, lets accomadate him.
Lugo for Willis, good, we can crack like him like Colon.
Golf,
Go with Mike Ashmore who is a Trenton Thunder beat writer. Everyone in Trenton calls him Mell-Ann-Son including the PA announcer. I saw his debut at Trenton back in May and he looks like the real deal. He could come to NY very soon, however since he doesn’t need Rule 5 protection (40 man roster), some other relief arms may come up earlier. There are other arms that decisions need to be made on.
Matt,
We disagree………again! Why “waste” a 40 Man spot unnecessarily when it can be used to protect and evaluate another arm that may otherwise be on the bubble?
If he’s all that and a box of cracker jacks, he’ll be finding himself in the 8th inning role pretty quick. We’ve got Mo for another couple years full time (God willing) during which time Melacon can get big league experience and will be tapped to close and likely save a number of games when Mo needs rest. By then he’s 25 and will be ready to fill some of the biggest shoes ever in baseball. I’d give ANYTHING to find another Gordon/Mo, Stanton/Mo or Nelson/Mo or even Joba/Mo combo for 09.
Matt,
Here again you look at what Coke was in 2007 and prior as opposed to what he became in 2008. There is little doubt that were Coke DFAd someone would claim him. Your thinking would cost us a very valuable arm!
And I’ve decided, since so many in this country are drunk on “change” lets change the rule and allow Mo to simply leave Yankee stadium after his last day and walk right on over to the HOF and put the jacket on. Why make him wait. He is one of the probably 10 greatest to ever play the game and of those 10 he’s probably in the top 5. His ability was/is as close to automatic as anyone in baseball has ever come at their position. And when “top players” are considered it is almost ALWAYS for offensive reasons. Look at Doug Meinkwitcztchitczwtcz. Everyone here would say is or was one of the best defensive firstbasemen in the game. He is sought by teams because of this talent. Yet he will be simply a footnote in baseball because he was in the ’04 Red SUCHS team and he won’t ever come close to the HOF. Had Mike Schmidt been a great defensive 3b-man who hit only 75 career homers he wouldn’t be in the HOF. But he was prolific with the bat and it was his bat that got him into the hall, his defense was just added bonus. For a player, offensively to be as “automatic” as Mo, it would be like hitting a homer in 98% of his ABs or having a career BA of .885 or something like that. It just doesn’t happen. Instead, hitters get into the hall even after failing at their job 66% of the time! I know, I know, they get a lot more opportunities to “do their job” than pitchers do. But we’re also not talking about Mo being just a little better than the others. We’re talking “class by himself.” Hoffman may have absolute saves but Mo beats him in every other category. And we haven’t even MENTIONED the Post Season yet. In 76 post season games, he’s pitched 117 innings and has a .77 era. 10 earned runs in 117 innings. And his only loss, 2001 to Arizona. In 13 seasons. 1 post season loss pitching in one of the most pressure packed positions in the game. Getting that last out.
GAWD I LOVE STATS.
Matt,
I realize you probably did not mean your remarks the way they sounded, at least I hope you didn’t. Coke is considered a lock to stay on the 40 Man by almost everone I know. The arms effected are likely as follows:
Wilkins Arias
J.B. Cox
Michael Dunn
Chris Garcia
Alan Horne
Steven Jackson
Jason Jones
Zach Kroenke
Jhonny Nunez
Kevin Whelan
Eric Wordekemper
We won’t have room for them all! In a month we’ll know who drops out!!!
i was wondering why Akei Igawa’s name hadn’t come up…well here’s the answer: still no one wants him.
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/11/06/what-about-igawa/
I have heard many things about what the Yankees need for the next year, and so far the only pitching options that seem viable is AJ Burnett or Ben Sheets. From what I have read, Sabbathia wants to stay somewhere in the NL (he likes to hit) Peavy is saying he wants nothing to do with the AL, and Derek Lowe has pretty much said the same thing.
Does anyone really want Bunett in pinstripes (I know that I don’t)? He seems a bit too flakey to be what we need. CC would be a great fit, but what is it going to take to get him out of the NL? There are still a couple of forgotten F/As out there: Freddie Garcia and Jon Garland. Both of these guys put up solid numbers every year. Lets not forget that Garland helped the Halos to 100 wins this past season.
Our first base options may be the hardest one to fill. The only F/A that is what we need in a bat and defense is Teixera. I know that Cashman has repeatedly said that he does not want anyone to switch positions, but there is always Abreu that would be an easy resign, and then we wouldn’t have to worry about him getting near an outfeild wall, and we keep his patient bat. Mark Kotsay may even work at first, he did pretty well there for the Sox in the playoffs. I have to throw this next guy in the fire only because I played with him in high school, but Brad Wilkerson can play first. I know that his bat is wanting, but I think with the proper motivation and coach (Long is a genius) I think that he could do well in NY. My “just dreaming” pick for switching positions and playing first is Griffey, but I know that would probably never happen, but one can dream right? My other “yeah right, keep lying to yourself pick” would be Pujols. That one I know will never happen at this point, especially since he is just entering the third or forth year of a ten year deal with the Cards. How awesome would that be to have Pujols in front of or behind A-rod? Anyway, back to reality….Moving on to the outfield, if we absolutly think that we need him Manny. I know that Manny would want to destroy Boston every game that he played against them, but it is the Manny being Manny thing that scares me. Mike Cameron may be a good fit. But do we need another aging outfielder for one year when we already have the youth to fill those positions, and two other aging outfielders to do the same thing? I say we try to go and make a trade for Nate McClouth in Pit. He is young, fast, has a good arm and he is already a pretty good leadoff hitter. This was the guy that almost won the All-Star game for the NL. As far as getting the ball to Mo in the ninth, we could, and I stress the “could” go and sign Kerry Wood for the eighth. I also think that we would do well re-signing Marte. As far as Cano is concerned, I think it would be wise to hold onto him for at least another year, to see what he can do. If he gets back to hitting well, he could be a monster. Melky on the other hand, doesn’t seem like he worked at anything last off-season and it showed. I know that he would not be gem that he was last year, but he may still draw some attention. Gardner could be the spark that we need off the bench next year, and I think that Damon could pull off splitting DH with Matsui if needs be. We could just keep Nady in left and move Matsui to right if Matsui still has enough of his knees left. If not Matsui could DH and Damon could play right. Either way you go there we still need a youthful backup that can learn from them and take the field when / if they get hurt again.
Matt,
I’m not talking about a year or two, just three months or so. And Melancon has room to improve his performance at AAA. I seriously think you will not see him in NY before July 2009 at best.
PG,
Wordekemper is certainly at the bottom of the list in more ways than one. Some of those names may be moved in minor deals before the Winter Meetings.
Baseball America’s Minor League Free Agents:
New York Yankees (18)
RHP: Oneli Perez (AAA), Scott Strickland (AAA), Jose Valdez (AA), Victor Zambrano (AAA)
LHP: Eric Milton (AAA), Edgar Soto (Hi A)
C: Ben Blumenthal (Lo A), Jason Brown (AAA), Chris Stewart (AAA)
1B: Ben Broussard (AAA), Josh Kreuzer (Hi A)
2B: Bernie Castro (AAA), Nick Green (AAA)
3B: Carlos Mendoza (AA)
SS: Chris Basak (AAA)
OF: Matt Carson (AAA), Edwar Gonzalez (AA), , C.J. Henry (Hi A)
GM Susuki claims this guy sucks:
“The 54-year Randolph was fired as the Mets manager on June 17. His career record was 302-253 and he led New York to the playoffs in 2006. His .544 winning percentage ranks second to Davey Johnson (.588) in Mets history.”
Matt,
It’s a question of protecting as much talent as we can for as long as we can. Just because one player has a brighter future don’t ignore other potential assets!
Mattress,
Alot of Managers go 500 or below and get atleast 2 more jobs. I don’t know Valentine’s record but he was good. Randolph really turned them around and went straight to the playoffs he didn’t get much of a chance.
Clearly Mattress Manual is no where near that the manger Randolph is. Randolph finished 1st, 2nd and didn’t get to finish this season. Manual and his Mets collapsed this year too.
Matt,
No. You’re wrong. The 40 Man roster will be rounded out with players of less talent than Melancon. This is the last time I’ll say it. I’m sure all others understand.
Add “the thrust of my logic.”
i really hope Moose will come back and be the great finesse pitcher he was in 08…if so he will kill in the 4th or 5th spot…he is better than Pettite…and it should leave space for the young arms in the near future…i don’t think the Yanks need to sign Pavano or Ponson or Pettite if they get Mussina and with the young arms they have waiting to come up…