Ready to open the checkbook
The Yankees are going to be prepared for Friday, co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner vowed yesterday. That’s when the organization can begin discussing financial terms with free agents outside their system, and for the umpteentht time, priority No. 1 is upgrading the starting pitching.
Andy Pettitte is expected to return eventually, but that will have to take a back burner as the Yankees set their sights on the likes of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe. Right now, as Brian Cashman has said, the only locks for the Yankees’ 2009 rotation would be Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain.
Monday’s press conference in New York wasn’t really about players — the Yankees are very proud of the Cisco networks technology they’re planning for the new Yankee Stadium. Oh, and if you’d like a luxury suite in the Bronx, the Yankees would like to hear from you.
But the New York Daily News reports things are moving closer on a multi-year deal for Damaso Marte. Meanwhile, in light of the Padres yanking an offer to Trevor Hoffman, the blog River Avenue Blues considers what might happen if the Yankees didn’t bring back Derek Jeter. (Our guess: Don’t count on it. Jeter’s Hall of Fame plaque will say NEW YORK, A.L. and probably nothing else.)
Bryan Hoch
marte signs 3yrs / 12MM….not bad. Reasonable contract that can be traded if need be. The 6MM might have been tough to trade for value if he didn’t pitch for his average. I assume he was the insurance if Coke didn’t turn out as expected. Plus, I see them trying Coke out as a starter some point next year to see if he’s got what it takes. He definately can pitch for an inning or two in the bigs.
Fuentes is better than Marte, especially if its a multi year contract. FOOLS
My guess is Marte continues to load the bases and walk with them loaded.
This is just amazing. Just amazing.
I predict he is traded by the ’09 deadline.
Fuentes is so much better and I thought we weren’t giving out multiyear deals.
Fuentes wants to close!
Fuentes will also probably get a multi yr contract (3-4) at 10MM per yr to close for a team. Wake up people!!
Fuentes can’t perform in the Bronx. Weak NL West is like night and day. Fuentes would end up hanging w/ the Buffet Boys.
Fuentes wants to close!
By RobertGKramer@AOL.Com on November 12, 2008 2:56 PM
So does the whole world. Tom Gordon learned the hard way. Fuentes is still way better than Marte and the buffet boys.
Gordon’s health broke down. He had some injury issues when still with the Yanks! The closer market is small and K-Rod wants mega $$$$$$. Not sure who the Mets prefer or what they will spend!
bpark – you still aren’t getting it. Fuentes would not have signed with the Yankees unless he was the CLOSER because there is a strong market out there for that position and especially him. The mets or the brewers now that torres retired….. He would have also demanded closer $$$ and not BP money.
If the argument was who is better, then I would definately say Fuentes, but thats not the topic here.
Fuentes may want to close but he has accepted a setup role in the past.
Don’t forget Rivera has only 2 years remaining on her deal.
*the
http://blogs.trb.com/sports/baseball/blog/2008/11/francisco_rodriguez_damaso_mar.html
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6107577.html
Saiki, although Giambi going to the As seems highly likely, he apparently has yet to make that commitment.
Posada moving to RF? Yankees experimenting with the idea?
http://www.dugoutcentral.com/blog/?p=2049
Man, the web allows any crackpot to post stupid ideas. There is as much chance of Posada playing RF for us as ME.
I guess its possible that Posada, Jeter and Arod give outfield a go for kicks and giggles but only Cano has a relatively small shot at actually playing it anytime soon.
Yes by all means, lets put a 37 year old player with catchers knees in the OF and let him throw home on his surgically repaired shoulder?
I bet Mo in center would be a better option.
The Marte deal stinks. He is not a setup guy and he can barely get out lefties. I would like Cashman to pay me to walk 4 batters in a row.
Lets hope Britton is gone.
I hear what your saying and I wasn’t responding to you. People assume he will back to Oakland but his preference is to remain here, especially if the DH spot opens up. Also Toronto wants him and Boston wouldn’t surprise me with the Lowell injury.
the signing of marte makes sense…he has good career numbers…and like most relievers they have bad years…there are very Mariano Riveras and Joe Nathans of the world…Brad Lidge did awful for a while and J.J. puts did poorly last year…relievers get tired and have down years…and of course they get hurt…switching enviornments and leagues also effect the pitchers…saying all that he seems like he’ll be worth the risk…but maybe his best years are behind him and he turns into Kyle Farnsworth…pitching is always a gamble….signed T.V. the yankee fanatic…
does anyone know what the maximum limit is on there spending…i think i heard somewhere in the neighborhood of 240 million…i think thats what they stated last year in reference to the Yohan Santana trade…but if we look at what there budget was last year…207 mill…and what Yohan Santana got 137.1 mill for an average of 22.85 mill per year…if we add that to the Yanks pay roll that puts them close to 230 mill…minus the cost of the young cheap traded players they were willing to give up…which was about 1mill…if the yanks are willing to spend that much money…plus trade Matsui that would get rid of most if not all of his contract…that should allow them to get 3 or 4 of the top free agents in the market…2 pitchers plus Tex and maybe Manny…hope thats how it works out…
signed the yankee fanatic
Now that Swisher is full time 1B, Permanent DH can be Adam Dunn = 40 dingers power lefty, no glove but it wouldn’t matter!!! Adam Dunn, Adam Dunn, Adam Dunn!!!!!