Off Topic · Yankees Talk thread (page 404)

Rookie wrote:curious, would you rather sign Sheets or wait till next year and go after Cliff Lee? Also, would you rather sign Matt Holliday or wait till next year and go after Crawford? Personally, I'd rather get Crawford and Lee next year

i think Sheets is way too much of an injury risk... unless we get him for some extremely lowball 1 year contract w/incentives type deal, i don't think we should bother... i'd rather sign a veteran like Garland for a year & then target Lee as a FA in 2011

& no thanks to Matt Holliday, his numbers took a significant dive when he switched over from the Rockies to face AL pitching while playing for OAK, then his #'s spiked right back up when he returned to the NL with the Cards... i dunno if he's got the NY baseball player type either for that matter, that huge defensive gaffe he made last year in the playoffs cost his team game 2 of the NLDS... i'd rather sign a stopgap 1 year solution to play partime OF/DH & then target Crawford the following season also... we got enough power bats in the lineup, we should target more team defense, speed & of course, pitching from here on out.

I think we'll wind up signing Damon for 2 years, or 1 year with an option for the 2nd year would be ideal....and probably another bullpen arm. Pass on Sheets and Holliday agreed

i think Boras will probably be willing to settle on a 2 yr deal only if the Yankees pay Damon what he made last year, which is $13M annually... a 2 yr $26M would probably get it done but that's still well over the amount the Yanks are currently willing to shell out... they don't wanna give any more than a 2 yr $20 mil at this point which is slightly more than what Abreu signed for w/the Angels... maybe both parties can compromise on some incentives to try & even out the disparity a little while they meet somewhere halfway on this? i hate to drag this situation on for a long time, it prevents us from addressing other areas of need.

I think we do have a little leverage here. We are the best chance Damon has at getting back to the WS. At his age, it should be even more important to get back to the show and win another ring....or two.

Damon's got 2 rings already... i think at this point signing as long term a deal as possible & focusing on trying to reach the 3K hit plateau so he can get into the HOF might be on his mind too... hopefully he signs here, cuz i can't stand the thought of him going to play for the Muts across town, or even worse go back to the Red Sux.

I'm pretty sure the Sux have a team policy about signing players over 35 to multi year deals. I don't think he's going to have many options if that's what he wants. It's hard to go from a champion to an also ran, I think Damon gets that and the Yanks should find a compromise. I don't think Damon is holding things up but rather Boras doing his thing. Cashman isn't in a position to get played so it could take some time but Damon will be a Yank

Rookie wrote:I'm pretty sure the Sux have a team policy about signing players over 35 to multi year deals. I don't think he's going to have many options if that's what he wants. It's hard to go from a champion to an also ran, I think Damon gets that and the Yanks should find a compromise. I don't think Damon is holding things up but rather Boras doing his thing. Cashman isn't in a position to get played so it could take some time but Damon will be a Yank

Damon has and always will be about the money. 4 years ago he was saying he wouldn't go to the Yanks even if they offered him more money and sure enough, they did, and he signed. He wants his 3K hits more than more WS appearances. That being said, I think it makes sense to re-sign the guy. He's got a good OBP, sees a lot of pitches, and is still a menace on the base paths. Not to mention he's won and can clearly handle playing in NY. Not re-signing Godzilla for $6MM is really perplexing. I'd like Damon as a DH but then who's playing LF? I think Cabrera can be an every day RF given Granderson's power #'s, Posada's power #'s, and the fact that we have the best offensive infield of all-time. He gives us a + arm and + range in RF.

With negotiations with free agent outfielder Johnny Damon at a standstill, the Yankees are in talks with Nick Johnson to be their designated hitter, reports Buster Olney of ESPN.com.

I always liked Nick as a hitter, he's an outstanding OBP type guy, but he is always and I mean ALWAYS hurt.

BigSm00th wrote:

Rookie wrote:I'm pretty sure the Sux have a team policy about signing players over 35 to multi year deals. I don't think he's going to have many options if that's what he wants. It's hard to go from a champion to an also ran, I think Damon gets that and the Yanks should find a compromise. I don't think Damon is holding things up but rather Boras doing his thing. Cashman isn't in a position to get played so it could take some time but Damon will be a Yank

Damon has and always will be about the money. 4 years ago he was saying he wouldn't go to the Yanks even if they offered him more money and sure enough, they did, and he signed. He wants his 3K hits more than more WS appearances. That being said, I think it makes sense to re-sign the guy. He's got a good OBP, sees a lot of pitches, and is still a menace on the base paths. Not to mention he's won and can clearly handle playing in NY. Not re-signing Godzilla for $6MM is really perplexing. I'd like Damon as a DH but then who's playing LF? I think Cabrera can be an every day RF given Granderson's power #'s, Posada's power #'s, and the fact that we have the best offensive infield of all-time. He gives us a + arm and + range in RF.

Both the Yanks and Sux are committed to winning and compete for the pennant every year, bad example. If damon goes to the Nationals, then I''d say you're right on, but I hope you're wrong about the guy. Being the best player on a crappy team for 3-4 years isn't worth the money if you have other options. The Yanks are always an option for Damon, but he has to come down to our terms which isn't going to happen until Boras does his due diligence.

Don't be surprised if we don't add another bat this winter -- I read this morning in today's Newsday that (1) Cashman realizes & understands that Damon will begin talking to a few other teams now and that he's interested in Johnny only up to a point -- sounds like Cash won't go past 2 yrs, meanwhile Damon is asking for 4, 3 minimum and also that (2) Juan Miranda may be a bat they look to for 2010. They think he's a fine hitter with good power that may be ready...Interesting...

As far as another starter, I know quite a few guys on here aren't interested in either one of these two but I think the two guys we should really be looking at are Ben Sheets & Erik Bedard...Sure it's a role of the dice but if we could get either one of these guys (or both - if the Yanks refuse to add anymore offense, why not??? I would think the payroll should be down significantly from last year minus Matsui & Damon -- AND Granderson's deal is quite reasonable for next season) on a smart, incentive-laden deal and they turned out to stay relatively healthy, we could come out looking like huge winners. Either one of these guys, when right, is an ace - not a 4th or 5th starter - an ACE (I liked Rich Harden in the same mold, but he was picked up already by the Rangers)...Now what if they go down with an injury you ask? I say no biggie, provided we structure any potential deal in our favor. To me it's worth the risk for either one of these guys... Sheets was throwing 97 MPH in the All-Star game 2 years ago at the old Yankee Stadium. Even though he had the flexor tendon surgery and didn't pitch last year, he should at least well-rested. I've read he's healthy and ready to go. If he is healthy, I think this would be a good gamble..Same with Erik Bedard --- if we landed either of these guys on deals say in the $5-7 million dollar range guaranteed and then peppered in mass incentives, I'd be happy to see them get payed a lot more based on those incentives - it would mean they stayed healthy and produced. Ergo, money well spent. And if they didn't hit those goals, the payroll damage would be managable based on the team-favorable guaranteed portion of the deal. Bottom line is if these two guys are healthy, they're high-end all the way, both of 'em..

Here's a good article on Sheets and a good message board post on Bedard I came across --- I happen to agree with both write-ups:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/30946...
http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/messages/ch...

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At the very least if we elect not to add another starter, I might jump all over power right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal right now, esp. if the Yankees insist on Joba, Hughes or both becoming full-time starters next year (which is what the organization's dying to see happen - they say it all the time)....MacDougal's got some miles on him now but he is only 32-33 years old, still brings it in the mid to upper 90s, throws a ton of groundballs with that power sinker and keeps the ball in the park. I think he'd make a good short-term addition to the bullpen...

Cash always talks about pitching first and foremost now-a-days. Well Cash, since you let Matsui walk, don't appear all that interested in bringing Damon back or going after another bat on the FA market and appear ready to go with a revolving door of DHs from within next year, I say give us some more pitching...

depending on Bedard's pricetag, i'd be willing to take a shot at him, but only on a 1 year incentive laden deal... i don't like the idea of Sheets, he just screams Jaret Wright to me.

as for bullpen help, i think if we bag Aroldis Chapman, he can be our lefty setup man this year while he builds towards a possible starting role... he still needs to work on his secondary pitches but having a guy throwing gas from the left side out of the pen will be a nice commodity to have.

Well Buster Olney was right earlier. Byebye Johnny.

Ken Davidoff of Newsday reports that the Yankees and Nick Johnson are "wrapping up" a one-year deal worth $5.5 million.
Johnson will serve as the primary designated hitter for the Yankees in 2010, a spot held last year by Hideki Matsui. The 31-year-old Johnson finished with a solid .291/.426/.405 batting line in 2009 with eight homers and 62 RBI in 457 at-bats. It appears Johnny Damon will not be returning to the Bronx.

good signing... NJ was always a good hitter w/great OB%, but always got injured playing the field... as a DH i have no problem w/this signing... good value signing by Cashman... Johnny D, u shoulda just taken the 2 year offer... WTF were u thinking? thanks for the years of great play, hope u don't end up playing for those losers across town.

TMS wrote:good signing... NJ was always a good hitter w/great OB%, but always got injured playing the field... as a DH i have no problem w/this signing... good value signing by Cashman... Johnny D, u shoulda just taken the 2 year offer... WTF were u thinking? thanks for the years of great play, hope u don't end up playing for those losers across town.

When you look at in connection with who they let go, I don't love the signing to be honest...I just don't like what's gone down here post-Granderson. I understand Nick Johnson can hit a little but come on, he's no Hideki Matsui, that's for shit sure. I mean does what they've done here make any sense at all??? They let Matsui walk and he turns around and signs a 1-yr. deal to go play for perhaps our top nemesis for $6.5 million. Now suddenly we're scrambling (I think they now realize they blew this), and are now preparing to throw similar money at Nick Johnson.. Bottom line is this: Curtis Granderson's a real good player but he doesn't replace Damon & Matsui's production in the lineup all by himself. Come on now. Before this Nick Johnson rumor, they were proceeding as if that were the case..I couldn't disagree more. Whatever man. Facts are facts - Nick Johnson's not on Hideki Matsui's level. Case closed. I would rather have given this Nick Johnson money to Matsui..We would've gotten the far superior power threat and production for basically the same money. Hey hopefully Johnson proves me wrong but I highly doubt it..Yankees don't really make a lot of mistakes now-a-days but I think they definitely blew this DH thing...

If this goes down and we do bring Johnson back, I might tinker with the idea of dropping Tex. to the 5 hole and letting Granderson, Cano or even Johnson hit 3rd. If Joe sets it up with either Jorgie or Robbie hitting 5th, I think A-Rod get's pitched around A TON. That could be a problem. Posada's no spring chicken anymore (probably safe to assume that his bat will slow down some if it hasn't already plus he's not a huge HR threat really) and even though Robbie can really hit, he was TERRIBLE with runners in scoring position all year, suprisingly. We had the legit 30 HR threat right there for the 5th spot with Matsui and just let him get away...I'm very concerned with protecting A-Rod in the order to be honest -- I feel the Yankees overlooked this issue big-time...Grandy hitting 3rd and Tex hitting 5th might solve the problem somewhat..

So essentially Johnson and Granderson replace Matsui and Damon, which isn't a bad trade overall. But Johnson is only really a first baseman, which doesn't really give us the position flexibility we need from having the DH also play some left.

Still wouldn't be surprised if Gardner/Melky got moved, since they are going to want to keep this guy they got in the Rule 5 draft. Otherwise moving Bruney didnt make a ton of sense.

Unless Johnson can play 3rd (and I don't think he can) we will need to sign another guy that can play multiple spots, maybe like a De Rosa. Girardi really wants to catch jorge less and needs to spread the DH position around a little more than he did this last year. Need to be able to rest ARod a bit too. I think more roster moves are on the way.

what about jerry hairston? he was the perfect sub. what about eric hinske? he was good pop off the bench.

this matsui/johnson business makes no sense sense. matsui isn't re-signed b/c apparently he can only DH and not play OF, so he goes to the angels for $6.5 million after having one of the most clutch post seasons of all time and a solid reg. season as well. the yankees then turn around and sign nick the stick johnson for $5.5 million. yea, he's got a great OBP, but he had 8 homers in 457 ABs last year. (matsui had 28 homers in 456 ABs). i love OBP as much as the next guy but 876 OPS (matsui) versus 831 OPS (johnson) for a guy just as injury prone -- if not more -- and bringing almost no versatility. plus matsui generates a ton of revenue with the connection to baseball hungry japan. am i missing something or is this a head scratcher? matsui excelled in late game situations and had enough pop to protect arod in the lineup. now, who's the 5 hitter? is johnson going to hit 2nd?

jusnice wrote:Unless Johnson can play 3rd (and I don't think he can) we will need to sign another guy that can play multiple spots, maybe like a De Rosa. Girardi really wants to catch jorge less and needs to spread the DH position around a little more than he did this last year. Need to be able to rest ARod a bit too. I think more roster moves are on the way.

We still have that kid with the slick glove, Ramiro Pena.

i think NJ will bat 2nd behind Jeter... that gives u 2 high OBP guys for Teix & ARod to drive in every game... they're not done yet, Steinbrenner said so himself... i think another arm will be signed & we could possibly see another to fill the LF spot... De La Rosa has been mentioned in past reports, who would ably fill Hinske's role since he can play the corner OF & IF positions... i think Pena will take over Hairston's role

Finest, i get u on the Matsui thing, i really do, & i agree that NJ is not the power threat that Matsui is not by a long shot... they were trying to fit Damon into the plans at the time, Matsui decided he'd sign early instead of waiting around... turns out Damon isn't willing to come down on his contract demands... if he'd been reasonable & accepted the 2 year offer then we'd be looking good... i think overall replacing Matsui & Damon with Granderson & NJ isn't such a bad tradeoff to be honest... it sucks because both players were extremely well liked in NY but production wise i think it's pretty decent... both Granderson & NJ should hit more HR's in lefty friendly YS this year, plus it helps us get a bit younger which was Cashman's goal this offseason... i like the idea of having a high OBP guy hitting behind Jeter & in front of Teix & ARod... & Granderson has more than enough power to protect ARod in the #5 hole.

TMS wrote:i think NJ will bat 2nd behind Jeter... that gives u 2 high OBP guys for Teix & ARod to drive in every game... they're not done yet, Steinbrenner said so himself... i think another arm will be signed & we could possibly see another to fill the LF spot... De La Rosa has been mentioned in past reports, who would ably fill Hinske's role since he can play the corner OF & IF positions... i think Pena will take over Hairston's role

Finest, i get u on the Matsui thing, i really do, & i agree that NJ is not the power threat that Matsui is not by a long shot... they were trying to fit Damon into the plans at the time, Matsui decided he'd sign early instead of waiting around... turns out Damon isn't willing to come down on his contract demands... if he'd been reasonable & accepted the 2 year offer then we'd be looking good... i think overall replacing Matsui & Damon with Granderson & NJ isn't such a bad tradeoff to be honest... it sucks because both players were extremely well liked in NY but production wise i think it's pretty decent... both Granderson & NJ should hit more HR's in lefty friendly YS this year, plus it helps us get a bit younger which was Cashman's goal this offseason... i like the idea of having a high OBP guy hitting behind Jeter & in front of Teix & ARod... & Granderson has more than enough power to protect ARod in the #5 hole.

I hate NJ as the #2. No speed. But I guess you're right, who else would we put in the #2. I know he strikes out and can't hit lefties, but would you bat granderson there against righties?

NJ has no speed but in the #2 hole u want a guy that can either move Jeter over to scoring position or get on base himself... against righties i'd bat Granderson leadoff & Jeter 2nd