pathetic is right... just like last year... we traded for crap like Javy Vazquez & passed up on signing guys like Aroldis Chapman because we were keeping our flexibility to go after Cliff Lee... now we miss out on Lee & end up with neither... & not only that, but we also miss out on the top positional free agents Crawford & Werth... our top acquisitions this winter have been Russell Martin & Pedro Feliciano... wow.
here's a list of what's left out there:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/freeagents
i think a few guys i'd consider signing at this point are:
Chris Young SP (not sure about his health status but reports have the Mets interested)
Brad Penny SP
Justin Duchscherer SP (not sure about his health status)
Erik Bedard SP (not sure about his health status)
Jose Veras RP (ex-Yank w/a lively arm)
Chris Ray RP
Grant Balfour RP
Jon Rauch RP
Kevin Gregg RP
Brian Fuentes RP
Elmer Dessenz RP
JP Howell RP
Scot Shields RP
Rafael Soriano RP (would make an awesome setup guy, but he'll probably wanna be a closer)
Melky Cabrera OF
Marcus Thames OF
Jerry Hairston Jr. UT
I would've loved Bedard but I think the Mariners brought him back on a low-risk 1 yr deal..Missed all of last season with a 2nd shoulder surgery (in '09 he had successful shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum -- last year's was performed to shave down a bone spur in the shoulder) but supposedly 2 different doctors confirmed he'll be fully healthy and ready to go by spring training:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=...
I would've taken a chance on him -- would've been a great option to slide right into Pettitte's vacated spot..His stuff was still very impressive when he went down in '09 -- 93-94 MPH fastball with one of the best hooks from the left side in the game..
Is Cashman in coma or somethin'?
Bonn1997 wrote:Is Cashman in coma or somethin'?
I think it has more to do with the Boss' kids caring less and less
I would've loved Bedard but I think the Mariners brought him back on a super-smart, low-risk deal (1 yr, $1M)..Missed all of last season with a 2nd shoulder surgery (in '09 he had successful shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum -- last year's was performed to shave down a bone spur in the shoulder) but supposedly 2 different doctors confirmed he'll be fully healthy and ready to go by spring training:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=...
See I would've taken a chance on him -- would've been a great option to slide right into Pettitte's vacated spot..His stuff was still very impressive when he went down in '09 -- 93-94 MPH fastball with one of the best hooks in the game from the left side..Ahh maybe he was never an option - I could see if he decided to remain loyal to the Mariners after they stuck by him and payed him big bucks the last 2 years..Who knows...
Duchscherer's coming off hip surgery -- I know he's had success recently (esp. ERA-wise) but to be honest I gotta question his stuff even when healthy. Dude's a junkballer -- this guy just doesn't do it for me..Penny, on the other hand, was throwing well (mid-90s) and having success before he was forced to shut it down with a back strain..I don't think he'll be going back to St. Louis -- supposedly the Cards were upset that Penny shut himself down a few times during rehab despite medical reports saying there was no additional damage beyond the initial 'mild back strain' diagnosis. I guess they didn't feel he took coming back serious enough. That definitely raises an eyebrow, but 96-97 MPH is still impressive for a mid/back of the rotation guy. If Penny's healthy I'm a little more interested in him over over guys like Bonderman & Freddy Garcia. Chris Ray for the pen wouldn't be a bad pickup provided he's healthy, maybe Dotel too if we can get either guy on the cheap..
See this is what I'm talking about -- we miss out on Cliff Lee, pass on Zack Greinke but then haven't done anything else to improve the pitching beyond Pedro Feliciano and Mark Prior?!?!?! That's nuts..It's not enough, not by a longshot...Right after we lost out on Lee, it was time to survey the landscape on these remaining guys yet for some reason we've surprisingly remained idle..What the hell are we waiting for?? It's not like we can sit back and wait for spring training and expect to get it from within -- Nova's in the mix but guys like Andy Brackman and Dellin Betances are a year or 2 away, at least..
i still don't get how the yanks don't throw $3 mil at brandon webb. his velocity has been down in winter ball but $3 mil is low risk and the reward is super high -- this guy was the best sinkerballer in the bigs and close to dominant 2 yrs ago. and he only relies on sinking stuff, meaning velocity is important but not the be-all end-all.
i agree, cashman's having no other plan is really bizarre. if pettitte doesn't come back yanks are left with CC/hughes at the top, then burnett and nova are both huge question marks and NOBODY as the 5th starter! wtf kind of plan is that?
Finestrg wrote:I would've loved Bedard but I think the Mariners brought him back on a super-smart, low-risk deal (1 yr, $1M)..Missed all of last season with a 2nd shoulder surgery (in '09 he had successful shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum -- last year's was performed to shave down a bone spur in the shoulder) but supposedly 2 different doctors confirmed he'll be fully healthy and ready to go by spring training:http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=...
See I would've taken a chance on him -- would've been a great option to slide right into Pettitte's vacated spot..His stuff was still very impressive when he went down in '09 -- 93-94 MPH fastball with one of the best hooks in the game from the left side..Ahh maybe he was never an option - I could see if he decided to remain loyal to the Mariners after they stuck by him and payed him big bucks the last 2 years..Who knows...
Duchscherer's coming off hip surgery -- I know he's had success recently (esp. ERA-wise) but to be honest I gotta question his stuff even when healthy. Dude's a junkballer -- this guy just doesn't do it for me..Penny, on the other hand, was throwing well (mid-90s) and having success before he was forced to shut it down with a back strain..I don't think he'll be going back to St. Louis -- supposedly the Cards were upset that Penny shut himself down a few times during rehab despite medical reports saying there was no additional damage beyond the initial 'mild back strain' diagnosis. I guess they didn't feel he took coming back serious enough. That definitely raises an eyebrow, but 96-97 MPH is still impressive for a mid/back of the rotation guy. If Penny's healthy I'm a little more interested in him over over guys like Bonderman & Freddy Garcia. Chris Ray for the pen wouldn't be a bad pickup provided he's healthy, maybe Dotel too if we can get either guy on the cheap..
See this is what I'm talking about -- we miss out on Cliff Lee, pass on Zack Greinke but then haven't done anything else to improve the pitching beyond Pedro Feliciano and Mark Prior?!?!?! That's nuts..It's not enough, not by a longshot...Right after we lost out on Lee, it was time to survey the landscape on these remaining guys yet for some reason we've surprisingly remained idle..What the hell are we waiting for?? It's not like we can sit back and wait for spring training and expect to get it from within -- Nova's in the mix but guys like Andy Brackman and Dellin Betances are a year or 2 away, at least..
interesting stuff about Penny... but i still think he's a better option than most of the other guys on the list... there's really not much left out there at this point... waiting on Lee has really screwed us bigtime.
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/06/rafae...January 6 2011 Last updated at 07:59 PM ET
Rafael Soriano Open to Working as Setup Man for Yankees
By Pat Lackey
MLB Writer
Text SizeAAA
Print this page|EmailShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on DiggShare on Lifestream
Rafael Soriano was one of baseball's best closers in 2010, but as 2011 slowly swings into gear he still hasn't managed to find a team to pitch for and because of that, he's willing to work as a setup man under the right conditions. Actually, there's apparently only one team he'd consider setting up for; the New York Yankees. At least, that's what Scott Boras, Soriano's agent, is telling people today.
Soriano saved 45 games with a 1.73 ERA for the Tampa Bay team that beat the Yankees for last year's AL East crown, so the Yanks are all too familiar with the righty. He also had a 1.73 ERA and a 4.07 K/BB ratio and he did some of his best work last year in the AL East against the Red Sox and Yankees, so it's obvious why the Yankees might be interested in having him pitch for them even if they already have Mariano Rivera.
Of course, Soriano's status as a Type A free agent may hurt his chances of signing with the Yankees. Whoever signs him would have to surrender their first-round pick in June's draft to the Rays. That's why he's still a free agent despite his stellar year last year and why he's even considering taking a setup role anywhere. Money is no object for the Yankees and they're still looking to do something this offseason after losing the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, but would they really give up a first-round pick to sign an eighth-inning guy?
IMO it's absolutely imperative that Cashman gets this guy signed, i don't care if he has to give up a 1st round pick to do it... we CANNOT come out of this offseason w/the pitching situation the way it is... at least if u get Soriano in the fold, u have the best late inning tandem in baseball... our offense is good enough to get us to the postseason... our weakness is our pitching... our starting staff would still need to be addressed but at least u get the bullpen issue taken care of w/the top reliever available.
Yea, i really think Cash has gotta pull the trigger on a Soriano move. at the very least we come out of the offseason with a huge upgrade in the bullpen.
i think joba will have somewhat of a resurgence this year, if he does all the better!
Someone told me about an unsubstantiated rumor of Joba+Montero+ another prospect to the dodgers for Chad Billingsley and Jonathon Broxton. To be honest with you I don't think Billingsley would be good here.
VDesai wrote:Someone told me about an unsubstantiated rumor of Joba+Montero+ another prospect to the dodgers for Chad Billingsley and Jonathon Broxton. To be honest with you I don't think Billingsley would be good here.
Well Joba isn't any good here either! Billingsley has been pitching better than Joba the last few years.
Agree that sigining Soriano is imperative - it creates a great 8/9 inning tandem and perhaps solves the issue of who replaces Mo when he leaves. If we get our bullpen going right, most of our starters would only need to go about 5-6 innings in order for us to be effective. Singing Pettite would be key as well.
If Soriano doesn't work out, it looks like our next move will be during the season and would have to be for pitching.
VDesai wrote:Someone told me about an unsubstantiated rumor of Joba+Montero+ another prospect to the dodgers for Chad Billingsley and Jonathon Broxton. To be honest with you I don't think Billingsley would be good here.
i like Billingsley but if Montero is what the Yankees say he is, then i don't make that deal... for Montero, Joba + prospects, i want a better pitcher in his prime... Billingsley has been OK the past couple seasons but pitching in a weak hitting NL... not sure his 2008 #'s would translate in the AL East... Broxton is a nice filler for Joba but i'd sooner sign Soriano & save Montero for a bigger trade later on if we're going to deal him.
TMS wrote:VDesai wrote:Someone told me about an unsubstantiated rumor of Joba+Montero+ another prospect to the dodgers for Chad Billingsley and Jonathon Broxton. To be honest with you I don't think Billingsley would be good here.
i like Billingsley but if Montero is what the Yankees say he is, then i don't make that deal... for Montero, Joba + prospects, i want a better pitcher in his prime... Billingsley has been OK the past couple seasons but pitching in a weak hitting NL... not sure his 2008 #'s would translate in the AL East... Broxton is a nice filler for Joba but i'd sooner sign Soriano & save Montero for a bigger trade later on if we're going to deal him.
exactly my thoughts. doubt there's much truth to that rumor.
there goes that idea. wonderful offseason we're having.
Yanks contacted Andruw Jones to be their righty hitting DH/4th OFer according to Heyman... i'm cool w/that, he can still play defense & has pop in his bat... hits for crappy average every year but he's not an automatic out, he'll at least get on base at a decent clip... if we can get him signed for cheap i say go for it... he was a guy i thought we could have targetted last year for that same role.
Cashman was willing to include Jesus Montero & Eduardo Nunez (the prospect that we lost out on Cliff Lee last summer cuz we weren't willing to part with) in a deal to get Joakim Soria to be our setup guy, but wasn't willing to give up a 1st round pick (#31 pick) in the draft to sign Rafael Soriano??? does this make any sense to anyone?
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseba...
for Soria, who has a 2.01 ERA, 132 saves and 281 strikeouts in 255 innings for his first four seasons in the big leagues, the Yankees are willing to part with their top prospect, Jesus Montero, the power-hitting catcher they initially had penciled in to take over for Jorge Posada this season before signing Russell Martin as veteran insurance, and Eduardo Nunez, the shortstop/second baseman they refused to include in the package for Lee that scuttled that deal with Seattle last summer. The Yankees envisioned the 26-year-old Soria as the natural successor to Mariano Rivera, which is why they were willing to part with Montero and Nunez.
Yeah that's way counterintuitive. They aren't getting a first rounder who's as good as Montero most likely. I'm not convinced Soria has the good to pitch in NY (didn't he say he didn't want to come here). If they are going to give up those prospects they should go after a big starting pitcher.
