Yanks ink Sergio Mitre to minor league deal
ByIt looks like Brian Cashman is wheeling and dealing in the early goings of the GM meetings. First we heard that he was chatting up Reds GM Walter Jocketty, which likely means nothing, but surely could mean something. Aaron Harang, anyone? Or maybe Jocketty is looking to cash in his Homer Bailey chip a bit late. That’s all just idle speculation, though. Chances are the two GMs were doing what they’re supposed to, which is gauging the market for available players.
However, the Yanks did sign a player today. Bryan Hoch informs us that former Marlin Sergio Mitre has signed a minor league deal. The 27-year-old righty underwent Tommy John surgery back in July, and likely won’t be ready until July or August of next year. This sounds like another scenario similar to Octavio Dotel. Hopefully the Yankees have learned from that experience in how they handle Mitre. You also would have liked to see them get some sort of option for 2010, as a reward for their signing him and paying for his rehab. Alas, that’s tough to do when you get a guy on a minor league deal.
After three disappointing seasons in Chicago, wherein he alternated between the rotation and bullpen, the Cubs dished him to Florida in the Juan Pierre trade*. He didn’t have much success in Miami either, though he did toss 150 innings for them in 2007. He has plenty of upside, though, as he fared very well in the minors as a youngster. This is a total upside move by the Yankees. If he pans out, great. If he continues to falter in his rehab, they will have wasted neither a lot of money nor a roster spot.
* Talk about a poor trade. Mitre, Rickey Nolasco, and Renyel Pinto for Pierre. Mitre and Pinto might be marginal players, but Nolasco had promise then, and had a break-out year at age 25 this season. Why do teams continually overvalue Pierre?
While the results didn’t bear it out, Mitre has fared decently as a reliever, in that his strikeout rates are far higher than as a starter. Considering the surgery and his lack of success as a starter, the Yanks should think about bringing him back solely as a reliever. Maybe then they can get some production out of him. Otherwise, this is just another in a line of low-risk pitching moves (Milton, Zambrano).
Update: Joe Frisaro, filling in for Hoch on the official Yanks site, notes that this is a $1.25 million deal, with a team option for 2010. The Hoch piece did not mention the option, or the dollar amount.
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Ahhhh so were signing guys now who will only be healthy enough to throw a probable unspectacular september and will resign with someone else the next season, thus fitting us empty handed with only his rehab bill? Sounds Great!
Nah. I found another article that said there’s a team option for 2010. That makes this deal a ton better. Not that it was bad before.
1 million???? Waste of money if you ask me considering their relief depth…The team option really doesn’t make any difference as he will only see his chances at even mop up duty diminish once the yankees array of relievers start pouring out the system this year.
It’s only paid if Mitre reaches the majors. If he does, it means he’s good enough, and then becomes a bargain. And if he’s only up by midseason, it’s only $500,000, due to prorating.
Maybe the Yankees have a secret formula for TJ pitchers.
For depth Im thinking but obviously depth with upside
I dont see how the yankees arent gonna give Marte 6 million when theyre paying this guy a million
Supposedly that is about the draft picks but they would still get those picks next offseason if they keep him.
It really doesn’t make sense.
I’ve been thinking about this whole Damaso Marte ordeal and I think I’m coming to a point where I understand the Yankees’ thought process. Assuming their motive to decline Marte’s option – reportedly – is to coup the compensation draft picks, I believe they adhere to the notion that relievers are extremely volatile. If that is indeed what they are contemplating then it makes sense to take advantage of Marte’s compensation status now, rather than take the risk of him having a sub-par season in 2009 (thus losing his Type-A status) where he will start (and end) the season as a 34-year-old.
Exactly this.
As I said yesterday, you can replace a reliever that is pretty decent and not overwhelming (such as I think Marte is). You cannot readily find relievers who you can let go of (who are in their 30s) and who can net you two kids.
The choice is simple.
Wouldnt he probably have to have a extremely terrible 2009 to lose his type a status? Since it takes your last three years.
Last two years.
But yes, he’d probably need a horrid 2009.
Either way the deal is bad. Mitre is just bad and what purpose would he serve other than another breathing body in the bullpen?
How is it bad.. Look what Colon did for the Red Sox last year.. he did fine for what they needed.. Why cant we make that move ? Mitre is a pitcher with upside why not for a million bucks
If the Yankees never picked up any player who was bad and released from an organization (the kind that lots of users deem a ‘waste of time’, as if Cashman simply spent more time on trades the Yankees would be better) they would never have gotten Edwar, Bruney, or Veras, three valuable members of the Yankee bullpen, not just now but in the future.
These types of moves almost can’t be a bad idea.
I will never understand the excogitation behind the negative reactions to low-risk moves such as these.
Oh my God, I truly despise those idiots at LoHud. I’ve never seen a collective group of people bitch and moan about the most inane of things.
Exactly. What the hell is wrong with this deal? There’s no risk… only reward. It’s useless to complain… it’s not like he’s now hogging a 40-man spot or something.
I’ve been advocating for these types of signings. The Yanks should pick up more players like this. Gives them depth in the rotation and/or bullpen.
Now we need Colon Prior and Clement.. Maybe even Brad Penny if he gets his option declined
I’d take a shot at Brad Penny and Mark Prior, if they would accept a similar deal as Mitre’s deal. However, that scenario probably won’t happen.
One name: JOEY VOTTO
Why? I have no idea.
Clearly, Joe, the fact that Cashman was talking to Walt Jocketty means that the IPK, Miranda, and Melky for Edinson Volquez and Jay Bruce deal is almost finalized.
It’s the only logical conclusion.
If Cashman doesn’t end the conversation with a deal for Joey Votto then Cash shouldn’t bother returning to NY !!!
hehehe
I’m thinking they are trying to match-up on a Damon/Matsui + RP. If it’s Damon and Bruney/Veras, then I’d expect to see a Bailey/Frazier + Stubbs/Dorn and maybe a sleeper pick. It’s selling high on Damon to a guy with some good prospects who has a history of trading unknowns for vets. Lesser package for Matsui, but it opens up the DH spot, and gives us some additional flexibility (both in terms of payroll and in terms of roster selection). You would no longer have to worry about signing Manny/Teix AND CC while staying under $185M…if that matters…
What do you guys think?
What do you guys think?
I think you’ve got to be kidding yourself.
PEOPLE, THE REDS ARE NOT SELLING ANY OF THEIR GOOD YOUNG PLAYERS. All their good young players are still several years from free agency. They’re not moving Votto, Bruce, Bailey, Stubbs, or anybody else, and certainly not for overpaid fossils like Johnny Damon. They’re building around them, not breaking them up.
This is not a video game.
Notice I didn’t say Bruce or Votto. Bailey is depth, and hasn’t performed (and reports say, like Hughes, that he has lost speed…but he’s also lost depth on his spinner). Damon will be 34 next year, hit .300 w/.835 OPS and 29 SBs. How is that a fossil? How is Bailey + Dorn + C-level prospect for Damon and Bruney video game? Maybe you misunderstood that Bailey/Frazier = Bailey OR Frazier?
Notice I didn’t say Bruce or Votto.
Neither did I. I said the Reds aren’t trading ANY of their good young players. Not just Bruce or Votto, they’re not moving Bruce, Votto, Bailey, Stubbs, Frazier, Dorn, Maloney, Mesoraco, etc. etc. etc.
How is Bailey + Dorn + C-level prospect for Damon and Bruney video game?
Because Bailey and Dorn are both quality prospects that the Reds can control for the foreseeable future, while Johnny Damon is a 34-year old LF/DH making $13M next year that is still a productive player who will add nothing of value to a team that’s not going to compete in 2009. Why in God’s name would a club that just finished 23.5 games out of first place on the heels of trading their two best veterans for future prospects (Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr.) turn around and trade two controllable quality under 25-guys who could be a part of their core going forward for a 34-year old multimillion dollar outfielder on a one-year deal? WHAT THE FUCK WOULD THAT IDIOCY ACCOMPLISH FOR THEM? ARE YOU SERIOUS???
Sorry for yelling, but seriously. Stop already. No matter how much Bailey may have struggled, the Reds are NOT dealing quality youngsters for veterans. It doesn’t matter what youngster you pick or what veteran you suggest. It’s totally counterproductive and organizationally stupid. It’s not going to happen. This team wants to get younger to compete in 2010 or 2011. STOP.
wait, people DON’T like this move?
WTF??
what is not to like about this?
the complaining for the sake of complaining is getting ridiculous.
I heard that Sergio Mitre’s injury attracts bears…the bears can smell the injury.
You hear that? Bears. Cashman’s putting the whole team in jeopardy.
IM SO ANGRY WE SIGNED HIM WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY. Never would have happened if we got santana.
Cash is angling to get Andy Philips back
Ian Kennedy/Miranda/Melky/Britton for Votto……SHHhhhh I do it…but The Reds would be fools to break up the future core of Bruce/Votto
if they don’t want to break them up, just send both to us.
Plus Volquez, Cueto, Bailey, and Brandon Phillips. Let’s just trade for all of them.
I hope its about Joey Votto – above average defense, great bat, young, cheap – perfect
Maybe a deal around Marquez, Kennedy, and a Romine type could get it done
Not a chance. The Red aren’t going to trade a cheap, controllable player for our shit. Not that Romine’s shit. He just doesn’t have much trade value right now.
not even reasonably close to being enough for joe votto
Hey radnom: facepalm me, please.
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You mean theeee Sergio Mitre?
This changes everythinhg!
“Phil Hughes is scheduled to start in the Arizona Fall League tonight. He missed his last turn in the rotation because of a torn fingernail. That league wraps up Nov. 20, so he has time to get a few more in.”
-Peter Abraham-
Just in case anyone was curious.
Ew
Explains his heinous performances, though, if he couldn’t grip the ball right it’d make it tough to command his pitches.
Hopefully they’re talking Ankiel. What would it take to get him?
Rick Ankiel: player for the Cardinals
Walt Jocketty: GM of the Reds
menage a trade DUH
haha, i laughed at that.
I read it with a french accent, like “menajh a traaad”. Sounds more realistic that way.
i hope there discussin harang i really like harang i think dis is a move if they cant sign burnett or lowe but i think the yankees have all the money to sign sabathia and burnett but if we dont sign burnett il be happy gettin harang
http://www.amazon.com/Eats-Sho.....1592400876
I just thought he was a lolcat.
i can plz has this Harang device?
Lame jokes.
You gotz dem!
Hey, I didn’t start the lolcats joke, I just fulfilled it.
Yeah, I just checked Mitre’s GB/FB rates. Daaaaaaaaaaamn.
good?
Career 3.05 (CMW’s is 2.78). His GB rate was the second best in the bigs in 2007 amongst guys with as many IP (149). Only Lowe was better.
still, it’s almost always a bad idea to sign a 27 year old former prospect with good stuff to a minor league deal for a small amount of money.
Tommy John surgery again, what is this a prerequisite for signing with the Yankees.
Well, ol’ TJ did play for the Yankees twice, so…
Hey I don’t mind this deal at all. Mitre has a very good arm when healthy and has a sick Sinker. It’s a low risk move with the potential to be a high reward. Whats the big deal? Shit he can be better than Rasner and Ponson.
tommiesmithjohncarlos,
Hey you got for the NBA Championship Finals this season?
Mines is Lakers Vs. Cavs.
dunno, this league is pretty wide open. I could see the Hornets beating out the Lakers, and the Celtics/Cavs/Pistons makes the East really interesting. I like AI on Detroit way more than I like Billups, I think he (Billups) has lost a step (or at least, he’s lost a bigger step than AI has.)
Our Knicks suck, though.
I’ll go with Hornets/Cavs, with the Hornets winning it all.
Lakers own the Hornets. Lakers got it this year
The Knicks need the facepalm.
I can see Hornets beating the Lakers, but La is so deep and a healthy Bynum is huge.
As for the East, I Like Cle and really the only team that could beat Cle in a 7 game series is Bos and Det. Im not fond of Orl or Tor. A dark horse team to me is Philly, but they don’t have enough outside shooting but I like them though.
The Lakers are good on paper, but, we have yet to see how Odom, Gasol, and Bynum play together. It could be really good, or it could be Curry/Randolph times two.
That’s why they moved Odom to 6th man… too much size with Odom, Gasol, and Bynum all on the court at once. Clogs the lanes. I like the current arrangement much better with Odom 6th man. Ariza and Farmar have looked pretty damn good as well. The 2nd unit is killer
great time to be a Laker fan
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I hear some docs say he is all better from his last injury, but I just pray that he takes a minute to get a follow up. Would be a sad day if he were to get hurt again for trying to get in to the game too soon. Westwood Chiropractic