Open Thread: Who’s paying attention?

December 19, 2008 by Michael Axisa 186 Comments

This, my friends, is the current poll up on FOX Sports’ MLB frontpage:

That’s been up on their site for the past two days, and of the ~23,000 people who’ve voted, 11% feel Jake Peavy is the best remaining free agent. 2,530 of FOX Sports’ readers are idiots. The three of us are so happy and proud that we’re fortunate enough to have such smart readers. Seriously. You guys are the best.

Here’s your open thread for the night. You’ve got the Knicks at home taking on the Bucks, and Anchorman on TBS at 9pm.

TheLastClown

Yuck, who could realistically think Jake Peavy is a FA?? Hell, if he has a good season in ’09, he’ll probably win the ROY, but FA is a long way in that boy’s future
http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

That is just….wow. This is why fans should have to take a test before voting for the All-Star Game.
gg

Wow im so honored to be the first one to write on the night’s open thread…I’d like to say this is my favorite Yankee blog…great stuff here…

ESPN reported Tex wants 195mil now over 8 yrs….I think the Yanks should leave it alone hes not worth that

I much rather have Manny on a fat two year deal
- http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
  
  Yeah, that’s a ton. I’d rather do Dunn at three years.
- Tim
  
  Boras needs to stop playing games 195 is a bit too much and the worst part is he might get the Nationals to actually fall for him and offer 195.
  - Ryan S.
    
    Sounds like Boras would have done a fantastic job for his client if he gets the Nats to offer that deal. Can’t find fault with a man for doing the best job possible for the guys who hire him … its just the nature of the beast.
    - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
      
      Agreed. I’d do the exact same things that Boras does if I were an agent.
Tim

How could Fox leave this on their website for two days, they are just plain stupid. Anyway, I hope the Yanks get Teixeira he would be the last piece for the 2009 world champions, The New York Yankees.
Matthew

What time zone are you in? I think it’s 8 in NY….

And yeah, Peavy as a free agent, please, FOX Sports is such a bad site…
Sweet Dick Willie

Does Fox employ BBWAA writers?
gg

fox sports is for casual fans….apparently some of them a little too casual….he shouldnt have been on the poll at all and thats the writers fault not the stupid fans.

I think its important however to establish that as far as baseball reporting Fox is a helluva lot better than ESPN who is just a total joke
- Matthew
  
  On a whole maybe, but espn has a few guys I really love….
  - gg
    
    ESPN has some guys who provide great analysis but they are never first to actually REPORT anything…they regurgitate other people’s reports, make bad generalizations and have too much bias to even seriously approach what they do as journalists…they are good at making money however and have great NFL and NBA coverage
    - Mike Pop
      
      Keith Law is great. Myself, I like to read and listen to Olney
      - Ryan S.
        
        I watch SportsCenter every night and go to espn.com several times a day. Once you can separate the bullshit from the guys who actually know what they’re talking about, they’ve got quality in-depth articles.
        
        KLaw, Neyer, and Olney all know their shit when it comes to baseball. Olney is the “Yankee guy” much like Gammons is the “Red Sox guy”…the only difference is that Olney doesn’t suck the organization’s cock and or act like a spin doctor for free. Jayson Stark and Jerry Crasnick are also really good baseball guys and are pretty in line with my own baseball perceptions.
        
        In terms of football, Cris Mortenson and John Clayton are totally in the know. Mort is awesome, I love that guy.
        
        Mike Pop
        
        Olney wrote for the Yankees I believe..
        
        Dude one of the best things on NFL LIVe last year or 2 years ago was when ?Sean Salisbury? called Clayton the crip-keeper.
        
        Steve
        
        Onley was a beat reporter for the NY Times way back when, so he’s a good reporter who has NY contacts.
- Sweet Dick Willie
  
  thats the writers fault not the stupid fans
  
  But, 2,530 of the fans VOTED for him! While “stupid” may be a little harsh, I think it’s safe to say they are “mentally challenged”.
  - Steve H
    
    Or one person voted for him 2530 times. I might even have a guess as to who that could be.
    - Mike Pop
      
      It has something to do with 65
      - 65hughes
        
        no i bearly found out about the poll
    - Sweet Dick Willie
      
      Nah. Couldn’t be. Could it?
Jake H

LOL I just laughed when I saw that.
Mike Pop

By the Beard of Zeus! Weather blows tonight, looks like Im watching Anchorman at 9
- http://poormansanalyst.wordpress.com/ dan
  
  what channel?
  - Steve H
    
    TBS
gg

Do other people think we could snag Manny on a 2yr? I think we could seeing as it looks like we only will have to outbid stingy McCourt out in LA…I would go to 2/50 or whatever I had to in order to sign him, maybe throw in some bonuses for staying in shape and healthy. Angels won’t get in I dont think now that they resigned Juan Rivera…I suppose the Nats might be something to worry about unless Peter Gammons just made that up which you never know
- Jake H
  
  No way will Manny do a 2 year deal. He had a 2 year deal with an option for a 3rd year from the dodgers and didn’t even speak with them. I believe that the dodgers would offer that again so I don’t think a 2 year deal would get it done.
  - gg
    
    options only worth as much as the buyout on it….we could do that too on our offer to the slugger….we could also offer more money for yrs 1 and 2 than they would…they were only at 2/45 and i think that includes the buyout, we could pay him 26 a yr and a 2 miill buyout if we dont want to pick up the option which would equate to 2/54…big difference and McCourt might match but wouldnt do so without hesitation and Manny wants to a Yankee I bet
    - Ryan S.
      
      Giambi got paid 21 mil and had a buyout worth 4 or 5 mil. Think more along the lines of a 6 mil buyout / 25 mil option
      - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        I’d rather just give 3 years guaranteed to Dunn.
        
        Ryan S.
        
        Manny is just such a better hitter than Dunn … and Dunn is an above average slugger, I fully realize and appreciate that, and I’d definitely rather have Dunn than no new bats at all. Still, Manny, for all the extra media attention (big deal) and defensive shortcomings he’d add to the team in some form, is an absurd bat. The media bullshit is a non-factor in NY since it would be there anyway, he’d just be taking some of the attention away from other superstars. I do not think he’d be a distraction, not anymore than A-Rod and his next TMZ story du jour. At the end of the day, Manny would help this team more than any other free agent, because his bat transcends all that bullshit. He’s just that good.
        
        http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        I wouldn’t be unhappy with Manny, don’t get me wrong. I just like that Dunn is cheaper and entering his prime years.
        
        The media thing and his behavior issues, whatever, I don’t care about those when it comes to Manny. He’s just too good to worry about that too much.
        
        Mike Pop
        
        Id give Dunn a 3 year deal easy if that gauranteed him.
      - gg
        
        so if you up the buyout to 4mil with 26 gaurenteed yrs 1 and 2 that brings the total package to 56, even if its a 6mil buyout, 58…McCourt is not going to go that high unless his wife makes him
      - gg
        
        so if you up the buyout to 4mil with 26 gaurenteed yrs 1 and 2 that brings the total package to 56, even if its a 6mil buyout, 58…McCourt is not going to go that high unless his wife makes him, they’ve already signed blake and furcal, and need another starter I believe, even if they were cheap with a pitcher I dont think Manny is in the budget after the Furcal move
        
        Ryan S.
        
        Oh I’m with ya buddy. I’ll take an overpriced Manny for 2 years over a slightly less overpriced Manny for 3. Still, I see someone offering him a 3 year deal. If it truly is just between a Dodger 2 year deal and us though, we could make that happen.
- Ryan S.
  
  I think the Angels are still in the running for Manny, and unless they get Tex, I bet we’ll have to end up going 3 years if we want the guy. I think he’s definitely worth going 3 years if that is what it takes. A 2 year deal would be unbelievable though.
  - gg
    
    I dont think they would have signed Rivera if they planned on missing out on Tex and signing Manny….they have: Hunter, GMJ, Willits, Rivera, and Vladi who had surgery and pretty much needs to DH from what I’ve heard, despite his cannon
    - Ryan S.
      
      If my man Vlad needs to DH than yeah, no need for Manny. I know Vlad is getting old and banged up but I think the guy still has enough in him to be play the field for at least another year.
      - gg
        
        I like Vladi too, think we’d already have 27 by now had we made that move when it was there and he was still agile….and gosh I hate gary sheff, I want to see his carrer playout as pathetically as possible
steve (different one)

OMG, JAKE PEAVY WAS A FREE AGENT AND TEH CAHSMAN DIDN’T SIGN HIM!1!!
- http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
  
  LyK3 t0ta11y FyR3 hIm!!!!
gg

On the whole Peavy note, I’m really glad the Yanks didnt seriously try to enter the frey…Hes in part a product of Petco, hes got good stuff, but I think our new #2 Burnett if healthy is better
- Jake H
  
  His road stats were better the last 2 years then his home stats.
  - Steve H
    
    Peavy in 2008
    Home Era-1.74
    Road Era-4.28
    
    In 2007 they were basically equal. If a guy has a 4.28 ERA on the road in the NL, he would not be an ace in the AL.
    - Steve
      
      “he would not be an ace in the AL.”
      
      Do you think CC Sabathia is an ace in the AL?
      
      http://www.baseball-reference......tive.shtml
      
      Guess what? They have the exact same career ERA+
      - Mike Pop
        
        I think Peavy would be an ace in the AL.. Take him time to get adjusted but it would be comparable to Beckett.
gg

Wow, that felt great to write, its going to be sooooo cool to have good starting pitching for a change, I hope the offense is there
mustang

The way you guys run the site it attracts good commentary the credit goes to you.
Well done.
- mustang
  
  By the way I think the Yankees should put an offer on Peavy how about 7 years at 161 million ?
  
  LOL
  - Steve H
    
    Will he get an opt-out clause too?
    - Ryan S.
      
      He gets a frontloaded contract and every year has a player option.
    - Steve
      
      I hear CC got a Take-Out clause.
Yankeegirl49

That is pretty pathetic that Fox sports would have that up there.

Do you know who must be watching the Teixeira story while drooling? Pujols…if Tex gets 180, let alone 194, what is he worth???

I love Tex, I have since his Texas days and wanted the Yanks to sign him before CC, but not for that much. Look at his stats, they are very similar to Tino Martinez when he was with the Yanks, and I could not imagine Tino getting nearly what Teixeira is going to get.
- Blake
  
  Tino was of coarse a much better looking fella too :)
  - Sweet Dick Willie
    
    And he had grit. Does Tex have grit? Cuz if he doesn’t, no effin’ way you compare him to Tino!
- gg
  
  different times, the teams are doing much better now financially, this offseason appears to be the first sign of slowing however on that front….a year ago bobby would be sitting pretty on multiple offers right now
- Bruno
  
  I think if Pujols reaches FA he’ll top A-Rod’s contract. 10/$325?
http://www.ilikemygirls.com Billy Beane

i’m sorry i just had to go over the fox sports and click on peavy–it’s still at 11% though.
- Steve H
  
  Me too. We should all go there several times, see how high it can go before they realize their stupidity and pull it from the site.
  - VO
    
    i actually did the same
- Sweet Dick Willie
  
  That’s a great idea. I think we all should. Let’s make it our mission to have Jake Peavy (too bad they didn;t spell it “Peavey”) the best remaining FA.
  - al
    
    i voted for 65hughes.. i mean peavy still at 11%..
pat

i just passed the series 7 and now im gonna go eat a whole wheel of cheese best of luck this weekend RABBERS
- gg
  
  congrats, now lets sign Manny, you can help him invest all that doughja
- Jake H
  
  I’m going to have to take that in a few months. I’m not looking forward to it.
  - pat
    
    i can recommend a good class to take if you’re in the manhattan area, it helped me out alot, ask mike ben or joe for my email if u want.
    - Jake H
      
      Thanks but I’m in Kansas so I don’t think that would help. I appreciate it thou.
Yankeegirl49

Blake…thats for darn sure! LOL
Dan

what’s your answer to the impossible question in the December 6th picture??

http://lsos1.blogspot.com/
- Ryan S.
  
  I’d go with the top-half human, for a variety of reasons.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    Agreed.
    - Mike Pop
      
      Bottom half human.. Ill deal with it
  - Steve H
    
    Bottom for me. There’s ways around the top half being “questionable” but not if the bottom is uninhabitable. Do they have paper bags on islands?
    - Ryan S.
      
      You can just “inhabit” her mouth ;)
      - Mike Pop
        
        Sicko
- Steve
  
  Question.
  
  Is that a ‘Blowfish’?
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

http://sports.espn.go.com/vide.....038;game=4

Screen of the New Stadium in MLB 09: The Show. Here’s the article it came from:

http://sports.espn.go.com/vide.....id=3775962
- Steve H
  
  They couldn’t take Swish’s facial hair off? He is playing for the Yankees after all. At least he just hit a dinger.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    The Fenway pic is nuts:
    
    http://sports.espn.go.com/vide.....038;game=2
    
    This is also awesome:
    
    Think A-Rod chokes in the clutch? Ever shout “Dodgers suck!” or yell “Drewwwwwww” when J.D. walks up to the plate? MLB 09 is about to bring out the crazed fan in all of us as not only can you record your voice screaming anything from “Where’s Madonna?” to “we want a pitcher not a belly itcher” and put it in the game thanks to peripherals like the Rock Band mic and wireless headset, the fan yells will sound like your voice actually coming from the stands. You can even assign the recordings to be part of a chant and your voice will be put through a new process so that it sounds more like a crowd chanting “over-rated” and not just a single person yelling.
    - steve (different one)
      
      i like how they had to take not one, but two shots at A-Rod. apparently there are no other players in MLB.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
        
        Heh, no kidding.
        
        Brooklyn Ed
        
        have you started your 2009 roster, season?
    - Steve H
      
      Those lovely Fenway obstructed view seats.
- VO
  
  Does anyone know when 09 the show is coming out anyway?
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    Sometime in March.
  - VO
    
    march 2nd
- Alan
  
  I like that the first screen cap from MLB 09 is the Yankees hitting a home run off of the Red Sox.
- Brooklyn Ed
  
  I like this:
  
  Unrivaled Player Creator — An infinite amount of options for creating players including everything right down to your own face with EyeToy (PS2 only). But it doesn’t stop there. You can also adjust your personal rituals, swings even emotions as you create Mini-You.
- pat
  
  Until they make the AI more realistic the whole MLB franchise is useless in my eyes. I was playing 08 as the yanks and the mets proposed a trade of jose reyes for ross ohlendorf and mike mussina., ugh. MVP 2004 with pujols on the cover was IMO the best baseball game i’ve ever played, besides the one for nintendo where you’re robots and fight to the death after every close play.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    Yeah, the AI trades are kind of dumb, but what can you do. Who’s to say Reyes for Moose and Ohlendorf couldn’t have become realistic?
    
    MVP 06 NCAA Baseball FTW. Best baseball game ever when it comes to pure on-the-field gameplay.
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llN_Q1Qi5YA
    - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
      
      http://content.answers.com/mai.....3e727e.jpg
      
      I ran shit with Mattingly in that game.
  - Manimal
    
    Slug fest.
Alan

Can I make a write-in vote for Edinson Volquez?
TurnTwo

ah, anchorman, the memories… me and the wifey’s first date several years ago.
skadoosh

These are exactly the people who vote for the big names in the all-star game vs the guys who actually deserve it. You think Manny would be a plus for arod? Maybe take some of the spotlight and pressure off him.
mustang

Ken Rosenthal:
“The return of free-agent left-hander Andy Pettitte to the Yankees is “virtually inevitable,” according to a source with knowledge of the pitcher’s intentions. While a deal is not imminent, it is believed that the two sides will eventually come to an agreement on a one-year deal.”

This along with the reports that the Yankees are not interested in Sheets plus Girardi saying that he talked with Andy this week and he wants to come back makes me feel good. I know some of you are down on him, but I think he will do well as a 5th starter.
It was a good week to be a Yankees fan.
- Ryan S.
  
  Hell yeah, I’m all for Andy coming back. He’s exactly what we need for the back end of the rotation – totally solidifies the pitching staff.
  - Steve
    
    Andy is very much like the Mermaid question. If he was front-end I’d hate it, but back end I could live with it.
- TurnTwo
  
  so nothing has really changed. once andy comes to terms with the fact he doesnt deserve $16 million, the quicker they will have a deal.
  - Mike Pop
    
    Pettitte comes back we win the Series and he retires. Thats what Ima talking bout. Hughes goes in the rotation full time in 2010.
    - mustang
      
      That’s what I’m thnking.
    - Ryan S.
      
      And then Hughes is the winning pitcher of the World Series clincher in 2010.
      - Mike Pop
        
        No 09.
        
        Ryan S.
        
        I thought it should be Joba in ’09.
        
        Steve
        
        Joba to the bullpen in 09!!!
        
        He’s not built to start! Posada said so!
        
        http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        My dad uses that as justification for keeping him in the pen. It annoys me.
        
        Steve
        
        Dr Posada knows best.
        
        Mike Pop
        
        Dr. Posada better be able to catch for the next 2 years
        
        Steve
        
        He will, he will just start less and less as he ages. By the end of his deal, he will be the world’s most expensive backup catcher and (hopefully) either Montero or Romine will be splitting time with him.
        
        Ryan S.
        
        I’ve got my fingers crossed that Jesus doesn’t grow out of the position. How cool would it be to see Posada and Montero hold down that position together? It would be a very symbolic changing of the guard.
    - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
      
      Yeah I’m on board with that.
      
      I just want Hughes in the rotation full time in 2010.
      - Ryan S.
        
        Me too, that means a lot to me. With Andy on board the kid would still gonna get some starts this year, and I think he’ll be very polished by the time its 2010, and only 23…jesus christ. Joba is the superstar prospect right now, and for good reason, but Hughes could certainly one day equal or eclipse him. I have such high hopes for both the kids I feel like I’m being idealistic, but its nice to finally see homegrown talent rising to the top again and represent the Yanks in terms of quality stuff and reputation. And Hughes looks like a freaking serial killer in those glasses, I love it.
  - mustang
    
    I think he is coming to terms with that.
UWS

I’ll just say one thing and risk being banninated forever:

GO DEVILS!!!
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  I’m gonna punch you in the ovary, that’s what I’m gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the babymaker.
  - TurnTwo
    
    you know my friend has actually held the cup as many times as mike richter on the ice, postgame celebration.
    
    that one series against vancouver was so cute.
    - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
      
      My friend’s dad used to be the physical trainer for the Rangers in the early/mid 90s.
      
      As for hockey, I said at the beginning of the season I’d start watching it again. That….didn’t happen.
      - TurnTwo
        
        i love hockey, but my friends and i get into a debate every once and a while about the viability of the NHL, and its status as the “4th sport” in American cutlure… and then the popularity of soccer around the world, and its eventually taking over the “4th sport” status from hockey because of this overall BLEGH attitude…
        
        and the stupid sloppy seconds nonsense, and how ridiculous Gary Bettman is.
        
        http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        As unpopular as hockey has become, I don’t think soccer will ever take it over as the “fourth sport.”
        
        Ryan S.
        
        I think competitive eating is the main contender.
        
        Mike Pop
        
        BOWLING
        
        TheLastClown
        
        I went to high school w/ Bettman’s kid.
        
        The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        OMG.
  - Mike Pop
    
    The human torch was denied a bank loan.
- The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  Enjoy:
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U7jUbKQYdw
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    I knew the Lindros hit would be #1 before the video even started, despite the fact that it’s no better than the 10th best hit on the list.
    
    Kariya … yikes. The scary part is how hard he hits the back of his head on the ice. He had no idea he was coming.
    - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      They’re all monstrous, but to me the Kozlov hit will always be the biggest one. It was just such a huge moment, with the Wings so highly favored. It was like Stevens took Kozlov out and said “yah, you guys are about to get run over, you underestimated us.” That guy was a freaking brick wall on skates.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

OMG, ESPN’s new beta blows.
- Manimal
  
  its not that bad…
  - Ryan S.
    
    I didn’t think so either…its really not very different to begin with though, I dunno what they really changed. I do like the normal version more cause I’m used to it.
http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

I’m on right now? I don’t believe you.
- Mike Pop
  
  How bout that, that squirrel can water-ski.
  - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
    
    http://www.baseball-reference......ge01.shtml
    
    WHAAAAAMMMMMY
Mike Pop

Ed Harkin laughing there was great. Then when Ron yells so loud… Omg man great
Steve

Looks like the Red Sox are backtracking big time from the Henry e-mail from last night. Once again, writers seem to be buying into it. I bet Henry replied to the wrong e-mail, and an honest answer that was supposed to go to someone in the Red Sox hierarchy wound up being sent to a bunch of reporters.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....ira-6.html

Tex to the Sox never made sense to me from day 1, for a variety of reasons. I think they were (so publicly) involved because they believed that the Yanks would end up with him, and wanted to drive up the price. With the departure of Giambi that’s a reasonable assessment, but I think its wrong. I don’t believe the Yanks will swoop in at the last minute, I still think the Angels wind up with Tex.

I’ve come to the conclusion the Yanks do want to keep 1B open, but not for Posada or Jeter as has been reported. They will want to put A-Rod there in a few years, once he reaches 35 or thereabouts.
- Mike Pop
  
  John Henry is calling Boras’ bluff.
  - Steve
    
    Nah, they’re a stalking horse and have been since Day 1.
    
    Answer me this. When has Theo EVER given a contract out that was longer than 4 years? I can’t think of one myself, and from everything I know about Theo, he doesn’t believe in them.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      Dice-K and Dustin Pedroia say hi.
      - Mike Pop
        
        I still think Teix has a good chance to end up in Fenway. They cant let the Angels and Yankees get better and not do anything themselves.. They might make a run for Dunn or Burrell who knows.. I know one thing though, they wont go after Milton.
      - Steve
        
        -Pedroia is different, that takes him through his arb years.
        
        -Dice K was unique situation due to the 51 mil posting fee. Not a regular free agent.
        
        So how should I phrase this more clearly? How about:
        
        “When has Theo ever given more than 4 years to a MLB free agent?”
        
        Mike Pop
        
        Well hes willing to do it now with Teix so that does not matter now.
        
        Steve
        
        You won’t know that until he signs with them.
        
        Most off season rumors are bullshit with an agenda.
        
        Mike Pop
        
        So your saying they didnt make an offer of more than 4 years ?
        
        Steve
        
        I’ll believe it when I see it.
        
        Mike Pop
        
        You believe in Jesus ?
        
        Steve
        
        Montero?
        
        Mike Pop
        
        Hahahaha
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
        
        I know, I’m just being a dick. ;)
        
        Steve
        
        Nah, I really didn’t phrase that properly.
  - Ryan S.
    
    It wouldn’t be the first time he’s done it … and it wouldn’t be the first time Boras was really telling the truth either.
    
    In regards to what Steve was saying about our future at 1B…A-Rod could make sense. I think Rodriguez will stay at 3rd base for a while still though. Put it like this: after Posada retires and Jeter gets moved to the outfield, A-Rod will still be at the hot corner.
    - Steve
      
      Exactly. I think Jeter to LF will be a big issue next off season, since his contract comes up after the 2010 season. The Yanks will want to see him play LF before they give him a 3-4 year extension, so he will need to be out there for the 2010 season.
      
      Which also would mean that they will need a SS after 2009, and judging by the free agents next year
      
      http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.c.....gents.html
      
      . . it would have to be a trade
      - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        Alright what if Jeter does the unthinkable….tries to find a place that will let him play SS instead of moving positions for the Yankees? I mean, I highly doubt that happens but what if? I mean, the dude’s ego is pretty big….
        
        As for him in LF, I’d assume by that time, his offense won’t be enough to put him at a premium offensive position.
        
        Not to mention, IF (big if?) Holliday has a nice 2009 w/Oak., does Cash make a run at him for 2010?
        
        Steve
        
        I don’t see Derek going anywhere.
        
        I agree that his bat doesn’t really translate to a corner OF spot, but its worse at 1B and 3B is taken. We had Damon out there in 2007 and scored plenty of runs, so I’m sure the Yanks feel they will get plenty of hitting elsewhere.
        
        The alternative is leaving Jeter at SS and giving him an extension that takes him through age 40. I don’t think that’s a acceptable option at a premium defensive position. When Damon/Matsui leave and Jeter has his deal coming due, its the perfect time to address this.
        
        http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        Yeah leaving him at SS that long would just be unacceptable unless he turns into Omar Vizquel or something. Putting him at an offensive position he’s not suited for is the lesser of two evils, compared to keeping him at SS.
        
        Guess we’ll just have to wait and see. IF Holliday ends up in left field, though, I think Jeter will probably stay at short.
        
        Ryan S.
        
        Jeter is definitely not going anywhere. He will retire a Yankee, end of discussion. I’m curious how long his contract extension is going to be … Pete Rose played until his mid-40s, could Jeter argue he wants to, and deserves to, do the same thing?
        
        http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        I think it’ll be 3-4 years, maybe 5 if it helps him reach 3K hits.
        
        But, yeah, Jeter at an ill-fitting offensive position is better than Jeter at an ill-fitting defensive position.
        
        Steve
        
        Can you imagine the 2015 Yankees with a 41 year old Jeter and a 40 year old A-Rod?
        
        Yikes. Every day is old timer’s day.
        
        http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        COUNT DOWN TO SOCIAL SECURITY!
        
        Ryan S.
        
        I really don’t see Jeter getting less than a 5 year deal – we’re going to be dumb and hook him up big time. At least a 40 year old A-Rod is still going to be productive as a DH. 41 year old Jeter? Not so much.
        
        whozat
        
        “We had Damon out there in 2007 and scored plenty of runs, so I’m sure the Yanks feel they will get plenty of hitting elsewhere. ”
        
        But they already have Damon and had to do something with him. This would be signing a novice LFer whose bat is below average for the position. On purpose.
        
        Steve
        
        Your alternative is . . . . . . . ?
        
        Leave him at SS for another 4 years-No
        
        Let him leave and play elsewhere-No
        
        First Base?-If his bat is sub par in LF, what would that make it at 1B?
        
        Third Base-Seems to be taken.
        
        http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        Well, you could move Swish to a corner OF spot, A-Rod to first, Jeter to third. Not saying it’s gonna happen, just saying it could.
        
        Ryan S.
        
        Honest question, I really have no clue: Can Jeter realistically play 3rd until the end of his career? As in, when he’s anywhere between the ages of 40 and 42 years old?
        
        http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        Well, he could. But, let’s be honest, do we HAVE to play him every day at that point? What if has a Brooks Robinson type fall off? He wasn’t an every day player by the end of his career, maybe Jeter wouldn’t be. Meh, I guess we’ll have to just wait and see. There’s nothing else we can do.
        
        Steve
        
        Jeter probably could play 3B, but I can’t see them asking A-Rod (who’s a better player) to move AGAIN. That’s treating Alex like a 2nd class citizen, and they’re not going to do that to him. The reality is, with the money they have committed to Alex, he’s more important to the franchise than Jeter is at this point in their careers.
        
        Jeter to LF makes the most sense.
        
        http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        That’s fair enough. But if, somehow, A-Rod’s health comes into question in the future and it helps preserve him long enough to make a run at 800 homers, they’ll both do it.
        
        Ryan S.
        
        Would there be anything wrong with playing Jeter in LF until A-Rod needs to move due to his own deficiencies, and than slot Jeter into 3rd only at that time? Or is that crazy talk?
Chris

Just a thought, but do you think they could convince Tex to take a 1/$35M or 2/$60M? You’d be dumping a lot of money on him, but it would only be for a short commitment. From Tex’s perspective he would get a bunch of money now and become a FA again when he’s still in his prime, and most likely the economy will have recovered and more teams might be willing to jump in on him.
- Steve
  
  People ask these questions every year, and stuff like this rarely happens. Players and agents look at contracts less in AAV and more as total money offered. Baseball contracts are all guaranteed, and players careers are short and at times uncertain. So the way Tex/Boras look at that is 35-60 mil vs 180 mil. Its a no brainer, and you don’t hire Boras to get you a deal like that.
  - Ryan S.
    
    Unless you’re Andruw Jones … and he was LUCKY to get a deal like that.
    - Steve
      
      Actually, he’s a great example of why agents and players take the guaranteed money. He’s 31 and is pretty much finished as a MLB player. You never know.
      - Ryan S.
        
        Yup, but his free agency came one year too late. Its amazing how fast that guy was breaking down, and obviously Atlanta knew it. Nobody was going long term on him, but he’s getting paid as much as Ichiro in ’08 and ’09 is. That’s all Boras right there…at least he got his boy something for nothing.
- Mike Pop
  
  Naw, if he can get 180 now there is no reason to take it.. Unless you do some stupid shit like 3 years 120 lol
  - Mike Pop
    
    When I say take it I mean a short term commitment when he can get a long term deal now
27 this year

lohud has CC and AJ’s contract details.
- Mike Pop
  
  Heh, suites on road trips.
  - Steve
    
    I think they meant “sweets” on road trips.
    
    He insisted on having a cheesecake in his hotel room.
    - Mike Pop
      
      Well “suites” include all that, remember Home Alone 2 ?
      - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
        
        This is Peter McAllister….the father.
        
        Mike Pop
        
        You can mess with alot of things, but not with a kid on Christmas.
Mike Pop

Manny is coming to the Bronx man.
- Ryan S.
  
  I hope so.
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Joey H

Yeah a free agent you’ll apparently have to dump out your farm system to get.

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