Jan
14

Yanks have eye on Freddy Garcia

By Joseph Pawlikowski

While Paul Byrd might not have much to do with the Yankees 2009 plans, Freddy Garcia might. Via MLB Trade Rumors we learn that the veteran righty could sign within the next few days. Not only that, but Jon Heyman says that the Yankees are one of four teams interested. The others include the Mets, the White Sox, and the Rangers. Garcia tossed 15 shaky innings for the Tigers at the end of 2008 after missing most of the past two seasons with shoulder issues.

That’s the red flag right there. A 34-year-old pitcher who missed significant time with a shoulder issue? I’m not so sure I’d take a gamble on that. If it’s a minor league deal with an opt-out if he doesn’t make the big league club, then that’s do-able. But if some team is willing to offer Garcia a major league deal, I have to hope the Yanks back off. There’s no reason to commit money to a guy with this much risk.

Garcia’s career, up until 2007, was filled with 200-inning-plus seasons. He was known as a horse, and that was a major reason the White Sox traded for him in June of 2004. His strikeout rates aren’t great, and he doesn’t have the low walk totals you’d like to see from such a pitcher. Plus, he gives up more than his share of home runs. From the way his stat lines look, a big part of his monster 2001 season was his ability to keep the ball in the park — just 16 homers in 238.2 innings. After surrendering 30 and 31 homers over the next two seasons, Garcia allowed just eight in 2004 before the trade. After the trade, in 103 innings, he gave up 14 homers.

So while he has name value going for him, that’s about all he’s got. He even had to leave winter ball with shoulder soreness. That might just be the cumulative effect of not having pitched much over the past two years. Yet it’s still cause for concern. If the Yankees can get him on a minor league deal, I won’t complain. But if they’re placing him on the 40-man roster, I think there’s reason to take issue with it.

Posted on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 3:30 pm in Hot Stove League.

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126 Comments »

If the Yankees want to jump on the injury bandwagon, they might as well sign Sheets…

That said, Pettitte remains the best option. Hopefully the Yankees find a way to make it viable.

Jake H says:

I agree. Shoulders are too hard to come back from.

TurnTwo says:

but isnt the big question on Sheets’s medicals his shoulder?

and didnt Pettitte complain of shoulder issues last season?

Yeah, but Pettitte doesn’t have potential rotator cuff damage.

If his MRIs were anything like Sheets’, the Yankees wouldn’t have offered him $10 million, unless they were trying to hide the fact, and I can’t believe they’d do that.

Then again, I am an idealist…

Jay CT says:

BRING IN BEN SHEETS DAMN IT!!!

There has been nothing for certain that he has a shoulder issue. I have said this over and over again; he would know his medicals would be gone over with a fine tooth comb. He has not had shoulder issues in the past. The injury at the end of last season was a forearm strain (granted, thats the precursor to TJ surgery). If you aren’t bringing in Andy Pettitte, why invest anything in any other risky pitcher when someone that has the upside and ability of Sheets is sitting there! Freddy Garcia? Seriously? For the extra 8 million, why pass on the guy who threw 196 innings last season, started the All Star game, and carries a CAREER 4-1 walk ratio. That is RIDICULUS, and thats his CAREER average, not a single season. 5th starter? Yeah, I would take his 150 innings

You are assuming that Sheets declined arbitration because he wasn’t injured badly and thus knew he could recoup the value of arb on the market; thus, his decision to decline arb and hit the market means he’s not seriously injured. That’s not a horrible assumption, but it’s not necessarily an ironclad assumption

Sheets could theoretically have declined because either he didn’t think his serious injury would get out or because he didn’t think his serious injury would hamper his market enough for him to not end up making more on the market than he would from accepting arb.

Remember, A.J. Burnett is a walking infirmary, and two separate teams offered him 80M. Sheets could have looked at the arb offer and still decided to gamble on the potential free agent payday, serious shoulder injury notwithstanding.

He may have simply misjudged the market. Lord knows other guys did.

Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

Thats fair, but Burnett had documented injuries. What I am saying is, the speculation is that he has a shoulder injury. Why when he went down, was it diagnosed as a forearm, then he tried to pitch through it, and they shut him down as he couldn’t do it. Not once was a shoulder said. Why offer arbitration if the Brewers know he has a serious shoulder injury? Wouldn’t that be a waste of 15 million (possibly if accepted) if they knew he would miss a season, and they were trying to still win now? I just think people forget he threw 196 innings last season

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TurnTwo says:

i’ll cut and paste from the last post, since it really fits here:

Garcia can prob be had for less guaranteed money than Sheets.

Since he actually finished the year healthy (allegedly) with the Tigers last season, while Sheets went down late with his shoulder or forearm injury and was shut down, you could prob argue that Garcia is the better bet to give you more innings in 2009.

You could certainly do that, but at the same times, Sheets’ innings would be of a higher quality, if he was healthy.

That said, I don’t want the Yankees touching Sheets with a three-pronged pointy spork.

 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Eh, I guess he’s better than a Ponsnerian pitcher.

 
 
Bill says:

They need some back up options for 5th Starter and maybe 4th Starter if Joba is not healthy.

Garcia a start but I like them to go after Ollie Perez.

If they dont get Perez they should bid for him just to get the price up on the mets.

How come nobody is talking about the Mets Payroll. Just think if they pay 12 Million and 25 for Manny there payroll would be on par with the yankees.

steve (different one) says:

Perez for anything more than a 1 year deal would be a terrible idea. and i don’t think he’ll take a one year deal. someone will give him 2-3 years. that someone will likely be the Mets.

honestly, i don’t see what choice they have.

as for bidding just to raise the price for the Mets, what is the point of that?

“Perez for anything more than a 1 year deal would be a terrible idea.”

Fixed.

steve (different one) says:

i was being charitable.

UWS says:

Charity is good for the soul. Not so good for signing baseball players…

And, of course, only one of those actually matters…

Sweet Dick Willie says:

And, of course, only one of those actually matters

Yeah, when was the last time a soul OPS’d 1.000?

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You shouldn’t.

It’s time for everyone’s favorite game, NAME THAT PITCHER!!!

Pitcher A:
34 starts (10-7), 194.0 IP, 8.35 K/9, 4.87 BB/9, 4.22 ERA, 4.68 FIP, 1.40 WHIP

Pitcher B:
30 starts (7-12), 159.2 IP, 6.71 K/9, 3.10 BB/9, 4.34 ERA, 4.62 FIP, 1.48 WHIP

Your question is: Which one is Oliver Perez, and which one is Odalis Perez?

The answer: Does it matter?

Jay CT says:

Touche. Ben. Sheets.

Counter – touche:

The Rangers won’t touch Ben Sheets. The Rangers.
He’s from Texas. They need pitching like Hillary Clinton needs attention. They have money to spend. He wants to be there. They offered him a deal, then pulled it.

Ockham’s razor says he’s damaged goods.

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Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

I don’t remember them pulling an offer to Sheets. Do you have a link to that?

 

*Occam’s.

But if the RANGERS won’t touch a pitcher, then you know it’s bad.

 

Sorry, no. I misremembered (h/t to Roger Clemens). There was a rumor of a two year deal I was thinking of, but MLBTR said the story was hype and no offer was ever officially extended.

My bad.

 
Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

Except the Rangers are still in on him and will probably wind up signing him

 

*Occam’s.

Actually, either Occam or Ockham is acceptable.

Medieval Anglo-Saxons weren’t exactly super-consistent there with the spelling and such. Ockham seems to be the more consistent Middle English spelling of the name (derived from the town William of Ockham is from).

Occam is probably a Latinization.

 

Trust me, I know all about medieval spelling…

…err, lack of it.

 

Oh yeah, that’s right, I forgot. You’re the elitist, east-coast-secular-progresssive Jewish liberal snob granola-eating English-Lit-majoring poetry-writing Lillith-Fair-attending Ani-DeFranco-listening women’s-libbing Birkenstock-wearing terrorist-embracing femenazi that Ann Coulter’s been warning me about, right?

 
Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

Sometimes the humor grabs you right away folks. Other times, not so much

 
Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

Although the “east-coast-secular-progresssive Jewish liberal snob” is quite comical.

 

Heh.

I’m just sad that my (h/t to Roger Clemens) got lost in the larger shuffle of that thread.

That’s comedy gold, just like “Roundtine”.

 

Oh yeah, that’s right, I forgot. You’re the elitist, east-coast-secular-progresssive Jewish liberal snob granola-eating English-Lit-majoring poetrysushi-eating-history-majoring-novel-writing Lillith-Fair-attending Ani-DeFranco-listening women’s-libbing Birkenstock-wearing terrorist-embracing femenazi that Ann Coulter’s been warning me about, right?

Fixed.

 

You eat sushi?

GO BACK TO RUSSIA, COMMIE PIG!

 
 
 
jsbrendog says:

wow. this blew my mind without making it explode

 
 
 
I Remember Celerino Sanchez says:

I like that I can always count on you to set people straight on the basic fact tht Perez is a crap pitcher. Thank you for doing that public servcie!

 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

I don’t think Ollie is too good of an idea. If he was willing to take a 1 year deal worth less than 10 mill, yea sure I’d sign him. But I doubt it would ever come to that. Therefore, no thanks.

Sweet Dick Willie says:

If he was willing to take a 1 year deal worth less than 10 mill, yea sure I’d sign him

Why? Suckitude is suckitude. Granted, one year of suckitude is better than multiple years of suckitude, but if it isn’t necessary, why even go there? Not to mention he would also cost a draft pick, albeit a 4th rounder.

Just say no.

Agreed.

As evidenced by my little comparison above, I’d in all seriousness rather sign Odalis Perez than Oliver Perez. All the craptasticality for a seventh of the price.

 
 
 
 
steve (different one) says:

Sheets also costs a draft pick, which is admittedly a small concern since it’s a 4th round pick, but it is a cost.

i agree with Joseph: minor league deal? yes. major league deal? no.

i would sign almost ANYONE to a minor league deal.

that is one thing i will NEVER understand, when people get all pissy about players signed to minor league deals. who cares?

you bring them to ST, you see if they have anything. if they don’t, you cut them.

People like excuses to get pissy.

R. Kelly says hello.

 
frits says:

well-played, sir, well-played.

 
 
jsbrendog says:
 
Mike A. says:

That’s not funny. You made Cherry Coke come out of my nose.

http://www.funnyordie.com/vide.....m-thaffner

The only thing that make my life complete
Is when I turn your face into a toilet seat…

Jack says:

I just noticed the “Directed by: Chuck Berry” for the first time. Awesome.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Frank says:

If they are both determined to be healthy enough to pitch, hands down it’s Sheets. He’s well worth the risk. If he can chuck the rock, his stuff is flat out nasty.

Huge if though…which is, of course, the crux of the problem.

Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

But WHY is it a huge if? As a number 5 starter? You are telling me Sheets on 20 starts isnt worth more then Freddy Garcia. Take the money out of it, in my opinion, its no contest. If he winds up with a shoulder injury, I will recant all that I have said, but till then, there has not been documented shoulder issues, so why now? Why turn down arbitration and 14 million if you know you have a shoulder injury?

What do you mean there hasn’t been documented shoulder issues?

Check this article out.

It’s from last MAY.

This is not a new issue.

Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

Ok, but I meant the end of the year injury. However, I didn’t remember him even having that. So you got me.

And the enlightenment dawns…choirs of angels start to sing…

 
 
 

You are telling me Sheets on 20 starts isnt worth more then Freddy Garcia.

Every team in baseball would rather pay Ben Sheets 10M for 20 of his starts than pay Freddy Garcia 1M for 30 of his starts.

The reason Ben Sheets is unsigned is most teams are afraid they’ll be paying 10M for zero of his starts, as opposed to 20.

(Well, that, and the draft pick compensation.)

The Honorable Congressman Mondesi says:

But… But Ben Sheets is a better bet to be healthy in 2009 than AJ Burnett, isn’t he? (Little inside-joke there, people, don’t scream at me.)

(Little inside-joke there, people, don’t scream at me.)

Little ham and eggs coming at ya, people, hope you got your griddles ready.

The Honorable Congressman Mondesi says:

You’re probably a jazz flautist.

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Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

That’s a baby-making quote.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
drew says:

Sheets and garcia are completly different, I’d sign Garcia for what will obviously be a one year deal for a cheap tag. Sheets will cost too much money, I’d still rather the Cuban defector.

Should be working says:

Nobody has a price on Sheets. No offers been made that we know of. Ending the season injured lowered his already starting price. It can be anywhere right now.

I wonder if someone offered Sheets league minimum for two years if he’d take it.

The Honorable Congressman Mondesi says:

Answer: Not a chance. Why would he do that?

He wouldn’t.

Just posing a whacked-out hypothetical. Nothing to see here, move on…

Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

I started by saying if you couldn’t get Pettitte. What my thought was, was a 2 for 10 with easily attainable options to make it a 3 year deal. I figure TJ surgery will happen next year, but you would still have him the following season. If you get him for a full year, you pay him 12 or 13 after his incentives are reached. But I did start at the top by saying if you can’t bring back Pettitte

 
 
 
Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

Now that is just stupid.

The Honorable Congressman Mondesi says:

Ben Sheets’ shoulder is stupid.

Raul Mondesi is fat.

The Honorable Congressman Mondesi says:

Tommie Smith is a jazz flautist.

(Comments wont nest below this level)

This is unexpected, I was not prepared for this, seriously.

[pulls flute out of sleeve]

 
 
The Honorable Congressman Mondesi says:

Don’t make Raul angry. You won’t like Raul when he’s angry.

http://tinyurl.com/8ba4zl

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The Honorable Congressman Mondesi says:

He’s less fearsome when he’s clearly high.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

I got a better idea for a risky signing. Jason Isringhausen, you know pens are so up and down. If you can bring him in for cheap, why not? He’s got a good arm when healthy. Could provide more depth.

cos the Yankee pen’s fairly good as it is-sure, you don’t want Edwar in there with guys on base, but the Yanks have bigger problems atm.

Frank says:

Yanks pen fairly good as is? I don’t know about you, but the trifecta of Veras,Bruney and Marte doesn’t instill alot of confidence in me when it comes to navigating through the 7th/8th innings with a 1 run lead. Not saying Izzy is the answer, but i don’t think those three are either.

I don’t know about you, but the trifecta of Veras,Bruney and Marte doesn’t instill alot of confidence in me when it comes to navigating through the 7th/8th innings with a 1 run lead.

It should. They averaged a 3.62 FIP last year with a 1.19 WHIP and a 9.43 K/9.

Bruney, Marte, and Veras are all good-to-great options out of the pen.

Sweet Dick Willie says:

Plus there’s Albaladejo, Sanchez and Melancon waiting in the wings.

IMO, the pen should be the least of the Yank’s concerns at this point.

 
 
 
 

You lost me at “Jason Isringhausen”.

jsbrendog says:

bringing in one of the met’s failed “big three” might have a positive effect on our “big thee” when they see they could either be washed up guy no one ever remembers with isringhausen and wilson, a shitty pitcher named paul wilson, or a mid range vcloser who had a couple good years.

this is tongue in cheek. its a shame i feel i need to say this but i fear ppl will only misinterpret it because they have no humor

Good thing you didn’t post that at LoHud…

 

…when they see they could either be washed up guy no one ever remembers with isringhausen and wilson…

Somewhere in America, Bill Pulsipher is crying one single, lonely tear right now…

Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

Along with Paul Wilson?

Well, he named Wilson. He couldn’t even pull “Pulsipher” out of his memory bank.

What’s sadder than being the least memorable guy from a group on non-successes?

Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

Oh my fault. You are COMPLETELY correct. Getting forgotten from the “Big Three (that never was)” is far worse. You never stop amazing me TSJCw/RU.

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You never stop amazing me TSJCw/RU.

Well, genius is a pretty strong term, but, if you insist on using it, I can handle it.

 
jsbrendog says:

sad thing is i remembered pulsipher but i left him out for dramatic effect, plus i figured lot of people might not remember him. dumb assumption seeing as this is a baseball blog and usually the people i interact with go, the mets? how many touchdowns?

if you look real hard you can just see the ridiculous upside with your own eyes….smells good.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Should be working says:

Because you dont want to throw risky into the bullpen. A bullpen itself is risky. Rather just sign up Cruz.

 
A.D. says:

He allegedly has 4 teams interested in him, all of which he could be in competition for the closers role, so he probably wouldn’t sign.

On top of that Izzy would be LaTrory Hawkins v2.0, probably try an wear Reggie Jackson’s number

Heh.

Seriously, though, Jason Isringhausen’s 2008 WHIP was 1.64. Ponsnerian.

 
 
 
DP says:

If this report is right and the Mets and Rangers are interested, they are more likely to give him more money and/or more of a guarantee than we are/should. They need starting pitching more, so the chances of us landing Garcia on a minor league deal aren’t all that great. That being said, pass.

 
Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

Who’s that Jesus Montero clown?

And where the hell is the Asesino de Sueños’ invite?

And where the hell is the Asesino de Sueños’ invite?

Shelley Duncan took it.

Andy In Sunny Daytona says:
Matt says:

Everybody hates the Shelley.

 
 
 
 
Brooklyn Ed says:

what is Doug Bernier’s ceciling? does anyone know?

No idea. Kind of curious about this Linden guy.

Brooklyn Ed says:
whozat says:

He’s an interesting bat for AAA. With him and John Rodriguez as emergency options in AAA, I’m a tad less leery of trading Nady, if the return is right.

Brooklyn Ed says:

I think he hurted the Yanks a bit when the Yanks were in SF 2 seasons ago.

 
 
 
 
 
whozat says:

Minor-league fill in.

You can look people up on thebaseballcube.com or baseball-reference.com just as well as the rest of us.

 
A.D. says:

Looks like Ransom with less power and a bit more speed.

 
 
Mike A. says:
Brooklyn Ed says:
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

So I’m really slow, but I assume this is a joke?

Brooklyn Ed says:

no he kind of right. lol

How exactly are Melancon, Montero, Romine and jackson busts?

Brooklyn Ed says:

Rebecca, sorry for not being clear…I think he meant the ones that aren’t “properties” of the Yanks?

right, Mike Pop?

oooooh. That makes more sense.

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Brooklyn Ed says:
 
 
That guy says:

Why invite someone whos on the DL? (Mitre)

 
 
Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

Off subject, but doesn’t the whole super bowl trip that the “Marquie (spelling?)” on Mike and the Mad Dog lose a little something when Dog isn’t doing it? It seems the anti personal Mike Francesa just doesn’t do it, although taking a private jet to and from would be sweet.

I do believe Dog is doing it on Mad Dogg Unleashed as well

Wait, they still have shows? Why haven’t they been euthanized yet?

Steve S says:

actually I have to say Chris Russo has vastly improved since going to Sirius, granted he isnt the brightest guy in the world, but from listening every one in a while, it sounds like he is actually doing some research/due diligence in providing his perspective/opinions. And I couldnt stand either one of them when they were together, especially him.

Jay CT- Ben Sheets Biggest Fan says:

Yeah I like listening to his show, basically because he has little amount of commercials.

 
 

I don’t listen to either, I prefer to keep the little shreds of sanity I have left.

 
 
 
 
Dan M says:

Can Rich Hill be cured of Mackey Sasser disease? Im sure sweet lou would be glad to see him go

 
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