Holliday’s top choice the Bronx, says Davidoff
ByAs we recover from the collective hangover brought on by the Yanks’ epic Game 2 victory, the rumor mill is a-tilt today. The rumor-du-jour involves Matt Holliday, one of the top free agents this winter. According to Ken Davidoff, Holliday’s top choice is New York.
Although the Sunder Insider piece isn’t online as part of Newsday’s awful new website, Davidoff summarized the rumor:
According to a person in the loop, Matt Holliday’s top choices in free agency are: 1) Yankees; and 2) Mets. The Oklahoma native is apparently not intimidated by New York.
As of now, I’d say the Yankees don’t want to make another large purchase like that, in the wake of last winter’s shopping spree – and if they win it all, then the pressure from the yakosphere (trademark Neil Best) to get Holliday should alleviate.
The Mets? Based on Jeff Wilpon’s words from a few weeks ago, they’ll consider anything and everything. Of course, many industry folks are very skeptical that the Mets will actually do so. Holliday’s primary reservation about joining the Mets? Yup, hitting at Citi Field. Maybe they can alter the dimensions? Jerry Manuel hinted near the end of the season that wasn’t impossible.
Mike Silva, writing about this rumor, reminds us of a recent Jon Heyman report in which the Sports Illustrated scribe’s sources say Holliday’s agent will ask for seven years and $150 million. That, of course, is just an initial request. Holliday would probably be content with five years and $100 million.
Meanwhile, in the Bronx, Bill Madden checks in with the Yanks’ off-season preparations. Even though the team on the field is focused on their ultimate goal, the Front Office is busy assessing free agency. Madden believes the Yanks will resign either Hideki Matsui or Johnny Damon on a short deal and attempt to fill in from free agency. Interestingly, Madden drops Justin Duchscherer’s name and picks Desmond DeChone Figgins as a left field replacement. Never mind the reality that Figgins has 36 games of left field experience under his belt.
If the Yanks’ choice comes down to one between Holliday and Figgins, I pick Matt Holliday. He’s two years younger than Figgins and probably won’t suffer through as big a decline as Figgins would. The Yanks have around $50 million coming off the books this year and no major pitching holes to fill. They can spend the money on offense, and Holliday wouldn’t be a poor choice if the price is right. But will the price really be right?
Well, Holliday, you are not my first choice.
Just to play devil’s advocate, what is your first choice? I don’t really see the Yanks going with an outfield of Swisher/Gardner/Cabrera, and despite some nice plays last night, Damon’s a defensive liability. The Yanks will have to look at filling a left field hole this winter.
Someone not demanding 15+ a year.
To clarify, AL Matt Holliday wasn’t worth what he’ll get in FA. Is that SS and unfair and whatever else? Somewhat, but I don’t see the need to take on that kind of risk.
He hit .286/.378/.454 in limited duty with a 125 OPS+ after a terrible start to the season.
I’m not saying I love Holliday. I just don’t see much of an alternative.
That’s a strange decision-making process. They aren’t required to sign a new guy this offseason. The alternative would be to Bring back Damon and/or Matsui short term. I would sign Figgins before I signed Holliday, and then implement the DH rotation idea.
I’m not saying I love Holliday. I just don’t see much of an alternative.
Here’s the alternative: Sign someone to a one year deal, kick the can down the road.
+1
That still doesn’t answer my question. Here is the list of potential free agents. Scroll down a bit from outfielders. Who would you rather have?
Why not Abreu for maybe a third of the price?
Same as they have this year. Bring back Damon & Matsui on one year deals.
I’m afraid Matt Holliday’s tenure in the Bronx would make fans long for Steve Kemp.
Some of the responses are baffling. Holliday is the best left fielder available this winter and is one of the best left fielders in the game (if not the best). His defense is good, his offense is good, and he is a young and athletic player. He’d be an excellent number 2 hitter as well, given his speed and patience. He’s a great fit for the Yankees.
Except for money, that is.
Agreed. In this economy, he’s worth around 4/$60… but he will get more. So should we get a lesser player and save $2 or $3m a year? I think not.
The Sox spent nothing last year, and I’m sure Theo has a mandate to get some impact FAs. Maybe Mauer after 2010. Whatever, the Sox will continue to be a very competative team. As mentioned, with $50m coming off the books, an AAV of $16-17m for Holliday won’t hurt us at all.
And saying JD -OR- Matsui doesn’t do the trick. Matsui can’t play the OF, JD can. If we need a LF’er, Matsui is not in the running. They both had good years (at an advanced age) and will want to use 2009 as a springboard for ‘one last’ decent contract. JD especially would take a BIG risk in signing a one year deal. If he did, and had a bad 2010, his career is basically over.
Well, my first choice would have to be bring Damon = back for LF because he is very productive, has good speed, and will come relatively cheap and on a short-term deal.
From the looks of that list, Holliday should be the first choice.
I know Yankees fans are unaccustomed to budgets, but at some point, the $$$ and the length of the contract must be considered.
And someone who says his two top choices are the Yanks and Mets is obviously in it for the money. Now there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, but it raise a question about his priorities.
I mean, someone willing to take a big contract from the Mets, who are going nowhere in the near term, as opposed to a lesser contract from a team that will compete (the Cardinals, for example), is someone the FO should be wary of, IMO.
I agree with that, he will probably go to the highest bidder. And I don’t think that will be the Yankees. Someone will overpay for him and have him for his decline years. My guess would be SF.
“Now there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that…
…except he’s a money hungry bum who doesnt care about winning that the FO should not sign.”
I dont diasgree with you that Cashman should be wary of him, but when you say there isnt anything wrong with being in it for the money, and then proceed to bash him for it, it says to me that you shouldnt have said there isnt necessarily anything wrong with being in it for the money.
Again, I actually agree with you. If I were Holliday, I’d try my damndest to go back to the Cards, which is probably where he contributes most and would be most valued. And as a Yankee fann, I dont see him as a necessity.
I personally would question someone’s motives who would rather get top dollar from a non-competitive team than a little less from a contender.
Saying the Yanks are your #1 choice is understandable – you get top dollar AND you get to play on a contender.
Saying the Mets are your #2 choice – well, that’s where I have a problem. Yeah, they could probably offer a little more than the Cardinals, and maybe the Sux, but where are they going?
Getting top dollar from a contender I can understand. Signing with a shitty team just to maximize your salary is what I can’t understand.
So either I didn’t make myself clear in my original post or you misunderstood me.
This doesn’t really make any sense to me. Even if we assume he wants $15m per, it seems to me that letting go of Damon/Matsui and the reduction in salary whichever one comes back is inevitably going to eat ought to more than make up for $15 million to Holliday.
You’re right about the fielding, however. There doesn’t seem to be any in between guys that are not extremely expensive but are not bench players. Maybe Marlon Byrd?
I mean, is Holliday the best there? Yes. The whole problem is that the Yankees just signed long-term and expensive deals this winter and you don’t want another contract stuck to you like that. Also, after considering the 50 million off the books, maybe it would make sense to get Holliday, if that 5 year deal was the one. Nothing more than 5/100.
In my view signing Holiday to a long term deal is just foolish. The answer to LF may not come from FA, but from a trade of the minor variety.
What about bringing AJax up?
I like Holliday a lot, but if he wants more than 3 years–which he obviously does–I’d pass.
Ben, is there a chat today?
Not sure yet. We’ll talk about it.
You guys should, they’re awesome.
As for next years LF situation.. Barry Bonds ftw?
Matsui would probably be a better choice as a leftfielder, which says a lot.
haha it was sarcasm
I know, mine too.
jk mine wasn’t
Depending on his elbow, what about Xavier Nady? Bring back Hinske and Matsui so you can mix and match with Swisher, Matsui, Nady, Hinske, Gardner and Cabrera in the OF and DH spots.
My guess so would be that our next LF comes via trade. I have no idea who we would get, but my confidence level in Cashman = 10.
he won’t be ready for the start off the season. Also, it’s pretty hard to recover from 2 tommy johns
I haven’t heard anything about when Nady is coming back. If it’s in May, you could get without him for a month. Or get somebody else for his place in my scenario.
I can’t believe Davidoff predicted the Twins to win in 4.
Maybe he’ll take a smaller contract if he really does want to play for the Yankees.
As much as a I would love that… no chance in hell ha. I know he grew up a yankee fan, but almost 100% of FA’s say they wanna be a Yankee cuz they shell out the most dough
Cashman should make his best offer and if Holliday turns him down – let him go. If he really does want to play for the Yankees, he can take the lower offer, if not, see ya.
+1
Beltran discount? That’s the first thing that crossed my mind. Holliday != Beltran by any stretch, but if he’ll take a discount to play for the Yanks ($15 mil per?), I imagine Cash would go for it.
It’ll be interesting to see what he really demands. He’s not getting $25 million per year. $20 might be a stretch in this economy. Being a Boras client, I’m not sure if he’ll take a discount. Then again, Beltran was willing.
speaking of fielding, did anyone catch johnny’s catch last night? how about the ball that hit holliday in his 20 million dollar ball sack?
Brilliant. Let’s make all of our baseball personnel decisions on the basis of one play per player. Jeter made an error last night too. He must be awful.
That was only a nice catch because Johnny took two steps backwards when the ball was hit. That’s routine if he reads it right.
JD is a terrible outfielder-especially going back on balls against the wall. That said-I would still opt to bring back the current cast and play Gardner/Melky more in LF to rest Johnny. Don’t see how we could inprove our offensive stats much and I love the Yankee Stadium swings of Damon /Matsui.
i’d rather have AJAX before i’d ever want holliday. He’s another 31 year old player who the yankees do not need at the moment. I could live with johnny damon for ONE more year if it means keeping the chemistry together and not breaking it up like theo did the red sox.
By the way, paying holliday anything more than 15 million a year is idiotic. He is more of a “blend in” player than a superstar in my opinion, which isn’t what 20 million a year is for.
pass
Holliday is 29 right now and with a career OPS+ that’s 10th among active players.
for some reason, i read he was 31. Regardless, i just don’t want him.
Nobody needs facts when talking baseball on the internet Ben, you should know this.
Holliday was also on the Rockies.
You won’t be GMing for long chasing after people that put up stats on the Rockies. Maybe they should go after Ryan Spilborghs and Seth Smith. This is why the struggles with the A’s (It’s just as likely that getting hot at the end was the outlier, rather tan the terrible start) is a big concern.
And from ‘05-’08, he had an OPS of at least .800 on the road.
For the record, he was at .719 on the road in ‘05. But he did from ‘06-’08.
Oh, woops. I’d done that research long ago and couldn’t remember if it was ‘05 or ‘06, thanks, gxpanos.
*wink*
I’m with you on Holliday only on a 3-yr deal.
.800 OPS is not worth 20 million dollars. That .800 OPS also came from the NL (AND COORS!)
Nick Swisher wouldn’t be so beloved If he made 20 million a year.
The .800 road OPS didn’t come from Coors because it’s a road OPS.
After having a Robinson Cano 2008 style April he put up an .831 OPS with the A’s. I don’t think a Teixeira contract (as an example) is appropriate but you are seriously underestimating his skill level.
i’d rather have AJAX before i’d ever want holliday
Really?
Where does the 50 million come from?
I got 26 for Damon and Matsui and then another 11 for Pettitte? that makes 37…who am I missing? 2 for molina? 2 for Jerry?
Nady 6, Wang 5. But, CC gets a 10 mil raise Robbie 3 swisher 2… So in reality, Pettite equals himself, save 5-8 mil on one of damon and matsui and your looking at 10-15 mil to to a flier on Justin Duescher (Spelling) and a LF. If not Damon I see them bringing in someone from a trade (solid defense, solid bat) but nothing spectacular.
We have our core bats, we need to supplement with a solid player.
as of now not counting raises to arb guys we are committed at 40 mil less next year than this.
if Manny opts out, I would go with him
Ship has sailed.
no way in hell Manny declines his option.
He’d be a fool to opt out.
I think the best option is Damon and Mike Cameron for around $10m/1 year and $8m/1 year.
One or the other.
My Option A is bring back Johnny Damon.
Option B is replace him with Mike Cameron on a one year deal.
Distant Option C is add Matt Holliday.
Ps. Anyone see in the artcile where clueless Madden says the Red Sox would like to get Lars Anderson in the mix moving Youk to third. He failed to mention Andersons stats in AA this year…
I hope they move Youk to third, it will only weaken their defense.
A little debatable, since Lowell can’t move. I know Youk is way better at 1st than 3rd, but it’s not as cut and dry as you make it out. None of us have seen Lars play 1st; his scouting reports, I believe, have him as an average defensive 1b with mediocre range.
Ben what if the yankes sign damon and they have ajax and then wait until next and go hard after Crawford and a pitcher save the $50mil for next years FA class
Mark DeRosa? just saying. he could fill in the #2 hole if Damon doesn’t come back.
Meh. I really don’t see why people like this guy so much.
Because he’s small and white, so you know that he’s scrappy and plays the game the right way.
Shocking that a player would announce his interest in the two clubs that would likely pay him the most amount of money. I’m sure that’s not a negotiating ploy at all.
I know a writer’s gotta write, but when will we stop falling for this?
Well RF is set.
CF is pretty much Cabrera and Gardner making the seat warm for A-Jax.
LF: You need somebody with some punch no question.
Holliday makes the most sense here, however, considering he’s gonna want abundants amount of money, way more than what he is worth, I would kinda pass.
But there is little alternatives as well. Best alternative would to make a trade but that is gonna require giving up pieces.
Thank you.
Concise. Simple. Accurate.
People brush off how good a fit Matt Holliday could be with this team. this guy will replicate Damon’s offense for years to come. Why pass on years of All-star production for ONE friggin’ year of Damon. Lets not be sentimentalists to a fault guys.
Wow … Gmen getting KILLED.
I’d love Matt Holliday, but not for more than 3 years. Locking in three corner guys for 5+ years doesn’t exactly scream “smart.”
“… not more than 3 years.”
I wouldn’t go beyond 5 years at all , but i’d go beyond 3. Holliday’s bat should make up for defensive deficiencies he’d be facing at age 34, 35.
Sorry , i’ve got to add that we’re banking too much on Jesus Montero right now.
What does this have to do with Jesus? I don’t see where it’s coming from. Anyway…
I could be convinced to give Holliday a fourth or fifth year if the contract was front loaded.
It’s not sentimentality, it’s a realization that
a) Holliday isn’t as good as you think, but he’s still very good
b) he’s the best in a shitty market, so he’ll be overpaid in dollars AND years
c) paying for decline phases is what got the Yanks into their mid-2000 quagmire.
There is no where for Holliday to degrade to on the Yanks, as 1B and DH will probably be occupied by some mix of Tex and ARod by 2014. Signing him for 5-7 years would be a bad decision. He’d have to stay in LF despite his degrading defense. This isn’t a CFer who’d degrade to LF…this is a guy who’s been athletic enough in his 20’s to make up for his sometimes botched reads and routes. What happens when he’s 33, 34, 35?
I like this!
if a team wants to go beyond 5 years (my cap) , then fine … that team takes on a bigger commitment to Holliday’s decline years.
Damon’s offensive surge is the blueprint for the next Yankee LF. Holliday should be able to replicate this kind of punch for a 5 year period.
is he going to get overpaid in a 5 yr offer? Yeah. Is it worth it in lieu of the departures of Matsui and Damon and unknown future contributions of in-house candidates … i think so.
I think things further clarify if Crawford really hits the market.
Is Matt Holliday lefty? Has the stadium boosted homer output for a lot of righty batters? What are the odds that Holliday is still a plus defender in the 4th and 5th years of this deal?
Basically, Carl Crawford is a better fit in LF than Holliday, and I think committing to Holliday until 2015 just to get the upgrade from JD to Holliday in 2010 is kinda shortsighted.
People brush off how good a fit Matt Holliday could be with this team.
No, they don’t. They acknowledge how good a fit he could be but also acknowledge the mitigating factors of Holliday’s age, contract demands, and pedestrian numbers outside of Coors Field meaning that while he could be a good fit, there’s also assloads of risk involved, and there may be better options available a year or two down the road, so if we can delay the decision with a short-term stopgap like Johnny Damon, it may be for the best, all things considered.
‘08 Road OPS: .892
‘07 Road OPS: .860
‘06 Road OPS: .819
He wasn’t as good as he was in Coors, but he wasn’t “pedestrian” outside of Coors for most of his career.
He also OPS’d .877 in Oakland this year, which featured a one year park factor of 97, per B-R. With StL, a team with a park factor of 98 this season, he OPS’d over 1.000 at home. His H/R splits are overblown.
Touché. He’s not pedestrian away from Coors.
He’s also not a 20M AAV player away from Coors. Not by a longshot.
Oh definitely not.
Teixeira is making $20m/yr and that was the highest offer. MLB had an off year in 2009. No way Holliday gets $20m.
He will get 5 or 6 years, probably 5… which is fair. On average in MLB, a Road OPS is .050ish points lower then Home OPS, or .025 lower then Total OPS.
Matt ACTY/BBD shows his Road OPS (2006-2008) to be .857 over the last 3 years, so he looks like an .880 OPS guy. That’s well better then JD or Matsui who are .850ish guys…. WHEN HEALTHY.
If he wants to play on the Yankees, I offer 5/$75 and go as high as 5/$80.
as I have aged, I have come to notice how much people need things to be black and white, and how valid explanations seem like nothing more than flimsy rationalizations to many. Even if it’s true that the answer to a question is complicated, as soon as you say that, people think you’re trying to sell them a bill of goods. You either want Matt Holliday on the Yanks, or you think he sucks and is a bad fit. You’re either for the war or you hate our troops. The economic crisis is either the fault of wall street fatcats, or you’re blaming the poor, innocent victims who bought a .75MM house on 50 grand a year.
Well said.
You’re very smart. Or possibly, totally dumb. One way or the other.
/Peripatetic’d
Eh, I wouldn’t agree with that. I think the “collective masses” are like that, but individuals are not, at least smart individuals are not. I don’t paint most people who come to this site that way.
Wow … Gmen getting KILLED.
My last minute decision to bench Steve Smith and start Marques Colston: GENIUS.
obviously having decent arm in left field is a big priority. I bet johnny D. has nightmares on a regular basis where he finds that his arm is that of an infants. johnny’s arm definitely costs us runs.
Actually, having above-average range, good OBP skills and, ideally, some power are all much more important than left field arm strength.
See: Johnny Damon in ‘08.
i agree..but what kind of money will the yankees give damon? are they going to show him love?
Why should they? Is the market for aging corner OFers with injury concerns going to rebound significantly this offseason?
I would resign Matsui AND Damon. Signing another 20 million dollar position player would not be smart. This team would have no flexibility for the next 4-5 years at least. If no Damon, Mike Cameron as someone else mentioned is actually not the worst idea. Plays good D and would provide some power at the bottom of the lineup.
Save the money on HollIday this year and go after HallAday next year.
Why Halladay? They don’t need him.
i’d say that’s TBD , but I wont rashly say that we’re gonna need Halladay.
Lets see how Joba further develops in 2010. I want to see improvement all around in 190 IP.
Let’s also see if King Felix wants to sign a long term extension with Seattle.
I agree with re-signing Damon and Matsui, but we will need another solution for LF by 2011, which is why like I was saying in another post I’d like to see us trade for Carl Crawford … or sign him when he hits FA.
And Hughes. I’m pretty confident that signing 34 year old Roy Halladay to fill the 3rd starter role is in one way stupid (you’d be paying for who he was, not who he will be) and in another way overkill (do you really need ROY HALLADAY to be your number three starter?)
Yeah. Hughes too.
But i’m gonna brace myself for the inevitable organization maneuvering of starting Hughes intermittently when the IP count hits 100. Joba’s development as a reliable starter with occasional flashes of brilliance is soooo important and probably more interesting to watch.
Why would they do that when Hughes has already thrown 146 innings in a season?
146 innings … 3 seasons ago. That’s not exactly recent. I’d work off more recent work load.
I’m sure they have a plan that doesn’t include limiting him to 150 innings next year. That may include sending him to winter ball to throw 30 extra innings next month or something.
They don’t need him? Who do they need? They certainly do not NEED Holliday. Halladay is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Probably better than CC. If you are going to spend $100 million I think Halladay is a MUCH better investment even if you have to wait an extra year.
Would you rather have a rotation with CC, Halladay, AJ or Holliday in LF.
It is not about need. It is about forming the best team.
Actually, paying 100MM for years 30-34 of a position player is almost certainly better than paying 100MM for years 34-38 of Roy Halladay.
Why would you be paying for who Halladay was? The guy has no signs of a pitcher who will suddenly decline because he gets a few years older. He is not a power guy. He pitches to contact, mixes up his pitches, and has impeccable command.
You honestly think this team would be better with Matt Holliday in LF than having Roy Halladay as your number 2, maybe even your number 1 starter?
With CC, Halladay, and Burnett pitching in the playoffs and guys like AROD, Tex, and Jetes on the offensive side this team would be incredibly hard to beat in a 5 or 7 game series.
Halladay provides much more value to THIS team. Other teams that do not have AROD and Tex. Probably not.
The guy has no signs of a pitcher who will suddenly decline because he gets a few years older.
Halladay has already shown those signs of decline. Pass.
Really? What signs are those?
Because his past two seasons have been the best of his career.
Line drives are up, ground balls are down, GB:FB ratio is down a lot over the last three years.
Injuries as well.
All pitchers decline. Halladay will probably still be very good, but not ROY HALLADAY. But, to get him, you have to pay like he’s still ROY HALLADAY. You’re also failing to look at the duration of the contract…sure, I’d buy that he could still pitch really well at 34. But we’re talking about 100MM over 5 years. I don’t think that he’ll be ROY HALLADAY when he’s 37 or 38.
Also, we’re not talking about adding him to the 2009 Yanks. We’re talking about the 2011 – 2015 yanks. That team has a hole at catcher, it has 1B locked up, and probably a lot of DH time for ARod, so there’s no cheap place to get more offense…it probably also has a really old SS. So, it seems to like maybe they will need some more offense, and the only thing that close in the pipeline is Jesus. On the other hand…they have a fair number of promising pitchers, starting with Joba and Hughes who will be solidly in their primes. Will they be ROY HALLADAY? Unlikely. Will one of them be better than 34-38 year old Roy Halladay at a fraction of the cost, leaving more money to get offensive pieces? Much more likely.
I think it depends on what Halladay’s asking price is. At age 34, something like 2/$32M with a 3rd year team option seems attractive, anything more and maybe you’re rolling the dice, even with a pitcher of his caliber.
I was all aboard the Damon train until September. His late-season swoon worries me. The Yanks got excellent health out of their veteran core this year…asking Matsui and Damon to both stay healthy for another full year might be pushing it. If one of them or Posada or Jeter or ARod goes down, we’d be a bit exposed. One way to combat that would be to get a younger and healthier LFer. Another way would be to build some quality depth behind JD.
If we could get Carl Crawford in a trade for just about anything short of Jesus Montero, I’d find that to be the ideal option. Sticking with TB outfielders, if we could get BJ Upton while his stock is down (though he’d still cost some high quality prospects), we could just do that and pursue re-signing Damon and play whoever produces the most out of those two plus Gardbrera, and possibly Austin Jackson in certain scenarios.
If we could get Carl Crawford in a trade for just about anything short of Jesus Montero, I’d find that to be the ideal option.
I disagree. Trading future pieces for just one guaranteed year of Crawford really doesn’t seem worth it to me.
Its not like the Yankees don’t have the money to extend him. We can almost be assured that Damon and Matsui won’t be playing for us in 2011, and you can use that salary allotment towards re-signing Crawford.
Then why bother trading for him if he’s just going to be available a year later?
That.
Trading intradivision is a bad idea unless you’re a desperate, crappy team (or you can get an absolute steal of a deal.)
but what motive does crawford have to sign an extension? None.
You trade for him, if possible, next year so that the team is better in 2010. The motive for Crawford signing an extension is, true, none … but the Yankees can afford to be the highest bidder when he does hit free agency.
The root of my want to get Crawford comes from there seeming to be not many good left field options out there for us. AJax is an unknown quantity and unless Melky is able to step his game up, he’ll stay as a serviceable 9th hitter and good but not great centerfielder while he’s under our control. Damon is good as a band-aid for 2010, though I think the possibility for regression is there, both defensively and offensive.
The way I see it, the other viable option would be to bite the bullet and overpay for Holliday. Jayson Werth in 2011 could also be in the discussion.
Note: I fully acknowledge the silliness of talking about this stuff in the midst of an amazing playoff run. I’m just killing time until the Jets come on.
Jayson Werth in 2011 could also be in the discussion.
I would like this.
+1
Jayson Werth would be coming into his age 32 season when he hits FA in 2011 (barring an extension obviously). Assuming he puts up another .860+ OPS season in 2010, I think he’d be a sure enough bet on a 3 year + 1 team option year deal at $10M per. Anything more that would get me nervous.
I did not realize he was that old. My excitement is less piqued. Late bloomer, much?
I did not realize he was that old.
http://www.google.com
http://tinyurl.com/db8ue3
i realize that this doesn’t prove a thing, but aside from maybe a PTBNL type deal, the Yankees have NEVER traded with the Rays. like ever.
i’d say the odds of Crawford being traded to the yankees are slim to none.
the Rays are going to pick up his $10M option and keep him, that’s why they traded Kazmir (IMO).
healthy damon and matsui for 20 mil is way more valuable than holliday i would think
I have to say I would be really uncomfortable committing a long-term deal to a high-price player like holliday. I’d much rather explore my one-year options. Maybe cameron? Byrd? Ankiel? and look for solid defense than lose the financial flexibility that could allow us to pursue someone like Felix in the future.
I know that there’s a chance that an outfield of AJax-Gardner-Swisher/AJax-Gardner-Cabrera/Cabrera-AJax-Swisher would be pretty unproductive offensively, but our infield is far and away the most offensively productive in the majors, and its defense is below average all around, except jeter, who still has a good chance of being below average next year. Any of the outfields listed above would be exeptional defensively, and while all would be below average offensively, I think the net impact of that kind of defense could make up for the below average offense.
If the yanks invest most of their money in the future on pitching, then having exceptional outfield defense could go a long way.
I wish Holliday was a lefty. Then I’d be game for a 5-year deal. As it is, I would want Cashman to give him a take-it-or-leave-it offer of 3 yrs, 55 mil.
If he says no, you re-sign Johnny for one year or 1+1 and go hard after Crawford for 2011. Crawford could pop 20 at YSIII.
I’d start 72 ML for 4 years. Who knows how much the baseball market has actually recovered…
Holliday’s 2009 value: 25.4M.
20M a year isn’t too crazy, IMHO.
On a one year deal, hell yeah. Two, hell yeah. Three…yes. Four…maybe, but can we pay more and keep it at three? Five…ehhhhhhhhh. Six…definitely not. Seven…*click*
Obviously if you can overpay to cut the length of the contract you should. I’d be down for a four year deal. He’d only be 33 at the end of that contract. That’s not really far into his decline, if at all.
As he is the top guy in the market, and there are several teams with money looking for offense (Giants, Red Sox, Yanks, Mets), there WILL be someone who’ll give him 5. They Giants might even go stupid and hand him 6 or 7. Sabean is an idiot. Don’t count him out.
I wouldn’t be thrilled to see the Yankees get locked into yet another longterm deal with Matt Holliday, but I could live with it.
As long as they don’t sign Chone Figgins, which would be a huge disaster. That potential pickup right on the verge of the guy’s decline years screams “Tony Womack.”
Figgins >>>>>> Womack, but yeah, i wouldn’t sign him to play LF
When the Yankees win it all, I say bring back everyone for one more dance. Then in 2011, youth will be served.
Agreed. Damon just needs some help out there. Maybe a little rotational deal with a bench player. Maybe give Harriston a start once or twice a week out here. Keeps JD fresh and gives Jerry some at-bats.
Damon had plenty of rest this year, and he still ran down in September. They’ll need better than Hairston to give him rest. THe situation they had coming in to this season was ideal…if they can re-sign Damon and get a player comparable to Nady, that’d be fine with me. Then you always have one of Damon, Swisher, Nadyish, or Tex in the DH slot at minimum.
That works for me, but I think Hairston could do OK. No opposed to something better though.
I know Jeter had a great rebound year at SS and while I had to admit it, there has to come a time when he can not play there anymore.
Where do you move him if you have a LF locked up to a long term big money contract?
If this were a perfect world, there’d be a reliable SS hitting the market this year. Then, Jeter could move to LF, Damon could DH, the FA SS could be brought in, and Matsui would walk.
If Jeter can’t play SS anymore because of a decline in defense, why would you put in LF? This moving Jeter idea makes no sense, really. He’ll either play as a SS for the rest of his career or he’ll move to the DH spot. Sure, he won’t be a prototypical DH, but it’s the only place you can put him if you want to keep him around. It’s either that or retire.
Because “ranging” (can not think of a better word) to and tracking fly balls all the way in the outfield is much easier than “ranging” to hard hit ground balls when your are right on top of the game in the infield.
Also while this may not translate to the OF, Jeter has always been great at going back on fly balls from the infield.
There is a reason pretty much every team’s worst defender plays either LF or 1B.
Is it really easier for an outfielder to chase a ball down in left-center than it is for them to range to their left or right in the infield? I don’t know the answer to this and am assuming the former is harder.
How do you know that one is actually easier than the other? Is there any proof to that statement? And, the idea that you can move Jeter to the OF, when’s he’ll be 40 (or close to it), based on how he pop-ups in the infield (or fly balls on the edge of the grass) seems like a reach.
Also, I would argue that most of the worst outfielders in baseball are in RF (Dye, Hawpe, Abreu, Ethier, Cuddyer), where there is often less ground to cover.
Is it really easier for a fielder to chase a ball down in left-center than it is for them to range to their left or right in the infield? I don’t know the answer to this but am assuming the former can be harder (or as hard).
You’ve said that it’s easier for the infielder’s job is harder. How do you know that one is actually easier than the other? Is there any proof to that statement? And, the idea that you can move Jeter to the OF, when he’ll be 40 (or close to it), based on how he handles pop-ups in the infield (or fly balls on the edge of the grass) seems like a reach.
Also, I would argue that most of the worst outfielders in baseball are in RF (Dye, Hawpe, Abreu, Ethier, Cuddyer), where there is often less ground to cover.
***There we go. Amended so it’s in actual English this time around, ha.
Your first step is the most difficult to generate power and speed. After that it gradually gets easier to generate power and speed. Athletes with great first steps are often the fastest and in terms of baseball the guys who cover the most ground because they get to their top speed the quickest.
In the infield you are taking much less steps to the ball, thus making it much harder to reach your true top speed. In the outfield you have much more time to make up for a slower first step and track down the ball.
I have worked with speed coaches myself and pretty much 90% of the time is spent working on your first step.
Also, I do not think any OF has every transitioned to SS, but many SS and 2B have transitioned to the OF. SS is probably the most difficult position on the field outside of catcher.
If the Yanks’ choice comes down to one between Holliday and Figgins, I pick Matt Holliday.
I pick None of the Above.
/Brewster’d
I honestly don’t think you can put a ton of stock into Damon being the player he was this year in 2010 (not when his power was largely a YS product). Plus, if his defense continues to decline (very likely given his age), his offensive skills won’t even matter.
I agree.
I’m still more comfortable with a diminished Johnny Damon on a one year, small money deal than Matt Holliday on a longterm, big money deal.
If Johnny sucks, we can add a new stopgap at the trade deadline and then get a better longterm option in 2011.
If Holliday were theoretically able to be signed on a 4/$72M deal, do you do it? I’m thinking I would. Then re-sign one of Damon or Matsui – whoever takes the 1 year deal – and the 2010 team is locked is and loaded.
I honestly have no idea what the baseball economy is going to be like this winter. Maybe Holliday gets his 9 digit check but … maybe not. If the Red Sox resign Bay and the Yankees stay disciplined and don’t go past 4 years on Holliday, than things could get interesting.
4/72? Yeah, sure. I can live with that.
I don’t see it happening, though. The Cards, Mets, or any number of other teams can and will trump that in a heartbeat, even in a down economy.
Those teams might trump it, but could Holliday possibly be like Beltran, or even Pavano who turned down more money, and WANT to be with the Yankees? Probably not
I’m sure he’d be willing to pick the Yankees over the Mets/Cards/Giants if we’re offering 4/72 and they’re offering 4/76 or 4/80.
But when they offer 5/100, no, he’s gonna take the money, as he should.
True, I still have questions if teams, especially the Mets, are in the position to spend like that.
The Cardinals giving Holliday a 5/$100 deal leaves them very susceptible with Pujols in the future, I’m not so sure they could offer that to him.
The Mets … are The Mets. What’s the real story with their liquidity and is there any appeal about the team right now besides the fact that it happens to play in NYC?
The Giants and Red Sox are my guess for his highest bidder and likeliest destinations. But I’ll wait and see on the Giants and if the Red Sox want to overpay for Holliday, god bless ‘em … though I wouldn’t be completely surprised if Theo remains stubborn and doesn’t offer him more than 4 years.
I guess I see a possible perfect storm brewing where the Yankees offer Holiday not-quite top dollar but they’re the best option for him anyway. I could also see Cashman biting the bullet and giving him a fifth year, because we tend to do shit like that and shrug off the consequences later with other sources of talent.
I agree with EE in his assessment of the Cards keeping an eye on the budget for the eventual attempt to extend Pujols. Cards are gonna lose Holliday but nab a couple high draft picks.
I think the Giants are gonna land some offensive help, and they’ll likely be the team to out-bid the Yanks & RS in years offered , if slightly lesser money.
Can we agree that if the Red Sox refuse to go further than 4 years on Holliday, the Yankees should offer what they are + $3M?
Surely overpaying for the rest of Holliday’s prime years is worth it when screwing over the Red Sox is involved.
I do agree, though, that Giants seem to be his likeliest destination unless they snag Jason Bay, which would be awesome.
It depends.
If Theo is offering 4 yrs but 80 mm, I think Cash doesnt and shouldn’t top that total salary figure.
Cashman may add a 5th yr at lesser money ($18 mm). It would grind me , but looking at the holes this ballclub could have in future seasons at several positions , signing Holliday makes sense.
I don’t see Cashman going to 5 years with Holliday. Just a hunch.
I brought up that total salary /years offer as a starting point. I’ totally agree that the Cards, Mets, RS, and Giants would be in play if the Yanks weren’t willing to go further.
I’d inch up AAS to $18.5 mm over an added 5th year.
Considering the uncertainty of production coming out of CF, SS, Catcher, and Dh in the coming years, locking down a potential All-Star bat would be big.
Tex.
I don’t know how much money there is – the economy is still not good, ticket sales have been disappointing and they have an extremely expensive new stadium. I think they’d rather save money to shore up the house – especially if they win this year and get that monkey off their back
For that reason i could see them resign both Matsui and Damon – they’ll be cheap and they’ll probably accept 1-year deals so there will be flexibility
As for the outfield -yes Swisher/Gardner/Cabrera/Damon isn’t a great outfield but its not bad either and our infield is possibly the best in baseball history history – 134 HR in total, .406, 402, .383, .363 and .352 OBP and whilst Jeter and Posada will regress A-rod should be better
Holliday would be nice if the wallet was bottomless but i doubt it actually is
The other part of the wallet equation – potentially signing Chapman and/or Kikuchi. Chapman might get something in excess of the Contreras contract (4/32). No idea what Kikuchi would get (more than Tazawa I guess)
Re-signing Damon AND Matsui has serious risks associated – do you then sign Nady as insurance?
Of course if the Yankees need a serious bat in August 2010, it might be Montero and AJax time.
i think i’d rather spend $100M on Holliday than $50M on 2 complete ??? in Chapman and Kikuchi
Something to keep in mind:
1) Even if we gave Chapman and Kikuchi matching 3 yr, 25M deals, at the conclusion of those deals we’d still have their contractual rights because they would be at least three years away from free agency, so you’re getting them both for the next 6 years instead of just Holliday alone for the next 3-5 years
2) Kikuchi and Chapman will be cheaper and younger for longer, and will enter their primes later when we need more young talent as this current wave disappears
Holliday would be a great addition but I can’t see even the Yankees adding another $20 million player.
Eh…I’m not really a Holliday fan, especially at the price he’s gonna come at.
I wouldn’t mind Damon back on a short deal (or even Matsui for that matter).
Looks like the Rays are gonna keep Crawford, who’d be perfect in pinstripes.
Holliday/Bay are the cream of the crop in the ‘10 FA class, with not much else available. (Figgins and DeRosa are lesser options)
What free agent *wouldn’t* include the Yankees among his top choices, considering that they can and will pay more than any other team?
No major pitching holes to fill? I’m not so sure, if Pettitte leaves IMO that would be a HUGE hole to fill. That being said, while it is way too early, sign Holliday to play LF and bring back Damon to DH.
No major pitching holes to fill? I’m not so sure, if Pettitte leaves IMO that would be a HUGE hole to fill.
I agree. Let’s bring back Pettitte.
Glad that’s settled.
Romulo vs. Jesus. THAT JUST HAPPENED!!!! Is your mind blown?
There’s probably a rule preventing that much awesomeness on one team. Does the MLB’s anti-trust exemption apply to individual clubs as well?
Agreed, we need Pettitte back big time. Otherwise I think overpaying for Randy Wolf on a multiyear deal is a frightening possibility.
If we have our top 3 starters back, I don’t think I mind letting the other 2 spots be viciously competed for by Chamberlain, Hughes, Kennedy, Aceves, Mitre, Gaudin, and Wang later in the season (Mo willing) … not to mention Z-Mac and Nova as dark horse candidates.
Wow no way Wolf is ever in pinestripes
Man I hope not. Y’know I just checked Cot’s and he’s Type A so he’s completely not worth it. I suppose Rich Harden would be a likelier replacement for Pettitte than Wolf. But bottom line is that getting Pettitte back is a no-brainer, its something that has to happen.
Everyone loves Harden, no way am I counting on him as my 3rd starter in the AL East. Struggles to get through 5 IP in the NL. Some team will overpay him, and this is probably his one pay day so he’ll go there.
makes more sense for the RS who are settled 1-4 with the emergence of Buchholz.
I’d pick him up and have him pitch in the pen.
Would be an ideal bullpen addition.
Do you offer him a multi-year (3) year deal but make it explicitly clear he’s gonna be a ‘pen arm ?
I don’t think he’d go for it.
Do you offer him a multi-year (3) year deal but make it explicitly clear he’s gonna be a ‘pen arm ?
Yes.
And that’s when his agent hangs up the phone on you. Many of us, myself included, have dreams of bringing in Harden to serve as a bridge to/replacement for Mo, but they’re pipe dreams. He wants to start, someone will give him a contract to start.
Exactly.
You dont think his agent takes a 3 /30 mm offer to Rich harden? Its insane to think ANY team considers Harden a reliable 3 year bet as a starter at that kind of money. And i highly doubt any team would invest 30 mm to create a bridge to HRMMO.
IF only Thomas Jones had homerun speed , he woulda scored a minute ago. Aw well.
Well, I like him a lot. But even if I REALLY wanted him to be in the pen, I don’t think I want him 30 million bad.
IF only Thomas Jones had homerun speed , he woulda scored a minute ago. Aw well.
OH BUT HE DID!!!!!
Well compared to last offseason the rotation hole is pretty small.
One thing is for certain, though: Whatever decision Cashman ultimately makes regarding pursuing Holliday or not, it’ll be the wrong one. He’s a cabbage in heels.
Sincerely,
Matt Taibbi
I wouldnt mind Holliday on a deal close to 4yr/70m, but is it going to be another bidding war with the Sox?
Ideally this offseason Holliday stays with Cardinals, Bay signs elsewhere, Yankees re-up Damon and Matsui.
Come to think of it, there’s some interesting game theory here.
If you’re Cashman, and Holliday wants to come to NY, do you sign him simply to mess with the Red Sox? If St Louis signs Bay, the Sox are out in the cold, and need to trade for a bat
If you’re Theo Epstein, do you lock up Bay or Holliday quickly, and drive the price up on remaining guy? (And is John Henry in a financial position to spend this offseason?)
Y’know even though there are certain scenarios where I would like to see Matt Holliday playing for the Yankees, seeing Boston pay well above his value is almost equally appealing. If they stretch out and go, say, 5/$100 (even more is a possbility)… well, that’s money they can’t spend on future, equal or better players, and he wouldn’t even completely fix them in 2010 since he’d just be supplanting one of their more productive offensive players from ‘09 in Bay.
I dont see how Theo could luck up Holliday quickly, Boras will immediately call Cashman, and so on. Same with Bay, if he was going to stay he would have signed in ST or any point this year.
(And is John Henry in a financial position to spend this offseason?)
Hold on, lemme Twitter him.
We don’t need anyone at that price. The team is fine, thanks. We have enough to start off next year, and no glaring weakness. I’d rather wait and see how the 2010 season unfolds and make some trades to fill needs as they arise.
If we’re going to make any moves, I’d like to try trading some of our pitching and catching prospects for some OF prospects.
I agree this would be a good signing if it was less years. I don’t think they should bring back Damon, if they bring him back, 1 year max. No chance they should bring back Matsui. They could always throw out 1 year offers to guys like Vlad Guerrero (obviously on the decline, could man LF/DH for one year for the Yankees.), Mike Cameron, or put in 3 year offers on Bay/Holliday.
I’d like to see them add a starter. I think they should definitely offer on Jon Garland, Tim Hudson, and/or Ben Sheets for one/two year deals. Get one of those guys, and Pettitte to return and our rotation next year will have depth and quality throughout. I would love to see Joba back in the pen and Hughes as the #5. I can’t wait too see the competition in the spring.
F That, forget Holliday, we need one more pitching stud. Pettitte is lookin great but he’s pushing 50. No one in the world, expect hardcore BJobbers on this site think Joba should remain a starter – so that leaves CC, AJ, Pettitte (maybe), and a bunch of ? marks for next year.
Do we really have faith that Wang will come back and be effective??? IPK???
If the Yanks do what their supposed to do – keep Joba and Hughes in the Pen and have the best bullpen in MLB, by far – their gonna need another good starter to plug in there.
Pitching wins, pitching wins. Forget Holliday, he’s overpaid and overhyped.
No one in the world, expect hardcore BJobbers on this site think Joba should remain a starter
False.
Also, F.U. for using “BJobbers” totally backwards. BJobbers don’t think Joba should remain a starter, they think he should go to the pen.
You fail consistently and thoroughly.
Also, where is there a “pitching stud” in this year’s FA market? John Lackey?
1. If Crawford hits free agency, what kind of contract can we expect? Does he get more than 7/126? Does he get 7/140+?
2. If the weak outfield free agent market in 2010 and 2011 means looking at possible trades, what (realistic) options might be worth pursuing? While most GMs won’t be dumb enough to expect a redux of the Swisher trade, do others see any low risk/potential high reward options?
Sheesh I hope not. I was thinking something like 5/$75M at the very most. I mean he’s a fine player and I expect him to age well, but he’s yet to have an OPS better than .830 in a single season and has a .772 OPS for his career. That’s not worthy of a monster contract … he’d be a good complimentary player in the Yankee lineup.
Its definitely gonna be waaaaay less in terms of money. Depressed baseball revenues dude. The hitters with $100 mm contracts are classic power hitters or DJ.
7 years? Again, nope. Crawford would likely field 5 year offers since he’s a former CF, and the athleticism is still there.
Yankees doing what they’re supposed to do equals filling 120IP in the bullpen and opening up 300IP in the rotation.
And you say they need one more pitching stud, except none are FA. So that means trading one of your Joba/Hughes plus more for one. But how could you trade a member of the best bullpen in MLB?!?!?!1
“If the Yanks do what their supposed to do –
keep Joba and Hughes in the Pen and have the best bullpen in MLB, by farwhich is to never, ever, ever listen to Moose Man 12 – their gonnaneed another good starter to plug in therewin another title in 2010 to pair up with the title in 2009.”Fixed.
In your scenario, who fills out the rotation?
Don’t ask, you don’t want to know. It’s only gonna get dumber the deeper into his head you go.
MooseMan in his day job:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrZSM–5T4o
My brain hurts. Until Hughes and Joba demonstrate that they cannot succeed as starters, they need to start and be given every chance to succeed as starters.
We’ve got Melancon, the Dirty Sanchez’s, Dunn, and Duff as pure relievers – and guys like Nova and ZMac as power arms who could get a shot in the pen.
Add some combination of these to D-Rob, Coke, Bruney, Marte, and Mo.
Man, Mark Sanchez is trying to get Leon Washington killed with a throw like that.
Why the opposition to Figgins? He’s not going to get a monster $ deal, he’s Type-B, and he gives you the kind of flexibility needed to run with the long-discussed “rotate the olds through the DH spot” plan. For some reason people tend to assume speed/contact guys break down quicker than power guys, when the opposite is actually true (at least post-Balco). Worst case scenario you end up with a high-caliber utility guy. Best case he’s primarily LF and rotating through the IF to spell ARod and Jeter.
You bat him 2nd, support with a filler corner OF that has some pop, and wait for Crawford/AJax longterm.
Why the opposition? Because he’s played 36 career games in LF
and 27 at SS
A) He’s not going to get a monster deal, but he will get at least a 3 year deal with at least a 10M AAV. That’s not “monster”, but it’s probably too much for his actual production value for his age 32-33-34 seasons.
B) He’s not really positionally flexible, because he’s just a third baseman. He doesn’t play the outfield anymore. The “rotate people throught the DH spot” idea requires an actual quality bat who can play corner OF and corner IF spots. That’s not 2010-2012 Chone Figgins. It might have been 2004-2006 Chone Figgins, but those days are over.
C) The guy has a 98 career OPS+. His career high single season OPS+ is 117, and that was sandwiched between an 85+ and an 82+. He’s wicked overrated. Pass.
This.
If Figgins were white, he would be so overrated it would be hard to phantom.
If Figgins were white, he’d be Mark DeRosa.
BOOOOOOOOOOOM, THAT JUST HAPPENED. IS YOUR MIND BLOWN??????
Enough with the ‘DeRosa = Erstad/Eckstein’ jokes. Nobody thinks DeRosa is any sort of amazing answer for the Yankees, he’s not an impact player. But, what he is, is a relatively cheap, defensively versatile, league average bat, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that package as a utility guy. Enough with the preemptive ‘people like DeRosa because he’s a white guy’ jokes… What say we let someone actually overrate him before we start bashing people for overrating him.
(Forgive the hit and run style of this comment… I’m totally not involved in this conversation/thread, but there have been a couple of unfair shots taken at DeRosa and I figured I’d speak up briefly.)
I wasn’t taking a shot at DeRosa, I was actually being serious. DeRosa and Figgins are shockingly similar, offensively. Obviously, I’d take DeRosa over Figgins because he actually DOES play multiple positions (and he’s cheaper, since he’s older).
But, overall, they’re equivalent. Chone’s a tick better with the bat, DeRosa is better in the field. You worry more about decline with DeRosa, but he’s the better buy, no question about it.
My bad, obviously I mistakenly thought you were making the same ‘people like DeRosa because he’s a white guy’ joke I saw above and have seen in other threads.
Also, am I the only person out there who thinks the idea that Holliday could command $20m per is pretty ridiculous.
I’m in the camp that would prefer to pass. Sign Damon or Matsui to a 1 year deal and see who’s available in 2011.
But there’s just one problem with that. The 2011 FA list.
Left fielders
Eric Byrnes (35)
David DeJesus (31) – $6MM club option with a $500K buyout
Adam Dunn (31)
Willie Harris (33)
Jason Kubel (29) – $5.25MM club option with a $350K buyout
Marcus Thames (34)
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....gents.html
Do I love Matt Holiday? No, a long term contract for him screams Giambi part 2 to me, though in a less important position in the field. If you think a few years down the road, we’ll have A-Rod, Jeter and possibly still Posada taking AB’s at DH so Holliday makes even less sense as you go forward.
Can we afford to wait for A-Jax? No, that train may never arrive.
Could Melky be our everyday LF with Gardner in CF? Yes, but that’s a weak OF offensively. Our infield production makes up for it, but you’d like to do better.
Considering everything, my first choice would be to call Stu Sternberg and see how he feels about trading Crawford within the division. I also kick the tires on Jeter moving positions.
If you think a few years down the road, we’ll have A-Rod, Jeter and possibly still Posada taking AB’s at DH so Holliday makes even less sense as you go forward.
I agree with your point on a long term deal is no good for the Yankees right now. Not because of players taking hacks at the DH spot but more so is that the Yankees already have A-Rod, Tex, and CC under contract for so long.
Yeah, I don’t mean to overemphasize the DH spot, but I’m just trying to avoid the trap the Yanks just dug themselves out of recently, of having a team full of DHs all signed to long term deals and no flexibility to make moves you need to make. The 04-08 teams fit that description in too many areas.
Considering everything, my first choice would be to call Stu Sternberg and see how he feels about trading Crawford within the division.
I find it ironic that you looked at the winter of 2010-2011 class of outfield free agents, found it lacking, and thus endorsed trading for Carl Crawford, overlooking the fact that Carl Crawford is actually a free agent in the very class you described.
Epic FAIL.
Perhaps he’s assuming, without having written it, that whoever receives Crawford in a trade will extend him ASAP.
Yep.
You should know by now that you can’t assume shit without writing it on A) the internet B) RAB.
Spell it out, bro.
I always assume you’re smarter than that.
Touché.
I’m distracted by Thomas Jones ripping holes all through the Bills. Excuse me.
No, he has an option for 2010. Most indications are the Rays will do a sign and trade deal with him, with the Mets being mentioned often as a landing spot.
Sorry, but you failed. Do your homework.
I have seen literally no indications of this. Certainly nothing beyond idle reporter speculation.
I’m with you on trying to get Crawford for the 2010 season if we can get him at a reasonable talent cost, but keep in mind he is an unrestricted FA in 2011. We could get by in 2010 I think if are able to keep both Damon and Matsui on 1-year deals even in the face of likely regressions from each, and hope Melky Cabrera (or Gardner or even AJax) and Robinson Cano step up one more level each to compensate.
I also figure that a full year of A-Rod at 100% will more than make up for what is likely a non-MVP-but-still-career-average-season for Jeter.
I think expecting anything out of Austin Jackson in 2010 is not wise.
I am prone to agreeing with you, but you have to at least consider him a dark-horse possibility for the second half of the season, right? I fully anticipate Melky and Gardner getting 100% of the playing time in the centerfield in 2010, but shit happens.
Yeah, I assume he’ll probably get some PT in the second half but that’s about it. Expecting him to contribute anything more than that is more than just a little iffy.
frankly , all I want from Ajax is further development of the POWER tool. He was lucky alot of last season and built up a nice BA , so he’s probably not a .300 hitter — but that’s not a major issue. The defense is already there , and he does steal bases. He’ll never draw many walks (isn’t OBP a category that doesnt markedly improve at this stage??) , but i’d love to see him bang out more doubles.
Yeah, I could get on board with this. I’d still like to see him bump that walk rate back up to 9-10% like it was in ‘08.
What we’ve seen from Jackson is a solid average on a very high BABIP. It would seem, then, that Jackson either gets lucky, hits the ball real hard, or some combination of both.
I think the Yankees should hold off on Holliday in hopes to sign a bigger free agent next offseason (ex. Joe Mauer). They should just try to resign Damon to a one year deal.
Since I brought up the 2011 FA list, let me throw another twist out there. Here’s the 2011 FA of Shortstops:
Shortstops
Eric Bruntlett (33)
Cristian Guzman (33)
Cesar Izturis (31)
Maicer Izturis (30)
Derek Jeter (37)
Julio Lugo (35)
Jhonny Peralta (29) – $7MM club option with a $250K buyout
Nick Punto (33) – $5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Edgar Renteria (35) – $10.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jose Reyes (28) – $11MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jimmy Rollins (32) – $8.5MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Ramon Santiago (31)
Ramon Vazquez (34)
Rollins or Peralta are interesting options. Maybe we shift Derek to LF and sign a replacement? It’s something to consider, Jetes won’t play SS forever.
It would never happen. Besides the only SS on that list that is remotely could be talked about is Reyes. Not to mention I just think that would be a bad idea.
Depends on price. Rollins scares me, age-wise (his numbers have gone down three years in a row now).
Peralta’s no great shakes either offensively or defensively, but if he’s not pricey, perhaps.
I can’t believe Nick Punto isn’t your Option A1, though. That guy is a baseball player, through and through.
Yeah, just throwing it out there. I thought Perealta was really coming into his own last year, but he had a horrible season in 09. Maybe he was banged up or something.
Wasnt Peralta moved to 3B because his defense? Dont see how hes an upgrade at SS in 2 years.
Rollins sure if he bounces back defensively, and if Phillies dont resign him
Maybe you know something I don’t, but he’s listed as a SS by MLBTR.
You’re right, played 104 games at 3B this year. Why, I don’t know.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....t=fielding
Because he’s got a career -28.2 UZR at SS. That’s why.
And people bitch about Jeter D years ago. That’s ugly.
Peralta was always an offensive plus, defensive minus SS. Then, the offensive plus turned into an offensive average.
Well yeah, but doesn’t the fact that he puts the ‘h’ in his name in the wrong spot mean anything to you?
Dyslexics are baseball fans too, you know.
meant offensively
Maybe we should sign Macier Izturis, he’s solid defensively–
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW, TOO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON????
Plus, he looks so adorable when he dresses up like a penguin.
We could sign Julio Lugo to a 4-year deal
/Theo’d
Assuming Reyes’ club option is picked up, I’m pretty sure I’d go with Old Man Jeter in 2011 barring a complete meltdown in 2010.
Eduardo Nunez has the shortstop position on lockdown after Jeter.
(a single tear just rolled down Axisa’s cheek)
” this year and no major pitching holes to fill.”
REALLY..
CC and AJ- Ok
Andy- one year older and not sign.
Hughes- who has been in the bullpen all year and will be on a pitch count.
Joba -coming off a so-so season at best.
Wang- not sign (more then likely) and recovery from surgery.
Nope no hole there.
Hughes and Joba are question marks, but they’re both still supremely talented young pitchers. They’ll be fine.
You also left out IPK, Gaudin, Mitre, Nova, McAllister. And listing Andy as a “not sign(ed)” is academic; the only way he’s not back for another year is if he retires (unlikely) or we sign someone better (thus, not making his spot a “hole”).
Come on your going into next year with CC, AJ, Andy ( one year older when most of you didn’t want to sign him this year because of age) and question marks on the back two.
Didn’t they try that in 2008 how did that work out?
I think they learn from that.
…seems to be working out pretty well in 2009, no?
Hughes in the PEN yes, but we are talking as a starter.
Joba as a starter so-so.
IPK- out all year.
We still knocked out 103 wins in the season with so-so Joba in the 4th spot and basically giving away 6 games starting Wang … not to mention our fair share of Bad AJ games.
I’d expect progress from Joba and Hughes as our de facto #4 and #5 starters, and more strong efforts from the bullpen to pick up the slack as need be. We have the organizational depth to juggle around opportunities when necessary. So long as Pettitte comes back, I think our top 3 will keep us steady and the back of the rotation will organically work itself out with little or no help from free agency or trades.
Your welcome to your opinion for me I get another starter I rather have too much starting pitching then to be looking at the Jarrod Washburns of the world come July 2010.
So assuming we bring Pettitte back, who would you want to sign and commit a rotation spot to? Do you want only 1 of Joba and Hughes pitching as a starter at the beginning of the season?
I’m all with you about the depth, totally agree. That’s why we have Aceves, Kennedy, Mitre, Gaudin, Z-Mac, Nova and hopefully Wang for the 2nd half of the season. Plus we can always make a trade if we’re looking at a grim scenario where nothing works out for us.
Every year someone goes down believe me Joba and Hughes will get their chance to be starters.
I see your point.
Didn’t they try that in 2008 how did that work out?
All the kids were two years younger and two years less experienced.
That’s like a gap the size of the Grand Canyon.
2010: Not 2008
“All the kids were two years younger and two years less experienced.”
IPK- he made it to MLB this year I must of missed that.
Hughes- all in the pen.
Joba- I will give you him (so-so at best)
The experience is just overwhelming.
Service time at the MLB level is not the only type of experience, you know.
Come on tommie that was weak.
Your Analytical you should no better.
No, Mustang, the analytical you should know that coming back from his injuries and struggles to pitch well in the minors at the start of the year, then coming back again early to make it back onto the ML roster in September does show great growth and tenacity.
Ian Patrick Kennedy is a better pitcher and has gained valuable experience during this 2009 year, even though he didn’t get back to the majors.
Although all those things do show great character and perseverance we have yet to see how they will affect IPK major league pitcher on the MLB level. Until then all we have is his past performances and potential. I rather see that play out next year a little more on the AAA level and use him more as a insurance policy i.e. like Hughes at the beginning of this season.
I rather see that play out next year a little more on the AAA level and use him more as a insurance policy i.e. like Hughes at the beginning of this season.
That is exactly how Kennedy would be used. The reason we have no major pitching holes to fill (which is where this whole discussion began) is because we have a quality 1-5 in CC-AJ-Joba-Hughes-Pettitte + Kennedy and Gaudin in the Hughes and Aceves roles from last spring (i.e. 6th and 7th starters who can begin in Scranton and be called on to plug short-term holes in the rotation or bullpen).
2010 Hughes + Chamberlain >>> 2008 Hughes + Kennedy
2010 Hughes, Chamberlain and Kennedy >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2008 Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy
24 year old pitching prospects >>>>>>>>>> 22 year old pitching prospects