Rumor de l’après-midi: Rosenthal on the bullpen
ByApropos of our early discussion on Nick Swisher’s availability comes one of the more tenuous and sketchier bits of Hot Stove reporting we’ll see all year. In what may or may not qualify as something worth publishing on FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal tells us that the Yankees’ pitching plans are still unclear. According to Rosenthal, the Yankees have not yet decided if the bullpen or rotation will undergo an off-season boost. Furthermore, the team may or may not be interested in some free agents. First, “one rival executive” says the Yanks are interested in both Rafael Soriano (RHP) and Mike Gonzalez (LHP), but “another source with knowledge of the Yankees’ thinking” believes the team will fill bullpen holes from within. The two strategies are, by the way, not mutually exclusive.
Anyway, the big problem with this type of reporting is that it does not engender trust in any of the people involved. Rosenthal seemingly puts his own theory — that Soriano or Gonzalez or both would do the Yankees some good — into the mouths of two unnamed baseball sources. Since the free agency frenzy does not commence until midnight tonight, nothing has happened, and it’s starting to show.
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The Mason Williams Watch
I read a quote from Cashman today saying the team is done with it’s scouting meetings…but still need to have it’s organizational meetings. And they wont have those until after Turkey Day. So it doesnt look like any real Yankees news will be coming out anytime soon.
Unfortunately, that means more stories like this from Rosenthal and Heyman, etc…
BTW, it probably doesnt mean anything, but the Yanks dont seem to be showing any urgency regarding this off season.
Well given no one is a FA yet, that wouldn’t be much of a surprise
Free agency starts tonight and Cashman said the Yanks are at least a week away from even having any meetings regarding player movement…including decisions on their own players.
Again, I’m not overreacting in any way. But it does appear that they’re the only team not ready to roll tonight.
Come on. Do you really think the Yanks are unprepared for the off-season?
+1
They’re also the only team with silly World Series celebrations occupying their time this month. It’s horrible to be the Yankees.
More seriously, I’m sure the Yankees have a rough idea of who they may or may not be interested in. Few players will sign before the deadline to offer arbitration anyone. And anyone good that would consider playing for the Yankees is not going to sign elsewhere without waiting to hear from the Yankees first. A World Series title and the highest payroll in the game is just a tad attractive to free agents after all…
So, you think that because they haven’t, what, offered contracts, they aren’t showing any urgency? Based on what, their inability to even make any offers? Or based on the fact they didn’t trade for someone like Hardy?
And to say, “Again, I’m not overreacting in any way. But it does appear that they’re the only team not ready to roll tonight” is ridiculous. How would you know if they’re ready to roll or not? Sometimes teams don’t like to tip their hands, or at least, that’s my line of thinking.
Actually, i believe cash when he says the yanks arent prepared to do anything until after they have their organizational meetings. Like I said twice, I dont think it’s that big a deal. But it also is odd.
I know it’s not the norm on here sometimes, but people can make comments without them being full of panic.
I also agree with the others who have said no agent worth his salt will do anything before the Yanks are ready.
Doesn’t matter. No agent in his right mind would let his player sign with any team without first making a courtesy call to Cashman.
The Yankees have the luxury of working slowly. Mid market teams need to work quickly; small market teams should wait for the scrap heap to develop.
That.
We’re the 800 lb. gorilla in the room, even when we’re not in the room.
Looking to draw in the foreign readers with the headline…boost traffic.
Ummmm, can we just accept that fact that the online world has evolved to the point where commercial websites need to feed the beast on a multi-daily basis, and it’s inevitably going to lead the elevation of conjecture, hypothesis, simple observation and dubious “rumors” to venues that once was the sole domain of news?
This VERY story in fact perfectly illustrates the new paradigm.
In an off-season, hardcore fans (which blogs cater to) need SOMETHING to argue about, even if its just meta-issues like this one.
THIS is exactly why these “stories” are written, because in 2009, a pageview is a pageview.
Let’s not waste any time acting surprised or indignant, shant we?
Well-said. I’ll trade that summation of our digital sports media for a TMZ article about some athlete getting all up on a Hollywood starlet’s biscuit. What say thee?
I mean, Derek did look pretty hot on the cover of The Post without his shirt on. Am I right or am I right?
Derek is on that cover?? I didnt notice.
Who’s the chick?
Minka Kelly (sorry if you were being sarcastic).
And on that note, that’s why you see reports constantly bringing up things like the Joba starter/reliever debate. A lot of them don’t really care which role he’s in, they just want to argue for the one he’s not in to attract attention.
Ummmm, can we just accept that fact that the online world has evolved to the point where commercial websites need to feed the beast on a multi-daily basis, and it’s inevitably going to lead the elevation of conjecture, hypothesis, simple observation and dubious “rumors” to venues that once was the sole domain of news?
This VERY story in fact perfectly illustrates the new paradigm.
THIS is exactly why these “stories” are written, because in 2009, a pageview is a pageview.
Let’s not waste any time acting surprised or indignant, shant we?
Well said.
This reminds me of when you complained about me calling bullshit on Heyman’s twice repeated story that we were “inquiring about” Roy Halladay. Perhaps Ken Rosenthal is talking out of his ass about any interest we may have in free agent relievers, just to drive up pageviews.
And perhaps Heyman was similarly talking out of his ass about any “inquiries” we would have had about Roy Halladay, just to drive up pageviews. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time either of those fine fellows made up rumors out of thin air.
Perhaps…
“This reminds me of when you complained about me calling bullshit on Heyman’s twice repeated story that we were “inquiring about” Roy Halladay.”
It should, because it WAS exactly the sort of waste of time and effort I’m referring to here.
Yours was particularly glaring because not only were you doing this, you used an instance in which the reporter was likely 100% accurate in his “reporting”, thereby doubling down on your pointlessness.
“And perhaps Heyman was similarly talking out of his ass about any “inquiries” we would have had about Roy Halladay,”
Accept as is now as it was last week, Cashman SHOULD have made that call, again, if for not other reason to potentially monitor what his competition is doing/planning.
Your continued assertion that Cashman didn’t or wouldn’t make a simple phone call is still indefensible.
Him making a phone call about Halladay and being genuinely interested in Halladay are NOT mutually exclusive, which is the part you seem not to comprehend, or refuse to acknowledge out of obstinence.
Yours was particularly glaring because not only were you doing this, you used an instance in which the reporter was likely 100% accurate in his “reporting”, thereby doubling down on your pointlessness.
No. Heyman does not have that level of credibility for me to accept him at face value that he was telling the truth that Cashman actually inquired about Halladay. If anything, the second story that came out from him underscores the dubious nature of the first.
Accept as is now as it was last week, Cashman SHOULD have made that call, again, if for not other reason to potentially monitor what his competition is doing/planning.
Accept as is now as it was last week, Cashman does not need to actually make a single phone call in order to monitor what his competition is doing or planning. He knows what they’re doing and planning. Picking up the phone is not necessary.
“Picking up the phone is not necessary.”
One of these days its going to dawn on you the entire premise of your “argument” (to be kind) is that somehow you know for certain a simple act that Brian Cashman probably performs dozens of times a day and costs him NOTHING is terms of anything tangible or important is something you assume he absolutely refuses and will continue to refuse to do.
NOT inquiring represents a net gain of 0.0, which is why is so perplexing you’re so married to the concept.
But as we’re now mutually proving the “an internet argument is as to the Special Olympics” rule, I’m going to leave you with your victory.
Your blind conviction to an utterly empty assumption that gains no one of anything of worth or value is superior to my resolve on the matter.
so…uh…are we going to talk about every yankee rumor that makes its way through the interwebs?
The RAB guys can’t win. When they don’t post about rumors, they hear shit about that and when they post rumors, they hear shit about that too. Whey does everyone have to be a “backseat content director.”
Actually, I wasn’t much criticizing the RAB guys, although that said, the 8 paragraph dissertation on what Nick Swisher being made “available” means was probably a bit much.
I was actually addressing the readers here.
The guys on Fox, EPSN, CNNSI, etc. HAVE to write about something, and right now there is nothing to write about.
I was just suggesting we accept this as the way the world now works.
Its never going back in the other direction…
First, I was not responding to what you said, but what Gary Busey’s face wrote.
After reading what you had to say, RAB writers and readers like to discuss journalistic integrity and also enjoy poking a bit of fun at writers who continually write stuff “just for page views.”
RAB does not begrudge reporters from writing whatever they want but that does not mean we have to go along with it because that is the way of the world.
Reporters can speculate on what the Yanks are going to do like 12 year old girls, and RAB can call them out on it. That is the way of the world.
All I’m saying is online journalism will increasingly become the Provence of 12 year old girls.
Standing in front of the junior high and calling foul may seem like an amusing distraction now, but after a while its going to get a little creepy.
Probably. We do like to talk, after all.
Maybe you guys could wait to post until there are a few of them?
A full post on every near-meaningless statement a reporter makes is going to get old fast.
Or, it’ll be cool. Because it gives losers like me something to do on a Thursday afternoon rather than watch Season 5 of Friends on my laptop.
Season of 5 of Friends?
You really need to watch better shows.
SHUT UPPA YOU FACE, GARY BUSEY!!!!
I’m sure the Yanks are going to look at everyone available and diagram several different scenarios on how they want to allocate their available money for the next two or three years. I like the idea of adding Soriano and/or Gonzalez if the price is cheap. I mean, if the Yanks plan on both Hughes and Joba as starters, then we might need bullpen help from somewhere. If we sign another starter that bumps Hughes (most probably) or Joba from the rotation into the pen, then bullpen help will not be as important. Everything is relative.
I like the idea of adding Soriano and/or Gonzalez if the price is cheap.
The only thing I’m worried about is the draft pick compensation if they’re offered arb.
There are three closers I’d love to add if they’re willing to come here and set up: Gonzalez, Soriano, and Valverde. I’d even be willing to pay any one of them a nice, hefty, 6-8M AAV deal (or maybe a tad higher if it’s only for 2 years).
What I won’t do, though, is surrender a draft pick for them. Of the three, Valverde is the most likely to be offered arb, IMO (and probably the least likely to come here, since Houston will probably give him a fat re-up to stay there and close.)
I’m hoping one of Gonzalez or Soriano doesn’t get offered arb, and we pounce on him.
It’s not very likely, though… even if they’re not offered arb, someone will probably offer them closing jobs somewhere.
Curious. Signing Soriano or Gonzales to a 2-3 year commitment complicates an already crowded bullpen picture for next year. Their respective penchant for injury makes me nervous, but they are elite back-end guys when right. It does, however, provide fortification (or remove temptation) for the continued maturation of Joba and Phil as starting pitchers.
Signing Soriano or Gonzales to a 2-3 year commitment complicates an already crowded bullpen picture for next year.
Meh, it’s the bullpen. There’s 7-8 spots back there, it’s easy to shoehorn guys in.
Right now, the 7-man is probably Mo-Marte-DRob-Aceves-Coke-Bruney-Gaudin.
Any of those last three can be left in Scranton (or traded for spare parts if they’re out of options) with no reservations on my part if we bring in an upgrade like Soriano/Gonzalez. Guys like Coke/Bruney/Gaudin are pretty fungible.
“Guys like Coke/Bruney/Gaudin are pretty fungible.”
Won’t someone think of the human element?
http://bitchspot.jadedragononl.....ildren.jpg
Any of those last three can be left in Scranton (or traded for spare parts if they’re out of options)
Speaking of which, when does MLBTR come out with their “out of options” post? Isn’t it like late in the offseason, come January or February? I’d love to have confirmation on which of our kids are out of options.
I’m assuming it’s Melky, Bruney, Gaudin, and Edwar (he’s probably been around long enough) but everyone else (Joba, Phil, Ian, Ace, Albaladejo, Coke, Brett, and Shelley) still have options, no? Can someone correct me if I’m wrong on one of those?
Oh, and Wang. Melky, Bruney, Gaudin, Edwar, and Wang. That’s my educated guess.
I thought the thinking is the Braves won’t offer arb. to both.
And with Mike Gonzalez being a Boras guy now, cheap isn’t in his vocabulary, although it would be great seeing him here (plus that bouncing motion is funny to watch).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related (safe)
Awesome. Would be worth signing just for the bobbing motion.
“Another would be to strengthen the bullpen, allowing right-handers Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain to return to the rotation.”
I love how every writer refers to Joba as potentially “returning” to the rotation. I guess the Dodgers need to sign a reliever so Billingsley can return to the rotation; the Phillies so Happ can; the Angels so Santana can, etc. Because I’m pretty sure all those guys worked out of the pen in the playoffs.
Exactly.
Whether or not the rotation gets “strengthened” is moot. Those pitchers are all returning to the rotation regardless, as they should. That includes Joba and Phil.
Sorry:
Whether or not the
rotationbullpen gets “strengthened” is moot. Those pitchers are all returning to the rotation regardless, as they should. That includes Joba and Phil.It is pretty apparent that Cashman, to his credit and ultimate effectiveness, does not discuss his real plans or timing in public. Red Sox had Tex virtually signed, sealed and delivered as Cash maneuvered under cloak and stealth; as he will again this year. Cash will not disappoint.
Cash maneuvered under cloak and stealth…
Brian Cashman = Dabney Coleman
http://www.moviegoods.com/Asse.....1020.A.jpg (safe)
Since the free agency frenzy does not commence until midnight tonight, nothing has happened, and it’s starting to show.
Omar Minaya is gonna be sooooooo embarrassed when he rings LeBron James’s doorbell tonight at midnight with a free agent contract in hand and finds out that it’s not that free agent frenzy.
Since when is Lebron hispanic?
Meh, I don’t do the “Omar loves Hispanic guys” joke. It’s hackneyed and a little bigoted, and it’s not supported by much statistical correlation.
Not my joke. Whatevs.
I think that fact that it’s not supported statistically is what makes it funny. It’s just not true.
Fair enough.
I didn’t know LeBron was hispanic.
I was just wondering if anyone has heard what teams might be looking to sign the Japanese reliever Igarashi and do the Yankees have any interest? Saw a youtube clip of him striking out the side and he had pretty nasty stuff. Mid 90s fastball, slider, splitter. He could be a good set up man for Mo.
Japanese relievers have a fairly high success rate, no? At least for the first few years until the league adjusts to them.
Sure, why not, I’m game. If he’s got a quality scouting report, I’m on board.
As long as it’s truly mid 90′s heat. Pitchers who throw 91 cannot succeed……
Why we haven’t whacked Ian Kennedy for the life insurance money yet is beyond me.
He’ll never have big league success, never. Not in a million years.
Soriano is the type of arm that Cashman looks for in the pen.
If hes serious about Joba and Hughes both in the rotation hes going to be strongly looking at Soriano.