Yanks, Pettitte agree on one year, $11.75M deal

December 9, 2009 by Michael Axisa 128 Comments

In an entirely unsurprising move, the Yankees and Andy Pettitte agreed today on a one year contract to bring the lefty back to Bronx. After earning a $5.5M base salary and another $5M in incentives last year, Pettitte gets $11.75M guaranteed in 2010, with no incentives.

“Andy is unique in that he’s only interested in playing for one team,” said agent Randy Hendricks. “It limits what I normally do, but that’s Andy.”

The 37-year-old southpaw was on the mound when the Yankees clinched the AL East, the ALDS, ALCS, and World Series in 2009. He fell just short of his fifth consecutive 200+ IP season, finishing at 194.2. For the first time in three years, Pettitte allowed fewer hits than innings pitched, and he’ll presumably slot into the third spot in the rotation.

Following yesterday’s pickup of Curtis Granderson, the Yanks have about $182M committed to just 12 players in 2010. Most of the bullpen and bench will be made up of guys making close to minimum, so it’s more like $187M for 22 or 23 guys. The payroll is expected to be between $190-200M next year, meaning they have roughly $10M to figure out leftfield, designated hitter, and possibly another pitcher.

Christos

And then we can relax the rest of the winter…
- king of fruitless hypotheticals
  
  No DH yet :) Sign Godzilla THEN we can relax…and taunt…
http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD

I wonder if there are any incentives to bump it up.

$12MM seems very reasonable. He’s only come in under that (per FG) twice, and one of those was the injury shortened ’05 season.

Glad to have you back, Andy.

A rotation of CC/A.J./Andy/Joba/Phil? Mmm, mmm!
- Reggie C.
  
  Wait … are we talking about Reachable elevators amounting to a $12MM max , or a $12MM base?
  - http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
    
    I think it’s $12MM base.
  - The Three Amigos
    
    I think 12 Mil max.
    - crawdaddie
      
      I think it’s 12M max too.
  - Ed
    
    At the very least, you’d have to imagine he’ll be guaranteed what he earned last year. Can’t imagine him agreeing to a deal this quickly otherwise.
DonnieBaseballHallofFame

I think this $ is too much for Andy at his age, but then you see what Brad Penny got as a guarantee and it looks good at a one year agreement.
- http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
  
  I bet GMs are pissed at the Cardinals for giving Penny that much guaranteed money.
  - DonnieBaseballHallofFame
    
    I think out of everybody it hurts the Mets and Sox the most. Mets were trying to get guys like Randy W. on a one or two year cheap deal, no dice now. I think the Sox wanted to grab Sheets or Bedard and now that looks rather expensive. Sox could still go there but maybe that pushes them to sign Lackey at a price they do not like.
    
    Off topic a tad but does anybody see the Sox trying to scoop Wang when we drop him?
    - rbizzler
      
      I generally agree with you larger point about this hurting the Mets (the Sox have plenty of cash to spend if they so desire), but Wolf is the second best starter on the open market after Lackey. It was highly likely that he was going to receive at least one multi-year offer.
      
      Pettitte’s deal is fair and right about what everyone expected he would receive. No qualms here.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
  
  http://www.maa.org/reviews/ima.....lative.jpg (safe)
  - king of fruitless hypotheticals
    
    not completely true…i dont think WE are related…
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
      
      http://www.bollycircle.com/wp-.....egrees.jpg (safe)
      - king of fruitless hypotheticals
        
        facebook will soon prove that to be 3…with the intermediate step being ‘well, i’m in Mike’s Mafia and…’
- A.D.
  
  I mean realistically you’re not going to get him for less than last year, which was ~10, so I’d say 12 isn’t too shabby, especially since he was making 16 just a few years ago.
  - DonnieBaseballHallofFame
    
    Please sir do not ever accuse me of being realistic. Or even apply that it is possible.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
      
      (fighting the urge to say something about Don Mattingly never getting into the Hall of Fame)
      - DonnieBaseballHallofFame
        
        I doubt he will. My name is not me thinking he will get in. I think he should get in, but will not at least from the writers.
        I saw some corny TV movie about an old ball player who kept getting passed over for the HOF and he went there and made his own shrine in a desperate attempt to be recognized.
        
        If I ever truly lose it and snap. I might have to do that for Donnie.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        I know, bro. We’ve been over all that before, I was just goofing around.
        
        http://thejourneyback.files.wo.....#038;h=342 (safe)
goose

who is Ansy Pettite?
- DonnieBaseballHallofFame
  
  He is the guy itchin’ to sign that contract.
  - king of fruitless hypotheticals
    
    i actually laught OUT LOUD…well, maybe just a chuckle but still that was very well played.
- Will
  
  Some veteran pitcher for the Astros who with the exception of 3 years in the Bronx, pitched his entire career in Houston.
danny

get it done cash money!
Meat Loaf

3.3 RAR last year and rated as a $15 million dollar player last year. Earned somewhere around $10.5. I’d say this is the least suprising move of the offseason.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada

SI’s Jon Heyman tweets that the Yankees and Andy Pettitte are close on a $12 million deal…

TWEET TWEET BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITCH TWEET TWEET
http://twitter.com/riddering Riddering

I knew Andy loved us more than his children.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
  
  Money >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> whiny little snot nosed brats
  - http://twitter.com/riddering Riddering
    
    Money, steaks, and blowjobs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> retired with kids
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
      
      Riddering, you’re the most awesome woman, possibly ever.
- Mattingly’s Love Child
  
  I think it might be that he loves his millions more than his children!
- Mattingly’s Love Child
  
  http://zipkashclub.com/files/Q.....-money.jpg
- DonnieBaseballHallofFame
  
  LOL @ “I knew Andy loved us more than his children.” Guess he is continuing to play to “feed his family”….
  
  I am glad this year the normal Hendricks bros. dance did not have to take place. Andy still did his lil look at me retirement thing but glad it was short lived.
  - king of fruitless hypotheticals
    
    are they in any way related to Rick Hendrick of Nascar fame?
    
    I’ve been quietly thinking, that if they are…what better way for the Yanks to extend their brand a la Roush-Fenway?
    
    For those of you who aren’t familiar with them, Hendrick Motorsports wins (last four with driver Johnson)…or they are hated (Gordon), loved (Earnhardt) or just well liked/respected (Mark Martin).
    
    BUT being the 600 lb gorilla, they are mostly hated, and are very good at what they do. People whine about them all the time. The develop talent well…they recruit FA’s well…they win well…if those guys are related, this would be a great way for two Evil Empires to BECOME ONE!!!
    - DonnieBaseballHallofFame
      
      For you sir a nascar fan I will throw you a mild “Get Errr done”… Go cop a Happy Meal at a Walmart MC’y Deez get some tube sox and rejoin us in Yankees talk :)
      
      Sorry I do not follow Nascar but i am aware of Hendrick Motorsports, and I have not the info to answer your question.
      - king of fruitless hypotheticals
        
        that was the BEST ‘idk’ post i’ve ever gotten :)
- danny
  
  LMAO
A.D.

Cash getting things done, and onto the Rule V
- http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
  
  I’m excited for the Rule V. It’ll bring some new blood/excitement that we need after losing Ajax. Mo, I’m gonna miss that nickname.
  - Mattingly’s Love Child
    
    We should be able to find another prospect that could be named from Greek mythology! There is plenty of time this winter!
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
      
      There’s oodles of Hectors. That’s about the best we can do.
      - AndrewYF
        
        I don’t think simply calling Hector Noesi by his first name qualifies as a nickname.
        
        Mattingly’s Love Child
        
        Hector “Slayer of Patroclus” Noesi doesn’t work for you? I guess not…
      - whozat
        
        I vote we just pick some kid and start calling him “Hephaestus”
        
        Preferably a short, white slap-hitter.
rbizzler

Cash’s updated to-do list:

1) Make a low ball offer to Damon
2) Sign Cammy if Damon balks at a one-year deal
3) Kick the tires on the reclamation projects in this order – Sheets, Harden, Esco, Bedard
4) Look for cheap bullpen filler on one-year contracts
5) Block any deal sending Halladay to the Sox
- Will
  
  Block any deal? I hope you dont mean make a foolish deal that involves us trading away too many players just so the Sox dont get him.
  
  Drive up the price is one thing, block a deal for the sake of stopping the Sox at our own expense is foolish.
  - rbizzler
    
    Nope, I just want Cash to do his best to make sure Roy ends up elsewhere. Or make it extremely cost prohibitive for the Sox to make a deal.
    
    I have no desire to see Cash actually make a trade for Halladay.
- http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
  
  5) Block any deal sending Halladay to the Sox
  
  No.
- DP
  
  Scratch #5
- DonnieBaseballHallofFame
  
  I am good with all that except #5. I want Halladay more than most on this board but if the Sox have to give up everything to get him I would love to see that happen. Beckett would bounce at end of year.
  
  We would most likely grab Lackey. I think we would still be better than the Sox this year and going forward if that all happened.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
    
    Bingo. Agreed on all counts.
    
    (Except for adding Lackey… blech.)
- rbizzler
  
  Let me clarify – I don’t want Cash to trade for Roy, just make sure he sandbags the Sox offer enough where the Sox will balk at the high cost and the Jays will look to deal Halladay elsewhere.
- http://twitter.com/riddering Riddering
  
  5) Prepare a card to Theo in case Halladay goes to Boston, congratulating him on his acquisition…number 2.
  
  Fixed!
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
    
    Cashman: Where did you get that suit, Theo? At the… toilet store?
  - rbizzler
    
    Huh? Not sure what you are getting at with that statement.
Will

According to Jayson Stark, the Yankees are shopping their Rule V draft pick. Interesting….
- A.D.
  
  Maybe the Yanks just realized Tosoni isn’t available.
  
  I kid, no harm in shopping it.
- Mattingly’s Love Child
  
  Can you believe anything said by Stark about the Yankees though? His hatred runs deep.
  - DP
    
    Eh, he picks us to win the World Series every year. He plays the money card more than most, but there’s a lot worse than Stark.
    - http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
      
      Like Bill Madden.
      - DP
        
        Or Peter Gammons.
  - DonnieBaseballHallofFame
    
    I do not dislike Stark. He was the ONLY guy in the Philly market who picked the Yanks to win the WS and he got HAMMERED for it.
    
    It was comical to listen to the no nothings on the Philly talk radio lines talk about Phils in 5 and that the Phils were too good for the Yankees to be able to buy their way to a title. Few days later: Only reason the Yanks won is they bought the title. No dumber sports fans than Philly fans (as a group not singling out anybody).
    - Mattingly’s Love Child
      
      Stark has for years had a hard-on to trash the Yankees spending money, and especially ARod and his contract. I hadn’t realized it until Spring Training this year. Then I did a search of the ESPN archives, and struggled to find much positive about the Yankees, that’s for sure.
      
      He may have picked the Yankees to win the WS, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t hate. He saw the writing on the wall, he looks better to pick the winner, even he hates the winner, than picking the loser.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Stark has for years had a hard-on to trash the Yankees spending money, and especially ARod and his contract.
        
        Why Jayson Stark is an insufferable douche, Exhibit A:
        
        http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3892788
        
        Usty
        
        This article. Absolutely the most hyperbole-driven dreck ever written.
        
        DonnieBaseballHallofFame
        
        I think Stark uses Pete Rose’s barber. Stark got that balding Pete Rose haircut look.
        
        As I have said before all that matters is the way you look if I do not like you. Stark got that pumpkin pie hairclub for men Pete Rose special cut by a barber using a flobee with poor suction.
      - Thomas
        
        In Stark’s defense, many of his articles are the weird thing that have happened in baseball over the year(s). The Yankees’ payroll and signings often set many records. For expample, if the Yanks start poorly, they get the stats like the highest payroll for a team starting 11-19 or first team to give out 3 five year contracts and lose 6 of first 10, etc.
        
        These are the bizarre stats Stark loves (and I don’t think he put much faith in them as a predictor) and writes on.
      - DonnieBaseballHallofFame
        
        I do not mind hate, as long as you in the imortal words of Mack 10, Ice Cube and Dub-C:
        
        “BOW DOWN WHEN YOU COME TO MY TOWN”
        
        In case you do not know the song:
        
        peep the hizzook around one mins in
        
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oWYp6nJPnY
TJF

The 12 mil is partly a reward for last year and also a recognition that he still has gas int he tank to do it again this year. A great playoff performer.

The real issue Left is Halladay. Are the Yanks driving up the price by dangling Montero and Joba/Hughes? Would they really make that trade if Toronto accepts? Or do they drive it up so Boston has to give up studs that they won’t give up?

If Montero can’t catch in the big leagues then he’s expendable. Joba and Hughes are difficult calls, but the Yanks have evaluated and debated the pros and cons more than once over time. IF they do pull the trigger and grab Halladay, then they clearly believe that it would be the best thing for the club.

Me? Knowing what I know and what probably the rest of us know (none of us have any special access to Yankee data on these players, none of us have ever even spoken to these players to judge their personality etc). I would say DO IT. It’s Roy Halladay. Montero will probably be a good player, I would deal Hughes and keep Joba.

Hughes probably has the highest trade value that he will have right now. There is still some suggestion that he could be a starter or a dominant closer (I don’t think he’s going to be anything better than a #4 or #5 Starter or a mid to late inning reliever). He won’t be a Cy Young caliber front of the rotation guy, just my opinion. Halladay is. Done deal.

Joba on the other hand has shown that he can start but needs more time, or that he could be a dominant closer. The Yanks really have to commit to one or the other with him. They probably have discussed this plenty. I would keep him and Deal Hughes.

Bottom line offer Hughes and Montero and grab Halladay.

CC, Halladay, Burnett (who by the way loves being mentored by Halladay), Pettitte, and I’ll be number 5 if they need somebody.

So filthy it would be ridiculous. Yes you give up talent, by Halladay is Halladay. 33 or not, he has 5 years left at least. He has never won and he wants to win.

The other issue to consider is that the core of the team isn’t exactly composed of spring chickens. There is some pressure to win now while the talent is all in place. How long do we wait for players to develop? I think the Yanks know very well what they give up.

Name a player that the Yanks traded young, from their farm system that won a Cy Young Award or turned out to be a flat out stud like Grienke, etc? I can’t think of any. Have some confidence that the Yanks know what they are doing. If they do get Halladay, it will be after considerable thought and multiple opinions about the players they are giving up.
- http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
  
  If Montero can’t catch in the big leagues then he’s expendable
  
  That’s not true. Even if he can’t catch, his bat still has 30-35 HR potential. That’s valuable anywhere on the field, even DH or corner OF.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
    
    Agreed. Montero is a future heart of the order hitter. With our current heart of the order hitters being some amalgam of Tex-ARod-Posada-Matsui, only one of whom is within shouting distance of 30, we cannot afford to let Montero go.
    
    He’s the most untouchable of all untouchables, regardless of if he’s a catcher or not.
    - AndrewYF
      
      But is he more untouchable than when Hughes and Chamberlain were less touchable than they are today?
      
      All this talk of touching has me on edge.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SszHoW5ogNs (safe)
- http://www.kierstenschmidt.com Kiersten
  
  “Have some confidence that the Yanks know what they are doing.”
  
  I have plenty. That’s why they traded for Granderson and not Halladay. If they didn’t do it for 28-yr-old Santana two years ago, they’re not doing it for 32-year-old Roy Halladay now.
- DP
  
  Burnett (who by the way loves being mentored by Halladay),
  
  Does a 33 year old who won the World Series really need mentoring from a guy 4 months younger than him? I think what he loved what the example Halladay set.
  
  There is still some suggestion that he could be a starter or a dominant closer
  
  From everyone other than you, his evident replacement in the rotation next year.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
  
  Bottom line offer Hughes and Montero and grab Halladay.
  
  Bottom line, your trade proposal sucks.
Jobamania

12mm guaranteed is too much :/
- http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
  
  I disagree. Even in ’08 when he wasn’t all that great, he as still worth ~$20MM, per FG. $12MM is very reachable for Andy.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
  
  I just called Cash and told him I’d chip in for $50. So now, it’s not 12M guaranteed, it’s only 11.999950M guaranteed.
  
  Better?
  - Mattingly’s Love Child
    
    Only $50? Cheap bastard.
Will

And then Cashman hangs up the phone and laughs because he’s not dealing both Hughes and Montero.
- Will
  
  ehh that was to the essay written a few posts up.
Rob in CT

$12MM sounds about right. Get it done, and move on to LF, DH and rotation depth (Sheets, please).
Thomas

Davidoff is saying $11.5M and that it should be done within a day or two. Awesome.
Jobamania

im not sure what the fascination with leaving the DH spot open is. Which lineup is better, one with an actual starting DH or one with a utility man in there
- DonnieBaseballHallofFame
  
  I agree. Also people get hurt, and we need a bench. I like options, if nothing else the Yanks $ should give us said options. This aint Kansas City.
- rbizzler
  
  I don’t think that anyone wants to leave the DH spot open, they just don’t see it as a priority with now.
  
  There are plenty of DH candidates floating around out there, not to mention all of the non-tender candidates. There is no need to make a move right now when you can fill the spot at a cheaper price later on.
  - Jobamania
    
    i agree but i’ve been reading a lot of talk about bringing back Damon which is really getting to me. Why pay the premium on him when he considers himself an outfielder, with positive defense at that. His bat away from home is atrocious and i see him nosediving real soon.
    
    There are more options that will come cheaper and i rather have DHing. Vlad, matsui, dye, delgado come to mind
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
      
      Well, the one argument to make for Damon over the other DHs is that he can “technically” play LF on occasion, giving him flexibility. So, what you lose in straight batting skill, you gain in being able to have someone else (ARod, Jeter, Posada) DH on occasion without putting your primary DH bat on the bench.
      
      Damon may be a traveshamockery in LF, but compared to Matsui, Vlad, Dye, and Delgado, he’s practically Roberto Clemente.
      - Jobamania
        
        i see no reason why vlad cant bounceback. plus he can play RF as well if we keep him healthy. if we can do it with matsui i think we can with vlad.
        
        Mattingly’s Love Child
        
        Vlad was the primary DH for the Angels all season, and was still unable to:
        1. Stay healthy
        2. Hit for much power
        
        Sadly too many years on the Olympic Stadium turf have robbed him of productive years at the end of his career.
        
        So please Mo, no to Vlad.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        i see no reason why vlad cant bounceback.
        
        He might be able to, sure. The fact that his batspeed is totally gone and he looks like Frankenstein’s monster at the plate gives pause, though.
        
        plus he can play RF as well if we keep him healthy.
        
        Not. Fucking. Remotely.
        
        if we can do it with matsui i think we can with vlad.
        
        Both Vlad and Matsui are strictly DH-only. To be frank, they’re basically the same player, but Matsui’s actually a slightly SMALLER injury risk, and slightly LESS in decline.
      - DonnieBaseballHallofFame
        
        “he’s practically Roberto Clemente”
        
        post crash that is
        
        rbizzler
        
        Too cold.
        
        DonnieBaseballHallofFame
        
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmZb7ekfG6E
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Meh, I laughed.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
    
    I don’t think that anyone wants to leave the DH spot open,
    
    No, several people do.
    
    The scary thing is, one of those people is Joe Girardi. Brian Cashman may be another (but there’s less evidence of that).
    - rbizzler
      
      Do you really think that Girardi wants to keep the DH spot a rotating door? I think that it is more than likely that he would like a primary DH who can also play the field once a week so you can still rotate the spot while not losing much offensively.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Yes, I really think Girardi does want to.
        
        I hope Cashman disabuses him of that notion, though.
    - Reggie C.
      
      Would Swisher at DH really represent a drastic offensive downgrade to Matsui?
      
      Melky practically played all of last season and he incrementally improved at the plate.
      
      I dont think its a terrible idea.
Jobamania

Yankees re-signed LHP Andy Pettitte to a one-year, $11.75 million contract.
The price is certainly above market value, but the Yankees feel confident he can replicate or even top his stat line from this past season. The 37-year-old Pettitte went 14-8 in 2009 with a 4.16 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 32 starts. He’ll serve as New York’s No. 3 starter in 2010.
- crawdaddie
  
  I’m not so sure that 11.75M is accurate or is guaranteed. I think about 2M of the contract will be in incentives.
danny

once this is done only 2 more things to do

1. Sign damon to a reasonable contract
1.(b)if damon wants too many years/money then sign dh type (johnson,thome)

2.Sign low risk high reward pitch (sheets, Harden)
- Reggie C.
  
  The Damon talk has died down somewhat with Matsui to the Angels talk coming to life. I doubt anything has changed in Damon’s stance. Damon continues to demand a multiyear (i’ve heard MORE than 2 yrs), no-paycut deal.
- http://www.kierstenschmidt.com Kiersten
  
  1. Sign damon to a reasonable contract
  1.(b)if damon wants too many years/money then sign dh type (johnson,thomematsui)
  
  Fixed.
- Upstate
  
  I agree with everything except the DH. I’d like to see the yanks get Johnny reasonably on a 1-2yr deal. If that doesn’t work bring in Cameron for 1-2. Trade Melky for relief and platoon Gardner.
  
  I’d much rather use the money to sign a sheets/harden type like you said and bring back Hinske or a Hinske type 2-3m-1yr deal range as a DH but mostly use the position to give guys a day off.
  
  If the yankees stay true to their word with the budget I don’t think they can afford both positions and I’d much rather them get a 4th starter.
MattG

A Pettitte signing without maximum drama? That’s hard to believe.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada

Somewhere, John Lackey sheds a single tear.
- Andy in Sunny Daytona
  
  ….that slowly drips into his underbite and down his throat.
http://www.teamnerdrage.com dr mrs the yankee

Just want to say woop woop, hooray.
- Andy in Sunny Daytona
  
  From an unabashed Andy fan.
Rod

Kick the tires on Sheets and Johnson and call it an offseason.

Montero can stick at catcher for six years which is all he really has to do. Not sure if you’ve noticed but Posada isn’t really a good defensive catcher. Actually, he isn’t even an average defensive catcher, he is pretty bad but his bat allows him to stick there. If Posada can stick at catcher at age 38 then a 21 year old with a potentially much better bat can stick there for a few years.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
  
  The only position that Nick Johnson can play besides DH is 1B. 1B is blocked by Tex.
  
  I’m thus only interested in Nick Johnson if he’ll take a one year deal, which I doubt, because I want DH’s on one-year deals for the foreseeable future, so that either Posada or ARod can be moved to DH if necessary.
  
  Particularly Posada. If Montero’s ready to go by 2011, he’s the new catcher and Jorge moves to fulltime DH.
  
  Whomever is the 2010 DH should be someone on a one year contract, or someone who can play a corner OF position if necessary.
  - Evil Empire
    
    This.
    
    I’d like to see one of these 3 people signed (in order of want):
    
    Damon
    Matsui
    Johnson
    
    Damon is good enough to be worth 2 years, Matsui/Johnson 1 year due to positional inflexibility.
    - Upstate
      
      I don’t understand why you would sign matsui/johnson?? All matsui can do is dh and johnson can only play back-up to Tex otherwise he is dh. I’d like to have Tex in the games as much as possible. So then you are stuck with 2 dh’s…what would be the point of signing those two?
      
      I don’t think they should re-sign Matsui. Johnson just doesn’t work as a dh because he doesn’t have the flexibility to play multiple positions to give guys a day off.
      - andrew
        
        Matsui was the full time DH last year and that worked out okay. Resigning Matsui or Johnson would give us the same type of defensive flexibility that we had last year.
    - Upstate
      
      nevermind…you said one of three. I still don’t like matsui or johnson though.
    - whizkid
      
      Both Damon and Johnson slot better as a #2 than a #5, which is similar to what Granderson brings to the table… Damon’s power numbers are special for a 2 but pedestrian for a #5.. Pre-trade, I would have been Damon > Matsui, now that we have Granderson, it’s Matsui > Damon, contingent on him accepting full-time DH and 1yr @ $5M. Melky’s numbers from last year prorates to 15-20 HR’s, not that bad of a drop-off from Damon, esp after considering the 10M diff in price (from Damon’s asking price)…
Evil Empire

More rumblings about a trade for Doc:

http://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/6499813839

I don’t know how to feel about that. As much as I love Montero, if the Yankees are trying to trade him, its probably because they, in their heart of hearts, don’t think he’ll make it as a catcher.

If Phil Hughes or Joba is also in the deal I’ll be crushed no matter what, should this be a substantiated rumbling in the first place.
- Andy in Sunny Daytona
  
  If the Yankees trade Montero, I will hate them for 3 days. 3 DAYS I WILL BE PISSE……
Upstate

CHECK…now its time to press Damon. If they can’t agree on the years/money then give Cameron a call.
JobaWockeeZ

More evidence that a Halladay trade won’t happen.
Mike bk

Anyone complaining about 11.75 mil for 1 yr to Andy just realize the Brewers just gave basically 30 mil to Randy Wolf for 3 years.
http://www.sportsradiony.com Sports Radio NY

Good deal to keep Andy. Still will be clutch in the playoffs.
Mike HC

How can they add Halladay if they are serious about the 190-200 million payroll? Why would the Blue Jays take them seriously if that were actually true? Something has to give. And ten million is not much to figure out LF, DH and more pitching. Those spots would have to be below the radar, bargain hunting type guys, which I guess could work with the guys we already have.
larryf

Cash knew that by signing Andy that would make one less lefty for GrandPerson to face. :-) I wonder what CG has done against Halladay (who I don’t want)…

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