Cashman: ‘Our team is, for the most part, set’

January 6, 2010 by Joe Pawlikowski 125 Comments

The headline is what Brian Cashman said to The Record’s Pete Caldera. But Cashman didn’t leave it at that. He got a bit more specific about the teams plans.

On left field: “We have a left fielder. We do like Brett Gardner.”
On any further acquisitions: “We’re just playing with the bench right now.”

Though there’s no quote for it, Caldera notes that the team is not quite done: “Cashman acknowledged that he’s searching for a right-handed hitter.” That would seemingly take Johnny Damon out of play, but I’ll drop the never say never cliche with that. It seems more and more likely that the Yankees will sign, or attempt to sign, Reed Johnson.

Doug

“It seems more and more likely that the Yankees will sign, or attempt to sign, Reed Johnson.”

or nady perhaps, if his price drops sufficiently enough (and he proves to be healthy of course)
- Zack
  
  Even if he does check out medically, I’d still prefer Reed over him; just dont trust Nady can hold up all year.
  - Doug
    
    for the same price, you’d take johnson over nady?
    - Zack
      
      Yes, because I know what I’m getting with Johnson. Good defender in LF/CF and ability to hit LHP; you cant say you know what you’re getting with Nady
      - Doug
        
        true enough
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        I’d agree. Johnson’s not a pillar of health himself, but he’s not currently coming off a year where he blew his elbow out for the second time.
        
        What you lose in SLG v. LHP you regain in far superior defense in the corners + the ability to play CF, which is huge.
      - Chris
        
        If you don’t consider the injury, then I’d easily take the younger player with the better bat. That would be Nady.
        
        Johnson’s 85 OPS+ over the last 3 seasons worries me. You basically end up with a situation where he can only play against a lefty. That’s not necessarily bad, but it significantly limits how much he’s worth.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        True, but with Gardner-Granderson-Swisher, we may not really need him to do anything but play against lefties. Reed Johnson is just a 4th OF. It looks like Gardner’s going to be given the Melky opportunity to succeed or fail on a fulltime basis, which isn’t really all that bad of an idea for a year.
        
        Zack
        
        So would I, but you just cant throw out his 2nd TJS.
        
        Johnson would only be signed to face LHP anyways, and his numbers v LHP are good
        
        Ed
        
        Right, but you can’t just throw out an injury that only 30% of players return from.
JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex

I’m not worried. This team, Damon or no Damon, looks really good. Reed Johnson can spot start in CF if need be and kills lefties. Sounds like a promising platoon with Gardy.

Defensively, an OF of Don’t-Hassle-The-Gardhoff, Reed Johnson, Nick Swisher, Curtis Ganderson may be the most versatile in the majors.
- Doug
  
  and don’t forget Hoffmann, who sounds a bit like a Reed Johnson clone (albeit young and inexperienced)
  - jsbrendog
    
    i think Don’t-Hassle-The-Gardhoff is a combo of the two, gardner and hoffmann
  - JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
    
    He’s half of Don’t-Hassle-The-Gardhoff.
Rob

The Sox have Brett Gardner in LF. The Yankees will do just fine.
- http://www.secondavenuesagas.com Benjamin Kabak
  
  That’s a far too rational approach for Yankee fans.
  - JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
    
    Not for nothing, but Ellsbury is actually a fairly good hitter but a terrible (according to stats) defensive player.
    
    Gardner is more likely to be an excellent defender and a poor offensive player.
    
    Other than that, I sort of agree, based on skill sets.
    - Doug
      
      Gardner’s WAR (2.1) was actually higher than Ellsbury’s (1.9)
      
      Personally found this surprising
      - http://forums.projectcovo.com/images/smilies/e6omir.gif Do Not Feed The Trolls!
        
        Thats because WAR puts too much emphasis imo on defense. The way it defense is calculated imperfect also. I find it ridiculous someone with his speed is a terrible defender. If he were even a plus defender he would be worth more than Gardner.As much as I love WAR lets not make it holay grail of player value.
        
        Basically Ellsburys ceiling>>Gardners
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        I find it ridiculous someone with his speed is a terrible defender.
        
        Have you ever watched the Oakland Raiders play football? I rest my case.
        
        http://forums.projectcovo.com/images/smilies/e6omir.gif Do Not Feed The Trolls!
        
        Well then I find it ridiculous that someone with his speed that had a great defensive year in 2008 is a terrible defender.
        
        If he even becomes a average defense hes worth ~3 wins. He was worth 3.3 in 2008 and projected to be worth 3.9. I think we would all be doing jumping jacks if Gardner is ever worth 3 wins over a year.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Well then I find it ridiculous that someone with his speed that had a great defensive year in 2008 is a terrible defender.
        
        Why is it that we’re all comfortable with the idea that a bad offensive player can have a career year where everything breaks right for him but that it’s not his true talent level and he’s destined to return to mediocrity, but we can’t envision that it’s similarly possible on defense?
        
        Defense slumps too. Defense has career years too.
        
        Steve H
        
        Johnny Damon still has speed and was a terrible defender. Bobby Abreu had speed and was a terrible defender.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Nick Swisher is much slower than Damon, Abreu, or Ellsbury, and yet, he’s the best defender of the four of them, by leaps and bounds.
        
        Speed factors into defense, but it’s far, far from the main component of it.
        
        http://forums.projectcovo.com/images/smilies/e6omir.gif Do Not Feed The Trolls!
        
        Fair enough but Ellsbury is much younger than both Damon and Abreu. Both of them were actually good defenders at Ellsbury’s age.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Adam Dunn is younger than Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon. Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu were good defenders when they were Adam Dunn’s age. Therefore, Adam Dunn is a good defender.
        
        Q.E.D.
        
        king of fruitless hypotheticals
        
        Nick Swisher is much slower than Damon, Abreu, or Ellsbury, and yet, he’s the best defender of the four of them, by ~~leaps and bounds~~stumbles and falls.
        
        Fixed.
        
        :)
        
        CountryClub
        
        I’m not sure we can say that yet. Ellsbury has had some pretty big struggles at the plate in his short career. He’s also had some great hot streaks. I’d personally love to see Gardner play a full season before I compare the two. And even then it may be unfair to Gardner. hopefully, he can hold his own this yr at the plate.
        
        JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
        
        He’s not other-worldly or anything, but Yo Quiero Tocoboy Pillsbury has put up a career line of
        
        .301/.355/.415/.770
        
        Very little power, but a .300 hitter with an OPB over .350 and 70-steal potential isn’t exactly a big struggle. That’s pretty good, particularly from CF. The big issue is his defense, not his offense.
        
        I’ll agree that I’d like to see Gardner play a full season before rushing to judgment, but I’ll be straight-up socked if he puts up anything better than .260/.330/.360./.690 next year.
        
        My hatred of Gardner is already immense and irrational. Wait ’til you see me when he struggles to hit anything next year. Uppercutting at everything or taking pitch after pitch down the middle. I’ll need a psychiatric team to control my rage.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        My hatred of Gardner is already immense and irrational.
        
        Repeated for emphasis.
        
        If you KNOW it’s irrational, that means your rational mind is already taking steps to prepare for bloodthirsty war against your irrational mind. My advice: Let the irrational side lose. It’s outnumbered and outgunned anyway.
        
        Let your irrational mind commit suicide. You’ll be happier for it.
        
        JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
        
        Some have religion, some hold ill feelings toward Brett Gardner.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Yeah, and sometimes you do Reindeer Games.
        
        CountryClub
        
        I guess I’m in the minority, but I think Gardner can produce a better line than that.
        
        king of fruitless hypotheticals
        
        CountryClub says:
        January 6th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
        I guess I’m in the minority, but I think Gardner can produce a better line than that.
        
        That’s the great thing about RAB–everybody here is Pinstripes. Nobody cares what color you are.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        There are two things I can’t stand: people intolerant of other people’s cultures… and the Dutch.
DontmesswiththeJesus

Maybe Jerry Hairston Jr. as a right handed caddy w/Gardner. Bats not that much worse, and he has the added infield versatility to complement Pena. Plus the price is right.
- A.D.
  
  The only thing is Gardner his lefties better last year, and Hariston is pretty even.
A.D.

Really no reason for Cashman to say anything else, any player they woo at this point is because he needs a job and is running out of options.
ADam

I’d like to see Cash pull the trigger on Jonny Gomes. Fits in Left, Fits on the bench, fits in a platoon and has played in the AL East. He makes the bench stronger and adds depth and pop… some what of a Shane Spencer role.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada

Opening day roster:

1- SS Jeter (R)
2- DH Johnson (L)
3- 1B Teixeira (S)
4- 3B Rodriguez (R)
5- C Posada (S)
6- CF Granderson (L)
7- 2B Canó (L)
8- RF Swisher (S)
9- LF Gardner (L)

Bench
C Cervelli (R)
2B/3B/SS Peña (S)
LF/CF/RF Reed Johnson (R)
LF/CF/RF Hoffmann (R)

Rotation
LHP Sabathia
RHP Burnett
LHP Pettitte
RHP Vazquez
RHP Chamberlain

Bullpen
RHP Rivera
RHP Hughes (sigh)
LHP Marte
RHP Aceves
RHP Robertson
RHP Gaudin
RHP Mitre

Edwar’s out of options, so I imagine he gets foisted on someone during training camp for a marginal prospect. I believe Albaladejo still has one left, so he stays in Scranton. One of Gaudin or Mitre probably gets dealt by midseason to make room for one of Melancon/McAllister/Nova/WDLR.

I think Hoffmann stays. I know he and Reed Johnson are kind of duplicates, and I’m sure Girardi would prefer to move Hoffmann down to Scranton and give that 4th bench spot to another infielder (he likes to carry two) like Russo or Miranda, but, all things considered, we probably need two bench outfielders more than we need two bench infielders. Two of ARod/Jeter/Cano aren’t going to be sitting simultaneously, and Swisher/Johnson can both back up first.

Perhaps if we could agree on a deal to trade a fringe prospect to the Dodgers to be able to send Hoffmann down, maybe… but I think he sticks and makes it out of camp with the final roster spot. That may be our best option, all things considered: return Hoffmann to the Dodgers and then trade them like a Colin Curtis or something on that level to get him back but regain his minor league flexibility.

JMHO.
- Doug
  
  like it, save for the following questions/points:
  1. do we really have a need for both gaudin and mitre in the pen?
  2. wouldn’t a left-handed bat come in handy on the bench?
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
    
    1.) They’re both out of minor league options, IIRC, so we kinda have to have them both in the pen. Besides, of the guys immediately behind them in the current bullpen pecking order (Albaladejo, Edwar, Melancon, Romulo, WDLR, McAllister, Nova), Melancon is the only one who is probably better than them, but there’s no need to jettison one of the two immediately just to make a spot for him. Better to be patient and wait for the inevitable bullpen weeding out process.
    2.) Perhaps, which is the biggest reason why Hoffmann may be returned/traded for to make a spot for Miranda. But, realistically, where is Miranda playing and whom is he pinch hitting for? We don’t really need a lefty pinch hitter except for interleague play where we’re lifting the pitcher. If we had a lefty bat readily available who could play something other than 1B/DH, perhaps, but otherwise, it’s probably better off to just roll with our 5 man OF team of Swish (S) Granderson (L) Gardner (L) Johnson (R) Hoffmann (R). That’s good balance and flexibility.
    
    If we add Reed Johnson, Miranda’s probably still more redundant than Hoffmann is, all things considered.
    - Doug
      
      as i commented to the yw, would try and deal gaudin/mitre in ST, opening a spot up for boone logan as a 2nd lefty in the pen
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        That’s very possible.
    - Andy in Sunny Daytona
      
      I would think with the horses they have in the starting rotation, they mat be able to go with an 11 man bullpen too.
      - Doug
        
        good thought. trade mitre/gaudin and add miranda to the bench?
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Perhaps, but again:
        
        RHP Rivera – obviously a lock
        RHP Hughes
        LHP Marte – obviously a lock
        RHP Aceves – being counted on as part of the Bridge to Mowhere
        RHP Robertson – being counted on as part of the Bridge to Mowhere
        RHP Gaudin – out of options
        RHP Mitre – out of options
        
        If you want to only carry a 6 man pen instead of a 7 man pen, the only guy you can realistically kick out of it is Hughes, which puts him in Scranton. We all know that that idea is one with merit, but I just don’t see it happening.
        
        Doug
        
        what about dealing gaudin or mitre
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Again, I can see it. It’s a definite possibility.
        
        I bet they’re both on the Opening Day team, though. They only get moved before that if someone behind them (namely, Romulo, Melancon, or Logan, etc.) is LIGHTS OUT in the spring and just physically takes a bullpen spot.
        
        We like depth. It’s good.
        
        Doug
        
        i hear ya.
        
        personally have always been a fan of having 2 lefties in the pen. would probably only move one of them for logan.
        
        Andy in Sunny Daytona
        
        Trade Mitre to the Florida for, coincidently, a meat tray.
    - Doug
      
      as far as when to ph miranda, how about for gardner with runners on base, down a couple in the 9th, with a righty closer on the mound
      - Zack
        
        How often does that situation present itself? That handcuffs your bench alot, especially when its just a guy who can only play 1B
        
        Doug
        
        of course it wouldn’t present itself all that much. there may be other circumstances, however.
        
        just think that having some pop from the left-hand batter’s box (esp in YS) would come in handy
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        just think that having some pop from the left-hand batter’s box (esp in YS) would come in handy
        
        I agree.
        
        I offer you Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, Nick Johnson, Mark Teixeira, Jorge Posada, and Nick Swisher.
        
        You’re welcome.
    - king of fruitless hypotheticals
      
      great post, but i disagree with three things:
      
      the sigh should be emboldened or just flat out exchanged for @#$@#$!!!
      
      i’m feeling much better about our starters but a little less strong about our bench–molina, hinske, hairston feels a lot better than pena, cervelli, hoffmann (i know its end of last year to beginning of this year, and it most likely wont remain that way, and etc etc, but while i’m significantly more baseball informed this year than last, i’m still not experienced enough to have the patience that Cashmoneybajillionaire has)
      
      if you’re going to do the work to say whom, just go ahead and say ‘for whom’ to avoid ending the sentence in the preposition that the word whom was seemingly designed to support. (yeah, i know, nits, but…i got nothin. so nits is it.)
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Thanks, bro.
        
        Ending a sentence with a preposition is the part of grammar I constantly mess up on.
        
        http://www.instantrimshot.com
        
        JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
        
        Card I gave my mother for her birthday:
        
        Two girls are on the front, sitting at a table. One asks the other, “Where’s your birthday party at?”
        
        The second girl says, “Don’t end a sentence with a preposition.”
        
        When you open the card, the first girl replies, “Where’s your birthday party at, bitch?”
        
        king of fruitless hypotheticals
        
        I’m not your bro, man.
        
        you didnt address my bench comment, which means you either that it was so asinine that it didnt deserve a response or it was correct prime fascia.*
        
        *not to be confused with latin, on its face, but actually prime fascia, as in grade A edging for your roof.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        No, your bench comment was spot on.
        
        Building a great bench is always going to be tough on the Yankees. Always. It’s a fact of life for us now. Good players don’t want to be backups behind superstars who don’t take days off and have strangleholds on the starting positions.
        
        It is what it is.
    - JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
      
      Speculating on the bullpen now is purely academic. It will be absolutely different by the mid-point of the season from what it projects to be. I don’t even worry about that stuff. Outside of Mo and Marte, there’s no guarantee any of those guys will be there (even Robertson). Whatevs.
  - Zack
    
    What would the LHB be used for? The only players you would potential PH for are Gardner and Granderson against LHP, so you replace 2 LHB with another LHB
    - Doug
      
      see above
- Thomas
  
  From what I heard, the Dodgers really like Hoffman and probably would reject a trade of a fringe prospect for him, hoping that they would eventually get Hoffman back.
  - Andy in Sunny Daytona
    
    They liked him so much that they removed him from the 40 man roster.
    - Thomas
      
      Hoffmann was DFA by the Dodgers and then the Dodgers offered him a contrect large enough that Hoffman stayed with the organization, (which I had never heard of happening before) so I took that as the team really liking him.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Luckily, we have a mole inside the Dodgers organization. He constantly thwarts their plans to play (or keep under team control) their promising youngsters by demanding trades and signings for overpaid, overpriced vets.
        
        For reasons of corporate confidentiality, I’m not allowed to say his real name, so let’s just call him “Moe Torry”.
        
        Thomas
        
        http://www.myspace.com/89426938 (safe)
        
        Judging by his website, the Yankees seem to pay him a lot.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        Moe Torry: he gets money.
        
        Thomas
        
        That sounds like the catch phrase for some really sketchy financial adviser.
        
        I’m Moe Torry and I get money!
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        That sounds like the catch phrase for some really sketchy financial adviser.
        
        http://www.dula.tv/watch.php?f.....ancial.flv (NSFW-profanity)
        
        Tom Zig
        
        That’s awesome
- theyankeewarrior
  
  I like it too, my only difference is that I think Girardi will give Logan a shot out of ST (assuming he doesn’t get pounded into the Tampa dirt while he’s there).
  
  Does Logan have any options left? Because if he does, then I can see him starting in Scranton, but if he doesn’t, then they might be inclined to see what they have in him.
  
  Also, I’d like to see the Yankees trade one of Mitre/Gaudin for some salary relief and use that cash to get Damon.
  
  1 yr/7M. Do iiiiiiiiiiiet.
  - Doug
    
    i too can see a mitre/gaudin ST trade, opening a spot up for logan
    - king of fruitless hypotheticals
      
      i dont think the damon 1/7 contract idea got any further than my desk. i never sent it to scott, and now, well, you should see my desk. not gonna happen. my bad.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph Pawlikowski
  
  Other than flipping JoPo and Granderson in the lineup, I agree.
  - Zack
    
    That would guarantee ARod gets IBB and a lefty comes in for Granderson in late innings.
    - Doug
      
      yup. that’s why i like posada backing up arod too
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
    
    +1.
    
    It’s what I’d do. I doubt highly it’s what Girardi would do, thoguh. Veterans like being respected and deferred to. Posada is just the kind of crochety old man to be slighted that some 29 year old flashy new import is hitting above himself (a vaunted, lauded member of the Five Rings Club™) in the lineup.
    
    Just my hunch.
- Ballpark
  
  Team looks very good,Cashman has done great job.I wouldn’t mind HAIRSTON back and don’t think they will keep both Gaudin and Mitre maybe an upgrade in pen is still out there .
- santa
  
  “I think Hoffmann stays. I know he and Reed Johnson are kind of duplicates, and I’m sure Girardi would prefer to move Hoffmann down to Scranton”
  
  Maybe I need a refresher on rule 5 guys, but doesn’t the Hoff need to stay on the ML roster lest he be dealt back to the Dodgers? Lil’ help pleez.
  
  That being said, I’m very much intrigued by what we got going on in left. It’s funny because I feel like I’m in the overwhelming minority in this regard. I never liked or wanted Damon. I get his value and appreciate his tenure, but he’s no longer what he was when we got him. He’s neither a CF or a lead-off hitter. He doesn’t run much any more and is not a 10-13 million dollar ballplayer anymore IMO. I can remember an article from mid-summer when Damon seemed to realize this and was expecting a diminished role, I obviously can’t find it or I would have shared it, but his about face after a weak Sept/Oct just pleases me to no extent now that the Yankees have filed him under Giambi/Abreu-types – once valued and now overpriced shadows of themselves.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
    
    Loki: “Cardinal Glick Cuts Ribbon on ‘Catholicism WOW!’ Campaign”… And?
    
    Bartelby: … You have to keep reading.
    
    Perhaps if we could agree on a deal to trade a fringe prospect to the Dodgers to be able to send Hoffmann down, maybe…
Andy in Sunny Daytona

I’ll believe Damon’s NOT coming back when he signs with another team, until then, he’s still a Yankee in my mind.
- theyankeewarrior
  
  +28
larryf

Agree with letting Nady go. The guy has a big/roundhouse swing and plays corner OF only-not a good risk with that elbow…There will always be someone to pick up in June/July if Gardner isn’t getting it done…
mryankee

Is Cashman being a little stingy with Damon if the deal could be done at 2 years 20 mill? then why not do it? I dont know if damon would accept that but if so I wuld think that would be affordable.
- Steve H
  
  Why not do Damon for 2/$20 million. Really?????
  
  If no one else will even give him 1/$8 million, why would you give Damon more money and more years? Seriously?
- Tom Zig
  
  We’re saving it for Chapman ;)
  - mryankee
    
    I certainly hope they sign Chapman. Seems like a good project and the upside is huge.
    - Tom Zig
      
      I’ll show you huge upside
      - JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
        
        Hiyooooooo
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        My ears are burning…
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
  
  Is Cashman being a little stingy with Damon
  
  No.
  
  if the deal could be done at 2 years 20 mill?
  
  That’s one too many years and 13 too many million.
  
  then why not do it?
  
  Because his production has already been replaced by Nick Johnson. He’s not a need anymore, just a luxury. Luxuries must be counterbalanced with flexibility (which he’d decrease) and the opportunity to play and develop our young talent (which he’d curtail). He is only a sound investment at this point at FAR below market rates.
  
  I dont know if damon would accept that
  
  He probably would accept a 2/20, but we wouldn’t and shouldn’t offer it.
  
  but if so I wuld think that would be affordable.
  
  The Yankee FO disagrees with you.
  - mryankee
    
    Will be interesting to see Gardner in left as it will to see ellsbury in left. I do think and I know he has a major injury history maybe a minor league or incentive laden contract for Baldelli. I saw him play last year and he looked pretty good when he played. If we are talking about depth type players maybe Baldelli would be worth a look.
    - Steve H
      
      But if you want Damon because you are scared of Gardner in left, why grossly overpay him? When you order a 99 cent cheeseburger at McDonalds, do you offer them $3 for it?
      - mryankee
        
        I suggested 2 and 20 because it might get teh deal done quickly before another team bids. However if you can get him for 1 year 8 mill then fine by me. If you do not get him then thats ok too I think Gardner could be a pleasant suprise this year.
- JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
  
  Step 1: Sign Damon for 2/$20
  Step 2: Trade Damon for BJ Upton, Desmond Jennings, wheel of cheese
  Step 3: ?????
  Step 4: Profit
  - Tom Zig
    
    Depends on what kind of cheese really
    - JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
      
      Havarti.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        With or without jalapeños? If there’s no jalapeños, then no deal.
        
        Steve H
        
        Rumor is that there are no jalapenos, though they are willing to throw in Price to make up the difference.
        
        Deal?
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        If there’s no jalapeños, then I’ll do it for Price AND Hellickson. That’s my final offer.
        
        And no, Tampa Bay, you can’t just give me Monterey Jack with jalapeños and think that I’ll mistake it for Havarti with jalapeños. We’re not going to fall for that banana-in-the-tailpipe shit.
        
        Mr.Jigginz
        
        “LOOK,MAN…I AIN’T FALLIN’ FOR NO BANANA IN THE TAILPIPE!”
grassnot paper

Cashmans recent record

essentially dumped Matsui for nick Johnson
Damon for Gardner and a name to be played later
Melky/Austin Jackson for Granderson on the apparent assumption that strike outs are ok and all the lefthanders in the al will never pitch again
picked up a fourth starter on the apparent assumption that he will never have to pitch against Boston or in an important game

he has left Rodriguez exposed in the lineup and continued the Hughes/Joba confusion

good job
- Steve H
  
  Are you related to mryankee?
  - mryankee
    
    Wait a minute I have always given Cashman credit when he performed well and I did this off season. So dont lump me in with this guy.
    - Steve H
      
      You’re right, your reply below is spot on.
- JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
  
  I’m dying to hear your analysis of the health care issue. Just dying.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
    
    He’s probably against the elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions, but all for the death panels.
    - JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
      
      Dude, that’s my plan. I fully support killing anyone over the age of 70.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Archimedes Torquemada
        
        70? That’s way too old.
        
        http://tinyurl.com/realhealthcarereform
- mryankee
  
  I thnk the trade off of Johnson for Matsui is a steal for the Yankees. With the quality of the lineup Gardner is fine a #9 hitter with speed and improving OBP skills. Yeah those centerfielers in their primes and hit 30+ home runs and play great defense are overrated huh? Javy Vazquez who could have won a cy young last year gives 200 quality innings and willbe better than John Lackey wwill have a huge impact. BTW remember what team just won the world series?
The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

This has all been covered here in this thread, but I want to add that while I agree with the usual suspects that this team looks really good right now, they do actually have an outfield depth deficiency. I don’t think it’s a fatal flaw by any means, as depth is certainly something that can change either by having unexpected options pop up through the system (or by having Gardner or Hoffman break out a bit), but really, this roster right now is pretty thin in the outfield. I love Swisher and Granderson, and I’m interested to see what Gardner can do with another year under his belt, but with the current roster, what happens if Swisher or Granderson, Mo forbid, suffer some sort of serious injury and have to miss significant time? Gardner and Hoffman as two members of the everyday outfield is a pretty scary thought.

Obviously you can never build a good enough bench to replace your regulars such that you don’t miss them while they’re out, but this roster right now would be particularly weak in the outfield if something should happen to either Granderson or Swisher. I think they have a pretty strong need to grab another OF option, whether it be Reed Johnson, possibly Nady, or someone else we maybe haven’t discussed much. It’s easier to grab someone like that for nothing but money today than to be forced to deal for someone later.
- Steve H
  
  I agree they should grab someone from the Johnson/Nady bunch. Even if Gardner is starting, I’d want Hoffman to be a true #5 to start the year. If there is an injury, or just horrible production, I think they can relatively easily fill the hole in June/July. Your LF is basically your #9 hitter, so all you really would need at that point is what, an average to good fielder who can put up a 90-100 OPS+.
- JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
  
  Yup. In short, we need depth, no doubt. I’m not sure you can run out an OF without Granderson or Swish for any extended period of time without it necessitating a big trade with our current roster construction. I heard Nady was doing more auditioning for 1B, which tells me his arm is still pretty weak.
  
  We have a spot open and I think Reed Johnson fills the void best (unless Damon’s still an option).
- The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  PS: Obviously I didn’t see Ben’s Hinske/depth post when I wrote this comment here… This comment, while relevant here, is really covered by that post. Oops.
- thurdonpaul
  
  i agree with everything you said
kimonizer

Our team will only be set when we sign Chapman

/ mryankee’d
- JMK aka The Overshare’s Excessive Back Hair Complex
  
  You’re thinking more Andy In Sunny, not mryankee. But to complete the deal for him you need to make a remark about Sano or Cyclops Mateo.
  
  MrYankee would be more, “Our team will only be set when it resembles my roster in MLB ’09 The Show.”
  
  We’ll have Pujols DHing, BJ Upton in CF, Matt Holliday in LF, Mauer at C.
Jai

Just remember: “Bubba Crosby is our opening day centerfielder.”
AJ

At BEST what is Brett Gardner’s numbers in 2009? .270, .350, .400, 30SB? Am I being generous?
AJ

He could probably steal more than that though.
Joseph M

For reasons known only to Cashman and perhaps the family the Yankees have made some of the idiotic moves of any team in baseball. I guess we’ll all find this out the hard way, Gardner is not a starting player. Sometime in May people will be visiting this site screaming for outfield help and then we can all acknowledge Gardner is not a starting player. To be honest I’m not even sure he much of a major league player.

We’ll also find out that Vazquez is nothing more than a highly overpaid .500 pitcher. Granderson is going to disappoint big time especially in the field. I think the best we can hope for is Nick Johnson not injuring himself putting his batting helmet on.

Bad moves and now we can only hope. At least we’ll have 2009.
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