Open Thread: Distantly Yankees-related stuff

January 19, 2010 by Joe Pawlikowski 152 Comments

Lots went down in baseball today, with teams working out deals with arbitration-eligible players or otherwise exchanging figures. Mike rocked it at MLBTR today, so head over there and catch up on anything you’ve missed. For now, here are a few not-so-huge kinda, sorta Yankees related items from the day.

Johnny Damon hasn’t ruled out a Yankees return, though he’d be foolish to do so. I’m not even sure what to think at this point.

Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports makes a loose Yankees-Jim Edmonds connection. If the Yankees sign the 40-year-old, I’ll eat my shoe. Live. Via webcam.

Ben Sheets threw for scouts today. No word if the Yankees were in attendance, but as Bryan Hoch mentioned this afternoon, they were not expected to participate.

Finally, the Cardinals are reviewing Chien-Ming Wang’s medicals. St. Louis seems as likely a destination for Wang as any.

And with that, the open thread for the evening.

http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist

Thanks for the Sheets update, Joe. I was looking all over for that.

At 8 mil+ I’ll say the Yanks made the right call going with Javier Vasquez at 12 mil. Much more certain, almost as much upside and the cost (Melky/Viz/Dunn) wasn’t prohibitive.
- Reggie C.
  
  I agree. Vazquez isn’t expected to repeat his ’09 braves campaign, but we’ll need him to repeat a 200 inning effort. Vazquez has got to be pitching with a chip on his shoulder. Its his last chance at a 3 or 4 yr payday, so hopefully its motivation enough to keep his approach intact.
  - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
    
    Maybe he doesn’t repeat last year, but he was almost as good in 07 with the ChiSox, which everyone seems to forget. I’ll take a repeat of 07.
    - Accent Shallow
      
      Even in his bad ’08, he had a K/BB rate of 3.26. Over the past four years, that stands at 3.96. That’s ex-freakin-ceptional.
      
      Unfortunately, his HR/9 over those years is 1.0, which is basically league average. Ehh, they don’t call him “Home Run Javy” for nothing.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    If he gives the Yanks 190 IP and a 4.10 ERA, he’s a massive upgrade.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

Every time I think Yale can’t get more pretentious, they do shit like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGn3-RW8Ajk
- JMK THE OVERSHARE’s Glenn Beck Complex
  
  The future of Glee? That was awesome.
- JGS
  
  wow…just. wow
  
  /can’t believe I watched that whole thing’d
- T-Dubs
  
  Yale rant really quick: I used to engineer in a recording studio in southern Connecticut and I had about a 7 day session with a Yale a cappella group called Magevet (link: http://www.yale.edu/magevet/). As they struggled through their Yiddish renditions of unknown songs, one of the kids came up to me to complain about the bill that was ever rising due to their poor singing skills. We had this exchange:
  
  Him: “Is there anything we can do to expedite this process?”
  
  Me: “I don’t know.”
  
  Him: “Expedite….it means to speed up…”
  
  I almost smacked the kid across the face in the middle of the control room.
  
  Ugh, Yale…
  - JAG
    
    I praise your self control.
    
    I probably would have responded with something like “You could try sucking less.”
    
    -JM
JGS

Giants resigned Bengie Molina for 1/4.5

and the Mets sink lower still…
- http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
  
  That just tells me the reports of the Mets offering a 2nd year guaranteed were false. I doubt he’d leave a 2-10 deal on the table for a 1-4.3 deal, especially since he’s approaching the end of his career.
  - JGS
    
    fair enough. Heyman says the Mets offered 5+ and he turned that down to go back for less
    - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
      
      That’s believable. For that small of a difference, he may simply not want to move his family.
      
      Did the Mets really think they could offer a 150K more and land him? Given the choices the Mets are now looking at for C, they screwed the pooch yet again.
- Salty Buggah
  
  Nah, the Mets got lucky. No need to pay Molina $5 mil and possibly giving him a multi-year deal.
  - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
    
    OK, so who’s their catcher? Omir Santos? Jose Molina?
    - Jose
      
      Mike Piazza
    - Salty Buggah
      
      Anyone one of Omir Santos, Chris Coste, or Henry Blanco I guess. They didn’t need another catcher after having 4 backup guys. Will Bengie be worth the marginal upgrade from one of those guys, especially considering that they have no pitching still?
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Blanco and Thole would be the best bet. They can’t do worse than a .285 OBP while throwing out 22.7% of would-be basestealers.
      - For Lack of a More Creative Name… Alex
        
        I couldn’t imagine a 7-9 of Francoeur and his ~300 OBP, Bengie and his ~285 and the pitcher. Wow that would have been.. terrible.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        For about $10M + pitcher’s salary.
        
        Zack
        
        If they non-tendered Francoeur would he have even gotten 3m?
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        Would he have gotten a ML deal?
        
        Zack
        
        When he returns to being Jeff Francoeur those fans are going to be even more pissed at Omar
- Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster)
  
  And the Mets still deeper descent into Hell continues…
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  The Mets are so bad, one of the worse players in baseball took less money to sign elsewhere. Hah.
  - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
    
    Look at the Verducci payroll efficiency stuff I posted below. They spend more than anyone in the NL and still averaged 81.5 wins per season.
  - Accent Shallow
    
    Eh, I feel like the Mets avoiding Molina is a win for them. Sure, he has a better bat than any of the other options, but his defense isn’t thought of as well as it had been in the past, and his baserunning is Posada-level. He’s also 35, so there’s a non-zero chance he craters.
    - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
      
      http://riveraveblues.com/2010/01/open-thread-distantly-yankees-related-stuff-22611/#comment-753519
http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist

Johnny Damon hasn’t ruled out a Yankees return, though he’d be foolish to do so. I’m not even sure what to think at this point.

I decided a while back it wasn’t going to happen. But let me post this hypothetical. What if you could get Johnny for 5-6 mil? That would mean you could deal Chad Gaudin (3 mil) and use the remaining payroll room for Johnny, moving Gardner to 4th OF status. Would you do that?
- http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
  
  The question becomes
  
  A)Damon in LF/Gardner 4th OF/Mitre 6th starter
  
  or
  
  B)Gardner in LF/Jamie Hoffman/Reed Johnson 4th OF/Gaudin 6th starter
  - Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster)
    
    I vote A.
  - For Lack of a More Creative Name… Alex
    
    If Damon were willing to return for just 5ish million, I personally think there is no way that the Yanks pass it up. Anything more than that is stretching the payroll. Also, I doubt Damon would swallow his pride so much. The Yanks will probably end up rolling with what they have rite now, maybe with the addition of a Reed Johnson/Baldelli/Nady, but we never know.
  - Tom Zig
    
    Well how much of a difference is there between mitre and gaudin?
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      If you gave each 30 starts, I’m willing to bet a lot.
      - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
        
        There’s that, and the fielding upgrades of the Gardner/Johnson platoon.
        
        To really do this right, someone should estimate the offensive production you’d get from a Gardner/Johnson platoon, compare that to a reasonable 2010 Damon projection (which would regress) and factor in the defensive +/- of both options. Then do the difference between those two 6th starters and add than into the equation.
        
        All things considered, it’s closer than people realize.
        
        http://www.richardiurilli.com Richard Iurilli
        
        This sounds like a job for SG at RLYW.
        
        http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
        
        Or our pal Mike A.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        I don’t understand what the two sixth starters have to do with anything. Are you assuming they’ll have to trade Gaudin to fit Damon in the payroll?
        
        Basically, you’re looking at Damon + Mitre + Rep. Lvl bench player vs Gardner + Reed Johnson + Gaudin Mitre goes to purgatory).
        
        http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
        
        Are you assuming they’ll have to trade Gaudin to fit Damon in the payroll?
        
        Yes, exactly. I assume they’re sticking to their payroll number until they indicate otherwise. We all know the Yanks have the ability to spend more, but I think the budget number is real for a variety of reasons. They lowered payroll last year, despite the spending spree.
  - For Lack of a More Creative Name… Alex
    
    I’m still thinking as though Phil Hughes is the 6th starter, Gaudin and Mitre 7 and 8.
    - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
      
      The Yanks have made it clear that whoever loses the 5th starter spot goes to the bullpen, and with Joba/Hughes that means setting up for Mo.
      - For Lack of a More Creative Name… Alex
        
        Yea but, if one of the main guys goes down for an extended period of time, I would think that they’d stretch out Hughes/Joba to fill in. If one of the starters is out for a start or two, then Gaudin or Mitre would definitely get the start, but would Hughes really stick in the bullpen for several months while Mitre/Gaudin gets a start every 5 days?
        
        http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ
        
        Well it kinda did happen last year so who knows. But I agree I would much rather have Joba/Hughes filling in for a couple months rather than Guadin or Mitre and maybe even Aceves.
      - http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ
        
        Have they made it clear? I mean it’s the most likely but Cashman did say there’s a possibility of AAA.
        
        http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
        
        Yes, he did.
        
        http://www.theyankeeu.com/2009/12/final-update-joba-and-hughes-will-battle-for-one-spot-13328
        
        But he didn’t specify who would get sent down. After 07/08 with Joba in the bullpen, and 09 with Hughes in the pen, I think it’s a reasonable assumption.
        
        Chris
        
        Reading the quote it’s not clear at all that the loser goes to the pen. The loser would go to the pen or AAA.
- Pasqua
  
  I still believe that they would find an extra $2-3 mil to pay Damon for a year and keep a guy like Gaudin. If Damon’s price tag drops that low, it’s worth “splurging” a little bit to bring him back. It’s like an Amazon Gold Box deal…you had no intention of buying that flatscreen tv, but it was 70% off!
Steve H

Heh. Jim Edmonds last played in 2008.

He ops’d .441 against LHP and .883 against RHP.

I cannot think of a player who fits the Yankees current needs any less than that.
- JGS
  
  I agree but in fairness to Edmonds, that was only 52 plate appearances
  - Steve H
    
    It was a trend though. It’s been 5 years since he hit LHP well, and the only hole the Yankees have right now is an OF to hit LHP. For his (HOF worthy) career, he ops’d .767 against LHP, almost 200 points lower than vs. RHP.
    
    2007-.631
    2006-.479
  - Tom Zig
    
    well he has a .767 ops against lefties for his career. but he did have a bunch of really good years against lefties.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    He never hit lefties well, especially later in his career. He was platooned his last 2-3 years with the Cards.
- radnom
  
  BUT we would get to see Joe eat a show on live internet.
  
  Tough call, I say they sign him.
  - radnom
    
    *shoe
  - JAG
    
    +1. Would a Billy Crystal-type contract count?
    
    -JM
Salty Buggah

Earlier on Twitter today, some guy said Tino wasn’t a star player. Many Yankees fans jumped on him immediately and said Tino was, in fact, a star player. Some even went as far as saying that he was one of the best players in our generation.

Personally, I think the guy could be right. He just made things worse for himself by being a Mets fan and being bitter about the Yanks and complaining about them.

Anyway, Tino, while having a great defensive reputation, was a career 112 OPS+ player, which is solid but not star caliber, especially as a 1Bman.

On the other hand, he was a fan-favorite, had a great peak with the Yanks (143 OPS+ in 1997, though overall he had a 113 OPS+ in Pinstripes) hit a lot of HRs (which everyone loves), played during the Yankees dynasty, and had a couple of big hits that really stand out.

I think he was a solid player, maybe a star due to his popularity, but not one of the best players. I guess it all depends on one’s definition of star.

What do you guys think?
- Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster)
  
  He was a star in his peak.
  - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
    
    At his position in the height of the steroid era?
    - Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster)
      
      Good point.
      
      I remember him as being really good though.
    - For Lack of a More Creative Name… Alex
      
      A 147 OPS+ is pretty damn good, and in his second best year, 1995, he had a 135. After that though, there is really nothing that suggests stardom. He was a very good player, but probably not a star outside of 1997.
      - JGS
        
        also a career .233/.321/.351/.672 hitter in the playoffs. The grand slam in 98 and the home run off Kim stick out much more than that though
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        He was brutal in the playoffs in 96. Cecil Fielder was playing 1B at times, and he was as immobile as they come.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  He had a star peak, but not the longevity.
http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist

Verducci’s put out his annual payroll efficiency index

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tom_verducci/01/19/verducci.efficiency/index.html?eref=writers

Team Payroll* Wins CPW+
Yankees $1,685.3 965 174.6
Mets $1,086.5 815 133.3
Red Sox $1,168.1 920 127.0
Dodgers $1,002.0 862 116.2

No surprises here. The Yanks and Red Sox are who everyone knows they are, and the Mets spent almost as much yet managed to win 100+ fewer games.
- http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
  
  Sorry, that’s the totals for last decade, not the annual report.
- Chris
  
  For 2009, The Yankees CPWS (Cost Per World Series) was far better than every other team.
Rey22

Please please sign Jim Edmonds. His pro-rated salary for just Spring Training would be worthit just to see Joe eat a shoe.
http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100119&content_id=7936024&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

Question-Is it likely that the Yankees are reluctant to make a long-term commitment to another outfielder because they eventually plan to move Derek Jeter to the outfield?
— Woody B., Silver Spring, Md.

Brian Hoch-I’m not sure that you can make decisions like that based upon what may or may not happen several years down the road. The Yankees have said that there are no plans to move Jeter, especially after he put in all that agility training to roll his odometer back. He’s better there now than he has been in years.

This will be a topic when his contract expires after this year, but I think it’s fair to ask, “How are we sure if Jeter can play outfield, anyway?” We’ve never seen it. It’s probably not a good comparison, but I keep thinking about when the Mets tried Todd Hundley in left field in 1998, an experiment that was horrific to watch. He had no interest in being out there and played as such. Jeter would be more invested in the team, of course, but his heart is obviously into being the shortstop. The Yankees just won a World Series with him doing that, so now probably isn’t the time to tell him to stop

That’s not a bad comparison, it’s a horrendous one. Hundley was a bulky, steroid-addled, slow moving Catcher and Jeter is a lanky Shortstop with good speed. If you want to do apples to apples, compare other SS or middle infielders who’ve moved to the OF as they aged. Robin Yount comes to mind.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Robin Yount was 29 when he made the move.
  - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
    
    Fine, Hundley was still never Yount in terms of tools. The old line is that “Shortstops can play anywhere on the diamond defensively” and all the way back to JV teams put their best overall athlete at the SS position. I have a hard time believing Derek Jeter can’t play Left Field. Jeter’s always been known for his ability to go back on short pop flies.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Here’s the thing, Jeter could be Carl Crawford in left for all he cares, he’s not moving. He’s got far too much pride for that, and he’ll be the Yanks’ shortstop until he says he’s not ready to anymore. The Yanks won’t even bother asking.
      - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
        
        They don’t ask because they trust that he’ll do the right thing when the time comes that he’s hurting the team. If he doesn’t, they’ll ask. He has a contract expiring soon, so it has to be getting kicked around in private by the Yankee brass.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        Why didn’t he do the right thing 3-4 years ago?
        
        http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
        
        He told an interesting story on Jeter’s defensive improvements. The defensive metrics had been saying for years that Derek was the worst Shortstop in Baseball in terms of range, and Brian had directed his infield coaches to work with him on it. The coaches kept reporting back to him that they addressed it with Derek, and he was taking steps to improve. But it wasn’t showing up in his play, the numbers kept coming back the same, if not worse. So Brian decided to sit down and have dinner with Derek, and he asked him what he was going on. To Brian’s surprise, Derek said this was the first time anyone had mentioned it to him. He added that ‘you’re my boss’ and if he wanted him to do something to improve, he would. Apparently, the infield coaches were too intimidated to confront Derek on such a touchy subject. And that dovetails into what Joe P. discussed in his piece about ‘changing the clubhouse culture’ with the additions of Swisher, Burnett, CC and the various pie throwing antics that ensued. Brian felt it was needed to change the old guard culture that surrounded the team, and the Jeter defense incident only cemented the idea in his mind.
        
        http://www.theyankeeu.com/2009/12/wfan-breakfast-with-brian-cashman-11956
        
        Accent Shallow
        
        Well, it depends on who is available to replace him. There’s certainly no point in asking him to move off short for Ramiro Pena.
        
        http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
        
        +1
        
        That’s a huge consideration, of course.
        
        JAG
        
        Agreed. It doesn’t do much good to replace Jeter with a below-average player. If the Yankees pick up a good SS prospect at some point, Jeter may have to make a call (or Cashman may), but until then there’s really no point in thinking about it. I have to think that Jeter at SS and Gardner/Damon/someone decent in LF is better than Jeter in LF and league average/below average SS.
        
        -JM
  - Ivan
    
    I learn something new today.
- Accent Shallow
  
  Well, the knock on Jeter at short is that he has a bad first step. While that can be masked in the OF since he does run well otherwise, that probably precludes him being a great outfielder.
  - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
    
    The question implies LF, not CF. It’s the least demanding of the 3 OF positions.
    - Accent Shallow
      
      Of course. I guess the question is how good of an LF (defense-wise) to have equivalent value to an average-to below average SS (again, fielding-wise)?
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        It’s not just the defense though. Moving Jeter to left means you’re turning a well-above avg offensive shortstop into an avg offensive LF.
        
        Jeter at SS + lg avg LF >>> Jeter in LF + lg avg SS
        
        Frankly, it’s not even close.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

Admit it: Who’s watching Idol with me?
Mo

Anyone else think the Bengie Molina 1 year/4.5 m contract to return with the SF Giants bodes well for Johnny’s return to Yanks?
- For Lack of a More Creative Name… Alex
  
  Meh, the Giants were pretty much out of play for Damon once they signed Aubrey Huff, as he moved Sandoval to third and DeRosa to left. They didn’t seem to consider putting Sandoval behind the plate, as some suggested.
  - JAG
    
    Probably they don’t want to risk having Panda injured or otherwise diminished by catching. It’s not like they’ve got a Joe Mauer athlete in Sandoval. They’re probably also looking for him to get some work in at the positions he’ll actually play once Posey comes up.
    
    -JM
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)
  
  No. Not unless Bengie also plays left field.
- Zack
  
  It’s still about Damon swallowing his pride and returning to the clubhouse at a 30-50% of his former salary.
  Dont know if he can do that.
Accent Shallow

Shameless stolen from RLYW (link here: http://www.replacementlevel.com/index.php/RLYW/comments/yankees_top_prospects_1_5)

The park factors for Yankees MiL parks. Look how much someplace like Trenton suppresses homeruns, that’s positively Petco-esque.

Year Team Lg Lev R H 2B HR BB SO 2000 Yankees GULF Rook 1.03 1.02 1.04 0.80 0.98 1.03 2001 Yankees GULF Rook 0.95 0.97 0.94 1.11 0.95 1.05 2002 Yankees GULF Rook 0.95 0.99 0.97 1.08 1.00 1.06 2003 Yankees GULF Rook 0.93 0.93 1.00 0.94 1.00 1.06 2004 Yankees GULF Rook 1.00 0.99 1.12 0.96 0.99 1.02 2004 Charleston SALL A 0.96 0.93 1.03 0.79 0.99 1.02 2005 Charleston SALL A 0.98 1.03 1.11 0.79 1.00 1.02 2006 Charleston SALL A 1.05 1.02 1.05 1.00 1.06 0.99 2007 Charleston SALL A 0.91 0.97 0.93 0.81 0.96 1.04 2008 Charleston SALL A 0.97 0.97 0.98 0.87 1.06 1.01 2009 Charleston SALL A 0.95 0.97 0.89 0.86 0.98 1.00 2004 Tampa FLOR A_adv 1.02 0.98 0.95 1.11 1.01 0.96 2005 Tampa FLOR A_adv 0.99 0.98 0.95 0.99 1.00 0.97 2006 Tampa FLOR A_adv 0.97 0.99 1.00 1.01 0.93 0.97 2007 Tampa FLOR A_adv 1.01 1.01 0.99 0.96 0.99 0.91 2008 Tampa FLOR A_adv 1.04 1.01 0.97 0.96 0.97 1.02 2009 Tampa FLOR A_adv 0.98 0.99 0.96 0.83 1.07 0.98 2004 Trenton EL AA 0.94 0.95 0.98 0.83 0.93 1.06 2005 Trenton EL AA 0.98 1.00 1.09 0.86 0.99 1.00 2006 Trenton EL AA 0.95 0.99 0.96 0.90 0.96 0.98 2007 Trenton EL AA 0.94 0.98 0.96 0.81 0.99 1.07 2008 Trenton EL AA 0.90 0.97 0.96 0.89 0.98 1.05 2009 Trenton EL AA 0.90 0.95 0.94 0.80 1.00 1.05 2004 Scranton IL AAA 0.99 0.99 1.02 0.82 1.10 1.08 2005 Scranton IL AAA 1.01 1.01 1.01 0.89 1.06 1.01 2006 Scranton IL AAA 0.96 0.98 1.05 0.90 0.98 1.06 2007 Scranton IL AAA 1.01 0.99 1.02 1.03 1.04 0.97 2008 Scranton IL AAA 0.95 0.98 0.98 0.91 0.95 1.04 2009 Scranton IL AAA 0.93 0.98 0.94 0.91 0.95 1.00
- http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
  
  Those numbers would mean more to me if compared against the league average. AA represents the biggest jump for position players, so it could be partially due to that.
  - Accent Shallow
    
    AFAIAA, 1.00 is league average for each league.
    
    (Yup, just double checked Dan Szymborski’s post that Kyle at RLYW pulled these from. Looks like it)
    
    http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/3_decades_of_minor_league_translations/
    
    (Comment 3)
    - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
      
      Thanks.
- JGS
  
  Petco has been hovering around 0.70-0.75 for the last few years. Trenton isn’t a good place to hit, but it’s no Petco.
  
  Makes you appreciate the Jesus even more
  - Accent Shallow
    
    Montero is awesome, but he hit .231/.277/.346 at Trenton this year. Of course, he hit .400/.457/.718 on the road.
    
    (Only 83 PA at home and 94 on the road, though)
    
    He didn’t hit particularly well in Tampa, either:
    
    .309/.370/.423 at home (hey, that’s a nice prospect)
    .417/.456/.774 on the road (sweet merciful crap)
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      If that doesn’t prove he’s not clutchy enough to play in front of Yankee fans, I don’t know what does.
      
      Bust!
      - Accent Shallow
        
        They could only play him in road games (which reminds me of past rumblings of how the Blue Jays should employ Cuban stars for home games only)
      - Ivan
        
        And if he’s not clutchy, then he’s not gritty and we all know they both come hand n hand.
        
        For Lack of a More Creative Name… Alex
        
        And because he is Venezuelan, he is also hopelessly lazy.
        
        http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=nf Andy in Sunny Daytona
        
        Come on that a horrible stereotype, Dominicans are lazy. Venezuelans are shifty.
    - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=nf Andy in Sunny Daytona
      
      I must have seen 6 hits in 2 days in Daytona.
- Manimal
  
  Trenton has very tall walls in the outfield, which I would imagine kept some homeruns in the park.
  - usty
    
    Trenton has very tall walls and a swirling wind that pretty much blows straight in from center field all the time. (Seriously, go to a fireworks night and watch the smoke overtake the infield after they’re shot off in center) I’ve been going to games there for years and could probably count the HR’s I’ve seen on one hand.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

If the Mets sign Sheets, does that help them get into position to compete for the WC?
- Steve H
  
  I’d say it comes down many innings does he pitch. If he throws 190+ as well as Johan, they’d certainly have a chance.
  - JAG
    
    The odds of that are not particularly good. I do agree that if he does manage to provide that level of production, the Mets would be in good shape. Not entirely sure they would be ahead of Philly, but they’d probably be the NL Wild Card.
    
    -JM
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Yes, absolutely.
http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist

How about Gary Sheffield for LF as a part time player?

*ducks*

OK, I know what you’re thinking. But think about it for a minute. He’s not a bad option as a platoon partner for Gardner. He has power, hits Lefties, you could use Gardner as a late inning defensive replacement for him and Gary as a bat off the bench as a PH late in games. If he’s ready to accept a limited role (and I think he is) it could work.
- Accent Shallow
  
  I think I’d pass — he’s had a .180 ISO or so from 2006-2009, which isn’t exactly stellar power, and he’s 41.
  
  Not to mention the defense.
  - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
    
    I know, but it’s just as a platoon/bench player that I’m talking about. I’d need to see his splits over the past few seasons.
    
    Also, he still thought he could play every day and was always banged up in recent years and tried to play through it. I seem to remember him saying as a Met last year that he knows he’s not an everyday player anymore. For a few mil?
    - Accent Shallow
      
      Maybe. I’m not sure how sanguine I am on giving Gary Sheffield any money on the premise that he’s not crazy.
      - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
        
        The idea would be he adds some pop to Gardner’s speed and defense, adding up to good overall production out of LF for 2010. Plus, if I’m an opposing manager he would still scare me coming off the bench.
        
        Accent Shallow
        
        I like the idea of adding a power hitting caddy for Gardner, but I’m not sure how I feel about Sheff, given his lack of defensive ability and overall craziness.
- JAG
  
  Not that it should be an end-all, be-all, but I have to think clubhouse chemistry might suffer, especially if/when Sheff starts hitting well and demands to be played more, and Girardi refuses. However, if he does indeed produce decently well against LHP, it might not be a terrible signing. Certainly nicer on the platoon splits than Damon would be (not sure about the defense, but that’s just saying that bad is better than terrible).
  
  -JM
  - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
    
    Most of his problems are usually with the front office(s) of his various teams, generally over contract disputes. In the clubhouse, he’s generally well-liked. Jeter was good friends with him, IIRC.
    - Evilest Empire
      
      He also called Joe Torre a racist and didn’t he say Jeter didn’t count as a black person? Something like that – he talked some shit. I think the Yanks organization will hold that against him, and he’s not a good enough hitter at this stage of his career to overcome that.
      
      Shef does have my favorite swing of all time though. He used to be the man.
    - JAG
      
      Fair enough. I had heard that he was a jerk, but that’s probably just the media perception of him (if he’s really focusing his vitriol on the front offices, that’s probably also the worst possible target in terms of his image. The only thing worse would be to actively antagonize the media). I do have to wonder how he’d respond to being brought in as a platoon player when he ended up playing nearly full-time with the Mets last year. Coupled with the fact that it was Cashman who sent him packing last time around, he might not be overly thrilled about playing in NY again.
      
      -JM
http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist

“Metsblog’s Matthew Cerrone reports that the Mets are interested in signing John Smoltz and one of either Joel Pineiro or Ben Sheets. Cerrone notes that “all three have legit interest in pitching for the Mets on short-term deals,” and that signing Pineiro or Sheets would indicate that Smoltz’s role in New York would be as a reliever.”

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/01/mets-looking-to-add-two-more-pitchers.html

I thought the Red Sox felt last year that he was of no use out of the bullpen, coming off shoulder surgery he couldn’t loosen up fast enough. That’s why they cut him.
- JAG
  
  I thought it was more that he didn’t want to go to the bullpen and asked to be DFAed? I could have that wrong though. It could also well have been that he was just sucking for them last year, and sucking in the rotation is not really any different than sucking out of the pen.
  
  -JM
  - JMK THE OVERSHARE’s Glenn Beck Complex
    
    Why do you keep signing “JM” at the end of all your posts?
    - JAG
      
      My initials. Just something I’ve always done (which I know doesn’t really make sense given my tag, but meh, hard to break a habit that doesn’t really make a difference).
      
      -JM
- Drew
  
  Didn’t they cut him because he sucked?
  - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=nf Andy in Sunny Daytona
    
    Smoltz = Melky’s bitch.
    
    -AISD
  - pat
    
    Actually he had a slight mechanical flaw that was magically corrected by leaving the AL Beast.
    - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
      
      That, and Dave Duncan taught him how to hide a razor blade and sandpaper.
    - JAG
      
      A slight mechanical flaw called “tipping his pitches.”
      
      -JM
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  Using Smoltz as a reliever would be a mistake, no matter who they signed. A 1-3 of Johan-Sheets-Smoltz with Pelfry and Ollie P. filling it out would actually be good enough for the NL East.
  - http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Nostra-Artist
    
    From Smoltz’s perspective, if one team is offering him a starting gig and the Mets are offering a set up bullpen role, you have to figure he’d go with the starting jo. Even if it’s for less money.
pete luciano

Montero will be trade bait late in the season if we need pitching which always happens. Forget Crawford in lf next yr, he’s not worth a huge contract, has a lousy obp, and minimal power. I think the Yankees will spend all their money in next yrs free agent market for Joe Mauer. Boston has locked up their catcher for years and nobody will pay more for Mauer than the Yankees. Posada will move to DH and back up catcher actually saving a roster spot. I think that’s why Cashman was so eager to get Nick Johnson for just 1 yr instead of Damon who was asking for 2 yrs. It also opens up left field if Jeter needs to be moved after next year. Then we can trade Joba or Hughes to Florida for Henly Rameriz. How does that sound.
- http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ
  
  How does that sound.
  
  Uhh tbh not really good for a long term plan.
  
  Forget Crawford in lf next yr, he’s not worth a huge contract, has a lousy obp, and minimal power.
  
  He’s not getting a Holliday contract and if he could replicate his 2009 numbers then I don’t see why not.
  
  I think the Yankees will spend all their money in next yrs free agent market for Joe Mauer. Boston has locked up their catcher for years and nobody will pay more for Mauer than the Yankees.
  
  He’s not likely being a FA and if he is I doubts the Yanks will push hard to acquire him. They’ll bid sure but I don’t know how involved they’ll be. And banking on Mauer to hit free agency isn’t a smart plan.
  
  Montero will be trade bait late in the season if we need pitching which always happens.
  Not happening. Unelss it’s straight up. Which again isn’t happening.
  
  I think that’s why Cashman was so eager to get Nick Johnson for just 1 yr instead of Damon who was asking for 2 yrs.
  Because Damon had a career year and it’s a good chance as he gets older he won’t be as good. His defense sucks too. It might improve since it may be an outlier but unlikely as he gets older. Nick Johnson while injury prone had some wild cases so him as the DH might help him out a bit and who doens’t love a .400 OBP?
  
  It also opens up left field if Jeter needs to be moved after next year.
  
  We have a better shot of trading for Pujols, Mauer, and Felix Hernandez then trading all 3 plus one billion dollars for Casey Kelly’s strand of hair while we beg Boston to have the superhuman God of Gods strand of hair than moving Jeter to LF.
  
  Then we can trade Joba or Hughes to Florida for Henly Rameriz. How does that sound.
  Yeah uhmm no…
- sparky
  
  terrible. would never happen.
- ultimate913
  
  You are one of those fans that give the Yanks fan base a bad rep. This website is for Yankee fans(well any fans) that aren’t homers and have rational arguments.
- Steve H
  
  Who is Henly Rameriz? Not quite sure, but the rest of your plan is spot on…..
  
  /rolls eyes
- WIlliam
  
  First of all, why do we need pitching. We have a solid 1-4 and twi pretty good 5 and 6 starters. Second, relying on Maur hitting FA is bad, since he’s a homegrown player. I’ll get back to your third point, but who in hell is gonna trade Hanley for Hughes/Joba. I wouldn’t. Now back to your third point, ARE YOU TELLING MR.YANKEES, 5 RINGED, LONGTIME CAPTAIN JETER THAT HE’S LEAVING SHORTSTOP, RIGHT AFTER HE ACTUALLY IMPROVED DEFENSIVELY?????? I’de be surprised if Cashman even attempts to set a limit on Jeter’s contract, let alone tell him where he can play.
Reggie C.

The Huston Street extension with the Rockies felt like a punch in my gut for a good minute. I really hoped the Yankees would anoint Street as Mo’s successor.
- Tank the Frank
  
  But that’s for teh Joberrrr!!!
- Evilest Empire
  
  Its only a 3 year deal. He’ll still have his opportunity, with a chance to be his 8th inning understudy for a year or two to boot.
  - Reggie C.
    
    Meh. Best case scenario at this point would be one of Robertson, Melancon, or BRACKMAN turning out as fantastic closer successors.
    
    Mo’s not going to mow ’em all down for much longer. Dammit though…i really wanted Street. He’s so young that he’d still be a great pickup in 3 yrs, but since Mo is so aged and with an expiring contract in sight, we’re really talking about year-to-year with the closer option.
    - WIlliam
      
      Mo will never die!!!!!! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings! 5 More Rings!
    - Evilest Empire
      
      Mo said he wanted to pitch for 5 more years, but realistically that is a bit of a dream.
      
      I really like Street too though, and it isn’t impossible to see Mo going exactly 3 more years and then the Yanks signing him.
      
      In all likelihood, its none of the names we’ve just listed. It’ll be someone totally random.
      - JAG
        
        +1. Mo himself was not really a big prospect when he came up and dominated in ’96, IIRC.
        
        -JM
    - http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
      
      I’m (possibly) way too high on D-Rob, but I really think he could be a closer in the future.
      - Steve H
        
        I still think Melancon>>>D-Rob for the future. But in any universe where Manny Delcarmen could be an NL closer, D-Rob has a chance. I think D-Rob will never be the Yankees closer though.
      - Reggie C.
        
        I’m possibly way too low on D-Rob. I just gotta see him higher leverage situations. That’s the downside of having Hughes or Joba in the ‘pen to start the season. D-Rob has earned the call in the 8ht!!l
        
        I’m also possibly too high on Street’s pedigree. Its going to take big shoes to fill Mo’s departure or imminent decline.
        
        usty
        
        Higher leverage like bases loaded nobody out extra innings of a tied playoff game.
        
        usty
        
        I know…SSS. I’m just playing around.
Evilest Empire

A random bonus of the 2009 Yankees is that their World Series victory makes me feel like its ok to enjoy the Mariners’ walk off call when Ichiro took Mo deep.

“THE UNBELIEVABLE HAS HAPPENED. FLYYYYYYYYYYY FLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY FLY AWAY!”
Manimal

Another one to add to the “Distantly Yankees related” would be Steven Jackson getting cut from the pirates even though he had a 3.14 ERA in 40 appearences. Yanks DFA’d Jackson last year to make room for Arod. I always liked Steven Jackson…
- Zack
  
  To be fair, he had a 4.40 K/9, 4.60 BB/9, and xFIP of 5.34
Jack

http://www.sportspickle.com/article:571/yankees-suck-wins-massachusetts-special-election-as-a-write-in
http://www.mminsports.com Ken

The Yankees need to resign Johnny Damon. He has been good for the team over the last 4 years.
- Zack
  
  You build your team with what you think your players will do THIS year, not what he’s done in the past. Especially when you talk about a 35 year old who was not willing to take a market-value contract