Open Thread: Ramiro Mendoza

December 15, 2010 by Mike Axisa 213 Comments

Ah good old Ramiro Mendoza. I’ll admit it, I didn’t really appreciate his work until he was gone and the Yankees’ middle relief when to crap. Ramiro made 277 appearances for the Yanks from 1996 through 2002, including 57 starts, pitching to a 4.08 ERA with 5.3 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 (taking out intentional walks), making up for the lack of strikeouts by getting grounders with his sinker. He’d give the team one batter, one inning, two innings, or five innings without a problem, the original version of Al Aceves. Knee and shoulder injuries derailed Mendoza’s career after he defected to the Red Sox as a free agent in 2003, though he did make one appearance with the Yankees in 2005, his farewell voyage as a big leaguer. They just don’t make relief help like they used to.

Anywho, here is tonight’s open thread. The Devils, Rangers, and Knicks are all in action, so there should be enough going on to keep you occupied. Talk about whatever your heart desires.

http://www.richardiurilli.com Richard Iurilli

Any serious runners out there?

How do I go about picking a good pair of running shoes? My budget is around a hundred bucks right now.
- http://www.twitter.com/ngoral Jake LaMotta’s Left Hook
  
  The best option is to go to a running specialty store, and they’ll do tests like the “Wet Foot Test” to determine your foot type and what shoe would be best for you. Then they will being out a bunch of different shoes and ask you to jog around the store a bit to see if you like firmer shoes or shoes with more cushion, etc
  
  If you have a neutral to mild-overpronated arch, you are pretty much in business to get whatever shoe you want because those are the most common foot types.
  
  You should be able to find a great shoe for $60-$90 rather easily.
  
  I personally like Nike shoes like the Nike Zoom Structure Triax series.
- http://www.thesubwayconnection.com Newbie
  
  Go to a true runner’s store, not modells or something. There will be someone who knows what they’re doing that will fit you with the right shoe. The shoes are different for everyone; what is great for one may be horrible for another.
  
  And a $100 budget is perfect.
- http://twitter.com/bryanl26 Bryan L
  
  I ran high school Cross Country for four years. In my opinion, New Balance and Saucony are your best bets. Make sure you try them on and they fit perfectly before you buy.
  - http://www.twitter.com/ngoral Jake LaMotta’s Left Hook
    
    Ha, Saucony Tangents destroyed my feet. I needed a lightweight trainer, and the first day I ran in them I twisted my ankle. Good times.
    - http://twitter.com/joero23 The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      Small sample size.
    - http://fmylife.com Bryan L
      
      I’ve had pretty good experiences with them. I’d recommend them.
- Ariel
  
  Read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall and then get a minimalist shoe, something likes Vibram Five Fingers or a Nike Free
http://twitter.com/kschmidt2 Kiersten

Knee and shoulder injuries derailed Mendoza’s career after he defected to the Red Sox as a free agent in 2003

Well, that’s what you get.
http://www.twitter.com/ngoral Jake LaMotta’s Left Hook

Question for Joe/Stat junkies:

I was looking through Fangraphs, like ten minutes ago, going through all the remaining lefty relievers, and saw the Win Probability stat… What is the difference between WPA, -WPA, and +WPA? The latter two seem pointless to me.
- YankeesJunkie
  
  WPA= Win Probability Added which is WPA+-WPA-
  WPA+= Total win probability added per batter
  WPA-= Total win probability loss per batter
- http://www.twitter.com/jordansmed JGS
  
  -WPA and +WPA is just the WPA stat broken down into its component parts. They all sum together to give you the final WPA.
The Real JobaWockeeZ

Siceks top 20 Yankees list came out today…

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/12/15/1878701/new-york-yankees-top-20-prospects-for-2011#storyjump
- radnom
  
  Really high on Noesi, interesting.
- Plank
  
  Nice. I’ve been waiting for this. I guess he doesn’t believe in the 3 B’s. Maybe we should trade Noesi in order to keep the nickname.
  
  I don’t understand why everyone is always so high on Heathcott. I just don’t see it.
  - Sleepykarl
    
    He’s been playing through some injuries and has mega tools. He did show some holes in his first major league season, but showed good walk rate and shown signs of being Gardner with some power.
  - Jimmy McNulty
    
    He seems to like the Killer Bs. He says Banuelos might be a B+ (for a guy who hasn’t pitched more than 50 innings in AA that’s a good thing), likes Betances a lot, and is fairly bullish on Brackman. With Brackman you have to keep in mind that he’s 25 and doesn’t have a real track record of success anywhere. Sure he had a great year this year, but he didn’t have a very successful college career and sucked last year. I like him a lot, but it’s easy to understand why the evaluators aren’t as high on him.
    - The Real JobaWockeeZ
      
      Yup. In Sickel’s system he doesn’t rank a lot of people as A’s so being a B is very good. And at this point last year he lef tout Betances from his list and called Brackman a future reliever. They went from nobodies to B level prospects. When (if) they show some consistency in health those two will be top 10 pitching prospects. Banuelos just needs to prove his velocity spike to see if he can be a legit ace or a good number 2.
      - Jimmy McNulty
        
        It also sounds like Banuelos will get bumped to a B+ and Brackman will get bumped to a straight B. Mark Newman seems to hate Slade Heathcott though, which makes me sad.
        
        The Real JobaWockeeZ
        
        Yeah I don’t see how ‘playing hard’ is necessarily a bad thing. Even if he hasn’t blown anyone away he’s still a good prospect. If he improves on contact then a line of .280/.380/.400 is very impressive along with his speed and defense.
        
        And thats only adding 20 points to his average. He’s put up the same exact line as Fuentes but I don’t see much scouts disagreeing that he’s a good prospect.
        
        Jimmy McNulty
        
        He’s pretty raw, and at least he has power projection. I didn’t dislike the pick at the time, and I still don’t hate it. Although I’d be happy if he remembered that he doesn’t need to strike out 30% of the time and it’s okay to hit for power.
  - The Real JobaWockeeZ
    
    I love the tools. He has great range in CF with a strong arm. Good plate discipline too with a 12% walk rate. That sounds eeriely similar to GGBG who has shown to be quite valuable. And that’s not quite close to his ceiling either.
    
    I’m not concerned about the power. I think he can get moderate power but with someone with that skill set power isn’t a must. He just has to show more contact skills but all in all he’s a good prospect. Similar to Raymund Fuentes who was a big piece in the AGon deal.
BillR

Mendoza wanted to be a Yankee so bad in ’03 he was willing to take much less money to stay with the yankees.
- http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
  
  Yeah, I seem to remember the Yanks weren’t all that interested in him at that point anymore. They were right, he was toast. But it wasn’t his fault he left (again).
It’sATarp

I don;t get the Zambrano rumors…if we thought Grienke might be a head case…what makes Zambrano better? if we;re going to trade for a starter i’d rather they reach for the best. We have depth and two picks (one first round…one possible first round thanks to javy) this year so we can restock. Getting a guy like Zambrano is annoying since, he’s a jackass, He cost a lot of money, declining ground ball rates, walks a lot of people and has never pitched in the AL.
- radnom
  
  what makes Zambrano better?
  
  He (basically) only costs money and not Montero. I could go further, but that should be enough.
  
  For the record, I hope a better option than Zambrano comes up.
- Peter Lacock
  
  I’m in favor of trading for Zambrano as long as the trade is expanded to include Starlin Castro. Start with Swish or Gardy and ENunez, add Nova or Noesi and go from there. No Montero, B’s or Phelps-Warren-Stoneburner. Maybe get a LOOGY like James Russell or Scott Maine from them too.
  The OF opening can be filled by Jeter.
  - Slappy White
    
    Swish or Gardy ? whaaaaat ? I think you might be joking
    - radnom
      
      Notice he expanded the deal to include Chicago’s best prospect from 2009 (who happens to play shortstop).
      
      Not that the proposal isn’t crazy – it is – but I think hes serious.
      - Slappy White
        
        yeah, I didnt notice that until after. I was in such shock
    - It’sATarp
      
      i knew he was joking when he mention Starlin Castro lol
      - Peter Lacock
        
        It’s no joke.
        
        It’sATarp
        
        then i have nothing to say…
        
        Sleepykarl
        
        So who replaces Gardner or Swisher and where does Starlin play for the next 2-3 years(at least)? They are already talking about moving Castro to 2nd as his defense was never said to be his strong suit.
        
        Peter Lacock
        
        Those questions were already answered in the original post. 5 lines too many to read? or just too many to comprehend?
        The logic is that if the Yanks take Zambrano the Cubs give up other chips. The actual names are for brighter minds to figure out. I was not aware Castro sucked so substitute Marmol and take out Swish/Gardy and sub Laird.
        
        FIPster Doofus
        
        Castro doesn’t suck…
        
        yankees1717
        
        jeter in the OF bahahaha
Slappy White

Do you guys think exploring a trade for Fausto Carmona makes any sense ? MLBTR sats he may be available .
- radnom
  
  Depends on the cost of course, but he seems like the most realistic option out there right now.
  
  Pettitte, Carmona and someone like Justin Duscherer and the rotation will be in decent shape for next season without compromising long tern flexibility or selling the farm.
- It’sATarp
  
  Solid…reminds me of Wang if he was healthy…but nothing i’d go crazy for
- JohnathanCold
  
  We had him already, his name was Chien-Ming Wang.
  - radnom
    
    You say that like its a bad thing.
    - The Real JobaWockeeZ
      
      But 2009!
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

I said it in the Pettitte thread but today MLBTR Tweeted “Yankees announce Pettitte deal.” Turns out they meant Prior, not Pettitte, and corrected it. :/

Picture me letting out this shriek of utter joy and then my face just… falling. Sobsob
- Slappy White
  
  You Poor Dear
http://twitter.com/Carlosological Carlosologist

Would anybody here like the idea of Gio Gonzalez? He seems like a good fit for the staff and would likely be on the move anyway considering 2011 is his last pre-arb season.
- Granderslam
  
  Assuming Pettitte returns, I would love him in the 5 hole. But is he available?
  - ryan
    
    you just like him because of his 3.23 era but his 4 BB/9 is not pretty
    
    PASSS
    - http://twitter.com/Carlosological Carlosologist
      
      His walks have been going down and the strikeouts are going up. I’d take him considering the trend is likely to continue.
- http://www.twitter.com/ngoral Jake LaMotta’s Left Hook
  
  Too many walks, but I’d take a flier on him for sure.
  - http://twitter.com/Carlosological Carlosologist
    
    I think of him as the AL version of Jonathan Sanchez. Coincidentally, they play for teams in the same area.
- http://www.twitter.com/jordansmed JGS
  
  arb eligible =/= free agent
  
  The guys you dump when they hit arbitration are the ones who only had major league jobs in the first place because they were dirt cheap (Melky, Cervelli). When they cease to become dirt cheap, they are non-tendered.
  
  Gonzalez is way above that level. He put up a 3.23 ERA in 200 innings as a 24 year old. Sure there is a big home/road split there but he’ll still be playing in Oakland next year, and he’s the kind of guy you hold on to through arbitration.
  
  He’s not available for any price that would be worth paying.
Esteban

Knicks off to a nice start.
Dan

I posted this is the off topic thread but whatdya think of this 3 way nba trade:
Heat get: billups and nene
Heat send: bosh

Nuggets get: chandler, galo, fields, currys expiring contract, a first round pick from knicks and second rond pick from heat
Nuggets send: billups, nene, anthony

Knicks get: bosh, carmello, back of the rotation guy from nuggets
Knicks send: chandler, galo, fields, currys expiring contract, a first round pick

Not sure if the teams would do it but what do you think?
- http://twitter.com/Carlosological Carlosologist
  
  Apparently YTPS applies to basketball as well.
- Esteban
  
  Did you run it through the trade machine before coming here with it?
  - Dan
    
    Just tried it now knicks would have to dump a two more contracts, feltons and someone elses.
    - Esteban
      
      I think it’s better off to wait until the offseason for the Knicks to get Melo. They don’t have to trade most of their core for him if they just wait.
      - Dan
        
        He wants to sign before the new CBA
        
        Esteban
        
        I think he just wants to be a Knick. He won’t sign somewhere else if he becomes a FA.
- ultimate913
  
  Knicks aren’t sending out all of that young, cheap talent to receive those expensive veterans.
  
  The Knicks would be worse with that trade.
- yankees1717
  
  hideous
  - yankees1717
    
    i think this is the first 3-way deal i have ever seen that you can argue is worse for all teams
    nuggets: give away their whole team and basically throw in the towel… sure they get young guys but not enough for their three best guys
    heat: will never trade a member of the big three, and billups is going downhill
    knicks: give away all their young talent and kill their cap for years and years, also bosh and amare wouldn’t work well
Plank

I’ll always remember him for his biggest achievement: being the worst member of Boston’s “Closer By Committee(tm)”
Dan

Thanks i thought it was kinda good. I actually saw someone over at the bleacher report propose something similar without the knicks but i through the knicks in because it doesnt make any sense for the nuggets to want bosh
- Dan
  
  whoops ment that to be a reply to carlosologist
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  I actually saw someone over at the bleacher report propose something similar
  
  That means it was a poor idea.
  - yankees1717
    
    yeah, this is supposed to make it more credible?
JohnathanCold

Trade for Carpenter
Beg Andy to return for one more run at it

Crisis averted
- Avi
  
  I don’t get this Carpenter thing. Why would St Louis ever trade their best pitcher ( or 1A with Wainwirght)? If the $15M they owe him for 2011 was so burdensome would they sign Lance Berkman for $8M? It’s probably more likely that Felix gets traded than Carpenter.
Granderslam

I have a question. Assuming the White Sox match up with the Yankees in a trade scenario, who would be the best pitcher to consider for our rotation (with or w/o Pettitte): Buehrle, Peavy, or Floyd?
- JohnathanCold
  
  Probably Buehrle
- Dan
  
  Floyd
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Danks or Floyd, Buehrle is too expensive since option vests if he is traded and that is another 15 million in 2012.
  - Granderslam
    
    I agree with Danks 100%. I would absolutely love to trade for him…too bad he is not available.
- http://www.twitter.com/ngoral Jake LaMotta’s Left Hook
  
  Buehrle has a weird clause in his contract that says if he gets traded, his salary will rise a certain amount. He also heavily relies on the fielding behind him as he is a ground ball pitcher who can’t strike anyone out.
  
  Peavy has been injured for quite a while it seems. I’d rather pass, although I would have loved him 2 years ago.
  
  I’m impartial on Floyd, I don’t know whether I like him or not, but he is certainly an upgrade over basically half the rotation, so I’d think about it.
- The Real JobaWockeeZ
  
  Floyd by far. He had a 3.48 FIP last year. With the Yanks defense he should be closer to getting that then the horrendous Sox defense.
  
  Strikes out a mdoerate amount of guys being at around 7.6 but walks little at around 2.7 BB/9.
- ZZ
  
  In regard to Buerhle I see it twice here and I have seen it a bunch of times when his name has come up, but people are misinterpreting his no trade clause.
  
  * 2008: full no-trade clause
  * 2009 – July 15, 2010: limited no-trade protection allowing Buehrle to block trades to certain unspecified clubs. A trade triggers an escalator paying $1M raise to $15M annually, plus a guaranteed fifth year paying $15M for 2012.
  * July 16, 2010-2011: Buehrle may not be traded without his permission, under right as 10-and-5 player
  
  That raise plus option becoming vested clause ended on July 15th 2010.
Accent Shallow

Just for the record: Nik Turley pitched 72 1/3 innings this year.

He gave up no HRs. For his career, he’s over 130 IP.

One bomb.
Avi

Some good farm stuff today: John Sickels of Minorleagueball.com ranked the Yanks top 21 prospects. He says “The pitching is quite rich; I count eight guys with the ability to hold rotation spots at the major league level, including a couple of potential anchors, and there are more arms behind them.” Truly amzing depth.
I want to see the Yanks get creative and use some of that depth (I’m talking the middle guys like Nova, Noesi, Warren, Phelps, Laird Stoneburner etc) to improve the team via trade.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/12/15/1878701/new-york-yankees-top-20-prospects-for-2011#storyjump

Also Baseball America came out with their top 10 prospects for the Braves and Arodys ranked 7th. Check out this Q&A with Bill Ballew of Baseball America, the guy that put together the top 10.
RJ (New Orleans): Since the Braves farm near the top amongst teams, how high would Arodys Vizcaino rank on most other organizational lists, say the Tigers for example.

Bill Ballew: He’d be higher in many organizations, obviously. He would have been higher on the Braves’ list if not for some concerns about his injuries over the past two years. He has a chance to be a special pitcher, especially given the improvements he made while at Rome last spring, and should become that type of hurler, provided he avoids the injury bug.
http://twitter.com/tjamato T.J.

I’m in for a Zambrano trade as long as it doesn’t involve any major projects.

I’m thinking Berkman-level prospects.
- Granderslam
  
  I’m eh on Zambrano. I feel like the Yankees won’t take a chance on Greinke because of his supposed “mental capability”, yet they would on someone who is just downright crazy. I mean, I totally understand the fascination- he fits our needs, his talent level, and his relationship with Rothschild- I’m just not into the idea myself. I feel like there has to be other options out there.
  - radnom
    
    The Yankees won’t take a chance on Greinke because of his astronomical cost.
    
    The situations are not really comparable.
    
    I agree though that there are possibly better options out there – I wouldn’t terribly mind Zambrano though.
- The Real JobaWockeeZ
  
  If he’s booed like Vazquez the dude is probably going to kill someone. I’d rather him being plan Z. Unless the Yanks only have to pay him beans if the Cubs are that desperate to move him.
http://www.or.ly JM

Let’s say the Yankees took half of Zambrano’s salary. What would it take to land him? I’m terrible at matching prospects and stuff non-Montero league so I can’t really gauge what Zambrano would be worth or what a package of prospects would be worth. What would a Romine+Killer-B+other mid-level prospects acquire?
- http://www.or.ly JM
  
  Two part question btw
  - http://www.twitter.com/ngoral Jake LaMotta’s Left Hook
    
    Romine, Killer B, and a mid-level prospect is too much for a rental, especially if the Yankees are eating most of the contract.
    
    I think that package could land a guy like Nolasco, or someone has the stuff, but not necessarily the numbers to go with it.
    - Avi
      
      I like Z better than Nalasco. If the Yanks trade for Zambrano, I’m pretty positive it’ll only be with Chicago picking up part of his contract and that a “B” won’t be included. Nova, Laird, Nunez, Heathcott are the type of prospect you’ll see go to Chicago.
      - http://www.or.ly JM
        
        I just have absolutely no idea what teams look for in prospects from other teams. It’s really not as straight forward as dollars in Free Agency.
    - It’sATarp
      
      i think it might land Flyod. maybe even Grinke if we throw in a gardner or joba. Everyone assume when you trade for top pitcher you have to give up your best prospect but thats not the case. Halladay trade: Sure Jays got Drabek BUT phillies manage to keep Dominic Brown.
      CC trade: nothing to see here …move along
      Santana trade: see above.
      Dan Haren: joe saunders LOL
      
      so yea it’s not guaranteed that when we trade for a top pitcher we’d have to part with montero. Plus the royals have a power hitting ctacher who might move to the OF or end up as a DH.
      - The Real JobaWockeeZ
        
        I’d do it for Floyd. He’s on a team friendly contract with good peripherals. Plus he’s only entering his prime. If the Yanks get him and Pettitte they are in very good shape.
      - http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
        
        You don’t get Greinke without giving up Montero.
        
        Avi
        
        Says who?
        
        http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
        
        Would you give up Greinke without getting Montero back? I don’t think you would. I know we like to joke that Dayton Moore is an idiot, but the chances he takes a package that doesn’t include Montero are likely incredibly small. The Royals have said they want up the middle talent in the trade; the only one who fits that bill is Montero. Quality always rules over quantity, and the quality doesn’t get much higher than Montero these days.
        
        It’sATarp
        
        your undervaluing our pitching talent and the fact that Royals do not need an offensive catcher. If they trade greinke they’d value a pitching prospect in return more than a player who has no role in their organizations since his role is filled (DH,Of,C?). What are they going to do with montero? trade him? i could see them taking pitchers + romine more since they want pitching and romine has more defensive tools than myers and more liekly to stay at catcher than Montero or Myers. royals can get Quantity and Quality from the yankees and it doesn’t have to be montero.
        
        Avi
        
        Wow. Very well said.
        
        The Real JobaWockeeZ
        
        Thee Royals Big Four is probably better than every B other than Banuelos.
        
        http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
        
        If they trade greinke they’d value a pitching prospect in return more than a player who has no role in their organizations since his role is filled (DH,Of,C?).
        
        Sure, but at the same time, the Royals have a good amount of LHP prospects themselves. They can internally replace Greinke more easily than we think. We also may be overvaluing our pitching talent since some of it is still a little ways away from MLB-ready.
        
        What are they going to do with montero?
        
        I assume the same thing the Yankees will do: let him fail at catcher before doing anything else with him since it makes his bat that much more valuable. But, like you said, they could also flip him and get more prospects in return.
        
        i could see them taking pitchers + romine more since they want pitching and romine has more defensive tools than myers and more liekly to stay at catcher than Montero or Myers.
        
        Romine’s also farther away and has probably taken a bit of a hit (whether completely deserved or not) in terms of status after 2010.
        
        royals can get Quantity and Quality from the yankees and it doesn’t have to be montero.
        
        I think the only possible way that a deal for Greinke gets done without Montero is if multiple Killer-B’s are attached as well as Major Leaguers, like Gardner or Joba, and (right or wrong) I don’t think the Yankees would do that.
        
        Sidebar: Because of the way the team/organization is constructed, I think the Yankees would rather give quality (Montero and few others) rather than quantity (no Montero but many others) to keep depth (even if those pieces are still a little way away).
      - radnom
        
        All those examples were for players with one season (or less in most cases) left in their contracts. Greinke might not be the most comparable situation.
        
        It’sATarp
        
        Off course…but like many people said patience…we cna go into the season and try to land grienke mid season for less if hes not traded by then. But from recent transactions, it seems that it’s not always necessary to trade a team top prospect if they want a ace.
        
        radnom
        
        I’m not disagreeing that people are drastically overvaluing Grienke’s trade value but the Royals have no incentive to trade him midseason (unlike any of those teams you previously mentioned).
        Grienke has a higher trade value than any of those pitchers you listed.
        
        http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
        
        try to land grienke mid season for less if hes not traded by then.
        
        But isn’t it more likely that the price for ZG will be higher mid-season since there could be more suitors/a more desperate situation, thus giving the Royals much more leverage?
        
        It’sATarp
        
        good point…but i’ll honestly say it’s hard to gauge the trade market since we’ve seen some weird mid season trades when the value give and the return just doesn’t make sense.
- http://twitter.com/tjamato T.J.
  
  That’s too much IMO.
  
  Like I said, I’m only dealing for Zambrano if he’s coming incredibly cheap probably something similar to what we gave up for Berkman.
Esteban

STAT and Felton. Two best FA signings in Knicks history.
Avi

I’d drive Burnett to Chicago if the Cubs take him for Zambrano.
- Accent Shallow
  
  Zambrano’s a hell of a pitcher, but he’s a crazy person, and has a 1.8 K/BB ratio over the past three years, and that’s with getting to face the pitcher. I’d project him better than Burnett, but who the hell knows.
- Big Juan
  
  Meh. I’d honestly rather have Burnett. Based on literally nothing except a personal dislike for Big Z.
nsalem

Anybody watching Pirates Yankees on MLB?
- Stratman9652@aol.com
  
  Yeah, kind of a trip seeing the way they did it back then. Look at the batters stances and the pitchers deliveries compared todays players. Amazing the way thing have progressed.
  
  And did he just go to the pen in the second inning or did they skip way ahead?
  - Accent Shallow
    
    Here is the box score. Yes, the Yankees went to the pen in the 2nd.
    
    Look at who got the win, too.
  - TopChuckie
    
    The game is uncut.
    
    Yanks had relievers up while they were batting in the Top of the 1st. Weird.
    
    According to baseball-reference.com, the Yanks’s #3 thru #5 starters all had at least one save, was I believe wasn’t tracked back then. Whitey had 4 relief appearances, the fewest of any starter. Bobby Shantz was their “closer” with 11 saves and was one of the relievers warming up in the Top of the 1st and the announcer said Casey had considered starting him.
    - TopChuckie
      
      *was* = which
http://www.or.ly JM

Would ANY pitcher be unavailable for the top 10 Yankees prospects? This is hypothetical, of course.
- Esteban
  
  Probably none, but how many top ten prospects usually become at the least MLB regulars?
- The Real JobaWockeeZ
  
  Only Felix.
Jimmy McNulty

Why the hell do people want Nolasco? He’s a horrible fit for the division and the park. High flyball rightie in The Stadium? That’s a horrible fit.
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  Lots of strikeouts, few walks. That always works regardless of division.
  - Accent Shallow
    
    I’m skeptical in re: Nolasco. I worry that he’s Javy Vazquez part II. (Not the NYY edition, but in general — someone with great peripherals who’s merely an average-to-above-average pitcher)
    - It’sATarp
      
      nolasco’s stat line reads better than hughe’s at this point.
      - Jimmy McNulty
        
        Except RA.
        
        It’sATarp
        
        true but i like his walk rates and strike out rates…i not sure why is ERA is as sky high as it is since it looks like in term of things he’s in control of…well he’s doing pretty well.
        
        Jimmy McNulty
        
        Why his ERA is always sky high? He allows too many fucking home runs and can’t pitch with men on base. Yeah, he’s in control of the stuff he has direct control over…except flyballs, and more particularly home runs. Every stat dork out there has said that there’s likely a ‘pitching with men on base’ skill or lack there of that FIP doesn’t detect that explains the long term FIP/RA differences.
        
        http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
        
        It doesn’t help that the Marlins were 24th in the Majors in defensive efficiency in 2010.
        
        Jimmy McNulty
        
        I’m sure that’s it, not the fact that he allows too many HRs.
        
        http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
        
        That’s not what I’m saying. The homers are definitely a problem not to be overlooked, but not getting any help on balls actually in play isn’t totally his fault.
      - Accent Shallow
        
        OK? Nolasco is also 4 years older.
        
        Look, the K/BB ratio is gorgeous, the HR rate is bad to hideous, but the FIP and xFIP are attractive (no surprise on the xFIP, since that’s basically just K/BB ratio).
        
        He’s also underperformed those nice peripherals for awhile now.
  - Jimmy McNulty
    
    Javier Vazquez 2004? Don’t get me wrong I think he’ll be a bit better than that, but he allows way too many fly balls. Especially as a righty in the Stadium? No thanks. Going from a big park where he’s underperformed his peripherals two years running in the NL to a big park and the toughest division in sports. Yeah, makes perfect sense.
The Real JobaWockeeZ

Pettitte is likely to return accoridng to Heyman. If they get him the rotation is probably slightly better than 2010. Though with upgraded lineups in the Beast I want Floyd or perhaps Nolasco. If they do that they’re pretty much set.
- Mattchu12
  
  Yeah, I don’t see why it wouldn’t have a pretty good chance of being better.
  
  CC will be CC.
  Andy will be Andy.
  Hughes will probably improve (not predicting Cy Young improvement, more like 3.50ish ERA improvement).
  AJ will probably improve to a 4.30-4.60ish ERA territory.
  Whoever the fifth starter is will be better than Javy.
Xstar7

The Knicks might just win tonight
- Esteban
  
  Great game so far.
Avi

White Sox signed Jesse Crain. 3 years.
- candyforstalin
  
  people are crazy and times are strange.
Avi

Rays signed Bobby Jenks. Dam, good pick up for them.
- Mattchu12
  
  Good for them. I kind of feel bad for their two fans to see them crippled like this. Then again, if Desmond Jennings explodes and replaces Crawford’s production, BJ Upton starts to show some improvement, sign Manny Ramirez as their DH, and Jenks regains his form, they might surprise some folks?
  - The Real JobaWockeeZ
    
    Not to mention Hellickson replacing whoever the Rays decide to trade.
    - Mattchu12
      
      Yep. I could see Garza bringing back a good bat.
Mattchu12

So, preferred off-season plan?

1) Sign Andy Pettitte.
2) Sign the Hairston Bros.
3) Sign Brian Fuentes. (I do not want Pedro Feliciano.)
4) Hold a hardline on a Montero-less package for Zack Greinke, if the Royals don’t budge (they won’t), let Nova be the fifth starter.
- http://twitter.com/mbonzo31 mbonzo
  
  Replace Joba or whoever does well out of ST (Prior, Webb, Wang, young, WHOEVER) with Nova as the 5th starter and I’m happy.
  - Mattchu12
    
    If you mean make Joba or one of the injury-prone guys we take a flier on the fifth starter instead of Nova, I possibly agree. I’d love for Joba to get the nod, but he won’t sadly. As far as the flier guys go, I don’t trust Webb or Young, but happy to see what Wang or Prior have.
- http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
  
  1) Sign Andy Pettitte.
  2) Sign the Hairston Bros.
  3) Sign Brian Fuentes AND Rafael Soriano
  4) ~~Hold a hardline on a Montero-less package for Zack Greinke, if the Royals don’t budge (they won’t),~~ let Nova and Joba fight it out in spring training to decide who will be the fifth starter.
  - Esteban
    
    Only if it’s a knife fight.
  - Mattchu12
    
    I’d be down for that 100%, but I honestly don’t think we’ll ever give Joba a chance to start again, but if he was? I wouldn’t even let Nova compete with him, it’d be Joba’s hands down unless he implodes on an epic level during Spring Training.
    - The Real JobaWockeeZ
      
      Ehh it’ll be similar to the Hughes vs Joba ‘competition’ where it was a just a ploy to get them to work harder.
      - Mattchu12
        
        Consider me signed up. You think if can get enough signatures we can force Cash’s hand? If only.
  - The Real JobaWockeeZ
    
    Gutsy, I like it. Though I’m not sure about giving an extreme flyball reliever a long term deal and losing the pick too.
    
    Joel Peralta has similar stats and I’d much rather get him. But I like the plan.
    - http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
      
      No stud starter? Go balls to the wall with the bullpen.
      - http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
        
        BTW-If Joe P. is wondering, yes, I do mean ‘balls to the wall’ in the Udo Dirkschneider sense of the term.
  - http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
    
    I won’t believe Joba will ever get another start in a Yankee uniform until I actually see him starting a game. I have given up hope.
    - http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
      
      I wouldn’t go that far. Don’t forget he battled for the 5th spot as recently as this past spring training.
      
      To quote Brian Cashman, “He’s a starter in the bullpen” whatever on Earth that means.
      - http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
        
        But didn’t they more recently say that his permanent spot was in the ‘pen? Someone wanna dig this up for me?
        
        Mattchu12
        
        http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/11/17/2010-11-17_brian_jobas_in_pen_so_dont_start_that.html
        
        http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
        
        Thanks for that, I missed that report.
        
        Mattchu12
        
        If it makes you feel better, Cash has also said that Bubba Crosby would be our starting center fielder and Nick Swisher would be our starting first baseman.
        
        It makes me feel better.
        
        http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
        
        Nah, I’ve always been agnostic on Joba. Doesn’t bother me one bit.
        
        Accent Shallow
        
        I dunno man, I’m pretty sure Joba exists. I mean, we’ve seen him and everything.
      - The Real JobaWockeeZ
        
        I don’t believe they’re not desperate either. I mean not like cliff jumping but they know they need to improve so let’s hope they have discussions about Joba again.
        
        Esepcailly if they’re serious about keeping Montero. And maybe all this Joba is a reliever for life crap is a way for the Yanks to save a couple million in arbitration.
        
        But I’m not holding my breath.
http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist

I’m just disappointed Mike didn’t work in Mendoza’s super-cool nickname somewhere into the post.
JeffG

“Pettitte thought likely to return because family supports it. but friend says andy, upset over low ’09 base, wont accept a “lowball” offer” …who the hell is this friend? Hilarious!
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  I’m pretty sure in this case the “friend” is his agent.
- yankees1717
  
  09? wtf? i call bs on this one, he got a great deal last year, and if he hated the 09 offer so much why’d he take it
- Sean C
  
  It was Clemens, but I think he misremembered what Pettitte actually wants to do this season.
http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist

Looks like Jenks is heading to the Rays.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/15/source-bobby-jenks-close-to-signing-with-the-rays/

Shucks.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Really good deal for them but I’m not sure he would’ve come here. It’s not like he’d be closing.
  - http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
    
    Yeah, and it’s a step down from Soriano for a division rival, so I can’t complain too much.
    
    Rays and Rangers both have some work to do.
- Jimmy McNulty
  
  That sucks. He probably wants to close, though.
- Esteban
  
  Maybe premature?
  
  Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal
  Sources: Heavy action on Jenks. #Rays have interest, as do #Yankees and others. Not close to a decision. #MLB
  1 minute ago
  - http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
    
    Ken . . .Rosenthal. . . .speaks. . . .like. . ..this. . .so he must be wrong.
    - Esteban
      
      Haha ok here then:
      
      @SPTimesRays Marc Topkin
      
      #Rays are NOT close to signing former #White Sox closer tonight, as was reported by @craigcalcaterra
http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist

Take the 24 mil we didn’t spend on Lee and:

12 mil for Andy
5 mil Fuentes
5 mil for Wood
1 mil a piece for the Hairston Brothers.
- Mattchu12
  
  Sign me up.
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  I don’t think Fuentes is going to take a 1/$5 deal.
  - http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
    
    We’ll see, but I can’t imagine him or Wood get anything close to their last deals. Fuentes is 35, and Wood’s last contract was a disaster.
    - http://twitter.com/mbonzo31 mbonzo
      
      Wow, I’m thinking Fuentes is gonna take $3m. I wouldn’t want to touch him at over $4-$5m.
      - http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
        
        He made around 9 last year. We’ll see if he gets anywhere near that again.
        
        http://twitter.com/mbonzo31 mbonzo
        
        I can’t imagine anyone seeing him as a closer. He walks so many people, and gives up above average runs for a closer. He would be a LOOGY for the Yankees or a seventh inning guy.
- http://twitter.com/mbonzo31 mbonzo
  
  This is what I’d do
  
  $12m Andy
  $5m Jenks
  $3m Fuentes
  $1m Jerry Hairston
  $1m Andruw Jones
  $2m Webb
Esteban

Pierce pushed off!
- China Joe
  
  tough loss, but every team on the rise has nights like this. The Knicks showed America tonight that they’re for real.
  - Esteban
    
    Yea, I’m not too upset. It sucks because they had the chance to win and were leading for so long, but at the same time, this game shows that they’re legit.
Josh

http://twitter.com/search?q=felix%20hernandez

http://a-listsports.blogspot.com/2010/12/weei-radio-reporting-yankees-trying.html

????? any truth to this?????
- The Real JobaWockeeZ
  
  Isn’t the Yanks on Felix’s NT list?
- http://twitter.com/mbonzo31 mbonzo
  
  NO
- http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist
  
  @incarceratedbob:
  
  Hahahahahahahaha! I’m beginning to love this guy. It’s obvious he’s just fucking with everybody.
- Esteban
  
  I think that’s an RobertinJail rumor isn’t it?
- Accent Shallow
  
  I’d be reluctant as hell to deal Phil Hughes, but . . . King Felix?
  
  That’s better than his best case scenario, no?
  - http://twitter.com/mbonzo31 mbonzo
    
    I swear if it was true and it only took Hughes, Montero, and Nunez, Yankees would say no because of Nunez.
  - FIPster Doofus
    
    I’d pay for Hughes’ plane ticket if it meant getting Felix.
candyforstalin

i like jenks. no way fuentes and wood take 1-year contracts, at this point.
http://twitter.com/mbonzo31 mbonzo

I always thought Wang would be a good reliever with that sinker. If he looks good Yankees should take a chance on him or Webb, if one of them makes the team, even as a reliever they will be well worth the money.
yankees1717

so i saw a tweet saying the yanks were discussing felix, (i know, i know, it won’t happen) but i did some mild research and found a seattle post about it. one commenter said that if we started with hughes, cano, montero, and valdez (i have no idea who that is) and threw in swisher and took back bradley, the mariners might consider. holy crap, i mean i love felix as much as the next guy, but that’s just crazy.
- http://twitter.com/mbonzo31 mbonzo
  
  That writer is insane. Cano is the best second basemen and Felix is one of the best starting pitchers. I would say that trade would be equal based on how little Cano is getting paid for his play. I’d rather have Cano on that side of the trade.
  - Accent Shallow
    
    Felix is signed longer, and cheaply. Cano starts getting expensive very soon.
    - candyforstalin
      
      20m here, 20m there and pretty soon it starts adding up to real money.
    - http://twitter.com/mbonzo31 mbonzo
      
      Felix is more money than Cano.
      $10m
      $18.5m
      $19.5m
      $20m
      
      Thats $17m a year
      
      Cano is
      $10m
      $14m
      $15m
      
      Thats $13m a year
      
      I’d rather take the Cano contract and pick up another starting pitcher.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  Take out Cano, and I’d be interested. Valdez = #mysteryplayer
- radnom
  
  I absolutely refuse to give up Valdez in this deal. It’s too much.
http://www.theyankeeu.com/author/steve-s/ Nostra-Artist

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thehotstoneleague/2013689629_the_felix_conundrum_take_2.html

OK, apparently this Yankee-King Felix stuff started out harmlessly enough with this guys blog post, and now everyone from Ken Rosenthal to Jack Zduriencik has commented on it. He makes clear in the piece that he was just speculating.
ADam

The guy had such a small head… but loved his ground ball efficinecy
http://xavierholland.com Nom Chompsky

After thinking a lot about it, getting Cliff Lee really didn’t matter all that much.

People thinking that Cliff Lee immediately makes the Phillies some sort of juggernaut are seriously overestimating the impact that any particular player can have.

Think about it this way: Forget 110, he only makes them an 100-win team if they were a 96 win team before. Which they MIGHT have been, but I’m skeptical. He’s not Pedro in his prime, he’s a pitcher whose been very good for 3 years.

Or, put another way: the Yankees added a 6+ war pitcher last year too. It didn’t magically turn them into an 110 win team.

I’d hammer the Philles under 98 wins.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  Agreed. Lee is a great addition to an already loaded pitching staff, but Philly’s offense will take a step backward with Werth’s departure. Along with Utley, he was one of their two best offensive players.
- radnom
  
  Or, put another way: the Yankees added a 6+ war pitcher last year too. It didn’t magically turn them into an 110 win team.
  
  If you’re talking about Vasquez lol. Lee will probably have sliiiightly better season.
  
  You miss the point anyway. The difference between 98 and 110 wins is meaningless. Both get you into the playoffs. Some very Yankee teams with very mediocrerotations in the late 00’s were able to win 100+. Thats not what it was about. Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels will be very tough in the playoffs. The Philies are the CLEAR National League favorites. Unfortunately the division series is a bit of a crap shoot no matter how good you are.
James A

Best fit at the years, dollars theyre likely going to get: Jenks, Wood, or Soriano?
- FIPster Doofus
  
  Jenks
China Joe

Not a great week for New York sports so far: Lee rejects us and Pierce dances like a goddamn clown on the court of MSG. Here’s hoping the Knicks take it out on Lebron and the G-Men remind Eagles’ fans that Philly is still a loser town.
- Sean C
  
  Did he do the Dougie? I hear that’s what all the kids are doing these days.
Jimmy

RIP Bob Feller. One of the legends from the 40’s & 50’s.
Jimmy McNulty

Fanhouse’s scout guy says that he thinks Montero can play catcher.
- Avi
  
  Just read the article. Very encouraging.
Avi

Kerry Wood is close to signing with the Cubs according to this report.
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/david-kaplan-chicago-sports/2010/12/cubs-moving-towards-to-signing-kerry-wood.html
- candyforstalin
  
  now someone sign fuentes, please.
  - Avi
    
    They have to have something up their sleeve here. There’s reports they’re going after Jenks. Not that Jenks is better but he’ll probably be more cost effective. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re making a play for Soriano either.