Mr. Steinbrenner, that is. Ticked off that the hated Red Sox acquired Curt Schilling, a player who would have fit right in to Joe Torre's Bronx, George is apparently very close to signing outfielder Gary Sheffield (who one might think would not be a Torre kind of guy), while also closing in on reliever Tom Gordon and, improbably, outfielder Kenny Lofton. Sheffield would undoubtedly make the Yankees even more fearsome offensively, but although he's matured since his bad old days, Sheff is still very much a clubhouse iconoclast. Gordon supposely was looking for a one-year deal as a closer in order to bag 40 saves and generate big bucks after 2004, so it would seem strange for him to come to New York as a setup man for two years. And Lofton? While it may be sensible to realize that Bernie Williams' days as a legit centrefielder are over, I'm not sure KL is the answer. A couple of years ago, the Yankees got the pitcher the Red Sox wanted in Mike Mussina; frustrated and overcompensating, the Sox signed Manny Ramirez to a deal they already regret. Will George make the same mistakes this year? The answer to that may depend on whether Bartolo Colon and/or Javier Vazquez end up in pinstripes when the dust settles.
Quantrill may also pull on the pinstripes, as per today's rumour mill.
Looks like things worked out well for Q,and another former Jays reliever also appears to have struck gold.
Lofton? I had to think about that for a second. Here's what I think is happening, if Lofton signs.
Lofton plays CF and leads off. Matsui and Sheffield play the corner OF spots. Bernie moves to DH.
With Bernie DH'ing and Giambi locked in at 1B, it frees up Nick Johnson to be the centerpiece of a deal for Javier Vasquez.
Please note, I am not in favor of the above plan happening. It's just the only sensible conclusion to draw from signing Lofton.
Lofton plays CF and leads off. Matsui and Sheffield play the corner OF spots. Bernie moves to DH.
With Bernie DH'ing and Giambi locked in at 1B, it frees up Nick Johnson to be the centerpiece of a deal for Javier Vasquez.
Please note, I am not in favor of the above plan happening. It's just the only sensible conclusion to draw from signing Lofton.
Wow. Big bucks for Gordon, Quantrill and Heredia. They're already paying Karsay and Hammond insane money. Not to mention eight figures for Rivera!
If only there was some theoretical limit on the Yankees' revenue stream, I'd say this was short-sighted and stupid. But there isn't, so it's merely really, really depressing for the rest of the league.
The Yankees are still beatable, and that's the beauty of baseball. But this sure isn't an interesting, fair or value-optimal way to distribute free agent talent.
If only there was some theoretical limit on the Yankees' revenue stream, I'd say this was short-sighted and stupid. But there isn't, so it's merely really, really depressing for the rest of the league.
The Yankees are still beatable, and that's the beauty of baseball. But this sure isn't an interesting, fair or value-optimal way to distribute free agent talent.
I figured Lofton would be signed on as more a fourth outfielder role. While we rant on about how bad Bernie the zombie is out there in CF, Lofton himself is no trackstar either anymore. Plus he also has the suspect arm that Bernie has. One man's opinion...
With Giambi's knees he'll need to DH a fair amount of time so Williams would unlikely be a full time DH. So I suspect Lofton would just be a part time player (although more than a typical 4th OF).
Assuming Johnson is traded the Yanks would probably need a RH 1B/DH option.
Todd Zeile a free agent?
Assuming Johnson is traded the Yanks would probably need a RH 1B/DH option.
Todd Zeile a free agent?
Or to expand on Mick's scenario - Lofton serves as back-up/mentor to Soriano in CF. The deal with the Spos could expand to include Vidro and Vasquez for NJ & Riveria (the OF not the closer or possibly Karim Garcia if he is still under contract to the Yankees)and cash. Or as alternative for 2nd base, the Yanks could sign Castillo (although rumors suggest he will sign with the Fish) or Little Matsui.
Not surprising really. If the Yankees also add Colon and trade for Vasquez it wouldn't surprise me much either. The only thing that might surprise me is that they're not apparently pursuing Arthur Rhodes at the same time.
The problem with Gordon getting a one year deal to drive up his value as a closer was that he was seeking money in the $5 million range! That's hardly an incentive for teams in need of a closer to take a one year gamble on Gordon's health. I think the White Sox were willing to give him $3 million but his initial demands were some kind of insane.
Quantrill I had a feeling was going to either the Yankees or Phillies. I think the Jays might be willing to match 2 years and $6 million but it looks like Quantrill wants his playoff appearance near guaranteed.
I think it would be cool if a little wishful if the Jays were left with a guy like Rhodes when the Yankee spending spree stops. I'm not sure that Seattle can afford to offer either Rhodes or Benitez arbitration (almost certainly not Benitez). Of course the x-factor is Baltimore who have enough money to add an extra bullpen arm or two just for the heck of it.
The problem with Gordon getting a one year deal to drive up his value as a closer was that he was seeking money in the $5 million range! That's hardly an incentive for teams in need of a closer to take a one year gamble on Gordon's health. I think the White Sox were willing to give him $3 million but his initial demands were some kind of insane.
Quantrill I had a feeling was going to either the Yankees or Phillies. I think the Jays might be willing to match 2 years and $6 million but it looks like Quantrill wants his playoff appearance near guaranteed.
I think it would be cool if a little wishful if the Jays were left with a guy like Rhodes when the Yankee spending spree stops. I'm not sure that Seattle can afford to offer either Rhodes or Benitez arbitration (almost certainly not Benitez). Of course the x-factor is Baltimore who have enough money to add an extra bullpen arm or two just for the heck of it.
And Rhodes and Benitez are former Orioles themselves. Of course, considering Baltimore's track record, that may or may not be a positive incentive....
all this talk about all these other relievers...what about Latroy Hawkins? I think he is the most interesting out there and there hasn't been much talk about him other than that he wants 3yrs at 5 Million per, but with an era under 2 he would be a great closer and that would leave JP with 3 million and he could get a decent starter with that.
I'm not sure that Seattle can afford to offer either Rhodes or Benitez arbitration (almost certainly not Benitez). Of course the x-factor is Baltimore who have enough money to add an extra bullpen arm or two just for the heck of it.
Ha ha. Neither Rhodes nor Benitez is apt to have fond memories of Baltimore! And many Oriole fans loathe Benitez.
Ha ha. Neither Rhodes nor Benitez is apt to have fond memories of Baltimore! And many Oriole fans loathe Benitez.
Tampa Bay's looking for a closer now that Gordon is off the market. Maybe they'll sign Benitez and reacquaint him with Tino Martinez.
The Mariners made more many last year than any team but the Yankees, so they can afford whomever they want. They have made some very goofy financial restraints for themselves however, and Benitez will most certainly not be offered arbitration. Rhodes is still an uncertainty, however. He had a pretty poor season, and whether it was his injuries that he hid or just a performance drop-off is the unknown.
I like Hawkins a lot but $15 million over 3 years? That's a pretty tough financial commitment to make to a relief pitcher. I'd be surprised if that's what he ends up getting, particularly if the Yankees drop out of the bidding, which you have to think they will if Quantrill goes there.
I'm guessing he'll end up back in Minnesotta with a raise on the $3 million he earned last year. But if he continues with those contract demands he won't be back with the Twins and he won't be with the Jays. If he gets even $4 million from a team I'd be pretty surprised.
M's fan, I'm sure the Mariners could afford to spend more money if they really wanted to, just like I'm sure the Yankees could spend $200 million if they really wanted to do so. But from seeing their pattern of doing things the last few years I wouldn't bet on it. Even in his Toronto days Gillick was fairly careful with the budget until he threw caution to the wind in the early 90's.
However, if the M's cut loose Benitez and Rhodes and put that money towards hitting which they really need then they could do fine as I think Soriano, Mateo, Suzuki, and whatever veteran they keep (Hawegawa or Rhodes or someone else) is still a pretty fine pen. I'll say this though...I'm sure as heck not impressed with them signing Raul Ibanez and giving up a draft pick.
I'm guessing he'll end up back in Minnesotta with a raise on the $3 million he earned last year. But if he continues with those contract demands he won't be back with the Twins and he won't be with the Jays. If he gets even $4 million from a team I'd be pretty surprised.
M's fan, I'm sure the Mariners could afford to spend more money if they really wanted to, just like I'm sure the Yankees could spend $200 million if they really wanted to do so. But from seeing their pattern of doing things the last few years I wouldn't bet on it. Even in his Toronto days Gillick was fairly careful with the budget until he threw caution to the wind in the early 90's.
However, if the M's cut loose Benitez and Rhodes and put that money towards hitting which they really need then they could do fine as I think Soriano, Mateo, Suzuki, and whatever veteran they keep (Hawegawa or Rhodes or someone else) is still a pretty fine pen. I'll say this though...I'm sure as heck not impressed with them signing Raul Ibanez and giving up a draft pick.
Believe me, not many M's fans are impressed with Ibanez signing. They actually lose 2 picks for him, and he is about league average, which Winn already was. Now, if they plan to play Ichiro in center (where his defensive value is much higher and his offense is more palatable) and get a good right fielder, then I won't complain. But the M's aren't very creative, nor are they thoughtful. They want to win 90 games every year. They have made it plain and simple that is their goal. They will never go after a World Series, and would need one to land in their lap, i.e. Angels. They want to spend 90-93 million, not very wisely mind you, and win about 1 game per million spent. They figure this is the best way to maximize entertainment and regularly and therefore maximize their total wallets.
When the Yanks sign Quantrill and Gordon, they'll be spending more on their pen then the Brewers on the team. It's insane.