This would not be a good day to cross George Steinbrenner's path. Not only is the handshake deal betwen George and Gary Sheffield in serious jeopardy, making a Yankee run at Vlad Guerrero a sudden possibility, but now comes news that lifetime Yank Andy Pettitte is about to sign with the Astros. If confirmed, this would be a serious hit to the one area that the Yankees have spent the winter trying to upgrade: the pitching staff. And it comes just one day after Bartolo Colon, a possible Pettitte replacement, went off the market. A Jeff Weaver-Kevin Brown deal would seem very likely, and who knows what else the Yankees might do on the eve of the Winter Meetings (Kevin Millwood? Sidney Ponson? Miguel Batista?) Hang tight....
Pardon a Yankee fan as he begins to convluse ...
flashbacks ... Oscar Gamble ... gghhh ... Steve Kemp ... ggggghhhhhh ... ED WHITSON ... GGGGGGHHHHHHH ...
flashbacks ... Oscar Gamble ... gghhh ... Steve Kemp ... ggggghhhhhh ... ED WHITSON ... GGGGGGHHHHHHH ...
As someone who thinks he knows George from more than the Seinfeld parody, I imagine he's furious with Sheffield's last-minute increased demands, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if he goes after Vlad out of spite. Then what would happen to poor Gary? Unable to return to Atlanta, he'll have to choose between lowball offers. That'll teach him to renege on a handshake with the Boss.
The loss of Pettitte may not be a complete surprise; Andy's father has been complaining about the lack of communication from the Yankees. So I don't expect a knee-jerk reaction by Steinbrenner; maybe they've been preparing for this all along. They might take a run at Brown, but unless they're fools, the Dodgers should demand more than Weaver. Millwood does seem like a logical target, Maddux is a possibility, and you know who will win the bidding war for the latest Cuban flamethrower, Maels Rodriguez.
The loss of Pettitte may not be a complete surprise; Andy's father has been complaining about the lack of communication from the Yankees. So I don't expect a knee-jerk reaction by Steinbrenner; maybe they've been preparing for this all along. They might take a run at Brown, but unless they're fools, the Dodgers should demand more than Weaver. Millwood does seem like a logical target, Maddux is a possibility, and you know who will win the bidding war for the latest Cuban flamethrower, Maels Rodriguez.
Goldman's next column should be an interesting read.
My guess is that Vlad and Maddux are in pinstripes next year.
My guess is that Vlad and Maddux are in pinstripes next year.
Goldman's next column should be an interesting read.
His latest, on Johnson-for-Vazquez, is awesome:
Facing a starting rotation whose outline was as vague as the Pentagon's for postwar Iraq, there was a desperate need to acquire more pitching. With the farm system flatter than a eunuch's codpiece, it was deal Johnson or patch up with some extremely iffy free agents. Still, Johnson's is a special talent, and trading him for Vazquez is robbing Peter to pay Paul to pay the IRS.
Heartfelt best wishes to the uniquely gifted Mr. Goldman for a complete recovery from his unfortunate illness.
His latest, on Johnson-for-Vazquez, is awesome:
Facing a starting rotation whose outline was as vague as the Pentagon's for postwar Iraq, there was a desperate need to acquire more pitching. With the farm system flatter than a eunuch's codpiece, it was deal Johnson or patch up with some extremely iffy free agents. Still, Johnson's is a special talent, and trading him for Vazquez is robbing Peter to pay Paul to pay the IRS.
Heartfelt best wishes to the uniquely gifted Mr. Goldman for a complete recovery from his unfortunate illness.
Even if Cashman stops wheeling and dealing after he gets Guerrero or Sheffield, I think he's already improved the club considerably from last year. (Although Beltran for Soriano would be icing on the cake.)
Focusing on Vazquez instead of Pettitte, Colon, or even Schilling was very very wise.
Nabbing Quantrill and Gordon to help shore up the bullpen should make the club even more fearsome in the late innings.
And either Sheffield or Guerrero will be a great addition to the club... and neither move would antagonize any of your current superstars. (Henry and Epstein, on the other hand, have all but told Ramirez and now Garciaparra, "You're not wanted here anymore.")
Focusing on Vazquez instead of Pettitte, Colon, or even Schilling was very very wise.
Nabbing Quantrill and Gordon to help shore up the bullpen should make the club even more fearsome in the late innings.
And either Sheffield or Guerrero will be a great addition to the club... and neither move would antagonize any of your current superstars. (Henry and Epstein, on the other hand, have all but told Ramirez and now Garciaparra, "You're not wanted here anymore.")
Jurgen,
Except that getting Vazquez cost them a very talented player, and Pettitte or Colon would have only cost them money.
Except that getting Vazquez cost them a very talented player, and Pettitte or Colon would have only cost them money.
I am a fan of Vazquez and good pitchers are hard to come by, but Nick Johnson is already one of the toughest outs in baseball. He is only going to get better.
Cashman's biggest mistake was signing Giambi two years ago. Nick Johnson should be the everyday first baseman for the Bombers.
Hell Johnson looks like he was born with pinstrips on!
As for Cashman, we are starting to really see the work of Bob Watson (former GM of the Yanks) and Stick (Gene Michael) and that they really did lay ALL the ground work for those championship teams. Cashman just reaped the benefits!
Watson's work with the Yankees is way overlooked!
Cashman's biggest mistake was signing Giambi two years ago. Nick Johnson should be the everyday first baseman for the Bombers.
Hell Johnson looks like he was born with pinstrips on!
As for Cashman, we are starting to really see the work of Bob Watson (former GM of the Yanks) and Stick (Gene Michael) and that they really did lay ALL the ground work for those championship teams. Cashman just reaped the benefits!
Watson's work with the Yankees is way overlooked!
Heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to Mr. Goldman - one of the finest baseball writers I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
As for the Yankees and their troubles, I'd comment, except that Mick would likely come after me with a Reggie Jackson model Louisville Slugger. :-)
As for the Yankees and their troubles, I'd comment, except that Mick would likely come after me with a Reggie Jackson model Louisville Slugger. :-)
As for the Yankees and their troubles, I'd comment, except that Mick would likely come after me with a Reggie Jackson model Louisville Slugger. :-)
Nah. Given my short-lived baseball career, I'd probably just miss anyway.
Besides, I'm not Steinbrennered. No "troubles." I am personally VERY satisfied with six World Series appearances in eight years.
Nah. Given my short-lived baseball career, I'd probably just miss anyway.
Besides, I'm not Steinbrennered. No "troubles." I am personally VERY satisfied with six World Series appearances in eight years.
Hell Johnson looks like he was born with pinstrips on!
Which should make the transition to Expos pinstripes an easy one. :-)
Which should make the transition to Expos pinstripes an easy one. :-)
I don't get the Sheffield/Steinbrenner thing. Does anyone have any insight into Sheffield's strategy here? Does he want a better deal now that that Yankees don't have to give up a draft pick to get him, or doesn't that have anything to do with it, and he just simply wants more money, period? And what about firing Scott Boras -- presumably Sheffield thinks he can get a higher net return without the overhead of an agent. How much would a guy like Boras have charged a guy like Sheffield, anyway?
I always thought that agents compete with one another based on what services they provide (what types of advertisement they can hook you up with) and what percentage of your income they take away, 5% is a good average I think.
I remember the NBA players that went this route (Ray Allen I think) did this to save whatever percentage cut that agents get and in return pay a good lawyer 100k to 200k in cold hard cash to get the contract terms done properly. Given enormous contract sizes, more tha 10 million total say, 5% of your salary is definitely worth more than the measly hundred grand you pay to some fancy lawyer.
I remember the NBA players that went this route (Ray Allen I think) did this to save whatever percentage cut that agents get and in return pay a good lawyer 100k to 200k in cold hard cash to get the contract terms done properly. Given enormous contract sizes, more tha 10 million total say, 5% of your salary is definitely worth more than the measly hundred grand you pay to some fancy lawyer.
Except that getting Vazquez cost them a very talented player, and Pettitte or Colon would have only cost them money.
Vazquez
2003 5.6 SNWAR, 153 ERA+
2002 2.0 SNWAR, 106 ERA+
2001 5.0 SNWAR, 135 ERA+
Pettitte
2003 2.5 SNWAR, 109 ERA+
2002 2.8 SNWAR, 134 ERA+
2001 2.2 SNWAR, 112 ERA+
Colon
2003 4.5 SNWAR, 116 ERA+
2002 5.5 SNWAR, 148 ERA+
2001 3.9 SNWAR, 111 ERA+
Given Vazquez's age, I think he was worth trading away Nick Johnson to get.
You could easily make the case that Colon and Johnson on the same team are more valuable than Vazquez alone, but I'm also optimistic (pessimsitic?) that Cashman will use this newfound position flexibility to get a real CF... and no, not Kenny Lofton.
Vazquez
2003 5.6 SNWAR, 153 ERA+
2002 2.0 SNWAR, 106 ERA+
2001 5.0 SNWAR, 135 ERA+
Pettitte
2003 2.5 SNWAR, 109 ERA+
2002 2.8 SNWAR, 134 ERA+
2001 2.2 SNWAR, 112 ERA+
Colon
2003 4.5 SNWAR, 116 ERA+
2002 5.5 SNWAR, 148 ERA+
2001 3.9 SNWAR, 111 ERA+
Given Vazquez's age, I think he was worth trading away Nick Johnson to get.
You could easily make the case that Colon and Johnson on the same team are more valuable than Vazquez alone, but I'm also optimistic (pessimsitic?) that Cashman will use this newfound position flexibility to get a real CF... and no, not Kenny Lofton.
I don't get the Sheffield/Steinbrenner thing. Does anyone have any insight into Sheffield's strategy here? Does he want a better deal now that that Yankees don't have to give up a draft pick to get him
Personally, I find it strange that the deal hit a snag on the day that the Braves started complaining about Sheffield and the Yankees purposely delaying announcement of the deal past the Dec. 8 arbitration deadline. The Yankees plan is simple, they create big newspaper buzz about how the deal has NOW hit a snag; then it becomes unlikely that MLB will side with the Braves and award them a Yankee draft pick for what I believe is, and has for some time been, a done deal.
The Evil Empire strikes again.
Personally, I find it strange that the deal hit a snag on the day that the Braves started complaining about Sheffield and the Yankees purposely delaying announcement of the deal past the Dec. 8 arbitration deadline. The Yankees plan is simple, they create big newspaper buzz about how the deal has NOW hit a snag; then it becomes unlikely that MLB will side with the Braves and award them a Yankee draft pick for what I believe is, and has for some time been, a done deal.
The Evil Empire strikes again.
ESPN says it's official: Pettitte to the 'Stros, three years, in the neighbourhood of $32-$34 million. At circa $11M a year, that's at least $4M/yr more than Pettitte is actually worth. Never underestimate the market value of a Yankee career.
I don't know, Jordan. You figure Pettitte's half-way between Thomson and Colon. I'd put him closer to Colon notwithstanding Jurgen's stats in post #13. The stats adjust for the park and run-support, but not for the (lack of) defensive support.
I guess we'll see how Pettitte does in Houston where the park is less friendly, but the defence is more helpful. My impression is that he has the brains to get hitters to hit more ground balls, and that he will be very successful in Houston.
I guess we'll see how Pettitte does in Houston where the park is less friendly, but the defence is more helpful. My impression is that he has the brains to get hitters to hit more ground balls, and that he will be very successful in Houston.
Pettitte is as good as Colon - I don't think either of them are quite worth what they are making.
I don't get the Sheffield/Steinbrenner thing. Does anyone have any insight into Sheffield's strategy here?
I think this a flat-out lie. The Yankees had a deal in place two weeks ago and are creating this BS story so that they don't have to compensate the Braves with a draft pick. I can't believe MLB is going to let them get away with this. It reminds me of how they cheat by abusing the Rule 5 and stashing players on the DL. I don't mind if they want to blow a ton of cash, but at the very least they should play by the rules. Frankly, they be under more scrutiny than any other team.
Cheaters never prosper George.
I think this a flat-out lie. The Yankees had a deal in place two weeks ago and are creating this BS story so that they don't have to compensate the Braves with a draft pick. I can't believe MLB is going to let them get away with this. It reminds me of how they cheat by abusing the Rule 5 and stashing players on the DL. I don't mind if they want to blow a ton of cash, but at the very least they should play by the rules. Frankly, they be under more scrutiny than any other team.
Cheaters never prosper George.
The latest report has Pettitte making $30 million for 3 years. That seems to me to be about right. Like Robert, I find Colon's contract a bit rich.
Incidentally, Pettitte's ERA+ is about the same as Clemens over the last 5 years. All of the name Yankee pitchers have great K/IP and K/BB ratios, but relatively high H/IP ratios. This is an easy-to-spot symptom of poor defensive support.
Incidentally, Pettitte's ERA+ is about the same as Clemens over the last 5 years. All of the name Yankee pitchers have great K/IP and K/BB ratios, but relatively high H/IP ratios. This is an easy-to-spot symptom of poor defensive support.
Maybe this has been mentioned somewhere else on Da Box, and for that I apologise in advance, but what did Nomar Garciappara ever do to deserve this kind of treatment? While I agree that A-Rod is the better hitter and defender, it's not like Nomar is Rey Sanchez (offensively). And on a team that features such egomaniacs like Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez, God-boy Trot Nixon, attitude-impaired but clearly talented oddities like Byung-Hyun Kim and Jeremy Giambi, Nomar comes across as a decent, hard-working player. No doubt Nomar will get very expensive next year, but it's not like the Red Sox have a cash-flow problem, and from everything I've heard about him, he's a quality pro. One never knows about the last point unless you're inside the organisation, but the Red Sox are handling this situation the wrong way. That's not exactly news, of course, considering it's the Red Sox, but this is more good news for the Jays. Eventually, one would think, all this turmoil will hurt Boston. Coach mentioned that a while back, and I echo it here.
The only comments I have seen about Nomar are that he does not want to do corporate appearances. I saw a quote in a story that said Nomar would not visit with major BoSox customers/sponsors but the owners felt that ARod would. A second issue is he turned down $60 mil,over 4 years. Sox management might feel he is getting ready to bail after next year. Finally I noticed during the playoffs that Nomar was often sitting beside Manny on the bench. This could mean (i) Manny was a bad influence on him; (2) He did not fit in with the other dirtbags; or (3) nothing.
Which would you rather have, Manny and Nomar, or ARod and Washburn? ARod is not a huge upgrade over Nomar and Manny is more valuable than Washburn.
Which would you rather have, Manny and Nomar, or ARod and Washburn? ARod is not a huge upgrade over Nomar and Manny is more valuable than Washburn.
A-Rod and Washburn.
A-Rod will be under contract much longer than Nomar is right now and Manny should be a DH, which means he has no defensive value.
A-Rod will be under contract much longer than Nomar is right now and Manny should be a DH, which means he has no defensive value.
a team that features such egomaniacs like Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez
Thanks, Gitz. I was looking for the right spot to mention this interesting article by Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, which provides some insight into what's on Pedro's mind these days, including this gem about his notorious teammate:
"Manny is cuckoo. He is cuckoo. He is in la-la land."
As I figured he would, Martinez is insisting on an extension before the season, or he'll leave as a free agent next winter. He says he prefers to finish his career in Boston, but specifically mentioned the Mets and Giants as attractive destinations. He wouldn't name any AL teams, but dismissed the possibility of becoming a Yankee.
what did Nomar Garciappara ever do to deserve this kind of treatment?
Nothing. But the very harsh words Sox owner John Henry had for Garciaparra's agent indicate how strained that relationship has become, so I doubt it will ever be repaired. Nomar's gone; the only question is, when?
If Pedro demands four years, for more money than Schilling is getting, they might let him leave, too. So if Tom Hicks or Scott Boras somehow kills the much-discussed A-Rod deal, Boston could be left with at least two miserable superstars; I'd say three, but the cuckoo may be blissfully unaware that he's no longer wanted. There could be some volatile chemistry in Dr. Francona's clubhouse.
Maybe that's just wishful thinking; on paper, they still look unbeatable.
Thanks, Gitz. I was looking for the right spot to mention this interesting article by Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, which provides some insight into what's on Pedro's mind these days, including this gem about his notorious teammate:
"Manny is cuckoo. He is cuckoo. He is in la-la land."
As I figured he would, Martinez is insisting on an extension before the season, or he'll leave as a free agent next winter. He says he prefers to finish his career in Boston, but specifically mentioned the Mets and Giants as attractive destinations. He wouldn't name any AL teams, but dismissed the possibility of becoming a Yankee.
what did Nomar Garciappara ever do to deserve this kind of treatment?
Nothing. But the very harsh words Sox owner John Henry had for Garciaparra's agent indicate how strained that relationship has become, so I doubt it will ever be repaired. Nomar's gone; the only question is, when?
If Pedro demands four years, for more money than Schilling is getting, they might let him leave, too. So if Tom Hicks or Scott Boras somehow kills the much-discussed A-Rod deal, Boston could be left with at least two miserable superstars; I'd say three, but the cuckoo may be blissfully unaware that he's no longer wanted. There could be some volatile chemistry in Dr. Francona's clubhouse.
Maybe that's just wishful thinking; on paper, they still look unbeatable.
Which would you rather have, Manny and Nomar, or ARod and Washburn?
Manny 28 WS
Nomar 25 WS
A-Rod 32 WS
Washburn 10 WS
The first duo is almost 4 Wins (or 11 WS) better. Granted, Washburn's "breakout" season last year he had 17 WS, which helps cut the gap....
To me it seems the Red Sox are getting themselves into a big mess without much real gain.
Manny 28 WS
Nomar 25 WS
A-Rod 32 WS
Washburn 10 WS
The first duo is almost 4 Wins (or 11 WS) better. Granted, Washburn's "breakout" season last year he had 17 WS, which helps cut the gap....
To me it seems the Red Sox are getting themselves into a big mess without much real gain.
Okay, just to be completely silly ... assume A-Rod goes to Boston. What would you do to bring Nomar Garciaparra to Toronto?
TSN is reporting the deal is done. Brown for Weaver, two unnamed minor leaguers and $3M.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-brown1212,0,1516748.story?coll=ny-homepage-right-area
Newsday is reporting the Kevin Brown trade is done.
Weaver and 2 prospects headed to L.A.
Newsday is reporting the Kevin Brown trade is done.
Weaver and 2 prospects headed to L.A.
Nomar would not visit with major BoSox customers/sponsors but the owners felt that ARod would.
Heh. Same thing was said about A-Rod three years ago, and the loyal fans of North Texas are still waiting.
Heh. Same thing was said about A-Rod three years ago, and the loyal fans of North Texas are still waiting.
...on paper, they still look unbeatable.
Assuming the Yanks get one of Sheffield/Guerrero and Cashman convinces Big Stein to get Cameron or Beltran instead of Lofton, the Yankees still look like a better club to me.
Can somebody explain to me, however (assuming Wells and Weaver are as good as gone), why the Yankees not having a left-handed starter is a major problem, while it wasn't an issue for Boston last year? Does Yankee Stadium favour left-handed hitters that much more than Fenway?
Assuming the Yanks get one of Sheffield/Guerrero and Cashman convinces Big Stein to get Cameron or Beltran instead of Lofton, the Yankees still look like a better club to me.
Can somebody explain to me, however (assuming Wells and Weaver are as good as gone), why the Yankees not having a left-handed starter is a major problem, while it wasn't an issue for Boston last year? Does Yankee Stadium favour left-handed hitters that much more than Fenway?
...2 prospects headed to L.A.
Do the Yanks have any prospects? Heck, do the Yanks have any minor leaguers left?
Do the Yanks have any prospects? Heck, do the Yanks have any minor leaguers left?
So Weaver goes to LA. In 2004 his numbers are much improved, thanks mainly to Chavez Ravine. Then the stories start about how Weaver needed a change of scenery, how the Yankees mishandled him, etc.
I'm having a crisis of faith. Jurgen's casual (and plausible) remark about the Yankees adding Guerrero and Beltran makes me shiver.
I'm starting to see a future where every star plays for 2-5 teams. It's one thing if free agents all sign with a cadre of elite clubs. But now, high-priced non-free agents are all also landing with these same teams, as greedy owners clear salary off the books willy-nilly.
Above all, I definitely don't want to see the day where the Yankees and Red Sox sign surplus talent just to keep them from each other. (Tim Hudson in middle relief, anyone?)
I don't want to join the alarmists in declaring this offseason terrible for baseball, but...
Coach? Robert? Jordan? Craig? I need my faith in the future of baseball and the Jays franchise reassured...
I'm starting to see a future where every star plays for 2-5 teams. It's one thing if free agents all sign with a cadre of elite clubs. But now, high-priced non-free agents are all also landing with these same teams, as greedy owners clear salary off the books willy-nilly.
Above all, I definitely don't want to see the day where the Yankees and Red Sox sign surplus talent just to keep them from each other. (Tim Hudson in middle relief, anyone?)
I don't want to join the alarmists in declaring this offseason terrible for baseball, but...
Coach? Robert? Jordan? Craig? I need my faith in the future of baseball and the Jays franchise reassured...
It's been a great day for those who wish to study the effect of defence on runs allowed by pitchers. Pettitte from the Yankees to Houston; Brown from LA to the Yankees and Weaver the other way.
Incidentally, Brown apparently has a right to refuse the trade, and his agent Scott Boras told espn.com that he hasn't yet decided.
My instinctive reaction is that Brown is a better pitcher than Pettitte even after you get rid of the park effects and the large difference between the Yankee and Dodger defences. Brown does not have significant left/right splits, so Yankee Stadium should not pose a particular problem for him.
Incidentally, Brown apparently has a right to refuse the trade, and his agent Scott Boras told espn.com that he hasn't yet decided.
My instinctive reaction is that Brown is a better pitcher than Pettitte even after you get rid of the park effects and the large difference between the Yankee and Dodger defences. Brown does not have significant left/right splits, so Yankee Stadium should not pose a particular problem for him.
I need my faith in the future of baseball and the Jays franchise reassured...
Just use this mantra: Rios...McGowan...Bush...Gross....Quiroz...minimum salary.... Works like a charm. :-)
Just use this mantra: Rios...McGowan...Bush...Gross....Quiroz...minimum salary.... Works like a charm. :-)
Jordan, you're putting your faith in maybes; the Red Sox and Yankees are putting theirs in definites. It's a bummer, but it's reality.
Robert's prediction of the Yankees making 18 of the next 20 playoffs is
a) not at all contingent on good drafting;
b) not at all contingent on good player development;
c) not at all contingent on shrewd trades;
d) very likely true.
a) not at all contingent on good drafting;
b) not at all contingent on good player development;
c) not at all contingent on shrewd trades;
d) very likely true.
I dunno. This trade looks pretty risky for both sides. Will Brown stay healthy? Will Weaver turn it around? I think the trade will look like a Yankee win during 2004, but after that all bets are off.
The idea of the trade is pretty obnoxious, though. It's one of those trades that makes you think the Yankees really can get anybody they want. We can't trade our mopup guy for a pitcher who won 14 games and was second in the league in ERA, but the Yankees can. It's just a rude trade, even if it doesn't work out.
The idea of the trade is pretty obnoxious, though. It's one of those trades that makes you think the Yankees really can get anybody they want. We can't trade our mopup guy for a pitcher who won 14 games and was second in the league in ERA, but the Yankees can. It's just a rude trade, even if it doesn't work out.
Do the Yanks have any prospects?
Well, Dioner Navarro, the teenage Venezuelan catcher, handled High-A and AA this year in very impressive fashion. If he's included, score this a huge win for L.A., which also gets some cash and payroll room. I can't think of another Yankee "prospect" that would tilt the scales quite so much. (It seems like only yesterday I said the Dodgers would be fools not to demand more than Weaver.) BTW, there's already a report that the Dodgers will flip Weaver to St. Louis for J.D Drew.
I need my faith in the future of baseball and the Jays franchise reassured...
Never fear, Mike. Kevin Brown is 39 and has a chronic bad back. He's a strike machine, but you never know which piece will fall off next. Without being as scientific as PECOTA, I'd say it's no better than 50-50 that he makes 25 starts. Then what? At best, Mussina-Vazquez-Brown isn't a huge improvement on Mussina-Clemens-Pettitte, and it could easily backfire. Flash Gordon's elbow might explode. They're counting on Felix Heredia, of all people. There are so many potential problems, and with no replacements in AAA, they might have to throw another $20 million on top of the $200+ million at the trade deadline just to stay in the hunt.
I can't believe that George will end up with Guerrero (or Sheffield) and Beltran, but even if he does, you can only score so many runs. The achilles heel (and the slipped disk, and the tendinitis) is the pitching. At this point, I really don't think the Jays can beat Boston unless the Sox self-destruct, but I'm not conceding the 2004 wild card to the Yankees at all, and I certainly wouldn't trade organizations with them.
All 19 games between Toronto and New York in 2004 come after the break. Just imagine if the three-game series at SkyDome October 1-3 turns out to be for second place. Maybe I'm crazy, but even if our boys settle for third again, it's a lot more fun to root for David than Goliath.
Well, Dioner Navarro, the teenage Venezuelan catcher, handled High-A and AA this year in very impressive fashion. If he's included, score this a huge win for L.A., which also gets some cash and payroll room. I can't think of another Yankee "prospect" that would tilt the scales quite so much. (It seems like only yesterday I said the Dodgers would be fools not to demand more than Weaver.) BTW, there's already a report that the Dodgers will flip Weaver to St. Louis for J.D Drew.
I need my faith in the future of baseball and the Jays franchise reassured...
Never fear, Mike. Kevin Brown is 39 and has a chronic bad back. He's a strike machine, but you never know which piece will fall off next. Without being as scientific as PECOTA, I'd say it's no better than 50-50 that he makes 25 starts. Then what? At best, Mussina-Vazquez-Brown isn't a huge improvement on Mussina-Clemens-Pettitte, and it could easily backfire. Flash Gordon's elbow might explode. They're counting on Felix Heredia, of all people. There are so many potential problems, and with no replacements in AAA, they might have to throw another $20 million on top of the $200+ million at the trade deadline just to stay in the hunt.
I can't believe that George will end up with Guerrero (or Sheffield) and Beltran, but even if he does, you can only score so many runs. The achilles heel (and the slipped disk, and the tendinitis) is the pitching. At this point, I really don't think the Jays can beat Boston unless the Sox self-destruct, but I'm not conceding the 2004 wild card to the Yankees at all, and I certainly wouldn't trade organizations with them.
All 19 games between Toronto and New York in 2004 come after the break. Just imagine if the three-game series at SkyDome October 1-3 turns out to be for second place. Maybe I'm crazy, but even if our boys settle for third again, it's a lot more fun to root for David than Goliath.
If the RedSox don not trade Nomar then you have an upset Nomar and an upset Manny, plus a manager who blew up good last time out. You know baseball, youneverknow
Bartolo Colon
BACK TO THE FUTURE: (a quote from Bill Stoneman's office at Edison Field during 2004 All-Star break)
"How will we move his contract, we still owe him more than 36 million dollars"
Some GM's will never learn!
BACK TO THE FUTURE: (a quote from Bill Stoneman's office at Edison Field during 2004 All-Star break)
"How will we move his contract, we still owe him more than 36 million dollars"
Some GM's will never learn!
At best, Mussina-Vazquez-Brown isn't a huge improvement on Mussina-Clemens-Pettitte
Coach, you're telling yourself lies so you can sleep better at night.
Vazquez 5.6 SNWAR
Brown 4.9 SNWAR
Clemens 4.1 SNWAR
Pettitte 2.8 SNWAR
I agree it could backfire (Vazquez was pretty ordinary in 2002; Brown is an injury risk), but at best New York has the top three starters in baseball (or at least the equal Mulder-Hudson-Zito and Martinez-Schilling-Lowe--and given Martinez's gimpiness, Schilling agedness, and Lowe's sometimes suckiness, it's not as if Boston's rotation is without its own question marks).
And if the reports are true that Big Stein is interested in Lofton, I'm sure Cashman and Michaels can convince him to better allocate his resources to acquiring Beltran or Cameron.
...they might have to throw another $20 million on top of the $200+ million at the trade deadline just to stay in the hunt.
You're saying this like it's a bad thing for Yankeeland. Look, if George is willing to spend the money (and Cashman and Michaels have any influence on how he spends it), then the Yankees will continue to dominate. The Yanks bullpen might cost more than the entire Brewer roster, but with Quantrill, Gordon, Karsay, and Rivera, it's a damn good bullpen.
I said it earlier, but watching the Bosox trying to cram A-Rod into their sub-$130 M budget has given me a new respect for Big Stein's "I don't care how much it costs" attitude, and a secret joy in seeing how Commission Bud has failed again. His so-called Yankee tax is hurting everyone but the Yankees.
Will Weaver turn it around?
Here's a little secret. Weaver was never that good. The Yanks were foolish to trade Lilly for him. Worst trade by far of Cashman's tenure (well, getting Boone was pretty foolish, too).
Coach, you're telling yourself lies so you can sleep better at night.
Vazquez 5.6 SNWAR
Brown 4.9 SNWAR
Clemens 4.1 SNWAR
Pettitte 2.8 SNWAR
I agree it could backfire (Vazquez was pretty ordinary in 2002; Brown is an injury risk), but at best New York has the top three starters in baseball (or at least the equal Mulder-Hudson-Zito and Martinez-Schilling-Lowe--and given Martinez's gimpiness, Schilling agedness, and Lowe's sometimes suckiness, it's not as if Boston's rotation is without its own question marks).
And if the reports are true that Big Stein is interested in Lofton, I'm sure Cashman and Michaels can convince him to better allocate his resources to acquiring Beltran or Cameron.
...they might have to throw another $20 million on top of the $200+ million at the trade deadline just to stay in the hunt.
You're saying this like it's a bad thing for Yankeeland. Look, if George is willing to spend the money (and Cashman and Michaels have any influence on how he spends it), then the Yankees will continue to dominate. The Yanks bullpen might cost more than the entire Brewer roster, but with Quantrill, Gordon, Karsay, and Rivera, it's a damn good bullpen.
I said it earlier, but watching the Bosox trying to cram A-Rod into their sub-$130 M budget has given me a new respect for Big Stein's "I don't care how much it costs" attitude, and a secret joy in seeing how Commission Bud has failed again. His so-called Yankee tax is hurting everyone but the Yankees.
Will Weaver turn it around?
Here's a little secret. Weaver was never that good. The Yanks were foolish to trade Lilly for him. Worst trade by far of Cashman's tenure (well, getting Boone was pretty foolish, too).
Coach:
Sorry to do this to you, but here's more of the cold, hard truth, courtesy of Rob Neyer. He's using ERA+, not SNWAR, but the conclusions are much the same:
Granted, the past doesn't perfectly predict the future, but if Brown and Vazquez are healthy in 2004, they'll represent a significant upgrade from Clemens and Pettitte, whose impressive won-lost records benefited from the Yankees' potent lineup.
Could a Yankees rotation that includes Brown stack up with the Red Sox's new Schilling-ful squad? You'd better believe it. Mussina/Vazquez/Brown is just as good as Martinez/Schilling/Lowe, and I suspect most clubs would take Jose Contreras over Tim Wakefield in the fourth slot.
Sorry to do this to you, but here's more of the cold, hard truth, courtesy of Rob Neyer. He's using ERA+, not SNWAR, but the conclusions are much the same:
Granted, the past doesn't perfectly predict the future, but if Brown and Vazquez are healthy in 2004, they'll represent a significant upgrade from Clemens and Pettitte, whose impressive won-lost records benefited from the Yankees' potent lineup.
Could a Yankees rotation that includes Brown stack up with the Red Sox's new Schilling-ful squad? You'd better believe it. Mussina/Vazquez/Brown is just as good as Martinez/Schilling/Lowe, and I suspect most clubs would take Jose Contreras over Tim Wakefield in the fourth slot.
We have two analyses of the Pettitte/Brown moves: Rob Neyer's linked in Jurgen's post above and Aaron Gleeman's in today's entry of Aaron's Baseball Blog (see left side of the screen for link) . Some of the conclusions are the same, and some differ, but Gleeman's is in my opinion a much more sophisticated and accurate analysis.
Jurgen, you know I'm not a complete fool, just an optimistic one. I'm well aware that almost everything has to go wrong for the Yankees and almost everything has to go right for the Blue Jays to make that October series really matter. If you gave me 10-1 odds, I wouldn't back my "opinion" with cold, hard cash. Apart from liking our organization more than theirs, everything I said is hopeful, not realistic. At least we have a team that inspires hope again, after the wheel-spinning years.
If I was Neyer (or Gleeman) and trying to be objective, I'd conclude that the Red Sox have a slight edge on the Yankees today, which would be narrowed to a virtual dead-heat by Sheffield/Guerrero and one more solid starter going to New York. The Jays should be the best third-place team in baseball by far, more mature than last year, with better pitching, and there is no reason to expect them to collapse for the rest of this decade. That's a team worth supporting, which is all you can reasonably ask for against the Beasts of the East.
If I was Neyer (or Gleeman) and trying to be objective, I'd conclude that the Red Sox have a slight edge on the Yankees today, which would be narrowed to a virtual dead-heat by Sheffield/Guerrero and one more solid starter going to New York. The Jays should be the best third-place team in baseball by far, more mature than last year, with better pitching, and there is no reason to expect them to collapse for the rest of this decade. That's a team worth supporting, which is all you can reasonably ask for against the Beasts of the East.
I'm well aware that almost everything has to go wrong for the Yankees and almost everything has to go right for the Blue Jays
On the other hand, the Jays have been trying to accumulate as many things that might go right as possible, while the Yankees have been loading up on things that might go wrong. I like Toronto's chances. They aren't great chances, but I like them.
On the other hand, the Jays have been trying to accumulate as many things that might go right as possible, while the Yankees have been loading up on things that might go wrong. I like Toronto's chances. They aren't great chances, but I like them.
Fellas, I gotta say: there's something about the Yankees that would make me uneasy if I were a pinstriper fan. I don't know exactly what it is, but something's rickety in the infrastructure, not quite right. Here are the warning signs:
- Joe Torre is clearly tired, and the team he manages is less amenable to his style than ever before. He will also have a lot of new coaches, after losing guys like Zimmer. This will be his last season as manager, no matter what happens.
- Brian Cashman and friends are no longer making the big decisions, and the more the Yankees struggle, the tighter the Boss's grip becomes. The precedents are not good for the ballclub, and the soured Sheffield handshake deal is a bad omen.
- The on-field unit is not great. The middle-infield combo is the worst defensive unit in the majors (Kevin Brown, extreme groundballer, will not be happy). Giambi is a year away from being Mo Vaughn, and Bernie Williams is a left fielder in CF. The pitching staff, excerpt for Vazquez, is old. There's not much depth.
The Red Sox, right now, are the clear favourites, and if they get A-Rod it should be all over. But I'll tell you what, if there's any team that could fall to third behind Toronto this year, if even a few things break wrong, it's the Yanks. New York won 101 games last year; does anyone think they'll win that many again? 95 is a reasonable estimate for a team that, while powerful and talented, is also poor defensively, aging, shallow and Rotisserie-esque in its construction. Toronto won 86 games despite two horrific losing stretches: they're young, have a substantially better pitching staff, can count on better production from 3B and DH, and will have reinforcements from the minors ready by July: 90 wins would seem to be a minimum target. When you're that close, anything can happen.
The vibes from the Bronx are not good, and they're getting worse. The buzz from Skydome hasn't been this good in years, and there's betetr to come. 2004 won't be Toronto's year; but it will be the year that everyone really sits up and takes them seriously.
- Joe Torre is clearly tired, and the team he manages is less amenable to his style than ever before. He will also have a lot of new coaches, after losing guys like Zimmer. This will be his last season as manager, no matter what happens.
- Brian Cashman and friends are no longer making the big decisions, and the more the Yankees struggle, the tighter the Boss's grip becomes. The precedents are not good for the ballclub, and the soured Sheffield handshake deal is a bad omen.
- The on-field unit is not great. The middle-infield combo is the worst defensive unit in the majors (Kevin Brown, extreme groundballer, will not be happy). Giambi is a year away from being Mo Vaughn, and Bernie Williams is a left fielder in CF. The pitching staff, excerpt for Vazquez, is old. There's not much depth.
The Red Sox, right now, are the clear favourites, and if they get A-Rod it should be all over. But I'll tell you what, if there's any team that could fall to third behind Toronto this year, if even a few things break wrong, it's the Yanks. New York won 101 games last year; does anyone think they'll win that many again? 95 is a reasonable estimate for a team that, while powerful and talented, is also poor defensively, aging, shallow and Rotisserie-esque in its construction. Toronto won 86 games despite two horrific losing stretches: they're young, have a substantially better pitching staff, can count on better production from 3B and DH, and will have reinforcements from the minors ready by July: 90 wins would seem to be a minimum target. When you're that close, anything can happen.
The vibes from the Bronx are not good, and they're getting worse. The buzz from Skydome hasn't been this good in years, and there's betetr to come. 2004 won't be Toronto's year; but it will be the year that everyone really sits up and takes them seriously.
The Jays should be the best third-place team in baseball by far, more mature than last year, with better pitching, and there is no reason to expect them to collapse for the rest of this decade.
Coach, I presume you meant third-best team in the AL East?
Jordan, I think you may be on to something, but I don't know if the Yankees are set to retreat into their mid-1980s/early 1990s funk just yet. I don't know if they're set to make 18 of the next 20 playoffs, either, so the truth is somewhere in the middle. Boston, on the other hand, while equally dysfunctional, is a bit younger, and, at this point for 2004, more loaded. That will change, as Coach says, if/when the Yankees get Vlad and/or Sheff.
Coach, I presume you meant third-best team in the AL East?
Jordan, I think you may be on to something, but I don't know if the Yankees are set to retreat into their mid-1980s/early 1990s funk just yet. I don't know if they're set to make 18 of the next 20 playoffs, either, so the truth is somewhere in the middle. Boston, on the other hand, while equally dysfunctional, is a bit younger, and, at this point for 2004, more loaded. That will change, as Coach says, if/when the Yankees get Vlad and/or Sheff.
No, Gitz, I meant the best team that is forced to settle for third in its division. That could include the defending world champs, the Mariners, the D-Backs, the Cardinals, I don't really know. I do believe that the '04 Jays would comfortably win the Central in either league and put up a very respectable fight in the West. I think they are now in the top ten in the majors, possibly fourth-best in the AL, though the Twins and Mariners have yet to finish their offseason moves.
At least we have a team that inspires hope again, after the wheel-spinning years.
Obviously, yes, we agree.
I guess I was just taking issue with your comments that the Yanks don't look improved for 2004. With that new rotation alone, I think they are a better team (and still the best in the AL).
Fortunately, the Jays are better than last year's incarnation, too.
Giambi is a year away from being Mo Vaughn
Don't be so sure, Jordan. Giambi was half-blind and as hobbled as Kirk Gibson, and he still posted a .325 EqA.
Obviously, yes, we agree.
I guess I was just taking issue with your comments that the Yanks don't look improved for 2004. With that new rotation alone, I think they are a better team (and still the best in the AL).
Fortunately, the Jays are better than last year's incarnation, too.
Giambi is a year away from being Mo Vaughn
Don't be so sure, Jordan. Giambi was half-blind and as hobbled as Kirk Gibson, and he still posted a .325 EqA.
Fellas, I gotta say: there's something about the Yankees that would make me uneasy if I were a pinstriper fan.
As a Yankee fan, Jordan, I gotta say ... right there with you. There's something about this team that just reminds me in my (too ample) gut of the post-Reggie, pre-Derek spend-and-lose All-Star collections that littered the Bronx landscape.
I kept more or less quiet on the thread where someone challenged someone else (see how specifics matter?) to a bet about how the Yankees will make the playoffs in at least 18 of the next 20 years.
I would take that bet. Every 20 years or so, the Yankees skid into a valley that lasts several years. It will happen again as eventually the spending will implode against the age of those spent on.
Consider that the Yankees did not make the playoffs from 1982-1993 (actually, 1994, but ... well, you know) and finished under .500 from 1989-1992 in the Steve Sax Era.
They also missed the playoffs from 1965-1975, finishing under .500 in five of those years, in the ///shudder/// Horace Clarke Era.
I know that only takes us back four decades in the 100+ years of baseball history, but it pretty much covers the post-Stengel, post-amateur-draft era, and I think an argument can be made that the amateur draft changed the nature of baseball player development more than anything up to and including free agency.
Anyway, I'm just sayin' ... I don't think it will start this year, and it might not start in 2005 or 2006 ... but the next Non-Winning Yankee Era Identified With A Second Baseman (and no, it won't be Soriano) ... it's coming.
As a Yankee fan, Jordan, I gotta say ... right there with you. There's something about this team that just reminds me in my (too ample) gut of the post-Reggie, pre-Derek spend-and-lose All-Star collections that littered the Bronx landscape.
I kept more or less quiet on the thread where someone challenged someone else (see how specifics matter?) to a bet about how the Yankees will make the playoffs in at least 18 of the next 20 years.
I would take that bet. Every 20 years or so, the Yankees skid into a valley that lasts several years. It will happen again as eventually the spending will implode against the age of those spent on.
Consider that the Yankees did not make the playoffs from 1982-1993 (actually, 1994, but ... well, you know) and finished under .500 from 1989-1992 in the Steve Sax Era.
They also missed the playoffs from 1965-1975, finishing under .500 in five of those years, in the ///shudder/// Horace Clarke Era.
I know that only takes us back four decades in the 100+ years of baseball history, but it pretty much covers the post-Stengel, post-amateur-draft era, and I think an argument can be made that the amateur draft changed the nature of baseball player development more than anything up to and including free agency.
Anyway, I'm just sayin' ... I don't think it will start this year, and it might not start in 2005 or 2006 ... but the next Non-Winning Yankee Era Identified With A Second Baseman (and no, it won't be Soriano) ... it's coming.
Right now, I think the Jays are as good as the Athletics on paper - which would mean they would be co-favourites to win the A.L. West if they were in that division.
Right now, Cleveland has closed the gap on the Twins: the Jays would likely walk away with the central if they were in it (sorry Aaron).
They would be co-favourites to win the N.L. East with Atlanta and Philly.
They would be slight favourites over the no-offence Cubs in the N.L. Central.
They would be co-favourites to win the N.L. West with the Giants.
We are going to see a seriously good third-place team in Toronto.
Right now, Cleveland has closed the gap on the Twins: the Jays would likely walk away with the central if they were in it (sorry Aaron).
They would be co-favourites to win the N.L. East with Atlanta and Philly.
They would be slight favourites over the no-offence Cubs in the N.L. Central.
They would be co-favourites to win the N.L. West with the Giants.
We are going to see a seriously good third-place team in Toronto.
I'll go out on a limb and flat-out say it... I think the Jays are the third best team in the AL, and no worse than seventh in the Majors (definitely behind Yankees and Sox, I'd say they're ahead of the A's but it's close ... as for the NL, I only see the Phillies as better, with the Cubs and Giants as A's-like maybes). I think there is room for a playoff run this year (it is unlikely, but the Marlins and Angels have taught us that good teams always have a chance among "great" ones).
I think the Jays are as good as the Athletics on paper
So far J.P. has had a better offseason than his best friend and mentor, but Beane isn't finished tinkering and Ricciardi is, almost. If Foulke returns, and they get a Kendall or LoDuca to go with Melhuse, I really like that club. Kielty-Kotsay-Dye with Byrnes backing everyone up is a whole lot better than what they trotted out there last year, yet they're still after Cameron, who could make them great.
I'd say Toronto is fourth-best in the league, at best. Again, that's mostly because Ricciardi has moved swiftly to fill his needs; we don't know exactly what the Twins and Mariners will finally look like. The Angels have jumped right back into the fray, and if they land one stud hitter, such as Tejada, they could be scary. But yes, it does "feel like" the Jays have closed the gap from about seventh-best (or eighth, if you liked the White Sox) a year ago, and it never hurts to have Robert confirm my impressions.
So far J.P. has had a better offseason than his best friend and mentor, but Beane isn't finished tinkering and Ricciardi is, almost. If Foulke returns, and they get a Kendall or LoDuca to go with Melhuse, I really like that club. Kielty-Kotsay-Dye with Byrnes backing everyone up is a whole lot better than what they trotted out there last year, yet they're still after Cameron, who could make them great.
I'd say Toronto is fourth-best in the league, at best. Again, that's mostly because Ricciardi has moved swiftly to fill his needs; we don't know exactly what the Twins and Mariners will finally look like. The Angels have jumped right back into the fray, and if they land one stud hitter, such as Tejada, they could be scary. But yes, it does "feel like" the Jays have closed the gap from about seventh-best (or eighth, if you liked the White Sox) a year ago, and it never hurts to have Robert confirm my impressions.
Honestly? The Jays do look better than the A's, on paper. I am not sold one bit on Ted Lilly, but I really like the Batista addition (plus Hentgen is a fabulous #4 starter), and, as Coach says, Billy Beane has had a poor off-season. Any offensive gains Kielty and a healthy Dye might bring them will be negated by Tejada's loss, and Rich Harden is not a sure thing in the rotation. Mark Kotsay, as I've said, is a wonderful defender with a plus arm, but he is really a complementary player, not a front-line starter. Plus, their rotation depth is thin; it's not fair to say "If so-and-so gets hurt, they're in trouble," because that's true for everyone. But, truly, if one of the A's big three goes down, their season is over. They simply don't have the offense to make it up, and with Harden entering what is sure to be a rough year (punctuated, no doubt, by brillliance), and with Joe Blanton still at least a year out, they cannot afford any injuries in the rotation. Moffatt said I was spoiled, and indeed he's right. But, contrary to what Billy Beane said a few years ago -- "This team will be the worst one we field in the next five years" -- the 2004 A's do not look very impressive. If Foulke departs, if Durazo doesn't step up, if Dye doesn't come back to even 3/4 of the player he was, if Chavez continues to underachieve, and if Kielty does what he's done so far -- some walks, some power, and a low BA -- without improving, then this club won't win 90 games.
Toronto, meanwhile, looks like the 2002 Seattle Mariners: they could win 93 games and still miss out on the playoffs by seven games.
Toronto, meanwhile, looks like the 2002 Seattle Mariners: they could win 93 games and still miss out on the playoffs by seven games.
Foulke signed with Boston today. I can't wait to see Gitz's reaction once somebody calls Beane a genius for swiping those draft picks from the Sox...
More importantly, surely Boston has bullpen arms to spare now. Might there be a chance that the Sox could part with a Kim/Embree/Williamson type in order to restock the lower levels of their farm system -- and maybe even toss in some cash to boot?
I'd take any of those three, if the price was right.
More importantly, surely Boston has bullpen arms to spare now. Might there be a chance that the Sox could part with a Kim/Embree/Williamson type in order to restock the lower levels of their farm system -- and maybe even toss in some cash to boot?
I'd take any of those three, if the price was right.
Wow. The West gets tighter and the East, well, what else is new?
Boston's surplus arms are certainly welcome here. Will they make Kim a starter, or did he burn his bridges with the "we're number one" gesture? If he's non-tendered, the thriving Korean community in Toronto might get a local sports hero. What more could a guy want under the tree? A closer who can go two or three innings makes the perfect gift for that hard-to-please Jays fan.
Boston's surplus arms are certainly welcome here. Will they make Kim a starter, or did he burn his bridges with the "we're number one" gesture? If he's non-tendered, the thriving Korean community in Toronto might get a local sports hero. What more could a guy want under the tree? A closer who can go two or three innings makes the perfect gift for that hard-to-please Jays fan.
Bill Madden, in the New York Daily News, gives hope:
George Steinbrenner was hunkered down in his Tampa compound, still behaving badly by confining GM Brian Cashman to New York quarters and essentially shutting out his $650,000-a-year chief adviser, Gene Michael. But The Boss' high command nevertheless was said to be in full Vladimir Guerrero recruiting mode yesterday - an ominous sign for the Baltimore Orioles, who have plenty of money to burn but can't seem to make up their minds where to spend it.
And, alas, The Boss apparently is still listening to all the wrong people while playing the role of Santa Claus to all the wrong people. That would be the continuing negotiations with washed-up sourpuss Kenny Lofton, whom nobody in the Yankee organization wants any part of other than Bill Emslie, the new resident scouting genius in Steinbrenner's Tampa "kitchen cabinet."
What a mess.
George Steinbrenner was hunkered down in his Tampa compound, still behaving badly by confining GM Brian Cashman to New York quarters and essentially shutting out his $650,000-a-year chief adviser, Gene Michael. But The Boss' high command nevertheless was said to be in full Vladimir Guerrero recruiting mode yesterday - an ominous sign for the Baltimore Orioles, who have plenty of money to burn but can't seem to make up their minds where to spend it.
And, alas, The Boss apparently is still listening to all the wrong people while playing the role of Santa Claus to all the wrong people. That would be the continuing negotiations with washed-up sourpuss Kenny Lofton, whom nobody in the Yankee organization wants any part of other than Bill Emslie, the new resident scouting genius in Steinbrenner's Tampa "kitchen cabinet."
What a mess.
Amen to that, Coach. Kim is the best closer option out there for the Jays, IMO.
I have to say I would be over the moon if the Jays got Kim. However, I just can't see it happening, I doubt the Sox will non-tender him and it surely would take a player the Jays would miss a great deal to get him in a trade.
Btw does anyone know what Kim is expected to earn next season?
Btw does anyone know what Kim is expected to earn next season?
2003 Salary
Byung-Hyun Kim BOS $3.25M
I have no guess as to what he will earn next year, but my guess would be 4 mil range.
Byung-Hyun Kim BOS $3.25M
I have no guess as to what he will earn next year, but my guess would be 4 mil range.
If I was Boston I'd use Kim as a starter. In fact, I wouldn't even consider doing anything else. What'd that give them; Martinez-Schilling-Lowe-Kim-Wakefield? Beautiful.
Bill Emslie, the new resident scouting genius in Steinbrenner's Tampa "kitchen cabinet."
No relation. Plus he spells his name wrong.
Bill Emslie, the new resident scouting genius in Steinbrenner's Tampa "kitchen cabinet."
No relation. Plus he spells his name wrong.
Excuse that poor grammar above. I should add that the 3.25 mil contract came in Kim's first arbitration eligible year, which was generally regarded as a bit too generous by the D-Backs at the time. The 4mil guess was what his fair value might now be, after what we can say was overall a less impressive year than his previous two. Do I think he's the player JP is targeting in these rumoured trade talks? Probably not, as I can't really think of who we'd give up for BK, beyond Hudson. But it's nice to dream.
But it's nice to dream
It certainly is.
Re giving up Hudson, you know, as crazy as it sounds I would be a touch reluctant to trade Hudson for Kim. Not that JP shouldn't, but without him the Jays look weak up the middle and with Doc and Batista pitching, sound infield defence is crucially important. Kim getting over 4m means that he would most probably not become a Blue Jay considering there is under 4m left on the projected payroll, and with Hudson gone JP would need to find another 2B. Plus why would Boston even think about giving a very good pitcher to a division rival? Hmmm.
The more I think about it, the more far-fetched it becomes. Shame really.
It certainly is.
Re giving up Hudson, you know, as crazy as it sounds I would be a touch reluctant to trade Hudson for Kim. Not that JP shouldn't, but without him the Jays look weak up the middle and with Doc and Batista pitching, sound infield defence is crucially important. Kim getting over 4m means that he would most probably not become a Blue Jay considering there is under 4m left on the projected payroll, and with Hudson gone JP would need to find another 2B. Plus why would Boston even think about giving a very good pitcher to a division rival? Hmmm.
The more I think about it, the more far-fetched it becomes. Shame really.
Is there anything to the notion of slotting Wakefield as #2 between Pedro and Schilling to upset the tempo of batters in the opposing lineup? Or is that an Old Scout's Tale debunked by sabermetrics?
http://economics.about.com
But, truly, if one of the A's big three goes down, their season is over. They simply don't have the offense to make it up, and with Harden entering what is sure to be a rough year (punctuated, no doubt, by brillliance), and with Joe Blanton still at least a year out, they cannot afford any injuries in the rotation. Moffatt said I was spoiled, and indeed he's right. But, contrary to what Billy Beane said a few years ago -- "This team will be the worst one we field in the next five years" -- the 2004 A's do not look very impressive.
Beane has to have something up his sleeve, because they look like half a team right now. Three great starters, some good rookies, and a bunch of underachieving question marks.
I still think they'd win more games than the Jays, though. Seattle has probably had the worst off-season in baseball, and Texas is slowly rebuilding. The Angels look pretty good, tho.
Maybe you should go back to cheering for the Yankees. :)
Cheers,
Mike
But, truly, if one of the A's big three goes down, their season is over. They simply don't have the offense to make it up, and with Harden entering what is sure to be a rough year (punctuated, no doubt, by brillliance), and with Joe Blanton still at least a year out, they cannot afford any injuries in the rotation. Moffatt said I was spoiled, and indeed he's right. But, contrary to what Billy Beane said a few years ago -- "This team will be the worst one we field in the next five years" -- the 2004 A's do not look very impressive.
Beane has to have something up his sleeve, because they look like half a team right now. Three great starters, some good rookies, and a bunch of underachieving question marks.
I still think they'd win more games than the Jays, though. Seattle has probably had the worst off-season in baseball, and Texas is slowly rebuilding. The Angels look pretty good, tho.
Maybe you should go back to cheering for the Yankees. :)
Cheers,
Mike
Is there anything to the notion of slotting Wakefield as #2 between Pedro and Schilling to upset the tempo of batters in the opposing lineup? Or is that an Old Scout's Tale debunked by sabermetrics?
I can't fathom any earthly reason why it would be a negative, so you may as well try it to trip up the occasional batter whose timing is easily monkeyed with.
I can't fathom any earthly reason why it would be a negative, so you may as well try it to trip up the occasional batter whose timing is easily monkeyed with.
Putting Wakefield between Schilling and Pedro only works if both don't shatter their arms this season.