Well, I think they think they can compete next year, and why not when you look around the league?Can someone explain to me the point of paying that money to a closer when you have no realistic hope to contend? Is that dismissive to ask that question?
No, it's legit but I think the answer might be they have had a lot of money coming off the cap the last few years and not many smart places to spend it. Chapman won't be blocking anyone, still plenty of open bullpen spots for anyone who can step up, add Severino and maybe Domingo Acevedo (wishful thinking but he has hit 103 and has other pitches too) to Betances and Chapman, and other teams had better be ahead after five or six.Can someone explain to me the point of paying that money to a closer when you have no realistic hope to contend? Is that dismissive to ask that question?
Sweet deal for the Yanks.There is an opt-out after 2019 also.
Well, I guess I just don't see it. It's not MFY hate, I just don't see the roster being one that would lead to a playoff berth or further than that.Well, I think they think they can compete next year, and why not when you look around the league?
However, time to trade to Betances to the loser of the Jansen sweepstakes (hopefully the Dodgers).
Why won't they be in the mix for a wild card? They were there this year despite terrible seasons by Teixeira, Ellsbury, McCann, Headley, Hicks, and A-Rod. They replace McCann and Teixeira with a full year of Sanchez and Greg Bird. Holliday replaces Beltran's production. Their pen right now is solid with Chapman, Betances, Clippard as the back end. Rotation is mediocre with Tanaka, Sabathia, and Pineda plus 2 young guys. I could see them adding another starter.Can someone explain to me the point of paying that money to a closer when you have no realistic hope to contend? Is that dismissive to ask that question?
Well, I guess I just don't see it. It's not MFY hate, I just don't see the roster being one that would lead to a playoff berth or further than that.
Beyond that it seems like a continuation of the muddled nature of your FO. Seems like a rebuild, but no. Gonna save money this year, but no.
I think Cashman is one of the top GMs in the game but I'm constantly wondering if stuff like this is him or Tampa.
Yep. While I know he makes them a better team I'm glad he won't be playing for the Red Sox and can take some small solace in being able to hate him just a little bit more because of the pinstripes.Always nice to have some fresh reasons to hate the Yankees. Acquiring this shithead not once, but twice--once at a discount because he'd just assaulted his girlfriend, and now (with other options available) for the largest contract ever given a RP--tremendously good look.
Now here's where someone incorrectly informs me I'd root for him if he pitched for the Red Sox.
I find it hard to believe that there are a material number of people who would not otherwise buy tickets, but will do so and sit through eight innings just on the chance that they'll get to see the closer pitch.Oh, and also he is a draw at a time when they don't have many, maybe seeing the guy who throws faster than anyone in the history of the game seems like an easy sell.
I find it hard to believe that there are a material number of people who would not otherwise buy tickets, but will do so and sit through eight innings just on the chance that they'll get to see the closer pitch.
Winner winner, chicken dinner.California has tougher domestic violence laws?
Cashman is just trying to be the LA Clippers of baseball, as opposed to the Phoenix Suns.Can someone explain to me the point of paying that money to a closer when you have no realistic hope to contend? Is that dismissive to ask that question?
Here's my theory for an answer to your question:Can someone explain to me the point of paying that money to a closer when you have no realistic hope to contend? Is that dismissive to ask that question?
I'm with you on the Chapman signing giving me a fresh reason to hate the MFYs. And hating the MFYs is one of the truly enjoyable parts of baseball for me.Always nice to have some fresh reasons to hate the Yankees. Acquiring this shithead not once, but twice--once at a discount because he'd just assaulted his girlfriend, and now (with other options available) for the largest contract ever given a RP--tremendously good look.
Now here's where someone incorrectly informs me I'd root for him if he pitched for the Red Sox.
Not anymore, he signed in the AL.In case anyone has forgotten, Chapman is a batterer.
As am I.I am looking forward to revisiting this thread in a few years.
Again, it allows them to move Betances in the next year or so for prospects if they so choose, and he seems like the best FA option in the three offseasons spanning 2015-2017 to fit NY's personnel, signing an outfielder for instance long term would block guys like Judge and Frazier and Fowler and Rutherford. The Yankees really didn't have many good ways to spend big money on a salary and they think Chapman has as good a chance to hold his value through his contract as any big money signing, plus he is at a position where he doesn't block anyone, there are still plenty of bullpen spots open. Also they don't lose a draft pick.The issue isn't so much that this is a terrible move - to me, Chapman is the best out there and it's not close - it's that it is almost completely misaligned with the idea of a rebuild that has them being competitive in the 2018/19 timeframe. Or, if not misaligned, then peculiarly structured, in the sense that Chapman's opt-out occurs at the moment that he will be of most value to the Yanks, which almost guarantees him an absurd additional payday.
Definitely a possibility. Keith Foulke also makes an argument for this possibilityIs is too much to hope for that Maddon might have Proctored Chapman in the playoffs?
This is the bottom line. Maybe they win the WC with him in 2017 or 2018. And if not, and he falls apart in 2019, they just get someone else with zero impact on the payroll.This signing almost certainly won't affect their capability of signing anyone else they need/want, or at least that is part of their thinking currently.
When his arm falls off or he's in jail for domestic violenceI am looking forward to revisiting this thread in a few years.
Again, it allows them to move Betances in the next year or so for prospects if they so choose, and he seems like the best FA option in the three offseasons spanning 2015-2017 to fit NY's personnel, signing an outfielder for instance long term would block guys like Judge and Frazier and Fowler and Rutherford. The Yankees really didn't have many good ways to spend big money on a salary and they think Chapman has as good a chance to hold his value through his contract as any big money signing, plus he is at a position where he doesn't block anyone, there are still plenty of bullpen spots open. Also they don't lose a draft pick.
NY should easily be under the luxury tax in 2018, I doubt they will make any more big-money signings and they may still move guys like Gardner or Headley. This signing almost certainly won't affect their capability of signing anyone else they need/want, or at least that is part of their thinking currently.
Help me understand how, in the scenario you've outlined, they could "get someone else with zero impact on the payroll?"This is the bottom line. Maybe they win the WC with him in 2017 or 2018. And if not, and he falls apart in 2019, they just get someone else with zero impact on the payroll.
As I said, I like the signing - with the caveat that I think Chapman is an idiot for non-baseball reasons - I just think the timing of Chapman's opt-out is a huge negative for the Yankees going forward.Again, it allows them to move Betances in the next year or so for prospects if they so choose, and he seems like the best FA option in the three offseasons spanning 2015-2017 to fit NY's personnel, signing an outfielder for instance long term would block guys like Judge and Frazier and Fowler and Rutherford. The Yankees really didn't have many good ways to spend big money on a salary and they think Chapman has as good a chance to hold his value through his contract as any big money signing, plus he is at a position where he doesn't block anyone, there are still plenty of bullpen spots open. Also they don't lose a draft pick.
NY should easily be under the luxury tax in 2018, I doubt they will make any more big-money signings and they may still move guys like Gardner or Headley. This signing almost certainly won't affect their capability of signing anyone else they need/want, or at least that is part of their thinking currently.
I think what he means is that they would move up a minor leaguer like Acevedo (seemingly a Betances clone) or someone else already in the system.Help me understand how, in the scenario you've outlined, they could "get someone else with zero impact on the payroll?"
They won't have to clear payroll, or forgo their plans to get Harper, if they need to replace Chapman. There will be room in the budget.Help me understand how, in the scenario you've outlined, they could "get someone else with zero impact on the payroll?"
OK, that's what I thought you were saying.They won't have to clear payroll, or forgo their plans to get Harper, if they need to replace Chapman. There will be room in the budget.
OK, that's what I thought you were saying.
In the scenario you outlined, that's incorrect. The opt-out is Chapman's option, so "if his arm falls off" they still have to pay him and they will need to add payroll for a replacement.
And he won't need to be abused by Girardi for the first two years of the deal if they are not in an important race, potentially preserving him.Also, while he has a high ceiling I think Chapman also has a high floor. If it all falls apart for him he will still probably be an extremely powerful weapon through his age 34 season.