671 replies to this topic

[g0wave]

Ok, so is there anybody out there who has looked at the Yank's payroll, FA, etc going into this offseason? I know Bernie's off the books and they have a bunch of money tied up in some lefty with very little cartilidge left in his knees...

Who's tied up for how much and what are they facing? What about Chacon & Small? tied up? free agents?

F.A.'s include:

Kevin Brown
Hideki Matsui
Tom Gordon
Bernie Williams

Edited by g0wave, 11 October 2005 - 12:38 AM.

[jtn46]

Bernie will either be gone, or will be signed as a 4th outfielder. They'll look for a CF, and obviously Damon is a favorite since their internal options aren't pretty. Matsui is a FA as well, but the Yankees like him a lot, I think he'll stick around.

Brown is off the books, and there was talk that they'd try to dump Pavano's salary. Gordon is also a free agent and I think they let him go.

Chacon is their property, and pitched very well, and they're high on Wang. Their rotation looks to be RJ, Mussina, Chacon, Wang and then one of Pavano, Wright, or a free agent if they find a way to get rid of at least Pavano. Small was signed to a minor league deal, I can see a team giving him a guaranteed rotation spot and him taking it.

I think they'll lose Gordon, he's immediately the fourth best reliever available, and I think the one problem for him has been that in a setup role, he pitches more than he probably should be pitching. The Yankees probably make a run at Ryan and Wagner, but I think both will be looking for closer jobs.

[SoxFanSince57]

Bernie and Brown are gone

Matsui and Gordon are re-signed

Damon, B.J. Ryan and Konerko are FA acquitions

For the hell of it George might just add Millwood or Burnett.

The MFY can very easily add the pieces they need. With the type of money the can spend the MFY will ALWAYS be favorites. OTOH, they have managed to choke 5 years in a row.

[The Long Tater]

You are all jumping the gun. By far the most important off season move for the Yankees is signing a General Manager. Cashman's contract expires at the end of October and both he and the team have been very vague about what happens next. The Yankees need to resolve this issue before they really can do anything else.


p.s. Maybe Cashman will be interested in the Philadelphia job that just opened up?

[rmurph3]

I just put this in another thread, but I think the CF they go after is Juan Pierre rather than Damon.

[The Long Tater]

What about Chacon & Small? tied up? free agents?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

According to this am's paper, not under contract but tied up.

[yecul]

Matsui will be retained. Gordon would certainly make sense to resign. Bernie might get a sentimental contract as a reserve, but I'm skeptical of that. I think they pursue Ryan. He just wants closer money, I doubt he'd mind setting up -- especially since he can take over for Rivera in a couple years.

As for CF. Do they pursue Damon? I think it's certainly possible and it looks like a good fit, but that doesn't necessarily mean much. I thought they'd go after Vlad and Beltran (and Pedro) but they didn't really do that.

[NJ Fan]

I also think they'll be all over Pierre. And I think they'll cut ties with Gordon. I see Williams taking on the Sierra role: part-time DH and 4th OF.

[BigMike]

According to this am's paper, not under contract but tied up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They definately control the rights to both guys,


They do free up a ton of basically dead cash this offseason. It will be interesting to see if they step back in payroll or spend all that dead money. Next year is the last year of the luxury tax I believe

[Rudy Pemberton]

They do free up a ton of basically dead cash this offseason.

Sort of, but not really.

If they resign Matsui, they'll be paying at least $5M more per year.

And then check out the increases due to Giambi, Posada, Wright, etc.

[Oil Can Dan]

You are all jumping the gun.  By far the most important off season move for the Yankees is signing a General Manager.  Cashman's contract expires at the end of October and both he and the team have been very vague about what happens next.  The Yankees need to resolve this issue before they really can do anything else.
p.s.  Maybe Cashman will be interested in the Philadelphia job that just opened up?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Resolution may not take long on this particular topic:

October 11, 2005 --  General manager Brian Cashman, who began his career with the Yankees as a 19-year-old intern in Tampa, broke down in tears last night in a losing clubhouse when he was asked if this was his final game working for the team.

The tears and Cashman's inability to even respond to the question is, perhaps, the strongest indicator that he plans to leave when his contract expires on Oct. 31. Cashman has tabled all discussion of his status until after the season. But when that came abruptly last night, with the Yankees losing a decisive ALDS Game 5 by 5-3 to Anaheim, he had to table the matter even further.

"Did it creep into your mind that this could be the last one you are involved in?" was the question posed to Cashman about 20 minutes after the final out. Cashman began to try to answer, his eyes reddened and his voice cracked. He tried to compose himself, putting his hand to his mouth and taking a deep breath.

But that only made him actually start to cry and he excused himself with apologies, saying he would address it today.

sniff sniff

[DaveJstice]

I happen to fully agree that Juan Pierre is probably the right CF for the Yanks next year. He'll be cheaper than Damon, faster, and probably is defensively better.

On the other hand, at this point I'm sure George wouldn't mind sticking it to Boston. Getting Damon would do that.

Personally, I can't see BJ Ryan signing there and taking a setup role. He just got the closer's role this year, don't see that as something you willingly give up even if it's to setup a dominant closer.

[Green Monster]

George Steinbrenner placed the following phone call during the 2nd inning of last nights game:

GS: Hello, Scott, this is George Steinbr....
SB: Six years, Sixty Million
GS: How did you know what I was calling about?
SB: I am watching the game.
GS: He would have caught that wouldn't he?
SB: Did I mention we want a no-trade clause?
GS: We always felt Johnny was a "True Yankee"
SB: He gets to keep the beard!

[Rudy Pemberton]

Why would the Yankees want Juan Pierre? They've already got him, he goes by the name Tony Womack.

(Let's hope Pierre isn't another John Henry fave. Was he there when Henry was?)

Edited by Rudy Pemberton, 11 October 2005 - 08:43 AM.

[JimD]

Buster Olney was on ESPN's 'Mike & Mike' show this morning. He indicated that he's hearing from his sources in the organization that the Yankees are embarrassed by having to rely on guys like Small and Chacon to bail out their $200 million team and may go in the opposite direction this offseason, foregoing the high-priced free agents on the market. I'll believe that when Damon and others start signing with other teams while Big Stein sits by and watches.

Olney also said that there are those in Steinbrenner's inner circle who see Torre as part of the problem and are agitating to have him replaced. If Steinbrenner allows this to become a public debate on the manager's future, I hope Torre walks away - he's a class act and doesn't deserve that treatment after all he's done for the Yankees.

JD

[NJ Fan]

Why would the Yankees want Juan Pierre? They've already got him, he goes by the name Tony Womack.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whoa! We're bringing logic into the equation with this team? Besides, not sure how you can compare a 28 yr old to a 36 yr old.

[Todd Benzinger]

Didn't Pierre come to the Fish from the Rox in the offseason before 2003 (ie the year they the Marlins won the WS).

If Pierre is a better CF than Damon defensively, he's no Womack.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

Resolution may not take long on this particular topic:



sniff sniff

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whoa, how is that appropriate behavior for a businessman? I can understand getting a little bit emotional I suppose, but breaking down in tears? Doesn't sound like a guy I'd want manking roster decisions for my team.

Edited by Bucknahs Bum Ankle, 11 October 2005 - 09:02 AM.

[Todd Benzinger]

Easy to mock Pierre after a career-worst year, but is he so different from JD really? They have the same career OBP--- .355 for Pierre, .353 for JD. They have the same OPS in their worst year(s)-- c. .680, 2002, 05 for Pierre, 1996, 2001, for Damon.

Damon obviously has one bif advantage--upside in SLG. Pierre's career highs are .407, .415; JD's are .495, .477. Career marks are .375 vs .435

Still, FWIW, Pierre can still steal--57 SB, 17 CS this year, vs 18 SB, 1CS for JD.

Pierre could close the gap with his glove, and the fact that he's hitting his peak years as Damon leaves his.

Any guy with two years of OBP in the .370, and a career low of .326, has little in common with Womack. Womack's career mark is .316; high is .349; low is .276, and he put up two consecustive years at .307. His career SLG is .356.

Edited by Todd Benzinger, 11 October 2005 - 09:07 AM.

[staz]

Buster Olney was on ESPN's 'Mike & Mike' show this morning.  He indicated that he's hearing from his sources in the organization that the Yankees are embarrassed by having to rely on guys like Small and Chacon to bail out their $200 million team and may go in the opposite direction this offseason, foregoing the high-priced free agents on the market.  I'll believe that when Damon and others start signing with other teams while Big Stein sits by and watches.

Olney also said that there are those in Steinbrenner's inner circle who see Torre as part of the problem and are agitating to have him replaced.  If Steinbrenner allows this to become a public debate on the manager's future, I hope Torre walks away - he's a class act and doesn't deserve that treatment after all he's done for the Yankees.

JD

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After listening to the New York Yankee Radio Network last night (as I always do on Elimination Eve), a talk radio program began with 8 out of 10 MFY fan/callers bitching and moaning about everything from A-Rod to Shemp to Torre's in-game managing. What struck me, though, was how all of them mentioned Damon to the Yankees, almost in passing, as a foregone conclusion. Sorta like: "Hey we need a CF, Damon's a FA, we'll get Damon. No problem." If the groundswell, both from the fans and those around Stein is stong enough, I don't see how MFY does NOT go headlong into the Damon sweepstakes. A (mis)perception at 161st & River could develop where Pierre is looked at as being inferior to Damon.

[trekfan55]

Call me crazy but I just don't see Johnny Damon patrolling CF in Yankee Stadium. Maybe George will want to sign him as a leadoff hotter, but it's not like he's covering all that ground, and his arm will have people tagging up and scoring form 2nd on fly outs (am I crazy or did that happen to him this season?).

And after all these high priced people that George has signed and have been dissappointments: Pavano, Brown, etc. and all the albatross contracts he has, will he still go overborad and spend another 200 million? This offseason should be fun.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Pierre has been successful in 74% of his SB attempts in his career; that's just not that great. He's comparable to Womack in that he doesn't walk at all and has absolutely no power. He's an empty player; his game is built on bunt singles. I imagine he gets paid $7M a year, at least, and I certainly hope the Yankees do it. He's vastly overrated.

Pierre's 20.5 VORP was light years from Damon (49.2) but was almost as good as Beltran (25.9). He could help the Yanks, for sure. But he's not even close to as good a sign as Damon.

[Todd Benzinger]

So do the Sox want Pierre, then? He obviously has more value to a team that believes in the running game. How good is his D?

[Dotrat]

After listening to the New York Yankee Radio Network last night (as I always do on Elimination Eve), a talk radio program began with 8 out of 10 MFY fan/callers bitching and moaning about everything from A-Rod to Shemp to Torre's in-game managing. What struck me, though, was how all of them mentioned Damon to the Yankees, almost in passing, as a foregone conclusion. Sorta like: "Hey we need a CF, Damon's a FA, we'll get Damon. No problem." If the groundswell, both from the fans and those around Stein is stong enough, I don't see how MFY does NOT go headlong into the Damon sweepstakes. A (mis)perception at 161st & River could develop where Pierre is looked at as being inferior to Damon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But wasn't that the MFY Fan consensus last year about Beltran?

[Todd Benzinger]

I thought 75% was the mythical break-even point for SB. Obviously situation plays into it.

He doesn't wlak enough for a guy with his game, for sure, but he walks 40-50 times a year, which has to be more than Womack.

20 vorp is a pretty good player, isn't it? I'm sure Womack has never been close, other than his 04 career year.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Call me crazy but I just don't see Johnny Damon patrolling CF in Yankee Stadium.  Maybe George will want to sign him as a leadoff hotter, but it's not like he's covering all that ground, and his arm will have people tagging up and scoring form 2nd on fly outs (am I crazy or did that happen to him this season?).

And after all these high priced people that George has signed and have been dissappointments:  Pavano, Brown, etc.  and all the albatross contracts he has, will he still go overborad and spend another 200 million?  This offseason should be fun.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It happened to Johnny only once, after he hurt the other shoulder.

He can still cover a ton of ground, and the weak throwing arm isn't such a problem as long as the legs still work.

Boras will probably email Big George that picture of Crosby and Sheffield colliding every day and ask for 6/60 for Damon.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Ok, I'll admit that the comparison to Womack was a bit of an exaggeration.

[Todd Benzinger]

Pierre's 20.5 VORP was light years from Damon (49.2) but was almost as good as Beltran (25.9). He could help the Yanks, for sure. But he's not even close to as good a sign as Damon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That depends on the going-forward analysis, though, doesn't it?

Was 04 Damon's last great season? Is his D declining? Is it better to have a 30-40 VORP guy the next two years, and then a 20ish guy the two years after that for a couple more, or to have a 20-30 guy every year for the next four years--esp. when guy B is cheaper?

If Pierre was at 20 VORP this year, that actually makes him attractive going forward, given that it was his career-worst year offensively.

[Todd Benzinger]

Ok, I'll admit that the comparison to Womack was a bit of an exaggeration.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry for taking you so seriously on that--I believed you for a sec!

[xjack]

I happen to fully agree that Juan Pierre is probably the right CF for the Yanks next year. He'll be cheaper than Damon, faster, and probably is defensively better.

Pierre is coming off a mediocre season -- .276/.326/.354. Yes he stole 57 bases, but he scored only 97 runs in 656 at bats. Plus, there's no way the Yankees would let him attempt 74 SBs hitting in front of ARod, Jeter and Sheffield.

As for defense, his range factor is below league average. It'd be interested to find out what his UZR numbers are... All in all, I'd love to see Pierre go to the Yankees because it would mean Damon wouldn't.

[Plantiers Wart]

Matsui will be back or head back to Japan. The signage and ties to Japan will pay for any raise he is likely to receive. Bernie will retire. He isn't wanted back, and he will go out a "true" MFY after the emotional curtain calls at the toilet. Cashman is gone. And Torre is probably gone as well. Remember, he said he would wait until after the season to address issues with the Boss....it is going to be a war of words, with Stein trying to force him out and Torre with 13 million reasons not to walk away. Pinniela will be in the YES booth as manager in waiting or the dugout. Enjoy the show.

[Buck Showalter]

It'll be an interesting off-season.........if I'm Cashman I get the heck outta' there. Their play-off lives have gotten shorter three consecutive years now ('03 WS exit, '04 ALCS exit, '05 ALDS exit) while Jaret Wright, Carl Pavano and an older Randy Johnson comprise a huge part of my pitching staff for the near future with no young prospects to filter in and a weak free-agent class that can't help.

[CarboCopy]

I have to say there are a few posters on this board that I would love to nominate for the role of yanqui GM. ARod for Mike Cameron, anyone? Think of the money it would free up.

[Rudy Pemberton]

I'm not so sure things are any gloomier in NY than they are in Boston, although that seems to be the tone. The idea that Steinbrenner is gonna go crazy and can Torre and Cashman seems funny to me; the Sox have been through 6 managers since Torre was hired and 3 GM's since Cash was hired!

The Yankees have some decent young players. Cano to me looks like a young Soriano without the speed. Wang could be Derek Lowe without the baggage, and Pavano and Wright can't be worse than they were last year (although I'll hope).

Both these teams should still win 90+ games in '06.

[Maalox]

I just put this in another thread, but I think the CF they go after is Juan Pierre rather than Damon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree, but unfortunately for Sox fans that's only half the story. Pierre will be the CF the Sox go after, too.

Whoever loses may end up paying even more for Johnny Damon than Damon wants now.

[OCD SS]

I think the MFY might have trouble getting Peirre, becasue they have very little they can trade for him (he's not a FA until next year). Somehow I don't think the Marlins are looking at their farm system and thinking "Yeah, Eric Duncan is probably enough for us to do this deal." I think that pushes them towards the FA market and Damon (who'll still be a lot cheaper than Beltran was).

They also have their rotation stacked, and while they have pitchers they might like to get rid of, I think their contracts are worse and they still have Wang, Chacon, and Small under control. I think they have little to do with AJB this offseason.

[Bdanahy14]

Steinbrenner is gonna go crazy and can Torre and Cashman

Well, Cashman's contract is up.. so Sias would not be canning him. I think that Philly job would be a great one, and I doubt the phillies' will stay inhouse with either Amaro or Arbuckle. I think it will either be Cash or Duquette.

As for Torre. I think he will stay, 13 mill. is a lot to pay off.

Who do the Yankees go after if Cashman signs with Philly or Baltimore?

Hunsicker?

Edited by Bdanahy14, 11 October 2005 - 10:01 AM.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Who do the Yankees go after if Cashman signs with Philly or Baltimore?

Hunsicker?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chuck LaMar's available.

[Soxfan in Fla]

Chuck LaMar's available. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So is Cam Bonifay

[hytem]

Well, after listening to ESP-NY last night making all kinds of excuses
for why the Yankees lost ("they were tired"), I'm really sorry the media
is going to lose some advertising revenue because the Yankees are out of the playoffs.
I'm sorry, also, that TV seems to be dictating schedules and starting times
these days (Joe Girardi: "they pay for the high salaries we get." And who pays TV, Joe? Where's my cable bill.)
The Angels are lucky it didn't rain in Anaheim--or Fox might have told them
to play the game in NY.
Now they have to rush out to Chicago to play the well-rested White Sox.

As for what the Yankees will do next year, if George's son-in-law is really
running the show, maybe he'll stick to what got them in the playoffs this year--
cheap no-names. I read somewhere the Yankees are "embarrassed" by that.
Maybe there's a lesson or two there for the Red Sox to pick up on--especially
with all those quality young players they have. Get their manager to play them more.

[ese718xc]

The Yanks are on the Books for 142MM for 2006. These numbers all come from Hardball Dollars

The Probable Starters coming back [(Cap # / Real #) Real$ Increase/Decrease]

C- Posada
(10.2/13.5) +1MM

1B - Giambi
(17.1/19) +3.5MM

2B - Cano
(.32/.32) 0

3B - ARod
(20.5/14) 0

SS - Jeter
(19/21) +1MM

LF - Matsui?
Probably 10-12MM

CF - Jacque Jones/Damon?
Probably 6/12MM

RF - Sheffield
(13/13) 0

DH - Womack (Dead Money)/Bernie (Buyout)
(2/5.5) 0

SP1 - Randy Johnson
(16/14.5) +4.5

SP2 - Mike Mussina
(15/19) 0

SP3 - Carl Pavano
(10/8) -1

SP4 - Jared Wright
(9/7) 0

SP5 - Chein-Ming Wang
(.32/.32) 0

RP - Mariano Rivera
(10.5/10.5) 0

Thats it for big money retained contracts:
Giambi, Jeter, RJ, Mussina, Pavano, Posada, Mariano, ARod, Sheffield, Wright

Thats a total Cap# of 142MM, and 162MM with benefits and taxes. There is a 9.5MM increase as far as current players salaries, which will be more like 15-20MM when you count Matsui and any arbitration increases.

_______________________________________________________________

Then Yankees are going to free up approximately 50MM in payroll this year with at least 13 players coming off the books.

Tino, Bernie, Bellhorn, Brown, Gordon, Karsay, Lawton, Matsui, May, Quantrill, Felix Rodriguez, Sierra, Stanton.

They have obvious vacancies at LF, CF, DH, and two bullpen spots.

That works out to

Matsui - 12
Jones - 6
Konerko - 12
Ryan - 8
Wagner - 12
______________

50 Million

The Yanks can spend 50MM on 5 players and fill the rest of their roster with young filler and not spend a dime more money that they did this year for a real solid roster.

CF- Jones
SS- Jeter
3B- ARod
DH- Giambi
1B- Konerko
RF- Sheffield
LF- Matsui
C- Posada
2B- Cano

SP- Johnson
SP- Mussina
SP- Pavano
SP- Wright/Chacon
SP- Wang
RP- Ryan
RP- Wagner
RP- Rivera

Shudder to think... Good thing they're the chokers

(EDIT: Replaces Juan Pierre with Jacque Jones. But you could sub in any CF a tier below Damon. Or add Damon and go with a cheaper reliever than Billy Wagner.)

Edited by ese718xc, 11 October 2005 - 10:56 AM.

[redsox1918]

What struck me, though, was how all of them mentioned Damon to the Yankees, almost in passing, as a foregone conclusion. Sorta like: "Hey we need a CF, Damon's a FA, we'll get Damon. No problem."

Believe me, I live this every day down here in Yankeeland. It's beyond words. The MFY mindset is so twisted.....

"OK King George, be done with your rants, and get on with your quick fixes....as we all know, the MFYs are above MLB... they are entitled to greatness"

[redsox1918]

Thats a total Cap# of 142MM, and 162MM with benefits and taxes. There is a 9.5MM increase as far as current players salaries, which will be more like 15-20MM when you count Matsui and any arbitration increases.

When does the luxury tax writeoff commence with the new stadium construction?

[JimD]

The idea that Steinbrenner is gonna go crazy and can Torre and Cashman seems funny to me; the Sox have been through 6 managers since Torre was hired and 3 GM's since Cash was hired!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your argument is a bit disingenuous, as it is designed to make the Sox look like Steinbrenner in the bad old days.

For all intents and purposes, the Red Sox have had two GM's - the Duke and Theo. There was never any doubt that Mike Port was keeping the seat warm for someone else.

As far as the manager is concerned, Kevin Kennedy was replaced after Torre's first year in New York. Since then, they've really only had three managers - Jimy, He Who Shall Not Be Named and Tito. With the ownership change looming back in 2001, I don't believe anyone seriously considered Kerrigan as the long-term guy, and I can't believe you actually used Mike Cubbage in your argument.

Nice try.

JD

Edited by JimD, 11 October 2005 - 11:03 AM.

[Rudy Pemberton]

The idea that Steinbrenner is some lunatic who fires people constantly just isn't grounded in recent reality. That was my point...the idea that the Sox are far more reasonable in their dealings with coaches / GM's / managers, which seems prevalent here, isn't backed by the facts, at all.

After each of the last five years, there have been posts guaranteeing that Torre, Cashman, and Stottlemyer would all be gone, yet they survive. Now maybe this is finally it, but that remains to be seen.

The Sox have their own issues; our GM is a free agent and there have been rumblings about our manager, and more rumors that the team will attempt to move its best player for at least the 3rd or 4th time.

Laughing at the Yankees and inferring how stupid an organization they are, when they were playing longer than the Sox, well it just seems weird.

[JimD]

The Yanks can spend 50MM on 5 players and fill the rest of their roster with young filler and not spend a dime more money that they did this year for a real solid roster.

CF- Jones
SS- Jeter
3B- ARod
DH- Giambi
1B- Konerko
RF- Sheffield
LF- Matsui
C- Posada
2B- Cano

SP- Johnson
SP- Mussina
SP- Pavano
SP- Wright/Chacon
SP- Wang
RP- Ryan
RP- Wagner
RP- Rivera

Shudder to think...  Good thing they're the chokers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That lineup would make me shudder too, but I just don't see Konerko going to New York, or Ryan and Wagner agreeing to become setup men when there will be multiple teams willing to throw big bucks at them to close.

JD

[941827]

SP- Johnson
SP- Mussina
SP- Pavano
SP- Wright
SP- Chacon
SP- Wang
SP- Small

Based on the above, you'd think the MFY would keep Small or Chacon as a long man in the 'pen who can replace whoever gets hurt in the rotation, but will move one of their SP for another player.

Wang + Duncan is a pretty enticing package for a low-revenue team. Would the Royals move Sweeney and Sisco for Wang, Duncan and another prospect (moving Teahen or Duncan to 1b)?

I just don't see Konerko going to New York

Really? He grew up in New England and his father was an MFY fan (as Chris Berman reported at least 6 times during the ALDS). Of course, a trade for Sweeney would obviate the need for Konerko in NY.

Edited by 941827, 11 October 2005 - 11:26 AM.

[someoneanywhere]

I don't think we should make too much of Cashman. Whether he is let go or re-signed is relevant only to the adminstrative duties of the job. He doesn't have much say -- as has been documented over the years -- in the offseason acquisition of talent. He has proven to be a fine GM when he's actually given the keys (or, to put it another way, when SiaS says, "its up to my management team" or some such buffoonery).

If S is the voice, they will take a serious run at Damon. If not, I think they'll be in moderately interested mode. Gordon is their Timlin: until he proves he can't hold up, they will re-sign him to front Mo. They will also go hard at Ryan, and put him in the closer's role when Mo hangs 'em up. The other benefit Ryan gives them is more rest for Rivera -- he won't have to come in during the 8th inning, and occasionally they can use BJ to save the 2 and 3 run leads.

My guess is that they will go hard after Torri Hunter and re-sign Matsui. If it were me, I would keep Chacon in the rotation and try to dump Wright, not Pavano. I would also think about packaging Aaron Small in the right deal, though he could come in handy in the pen.

[absintheofmalaise]

In either 2003 or 2004 Cashman's wife was on some radio or tv show and said that Brian would love to manage in Boston. You would think that he was tired of all the BS that he has to put up with between the Boss and the Tampa Mafia. I believe he's going somewhere else that will give him more autonomy.

[gcapalbo]

In either 2003 or 2004 Cashman's wife was on some radio or tv show and said that Brian would love to manage in Boston. You would think that he was tired of all the BS that he has to put up with between the Boss and the Tampa Mafia. I believe he's going somewhere else that will give him more autonomy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If Cashman was crying, they were probably tears of joy. IMHO, he's been abused ever since SiAS started making the 'decisions'.

I think he'd go almost anywhere else than stay in NY. Unless they throw an insane amount of money at him, he's walking.

There had better not be an opening for Cashman in Boston. Different thread, but SIGN THEO.