315 replies to this topic

[Brickowski]

Looks like Tori Hunter is going to Detroit.

[jon abbey]

Yep, now we're seeing NY's under $189M plan start to actually impact the team. Maybe they wouldn't have signed Swisher either way, but maybe they would have, and they definitely would have gone after Hunter harder.

[terrynever]

Yep, now we're seeing NY's under $189M plan start to actually impact the team. Maybe they wouldn't have signed Swisher either way, but maybe they would have, and they definitely would have gone after Hunter harder.

David Cone backs up your point today, says Yankees not "in the game" for free agents.

http://yankees.lhblo...or-free-agents/

[jon abbey]

Nice start by getting Kuroda back for 1/15, I have to think he got sizable multiyear offers elsewhere.

The fascinating thing will be to see if Cashman can do this without any multiyear deals, catcher especially. Pettitte and Rivera should hopefully eventually fall into line with one year deals, Ibanez maybe too. They will still need an OF (Ichiro?) and a C (Martin will presumably not sign a one year deal, this will be the toughest decision for Cashman).

[derekson]

If they truly don't care how high the payroll is in 2013 before they get under the cap for 2014, I'm sure they could find something that'd work for Martin. Would he really turn down a 1 year deal if the contract offer was for something like $12M or 14M? I seriously doubt it. With the returns on getting under the cap being so insanely high, it could make sense for the Yankees to blow him away with AAV just to get him on a one year commitment.

[Brickowski]

IMHO the only reason to bring Martin back is to keep Kuroda happy.

[jon abbey]

Actually the whole pitching staff seems to love him, and he even ended up hitting a fair amount in the second half of the year. What's your alternative?

[Brickowski]

Yes, he had a good September, the rest was awful. I agree that the free agent catchers suck.
My alternative is Chris Stewart, with Romine waiting in the wings. If nothing else, it saves money that could be spent more effectively elsewhere.

For years the Yankees have been touting their minor league catching depth. They used that depth as one justification for trading Montero. Well, I think it's time to fish or cut bait with their young catchers.

[jon abbey]

No, they traded Montero because no one thinks he can catch at the major league level, including Seattle.

But yeah, Stewart/Romine/Cervelli and the other scrub they picked up after the season from SF might be the options in the end.

[Brickowski]

IMHO, anyone who handles ptichers reasonably well and hits above the Mendoza line is the equivalent of Martin. Why pay 12-14 million a year for that kind of production?

[EvilEmpire]

IMHO, anyone who handles ptichers reasonably well and hits above the Mendoza line is the equivalent of Martin. Why pay 12-14 million a year for that kind of production?

He has decent power, his BABIP last year was .222, isn't too old, and is good behind the plate. I don't know how much the Yankees should spend on him, but I hope they keep him.

[Brickowski]

IMHO Martin is the path of least resistance.

[jon abbey]

They have plenty of money to spend on one year deals, especially after clearing most of Soriano's salary. Cot's has them at $146M now before Pettitte ($10-$12M, maybe some of it in incentives?) and arb cases (Robertson/Hughes/Gardner/Logan) and Ibanez and a RF (Ichiro's agent said in the paper today that he's gotten other offers but he was so happy in NY that he is willing to wait for them for now).

They were between $207-$213M each of 2010-2012 and there's not much incentive to spend less in 2013 (their revenues still dwarf their expenses), so it seems like overpaying Martin for a season might be the way to go, even if it only means 1-2 extra WAR and a bit of comfort in continuity for the seemingly almost entirely returning pitching staff.

[Brickowski]

Well, for one year, I can see it, especially if the pitchers like him. It's not my money. But I'm hoping that Romine, Sanchez or even Murphy will become a more permanent solution.

Speaking of Montero, Will Michael Pineda ever be ready to pitch for the Yankees?

[jon abbey]

Sanchez won't be ready this year, Pineda is supposed to hopefully be back in the middle of this season sometime.

[jon abbey]

Here's the latest on Pineda from a couple of days ago, since you asked:

http://yankees.lhblo...3/pineda-watch/

[Brickowski]

Thanks Jon. I'm familiar with rotator cuff surgery (tore mine in 2 places) but I guess the labrum is a little different. In either case, rehabbing a shoulder is a bitch.

[jon abbey]

Pettitte seems like he's next in line, maybe sometime this week:

http://www.cbssports...thin-a-few-days

[jon abbey]

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN

Sources: Andy Pettitte is close to formally announcing he's coming back, and he's close to finishing a new deal with the Yankees.

[jon abbey]

All of a sudden, things are going crazy this AM:

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal

Sources: #Yankees optimistic about completing deals for both Pettitte, Rivera this week. Pettitte likely one yr above $10M, Rivera higher.

And:

According to a report in Nikkan Sports, the Yankees have re-signed Ichiro Suzuki to a one-year contract worth $5M plus incentives. There hasn’t been any other confirmation yet. More to come.

http://riveraveblues...n-ichiro-79675/

[Brickowski]

They also formalized their small deal with Eli Whiteside. I wondering if they want him to help tutor Romine in AAA.

[jon abbey]

OK, the Ichiro thing seems to be premature, Yankee beat reporters say that's not close, but Pettitte and Rivera both seem close:



BloggingBombers

Update: Pettitte "has committed to playing next year," a source said. No deal has been reached yet, however.

[jon abbey]

Assuming Pettitte's deal finalizes, NY should probably investigate trying to trade Phil Hughes (FA after 2013) for a young-ish OF who is a FA after 2014. Granderson and Gardner are already set in the OF, Ibanez and Ichiro are good possibilities to come back, all four are LHH, so NY needs a RHH OF/DH type.

[StuckOnYouk]

pettitte and rivera coming back are the least suprising things to happen so far in the MLB offseason.

[derekson]

Assuming Pettitte's deal finalizes, NY should probably investigate trying to trade Phil Hughes (FA after 2013) for a young-ish OF who is a FA after 2014. Granderson and Gardner are already set in the OF, Ibanez and Ichiro are good possibilities to come back, all four are LHH, so NY needs a RHH OF/DH type.

Isn't Ichiro already back? I had read this afternoon that he was coming back on a deal for $5M plus incentives.

[jon abbey]

Isn't Ichiro already back? I had read this afternoon that he was coming back on a deal for $5M plus incentives.

No, that was a report from the Japanese press which Yankee sources said was very premature.

[terrynever]

Said it in another thread but belongs here. Shouldn't the Yankees just bite the bullet and not sign Russell Martin? They can get by with Stewart and Whiteside/Cervelli in 2013, and hopefully Romine will be ready to catch 100 games in 2014.

Martin's agent says his client is looking for multiple years, maybe $7M or 8M per year. Pittsburgh is among the most eager to sign him, which is funny because then Russell would have to chase AJ's slider out of the strike zone and back to the backstop for at least one season.

So really. I'm just asking. Do the Yankees really need Martin for multiple years going forward?

[derekson]

Romine still doesn't look like a guy who should be starting 100 games for the Yankees in a season, absent some major injury to the frontline catching. He had a .296 OBP in AAA last year. Stewart has a career 59 wRC+ in about 2/3 of a season worth of PA. Whiteside has a 65 wRC+ in 537 career PA. Any of these guys starting for the Yankees means a huge hole at the position.

[terrynever]

Romine still doesn't look like a guy who should be starting 100 games for the Yankees in a season, absent some major injury to the frontline catching. He had a .296 OBP in AAA last year. Stewart has a career 59 wRC+ in about 2/3 of a season worth of PA. Whiteside has a 65 wRC+ in 537 career PA. Any of these guys starting for the Yankees means a huge hole at the position.

Romine had major back problems last season, which skewed his 2012 numbers (he missed four months, only had 120 ABs).
In 2011, Romine had a .729 OPS in 373 ABs with Trenton, and a .351 OBP. That is more in line with his earlier minor league numbers. That's why 2013 is so important for him. If his back is good, he'll be the regular Scranton catcher with hopes of taking over in NY in 2014. Assuming they don't sign Martin. And the way Cashman is guarding the bank account, I would say signing Martin for three years at around $21-25M is not going to happen.

[Brickowski]

Jack Curry and the other regulars on the YES Network site are assuming Martin will be back on a 3 year deal for 21-22 million. I hope they're wrong.

[derekson]

Jack Curry and the other regulars on the YES Network site are assuming Martin will be back on a 3 year deal for 21-22 million. I hope they're wrong.

I think it happens. What are the realistic alternatives? Pierzynski would be an option but he's an old guy for a catcher, even with his resurgent 2012 and the power spike out of nowhere. And of course those 2012 numbers also drive up his price and the number of years he's looking for.

[jon abbey]

Yeah, the other option is probably sticking with their collection of scrubs (Stewart, Whiteside, Cervelli, Romine), not Pierzynski. I think NY likes Martin a lot, they are just under tough (self-imposed and self-inflicted) constraints for the 2014 payroll.

[terrynever]

Yeah, the other option is probably sticking with their collection of scrubs (Stewart, Whiteside, Cervelli, Romine), not Pierzynski. I think NY likes Martin a lot, they are just under tough (self-imposed and self-inflicted) constraints for the 2014 payroll.

This is what I prefer. And I suspect Cashman is at least considering the possibility of life without Martin. The way the AL East shapes up for next year, they might contend even if it's a "bridge year" for NY.

[Brickowski]

How much worse would they be with Stewart and Cervelli sharing the catching duties as opposed to Martin? My guess is a couple of games in the worst case.

[jon abbey]

The way the AL East shapes up for next year, they might contend even if it's a "bridge year" for NY.

But 2014 is going to be as close as they get to a 'bridge year', they can't afford two in a row if at all possible with those ridiculous ticket prices.

I think it's hard to quantify the impact of a comfort level between a catcher and the pitching staff, but even 2 wins might be a big deal. This year that would have been the difference between the division and playing in the coin flip game, and next year will probably be the last hurrah for at least two of Rivera/Pettitte/Jeter, so Martin may be worth the gamble overall.

[gaelgirl]

They also formalized their small deal with Eli Whiteside. I wondering if they want him to help tutor Romine in AAA.

Two days after signing that $625,000 (if he was in the majors)/$200,000 (in minors) contract with Eli Whiteside, the Yankees have designated him for assignment to make room for Andy Pettitte on the 40-man roster. Apparently, Whiteside still gets the $200,000. He probably got at least a half share from the Giants, too. So, in a week where he did nothing but get released, he's made $350,000+. Not bad.

[jon abbey]

I think the hope is that they'll still be able to stash him in AAA, just not on the 40 man roster.

[Snodgrass'Muff]

So what are the Yankees looking at for a 25 man roster right now? Lot of off season left, just trying to gauge where they are.

Sabathia, Kuroda, Pettitte, Hughes, Nova/Phelps

Rivera, Robertson, Logan, Rapata, Aardsma, Joba?

Gardner, Jeter, Granderson, Cano, Teixeira, ARod, Dickerson, Cervelli/Romine/Stewart?

Bench: Nix, Nunez and Almonte?

Bringing Ichiro seems like it would be a very good idea as that lineup is about as weak as I can remember seeing in New York in a long time. The rotation, assuming Pettitte can handle a full year, Sabathia's weight doesn't catch up to him and Kuroda's age doesn't catch up with him looks good and the bullpen should be solid.

This could be a year where the Sox and Yankees are battling for the cellar. Tampa and Toronto should both be really solid and the O's will regress, but by how much? A lot can change between now and spring training, but it looks like both the Sox and Yanks have a lot of work to do.

[jon abbey]

They will sign some position players to one year deals: Ichiro, Ibanez and maybe even Chavez again are all solid bets. The pitching staff there is missing Mark Montgomery and hopefully Pineda mid-year (May/June is his current estimated ETA, FWIW).

[armyguy25]

In response to the topic, the answer is "old and not very good"

2013 Yankees team will likely be below average....2014 edition will likely be the worst Yankee team since 1996.

After that, with tv revenues coming in, NY reseting the tax rate, and the public uproar over the 2014 performance, Yanks will likely go gangbusters again.

[nattysez]

Gardner, Jeter, Granderson, Cano, Teixeira, ARod, Dickerson, Cervelli/Romine/Stewart?
...
Bringing Ichiro seems like it would be a very good idea as that lineup is about as weak as I can remember seeing in New York in a long time. The rotation, assuming Pettitte can handle a full year, Sabathia's weight doesn't catch up to him and Kuroda's age doesn't catch up with him looks good and the bullpen should be solid.

Is that lineup really that weak? If they bring Chavez, Ibanez and Ichiro back, I'm not sure the lineup is significantly worse than it was last year. Funnily, Gomes to DH might've been a really good fit for them.

I'm sort of fascinated with the $189 in 2014 plan. If you review this guy's analysis from about a year ago, and consider that Martin and Swisher are already gone (and signing a Hamels-type is out of the question), you start to get a sense of how they can do it. The rotation is going to be really rough if Pineda doesn't come back and Cashman is unable to continue to work his magic with competent pitchers willingly signing one-year deals, and they've got to be praying that Cano, Jeter and Granderson re-sign for a discount.

[jon abbey]

In response to the topic, the answer is "old and not very good"

2013 Yankees team will likely be below average....2014 edition will likely be the worst Yankee team since 1996.

After that, with tv revenues coming in, NY reseting the tax rate, and the public uproar over the 2014 performance, Yanks will likely go gangbusters again.

I agree with this except for the 2013 part, I think they could easily be serious contenders again this year if all goes well with the rotation, which could be the insanely strong Sabathia/Pettitte/Kuroda/Pineda/Hughes by mid-year. Pettitte missed the bulk of last year as did Rivera, they're adding those two back plus Aardsma and Montgomery and hopefully Pineda, and didn't lose anyone except Soriano.

[ifmanis5]

They are looking fatter...

[jon abbey]

Heh, saw that this AM and was expecting someone to post it...

Here are some Cashman comments after the Martin signing:

http://yankees.lhblo...use-at-catcher/

[terrynever]

Wow. That's one fat Jeter.

[terrynever]

Heh, saw that this AM and was expecting someone to post it...

Here are some Cashman comments after the Martin signing:

http://yankees.lhblo...use-at-catcher/

Good stuff from Cashman on Martin. Very honest, no trashing the guy on the way out of town.

JA, the one thing that concerns me most of all for 2013 is the idea of the Yankees possibly starting three outfielders who all hit from the left side -- Grandy, Gardner and Ichiro. If Cashman does anything under the radar, it could be to trade for a righthanded-hitting outfielder, possibly flipping Granderson in the process. That's just a guess on my part, of course.

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Is that lineup really that weak? If they bring Chavez, Ibanez and Ichiro back, I'm not sure the lineup is significantly worse than it was last year. Funnily, Gomes to DH might've been a really good fit for them.

Until they sign Ichiro, Ibanez and Chavez, yes it is weak. That was my entire point. Saying the lineup is not weak if they make moves x, y and z is acknowledging that right now they have a lineup that needs work.

I agree with this except for the 2013 part, I think they could easily be serious contenders again this year if all goes well with the rotation, which could be the insanely strong Sabathia/Pettitte/Kuroda/Pineda/Hughes by mid-year. Pettitte missed the bulk of last year as did Rivera, they're adding those two back plus Aardsma and Montgomery and hopefully Pineda, and didn't lose anyone except Soriano.

Is there any reason to anticipate Pineda returning and being anywhere near the pitcher he was? Doesn't his injury have a high rate of permanent career altering damage? Seems like counting on anything positive from him in 2013 is a bit overly optimistic.

[jon abbey]

I did say "could be" and "hopefully" with Pineda, but even without him, I like the rotation as is (CC/Pettitte/Kuroda/Hughes/Nova with Phelps and Warren waiting in the wings).

[jon abbey]

JA, the one thing that concerns me most of all for 2013 is the idea of the Yankees possibly starting three outfielders who all hit from the left side -- Grandy, Gardner and Ichiro. If Cashman does anything under the radar, it could be to trade for a righthanded-hitting outfielder, possibly flipping Granderson in the process. That's just a guess on my part, of course.

I think they definitely want a RHH OF to complement those other three (assuming they re-sign Ichiro), Scott Hairston was one guy mentioned earlier but he might be too pricy (!). I think they might try to trade a SP for an OF, Hughes or Nova or Warren, depending a bit on what they think will happen with Pineda. Hughes hits FA after 2013, so I think he's the most likely to be moved.

[terrynever]

I think they definitely want a RHH OF to complement those other three (assuming they re-sign Ichiro), Scott Hairston was one guy mentioned earlier but he might be too pricy (!). I think they might try to trade a SP for an OF, Hughes or Nova or Warren, depending a bit on what they think will happen with Pineda. Hughes hits FA after 2013, so I think he's the most likely to be moved.

Agree, they are not going to pay Hughes big money when he hits the market. He might make $10M a year beginning in 2014, just not in NY. Pineda may not throw 98 when he returns but he should be a solid low-cost replacement for Hughes in 2014.