Yankees Off-Season Plans

[Optimist]

Yanks won't part with Wang, Cano

By Buster Olney

 

The departure of Theo Epstein was the topic of conversation between two Yankees executives recently, and they agreed: The flak over Epstein could come back and bite them in 2006, because the Red Sox's front office would go above and beyond to prove they could win without Epstein.

 

If Epstein had remained, the team would have continued on a more conservative and -- and in the long run, perhaps more effective -- route of player development, with the budget constraints hardened. But now the Red Sox ownership, the Yankees' executives agreed, will be more aggressive, in the wake of Epstein's departure. They'll take more chances, perhaps expand their budget, do more to make sure the team will win in 2006, the first year A.T. (After Theo).

 

Now the Red Sox are moving close to a first big strike, with the impending acquisition of Josh Beckett, and we are accustomed to seeing the Yankees hammering away in response. However, what the Yankees might do is bite the bullet, instead of firing back.

 

Sure, the Yankees would love to sign B.J. Ryan to be a set-up man, but don't have any real hope that is going to happen. They'd love to add Brian Giles to their outfield, but they're fully aware he could sign someplace else. But in this first winter since the organization has rededicated itself to the philosophy of developing and even keeping prospects -- an approach that led to the dynasty of 1996-2001 -- the Yankees might make only marginal changes. "There is a perception that things haven't gone our way this offseason," Brian Cashman said Tuesday morning. "But everything that's happened so far is not unexpected to me."

 

The Yankees could have dived into the Josh Beckett sweepstakes and could have lost, anyway, given Boston's willingness to dangle top prospect Hanley Ramirez. But once the Marlins asked for Chien-Ming Wang and other prospects, the Yankees checked out. They want to keep Wang, top pitching prospect Philip Hughes and second baseman Robinson Cano, and right now, they don't have the depth in their farm system that the Red Sox have to even consider those types of trades without further damaging the organization long-term.

 

In addition, the Yankees would've had to absorb Mike Lowell, who would've been just one more high-priced older player thrown onto the pile of similar players the team has accumulated -- and the Yankees wouldn't have even had a natural place for Lowell to play.

 

There will be similar opportunities in the weeks ahead, such as a potential deal for Carlos Delgado, but for now, the Yankees intend to hold fast to their current course of rebuilding the farm system and passing up the opportunity for expensive stars. The weak free-agent market appears to provide only imperfect solutions: They have no interest in A.J. Burnett because of the enormous gamble he might represent, at a $50 million price tag, and they have little interest in Johnny Damon unless he's willing to sign with New York at a bargain rate, which is highly unlikely.

 

That could mean going into next spring training with Bubba Crosby penciled in as the center fielder. That could mean Jaret Wright will be switched into middle relief, with the Yankees hoping that either Wright or Tanyon Sturtze or Scott Proctor develops into the needed frontline set-up man. That could mean "operating like Billy Beane runs the Athletics -- finding solutions in spring training, or during the season," says one club official.

 

After getting such surprising results from Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon last season, club officials feel better about taking chances like that. Right now, the team is not operating with the manic need to fill every roster spot with an ex-All-Star.

 

They've still got a deep wealth of talent, that lethal lineup of Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui and the developing Cano, and whether or not they spend money this winter, the Yankees will still be in position to make midseason deals (for a Mike Cameron, for example).

 

But for once, the Yankees might actually pass on the compulsion to immediately fire back in their war against the Red Sox. They're trying to build and save their ammunition for another day.

 

Link

[26 to 6]

Good Article by Buster.

 

I love Busters work.

[RedRuffing15]

Link

 

Well thats good to know.....starting to go young..I'm liking this

[ksushi]

Yeah, as a sox fan that worries me. With theo leaving, I'm left wondering what the sox philosophy is and now I know the yankees philosophy is exactly what I don't want it to be. See, the longer George locks Cashman in the basement and signs all the old veterans he fell in love with 5 years ago to 6 yeah 80 million dollar deals, the happier I am. Now that thats done with, I'm worried. Well, not worried, but the yankees will be competitive. It will take them sometime to rebuild the farm system, but three years from now, they'll be where the sox are now. Hopefully the sox don't lose ground.

[yankeessuck013]

reports out of NY are that the Yankees are waiting to get Milton Bradley when he is released from the Dodgers.

[26 to 6]

reports out of NY are that the Yankees are waiting to get Milton Bradley when he is released from the Dodgers.

I heard that Cashman is DEAD-SET against getting Bradley.

[MC Hammer]

I heard that Cashman is DEAD-SET against getting Bradley.

Well then I think once again we'll see that George is really making the decisions.

[Optimist]

Well then I think once again we'll see that George is really making the decisions.

 

If George was making the decisions, we would have given up the farm (literally) for an injury-prone pitcher (Beckett) and a guy who was almost an automatic out in 2005 (Lowell.)

 

Thankfully, our management is using some common sense this offseason.

[MC Hammer]

If George was making the decisions, we would have given up the farm (literally) for an injury-prone pitcher (Beckett) and a guy who was almost an automatic out in 2005 (Lowell.)

 

Thankfully, our management is using some common sense this offseason.

He may have had a bad year but he was far from an automatic out.

[yankeessuck013]

Yankees called to see if Jose Mesa would be interested in signing with them, but he told them he wasn't interested in pitching in New York.

[RedRuffing15]

Even though I know they won't do this..I think Center Field is fine alone with just Bubba Crosby. Heres why:

 

There are several different ways you can look at just having Bubba play CF, The kid can field, I don't blame him(or sheffield at that) for that collision in rightcenter in the playoffs, but he can field. In almost 100 games last season(98) he had 0 errors, and 83 PutOuts. And, when it comes to hitting, we don't need another 30HR guy whos old and overpaid...we can just have Bubba bat in the 8th spot....or even higher, Bubba showed me a lot of bat power last year tward the end. I also think it'd be good for the people that expect us to go overpay some to see us trusting a kid, who could help lead this team for years to come.

 

 

I do not feel that Bubba will be our starting "CF", and that we will go out and get a star, which won't kill me, but I'd rather not have to have that pressure put on the team again to have to win...and then maybe not, as opposed to just winning...

[26 to 6]

Even though I know they won't do this..I think Center Field is fine alone with just Bubba Crosby.

I wouldnt mind it. But I would prefer to have Melky up as well to have a platoon going. I wouldnt feel comfortable with Crosby in there EVERY DAY.

 

but the yankees will be competitive.

Um....regardless of how many old veterans we had we were always competitive. That is clear based on our 8 straight division titles, and our six penants/4 championships since 1996. With the exception of last year, we are pretty much always a 100 win team.

 

It will take them sometime to rebuild the farm system, but three years from now, they'll be where the sox are now. Hopefully the sox don't lose ground.

I dont think the Sox have any ground on us. Al you guys really have are a few more good prospects. We have a lot more good prospects than people give us credit for. Our low minors teams dominate their respective leagues. I think it is absurd to say the Sox are a better organization that us, and trust me, it wont take 3 years to get to where you are, wherever that may be. As far as im concerned for us to get where you are, we would have to take a step or 2 back. We have the best manager in baseball, we have a great general manager. We have a very good front office, we have all the experience in the world. We have a lot of good young players in the minors, and a few good young guys up with the big club. We have the best former players to give a guiding hand in spring training and throughout the season. Like seriously, what third basemen can just give Graig Nettles a call when he's having trouble? Or what catcher can talk to Yogi on an everyday basis and get some help behind the plate? Who can walk 10 steps and ask Don Mattingly for hitting help? Who has Whitey Ford at the stadium on a regular basis willing to help? The Yankees have all of that. I dont think we're as lacking as some people make us out to be.

[Soxfan1]

I wouldnt mind it. But I would prefer to have Melky up as well to have a platoon going. I wouldnt feel comfortable with Crosby in there EVERY DAY.

 

 

Um....regardless of how many old veterans we had we were always competitive. That is clear based on our 8 straight division titles, and our six penants/4 championships since 1996. With the exception of last year, we are pretty much always a 100 win team.

 

 

I dont think the Sox have any ground on us. Al you guys really have are a few more good prospects. We have a lot more good prospects than people give us credit for. Our low minors teams dominate their respective leagues. I think it is absurd to say the Sox are a better organization that us, and trust me, it wont take 3 years to get to where you are, wherever that may be. As far as im concerned for us to get where you are, we would have to take a step or 2 back. We have the best manager in baseball, we have a great general manager. We have a very good front office, we have all the experience in the world. We have a lot of good young players in the minors, and a few good young guys up with the big club. We have the best former players to give a guiding hand in spring training and throughout the season. Like seriously, what third basemen can just give Graig Nettles a call when he's having trouble? Or what catcher can talk to Yogi on an everyday basis and get some help behind the plate? Who can walk 10 steps and ask Don Mattingly for hitting help? Who has Whitey Ford at the stadium on a regular basis willing to help? The Yankees have all of that. I dont think we're as lacking as some people make us out to be.

Correct that is the big difference, we have big name players in our farm system. The yankees have rushed up/traded their best prospects for old aged guys who have good backround but suck.

[26 to 6]

Correct that is the big difference, we have big name players in our farm system. The yankees have rushed up/traded their best prospects for old aged guys who have good backround but suck.

Right, but now, there is no denying that we have a great lower level farm system. That is pretty much the only difference.

 

It's a shame how our farm system has turned out in say the last 8 years. Back during our dynasty run, we had the #1 ranked system. We had guys like Ledee, Seabol, Knight, Parker, Walling, Buddie, Johnson, Pena, etc. I could go on forever with names of Yankee prospects who made up the best system in baseball who were rushed/traded.

[RedRuffing15]

Right, but now, there is no denying that we have a great lower level farm system. That is pretty much the only difference.

 

It's a shame how our farm system has turned out in say the last 8 years. Back during our dynasty run, we had the #1 ranked system. We had guys like Ledee, Seabol, Knight, Parker, Walling, Buddie, Johnson, Pena, etc. I could go on forever with names of Yankee prospects who made up the best system in baseball who were rushed/traded.

 

But I think our farm systems getting back up there..I mean, a lot of futur greats have come out of it. Cano has a chance to belt 20 homers and have maybe 80-100 RBIs..and 100 runs

 

Wang could easily have 20 wins, Small(even though he didn't come up in our farm system) could also

 

And then we have Cabrera, and I know of a few other guys(just not remembrant of their names) that are good too.

[26 to 6]

But I think our farm systems getting back up there..I mean, a lot of futur greats have come out of it. Cano has a chance to belt 20 homers and have maybe 80-100 RBIs..and 100 runs

 

Wang could easily have 20 wins, Small(even though he didn't come up in our farm system) could also

 

And then we have Cabrera, and I know of a few other guys(just not remembrant of their names) that are good too.

My point exactly. Everybody gets on us for having a bad system, but it really isnt that bad. We have the talent. It's just in the lower levels.

[RedRuffing15]

My point exactly. Everybody gets on us for having a bad system, but it really isnt that bad. We have the talent. It's just in the lower levels.

 

 

oo.sorry, I misunderstood your first post, I thought you were saying we weren't gunna have another strong farm system, my fault

 

but in, like, 6-7 years or so, I wouldn't be surprised to have the whole team be guys we've brought up through the farm system....or at least most of them

[26 to 6]

Heres an opp-topic point that just came to mind as I was listening to the XM Baseball Channel.

 

Larry Bowa sometimes co-hosts the morning show with Buck Martinez and somebody else (dont remember who it is). The other day, Wednesday I think, Johnny Damon was on the show. Damon and Bowa were going going ga-ga over each other kissing each others ass. I dont remember the exact words, but Bowa said something about how he would love to have had Damon as a player or something and Damon said something like "would have been nice, not too gar out of the realm of possibility" (Obviously not his exact words. gotta bear with me, its been a few days). Should we just brush this off or look at it as a small boost for the Yanks?

 

please, if anybody else heard this, post acknowledging the fact that im not making it up. And if you remember anything that I dont, post that too.

[Soxfan1]

I'd doubt it if they were kissing each others asses anyway.

[Soxfan1]

Heres an opp-topic point that just came to mind as I was listening to the XM Baseball Channel.

 

Larry Bowa sometimes co-hosts the morning show with Buck Martinez and somebody else (dont remember who it is). The other day, Wednesday I think, Johnny Damon was on the show. Damon and Bowa were going going ga-ga over each other kissing each others ass. I dont remember the exact words, but Bowa said something about how he would love to have had Damon as a player or something and Damon said something like "would have been nice, not too gar out of the realm of possibility" (Obviously not his exact words. gotta bear with me, its been a few days). Should we just brush this off or look at it as a small boost for the Yanks?

 

please, if anybody else heard this, post acknowledging the fact that im not making it up. And if you remember anything that I dont, post that too.

Brush it off. If they were kissing ass anyways I would doubt anything and all said.

[26 to 6]

Oh man, you should have heard it. It was almost disgusting lol.

 

I really wish I could find a transcript or something.

 

Did anyone else hear it?

[Soxfan1]

Sorry for the double post. Damn computer was saying I hadn't replied yet.

[Soxfan1]

Oh man, you should have heard it. It was almost disgusting lol.

 

I really wish I could find a transcript or something.

 

Did anyone else hear it?

I don't have XM. Buck Martinez tried to f*** with Pedro a few years ago right?

[26 to 6]

I dont know. I just started listening to XM about a week ago as that is when they hooked up with DirecTV. You can listen to most of the XM stations on DirecTV now (the MLB station is DirecTV channel 878 for any interested).

[26 to 6]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2236583

 

The prices for games at Yankee Stadium have gradually increased over the years, but never did I think a ticket would go for $100 during the regular season.

 

As a kid who grew up on 161st St and River Ave going to Yankee Games my entire life this is getting ridiculous. I havent complained AT ALL the last few years as tickets have increased, but im pretty tired of it now. I no longer live in the Bronx, but still have a lot of family there, and am down there often. When I am down I like to hop on the train or the bus and head to the Stadium, get in touch with one of of my broker's scalpers and get a box seat for the game. If none of my guy's scalpers are out ill find some main reserved tickets for a good price and enjoy the game. But this is getting ridiculous, I havent talked to my broker friend yet, but im pretty sure that getting box seats from him, like normal, is going to cost 10 or 20 extra dollars from what he usually charges me (anywhere from 40-60). But thats not even the point, it is getting ridiculously unaffordable for a man to bring his family to a game. When I move back down to the Bronx for college (Fordham), going to games as much as I intend to is going to be ridiculously impossible. I think something needs to be done, these tickets shouldnt be this much. $55 for a Main Reserved is ridiculous. I remember back in the '90s my uncle used to complain about prices, but I would gladly pay those prices today rather than what we are being charged.

 

My uncle used to tell me how it would only cost a few dollars to walk to the Stadium when he was a kid and catch a game, back in the '50s and '60s, what I wouldnt give to be paying $3 to get in.

 

 

OK Baseball fans, sorry for my ranting, but I just get a little upset when rich bastards throw barriers in front of me to slow me down in my attempt to feed my baseball/yankee addiction.

 

At least I can still go to Queens and get in for a reasonable price.

[RedRuffing15]

Well that kinda sucks...because me and 2 of my friends were planning on driving to the city to see a game this season...we wanna get front row, 1st baseline seats...to get foul balls and be on tv

 

We figured the trip would cost us each a good 300..but now I think it might end up being 400+

 

Guess I'll need to find another job...:dunno:

[26 to 6]

Well that kinda sucks...because me and 2 of my friends were planning on driving to the city to see a game this season...we wanna get front row, 1st baseline seats...to get foul balls and be on tv

 

We figured the trip would cost us each a good 300..but now I think it might end up being 400+

 

Guess I'll need to find another job...:dunno:

Impossible to get front row unless you have season tickets, or unless you find a scalper, get Champion Box tickets, and give the usher a 50 (worth a try, but money offers dont do much for them, ive tried). Sorry pal, better off just finding a scalper, paying the 6-80 for a Champion-Box and settling. Sorry.

 

Where you guys coming in from?

[RedRuffing15]

Impossible to get front row unless you have season tickets, or unless you find a scalper, get Champion Box tickets, and give the usher a 50 (worth a try, but money offers dont do much for them, ive tried). Sorry pal, better off just finding a scalper, paying the 6-80 for a Champion-Box and settling. Sorry.

 

Where you guys coming in from?

 

Utica....and 5-6 hours out..

 

I was hoping to find them on eBay?

 

I mean 81 games....sum1 probably selling

 

worth a try..if not, then whatevers best we'll take

[26 to 6]

Utica....and 5-6 hours out..

 

I was hoping to find them on eBay?

 

I mean 81 games....sum1 probably selling

 

worth a try..if not, then whatevers best we'll take

Definately a chance, just very unlikely for front row. But yea, take the chances.

 

Back to my point, is anybody else as mad right now as I am? this is never going to stop, in a few years it will be easier to go to a Knicks game than to a Yankee game. And we all know how hard it is to go to a Knicks game. You practically have to re-finance your house for that.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Utica....and 5-6 hours out..

 

I was hoping to find them on eBay?

 

I mean 81 games....sum1 probably selling

 

worth a try..if not, then whatevers best we'll take

One suggestion, You might try early the the season. April or May, the snobs don't want to go in cold, raw weather. I don't know about the Stadium, but it works for Fenway. Especially, on eBay. You're decreasing your chances with a need for 3 tickets. Got for four or two.