Are the Sox good enough for 2007?

[jacksonianmarch]

why in the hell are Yankee fans concerned about their team saving money?

 

correction, why is ANYBODY concerned with their team saving money. The better the product, the better for me. I dont collect from the profit margin.

[CrespoBlows]

correction' date=' why is ANYBODY concerned with their team saving money. The better the product, the better for me. I dont collect from the profit margin.[/quote']

 

Because, teams can't spend as much as they please. If they did, they'd hit the red, and probably be forced to pawn off their players, like the Guardians of the mid-90's.

 

I guarantee you, the Blue Jays will have trouble remaining competitive.

[Gom]

Considering that Boston was the most likely destination for Sheffield before this, I find it funny that you guys see Sheffield as a waste. He is still one of the best fastball hitters in the game.

 

13 million for a one year shot at the World Series isn't a lot of money, considering the level of committment.

 

The Yankees signed him to trade him. That much is obvious. If they have to eat some of the salary to get back a player....well, how is that so different than free agency? It's just that this way, they can get a player they couldn't before, AND keep him away from the Red Sox.

[riverside sluggers]

Until I see him prove it in the 07 season, im chalking this up as being hopeful... his wrist injury was a serious one and didnt really do anything when he came back

[a700hitter]

Considering that Boston was the most likely destination for Sheffield before this, I find it funny that you guys see Sheffield as a waste. He is still one of the best fastball hitters in the game.

 

13 million for a one year shot at the World Series isn't a lot of money, considering the level of committment.

 

The Yankees signed him to trade him. That much is obvious. If they have to eat some of the salary to get back a player....well, how is that so different than free agency? It's just that this way, they can get a player they couldn't before, AND keep him away from the Red Sox.

Sure we would have taken him as a FA. There are several teams that would be interested in him as a FA. If he signs with a team as a FA, presumably he would want to play for them, eliminating the attitude issue. Now that attitude issue is out there front and center, plus it will cost a team more than $ to get the unhappy prick, because the Yankees want to get a player(s) in return. The whole risk-reward analysis has been changed drastically. My opinion is that he stays with the Yankees in '07 or they have to give him away and eat a lot of salary to get an A level prospect. I think Cashman made a blunder here. If this was done solely to keep him from the Red Sox, I would suggest that Cashman put his efforts and cash to more constructive use for his team.

[Gom]

I disagree a700...and that may be only cause we hear about Sheffield every day here. Sheffield is all about Sheffield. Always has, always will be. I read today in the NY Post that in order for him to receive his money he has to report. I can't see Sheffield sitting out a season at his age and foregoing the money.

 

I agree with what Cashman has done here. He didn't make this move to lose ground. Can you imagine how certain teams would have looked with Sheffield if he was on their team last season [and healthy]? The Astros would have likely beaten out the Cards. The Giants would have made noise with Sheffield protecting Bonds [what a great clubhouse that would have been, huh?]. Imagine Sheffield protecting Howard...the list can go on and on.

 

Make believe that you are one of those teams. Wouldn't you give up a mid-level prospect or marginal major-leaguer for a shot at the post-season? All it takes is a one-year financial committment...I know I would.

 

I know the Yankees won't trade with the Red Sox..but would you have traded Youkilis for Sheffield? If the answer is yes, then you get the point.

[a700hitter]

I disagree a700...and that may be only cause we hear about Sheffield every day here. Sheffield is all about Sheffield. Always has, always will be. I read today in the NY Post that in order for him to receive his money he has to report. I can't see Sheffield sitting out a season at his age and foregoing the money.

 

I agree with what Cashman has done here. He didn't make this move to lose ground. Can you imagine how certain teams would have looked with Sheffield if he was on their team last season [and healthy]? The Astros would have likely beaten out the Cards. The Giants would have made noise with Sheffield protecting Bonds [what a great clubhouse that would have been, huh?]. Imagine Sheffield protecting Howard...the list can go on and on.

 

Make believe that you are one of those teams. Wouldn't you give up a mid-level prospect or marginal major-leaguer for a shot at the post-season? All it takes is a one-year financial committment...I know I would.

We'll both have to wait and see.

I know the Yankees won't trade with the Red Sox..but would you have traded Youkilis for Sheffield? If the answer is yes' date=' then you get the point.[/quote']The answer would be no if Sheffield made the same comments as he did at the trading deadline in 2005. I live in NY and read the papers every day, and I watch or listen to just about every Yankee game, so I know what he is about.

[example1]

If its okay with you that your team spends 13m largely to keep a player away from the Red Sox that's your perrogative. I'm just goad the sox don't do those types of things.

[jacksonianmarch]

the sox do their fare share. I still remember when the sox bought every hotel room in the city when they were negotiating with Contreras. It is all a game, on and off the field.

[a700hitter]

the sox do their fare share. I still remember when the sox bought every hotel room in the city when they were negotiating with Contreras. It is all a game' date=' on and off the field.[/quote']That's becuse the Red Sox wanted Contreras, not because they didn't want him to go to the Yankees.

[jacksonianmarch]

That's becuse the Red Sox wanted Contreras' date=' not because they didn't want him to go to the Yankees.[/quote']

 

True, but it was shady. They all do it.

[a700hitter]

True' date=' but it was shady. They all do it.[/quote']I am glad the Yankees did it in this situation. It should be fun watching Sheffield at 1B this year.

[jacksonianmarch]

I am glad the Yankees did it in this situation. It should be fun watching Sheffield at 1B this year.

 

It will be an interesting situation. I have a feeling many on here are underestimating his true value. When the top 2 power hitters sign, the others will fall in line to go after Sheffield. I heard a disturbing rumor that a team called just to kick the tires, and Cashman essentially blew him off, giving the "unnamed GM" the feeling that he already has some serious interest. Who knows if it is posturing, but many older teams who think they are one bat away will certainly look his way. Plus, if they could get him for a high potential high problem type player and get the yankees to eat some salary, then it will be worth it. If the market were different, I wouldnt be singing this tune, but we all know the market is horrible for power and sheff is one of the best in that category.

[Gom]

It will be an interesting situation. I have a feeling many on here are underestimating his true value. When the top 2 power hitters sign' date=' the others will fall in line to go after Sheffield. I heard a disturbing rumor that a team called just to kick the tires, and Cashman essentially blew him off, giving the "unnamed GM" the feeling that he already has some serious interest. Who knows if it is posturing, but many older teams who think they are one bat away will certainly look his way. Plus, if they could get him for a high potential high problem type player and get the yankees to eat some salary, then it will be worth it. If the market were different, I wouldnt be singing this tune, but we all know the market is horrible for power and sheff is one of the best in that category.[/quote']

 

Exactly. Perfectly said. I will guess that the Yankees will eat NO money on this deal. They won't have to.

 

Think about it. Would you take Carlos Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Sheffield, Soriano...any of the big hitters in this free agent class...for 13 million for one year? If not, I would say you are nuts. You guys were willing to give Damon 12 million a year for 3 years, and he isn't even close to the player Sheffield is when both are healthy. The reason you guys validating one of the core pieces of your team leaving is that he wouldn't be worth his salary in the last year of his contract [said logic is found to be hilarious in NY, but thats another story].

 

Teams hate multi-year deals. You can get a bona-fide player for only 13 million for just one year.

 

All this blustering by Sheffield is just that. He knows he has ZERO options. In fact, the idiot negotiated his own deal. Talk about having a fool for a client, lol. He is bitching and moaning, saying he wants a three-year deal if he is to play first base. If not, he wants to negotiate his contract. Everyone who follows the Yankees in the tabloids knows that this is just his way, his temper tantrum to get out of the deal he is in, to put him in control of his destiny, which, thanks to him, he signed over to the Yankees. This is not some superstar at 24 years of age who can sit out a year. This is a player on the wrong side of 35 who will find no one will be interested in him if he sits out. He'll get to play for a contender, just in the NL [maybe the Angels too]. I also think that he will also get his money above and beyond his option, but that is another story altogether.

 

Keep in mind that baseball revenue is now over 5 BILLION a year. Zito will get his 15 million. Matsuzaka will cost just 20 million to talk to him. If I was Cashman, I would sit and wait. The losers in the Soriano/Lee, et. al, will come, knocking down his door. Chances are, Sheffield, attitude and all, will look like a bargain.

 

Do I see Ryan Howard or Oswalt coming to the Yankees for Sheffield? Of course not. But maybe a minor player with decent upside, maybe getting Yhency Brazoban back from the Dodgers, or sending him to the Padres for Linebrink might work.

 

Mr. Enlightenment

[jacksonianmarch]

oh no, they will eat money, no doubt. Thing is it wont show up on their lux tax seeing as sheff will be on another teams roster, so that is out. But, if I were Cashman, I'd make this trade with cash depending on what I could get for the cash. If I could get a backup minor league ballboy for no $$ and could get Prior for eating 10mil, the f*** it, I'd eat 10mil.

[ORS]

I'd agree he would have value if he wasn't coming off an injury. A wrist injury, at that. And, it's not just a wrist injury, but a wrist injury for a guy with a notoriously violent swing. You are, but you should not be, ignoring this. Presupposing that the '04/'05 version of Sheff - which was already into a decline from his peak ability - is what the GMs around the league are expecting is flat out wrong. There have to be serious doubts about his ability to recover to his '04/'05 levels.

[Gom]

Very true. However, his swing didn't seem truly affected after he came back, and it's amazing how well you can recover when you get your meds from BALCO.

 

It will be interesting to see what happens with Sheffield.

[ORS]

Maybe his swing didn't, but the results did.

 

.776 OPS in Sept

1/12 in the ALDS

 

Small samples, for sure, but not an encouraging trait as he gets one year older.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

IMO 40 AB is way to small of a sample size to say one way or another.

[ORS]

I agree, thus the doubt must remain.

[a700hitter]

You guys were willing to give Damon 12 million a year for 3 years' date=' and he isn't even close to the player Sheffield is when both are healthy. The reason you guys validating one of the core pieces of your team leaving is that he wouldn't be worth his salary in the last year of his contract [said logic is found to be hilarious in NY, but thats another story'].

Sox offered Damon $10 million. Plus, he is a different type of player than Sheffield but every bit as valuable. Damon is a CF and a damn good fly catcher with a bad arm. He's a leadoff hitter with speed that is a catylyst for offenses. It's apples and oranges. Also, Damon was not coming off a major surgery at age 38.

[riverside sluggers]

Think about it. Would you take Carlos Lee' date=' Aramis Ramirez, Sheffield, Soriano...any of the big hitters in this free agent class...for 13 million for one year? If not, I would say you are nuts. You guys were willing to give Damon 12 million a year for 3 years, and he isn't even close to the player Sheffield is when both are healthy. The reason you guys validating one of the core pieces of your team leaving is that he wouldn't be worth his salary in the last year of his contract [said logic is found to be hilarious in NY, but thats another story'].

 

Damon was offered 4 years/$40 million

 

--I dont get your reasoning how the team accepting Sheffield will not ask NY to send ANY cash considerations.

[Gom]

Damon was offered 4 years/$40 million

 

--I dont get your reasoning how the team accepting Sheffield will not ask NY to send ANY cash considerations.

 

My bad on the contract stuff. I thought I heard the Red Sox were willing to go more money for less years, 3 for 12 million a year. I remember hearing it on WFAN.

 

As for the cash considerations, it depends on what the Yankees get back, and what happens with the FA market. If Soriano, Lee, et. al., sign for an average of 12-13 million, the Yankees will have to eat some cash. However, if Zito gets 15 million, Matsuzaka posts for 25 million, then signs for 12 million, Sori gets 15 over 5, etc., then Sheffield looks like a bargain. I think the latter is more likely to happen. Major league baseball is making more money than ever in history. The average player salary is going to break 3 million going into next season. It's all relative.

 

Also, if the Yankees are asking for something substantial, they will have to eat money. Another no-brainer. Even though the following won't happen, if the Yankees approached the Red Sox and asked for your 48th best prospect, or 122nd best prospect, or top beer vendor in Rookie Ball, as long as you take Sheffield and his full contract for just one year, would you do it? I think you would be foolish not to.

 

That is what I think Cashman is banking on. Someone, somewhere, somehow, will take Sheffield off his hands for free. One team that realizes that as long as they can make the playoffs, the increased attendance, etc., will more than make up the difference.

 

Also by doing this, he has hurt the Sox's chance [albeit only slightly] of dealing Ramirez. There is no question who the better player is, but the Yankees can offer Sheffield to the same team trying to deal for Ramirez, and offer Sheffield for free.

 

As long as it isn't an AL rival, especially AL East, Cashman is sitting pretty right now.

[jacksonianmarch]

then are you going to say that Matsui has rebounded well because he came back with a .412AVG and a 1.092OPS in september?

[a700hitter]

then are you going to say that Matsui has rebounded well because he came back with a .412AVG and a 1.092OPS in september?

Matsui's injury was a break, which is not as serious as tendon and ligament surgery.

[Gom]

then are you going to say that Matsui has rebounded well because he came back with a .412AVG and a 1.092OPS in september?

 

Too small a sample. You and I both know that. However, it definitely bodes well. Better to have someone come back from an injury and hit .412 than hit .112, don't you think?

 

I think that Matsui will be the same Matsui he was next season. I don't think his wrist will be an issue. The same way that if Lester makes it back, he will continue to improve due to his young age and potential.

[Cityofchampions33]

As long as it isn't an AL rival' date=' especially AL East, Cashman is sitting pretty right now.[/quote']

 

Not exactly, maybe right now. But by signing him and filtering who they'll take offers from, the Yankees will see a substantial drop in interest for him. To begin with only a handful of teams were interested, and now take out the AL teams interested and you got a few maybe 4 tops. Now if your the trade partner, you have to take on 13 mill a year, when you might have gotten him for under 10, you have to give up more than just money, and Sheffield isn't exactly going to help off the field. He's not getting better, he's not cheap, and who knows what the Yanekes will aks for. IMO the yanks will be lucky to get anything substantial right now, depends on who's still hungry after the FA period.

[jacksonianmarch]

Right now it would be dumb to move him, I agree. But, after the big fish fall, there will be plenty of power hungry teams out there. Right now, the interested clubs per the post are the angels, Guardians, astros and cubs. The only small market team on that list is cleveland, and even they can absorb some pay because of the youth that they have. Right handed power is at a premium these days. Sheff offers that, and in a weak market, he will fetch something better than nothing.

[a700hitter]

Right now it would be dumb to move him' date=' I agree. But, after the big fish fall, there will be plenty of power hungry teams out there. Right now, the interested clubs per the post are the angels, Guardians, astros and cubs. The only small market team on that list is cleveland, and even they can absorb some pay because of the youth that they have. Right handed power is at a premium these days. Sheff offers that, and in a weak market, he will fetch something better than nothing.[/quote']This can only work if the team trading for him negotiates an extension with him before the trade is complete.

[jacksonianmarch]

it doesnt matter. Sheff can bitch and moan all he wants to, but the fact is, he'll be suspended and lose all his money if he sits out. He wont sit. He'll get traded, he'll be unhappy, but he will mash as hard as he can so he can get another contract. The guy is all about himself, and there is no way he sits out and leaves 13 mil on the table.