Yankees and Mientkiewicz agree to terms

[jacksonianmarch]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01042007/sports/yankees/yanks__doug_reach_tentative_deal_yankees_michael_morrissey.htm

 

No money yet, but it Mientkiewicz will be in NY to take a physical. The physical for him, as it will be for RJ will be a bit more extensive as both had the same surgery. Doug's was during the season and he is younger, so he is likely to be further along in the recovery. A newspaper outlet previously said that he had been running and fielding, but he was a little bit away from swinging a bat.

[Mr Crunchy]

hes a solid 210 hitter with no power or speed but a great glove

the yanks can hide his bat in their lineup a couple days a week

[riverside sluggers]

Oh yea, he's going to get booed at Fenway Park. Although that was a given when the rumors were starting to fly earlier this offseason. He's sure to give the Yankees a solid glove at 1st base

[jacksonianmarch]

hes a solid 210 hitter with no power or speed but a great glove

the yanks can hide his bat in their lineup a couple days a week

 

he's not spectacular by any means. He is a career .275 hitter with a career OBP of .350. I'd take that.

[a700hitter]

Another move backward by the Yankees. So far this offseason, the Yankees haven't made one move that made me say "Damn!" They usually make at least two of those moves every off-season.

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Another move backward by the Yankees. So far this offseason' date=' the Yankees haven't made one move that made me say "Damn!" They usually make at least two of those moves every off-season.[/quote']

 

And where did it get us?

 

Cashman is sneaky; he's making moves that will make you say "Damn!" at the end of the season instead.

[a700hitter]

And where did it get us?

 

Cashman is sneaky; he's making moves that will make you say "Damn!" at the end of the season instead.

Is this where we play role reversal and I remind you of the string of AL East Championships?

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Is this where we play role reversal and I remind you of the string of AL East Championships?

 

Is this the part where I remind you of the collossal disappointments the yankees have been in the postseason since 2000?

 

AL East crowns are nothing to be proud of. Not with the money this team spends.

[a700hitter]

Is this the part where I remind you of the collossal disappointments the yankees have been in the postseason since 2000?

 

AL East crowns are nothing to be proud of. Not with the money this team spends.

It makes it even harder to win the WS if you don't make the playoffs. The Yankees were the best team in the post-season tournament this year. They should have rolled over the competition, but they went flat, choked or whatever. I am glad that within a few short months after the Yankees were being heralded as a juggernaut with one of the best lineups in history that Cashman is dismantling that team. I hope he moves ARod next.

[Gom]

It makes it even harder to win the WS if you don't make the playoffs. The Yankees were the best team in the post-season tournament this year. They should have rolled over the competition' date=' but they went flat, choked or whatever. I am glad that within a few short months after the Yankees were being heralded as a juggernaut with one of the best lineups in history that Cashman is dismantling that team. I hope he moves ARod next.[/quote']

 

Oh Lord...can you believe this guy? Just what exactly has he dismantled? Have you realized what he has done so far? Let's take a look at what he got rid of this offseason.

 

A 43 year old pitcher who was a collosal disappointment this season, who will not be ready for the start of the upcoming season due to major back surgery who was making 16 million.

 

A 39 year old malcontent than missed all but two months due to a serious injury to his wrist. This was accomplished without eating a penny of his salary.

 

A 31 year old pitcher who averaged 4.6 innings per start and burned out the bullpen win or lose.

 

He brought in a solid starting pitcher in Pettitte, a projected back of the rotation starter or servicable reliever in Igawa, completely restocked the farm system with 6 prospects, two of whom which are considered potential top of the rotation possibilites. He also brought in two servicable arms in Britton and Vizcaino [knowing how Torre burns his pen, this is huge], brought in one of the top defensive firstbasemen in Mientkiewicz, allowing the fragile Giambi to solely DH.

 

Yeah, I guess you are right. Complete dismantling. The Yankees are going to be battling the Blue Jays for 2nd place.

 

Try to go easy on the eggnog next Christmas.

[riverside sluggers]

a projected back of the rotation starter or servicable reliever in Igawa

 

Basically Igawa could be a serviceable reliever... I dont see what the big hassle was to first post $26 million to talk to him then sign a 5 year contract. Basically it could turn out to be 5 years/$46 million for a guy who could be a serviceable reliever in the end, Im not yet seeing how this was an impact move by New York

[jacksonianmarch]

Basically Igawa could be a serviceable reliever... I dont see what the big hassle was to first post $26 million to talk to him then sign a 5 year contract. Basically it could turn out to be 5 years/$46 million for a guy who could be a serviceable reliever in the end' date=' Im not yet seeing how this was an impact move by New York[/quote']

 

It is a move that made Lilly's signing unnecessary. Igawa will cost much less than Lilly will overall (Lilly would have cost 56 mil over 4 yrs while Igawa will cost 54 mil over 5). Igawa is more durable than Lilly, and mark my word, Igawa will be a good #4 on this team.

[a700hitter]

Oh Lord...can you believe this guy? Just what exactly has he dismantled? Have you realized what he has done so far? Let's take a look at what he got rid of this offseason.

He got rid of a pitcher that won 34 games over the last 2 years and beat the Red Sox in 7 out of 8 decisions. Oh BTW he's going to the HOF. They got a mediocre 32 year old reliever and 3 so-so prospects. Yea for me.:thumbsup: They also got rid of an OF that averaged 31 HRs and 125 RBI over the past 3 years prior to his injury. For this likely HOF they got some prospects' date=' one of whom might make the 2007 bullpen. Yea for me.:thumbsup: They got rid of an 11 game-winning starter for a fatso middle reliever that will pitch in a mopup role.

brought in one of the top defensive firstbasemen in Mientkiewicz, allowing the fragile Giambi to solely DH.

Too bad he can't hit a lick. He's probably a step down from Phillip's bat.

Yeah' date=' I guess you are right. Complete dismantling. The Yankees are going to be battling the Blue Jays for 2nd place.[/quote']I never said the dismantling is completed. I am hoping that there is more to come. I am looking forward to Melky going to Pittsburgh

 

BTW: I am not one who believed that they were one of the all-time juggernauts like many Yankee fans believed as the playoffs began. They were, however, the superior team in the playoffs. ARod choked, Torre panicked and the team folded its tent showing little or no heart. Certainly, the solution was to get rid of two future HOFers. I like it. Go Cashman.:thumbsup:

[Gom]

He got rid of a pitcher that won 34 games over the last 2 years and beat the Red Sox in 7 out of 8 decisions. Oh BTW he's going to the HOF.

Maybe they should get Christy Mathewson. He's in the Hall of Fame too. Wait...he's dead. Never mind. Last year he was 2-1 versus the Red Sox with a 7.17 ERA. Last year against the Sox, in 21.1 innings, he gave up 17 runs on 26 hits, 3 of them homreuns with 16 walks. Yeah, he really dominated you guys. The fact that he won any game shows how pathetic your pitching was in those games.

They got a mediocre 32 year old reliever and 3 so-so prospects. Yea for me.:thumbsup: They also got rid of an OF that averaged 31 HRs and 125 RBI over the past 3 years prior to his injury. For this likely HOF they got some prospects, one of whom might make the 2007 bullpen. Yea for me.:thumbsup:

A malcontent who had no power at the end of last season due to a major injury to his wrist, where he gets the majority of his power from. A player who didn't want to switch positions to help the team, and was only interested in his own welfare. If healthy, his production will be missed, but his post-season production in NY [.260 BA, 2 HR in 81 AB] will not be missed.

They got rid of an 11 game-winning starter for a fatso middle reliever that will pitch in a mopup role.

I don't know if you actually watch baseball and don't know the Yankees or simply don't comprehend it. 11 wins on the Yankees is not an accomplishment as a pitcher' date=' not when you have 30 starts. The fact that he averaged 4.6 innings a start and killed the bullpen made him more of a detriment than anything else. They burned the pen with him win or lose. At least with Randy Johnson [or Beckett in your case'] if they pitched well, they went deep into games. A major addition by subtraction.

Too bad he can't hit a lick. He's probably a step down from Phillip's bat.

Mientkiewicz was brought in to play defense' date=' and give below average offensive contribution. His primary value is to keep Giambi OFF the field. Call me crazy, but I think the Yankees will finish in the top half of offensive production in the AL next year. Having below average production when you are getting above average offensive production from EVERY OTHER SPOT POSITION ON THE FIELD makes one below average production easier to swallow.

I never said the dismantling is completed. I am hoping that there is more to come. I am looking forward to Melky going to Pittsburgh

Who knows? I like Melky, but unlike most Yankee fans, I'm not in love with him. Getting a fireballing lefty pitcher out of the pen to be your setup man is worth your fourth outfielder, in my opinion. That deal, however, hasn't been made yet.

BTW: I am not one who believed that they were one of the all-time juggernauts like many Yankee fans believed as the playoffs began. They were' date=' however, the superior team in the playoffs. ARod choked, Torre panicked and the team folded its tent showing little or no heart. Certainly, the solution was to get rid of two future HOFers. I like it. Go Cashman.:thumbsup:[/quote']

 

I think I have proven where you thumb has been at this point.

[Optimist]

When did trading old, declining, expensive players for young players with plenty of potential (especially young pitchers) become a bad thing?

 

 

....oh yeah, when the Yankees started doing it. Sorry, I forgot what site I was on for a moment.

[Gom]

When did trading old, declining, expensive players for young players with plenty of potential (especially young pitchers) become a bad thing?

 

 

....oh yeah, when the Yankees started doing it. Sorry, I forgot what site I was on for a moment.

 

LOL!

[SuperManny]

When did trading old, declining, expensive players for young players with plenty of potential (especially young pitchers) become a bad thing?

 

....oh yeah, when the Yankees started doing it. Sorry, I forgot what site I was on for a moment.

 

The Sheffield trade was good because Sanchez actually has upside. Who in the Arizona deal has upside? From what I saw the Yankees are getting the #18-20 prospects in the Arizona system. They are fringe prospects at best, none are even close to having plenty of potential. This is a complete salary dump although they did get a mediocre RP as well in Luis Vizcaino.

[jacksonianmarch]

He got rid of a pitcher that won 34 games over the last 2 years and beat the Red Sox in 7 out of 8 decisions. Oh BTW he's going to the HOF. They got a mediocre 32 year old reliever and 3 so-so prospects. Yea for me.:thumbsup: They also got rid of an OF that averaged 31 HRs and 125 RBI over the past 3 years prior to his injury. For this likely HOF they got some prospects, one of whom might make the 2007 bullpen. Yea for me.:thumbsup: They got rid of an 11 game-winning starter for a fatso middle reliever that will pitch in a mopup role. Too bad he can't hit a lick. He's probably a step down from Phillip's bat.I never said the dismantling is completed. I am hoping that there is more to come. I am looking forward to Melky going to Pittsburgh

 

BTW: I am not one who believed that they were one of the all-time juggernauts like many Yankee fans believed as the playoffs began. They were, however, the superior team in the playoffs. ARod choked, Torre panicked and the team folded its tent showing little or no heart. Certainly, the solution was to get rid of two future HOFers. I like it. Go Cashman.:thumbsup:

 

700. Can you seriously sit back and say that this offseason was poor for us? How can anyone in their right mind sit back and say that without residing at least 3 days per week in a rubber room and the other 4 in a gimp outfit giving BJ's in front of the Cask 'n Flagon? (got that one from Mr. C!).

 

Gary Sheffield gave us 151 wonderful ABs for us last yr. 123 of them were when we needed them, the rest were during junk time. He was replaced by Bobby Abreu as the RFer who is a defensive and speed upgrade, a power downgrade, but a durability, average and OBP upgrade. Sheff had no position, had come off wrist surgery, and was a malcontent, so he was dealt. With a full season of Matsui and Abreu, Sheffield will be a distant memory. Also, sheffield was only going to be here 1 more yr as it was. We took the #3, 6, and 11 pitching prospects from one of the deepest pitching systems in the majors and got rid of his contract and we got rid of 13 mil.

 

Randy Johnson is 43, coming off back surgery, declined to such a degree that he is mostly just useful for his durability. And after having back surgery, that isnt even plausible. With the likelihood that he misses a month or more a strong possibility, what is an expectation for him? 150IP at the most? Likely 130 maybe? An era in the 5 range? A further decline in effectiveness? And he is only signed for one more yr. Is that really something that is flat out irreplaceable? Didnt think so. His record vs the sox could have been 90-1 vs the sox, if his ERA was 7.5 last yr then anyone could win those games as we likely beat the piss out of your pitching. And to turn that into a top 10 pitching prospect and another high potential pitcher, then so be it. The Yankees got Andy Pettitte to be what RJ wasnt last yr. A reliable starter, not an ace, but a reliable starter. Igawa will likely give us what RJ gave us last yr in durability. The 5 hole can be a swinging gate for all I care, we have lots of MLB ready talent to fit the bill.

 

Jaret Wright was about to be bought out for 4 mil. He was useless. We were about to let him go by paying 4 mil. Instead we got rid of him for 4 mil and were given a 24 yr old power reliever who had success in the AL last yr.

 

Yeah, man, we really dealt such viable pieces to us that we have no prayer. s***. And the whole restocking the arms in our farm wont help us either.

[jacksonianmarch]

The Sheffield trade was good because Sanchez actually has upside. Who in the Arizona deal has upside? From what I saw the Yankees are getting the #18-20 prospects in the Arizona system. They are fringe prospects at best' date=' none are even close to having plenty of potential. This is a complete salary dump although they did get a mediocre RP as well in Luis Vizcaino.[/quote']

 

Ohlendorf will be top 10 in BA and is #11 on scouts.com. He is higher on the list than Nippert and is essentially the 3rd best pitching prospect in the loaded DBack org. I would have rather gotten Owings.

 

Jackson is rated #21 on scout.com. What I dont really get is he had a very solid AA season last yr (2.5ish era), he has ace stuff and he's pretty low on the list. A DBacks scouting system said he is an all or nothing kind of player. Meaning, he has about the same chance of being anything useful as he does of crapping out. Either way, he ends up in the AAA rotation next yr and we see what happens.

 

The SS is Rafael Belliard until proven otherwise, a throwin for nothing useful.

 

The fact that both of these pitchers flew through AA is a sign of what Cashman is looking for. He is looking for MLB ready talent. Like the kind you trade for something of value.

[a700hitter]

Maybe they should get Christy Mathewson. He's in the Hall of Fame too. Wait...he's dead. Never mind. Last year he was 2-1 versus the Red Sox with a 7.17 ERA. Last year against the Sox' date=' in 21.1 innings, he gave up 17 runs on 26 hits, 3 of them homreuns with 16 walks. Yeah, he really dominated you guys. The fact that he won any game shows how pathetic your pitching was in those games[/quote']17 wins with a herniated disc isn't bad. I guess you make no allowance for the fact that the injury severely affected the feeling in his legs.

A malcontent who had no power at the end of last season due to a major injury to his wrist' date=' where he gets the majority of his power from. A player who didn't want to switch positions to help the team, and was only interested in his own welfare. If healthy, his production will be missed, but his post-season production in NY [.260 BA, 2 HR in 81 AB'] will not be missed.

All I know is that I won't miss that feeling that I used to get that he was going to knock down the monster. It won't be as scary against the Tigers.

I don't know if you actually watch baseball and don't know the Yankees or simply don't comprehend it. 11 wins on the Yankees is not an accomplishment as a pitcher' date=' not when you have 30 starts.[/quote']Stop the condescending BS. In 2005, the Yankees only had 2 pitchers with more than 10 wins and even though I'm not a big Wright fan, he did pitch well against the Red Sox. His ERA against the Red Sox was more than 2 full runs better than Wang.

The fact that he averaged 4.6 innings a start and killed the bullpen made him more of a detriment than anything else. They burned the pen with him win or lose. At least with Randy Johnson [or Beckett in your case] if they pitched well' date=' they went deep into games. A major addition by subtraction.[/quote']Although he didn't help your pen, the #5 slot killed the pen too as well as Torre's penchant to go to the horses way too much.

I like Melky' date=' but unlike most Yankee fans, I'm not in love with him. Getting a fireballing lefty pitcher out of the pen to be your setup man is worth your fourth outfielder, in my opinion. [/quote']I will not miss him either. Make the deal.

[a700hitter]

When did trading old, declining, expensive players for young players with plenty of potential (especially young pitchers) become a bad thing?

I think it is a wonderful change of strategy. Keep trading productive all-star quality players for mediocre minor league prospects. Go Cashman!

[jacksonianmarch]

17 wins with a herniated disc isnt bad. Hanging onto a 16 million dollar, 43 yr old declining pitcher expected to miss the first month of the season while being offered 2 pitching prospects that are MLB ready is bad.

 

In 2005, we only had 2 pitchers surpass 10 wins because we had 5 starters on the DL for long periods of time. Last yr, our top 4 each reached 30 starts. Last yr, we had Chacon slated for the #5 slot. He was awful. Pavano fell off the face of the earth and the kids were too green to do anything about it. I'll tell ya right now, you are going to be surprised with how solid the yankee rotation is. I'm not saying spectacular or fantastic or anything like that, just solid. The top 4 will break 800 innings. If Pavano stays healthy, then he'll give us something. If he doesnt, he may give us something more. The start of the Phil Hughes era.

[a700hitter]

700. Can you seriously sit back and say that this offseason was poor for us? How can anyone in their right mind sit back and say that without residing at least 3 days per week in a rubber room and the other 4 in a gimp outfit giving BJ's in front of the Cask 'n Flagon? (got that one from Mr. C!).

I haven't said it was poor. Maybe in three years these moves bear fruit, but he hasn't done a single thing to give me cause for concern in 2007. Pettitte was a nice move that was neutralized by trading Unit. We'll see if he gets Clemens. I will not like that, but he shouldn't hurt the Sox head to head. We will see if he has other moves up his sleeve. If his only other move is trading Melky, he will not have done a thing to concern me for 2007. On the other hand, the Red Sox have made some major strides forward. Granted that the Red Sox had more work to do, but they have significantly closed the gap.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think it is a wonderful change of strategy. Keep trading productive all-star quality players for mediocre minor league prospects. Go Cashman!

 

you werent calling RJ all star quality after last season were you? Cause if he was an all-star, then the AL should pack it in. He was 33rd out of 39 pitchers to qualify in era last yr. Last I checked, that sucks.

 

Sheff and his awe-inspiring 150ABs and bad attitude will not be missed while Abreu is roaming RF. And since when is Wright an all-star quality player.

[a700hitter]

you werent calling RJ all star quality after last season were you? Cause if he was an all-star, then the AL should pack it in. He was 33rd out of 39 pitchers to qualify in era last yr. Last I checked, that sucks.

 

Sheff and his awe-inspiring 150ABs and bad attitude will not be missed while Abreu is roaming RF. And since when is Wright an all-star quality player.

Both were injure. Both should be healthy in 2007.

[jacksonianmarch]

I haven't said it was poor. Maybe in three years these moves bear fruit' date=' but he hasn't done a single thing to give me cause for concern in 2007. Pettitte was a nice move that was neutralized by trading Unit. We'll see if he gets Clemens. I will not like that, but he shouldn't hurt the Sox head to head. We will see if he has other moves up his sleeve. If his only other move is trading Melky, he will not have done a thing to concern me for 2007. On the other hand, the Red Sox have made some major strides forward. Granted that the Red Sox had more work to do, but they have significantly closed the gap.[/quote']

 

700. You keep forgetting that last season we were 11 games up on you guys while getting less than 400ABs out of Abreu and Matsui combined. Give both of those guys a full season and it is like acquiring your own elite power bat to the best lineup in baseball.

 

You also forget that we had 3 pitchers who surpassed 200IP and a 4 and 5 hole that ate dick. Our current 1-4 totalled over 800 innings last yr. AND, our rookies are one yr closer to bearing fruit. A rotation of Wang, Mussina, Pettitte, Igawa and Hughes sounds real nice right now.

[jacksonianmarch]

Both were injure. Both should be healthy in 2007.

 

no, RJ may be healthy this yr. But it will likely cost him a part of the season and who knows how he will react/bounceback at 43.

[a700hitter]

A rotation of Wang' date=' Mussina, Pettitte, Igawa and Hughes sounds real nice right now.[/quote']I am glad you like it. I am glad Johnson is not in it.

[jacksonianmarch]

I hear ya. I wouldnt want the yankees to make the games they are blowing you out any closer. They pull at my heartstrings.

[a700hitter]

no' date=' RJ may be healthy this yr. But it will likely cost him a part of the season and who knows how he will react/bounceback at 43.[/quote']Prediction: He'll do far more for AZ in 2007 than anyone the Yankees are getting in return will do for them.