Yankees 2008-2009 offseason thread

[riverside sluggers]

Its also odd considering Gom's hate for Cashman being the GM, and what Pavano did for the Yankees' depth for the past 4 years

[BSN07]

Maybe its a coup d’état...

[Cocos Disciples]

If you can get him at or near the minimum, then I can't see why not. Anyone know what he's looking for?

[BSN07]

The Marlins have shown interest. Pavano is better off in the NL. He might amount to something there if he can stay off the DL.

 

Cashman should try and say this out loud, " I'm considering bringing paying Pavano to come and pitch for us."

 

If it sounds dumb when you say it, it probably is.

[riverside sluggers]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11132008/sports/yankees/yankees_ready_to_blow_away_cc_with_big_o_138398.htm

 

Not surprising, the Yankees are reportedly set to offer 6 years/$150 million to C.C.

[rician blast]

From the NY Post:

"Yankees officials insist that they do not plan on spending all of the roughly $88 million coming off the books. But they plan on spending enough to upgrade their rotation."

 

$88m coming off? That's a lotta cabbage, and even after signing Sabathia and another pitcher, and doing some tweaking, they could be shaving off $40-$50m from 2008's payroll.

[redsoxrules]

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Yankees are preparing to make CC Sabathia a monster offer: "No matter which standard you want to use, the Yankees intend to surpass it. The deal they will offer Sabathia will be for more than the present-day value of $20.5 million per year, and it will be worth more than the $137.5 million, with deferrals included. The Yankees' first offer will be for something in the range of $140-$142 million. "..."This will come as a surprise to no one, but on Wednesday a Yankees official confirmed to Newsday that his team's top free-agent target this offseason is CC Sabathia. The Brewers ace is expected to draw a ton of interest and will perhaps land the richest contract ever given to a pitcher, topping Johan Santana's six-year, $137.5 million contract with the Mets. ... From the Globe's Nick Cafardo: "CC Sabathia's agent, Greg Genske, indicated earlier that he had not met with the Red Sox on Sabathia. While the Sox might explore some discussions on the big lefty, right now it doesn't seem to be in the plans. Sabathia, who is from the San Francisco area, would like to be on the West Coast. The Angels and Dodgers are interested." Cafardo reported that Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin said by making Sabathia a new contract offer "we just wanted to make sure he knew how much we appreciated what he did for us and how much we'd love to have him back." Melvin doesn't know where the offer will lead, but he said it was a one-time offer made by owner Mark Attanasio to retain a top-echelon player and that nobody should think if they don't land Sabathia that the money earmarked for Sabathia would go toward another free agent. "This is a special case," said Melvin. "We won't do this for anyone else." ... The big lefty is the biggest catch on the free agent market this year. After a midseason trade to the Brewers, he went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA, hurling three shutouts and seven complete games in 17 starts.

[BoSox21]

As expected Friday, the New York Yankees officially tendered an offer to free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia.

 

The offer is expected to be six years in length and have a total value of slightly more than the record $137.5 million deal that pitcher Johan Santana signed with the Mets before last season.

 

Santana's deal had been the largest ever for a pitcher.

 

Friday represented the first day that free agents can be signed. The Yankees also are expected to make offers to free-agent right-handers A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.

 

Burnett has a four-year, $54 million offer from Toronto, while Lowe is looking for a five-year contract.

 

Buster Olney is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.

[Cocos Disciples]

No big news here, everybody expected the Yanks to make a huge offer.

[redsoxrules]

CC wants to stay in the NL and pitch in his home state california ...I think the Yanks will make him change his mind

[jacksonianmarch]

I dont see any team actually offering 25 mil a yr for 6 yrs which is what we are gonna offer. The only other big market team truly in this is NYM and I dont see them making a big enough offer with all the money on their books and with their stagnant offense.

[26 to 6]

Darrell Rasner will be pitching in Japan next year as he has had his contract sold by the Yankees to Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles for $1million.

 

And apparently based on Jerry Crasnick's article on ESPN.com Rasner reached out to the Yankees and said he wanted to go pitch in Japan.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3705150&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

 

So now he got his wish to go pitch in beautiful Kleenex Stadium

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/2485220970_af21774e72.jpg?v=0

 

Peace Rasner!

[Cocos Disciples]

That's a nice park, but Kleenex Stadium? Really? That name blows!

 

Anyone?

[jacksonianmarch]

I find it funny that Rasner sent us to the Kleenex's constantly, now they'll be sponsoring his park.

 

That being said, this offseason has started off well. Resigning Marte will give us a good pen for 2009 (even though i disagreed with the new contract). Getting a guy like Swisher gives us a high end guy who grinds pitchers better than any hitter in the game and we got him for peanuts. And now, we have given CC enough of a reason to think twice about his NL West dreams. This is what we like.

[Gom]

Swisher is a high-end guy? Oh my God, I haven't laughed this hard in weeks.

 

Jacko...I love how you've changed your tune. Last year, you don't want to give up prospects...this year, you're gung-ho about going after every free agent in the world...at the expense of prospects. You also seem willing to give up the same players for Peavy, who is not as good as Santana.

 

I guess this puts to bed our season-long argument. Glad to see you on my side.

[a700hitter]

Swisher is a high-end guy? Oh my God' date=' I haven't laughed this hard in weeks.[/quote']He stinks. I am very happy if this means that they will not get Texeira.

[Cocos Disciples]

He's somewhere in the middle of "high end" and "stinks". .805 OPS and flexible position-wise, it's a nice addition for a low cost.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I'm thinking they will use him as a bench player.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'm thinking they will use him as a bench player.

 

Depends on the rest of the off-season. If they don't get Tex, he will probably be their 1B. But being a bench player does promote his flexibility, since he can be a super sub.

[Gom]

I think the move may have been made with Peavy in mind. Seriously. Think about this.

 

Melky goes in the deal. Young enough for SD to take a chance, and a good CF for that canyon they have out there.

 

Kennedy still has some value, especially in the NL [Yankee PR machine at work]. Another prospect or two, maybe a Betances, or Melancon, or Austin Jackson..maybe even a Phil Hughes, and you're talking serious potential for a deal.

 

What does that do? Well, that allows the CC move, and since you are getting Peavy at a discount, that leaves you with more money to go after Tex.

 

With Peavy at 9 million, CC at 25 million, and Tex at 20 million...that is 54 million, with say another 10-12 million for Pettitte, say 12...that's 66 million, and that is still over 20 million LESS than last year.

 

With Matsui, Damon, Nady, Swisher, and Gardner...there is really no room at all for Melky.

[jacksonianmarch]

By high end, I do not mean LEGEND OF THE GAME or anything like that. I mean, we got a guy with light tower power who is the most patient hitter in the game. I know he had a s*** season last yr, but we've gone over the possibility that it was a combination of luck and fit. At 27, he is young enough to be on the upslope as well. I'm not expecting a Teixeira type yr out of him, but I think he could have a yr with 25-30HR and an OPS in the mid .800s again. To get that out of a young switch hitter who can play 4 positions for 2 minor league relievers and our 25th man is a steal. And it allows us to budget more money into the pitching staff. And no matter how many times your demented mind tries to forget the fact that the yankees are operating on a budget, they are. Deal with it. Hank and Hal have set a budget, that much is fact. Hence, we need to operate within that. And if that means we load up in the pitching department while adding Swisher and seeing if our team can stay healthy on the offensive end, then so be it.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think the move may have been made with Peavy in mind. Seriously. Think about this.

 

Melky goes in the deal. Young enough for SD to take a chance, and a good CF for that canyon they have out there.

 

Kennedy still has some value, especially in the NL [Yankee PR machine at work]. Another prospect or two, maybe a Betances, or Melancon, or Austin Jackson..maybe even a Phil Hughes, and you're talking serious potential for a deal.

 

What does that do? Well, that allows the CC move, and since you are getting Peavy at a discount, that leaves you with more money to go after Tex.

 

With Peavy at 9 million, CC at 25 million, and Tex at 20 million...that is 54 million, with say another 10-12 million for Pettitte, say 12...that's 66 million, and that is still over 20 million LESS than last year.

 

With Matsui, Damon, Nady, Swisher, and Gardner...there is really no room at all for Melky.

 

The rumored deal from Atlanta included both Yunel Escobar and Jair Jurrjens with one or two other high end prospects in the deal. Yunel is 26 and had a fabulous season at SS. Jurrjens is 22 and was 3rd in the ROY voting. The only way we make that deal is to include Cano, Hughes, Jackson, Melancon and more. Not worth it for a guy who has proven he is no horse. Peavy reminds me of Pedro. For 6 innings, you get as dominant a pitcher as you can get. From 7 on, cross the fingers. For what you will need to give up and for the amount of $$ he is asking for, I'd rather sign a few more pitchers on the market. Plus, CC should be priority #1 for this offseason. He's a horse. Nearly 500IP of regular season ball over the past 2 yrs. We'd cut that back so he'd be good in the playoffs, but the fact remains. He'll take the ball and finish a few of his games.

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah, I'm going with Jack here on the Peavy package. Melky and Kennedy have lost a ton of value, enough that I don't think one or two or Betances/Melancon/Jackson can get it done.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Per Roto:

 

Sources within the baseball industry believe CC Sabathia may be getting pressure from the Players Association to accept the six-year, $140 million offer from the Yankees.

 

Presumably, it would set the pitching market at a record high and result in other monster contracts. Even Brewers GM Doug Melvin said he thought the union could be putting the heat on CC, replying, "Yeah, probably," when probed about the possibility. Sabathia, a native of California, is believed to prefer his home state and the National League.

 

Whenever a player is on the verge of being the highest paid anything in baseball, the players association steps in and gives that guy a push. Nevermind whats in the best interest of the player. The ability to decide if you want to take a discount to be where you want and where you feel will be the most successful needs considering but the PA doesnt want to hear that.

[BSN07]

I think the move may have been made with Peavy in mind. Seriously. Think about this.

 

Melky goes in the deal. Young enough for SD to take a chance, and a good CF for that canyon they have out there.

 

Kennedy still has some value, especially in the NL [Yankee PR machine at work]. Another prospect or two, maybe a Betances, or Melancon, or Austin Jackson..maybe even a Phil Hughes, and you're talking serious potential for a deal.

 

What does that do? Well, that allows the CC move, and since you are getting Peavy at a discount, that leaves you with more money to go after Tex.

 

With Peavy at 9 million, CC at 25 million, and Tex at 20 million...that is 54 million, with say another 10-12 million for Pettitte, say 12...that's 66 million, and that is still over 20 million LESS than last year.

 

With Matsui, Damon, Nady, Swisher, and Gardner...there is really no room at all for Melky.

 

Well for one, Peavy's deal is low money in the front, but explodes the season after next and every year after that. There also have been rumors that for him to go to the AL, he wants his current deal ripped up and a new one similar to what CC will get and what Johan has already got. So that blows your $ saving theory.

 

 

Melky and Kennedy? And I thought I was high most them time. Kennedy has very little value. The only reason he might have some kind of value is because it is a NL team involved. Melky as the CF center piece? I love you optomism Gom:D

 

A deal to get Peavy is going to cost, Hughes, Jackson + 2 or more mid level prospects atleast. Kennedy might be part of the deal, but he won't be the main Pitcher heading back to SD in any deal. SD wanted ATL's top pitching prospect. Your nuts if you think they will settle for Kennedy.

 

If somehow a deal like that does happen. It will further my belief that Cashman has dirt on every single GM in baseball on some micro film, and uses it wisely to get players he wants for next to nothing:D

[Gom]

I'm not saying that it would happen...nor should it. I am simply raising the question, that's all. However, with Swisher's versatility, that pushes Melky to 6th on the depth chart of potential OFs after Damon, Nady, Matsui, Gardner and Swisher.

 

With no room for Melky, and no room for Kennedy...I see a trade possibly involving both of them. I agree with Jacko on one thing, even though he's been self-medicating. They have a lot of versatility with Swisher on board.

 

That's it. I'm not one of those fans who thinks that the Yankees are getting everyone. Just that this deal gives them a better opportunity to make a trade. The only potential trade we've heard so far from Yankee camp has been Peavy. Leave it at that.

 

Jacko..the Yankee budget is written on transparent paper.