jacksonianmarch

enlightening.

I am hoping the yankees become the world series team with the highest payroll of all time. Cause I really dont care what the payroll is. I just know that it does have some role in determining what the team will become and hence I would minimize it as much as we could. But if you told me the yankees were willing to spend $300 million in salary and would win the WS, I'd say go get em. All that matters is the rings my friend. I've seen 4 in my lifetime. I want to see more.

Yep, thats a fact too.

it isnt an argument. Its a fact.

It absolutely would be trade bait and I'd be fine with that if we had the guys at the big league level. Going back to Pettitte, they'll work something out. I have a feeling the Lowe rumors are just there to get Pettitte to agree to a pay cut. It really doesnt make sense to go after Lowe when Pettitte will likely give the same performance for less money and yrs, AND he's proven he can do it here. It'll get done.

The answers... The Yankees really started pumping money into their team in 99 when we got Roger whose contract at that time was a bear. But we really started going insane in early 2001 with Mussina and late 2001 with Giambi. That being said, the sox turned on the player development machine in 2004 or so, but that certainly wasnt the yr that they started reaping the benefits. 2004 was a team of mercenaries who were strong enough to fight for a common goal and dumb enough to drown out the pressure. 2007 was the sox only championship that showed off their player development skills.

Technically, yes. But who cares. Rician felt it necessary to point it out, so I redirected it right back at him. But for any sox fan to point a finger back our way and say that we are trying to buy a championship, should look in the mirror. The 2 highest payrolls for any championship teams were the Sox in 07 and the Sox in 04.

how many home grown players were on the 2004 sox?

I dont care how they do it. The sox bought the 2004 title. We can try and buy the 2009 one.

Burnett is not a guy you hang your entire offseason on. He shouldnt be counted upon as an ace by any means and I'd consider it a stretch to count on him as a #2. But if you have CC and Wang in the 1/2 slot and you have a guy like Pettitte or Lowe in the 4 hole, you can afford to gamble on AJ in the 3 hole. AJ isnt as injury prone as people would like to make him out to be. For what its worth, he's only had one big injury that limited him (TJS). He just has shown to be a bit more of a prima donna than a 6'5" pitcher should be. He's been in the bigs full time for 8 season. Of those seasons, he missed one with TJ and came back in the middle of one after recovering from TJ (both seasons under 25 starts). In the other 6 seasons, he's taken the bump 25 times or more 5 times. Meaning that, when he doesnt blow out his UCL in his elbow, he avoids the serious injuries. He just doesnt shake off the minor ones well enough to pitch injured. Kinda like Beckett was prior to coming to Boston. 21, 23, 26, and 29 were the numbers of starts that Beckett made in his first 4 yrs in the bigs. Then he comes to Boston and throws 33, 30, and 27. Its a crap shoot. And I am not for this move unless we get CC and Pettitte (or Lowe) to give us 3 pitchers who will, in all likelihood, surpass 200IP this yr.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11182008/sports/yankees/yankees_prepare_a_j__offer_139209.htm Hank aint f***ing around. 5yrs 80 mil for Burnett as well? That's 220 mil on 2 pitchers alone. And the yankees are still likely to be offering a big deal to Lowe or retaining Pettitte for the 4 hole. This would be one hell of a coup if we could get CC, Burnett and Lowe/Pettitte to add to a healthy Wang and Joba. That leaves Hughes, Kennedy, and Coke in AAA to gain innings and hone their stuff. This is the best way to go.

My point is, that we got a guy in a buy low opportunity by sending the White Sox 3 players that really didnt have a chance in this organization for a guy with light tower power and the most patience in the league. He also happens to be 27, a switch hitter and can play 4 positions. I would think that his stats suggest a turnaround of sorts. I dont expect Teixeira numbers. But I do expect him to get back to the .250 range in BA, hit 25-30HR and have an OBP of .370 or so. These are not totally unrealistic. And when you factor in the likelihood of a power surge in Yankee stadium with the very short RF porch, then he could be much more. I have a feeling that the .219 was a low point. But who knows, if he slides down to the Mendoza line next yr, then I'll admit it wasnt the best move to go his way while lookin past Tex. But right now, with the balance in this lineup, he doesnt need to be a superstar. We just need health.

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.

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.

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.

Unfortunately, lesser forms of intelligence dont understand that adding a guy who works pitchers is helpful. I am not saying Swisher is a guy who will be hitting .300 and 40HR. But, when you consider he had a rough go in Chicago, was in Guillen's doghouse early, and really had a bad yr, you should be able to expect a bit of a recovery. If Swisher improves his average back to his to his career norm of .250 or higher, then he's useful. For the statheads out there, Swisher had a LD% of 20%, a BABIP of .249 and led the majors by far with a 4.51P/PA. He'll, rebound.

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.

I agree. Swisher is probably gonna be in the 5 or 7 slot.

I would take this offense with the depth in the bullpen IF we upgrade the staff. I am excited about the hot stove, started with a bang. We DEFINITELY got the best end of this deal IMO.

I was just throwing a lineup together. I dont really think there is much of a chance that Swisher is our #3 hitter. BTW, just looked up Texeira in this deal. 22 yrs old, dominated the minors as a reliever and got to AA this yr. Should start in AAA next yr and doesnt need to be protected like Nunez would have been. Apparently has a MLB average FB and a plus slider. Definitely a downgrade from Nunez 93-95+ heat, but it isnt a bad piece to get back

We shall see. Melky and Marquez was the rumored package for Cameron, so that will have to be changed. I have a feeling that it gets done. We could use a veteran CF presence that can bridge the gap until Gardner or Jackson are ready. And, if we add Cameron, we'd have one hell of a balanced offense. If we can get Matsui and Posada to stay healthy, this lineup is nasty. 1. Damon- CF- capable of hitting .300+ with a .370+OBP and 10-15HR 2. Jeter-SS- capable of hitting .300+ with a .370+OBP and 10-15HR 3. Swisher-1B- capable of hitting .250+ with a .370OBP+ and 25-30HR 4. Rodriguez-3B- capable of hitting .300+ with a .400+OBP and 35-40HR 5. Matsui- DH- capable of hitting .300+ with a .370+OBP and 20+HR 6. Nady-RF- capable of hitting .280+ with a .350OBP and 20+HR 7. Posada-C- capable of hitting .270+ with a .370+OBP and 20+HR 8. Cano-2B- capable of hitting .300+ with a .340OBP and 15+HR 9. Cameron- CF- capable of hitting .240+ with a .330+OBP and 20+HR Thats balance. 4 righties, 3 lefties, 2 switch hitters, all capable of hitting for power, most capable of hitting for average, and most capable of grinding pitchers. We just need them to stay healthy.