jacksonianmarch

Now finally, the bullpen. First and foremost. Resign Mo. Keep Proctor. Keep Bruney Keep Britton. Those are 4 arms I'd have out there. Deal away Farnsworth for anything. Let go of Myers. Gascaino can leave too. Bye Villone. I'd keep tabs on lefties available, but also be content with Henn as the lefty specialist. Aaron Fultz could be on my wish list as he has handled lefties rather well over the last 3 yrs. As for the right hand side. Bruney is not a setup man since he has such poor control. Proctor is more of a swing man. So I'd leave those 2 out of designated 8th inning roles. And with Mariano getting older, we will need to consider his potential replacement. Enter Francisco Cordero. FA after the yr, will be really expensive. But his expertise in closing and his power arm could fit very well with us. Tell him he will be the successor to Mo in NY and see where it takes us. If he doesnt bite, look at a guy like Al Reyes out of TB. Other than that, see what the minors can offer us. Whelan should be ready by then. Cox will be back later this season and certainly could be a pen option for next yr. Edwar Ramirez and others could also help. This whole building from without theory has blown up in our faces. Keep the reliable guys from this yr and see what we can get by with in terms of the younger guys. Stop signing expensive bombs in the pen unless it is for a proven commodity.

Now for the pitching. First of all, we need to see the options that will be returning.... Assuming there is no injury, Pettitte will accept his option and take his rightful role in the yankee rotation. So, to start the yr, we will see this.... 1. Wang 2. Pettitte 3. Mussina 4. ? 5. ? One of those spots is almost assuredly going to Hughes. So that leaves on open spot, or does it? I'd send feelers out to NL teams about Mike Mussina, maybe even the dreaded Mets. He has one yr left on his deal, has a NTC, and would likely still be a good national league pitcher. But his time in NY as a Yankee is coming to a close. I'd tell him that he doesnt have a spot in the rotation, so he better waive his NTC. Dont really care what we get back, but this creature of habit ******** doesnt go over well when the creature acts more like a lamb than a lion. SO that leaves us at.. 1. Wang 2. Hughes 3. Pettitte 4. ?? 5. ?? So, lets look at the FA options. Mark Buerhle, Paul Byrd, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Livan Hernandez, Jason Jennings, Curt Schilling, Carlos Zambrano and then some Japanese guys (Shimizu and Uehara). Mark Buerhle would be ideal. He eats innings, is rarely hurt, and is still young. Also, being left handed in the Bronx is always nice. BUT, chances are, he is going to StL, so we wont have a shot at him. Paul Byrd is exactly what we dont need. Another Mussina-esque pitcher who is too old. Bartolo Colon would be an intriguing option. If we wanted a Fat Toad redux that is. Freddy Garcia, even though he is struggling in Philly, would be a guy I'd keep an eye on. He is an innings eater who has had years of success in the AL. I'd love to insert him into the 4 or 5 slot in the rotation. I'd shy away from Jennings like the plague. His mid 1's WHIP from a yr ago shows you what kind of player he is. I dont think he'd be cut out for AL work and he screams Carla Pussano. No on Schilling. As for big Z. Hmm. The guy is a workhorse, but he walks too many. Right now he is also getting hit pretty hard, which is very uncharacteristic of him, but many people are willing to say that this is more situational than anything else. So, I'd put feelers out, but not bite just yet. So, after examining the FA options, the only guy I'd go for is Garcia and I'd keep tabs on Zambrano. Now, all of you know this. I want Santana, but not bad enough to rape our system. So. I'd call. Ask how they were doing. Ask them what they wanted. They'll ask for Hughes, we'll say no, counter with Horne, they'll laugh, ask for a bunch of prospects. Get lists from other teams. Obviously ask Boston. Ask for Buchholz, they'll balk, etc. In the end, the yankees can throw in cash and make it worth their while. I would assume that by the end of the yr, they would have Kennedy and Tabata in the top 20 on the prospect list and would be willing to offer them plus either Alan Horne or Jeff Marquez (both on the verge of being MLB ready). It would hurt as Kennedy is most likely the fastest mover in the yankee system and Tabata is the best hitter in the system, but it would keep the twins prying hands away from Hughes, Betances, and Chamberlain who all have ace high ceilings. Assume it gets done. 1. Santana 2. Wang 3. Hughes 4. Pettitte 5. Garcia I'd go to war with that rotation and be very happy. Assuming the twins are intent on winning it all in 08 and will not deal anything for Santana, there are ways to look at it. Instead of dumping Moose, you can see what he has left and insert him into that slot. Or, after having what is likely going to amount to a full season of MLB experience, Clippard may be set for the 5 slot. It would be in a state of flux, but adding a dependable horse like Garcia could only help. If we couldnt get Santana or Garcia and Mussina has shown by the end of the yr that he is truly done, then get Zambrano, blow them all out of the water. In Zambrano you are getting a young horse who has the capacity to dominate and be an ace. He also has an equal capacity to implode. Kinda like a Josh Beckett with worse control and without having to give up the farm.

We'll see how they decide to play this. There are ways to do a quick fix that will help us long term. We just need to make smart, calculated moves and not bite the bullet on something that will be ominous. Like signing Andruw Jones to a long term deal. He's already 30, or so we know and his size has increased with each passing day. His BA has always sucked and his power this season hasnt been all that impressive either. I feel that signing him would add a nice righty power bat, but we would be regretting it for the last 3 yrs of that contract (as I think AJ will get an 8 yr deal). And as we see now, those backends of contracts for big time signees are a bitch. Now that I am not as steamed, I think I can make a level headed post about what we should do. Starting with the Catcher's position. Posada MUST be resigned and I dont see him leaving. But it is time to snag a backup who can play more than once in a blue moon. Options are available. The Mets are between a rock and a hard place with Castro and LoDuca and they have said that after this yr, LoDuca could be released. If that is the case, see who offers him what and if nobody makes him an offer as a starter, blow away anyone who comes along for his backup services. Same with Castro, if the Mets decide to keep Loduca. If neither are an option, consider Ausmus out of Houston or Barajas from Philly. Its about time we dont have a shitbum backup catcher. One more yr should buy enough time for Cervelli to ascend to a platoon role as the yankee backup/situational starting catcher. At Firstbase. This is one hell of a tricky scenario. Teixeira is available to the highest bidder. But there is another option I'd kick the tires on first. Adam Dunn. Dunn is one of the best natural power players in the game and with the shorter RF porch in Yankee stadium, his power numbers could be even more amazing. And what I love about the guy is that, even though he may K 200 times and may only hit .240, he gets on base at a .380 career clip. And, he isnt all that slow to boot (55 steal over 7 seasons, 7 each the last 2 yrs). He isnt a basestealer, but he isnt Giambi in clogging up the paths. Dunn will be 28 in November, so a 6 yr deal would actually encompass the rest of his prime and not leave us with his latter yrs when he will really suck. At Second base. Keep Cano. I know everyone will be asking about him, but this kid can hit and when he gets hot, he can carry a team. He's the kind of kid whose power comes on as the season does, and at 23, we could be looking at a player who will develop some serious power to go along with his high average (which he will still have at the end of the yr, bank it). At Shortstop. Keep Jeter, obviously. But back him up with someone. I actually like the kid we have in the minors, Alberto Gonzalez. Cant hit worth a lick, but is a defensive wizard. I'd love to have him as a backup instead of Cairo who may have a worse arm than Damon and range than Jeter (and that is saying something). At Third base. This depends on ARod. I floated the idea of a trade out there last night, but after coming to my senses, I noticed that there is no way LA would take him on for 3 prospects if his opt out clause is still an issue. I would sit down with him and ask him what he wants to do. A: Do you want to stay in NY? and B: if not, what kind of contract are you looking for? I'd do my best to keep him if he wanted to stay, and I'd do my best to give him a comparable deal buying out his opt out clause and shipping him out if he wanted to go. Remember this, nobody has the kind of leverage the yankees have because the rangers are still paying half of his contract. If he wanted to stay, then keep him. In Left field Keep Matsui. His power is a bit down, but he is still hitting and he is still a solid player and a huge cash cow for the yankees. In Centerfield. Now this is interesting. If there is no dice on the Dunn front and we dont like the asking price on Tex, I'd love to give Damon an entire offseason to learn first base. That would be ideal. If we do land a 1b, have Damon split time between DH and CF while having Melky split time in CF. UNLESS, Torii Hunter is interested in coming to NY. He'll be 32 in the offseason and could easily solve the CF issue for a few yrs. Offer him no more than a 4 yr deal and see if he bites. Otherwise, have Melky patrol CF with Damon in a platoon/ rest up split. In Right field: Gauge the market on Abreu. If there is some interest, take his contract option yr and deal him with cash much like we did with Sheff. If the interest is minimal, then opt out and cut your losses. Then it really gets interesting. Kosuke Fukudome is available out of Japan and he sounds like a solid yet unspectacular player. But, he'll be a FA (I think, hence no posting) and with Matsui being able to patrol the same OF, we may be able to lure him. He'd be cheaper and we'd control him for 6 yrs (unless they put that pesky deny arb clause in), even though at 30 right now, 6 yrs down the line doesnt look all that good. OR, the Yankees can do what they always do and overpay an older player like Ichiro. He'll be 34 and is hitting like a monster again. But at 34 (in November) a speed first player may not be a wise investment. At Designated Hitter It would be optimal to get out of Giambi's contract in its final yr so we can have some flexibility. If we cannot, gauge interest in him and if anything reasonable can be returned, eat some cash and get him out. If not, he will have to accept a part time role while being a platoon DH / pinch hitter. If we find a taker for Giambi, Damon and Matsui switching off at DH could only help us. What I'd like to see out of the lineup in 2008 C- Posada (Castro as backup) 1B- Dunn 2B- Cano SS- Jeter 3B- ARod LF- Matsui CF- Hunter RF- Fukudome DH- Damon What a quick fix, shortsighted mindset could get us C- Posada (Nieves as backup) 1B- Teixeira (after dealing away some high level pitching prospects) 2B- Cano 3B- ARod SS- Jeter LF- Matsui CF- A. Jones/Damon RF- Suzuki/Damon DH- Damon Pitching in the next post....

Price will be getting a 10 mil contract. I dont think he is too crushed.

I'd take the 2 yr plan if that is what it takes. This draft will surprisingly determine a lot. If they draft more pitching, expect them to be hoarding for a deal. If they dont, then they may be trying to rebuild this thing through the market and from within. If they draft a lot of good pitching (ie over slot guys) then that would indicate a quick fix is on the horizon.

you guys better win tonight. 12.5 back and CLIMBING. LOL. Having your chief competition being the yankees this yr must be like the gift that keeps on giving.

http://espn.go.com/photo/2007/0601/arod_post_cover.jpg

BLOW IT ALL UP!!! This team could find their way up this mountain with the help of a color coded map and a goddamn sherpa. We are cooked. Done. Meat. Dead in the water. Sucking eggs. Taking it in the rear. Eating it. Stinking up the joint. Etc etc etc. So, lets blow this s*** up. I know, I know, we have 100 games left and yeah it is the yankees. But, this ISNT the yankees. f***ing Matt DeSalvo just started his 5th game of the season. Matt f***ing DeSalvo. The guy who couldnt find the goddamn plate if his dick was glued to it last season. He blamed it on "personal problems". The gullible ones (ie ME) who were drinking the punch bought it and have since watched him become the right handed version of a poor man's Randy Keisler. Hell, I'd kill for Randy Keisler right about now and that guy had trouble keeping his ERA south of 7. But, as with every one of my posts, there must be a silver lining, SO, what is it? Well, it is a natural BLOW UP THIS f***ING TEAM thread. Applause, Applause Thank you, thank you very much. I am not one to sit back and enjoy muttering the words, the Red Sox are better, but, but, but, THIS SEASON, it isnt even close. Yeah, we may have just beaten Paps and tagged Okajima, yeah we just double pumped you guys in your own home, and yeah, we kinda own 60% of your pitching staff. BUT, we cannot beat anybody else. The hallmark of the previous yankee teams has been their ability to FEAST on the crap of the league. Well, we aint doing that this yr folks, and the sox are. So, consider this my concession speech. Enjoy the division title, may you get dickslapped in the playoffs. That said. We need to blow this thing up. One thing we need to do is get younger. This lineup looks like the Convalescent home's finest up there. Johnny Damon needed to pimp out his walker to get out of the batters box for christ sakes. So, first thing to do.... DEAL AROD: Probably our best trading chip assuming he is willing to drop that pesky NTC. Tell him he will be extended for whatever he wants and then kick in some cash to deal his ass away. DONT deal him to ANAHEIM. Dont deal him in the AL. Keep him AWAY from Boston or the other rivals. Send his ass to the dodgers. The dodgers have some very nice prospects and could easily whet the appetite of the yankees FO and rebuild the team. And when you talk about ARod, you are talking about arguably the best player int he league, still in his prime, and with the potential for a HR title. So he WONT come cheap. I'd assume 3 highly touted prospects would suffice. If they are willing to part with 3 of the following, I'd pack his binky and his teddy bear for him, tell him to wrap his meat when he goes to strip clubs and send his ass to the gayest city south of san fran. The list: James Loney, Andy LaRoche, Scott Elbert, Chad Billingsly, Matt Kemp, John Broxton. I'd love to get Loney, LaRoche and Kemp. Next thing to do. DEAL ABREU. His stock is dropping, but coming off a solid season and on the verge of breaking out, he could return something valuable. Maybe a bullpen arm. Hey, give the white sox a call. They have been rumored to like Abreu and may have wanted to deal Dye for him. Hell, keep Dye. Send over Massett if you will. K thx bye. Float Mike Mussina out there. Make a rule that the yankee clubhouse is now chess and crossword puzzle free and make him so mad that he will waive his NTC. Then deal him for two banquet meals and a slim jim. Deal Kyle Farnsworth. The cardinals and rockies had interest. Dont know who to get back, but this guy is cooked and I'd love to save some heart strain by getting rid of his sorry ass. Cut Jason Giambi and Carl Pavano. Make a rule that the yankee clubhouse will be devoid of steroid induced juicers and panty waste losers. Whatever needs to be done after that, may they do. Start fresh this offseason and take a look at what the Twins are asking for for Santana, as well as what the Rangers want for Tex. Keep Pettitte. Check in with Zambrano and see if he could be gotten a little bit cheaper now that he has imploded in CHI-town. If he cant, sign him anyway. Re-up Mariano and Posada just because they can still play at the highest level and wont embarass you. Try and sign Torii Hunter or Andruw Jones. This list is too long, I give up. Yankee clubhouse needs an overhaul

take it all you want. Use it to. Just not on me. I get one every night I watch a yankee game.

YANKEES LOSE, THUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH YANKEES LOSE Beat you to it. Quadruple reverse dickpunch with a jizzbomb finish. This team sucks.

Breakdown of Dice K: I take him in a new york minute.

I dont think we have reached that level just yet.

This suit is NAUGHT BLACK. This suit is BlackNot This suit is Black...pause....NOT This suit is black.........................................................................................................................................................................NOT

yeszir, if you guys go into a slide, you may only gain one or two games in the standings per week instead of the customary 3 or 4. The Yankees need a molten sand enema right now followed by a napalm facial.

http://www.boogiestreet.com/bsgphotos/albums/temp/dp2myspace.jpg

This is why I hate the 2007 Yankee version. Just as they get me excited again, they reverse dickpunch me back into a baseball slumber. f*** em.

BTW, the Yankees are looking at Andrew Brackman. He's the UNC grad who many considered to be the co-top prospect with David Price. Brackman has battled personal problems (his ex-girlfriend died) and minor shoulder issues as he watched his draft stock has drop.

the luxuries of being a big market team. We did it with Montero, Betances, and Melancon last yr. Might as well pump cash into the draft and then you may save a few bucks later on.

I assume they paid him well over slot?

I'd assume they are getting the day off, considering that they probably arrived in Oakland some time this morning.

Um no.

he has been awful. He has no guts, he is afraid of the zone and he got no defensive help. After watching the first inning, I knew he was done for. Torre didnt obviously as he waited way too long in replacing him. I hate our manager.

ah, I didnt know you guys lost your 1st. 2 supps and no first rounders. Hmmm.