jacksonianmarch

Does anyone subscribe the theory that Theo is still searching for another starter while he floats Beckett's name out there?

Okay, so you want to deal for Linebrink and just have the padres throw in their rookie reliever who was leagues better than Linebrink. That is hilarious. Meredith was one of the biggest mishaps in Theo's tenure. He was a throw in for a backup catcher that he let go. Now he should trade for the guy he let go as a throw in in the deal for the backup catcher he let go. And the merry-go-round continues. Maybe the sox should try to deal for Hanley and Anibal too.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6175756 3 yr 10 mil deal for Jamie Walker, the premier lefty specialist on the market. Looks to be closeto a done deal.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/11/gm_activity.html the sox have been linked to Scott Linebrink since the AS break. Now it looks like the target is still locked on him, even though the package might change. They are talking out Pena or Crisp going the other way.

His value cannot get any lower. If the rockies want to offer the yankees what they would offer for a healthy, effective Pavano and eat some money in the process, then they should do it. But at this rate, the rockies will likely ask for the yankees to eat 15 mil and send the rights to Vinny Castilla back, who has retired. Cash has swindled 2 teams thus far, lets see what he can work out now. If he is able to get tulowicz, I'd be shocked.

You see, Cashman should get a longer leash. He is changing the organizational philosophy from being an expensive vulture to being a self sustaining machine. That takes time. He should be given enough leash to see how his prize of the draft of 03 and how Humberto work out. If Hughes comes up and busts or if Sanchez flames out, then there will be hell to pay and Cash's head will be on a platter. As far as Torre is concerned, the guy can manage a team for 162. That is not an issue. The guy knows how to get the most out of his players over the long haul. But that doesnt get the job done in the playoffs, which is the ultimate barometer of success in NY. He does not have the mental faculties anymore to turn his brain on and find a way to win a game. If the bashers arent bashing, and if the pitchers get hit around a little, he cannot will his team to victory. He doesnt do smallball anymore. He cannot manage a staff. He kills solid bullpen pitchers by giving them the ball daily until their arms fall off, etc. He shouldnt be managing any ball club, let alone a 200mil juggernaut.

Mussina is a good, safe move for the yankees. He is a guy who has reinvented himself over and over to mix with his deteriorating velocity. This yr was his rennaissance yr. He went from a guy who lived and died by his velocity to a guy who embraced his lack of speed. He changed from a 90mph eater, 75 mph curve guy who would get in trouble when the FB dipped to 85 as the change in speeds was not significant, to a guy who threw 87mph fastball with a 60mph curveball with impeccable control. He also fits with the direction of the organization. 3 top 10 prospects will be in the AAA rotation this yr. Those guys will need a spot if they continue to shine. A 2 yr deal for an aging pitcher opens that hole after 08 and accomodates them. That is why the yankees are looking at pursuing Clemens and Pettitte. Both would want a short term deal, something to bridge the gap for the yankees prospects to make it to the majors and for the FA yrs of big guys like Santana and Carpenter to be upon us. Cashman is craving flexibility, and in a market where the pitchers are no sure thing, I cannot say that I disagree with him.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11152006/sports/yankees/mussina_returns__meche_on_radar_yankees_george_king.htm 2 yrs 22.5mil. Good move to shore up one spot in the rotation, but this should not be it if the yankees have postseason plans. Also in this article, they talk about Meche being on the yankees radar as well as Sanchez being dangled for an established starter.

the 2nd best 3-4 combo in the game. Unless you think Manny is better than the babe and Papi was better than Gehrig.

He did not have a torn meniscus. He had patellar tendonitis. Either way, it is painful and it will heal. Dealing Manny should only be a consideration if Theo has a good backup plan and if he can land a good young closer. If it is solely for money, then theo will lose all his credibility.

I agree that he should be a good SU man. Thing is, he has never saved more than 9 games in his career. The sox have their share of guys who could provide a bridge. Landing Speier would solidify that bridge. But right now it would be a road to nowhere. Also, Theo has always been the guy to throw a bunch of s*** against the wall in the pen and see if it sticks. It seems as if he can meticulously make smart deals for hitting and starting pitching, but he gets ADD with his bullpen and just throws out shotgun offers to the pen guys. Also, he will no longer have the excuse of not having money after the matsuzaka thing. If he goes out and signs Matsuzaka for what amounts to 3 yrs at 45 and then 51.1 in posting and loses quality bullpen arms over an extra mil or an extra yr, then he could cost the team the season right there. A good bullpen is an absolute must in today's game, and theo has yet to prove he can consistently build one.

He did nothing while stein was ruining the empire. He was a figurehead, a guy who took the brunt of the media while doing nothing. His power started with him being given money to sign their draft picks. It is funny, but the team that spends the most money in baseball was notoriously cheap with their draft picks. This changed with Cashman. He drafted guys who were the best available rather than who will sign. He obtained the best pitching prospect in the majors as well as having a very fine draft this past season where he actually drafted a 2nd-3rd round choice #1 but got 3 first round talents in the supplemental, 8th and 9th rounds respectively. If you look at BA's top 10 for the yankees, you will see his influence. Hughes is the top dog with Tabata (also his signing) at 2. Humberto Sanchez is expected to be the yankees #3 prospect which was Cash's trade. The 4 is Dellin Betances who was drafted last yr as is the 5 (joba chamberlain). The other guys on the list include Clippard, Kennedy, Garcia, Cox and Melancon. If you look at the yankee list, their new top 10 will have 9 pitchers with 3 who might see action in 2007 (Hughes, Sanchez, Clippard). He has honed his minor league system into a way to fight the current market. Bats will always be available, but the arms are hard to come by. He has loaded up the system with pitching, which is something for yankee fans to be excited about. As far as the major league stuff, his biggest thing has been restraint. He restrained on dealing Hughes, Cano, or Wang and so far it looks like a genius move. He was able to wait out Philly's demands and nab Bobby Abreu, who was a huge reason why they won the east. And he then made the 2 trades this offseason that looks really good for dealing away 2 players that had no role. To this point, Cash has done a good job. I was saying the same thing one yr after Epstein wont he WS too and we all know how that worked out. Cautious optimism for the FO of the yankees is in order, but it is something for yankee fans to be optimistic about how their team is run. That hasnt happened for a long time. The spend, spend spend thing is great for the fans for about half the yr, then watching a team of mercs gets old. The young kids bring potential to an old and methodical team. It should be interesting. At the same time, I think Cash's conservative approach has left the yankees vulnerable this yr. We shall see if the sox take advantage.

Toronto is not pressure unless you have a hockey stick in your hands and a flowing mullet on your head.

Absolutely. Big Stein loved Giambi. At the same time Giambi was the yankees biggest offensive weapon when they needed one. He was not worthless over the past 2 yrs.

you could also die with Lidge.

then who closes? That is the million dollar ? right now.

just like Arthur Rhodes could have closer for the A's. Just like Dotel could have closed for the A's? Both are good examples of players who were absolutely lights out as MR guys, but were either average (Dotel) or horrible (Rhodes) in the closer's role. Not all relievers can close.

Speier isnt the answer. He is a solid MR guy, but he is also aging. 33 yrs old for a set-up man is a tough age. The wear and tear of MR is not something that older pitchers take kindly to. The sox need a closer. Speier could do what timlin did for the past few yrs and give a sub 3 era as a bridge, but he is no closer. He proved that in colorado.

if you like a guy who wont play through pain, and will play for his #s and not for his team, then JD Drew is your guy. No guts all stats. A sabremetricians dream.

right, but I think the Japanese ballteams are going to be a little smarter than the Giants were with Matsui. Japanese position players in the US were in their infancy when Matsui came over. Expect the teams to post earlier so they at least get something back.

again, how the hell will it help with negotiations when all of these guys will be subject to the posting process. Your logic is flawed.

Upton is expected to be moved to the OF if the rays decide to deal Crawford. He cannot play the IF to save his life.