Gom

You wouldn't get equal value for them, and you'd be taking a major risk injury wise. You'd basically be saying the Yankees should go with an OF of Abreu, Melky/Gardner and Nady. Ouch.

Idiots like you point to the exception instead of the rule. The exception is getting a worthwhile player in the compensation draft. If that was not the case, no one would EVER sign a free agent. Yes, sometimes you get lucky and get a Joba for a Gordon, but more often than not, you get outfielders Darnell McDonald and Ntema Ndungidi for David Wells. For every Joba, you will get 20 Garrit Coles, Jeremy Bleichs and CJ Henrys. It's the nature of the beast. The draft is a guess, an educated guess, but a guess nonetheless. The funny thing about you Jacko is that you actually think you're right. Let me say this. Cashman's plan [which was first shown to work with the Yankees with Michael] is the correct one. Building up through the draft while using free agency to supplement what he's doing and to fix holes that the organization is incapable of doing is a great business plan. However, Cashman is incapable of doing it at a high level of success. Unlike Epstein, he surrounds himself with sub-standard people [outside of Gene Michael, is there anyone who can come close to Bill James, Voros McCracken, or Larry Lucchino?] in the Yankee organization, he doesn't listen to anyone outside of his small brain, and he is overmatched in player evaluation. He went into this season with Kennedy and Melky as big contributors. Even I saw that that was a mistake, and I'm a layman fan. You pipe in about his drafting, I point out that this year's draft was a total and unmitigate disaster, and his history of drafting players who are injured. You point out his trading, and I point out his inability to trade for Sabathia [and maybe if he had done a good job of drafting, he would have had someone of value to trade] and his unwillingness to give up garbage for the best pitcher [or one of] in the game in Santana. You point to his talent evaluation in the free agent market, I give you Pavano over Pedro, Wright over Lieber, and Igawa over Lilly. Every time you say something about his virtues, I show you how he is sub-par. It is you that can't see reason. Do I want the Yankees to go out and spend $500 million on free agents every year? Sure. Can they? No. Will they? No. Even the Yankees have their limits, and eventually, the money will run out and no young players will sustain them. The Yankees are in the most enviable of positions. I don't buy the "they draft later, so they can't do well" ********. The Red Sox had their best draft in decades the year after they won the World Series in 2004. Plus, the Yankees don't have as bad a draft position as you think. They can draft, and do draft, players who should never fall to them in the draft because of their willingness to overspend on picks. The same holds true in free agency. The Yankees do well in the international market because it's all about money. I can understand the reluctance of Cashman when you go after the Steve Karsay's and the Jaret Wright's of the world, giving up multiple draft picks in addition to the salaries. The Burnett's and Sabathia's and Teixeira's of baseball are a different story. His inability to accumulate assets is the reason we didn't get CC. His unwillingness to sacrifice his players and his inexperience in determining the quality of what he had is what kept us from getting Johan. Either move could have had us playing in October. The Red Sox are pretty much standing pat this off-season. They have no reason to otherwise. The Yankees may be major players this off-season. I really hope to have an off-season where the reverse is true. The reason why we are going to be major players is because of his inability to trade well, draft well, and sign players well. I hope you agree with me in saying that smaller length contracts at above-market prices is better for this team. This ties up your money in the short term and allows you a few years to develop your own players. I'd rather give a pitcher say, 20 million for 5 years than 15 million for 10 years. You get my point, I hope. His plan is good. He is unqualifed to run it. Please realize this. What would be wrong with getting a GM who follows the same plan but is better at it then what we have? Sure he can. He can call me "dumb". Who's wiser, the fool or the fool who follows him?

If the Yankees followed what you're saying, they'd finish just above Baltimore. Rumor has it that the Yankees players are openly campaigning for Burnett. I'd take either him or Sheets, I think they are comparable pitchers overall. As for Bradley, I may have devalued him a bit, but he's not getting 15 million a season. He may bet 10 million a year, and even then it's worth it. If the Yankees are to be competitive next year, they need to keep Damon and Matsui. They simply won't get equal value for either, so might as well keep them. Another thing about the draft pick compensation....there are Type A free agents, and there are Type A free agents. In other words, they are not all the same. So if you're going to give up a draft pick or two, might as well go the extra mile and get the star player, since you're losing the picks anyways. I mean come on, Pudge is a Type A. So is Sabathia. Get my point? Baldelli is a terrible idea. The Yankees do not need OF help. With Abreu, Nady, Damon, Matsui, and Gardner as a fill in, what's the point?

Even if they signed Burnett, CC, Sheets, Tex, Fuentes, and Lowe....it wouldn't. Not unless you brought everyone else back that was a free agent as well.

Why do you say so?

He's actually put it on hold. The rumor I've heard is that he doesn't want to play for the Yankees, but he's open to other locales. You wonder if they Yankees were a playoff team if his interest would have been increased.

The question was not whether it was a good move or not. It's a better move than Pavano. I would not be going to the GM Hall of Fame for signing Pedro, but it would have been a better move. Also...he might have made the difference in 2005. You still think a pitcher with poor control and a 88 MPH fastball is major-league ready?

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9964724 In case you forget, Lilly came up in the AL East. He pitched extremely well against Boston, and he wanted to pitch here. Irrespective of how well you'd think he'd have done, are you actually debating he wouldn't have been any better than Igawa? Look at his numbers the last two seasons. I'm not perfect in my guesses. I advocated Pedro over Pavano. Pedro gave the Mets one dominant season. That's one more than Pavano has. Pedro logged 480.2 IP for the Mets over 4 years. Pavano logged 142 IP. Lateral move? Your point? Imagine having had both. You could then have let Fuentes leave as a free agent and gotten back two free agents as compensation. Would I trade Kennedy for two first round picks right now? Absolutely. Getting Fuentes for the stretch run would be a bonus in and of itself. When healthy is a big question mark. He has spent more time on the DL than he has on the field, which should be no surprise considering the GM. I'll take a dominant player with a big salary over a non-factor at the league minimum every day. Also remember....the final offer was Kennedy, not Hughes. Twice, Cashman could have changed the season around for Kennedy. For this season alone, he should be TERMINATED. Good point. Except he is too stupid to be deceptive. He says what he means because that's what all retarded people do.

Lilly over Igawa, Pedro over Pavano, Fuentes for Kennedy. Mind you, these are moves I thought of at the time, not after the fact. No one is perfect, I loved the RJ deal, I liked getting Kevin Brown. I'm not saying I would have batted 100%. Hey, this year in fantasy, I kept Beltran and traded Hamilton. s*** happens. However, the Santana deal was/is inexcusable, then not selling Kennedy when he had a chance for Fuentes...plus I heard on ESPN that Cashman is still committed to rebuilding and if he stays he will be conservative in the free agent market. Look, everyone I read says the Yanks are 3-4 years away from catching the Rays, Sox, and Blue Jays in the minor league system. So, a couple of high-salaried deals that run 3-4 years until those guys come to fruition is the way to go. As for Santana, last time I checked, he won a few Cy Youngs in the AL. As for Hughes being as good as Santana, no way in hell. I've got a better chance of dating Carmen Electra than he has of ever getting ONE Cy Young vote in his career. Would you take Gio Gonzales, Blake Dewitt, Fontenot and Blanton for free....or Damon, Mussina, and Giambi for their contracts at the time of signing? How many of those guys made it to the majors as useful contributors?

I want to hear him say that. Then.... I can tell him that since he sucks at signing free agents and can't pull of a major trade due to his guy-love of minor league players, he should be relieved of duty.

As if that is going to make a difference. So far, you've got Damon, Giambi, and Mussina vs. Joe Blanton. I'd take any of these at the time of signing than at any point in Blanton's career.

That's not the point. Also, considering the Yankees drafting history, they wouldn't have done as well in getting Blanton. Hindsight is 20/20. However, the draft is and always will be a crapshoot. I'll take the sure thing everytime. There was one hit, Blanton. It's always a risk. The Yankees got Joba when they let Tom Gordon go. The A's got Blanton when they let Giambi go. However, you usually lose nothing of value when you sign free agents. This is also the reason why I believe that if you are going to go after free agents, make them a star player. Why give up draft picks for Type A free agents unless those players are top-notch. For example, Pudge is a Type A....would you put him in the top-tier of catchers? I notice Jacko is absent from this discussion. Maybe he finally sees the light.

This is primarily for idiots that believe that the draft is anything more than a crapshoot. I am trying really hard to educate Jacko, but he refuses to learn. He is obviously a lost cause. This is for the rest of you. This is the Yankees history of free agent picks from 1997. Look at who they got, and compare it to who the team that lost the free agent picked. Any comparison? You decide. In case you need help....the only worthwhile major league player is Joe Blanton. The Yankees got Damon, Giambi, Mussina, et al. I'm dying to see Jacko's response to this one. Compensation picks 2006 DRAFT • Signed free-agent center fielder Johnny Damon; the Red Sox drafted pitchers Daniel Bard (28th pick) and Kristofer Johnson (40th pick/supplemental). • Signed free-agent reliever Kyle Farnsworth; the Braves drafted pitcher Cory Rasmus (38th pick/supplemental) and shortstop Robert Fontaine (72nd pick). 2005 DRAFT • Signed free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano; the Marlins drafted pitchers Jacob Marceaux (29th pick) and Sean West (44th pick/supplemental). • Signed pitcher Jaret Wright; the Braves drafted pitchers Beau Jones (41st pick/supplemental) and Jeffrey Lyman (77th pick). 2004 DRAFT • Signed free-agent reliever Paul Quantrill; the Dodgers drafted third baseman Blake Dewitt (28th pick) and pitcher Justin Orenduff (33rd pick/supplemental). • Signed free-agent reliever Tom Gordon; the White Sox drafted pitchers Gio Gonzalez (38th pick/supplemental) and Ray Liotta (69th pick). 2002 DRAFT • Signed free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi; the Athletics drafted pitcher Joe Blanton (24th pick) and catcher Jeremy Brown (35th pick/supplemental). • Signed free-agent reliever Steve Karsay; the Braves drafted shortstop James Greene (65th pick) and pitcher Dan Meyer (34th pick/supplemental). • Signed free-agent outfielder Rondell White; the Cubs drafted pitcher Chadd Blasko (36th pick/supplemental) and shortstop Matt Craig (96th pick). 2001 DRAFT • Signed free-agent pitcher Mike Mussina; the Orioles drafted second baseman Mike Fontenot (19th pick) and shortstop Bryan Bass (31st pick/supplemental). 1997 DRAFT • Signed free-agent pitcher David Wells; the Orioles drafted outfielders Darnell McDonald (26th pick) and Ntema Ndungidi (36th pick). • Signed free-agent reliever Mike Stanton; the Rangers drafted third baseman Jason Romano (39th pick/supplemental) and pitcher Chris Tynan (77th pick).

No one wants an All Pro QB or All Pro TE? Only looking for a comparable valued WR or RB for either/both.

Angels in 4 if Drew isn't healthy. If he is healthy, Red Sox in 5.

I doubt it. Boras is the GM, and the Yanks hate Boras. I see Angels first, followed by Mets. I see the Mets going after Krod. If the Yankees sign Tex, you'd probably see the Yankees letting Abreu go. Nady would move to right, Matsui would be the LF, with Gardner filling in once a week or so for all of them. Posada would DH when he wasn't catching, and the other OFs would DH the rest of the time with Gardner as a super sub. It works as well, but for the money, the Yankees would be better off with Sheets or CC then Tex. The problem with this setup is the Yankees offense gets worse. Tex doesn't make up for Abreu and Giambi and the Yankees are depending on injured players staying healthy, which is never a good sign. This would also keep the Yankees from signing Bradley as the DH as well. Overall, a poor allocation of money, which means it is probably the way Cashman will go.

I agree. However, it's a decent plan. Plus, although I'd like to sign Tex, I don't see it happening.

It's how it is done. Also, money is coming off payroll. Option years are given to older players, and a revamp is in order.

Well...as you all remember, one of the greatest threads in TalkSox history was the original "GOM's Plan to fix the Yankees from last year. Since under the current regime, even more changes are going to be expected, I once again give you a blue print as to what has to be done to fix this once great franchise and put it back on top of the AL East. The first and foremost thing the Yankees should do is remove the idiot Cashman. However, leaving the GM out of it [and he is out of him league, anyways], I give Cashman a blueprint for success. I hope he listens this year. 1. Convince CC to come to NY. I'm not so sure that he's so in love with the West Coast as the media makes him out to be. I think it's part of the gamesmanship to maximize the biggest payday for a pitcher in baseball history. Sadly, it works. He's going to top what Johan made, and he isn't worth it, but that's the price you pay for mismanagement. My call: 7 years, 140 million. [+20 million] 2. Blow out the competition immediately for Ben Sheets. The truth is, the Yankees really need two starting pitchers. The best way to win is to put a quality pitcher on the mound every day. However, a lot of teams will wait for the fallout after CC signs, which is why it is imperative to sign Sheets first. Look for 4-5 years at 18 million a year. A rotation that includes CC, Sheets, Wang, Joba, and Moose is the best in the game. Overkill? Yes. However, both pitchers are under 30, so you don't have to worry for a few years about your starters. This will do a few things. It will literally force the Red Sox to ante up for Beckett as well, and the Red Sox have more financial restraints than the Yankees do.[+18 million]. 3a. Kick the tires on Teixeira. What's not to like about a young, switch-hitting Gold Glove firstbaseman who hits for power and average? Nothing. However, I can't see the Angels letting him go. I'd offer him 17 million a year for 6 years, but my guess is he'll stay in Anaheim. Of course if he takes it, I'd have to revamp some of the thinking. I'm assuming he stays out in the sun in Cali. 3b. Release Giambi. Tough call. Mainly because he's been productive, and he wants to come back. However, his bat continues to slow, and he is a poor defensive 1B. At this point, he's a full-time DH. There just isn't any room for him. [- 17 million] 4. The sleeper move of the off-season. Go after Milton Bradley. He's a good OBP hitter, with a high average, and a switch hitter. He's having an unbelievable year, but character issues will still scare off a lot of teams. I'd get him and let Girardi worry about it. Considering he made 5 million this year, I think you could get him for 3 years, 24 million. [+8 million] 5. Resign Abreu for 2 years, 11 million a season. club option in second year. He claims to want to come back. Let's see if he does. Abreu is one of those players whose value is greater than the first look. He can run, he takes pitches, and can succeed in the pressure cooker of New York. Plus, the Yankees, being an older team, will have injuries. They need to rotate their players to keep them fresh. This will be one of Cashman's big mistakes this off-season. Letting Abreu go. I say keep him. [+11 million, net -6 million] 6. Bring back Moose. He also is used to New York, and likes it here. A good guy to have around, and a nice change of pace in the rotation. 2 year contract at 11 million, with the second being a club or mutual option, is the way to go. [Wash]. 7. Do not trade Cano. If anything, Cano's struggles this year will probably be a bit of a wakeup call. Will he get back to the .330 BA he once had? Doubtful. However, look for him to generate more power next year as he has closed up his stance a bit. Giving up on him at this point is a mistake. This will be Cashman's biggest mistake this off-season if he get's rid of him. 8. With Giambi gone, Matsui should become the everday firstbaseman. He's a natural athlete, and he should do ok. Signing Mientkiewicz as an insurance policy is not a bad idea, but not all that necessary either. A rotation of Posada and Matsui at first, with Cody Ransom as the defensive replacement is sufficient. I advocated trading Matsui last year, but you'll get pennies on the dollar now. Better to put him on the field and get some value you may be able to move. 9. Sign Brian Fuentes to be the 8th inning guy. You'd have to overpay him a bit, but in Cashman's second worst move of this year, the Rockies asked for Kennedy straight up for Fuentes, and he refused. 3 years at 7 million should do the trick. If you can't get him, bringring back Marte. He had a rough adjustment as a lot of pitchers do when they come to NY. However, he's about as good as anyone else in the pen that's a free agent. Might as well give him a shot next year if you can't get Fuentes. [+1 million if you sign Fuentes, wash if you keep Marte]. 10. Say goodbye to Pettitte [-16 million], Ivan Rodriguez [-using Farnswoth's salary of 6 million], Pavano [-9 mill [11 million-2mil buy out]. Total saving from this trio: 35 million So there you have it. I may tweak this a bit before the start of the off-season, but when you put it all together, you have a net decrease in payroll of seven million. Not a lot, but a start in the right direction. So, according to my plan, you'd have the following lineup: CF Damon SS Jeter DH Bradley 3B Arod RF Abreu LF Nady 1B Matsui 2B Cano C Posada/Molina You can move Posada up in the lineup. The important thing is that you will be able to rotate some of these players out with Brett Gardner, who has shown an ability to be a terror on the basepaths, and will be the defensive replacement CF, taking Abreu or Damon out of the game. He can also spell those guys once a week each to give them a rest. Starting rotation: CC Sabathia Ben Sheets Wang Joba Mussina You'd have Hughes and Rasner as backups in case someone gets hurt or Moose comes back down to earth. You can never have too much pitching. Bullpen: Mariano Fuentes/Marte Coke Veras Ramirez/Robertson/Aceves All this and you save 7 million a year from this year. The important thing is that you're bringing back a lot of players who want to come back on reduced contract lengths due to club options. Another overhaul is needed next season for the OF, but at least the rotation is in place. Maybe this Austin Jackson guy pans out, but you have Magglio and Crawford and Holiday as free agents, and Nady, Damon, Matsui, and Abreu [option] coming off the books, the team can be remade on the fly again. With increased revenue from the stadium, this would be a two or three year transitionary period of intense free agent activity until some of the young players who Cashman drafted either come up and make a difference, or he's relieved from duty. Your thoughts?

I hated Cashman for not getting Johan. That was before the season started. I hated Cashman for not signing Lilly over Igawa, and for taking Pavano over Pedro. All of these happened this season. The funny thing is that because of his incompetence, the only way the Yankees compete next year is to spend about 100 million this off-season. Last I checked, this was what he was trying to avoid. I pray Doug Melvin becomes available.

This is true for pretty much every park/stadium.

Come on...the Yankees are out of it. Most of those fans are season ticket holders, and they go to have fun, not watch the game. They are hanging out with friends since the game doesn't mean a thing. Now if the Yankees are in a race, it would be different. All I did was check out different views to take pics with, hang out with my friends, and recollect memories. I didn't even know the final score when I got home.

You know what's funny when you look at that list? George did about as good as Cashman did. Doesn't say much for the GM, does it? TERRIBLE NEWS FOR YANKEE FANS UPDATE Supposedly, the Yankees want Cashman back. If so, there will be nine open season tickets next year. The Yankees will never win again with Cashman as GM. Read the link here.