SoxFanForsyth

Yeah that's a good question. Do I follow baseball at all. Seriously man. Good question. So you would freak out if the Sox spent $5mm more on a reliever than they did with Jenks? Really? Do you understand finances at all? That is literally a 3% increase in their total payroll expenditures. Give me a break dude. That's not consistent. Just because the Yankees can throw money at people doesn't mean that they need to. I have said, from the get go, that I didn't understand this move because it seemed like it was just spending money to spend money. If they got Soriano for 3/15 or something like that, I would understand it. But 3/36, with opt out clauses, and a draft pick, just to sign a reliever when they already have a solid bullpen? Please, I know the Yankees shell out more money than anyone, but nobody outside of a closer role deserves 12mm a year. And Pavano, before hurting his shoulder in 2006, went 4-2 with a 3.69 ERA with the Yankees. He got hurt quite a bit, but has since started 55 games over the past 2 seasons, going 31 - 23 with a 4.39 ERA. That's already better than their number 3 starter went last year. Pavano doesn't have to be an ace, all he has to do is be a number 4 man. Tell him and the Yankees to get over their differences and just play baseball. And I don't know where you get this egotistical overvaluation of yourself, but you are probably the most arrogant and narcissistic poster on this board. You're not right about everything, regardless of how you feel, and there is no reason to try to patronize the people who disagree with you.

So, shortening 60 games a year for $12mm and a draft pick seems logical to you? There are plenty of options out there that would be much better than Nova or Mitre. The Yankees have 60% of their starts this year coming from three pitchers who together posted a 5.24 ERA last year. I guarantee you that Carl Pavano would do better than Mitre at the back of the rotation. And by the way - your opinions lack any sort of consistency. You don't like Crawford, an everyday player who score over 100 runs a year for at least 5 or 6 of his 7 year contract for 20mm/year, but you DO like Soriano, a 60 to 70 inning pitcher, for $12mm. Explain that.

Who said it's not a good thing? I said I didn't understand the move because they had a good bullpen and they have other areas that need addressing much more than the bullpen, which could have gone into 2011 the way it was and been solid. And since when have budget concerns been real in the Bronx? Probably since Hank passed, and his sons, and Cashman too, are probably getting a little tired of being raked across the coals in Luxury tax payments. The Yankees have dropped $192mm in luxury tax payments over the past 8 years. That's $24mm a year. And they have won 1 World Series. I guess you just think the Yankees have some magic well of money that they can dip into? I don't know about you, but when I see over 10% of annual expenditures being spent on penalties and fines, I try to cut that number down significantly.

They have 20mm to spend right now. They can only afford 1 pitcher prior to the start of the season, and the longer they wait, the bigger the risk that they will run into trouble from having a pitching rotation that is posting a 4.3 ERA. By the time they make their move, or Pettitte comes back, the Yankees could well be 6 to 8 games back in the East. Is one SP worth 6 to 8 wins more than who he replaced in 1/2 of a season?

It's 12mm + a 40% luxury tax penalty that could have been used in other areas. There are 2 gigantic holes in the SP rotation in Nova and Mitre, and another huge hole in Burnett. The money could have been used much better in a salary dumping trade with any number of teams to get a couple SP. Santana from the Mets if he comes back healthy, Ryan Dempster from the Cubs, Mark Buhrle from the ChiSox, Jake Peavy from the ChiSox. or even Chris Carpenter from the Cardinals if they're looking to get something back for him before Pujols eats up his money. These are all pitchers who, with the right coaching, could become studs. And they're all in the 14-18mm range. They're all better than Nova and Mitre, especially Mitre, and the money could have, and IMO should have been saved for a salary dumping trade.

Money thrown away that could have been used in a salary dumping trade this season. Yanks needed no help in the bullpen. I don't understand this move. Did Cashman do this just to make a move? Money burning a hole in his pocket?? Makes no sense.

He's clearly going to opt out. How could he not opt out?!? First off, look at the Yankees rotation outside of CC. You have Burnett, Hughes, Nova, Mitre, and a blank card. The Yankees are more desperate for CC than they were for Lee. Then look at next years FA class. It's lead by Chris Carpenter and Roy Oswalt. Both are NL pitchers, and changing leagues is never an easy task. Add in the fact that they're both RHP, which would make the entire Yankees staff RH, and all that talk about the Sox being so lefty heavy turns into a huge advantage. CC is going to get 25-28mm per year from the Yanks. Maybe he'll wise up and come over to the Sox. Wouldn't that be sweet, CC - Lester - Buch - Beckett - Lackey.

Alright I've got my final pick. Mike Leake - Long Relief/Spot Starter $400,000

It's my turn? You can skip me, I'm going to take a minute to decide.

Alright I'll take Dan Runzler, RP, $400,500

My make up picks: 1. Skip Shumaker, IF, $2mm 2. Ian Stewart, IF, $408,000 3. Santiago Casilla, RP, $420,000

Ok just wondering. In laws don't have internet. Don't ask me how that's possible, bc I don't know. I have to have the internet at work, at home, and on my phone. Anyway, still on the bb so too hard to check players and make picks. I had to rush it with garrett jones this morning. Just checkin in. By the way. Seahawks?!? Really?!? Who saw that coming!?!? And if there was ever a game where I wanted both teams to lose, it was the colts/jets.

Hey. So tomorrow when I log on, say I get another pick skipped between now and then, will I get to make 2 picks as soon as I log on or do I wait for my turn and make 3 picks?

Hey guys. Sorry I wasn't here to make my pick. Glad you skipped me. I have no idea who I want and I'm on via my blackberry so its too hard to look up players. Keep on skipping me until tomorrow, I should be back on around noon or 1 central time tomorrow. Sorry again for the delay.

Getting pushed out the door by my wife to go to the in laws. I'll be back sometime tomorrow. I'll try to check up on my phone, but no guarantees. My pick: Garrett Jones, 1B/OF, $425,000 Ital - I don't have any other picks lined up. I'll look while I'm away.

Somehow the Cubs paid more for Garza than the Sox paid for Gonzo. Rays got a great deal out of this. Especially with Hellickson waiting to take over.

......not even gonna mention Coors here?!? Balls fly out of Coors like crazy. According to ESPN's Park Factors for 2010, Coors was 2nd as far as being hitter friendly in regards to the long ball, and first in regards to hits and runs.

I had his name typed out with salary and everything, then changed to Snider.

Hellickson in the 5th was definitely a reach. I'll agree with that. I am excited about seeing what he can do, though. In his limited role last year, he threw great, so I think he'll be a very solid pitcher, just hope he can do it this year. The reason I picked him in the 5th was because I had just seen Hanson go, and I banked on him going much later. Kind of panicked, had no pitching, and thought for the money, he had a ton of upside. Time will tell. I could look like a genius or a complete fool by year end.

Alright. I completely forgot about this guy, and really think he's going to turn it on soon. Very sweet swing. Travis Snider, OF, $405,800

Wait. Is it my turn or Dipres? I got confused from your last post

Damn skippy! Hellickson was always going to get his shot, though. Niemman would be in the bullpen if Garza didn't get traded, but Garza was on the block all winter. I love that it finally happened though.

Oh funny guy. Welcome Tex. You're gonna have to change your photo. I've laid claim to this. Plus me and Pedey are the same height. Short guys gotta stick together.