The rumor: Alex Rodriguez wants to play for the San Francisco Giants.
My take: Flashback to August 7th, 2007...Barry Bonds hits the most controversial home run ball in the history of baseball, a souvenir that will be branded with an asterisk and shipped to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Fashion designer Marc Ecko, who bought the ball in an online auction, set up a Web site for fans to vote on the ball's fate. With more than 10 million votes counted, Ecko said the final tally showed that 47 percent of those who voted wanted the asterisk placed on the ball. What does the asterisk mean for the big money folks who own the house that Barry Bonds built?
The Giants currently play their home games in AT&T Park. Peter A. Magowan, along with a group of 'investors' (AT&T ring a bell?), purchased the San Francisco Giants on January 12, 1993. Magowan made his mark on the team immediately, signing the then sleek outfielder, Barry Bonds. After city voters rejected a tax-funded stadium plan, Magowan and the Giants proposed building a privately funded ballpark (Pacific Bell Park ring a bell?). As far as AT&T is concerned, the asterisk might as well be affixed to their company logo.
The most powerful telecommunications corporation in the world has been stigmatized by an alleged cheater. A large plaque will be posted beside the HR ball with the date and ballpark name etched eternally into a metal plate. The question on everyone's mind is, how will one of the richest Fortune 500 companies in the world redeem their name and reclaim their clean familial image?
Former Senator George J. Mitchell will soon publish the names of MLB players who used steroids during the home run boom of the '90's and early 2000's. Suppose the name 'Barry Bonds' appears on the long-awaited Mitchell Report, sealing his fate as an immortal cheater? Better yet, imagine the name 'Alex Rodriguez' totally absent from that same report. Find yourself a bottle of the most powerful and expensive detergent known to mankind and let the cleansing process ensue.
Flashback to June 23, 2007 -- SAN FRANCISCO - the Yankees/Giants game started out as a tribute to Barry Bonds and ended with Alex Rodriguez professing his love for the great city of San Francisco.
"He isn't popular with a lot of people, but Barry Bonds is one of the greatest players ever to put on a uniform," Rodriguez said.
"I love San Francisco, I am looking forward to making the [All-Star] team," said Rodriguez, the AL's leading vote-getter. "I love the stadium, it's one of my favorite stadiums."
2+2= 300 MILLION. Any questions?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Yanks interested in young catcher.
The rumor:
- The Yankees are in current trade talks to bring Freddy Sanchez, Ronnie Paulino and Damaso Marte to New York.
My take: The Yankees really seem to be progressing deep into negotiations with the Pirates. We keep seeing the name 'Freddy Sanchez' surface in the newspapers and the blogs so maybe there's a flame beneath the smoke. Mark my words...if Freddy Sanchez comes to New York, he won't be playing third base as many have speculated. Sanchez would replace Robinson Cano. Word has it, the Twin's organization covets position players more than pitchers because they have a strong young rotation already formed. Conveniently,the Yankees want to keep Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy. This rumored trade with the Pirates could be a precursor to a Johan Santana blockbuster.
Damaso Marte was traded from the Yankees for Enrique Wilson in 2001. The Yankees have expressed interest in the 32 year old lefty reliever during his stint with the Chicago White Sox and again when he pitched for Pittsburgh in 2006. The Yankees pen hasn't featured a lefty reliever of Marte's caliber in a long time. Ron Villone and Sean Henn just won't cut it in 2008. The Yankees bullpen needs strengthening. Marte sported a 1.10 WHIP in 2007.
For those of you who haven't heard of Ronnie Paulino, I thought I would relay a passage from another website, www.athomeplate.com:
CATCHERS
"This is some of the best news for the Pirates, where they have the game's best catcher that you've never unheard of, one Mr. Ronny Paulino. Paulino plays plus defense behind the plate and hit .310/.360/.394 as a rookie last year. Paulino hits for a decent average and has .400+ pop as well, and is already one of the better catchers in the league. PECOTA lists among his top historical comparables such luminaries as Ray Fosse, Javy Lopez, and Terry Kennedy, who were all fine catchers in their time. A correspondent in Altoona, where Paulino played for a year, reports that he had "the nicest butt on the team" down there in AA, and that counts for something."
Ronnie Paulino makes sense for a great many reasons (sorry ladies, none of these reasons have anything to do with his shapely posterior). The Yankees have worked tirelessly to rebuild the farm, phasing out older declining players (Sheffield, Johnson) and developing the likes of Robinson Cano. If the Yankees want to put themselves in a position to deal away a young position player like Cano, they'll have to import another young position player to keep the youth movement intact. They should be able to acheive a one-for-one exchange here. The Yankees would be getting Paulino in an era where catchers are more difficult to cultivate than second baseman. Let's just say that Cano would be far easier to replace than Jorge Posada (actually the Yankees would be replacing Cano in this same trade). Finding the next Jorge Posada has been difficult for the Yankees, as evidenced by their 4 year contract offer to the 36 year old veteran backstop. 'Number 20' could transition into the DH role just 2 short years into his 4 year contract. The time to groom a successor is now
Furthermore, Paulino seems to fit because Joe Girardi's Yankees want to emphasize team defense. If Girardi's really a key architect in the construction of the team roster then Paulino would be a player with skills considered valuable to the former Yankees catcher. When Girardi managed the Marlins in 2006, he probably saw something in Ronnie Paulino during NL games against the Pirates.
What would it take to acquire Freddy Sanchez, Ronnie Paulino and Damaso Marte? Pitching. The Pirates need it and the Yankees have it: Alan Horne, Humberto Sanchez, Ross Ohlendorf, Ty Clippard, Daniel McCutchen, Dellin Betances, Jeff Marquez, Mark Melancon... Take your pick.
Are the Yankees leaning towards trading Robinson Cano? Can the Yankees possibly acquire Johan Santana, Freddy Sanchez, Ronnie Paulino and Damaso Marte without sacrificing Hughes, Chamberlain or Kennedy? Stay tuned...
- The Yankees are in current trade talks to bring Freddy Sanchez, Ronnie Paulino and Damaso Marte to New York.
My take: The Yankees really seem to be progressing deep into negotiations with the Pirates. We keep seeing the name 'Freddy Sanchez' surface in the newspapers and the blogs so maybe there's a flame beneath the smoke. Mark my words...if Freddy Sanchez comes to New York, he won't be playing third base as many have speculated. Sanchez would replace Robinson Cano. Word has it, the Twin's organization covets position players more than pitchers because they have a strong young rotation already formed. Conveniently,the Yankees want to keep Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy. This rumored trade with the Pirates could be a precursor to a Johan Santana blockbuster.
Damaso Marte was traded from the Yankees for Enrique Wilson in 2001. The Yankees have expressed interest in the 32 year old lefty reliever during his stint with the Chicago White Sox and again when he pitched for Pittsburgh in 2006. The Yankees pen hasn't featured a lefty reliever of Marte's caliber in a long time. Ron Villone and Sean Henn just won't cut it in 2008. The Yankees bullpen needs strengthening. Marte sported a 1.10 WHIP in 2007.
For those of you who haven't heard of Ronnie Paulino, I thought I would relay a passage from another website, www.athomeplate.com:
CATCHERS
"This is some of the best news for the Pirates, where they have the game's best catcher that you've never unheard of, one Mr. Ronny Paulino. Paulino plays plus defense behind the plate and hit .310/.360/.394 as a rookie last year. Paulino hits for a decent average and has .400+ pop as well, and is already one of the better catchers in the league. PECOTA lists among his top historical comparables such luminaries as Ray Fosse, Javy Lopez, and Terry Kennedy, who were all fine catchers in their time. A correspondent in Altoona, where Paulino played for a year, reports that he had "the nicest butt on the team" down there in AA, and that counts for something."
Ronnie Paulino makes sense for a great many reasons (sorry ladies, none of these reasons have anything to do with his shapely posterior). The Yankees have worked tirelessly to rebuild the farm, phasing out older declining players (Sheffield, Johnson) and developing the likes of Robinson Cano. If the Yankees want to put themselves in a position to deal away a young position player like Cano, they'll have to import another young position player to keep the youth movement intact. They should be able to acheive a one-for-one exchange here. The Yankees would be getting Paulino in an era where catchers are more difficult to cultivate than second baseman. Let's just say that Cano would be far easier to replace than Jorge Posada (actually the Yankees would be replacing Cano in this same trade). Finding the next Jorge Posada has been difficult for the Yankees, as evidenced by their 4 year contract offer to the 36 year old veteran backstop. 'Number 20' could transition into the DH role just 2 short years into his 4 year contract. The time to groom a successor is now
Furthermore, Paulino seems to fit because Joe Girardi's Yankees want to emphasize team defense. If Girardi's really a key architect in the construction of the team roster then Paulino would be a player with skills considered valuable to the former Yankees catcher. When Girardi managed the Marlins in 2006, he probably saw something in Ronnie Paulino during NL games against the Pirates.
What would it take to acquire Freddy Sanchez, Ronnie Paulino and Damaso Marte? Pitching. The Pirates need it and the Yankees have it: Alan Horne, Humberto Sanchez, Ross Ohlendorf, Ty Clippard, Daniel McCutchen, Dellin Betances, Jeff Marquez, Mark Melancon... Take your pick.
Are the Yankees leaning towards trading Robinson Cano? Can the Yankees possibly acquire Johan Santana, Freddy Sanchez, Ronnie Paulino and Damaso Marte without sacrificing Hughes, Chamberlain or Kennedy? Stay tuned...
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Santana/Cabrera/Posada
The rumors:
- Johan Santana is going to be on the open market soon, the Twins offered him an extension but it looks like he will reject it.
- Yankees continue to be in talks for Miguel Cabrera.
-Yankees are trying to trade for Crede + Garland for Damon
- It looks like Rivera and Posada will be back as they just upped the offer to Posada.
My take:
Santana: The Yankees won't trade Joba or Hughes for Santana. They're strategy should be to reduce payroll as much as possible before 2009 so that they can outbid any team for Santana by 5-10 million per season. Arod's salary has already been dumped. Giambi (20 mil), Abreu (16 mil), Pavano (10 mil), Mussina (10 mil) and Farnsworth (6-7 mil) will come off the books and so may Andy Pettitte if the Yankees do another one year deal for 2008 only.
Cabrera: You can bet your bottom dollar that Florida wants one of our untouchables. I think offering Kennedy is a good starting point. Florida needs to build a young pitching staff and Miguel Cabrera represents one of their best chips. They're not going to trade him without getting a can't-miss pitcher in return. I'd try to build a package around Kennedy and add two top prospects to the deal, maybe Tabata and Alan Horne. Florida would be getting a mid-front rotation starter, a Hanley Ramirez type athlete and a hard throwing young starter who at worst will make a dominant reliever. My offer would be Kennedy, Tabata and Horne. I'd play Cabrera at 1b and trade for Crede for 3b. Otherwise, wait for Cabrera to reach free agency in 2010.
Garland: I doubt the ChiSox would trade Garland + Crede for Damon. In addition to Damon, I believe they're interested in one of the Yankees top pitching prospects for Garland. Ian Kennedy should be off limits in this deal. However, I would part with Horne and Marquez along with Damon.
Posada: The Yankees will overpay but they have to.
- Johan Santana is going to be on the open market soon, the Twins offered him an extension but it looks like he will reject it.
- Yankees continue to be in talks for Miguel Cabrera.
-Yankees are trying to trade for Crede + Garland for Damon
- It looks like Rivera and Posada will be back as they just upped the offer to Posada.
My take:
Santana: The Yankees won't trade Joba or Hughes for Santana. They're strategy should be to reduce payroll as much as possible before 2009 so that they can outbid any team for Santana by 5-10 million per season. Arod's salary has already been dumped. Giambi (20 mil), Abreu (16 mil), Pavano (10 mil), Mussina (10 mil) and Farnsworth (6-7 mil) will come off the books and so may Andy Pettitte if the Yankees do another one year deal for 2008 only.
Cabrera: You can bet your bottom dollar that Florida wants one of our untouchables. I think offering Kennedy is a good starting point. Florida needs to build a young pitching staff and Miguel Cabrera represents one of their best chips. They're not going to trade him without getting a can't-miss pitcher in return. I'd try to build a package around Kennedy and add two top prospects to the deal, maybe Tabata and Alan Horne. Florida would be getting a mid-front rotation starter, a Hanley Ramirez type athlete and a hard throwing young starter who at worst will make a dominant reliever. My offer would be Kennedy, Tabata and Horne. I'd play Cabrera at 1b and trade for Crede for 3b. Otherwise, wait for Cabrera to reach free agency in 2010.
Garland: I doubt the ChiSox would trade Garland + Crede for Damon. In addition to Damon, I believe they're interested in one of the Yankees top pitching prospects for Garland. Ian Kennedy should be off limits in this deal. However, I would part with Horne and Marquez along with Damon.
Posada: The Yankees will overpay but they have to.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
More on Crede
The rumor: My sources tell me that the pitcher mentioned in the Crede deal was Jon Garland. The deal has apparantly lost some steam but the Yankees might still get Crede.
My take: The Yankees don't want to insult the ChiSox. If the Yankees wanted Garland included then they were definitely offering more than Johnny Damon alone. I have no clue who they offered with Damon...
I still maintain that Crede's the most logical 3b expirement for the Yankees because he's cheap and his contract ends after 2008. Betemit/Crede could provide average production for the position and supply the type of defense that meshes with Cashman's scheme to emphasis pitching above all else. Both Betemit and Crede play solid defense at the hot corner while Crede's a gold glover. Crede's defense will inspire the Yankees young pitchers, giving them more confidence as they mature. How can Hughes/Joba/Kennedy not feel supported by players wearing uniforms covered in dirt?
But how can the Yankees compensate for the hitting gap between Arod and the Crede/Betemit platoon? It's easy. The Yankees need look no further than the first base bag sitting across the baseball diamond. Mark Teixeira anybody? Boras will surely bring Teixeira to the open market after the 2008 season so the Braves would be smart to trade him at this year's deadline. The current asking price for Teixiera must be high because the Braves just relinquished their top prospect (Jarrod Saltalamacchia) for him. Like every other MLB team negotiating with Brian Cashman, they're most likely asking for Phil Hughes. If Cashman continues his patient ways, he'll wait until midseason before making a play for Teixeira. By then, maybe Alan Horne becomes the centerpiece of the deal instead of Phil Hughes.
My take: The Yankees don't want to insult the ChiSox. If the Yankees wanted Garland included then they were definitely offering more than Johnny Damon alone. I have no clue who they offered with Damon...
I still maintain that Crede's the most logical 3b expirement for the Yankees because he's cheap and his contract ends after 2008. Betemit/Crede could provide average production for the position and supply the type of defense that meshes with Cashman's scheme to emphasis pitching above all else. Both Betemit and Crede play solid defense at the hot corner while Crede's a gold glover. Crede's defense will inspire the Yankees young pitchers, giving them more confidence as they mature. How can Hughes/Joba/Kennedy not feel supported by players wearing uniforms covered in dirt?
But how can the Yankees compensate for the hitting gap between Arod and the Crede/Betemit platoon? It's easy. The Yankees need look no further than the first base bag sitting across the baseball diamond. Mark Teixeira anybody? Boras will surely bring Teixeira to the open market after the 2008 season so the Braves would be smart to trade him at this year's deadline. The current asking price for Teixiera must be high because the Braves just relinquished their top prospect (Jarrod Saltalamacchia) for him. Like every other MLB team negotiating with Brian Cashman, they're most likely asking for Phil Hughes. If Cashman continues his patient ways, he'll wait until midseason before making a play for Teixeira. By then, maybe Alan Horne becomes the centerpiece of the deal instead of Phil Hughes.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Update on the Damon/Crede talks
The rumor: Brian Cashman has discussed a possible Damon/Crede swap with GM Kenny Williams. My source tells me that Crede and a pitcher for Damon is being discussed. He also tells me the Yankees are in discussions (mere discussions) with the Marlins regarding Willis and Cabrera.
My take: According to Yankee beat writer Peter Abraham, the usually aggressive Kenny Williams seems to want to wait and gauge the market for Crede. Apparantly the ChiSox feel Damon's contract's too pricey so maybe they want the Yankees to absorb some salary in the deal. According to Abraham, the Yankees feel that Damon's worth more than Crede which is probably their way of saying the ChiSox should assume Damon's full salary of 26 mil over two years. In my view, the two sides are posturing over money.
When it's all said and done, Kenny Williams will realize that the optimum market for Crede is the New York Yankees and Damon's valuable in a trade because he's cheaper than the rest of the OF alternatives and the only one who can lead off. Based on the Yankees need for lefty relievers, I believe the rumored pitcher included with Crede is Matt Thornton. Just a hunch.
I'll keep you all posted as this trade intensifies or fizzles.
My take: According to Yankee beat writer Peter Abraham, the usually aggressive Kenny Williams seems to want to wait and gauge the market for Crede. Apparantly the ChiSox feel Damon's contract's too pricey so maybe they want the Yankees to absorb some salary in the deal. According to Abraham, the Yankees feel that Damon's worth more than Crede which is probably their way of saying the ChiSox should assume Damon's full salary of 26 mil over two years. In my view, the two sides are posturing over money.
When it's all said and done, Kenny Williams will realize that the optimum market for Crede is the New York Yankees and Damon's valuable in a trade because he's cheaper than the rest of the OF alternatives and the only one who can lead off. Based on the Yankees need for lefty relievers, I believe the rumored pitcher included with Crede is Matt Thornton. Just a hunch.
I'll keep you all posted as this trade intensifies or fizzles.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Cashman talking with Marlins about Miguel Cabrera
The rumor:
-Cashman is on the phone with Florida for Cabrera and the White Sox for Fields or Crede. -Florida wants Hughes Kennedy and Melky for Cabrera but my source hinted that a cano plus a pitcher for Cabrera is possible
My take:
Is this a backup plan for losing Posada on top of Arod? I guess you can't replace all that offense with Joe Crede. Still, I wouldn't trade either Hughes or Cano+ for Cabrera. The asking price seems way too steep for my taste. We're better off adding a team-first guy like Crede. Perhaps Girardi thinks he can keep Miguel Cabrera focused enough to maximize his talent. Still, Cano + a pitcher (Kennedy?) is difficult to fathom. We don't need another all star to replace Arod. We need a balanced team. I don't see Miguel Cabrera in Pinstripes in 2008. Maybe they'll sign him in 2010 but we'll see...stranger things have happened. It's a juicy rumor.
-Cashman is on the phone with Florida for Cabrera and the White Sox for Fields or Crede.
My take:
Is this a backup plan for losing Posada on top of Arod? I guess you can't replace all that offense with Joe Crede. Still, I wouldn't trade either Hughes or Cano+ for Cabrera. The asking price seems way too steep for my taste. We're better off adding a team-first guy like Crede. Perhaps Girardi thinks he can keep Miguel Cabrera focused enough to maximize his talent. Still, Cano + a pitcher (Kennedy?) is difficult to fathom. We don't need another all star to replace Arod. We need a balanced team. I don't see Miguel Cabrera in Pinstripes in 2008. Maybe they'll sign him in 2010 but we'll see...stranger things have happened. It's a juicy rumor.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Girardi pulling for Paul O'Neill
The rumor: Girardi wants O'Neil as his hitting/bench coach
My take: I think O'Neill would make a great hitting coach. I'm happy either way though. My personal choice for bench coach would be Tony Pena.
My take: I think O'Neill would make a great hitting coach. I'm happy either way though. My personal choice for bench coach would be Tony Pena.
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