I'm about to leave to catch a noon flight home, and the Yankees contingent is about to head out the doors, too. But before leaving the Yankees made one more move, taking first baseman Josh Phelps in the Rule V draft. Phelps, you may remember, had a solid rookie year for the Blue Jays, hitting .309 with 20 doubles, 15 home runs, 58 RBIs and a .362 OBP in only 265 at-bats in 2002. But he has gone downhill ever since. Obviously he will be another option at first base, probably competing with Andy Phillips in spring unless Shea Hillenbrand decides to accept a one-year contract.
This is yet another sign of the changing times in Yankeeland. The Rule V draft has always been treated with smirks and chuckles by the Yankees, who never had the roster room, the need or the desire to take someone. The last time they took part was in 1996 when they selected catcher Marc Ronan. But he didn't make the club.
As per the rules, Phelps must remain in the majors or offered back to the Orioles.
Comments (36)
Andy will make mince meat out of Josh or Shea "black eye" Hillebrand.
Baltimore will get Josh back.
Mark my words.
I doubt Phelps will stick. But for Phillips making "mince meat" out of Hillenbrand, I don't see that happening. Phillips is not a good player. I'd really like the Yanks to re-sign Craig Wilson, who is better offensively, and more importantly, defensively.
You're only saying that because Andy hasn't impressed so far but you just wait and see.
I have no doubt he will put up very strong numbers and then all of you people are going to jump on the bandwagon.
Get on the bandwagon now, while there is still room.
I worry his family will keep him in Houston.
About Craig Wilson.
What makes you think he is better than Andy?
During the summer, everyone here was saying how he would be an improvement over a then struggling Phillips.
The Yankees got him, he came and played and stunk it up.
And how exactly is he better defensively?
Wilson's best days are behind him and even his best days weren't all that great.
Meanwhile, Andy has a tremendous upside and he is also a homegrown Yankee.
While we're all concerned with what the Yankees will do this year, has any one noticed how next year's off season will set up for the Pinstripers?
Assuming no options are picked up or extentions offered the following players will be free agents:
Posada
Randy Johnson
Bobby Abreu
Now with Abreu I think the Yankees will pick up his option ($13 mil) and trade him like they did Sheffield.
Additionally, Alex Rodriguez has an "opt-out" clause on his contract and considering the way the market has spiraled out of control he would do well to use it. No his next contract won't get him as much in anual value ($26 mil) but it could get him an additional couple of years that would take him to a higher total value (and get him out of the NYC fishbowl).
Either way, that is a lot of money and roster space to make an attractive offer to Vernon Wells, Andruw Jones or any number of the free agents who will hit the market next year in what projects to be a much better class than this year's group.
For those of us with good memories, the name Phelps just brings back a bad nightmare.
Ken Phelps, the infamous trade...aah yes indeed.
Craig Wilson's best days are behind him, but Andy Phillips has a bright future? Eric I think you are missing something here. They will both be 30 on Opening day next season. At least Wilson has some "good days" in his recent past, as opposed to Andy, who has been a disappointment.
I don't think the person who plays 1B is going to make a darn bit of difference whether we make the playoffs or not, it's the guy on the mound that is going to do that so who cares about 1B for now, let's get some damn pitching.
Meche to Royals, posted on ESPN a few mins. ago.
Didn't want him at all anyway. Just FYI.
Eric,I have to agree Jim A...what is Andy Phillips to you ? A cousin ? Wilson or Phillips ,you say potato I say patato.
Listen i like andy . but lets be real he did not seize the moment . like CAno did , Melky did when he had more at bats (don't count his first stint) andy was giving a behind the scene prop to take over 1b and he failed so far , plus like i said he is already signed so if we signed lets say wilson and he flops then we'l lhave andy to flop (hahaha) i mean play, and at 30 he is no longer a minor league prospect and if he was so good why nobody wanted him in a trade
Posada wil l be 36 years old next year . you mean to say your offering a CATCHER at 36 a mutli year contract to START???? better see what kind of value you get. if you really want a youth movement a Jorge trade would bring in some talent
BB- Liked your Phillips post, hated your Posada post.
Posada brings more to this team than offense and defense. He is there soul, he is the one guy on that team that cannot stand to lose at all and this team badly needs that.
I don't think they should trade Jorge, but they should upgrade the backup so he can rest more.
I know (boo hoo) Jorge is my man BUT what you think he is asking when he is a FA and what if it's too steep for the yanks? that was why i said they should move him over to first and had signed a new breed of catchers they need to study who is avail next year and consider such
Trade Jorge?! You're nuts. He's the fire and grit of this team. Set him up with Nieves and he can mentor him this year and stay around until Nieves develops. Maybe he eventually moves to 1B if the Yankees don't sign a FA and Andy doesn't meet expectations. We need Jorge for a few more years.
Ahh read my above post i said keep him and move him to 1b no way i'm giving a 36 year old Starting catcher money
Jorge has gotten healthier and lighter, which has given him a little more oomph. I saw we keep him for 2 more years. He's a Yankee lifer as long as the price of the contract is fair I don't think he'll mind signing a short-term deal.
I've mentioned Jorge at 1B before too. He came up as a 2B before they moved him behind the plate. He'll still be great in 09. Let him play in the new park!
Jim A, at age 30 both players still have quite a few more productive years ahead of them.
Since they are both around the same age (actually Andy is one year younger), we can leave out age for argument's sake.
Now, the difference I see is we have pretty much seen the best from Wilson.
He's had 7 seasons in the majors.
If he hasn't peak by now, he never will.
Phillips on the other hand, if you add up his one month stints in 2004 and 2005 with his 2 month stint in 2006, has had about 3/4ths of a season experience in the majors.
Keep in mind that even that 3/4ths season is broken up in bits and pieces coming in as late-inning substition.
It's kinda hard to get going when you get that kind of playing time.
I'm sorry but even Babe Ruth wouldn't have gotten much done under those conditions.
ruse, Andy is nothing to me.
In fact, I only really noticed him this past season.
What I saw was that he had a certain potential when he hit the ball.
A bad player doesn't have that, even on their best days.
I've watched a lot of baseball and I always tend to see these things in players and ultimately I am right.
What I see is that being in the Yankee's farm system esp. during the past few years when their emphasis is not their youngsters but veteran stars, really hurt guys like Andy.
He just on the wrong team at the wrong time I guess but we still have an opportunity to change that.
well shea Hilabrand is how old?? I don't care when you come to the Bigs you make your presense felt the way Nick Johnson did. Andy is a backup player. I'm suprised being that he is cough cough talented that no one wanted him in a trade.
OVER RATED (clap clap ..clap clap clap) OVER RATED.
hahaha I wish him well he is however a .........Y A N K E E!
Don't be a smart ass Bronx Bomber.
I discounted all your points elsewhere and now you are resorting to chanting.
Need I remind you that David Ortiz for example didn't make his "presence felt" until he left Minnesota for Boston?
Not every good player starts off hot.
Some start off slow but that doesn't mean they don't eventually become quality.
You need a lot of learning to do.
Eric,I agree that if they put Phillips at 1st it really wouldn't impact an already potent line-up.If he hits .250 nothing gained or lost,on a long term basis I don't see it happening.
Like I told Bronx Bomber before, he is not going to hit .250 forever.
He is a much better hitter than that.
Let's not judge him on the 294 sporadic at-bats he's had so far in the majors, please.
And yes I do see him playing first base on a long term basis.
There have been plenty of players that have played worst long term.
Some even get multi-year, multi-million contracts now.
Eric we all know how much you love Andy's potential. Chances are he will be at 1B this year and hopefully he builds on what he did last year. Brian Cashman said he thought Andy's slump affected his overall numbers since he didn't play everyday and he felt that he is better than what he was able to do last season. Plus Andy was playing injured towards the end of the season, which might explain the slump (He had knee surgery during). He'll get his second chance cause I don't see Hillenbrand in pinstripes and the Yankees want 1 year because they are probably planning on going after Texiera (which is a long shot) next season anyway. You’ll also have your chance to chant “I TOLD YOU SO” clap clap...clap clap clap. Now can we let 1B go?
Plus his wife was very sick at one point last season.
I'd like to see how Alex Rodriguez would have fared under those circumstances.
arod had to deal with a BIRTH. as for andy i hope does well , cause if he don't he's major deegan food. I just do not like overrated minorleagers and now andy is 30 i mean let him battle Eric Duncan for the spot , forget that just do not GIVE it to him let him compete for it, he did'nt do NOTHING to DESERVE 1b
Hey can I get in on this session. Its been about a hour since the last comment. Andy Phillips can play first base defensively. He needs 4 months of steady at bats to determine the offensive value that he brings. I for one believe he can hit .280 with about 15 homers if left alone with minimal substitutions of a righty aginst a tough righty. This is why the modern mgr. of today's game upsets me. If a righty batter can't hit a righty pitcher than he should not be in the majors. Don't throw stones. They hurt. The game has gone to specialize for my taste. Getting back to Andy. Give him the chance. We can find plenty of guys to play firstbase. Its not up there on the high end skills list. We have 8 other batters who have been All Stars at least once in their career. There is a need for backup catcher and pitching. Spend the money here. Jorge needs rest and about 40 games would be fine from catching. You could get another two years out of him behind the plate with this amount of rest.
All is not bleak in yankee town in fact I believe that we're heading in the right direction. If we use our discretionary cash wisely than we'll be fine. Jorge days as catcher maybe coming to an end but his bat is still potent.
I agree Larry,getting a good hitting backup backstop for Jorge is a priority .Toby Hall?...and yes I agree the Yanks are sitting pretty,maybe add a starter and a lefty reliever and theyre good to go.They've been tweaking their starting pitching during the season for as long as I can remember,now they have a bunch of talented youngsters who will command a shot....
I agree Larry,getting a good hitting backup backstop for Jorge is a priority .Toby Hall?...and yes I agree the Yanks are sitting pretty,maybe add a starter and a lefty reliever and theyre good to go.They've been tweaking their starting pitching during the season for as long as I can remember,now they have a bunch of talented youngsters who will command a shot....
Well here is Josh Phelps stats , Andy Phillips Better be ready for battle.
2000 Tor 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000
2001 Tor 8 12 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 5 1 0 .000 .143 .000 .143
2002 Tor 74 265 41 82 20 1 15 58 19 82 0 0 .309 .362 .562 .924
2003 Tor 119 396 57 106 18 1 20 66 39 115 1 2 .268 .358 .470 .828
2004 Cle 24 76 13 23 6 0 5 10 4 20 0 0 .303 .338 .579 .917
2004 Tor 79 295 38 70 13 2 12 51 18 73 0 0 .237 .296 .417 .713
2005 TB 47 158 21 42 10 0 5 26 12 48 0 0 .266 .328 .424 .752
Total -- 352 1203 173 323 67 4 57 212 94 344 2 2 .268 .336 .473 .809
I'm glad to see everyone's not on the Phillips bandwagon.
So for all the Phillips lovers in here, can anyone in here prove to me that Phillips is a better defender than Wilson even though Wilson has had more experience at 1b? And even with that said...
Wilson played 588 innings at 1B last year with the Pirates and Yankees... he allowed 3 errors...
Phillips played 533 innings at 1B last year with the Yankees... he allowed 7 errors...
So more innings and less errors... if you wanna use basics, that's pretty basic for you on who's the better defender...
Shea: 597 innings, 3 errors as well... so if you wanna use those, Shea's as good of a defender as Wilson, and yet, Wilson kills lefties better than Shea, which is why the Yankees are pursuing a RH 1st baseman, right? To do what Giambi can't do: hit lefties and actually play 1B well...
So for all the Phillips lovers in here, can anyone in here prove to me that Phillips is a better defender than Wilson even though Wilson has had more experience at 1b? And even with that said...
Wilson played 588 innings at 1B last year with the Pirates and Yankees - he had 3 errors
Phillips played 533 innings at 1B last year with the Yankees - he had 7 errors
So more innings and less errors... if you wanna use basics, that's pretty basic for you on who's the better defender...
Shea: 597 innings, 3 errors as well... so if you wanna use those, Shea's as good of a defender as Wilson, and yet, Wilson kills lefties better than Shea, which is why the Yankees are pursuing a RH 1st baseman, right? To do what Giambi can't do: hit lefties and actually play 1B well...
Nate: The stats don't indicate Andy can't play the position equally as well as Shea or Craig. He will hit within .25 points of them if given the opportunity. None of these guys will bring the house down. So, a cheaper alternative and really an unknown quanity who could blossom is Andy Phillips. It has nothing to do with liking the guy and having a clouded thought process. You could get away with using Andy and not miss the other two. This is my point.
I'm beginning to think that just maybe, The Yankees were one of the smart teams for for not getting involved in the ridiculous contracts for such marginal players. Cashman will still get another pitcher, a backup catcher, and a 1st baseman but not for these kinds of contracts being handed out. They'll be most of these teams kicking their asses for ever breaking their banks. Normally the Yankees would have been right in the thick of these deals but they just may have gotten smarter. To begin with, there wasn't major changes needed for a team that won it's division by 10 games then got quiet in the playoffs. Many teams that finished lower watched the WS on TV just like the Yankees did. They should be helping themselves more. When the Vegas odds are seen, they'll only be a few if any, that will have better odds than the Yankees of getting to the World Series including the team that won it all in 2006.
Larry ,
My point and maybe others is this , if you sign a shea or Craig and they fizzle then you stil lhave andy as plan b , if you play andy and he fizzles you have no plan be but to play Jason at first. SO you sign a WIlson to a one year deal let him play and that's it. he slumps you sit his behind down and play andy and if he slumps ohh well. cause lets say andy is the starter and lets say he hits like 230 10 40 rbi's 15 errors the same defenders will be asking for his head