E-Boland and the Bombers

Awesome!!!

Let's get this done guys so we can move on.
By the way, Roy won't want to hear this but I love how Hank is handling this situation. He's made it clear that money won't let Posada get away and he's come out and said "we absolutely want Mo and Jorge back, without a doubt". He's showing the love and I think that will win the boys back.

Great work Jim B. and Rieber.

Hip Hip Jorge.

Jim, is there any way you can keep working on this blog? It's so much more creative and informative when you are the one who is writing it.

If they do resign Posada, please don't let it be too long of a contract. Two or three years, with four as the max. Last thing we need around here are some more aging veterans with immovable contracts.

By the way, before someone jumps on me. I like Posada but don't see him playing in the form he exhibited last year for too much longer.

re posada's contract

i have no worries about the length of the contract and god bless the DH rule...

even if posada's catching slips dramatically, and it probably will, how about a switch hitting DH with power at around 14 Mil per year?
sounds much better than a DH who can't hit for average or stay healthy and gets 21 Mil per year, right? (obviously that's a hypothetical DH, no one would actually pay that much, would they?...)

Good point Gil

Hell, Posada could catch for 2 and be at first for 2 more...

Then of course join the coaching staff

Posada coming back to the Yankees is a no brainer

Yet for some reason the quality of discussion seems to drop even further, just when I thought it had hit record lows.

Odd.

I've begun to believe that those 'golden days memories' are complete fantasies.

P.S. Senor, I'm sure most people on That Other Blog have no idea what your anagram means.

Get Posada and Mo resigned today and then find a way to make a liar out of Torre and bring Petitte back.

This is a good thing because Jorge will catch full time next year and part time the year after with Dh and duties from there on out but please no more than 4.

Good Morning All. It would be nice if Jorge and Mo were signed by the end of the week so we can concentrate on a third baseman and talk Andy into coming back. Speaking of third baseman. Let's assume that Mo, Jorge and Andy come back, does that mean that A-Rod will come back for the lower offer? Haha

Cashman has already lost a manager he claimed he wanted to sign, a 3B he claimed he wanted to sign, and a bench coach he claimed he wanted to sign. The team's best pitcher, whom he claims he wants to sign, is inclining towards retirement in spite of perfect health, and the career-Yankees catcher and closer he claims he wants to sign are holding out, so far, to hear FA offers.

Doesn't look like a good start to the off-season for this GM.

Just saying.

Just Saying,

It seems like you have been reading the Boston papers to much. Read the NY papers and see what is really going on.

I don't know what the Boston papers are saying, I suppose I must accept your expertise on that, but I think my summary is pretty accurate in terms of actual news both from NYC papers and national sports stuff.

Other than rumors ...

Oh, were you counting those?

Karma: +2/-1
Yanks Want Sheets, Brewers Want Crawford, Rays Want Everyone's Prospects
« on: November 10, 2007, 08:30:38 AM »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Brewers are trying to acquire TB's Carl Crawford, who sources say the club thinks is the final "piece to their puzzle", but the Rays don't want pricey ace Ben Sheets of Chris Capuano in return. Instead they want to see if they can get the Yankees (who like both of those guys) involved.

Just Saying,

Well then maybe you are not reading the correct papers. If you did, you would see that we are very close to signing Mo and Posada. As for losing their manager, you would know (if you actually read the papers) that the Yankees really didn't want Torre back and were hoping he refused the offer. You should know as a Boston fan that change can be healthy sometimes. Look at the changes that were made to your team in the last couple of years. Where did that get you? It was pretty successful for your team. There is nothing negative about the changes that are happening to the Yankees. Once the transitions have taken place a new dynasty will have risen!

Help him if he comes back and his stats are disgusting and can't do the duties behind the plate anymore

Doug -

I can't see the Yankees offering the kind of prospects that the Brewers would want to get this done. Sheets is oft injured and Capuano would, I think, be a disaster in the American League.

In the National League Capuano averages about 5.1 innings per start - which - against tougher AL lineups would not bode at all well. And Ben Sheets hasn't had more than 25 starts in a season for the past 3 years.

Posada Deal:
3yrs with 4th yr team option. 3yrs @ 16mil team option @ 12mil player option @ 2mil. 4yrs with team option = 60mil 4 yrs with player option = 50mil.

Basically be the same for Rivera.

Sheets kind of scares me.
He's a major league talent, no question about it.

But he's also a guy who just can't stay healthy and sometimes those guys are just brutal to follow.

I mean what recent pitcher had Mark Prior's chops? He was going to be the next Tom Seaver.

Remember Pulsipher? Wilson? Cal Eldred?
The A's have one of them in Rich Harden, a pitcher with ACE stuff who just can't stay healthy.

Getting Ben Sheets could be Jaret Wright all over again

Mike, it's childish to pretend that everyone who doesn't hold your identical opinions is a fan of another team. Face it, smart people disagree with you and guess what, they're YANKEES FANS.

Of course Cashman may be a liar, as you assert by saying he did NOT want to sign the people HE claims he wanted to sign.

That wouldn't be a good sign either, would it?

Or on the other hand you could be deluded.

Which do you prefer?

Logically it has to be one or the other.

Just...

No way the Yanks should offer Posada a 4th year "guaranteed". The contract should be, 3yrs guaranteed with performance incentives $$
each year, and a 4th year with a "mutual" option. Posada in that 4th year will be 40. A 40yr old Posada at C\DH is basically Mike Piazza. The mutual option would protect the Yanks from that possible situation.
The Sheets rumors revives the debate over the performance of good NL pitchers moving to the AL. Be very very careful. Other than Beckett this past season, the "track record" is horrible.

Roy -

As we discussed last week, it is more likely that the fourth year will be an option that will kick in if some performance levels are met (Catch 150 games between seasons 1 and 2 and year 4 is guaranteed) it is exactly the same deal he had with this last contract.

Just Saying,

No true Yankee fan would have written so negatively as you did, which leads me to believe that you are either a Sox or Mets fan. Where does your fandom lie....I meant lye? LOL

please no sheets!!

i don't where this horrid comes from, but -
1) NL pitcher
2) pitching in a small market
3) pitching for a perennial losing team
4) often injured
5) stats on constant decline.

no. no. NO.

Boston fans always try to create "mis-information" as a way to make mischief. I say "Take a bath" and read some NY papers, not the TP in Beantown. Fools.
Roy,
Jorge SHOULD get 4 years - guaranteed. Remember Yogi, when his catching days were beginning to be behind him, they moved him around and used Howard behind the plate. JUST LIKE THEY WILL DO WITH JORGE. His bat is lethal and he will be productive as a DH, WHEN THE TIME COMES. We will be able to nurture some young catchers in AA, AAA and bring them up in a couple of years, to be a understudy for Posada when the time comes to make the change. Damn conspiracy theorist! Calm down....a little. Mo and Jorge need to be back. At least Girardi will only use Mo for 1 inning - and will find an 8th inning guy/guys to set-up. And stick with them until they are established in the role. Unlike "Clueless".

I think Posada has enough pride to quit when he feels he is no longer good enough to play so I don't care if the Yanks give him the 4 years he wants, as people have stated, if the Yanks are stuck with a switch hitting DH for the final year of his contract, so be it, it's only money. If Posada is awful at that time, he'll walk away. Right now he is basically the only option the Yanks have as they need their trading chips to do other things so this was the right time for Posada, every free agent would love to be in his position right now.

I'm not exactly thrilled about giving Posada a 4th year.

However, what other choices do they have right now - letting him walk to play for the Mets?

Posada is far too important and valuable to this club to squabble over one extra year and risk losing him altogether.

If there were other alternatives on the market or the farm, I'd say they might want to consider taking a hard line stance on giving him that extra year.

Fortunately for Posada, he's in an ideal negotiating situation and basically has the Yanks by the balls because he and the Yanks both know that the market for catchers is paper thin.

Good for him. He's earned it over the years.

Give Posada the 4th year he wants and worry about his effectiveness in three years. He’ll be a DH by then anyways.

Give the guy 4 to 5 years. For one thing, how many switch-hitting catchers with power and plate discipline will you find in baseball, in this generation or any other? If his defensive skills start slipping, there's always the DH, as others have mentioned. And as for age, 40 is the new 30.

Mike, you must be a very recent fan or a little boy if today's the first time you've heard the CashMan criticized by a Yankees fan.

I know it's tough, but try to act as if you've been around the block at least once.

Some of you are content with Posada being the DH\C at 40, and justify your position by saying "it's only money". It's not just money. Have we learned nothing from the current Giambi situation? It's "short sighted" moves like the Giambi signing, that "hamstring" the roster\lineup, and kill potential trades\moves a few years down the road. I hope the Yanks don't repeat this mistake with a "guarantee" of any kind, that automatically gives Posada a 4th season.

Just the Crap,
Keep your nonsense to yourself. Been a "fan" longer than you have smelled, Bosox Fan. Take your trophy and know you won't have it for long....comin' to get ya...
Down with RS Nation!

That is what drives up the Payroll . moves like this

Pope to Visit Ground Zero and Celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium

[quote]
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/pope-to-visit-ground-zero-and-celebrate-mass-at-yankee-stadium/

By Sewell Chan
Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States in April will be his first as pope.

Pope Benedict XVI will make his first visit to the United States as pontiff in April. He plans to visit ground zero, address the United Nations and celebrate two public Masses during the six days of his visit, The Associated Press reported this morning, citing a Vatican official.

The pope’s visit would be only the fourth in New York City’s history. Pope Paul VI visited in October 1965, during the first papal visit to the United States. Pope John Paul II visited New York in October 1979 and October 1995.

Citing remarks by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the A.P. reported that Pope Benedict will travel to Washington and New York from April 15 to 20. He is to attend a reception at the White House on April 16, celebrate Mass at the new National Stadium in Washington on April 17, address the United Nations on April 18, and lead a second public Mass, at Yankee Stadium, on April 20.

As City Room reported in July, this will Pope Benedict’s first visit to New York since he was elected in 2005, but not his first visit to New York City. In January 1988, when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany and the Roman Catholic Church’s top theologian, he attended a theological conference in Manhattan. During that visit, several rabbis refused to attend a meeting with Cardinal Ratzinger because he had maintained that Judaism finds its fulfillment in Christianity. Gay demonstrators, angered by the cleric’s contention that homosexuality is a “moral disorder,” heckled him.
Many New Yorkers have memories of the papal visits of 1965, 1979 and 1995, which were major events in the life of the city. Readers are invited to share those memories — and their thoughts about Pope Benedict and his coming visit.[/quote]

I am very happy that the pope is coming to visit the U.S. He is a great man, and a great spiritual leader.

Pope must stop Evil Redsox aka Redsox Fan and Lucchino aka Lucifer...... Red color represent Evil.

Mike from Jersey,
I think Just Saying is referring to "Mike" whom he's been going back and forth with for a while now.

Roy,
Posada is a different case right now as he will probably be the only one left out of Giambi, Matsui, Damon etc. when the fourth year of his contract rolls around and by that time if he is just a PH, who cares. I don't think the Yanks will have 3 or 4 1B on the roster at that time along with two OF's who can't play OF.
The bottom line is the Yanks are in trouble without Posada for the next two or three years so if they have to keep him around a year longer than they wanted, it's a problem they can work with as he at least offers some versatility by switch hitting and maybe playing some 1B or being a back up catcher.

Jane, you ingorant slut!

Giambi is a completely different animal than Posada and to compare the two is ludicrous.

Posada isn't getting a 6-yr deal like Giambi did in 2002 and he's been one of the most durable catchers in the majors for some time.

Not to mention that Posada has never been involved in any steroid scandal and a big part of the reason why Giambi's body has been breaking down over the years is his abuse of steroids.

What’s your alternative, Roy?

Are you going to make Molina the starter? Sign Michael Barrett? Give up Hughes or Joba for a top-shelf young catcher?

If they let Posada walk over one extra year, they’d be making an enormous mistake because that would be just another huge hole to fill in the lineup.

They would also assure themselves of slamming the door on Pettitte’s possible return because he won’t come back to pitch to work with another catcher.

As I’ve already stated, I’m not thrilled about giving Posada that extra year. However, he has them by the balls and letting him walk to play cross-town would be an enormous blunder on their part.

Worry about that fourth year in three years and hope they have someone on the roster who can be the everyday catcher.

Roy

The Yankees have no choice, there are no alternatives that are any good. Besides, I believe in taking care of your own.

Posada, unlike Giambi, can actually play the field and hit.

He's obviously staying.
If you guys retain Rivera (which is pretty obvious you will) and don't don't make any stupid trades (Ben Sheets!) then you should be in good shape next year.

Jeter, Posada, Matsui, Damon, Cabrera, Cano and Abreu will be a solid 1-7 in the lineup.

There are enough 1Bs and 3Bs on the market or trash heep that there is no need to get a superstar.

Wang, Hughes, Kennedy, Chamberlain would be a decent 1-4...

Rivera obviously is Rivera.

The need would be to find a taker for Mussina, resign Pettite or find a replacement and get a 8th inning guy.

I know I am a broken record, but Joba belongs in the pen.

But Yankees and their fans should spend exactly zero hours, zero minutes and zero seconds worrying about the corner infield spots and 100% of the time on a starter and reliever.

Which is why trading for Santana is a no brainer if it doesn't cost you guys Joba nor Wang.

Santana, Wang, Joba and either Hughes or Kennedy... that wins a division

But what do I know?

Sully - If a trade for Santana is going to cost the Yankees Cano then there's no way they can make that trade.

Just a sign as to how far the mighty have fallen - no one even mentions Bartolo Colon as a guy to pick up.

Is it easier to get a good 2B or a consistent Cy Young contender before his 29th birthday?

I don't know about you but if Jorge,Mo, and Petitte came back, I think this would be a great start for this offseason. A-Rod is not even on the radar for me. I hope that they trade for a gritty 3B and let Giambi and Duncan platoon at first. Let Phillips be the defensive replacement at first. My concern is the pitching like always. If they traded for Santana I would be happy too. Pitching should always be on the radar. This team needs relief help in the worst way too. This offseason will have a lasting effect on the direction of this franchise. It's exciting but nerve racking at the same time.

Take care

Pope must Baptist those Evil Doers aka Terrorist aka Redsox Fans..

The Yanks can still get that Cy Young contender next year when he hits the FA market.

He's not going to sign an extension with anybody if he is traded because he knows he'll be screwing himself out of a ton of dough for not taking his services on the open market.

Santana will be in A-Rod's position next season as the top prize on the market.

Jane, Those red underwear that you are wearing do they count too? Are they evil?

Sorry I'm wearing blue underdwear..Red color are evil

Sully - I would tend to agree with Viper - Santana is going to hit the free agent market next winter and then the Yankees can get him and still have Cano, Hughes and whomever else the Twins would have wanted in a trade.

It's true that pitching wins championships but with Alex gone, Damon and Matsui not getting any younger, a void at 1B and 3B the Yankees can't really afford to part with a 24 year old All-Star 2B who is going to provide solid offense in their lineup.

Chip, I DO understand your POV.
I just think Santana, Sabathia and Halladay are the two pitchers you make an exception for.

Even nominal aces, like Lackey, Peavy, Webb, Carmona, Haren and Penny are too risky healthwise or those who play in the NL.

But Johan, CC and Doc are the three aces who put on a team will make a HUUUUUUGE difference and worth making that deal.

It is the kind of pitcher who can anchor a staff and prevent losing streaks and give the bullpen a night off.

Ahhh... the "Red Sox are responsible for Sept. 11" Anon is back.

Obviously Bellevue has a furlough program... or at least WiFi

Colon is an interesting case for a bargain team.

Give him a cheap contract with incentives... and make sure he never visits a Sizzler.

Who knows, maybe he has a decent year.

Right now he is in worse shape than John Goodman

Jim A,
Good Dan Akyroid!
PS -
Barrett is GARBAGE!

Blue thong Jane? Are they pinstriped? As long as they are Navy Blue like our beloved Yankees!!

Sully,

I have questions about Halladay's health.

And since Santana and Sabathia would have to have agents who border on insane to allow them to not become FA's last year - I just don't think that Robinson Cano is worth renting one of them for 1 year.

I'm not disagreeing that they are special talents, and if they were under control for another 3 years, my thinking might change. But you're taking a huge risk in that deal. Cano is going to be a star for the next 10 years, there is nothing that says either Sabathia or Santana would want to stay with the Yankees beyond next year.

And like I said, you're shoring up the rotation but adding yet another hole to fill in the field. So if my choices are to go with Mussina, Wang, Hughes, Joba, Kennedy (or a guy like Freddy Garcia or Livian Hernandez) I'll do it for a year. Remember, the Cards won the series a year ago with a patchwork rotation.

Rivarly One Sided?

I've been told that yankee fans dont despise the redsox, while most of us sox fans hate the yankees with a passion, is this true? becasue if it was it would make me sad.

Sully,

I would maybe agree to a trade of Cano if Santana was willing to extend his contract. Unfortunately that is not going to happen so I think he is staying put. Like everyone else says, I can settle for a staff of Wang, Joba, Hughes, Mussina and Kennedy. Even if the young kids turn into a 2, 3, 4 or 5th starter, we still will have a decent staff with other kids waiting in the wings. It is nice to know that if any of these kids fail we have back ups in the system. Like they say, you can never have too much pitching. Amen to that.

honestly, i was not terribly upset when boston won. i mean, idk, i dont have some complex where what they do matters so much. i care what my team does. boston is much more obsessed w/beating the yankees than the other way around. for me, it's pretty one sided. i guess i root against boston mostly these days because 90% of the fan base is insufferable and plane old annoying.

alot of Yankee fans hate Redsox.. but we honestly dont talk about you nearly as much as you guys talk about us. There's no chance in hell that you'd here a "Red Sox Suck" chant while we were celebrating a WS or a superbowl.

How about this for those who don't believe the Red Sox fan's are not obsessed with the Yankees. Their is a company that makes "Yankee hater" hats. It's a big hit in Boston and New York(Mutt fans)It has a Y and interlocking H. Now that sums up all the pathetic Yankee Hater Nation fans out there!!

There are also people who make "Boston Sucks" shirts, "Got Rings" shirts and used sell "1918" shirts.

Two way street my friend

The inferiority complex of Red Sox and Met fans comes from jealousy. They are so envious of the Yankees success, that's what leads to the stupid things they do.

Sully,

You do bring up a fair point, but you have to admit that Sox fans are obsessed with hating the Yankees. You can see it from the annoying Sox fans that come on this blog. You can answer this question; do that many annoying Yankee fans go on the Sox blogs? I think there is more of an obsession with the Yankees for the Sox fans than the other way around. Am I wrong?

I understand the Halladay health issues... and CC's weight (Sid Fernandez anyone)

I guess that boils it down to Santana.

And of course any deal would have to include a contract extension.

It's a moot point in a way because the Twins are going to probably start '08 with Santana. BUT if the Twins fall out, then a team like the Dodgers who has more big league ready talent, would have an upper hand in a trade.

I'm sick of Melky

Yankee fans overrate him with his outfield ability because of his outstanding arm. His arm is great and also accurate, i'll give him that...but his routes to the ball are horrible and he has no communication skills out there. The only good part of his centerfield abilities is his arm. and don't give me he can run to the wall and make a nice catch, any major league centerfielder can do that.

his bat also. i have no confidence in him when he steps into the box. he seems to get the ground ball hits in the gap and every 70 at bats or so helll pop one just outta the yard. he also swings at many pitches in the dirt and has no discipline whatsoever at the plate.

idk why some of you really like the guy at center. center is a huge position and a position that should he held with a guy who has a good arm, great routes to the baseball and some pop in his bat. he should also communicate with his corner outfielders.

go for torii and trade this overrated melk man

Hunter didnt look to overrated last year plus he fits the category of a leader rather than a joker in melky

I'm not comparing the players Giambi\Posada, I'm comparing how Giambi currently, and Posada certainly at 40, would "hamstring" trades, free agent signings, players being promoted from the minors etc. My stance on the 4th yr guarantee has nothing to do with money. It's about having "versatility" with the roster. And yes, there is an alternative. Offer Posada an extra $2-$3 million in "performance incentives" all 3 yrs years, on top of his guaranteed base of $15 million. It really comes down to your either "looking ahead", or just playing for today.

Mike, I 100% agree.
Red Sox fans obsess over the Yankees in a sometimes annoying way... sometimes to ME! A lifelong Red Sox fan!

And I obsess over them... and it was easy when I lived in NYC for 15 years.

There are a TON of Yankee fans on Red Sox blogs saying "We always beat you!" "You guys wish you were us" and some even type "19-18" which I find odd.

But Sox fans are worse, but remember... we have 80 some odd years of jealousy and we're still getting used to things like "We won the World Series" and "maybe we shouldn't panic."

I was at Sonny McLean's (the Red Sox bar in Santa Monica) when the Sox won the World Series last month and I heard a guy trying to start a "Yankees Suck" chant. I told them to "stop sounding so weak! Yankees had NOTHING TO DO with the 2007 title."

There is a strange turn around and both fan bases are acting strange. Red Sox fans (and I include myself with this evaluation) are getting obnoxious and spoiled.

Yankee fans are also not sure what to do. Look at the Anon on one of the other threads who went to such great lengths to discredit the Red Sox title (they had no injuries, the other teams lay down, the Indians weren't concentrating, Senator Mitchell did it!)

But of course, the Red Sox fans are more obsessed. Yankee fans are NOT obsessed... they just need to feel superior. And it was easier when you all could yell 19-18.

It's harder now but I'll hear the "26 Rings", "You have no class", "Senator Mitchell rigged the playoffs" etc.

I'll admit... Red Sox fans are MORE obnoxious about it.

Mike from Jersey: Barrett is garbage, I totally agree.

Mike: The hard time I'm having is that none of the 3 vaunted prospects is a lock to do anything in the majors, while Santana is a proven commodity.

I know how all of us have agonized over the potential of a Santana deal so I can only imagine what Cashman has to go through. I guess that's why he makes the big bucks though.

The Yankees can go 2 ways this off season:
1. Go with the kids all the way. Personally, this is my choice. I think if we can get Pettite back the Yankees would have a great rotation of Pettite, Wang, Joba, Hughes, & Kennedy. Get rid of Mussina & the restof the bullpen besides MO. Pay teams to take them and get a couple of used baseballs back. Use Sanchez and the other 2 youngsters in long relief. With Melky & Cano you have a nice young team.
2. Get Cabrera & Willis from the Marlins for Melky Hughes & Kennedy. Get Santana for Cano & Joba. Sign Tori Hunter & get Rolen from the Cards. Find anybody to play 2nd. Sign Pettite. Put Sanchez & the other kids in long releif. If we do this the staff would be:
Santanna
Willis
Pettite
Wang
Mussina

Bullpen:
Sanchez
Kid
Kid
MO

C Posada
1b Cabrera
2b Anybody
ss Jeter
3b Rolen
LF Matsui/Damon
CF Hunter
RF Abreau

DH Giambi/Matsui/Damon

If the Yankees do option 1 we have the pleasure of seeing young kids mature & grow. Maybe get into thye playoffs this year probably not but definately to open the new park. Also the Yankees have the money to keep them for their careers like Guidry, Randolph for the most part, Mattingly, Williams, Jeter, Rivera, Posada, & for the most part Pettite. They will define the Yankees for the next decade.

If the Yankees take option 2. We win the World Series for the next couple of years, Payroll is again $200M, no kids in the minors again and we will in reality bought a championship. The new guys would have no loyalty to the Yankees, they would be high priced mercenaries.

I would rather have tradition and bring in only a few outsiders not the majority of the team.

The problem is that the Yankees are unwilling to eat contracts - so they keep players around who don't deserve it just because they have contracts - even though better players are available at a fraction of the price. If they would just suck it up and eat some contracts (by trade or release) we would have a much better team.

I'm not comparing the players Giambi\Posada, I'm comparing how Giambi currently, and Posada certainly at 40, would "hamstring" trades, free agent signings, players being promoted from the minors etc.

----------------------------------

That would only be the case if the Yanks took the same stance on a number of players - not just Posada.

Given the current situation and understanding that there are no viable alternatives at this point, giving Posada the fourth year is the only thing they can do.

I'll take that extra year of uncertainty over making a far bigger mistake by letting Posada walk and play for the cross-town Mets - while being forced to replace another huge hole in the lineup.

If there were other options on the farm or the market, I might agree with a hard-line stance. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

As a result, the Yanks now have to pay the piper for not dealing with this situation the last couple of years and developing a successor to Posada. Catchers are the most demanding position players in MLB and you don’t let those guys get away (especially elite catchers like Posada) over one extra year.

Well, how about not signing so many of these lengthy and overpriced contracts in the first place?

By "paying the piper", all the Yanks are doing is perpetuating this endless cycle.

What are your alternatives, Roy?

You didn't list any. Giving Posada extra dough for 3 years doesn't cut it if he walks and plays for the Mets.

If the Yanks are going to take a hard-line stance and risk letting Posada walk, it is essential that they have a Plan B replacement for him.

It is obvious they don't have one.

The Yanks still want to contend in 2008 and that won't happen if they have to fill another huge hole in the lineup.

Viper you don't know what your talking about.Signing Posada to a four year contract who be a huge mistake.He had a career year at the plate which he will not duplicate and he is a liability behind the plate.The alternatives would be Molina and Barrett.

Barrett is GARBAGE!

Big Foot deserves a hot foot!

Molina is NOT an everyday player. You can say he is if it makes you feel better, but he's not.

If you think Posada is a liability behind the plate, watch Barrett catch 140 games and you'd think Posada was Ivan Rodriguez.

I watched a ton of Cubs' games the last couple of years and saw Barrett catch a lot of games.

He is NOT a good defensive catcher and is often accused of being a cancer in the clubhouse.

How many times have we heard of Barrett behaving badly and not well-liked by his teammates?

He got traded away from the Cubs because of it.

He is not a viable alternative to Posada.

Barrett is GARBAGE!
Viper is right.
Bigfoot deserves a hot foot!
(Where is Roger McDowell when you need 'em?)

I could not disagree more...
Barrett and Molina are both better behind the plate than Posada. Posada who was never a defensive force behind the plate has gotten worst and to give him four years is ludicrous.
Barrett had a bad year but hit 307 in 2006 and Posada couldn't carry Molina's glove.They would be more than adequate.
Also Viper, your bum rapping Barrett is not accurate. In fact,you were spouting much the same garbage about Girardi that you claim were from sources in Florida that proved to be false.

Um, do you not understand that Molina is not an everyday catcher?

Obviously not.

He is certainly better defensively than Posada. That is not the issue. The issue is that he's not an everyday catcher and all of your love in the world is not going to change that.

There is a reason he's always been a backup. He is a 32yr old career .243 hitter with no power. He’s hit 16 homeruns in his ENTIRE CAREER, which spans 318 games and over 1000 ABs.

He's an outstanding backup, but that’s it.

I watched Barrett play every day with the Cubs. He's not a good defensive catcher and can't hold Posada’s jock at the dish.

Tell me what I said that was proved to be wrong about Girardi.

Admittedly, I didn't watch Girardi closely while he was in Florida - so I asked sources who did.

Unless you watched Girardi on an everyday basis, you don't have any idea what the hell you're talking about. Nothing I said about Girardi in Florida was "proved to be false." His problems with the Marlins’ front office were well-documented and most definitely true.

For the Yanks' sake, I just hope he learned from his mistakes.

Barrett is GARBAGE!!!
Bigfoot deserves a hot foot!
Posada has a better arm the GARBAGE, and is a better hitter than Molina. Molina is a perfect back-up. He can give Jorge needed rest and don't think Girardi won't give Posada more rest than "Clueless" did - just because he is a 36yr old catcher. Fisk was effective at a later age and Posada was not even a catcher early in his career - which means less wear and tear on the knees. I believe he will be effective as a CATCHER up to 40yrs old because of that alone.
Get a clue, and a pair of shoes!
My vote is for Viper the Sniper in a landslide!

Lets see how many different ways this point can be made:
Barrett is GARBAGE
GARBAGE is Barrett
Barrett GARBAGE is
Is Barrett GARBAGE? (Yes)
Can't hit, can't throw, can't fight. Had two(2) pitchers Woods,Prior,who when not injured, were Cy Young types and Cubbies still were losers! Doesn't the catcher take a little of the blame for that? Crap is crap. This bum won't even be in the league in about 2 years.

Barrett is good if you have an ace that is out of whack. If that ace beats up Barrett... he'll find his fastball again

LOL. Sully the Sea Monster RULES!

Thanks Mike From Jersey

See? There can be peace among Red Sox and Yankees fans

Viper/Mike from Jersey

1-Who said that Molina was an everyday catcher?
2-Posada career 277...Barrett 266 career and five years younger.
3-To give Posada a four year contract is insane in my opinion.
4-The truth is that while a great Yankee and good catcher his skills behind the plate have diminished and there is no guarantee he will put up the numbers he did last year.
5-What you said about Girardi was that it was not only the FO but his players didn't like him.That was contrary to what a reporter that covered the Marlins stated a few days later.

Sully wants Barrett to sign with the Sox.

Let's set the record straight. The Red Sox started the obsession first and the Yankee fans are merely fighting back. Of course Yankees fans are interested in what the Red Sox do because they're in the same division...but there was never any reason for the Yankees to be more envious of the Red Sox than the D/Rays or Orioles or B/Jays. When the Sox hadn't won in 89 years, why would the Yankees care about them more than the Orioles who had won more recently? Sox fans were the ones who hated the Yankees more because they can't stand losing. They feel a sense of entitlement just because they are Bostonites, period. Look back at the history and tell me why the Yankees would hate the Red Sox more than any other rival in their division. Also tell me why the Red Sox would hate the Yankees more than any other rival in their division. It's a very clear picture which came first -- so do you really need to ask which came first, the Red Sox obsession with and hatred for the 26 WS winning Yankees or a Yankee obsession with the 89-year WS deprived Red Sox.

Maybe Dice-K can beat up Barrett and win the Cy Young award.

I'd line up Dice-K, Buccholz, Lester, Okajima and whatever middle reliever we pick up and have them beat Barrett to a pulp

1: So, what you’re telling me is that Barrett is your only alternative - not Molina and Barrett. Molina doesn’t count as an alternative if he can’t be the everyday catcher. He’s already likely to be re-signed as the backup to Posada.

2: It’s nice that you conveniently left out all of Posada’s other offensive stats. It’s not about just batting average. It’s about their overall run production which includes power numbers, RBIs, OBP, SLG, etc.

Career averages:

Posada: .277, 25 HR, 97 RBI, 87 BB, .381 OBP, .479 SLG

Barrett: .266, 3 HR, 42 RBI, 43 BB, .322 OBP, .426 SLG

As you can see, if you expand their offensive production to more than simply batting average, this is no contest whatsoever.

3: As I’ve said from the beginning, this is not an ideal situation and I’m not thrilled about giving Posada that fourth year. However, the Yanks really don’t have a choice. They are in huge trouble if their Plan B is Michael Barrett.

4: I don’t expect to see him put up the same numbers as last year. Nor does anyone else. He’s still one of the top catchers in the league even with an average year by his standards.

5: Never once did I say that the Marlins' players didn't like Girardi. I said that Girardi did rub some of the veterans the wrong way and the Yanks are most definitely a veteran team. He can’t manage a veteran team like the Yankees the same way he managed a bunch of young players who are ecstatic just to be playing in the majors.

Anon, you are right.
If you look back at history there is no reason.

That's the reason why teams across the country hate the Yankees. Because they beat everyone up for generations.

I can tell you that my hatred of the Yankees stemmed from jealousy.

When some people (non Yankee and Red Sox fans) say "The Red Sox are just like the Yankees now" they think they are insulting me.

I say "GREAT! This is what we wanted."

I actually agree with a lot of what you wrote Anon.

again... there is peace