On the Yankees beat

Very interesting that the bar is now set at getting back into the post-season.

That's the only really unexpected thing I see in all the statements.

Must take one step at a time. Cannot get to series until you get back to the playoffs.

Good move if you ask me as a little continuity goes a long way.

It's only Sept. 30th and I don't know what to do anymore with the Yanks not playing in October....I'm a little lost right now. I guess I better go ask a Mets fan how they deal with this feeling.

So who's everyone rooting for? I'd like to see an all Chicago WS with the Cubs winning.

I'm calling for Cubs over Angels. Though the jerk in me would love for the Cubs to miss out on the title again and keep the pain going.

As for Cash - It's good that he's coming back. I will reserve the right to go back on that based on what he does this winter. As I've said for a while now, if he's aggressive in going after FAs (Sabathia, AJ, Tex) if he gets creative should those guys go elsewhere then I'm on board. If, however, he simply brings back all the same cast of characters and says that he's following a plan and that these players are proven in NY and this team was good enough to make the playoffs if it had stayed healthy...yada yada yada...I'll throw a fit.

Forget a Cano trade - that won't happen with Cash at the helm.

That said, as I said yesterday, beyond the on the field improvements, if I were the Yankees I would make a hard push for Dave Duncan, the St. Louis pitching coach, offer him double what he's making to serve as the organizational pitching coordinator to replace the inept Nardi Contreras.

FYI - Joba told the NY Post's Mark Hale that his shoulder is fine. He had some trouble getting loose in Boston due to the weather but there's no pain.

Sorry - that was in error - wasn't the weather it was that he hadn't pitched in a few days and hadn't thrown between appearances.

I'm pulling for Donnie Baseball and Joe Torre to win it, even though I think they have about as much of a chance to last in the playoffs as a plate full of Twinkies does in the Brewers clubhouse these days.

I don't really care about any other team though, which doesn't mean I won't watch, I just will not have much interest in a winner. As long as it's not Boston :)

Dave Duncan? Why would he leave LaRussa? Maybe the Yanks can promise him that the forgotten man of 2008, Shelley Duncan, will be on the Major League roster and they can argue that Shelley needs his daddy more than his brother Chris does right now.
Frankly, I don't see the need for Dave Duncan as picking on Nardi Contreras just seems to be nit-picky BS if you ask me. Pitchers who will get injured, will get injured no matter who their pitching coach is. Does Duncan deserve all the blame for all of St. Louis' hurt pitchers this season? No, just like he doesn't deserve all the credit for the health of the ones who actually made it through the season.

I know how many feel about Joel Sherman - but he makes a really interesting point in today's NY Post. We've all heard the rumors that CC doesn't want to be a Yankee, he wants to pitch out west and for an NL team. Sherman points out that 8 years ago, Mike Mussina wanted nothing to do with pitching for the Yankees.

Sherman uses this column as an opportunity to point out (again) how much better the Yankees would be with Torre who was a fantastic manager, great ambassador for the Yankees able to sell anyone on coming to New York while he was walking on water that he himself parted. That aside, the premise is good. The Yankees need to throw not just a ton of money at CC but an agressive push by the players. It lead me to a thought. CC is a big kid who loves to have fun, why not ask David Wells to reach out to him?

Brian Bruney and Johnny Damon have already started recruiting AJ Burnett (I have no idea how Bruney figured into that mix, I can only speculate that they have the same agent) but who, on this team, do you figure would actually relate to Sabathia? The only guy I can think of (Giambi) likely won't be back.

Jim - I'm not blaming Nardi for the pitchers getting hurt. I'm just pointing out that if you're going to entrust the development of your talented pitching prospects to someone wouldn't you rather have someone with the track record of a Dave Duncan, Leo Mazzone or even Rick Peterson over Nardi Contreras (fired by three organizations - including the Yankees - after very short stints as pitching coach)

My point on Duncan is that he's turned guys like Braden Looper into viable starting pitchers - imagine what he could do with someone who actually has talent.

I'm all for the Cashman signing. It does give the overall plan of playoffs and development of the farm system a chance with consistency.

As far as the winter dealings, we all know our wish lists of SP, CF, first base and improved bench. I don't believe the name of Tex will be on the lineup card but CC may have a shot. If the acquisition of top notch SP(s) is not made than the trade route will be followed. I can see one SP from outside the org. by trade or FA. Cashman will not overpay for a player to be a Yankee that I'm sure because the plan is farm system production in the very near future.

I'd look to KC and Pittsburg for CF help through trade with Pitts. being the first choice of Mc Louth over DeJesus. First base, I could be way off base but Doug M. for one year or until Juan M. is ready in June or 2010. The kid looked good. Cody Ransom and FA Nick Punto as our relief in the infield. 4th OF would be Gardner because he has more upside than Melky who just doesn't get it, mentally.

Starting Pitching rotation: CC, Wang, Joba, Hughes and Andy if Andy retires keep looking at KC and Pittsburg or Oliver Perez as a 10 million dollar project who pitches well in big games.

Catching Jorge (?) and Molina

Relief Pitching: MO,Veras, Marte, Coke, Brunney,_____,______.

There is much work to be done but I see light at the end of the tunnel. Coke could be a starter. Sanchez could be a reliefer.

I believe Melky, Kennedy and some prospects on the farm are slated for trade meat.

Also, some revamping maybe in order with the coaching staff. I'm very happy with Long and Pena but Pena in my eyes is under utilized.

Its strange having 3/4 hrs. each night to do the things that I have to do. Can't wait til I don't have 3/4 hrs to do what I have to do.

it does not sound like CC wants to pitch for the Yanks if you read today's NYPost article and articles in the past about this issue. So, time for Cash to get creative. Sign burnett or another trusted veteran pitcher. Then move some of the young talent Yanks have (cano?) for a young stud pitcher from some team out there who has a need for a cano etc. Yanks may be Ok without giving a huge contract to CC, especially if he doesn't want to pitch in NY. He will get a huge contract from some west coast team, AL or NL>

Odd. Now I feel about watching the post-season more like I do about going to a movie, hoping it will be a good one but not living and dying by the outcome.

As for rooting, I have to go to my childhood team the LA Dodgers. All the more so with wishing Torre, Mattingly and Bowa well. And even more so knowing how the Red Sox will HATE watching Manny win.

As for the recruitment thing, I prefer not to get into a lather over one possibility. It is not as important that we get CC as that we get a couple of good front end pitchers from among the top available, including CC, AJ, Lowe and, now that rumors are flying that he is going to become available, Peavey. And that we shore up our lethargic offense and get a bench. And that we hire some experienced, successful guys as coaches.

There's a lot to do. A huge lot to do. CC is no panacea. IMO.

Larry,

I agree with you that Tex likely won't be here. I would love to see McLouth playing CF for the Yankees but I think the deal would have to start with Cano and I'm not sure Cashman would move Robbie.

My picks for positions:

1b - Jorge Cantu (.277 BA, .327 OBP, 29 HR, 95 RBI - in a division with tough parks to hit in)
or Adam Dunn - strikes out a ton, it's true (164 this year), but he's also got a very high OBP and the Yankees need someone to replace the walks that Giambi and Abreu take - oh yeah, he also is an automatic 40 HR.

CF - Mike Cameron (36 years old this winter but still a superior defensive CF. Yankees could probably get him on a similar 1 year deal to the one he signed with Milwaukee this past year.) He's not a long term solution, but he's a better stop gap than offered by Gardner or Melky.

SP - Sabathia and AJ Burnett

Bench - Eric Hinske

Now, Girardi would like the team to get more athletic - which would be a mark against Dunn. Another option for 1b is to move Cano over there and sign Orlando Hudson to play 2nd

here's a terrifying notion just thrown out on WFAN - Ollie Perez in pinstripes

Chip: Cantu sounds good at firstbase. I'm just not sold on Brunett but maybe with the Yankee offense. He'll be OK pitching against the other AL teams. Dunn reminds me of Jason and not in a good way. I prefer athletic ability for the long haul.

Cano at firstbase and Hudson at second might work but the easier situation would be Cantu at first with Cano remaining at second. Cano as far as I can remember back. Is the best Yankee second baseman in all departments. If his head is right then I leave him alone. Cantu will give you a better bat than Hudson. Hinske as part time bat in the stadium is fine but his playing time will be limited because of all the bats the Yankees will have if Healthy. Plus he'll be liabilty in the field. He's great for running over catchers. OK put him on the roster to steam roll a couple of our favorite opponets.

Pittsburgh may accept les than Cano because 30milion over 4 years is much green for them and they are looking for pitching prospects especially if they believe Karstens is a plus in their trade with the Yanks. So, it will be a great Hot Stove and Cashman being back will give the Yanks a head start over last year with the interference from Hanky boy with Pettitte and the over indulging of Jorge.

Chip,

You can forget about hiring Dave Duncan to do anything until LaRussa retires.

Those guys have been joined at the hip for two decades and I can't see them being separated unless LaRussa decides to quit managing altogether.

You also made another point that has me puzzled.

Why is it extremely unlikely now that Cashman is officially back that Cano won't get traded?

I mean, we've always assumed Cashman was coming back anyways and yet several of us - including you - were pushing for a Cano deal.

In fact, you mentioned a report by Rosenthal that claimed they were laying the groundwork at the deadline for a Cano-for-McLouth package but it didn't happen because they didn't want to make such a move in the middle of the season.

Well, that groundwork was supposedly laid by Cashman himself according to Rosenthal - so I don't see his re-signing as an obstacle to dealing Cano if he already had thoughts about doing so.

Viper -

I think if Cashman had his druthers he would keep Cano for ego reasons. That said, he would be willing to trade him in the right deal and if a deal for McLouth is Cano and a lower level player then he'll do it. If it's Cano and one of the better pitching prospects then he'll say no.

Tom Verducci was just on WFAN a few minutes ago and he said he fully expects Cano's name to be thrown around all winter long.

BTW, just thought I'd remind everyone just how moronic and plain horrific George King is as a beatwriter - unquestionably the WORST in the business.

He apparently had some "scoop" that Joba's shoulder was still bothering him and it turned out that Joba himself says he's fine and the doctors have given him a thumbs up.

No way would the Yanks keep sending him out there if his shoulder was bothering him.

Joba said he just couldn't get loose in Boston and that was the extent of it - an occurrence that happens to every pitcher.

Never believe a word George King says unless there are reliable beatwriters to confirm the story.

Chip,
I've always felt that pitching coaching, hitting coaches etc. are all overrated as far as their impact is concerned. You mentioned Mazzone and he is a perfect example as he was considered a genius in Atlanta when he had Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux (and a healthy Jaret Wright for a season) and yet when he went to Baltimore he turned a bunch of poor pitchers into.......poor pitchers and was fired, never to be heard from again. If you think he's good, I'd say he is more available than Duncan at this time.

I just doubt the impact he would have would be a good one because I believe at the time the guys get to the minor leagues, they should already have a pretty good idea of what they are doing. They also get opinions from a lot of different people and they end up finding something that works for a while and the pitching coach gets the credit.

I also brought up the Mike Mussina joining the Yanks situation when we first started saying that CC didn't want to come to NY. I said that Mussina was known for hating cities and wanted to go someplace quiet but the Yanks put on their best recruiting effort and it while Torre was a good part of it, that won't steer players away. The Yanks have charm and they have money so FA's will be interested.
I think if the Yanks come away from the winter with anything less than CC it will be a disappointment. AJ Burnett would be a nice addition and Derek Lowe would fill the fifth spot in the rotation but they are not going to give the Yanks what we see CC doing for Milwaukee and Lowe will not strike fear into any team at all.

Chip,

Well, if Cashman was going to keep Cano for "ego reasons" - his re-signing won't make any difference.

We all assumed he was coming back anyways so I don't get how you've suddenly changed your tune.

Make up your mind, yo.

Viper -

Saw that. Noticed as well that it was Mark Hale, not King, who posted the correction.

Fair enough on Cash/Cano. How about I give you an absolute maybe that Cano will be traded. I'll even give you a few packages for him:

Cano (and Zack McAllister) for McLouth and Paul Maholm

Cano (and, Melky & Ian Kennedy) for David DeJesus and Zack Grienke

Cano to Arizona for Connor Jackson

Cano (and Phil Hughes) to the Padres for Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young.

and, of course

Cano for Matt Kemp

Larry -

I think on the major league level pitching coaches/hitting coaches etc...are overrated. I'm not talking about going after Duncan (or even Mazzone) for the ML pitching coach spot.

My issue is with the position of Organizational Pitching Coordinator. That's the person who designs all the throwing programs for the team's pitching prospects. Supervises rehab assignments and is responsible for evaluating all the pitchers throughout the organization. In this case the job is being handled by a man who has shown nothing in his 3 stints as a pitching coach to suggest that he's the best qualified for the job.

I hope that hitting coaches can do some good, and that we'll find some good ones and spread them around the system.

There has to be a reason why we never seem to have a soul that can bunt.

Surely situational hitting can be taught. I'm not asking for anybody to turn them all into Manny at the plate.

Bill madden is insane. In his article he wants Ollie Perez in the rotation, Posada at first, hudson at 2nd Derek Lowe as a number four and Molina/Greg zaun sharing catching duties.

Posada at first and Hudson at 2nd I can live with, but Perez in the Bronx?? ZAUN???

He also wants Holliday and Dejesus in the OF. Thats a very tall order.

Welcome back Cash

Still no on board with trading Cano unless he's part of a package to get a front line SP.

Heard this AM on Mike and Mike about Peavy being available, Id do a Cano / Hughes for Peavy. Im not going to trade Cano for DeJesus, or McClouth or any of these other fringe players. Cano has the "chance" to win a batting title at 2nd base. He had one bad year and now everyone is ready to send him packing? The kids head is messed up, but his talent is elite. If he gets his head on straight he'll be battling Pedroia for All Star selections over the next decade. Is DeJesus really better than Gardner? What if Austin Jackson lights up ST, now you just signed DeJesus for 3/4 years and he's stuck behind him. I think CF should be figured out from withing with either Melk, Gardner or Jackson. Forget the Mike Camerons of the world, Im sick of the retreads.

As for the Santana deal, people have every right to bash the "non-deal" TODAY, but nobody will know for sure until 3-4 years down the line if it was the right move. Johan has already lost 3-4 MPH from his fastball over the past two years, what if he continues to decline while Hughes takes off? What if Ian figures it out and Melk becomes the next "DeJesus". Then 4 years from now it would be viewed as a great non-move. Nobody can say for sure either way, unless they want to sell papers of course. Take for example the Twins and the Giants...they trade away AJ for Nathan, Liriano and Bonser...it took 2 years to realize that was a steal. But I dont want to get back into that ol debate again, we've beaten that to death. I want to look at the future....

I have to be honest, CC is scaring the crap out of me. I have a good friend who lives in Cleveland and didnt really like him until the 06 season. Before then his ERA was in the 4's, his walk rate was high and he could never win the "Big Game". Same thing last year, all he had to do was win one game against the Sox and the Indians would have advanced, he didnt win. Now he's being abused by the Brewers, I cant imagine what pitching 500 innings over 2 years will do to someone. But, if the Yanks can get him, I think they HAVE to. A big LHP under 30, just be aware of the risk, its not a slam dunk though.

The other guys like AJ and Sheets are even bigger risks, but may both be playing in the BX if the CC deal falls through. I like Lowe, but his numbers look great in the pee-wee league ( NL West ). I see him nothing more than a back end starter looking for the last paycheck of his career.

We really needed Ian and Phil to stay healthy this past year, even if they got bombed, they needed innings, so now we're in a tight spot. The Yanks have to go after CC, if not then both AJ and Sheets.

On the hitting side, again, we need Mark due to the other options.

Player Club
First Basemen
Rich Aurilia SF
Ben Broussard NYY
Carlos Delgado * NYM
Nomar Garciaparra LAD
Jason Giambi * NYY
Wes Helms PHI
Kevin Millar BAL
Richie Sexson NYY
Mark Teixeira LAA
Frank Thomas OAK
Daryle Ward CHC

Pretty miserable group. Oh, and I dont want Orlando Hudson or Casey Blake. Again, the options are VERY limited. Add to the fact that a #3 hitter is needed and you'll see why Teix is so important to us. I keep going back and forth between wanting Teix or CC more, Im gonna call it a tie. Person for Person CC is more valuable, but when you factor in everything else such as who else is available to fill 1B and be our #3 hitter, its a push.....IMO

BTW... I didnt see Cantu listed as a FA.

I dont mean to pick on the Mets, but I just read a funny article listing the MLB's Year End Fan Frustration Index...Yanks were listed at #10, Mets at #1 =

http://mvn.com/outsider/2008/09/30/mlbs-year-end-fan-frustration-index/

1. New York Mets (89-73, 2nd Place - National League East)

Think anyone who follows the Mets can’t find two games from ‘07 and ‘08 that the team should have won but didn’t? That’s the difference between two playoff appearances or the two seasons they will be home watching their rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, playing in the postseason instead. Some Mets’ fans contend that ‘08 is not as frustrating as their ‘07 collapse but they still blew a 3-1/2 game division lead with 17 games to play and this year had an opportunity to back door their way in by a Wild Card berth. The Mets’ fans can’t even enjoy sticking it to Yankees’ fans who had been out of postseason contention for a few weeks and the club sacrificed a significant chunk of their future to acquire Johan Santana who delivered but received no support from an atrocious bullpen highlighted by the loss of closer Billy Wagner. Now, the team has to find a way to retool with a limited cast of young talent and an inflated payroll. And how much confidence do Mets’ fans have that GM Omar Minaya will make the right decision? It’s the player’s faults the team didn’t make it happen for the second season in a row but, at some point, you have to blame the builder for using the wrong materials if the house keeps collapsing.

10. New York Yankees (89-73, 3rd Place - American League East)

Sure, it was bound to happen but did it have to happen the same year that Yankee Stadium closed? Could the Red Sox at least have missed the playoffs, too? Why did our former manager Joe Torre have to guide his new team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, to a National League West title? At least when the Yankees missed the playoffs in ‘93, there was hope as the team was at the tail end of a 12 year playoff drought and was on the way up. It’s going to cost a bit of dough to fix some of the issues this team has. Oh wait, it’s the Yankees. They will.

Do you think Cano / Kennedy / Melky would get Peavy?

If we could somehow get Peavy and hold on to Hughes that would be ideal.

Then throw whatever it takes to get Sabathia.

Boy would that be nuts.....

Wang
CC
Peavy
Mussina and/or Pettitte
Hughes

Jon.

I also want an all Chicago WS, but I want the Sox to win.
I was reading stories on Steve Bartman and I really don't like what the Scrub fans did to him and his family. Let them go another 100 years without one.

If there's no Chicago series, then I'd like to see:
1. an all Freeway series with Manny pounding Anaheim into dog meat.
2. Boston/LA with Manny demolishing Fenway Phak.

I agree with Chip (one of his first posts) on resigning Cashman was a good move, but he needs to be creative in the off season especially if the Yanks strike out on any top notch free agents. Standing pat will just not cut it.

McCarthy -

I don't see anyway the Padres part with Peavy without getting Hughes and Cano (at least) back in the deal.

Think of it this way - the Twins wanted Hughes, Melky, and another prospect for Johan. Johan's the better pitcher but he also was 1 year away from free agency - Peavy is signed through 2012 (with a club option for 2013):

2009 salary: $11 million
2010 salary: $15 million
2011 salary: $16 million
2012 salary: $17 million
2013 salary: $22 million ($4 million buyout)

Would I deal Hughes and Cano for him? Sure. But keep in mind that by dealing him, the Padres would be opening up salary room to try and ink CC.

Maybe the Pads would be going after CC and maybe not. There are rumors of all sorts of possibilities out there, even of the team being sold. Evidently the owner, following a costly (and unpleasant) divorce, has left town, has other financial troubles relating to the ongoing economic meltdown, may be looking to get out of the BB biz, and is likely not looking to invest hugely if he keeps the team.

A lot of speculation going on and no way to know how much of it has any foundation at all.

You guys are throwing so many names out there that I need a scorecard to keep up with all of you.

Wallace Mathews wrote a good column today. If any of you haven't read it yet, take a look.

Fire Nardi; hire Mazonne.

If memory serves me, Peavey is a pickup-driving Alabama redneck who has expressed distaste in the past for the idea of living in the north. Don't know how long that attitude lasts if we pile the bed of that pickup with cash, of course...

Cashman, in his remarks today, cautioned Yankee fans not to get too invested in the names we hear bandied about this winter. That he agrees that there's a need to go after starting pitching but has no promises on how that's going to happen.

Hey Chipster, where's the source for that? Would lke to hear what he said.

Dave -

If you go to WFAN.com you can listen to his entire speech.

Great thanks, Chip.

Wow what a horse, John Heyman reported today that Snatana of the Mets had a torn meniscus in his left knee and had surgery today to correct it. He pitched that shutout on saturday with it...tells ya somethin eh? Guy has some heart.

Apparently Cashman was on WFAN and said that Joba was going to be a starter in 2009 for the entire season.

Good. It's where he belongs. Screw the part-time reliever, part-time starter crap.

Put him in the rotation and leave him there.

Sorry, Jorge. You're opinion doesn't count.

Viper -

Cashman also just confirmed that Giambi's option will be declined but that does not mean he won't be with the team next year.

I think Tex is out, Brian will kick the tires on a couple of trades at the winter meetings (Garrett Atkins, Prince, Kotchman, LaRoche) but if the price is high on those guys he'll offer Jason 1 year 3 or 4 mil (giving him 8 or 9 total for the one year) and Jason will take it.

Chip,

I'll have to listen to the interview. But I can't see them bringing Giambi back.

If he does, I may have to fly to NY and drop kick Cashman in the kisser.

Let that dying dog die already.

The Curse of Crashman is extended 3 years!

Viper,
Dying dog? Dude had 30+ HR's and 95 RBI and his OBP was great.

Long live Giambino!!!!

Jim,

And he's going to be 38 years old who somehow managed to stay healthy during a contract year.

Let him walk. Abreu as well.

Offer Abreu arbitration - if he takes it, great. I'm fine with him on a 1 year deal. If he goes somewhere else, take the draft pick.

I don't like the idea of bringing Giambi back, but then I don't get to make these decisions. As I said, I don't think Tex is on the menu, much as I would like the next guy to be Jorge Cantu, I'm not sure that's going to happen.

Other FA's are:
Dunn (my number 2 choice)
Blaylock

Trade scenarios are:
Atkins
Kotchman
LaRoche
Mike Jacobs/Dan Uggla
Connor Jackson

none will come cheap (except maybe Jacobs)