Comments on: Prices are dropping, but will it matter?

By: BZ

BZ — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:07:00 +0000

Fien is aggressive and goes after hitters. He doesn’t walk anyone and will be a solid addition to the bullpen.

By: David

David — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:09:04 +0000

Whats the hate for Jeter?

And why the Yanks?

Plus Ryan Jeter has started 150+ games 5 years in a row let alone 130

and if you say the Yankees put those dirty dirty RED SOX AND METS in there too, they’ve been BIG SPENDERS

Heck so have we(just recently though)

Plus Mariano doesn’t look too bad yet coming off a 1.40 ERA in 70IP

By: Dave BW

Dave BW — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:18:14 +0000

I don’t have a problem with the Yankees spending $420 million. I do have a problem with them spending $420 million on free agents while simultaneously taking $370 million from the city in tax-exempt bonds for the purpose of tweaking their new stadium.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:37:02 +0000

Andrew McCutcheon?

By: Vince in MN

Vince in MN — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:21:52 +0000

My mistake, I had him confused with Andy Exesketchon, who used to catch for the Orioles back in the day. Loon remembers.

By: Vince in MN

Vince in MN — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:08:43 +0000

Don’t the Pirates have a well-thought of minor leaguer in their system by the name of Andy Escutcheon?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:22:39 +0000

My son bought me a Tiger hoodie and a ‘09 calendar and although this isn’t Tiger related, I’m typing this from my new HP computer (whoopie!).

I’ve never hated the Yankees until this year. It’s disgusting to see them spend so much money.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:30:43 +0000

Vince, I see your point, but other than Swisher, I see all of them as having negative trade value. They could cut, but do they really want the Rays signing Matsui to DH at league minimum? Also, if they legitimately aren’t going to lay out $10 mill for Pettite, I think they’re done with big money signings for the offseason. It’s not a matter of not having the money for a backup IF, it’s a matter of roster space. No matter how much money they spend, they still only get 25 guys.
I think money is still an issue with the Yankees. They lost about $80 mill in contracts from last year, (Giambi, Abreu, Pettite, Mussina, etc.) and were able to sign the top three FAs for less that that. They live in a different neighborhood for sure, but I don’t think they are willing to go much over $200 mill.

By: Smoking Loon

Smoking Loon — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:26:01 +0000

*And are there really no sabermetrics that include the word “escutcheon?”*

Coleman, there are a few, such as Escutcheon-Prevention Independent Catching, Walks-Above-Slugging Team Escutcheon, and Outfield Fly Trajectory Isolated Metric Escutcheon, but they’re kind of obscure, and have been superseded of late by WTCGIAG (Why This Crappy Guy Is Actually Good).

*The Yankees aren’t done.*

Despite a history of shameless and bloated spending, when you leave aside the 75 World Championships (all won against National League teams, I might add), the Yankees have yet to win a World Series.

By: Vince in MN

Vince in MN — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:01:35 +0000

The Yankees aren’t done. I expect them to deal some of the excess for, if nothing else, prospects. Even if they have to eat some of the salaries, that isn’t a problem either – remember they still have something like $40M off the books from last year to spend. Need a backup catcher (or two?) – buy it. Need a spare reserve IF (or two?) – buy it. How about some relief pitching – buy it. Unlike the other 29 MLB teams, money isn’t an issue with them.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:30:51 +0000

I can’t figure out what the Yankees think this team is going to look like. Assuming Teixiera is the everyday 1B, and if Posada turns out to not be a legit catcher anymore, they have Damon, Swisher, Matsui, Posada, Cabrera, Gardner, and a couple prospects to fill DH, LF, and CF. Even if the prospects stay in AAA, and Gardner returns, two of those first five guys will be on the bench every day. Add in a backup catcher, and they have one bench spot to back up 2B/SS/3B. Derek Jeter is at a point in his career where asking him to play more than 135 games is a problem (asking him to play at all is a problem, but you know what I mean). If Joba is a starter, they still have a big hole in front of Rivera. If he is a setup guy, they are depending on Hughes and Kennedy to fill two rotation spots again. Rivera is 39, and one of these years he’s going to be done. Despite all these splashy signings, if Joyce is adequate and Tampa can pick up anything for their DH spot, I think the Yankees are still behind the Rays and even with the Red Sox in the AL East.

By: David

David — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:26:33 +0000

btw the quote is from here

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p;c_id=nyy

middle of the page

By: David

David — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:25:40 +0000

Yea Vince I know what you’re saying,

my point wasn’t that though

First of all they picked up two big guys – who will help on the defensive side of the ball

Plus

“It may have seemed like bad timing to push New York’s offseason investment plan well past the $400 million mark, but the Yankees’ payroll actually remains on track to be lower for the 2009 season, even with Teixeira. In adding Sabathia, Burnett, Swisher and Damaso Marte, the Yankees had restored approximately $48.3 million of the $88.5 million coming off their books. ”

With that huge amount of money coming off their payroll and a NEW stadium the should spend, and like you said – they are the Yankees and can afford to do it anyways.

Play the hand you’re dealt.

Still they got a lot of PITCHING which was MUCH SMARTER than what we did, AND they weren’t GIVING UP PROSPECTS FOR IT

I never heard they were going to score 1000+runs

By: Vince in MN

Vince in MN — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:10:43 +0000

Rick G,
thanks for the correction on the link – not sure how I did that, but I guess I wasn’t paying attention.

By: Vince in MN

Vince in MN — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 17:38:36 +0000

David, since the Yankees have a larger GNP than most nations, I’m sure they’ll just go out and buy what they need. Even if all the salaries weren’t coming off the books, they’d still spend, spend, spend. And they do try and get the best. So, I agree, picking up Tex was a great acquisition. And they are probably not done yet – it wouldn’t surprise me if they picked up Manny for a couple of years – what’s another $50M. The way they throw the money around is just a little unseemly IMHO, but that’s just me.

On the other hand, they are trying to create/maintain an elite product that has world wide recognition and a high reputation. In that regard it’s more than just baseball for them. And if you can outspend your competitors into oblivion while you are at it, well, why not.