Random Question About CF

In 2009, who would you like to see in CF?

If the Yankees plug in Brett Gardner, the OF would shape up to be Gardner in center, Damon in left and Nady in right. That’s a fairly solid defensive configuration. Of course, this arrangement is contingent upon the notion that Melky Cabrera will not be a starter next year and will likely make the team, but as a defensive replacement, off the bench (our 4th outfielder).

The second configuration could skimp on the defense, allowing for more offense. The Yankees could plug Damon into center and then figure things out from there. They could sign Manny Ramirez to a 3 or 4-year deal and let him roam RF (move Nady to LF), or they could try Matsui in the OF and hope that he doesn’t die. This would open up the DH hole, allowing them to add another bopper.

Why go the offensive route when the pitching is more important, you ask? Well, say the Yanks fail to lure CC Sabathia or sign AJ Burnett (Burnett is still a huge drop off from CC). They would have to “settle” for Derek Lowe and maybe Jon Garland (unless they try to trade). I figure they would probably add Joba into the rotation as well, since the 4 starters (Wang, Lowe, Pettitte, Garland) can be counted on to eat innings, however, the rotation itself isn’t as strong as it could’ve been with a Sabathia or a Burnett. You’re essentially adding offense to offset the output expected from your pitchers. It’s a strong rotation but it’s not lights out, therefore more hitting would make some sense and it would allow the Yankees to take Joba out of games earlier (with a lead) and limiting his workload (it’d help Jon Garland too).

What do you think? Is the first option best or is the second option best? Or, do we simply have to wait and see because the pitching will decide how the story is told?

Cashman Gets 3-Year Deal

Kat O’Brien has the scoop.

The Yankees made the announcement of Cashman’s return Tuesday afternoon, after it was first reported on Newsday.com. Cashman deliberated over the decision about whether it was time to move on after 11 seasons as GM, but gave the Yankees an affirmative answer Tuesday afternoon. In the end, a Yankees source said, it came down to what was best for his family. The new contract will be for slightly more than Cashman had been making, putting it in the ballpark of $2-million per year.

In a statement from the Yankees’ official release, Cashman said: “I know I’ve said it before, but it’s an incredible opportunity and honor to hold the title of general manager for the New York Yankees. With it comes a great responsibility to ownership, the people who wear the uniform and our fan base.”

A joint statement from Yankees co-chairpersons Hal and Hank Steinbrenner said: “Before we could move forward as an organization this off-season, we needed to come to a resolution on the person who would hold the important position of general manager and allow us to make another run at a 27th World Championship. We are thrilled that Brian has accepted to renew his commitment to this organization for at least three more years.”

Cashman will meet with the media at Yankee Stadium Wednesday morning. Neither Cashman nor Hal Steinbrenner, with whom Cashman negotiated the deal, could immediately be reached for comment. The two work closely together, and that relationship was a huge positive for Cashman in making up his mind.

No surprise here (if you are surprised, I’m surprised that you’re surprised). As I wrote earlier, Seattle which seemed like Brian’s other choice, isn’t a good fit for him. This works for him, in a number of ways (familiarity, family, money). Now that he’s locked up, it’s time to move on to the meat and potatoes of the offseason— free agent signings and trades.

Tex’s BoSox History

From the Boston Globe comes this piece on Mark Teixeira’s history with the Boston Red Sox, an organization he hasn’t had the “best” relationship with, in the past. The Sox have been after Teixeira for a while now, but I don’t see how he would fit into their plans.

Joba’s Shoulder Woes

I’m a little late on this one. My grad school program started last week, so please bare with me while my schedule starts to come together. I’ll still post regularly, of course, it just takes me a few days to figure out how I’m going to organize my time.

Anyway, Joba Chamberlain was experiencing some tightness in his shoulder during the first game of the doubleheader against the Sox, which explains why his velocity was down a bit (and why he couldn’t perform, forcing Girardi to go to Mariano Rivera to get the final outs of the game). Joba will have the entire offseason to rest his million dollar arm and will not participate in any fall leagues. He’s not concerned and I don’t think the Yankees are either.

The Infamous Closing Ceremony

I wrote about a rumored closing ceremony at Yankee Stadium a few months ago. Today, USA Today essentially confirmed it, although in a roundabout sort of way. In an article on Joe Torre, which was highly interesting, Joe was asked about returning to Yankee Stadium for the closing ceremony in November. Here’s what he had to say about a possible reunion:

Torre, who got a congratulatory call from Cashman the day the Dodgers clinched the NL West title, will be back in New York after the World Series. He and Ali are hosting a reunion of the 1998 World Series championship team at their Safe at Home Foundation dinner Nov. 7. The Yankees plan to have a final ceremony two days later at the Stadium.

“I would like to go,” says Torre, who plans to get a couple of seats from the stadium. “It would be nice to say good-bye.

It appears as though the ceremony is a go, despite the ending we saw a week ago. We also have a date now (November 9th). Hopefully, Torre will be there, along with Donnie and a few others. It’ll be fun to watch the Yankees in their handling of the event, as it must be different from the final game at Yankee Stadium (you can’t regurgitate the same old song and dance). I’m expecting musical performances and maybe a couple of star-studded speeches, equipped with video montages.

Headed To Seattle?

There are quite a few rumors circulating throughout the baseball community, rumors pertaining to Brian Cashman and his supposed “intrigue” with the Seattle Mariners and their GM position. Now, while I live in Seattle (temporarily) and think that Cashman would be able to help the club here (hell, it seems like anyone could do a better job right now), I just don’t see it as a viable destination for him. My reasoning for this thought is fairly simple as it deals with power and control.

As the GM for the Yankees, Cashman has always dealt with problems related to power and control. The Steinbrenner family has constantly took the reigns, pushing Cashman to the side, usurping his power and relegating him to the sidelines. George did it, his advisory board did it, Hank talks too much and has tried to do it (Johan Santana), and Hal is pretty much the only saving grace, although he too is jumping into the baseball decisions, headfirst. Cashman was only granted autonomy a few years ago, when Mr. Steinbrenner was losing his grip on the franchise and now, with Hank Steinbrenner’s recent comments about another advisory board, people think that Cashman will be stripped of his power, yet again. This would force him out of NY and into Seattle.

However, let’s not forget that Seattle is not some sort of magical franchise that provides unrestrained control to the GM. For example, Ichiro Suzuki, the biggest and brightest star in Seattle, would make sense as a trading chip when a team is as bad as the Mariners currently are. Although he’s a great player, he’s not getting any younger, and by the time the team is ready to contend, Ichiro will probably be 40. This is not my own opinion as it’s something many people in Seattle have discussed. But, alas, it will never happen, not because Ichiro is a huge draw at Safeco. That’s not the primary reason. The main reason is that the Japanese ownership that controls the team would NEVER allow it. They’re the same group that gave the 32-year old catcher, Kenji Johjima, a new 3-year deal (runs through 2011), this year, before letting him finish out the season (and he had a terrible year). The GM at the time, Bill Bavasi, was rumored to have nothing to do with the deal, as the Japanese ownership supposedly pushed it through. It made no sense, especially with top-tier prospect, Jeff Clement, waiting in the winds.

The point is that the ownership for Seattle has its own set of problems with power and control. The Johjima deal is one of those explicit “WTF” moments that truly tells the tale. They have not conceded power in the past, even when it was in the best interest of the team. Would Brian Cashman really want to deal with a franchise like that? You can argue that it’s very similar to the way the Yankees have operated and I agree, to a point, but that’s not entirely true. When compared to the Steinbrenners, their first priority has always been winning, not providing loyalty-driven contracts to players that weren’t that good to begin with (compare the contracts of Posada and Rivera to… Kenji Johjima). They’re not even “loyalty-driven”, essentially, and are based on Japanese history (Johjima played in Japan). If Pat Gillick, a longtime friend of Cashman’s, was headed to Seattle, then maybe that’d work, yet I haven’t heard that as being true.

With the Yankees, Cashman knows what he’s getting into. In Seattle, without a new CEO of operations or new ownership, who knows? If Cashman was going to leave, he’d venture to a place that would guarantee him complete control and that’s just not happening in Seattle. I mean, why go to Seattle and battle for power on the other side of the country when you can just do it here (note the sarcasm)?

No CC?

From Tyler Kepner (NY Times):

Hank Steinbrenner has publicly promised to be aggressive in pursuing free agents this winter, and the crop will be thick. The Yankees will explore Sabathia, although they are pessimistic about his desire to play for them.

If the Yankees can’t get CC and if Mike Mussina retires, then it’ll be interesting to see what they decide to do with their rotation. Money always talks, but CC, a native Californian (he’s from Vallejo), appears willing to concede a few dollars in exchange for comfort and location. My buddy from LA was discussing CC’s possible destinations with me and we both agreed that Dodger Blue would make sense. Kepner notes that the team probably won’t pursue any NL pitchers (for obvious reasons), and although Ben Sheets has been mentioned, his latest injury (elbow) doesn’t increase the Yankees’ interest, as it’s just more of the same from another injury-prone pitcher.

The Yankees do have other options outside of CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. AJ Burnett is a notable free agent who will certainly get a look if he opts out of his contract with the Jays. Derek Lowe is another guy, a former Red Sox, that could take the ball in the AL East without hesitation (he knows what it takes to succeed in this division) but, remember, he is 36 years old and has earned himself a big payday (and multi-year deal). Would the Yankees be willing to give a 36-year old a 4-year deal? It doesn’t sound like an attractive option, to say the least.

At the end of the day, the Yankees are going to need starters and, while there are a few good pitchers out there, they could have problems signing players that they want and finding good fits for their team. Wang and Andy Pettitte are the only “definite” rotation mates right now (and Pettitte isn’t even a lock yet). If the Yankees can’t sign or choose not to sign either CC, AJ or Sheets, then they’ll have to go to plan D, as in D-Lowe. If that doesn’t work out, they may be forced to go after a guy like Jon Garland who is a mediocre starter, yet a reliable innings eater (it could be worse, like, Paul Byrd worse…). If the team is struggling to find bodies, then they’ll have to look at other NL pitchers who aren’t AL proven and take their chances. The hated Oliver Perez could even be one of those starters.

If that ultimately doesn’t work out, the Yankees would have to pursue some sort of trade, because they can’t rely on Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain or IPK, at least not right away, to start off the 2009 season in the rotation. If I had to guess on possible trading partners, I’d say to keep an eye out on the Reds. Also, there’s always this guy, if we’re really desperate (it’s a joke!)…

Pettitte, Moose News

Andy Pettitte spoke briefly with some reporters today and it appears as though Andy will return next year although he didn’t explicitly commit to such a return (not yet, anyway). When asked about Mike Mussina’ future, Pettitte also mentioned that if anyone could walk away from the game after a 20-9 season, it was Mussina. I’d only take Pettitte back for what, $10 million? That’s fair, based on his performance this year, right?

Mo Will Have Surgery

Tyler Kepner informs us (in his great writeup on Mike Mussina) that Mariano Rivera has decided to opt for shoulder surgery, as it is a minor procedure and it will not force him to miss any time in 2009.

2008

Well, that’s all, that’s the end of the season. The Yankees finish up strong, but their 89-73 record just wasn’t enough to overcome a solid Boston team and a stunning Rays squad. As of now, uncertainty and change are on the horizon and it will be interesting to see what happens and who returns.

I plan on writing quite a few posts that critique (not criticize) aspects of the 2008 season throughout the week (from the pitching to the managing), so check in if you’d like. Also, with the Yankees, remember, the offseason is never boring and the blog will be up and running. I actually enjoy writing about possible acquisitions, free agent dealings, speculation and trades, so, again, be sure to stop by.

For now, here are some final bits to close out the final day of our season.

1. Here’s the boxscore for the final game of the season (Ponson faced a weak lineup, in case you were wondering why he pitched well).
2. Mike Mussina’s career could be over, although I think he could return for 2009. His record certainly reflects his current abilities and it’s evident that he can still pitch, it’s just going to be up to him to figure out if he wants to return or not.
3. Joe Girardi has considered putting Joba Chamberlain in the rotation to start 2009 (they’d be careful with him, skipping starts, limiting innings, and so on and so forth).
4. Speaking of Girardi, after talking with an assortment of players and personnel, Ed Price speculates that many of the players haven’t exactly meshed well with Girardi’s personality. According to Price, Girardi’s intensity before and after games has created this very “tight” atmosphere, which has hurt the team in their attempts to remain “loose”. When you think about how poor the club was at advancing runners and hitting with RISP (A-Rod and Giambi come to mind), it makes sense.

More tomorrow…

20

The Yankees pulled out all of the stops in order to get Mike Mussina his first 20-win season today. Congrats to the Moose. At the beginning of the season, I predicted that the old guy had something left and he sure proved that this year.

Cashman Set To Return?

According to George King III, Brian Cashman has “decided” to return, or, at least that’s what the “buzz” is from those familiar with the team. Cashman has not made an explicit decision yet (so King’s article title is rather misleading), however, we should hear something definitive by tomorrow or Tuesday.

Almost Over

Here’s an AP Photo of this year’s rookie hazing. You can see Juan Miranda, Brett Gardner, and Francisco Cervelli dressed as the Village People as they leave Fenway. Obviously, these guys are leaving because the game was postponed and, if you’re interested, the Yankees and Sox will battle throughout the day, tomorrow, with a doubleheader. I guess the biggest story for Yankee fans is that Mike Mussina will go after the Sox as he searches for that elusive 20th win.

If you watched Mussina’s last start against Boston then you were very pleased with what you saw. He gave up 2 ER in 7 IP, scattered 5 hits and struck out 6. He looked comfortable against a Manny-less Red Sox lineup and I think that’s an important sign for the Yankees as they gauge their interest in Mussina for next year. I know one batter shouldn’t make a difference when estimating whether or not a pitcher can perform within your own division, however, these past few years have had quite a few Manny-Mussina battles and Manny Ramirez has typically wiped the floor with whatever Mike Mussina threw at him on that given day. Without him in there, it could make Mussina’s numbers that much better against the Sox over the course of an entire season. I may be expecting too much, but Mussina hasn’t thrown 7 full innings against the Red Sox since 2004, so make no mistake, without Manny in that lineup, Mike Mussina feels better about his chances (I’m not trying to slight Jason Bay, that’s just the truth).

Finally, does anyone else want to bet that, if the Red Sox are winning in the bottom of the 9th in the 2nd game (which could easily happen with Sidney Ponson scheduled for that start), the fans will rise and sing the “Goodbye” song to the Yankees. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them try it, with us not headed to the playoffs and all.

Saturday’s Bits: Girardi, McLouth, Burnett

Just a few notes before today’s game:

1. In Jon Heyman’s latest piece, he notes that several “key players” are not happy with Joe Girardi’s managerial style and that he may have to spend time repairing relationships in the offseason. Apparently, some feel that Girardi’s “militaristic” approach isn’t working well and players from the Torre era miss his low key persona. Girardi is going to have to figure himself out this winter and become flexible. His style has to be tweaked as it did not help the team as much as we thought it would.

2. Heyman also states that the Yankees are expected to make a big play for Nate McLouth in the offseason (another Pirate?). I’ve written about McLouth before and I’m wondering what others may think about him. He’s definitely got a bright future and he’s cheap.

3. Finally, AJ Burnett may end up staying with Toronto. They have reportedly offered him 2 more years (on top of his final 2) for $15 million per ($30 million extension and $54 million over a 4-year period). Ben Sheets, come on down?

Shoulder Surgery For Rivera?

PA confirms that Mariano Rivera is, in fact, injured and is leaning towards (minor) surgery in order to correct the problem (although a rehab program is still on the table). Amazingly, Mo told PA that this is something he has dealt with all season long and when you look at his numbers, they don’t necessarily scream “injured” (not by any means). Since the arthroscopic procedure is considered to be minor, Rivera will not miss any time in 2009, if he opts for the surgery.

No Go

From Bryan Hoch (Yankees’ website):

The Yankees have not ruled out a return from Giambi in 2009, and general manager Brian Cashman has already reached out to Giambi to gauge his interest in playing in New York for another season. Giambi said that Cashman told him he would need to figure out his own situation first. Cashman’s contract expires Oct. 31 and, though the Yankees want him back, he is waiting until after the season to decide.

The Yankees figure to evaluate Giambi as they would any other free agent, primed to buy out his $22 million option at a price of $5 million. Giambi’s response to Cashman was that he is interested in a multi-year deal but would love to stay, as he hopes to play into his 40s.

If Giambi wants a multi-year deal, he’s going to have to get it elsewhere. I’ve speculated that the Angels or even the Oakland A’s could make a run at Giambi.

Will Moose Return?

Well, according to Roch Kubatko who recently spoke with Jim Palmer, Moose could retire next year (that’s what he told Palmer). I’d like to see Mussina return. You can’t argue with results and he had the results this year, regardless of his age.

I Doubt Surgery Could Save Joe Girardi’s Credibility…

Last night I reported that Mariano Rivera was getting a routine physical. Now, however, as seen here, that’s simply not the case. In fact, he has a sore shoulder and could need surgery (albeit minor surgery).

Joe Girardi, the secretive government worker, failed to deliver this information last night and the beat writers are up in arms. Brian Cashman broke the news to them and Girardi still acted as if Rivera was having a routine physical for a “cranky body” when questioned about it later. I wrote about Girardi’s problems with disclosure a few weeks, when he hid a Damaso Marte injury and now, it appears as though things have finally reach the point of no return. Girardi should just help himself and start telling the truth, or at least something closer to the truth, or else his tenure in the Bronx will continue to be a bumpy ride.

Game 159: Yanks VS. Jays

From PA:

YANKEES (87-71)
Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Abreu DH
Nady RF
Giambi 1B
Betemit 3B
Ransom SS
Cabrera LF
Cervelli C
Pavano RHP

I feel bad for anyone who bought tickets to this game (if you live in Toronto). They’re still the Yankees, but if you bought tickets weeks or even months in advance, hoping to see a star-studded lineup and thinking that the team would be in the midst of a playoff run, you’re probably somewhat annoyed. Hell, at least you get to see Cervelli get a start, which is pretty cool.

As a side note, Mariano Rivera won’t be available tonight. He’s having his physical done and should be available for the Boston series.

Economic Turmoil Could Effect Baseball

From Buster Olney (ESPN):

There is a growing feeling within the industry that the nation’s economic struggles are going to have a major impact on the decisions of some teams. Some executives and agents believe a lot of teams might shy away from long-term obligations knowing that the disposable income of many of their fans might disappear — and disposable income is what the baseball industry relies upon. More clubs may be apt to cut payroll or hold their budgets in place, rather than spend, because of the fiscal uncertainty. Some executives and agents talk about the upcoming offseason and increasingly sound as if they are coastal residents preparing to batten down for an economic hurricane.

When thinking about baseball, we often place it outside of reality, as if it is a separate and distinct entity. We tend to forget that issues pertaining to our economy stretch across America and touch all corners of the country, including baseball which is a billion dollar industry.

While it will be interesting to see how the current economic landscape effects offseason acquisitions, I wonder if it will adversely effect the new Yankee Stadium in terms of fan attendance. With prices for everything (food, tickets, etc.) skyrocketing and with unemployment on the rise, only a certain group of people will truly be able to attend multiple games throughout the year. Of course, I still think that mostly all of the games will be sold out next season, however, that’s still contingent upon how the economy looks over the next few months. If every dollar counts come 2009, then baseball may hit the back burner for a bit.