Wednesday’s Bits: Pedroia, CC, Sheets, Baldelli
December 3, 2008, 7:27 pmHere are a couple of news items for the day:
1. The reigning AL MVP, Dustin Pedroia (that didn’t sound right at all…), and the Red Sox hammered out an extension today, with the Sox locking Pedroia up through 2015 (possibly). Hey, maybe he’ll suffer from a terrible bout of Cano and suck next year too?
2. Jayson Stark is reporting that the Giants could jump into the bidding for CC Sabathia and that they can also be considered contenders for his services (they’re been speaking with CC’s agent, Greg Genske, says Stark). Basically, a CC-San Fran relationship makes sense in light of the NL and west coast rumors. SF needs offense and by signing CC, it would allow them to trade Matt Cain for an actual cleanup hitter. Then again, why not just sign a legitimate cleanup hitter like Mark Teixeira (or Pat Burrell) and withhold from dealing Cain (who could develop into a true ace at the fraction of the cost)? That makes sense, right?
3. Thirdly, Ken Rosenthal reports that Ben Sheets will probably decline arbitration in order to seek a multiyear deal elsewhere (of course, the Brewers can also resign him to a multiyear deal). If I’m Brian Cashman, why not offer him a 2-year deal worth $24-25 million with an option for a third year? Is that too much for him? I don’t think so, not in today’s market, and the commitment is relatively short when compared to what you’d give Burnett or Lowe ($16 million annually over 4-5 years).
4. Finally, Ken Rosenthal says that the Yankees are interested in Rocco Baldelli. Rosenthal says that Baldelli could be useful as a right-handed alternative to Hideki Matsui and could spell time for him at the DH spot (against lefties). Now, honestly, I like Baldelli and the talent that he brings to the table, but Matsui hits both lefties and righties. He doesn’t hit for much power against lefties anymore, however, he hit .315 against them last year and is a .295 hitter against them, lifetime. I mean, it could work although I don’t see the necessity in bringing him on board, especially if that means seeing Girardi go platoon-happy the way he did last year. Then again, Baldelli’s mitochondrial disorder is like a built-in preventative measure that wouldn’t hinder Girardi from using him over and over again (it’s messed up yet very true).
As someone who lives in Milwaukee and has seen Sheets pitch, he’d be a great addition for the Yankees on a 2 or three year deal, perhaps with that third year being an option year based on performance. Sheets is obviously injury-plagued, but when he’s healthy, he’s positively electric.
If seems pointless to have Baldelli on the bench. How many outfielders/DH would that make: Nady, Damon, Gardner, Melky, Swisher, Matsui…that’s over a 1/5th of the 25 man roster.
Hey Zach, I wholeheartedly agree on the Sheets topic. He’d be a nice pickup. Also, to Tripp, I agree with you too. Baldelli isn’t really necessary, however, if he can somehow figure out his health problem then he’d be a great guy to have around.
Just what the Yankees need, a guy who struggles to stay healthy and has a illness that gets worse when the person is in stressful situations (Rocco).
^Ha, I think the injury is an issue, consistently (no matter the situation or context). Then again, I am not a doctor as my medical expertise involves visiting WebMD and watching forensic files.
I heard elsewhere that his disease can get worse with extreme stress. I would assume playing for the Yankees involves extreme stress, just ask Kevin Brown.
Hmm, a guy who can’t perform under high stress… I mean, we already have A-Rod, right? (whoa, just kidding everyone, ha)…
Apparently, several past and present Yankees have been afflicted with undiagnosed mithochondrial disease….going all the way back to Ed Whitson. This disease is no joke and Rocco would have been a great addition before this happened to him….you can only hope he regains his full health.
I am a little concerned that Cashman has lost his mind. I do hope he hears the Ben Sheets, Ben Sheets echo. At the probable price it should a no brainer as I’ve said before.
In addition, this Mike Cameron rumor has got to go away…..I think it’s what made Plaxico shoot himself…..I know I feel that way!
Ha… I agree, forget Mike Cameron. Thanks for the info on the mito disease (I didn’t know that). It’d be great if Baldelli signed with the Yankees, then suddenly, a few months into his contract, doctors figure out a form of treatment that could allow him to play everyday. But, if that was an option, I think the Rays would have kept him around.