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There is not much to talk about with the Yankees.  Their starting pitching is just about set.  I doubt they will go strong after Zito or Clemens unless they can move a pitcher or 2 (the unit and/or Pavano).

Cashman said they are still looking for a utility IF, 1B and a Lefty relief arm.  I think he is just holding out on some guys until they get desperate.  I wouldn’t mind picking up Loretta and Menkevich (sp).  Loretta can be the right handed 1B and the utility IF.  Douggie can be the left handed 1B along with a late inning defensive replacement.  I prefer them over Shea “me” Hillenbrand.  I don’t think Phillips will be the choice even though Cashman said he is comfortable using him.  A shame he never got a fair chance.

I read the Gonzalez rumors are dead because the Yanks are not going to give up Proctor AND Melky. I could see both going straight up got Gonzalez but not both.  Proctor will never be the Mo of 96 but he is a decent setup guy when he is rested.

Willis got arrested for a DUI this morning.  Maybe he is not the best guy to bring to NY.  Check out pendingpinstripes.com for some good minor league talk.  It is a pay site but worth the money.

Merry Christmas and happy new year.

I will be away next week and will return after the new year.

Stevereno

A little off topic but I couldn’t help it.   

“Trump said, “Until this morning, I didn’t know which way it was going to go.” But upon meeting her in his office, he said that he saw her “good heart” and that she “got caught up in the whirlwind that all know as New York.”

Which basically means Miss USA gave Mr. Trump an awesome hummer (and I am not talking about one of those big trucks) in his office this morning.

It’s good to be the king………..

There has been a lot of rumors about Melky being traded, the Unit being traded, etc.  I think Cashman is just throwing idead out to see what he can get in return.  He knows teams are desperate and the Yanks are in a good position so Cashman is seeing how desperate GM’s will get. 

I doubt the big Unit will go anywhere because 1, he is in a walk year and I think he will have a good year this year (if his back holds up).  and 2, his salary is too high for other teams.  I doubt the Yanks can get anything decent in return and their rotation is not extremely solid right now.  Maybe Hughes has a lights out spring, the Unit has a lights out spring and a team is willing to part with 2 blue chip prospects for him. 

I can see Melky getting moved.  Damon and Matsui are signed for 3 more years.  Abreu’s 16 million option is looking like a bargain these days.  Plus the Yanks have some pretty decent OF prospects 1-2 years away.  Oh yeah, Ichiro is a free agent next year.  Trade Melky for some good talent and sign Ichiro next year to play RF?

How about this trade?  Hughes and A-rod for Miguel Cabrera and Willis?  Maybe the Marlins throw in a couple prospects to make up for Hughes?  I personally would look long and hard at the deal.  Hughes is not guaranteed to be great and it solves the A-rod issue.

Stevereno

The Sox officially are in the same league as the Yankees.  Sox fans cannot argue about money with Yankees fans anymore.  We can argue about who is better Matzauka or Igawa, we can argue about Rice and Mattingly as hall candidates, we can argue about what ballpark has better beer, but we cannot argue money.  Not after the way the Sox have spents 202 million on 3 players.

I still like the approach Cashman is taking.  I really feel he is building towards this years and beyond.  That doesn’t mean he trades Melky it just means he has leverage.  The toughest job in sports is the GM for the Yanks because you have to win now without destroying 2008.  I like the Yanks makeup for 2007.  They also have some flexibility to add help in July and make moves for 2008.

Stevereno

6 years, 102 million.  Anyone that thinks the posting fee is not part of the scenario is a dellusional Sawx fan.  I hope this guy is everything he is cracked up to be.  17 million a year is a lot for a guy that has never pitched in the majors. 

Satan and one of his followers.

The Sawx payroll is getting to about 140 mil a year while the Yanks are at about 175. I love how Sawx fans try to justify just because the Yankees have the highest payroll in baseball they buy championships but the Sawx who have a very large 2nd, do not.  You have got to be kidding me.  I say impose a salary cap and a salary minimum.  That will keep teams from 200 million payrolls or teams having a 10 million payroll.

The thing that also hurts Sawx fans is that when the Yankees were winning championships in 96, 98, 99, 00 they didn’t have the highest payroll.  Does that mean the Sawx who had the 2nd highest payroll in 04 bought their championship?  You cannot say the Yankees bought their championships in the late 90’s without saying the Sawx did it in 04.

Stevereno

The Yanks signed Mr. Pettitte to a 1 year 16 million deal with a player option for year 2.  I really like this move.  We now have a solid if not aging starting 5 but we also have a good supply of young guys just in case.  With a rotation of Moose, RJ, Wang, Igawa and Pettitte we have a lot of flexibility.  It also gives us time to develop guys like Hughes, Sanchez, Clippard, etc.  Also, in 1-2 years guys like RJ, Moose, Pettitte will be free agents and we are not tied down to a long term, bad contract (see Pavano, Wright, Meche, Lilly, etc.).  This also frees us up to hope that Pavano has a great spring, teams are desperate for arms and we can trade Pavano back to a team like the Stros and get some more young arms.

This deal makes a lot of sense and now onto other items on the offseason list.  1B, backup catcher, lefty pen help.

Cash is in control and he is BUILDING this team.  If only he can trade Giambi and A-rod we will be all set. 

Stevereno

Josh Phelps and Raul Chavez may not be household names to many Yankees fans but those 2 moves were all the Yankees did during the winter meetings.  Many fans are grumpy that Cash-man was too quiet during the meetings.  We could have gotten Garcia, we should have signed Lilly, why isn’t Pettitte signed yet???

I personally like Cash-man’s patience.  He is not jumping in and making stupid, rash decisions.  (See Red Sox).  Yeah, the rotation is not great right now but whose is.  It is better to go in with a rotation of RJ, Moose, Wang, Igawa and either Pavano or a young guy.  Cash is playing it cool and saying the Yanks have in house solutions which is true.  What is debatable is how good are these in house solutions?  I rather roll the dice than get stuck paying Gil Meche 11 mill a year for 5 years or Lilly 11 mill a year for 4 years. 

Spring training does not start for 2 months and the Yanks have plenty of time to make decisions.  Lots of teams are desperate and the Yankees hold the best hand. 

The one thing I still think the Yanks need to do is trade A-rod.  He just does not fit in NY and will be a distraction all year.  The FAN were talking yesterday of an idea of A-rod to the Giants for Cain and others.  That would have been nice.  Now that syringe Barry is back, I doubt the Giants will need a bat. 

Stevereno

Damn it is cold outside.

Rumors are flying Andy may be back in pinstripes.  One year, 15 mil.  I think it would be a good move.  It would solidify our rotation and is a low risk one year deal.  Maybe Clemens joins him for one year too?  Johnson has a healthy back and is pitching for a contract.  Moose is still looking good.  Igawa has a good 1st year in the Majors (will probably fall off after the league adjusts).  Could be a very nasty rotation.  Plus Proctor goes back to the pen.

5 years, 70 mil for J.D. (ouch, I need to go on the DL) Drew????  He had a good year last year because it was his walk year.  Remember, this is the guy who refused to play in Philly because of money.  Not a good move in my opinion for the Sawx.

Maddux to sign with the Padres.  This guy unfortunately is in Clemens shadow because he does not have a 95 mph fastball but look at the guys numbers.  He could win 360-370 by the time he is done.  Maybe it is because I was a junk ball pitcher I appreciate him more than “me” Clemens. 

I still think the Yanks will make a big move before Thursday afternoon.  Tex?  Zito?  A-rod gone? 

Stevereno

Why are the Yankees even talking about Shea Hillenbrand???? If they are thinking of signing him why not just keep Phillips who will be cheaper and hungrier. Oh yeah, he also won’t get in a fight with the manager.
I still think Cash is looking to get Tex from the Rangers. Melky, Sanchez, Stevie White and maybe another prospect for Tex? Then sign Tex to a contract extension? He is a gold glove 1B, switch hitter. One drawback is he strikes out a lot but maybe Donnie can help him with that.
I don’t think the Yanks should bite on Zito or Schmidt. I rather see them go with Moose, Wang, Unit, Igawa and a young guy. I do not want to see them saddled with another bad pitching contract. The proof is you have to develop these guys (Hughes, Clippard, Kartsens, etc.) Signing pitchers to big inflated contracts usually is not a great deal. There are exceptions like Moose but he is the exception.
73 days till spring training.
Stevereno