“Last year, we had close to $100 million coming off the payroll,” General Manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday. “This year, that’s not the case. Last year, we had more to spend. Every year is different. The talent pool available this year is different.”
(Kepner, N.Y.Times)
Okay, so maybe the Yanks won’t net a big fish this winter. Unless, of course, they make some kind of crazy trade. Right, Goldie?
Since new Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos let it be known that he would not object to trading Roy Halladay within the American League East, there has been much speculation about another Yankees-Red Sox competition for the veteran right-hander’s services. If true, this almost ensures that Halladay will be traded in the division, because these are two teams deep in resources who will be motivated to top each other, thus escalating their offers above and beyond what teams outside the division would be willing to offer.
This news is both exhilarating and depressing. The Yankees just won a World Series by leaning on three starters, and their 2010 rotation is unsettled beyond CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Halladay is one of the best starters in the game and an additional asset in new Yankee Stadium given his groundball tendencies. The depressing part is that Halladay will cost a lot, particularly if the Red Sox and other teams are bidding up the price. It would be sad to see Phil Hughes and Jesus Montero blossom in a Blue Jays uniform. Halladay will be 33 next year, while Montero will be 20, so even if Halladay spends the next five years in pinstripes, Montero will still be in his prime for years after the Doc has checked out.
They will tweak things, for sure. Maybe shake ’em up more than somewhat. If I could just get rid of the peaceful, easy feeling that has engulfed me since the Yanks won the Serious, I’d be more serious about it all.
…There’s still time.
MARK IT ZERO!
You know, one of the things that never gets noted in these 'Never Never Trade Montero!' things is this: if he is 'in his prime' at 25 after five years or so with the Jays or whomever, which organization do you think would be best placed to pay him what that prime value is?
Yes, I thought so.
In other words, you aren't waving the kid good bye forever.
I am not saying do this sort of deal, only noting something that doesn't seem to come up in these assessments. It is an economic reality of the Yankees, one of the reasons the playing field isn't close to level.
Andy will get 8-10 million, I am guessing. Do we still want Lackey? He's at AJ money, at least, isn't he?
OVER THE LINE!
My big fear is that they'd make a move to make a move. There are three or four quality free agents on the market, and a ton of number four starters that would get eaten alive in the AL East. I really don't want to see Jon Garland or Jason Marquis "adding depth" on this team.
[2] One thing I'm willing to bet is that the Yankees among other people are not taking for granted that they will always have capital to spend on a prime free agent, especially on one that they traded away when they were young and promising. It's no slam dunk that these guys would want to come back when they're free anyway. I'm not saying the Blue Jays treat all their players like royalty far and beyond any other team, but it may be a better place for some guys compared to The Firm.
At any rate, that's why I don't mention it. Thought about it and hope we don't have to resort to that; look at the Knicks (!) It disgusts me even mentioning it that way (shudder)
It will take something serious to get Halladay.
So far the rotation is
CC
AJ
Joba
Andy coming back?
Hughes to start?
CMW able to come back for the second half & be effective?
It's getting a bit crowded in the rotation, so who doesn't get in, or gets traded. Phil & Wang for Halladay?
I would never trade Montero for someone over 30. Now, if we are talking about Felix Hernandez...
I wouldn't trade Hughes for Halladay either.
first and foremost we need scott boras to tell us how old halladay is genetically - i mean i know he is not his agent, but he's the only person i know of that knows someone's genetic age
Borasisms aside, Halladay can veto any trade. He wants to be a Yankee. The Yankees have a lot of leverage.
[7] I wouldn't trade a position player for a pitcher. Ever. Too much risk, no matter how young or not old. If you sign a free agent pitcher and he gets hurt, all you lose is the money. But if you trade for a pitcher and he gets hurt . . .
[2] No, but what the Yanks would be doing is trading away a guy they can pay $500K to each year for 3 years while they are (almost certainly) overpaying bigtime for the likes of A-Rod, Tex, CC, AJ, and (possibly) Jeter. The way the Yanks will be able to keep going out and signing guys to those kinds of big contracts - without paying even more in luxury tax/revenue sharing money - is by employing some good-to-great guys for peanuts. As of right now, the Yanks have only 1 hitter who has a better than 75% chance of being that kind of player - Montero. (If Jackson has another decent year at AAA, ups his OBP and his SLG, then it might be two.)
And need I mention what happens when you have a lineup filled with guys all on the wrong side of 30?
No, Montero isn't going anywhere, methinks. If Halladay gets moved, it won't be to the Yanks. Or the Sox (Theo values value over all else.) I think Texas gets him, but they'll have to give up something really good (and they have plenty of goods). Or maybe Tampa Bay.
[11] IF we were talking about a player with Montero's offensive upside and it was certain that he could be a catcher, I would agree, but since it appears that Montero may not be able to remain as a catcher and because 1B is blocked, I think there is an exception to the general rule that underlies the logic of your post, especially since we are talking about a 23 year pitcher with Felix's ability.
[12] If Montero's bat is as good as advertised, he'll find a position in the bigs, at C or otherwise. They can play him at DH. They can tied a glove to his arm and stick him in the OF. He'll play.
In an organization so lacking for so long in impact position/hitting prospects, a player like Montero should pretty much never be traded, and especially not for a pitcher (I agree with Shaun P. on this one---pitchers are just to unpredictable).
[13] Maybe, but his value at C would be off the charts. His value at DH or as a bad defensive OFer would be reduced.
Again, I think every rule has exceptions.
[14] Of course his value would be reduced if not at C. But we are talking about a serious, serious bat, if he pans put. An Edgar Martinez kind of bat, perhaps. You don't trade that bat, reduced defensive value or not.
[15] I'd be in a dangerous mood if Montero is traded for Halladay (it would be batsh&t insane), but King Felix is a once in a generation pitcher and he's only 23. The problem is what else you'd have to give up.
btw, I don't think Montero will be traded. I don't think Felix will be either.
DEVO kicked ass tonight at Irving Plaza.
I can only hope I'm that energetic and retain that much of my abilities when I'm nearing 60.
[16] You are obsessed with Felix Hernandez.
I'll take a top prospect position player just about any day over him, not because Hernandez isn't great---he is---but because the odds of injury are so much greater for pitchers. And he's already got a lot of mileage on his arm at age 23.
[18] In any case, just like with CC, why trade for Hernandez when you can sign him as a FA in a couple of years?
[18] Hanley Ramirez as well (and Marissa Miller).
Oh, and it would partly be to keep the RS from getting him.
It is shabbos, danny. I don't roll on shabbos.
going to the latest Coen today.
When considering the Hallidays of this world, I think it prudent to at least think about
2012 and 2013 salary commitments
-------------------------------------------------
Jeter (38) - $15m+
ARod (37) - $30m
CC (32) - $24m
Teix (32) - $23m
A.J. (35) - $16.5
--------------------------------
5 Old Players: $108.5m
Is Old Mo around?: $15m
Primetime Robbie?: $12m+
Swishilitious?: $10m
What Are Phil and Joba getting paid?
Basically, we have $90-$100m for 20 players.
And $35m could be going to 3 guys leaving....
about $60m for 17 players.
by 2012, Jeter is the only OldGuard left, and he is on the way out.
This team will look very different in 2012.
There is no way to build a Champion caliber team unless with have a number of young, talented, cost controller kids. Let's not do 2001-2007 all over again.
I don't think Cashman goes for Halliday.