I like Ichiro on the Yankees. I don't expect the same kind of numbers he had in the short stint last year, but I do think his last couple of years look overly terrible due to whatever crazy shit is happening in Seattle to destroy all their hitting statistics.

As for Martin, he hits some home runs and he catches a good game. I had held out hope that there would be a league minimum catcher by 2014 to help them have flexibility with the 189 thing, but that does not look likely.

Swisher on the Red Sox is the reverse of the Johnny Damon signing.

Martin #1 you need a catcher, who's primarily a defense/game caller first, any offense is gravy on the cake.

Ichiro #2 not a bad option for a 1-2 year deal, slot him in the two hole as a table setter.

Swisher on the Red Sox. Look, it's a business. Athletes have at best 20-25 years to make their pile, they aren't musicians/singers who can perform for 50 years. If it makes the best financial sense for Nick to go to Boston, then best of luck to him. Just as long as he doesn't do anything to hurt the Yankees postseason chances.

1) I thought about the Swisher-Damon analogy. I don't figure Swish was as loved by Yankee fans as Damon was by Sox fans though I could be wrong about that. I liked Swish fine as a player and as a personality even though I also thought he was a clown.

I think Swish had sort of a polarizing effect on fans. His numbers were never extraordinary, and I think that made it easier for a lot of fans to consider him exactly that, a clown. But I'm of the opinion that the levity he brought to the clubhouse, especially in '09, obviously, helped loosen up a team of superstars. I think this, in turn, helped the Yanks play to a higher collective level. Obviously good cheer is a subtle PED, but I think the the effect was there. Same reason I'll always wish ol' Pie-Throwing A.J. the best.

4) I'm not sure his good cheer would have been anything but irritating to his teammates had he not been productive on the field. Maybe it was welcome--I know it was for some fans--but it wouldn't have meant much if he wasn't a good player and he was really solid for them.

[5] But you can't downplay the effect an outwardly positive personality has on people within their reach. If nothing else, he can provide them with solid play and perhaps add balance to the negativity that's already permeated that clubhouse and fan base (although Bobby V's departure is sure to go a longer way than anything Swish would bring). But I agree with everyone else, business is business; beyond that, the comparisons halt in the fact that Damon departed at a time where he was still considered relatively productive and really liked by the fans, while Swish has been criticized for his unproductive post seasons throughout (which matter more than anything around here) and was last heard criticizing the fans, so the love lost is noticeably different.

As for Martin and Ichiro, I think the Yanks are in a "bird in the hand" situation and given that the two are willing to wait, I don't really doubt they will be back. The team actually does need them considering that they have so far not developed anyone who could replace either one (or traded away the one who could have), so unless Cash has an ace trade up his sleeve, it would be almost Jets-like not to re-sign them.

i see your minim and raise you a hemi-demi-semi-quaver!

Damon was beyond loved by Boston fans. He was a Yankee-slaying god, who drew comical comparisons to Jesus. He was a hero, bordering on legend. Swisher was nothing of the sort in NY. Not even close. He was mostly well-liked, productive, and a postseason goat. I appreciated his time here, especially his visits to kids in hospitals. I'll wish him well wherever he goes, but I'm not the least bit bummed out by his departure. I imagine every Red Sock fan under the sun wanted to vomit when Damon signed with NY. Swish's departure (even to Boston) will induce a reaction nothing like that.

I think Ichiro still has value, so I'd like him to return. Martin? Meh. I wouldn't go long on him.

6) I disagree. Teams can hate each other and be full of bad vibes and still win.

I guess this means Cervelli doesn't have a spot next year:

http://bit.ly/QH2fXQ

Also, Evan Longoria signed a 6-year, $100 million extension with the Rays.

[9] But the Red Sox didn't hate each other, they hated their manager. I don't see how it doesn't make a difference with a productive positive guy like Swish unless he doesn't produce. I'm just saying it actually can have an impact, coupled with decent production, but I'll give you that production matters more than anything else. In regards to certain teams who hated each other and still won (86 Mets in particular), they bonded on an "Us Against The World" level. I kinda think the '04 Sox kinda were there too.

10) I'm not completely sure I understand the Yank's lack of faith in Cervelli. From what I saw, he always caught a good (if at times over-dramatic) game behind the plate, and his hitting #s are definitely better than Whiteside's....

8) I'm with Slice. New England adored Damon. Swish, if he goes, leaves the Yankees after an ass performance in the playoffs and his whatever bro philosophical moments.

10, 12) I really like Cervelli on a subjective level but objectively don't know if he's the best guy for the job. But if he ain't, who is?

Alex, Eli Whiteside is strictly AAA depth in my view, same as Frankie right now. The free agent catcher market is exceedingly thin, and for my money Martin is by far the best of the lot. Pierzynski? Pass, a thousand times, Pass. My feeling is, the Yankees could do a heckuva lot worse than re-signing Martin. The only way to do better is through a trade.

As much as I like Ichiro, I'm not entranced with him as a starting corner outfielder. He simply doesn't hit for enough power. Using him to replace Swisher weakens the team drastically. His plate appearances should be limited to 375, absolute tops. With their pitching situation coming onto focus, the Yanks have to look for ways to replace Swisher's power. I'm going to miss the guy tremendously, and the team is going to miss his production.