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December 22, 2024
Since 2002
Monthly Archives: December 2014
Shape of Things
Via the ever-intrepid Chad Jennings, here’s Brian Cashman:
“You saw how quickly the (Ian) Clarkins and (Aaron) Judges have climbed the prospect list,” Cashman said. “Once we got (Andrew) Miller, it created a circumstance for us where Miller plus the draft pick weighed out for us as we move forward as a better buy than having to go all-in on (Dave) Robertson.”
It was not by random chance that Cashman used Clarkin and Judge to illustrate his point. By letting Robertson leave, the Yankees will get a sandwich pick at the end of next year’s first round. Clarkin and Judge were sandwich picks just two years ago — compensation for losing Nick Swisher and Rafael Soriano — and they have emerged as two of the top prospects in the system. Judge is the team’s No. 1 prospect according to the latest rankings from Baseball Prospectus. Clarkin is No. 4 on that list.
There seems to be a sort of turning of the page happening with the Yankees system. Aside from Brett Gardner’s extension during spring training, there has been no effort to keep the most recent homegrown core in place, but there has been a renewed focus on building a new core that might trickle onto the big league roster in the next year or so.
Francisco Cervelli has been traded away. Same for Shane Greene. Robertson was allowed to leave via free agency. So were Phil Hughes and Robinson Cano. It’s not that the Yankees are intentionally getting rid of these players — and let’s not pretend they had some new version of the Core Four in place — but the Yankees are not putting overwhelming emphasis on keeping the homegrown players who have already reached the big leagues. Being homegrown is not reason enough to commit.
“I wouldn’t say we let Cano walk,” Cashman said. “He was taken with a significant offer. I don’t really look at it as if we’ve let anyone walk. In this case, I don’t think Robertson had anything to do with Cano. Robertson we did not make an offer. We made a significant one on Robbie. Obviously Seattle stepped up and blew the field away.”
And more, here.
Oh, yeah, and: Lester.
[Photo Via: Gloss Trotter]
S’Long, Thanks for the Saves
As expected, David Robertson will not return to the Yankees. Instead, he’s signed a 4-year deal to pitch for the Chicago White Sox.
Robertson was a fine Yankee, a damned good one. Sorry to see him go but at these prices, I get it, both from him and the Yanks.
[Photo Via: Southern Belle]
Beat of the Day
Thanks to our pal Matt B for pointing out Eric Clapton’s favorite guitar solo.
[Photo Credit: Stephen Paley]
Schmoozin’ n Boozin’
The Winter Meetings, grown men gossiping like old yentas. Dig MLB Trade Rumors for the latest.
Maybe Chase Headley comes back to the Bronx, after all.
[Photo Credit: AP]
Waiting For Lefty or…Didi
It’s been a slow start to the Hot Stove League in the Bronx. Will it be a lame winter or are the Yanks just ready to pounce on something big?
New York Minute
Check out this great photo gallery of Chinatown in the early 80’s at the ever-amazing blog, In Focus.
"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver
--Earl Weaver