*** OFFICIAL *** Baseball Offseason Moves (2006-07)... (1 Viewer)

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Charlie Haeger win the 5th starting spot on the White Sox next year.

Charlie Hough (deemed by many as the best knuckleballer of the past half century) says that Charlie Haeger has better stuff than he ever had. Time will tell.

 

[Limp Ditka]

I'm OK with the deal.... two promising pitchers for one.It's not like McCarthey was lights out good.He's gonna give up plenty of gopher balls down in Texas.This deal greases the skids for the exit of Buerhle this year or next - no doubt about it.

Wake me up when the Sox get to game 6 of the ALDS. Then I'll start paying attention to their pennant hopes

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Please, please, please. We'll give you young up and comer Mark Mulder for Buehrle. We woudl have offered you Jason Marquis for a warm bag of poo, but your crosstown Cubbies already took him off our hands.

C'mon now.Chicago is holding out for Donovan Osborne or Bob Tewksbury.

Sorry. Ken Hill or Todd Zeile is all you're getting, bud. If you want Pagnozzi, we want Karkovice thrown in.

Stubby Clapp must be part of any deal.

 

[Statorama]

They also added David Aardsma, another 2003 first-round pick, and minor league left-hander Carlos Vazquez in a trade last month with the Cubs for left-handed reliever Neal Cotts.

Interesting deal. Crazy how much Cotts stock tumbled after last year.As far as McCarthy goes, I'd reeeeeeeeeeally be interested in other offers the Sox turned down for Mac. I see this deal being even when all is said and done. I liked McCarthy's flexibility (Pen/SP), and I don't think Danks has that kind of arm. (edit: but he should be a very solid starter. I like what he brings to the table as an SP)

 

[Bogart]

Funny to hear all the Sox fans hating Danks for McCarthy. When I heard on the radio that Danks and Masset were traded, I almost wrecked the car. These two guys were as close to untouchable as they come.

I guess we all fall in love with our own prospects, so we will see what they become. Still can't decide who I think got the better deal.

 

[Capella]

I guess we all fall in love with our own prospects,

Exactly.imo, McCarthy has all of the upside of Jon Garland. Not sure what the love affair was all about.

 

[curta269]

Kenny Williams is just being proactive. With all the huge contracts going out for mediocre pitching (see Gil Meche & Ted Lilly), clubs are going to have to go with more young pitching to compete. I mean, what clubs can afford $11 million a year for a 5th starter besides the Yankees and Red Sox. I say this is a good move by Kenny Williams. Plus, other teams are going to have to go this route as well, and he has a good stockpile of young arms to barter with.

 

[ditka311]

Kenny Williams is just being proactive. With all the huge contracts going out for mediocre pitching (see Gil Meche & Ted Lilly), clubs are going to have to go with more young pitching to compete. I mean, what clubs can afford $11 million a year for a 5th starter besides the Yankees and Red Sox. I say this is a good move by Kenny Williams. Plus, other teams are going to have to go this route as well, and he has a good stockpile of young arms to barter with.

He is throwing crap against the wall and hoping one or 2 of them sticks. IMO McCarthy is decent but nothing spectacular.

 

[Limp Ditka]

I guess we all fall in love with our own prospects,

Exactly.imo, McCarthy has all of the upside of Jon Garland. Not sure what the love affair was all about.

There's no love affair here. I've never been sold on McCarthy.This team should be playing for today, not tomorrow. That's always been Kenny Williams MO and I don't understand what seems to be a change in direction.

 

[MrPhoenix]

Brewers sign Jeff Suppan to 4 year, 42 million dollar deal. For some odd reason.

 

[cubd8]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Charlie Haeger win the 5th starting spot on the White Sox next year.

Charlie Hough (deemed by many as the best knuckleballer of the past half century) says that Charlie Haeger has better stuff than he ever had. Time will tell.

I think Haegar, at least for next season, is more of a guy I'd like in the bullpen since he can go multiple days in a row. I think, in a perfect world, the White Sox want one of those young arms, Floyd in particular, grab that 5th spot.Of course, if Buerhle is traded, all bets are off.

 

[cubd8]

They also added David Aardsma, another 2003 first-round pick, and minor league left-hander Carlos Vazquez in a trade last month with the Cubs for left-handed reliever Neal Cotts.

Interesting deal. Crazy how much Cotts stock tumbled after last year.As far as McCarthy goes, I'd reeeeeeeeeeally be interested in other offers the Sox turned down for Mac. I see this deal being even when all is said and done. I liked McCarthy's flexibility (Pen/SP), and I don't think Danks has that kind of arm. (edit: but he should be a very solid starter. I like what he brings to the table as an SP)

Supposedly, the White Sox refused to trade McCarthy to Washington in August for Soriano....

 

[_4_]

Thought it would have already been mentioned, but Suppan signing with the Brewers is almost as significant for where he didn't go as it was where he went. According to every source I read, he was the backup plan for several of the teams bidding on Zito. Now that he is off the market, I think Zito will get even more...

As an aside, Suppan has pitched great in Milwaukee - career 1.76 ERA in seven career starts....of course he will have to pitch against the visiting team now....

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

They also added David Aardsma, another 2003 first-round pick, and minor league left-hander Carlos Vazquez in a trade last month with the Cubs for left-handed reliever Neal Cotts.

Interesting deal. Crazy how much Cotts stock tumbled after last year.As far as McCarthy goes, I'd reeeeeeeeeeally be interested in other offers the Sox turned down for Mac. I see this deal being even when all is said and done. I liked McCarthy's flexibility (Pen/SP), and I don't think Danks has that kind of arm. (edit: but he should be a very solid starter. I like what he brings to the table as an SP)

Supposedly, the White Sox refused to trade McCarthy to Washington in August for Soriano....

Who knows what the REAL deal was, but McCarthy may have been PART of the package for a guy that undoubtedly would file for free agency and get paid millions (by some overzealous team) and been given benefits for his family/friends which would destroy the 'team chemistry' that Ozzie Guillen and Kenny Williams are trying to build by signing guys like Paul Konerko and Jim Thome.

 

[cubd8]

They also added David Aardsma, another 2003 first-round pick, and minor league left-hander Carlos Vazquez in a trade last month with the Cubs for left-handed reliever Neal Cotts.

Interesting deal. Crazy how much Cotts stock tumbled after last year.As far as McCarthy goes, I'd reeeeeeeeeeally be interested in other offers the Sox turned down for Mac. I see this deal being even when all is said and done. I liked McCarthy's flexibility (Pen/SP), and I don't think Danks has that kind of arm. (edit: but he should be a very solid starter. I like what he brings to the table as an SP)

Supposedly, the White Sox refused to trade McCarthy to Washington in August for Soriano....

Who knows what the REAL deal was, but McCarthy may have been PART of the package for a guy that undoubtedly would file for free agency and get paid millions (by some overzealous team) and been given benefits for his family/friends which would destroy the 'team chemistry' that Ozzie Guillen and Kenny Williams are trying to build by signing guys like Paul Konerko and Jim Thome.

I'll use the word supposedly again, but I'd give up McCarthy if it meant going to the WS. Apparently, Williams did have a change of heart about McCarthy's long-term success though.

 

[shadyridr]

In the past week the Arizona Diamondbacks have offered a package of players to the New York Yankees in exchange for Randy Johnson, a baseball official said.In need of starting pitching -- and a marquee name that will draw more fans -- the Diamondbacks have offered a package of at least three players, including a major-leaguer. They would also want a 72-hour window to negotiate an extension with Johnson, who is owed $16 million in the final year of his contract. The Yankees, according to the official, don't want to pick up any of Johnson's salary.Johnson, 43, spent six seasons with Arizona and won four Cy Young Awards before being traded to New York in January 2005. At the time, Arizona was looking to shed payroll and bring in more youth.Johnson had a full no-trade clause back then, as he does now. And it's believed that if the Yankees were to move him, Johnson would prefer to be closer to his Arizona home.According to Johnson's agent, Alan Nero, the left-hander has not requested a trade."Randy would listen if the Yankees brought something to him," Nero said. "But that has not happened. I don't know what they're doing. It's still speculation as far as we're concerned."The official said the San Diego Padres are also involved in trade discussions. It's believed that right-handed reliever Scott Linebrink could be the centerpiece of a deal.If he returns to Arizona, Johnson, with 280 career wins, could get No. 300 as a Diamondback. If he goes to San Diego, he'd join 333-game winner Greg Maddux in the rotation. That is, if he stays healthy. Johnson had back surgery this offseason and it's unknown whether he'll be ready for Opening Day.

This would be totally awesome.

 

[Smack Tripper]

In the past week the Arizona Diamondbacks have offered a package of players to the New York Yankees in exchange for Randy Johnson, a baseball official said.In need of starting pitching -- and a marquee name that will draw more fans -- the Diamondbacks have offered a package of at least three players, including a major-leaguer. They would also want a 72-hour window to negotiate an extension with Johnson, who is owed $16 million in the final year of his contract. The Yankees, according to the official, don't want to pick up any of Johnson's salary.Johnson, 43, spent six seasons with Arizona and won four Cy Young Awards before being traded to New York in January 2005. At the time, Arizona was looking to shed payroll and bring in more youth.Johnson had a full no-trade clause back then, as he does now. And it's believed that if the Yankees were to move him, Johnson would prefer to be closer to his Arizona home.According to Johnson's agent, Alan Nero, the left-hander has not requested a trade."Randy would listen if the Yankees brought something to him," Nero said. "But that has not happened. I don't know what they're doing. It's still speculation as far as we're concerned."The official said the San Diego Padres are also involved in trade discussions. It's believed that right-handed reliever Scott Linebrink could be the centerpiece of a deal.If he returns to Arizona, Johnson, with 280 career wins, could get No. 300 as a Diamondback. If he goes to San Diego, he'd join 333-game winner Greg Maddux in the rotation. That is, if he stays healthy. Johnson had back surgery this offseason and it's unknown whether he'll be ready for Opening Day.

This would be totally awesome.

Daddy, the Smack will buy the plane tickets to get this Giant Jeff Foxworthy out of tiz-own!

 

[Tremendous Upside]

The current "rumor" is that Randy asked the Yanks to investigate the possibility of trading him, but would be happy to pitch in NY this season...

Personally, I have enough questions about him as it is that if he already has one eye on the door, I would do everything possible to trade him...

The speculation is also that the Yanks might enter the Zito bidding if they do mange to trade Randy...

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Also, it's a good thing we can only have 1 baseball thread, but there can be 73 threads on the wonders of the Wii on the first page...

 

[ThisGuy]

In the past week the Arizona Diamondbacks have offered a package of players to the New York Yankees in exchange for Randy Johnson, a baseball official said.In need of starting pitching -- and a marquee name that will draw more fans -- the Diamondbacks have offered a package of at least three players, including a major-leaguer. They would also want a 72-hour window to negotiate an extension with Johnson, who is owed $16 million in the final year of his contract. The Yankees, according to the official, don't want to pick up any of Johnson's salary.Johnson, 43, spent six seasons with Arizona and won four Cy Young Awards before being traded to New York in January 2005. At the time, Arizona was looking to shed payroll and bring in more youth.Johnson had a full no-trade clause back then, as he does now. And it's believed that if the Yankees were to move him, Johnson would prefer to be closer to his Arizona home.According to Johnson's agent, Alan Nero, the left-hander has not requested a trade."Randy would listen if the Yankees brought something to him," Nero said. "But that has not happened. I don't know what they're doing. It's still speculation as far as we're concerned."The official said the San Diego Padres are also involved in trade discussions. It's believed that right-handed reliever Scott Linebrink could be the centerpiece of a deal.If he returns to Arizona, Johnson, with 280 career wins, could get No. 300 as a Diamondback. If he goes to San Diego, he'd join 333-game winner Greg Maddux in the rotation. That is, if he stays healthy. Johnson had back surgery this offseason and it's unknown whether he'll be ready for Opening Day.

This would be totally awesome.

Daddy, the Smack will buy the plane tickets to get this Giant Jeff Foxworthy out of tiz-own!

If they are going to turn the RJ trade into a few young arms and Barry Zito, this is an incredible move! Brian Cashman

 

[wilked]

I read it as a move for Clemens, not Zito

 

[Funkley]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

 

[ThisGuy]

I read it as a move for Clemens, not Zito

That's what a lot of the media is assuming. While I think Clemens would be more effective at this point, why would you replace one dinosaur with another?? Zito has stated he wants to play in NY. I say let it happen!

 

[ThisGuy]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

 

[Giant Wooden Badger]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

If they somehow manage to find someone stupid enough to actually trade for a POS like Randy Johnson at that price, I'll eat my ####### socks.ETA: As a Mets fan, I don't have any interest in Zito at the going rate either so this isn't about him.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

No kidding. I honestly wouldn't take Johnson at his salary for free at this point much less give a good prospect to do it.The Yanks are stuck with that albatross around their neck IMO unless they eat more than half the contract.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

Zito's going to NY all right, just not the team you're wishing for.....

 

[wilked]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

So is replacing Wang with Johan Santana, but I prefer to live in reality. If you really think the DBacks / Giants / whoever are going to take on all of RJ's salary, give back B or better prospects, and smile then you are out of your mind. The only way I see RJ getting moved is if the Yanks eat a sizable (read: close to half) portion of his salary. In that case the transaction will cost the Yankees in excess of 100 mill. Even for the Yankees, that is a tough pill to swallow

 

[Sammy3469]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

The best thing about Zito is you know what you're getting. He keeps you in games and eats up the weaker lineups (the only teams that consistently hit him well are Texas, the Yanks, and Red Sox). While he'll never be that top of the rotation dominating guy, there aren't many of those out there anyway and those that are won't be available any time soon. I never quite understood why the Yankees weren't in this from the beginning seeing as he fills their one big need (young SP), but now that they are I don't see why he won't end up there even if they can't trade Johnson (who they should be willing to give away if they do sign Zito).

 

[ThisGuy]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

So is replacing Wang with Johan Santana, but I prefer to live in reality. If you really think the DBacks / Giants / whoever are going to take on all of RJ's salary, give back B or better prospects, and smile then you are out of your mind. The only way I see RJ getting moved is if the Yanks eat a sizable (read: close to half) portion of his salary. In that case the transaction will cost the Yankees in excess of 100 mill. Even for the Yankees, that is a tough pill to swallow

Johnson has 1 year left at $16million. The D-Backs are seeking permission to talk to RJ about an extension prior to the deal, which they could lower his current salary to give him more years. They want to be a part of his quest to get to 300 wins and to use that to lure people to games. We are not talking about replacing Wang with Santana, we are talking about taking Randy Johnson's salary slot and fitting Zito in there which is what the Yankees could very well afford.

 

[ThisGuy]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

The best thing about Zito is you know what you're getting. He keeps you in games and eats up the weaker lineups (the only teams that consistently hit him well are Texas, the Yanks, and Red Sox). While he'll never be that top of the rotation dominating guy, there aren't many of those out there anyway and those that are won't be available any time soon. I never quite understood why the Yankees weren't in this from the beginning seeing as he fills their one big need (young SP), but now that they are I don't see why he won't end up there even if they can't trade Johnson (who they should be willing to give away if they do sign Zito).

 

[Tremendous Upside]

There is another aspect to the DBacks getting in on the RJ deal as well...

They still owe him about $30 million in deferred compensation from the time he was there...

By bringing him back and signing him to an extension they may be able to restructure the deferred money in some way that would give them some immediate financial flexibility

 

[wilked]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

So is replacing Wang with Johan Santana, but I prefer to live in reality. If you really think the DBacks / Giants / whoever are going to take on all of RJ's salary, give back B or better prospects, and smile then you are out of your mind. The only way I see RJ getting moved is if the Yanks eat a sizable (read: close to half) portion of his salary. In that case the transaction will cost the Yankees in excess of 100 mill. Even for the Yankees, that is a tough pill to swallow

Johnson has 1 year left at $16million. The D-Backs are seeking permission to talk to RJ about an extension prior to the deal, which they could lower his current salary to give him more years. They want to be a part of his quest to get to 300 wins and to use that to lure people to games. We are not talking about replacing Wang with Santana, we are talking about taking Randy Johnson's salary slot and fitting Zito in there which is what the Yankees could very well afford.

Oh, I didn't realize that Zito was seeking a 1 year deal...

 

[Sammy3469]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

So is replacing Wang with Johan Santana, but I prefer to live in reality. If you really think the DBacks / Giants / whoever are going to take on all of RJ's salary, give back B or better prospects, and smile then you are out of your mind. The only way I see RJ getting moved is if the Yanks eat a sizable (read: close to half) portion of his salary. In that case the transaction will cost the Yankees in excess of 100 mill. Even for the Yankees, that is a tough pill to swallow

I just don't get this rationale...they are moving to a brand new stadium in 2009 where they'll be able to just print the $$$, so the $$$s are really not the issue. From a purely baseball perspective, signing Zito even if they keep Johnson just makes too much sense. Looking ahead to 2008, they have Wang, Mussina, and then what? Maybe Pettitte stays healthy, maybe Pavano returns to form, maybe one of these young SP every Yankee fan believes is the savior really will be the savior. But, you know what, as much as Cashman wants to believe those things will happen, he still has to deal with the possibility that none of those happen and he ends up with just Wang and Moose facing a FA market next offseason where the only real top tier SP is Zambrano and with the Cubs spending like drunken sailors I'd be surprised if he made it to the marketplace.

 

[wilked]

I just don't get this rationale...they are moving to a brand new stadium in 2009 where they'll be able to just print the $$$, so the $$$s are really not the issue. From a purely baseball perspective, signing Zito even if they keep Johnson just makes too much sense. Looking ahead to 2008, they have Wang, Mussina, and then what? Maybe Pettitte stays healthy, maybe Pavano returns to form, maybe one of these young SP every Yankee fan believes is the savior really will be the savior. But, you know what, as much as Cashman wants to believe those things will happen, he still has to deal with the possibility that none of those happen and he ends up with just Wang and Moose facing a FA market next offseason where the only real top tier SP is Zambrano and with the Cubs spending like drunken sailors I'd be surprised if he made it to the marketplace.

Uhh, did you just see what the Yankees paid in Luxury tax for a team that got its ### handed to it in the first rd of the playoffs? Even Steinbrenner has a limit. If you haven't noticed the Yankees are actually doing a fairly decent job lately at getting their payroll a bit more manageable.

 

[PatsWillWin]

I just don't get this rationale...they are moving to a brand new stadium in 2009 where they'll be able to just print the $$$, so the $$$s are really not the issue. From a purely baseball perspective, signing Zito even if they keep Johnson just makes too much sense. Looking ahead to 2008, they have Wang, Mussina, and then what? Maybe Pettitte stays healthy, maybe Pavano returns to form, maybe one of these young SP every Yankee fan believes is the savior really will be the savior. But, you know what, as much as Cashman wants to believe those things will happen, he still has to deal with the possibility that none of those happen and he ends up with just Wang and Moose facing a FA market next offseason where the only real top tier SP is Zambrano and with the Cubs spending like drunken sailors I'd be surprised if he made it to the marketplace.

Uhh, did you just see what the Yankees paid in Luxury tax for a team that got its ### handed to it in the first rd of the playoffs? Even Steinbrenner has a limit. If you haven't noticed the Yankees are actually doing a fairly decent job lately at getting their payroll a bit more manageable.

By "lately" do you mean this off-season? Because the Abreu deal did not exactly show financial discipline. And they've already dropped $16 million on Pettite. And they're at least a candidate to throw a boat load of $ at Zito.Not saying either of those moves are bad moves, but I don't think they really show the Yankees getting the payroll "manageable."

 

[Funkley]

Will Carroll at BP is saying that the Giants and Mariners, particularly the Giants, might be the new favorites to land Zito.

 

[Sammy3469]

I just don't get this rationale...they are moving to a brand new stadium in 2009 where they'll be able to just print the $$$, so the $$$s are really not the issue. From a purely baseball perspective, signing Zito even if they keep Johnson just makes too much sense.

Looking ahead to 2008, they have Wang, Mussina, and then what? Maybe Pettitte stays healthy, maybe Pavano returns to form, maybe one of these young SP every Yankee fan believes is the savior really will be the savior. But, you know what, as much as Cashman wants to believe those things will happen, he still has to deal with the possibility that none of those happen and he ends up with just Wang and Moose facing a FA market next offseason where the only real top tier SP is Zambrano and with the Cubs spending like drunken sailors I'd be surprised if he made it to the marketplace.

Uhh, did you just see what the Yankees paid in Luxury tax for a team that got its ### handed to it in the first rd of the playoffs? Even Steinbrenner has a limit. If you haven't noticed the Yankees are actually doing a fairly decent job lately at getting their payroll a bit more manageable.

Yeah it came in at 26 million and it was much less than they were expecting...NY Times

“The luxury tax clearly has an impact on the way we are spending,” Randy Levine, the Yankees’ president, said in a telephone interview yesterday. “But the number itself also represents George Steinbrenner’s philosophy: If there’s a difference-maker, we go out and get him.”

Steinbrenner’s only complaint is that the Yankees haven’t found enough difference-makers in recent years — the last six years, in fact — to win the World Series.

And while it can debated if Zito is a difference maker, it's pretty clear to me that they'll spend if the player is good enough. there's also this

Change in payroll matters, if not in the outcome of the World Series, is coming next year. The tax threshold in the first year of the new agreement will rise to $148 million. If that had been the threshold this year, the Yankees’ tax would have been $21.4 million. But besides the threshold being lower in 2007, the Yankees expect their payroll to be lower.

So even if they sign Zito right now for 16 million they'd basically be paying the same luxury tax as last year.

 

[wilked]

I just don't get this rationale...they are moving to a brand new stadium in 2009 where they'll be able to just print the $$$, so the $$$s are really not the issue. From a purely baseball perspective, signing Zito even if they keep Johnson just makes too much sense. Looking ahead to 2008, they have Wang, Mussina, and then what? Maybe Pettitte stays healthy, maybe Pavano returns to form, maybe one of these young SP every Yankee fan believes is the savior really will be the savior. But, you know what, as much as Cashman wants to believe those things will happen, he still has to deal with the possibility that none of those happen and he ends up with just Wang and Moose facing a FA market next offseason where the only real top tier SP is Zambrano and with the Cubs spending like drunken sailors I'd be surprised if he made it to the marketplace.

Uhh, did you just see what the Yankees paid in Luxury tax for a team that got its ### handed to it in the first rd of the playoffs? Even Steinbrenner has a limit. If you haven't noticed the Yankees are actually doing a fairly decent job lately at getting their payroll a bit more manageable.

By "lately" do you mean this off-season? Because the Abreu deal did not exactly show financial discipline. And they've already dropped $16 million on Pettite. And they're at least a candidate to throw a boat load of $ at Zito.Not saying either of those moves are bad moves, but I don't think they really show the Yankees getting the payroll "manageable."

What has hampered the Yankees in the past is taking on these crazy contracts where the player is sitting on the bench making 10+ for his last 3 years. The Yankees are getting younger, getting out from under these enormous contracts to aging superstars. Sure, it won't happen overnight, but they are moving in the right direction. Will they ever lose their #1 status as payroll? No...but they should lose their status as being 2-3 times the salaries of #2,3,4,5...

 

[Tremendous Upside]

BTW, the Abreu deal looks like a bargain now...

If he had been a FA this offseason he would likely have gotten Carlos Lee money, at the least...

 

[TLEF316]

As a yankee Fan, i want no part of zito. He has been on a steady decline. He needs to get out of the American league desperatly. Zito going to the AL east would be career suicide.

As for Trading Johnson, im all for it. He's just about done.

 

[PatsWillWin]

I just don't get this rationale...they are moving to a brand new stadium in 2009 where they'll be able to just print the $$$, so the $$$s are really not the issue. From a purely baseball perspective, signing Zito even if they keep Johnson just makes too much sense. Looking ahead to 2008, they have Wang, Mussina, and then what? Maybe Pettitte stays healthy, maybe Pavano returns to form, maybe one of these young SP every Yankee fan believes is the savior really will be the savior. But, you know what, as much as Cashman wants to believe those things will happen, he still has to deal with the possibility that none of those happen and he ends up with just Wang and Moose facing a FA market next offseason where the only real top tier SP is Zambrano and with the Cubs spending like drunken sailors I'd be surprised if he made it to the marketplace.

Uhh, did you just see what the Yankees paid in Luxury tax for a team that got its ### handed to it in the first rd of the playoffs? Even Steinbrenner has a limit. If you haven't noticed the Yankees are actually doing a fairly decent job lately at getting their payroll a bit more manageable.

By "lately" do you mean this off-season? Because the Abreu deal did not exactly show financial discipline. And they've already dropped $16 million on Pettite. And they're at least a candidate to throw a boat load of $ at Zito.Not saying either of those moves are bad moves, but I don't think they really show the Yankees getting the payroll "manageable."

What has hampered the Yankees in the past is taking on these crazy contracts where the player is sitting on the bench making 10+ for his last 3 years. The Yankees are getting younger, getting out from under these enormous contracts to aging superstars. Sure, it won't happen overnight, but they are moving in the right direction. Will they ever lose their #1 status as payroll? No...but they should lose their status as being 2-3 times the salaries of #2,3,4,5...

that's a good point - they haven't added any huge long-term commitments recently. thanks for the clarification.

 

[Funkley]

BTW, the Abreu deal looks like a bargain now...If he had been a FA this offseason he would likely have gotten Carlos Lee money, at the least...

 

[ThisGuy]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

So is replacing Wang with Johan Santana, but I prefer to live in reality. If you really think the DBacks / Giants / whoever are going to take on all of RJ's salary, give back B or better prospects, and smile then you are out of your mind. The only way I see RJ getting moved is if the Yanks eat a sizable (read: close to half) portion of his salary. In that case the transaction will cost the Yankees in excess of 100 mill. Even for the Yankees, that is a tough pill to swallow

Johnson has 1 year left at $16million. The D-Backs are seeking permission to talk to RJ about an extension prior to the deal, which they could lower his current salary to give him more years. They want to be a part of his quest to get to 300 wins and to use that to lure people to games. We are not talking about replacing Wang with Santana, we are talking about taking Randy Johnson's salary slot and fitting Zito in there which is what the Yankees could very well afford.

Oh, I didn't realize that Zito was seeking a 1 year deal...

 

[Giant Wooden Badger]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

Zito's going to NY all right, just not the team you're wishing for.....

I hope not. If the Yanks are truly making a move on Zito, I want no part of him. He's already overpriced and this is just going to make it worse.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

Zito's going to NY all right, just not the team you're wishing for.....

I hope not. If the Yanks are truly making a move on Zito, I want no part of him. He's already overpriced and this is just going to make it worse.

You don't think Zito would do well with the Mets? Between a move to the NL, pitching in a pitcher's park like Shea, and a solid infield defense behind him, I think the Mets make a lot of sense for him...

 

[Giant Wooden Badger]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

Zito's going to NY all right, just not the team you're wishing for.....

I hope not. If the Yanks are truly making a move on Zito, I want no part of him. He's already overpriced and this is just going to make it worse.

You don't think Zito would do well with the Mets? Between a move to the NL, pitching in a pitcher's park like Shea, and a solid infield defense behind him, I think the Mets make a lot of sense for him...

Sure, he'd be a great fit. But he isn't some savior that's going to put them over the top. And for $16-20 million per year for 6 years or whatever, I'd pass.

 

[ThisGuy]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

Zito's going to NY all right, just not the team you're wishing for.....

I hope not. If the Yanks are truly making a move on Zito, I want no part of him. He's already overpriced and this is just going to make it worse.

You don't think Zito would do well with the Mets? Between a move to the NL, pitching in a pitcher's park like Shea, and a solid infield defense behind him, I think the Mets make a lot of sense for him...

Sure, he'd be a great fit. But he isn't some savior that's going to put them over the top. And for $16-20 million per year for 6 years or whatever, I'd pass.

If a young, durable lefty who will give them innings, benefit from moving out of the AL and immediately becomes their best pitcher isn't enough, what do the Mets need to get over the top?!?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

Zito's going to NY all right, just not the team you're wishing for.....

I hope not. If the Yanks are truly making a move on Zito, I want no part of him. He's already overpriced and this is just going to make it worse.

You don't think Zito would do well with the Mets? Between a move to the NL, pitching in a pitcher's park like Shea, and a solid infield defense behind him, I think the Mets make a lot of sense for him...

Sure, he'd be a great fit. But he isn't some savior that's going to put them over the top. And for $16-20 million per year for 6 years or whatever, I'd pass.

I don't know if he would put them over the top on his own, but I do look at the Mets rotation without him in it and wonder if they have the horses to get back to the playoffs...Right now a rotation of:GlavineEl DuqueJohn MaineOliver PerezMike Pelfreyhas a few too many question marks between the age at the front and the inexperience at the backfor me to be comfortable if I'm a Mets fan...Slotting Zito in there improves it a LOT in my opinion, and is worth the investment...

 

[Chemical X]

What would you give for a 43 year old pitcher with declining numbers? I wouldn't get your hope too high Yanks fans. The Diamondbacks are full of upper tier prospects, none of which should be moved for Johnson.

Replacing Johnson with Zito is worth getting excited about

Zito's going to NY all right, just not the team you're wishing for.....

I hope not. If the Yanks are truly making a move on Zito, I want no part of him. He's already overpriced and this is just going to make it worse.

You don't think Zito would do well with the Mets? Between a move to the NL, pitching in a pitcher's park like Shea, and a solid infield defense behind him, I think the Mets make a lot of sense for him...

Sure, he'd be a great fit. But he isn't some savior that's going to put them over the top. And for $16-20 million per year for 6 years or whatever, I'd pass.

I don't know if he would put them over the top on his own, but I do look at the Mets rotation without him in it and wonder if they have the horses to get back to the playoffs...Right now a rotation of:GlavineEl DuqueJohn MaineOliver PerezMike Pelfreyhas a few too many question marks between the age at the front and the inexperience at the backfor me to be comfortable if I'm a Mets fan...Slotting Zito in there improves it a LOT in my opinion, and is worth the investment...

here's my argument......pedro won maybe 4 games after april? so, their rotation was essentially the same top 3. oliver perez and mike pelfrey will replace the 66 starts made between the following cy young candidates:dave williamstrachselalay solerbrian bannisterjose limav zambranoperez and pelfrey cant be much worse than those 6......