Cubs look to add Cuban players to mix
A hat-tip to Tim Dierkes and Nick Collias at mlbtradrumors.com for breaking a story yesterday that the Cubs have signed a pair of Cuban players. The Cubs aren’t commenting because all of the visa issues aren’t finalized, but they’re expecting outfielder Ruby Silva and catcher Yaniel Cabezas at their minor-league minicamp in February. Both players currently are in the Dominican Republic.
Tim’s site reported that Silva signed for $1.2 million, with Cabezas getting $500,000. The Cubs recently gave outfield prospect Matt Szczur $1.5 million to forgo football for a baseball career.
Cubs people I’ve talked with say Silva is a left-handed hitter who still could play some middle infield as well as center field. They like his athleticism, arm and speed. The Cubs seem to like Cabezas as a “catch-and-throw” guy, reminiscent of Yadier Molina, at least at this early stage and in that respect. The players’ contracts have been approved by MLB, sources said.
With the Cubs having just traded outfielder Brandon Guyer and catcher Robinson Chirinos to Tampa Bay for Matt Garza, they feel these signings fill some holes in the system well before the draft. Expect both of the new players to break camp with Class A Peoria.
As far as another highly touted outfielder goes, the Cubs seem intent on keeping Brett Jackson, their No. 1 pick from 2009, in center field. “I’m going to continue to play him in center,” said farm director Oneri Fleita. “I think he can play center. Who knows? It could be a nice little problem down the road if you’ve got Szczur and Silva and (Tyler) Colvin and (Tony) Campana and all these guys in the mix. The one thing is, if we can get a core of this group to the big leagues, you shouldn’t see many balls hit the ground.”
Spring training begins in just over two weeks.
Coast dresses of 2011 summer full of vitality and color. This is your wardrobe an instant update of all those signals through the main trends for the coming occassion dresses 2011. Cheap coast clothing on sale, In order to buy coast dress you must keep yourself aware of the sale events happening in you town or local market. women dresses which are in fashion may not be in trend in coming season. So the shops, small manufacturer and even designer offer Coast dress Bridal at the end of a season. You can buy it easily.Finding a Coast dress Black Tie Event at discount rate or cheap rate does not mean that the Coast dress Races are of poor quality or it is a defective piece. http://www.coast-dressess.org/
Okay, through all the crazy trade scenarios that have been brought forward regarding the addition of Michael Young to the Cubs, I would like to offer my two cents. Afterall, we are experiencing another lake-effect blizzard here and I have nothing better to do.
Young is owed $48M over the next three years. Alot to take on for any team, unless another bad contract is swapped for it. Alphonso Soriano has roughly $64M (maybe more) left on his for four years. How about a swap of players, include Jeff Baker and, perhaps, the difference amount left in the contracts. For the Cubs, it gives them a quality player to play second base, and one year closer to team-payroll freedom. As well as better value on the dollars spent for the next three years. For the Rangers, they get a DH who has had great success before at that ballpark and, with the difference of contracts paid to them, no worse on payroll. Plus they get their utility guy (Baker) they allegedly want.
Sounds simple, sounds logical, sounds wonderful, sounds far-fetched....but hey, it is a snowy day here (again) and I have nothing better to do.
ONE MORE WEEK FOR PITCHERS AND CATCHERS TO REPORT!!!
One, Soriano is owed over $75 million on his backloaded contract. Two, Texas has WAY better options for trading Young then taking on a dog like Soriano. Colorado, San Franciso, Washington, Houston, LA Angels, Baltimore, Oakland and Detroit all have supposed interest in Michael Young. Hell, if it came to money swap and something else then San Francisco could offer up Aaron Rowand (and his $24 million due) plus Mark DeRosa or maybe even the fat and fading Pablo Sandoval.
I don't see Soriano moving anytime soon unless it involves the Cubs eating basically the entire contract.
Toons - you seem like someone who knows their baseball. I agreed with your comment on Sori until the Wells trade went down. Two months ago, could you have predicted that any team would trade actual assets (Napoli was traded for straight prospects to Texas) for the right to pay Vernon Wells $80M+ for the next 4 years? Did you think that was remotely possible in December? Most of the baseball writers who forecasted a potential Wells trade wrote that Toronto would have to eat 40-50% of that deal minimum just to dump him.
You can write for a while about Wells being a few years younger and a better fielder/ player than Soriano and I won't dispute any of that. But Wells is not anywhere near a $20M a year player - and yet a highly respected baseball organization made that trade and took on almost his entire backloaded salary for four years. It's hard for me to believe there are any absolutes about what players are untradebale anymore after seeing a deal like that go down. Disagree?
I should've said I don't think rather than to be so definitive. No, I didn't think any team would be trade for Wells, although the Angels making that move wasn't that shocking (still surprising) after their financial miscalculation on player costs this offseason (namely, not bidding enough for Carl Crawford ... or not thinking the bidding would get that high).
That said ... I highly doubt that any team makes a move for Soriano any time soon without the Cubs basically eating the whole thing.
I have to disagree on that. The Cubs would have to either eat the majority of his contract (certainly not the whole thing) or take back another bad contract. Who here ever imagined that Hendry could not only get rid of Milton Bradley without eating his contract, but actually get back $9M in the deal as well as a productive player on top that? Anyone? And Soriano isn't a clubhouse cancer, and has been more productive on the field. Hendry's ability to deal Soriano is going to be determined by his desire to do so, along with Soriano's willingness to waive his NTC. The contract isn't immovable as many suggest. Those are hurdles, but could be overcome if Hendry wants to go that route.
but when you factor in
a) the remaining years
b) the salary
c) The age, and the fact that the player is definitely on the decline
it's hard to imagine that the Cubs would be able to move Soriano now (if they wanted to) without either taking back a bad contract (and balancing out the difference in the deals) or eating a whole lot of the Soriano deal. Maybe they get lucky again and find some sort of worthwhile guy to make a swap for, but the situation is far different from Bradley's. The years are a significant difference in this situation. Maybe there's a bad contract swap out there, but I don't see it. I'd be more inclined to think that a bad contract swap might be more possible next year, with only three years left.
Vernon Wells hasn't been healthy, and more than anything that has led to his lousy performance. But he rebounded in 2010. More importantly if you are the Angels, Wells remains a solid defense outfielder with a good arm and whose hitting peripherals blow away anything that Soriano can do.
Also, Toronto sent money to Los Angeles to make this deal happen in addition to taking on two contracts the Angels wanted to move.
Soriano is immovable. The guess hitting hack with the lead glove is ours until Ricketts can't take anymore and begrudgingly swallows contract dough to make him go back to the Domincan for good.
defending the move. Hilarious.
But yes, I understand the move. Fact is Vernon Wells is a solid player when healthy irrespective of his contract. Wells stays healthy in 2011 then he drives in 110 runs and is otherwise a solid piece to what the Angels do. In fact, he probably ends up their most vital offensive piece.
Bottom line, Wells would be picked 100 times out of 100 over Soriano.
Okay, which of these players would you prefer to have for the same dollars?
PLAYER A BA OBP SLG OPS
2008 .300 .343 .496 .839
2009 .260 .311 .400 .711
2010 .273 .331 .515 .846
career .280 .329 .475 .804
08-10 .275 .327 .466 .793 27 SB's and 66 HR's in 1647 AB's
PLAYER B
2008 .280 .344 .532 .876
2009 .241 .303 .423 .726
2010 .258 .322 .496 .818
career .277 .326 .509 .835
08-10 .259 .323 .483 .806 33 SB's and 73 HR's in 1426 AB's
You don't seem that great at player evaluation so I'll break it down for you. Player A consistently hits for higher BA and holds a three point edge in OBP, while Player B consistently has a higher SLG and OPS and has hit seven more HR's to go with six more SB's in 221 fewer AB's over the past three seasons combined. So, which would you prefer? Does one of them "blow away" the other?
Well, the player you stated hasn't been healthy is player A, who actually had 221 more AB's than the "hack". Fact is, these guys are comparable players. Wells may be better defensively but then that really wouldn't matter if Soriano was a DH would it? You undervalue Cubs, we all get it.
Yes, Wells is a better defensive player, but the Rangers don't need that. They need a DH. If I wanted purely offense, I would take Soriano. Especially given Wells erratic production. Especially given that Soriano probably would put up better numbers in Texas than Wrigley. Especially given that Soriano probably would have healthier legs moving to the warm weather of Texas and playing primarily DH.
When was Wells injured?
I see one year, 2008 when he played in 108 games. Other than that:
157
158
149
154
156
134
161
159
Soriano, on the other hand:
147
117
109
135
159 and healthy before then.
So...I guess I'll just say "Soriano has been injured, which is why his numbers have dropped". That's more accurate than saying Vernon Wells injuries has caused his poor numbers.
The only thing Wells has on Soriano is 2010. And it wasn't even that much better than Soriano's 2010.
2009 they were both terrible. Cubs were lucky Soriano got hurt because he couldn't hurt the team while Wells kept running up there with his .711 OPS.
2008 goes to Soriano. He was injured yet still out homered him and flat out, out-hit him.
2007, far and away, Soriano.
Your anti-Cub bias is just too easy to see.
I do love how you extol the virtues of teams like the Yankees paying whatever it takes ($35M guaranteed unless he picthes well enough to opt-out) to get their middle relievers, or say the Angels got a "good" player and who cares if they are paying him like he's one of the Top 5 in the game and gave up prospects to get him.
Your point is well taken 6L - Wells is a better player than Soriano. If this were the schooyard and you were picking players for your side, you'd take Vernon before Sori. Thanks for continuing to argue against yourself on that one. The point is that in any world where Vernon Wells is worth $80M for four years - there's probably some love out there for Soriano at a pricetag far exceeding $0. It only takes one idiot to make a deal and unfortunately for the Cubs, you're not a GM for any of the 30 teams they can trade with.
If the Mets are truly in trouble as they say, with Ramirez contract about to expire, the Cubs should look to trade for Wright. Alot of this still has to play itself out, but might be good timing for the Cubs.
Farm system!
Alderson is regretting taking the Mets job about now....
that Alderson was well aware of everything that was going on, and that his history running a small-market club was partly why he was chosen.
As for Wright, I don't see the Mets tearing things down this quick.
Alot of things still have to play out.
In the event that Pujols gets to the mkt,is there any way that Ricketts doesn't get involved? After looking at the MARCEL and Pecota projections, it struck me how lackluster our offense is likely to be both this yr and for the immediate future. The statuses of the two guys most likely to make an impact in the middle-of-the-order-Aram and Pena- are up in the air after this season. Without even addressing the issue of Aram's option, we'll have 30 mil coming off the books and a desperate need for both a big bat and a "superstar" to build around. I know it seems improbable on most levels but another lackluster season may force new ownership's hands a bit here. The other questions are: do you want him at the price it'll probably take(250-300mil) and would he leave STL to come here.
Which is fine by me. Michael Young is a 34 year old high mileage player still owed a ton of money. Given the awful contracts already plaguing the Cubs, adding Young makes no sense. Especially since the 2011 Cubs are doubtful going to keep up with Cincinnati, Milwaukee and St. Louis in the standings.
the Cubs and the Rangers might be a good match to move Michael Young. Several scenarios that work money and need wise. But it really depends upon how badly the Rangers want to move him.
Rangers could potentially need bullpen, a starting pitcher (will Brandon Webb even be able to pitch this year), a replacement for Young (RH utility bat), or possibly a DH or RF (with Cruz moving to DH).
Young for Fukudome with the Rangers paying 20 million (2 million this year, 9 million each of the next 2 years). Cubs would have Young at 2nd base for 7 million a year. Not a bargain, but not terrible.
Or you might build a package of Silva, Grabow, and Jeff Baker (combined 12 million) with the Rangers sending Young and a total of 20 million (with the Cubs absorbing the other 4 million this year).
Obviously, probably won't happen, but will be interesting to see if they end up getting more or less than these packages.
He addresses probably their second biggest weakness (outside of no true leadoff hitter) and scouts say he probably is best defensively at 2nd base nowadays. Funny thing is that his real value to the Cubs over next few years would probably be in his ability to move positions as he has been doing in Texas (be the righty option against lefties to spell Pena at 1st, take over for Aramiz at third when hurt or if he leaves in 2012). Question is - would he go somewhere else that the likelihood so strong he will be doing the same role he is now doing? Or does he want to go to a team where he feels strongly one position is HIS for a few years?
Anyway - like Marmol's contract, I think your numbers are too skewed in the Cubs favor. I don't think you get the Rangers to take Silva or Fuke and pay $20M in salary, unless you are throwing in a few very good prospects to sweeten the deal. If you are telling a team you can have Michael Young for 3 years and basically about $15M, that's a great value for the team trading for him and would demand a return in good prospects. Remember - some team just gave up actual talent for right to pay Vernon Wells $80M for next 4 years. I think for a Cubs - Rangers trade to work and not involve Cubs giving away any good prospects, trade would be Baker and Fukudome for Young and about $6-10M. That makes the trade budget neutral for both teams in 2011, and the Cubs on hook for about $18-22M of Young's salary in 2012/13.
Who knows - we're all just guessing of course.
You are over-estimating Young's value as a player. Olney indicated that most believe that Young is a 5 - 7 million dollar player at this point. If the Cubs are willing to absorb that top figure for the next 2 years (when his value is likely to decline) and all or most of the 16 million dollars this year, that is the best that the Rangers can hope for. And they are NOT going to get back any type of prospects in return that are useful at all.
If that is what they are trying to get......then that is why he has not been traded.
If I were the Cubs, I'd make the trade very quickly under the scenario you suggested CM.
better suits the Rangers needs though? Or do either of them.
Also, you have to look at payroll for next year. If trading for Young prohibits you from signing a Pujols or Adrian Gonzalez(if he were to be available) or even Prince Fielder, do you make the trade?
No thanks. Wouldn't pay him more than $5 million per year. Numbers are influenced by home ballpark and he's 34 years old already and still signed for 3 years/$48 mil.
take him cheap. He is an upgrade over what we have and what we are going to have in the near future. Probably park influenced, but is a type of player that the Cubs don't really have on the team and would fit in well.
Michael Young will help you win more games this year than Silva, Grabow, Baker in a package or Fukudome.
I agree he is in decline, but probably not a bad move at 6 - 7 mill a year. Definitely deepens the lineup.
for Young as long as they take back Soriano and Cubs pay $36M. Of Fonzie's last two years.
I would do Soriano for Young with the Cubs picking up the salary difference in a minute. Soriano is probably a small upgrade offensively over Young. Young an upgrade over DeWitt/Baker at 2B and it opens up the corner OF slot. Young wants out. I guess they have to eat all but about $10MM of his contract to dump him. His age, post PEDs and road splits are too scary. For that $10MM, they get Soriano for 4 years.
Come Hendry, this is your specialty, flipping toxic contracts.
Thinking about this a bit more, it actually might make sense. Soriano may be willing to waive his NTC to go back to a former team where he can be in the lineup everyday for the reigning AL champion, as opposed to being in and out of the lineup with the reigning 5th place finisher in the NL central. And Young may just agree to a trade to the Cubs (if they are one of the teams he can block) to play everyday at 2B for a great fan base in a great city.
It's highly unlikely that the Rangers would simply swap players and actually take on a larger contract. But the Cubs budget is tight this year and appears to be less of a concern over the next couple of years. Pena, Fukudome, Silva, and Grabow will be off the books after 2011 freeing up $34.3M. They could also decline Ramirez's $16M club option for 2012 if Vitters regains super prospect status or Marquez Smith takes another step forward. Dempster almost certainly will exercise his player option for 2012 but then his $14M would fall off along with Byrd's $6.5M. And Zambrano is only under contract thru 2013.
So if they were to swap player salaries for 2011, saving $2M, they could send say $4M for 2012, $8M for 2013, and $12M for 2014 to Texas along with Soriano. Cubs would end up paying three years @ $16M per year for Young plus the $24M to Texas for a total of $72M, the same amount they would have paid Soriano for the next four years, to have Young for three years. The Rangers would pay Soriano's remaining $72M less the $24M the Cubs would send them, for a total of $48M, the same amount they would have paid Young, but would have one additional year of service from Soriano. I would think the Cubs would still have to throw in a decent young arm or two to sweeten the deal, or additional money and maybe a lesser prospect or two.
It's worth a phone call for Hendry. Potential lineup Fukudome/Johnson, Castro, Young, Ramirez, Pena, Soto, Colvin, and Byrd. While not likely to be confused with the Red Sox, that would be a much more interesting and competitive team.
of what you said, but I will vehemently disagree that the Cubs have a great fan base. They used to have a great fan base, but since about 2003( and getting worse all the time) the fans have become hyper critical/impatient of its own players. Loudly booing/cursing of home players is certainly the fans right, but it (generally) is counter productive and only hurts the team. If a player is clearly not hustling, then it is understandable. Otherwise, it is not acceptable.
I also don't know if it makes us a better team this year (Soriano had a better OPS than either Fukudome or Young), but certainly does over the next few years, and it allows the flexibility to work Jackson into the lineup easier and more quickly.
cubmadness...
I think that you're misinterpreting the reactions of Cub fans in regards to booing/cursing home players.
Yes, lack of effort and not hustling IS directed at individual players.... and is deserved. I think we all identify to some degree with players as employees.... much like the rest of us where it wouldn't be tolerated and we'd all be fired if we didn't produce up to expectations and our capabilities.
However, in the vast majority of circumstances the booing is directed at the organization and their failures as architects and stewards of the team itself. Can't blame fans for their stretched patience as champions are glorified in the media and we'd all like a taste of that before we die... unlike the generations before us. Not too much worse than expectations unfulfilled, the resulting disappointment and the privilege of paying thru the nose for it.
What'll be interesting is if the booing continues or subsides. Overt fan emotions diminishing would be the worst message the Ricketts' could receive because it would indicate that apathy has set in and it would be very difficult to recapture fan interest without some very drastic and expensive changes that would need to be made.
I'm kinda hoping for apathy. I've become pretty ambivalent about the coming season, not nearly as interested or looking forward to it as I always had been and have a ho-hum attitude about their direction in seasons going forward. I don't think I'm much different than most other Cub fans when reading posts on this and other blogs.
If you look at Blackhawk history, you can see some parallels to what's going on with the Cubs in reference to fan reactions. Hopefully it won't take the Cubs as long as it took the Blackhawks to do something about it.
Rangers have signed Beltre to upgrade defensively at 3B and can't move Young to 2B because of Kinsler. Cubs definitely could stand to upgrade at 2B and improve their OF defense, which they could do with Colvin and Fukudome in the corners. Soriano couldn't hurt the Rangers defensively as their DH. Soriano has had a higher OPS than Young in two of the past three seasons, while Young has had a higher OBP in two of those three years to go with the higher BA. There is less than a year difference in ages. The Cubs owe Soriano $18M/yr for four more years while Texas owes Young $16M/yr for three.
So the Rangers could accomodate Young's trade request and still have their DH by swapping him for Soriano, for roughly the same payroll. If the Cubs kicked in some cash and sweetened the pot by throwing in a young pitcher or two........hmmmm
I can get behind any variation of that one. no need to involve prospects or other garbage.
football is over. Its baseball season now....
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2011/02/03/2011-02-03...
The urgency to replace him in their rotation just went up sky high.
No trade clauses were made to be bought out. I can't think of anyone who the Yankees could be interested in that's available who would be a better fit than Z or Dempster.
The Yankees are loaded in every department but starting pitching. Even there they have one of the top 5 pitchers in baseball in Sabathia, plus the solid and emerging Hughes and the very talented Burnett (who is coming off a nightmare season). Meanwhile they have a hotshot pitching prosect in Banuelos who is drawing comparison to Gallardo in Milwaukee.
My guess is that Yankees wait a few months to swing a deal for another starter. If they need another starting pitcher in their quest for the playoffs then they can package Montero and whomever else to get somebody. Like Carmona out of Cleveland.
Pettitte is quitting for the simple reason he will be spending his summer in a courtroom testifiyng against his former best friend Clemens. The Yankees are probably relieved on one level that they don't have to live under the Pettitte uncertainty this season.
such as Joe Blanton and Fausto Carmona, and you can probably come up with a dozen other candidates with a little thought.
Each dog has its own fleas. Blanton is not very good. Carmona will cost a large package of prospects, maybe as much as Garza and Greinke, maybe more.
I don't see anyone being traded right now. If the Cubs contend, no way do they trade either guy. Of course, I could be wrong...
James Shields, Rays: He's coming off a year in which he had a 5.18 ERA and allowed a whopping 34 homers; his ERA after the All-Star break was 5.59. But he is still relatively young, at 29, and he has had success. Shields will make $4.25 million this year, but is under team control through 2014 because of a series of options -- $7 million for next season, $9 million for 2013 and $12 million for '14.
Joe Blanton, Phillies: As the Phillies quietly talked about signing Cliff Lee, they also explored possible deals involving Blanton, who has now been bumped back to the No. 5 spot in the Philly rotation -- and could theoretically be replaced by Kyle Kendrick. Some teams who looked into Blanton's availability believe that Philadelphia needs to eat a significant portion of the $17 million owed to the right-hander over the next two years. The Phillies haven't been comfortable with that idea, yet; GM Ruben Amaro has said publicly that he intends to keep Blanton, who went 9-6 with a 4.82 ERA last season.
Edwin Jackson, White Sox: Chicago traded for him believing it would flip him in a trade to Washington, so it's not as if the White Sox are wed to him for years to come. But they do have some uncertainty about what Jake Peavy can give them this year, and of course, they have loaded up to contend in 2011. Whether or not they are in the race, Jackson's name will probably come up in trade talks as he draws closer to free agency (after the 2012 season).
Paul Maholm, Pirates: He's eligible for free agency next fall, and the 28-year-old Maholm is coming off a rough year in which he went 9-15 with a 5.10 ERA. The perception of other teams is that Pittsburgh has been willing to talk about trading Maholm, and if the Pirates determine at some point that they won't re-sign him, they could become more aggressive in looking for a deal.
Shaun Marcum, Brewers: Milwaukee fully intends to compete this year and strengthened its rotation in an effort to make that happen. If the Brewers struggle early, in the way that the Diamondbacks did last year, plans can always change -- and Marcum would be very marketable, given his success in the AL East.
Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano, Cubs: Chicago is counting on its rotation to propel the Cubs, but if that doesn't happen -- if the Cubs drift deep into the standings -- Dempster could be marketable because of his experience; he will be making $13.5 million this year, and has a $14 million player option for 2012. Zambrano is set to make about $36 million over the next two years and pitched very well in the second half of last season, but remember, he has a full no-trade clause and an explosive history.
Dallas Braden, Athletics: Oakland has bolstered its offense with the additions of Josh Willingham, David DeJesus and Hideki Matsui, and augmented its bullpen; the Athletics appear to be serious contenders. If the season doesn't play out that way, however, Braden could be someone that the Athletics might market, because he is climbing the arbitration scale and is 27 years old; as we've seen in the past with the Athletics, they tend to move pitchers earlier, rather than later (Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson, Dan Haren).
Felix Hernandez, Mariners: His name will come up because he's the best in the game and the Mariners could be facing a tough year, and because other teams will always call the Mariners to check on him. But for Seattle to even think about dealing him, many dominos would have to fall -- and it's hard to imagine the Mariners would think about trading the right-hander anytime in the near future.
Jeremy Guthrie, Orioles: Last weekend, he talked about how he'd like to stay with Baltimore, and the Orioles are open to discussing a multiyear. This could be the year of fish or cut bait on that idea, because if the Orioles don't want to invest a long-term deal in Guthrie, his trade value may never be higher than it will be this summer.
Fausto Carmona and Justin Masterson, Indians: Carmona has talent and is still relatively young, and he will draw a lot of interest, but his contract is very team-friendly, so the Indians would be looking for top-of-the-line prospects in return. The Red Sox reportedly called the Indians about Masterson in the past, and undoubtedly, he'll continue to draw interest because of his past success and his versatility; remember, he was an excellent middle man for Boston before the Red Sox traded him for Victor Martinez. Also remember, Masterson is only 25 years old.
This is one of those rare opportunities where moving Zambrano might actually be doable. But Hendry has all his eggs in the current basket and won't dare be enlightened enough to move Zambrano.
I'm not real sold that Cashman is going to make a move for anyone right now. He's better off waiting until midseason. They'll likely play for the pen most of the year anyways. They can run Joba out in the 7th, Rafael in the 8th, and Mo in the 9th.
Waiting also allows him to see whether young arms like Nova, Phelps are capable of filling back end roles. They were, after all, so high on Nova that they rejected a Cliff Lee possibility partially due to that, IIRC. Furthermore, that way, he won't have his feet held over the fire in regards to demands. I mean, right now, anyone dealing with them is going to want one of the Killer B's (Betances, Banuelos, or Brackman) and probably Montero as a starting point.
>> They can run Joba out in the 7th, Rafael in the 8th, and Mo in the 9th. <<
toonsterwu...
You should know better - The Yankees have ALOT invested in your 7th, 8th & 9th scenario. The LAST thing they'd want to do by mid-season is burn out their bullpen. You seem to be assuming that starters 1-3 will pitch 9 innings and will be able to give the bullpen a breather until it's the #4 & #5 starter's rotation turn.
a) Where did i suggest that they burn out their bullpen by midseason? I'm simply saying that rather than pursuing another starting pitcher right now, every indication is that they will try to shorten the game down for all their starters (let's keep in mind workload concerns on Sabathia and Hughes, the former being at the age where the heavy workload of recent years could be cause for concern, the latter having a large innings spike last year) and wait until midseason to see if the price for a starter will be cheaper at that point.
Specifically, I said
"He's better off waiting until midseason. They'll likely play for the pen most of the year anyways. They can run Joba out in the 7th, Rafael in the 8th, and Mo in the 9th."
I think you are reading into something that is simply not there.
______________
and as a side note
b) The idea that the Yankees spending a lot is a factor that somehow precludes the idea that they wouldn't play this strategy for awhile (obviously, they'd hope that Nova can go deep, and maybe Mitre or whomever else is tossed out) belies their recent history. Torre was known for burning through pen arms, and while Girardi is a bit better, he's also been criticized for his pen usage as well, particularly as it relates to middle relief/setup.
>> a) Where did i suggest that they burn out their bullpen by midseason? <<
You didn't. But that could be the very real consequence of the Yankees waiting to make a move.... which I would have thought you would have considered.
I'd think that Cashman would be thinking along those same lines, which is why I also feel his thinking would be the sooner he makes a move to shore up the rotation... the better, which reduces the probabilities of a disasterous outcome for them like that knowing that he could still make additional moves til the trade deadline if needed.
Because of all that, I disagree that he's better off waiting until midseason. By that time his bullpen could be toast and the season lost..... and I don't think that would make anyone in NY happy with a $200 million payroll team.
We don't know if he's approached Hendry and Hendry's holding out for a bigger catch knowing that time is on his side and not Cashman's and that viable alternatives beyond Z or Dempster aren't apparent right now.
I don't think hardly anyone of those guys is available right now. Blanton might be, but I don't see him as a difference maker. In fact, he might not even be league average. Carmona is probably available now, but the Indians are going to ask for a ton. I think the O's are going to try to resign Guthrie, and would also want a lot to trade him to the Yankees.
I think mid season is most probably for a deal. And I am hoping that Zambrano has his act together this year.
certainly no one is close to King Felix. I can't imagine the Mariners trade him, but anything is possible. Marcum is certainly not going to be traded unless it is late in the year.
Of the other guys, Guthrie is the best fit, depending on whether or not the O's want to trade him to the Yankees. Carmona is probably the next best fit, but will take a huge package to get him or Guthrie. Of everyone else on the list, Dempster is going to give the Yankees the most consistently good pitcher and Zambrano probably has the highest upside.
2 Cubs were mentioned as prospects who are not in their respective teams top 10 list, but might impact the team this year and have chances to be good players. Out of 11 total players listed, the Cubs had 2 and so did the Padres.
Here you go...courtesy of Baseball America and Jim Callis.
Darwin Barney, ss, Cubs. The driving force behind Oregon State's 2006-07 College World Series championship clubs, Barney keeps winning and getting better. His tools still don't wow anyone, but he's a quality defender who gets the job done at the plate and on the bases. He won't knock Starlin Castro off shortstop in Chicago, but he could steal the second-base job.
Scott Maine, rp, Cubs. Acquired from the Diamondbacks in the November 2009 Aaron Heilman trade, Maine didn't impress Chicago when he showed an 87-90 mph fastball and a mediocre slurve last April. But everything came together for him during the summer, and he threw 93-97 mph with a tough slider in the big league bullpen in September.
from Baseball America Q & A....
Who would make your Top 10 list of 21-and-under pitching prospects, including both pros and college players? Feel free to include any high school prospects who deserve mention.
Wes Iredale
Cincinnati
Top 10? I had to go 15 deep to include everyone who made my personal Top 50 Prospects list in the 2011 Prospect Handbook (which is now shipping, by the way) and the two best pitching prospects in the 2011 draft. Here's what I came up with:
1. Julio Teheran, rhp, Braves (age 21 on Opening Day).
The best pitching prospect around, regardless of age.
2. Jameson Taillon, rhp, Pirates (19).
His $6.5 million bonus is the second-highest in draft history.
3. Shelby Miller, rhp, Cardinals (20).
Has vaulted to top of deep 2009 prep pitching class.
4. Jacob Turner, rhp, Tigers (19).
That group also included Turner and Nos. 7 and 10 below.
5. Matt Moore, lhp, Rays (21).
Led minors in strikeouts in both 2009 and 2010.
6. Gerrit Cole, rhp, UCLA (20).
He should be the first pitcher drafted in June . . .
7. Matt Purke, lhp, Texas Christian (20).
. . . unless it's this fellow former first-round pick.
8. John Lamb, lhp, Royals (20).
Flew under draft radar in 2008 after breaking elbow in auto accident.
9. Mike Montgomery, lhp, Royals (21).
Kansas City drafted Lamb, Montgomery and Eric Hosmer in 2008.
10. Tyler Matzek, lhp, Rockies (20).
Could rocket up this list if he gets his command back.
11. Randall Delgado, rhp, Braves (21).
Overshadowed by Teheran, but nearly as good.
12. Casey Kelly, rhp, Padres (21).
San Diego wouldn't have traded Adrian Gonzalez without getting Kelly.
13. Martin Perez, lhp, Rangers (19).
Stalled somewhat in Double-A, but he got there at age 18.
14. Anthony Ranaudo, rhp, Red Sox (21).
Getting him in 2010 draft made Boston more comfortable dealing Kelly.
15. Trey McNutt, rhp, Cubs (21).
Chicago stole a guy with two potential plus-plus pitches in 2009's 32nd round.