Aaron Judge was just named player of the week in the AFL. He joins Greg Bird as Yankee prospects who have won that distinction this year. Something good for the future might really be happening down there. Bird and Judge have become fast friends, and you can easily see them hitting third and fourth at some point. They are both power guys with walks. They are, essentially, everything the Yanks should ever be looking for at the plate.
Meanwhile, the big league Yanks have somehow leaked that they will not be in the market for the big free agents this year. Hopefully, that means they'll keep their pick, and frankly, I think that means the plan is Moncada.
No more organizational hirings have been announced at this point.
35 Comments:
The more I think about it, the more I don't want McCarthy. Here's why:
If healthy, these guys are guaranteed rotation spots:
Tanaka, Pineda, CC, Nova.
I want more than one spot open for young pitchers.
Nova won't be ready to start the season.
McCarthy will be tradeable if we need the room.
Tanaka, Pineda and CC are worse health threats. We'll have plenty of opportunities for young pitchers. And Green will be in the rotation.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-yankees-found-another-way-to-outspend-every-other-team/
This is a good read, highly recommend it.
I posted this in the DROB article but wanted to make sure it didn't fall through the cracks.
Also, get a little excited after watching this:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/watch-yankees-prospect-greg-bird-mash-monster-homer-in-afl-fall-stars-game-201923960.html
Why is it when O Brien was a yankee prospect he was given little press? I read where he was a horrible catcher (which he is). The swing is full of holes ect. Now he's with the D Backs and he's the second coming of Mantle .
McCarthy is only tradeable if healthy, and that's rare, and more importantly, it's not the way the do business. They don't trade veterans very often, especially if they are performing well.
Where do people see Judge and Bird starting out in 2015? My sense is that alot will depend on how they perform in spring training, but the least we could expect would be that each starts where he finished last season but with the open possibility of an early promotion to the next level (i.e. pre all-star).
Bird should be in AAA and Judge could start in AA. Though they both may start in AA, since the Yanks are such slow promoters.
Getting a good deal with McCarthy is far better than buying more big dollar decline. And with the health of Tanaka, Pineda and CC a question, they are going to hire a vet. McCarthy showed he was comfortable already and he'll be cheaper.
Billy Martin,
The following comment under the article you linked was eye-opening:
"Flexing financial muscle in the minor league free agent market might turn up a few low-cost gainers, but it’s still a very inefficient way for the Yankees to use their resources. As noted, the team’s revenues continue to increase, while payroll stagnates or declines, meaning the Yankees are spending the lowest percentage of revenue on payroll since at least 2001 (see link below). The fact of the matter is the Yankees are one of the few teams that can still throw its weight around in free agency, but instead of doing so, the team has opted to focus more on maximizing profit margin than winning games. Plucking a few extra minor league free agents can’t make up the difference.
http://www.captainsblog.info/2014/01/20/is-tanaka-part-of-the-yankees-189-million-bluff-masahiro-tanaka-hal-steinbrenner-japan-payroll-brian-cashman/21209/"
I think the Yanks will be all in on Moncada.
Why is it one or the other?
There is no need to sign McCarthy or a big pitcher.
"The fact of the matter is the Yankees are one of the few teams that can still throw its weight around in free agency, but instead of doing so, the team has opted to focus more on maximizing profit margin than winning games"
Yes, this is a dark Yankee age and will probably be as long as Hal owns the team and imposes no accountability of any real consequence.
They don't have 4 healthy starters let alone 5 or the 6 that they always want to have.
Then why add one who has been as fragile as McCarthy? It's just upping the risk level.
Their offense isn't good enough to win anything anyway.
So let Mitchell, Greene, Phelps, and whomever shows well in ST fill out the rotation.
If they sign McCarthy he will be there for the length of his contract or until he breaks down yet again.
What are McCarthy's past injuries?
McCarthy has thrown over 330+ innings the past 2 seasons -- his most recent injury was from a line drive he took off his skull -- I think it's wise to go after him.
LNJ I too want to give the spot to a younger guy but I think we have to be prepared for the worst with Tanaka
yf
What is the purpose of the season. Is it just to win enough games to bring some fans to the park or is there a plan for the future. If there's a plan for the future I don't see how McCarthy fits. He is an up-and-down pitchet who's extremely fragile. So what's the point?
And if Tanaka can't compete at a high-level for the entire season they're cooked.
McCarthy pitched like an ace when Tanaka went down. In fact, if he and Green hadn't pitched so well, we might have a protected pick.
His career ERA+ is 102. He has had intermittent shoulder problems throughout most of his career.
His LOB% with the Yankees was 76.9%. For his career it's 71.0%. So very likely not sustainable.
If it isn't a one year deal, it's beyond ridiculous.
I'm with LINJ here. Just let the kids pitch. There will always be deals to make at the deadline if you must.
Which kids? We're not backed up enough to bring up 4 or 5 this coming season.
Tanaka, Pineda and CC are guaranteed spots. The rest can be filled out by Green, Mitchell, Nova, Banuelos (eventually).
*Add Phelps to that list.
Banuelos will still be on an innings limit, so will Severino and anyone younger than they are. Nova won't be ready from the start. Mitchell can hopefully help. Phelps is hopefully healthy.
And though Tanaka, Pineda and CC are guaranteed spots, they've also all got spots reserved on the DL until they can prove durable health.
You know the old saying and we have to go by it. IMO..The season will call for multiple chances for youth to pitch.Nova too is a question mark at this point.Some players take longer to get to full strength.Then comes CC ,Is he the old CC or just 4 at best? McCarty without giving up a pick isn't the worst move to make.
I think it's a great idea to count on 3 pitchers who just missed at least half a season each in Tanaka, Pineda and CC to lead the staff.
Even if we re-sign McCarthy, Greene will still has a rotation spot.
McCarthy hasn't had a single shoulder issue in over 4 years. The last time he was hurt was a freak injury. You need starters to eat innings and he is above average, SIGN ME UP.
The old saying that you can never have enough hitting? I agree with that one.
I supported A-Rod for years; I'm not sure why. But damn what a mess except for his bank account, and his real estate holdings, and probably his rare art collection.
On a Psychological level, however, Sigmund Freud couldn't figure him out.
I still contend that A-Rod was Cashman's best acquisition as GM, and had ownership listened to him when A-Rod opted out (I.E. signed him to not as many years and made up the difference with the Rangers' subsidy no longer being in effect), the Yankees wouldn't be in the mess that they are with him.
It's a shame he's such a headcase, because he likely would have helped lead the Yankees to more than just one World Championship. By the time he got it together, he was good for doing that once (2009) before his body began to deteriorate.
This was a good comments section. Well done all.
Personally, I'm in the camp that says sign McCarthy. Especially if it's for 3 or less. As long as someone does not go crazy with a 4 year - $52 million deal, I say bring him back. He has been relatively durable the past 2 seasons, except for a line drive off his noggin'.
Besides, with Kuroda probably not coming back, relying on CC, Tanaka, Pineda and Nova for 100+ starts in 2015 is very risky. Phelps and Green, along with Mitchell are not enough of a backup.
Even if you want McCarthy, why commit so much money for so long with such a miserable offense?
Then factor in that they have good young pitchers, some ML ready, some not, who will only get a chance if there are no reasonable veteran options.
Beyond the Japanese workload and Girardi's willingness to overextend him, I think an important factor in Tanaka's injury was that virtually every game he started included many high stress innings because they couldn't score.
That stress will remain on every pitcher they have, including him.
So why not use every available dollar to try to become the Bombers again?
And getting back to A-Rod, it's easy for me to say, but just cut him.
Unless the latest news turns out to be spurious, the distraction just got kicked up about a billion notches.
LNJ I know where your going with this and I don't disagree with your logic but the reality is they are not ever going to break down to rebuild.
No, I get that, but I don't think they can contend with this offense.
Post a Comment
<< Home