Yankees News and Notes

The draft picks are set for the draft next June.

- Of course teams can gain and lose picks to free agent compensation.  The way things look like right now before free agency, the Yankees have six picks in the first four rounds.  Not too shabby.  Of those picks I believe four are protected, at least I hope so.  I expect the Yanks to lose and gain some as well.  We’ll find out in the next couple months.

Junichi Tazawa was not drafted by any Japanese professional teams, because of his passion to play in the majors.

-Apparently the 22-year old has a high 90’s fastball and good breaking pitches…so what are the Yanks waiting for?  Forget the Irabu and Igawa experiments, take the blame and move on.  They can’t let that discourage them from pursuing other Japanese players in the future.  At least players that are this young.  This is a rare situation that the Yanks must have interest in.

Mussina is set to make a decision about his future within the next week or so…or not.

-I think after the season Mussina had, he clearly feels he can still pitch and why not?  The closer he gets to 300 wins, the closer he reaches Hall Of Fame status.  He is a very stubborn man and if he wants to pitch, he will pitch somewhere.  I can see the Yankees resigning him.  He is a type A free agent.  Would the want to play another year or two with another organization?

* This has nothing to do with the Yanks, but it’s worth mentioning.  The last few innings of last night’s World Series game was absolutely incredible.  Every single play had significance at least it seemed that way.  Very exciting stuff right there.  And then it was over-Phils won.  I don’t think anyone wanted to see it end, but it did.  And that was that.  It was very anticlimactic.  I can’t help but think that the suspension of the game actually took away from the Phils winning the Series.  I am sure I am not the only one who had that feeling.  I think that fans just didn’t want to see baseball end.

As the Air Gets Cooler, the Hot Stove Gets Warmer

All is quiet on the hot stove front as all the hoopla of the World Series is still going strong.  Hopefully, that will all change in a few hours when the Phillies finish off the Rays in a extended game 5 finish.  Have to admit though, this came has me glued to the tube.  I predicted (yes, before the Series, but not on this blog) that the Phils would take it to the Rays in six games.  That’s not looking too bad now.  If only I had the money and the courage to place a bet; I would have won in Vegas already!  Always next year I guess.

The real fun begins after the Series as mentioned above.  Players begin to file for free agency and teams make more players available.  Going off topic a little here, but how the heck does MLB come up with their type A and B free agent criteria.  I really tried reading up on it but it seems almost as mysterious and confusing as the BCS Bowl bids.  Anyway, it was pretty exciting at Winter Meetings last year even though I was on business.  It’s funny because I didn’t a whisper of anything.  Then again, I didn’t sit in any of the secret Grand Ole Opry meetings.  I had to find out about trades, signings, and rumors by watching the hotel television.  I found out about the Cabrera-Willis trade on the radio on the way home.  November and December are going to be interesting months and Tim over at mlbtraderumors has his work cut out for him (never understood that phrase).

I expect the Yankees to make a splash whether it be free agent signings and/or trades.  Clearly the Yankees need to address some issues in the offseason-the rotation and 1B being the most pressing needs.  The Yankees are prepared to spend some dough this winter as they have some financial flexibility and money also talks.  Hold on tight, it’s going to be a wild ride.

Just Say No to Weather Reports

I might have mentioned this before, but after last nights World Series game 5 debacle, it is worth mentioning again. 

First off, I actually think that there was no other solution and ultimately suspending the game was the right decision.  The field was a mess and as someone who works in baseball and ultimately has to make such decisions from time to time, Bud Selig did the right thing…but an inning too late, as most have agreed.  I must admit that I was not watching most of the game as the outcome of my football fantasy team for week 8 took precedent.  Heck, it’s been eight months, I think people can wait the extra day. 

The funny thing about this whole thing is that meteorologists incorrectly (throughPeteAbe) predicted  the weather in Philadelphia.  What I don’t get is, why in the world do people put so much stock in weather reports?  Radar is the only reliable weather source and can be obtained via websites, but only about an hour in advance.  But even so that can be misleading; patterns can change.  Meteorologists definitely have the easiest job in the world, because people like me and you still go back to them the next day to find out the weather report, even after they have misled the public the night before.  How do they get fired?  They have one job to do: do research and give accurate weather reports.  I am not one, but I would venture to guess that this would solely be their jobs.  If they are not doing half their job correctly, shouldn’t they be cut loose?  One would think with all the technology we have nowadays, accurate weather readings would be a piece of cake.  Rain or shine, sunny or cloudy…that’s it, that’s all we need.  It should be easy, but it always seems like they just flip a coin and that is today’s weather.  And yet we still ask, do you know what the weather is going to be like tomorrow?  Oh wait, let me go check and see what Mark the (nothing against Marks) Meteorologist has to say.  If this baseball thing doesn’t work out for me… 

Am I way off base here?

Yankees Should Pass on Cameron

The Padres have to make a decision soon on whether or not they want to pick up Mike Cameron’s option for next season.  If they do decide to pick up his option, the Pads would have to pay him $10 million.  I think we all know what they plan on doing.  I guess it really comes down to whether or not they trade Peavy, because they are looking for a long term center fielder. 

Another club who is looking for another long term CF is your very own Yankees.  So why is Mike Cameron even in discussions.  Cameron, 36 on opening day, is a career .250 hitter, that stills plays good defense, still can steal 20 bases, and still has some pop.  He also strikes out way to much for my liking.  With 142 K’s this year in only 444 AB, that would have led the 2008 Yankees.  There are far too many negatives in this particular situation than positives.  I am also a firm believer in Cabrera and Gardner still.  I actually think that Gardner is exactly what the Yankees need, despite his lack of power.  I think Cabrera, who is still young, can best be used as trade bait and packaged for a starting pitcher at some point. 

With either Cabrera or Gardner starting in CF next year, the Yankees will have some confidence in their play.  Cabrera really had a dreadful 2008 season and is looking to rebound.  Gardner finally got a taste of the show.  I really think one of these will pan out.  There are options to be explored, but I don’t think Cameron is one of them.  Besides, Cameron is just not the type of player Cashman is looking for at the moment.

Losing respect for Sabermetricians

The new 2009 Bill James Handbook organizational talent rankings have been secretly unearthed by the guys over at River Ave. Blues.  So kudos to them.  According to the new handbook, the New York Yankees rank 29th out of 30 teams in terms of organizational talent.  That has to boggle your mind, no?  Sure I may be a super fan and Bill James might be a Red Sox (but unbiased) employee, but something has to wrong here.  I would imagine Hughes, Chamberlain, Montero, and Jackson would be on any top 200 prospect list.  And yes I left out a few names that could make that list.  If the Yanks rank this low, then how come a lot of teams want our prospects or consider trading with the Yanks?  Case in point: one of the best pitchers is on the market in Peavy.  If the Yanks lack the talent needed for the trade, then why do the Padres even talk to Cashman?  My stance may differ than some of the authors at RAB, but arguments must be made.  I also must admit that I am not totally familiar with many prospects in other organizations, but I have fairly good idea who might be considered in their top ten list. 

Sure the Yanks don’t have a lot of positional talent in their system, but their pitching depth has got to make up for most of that.  Pitching is the hottest commodity in baseball.  Because…you all know that good pitching beats good hitting.  With that being said, a number of our top young arms have experienced Tommy John Surgery in the past few years, which could be a deciding factor.  However, I do think that James and his collegues might be a little bias when putting together this list of organizational talent.  How the heck can the Rangers only be 19, Mets as high as 16, A’s only 12, and Orioles only 24 to point out a few more.

Oh yeah, there is another list that is worth dissecting as well-the top young players in the game (MLB that is).  First off I don’t consider 26 being young at all.  And that may because I am 26.  Some other things that jumped out at me include:  Joba not being on this list, Fielder #1???, Hanley only #2, Pedroia #6, Longoria only #17, Loney, Drew, and Votto all on the list (not top 25 talent), where’s Jay Bruce?, and Hernandez should easily be in the top 10.  I can go on and on all day.  But then again statistics don’t come that easy to me as it does to these analysts.

The Joba Story Thickens

Joba Chamberlain was just having a typical night out with his buddies.  Where do a bunch of guys go to have fun?  That’s right…the strip joint.  With a combination of alcohol and naked women, what could go wrong?  At this nudie bar, Joba was involved in a shouted match with a Red Sox fan.  Apparently the Red Sox fan started it…not surprised.  This shouting match prompted Joba’s friends to partake in extracurricular activities with the said fan.  How can any person take such verbal abuse?  This Red Sox fan had a role in Joba’s arrest….he made Joba drink more.  Once again, it was all their fault.      

Jokes aside-note to Joba: get a girlfriend and ditch the alcohol.  You are on the Yankees for pete’s sake.  You can do almost anything or get anything you want.  But there is a certain responsibility that you must take on.  If the alcohol consumption is a problem, well, please get some help.  If you are going to be drinking, please walk home (pitchers need all the leg work they can get) or get a taxi. 

As Max Kellerman (1050 ESPN Radio 10-1) put it this morning…the only difference between Joba and Jim Leryitz, is luck.

David Fends Off Goliath

The Devil Rays finally prevailed in a much anticipated Game 7 Red Sox match up in Tampa last night.  David Price (Wow, double David meaning!) finally was unleashed in the ALCS and didn’t disappoint.  The overworked Tampa bullpen was on the verge of blowing another lead and possible another game.  Joe Maddon finally made the right call and deployed his secret weapon…a lefty with a 98 MPH fastball and a sick slider.  What’s the hold up?  Price put out the fire in the form of Drew and Bay, amongst others.

As a Yankees fan, this is the second best thing that could ever happen…of course the first being the ever obvious.  I am sure that losing Manny must have made the difference.  But the Red Sox were in prime position to take Game 7, but couldn’t complete the upset this time around.  I would like to extend my congratulations to the Tampa Rays for their achievements and quality play-especially against the so called “best team in baseball.”  Of course no one could have predicted the Rays playing their way into the World Series (except the wife who gave her husband a team to bet on when she was asked to pick “any team at all”).  Although it’s more unlikely that a wife lets her husband gamble than the Rays even advancing to the Series.  Well maybe not.

While the Rays have an uphill battle still, they surely have nothing more to prove.  They are the best team, in the best division in all of baseball.  And now they are the best team in the American League.  It truly is a great story.  The Rays GM hit it on the head last night- it’s all about the national and international scouting departments and free agent signings.  They now have a process that looks to be successful for many years to come.  Hopefully, other teams are taking excessive notes…cough, cough.  Of course finishing in last place almost every year certainly increases the odds of a ’can’t miss’ ballplayer in each draft.  Kudos to the Rays and the Sox should go home and cry…and break up their team because it’s not working.

Drinking and Driving is Not Part of the Offseason Workout

Well, I was away this weekend, scouting out my new ballpark, and came home to find out that Joba “the new face of NY” Chamberlain was arrested for DUI.  I swear this wouldn’t have happened if I was home.  This also wouldn’t have happened if the Yankees made the playoffs, so the Yankees have to be partially blamed.  Just what the Yankees need, their most talented pitcher has a lack in judgement and almost killed himself and possibly someone else.  Harlan needs to lay into his son now and he most likely will.  Here is what Joba had to say after the incident:

“I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and the fans for an error in judgment and for putting myself in a difficult situation,” Chamberlain said in a statement released by his agent, Randy Hendricks. “I intend to properly resolve this situation, and do not intend to be in such a situation again. My goal is to focus on pitching for the Yankees in the 2009 season.”

While Hughes is busting his ass in the AFL, Joba is having a grand ole’ time.  This should be a wake up call to grow up and grow up fast.  New York fans will not tolerate this unacceptable behavior.  Ok, maybe we will.

The Peavy Debate

It’s rare that such a talent becomes available at any time in or near his prime.  The problem is a little like the Santana situation last offseason.  Do the Yankees want to give up their premium prospects to get him?  And they do have the prospects.  I think the Yankees need to at least kick the Padres tires and see what exactly they want.  It has been said they would like two young pitchers and a centerfielder in return for Peavy.  Check, check, and check.  

Peavy has a manageable contract for an extended period of time which is very important to many teams.  A lot of teams would be interested in acquiring Peavy’s services.  Apparently, the Dodgers, Braves, and Yankees have expressed interest already.  I don’t know how the Padres can trade Peavy within the division.  The Braves matchup well with the Padres because Peavy would like to stay in the NL.  Most likely the Yankees would have to give up Hughes, which Cashman is unwilling to do.  If he didn’t trade him for Santana, then he won’t be included in this deal either.  However, all other players not named Joba would be discussed.  I think if the Yanks center a deal around Kennedy and Melky, you have to pull the trigger.  Kennedy would thrive in the NL and Melky is still very young and is still developing.  Of course it didn’t help that neither play did anything note worthy in 2008.  I still feel that Hughes is still developing and it is too early to give up on him.   

If the Yankees can somehow go into 2009 with a rotation of Peavy, Sabathia, Wang, Hughes, and Chamberlain…they would have to be clear favorites to win the World Series.  Man that looks nice!!!  Come on Cashman work your magic.