I'm taking you at your word. BTW - 15mil for AP? Even Steinhilda wouldn't dummp up those kind of bucks. But if he did, even I would not criticize McLane for 'failing' to match.
I don't know if you guys read Peter Gammons on espn.com but here's a qoute about the Astros/Pettitte/Wagner deal. ************************************************** There is a lot of speculation in New York that the Wagner deal clears the payroll for the Astros to sign Pettitte, but that apparently is not the case. The Wagner move simply pays for 2004 raises and arbitration cases. The 'Stros lost close to $15 million in 2003, they have to get closer to the debt/equity percentages and unless Hidalgo goes, Pettitte will probably stay in New York. It should be noted that getting Taylor Buckholtz in the Wagner deal with Brandon Duckworth was considered a coup for Gerry Hunsicker. Originally, the Phillies told the Astros that they had four untouchables -- Buckholtz, RHP Gavin Floyd, LHP Cole Hamels and 1B Ryan Howard -- but changed their minds when they thought about getting one of the three most dominant closers in the business. The Phillies organization is loaded, testament to the brilliance of assistant GM Mike Arbuckle.
How to rebuild the Yankees By David Schoenfield "Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener." -- Billy Martin "Hating the Yankees isn't part of my act. It is one of those exquisite times when life and art are in perfect conjunction." -- Bill Veeck Here's the problem: the only cigar smoke the Yankees have seen lately was when Jack McKeon stumped out his Cuban on Mickey Mantle's plaque in Monument Park. Derek Jeter, after his Alvaro Espinoza-like performance in the final game of the World Series, hasn't been seen with a hottie cradled up next to him in weeks and is reportedly in search of another type of slumpbuster. The grass at Yankee Stadium has already turned brown. All we want is to give the Yankees the opportunity to do this again. And, most importantly, with this aging, decaying dynasty on the fringe of melting into mediocrity, WHO ARE WE SUPPOSED TO HATE IF THE YANKEES ARE BAD? Baseball needs the Yankees. Baseball needs this battle of Good vs. George. Baseball needs an evil empire, a Darth Vader, an enemy to pursue, a team so hated that seeing it suffer from the heat of 96-mph fastballs fired by a cocky 23-year-old Texan with 17 career wins in the final game of the season just feels so perfect. What, you want the Marlins playing the Twins in the World Series next year? So, as George Steinbrenner and his cadre of lieutenants embark on the team's most significant offseason since Reggie Jackson was brought in to stir the drink, Page 2 is offering our advice on how to rebuild the Yankees. Consider it an act of charity for the good of the sport. First, the crumbling nature of this dynasty needs to be made clear: No World Series titles the past three seasons. After winning 11 straight postseason series from 1998-2001, the Yankees are 2-3 in their last five. That's one less than the Marlins won just this year! And that team is owned by an art dealer! It won't be easy filling Andy Pettitte's shoes once he signs with Houston. Roger Clemens is retiring. David Wells is fat, old and heading elsewhere. Andy Pettitte, after the Astros' trade of Billy Wagner to clear some payroll, is checking out the finest private schools in the Greater Houston area. A bullpen which cost more than several teams paid their entire rosters produced just one reliable reliever. Alfonso Soriano can't turn the double play or lay off a slider in the dirt, Derek Jeter has no range, Bernie Williams can't throw, Jason Giambi has a creaky knee, Aaron Boone blinked in the bright lights of NYC, Happy Weaver has more hangers than your closet and Hideki Matsui has bad hair. Luckily, Steinbrenner has some money to spend or this team would really be in trouble. (Although the Mets are a reminder that spending foolishly is a foolish thing to do.) This past season, the Yankees' payroll was anywhere from $164 million (the total of the August 31 roster) to $185 million (the overall estimate, according to reports). If George is willing to spend that much on such an obviously flawed team, an increase to $200 million is not only possible but probable. 1. Move Jeter to third base and non-tender Boone. This may sound sacrilegious, sort of like saying Don Mattingly is overrated or that Thurman Munson wouldn't have made the Hall of Fame anyway, but with Miguel Tejada available on the free-agent market, it's time to move Jeter and get a better defensive shortstop. As captain, Jeter's ego surely won't get in the way. Miguel: You won't be feeling so gloomy if you sign with the Yankees! 2. Sign Tejada to a five-year, $75 million contract. 3. Bernie Williams has lost three steps in center, throws like Pete Gray and is prone to injuries. Move him to DH, which makes Nick Johnson available for trade. (Yes, we'd prefer to trade Giambi, but he's as stuck as a pig in mud with his contract.) 4. Carlos Beltran is the popular rumor for center, but here's another suggestion: Jim Edmonds, who is available, signed through 2007 and owner of a left-handed stroke engineered for Yankee Stadium. The Yanks can swing a three-way trade that also brings in … 5. ... Curt Schilling. Forget Javier Vazquez, another popular rumor. The Yanks need a Proven Postseason Pitcher -- like Schilling, who is available with the emergence of Brandon Webb in Arizona. With St. Louis looking for a first baseman (Tino Martinez is washed up), here's the deal: Nick Johnson and Arizona's Danny Bautista go to St. Louis, Edmonds and Schilling go to New York and Alfonso Soriano and Jeff Weaver go to Arizona. Schilling brings World Series experience. 6. Which means signing a second baseman, preferably one who doesn't take two seconds to turn the deuce. In comes free agent Luis Castillo with a three-year, $21 million deal. 7. Sign Bartolo Colon. Why not? Five years, $70 million should do the trick. 8. Because Karim Garcia couldn't throw out Alex Gonzalez so ... Gary Sheffield, come on down to play right field: three years, $45 million sounds about right. 9. The bullpen needs a little shoring up so we suggest free agents Tim Worrell (2 years, $7 million) and lefty Ricardo Rincon (2 years, $5 million). 10. Sell Drew Henson ($12 million left on his contract) to the Houston Texans to raise additional capital. Which leaves us with this roster (2004 salaries included): The 2004 New York Yankees Starting Lineup Derek Jeter, 3B ($17.0M) Jim Edmonds, CF ($9.0) Gary Sheffield, RF ($15.0) Jason Giambi, 1B ($12.5) Bernie Williams, DH ($12.0) Jorge Posada, C ($9.0) Miguel Tejada, SS ($15.0) Hideki Matsui, LF ($7.0) Luis Castillo, 2B ($7.0) Starting Rotation Mike Mussina ($16.0) Curt Schilling ($12.0) Bartolo Colon ($14.0) Jose Contreras ($7.0) Jon Lieber ($2.45) Bullpen Mariano Rivera ($10.89) Steve Karsay ($5.0) Tim Worrell ($3.5) Ricardo Rincon ($2.5) Chris Hammond ($2.4) Surely, fans and writers and even those other teams nobody cares about will cry out in frustration over this largesse, but the total payroll for these 19 guys? Just over $179 million, which still leaves $21 million left to sign an insurance starter (Greg Maddux?) and fill out the bench. The only potential problem is a lack of a left-handed starter, but that's nothing an in-season trade or two won't fix. Otherwise, this team is flawless. Sure, it would be nice if the No. 9 hitter had a little more power and neither of the lefty relievers is exactly Billy Wagner. But note that Sheffield and Edmonds are great fastball hitters -- you know, just in case the Yankees meet up again with Josh Beckett in the World Series As we await what happens this offseason, hoping the Yankees can successfully rebuild, Page 2 leaves you with a quote from Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea": "Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio ..." DiMaggio is gone, but we have 200 other million reasons to still have faith. --------------------------------------------------------- I posted this in the Henson to Steelers thread and thought it was relevant here also. Pettitte to Astros and Henson to Texans all in one convenient article.
But Dave Mlicki was excellent for us against the Braves in that playoff series. Though his entire season poduction was nothing to write home about, he was even outstanding down the stretch for us during the regular season in some big games. Methinks you just threw up Moehler's name recklessly but you are forgiven because I understand where you are coming from xiki There is really not much of a "difference" between $15M and $10M because of the two states respective sales tax situations. I am sure his agents will inform him of this fact. Also he will save money by not having to spend accomodation money in NY plus all other high miscellanous expenses that comes with living and working in the NY area. He already has rings. He is not getting any younger - he will like to come back home to live at home with family. There is no doubt that he still has "NY in his mind" and deciding to leave will be a steep one but from my vantage point all intangibles including the all oft important 'money' issue points to Andy going to springtraining next year as an Astro. I am sure JerryH will put forth an outstanding proposition - I just hope we do not overpay.
any ESPN Insiders on the board? there are some Pettitte and Pudge rumors on there, but I'm not a member. Curious as to what it says.
Nothing new... basically quotes Gerry as saying, "who wouldn't be interested in Andy Pettite?" However, if you read Gammons latest column, he re-iterates that if the Astros don't free up more money by trading Hidalgo, they might not have enough to go after Pettite. (he also explains how the Wagner money will be used to off-set the rising salaries). Thus, he's reversed his stance (what's new) and now thinks he'll end up back with the Yankees. (which probably doubles the likelihood of us getting him, if that's what Gammons is thinking.) he also supports the Wagner for Bucholz trade some more... article:http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=1657642 "There is a lot of speculation in New York that the Wagner deal clears the payroll for the Astros to sign Pettitte, but that apparently is not the case. The Wagner move simply pays for 2004 raises and arbitration cases. The 'Stros lost close to $15 million in 2003, they have to get closer to the debt/equity percentages and unless Hidalgo goes, Pettitte will probably stay in New York. It should be noted that getting Taylor Buckholtz in the Wagner deal with Brandon Duckworth was considered a coup for Gerry Hunsicker. Originally, the Phillies told the Astros that they had four untouchables -- Buckholtz, RHP Gavin Floyd, LHP Cole Hamels and 1B Ryan Howard -- but changed their minds when they thought about getting one of the three most dominant closers in the business. The Phillies organization is loaded, testament to the brilliance of assistant GM Mike Arbuckle."
some insider stuff By Jerry Crasnick ESPN Insider PHOENIX -- San Diego general manager Kevin Towers, one of baseball's most affable and approachable executives, is more popular than usual these days. The Padres are moving to a new home in April, and dozens of player agents figure that means Towers has a huge stash of Petco Park money bulging from his office drawers. The truth is, Towers does have money to spend on a starting pitcher, a catcher and some bullpen help this winter, but don't look for the Padres to dabble in the Javy Lopez or Bartolo Colon markets. And if agent Scott Boras pushes for $12 million a year and a multi-year deal for Greg Maddux, they'll pass on Maddux, too. The Padres have adopted the prevailing mindset -- that you don't spend $15 million on one player when it's possible to plug several holes with the same investment. So they'll look to Brad Ausmus or Benito Santiago to fill their catching void, or hope that Minnesota might be willing to part with A.J. Pierzynski. They'll try to add depth to their rotation with a Sterling Hitchcock, Wilson Alvarez, David Wells, Cory Lidle or Brian Anderson. Even Kelvim Escobar might be a reach for them financially. David Wells could be headed to San Diego, if he gets his back straightened out. When the Padres played at Qualcomm Stadium, the city picked up the tab for things like earthquake insurance. Now that owner John Moores is responsible for those outlays, the team is more in touch with the need for frugality. "I'm sure people have seen what the Phillies have done in a new ballpark,'' Towers said, "but we're still a very small market. Yes, our revenues are going to go up. But our costs of running the club are going up, too. Our owner has lost a lot of money over the last five to six years.'' When Towers and his fellow GMs gather in Phoenix this week, they'll get an update from commissioner Bud Selig and discuss relevant issues relating to the game. Between rounds of golf, pool-side buffets and forays to the Arizona Fall League to watch prospects play, they'll also embark on the type of dialogue that might lead to trades later this winter. The meetings have a leaner, more focused look this year. General managers determined that it doesn't make sense for teams to send six or eight representatives to Arizona in November when entire front offices will attend the winter meetings in New Orleans in December. So each club will be limited to two representatives in Phoenix. "You have less and less guys going to the playoffs and World Series now,'' Towers said, "and it's so crazy in the lobby area at the winter meetings that nobody leaves their hotel room. There are only 30 general managers, and if we get to know each other better that might spur a little communication. It's always easier to make trades when you talk to somebody frequently and feel more comfortable with them.'' While ideas will flow freely in Phoenix, don't expect a lot of trades or signing news. Some of that's a product of the schedule. The deadline for teams to offer salary arbitration to their current free agents is Dec. 7. If Team A offers a player arbitration, it receives compensation in the form of draft picks when Team B signs him. But if Team B signs the player before Dec. 7, it automatically gives up the draft compensation. So with the exception of elite free agents like Vladimir Guerrero, Miguel Tejada or Colon, it pays to wait. Danys Baez Reliever Cleveland Indians Profile 2003 SEASON STATISTICS IP S H BB SO ERA 75.2 25 65 23 66 3.81 General managers also anticipate that a second wave of players -- Aaron Boone, Adam Kennedy, Danys Baez, Jason Johnson, Juan Encarnacion, Michael Barrett and Doug Mientkiewicz, to name a few -- could be available if they're not offered contracts by the Dec. 20 tender date. "A lot of teams with high-dollar arbitration guys might not want to get stuck with that contract,'' said a National League executive. Last year the White Sox signed Esteban Loaiza and Boston picked up David Ortiz in January. Loaiza won 21 games and Ortiz is a candidate for American League MVP. One American League GM said Pittsburgh's Dave Littlefield should be considered for Executive of the Year after signing Reggie Sanders, Matt Stairs and Kenny Lofton for a total of $2.9 million after the free-agent rush last year. Sanders and Stairs combined for 51 home runs, and Lofton scored 58 runs in 84 games before Pittsburgh packed him off to Chicago. Several teams are burdened with contracts that looked reasonable at the time but now seem exorbitant. Richard Hidalgo had a nice comeback year in 2003 and was named the Astros' MVP by the Houston chapter of the baseball writers, but several executives used words like "untradeable'' to describe him because of his $12 million salary in 2004. "I don't think there's a prayer of them getting rid of Hidalgo,'' said a National League GM. Oakland general manager Billy Beane, who's known for his ability to get more out of less, could exercise more creativity this winter if he weren't saddled with Jermaine Dye's $11 million salary. The Twins will spend almost $25 million on starters Brad Radke, Eric Milton and Joe Mays next season. And good luck to Kenny Williams of the White Sox if he thinks he can escape the $16.75 million he owes Paul Konerko over the next two years. Todd Helton is a .337 career hitter, a four-time All-Star and a potential Hall of Famer, but his name has been bandied around in trade speculation because the Colorado Rockies owe him $131 million through 2012. Factor in the team's huge financial commitments to Larry Walker, Preston Wilson and Charles Johnson, and general manager Dan O'Dowd's creative impulses are under wraps. Not everyone is retrenching. Baltimore has money to spend. The Mets dumped a bunch of big contracts after the season. Anaheim has a new owner and the Dodgers have a new one on the way, and new owners usually like to make a splash. Tampa Bay plans to increase its payroll by $12-14 million, and the George Steinbrenner factor is always impossible to discount. But it appears that shorter contracts, anxious players and frantic representatives will be part of the landscape this winter. While the union and agents like to whisper about teams colluding to hold down salaries, it's becoming harder to sell owners on the need to spend, spend, spend for a winner. Anaheim won the World Series with baseball's 15th highest payroll two years ago, and Florida ranked 20th this year. Even the Big Stein couldn't ignore that development. "There are a lot of good players out there,'' said Colorado's O'Dowd. "But if other markets are going through what we're going through, a lot of clubs will be able to window shop, but not many people are going to be able to buy.''
OK, I know this is selective quoting, but I found this hilarious. Brad Ausmus and his $200,000-per-base-hit contract is the very definition of wasted salary to me. Brad's a hole, not a plug.
Brad's one of the best defensive catchers in the game. He could do wonders with a young pitching staff like San Diego's.
R'man is right about how BA help's young pitchers. Brad is a hitless wonder -- and still an asset. Does anyone expect Chavez to be his equal or Buck to be better, at least 1st year or three?
Well, at least they save the Astros some money, which potentially can go towards someone really good like Pettite. So unless Brad is willing to stay for like 1/2 a mil, I would have no problem letting him go. Brad Ausmus is like a Tino Martinez. A veteran player who can't hit a lick but apparently has a good "reputation". I'm not sure how much better he has made our pitchers(doesn't seem much considering how often Jimy kept yanking them out), but it's very unlikely to be worth his pitiful hitting.
Wish these ESPN writers could get their takes straight... The author of their top 50 free agents list predicts Pettitte goes to the Stros. Of course, they've also got Jose Mesa coming to Houston, which makes no sense. (Plus, Mesa wouldn't even make my top 100 free agents after last season. He's done.) And they've got the Yankees, Cubs, and Dodgers signing like 10 free agents apiece which is impossible. So take it for what it's worth, which is pretty much nothing. It is interesting to see who's out there, though.
Good points. I should have added that I expect BA to be a six figure earner with his next contract, whether here or SD or wherever.
Bad news on the Pettitte front from ESPN.com..... How legit are those rumors about the Astros signing Pettitte? Well, the Astros have tried their best to act serious, because they understand Pettitte is seriously interested in them. But teams and agents that have spoken with the Astros think there's no way they could even come close to the four-year, $52-million deal the Yankees are reportedly ready to hand Pettitte. "I don't see it," says one NL executive, "not unless they move (Richard) Hidalgo. I think a lot of that talk is just window dressing, to allow them to massage the wounds from trading (Billy) Wagner." And what are the odds of the Astros moving Hidalgo? Here's one rival GM's assessment of how much of Hidalgo's salary ($12 million, plus a $2-million buyout) the Astros would have to eat to trade him: "My guess is, maybe $8-9 million." As the Pettitte rumors have hogged the headlines, though, the Astros have seemed much more intent on adding set-up men. They've been in hard on Chad Fox and Mike Timlin, to name two. And in the meantime, they've also been exploring the possibility of re-signing Brad Ausmus if he'll take a one-year deal. That's crazy that they think the Astros would have to eat 8-9 million of Hidalgo's contract in order to trade him. However, I might be starting to believe it because they are saying that Vlad Guerro will only get a contrat in the range of 3 years $10-13 mill per.
the yankees can keep pettitte at 4 years 52 million. good player, hope we can sign him, but i don't think he's at that level.
If true, AP is not worth that much, IMO. Thus, I woould have no problem with his signing back in noooo yawwwwk silly. However, if true and if the management of the Astros knows there is zero chance of signing in Houston (with a home town discount) but continues to make mewing sounds as if AP is being pursued etc etc etc then pox on Huns/McLane.
