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22 Dec 2009
I’m on vacation so this is being type on my cellphone. I think Cashman did a great job with today’s deal. Yes, we remember Vazquez from 2004 but he has consistently struck out 150 and won 10 games a year this decade. He will be asked to be the fourth starter and is a great bet to throw 200 innings. Losing Melky is not something I am upset about and Dunn is a raw talent who could be replaced by Logan. The prospect had a great year in Staten Island but is years away from the Bronx. The Yankees are built to win now and this gives them an excellent shot. Great move for 2010
Dec 22, 2009 @ 18:13:02
When the Yanks picked up Vazquez in 2004 they were convinced he was going to be a star. He turned out to be a pretty good pitcher who gives you a lot of innings, gets a lot of strikeouts, and has a .500 record overall. That’s all the Yankees want for a 4th or 5th starter.
I think the door is now wide open for Nady or Damon in left field. The Yanks will go with Gardner if they have to, and I like the guy. But they have the luxury of bargaining from a position of strength because they don’t have to sign Nady or Damon.
Melky did a good job for the Yanks and had a lot of big hits. I wish him the best.
Dec 22, 2009 @ 21:00:55
Peter, i think next year vasquez and pettitte come off… that will be 23mil.. could cashman be thinking of giving most of that to cliff lee???he is a planner of the next move . food for thought
Dec 22, 2009 @ 21:01:47
Peter, i think next year vasquez and pettitte come off… that will be 23mil.. could cashman be thinking of giving most of that to cliff lee???he is a planner of the next move . food for thought
Dec 23, 2009 @ 00:57:49
I am willing to play wait and see in terms of results for 2010, and the rest of the off season for that matter, but I am less convinced.
Vasquez has put up impressive numbers this decade… but all in the national league! His one chance in the AL East resulted in him getting shelled. If we make no other OF moves and Cashman’s game of chicken with Boras doesn’t work out, do we start Gardner? That leaves us with 3 outfielders that could all feasibly hit no better than .250.
Matsui, Damon and Cabrera all have their baggage, but they also were all clutch at the end of games this year. Let’s not forget, this team won the world series and FINALLY seemed to have some chemistry, a lacking feature of the last few yankees lineups. Now the team has been somewhat butchered this offseason, and we are still spending 200+ million. I’m not saying Vasquez can’t work out, but I think there were other viable options that wouldn’t have cost Melky – I would’ve liked to hold on to him another year. (Not to mention, although granted you can’t make decisions on this, Melky was Cano’s best friend. Cano has always appeared to me as somewhat fragile with the change of winds. Just saying….)
Dec 23, 2009 @ 20:40:46
Vasquez has finally admitted that he was playing hurt the 2nd half in 2004 but wasn’t smart or brave enough to tell Torre about it – yep, it’s Torre’s Tanyon Sturtze Syndrome. Do I believe Javy? Yeah, I think I do cause he’s played on big stages since then, like for the ChiSox, and really shined. I suspect he’ll be up to the task of eating some innings with decent numbers for a number 4 pitcher.
I too will miss the Melkman – watching him was fun cause he was obviously having fun every day he played. And he was really clutch at times; it was a blast watching him hit for the cycle this season. He was like a kid who just “captured the flag” standing on 3B grinning and sticking his tongue out in exhaustion. I share the concern that Melky’s absence will weigh on his best bud – Cano – but this is a business and I think that Cashman got great return on Melky’s “value” when we got Vasquez.
About LF? Yeah, I dunno what’s going to happen there. Maybe Nady comes back by July 1? I can’t see them going with Gardner for 3 months. Or, just thinking outside the box, Montero sees if the can snag a few fly balls in the OF?
My guess is that Vasquez is invited back after this season; Cashman has been trying to get him back for years so if the numbers work, he’ll probably be back. Andy, on the other hand, is always year to year so this might be his last year. The FA class for next year is much bigger and there’s always a few things to be done before the 7/31 deadline.
So the two questions are: who plays LF and who slots into the 5th spot in the rotation: Phil or Joba?
Dec 24, 2009 @ 09:26:44
Mitchell, you read my mind. Many scouts say Montero wont stick behind the plate, but they assume his next position should be 1B. Why? Hes reported to be athletic for his size and stature, why not put his young legs out on the grass and see if he can become our LF for the 2nd half of 2010?
It might not work out but hey, if he cant really catch and theres no opening at 1st, it wouldnt hurt to try the next logical position.
Dec 24, 2009 @ 11:12:39
Hi Ian. Yep, I’d like to see the kid play already and if we could tolerate players like Bubba Crosby, Andy Phillips and Noodle Arm Damon in the OF, why not let Montero get his shot out there. And by the way, Swisher’s been known to take some really tortuous routes to fly balls also, so why can’t Montero get his audition? Hopefully, he gets a good long look during spring training.
If, being blocked everywhere, he’s got no place to play for us, then trade him for a young and very hot OFer and let’s move on …