If Cashman really wants Holliday, he could be a Yankee
December 18, 2009, 8:45 pm by iYankees · 30 Comments
From Mark Feinsand of the Daily News:
With Johnson seemingly being refitted for pinstripes, it’s unlikely that the Yankees will get involved in the bidding for left fielder Matt Holliday, the premier free agent left on the market. But just as Cashman talked his owner into loosening the purse strings last winter to bring back Pettitte, the possibility exists that Steinbrenner could be talked into expanding the payroll once again.
“I think Brian understands that if it’s a matter of getting one player that we really feel we need, I’m not going to slam the door in his face,” Steinbrenner said. “But I am a budget person and he did get a number. We’ve already spent $17-18million, but like I said, I don’t believe we’re done yet.”
The $17-18 million Hal Steinbrenner references here is now closer to $23 million with the addition of Nick Johnson, however, based on Steinbrenner’s comments, I don’t think one can completely rule out the possibility of adding Matt Holliday to the New York lineup. It’s an altogether unlikely scenario, yet if Brian Cashman truly wants to add Holliday to the team’s outfield and is willing to fight for that addition like he did with Mark Teixeira, then Hal Steinbrenner, regardless of his frugal nature, appears willing to accommodate Cashman’s judgment (or would at least attempt to).
But, again, it comes down to whether or not Cashman really wants Matt Holliday.
Photo by Reuters
So what you’re saying is that if you were Cashman Holliday would have been a Yankee yesterday? haha
I don’t know at this point it just seems like an unwise move to keep going for more offense and just ignore the fact that Hughes and Joba probably both won’t be in the rotation this year and signing Holliday means a guy like Duscherer or Gaudin/Mitre is the likely candidates and I really don’t want them in my rotation from the start of the year (or at all if we can help it) especially when Sheets is available.
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Ha! I think I’m the biggest Holliday supporter in the Yankee blogosphere.
One thing to consider is that if Brian Cashman figured Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain were bullpen cogs (or at least one of them were), then he would have traded one of those two by now. He hasn’t, though, and even refused to offer either of the two for Roy Halladay. I wouldn’t be surprised to see both of them in the rotation next season, especially if Ben Sheets signs with another club.
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He has already stated that they are fighting for one rotational spot in spring training and I really wouldn’t doubt that information, I think the whole team really thinks they need another starter and I would assume that is the first priority.
Besides I think if they were going to add someone like Holliday they wouldn’t have even talked to Damon or Johnson his bat in the lineup fixes a lot of problems by it’s self because he could realistically hit every where from 2-9 in the lineup, I would assume you would hear more about interest and they would already be in negotiations.
Also I think the Cardinals would be a little more eager to get the deal done if they thought the defensing champs were almost about to snag the player Pujols wants on the team.
IF Ben Sheets goes to another club, I don’t see a bidding war but I do think the Yankees will give him incentives to get him where he wants to be, and as you saw with Andy people play well when Money is on the line haha. Cough Adrian Beltre cough.
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Cashman hasn’t said they’re fighting for one spot. That was a false report.
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I read the rest of it… 1 spot “if they sign another pitcher” but to me that sounds like he is planning on getting another pitcher, Cashman hasn’t really made it a secret he likes pitching and it always seems to be at the top of his wish list.
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I think he’ll add one if the market trends in his favor.
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That’s the most non answer I have read all day…
It might rain today if the weather gets bad…
Either you think he won’t or he will the market is what it is and no one is going to give Sheets or Bedard 10 million guaranteed with all the problems both of them have and since Lackey has been signed they are the two best pitchers on the market.
I do think the Yankees will add one more pitcher to the starting rotation in the end but it’s going to take until January because none of the starter on the market are willing to sign right now. Escobar, Sheets, Ducherer have all had talks of them throwing for teams in January.
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Non-answer?
You’re ignoring what Cashman has, himself, said. If the market allows for him to add a Ben Sheets, for example, meaning Sheets isn’t involved in a bidding war that pushes his price up to an amount like $9-10 million, then yes, the Yankees will add him.
Saying “the market is what it is” is absurd. The market isn’t just “there,” rather, it is developed in relation to interests like supply and demand. You yourself said that none of the SPs are willing to sign right now. Why? Because there’s no money out there until they prove themselves in a workout session. Chapman did it the other day and his price immediately went up a bit. How is Ben Sheets (or Erik Bedard) any different?
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im still pullin for holliday to the yankees ….in lf there a big hole … i say screw the budget and get holliday…its not like they dont have the money
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Yeah but business men like to make money and Hank Steinbrenner is a lot more about money than George was, George was winning first and Hank isn’t, he still cares about winning but he also wants to make smart business moves and not spend more than he wants to.
I really don’t see Holliday happening, I could be wrong but it just doesn’t seem feasible to add another 16-18 million per year to the payroll to only make the team marginally better offensively and stay the same as last year pitching wise. It’s basically saying the best offense in baseball wasn’t good enough but maintaining the same rotation will be fine when we barley got by with 3 starting pitchers as it was.
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Adding Holliday is def unlikely, but it’s not impossible.
The team would be improved greatly by the Holliday addition. When you think about it, given the lack of defense Damon provided in LF, adding Holliday is a very significant move. The pitching staff we had last year was actually a good group, as they won the WS (even if it did come down to a 3-man staff in the playoffs). The Yankees have the same group they had pitching this year. In fact, I can argue that it’s better since Phil Hughes now replaces Wang and Gaudin/Mitre.
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He replaces Wang Gaudin/Mitre but none of those guys started in the playoffs and only one made the team, Hughes in the rotation is a question mark he could be greatly improved from the last time we saw him or greatly depreciated so because of that I wouldn’t be willing to say the pitching staff is better or worse.
It does concern me to think we could end up with another 3 man rotation down the stretch sure Aceves, Mitre, Gaudin, McAllister and Nova are all fine at certain points during the regular season but none of those guys are playoff starters and Hughes and Joba are both question marks when it comes to that category I know I would feel a lot better about our playoff rotation if we had Sheets as the 4th starter and Hughes and Joba in the 7th and 8th inning setting up Mo.
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So by adding Holliday at 16 million you increase the overall spending total from around 23 to around 38-40 million this offseason which is approximately how much we had coming off the books this offseason so when you consider pay increases to players we will probably have increased our payroll from last year to this year just with the acquisition of Holliday making getting a pitcher almost out of the question.
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Sorry, but ain’t gonna happen. Not with Granderson and Johnson signed and the need for another pitcher – AND the biggest reason why not – the 2011 free agent class!
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Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Adam Dunn, Jayson Werth, Josh Beckett, Frank Francisco and Huston Street are all interesting options for the Yankees in different ways (LF, DH, SP) but lets also not forget that next year both Jeter’s and Mariano Rivera’s deals are up next season and they are probably going to be the top priority for the Yankees going into the offseason and their demands and how long they draw out contract talks may influence what we do in a big way.
I’m not opposed to Crawford in LF but I wouldn’t pay him as much as Holliday, Dunn is a great option for DH, Beckett might be an interesting signing but I really don’t want to sign another 30 year starting pitcher to a huge deal and Beckett will want more than AJ and Lackey. Francisco and Huston Street could be very interesting choices depending on how long of a deal that Mariano signs, I’m sure they would both like to join a winner but both want to be closers and with Mo around who knows how long it will take for him to leave.
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Where do any of these players fit?
Crawford is overrated when compared to Holliday (you pretty much acknowledge that). Pena is a DH/1B and the Yankees won’t pay him good money to be the DH (not when another team will need as a first baseman). Dunn is a good DH yet I can’t see the Yankees paying him loads of money simply to DH. Werth could be a good addition but will be 32 (I think). The only FAs I can really see the Yankees pursuing are Mauer, Beckett (if he’s available, I think the Sox will extend him), and Lee. Also, given the way they let this year’s crop of FAs slide, I don’t think they’ll pursue any relievers next winter.
Next year’s group of FAs is very strong. I just don’t see many of the players being obvious fits for the Yankees. Holliday is the best LF fit this year, and if he were a FA in next year’s market, he would be the best LF fit then, too.
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I agree I would rather have Holliday over Crawford but your question is kind of redundant don’t you think?
Crawford fits in LF
Dunn fits at DH
Pena fits at DH
Werth fits in RF/LF/DH
They all have spots now if you are asking what kind of money they are going to make or if I want them over someone else that’s a different question.
I was simply responding NewYork, NY about the free agent class next year when did I ever say I would take on of them over Holliday? Answer, I didn’t.
I was imply bringing up the only players on the free agency list that actually could be signed by the Yankees I never said they would be but you seem to not care.
I also highly doubt Mauer makes it to free agency or ever becomes a Yankee.
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Crawford is overrated anyway not just for LF… but he is a free agent next year and he is an option so to not bring him up would be irresponsible because it would be ignoring a possibility for no other reason than you don’t want him.
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Agreed, he should be discussed as an option. Many are saying the Yankees are waiting on him to hit free agency, though, which is, IMO, a mistake.
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first of all Yankees saved 14 1/2 mill from johnson and granderson to matsui and damon 26 mill combined…. we gotta pay granderson basically 6 mill a year and johnson 5.5 mill a year to matsui and damon 13 mill a year …so got 14 1/2 mill to play with from the savings not mentioning wangs 5 mill contract gone if worst come to worst we could always trade swishers 5.3 mill contract for prospects … but all in all if the Yankees really wanted Holliday they could but the question is do they want him …..as for next years free agents lee wants BIG money id rather have yankees get younger pitcher like josh johnson or felix hernandez and as crawford … i just rather have hollidays bat….(thats just my opionion)
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The Yankees had approximately 40 million coming off the payroll coming into the offseason counting Wang, Damon and Matsui all leaving along with everyone else but when you count Granderson’s contract, Johnson’s contract and Pettitte’s contract you reach 23 million. Now add 16 million to that and you get 38+ million dollars and when you add in pay raises for guys like CC you end up with a payroll larger than last years.
Why would you want to trade Swisher? Swisher is a great OBP guy and he provides power as a switch hitter, he fits into the offense great and his personality fits in even better with the club house.
I’d rather have Holliday over Crawford as well but at the end of the day I don’t see either going to the Yankees so it doesn’t really matter.
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r u kiding me i’d rather holliday then swisher … dont get me wrong like swisher energy too but i want the Yankees to win next year and repeat … and with johnson having a 80% chance he might end up in dl list lol… theres going to be holes in the line up and not having a solid rotation would decrease the chances of winning
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I would take Holliday over Swisher as well but that’s not what I’m talking about, why out of everyone on the Yankees did you pick Swisher to trade? Do you not like him over other players?
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Out of Everyone?!?!?!?!?Are you serious …. All im saying with a few extra contract gone from Yankees payroll they could get Holliday ..if they wanted to.. if you think Wang and swisher is everyone den somethings wrong with u… if it means to sacrifice a few players (PLUS the extra cash we have from the savings)to have a almost guarntee ws win for the Yankees then so be it ….Yeah we need pitching but i still think we havent made up (matsui & Damon)production… we replaced with a guyed that has trouble hitting Leftys (Granderson) but im not doubtin that he’ll get a lil better and a guy that is probably gunna be on the dl list….MAN if u cough on him he’ll probably end up on DL list
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Save the money. Load up on SP next year. Our offense is good enough to get it done, bring some kid not named Austin Jackson (oh yea ‘he gone’) from the minors to run around and shag fly balls every 5th day. Save the money cash-man, we’ll show them next offseason, oh sign that Chapman kid though, we can split the bill on that, good kid.
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At least we’ll probably start knowing more rather soon. Be money, Cash.
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I would love to c holliday in pinstipes especially how he said he wanted to b a Yankee but honestly I doubt it if anyone I think there is a better chance u see bay in LF for us but in my eyes if we don’t get matt holliday I think it’s a pretty bad offseason u let roy go to Philly lackey to Boston bay on his way to the mets we need this guy most of all we needed lackey or halladay the most…
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I got it! Get Holliday to play LF this season, then MAKE Crawford play RF!
Holliday LF
Crawford RF
Granderson CF
(The infield 4 wont be changed anytime soon)
That would be an awesome lineup!
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