Cashman could have waited with the same offer for a little while instead of rushing to sign Nick Johnson, who doesn't really fit on this team. If Damon got an offer from another team, he would've gone to the Yankees with it to see if they would match, no question. If he did make an offer to Damon for $6M before he signed Winn, then I take it back, but I don't remember that.
I don't recall it either, and I'm pretty sure one wasn't made. From what I've read, once Boras made his ridiculous "Do it our way or don't call" statement, Cashman just walked away. I understand that Cashman didn't want a repeat of ARod, but it kind of sounded more like ego than a smart business decision.
How does Nick Johnson not fit on this team? He's a better #2 hitter then Damon is. With his .400 OBP, he's going to present a ton of RBI opportunities for Teixeira and A-Rod and DH'ing full time should allow him to stay healthy. It's probably one of the most underrated moves of the offseason and I don't understand why it gets the criticism.
That OBP isn't going to look so impressive over Damon when he's standing on third after ARod hits a double. I don't understand how anyone could possibly consider that Nick Johnson is a better #2 hitter than Johnny Damon.
Higher batting average, higher on base percentage, less strikeouts, better against lefthanded pitching all while playing in 2 huge stadiums.
It is if you consider that Damon would be less likely to even be on base in the first place. Exactly. The aforementioned scenario -- which in order to have any meaning also requires that the subsequent batter(s) will make outs without getting the run in -- will occur rarely enough that any potential runs lost can and likely will be made up by the fact that he's on base that much more often. Although god forbid that Johnson getting thrown out at the plate cost the Yanks a run this year. Histrionics will ensue.
Just a little update on the Randy Winn signing (he came cheaper than reported) The Yankees today also officially signed Winn to his one year contract for a $1.1 million base with $900,000 available in incentives: $100,000 each for 50, 75 and 100 plate appearances, and $150,000 apiece for 125, 150, 175 and 200. (Source) oh yeah, and they signed Marcus Thames to a minor-league contract
In the National League. Gotcha. Yeah, I do now vaguely recall that. I may have even discussed it earlier in the thread now that you mention it. Damned short-term memory... That's not as appealing as it looks on paper. He's going to want to hit his incentives, so he's going to want to be in the lineup as often as possible. I had seen the Yankees were debating signing one more outfielder, and that Thames was on the list. We now have a glut of throwaway outfielders. -------------- We went from: Jeter SS Damon LF Texiera 1B ARod 3B Matsui DH Posada C Cano 2B Swisher RF Cabrera CF To: Jeter SS Granderson LF Teixeira 1B ARod 3B Posada C Cano 2B Johnson DH Swisher RF Gardner CF That disgusts me.
In two of the most spacious parks in the National League. But it also holds true for his three seasons in the AL, as well. For God's sake, man, why?! There is minimal offensive decline there (if any, at least in terms of the roster changes), with much better depth and much better defense. Remember who is replacing who here. In terms of offensive value, it would be Granderson replacing Matsui (slight dip in performance, not factoring age-related decline), Johnson replacing Damon (wash to slight improvement, again not factoring in age-related decline) and Melky to Garnder (wash based on past performance, but I'd bet you almost anything that Gardner is more productive than Melky ever was, if he's given a full season). Factor in the improved defense and the improvements to the bench, and I'm not sure what there is to be "digusted" about. Come on, man.
I would like for the Yankees to sign Rocco Baldelli to a minors contract. Lets get all these guys fighting for that 5th OF spot (if there is one) and may the best man win. I'm not too worried about Winn's incentives. As the 4th OF he will get to close 200 AB regardless, Those are incentives that are easy to hit which is why they were included. If Winn gets more than 200 AB, then Gardner completely sucked which I dont think will happen.
Personally I think that Hughes is a better pitcher than Joba, and thus I'd rathe see him in the rotation. If Chamberlain is truly free of an innings limit he might get the nod though, because the Yanks still do need to build Hughes up if he's gonna be a full time starter.
Romine is the starting catcher of the future, Montero is the DH of the feature, and Cevelli is the back up of the future. But we also have Gary Sanchez and JR Murphy, hopefully one of these guys can play LF.
Romine. The Yankees will trade Montero within the next 2 years. I do think that Montero can have a future behind the plate though. Big catchers can succeed--Matt Wieters is around 6'5" and nobody wants him to move positions. Mauer is huge and he's one of the best defensive catchers in the game. It really depends on how much work Montero is willing to put into learning the defensive side.
