Let’s get right to it …
- Don’t rush out to get your Jake Peavy Yankee t-shirt just yet. Following up on a story yesterday, the Times Michael Schmidt notes that Peavy would “consider” a trade to the Bombers, but not necessarily approve of one. Schmidt also passes along a somewhat amusing quote from Peavy’s agent.
“Jake grew up dreaming of playing in pinstripes, but he has a strong preference to stay in the National League,” Axelrod said. “He’s a good hitter -– he was the most potent part of the Padres’ offense at times this year -– and he knows the hitters in the National League.”
- More Peavy news: Mark Feinsand of the News reports a source stating that the Yanks could put together a package built around Phil Hughes and Austin Jackson, although they would likely have to include two or three more players, one of which could be Ian Kennedy. The Padres, according to the source, have no interest in Cano.
- A three-way Holliday? Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports quotes a source noting a potential three-way deal that would send Matsui to the Mariners for a pitching prospect, perhaps Ryan Rowland-Smith. The Yankees would package the prospect with Cano and another young player to the Rockies for Holliday.
- Four 2008 Bombers filed for free agency on Wednesday, reports MLB.com. Pavano, Giambi, Marte and Mussina put their paperwork in.
- Joel Sherman of the Post reports that the Yankees have just about finalized their coaching staff for ’09, with Tony Pena shifting from first base to the bench, Rob Thomson moving from the bench to third base and Mick Kelleher being named the first base coach.
- In a separate blog entry, Sherman writes that any Bomber pursuit of Matt Holliday will probably include (but not be centered around) Ian Kennedy. Also, he suggests the Yanks might find something to like (OBP, switch-hitting, 1B-capable) in the possibly-available Nick Swisher.
- DE-FENSE! That’s what Brian Cashman wants to improve in 2009, says Newsday’s Ken Davidoff.
- Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald suggests that the Marlins might be interested in reacquainting themselves with Carl Pavano.
- Happy 37th birthday to another player that suited up for both NY teams, Bubba Trammell. Happy 40th to the hero of Game 3 of the 1999 World Series, Chad Curtis. Happy 55th to the “Candy Man”, John Candelaria.
I say no to Peavy. I can't directly quote the stats yet, but it's been sited many times this past season that Peavy's success is likely due to the facts that he plays in a pitcher's park and is dominating in an otherwise weak league (Philly notwithstanding; the WS scores were for the most part pedestrian); in the competitive AL East, he'd likely be eaten alive, if not put up some "surpisingly" mediocre numbers for a team whose priorities includes shoring up their defense. And I don't buy the jive that he "dreamed of playing in pinstripes", if that were the case, he'd never have had to add them to his list of potential trade destinations at such a late date. Phooey, I hate agent speak... I also dislike journalists who simply quote an unnamed source as to the true inner workings of another person's mind, i.e. Cash and his "strong interest" in retaining Provalone... "I hear the theater's on fire, but the exits are still being worked on..." >;)
i'm with you chyll (and i hope you are feeling better).
i think peavy would be okay enough as a yankee, but i don't think the cost in players and money would be worth what he would give.
and though i also hate agent speak, some lines as diane points out are just too amusing - the most potent part of the Padre's offense, ha that alone should make you want to get the heck out of sd.
and let's hope the mariners really are as stupid as the rumors would lead one to believe.
Hear, hear, Chyll. We know CC can pitch in the AL, dunno about Peavy.
The Holliday trade sounds intriguing.
[2] Seconded. And thank you; amoxicillin >>> ciprofloxacin... >;)
CC or bust.
[5] A propos of maybe just a little, but since you put it that way:
http://tinyurl.com/28oh7k
From ESPN: The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that the Dodgers' offer is believed to be for either two years at $50 million or three years for $75 million.
God bless them.