"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Observations From Cooperstown–The Truth, Chase Wright, and The Toaster

Someone is not telling the truth here. Imagine that happening in our great game. Last week, free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson told reporters that his agent has been talking contract with four teams: the Nationals, the Dodgers, the Mets—and, of course, the Yankees. The very next day, in response to a question about the pursuit of Manny Ramirez, Brian Cashman told the media that the Yankees have finished signing high-profile free agents this winter. If any additions are to be made between now and the first day of spring training, it will involve non-roster invitees. Obviously, a high profile player like Hudson does not fit into the non-roster category.

Given Cashman’s history of oration, I’m inclined to believe Hudson, whose defensive, energy, and attitude have been highly regarded by the Yankee front office for years now. After all, it was Cashman who proclaimed in 2006 that Bubba Crosby would be the Opening Day center fielder, only weeks before Johnny Damon signed on the dotted line. Earlier this winter, Cashman said that the Yankees’ budget would not allow them to sign three big-ticket free agents like CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and either A.J. Burnett or Derek Lowe. In not so uncertain terms, Cashman considered that possibility a pipe dream. Lo and behold, Sabathia, Tex, and Burnett have all been fitted for pinstripes.

So why would Cashman fib on the matter of Hudson? Two reasons, at least from where I’m standing. Cashman doesn’t want other teams thinking he’s involved in the bidding, just like he didn’t in the pursuit of Teixeira. Better to swoop in at the final minute and get the player at the price you want. And Cashman doesn’t want Robinson Cano thinking that he’s once again on the trade market. That way, if the Yankees explore the market for Cano and find nothing to their liking (like a frontline center fielder), then Cashman won’t have to admit to anyone—including Cano—that he was even considering a trade of his starting second baseman. Considering Cano’s fragile psyche and his tendency to mope when situations degrade around him, that might be smart thinking on Cashman’s part…

***
Speaking of Cashman, he made a small but effective trade last Wednesday, sending left-hander Chase Wright to Milwaukee for minor league catcher-outfielder Eric Fryer. Rather than set Wright loose for nothing, Cashman managed to acquire something useful for the tough left-hander, a case of getting value for value. Wright is a mentally hardened youngster who has done nothing but win in the minor leagues since that infamous game in which he gave up four consecutive home runs to the Red Sox. In fact, no Yankee minor leaguer has won more games than him since 2005. Like many left-handers, Wright could be a late bloomer; at the age of 26, it wouldn’t shock me to see him win a spot at the back of Milwaukee’s rebuilt rotation.

The Yankees did well by turning Wright into a meaningful prospect like Fryer, who split last season between the outfield and catcher, largely because of a logjam of catching prospects in Milwaukee’s system. The Yankees have so many pitching prospects, but need help everywhere else in the system, including the two positions that Fryer plays. Fryer, 22, clearly has offensive skills; he finally showed power in 2008, leading the Sally League in both OPS and on-base percentage. With a good showing in spring training, Fryer stands an outside shot of opening the season at Double-A…

***

Finally, I was saddened to see that our old stomping ground, the estimable Baseball Toaster, has closed up its gates. At a time when so many newspapers are laying off writers or threatening to completely shut down, it’s no less pleasing when web sites do the same. Good sources of baseball information, after all, can be hard to find, even in the era of the Internet.

The leaders at the Toaster have not made exactly clear all of the reasons for shutting down the site, but the recent loss of the popular “Bronx Banter” (hey, that’s us!) followed by last week’s departure of “Dodger Thoughts” apparently played a part in motivating the decision. Whatever the exact reasoning, it’s really too bad because the site’s format made it extremely readable and the quality of the writing made it an enjoyable experience.

Bruce Markusen writes “Cooperstown Confidential” for MLB.com and can be reached via e-mail at bmarkusen@stny.rr.com. No Valentines, please.

Categories:  Bronx Banter  Bruce Markusen

Tags:  Rumors  Trades  Web Sites

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13 comments

1 Ken Arneson   ~  Feb 12, 2009 2:12 pm

I'm sorry if I didn't explain the reasoning for shutting down the Toaster well enough.

In the comments on the final articles on Fairpole and Catfish Stew I answered a lot of questions. If you have any more questions about it, I'll be happy to answer them.

2 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Feb 12, 2009 2:13 pm

Fryer was a nice get, but the Yankees are already rich at catcher in the minors, particularly at the lower levels, which is where Fryer is. He'd be more valuable to them as an outfielder. He had a great year in the Sally League last year, hitting for average and power, getting on base, and even stealing bases, but he was 22, which is a bit old for the league. He'll need to make the leap to Double-A soon and survive it. That will tell us whether or not the Yankees have something there.

As for Hudson, I'm strongly against such a move. He was propped up by Chase Field as a D'back, finished each of the last two seasons on the DL with hand/wrist injuries, and is already 31. He's not the defensive wiz he was in Toronto any more, and he won't be the solidly productive hitter he was for the D'backs if he leaves Arizona. I expect Cano to bounce back in a big way, but even if I didn't, I'm not sure Hudson would be the man I'd want to replace him.

3 monkeypants   ~  Feb 12, 2009 2:27 pm

[2] If he can ever reach the bigs, he could be very valuable as the elusive position player-third catcher:. These sorts provide lots of roster flexibility.

4 rbj   ~  Feb 12, 2009 2:44 pm

[1] Ken, I very much enjoyed the Toaster. While I usually just hung out at the Banter, I did read many of the other blogs.

Thanks.

5 knuckles   ~  Feb 12, 2009 2:53 pm

Re: Hudson…I thought the Yanks had signed the max number of Type A free agents they were allowed (CC, Teix, AJ)…or does Abreu’s signing with the Angels give them one more possible signing?

6 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Feb 12, 2009 3:01 pm

It seems the Type-A limits have all sorts of exceptions and loopholes. Brian Cashman was asked about this earlier this winter (post-Tex, I believe) and said they could sign several more if they wanted under the rule. Back in November I looked up the rule in the CBA. It's partially dependent on the total number of Type-A free agents on the market and how many Type A's a team loses. I must admit, I've not reconciled the language in the contract with it's practical application. Generally speaking, I don't think it's worth worrying about the limits.

7 RIYank   ~  Feb 12, 2009 4:20 pm

[5] That report turned out to be just incorrect.
The free agent maximum was raised this year, so the Yanks can still sign more if Cash decides to do so.

8 Jon Weisman   ~  Feb 12, 2009 5:08 pm

Nothing personal intended, Bruce - and I certainly thank you for your kind words - but in my opinion, I'm not sure much in history has ever been better explained than how Ken described (at Catfish Stew) the closing of Baseball Toaster.

9 OldYanksFan   ~  Feb 12, 2009 6:47 pm

Is there a reason we feel Cashman should be 'honest' with the media and general public about his feelings on trades and aquisitions? Frankly, I love to be surprised.

There was a lot of 'lying' about what beach in France we were going to land on too.

10 Raf   ~  Feb 12, 2009 7:04 pm

[8] Yes, that entry was epic. A good read as well :)

11 Bruce Markusen   ~  Feb 12, 2009 11:36 pm

I'm not convinced the Yankees' catching depth is that good. Montero might not catch in the major leagues; he projects more realistically as a first baseman. Cervelli is a backup catcher in the making, a good defensive player who has a limited offensive game. Romine is the best all-round catcher in the system, and he'll be no higher than Double-A this summer. Besides, catching is like pitching; given injuries and attrition, depth is a necessity more than a luxury.

I also think the Yankees need more versatile players, like Fryer, in their system. Everybody does. With these 12 and 13-man pitching staffs, teams need to develop players who can cover two or three spots. A four-man bench has to cover eight spots in the field. A player like Fryer, if he ever makes it, could cover catcher and the outfield corners.

Ken and Jon, I submitted this article almost a week ago, before I had a chance to read the complete explanation and the comments. Given the time lapse, I had assumed it would not be posted.

12 btimmermann   ~  Feb 13, 2009 3:25 am

Baseball Toaster was shut down because I knew too much. I knew, for example, that REDACTED and REDACTED had been accused of REDACTED and REDACTED was implicated in a REDACTED.

13 Ken Arneson   ~  Feb 13, 2009 12:10 pm

Bob may end up having more than just his blog eaten by Alex's cat.

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