Yeah my stance is thumbs up to A and thumbs down to B. I don’t think Melky is what you’d want in LF but he’s fine for center, and conversely Granderson would be fine production for left, so swapping them one way or the other isn’t a big deal.

Getting someone who can play the OF is a plus, hence Damon, but it’s not necessary. The Yanks can rest players at DH but hopefully when that’s not happening, there’s still a potent bat in there.

I am against a rotating DH UNLESS we sign a stud bat for LF, which does not look like is happening. However, if we do get Holliday, saving $5-6m on a DH is prudent. It should at least be exciting to see Montero in September.

Cashman is going all Bubba Crosby by saying that Carmen (Juan) Miranda can always DH.. I don’t believe that for a second.

[61] Yes. I’m not entirely sold on the Granderson thing, but at this point I’m hoping for the best and trusting the Yankee brain trust.

I just hope they don’t decide to settle for both A] Melky as a legitimate LF and B] DH as a rotating old folks home. One is acceptable, maybe, but both? And imagine of Granderson really is on the downside, too!

I’m still concerned that Granderson + ? in 2010 is < Matsui + Damon in 2009, even factoring in the improved D that Granderson brings. I totally agree with Monkeypants [56] on this.

[58] I saw that Olney tweet too, and yeah, not surprising.

Sentiment within some corners of NYY organization is that TOR got less talent than what they would’ve required from the Yankees in a deal.

That doesn’t surprise me.

Aside from the relatively lightweight centaur thing, all that happened before his season even started. I think things changed significantly from then to the playoffs and then after the playoffs he got another boost. In fact, the centaur thing is testament to how far he’d come; it amounted to gentle, perhaps even affectionate (!!!) ribbing.

An interesting comparison, given that Babe Ruth, who was the Babe Ruth of his day, was nether a Red Sox nor a Yankee for life!

Re: Pujols…I don’t know. I mean if the Cards don’t get Holliday, Pujols may be disgusted enough to walk at any price. I don’t have any sense – and I mean zero – for the guy, his personality, his inclinations, loyalty, etc. Just haven’t paid enough attention beyond the absolutely gaudy stats.

But since he’s now done it all as a stat machine, it’s time to collect rings. Similar to where ARod was until recently

Is Holliday the only high impact FA left?

JD is a better fielder then Bay, and Bay’s bat won’t play great in YSIII. However, Bay’s 2009 Home/AWay splits were fine, and he actually slugged a bit better Away.

[47] Regardless of what happens with Holliday, if the Cards let Pujos go, there would be riots in St. Louis. The man is the post 1950′s Babe Ruth. He is a Cardinal for life.

What about if the Yanks go 5/$90 for Holliday? That leaves him 3 years to make up $38m, he gets to wear Pinstrips, and probably collects a few rings.

Because of the ARod, Teix and CC contracts, it is the years 2014 thru 2016 that are the most dangerous.

Thanks Emma as usual. In the end, I think that while we’ll remember Wang and even Bruney, Matsui’s name will have the longest impact. If Wang gets back to himself (and I say “if”), then he still has a story to tell, but it might not be with us. Matsui told a story and ended it with some serious RBIs during a WS and an MVP to boot. I’ll miss him.

I want to think that Cashman has a plan that has yet to unfold. When they want someone, they will overpay to insure that we’ll get that person. Who that person is? I don’t think it’s Delgado. Maybe I’m dreaming.

Emma, what were you doing in the clubhouse? Was this for the Voice?

Does the enormous offer, even if topped, send enough of a signal to Pujols that the Cards are serious about winning long term that he signs the extension even without Holliday? If so, then it’s an interesting strategic gamble for them.

If not, then they lose Holliday and likely Pujols down the road.