Comments on: Feels like 2003 All Over Again

By: Evil Empire

Evil Empire — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:05:26 +0000

I don’t want to bore anyone with the specifics, but if you compare Vazquez’es stats to Lackey’s stats since 2003, you’ll find the following is true:

1. Lackey’s got a better ERA+ and Vazquez’es ERA+ is as consistent as a Yo-Yo.

2. Vazquez has BETTER K’s per 9 IP — and, in fact Lackey’s K’s per 9 IP have been declining for several years (albeit only a little in the last few).

3. Surprisingly Vazquez usually (not always) has better BB’s per 9 IP than Lackey.

I don’t know if Vazquez is worth $11 million per year but I believe it’s a one year deal with a team option (I might be wrong about that), but Lackey’s not significantly better to be making $16+ million a year, particularly when you consider that the sox have him for 5 seasons. Given Lackey’s declining K’s, higher than expected BB’s (as compared to Vazquez), recent injury history, and new address in Fenway, I wouldn’t be shocked if Vazquez has a better year in 2010.

So I like this move. Vazquez will be a more valuable #4 starter than Lackey will be a #3 starter. AND, Vazquez solves the problem of having 4 credible starters in the postseason.

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:05:13 +0000

[292] Game thread comments recap would be hysterical..especially in games when Gardner pinch-runs, Joba starts, Girardi makes more than one pen move, and with anyone commenting while listening to Sterling.

By: Chyll Will

Chyll Will — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:36:24 +0000

Heh-heh, I’m seriously thinking about doing a Comments Recap on the busier threads like this; they tend to be rather entertaining and they may convince a lurker or two to join in the fun. Whaddaya say, family?

By: ms october

ms october — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:39:50 +0000

[285] haha :}

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:25:53 +0000

[284] The smartness of frontloading or backloading a contract is dependent on present needs and the future market, no? If you frontload and it hamstrings your team now, not so smart. If you backload and the market takes off, the huge amount you are paying five years from now doesn’t look so huge when you get there in five years.

By: sonyahennystutu

sonyahennystutu — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:22:52 +0000

BTW Tex was signed a year to the day TOMORROW. Sleep tight!

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:20:59 +0000

[284] Great point. I imagine A-Rod will still be a productive DH at age 41 and 42..and by then 20million may be a bargain..

By: Mattpat11

Mattpat11 — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:20:27 +0000

[277] What?

By: sonyahennystutu

sonyahennystutu — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:20:21 +0000

[278] I was trying to be post-roids conservative. He may very well excel for most/all of 5 years. Was just trying to point out that 5/85 is a great deal for him (for exactly the reason you cite – his age).

And I still can’t figure who would go more $ or years…so that leads me to 1 conclusion.

He will be a Yankee. I don’t believe ANYTHING that comes out of Cash or Hal’s mouth about the ‘budget.’

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:19:41 +0000

[279] Gotcha!

By: OldYanksFan

OldYanksFan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:19:08 +0000

If Cashman is true to his word in [281], the man is a magician.
Compared this 2010 team to the 2008 team, which had a higher payroll.

[273] The problem with the Giambi deal was not Giambi per se, but that the contract was heavily backloaded. The AJ, Teix and CC contracts have an equal AAV every year. ARod’s contract was heavily frontloaded. While this costs a bit in interest, it’s much smarter for future budgets.

Gods knows what ARod will produce at age 41 and 42, but at least he’s making $20m, as opposed to $27.5m, or even $30m.

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:13:43 +0000

[280] though trading Sergio Mitre and/or Chad Gaudin would free up a little cash.

I can see Cashman now, to other GMs: “Come on, do you feel….lucky?”

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:09:29 +0000

[281] I can’t figure how they are still as low as $198 million, but I haven’t looked too closely. Javy adds 11.5, but Granderson and NJ save them a good bit.

By: OldYanksFan

OldYanksFan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:06:35 +0000

From Lohud: Cashman on the Yankees payroll:
“I do have a number that we’re working under. We will be at that number and it will be less than last year”

By: OldYanksFan

OldYanksFan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:02:11 +0000

From MLBTR.com
—————————
Joel Sherman of the New York Post has pretty much every Yankees angle covered. Vazquez was simply the best available option for them. The Yanks’ payroll is up around $198MM against a $200MM target, though trading Sergio Mitre and/or Chad Gaudin would free up a little cash. The Yanks will try to snag a veteran left fielder at a bargain rate, and aren’t considering Holliday or Bay.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman confirmed that he won’t be adding a big piece (MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reporting). Chad Jennings of The LoHud Journal has quotes from Vazquez from the conference call.

By: ms october

ms october — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:05 +0000

[276] WAIT, WHAT?!?! who signed pontoon?

By: OldYanksFan

OldYanksFan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:59:06 +0000

“3+ years of prime and 1-2 years”
Holliday is entering year 30. You believe he will start decline at 33 or 34?
5/$85m would be fine. My issue is future (2012 on) budgetary concerns.
However, if the Payroll gets to $210-$220, so be it.

By: OldYanksFan

OldYanksFan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:55:08 +0000

by the by… I think neither of the Yanks top 2 draft picks were signed. Do they get compensation for this? And if so, what?

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:53:35 +0000

OMFG, Crasnick is reporting they signed Ponson to a minor-league deal! Someone check on MattPat!!

By: sonyahennystutu

sonyahennystutu — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:37:55 +0000

I think we’re being tee’d up for a major announcement in 5…4….3……2……………