[1] Or a 95 win season. The possibilities are endless!
Of course there's a "very real possibility" that Pettitte will retire. He has two choices to make: play, or retire. Thus, there's a 50% probability that he will play, and a 50% probability that he will retire. 50% = "very real possibility".
In the meantime . . . the Yanks have started seasons with worse rotations than CC, Phil, AJ, Nova, and FITB (fill in the blank). I'm not concerned.
Here's my gut feeling: Pettitte will sense that the Yankees really need him, especially after falling short on Lee, and out of a a feeling of duty, will return for one last season. I also think he'd like one more shot at the World Series.
[4] I agree that it leans him in our direction. Frankly, I think had we signed Lee, Andy would have announced his retirement the next day.
The Series is nice, but Andy has enough rings.
His motivation will be a sense of duty to the Yankees and his friends on the team.
Offer him a 4 month contract, June thru the PS.
[3] In 2007, it was Wang and the question marks, and the lineup's average age was 31.3 years old (taking into account the 12 hitter that has 100+ PAs). That team, of course, won 94 games.
By comparison, the average age of the lineup in 2011 (presuming Martin is the starting C, and that Montero, Nunez, and a 34-year-old 4th OF* all get 100+ PAs) will be 30 years old.
I'll take it.
*Thames will be in his age-34 season in 2011, so I used him.
Cashman acknowledged his team could use a major league ready starter as well as another arm in the bullpen but seemed pessimistic about the chances of getting one before Opening Day.
"Could I go out and get a starter? Yes, I could. But there's just not much out there," Cashman said. "I have March, April, May, June and July, really, to come up with someone."
Cashman also ruled out, although not absolutely, the possibility the Yankees might include catching prospect Jesus Montero in a trade for a front-line starter now that the Yankees have signed Russell Martin to assume every-day catching duties. "There's just nobody out there I would consider trading Montero for," Cashman said.
Asked if that included Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, Cashman said, "That ain't happening."
...
Cashman declined to say whether he was interested in free agent right-hander Freddy Garcia. According to a report, the Yankees asked for the medicals on the 35-year-old Garcia, who was 12-6 with a 4.64 ERA for the White Sox in 2010. "We ask for the medical records on every free agent," Cashman said.
So for now, the Yankees are standing pat.
"In the past, we might have gone out and traded away prospects just to get someone in here," Cashman said. "But realistically, I have until July to get this solved."
[9] I think there's almost no way Montero is on the roster next year with a healthy Martin. I also think that even with a healthy Martin, Girardi is going to try the co-starters nonsense again with Cervelli.
[10] Honestly, I totally agree with him. I've long said that I'm not a fan of acquiring mediocre talent, so if we're in a position now where we need to use warm bodies, I'd rather use the warm bodies we already have.
Now, for a whole host of reasons I don't *believe* that he'll do that, and I think we're do for some horrible move any day now, but the sentiment is fine with me.
[15] I think the narrative is that the Yankees are well on their way to their second straight horrible off season. Now, other than paying Pedro Feliciano 8 million dollars to slowly kill me, and perhaps the tone of the Jeter negotiations, there's nothing you can do about it. If Cliff Lee doesn't want to come here no amount of money is going to convince him otherwise.
But still, you have a very restless fanbase and doing nothing-even if its probably the right move-is going to be a very tough sell. They're already fighting back comparisons to the last time the Yankees did nothing in an offseason, which really didn't end all that well. I think they're going to feel forced to do *something* to placate the masses, and all the options that are readily available kind of suck.
The bottom line is you can only do so much.
There is really nothing out there.
The Yankees line up is pretty static.
The Infield is signed forever, and the Outfield, in terms of $$/WAR are our best players. Aside from a SP, decent RP and UINF, there is nothing to do.
Cashman has been great!
“In the past, we might have gone out and traded away prospects just to get someone in here”
.... but not this year.
Basically, we hope to stay in the race the 1st half, and Cashman will get a SP in a salary dump at the ASB.
[16] I'm not sure the Yankees need to placate the masses, as you suggest. To what end? To drive up attendance? They already "sell out" the new stadium, all 46,000 seats (or whatever it is) at even higher ticket prices this year. Is their cable deal(s) threatened in any way? Stadium advertising? etc. In fact, I would argue that the organization is in the rare and enviable position of being able to dither for at least a few seasons without affecting the fan base very much at all no matter the outcome.
The even more radical option of developing their own players, especially a starter or two from the small army of prospect pitchers accumulated over the last few years.
[22] Good guess, but no. I adopted the moniker in high school when I used to produce cut-up tapes with my best friend. People also started calling me that because it fit my natural persona, and coincidentally they often matched the voice sample I used as my calling card on those tapes without ever hearing them beforehand. I guess it was just meant for me. I did get a kick out of seeing his name in the huge Film Encyclopedia years ago when I saw it, but I hope I don't remind you of him (I try not to toot my own horn that much... >;)
An 85 win season?
[1] Or a 95 win season. The possibilities are endless!
Of course there's a "very real possibility" that Pettitte will retire. He has two choices to make: play, or retire. Thus, there's a 50% probability that he will play, and a 50% probability that he will retire. 50% = "very real possibility".
In the meantime . . . the Yanks have started seasons with worse rotations than CC, Phil, AJ, Nova, and FITB (fill in the blank). I'm not concerned.
CC Sabathia and the question marks does not inspire the confidence in me that it does for you. Thats a lot of pressure on an aging lineup,
Here's my gut feeling: Pettitte will sense that the Yankees really need him, especially after falling short on Lee, and out of a a feeling of duty, will return for one last season. I also think he'd like one more shot at the World Series.
[4] That's been my feeling for since the beginning. I would have thought he'd make his decision by now though
[4] He may get a deal like Clemens got in 2007
[4] I agree that it leans him in our direction. Frankly, I think had we signed Lee, Andy would have announced his retirement the next day.
The Series is nice, but Andy has enough rings.
His motivation will be a sense of duty to the Yankees and his friends on the team.
Offer him a 4 month contract, June thru the PS.
"Who knows what tomorrow will bring?"
A hot Traffic song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Je0BhHzxA
[3] In 2007, it was Wang and the question marks, and the lineup's average age was 31.3 years old (taking into account the 12 hitter that has 100+ PAs). That team, of course, won 94 games.
By comparison, the average age of the lineup in 2011 (presuming Martin is the starting C, and that Montero, Nunez, and a 34-year-old 4th OF* all get 100+ PAs) will be 30 years old.
I'll take it.
*Thames will be in his age-34 season in 2011, so I used him.
Just to cheer you up, Mattpat ...
[9] I think there's almost no way Montero is on the roster next year with a healthy Martin. I also think that even with a healthy Martin, Girardi is going to try the co-starters nonsense again with Cervelli.
[10] Honestly, I totally agree with him. I've long said that I'm not a fan of acquiring mediocre talent, so if we're in a position now where we need to use warm bodies, I'd rather use the warm bodies we already have.
Now, for a whole host of reasons I don't *believe* that he'll do that, and I think we're do for some horrible move any day now, but the sentiment is fine with me.
[10] Wow, Cult bearing good news.
Where did you find that?
[13] Hey! Bad news isn't *my* forte!
;-)
Off of ESPN.
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5938789
[12] Yes, but for you, the glass is never just half-empty, it's also always half-filled with urine ...
[15] I think the narrative is that the Yankees are well on their way to their second straight horrible off season. Now, other than paying Pedro Feliciano 8 million dollars to slowly kill me, and perhaps the tone of the Jeter negotiations, there's nothing you can do about it. If Cliff Lee doesn't want to come here no amount of money is going to convince him otherwise.
But still, you have a very restless fanbase and doing nothing-even if its probably the right move-is going to be a very tough sell. They're already fighting back comparisons to the last time the Yankees did nothing in an offseason, which really didn't end all that well. I think they're going to feel forced to do *something* to placate the masses, and all the options that are readily available kind of suck.
The bottom line is you can only do so much.
There is really nothing out there.
The Yankees line up is pretty static.
The Infield is signed forever, and the Outfield, in terms of $$/WAR are our best players. Aside from a SP, decent RP and UINF, there is nothing to do.
Cashman has been great!
“In the past, we might have gone out and traded away prospects just to get someone in here”
.... but not this year.
Basically, we hope to stay in the race the 1st half, and Cashman will get a SP in a salary dump at the ASB.
What other options are there?
[16] I'm not sure the Yankees need to placate the masses, as you suggest. To what end? To drive up attendance? They already "sell out" the new stadium, all 46,000 seats (or whatever it is) at even higher ticket prices this year. Is their cable deal(s) threatened in any way? Stadium advertising? etc. In fact, I would argue that the organization is in the rare and enviable position of being able to dither for at least a few seasons without affecting the fan base very much at all no matter the outcome.
[17] What other options are there?
The even more radical option of developing their own players, especially a starter or two from the small army of prospect pitchers accumulated over the last few years.
[17] What other options are there?
Two words for you, my friend.
Sergio.
Mitre.
[20] Don't you mean, Sergio. Mitre.?
[21] Awesome. Very well played.
So I have to ask, is your online moniker an intentional play on Chill Wills, the voice of Francis the Talking Mule?
[22] Good guess, but no. I adopted the moniker in high school when I used to produce cut-up tapes with my best friend. People also started calling me that because it fit my natural persona, and coincidentally they often matched the voice sample I used as my calling card on those tapes without ever hearing them beforehand. I guess it was just meant for me. I did get a kick out of seeing his name in the huge Film Encyclopedia years ago when I saw it, but I hope I don't remind you of him (I try not to toot my own horn that much... >;)
Oh, FUCK YOU, Alex!!! I love you but fuck you! You gave me a heart attack! I read "Andy is going to retire" and my gut started to convulse!
I'll get you for this, Alex, I'll get you!