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Yu Got It

The Texas Rangers have the winning bid for Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish.

Categories:  1: Featured  Baseball  Games We Play

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13 comments

1 Jon DeRosa   ~  Dec 20, 2011 9:41 am

I am always in favor of the Yankees spending their money, so I am bummed. But nothing compared to how Toronto fans must feel. It's much worse to think you have something only to have it taken away.

2 Alex Belth   ~  Dec 20, 2011 10:07 am

Yeah, and better keep him in the AL West. Still feel that Cash has a big move in him, if not before spring training then before the trade deadline. It's due.

3 Dimelo   ~  Dec 20, 2011 10:13 am

[2] Yeah, I'd rather he go all-in on a pitcher that pitched in the majors.

"Hello Felix, Nice to meet you. We are the bronx banter, and we would love nothing more than to cheer you on every fifth day. Bye, Jesus, we hardly knew you."

4 Dimelo   ~  Dec 20, 2011 10:15 am

This kind of says it all:

Japanese players have had difficulty making the transition to the United States. Although Japanese pitchers throw more often between starts than their American counterparts, they generally pitch only once per week in Japan, instead of once every five days as they do in America.

5 Matt Blankman   ~  Dec 20, 2011 10:20 am

I agree with those who have suggested that the Yankees aren't being cheap, just prudent.

6 Alex Belth   ~  Dec 20, 2011 10:55 am

3) Book it, Dano.

7 RIYank   ~  Dec 20, 2011 11:13 am

I'll go contrarian and guess that the Yankees won't spend lots of money this year. I think they have the goal of avoiding the huge luxury tax that kicks in if they're over the threshold for three straight years. That means there will have to be at least one lean year in the next three, and this looks like a good year to lay off the high-priced free agents. (Since there aren't any good ones.)

Of course, paying a bundle for the rights to Darvish would have helped them avoid the luxury tax. The fact that they didn't is strong evidence that they plan to be thrifty.

8 Alex Belth   ~  Dec 20, 2011 11:40 am

Plus, the have to deal with the pending departures of Swisher and then Mo and Jeter so there will be big bucks spots to fill in the coming years.

9 Sliced Bread   ~  Dec 20, 2011 12:00 pm

My thinking is you do everything you can now to win with Jeter, Mo, Alex, Teixeira, CC, etc. The core of this team, especially the lineup is not of the age where you dilly dally looking years down the road.
I'm afraid we do not have a championship caliber rotation to get the job done.
This team can certainly compete as constructed, but the rotation still needs help.

Wilson would have been great, but he would have cost the Yankees more than he cost the Angels. Nobody is asked to pay more than the Yankees.
Darvish, I'm not too upset about. It would have been exciting, but he's by no means a sure thing.

Felix? Well hell yeah, but I don't want to get fleeced for him. Who would have to go along with Montero?

10 RIYank   ~  Dec 20, 2011 12:41 pm

[8] True, but Mo and Jeter will also free up big bucks.

11 cult of basebaal   ~  Dec 20, 2011 1:32 pm

Repeat after me, "The Mariners AREN'T going to trade Felix Hernandez."

Not. Going. To. Happen.

Frankly, it seems pretty clear the Steinbrothers are angling to reap the Luxury Tax savings by staying under the threshold. I think it's going to be a couple of disappointing off-seasons for Yankee fans ...

12 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Dec 20, 2011 4:42 pm

I'm with cult. Big Stein never let the budget keep him from getting stars, and Darvish is a STAR.

If they trade Jesus for anyone but the King I'm seriously going to...write a lot of angry blog comments.

13 RIYank   ~  Dec 20, 2011 7:02 pm

Wait, I thought I was with cult. But I'm against you. So something doesn't fit.

Damn, the off-season sucks. Hoops soon, though.

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