OT-Money does not matter anymore

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

So seldom do these contracts ever pan out. They almost always turn into really bad deals. But if the Yankees don't do it, somebody else will.

The Rays? ---- I don't think so, Barry

In the last 4 years the Rays record against the Yankees is 41-32.

[barrysloate]

Well maybe not the Rays, but someone with a little extra cash in their pockets.

[calvindog]

Apparently no one but the Yankees were willing to pay that much.

And interesting that they were unwilling to pay Cano -- a possible HOFer in the prime of his career -- much more than what they're paying this pitcher with no MLB track record. I'm actually starting to think Hank Steinbrenner is an idiot.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Apparently no one but the Yankees were willing to pay that much.

And interesting that they were unwilling to pay Cano -- a possible HOFer in the prime of his career -- much more than what they're paying this pitcher with no MLB track record. I'm actually starting to think Hank Steinbrenner is an idiot.

Remember Dice-K?

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Remember Dice-K?

I remember that guy. Foul mouth, but funny.

[Brian Van Horn]

I hate the Yankees, but for the pitcher-and I say this in all sincerity and compassion-I hope it works out better than it did for Hideki Irabu.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Hideki Irabu anyone? If a any MLB team wants to sign a Japanese player, sign a position player, not a pitcher!

[sycks22]

I miss Hideki Irabu aka "The fat toad". Possibly the best nickname ever.

[Exhibitman]

[jhs5120]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Apparently no one but the Yankees were willing to pay that much.

And interesting that they were unwilling to pay Cano -- a possible HOFer in the prime of his career -- much more than what they're paying this pitcher with no MLB track record. I'm actually starting to think Hank Steinbrenner is an idiot.

There's a big difference between 10 years - $240 million to a 31 year old and 7 years - $155 million to a 25 year old.

[rjackson44]

Yankees stink go Oakland as

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by jhs5120

There's a big difference between 10 years - $240 million to a 31 year old and 7 years - $155 million to a 25 year old.

The Yankees could have had Cano for 8 years and $200 million is my guess. Certainly Cano wasn't expecting them to match the Mariners' offer of $240 million. Guaranteeing $45 million more over 7-8 years for a possible HOF player seems pretty reasonable considering the other guy has never thrown a pitch in the major leagues.

[iwantitiwinit]

Just add him to the list:

Hawkins
Irabu
Wright
Pavano
Farnsworth
Igawa
Chan Ho Park

[jhs5120]

Originally Posted by calvindog

The Yankees could have had Cano for 8 years and $200 million is my guess. Certainly Cano wasn't expecting them to match the Mariners' offer of $240 million. Guaranteeing $45 million more over 7-8 years for a possible HOF player seems pretty reasonable considering the other guy has never thrown a pitch in the major leagues.

Cano was offered $175 over 7 years by the Yankees. For Cano 10 years was a requirement and the Yankees were smart to pass on that. Look at Pujols and A-Rod..

[iwantitiwinit]

Originally Posted by jhs5120

Cano was offered $175 over 7 years by the Yankees. For Cano 10 years was a requirement and the Yankees were smart to pass on that. Look at Pujols and A-Rod..

U mean for Jay Z 10 yrs was a requirement.

[MyGuyTy]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Apparently no one but the Yankees were willing to pay that much.

And interesting that they were unwilling to pay Cano -- a possible HOFer in the prime of his career -- much more than what they're paying this pitcher with no MLB track record. I'm actually starting to think Hank Steinbrenner is an idiot.

MLB Network reported this morning that the Cubs offered 150 mil and that was their ceiling. Of course the Yanks had no problem bumping them at 155.

I actually like the deal vs. paying Cano. They have the hitters, they NEEDED pitching to make a serious WS run. Time will tell of Tanaka is as advertised.

[oldjudge]

Jeff--I don't think the relevant comparison is versus Cano. The Yankees desperately need pitching and he was their best alternative. The question to ask is why the Yankees shelled out all that money for Ellsbury when for about the same amount they could have had Cano.

[barrysloate]

Tanaka will help- he was 24-0 after all- but they are such a mishmash of old and brittle players that it is hard to imagine much good will happen for them in 2014. Look for them to hover around .500 this year and miss the playoffs.

[yanks12025]

You yankee haters are too funny.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Jeff--I don't think the relevant comparison is versus Cano. The Yankees desperately need pitching and he was their best alternative. The question to ask is why the Yankees shelled out all that money for Ellsbury when for about the same amount they could have had Cano.

Agreed, makes no sense. Ellsbury isn't half the player Cano is and he can't stay on the field either. Yes, the Yankees need pitching but they also need to fill Cano's hole in the lineup.

[oldjudge]

Barry--a few months ago I was pretty pessimistic about the team the Yankees would field in '14, but they have done a good job coming up with what could be a very competitive squad. Consider this projected starting lineup and rotation.

Ellsbury. OF
Jeter. SS
Beltran. OF
Teixeira. 1B
McCann C
Soriano DH
Johnson 3B
Roberts 2B
Gardner OF

Sabathia
Tanaka
Kuroda
Nova
Phelps
Pineda (yes, he does exist)

There are some questions regarding players coming off injuries, but if they have recovered and can revert to somewhere near their pre-injury form, the everyday players should be solid. To me the key is Sabathia. He has been going down hill for the last several years. Any decline from here and he is a sub-500 pitcher and that would be bad. I think having Kuroda on the team helps Tanaka, and I expect both to pitch well. Nova is a good fourth starter and Phelps is pretty solid. Pineda is a wild card. If he can regain his Seattle form he could be a real plus.
With Mo gone, I think the Yankees could make Robertson the closer. It won't be close to the same, but he can get the job done. The Yankees usually do a good job cobbling together a bullpen, and I would think this year will be no different.
On paper, they're not among the strongest teams in the league, but they have the potential to make some noise.