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On Thursday, CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, the new top of the Yankees rotation was announced at a press conference in New York. The new tandem plus Chien-Ming Wang give the Yankees one of the best rotation front ends in baseball.
Sabathia continues to endorse his former teammate Mike Cameron as a trade candidate for Melky Cabrera, but talks have stopped between the Brewers and Yankees.
Sabathia also confirmed Thursday that reports of his preference for the National League and any dislike of New York were grossly overstated.
Yankee fans will be glad to hear, though, that Red Sox Owner John Henry has confirmed that they “are not going to be a factor” in the Mark Teixeira bidding. If that leaves a door open for that Yankees has yet to be seen as the Bombers have yet to make an offer.
No further movement for the Yankees in securing their number five starter. The $10M offer to Andy Pettitte is still on the table and no offers have been reported from the Yankees to Derek Lowe or Ben Sheets.
National MLB Examiner, Tony DeMarco talk more about the Yankees' roster needs here.
Comments
Yes, both CC and AJ look great in pinstripes and will look great at the top of the rotation for the next few years. The really great news (not to diminish the CC and AJ story) was that the Red Sox are out of the Teixeira derby. I had as much as resigned to the fact that the Sox HAD him, and even if we do not eventually sign him, this news (them out of the bidding) is almost as good - addition by subtraction, you know? How much better would Teixeira make A Rod by batting 4th in our order though? My thought is he would make A Rod a LOT more dangerious, because nobody would want people on base when Teixeira is at bat for, so A Rod would see a lot of very straight pitches for strikes, making for a lot of opposing teams making early pitching changes and exposing their middle relief short comings and making many lop sided Yankee victories. Now if Jorge and Matsui come back and contribute the way they are capable and if X Nady plays like he did for two months at the end of the season, we will be in really great shape. But meanwhile, answer this for me. Who is supposed to protect A Rod in our lineup right now? I think he'll get pitched around more this year without a "Teixeira Type" behind him. (and at this point I am still excluding any dread-head type players, thank you very much) I know I sure would avoid pitching to A Rod until one of the aforementioned players begins to step up and hurt them consistantly - wouldn't you?
So let me know your thoughts,
Phil
p.s.
Merry Christmas!!
Hey Phil,
I hear ya, I would be first in line to sign a petition for the Yanks to make an offer to Teixeira. I'm thrilled that the Sox appear to be out of it, but I won't 100% believe that until Tex signs elsewhere. If it takes $23M per year, I say go for it. Skip Pettitte and Cameron and there is your cash. While Tex would be tremendous protecting A-Rod, it's not a desperate situation or anything. In A-Rod's Yankee MVP seasons he was protected by Posada, Matsui, and late-form Giambi. Granted, Posada and Matsui aren't as young as they used to be but the point is you don't necessarily need a $23M guy behind him to make him great. It would be very nice though, I completely agree.
I'm very intrigued as to whether the Yankees are going to enter this thing. They've been very involved but made no offers. I can't believe he wants to play for the Nationals and the O's aren't offering him the kind of money he could get elsewhere. The Yanks have spent tons of money and are locked into 2 players longterm now, but they really do have the money to do this if they want to. They could use the bat, no argument, but it will be interesting to see how many years they're willing to do or if they'll get in on this at all.
Sure is fun though, eh Phil?
Hey Pete,
Well put as always!
I guess Cashman has to get creative to sign Teixeira. Offer him "A Rod" type of money, but for only five guaranteed years, with an "opt out" clause he can use after his first world championship.
Then he (Teixeira) has the best of both a huge contract and his goal of playing for a winner, and since a Championship is nearly guaranteed VERY soon, he can still go back out on the market while he is still young and after having showed his skills on the "big stage".
I just did some quick math and A Rod has averaged about 70 walks a year during his fourteen years. He could have that many by the all star break if he's not protected this year. Remember with better pitching being thrown at them day in and day out teams are going to be playing the "angles" earlier and more often in trying to beat the Yankees this year. Just make a note and get back to me as to what A Rod's walk totals are by say the All Star break this season.
I almost could believe Baltimore or Washington lures Teixeira in. For some people (and he has played a few places already) the allure of playing near home could be that strong. If that is what he decides, I hope he is as patient as he is talented. Though he and Zimmerman in Washington would be fun to watch, but of course it would be those two and little else and of no threat to the Yankees at all.
I ought to put my name in the hat next time a GM position opens up. (:
Talk soon Pete!
Phil
Hey Pete!
We both got what we wanted! Signing Teixeira gets me what I thought was almost more important than CC Sabathia, whom you liked from day 1. I think we are going to be really tough this coming season. (enjoy 3rd place Boston!)
Phil,this is going to be a really fun year! What a Christmas present from Brian Cashman :) An incredible front end rotation and the best young hitter on the market. I can't wait for April!
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