Cafardo's Latest: Contract Swap Meet

I don't understand some of these players, vizcaino is a free agent - kennedy makes 400 k, olsen has good trade value, so does justin spier

Damon certainly does not belong on that list. In fact, his contract is working out quite well for the Yankees - despite the ridicule hoisted upon it, simply because it was a Yankee move. It may be because he's 'supposed' to be a centerfielder. He's their everyday leadoff hitter - and quite a good one at that.

I can understand the Kennedy assignment - he's drastically underperformed in his limited time in the majors (although he's been absolutely lights-out in the minors), and the Yankees likely don't want to just give him a slot in the rotation.

I think it is funny how everytime I see Soraino's name pop up people talk about him like he is as bad and washed up as Barry Zito and Andruw Jones. I don't want to defend the guy because he is defintely not worth his contract, but I think he still ranks above average. Granted he is not the 5-tool player the Cubs were hoping for, but when he gets hot he can still carry the team. He still hit 280 had 29 HRs 75 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. This is a far cry from the 40 40 guy we thought we were getting, but he is still relatively young and has the tools to be a great offensive player. I think once the Cubs move him down in the order he knocks in over 100 RBIs and he should hit closer to 40 HRs next year. If Hendry can trade him great, but if not lets not completely write him off as a waste.

Rickie Weeks (to CF) for Kei Igawa! Winner!!!

"Cheap, solid upside... Francoeur"... I agree, but the Braves can't trade him. They have NO outfielders. Got to take another chance that Jeff figures out how to hit.

A-rod as well before i get blasted.

luis castillo for juan pierre

"luis castillo for juan pierre"

I prefer Luis Castillo for Andrew Jones. Dodgers get a high OBP 2B who should be healthier this year and the Mets get to essentially pay Castillo's contract in one swoop and salvage something from Jones' bat.

Alfonso Soriano for Vernon Wells

"1.Julio Lugo for Kenji Johjima
The salaries are 18 million for the next two years for Lugo, and 24 million for the next 3 years for Johjima. And maybe the Red Sox get something useful for Lugo, at a position of need. Plus it allows the contract to off the hands of Mariners in two years not three. "

I've thought about this deal alot over the last few weeks. This wasn't a Bavasi signing, it was demanded that it get down by Japanese ownership. I just think they will change their minds and move him to add a million in payroll the next two years, just to get out of year 3.

Plus I think he's basically option 4 or 5 for Boston's search for a C.

"Haha, now I know why Damon and Matsui are on there, it was written by a Boston guy. I find it hilarioius how no one from Boston is on that list, however...

Posted by: yanks26ngoin | November 02, 2008 at 12:45 PM "

I'm not surprised at all that MFY fan can't read.

I wouldn't classify either the Winn or Molina contracts as bad deals for the Giants, as both players have only one year left at good prices relative to their value to the team and relative to their peers at those positions.

I agree that some of the names on the list don't qualify as bad contracts...

A couple of rumors that have been mentioned are Jose "I wear out my welcome after 3 months" Guillen to the Mets for Luis Castillo and Castillo and cash for Eric Byrnes (even though Byrnes makes more $, the talent disparity means the Mets have to give up more).

According to NY sports radio shows, the Yankees are examining making a big play for Matt Holiday. If they somehow pull that off (Austin Jackson, Kennedy, and a couple of their AAA pitching prospects), it's been rumored that Damon would be shipped off to the White Sox, whom have liked Damon for some time. The return would likely be a MR or a AAA pitching prospect, maybe even Swisher who could play 1B until the Yanks figure out if Posado has to move there.
Now, I acknowledge that the Yanks would need a new leadoff man, but Jeter might fit the bill or their new CF or possibly Orlando Hudson if they move Robbie Cano. That's a lot of contingencies.

As for the non NY teams,

Would the Angels dare consider a Marquis for Matthews deal, or is Matthews going to be the LF with Garret Anderson and Juan Rivera likely gone?

What about Marquis for Ryan Church? (assuming the Cubbies don't want to spend millions for Abreu.

Why would the Rangers want Willis after he couldn't stay in the bigs last yr?

Would the Rays risk chemistry and karma by taking a chance on local product Sheffield?

Why would Houston deal Tejada?

Do the Braves have a crappy contract that the Dodgers can take back for Andruw Jones?

What about Maggilio Ordonez and Hank Blalock?

Who are the next pitchers that the Cardinals will turn into 15 game winners?

I'm not really feeling that trade for Holliday. OF is an area we need to improve on down the line , especially since we get rid of Damon and Matsui next year but I think it would cost us too many pitchers and force us to make too many second and third moves to balance the team.

I'd rather just sign Tex, Ramirez, etc and improve the offense that way w/o losing young prospects.

I'm going to take Cafardo's idea, and try to break the lists up differently. Yeah, the article is poorly written. I'll also add names if they make sense.

Table 1: Young, cheap, upside. but underperforming. Francoeur, Kennedy, Delmon Young, Weeks, Swisher, Heilman, Melky Cabrera, Taveras to an extent

Table 2: Only problem is that they're creating a logjam/blocking someone better: Delucci, Ramon Hernandez, Damon, one of Willingham/Hermida, Olsen, Gregg

Table 3: Low drains, but still annoyances(guys who either have only 1 year left on contract, or are decent, just overpaid): Washburn, Batista, Eaton, Byrnes, Sheffield, GMJ, Bobby Crosby, Troy Percival,

Table 4: The albatross elite: Castillo, Jones, Zito, Pierre, Silva, Lugo, Suppan, Igawa, Johjima, Willis, Robertson, Eric Chavez (he could move to Table 3 if he can stay at 3B and play well there post-surgery).

How the hell does Jason Frasor end up on this list? If Scott Downs goes to the rotation and/or BJ Ryan is traded, the pen surplus doesn't look so much like a surplus anymore.

"Haha, now I know why Damon and Matsui are on there, it was written by a Boston guy. I find it hilarioius how no one from Boston is on that list, however..."

Lugo...?

who else belongs on there from boston..?

YanksFanSince78-

He isn't meeting expectations, which is the equivalency of underperforming. I could say the same about Francoeur or Kennedy, young, tons of upside, not meeting expectations.

The Twins would be REALLY stupid to trade Delmon now though, as he has PLENTY of upside. And, the Braves shouldn't trade Francoeur either.

And, BA isn't really a great metric for measuring a hitter.

"What about Marquis for Ryan Church? (assuming the Cubbies don't want to spend millions for Abreu."

Why would the Mets want to get rid of Church? He had an injury plagued season, but he's still a solid player. As much as the Mets need pitching, I don't think they need to dump one of the two solid outfielders they have.

There is no way Delmon Young should be considered on this list. I think it is ridiculous to put guys like Hermida, Weeks, Winn and Ian Kennedy on here as well. Why hasn't anyone mentioned Michael Cuddyer? At 3 years, 24MM, he's not looking so hot...

Red Sox Dynasty

Shut the hell up. You piss the hell out of me. Some Dynasty what is it? 6 champions in 100 years.

____________________________

How about Kennedy and Igawa for Frenchy? The yankees will still pay Igawa's contract.

thank you for providing emphasis to my point...

I wrote this in another thread but I really wish RSD could get banned, not because of his name but of how he acts. Again I no how much money Tim makes because of him, but honestly when I see RED SOX DYNASTY I immediately skip his posts to see what other people write about him. It is truely annoying to see an ignorant fan of any team when you just want to talk baseball. Hopefully Tim you will do the right thing and ban RSD.

Minny traded Young for an unproven pitcher and at the moment yes i believe that Tampa has gotten the better of the trade. However that was only one year and both players are still very young so i believe the jury is still out on that one. As far as young not having great trade value there are plenty of teams that have contacted the twins about him. There have been several threads on this site alone about it. I don't believe they should trade him however, i would think that first priority would be to move cuddy and if not him than Kubel. Package either of them with a few other prospects for a 3B or SS hopefully

I think Young was just out of his comfort zone playing left field instead of right field and then there was an adjustment period. So I think he will turn it around.

First of all i am a dedicated Twins fan. The Yankees are among the teams i like the very least. There is nothing wrong with a biased opinion, everyone is at least a little biased. The problem i have with you is you are rude, vulgar, and very insulting of other posters. You can say what you like so long as you respect the other people that come here. I would be more than willing to pull back my ban request if you promise to show a more mature attitude in your posts. "yankfan-1, sounds like someone needs their diaper changed!" "WOW, Yankee fans crying about this list. Fine, you can add Lowell to this list after Teixeira signs w/Boston. Gotta give the babies their binky!". Just a few examples of rude unnecessary insults. Just please clean it up and tone down the needless insults, it simply assures that any rational person will ignore any legitimate points you make.

Im just wondering why RSD is even being acknowledged. just flat out ignoring It is the best thing we can do. It cant stir the pot if we dont give it the spoon.

Den_Orath- Certain posters need to be ignored until they are banned/disappear. Take that to heart.

I think the deal suggested of Fukudome for Mathews would benefit both teams. It'll be eating contracts for both teams but the Cubs will probably get the better end of the deal. They get a power bat and one less year of a bad contract. The angels get a good solid outfielder and hopefully he finds his stroke with a scenery change

...since when is Matthews a power bat?

Daniel b.,

You say Crisp and Drew are not expandable, but .300 hitting Damon is? How's that? The Yankees are not going to replace the spark club with someone like Melky...

Here's one...Teahan for Weeks...Fills a hole at 2B for the Royals with a young guy...fills 3B for the Brew Crew.

And some of you probably won't believe me, but I am a Yankee fan with very little bias, if any. However, I also find RSD's comments extremely arrogant and annoying. I am for the banning of RSD. We shouldn't have to ignore posters.

"You say Crisp and Drew are not expandable, but .300 hitting Damon is? How's that? The Yankees are not going to replace the spark club with someone like Melky..."

I also have a feeling that Damon could be available, only because Matsui or him probably will be shopped to clear a spot amongst the older guys they have. Damon is far better, but they may have problems getting both playing time in the field if both have injury problems.

I have a hard time seeing Zito going anywhere, regardless of whether or not he actually pitched like a 4-5th spot starter the last half of this past season or not (an improvement for certain) this guy's contract is an albatross that would require the Giant's eating well over 75% for them to trade him to anyone, even Dontrelle Willis appears to be a better gamble with his wild FB still in the mid 90's, vs junk in the mid80's tops.

Adam Eaton for the table

Not sure why the Cubs "can't use" a mid 500's slugging percentage year in, year out. Why would Soriano be on this list? Oh and also....Soriano for Wells...woof. Soriano is a much better hitter than Wells and you'll never see Soriano an 85 OPS+ like Wells did in 585 at bats last season.

"2. Adam Eaton for Ramon Hernandez

Gives the Phillies a catcher who performed well in the national league, and the O's get rid of the contract and unblock Wieters, and they add an arm to the roation. Money is fairly even with Eaton having 1 year and 8.5 million plus mutual option for 9 million(2010 .5mil buyout), while Hernandez has 1 year 8 million and a club option for 8.5 million (2010 1mil buyout)."

Airman, I LOVE this idea. Just to get anything, absolutely anything at all in exchange for Eaton, would be a godsend to Rube and the champs, let alone a catcher.

Another possibility, based on the not-too-crazy belief that Burrell won't be returning, is Eaton and Jenkins (a total of around $13m) for Sheffield ($14m). Sheff's a headcase, and that's a problem, but it's only one year of him. Acquiring Sheffield fills our LF and #5 hitter hole, clears out a bad contract and a mediocre one, given that Matt Stairs is essentially Jenkins at this point in their respective careers anyway, and doesn't lock Amaro into anything at all beyond this year. In 2010, when he's looking to make a bigger move, he'll have a $14m chunk of salary to move around between raises and finding a replacement, and that flexibility will be huge, given that there will likely be no Moyer, and we'll need to find money for Blanton.

"Zito for Kennedy and Igawa would be interesting."

Makes zero sense for the Yankees.

Kennedy has positive value.

Igawa has more value than Zito, due to contract issues (Igawa is owed a LOT less money than Zito).

You people are crazy. Kennedy is still considered a "good prospect". He's only pitched 9 mlb games and still projects to be a solid #4 or 5 guy. At $400k he's palatable. Even Kei Igawa is better to have than Zito. He's probably good for the same 10-17 record that Zito put up at 1/5th the price of Zito's yearly salary (ugg). The Giants would trade Zito for Igawa just to get rid of his contract. Addition by subtraction. Sorry, Giant's fans..unless Zito transforms himself back to an 15 game winner your stuck with him for the full life of the contract.