« Rangers Cut Grilli, Richardson | Main | Nationals Notes: Storen, Dunn, Desmond »

Odds & Ends: Yankees, Cardinals, Astros

By Howard Megdal [October 21, 2009 at 4:51pm CST]

Here are some links to take you through the end of your workday, instead of, you know, working.

The Yankees aren't satisfied to simply win the 2009 World Series. They are concurrently planning to take 2010 as well, with Jon Heyman reporting that they are atop Matt Holliday's preferred list of teams, and Lohud.com's Chad Jennings writing that the Yankees should be meeting with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman soon, though GM Brian Cashman wouldn't confirm it.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Jason LaRue would be a good fit for the Cardinals in 2010, and breaks down the other catching candidates as well.
Manny Acta had his second interview for the Astros' managing job, while Bobby Valentine and Bob Melvin are candidates to take Acta's former position as skipper for Washington.
Tim Wakefield had successful back surgery for the Red Sox, who have a number of 2010 contract options to consider, include Wakefield's. Alex Speier of WEEI.com runs it down nicely.
The Rays hired Derek Shelton as their new hitting coach. Shelton had been the hitting coach for Cleveland.
Former Mets' first base coach Tom Nieto is the new manager for Rochester, Minnesota's Triple-A farm team, among other minor-league hires.

Comments

Thanks, Heyman. Had know idea the Yankees wanted to try and win the WS every year. Thought they'd just want to get to the playoffs.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CASHMAN! Do NOT go after Matt Holliday. The last thing the Yankees should do is sign another star to a big contract. It really handcuffs the team from making any changes at certain positions.

Posted by: R y a n | October 21, 2009 at 05:09 PM

Very good news on Wakefield. Now can have him back as #5 for yet another year and also, expect another injury come Late July-August as has been a regularity the last 3 seasons, still a good deal for the Sox at 4M.

The rest of the options are clear cut yes and no's, with only Alex Gonzalez being a question since they already made up their minds on Saito and Varitek being the only *NO* for certain amongst the players they have options on and no pre arranged agreement with to not pick it up, like with Billy Wagner.

Posted by: johns | October 21, 2009 at 05:11 PM

Just shocking that the Yankees would be interested in spending another 100 million on a player.

Posted by: Mickey Six | October 21, 2009 at 05:12 PM

I don't think it is really necessary that the Yankees go out and sign Matt Holiday. Sure he would be a nice addition to the team and defense, but the Yankees already have depth in the outfield with Swisher, Gardner, Melky, maybe Damon, and soon Jackson. The Yankees should re-sign Johnny Damon but let Matsui go. Damon could DH for the Yankees while having Swisher, Melky, and Gardner in the outfield. Put Swisher in right and have mix it up between Melky and Gardner in center and left. I don't think Jackson is just yet ready for the big leagues and should stay another half a year to a year in the minors. Having Gardner in the outfield would bolster the outfields defense in a huge way. Gardner has lighting speed, amazing range, and plays solid defense. His arm isn't the best and that's his only defensive flaw. Having Melky and Gardner in the outfield together would give the Yankees solid defensive and with Melky's arm, it would create a great outfield. This could be a potential line-up:

Jeter
Damon
Teixeira
Rodriguez
Posada
Cano
Swisher
Melky
Gardner

It would be a huge boost to the Yankees lineup if Gardner is an everyday player and starts to hit some more. He creates havoc on the basepaths and is a huge threat.

Posted by: YankeeFan4life | October 21, 2009 at 05:14 PM

Whatever it costs, the Yankees will spend it. Given the team's ability to outspend everyone else by an order of magnitude, I don't see why any Yankee fan would complain about them throwing a big contract at Holliday. They could sit him on the bench, for all it really matters.

Posted by: BlueSky | October 21, 2009 at 05:18 PM

"He creates havoc on the basepaths and is a huge threat."

NYY go with a running game? That is almost as unheard of (lately) as Boston going with one period.

I do agree though, from the games I saw of the NYY, Gardner would be an exciting guy, but the odds of him ever getting a chance with them as a FT player are slim and expect to see him moved for a BP piece later on during the 2010 season if the pickups they make during the off season do not work out. The NYY have not shown an awful lot of patience of late with young players in the field, even Cabrerra was nearly a goner after his 1st bad season.

Posted by: johns | October 21, 2009 at 05:22 PM

holiday is not really necessary at this point, or when FA begins, obv. I'm interested to see how big Ajax gets this offseason since he isn't in fall ball

Posted by: ArodMVP217 | October 21, 2009 at 05:23 PM

Pffft!! I'm sure the Yankees will get Holliday. They will probably get Lackey too. Has anyone else noticed that the AL playoffs this year have been BORING....primarily due to the overbloated Yankees winning almost every game.

Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | October 21, 2009 at 05:24 PM

Um...with the exception of Game 1 in the MIN and NYY series, Game 1 and 2 in the LAA and BOS series and just last nights game, the ALCS and overall playoffs this season, have been the most exciting in a while.

Posted by: R y a n | October 21, 2009 at 05:35 PM

On a completely off-topic note, how about Steve Phillips? That guy's a jackass. At least Harold Reynolds was a good analyst.

Posted by: R y a n | October 21, 2009 at 05:36 PM

Boring???? You must be watching some other sport, because there have been many games that were anything but boring.

Posted by: yankeegirl49 | October 21, 2009 at 05:47 PM

You must be watching some other sport, because there have been many games that were anything but boring.

Posted by: yankeegirl49 | October 21, 2009 at 05:47 PM
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Spoken like a true Yankee fan.

Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | October 21, 2009 at 05:51 PM

re: johns

No patience with their young players? Really? B/c it sure seems like lately the Yankees have had considerable patience with their young players. You point out that Cabrera was rumored to be gone after his bad season...yet there he is, running down fly balls against the Angels in the ALCS. Cano had a terrible year last year and people were talking about him getting moved to make room for...Orlando Hudson, I believe. Yet there he is...getting tagged out at third on a run-down, but that's another story. The young pitchers that the Yankees have been touting the past few years are largely all still there. The only big prospect we've given up recently is Jose Tabata, which admittedly might end up being a bad call, but most of the Yankees farm players are still there or are producing at the big-league level.

Gardner is kind of a tough situation for me, since he's so valuable as a pinch runner, but if you use him like that he'll never develop as a hitter. My feeling is that he'll probably be splitting time again in center with Melky next year, and one of them will probably be moved within the next two or three years, but not b/c of a lack of patience but b/c the Yankees will have 3 CF by then, and only 1, maybe two spots for them. My guess is that unless Gardner proves his versatility at the other OF spots, he'll probably be the one to go since Melky can field well at all 3 OF positions, but that's probably at least a year away.

-JM

Posted by: jagteq | October 21, 2009 at 05:52 PM

Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | October 21, 2009 at 05:24 PM

Boring? I fail to see why the playoffs have been boring to some extent. Most of the games the Yankees have played this post-season have been close. Game 2 of the ALDS was a great game and was exciting. This game also was played in extra innings making it suspenseful. How is it boring when Alex Rodriguez hits a 2 run blast to tie the game of ALDS Game 2 when he has a horrible history in the post-season? And to win it in extra innings? That game was intense and suspenseful. I was at that game and it was absolutely no boring.

ALDS Game 3 was also close and exciting. One again A-Rod came through in the clutch and the Yankees battled back from downa run to win it.

ALCS Game 1 even though it wasn't a one run game, it was certaintly not boring. CC Sabathia shut down the Angels and was stellar through 8 innings. The game would have been more exciting if it wasn't for the 3 errors by the Angels.

ALCS Game 2 was a thriller and a fall classic. A 13 inning walkoff is far from boring especially on a cold rainy night in the bronx.

ALCS Game 3 was also another extra inning thriller that finished in favor of the Angels.

Posted by: YankeeFan4life | October 21, 2009 at 05:56 PM

Jeter
Damon
Teixeira
Rodriguez
Posada
Cano
Swisher
Melky
Gardner

It would be a huge boost to the Yankees lineup if Gardner is an everyday player and starts to hit some more. He creates havoc on the basepaths and is a huge threat.

Posted by: YankeeFan4life | October 21, 2009 at 05:14 PM

Jackson was a mess in the 2nd half and his ceiling goes down with each passing game. Post ASB of .260/.296/.328 is not going to get it done. He's looking more and more like Gardner light.

I will be interested to see if the Rays ultimately pick up Crawford's option. If they do, then Yanks resign Damon for a year. If they don't, he IS a Yankee. He's a perfect fit in that lineup and would probably not require the same long term commitment as Holliday.

It would also free up the extra millions to throw at Chapman. They will not be embarassed again like they were with their knee jerk bid for Igawa.

Posted by: carini26 | October 21, 2009 at 06:03 PM

Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner are alright third/fourth outfielders, and are starters for an average/below average team, but they shouldn't be starting for a team like the Yankees in a power(outfield, first and third base) position. And with only one viable outfield prospect in the Yankee system who is close to making the lineup, they should GO for Matt Holliday. He is a career .900+ OPS player. Sure, maybe Coors inflated his stats a bit, but Yankee Stadium inflates stats as well, so he can belt 30+ homers a season in Coors, he'll be able to do it in Yankee Stadium. He'll also improve the Yankee defense. Resign Damon, and Pettitte, and sign Holliday, Chapman, and maybe some bench/bullpen depth. Maybe offer Wang another attempt at regaining himself on our team, but that is entirely up to whether the Yankees think he can regain what he once was.

Lineup
1. Damon-DH
2. Jeter-SS
3. Rodriguez-3B
4. Teixiera-1B
5. Holliday-LF
6. Cano-2B
7. Posada-C
8. Swisher-RF
9. Jackson-CF

Bench
Molina(and/or Cervilli)
Hairston Jr.
Cabrera
Gardner

Rotation
1. Sabathia
2. Burnett
3. Pettitte
4. Hughes
5. Chamberlain

Bullpen
Rivera
Robertson

Posted by: defense | October 21, 2009 at 06:05 PM

Spoken like a true Yankee fan.

Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | October 21, 2009 at 05:51 PM

I have watched just about every post season game, not just the Yankees..who by the way were part of 2 extra inning games.

My comment has ZERO to do with what team I root for and you wouldn't even have known who I was a fan of if not for my display name.

Posted by: yankeegirl49 | October 21, 2009 at 06:06 PM

Not saying that the playoffs have been boring this year... but I just wonder if Yankee fans would think games were still "suspenseful" and "exciting" if they had come out on the losing end in more of those games.

Posted by: Drew | October 21, 2009 at 06:09 PM

Defense- Why put Jackson as starting centerfielder when he has no career experience in the big leagues and Melky and Gardner do? If Jackson makes the team, he is a bench player. How come you put A-Rod in the three hole and not Teixeira? The combo of Teixeira-A-Rod had great results this past regular season and will only get better when A-Rod is A-Rod for a full season when he doesn't miss 38 games. It would be silly for the Yankees to not resign Wang. Wang is too good of a pitcher to not be able to bounce back as a two time 19 game winner he was in the past. I say give Wang a 1 year deal with a club option for 2011. Also, why swap Damon and Jeter having Damon bat leadoff? Jeter had a MVP type year batting leadoff posting numbers that were almost career bests. I would leave Jeter as leadoff man.

Posted by: YankeeFan4life | October 21, 2009 at 06:24 PM

What is wrong with some of you!??! Why wouldn't you go for Holliday, he is one of the outfielders offensively? He said NY is his first choice and is interested in coming to NY, so go get him. so what if he doesn't work out the yankees can have some mistakes like that they have the money! If he dont work out then we got melky and gardner and melky and ajax soon to be! If you can get him WHY NOT!!?? I know it's a lot of dough but why not he is an upgrade over damon in both ways! I hope the Yankees get him! Go Yankees!

Posted by: grs238yankees | October 21, 2009 at 06:29 PM

Is there any better example of why MLB needs a salary cap & floor?

BTW, for those that believe revenue sharing is the way to go...

I argue that revenue sharing only hurts the fans, as it brings salaries and revenue up for the whole league. Ultimately it will be the fans that end up paying the price.

Posted by: JT | October 21, 2009 at 06:31 PM

I want the Yankees to trade for Joey Votto! As a Yankees fan I would put Joba in the deal. Then call the Cubs and take on Milton Bradley only with a huge discount. Sign Sheets as a free agent and in 2010 we'll challenge the 114 regular season win total.

Posted by: dan l | October 21, 2009 at 06:37 PM

Actually the record for most wins in a season is 116... not 114.

Posted by: Drew | October 21, 2009 at 06:54 PM

"What is wrong with some of you!??! Why wouldn't you go for Holliday, he is one of the outfielders offensively? He said NY is his first choice and is interested in coming to NY, so go get him. so what if he doesn't work out the yankees can have some mistakes like that they have the money! If he dont work out then we got melky and gardner and melky and ajax soon to be! If you can get him WHY NOT!!?? I know it's a lot of dough but why not he is an upgrade over damon in both ways! I hope the Yankees get him! Go Yankees!"

Maybe if it is on a discount..? we could probably keep Nady and get the same production minus some OBP, but with more arm assuming he returns from TJ fine

Posted by: ArodMVP217 | October 21, 2009 at 07:13 PM

Jagtag,

I mentioned I mentioned young players in the field getting a chance in my post. Understand that they have given various BP arms a chance, though that was as much because of veterans failures during the course of the season and them being called up over the course of the regular season and performing,as much as anything else in most all cases.

The calls coming for resigning most of the aging stars, even here for both Matsui and Damon go to prove that point. While Damon could help, having Gardner and Cabrerra would seem to help them more to me, though Matsui does still have a nice bat and could certainly help someone else as a stand alone DH, the Yankees might should spread the DH at bats around between Damon, Arod, Posada and others who are either aging, or have injury issues instead.

Posted by: johns | October 21, 2009 at 07:17 PM

holliday is a good fit for the yankees but i dont want him... he would fall apart under big pressure. Next, if damon was resigned not saying that i like him but the lineup would be

SS - Jeter
DH - Damon
1B - Teix
3B - Arod
C - Posada
2B - Cano
RF - Swisher
LF - Melky
CF - Gardner

Also i know that sheets is a risk but why not sign him and give wang a one or two year deal?

Posted by: yanksrdashit | October 21, 2009 at 07:33 PM

SS-D.Jeter
RF-N.Swisher
1B-M.Texeira
3B-A.Rodrzigues
DH-H.Matsui
C-J.Posada
2B-R. Cano
LF-M.Cabrera
CF- . Gardner

SP:
CC Sabathia
A.J Burnet
A.Petite
J. Chamberlain
P. Hughes

Posted by: A. Ryan | October 21, 2009 at 07:58 PM

I am not sure if I want the Yankees going after Holliday. Though the idea of having A-Rod, Teix and Holliday in the same line-up gets me drooling, I don't want another long term contract on the books unless its someone like Mauer, Felix, ect.

The Yankees have time and time again tried to get Mike Cameron and I think his personality and the way he plays would fit perfect on this team. Give him a two year, $17 million dollar (not sure on the money) deal, and you can shift Melky to left. You can then resign Damon to be the DH/back-up outfielder. This way the Yankees upgrade their outfield defense while also not completely losing the offense they'll lose from Matsui.

SS Jeter
DH Damon
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
C Posada
2B Cano
RF Swisher
CF Cameron
LF Melky

This way you don't get a long term investment and Cameron can hold down and outfield spot until Jackson is ready and Damon holds down the DH for Montero. Plus he can play the field, so unless Matsui, Damon could fill in from time to time out there.

Posted by: kay wizz | October 21, 2009 at 07:58 PM

Drew the Yankee record for wins is 114.

Posted by: dan l | October 21, 2009 at 07:58 PM

Melky is not a starting outfielder!

Posted by: dan l | October 21, 2009 at 07:59 PM

Dan the win total wasnt specified to be yankees or major league... but if your gonna beat 114, why not shoot for 116 anyway.

Posted by: Drew | October 21, 2009 at 08:03 PM

Drew I suppose you are right but I meant the Yankees record for wins in a season. If you can break 114 you certainly can shoot for 117 lol.

I just want Votto on the Yankees as a corner outfielder. He is the best unknown player in baseball.

Posted by: dan l | October 21, 2009 at 08:18 PM

Posted by: Drew | October 21, 2009 at 06:09 PM

In order to be a Yankees fan, you have to be a fan of baseball first. I think the same goes for all teams, no?

Case in point, Game 3 of the Angels series. Did I want the Yankees to win? Hells yeah! But it was still a really good game that went in LA's favor.

Posted by: East Coast Bias | October 21, 2009 at 08:34 PM

Has anyone else noticed that the AL playoffs this year have been BORING

Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | October 21, 2009 at 05:24 PM

Yeah, who likes extra-inning thrillers in the postseason? *yawns*

Posted by: bucs_lose_again | October 21, 2009 at 08:38 PM

East Coast Bias- I like watching great games as much as anyone else. That was not the point of my post. I simply stated that I wonder if Yankee fans would still be in good spirits if some of those thrilling games (regular season included)didnt go in favor of the yankees and the yankees were down 3-1 to the Angels.

Posted by: Drew | October 21, 2009 at 08:56 PM

Drew,

Being a really strong fan of a team means taking the good with the bad. I really wonder how many of today's Boston fans would have been out in the open back in the 70's when the Sox routinely blew 5+ game leads from 1st place every September to lose the division and no wild card spot back then.

Posted by: johns | October 21, 2009 at 11:22 PM

Actually, no, that's not what you asked before. You're changing your question, Drew.

Originally, you asked if Yankee fans still thought the games were "suspenseful" and "exciting" even though we lost. And the answer to that is yes.

NOW, you're asking if we would be in "good spirits" if we lost. And the answer to that is no. But that's obvious...no fan would LIKE to be down 3-1. Right?

They're not the same question. Difference being, while we would still have enjoyed the experience of the games, we wouldn't be happy with the results, and the situation we're in. It's like, I still enjoyed the experience of backpacking through Japan even though I ended up in Kyoto and not Osaka. Ya dig? (long story, don't ask)

Posted by: East Coast Bias | October 22, 2009 at 03:30 AM

"Jackson was a mess in the 2nd half and his ceiling goes down with each passing game. Post ASB of .260/.296/.328 is not going to get it done. He's looking more and more like Gardner light."

**Really? Gardner light? Ajax has considerably more upside than Gardner does. Keep in mind Ajax played more basketball than baseball in HS (had a full scholarship to play point guard for GA Tech). In his 5 seasons he's put up a decent line of .287/.355 and hasn't hit below .285 in the 3 highest levels (A+, AA, AAA). He obviously needs to work on his ko's but he only turns 23 in Feb and has plenty of time to work out his kinks. I like Gardner and Cabrera and would have no problem with another year of a quasi-platoon situation. Holliday is not a major need. I wouldn't mind the Yanks picking up Cameron next year and going with this line up:

IF-Tex, Cano, Jeter, Arod
OF-Cabrera (RF), Cameron (CF) and Swisher (LF).
C-Posada
DH-Damon
Bench-Pena, Gardner, Hairston, Cervelli

Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | October 22, 2009 at 09:20 AM

Isn't a 3rd OF a starter since there are 3 OF positions? I don't have a problem with Cabrera at all as a starter. He needs to work on his swing more and get some consistancy from it. When he's struggling it seems he's beating the ball into the ground. When he's doing well his swing has a bit of a lift to it. I think that's more mechanics than anything else. He's only going to be 25 at the start of 2010 and I think he's still coming into his own. A case can be made that he was rushed to the majors (only 372 minor league games) and made his debut and became a regular at age 21. I think Melky has the ability to be a solid .285/.360 20 hr/35 dbls hitter with good to very good defense.

Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | October 22, 2009 at 09:32 AM

Posted by: dan l | October 21, 2009 at 06:37 PM
----------------------

Why would the Yanks want to acquire Votto, a 1B when we obviously have a very good one already? As for Bradley, I suggested that but only if it was as a combo for Z with the Yanks giving the Cubs virtually nothing back. Now my thinking is that the Yanks have good karma and Bradley might do more harm than good. Sheets is an excellent thought, and if healthy, should be the most sought after FA pitcher this winter.

Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | October 22, 2009 at 09:36 AM

Melky is not a starting outfielder!

Posted by: dan l | October 21, 2009 at 07:59 PM
-----------

Really? 485 at bats. a .274/.336 line w/ 13 hrs and 28 dbls @ age 24-25 suggests that maybe he can be a good full-time player. Melky is a tough call. He started in the low minors at age 18 and was the starting CF with the Yanks at age 21. He's had 1 flat out "bad" year in 2008. Can anyone honestly make a call that they've seen the best of Melky thus far? All of his struggles I think can be attributed to being worn out when Gardner went doen and Melky was forced to play 43 straight games w/ no rest. He struggled in June and August but bounced back strong in July and September. Girardi needs to keep him fresh by giving him a game off every two weeks or so and the hitting coach needs to keep his swing consistant. All of those things are managable IMO.

Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | October 22, 2009 at 09:53 AM

Sorry Yankee fans but you can't have Matt Holliday because of wanting to stay close to his home which is in Oklahoma. Also, the ALCS series has been boring and when is their going to be a game that is exciting! I hope the Yankees don't make it to the World Series and if they do I'll be cheering on the Phillies whom are exciting to watch!

Jason Larue of the Cardinals is a back up catcher and probably be resigned to another contract (maybe).

Posted by: mutiger68 | October 22, 2009 at 11:59 AM

Cameron + Swisher = 300 k's at the botton of the lineup.I don't see it happening.

Posted by: ToBe | October 22, 2009 at 12:09 PM

Jason Larue of the Cardinals is a back up catcher and probably be resigned to another contract (maybe).

Posted by: mutiger68 | October 22, 2009 at 11:59 AM

You're a mess.

Holliday himself said the Yankees are his preferred team.

There have been 4 games in the ALCS so far; half of them have gone to extra innings. How is that not exciting?

PS: And you spelled "there" wrong. Just saying...

Posted by: East Coast Bias | October 22, 2009 at 04:19 PM

Yankees will get Holliday and Bay and Lackey and whoever the hell else they want to get.

How can you be a fan of this team? Cheering for the Yankees has got to be like cheering because your fantasy team won the championship after having the first 5 picks in your draft.

Posted by: SoxFan2009 | October 23, 2009 at 09:22 PM

lets go sign holliday yankees how hugw would that be damon in left melky in center and holliday in right we could get rid of that horrible player nick swisher and are team would be complete

Posted by: brian jr | November 04, 2009 at 05:01 PM

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Posted by: |

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type:

Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Odds & Ends: Yankees, Cardinals, Astros

Comments

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Post a comment

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

MLBTR Mailing List

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats


Home Contact About Advertise Archives Widget Twitter RSS Usage