Two Yankee legends were born on October 20: longtime Yankee Stadium PA announcer Bob Sheppard (born in 1910) and number #7 himself, Mickey Mantle (born in 1931). As coincidence would have it, both Sheppard and Mantle debuted at Yankee Stadium in 1951.
Here's the latest from the modern-day Bronx Bombers….
- There haven't been any negotiations between the Yankees and C.C. Sabathia since the end of the ALDS, reports Ken Davidoff from Newsday. The club "told Sabathia to take his time in sorting things out," though the Yankees hope to begin talks before the trigger date of Sabathia's opt-out clause, which is three days after the World Series ends. Davidoff writes the Yankees would rather give Sabathia a larger annual salary in a new contract rather than add more years.
- The Yankees are "very likely" to pick up Nick Swisher's $10.25MM option for 2012, reports ESPN New York's Wallace Matthews, though they may wait "until the very last minute" (i.e. three days after the World Series) to do so.
- If Eric Chavez retires, Matthews reports the Yankees are weighing whether to make rookie Brandon Laird the primary third base backup or to acquire a veteran like Casey Blake for the spot. Blake's $6MM option for 2012 was bought out by the Dodgers for $1.25MM two weeks ago, making him a free agent.
- Scott Boras, Rafael Soriano's agent, tells Matthews it is "highly unlikely" that Soriano will opt out of the two years and $25MM remaining on his contract with New York.
- The Yankees can't be blamed for their lack of pitching acquisitions at the trade deadline, writes Joe Pawlikowski of the River Ave Blues blog, given the lack of obvious upgrades on the market.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again- $10.125MM is probably too much to pay for Swisher’s services, but I’d love to see them void the option without a buy out, then extend him for 2 years/$16MM.
huh…
so you won’t pay him 10.25 for 1 year, but you’d be more comfortable in giving him an extra year at a very slight reduction?
“$10.125MM is probably too much to pay for Swisher’s services”
No, it’s really not.
Really, that doesn’t make much sense. Extend Swisher so that we can block some of the Free agent outfielders after the 2012 season??? Don’t like the idea and I would rather exercise his option and the try and trade him. People will be interested in a switch-hitting outfielder who can play solid D.
Solid defense… they don’t call it “The Adventures of Nick Swisher” for nothing lol
Swisher is not my favorite Yankee, I’ve already debated some of my Yankees brethern on this site concerning Swisher. I’d be willing to pay a bit more for the likes of Cuddyer or Beltran, who are better players despite injuries.
That being said, Swisher has been a decent player during the regular season throughout his tenure with the Yanks. It’s been his post season play that’s been non-existant. Still, $10MM is not at all too much for the production he’s given the team.
I do agree that his post-season performances have me concerned, but he had 3 hits during the ALDS, one of which was a HR and another of which was a single that kept a rally going, so it’s not an airtight complaint anymore.
Swish was top 15 in WAR among corner outfielders and one of the cheapest among players with more than 6 years experience. I don’t see why ppl are so anti-Swish. Is it because of his post-season let downs? Well then you need to clean out some other guys as well. A 15% walk rate, a .822 OPS, 25 hrs and a solid defensive season plus he’s been durable. I don’t see what there is to be unhappy about. His alternatives are either not as a good. Cuddyer has less walks, less power and is worse defensively. Beltran is too fragile and will be a whole lot more expensive. He will command a multi-year deal and you know he’s going to spend a lot of time on the DL. Why not stick with Swish (open question not directed towards you per se).
Swisher is an asset to the team. He is more productive than Arod and a decent outfielder. His presence in the clubhouse is really needed as he has an electric personality.
Soriano is not opting out!??!?! Shocker!!
Scott Boras, the master of the obvious. Soriano would be lucky to get half of that contract if he were a free agent this year.
Today is my birthday! I’m honored to share October 20th with mickey mantle and al shepard, and what a glorious birth date it is! And I’m a diehard Giants and Red Sox fan
me too buddy happy b-day
Happy Birthday
I hate when reporters report the obvious
I hate when people say the obvious.
..Obviously
CC just partnered up to open the hooters equivalent in Murray Hill. Burgers, fries and boobs. He ain’t going nowhere.
$100 + mil, burgers, fries and tig ole bitties, What more does a guy need?
C.C.’s new contract: 5 years 125MM with a 6th year club option at 25MM with 10MM buyout, bringing the guarantee to 135MM over 5 years. It bumps up his annual salary up to 27MM (with the buyout) and only adds 1 year to the contract that he’s opting out of. Hopefully C.C. is receptive to this and doesn’t want a 6th or even 7th guaranteed year.
As for Swisher, I think it’s a no-brainer to pick up the option. He’s averaged a wOBA of .370 with the Yankees and provided 11.1 fWAR in his 3 years with the team while providing at least average defense.