While we have some holes to plug, our team, as is, is still very competitive. Of course, a lot depends on Moose, RJ and Pavano. We could have a very good 2,3 and 4, or a very average one.

I think we will get Zito unless someone comes up with a rediculous offer (like 15mil/yr)

Next year's crop is much better, and I prefer to wait rather then overspend this year on garbage.

Man, the Cubs are really going for it, aren't they? If the pitching doesn't come around, it will get ugly quick in Wrigley. We all know how much patience Sweet Lou has for young pitchers . . .

2 Either way, if Ca$hman ever get tired of playing a GM (I really hope not). He can probably find another career in Hollywood and maybe even get a golden statue or two.

Regarding the Yanks...I think their positional needs are small enough and common enough that Cash can wait a bit to see how the offseason unfolds. We're not even at winter meetings yet, and all they could really use is a backup/half-time 1B and I guess another utility infielder? Those types can be found fairly easily, thru FA or trades.

On the pitching front however, he's probably either bluffing, or also seeing how the market will form itself. I don't think Zito's the answer. I think, for the sake of the regular season, that the answer lies in quantity. Wouldn't mind him signing any two of: Lilly, Meche, Mulder, Padilla (note: 3 of these 4 were in the AL last year, and Mulder has pitched there before), use them to get to the playoffs, and by next September, hope that someone has stepped up, they maybe trade for an expiring contract, and maybe catch lightning in a bottle w/ Hughes and Sanchez. Aside from having 2 aces, which is very tough to do these days, this plan of attack is really the best way to head into the playoffs...

how is everyone feeling about the rich aurillia possibility at 1B? i am unexcited by it, but not repulsed, either.

We bid 35 mill on a Japanese pitcher just to talk. So i assume they got a few million to woo a top SP.

6 "But do you really think they're going to let Schmidt or Zito go without being involved in either?"

Yes. DM was worth what it would have cost to get him - that's why the Yanks bid $35 mil. Zito and Schmidt won't be, so the Yanks will pass.

http://tinyurl.com/vxmg3

his Probabilistic Model of Range table for left fielders. Melky is 4th best in baseball. (Take a wild guess at who was worst. Hint: yes, I'm afraid Pinto did take the Monster into account and the guy is still bottom of the heap.)

The model works like this: Pinto has six factors for every ball hit into play, and using those six factors his model predicts what percentage of those balls should be turned into outs. A fielder gets a plus score if he turned more balls hit his way into outs than predicted, and a negative score if he turned fewer. I guess this does account for Melky's assists, though I'm not positive.

The Yanks scored very high in the outfield, largely because of left field, and were middlish for infield. Overall they were one of the top defensive clubs.

If the Yankee offer was also two years for just a bit more cash (say $6 mil) it was a reasonable offer, but I don't see this as a loss. Helms had a huge fluke season last year. Historically his power is modest and his patience is average at best. The fact that he's primarily a 3B is interesting, but I'd still prefer to see them sign Eduardo Perez to a one-year deal, or even re-up Craig Wilson, who shouldn't be judged by his rough stretch run alone.

That just screams of a disaster, and I'm worried he'll somehow end up with the Yanks again in 2011.

Whatever happened with Eric Duncan? Weren't they grooming him to take over for Giambi?

a 28 yr old lefty, who throws 200+innings a yr and wins may be worth the 15 mill a yr. who knows

i dont get to see their books but i gather if they're willing to pay a pitcher who has never pitched before 20 mill a yr i think they can pay a former cy young just entering his prime 15.

He doesnt turn 22 until Dec.

What is the contract status of Craig Wilson?

Like OYF said in 2 - I'd rather see the Yanks not splurge when there isn't anyone worth splurging on.

Zito or Gil Meche?
Zito or Lilly?

Remember, those 2nd tier guys are still going to make 11 mill a yr. Id rather shell out the extra for the better guy.

lilly and meche (if secured cheaply) would be known commodities at relatively reasonable prices.

Zito is a known commodity.

I think its a mute point anyway because I cant see the Mets not going hard after him.

24 Ha! If that money's buring in my pocket, I'm either going to J.P.Morgan Chase or Atlantic City, period.

The Yanks seem to have learned that overpaying for average (or worse) starting pitching on the free agent market gets you nowhere fast.

Anyone got ideas on someone decent on this list?

http://tinyurl.com/y43mmk

Joba has struck out 42 in about 34 innings with only 3 BB - two of which were in his first outing.

Beam's ERA is at 0.64.

Pilittere is hitting .400 in 11 games - I wonder if he starts the year in Trenton.

11 G 33 AB .394 .444 .545 .990

12 I also like the idea of having Craig Wilson because of his versatility - I just love having a third catcher, even if you never have to use him. Unfortunately, while the idea is good, the player is another story. He really didn't show a thing when he was with the Yankees, and I can't see signing him.

Yeah, there are a bunch of SP due for free agency next year, including some potential aces.

I can't see Zambrano or Carpenter moving. Those two teams need those guys too much to let them walk. Colon's been hurt. Clement pretty meh. Either Buerhle or Garcia will move- the WSox have to make room for McCarthy.

Just opinion.

It also seems--and people who know a lot more than me have made this point already--that this FA class is not a fluke in its crapitude. Good, young pitchers don't hit the market much anymore. So the Yanks need to shift their attention from FA to the draft.

And that requires patience, especially the patience not to block young guys in waiting with career bums like Meche who also cost us draft picks. If we need a warm body for the rotation next year, go after Igawa. He's not an ace, but neither are Meche or Lilly, and Igawa won't cost a draft pick. Otherwise, stand pat.

I think trading Manny for all three of those guys would be goofy.

God forbid I have to watch KRod 19 games a year. That guy drives me insane.

I wouldn't mind Mulder at the moment for a low, incentive-laden contract. I'd be leery of Buerhle; maybe I'm not well-informed, but as I remember, he had a crap-tastic year last year. I'm wondering if the WSox are going to keep him over a superior pitcher because he's a hometown hero.

40 someone else is on your side:
http://tinyurl.com/ygbo2z

This may sound kinda wack, but what if you move Proctor to starter and rotate Karstens, Rasner and perhaps either Hughes or Sanchez out of the 4 & 5 spots so they don't get wasted to early in the season? Just a crackpot notion, I suppose...

While being 'average' is not easy to do, I'd rather take a chance that one of Rasner, Karstens, White, or even Henn could average a 4.56 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 9.54 H/9, 3.19 BB/9, and 6.44 K/9 - the's the line for an average AL pitcher in 2006, according to BP.

For the record, Jaret Wright last year had a 4.49 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 10.07 H/9, 3.66 BB/9, and 5.38 K/9. No way one of the 'kids' can't equal Wright's line or be just a tad bit better and equal the 'average' AL pitcher line.

JD Drew and Youklis and Lowell?

Yea, he'd see what? 4 good pitches all yr?

He'll mash no matter who's hitting behind him. If the league pitches around him, he'll just have to have a ridiculous OBP :)

however, he also mentioned the possibility of signing a free agent. i am assuming that the "why" would be a scenario where there weren't enough farmhands that they felt were ready to fill the roster, even with average performances. judging from some sources (32), some of the kids look like they might be