From my last post in the previous thread:

Yeah I'd say it was more of a windbreaker than a fleece. Vizcaino offers a 1 K/9 upgrade over Scott Proctor, but not much else (other than depth). Jackson and Ohlendorf are both 24, both at AA, and both enter a Yankees minor league system overflowing with right handed starting pitchers. (Ohlendorf, though, went to Princeton and could give Mussina a crossword puzzle challenge or something). The lone position player, Alberto Gonzalez, appears to be a light-hitting (OPS .730) 23 year old shortstop, also at AA.

Overall, it's getting something in return, but not an Abreu-like steal. I believe this is not the complete puzzle, just the pieces. Or sausage parts, depending on your favorite analogy.

I am already itching to see the players and watch the games in March.

Yes, yes chicken jokes through my whole life. It's okay - the ladies are jealous of my breasts.

I hope they did not give up a dime on this deal.

The signing of Clemens would make me happier about the whole situation

I wasn't happy with the Sheffield deal, but I've come to terms with it, this trade I like a lot.

Unit wanted to go home. Cashman sent him there, saved the Yanks a fat wad of cash, and bolstered the farm. Well done. I wish Randy Johnson well. I think he got a bad rap as a Yankee, and don't blame him for wanting to finish his career at home.

The Minky Dinky Dog thing will irk me if it happens -- mostly because I don't think he's much of an upgrade (if any) over anyone we have for 1B. He seems to be a waste of money and roster space, but hopefully he'll prove me wrong if he becomes a Yankee.

B plus winter for Cashman.

It would have been nice to get back one of the two good D-Back catchers Chris Snyder or Miguel Montero instead of prospects. When will the Yanks stop throwing away 30 games a year on a veteran stiff and get a player as heir apparent to Posada?

How's that for negativity?

Hey, but at least they have anohter RHP for the bullpen. What Sturtze signed elsewhere?

Ohlendorf is good. I like him. I wanted him. I wanted him as the #2 in this deal. They got fair value in my opinion, but I'd rather have Vizcaino and one A prospect, instead of 3 B or C prospects. Quality over quantity.

Whatever. I'm not mad at this. Slightly disappointed, but not mad.

How does the RJ deal, in a vaccuum, affect the 2007 Yankees? Yes, it makes them worse, how much is a factor of how the players you mention perform next year. I feel they will more than adequately replace RJ's production. How does the RJ deal, in context affect the 2007-2009 Yankees? I think it without a doubt, unequivocally, makes them better. Flexibility, and trading chips... Cashman and the Yankees have never had these before.

You're acting like this is the last deal ever and the Yankees have to play through all of 2007 with this roster. There is time. What if Melky gets traded, but in a package for Miguel Cabrera or Albert Pujols? What if these arms are flipped for the best young catcher you've never heard of? Is it possible for you to be rational here?

I agree about Mientkiewicz (I need a macro like Bob Timmermann and Steve Goldberg suggested). But I think there's a real chance that he doesn't even make the Yankees' roster. There wasn't much in the free agent world for first basemen this off-season, and as I keep saying, Cashman is stockpiling enough young arms that perhaps dealing Melky (the horror!) wouldn't be necessary to upgrade 1B mid-season.

He can still be my Cash-man anytime.

Hughes should have been called up last year. If they were going to let his innings go from 80 to 140, then he could have thrown in the majors.

15 His contract was up after next year = same flexibility. If trading him means the 2007 Yankees are worse, then that's a bad deal.

They better sign Clemens or let Hughes show his stuff. Even still, if any of Moose, Wang, or Andy gets hurt that still means one of Igawa, Meat, Rasner, or Karstens in the post-season, or some crappy arm acquired down the stretch for a big chunk of that surplus pitching.

And for all the time - At this point last year the Yanks were going into the season with Cairo and Stinnett on the team and Wright and Meat in the rotation. Didn't see much improvement there, did we? Hey, but at least they brought back Bernie.

So instead of perhaps a 50% chance (injury + retire + compensation pick busting) of getting absolutely nothing out of Randy Johnson past 2007, we now have four players who could give us something as soon as 2009. I think Randy would have to win 20 games with an ERA below 3.00 in the weak-hitting NL West to make me even think twice about calling this a positive deal in hindsight. Not a slam dunk, not a fleecing, but a positive deal.

I don't think Cashman had as much leverage in shipping Unit, who wanted to take his 43 year old bones back to the Arizona desert.

From the day he arrived, the old rattlesnake looked so out of place in NY, I kind of felt sorry for the prickly bastard.

As you said, Ohlendorf has great potential, and we'll see what becomes of him and the rest of the bunch.

Can you get that little one of your ready by the break?

I guess this is bad news for Andy Phillips?

But if the Yanks sign Scott Schoeneweis, too, I am going to give up typing anyone's name. I'll just call 'em by number.

24 Shef had no place on the team. ANd Sanchez is legit.

Well, Randy's been better the last two years than Schilling.

Unit was a question mark, but had more going for him than any of Meat, Igawa, Rasner, or Karstens.

I read a rumor somewhere recently that the Yankees may turn around Farnsworth and a package of prospects for Matt Cain. I pay little attention to these things generally, because anyone can type anything on the internet these days, but it's intriguing. If the Yankees can send Alberto Gonzales, Farnsworth, and something from their stockpile of young arms to SF for Cain I'd be thrilled.

Just baseless and ridiculous speculation, but there is room to make some aggressive moves now.

31 Why would they do that deal?

"A crappy deal for players who do them no good?" (your assessment). We'll see, but I'm trusting Cashman on this one.

31 Oh, and I hope you're right about Hughes. Even before Clemens. I think the former will be better.

I'm wondering whether some team with something we want has been inquiring about Proctor's availability. That would explain Cashman's wanting Vizcaino.

38 Excellent point. I hope you guys are right and I hope Phil Huge starts the year with the big club.

And in general, Torre has broken in several rookies into the roster. What Torre doesn't do well, is get the "fringy" players in who are only destined to be bench players. The Andy Phillips and Kevin Thompsons of the world.

The Derek Jeters, Mariano Riveras, and even Ramerio Mendozas of the world will get playing time by Torre.

That said, if Phil Hughes is up (a Cashman call) and he performs well, he will get a start in the playoffs.

And honestly, I'd rather go into the season with Mussina, Wang, Pettitte, and Igawa guaranteed. With Pavano, Karstens, Rasner, and Sanchez fighting for the final spot in spring training with the expectation that Hughes or whoever will step up.

I'm sorry, but this team has been improved this offseason, and I think some people are just LOOKING for something to complain about now.

Yes, not getting Owings after all the build up all week is disappointing, but we have no idea if he was even an option...especially considering that Gonzalez and Jackson weren't anywhere near radars all week.

I am happy with this deal.

I'll be just as happy if Clemens does not become a Yankee (perhaps happier).

Never seemed to get any better than that fer old Unit.

Sssssssssee ya, rattlessssssssnake.

is that a real poncho or a Sears poncho?

And as for fringy types you mean how Cano consistently got the nod over Womack? Or Phillips over Cairo at 1B? Or Melky over Terrence Long?

All I know is that Unit won 34 games with 400 innings over the last two years. Pettitte as a step up from Wright? Yes. Over Unit's consistently average pitching? I'm not sure - we'll see.

And Igawa is what? Last year's fourth was Wright. Is he better than that? Who knows?

So the rotation has more uncertainty than the end of last year. And that's scary.

The lineup I feel good about. They're going to score some runs and make it easy on that shaky pitching staff.

The bullpen is about what a bullpen will be. There's Mo. Farns is overpriced. Proctor is no given. Myers will be alright. Bruney, Britton, and Vizcaino could all be the second coming of Sturtze (good and bad). Hey, it's the bullpen.

The bench? They had two improvements (Cairo and Kelly Fasano) to make and one addition by subtraction (Bernie). So far - nothing. And it's still possible that the bench could be worse from last year (trade Melky, re-sign Bernie, Raul Chavez, Cairo, platoon 1B of Phelps/Phillips and Mhfdjvkhg). That's even scarier.

But you're right. I'm just looking, under every rock, to find somethng to complain about.

maybe there's a spot for mient-wicz in the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen!!! ; )

(hate to nitpick, but it's "Over-Nite Sensation". frank was a fussy dood and he'd want you to get it right

55 Wouldn't trade a blade of Montana dental floss for Stinkwicz.

Nick Saban inspired Mike Ventre to write an article about great sports liars.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16458695/

Pete Rose is at the top of the list, as is Palmeiro. George Steinbren