Pags is a consultant now, and he's learned to talk like a consultant. The interview's at http://tinyurl.com/2nx7bx, but it's subscription only, so here are some of my favorite clips:

We use reports that incorporate diverse knowledge. Our system uses diverse expertise and collaborative efforts, and we use consensus. In our group everyone is vital to the outcome, therefore everyone is extremely important. We use different types of knowledge and sciences to get to the end results, and because of that, our projections are more accurate with a very high percentage of identifying what our group actually sees.

Q: Scouting has long been considered an inexact science. Are you saying that you can make it more exact?
A: What I'm saying is that scouting is a science of empiricism unlike the naturalism or experimentation type of sciences currently within the game. My type of evaluation is a mixture of sciences, and science is merely a system of acquiring knowledge based on the level of expertise.

We've created a system where we can perform a thorough needs-analysis with a franchise,
customized to identify their core, trade-prospects, organizational guys and non-prospects, and their international needs. We identify and evaluate their philosophy and core processes, we create a gap analysis and generate creative results for unique solution design.

I've read through hundreds of documents and medical journals, and most state that the best preventative measures for injuries, and risk factors, require adjustments to "proper mechanics of pitching." Yet, there's not one place that has the proper mechanics of pitching. Not one. There are many theories, but there's not one standard that can be tested, measured, and proven--until now. That's been my research, and I've proven it. I just have to make it official.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzzword_bingo

Looks like a great deal for all parties.

But that's really all there is and I feel that if he starts hitting like an MVP, the Yanks will give him a nice fat extension. Overall, a great deal for the Yankees. The kid can hit and play superb D - there's nothing not to like.

I like the deal too (you should have read the negative feedback to my opinion on the baseball group on LiveJournal ... LOL), unless it turns out Cano is actually 2-3 years older than his current records indicate.

(cynic mode off)

I am good with the Cano signing too. I don't really understand the Yanks' semmingly previous philospohy to not extend the young ones - anybody have some good insight?

And yes, his defense is fabulous.

My two concerns, however, are indeed that he might slack off or, contrariwise, that he'll get homer-happy and become a middling power hitter rather than the elite contact hitter he could be. Dude could be a Boggs or Carew, for Christ's sake.

So privileged to have him on our team.

I think they've realized now that the guys who fizzle between 24 and 27 are rarer than they thought.

9 , 12 I think the philosophy used to be that they paid big bucks to free agents, so they'd fight the kids for every nickel. They took Bernie to arbitration every damn year.

"... spur the Yankees to give the Twins the package they have requested, which includes pitchers Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy."

Meanwhile the Sox have supposedly pulled Lester off the table or greatly reduced the package accompanying him.

"The Yankees appear to be not presently engaged whatsoever in the Santana talks."

With fantasy trade scenarios like IPK AND Hughes compared to Lester for the Sox, I can see why Cash has decided that the Twins are not serious.

Unfortunately, I'd hate to see the Sox pick up Santana for a song while the Yankees are being held over the fire.