Sayonara Sheffield!
I know I haven't updated my blog since the Kenny Rogers fiasco, but I've been incredibly busy, so please forgive me.
I was going to start off with the insanity that is bidding for Seibu Lions pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, but I just heard that Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield was dealt to the Tigers for Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett, and that makes me extremely happy!
Finally, the Yankees made the move I have been waiting for them to make since they lost to the Diamondbacks, who by the way have nice new threads, in 2001.
The deal was finalized just a day after Sheffield criticized the Yankees "middle men" for not allowing him to contact owner George Steinbrenner directly, and after the tempermental slugger dismissed Bobby Abreu as a lesser talent.
Said Sheffield, "I always was told that you leave because somebody's better than you, and I don't think that's the case here."
Well I guess you were wrong, Gary, because Abreu is still here and you're headed to Motown.
In return for Sheff, the Yankees get a highly talented, young arm in Sanchez. The 23-year-old was a combined 10-6 with a 2.53 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 123 innings with Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie in 2006.
With Sanchez in tow, the Bronx Bombers could boast a rotation that features their new ace, 26-year-old Chien-Ming Wang (19-6, 3.63 ERA, 76 K in 218 IP), their top prospect in Philip Hughes (6'5", 220, 20 years old), who went 12-6 with a 2.16 ERA and 168 strikeouts in 146 IP split between single-A Tampa and double-A Trenton in 2006, and the aforementioned Sanchez. It could be one of the youngest, most talented trios the Yankees have had in years.
As far as the offense goes, Sheffield's departure leaves the Yankees with only one power righty in the lineup, Alex Rodriguez. I don't think it will make that much of a difference though because the Yanks still scored a ton of runs with Sheffield out of the lineup for a few months. Also, Hideki Matsui should be at full strength, and both Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera will most likely develop more power than they showed this past season. The Yankees will certainly not be hurting on offense, and the move can also open up more playing time at first basefor Andy Phillips, who is a definite upgrade on defense. And lastly, it makes it clear that Jason Giambi will be the full-time designated hitter.
GM Brian Cashman was very wise in deciding to pick up Sheffield's option for 2007. It allowed the Yankees to control where Sheffield would play, and it also assured them that they would get something worthwhile in return.
TURNING JAPANESE
As for the Matsuzaka madness, the latest report is that the Red Sox offered the top bid for the World Baseball Classic MVP in the range of $38 to 45 million! I don't know about you, but I would never make that kind of offer to an unproven, untested player. And that's just for the rights to negotiate with him!
Matsuzaka is 26 years old, has been clocked in the mid-to-upper 90s, has solid offspeed pitches and is known for his "gyroball." Don't get me wrong, if that scouting report is legit, then he would instantly be one of the best pitchers in the majors. But if he comes to the States and is more like Kaz Matsui than Hideki Matsui, or more Hideki Irabu than Ichiro, the team that signs him is in for a serious letdown.
The Japanese sensation is going to be an international free agent after the 2007 season, so if no one signed him this year, he would only cost the amount of his playing contract. To me, that's the more sane approach. But on the other hand, I can see why teams are trying to one-up each other in the pursuit of Matsuzaka. Again, if the talent is legit, then he's worth the expensive free-for-all.
The only snafu that could arise for the highest bidder is if they are unable to come to an agreement with the righty in the 30-day window they have after the Lions have accepted their bid. And let's not forget, it is going to be one expensive agreement.
Take a guess why ... Yeah, that's right, his agent is Scott Boras.
UPDATE:
The Red Sox won the bidding rights to Matsuzaka with a bid of $51.1 million. They have until midnight on Dec. 14 to come to an agreement.
I was going to start off with the insanity that is bidding for Seibu Lions pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, but I just heard that Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield was dealt to the Tigers for Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett, and that makes me extremely happy!
Finally, the Yankees made the move I have been waiting for them to make since they lost to the Diamondbacks, who by the way have nice new threads, in 2001.
The deal was finalized just a day after Sheffield criticized the Yankees "middle men" for not allowing him to contact owner George Steinbrenner directly, and after the tempermental slugger dismissed Bobby Abreu as a lesser talent.
Said Sheffield, "I always was told that you leave because somebody's better than you, and I don't think that's the case here."
Well I guess you were wrong, Gary, because Abreu is still here and you're headed to Motown.
In return for Sheff, the Yankees get a highly talented, young arm in Sanchez. The 23-year-old was a combined 10-6 with a 2.53 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 123 innings with Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie in 2006.
With Sanchez in tow, the Bronx Bombers could boast a rotation that features their new ace, 26-year-old Chien-Ming Wang (19-6, 3.63 ERA, 76 K in 218 IP), their top prospect in Philip Hughes (6'5", 220, 20 years old), who went 12-6 with a 2.16 ERA and 168 strikeouts in 146 IP split between single-A Tampa and double-A Trenton in 2006, and the aforementioned Sanchez. It could be one of the youngest, most talented trios the Yankees have had in years.
As far as the offense goes, Sheffield's departure leaves the Yankees with only one power righty in the lineup, Alex Rodriguez. I don't think it will make that much of a difference though because the Yanks still scored a ton of runs with Sheffield out of the lineup for a few months. Also, Hideki Matsui should be at full strength, and both Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera will most likely develop more power than they showed this past season. The Yankees will certainly not be hurting on offense, and the move can also open up more playing time at first basefor Andy Phillips, who is a definite upgrade on defense. And lastly, it makes it clear that Jason Giambi will be the full-time designated hitter.
GM Brian Cashman was very wise in deciding to pick up Sheffield's option for 2007. It allowed the Yankees to control where Sheffield would play, and it also assured them that they would get something worthwhile in return.
TURNING JAPANESE
As for the Matsuzaka madness, the latest report is that the Red Sox offered the top bid for the World Baseball Classic MVP in the range of $38 to 45 million! I don't know about you, but I would never make that kind of offer to an unproven, untested player. And that's just for the rights to negotiate with him!
Matsuzaka is 26 years old, has been clocked in the mid-to-upper 90s, has solid offspeed pitches and is known for his "gyroball." Don't get me wrong, if that scouting report is legit, then he would instantly be one of the best pitchers in the majors. But if he comes to the States and is more like Kaz Matsui than Hideki Matsui, or more Hideki Irabu than Ichiro, the team that signs him is in for a serious letdown.
The Japanese sensation is going to be an international free agent after the 2007 season, so if no one signed him this year, he would only cost the amount of his playing contract. To me, that's the more sane approach. But on the other hand, I can see why teams are trying to one-up each other in the pursuit of Matsuzaka. Again, if the talent is legit, then he's worth the expensive free-for-all.
The only snafu that could arise for the highest bidder is if they are unable to come to an agreement with the righty in the 30-day window they have after the Lions have accepted their bid. And let's not forget, it is going to be one expensive agreement.
Take a guess why ... Yeah, that's right, his agent is Scott Boras.
UPDATE:
The Red Sox won the bidding rights to Matsuzaka with a bid of $51.1 million. They have until midnight on Dec. 14 to come to an agreement.
posted by The Knuckler @ 11/10/2006 04:19:00 PM
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