[討論] Mailbag: Will Yanks go all-out for CC?
Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch answers fans' questions
Do you think the Yankees will be as timid in pursuing CC Sabathia as they
were Johan Santana last year?
-- Jose G., Houston
I don't know if I'd use the word "timid." I think there will not be the same
kind of back-and-forth that we saw with the Santana soap opera, when Hank
Steinbrenner was openly pining for him and the Yankees decided to go instead
with Brian Cashman's vision of developing young talent and holding off on big
financial commitments in that stage of a retooling process.
It does seem that the organization has progressed in the last year to speak
more consistently with one voice, though they are still the Yankees and
operate in a media fishbowl that makes it difficult to keep secrets. Cashman
spoke of a better discussion process in July, when the Yankees held meetings
to debate trading with the Pirates for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.
Maybe they're all on the same page now, maybe there's still some splintering
at the fringes. This much is certain -- starting pitching is the priority for
the Yankees this winter, something they have made no attempt to conceal.
It doesn't take much reading of the tea leaves to see that a boatload of cash
could be there for Sabathia as a top-flight free agent, and the Yankees do
still consider themselves big-game hunters. But it's a two-way street --
Sabathia would need to want the East Coast, the American League, the whole
package. If he doesn't, the Yankees will look elsewhere.
In all the free-agent rumors, why does the name Manny Ramirez never surface?
He is a proven big-game hitter and would love to take revenge on the Red Sox.
Despite his contract demands, would he be a worthwhile signing?
-- Nick T., New York
It depends on where you're listening. Certainly in our neck of the woods,
there's been lots of chatter about Ramirez in pinstripes -- nearly all of it
by fans. Of course, there's hot-stove appeal to bringing in a player who has
hometown connections and could tweak a rival fan base.
Here's what those people are not going to like hearing: Ramirez runs
completely contrary to everything Cashman has said about trying to make the
Yankees' roster younger, more payroll-flexible and more athletic -- not to
mention that starting pitching is the priority. Ramirez fits none of those
criteria and would be 42 at the end of a six-year contract, which is the sort
of pact he playfully mentioned this week.
I understand that a three- or four-year deal might be more in Ramirez's
ballpark, but let's not discount the idea that maybe Manny would like to stay
in Los Angeles, where it's all clicking for him. Furthermore, if the Yankees
are going to shell out for a hitter, wouldn't a bat like Mark Teixeira be a
better fit? Teixeira is younger and plays a position where the Yankees
desperately could use the help -- he's not just another outfielder/DH
candidate. Still, expect to see Scott Boras begin tossing out the New York
teams when Joe Torre gets the Dodgers wherever they're going.
Are there any rumors about the Yankees making a trade for Jake Peavy? I can't
see them passing on another chance to get an ace in their rotation.
-- Jamie A., West Jefferson, N.C.
Sure -- 'tis the season for rumors, after all. Peavy fits the Yankees' needs
quite well and is a nice reminder that free agency isn't the only avenue,
though he has a no-trade clause and would need to switch leagues. Peavy may
consider waiving the clause if, as some think, the Padres are leaning toward
a rebuilding effort.
Peavy is due $59 million from San Diego through 2012 and the Padres will at
least think about a deal if that's the way they plan to go. It does not hurt
that Cashman and Kevin Towers get along well, but if any sort of deal is
there to be made, it's thought that it would not take place before the start
of the season. Now, here's a splash of cold reality to think about -- if
you're Towers, what kind of talent do you need to get in return to sell a
Peavy trade to your fan base, and can the Yankees meet the price?
Don't you think they're hurting Joba Chamberlain by flip-flopping him from
starter to reliever? They should keep him in the bullpen -- after all, he did
have shoulder problems while in the rotation. What do you think?
-- Erik S., Moreno Valley, Calif.
The debate rages on. For now, the Yankees plan to use Chamberlain as a
starting pitcher in 2009 and stagger his innings creatively, skipping him at
times and shifting to a six-man rotation so as to not put him at risk. I
wouldn't use the tendinitis in August as evidence that Chamberlain won't be
able to hold up to duty as a starting pitcher. Had that been, say, Andy
Pettitte, it's extremely likely the Yankees would have not waited the full
month to put him back in the rotation.
But since Chamberlain is 23 and they see a decade or more of service ahead,
caution rules. Chamberlain in relief is a known quantity, but it seems like
people are forgetting he has shown dominance as a starter -- pop in the tape
of that July 25 start at Fenway, when Chamberlain struck out nine and
scattered three hits in shutting down the Red Sox for seven innings.
He was 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA as a starter, limiting opponents to a .641 OPS.
You can absolutely win with that kind of performance and, since the rotation
is the top priority, having a chip like that in-house is a big step toward
where the Yankees need to go. Also, Chamberlain's own preference is to start.
What are the chances Austin Jackson starts in the outfield next season?
-- Derek S., Wichita, Kan.
Not terrific. It'd probably take a Spring Training of epic proportions for
Jackson to break camp with the team, and an April in Triple-A
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre seems the safe bet. Jackson is the Yankees' top
position-player prospect and, if there's a need in-season, they'd promote
him. But it doesn't serve development to have him on the bench, so they'll
only call up a player like Jackson if he is actually going to play.
I was curious what the Yankees are going to do with Brett Gardner. He has
been very exciting to watch play, but I'm concerned that he isn't good enough
of a hitter to play more than just every few days.
-- Nick F., Lansing, N.Y.
Gardner has to be in the discussion for center field, as of now, either as
the starter or a fourth outfielder. Joe Girardi loves his tools and hustle,
and many in the organization feel the same way. Gardner has started slow at
every level but really started to get it going in September. Platoon duty is
difficult for everyone to adjust to, but especially a young player like
Gardner. Not surprisingly, he'd prefer to play every day.
What do you think will happen with Ivan Rodriguez and the Yankees? Should
they keep him and move Posada to first base?
-- Gerardo G., San Juan, P.R.
As of now, it appears that Pudge's time in New York was as a two-month
rental. Posada will begin a throwing program on Dec. 1 and insists that he
will be able to catch the majority of games in 2009, though Jose Molina is
preparing for more duty in case that's not realistic. Posada is not
interested in the idea of first base, saying that he is a catcher, and given
the rehab ahead of him, the Yankees are going to dangle that carrot to move
him along.
How do Jeff Marquez and Alan Horne figure in next year's plans? And what are
the Yanks planning for Shelley Duncan?
-- Scott J., Farmington, Conn.
Marquez and Horne both figure to be in the mix during Spring Training but are
most likely to begin the year in the Minors. Marquez is in the Arizona Fall
League with the Peoria Javelinas and will see some relief duties after
missing nearly two months of the 2008 season. Injuries also interrupted
Horne's year, and it would not be surprising to see the Yankees proceed with
caution.
As for Duncan, it did seem when the Yankees sent him out that June afternoon
in Houston that it could have been for good. The Yankees just never had a
role for Duncan this season and were not able to find at-bats for him. If he
doesn't get another chance in New York, at least Shelley appeared to enjoy
every minute and kept a good attitude about his situation.
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