Winter Meetings, Day 1

Once again, I open a new thread. Mark Feinsand, you have NO IDEA how much I envy you. But the good type, not the insane one. It should be great to be in Orlando right now. I'm sure you'll keep us well informed about new transactions. Thank you very much. We'll be waiting for your updates.
And say hello to Mickey Mouse

Yeah Mark, I have to agree with Jorge...I wish I had your job! But since I don't I will have to live vicariously through your updates..keep em coming! :)

Also, does Spiderman ever hang out at Disney World? If you see him, maybe you could recruit him to play 3b for us next year? I think we've all concurred that that would be a winning idea!

Oh BTW, to everyone who posts on Pete's blog, I finally caught up on it yesterday and could not believe how my man future Hall of Famer Miguel Cairo was getting dissed and underappreciated! Thanks to those of you who stood up for him and pointed out his wonderousness to those who haven't seen the light yet. :D

Is there anywhere that I could find stats for "productive outs?" I would be willing to bet that Cairo is among the leaders for that particular stat.. how can people complain about his .239 avg or whatever it was while ignoring the fact that he moves the runner over pretty much every time we need him to!

**** mark, too bad you couldn't take an extended visit, I'll be there the 15th. Leaving 30 degree weather for 85 is not a bad trade.

Gina, still angry because of yesterday's CowBOYS win?

So, our friend Tanyon Sturtze will play for the Braves next year. I'm sure Lola is a little sad right now. She loved Sturtze.
HOW I MISS LOLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL Jorge yes indeed I am sad about the Cowgirls win! My uncle and my boyfriend's parents were all at the game, I really hoped Big Blue would pull it out. They did look much better than they had but unfortunately not good enough I guess.

*siiigh* How many more weeks till pitchers and catchers report again? :\

Jtorre..'How bout them Cowboys? Great game. And of course, our friends the Deadskins couldn't win and help us yesterday. I am waiting for a Gigantic post on how the Cowboys game was so exciting like Mark posted when the Deadskins beat the Cowboys....Mark, I know you could "carless" about the Buckeyes now, as your Trojans were knocked out by UNRANKED UCLA on Saturday, so they had to settle for 2nd fiddle in the Rose Bowl. Now back to the winter meetings...Yanks still need a starter in my opinion...besides Moose who and Wang who will be around 4 ERA, RJ, Pavano (if healthy), and Igawa in my opinion will all be around 5 or worse. I still like Zito. 220 innings, under 4 ERA. I know he will be expensive, but after 2007, doesn't RJ and Pavano come off the books?

Hi, Russ. A great win yesterday. Dramatic. Fortunatelly Martín Gramática scored that field goal.
Agree, I'd like Zito or Pettitte. Let's see what Cash can do

Randy's gone after 2007, but he'll be replaced by Hughes. Pavano is signed through 2008, but after that one of the kids in AAA will have already made an impression and a case for making the rotation.

We should have enough farm talent to man a pitching staff for a long time, when you take Clippard, Sanchez, Chamberlain, and Kennedy all into consideration. I think signing Zito would be a tremendous waste and just another instance of the Yankees' unwise spending. Better to avoid the inflated market if at all possible.

a24diun... in your post at 11:41 is the spiderman comment intended to be a pun? "haning around".... terrible!!!
As for the G-Men, they played much better than I thought they were going to. Still, a loss is a loss, and I think they might be in trouble in the last 4 games. I see them going 2-2 (at best) and ending the season 8-8. I don't know if a .500 record will get them into the playoffs, but if ever it were to happen, this years NFC is the time.

Jorge, I think Lola is still crying about her Rutgers missing out on the Orange Bowl by 2 points in a triple OT game.

Pavano signed a 4 year deal, 2005-2008.

Pete's latest (from 20 min. ago) is that the rumor has Lilly to Cubs. I read Cashman will inquire further into whether Pettitte wants to play or retire. He won't wait on him, though. I do not see Zito or Schmidt on the Yankees radar screen.

I wouldn't like Schmidt. Not at all. I'd only like Zito IF the price is reasonable. So, to me, it will depends on where are Bora's foot. I he has his foot on earth, let's talk. If not, forget Zito. We have a lot of young arms down there. And about Andy, I read that the problem is that his wife doesn't want to go back to NY. If it is so, that is a BIG problem.

And about Lola, Mike, surely she is throwing frozen turkeys all over around.

a24diun... in your post at 11:41 is the spiderman comment intended to be a pun? "haning around".... terrible!!!
Posted by: ralphie32584@hotmail.com | December 4, 2006 12:50 PM

****!! I must say I did not even think of that but thanks for pointing out the unintentional pun in it...love it!

Mike, worse than that. There is an option for Pavano for 2009 with a buy-out of $1.95 million or pay him $13 million.

2006 was his bargain year. No wonder he did not want to play.

2005 $9 million

2006 $8 million

2007 $10 million

2008 $11 million

2009 $13 million

2010 cashier at Wendy's

Gina, Spiderman jokes are all over the web.

Spiderman jokes really bug me.

Darn. I like Wendy's... ship him to McD's...

Is Mark Loretta still available?

Yes, he is Andrew.

I wonder if they can pick him up. I don't see how it could hurt them and he is a pretty good player.

LOL Paul and Andy...I so wish I was better with puns..I am racking my brain trying to match you guys and...nothing.

Gina, you just have spin it the right way.

If we ship Pavano to Burger King instead, he and Keith Foulke could work right alongside each other! (I believe Foulke mocked his detractors in '05, saying they all probably worked at Burger King or something like that.)

Or, sometimes they just sneak up and bite you.

LOL!! Spammit, I was still working on something about how my punning skills weave in and out...

That's a good start. But don't spend too much time at it. You could become a recluse.

Gina, you probably guessed who defended Miggy and gave Fred Stanley's career stats on Pete's blog ;-)

In response to the most recent NON-TROLL post on the blog...
Yep Mike, I caught that--much appreciated! Unfortunate that the info. you provided seemed to fall on deaf ears. It is very frustrating sometimes, defending future HOFer Miggy is like talking to a brick wall...

Us: Please suggest a utility IF that would be more effective.

Them: Waaaah Cairo only bat .239!

Us: Cairo was very productive in limited ABs.

Them: Waaaah my dog could get 33 RBIs batting behind ARod and Giambi!

Us: Again, please suggest a more viable alternative.

Them: Waaaah the guys at ESPN said we could do better!

Us: Who can we sign to do better?

Them: Waaah Cairo batted .239!

And so it goes....

lol that scrub spent a whole hour thinking of random stuff to type.

Cairo should definitely come back. I don't see any other utility players who are that versatile out there. Plus he wants to stay with the Yankees.

Nobody is denying the yankees have an interest in pettite and to a lesser extent clemens. The question is if they will A: return to baseall and B: be willing to leave houstin. I would love to get santana and kazmir too, but the option has to be available first.

mmlopezreyesllc3@yahoo.com, janndeanna1981@yahoo.com

Why is it that I think these are one in the same person?

*blinks*

Get some help.

Angel I was thinking the same thing.

You mean someone thought they were different "people?"

It needs serious help.. more help than anyone here could be bothered giving it.

Talk about MPD.

I have a question.

Have you ever considered suing your brain for lack of support?

This is just insane that something can't be done about this.

Wow, lots of different personalities today, eh?

We need an Orkin crew standing by.

One question that I'm constantly left asking is "Why?"

For a guy who hates me so much, he spends a lot of time at my blog.

Imagine a person whose life is centered around harassing people on the Internet.

To co-opt Swo's sentiment, but why?

Mary and Hubert. That's a new one. Someone needs a new hobby.

I can't possibly imagine someone that pitiful, Paul.

I mean you'd really have to have absolutely nothing of any substance in your life to get such gratification out of being such a childish pest.

Yeah.. or not have a hobby. That would be another explanation, lol.

Scarily it even stalks us on Pete's blog. Thats obsessed.

Sam, *buried* him?

Thats news to me, and most of the English speaking world. They root for different football teams, thats about the extent of any *burying*.

What color is the sky in the world you live in?

I have to defend against this notion that Miguel Cairo is this amazing utility guy. He's alright, but I've seen better. Most recently Jose Valentin, and Alex Cintron have proven to be much more productive utility players. Quite frankly, Cairo hasn't delivered a championship, but Luis Sojo did, so don't bother with that argument. As I said, Cairo's alright, but dag there are better guys out there.

lol this is hilarious

Lol Angel, make it yell again, it must have take offense to being impersonated.

I think Luis Sojo might be the 20th man to credit for bringing a championship. Clay Bellinger brought us a championship too, does that make him better than cairo? Andy fox did too. In fact, Hideki Irabu was on a world series team, is he better than Mike Mussina?

Cairo is not the greatest utility player ever, but he has a desire to return, is a clutch hitter, and plays his brains out, what more do you want from a 10th offensive player?

taken

Wow, it broke out the caps lock at me. I wasn't even trying to provoke it that time.

It reminds of the story of the boy who cried wolf.

10 - 14 hours a day?

Yikes, they must be working them hard at Subway these days.

Someone should call the Department of Labor or something. :-)

Yankeevmm, someone earlier mentioned that Sojo helped peice together the puzzle that brought us a world championship and that's why we should'nt underestimate Cairo. I was just saying that Sojo did help bring a championship, but Cairo has not, so to not give him that much credit.

I actually think I want Philly to win tonight...Yankees sign an starter yet? LOL. good evening.....

I love how it got all indignant about me questioning it's honesty. Yet, in the space of less than half an hour it came on here with three different names and two different personalities.

Hey... I like Subway :(

I come on this blog for the first time in about a month to read about Fagan and his multiple personalities and it makes me sick! Seriously, does this guy have a life? Who would waste their time creating new accounts just so they could talk trash via the internet. Real "man-like" for someone who claims to be the blue-collar type. Real classy.

I do too, Andrew.

I figured I should pick a place that I liked too. Someone was bound to like any restaurant I picked.

I guess i could have picked Hardee's. I loathe them.

I dont think he's ever claimed to be anything but a walking advertisement for Bellevue.

Thanks for keeping us posted on the day, Mark.

Is there a different atmosphere or approach in teams dealing with the Yankees (as opposed to other years) now that Brian Cashman seems to be the one calling all the shots?

I just realized Mark updated the blog at the top of the page.

lol Pete Abe also seems to think that any side with Kyle Farnsworth involved would win a fight.

Actually, Cashman isn't calling the shots. I am. And I am trading Pavano to the Twins for Santana, Mauer, and Morneau. The deals been talked over thoroughly and everyones in agreement. There are no losers with this deal. We get a catcher to share time with Posada, a starter, and a good first baseman, and we get rid of Pavano. As I said all parties benefit.

He's probably right, Andrew.
Kyle Farnsworth, Brian Bruney and Chris Britton.. thats three BAMF's in one bullpen.

:-)

Hi everybody. and welcome back, Adam. We've missed you. Unfortunatelly, we can't say we've missed that "E.T." When you think it is gone, it strikes back. But you know what? I'm beginning to see it in the funny way. I really laughed with its recent comments. Poor little it. Must be very difficult to have no one beside you. To enjoy disturbing other people, who it even doesn't know. It needs a huge theraphy. We could send it to Jack Nicholson, as its therapist.
And my DEAR Angel. After all that stupid things it said to you, please, let me send you a big kiss.

I'd like to add Posada to the list of possible hot heads who would do good in a fight. The verdict is still out on whether A-Rod can throw down. I still like having Farnsworth and Britton leading the way.

Hiya Jorge.
I dont care what it says to me, Jorge. :-)

I was just toying with it for my own amusement. Just taking a break from ignoring it for a bit - as that seems to have achieved nothing.

I can't believe its not on day release or something.

Talking about three BAMF's in one bullpen, do you remember the "Nasty Boys" with the Cincinnati Reds? They were Rob Dibble, Randy Myers and Norm Charlton

There's all this talk of Farns, Britton, and BAMF controlling a fight situation, but has anyone ever given thought to the Melkman? I'm willing to bet that he and Cano can throw down when it's necessary. A-Rod, I doubt it.

Yep, we have the Bad Boys. I can see them playing "Bad Boys" whenever Bruney, Britton and Farnsworth warms up.

Exactly, Angel. Let's take it on the funny way.

Melky and Cano are the two guys I see trying to break up a fight. Especially Melky, I could see Melky jumping on Britton's back when he makes a dash from the bullpen to enter the fray.

I don't want to get hit by the Melk truck.

He's probably the least of my concerns with some of the other guys on the team.

The Bruney-Farnsworth-Britton Bar Fight Team:

BFBBFT®

Oh and can't forget Giambi. That arm of his is jacked.

I trust anyone in the bullpen other than Mariano Rivera. I would like to see people take down a team of Farnsworth, Proctor, Bruney, Britton, and Villone. Really, it'd be fun to see them try.

I would have liked to throw Kelly Stinnett in that mix because of his excellent pool cue and bar stool swinging skills, but alas, we'll have to make due with the BAMFs we've already got.

Oh and Sal Fasano. You know he keeps it real.

I would put money on Matsui as well. I am sure he knows some sort of karate!

Jose Veras is a big guy too. I liked him; he performed well in September. I think he started in the Boston Massacre in August and stuck with the club after that.

He did seem to progressively pitch better.

I had an email conversation with Pete Abe today about Rule V draft potential losses. I wondered if any of the players not on the 40 man roster are at risk and he assured me all the good ones are protected.

I recall unprotected players can be drafted by the other clubs for a $50,000 fee but they must stay on the new club's 25-man roster all season.

Sounds impossible but then I read in a Perry article on Fox Sports that some of the Rule V players include Dan Uggla, Johan Santana, Bobby Bonilla, and Roberto Clemente.

And don't forget...Derek Jeter.

Jeter seems to be an all-out guy but he just doesn't look like the "I'm a BAMF, don't ******* mess with me" type of dude.

Yes, but he does everything so well, I just assumed that would carry over to his bar fighting abilities. A-Rod would probably fall into a slump in the middle of a bar fight, but Jeter's consistant.

An article on MLB.com
In an odd twist to the Posting System that has rung up $77 million in negotiating rights for the Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka) and Yankees (Kei Igawa), the Rockies took out a $1.3 million marker on a Mexican pitcher who intrigues them.

Colorado is working out an agreement with the Yucatan Leones to allow left-hander Oscar Rivera to compete for a job in Spring Training. If Rivera, currently 5-2 with a 2.32 ERA in nine starts for Mayos de Navajoa in the Mexican Winter League, lands a 40-man roster spot, the Rockies would pay Yucatan $1.3 million for his rights.

They're talking about my hometown team. And yes. Oscar Rivera is a great pitcher. But I would not say that he is ready for the Majors. I don't know if you remember, but some months ago I commented about Oscar. He threw a perfect game in the 2005 post season (I was at the park) and a no hitter during 2006 season. He was the ace of our starting rotation.

And so as Oscar will be in Arizona for Spring Training, I really hope Luis Alfonso García will be in Tampa. Believe me. There's plenty of undiscovered talent here in México

Maryandhubert, Donnieandmary, Demiandashton, Laurelandhardy, Nomarandmia or whatever. Is therapy over?

It may be over, but it clearly didn't work.

Yes, Andrew. They are too fast sessions. Less than an hour. Now we can understand why they don't work

I can only presume iamadesperateforattentionidiot@yahoo.com was already taken.

Vince, as I mentioned on Pete's...the utility infielder on the 1977 and 1978 Yankee title teams was Fred "Chicken" Stanley, who hit .216 lifetime with 10 career HR. He also didn't steal bases.

Miggy had 30 RBI in 222 ab last year. That's pretty good production for a .239 average. It's making your hits count. Let's not forget Miggy was 13 for 14 in SB.

Compared to Bellinger, Stanley, Sojo, Fox (.196 in 1996) Miggy looks very good. He just doesn't have the ring the others do, and it's not his fault.

But let's talk about baseball. Here in Yucatán we are very happy for the opportunity Oscar Rivera will receive. Leones' GM talked about it last Saturday in local press. But he said that if Oscar don't stay with the Rockies, he will retun to Yucatán. So, maybe he would be in Tampa for the 2008 Spring Training Camp. Who knows?

Angel, in the past, people used the Yanks to set the market. Now, I think Brian is waiting to see what the market is set as before making his move. Just my two cents.

I think Cashman is doing very well so far. I am impressed.

Just seconding you there, Vince.

Just seconding you there, Paul

It's great to know we have a GM like Brian Cashman.

lol thanks mike

Just thirding you there, Jorge.

Can we get a fourth for bridge?

Fax me a copy of your journalism degree and I'll take your opinion of my skills with some merit. You seem like a jealous dude who just wishes he had other people's lives. Sort of sad, actually. Keep up the good work on the blog. You bring a lot of meaningful talk to this board.

Goodnight folks. I just filed three stories, all of which will be on Yankees.com shortly. Check them out for all of the happenings of the day. See you all tomorrow.

Have a good rest, Mark. Don't get out with the boys. Is your pal Sam Borden over there?

I envy you Mark Feinsand.

Just thirding you there, Jorge.

Posted by: marksman@ny-yankees.net | December 4, 2006 09:58 PM

Sorry, Andrew, but I didn't understand. What does "thirding" mean?

lol Jorge it was a joke.

Godspeed.

O geez...how old is this guy? I hope no older than 8. Maybe 9

It HAS to be suffering from some kind of chemical imbalance.

Who sounds like that? I haven't heard anything like it since Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

I love how the person with 58757827502572597509 different names thinks we actually care what he types. I get a kick out of reading it all.

Winter meetings-yay. Mark gets to rest in the middle of Florida while I have fun scraping ice off my car's windshield at seven in the morning in 20-degree blahness. Hey, spring is only 5 months away in Minnesota.

I am also pleasantly surprised with the sanity that seems to be prevailing in the front office since the middle of summer or so. I'm very glad to see Brian Cashman in control and not throwing heaps of money at problems...yet. I hope that does not change this weekend or anytime soon, for that matter.

Its original email address was danielfagan1940@somethingorother, so I assume it is 66.

Scary, huh?

The scary thing is, its not just 58757827502572597509 names. Its 58757827502572597509 entirely different personalities too.

It's also amusing that it thinks that, after insulting and babbling garbage at every single one of use at some point, it still thinks it has a right to talk about baseball with us in a rational manner. And pretending to be a Yankees fan while doing so?

Oh well, I suppose I better do my math homework before bed here.

I know. And it has a nerve to get offended when you question its truthfulness after doing something like that.
I'm glad it doesn't like me. I feel very good about that. I'm in good company. :-)

I hear you about ice scraping. It *****.

Hmm...reminds me of Joanne Woodward in The Three Faces of Eve.

It hates us and the Yankees so much yet it spends every waking hour reading whatever we write so it can twist it around for an attack.

We come here because we like it here.

...or Sally Field in Sybil, take your pick.

More like the 2183642896428946892642389 Faces of Eve

We had our first snow today here. A few days ago it was 68°. I guess it is time to put up the screens.

Is winter over yet?

By the way, Fawlty Towers fans, You Tube has a bunch of clips from the show. Just enter Fawlty Towers in the search box and it will lead you to them.

I have seen them so many times but I still laughed so hard at these.

I just put the entire series of Fawlty Towers on my Netflix list, but I'll settle for You Tube till they arrive.

We just had our first major snow up at Colgate, which is bizarre and boggles the mind. By now we've usually had at least 4 or 5 of them. It was about 60 degrees 3 days ago here, too. It's crazy.

Times like these make me realize why Al Gore is so dedicated, no matter how silly he may make himself look at times. :-P

it was 4 degrees here on Saturday. :-(

We may have a heatwave and reach 19 tomorrow.

First snow in Maine was today as well. I absolutely hate winter and it was a joy walking to class this morning in white-out conditions. (sigh)

They handle snow so well in Maine. The roads are cleared quickly and so well.

Al Gore?

They dont handle snow (or ice) here well.. especially if its in October or November. They're always saving their "snow removal budget" for some kind of March or April 2 feet blizzard that never comes.
They put dirt and sand on the roads and occasionally plow.

They might really give it a good plow if we get 6 to 12 inches, though.

Don't start.

hahaha I hope that was a joke, Paul.

Yes, Eagles help my 'Boys.....Al Gore? UGH....anyway...have a good evening all.....

No it was not Adam. I was so impressed when I was in Portland during a big snowstorm a few years back.

There were about 19" of snow and I was out and about soon after.

hey everyone,

just catching up, but a few thoughts:

- i don't think manny's going anywhere. can you remember ever hearing that he WASN'T going to be traded? neither can i.

- i don't think the yankees are going to make a splash this year the way they did with damon last year. i think you're going to see cashman hoard prospects for a year or two, and "rebuild" the team while staying competitive. i think it'll be a while before they win a championship again, but when they do, it'll be with the team cashman put out there.

happy holidays, everyone.