BREAKING NEWS: PIAZZA A YANKEE?
Finally, something current. The New York Post reports the Yankees are considering Mike Piazza as the right-hander side of their DH Platoon.
If they can get him for a 1-year deal, I love it. He can still swing the bat and we need a backup first baseman. Yes, he's not a good first baseman, but he'll be an adequate reserve. And it would give us a third catcher which could sometimes be significant in the playoffs.
My one hesitation is that Jason Giambi is our first baseman, which means that the "backup" might have to do a lot more than backup. This is close one!
Your thoughts?
If they can get him for a 1-year deal, I love it. He can still swing the bat and we need a backup first baseman. Yes, he's not a good first baseman, but he'll be an adequate reserve. And it would give us a third catcher which could sometimes be significant in the playoffs.
My one hesitation is that Jason Giambi is our first baseman, which means that the "backup" might have to do a lot more than backup. This is close one!
Your thoughts?
posted by Anthony at 9:55 PM
31 Comments:
After actually *reading* the Post article, I rescind. They've convinced me that the Yankees should not sign him. In fact, that may be the most well-reasoned, common sense Post article I've ever read. However, I bristle at the idea that Andy Phillips will be our backup. Pay Tino 1.5 million for his 13 homeruns and very good defense. And 12 pitchers? That won't last, of course, because a few of those guys will be on ice longer before the end of spring training.
We don't need Piazza, bottom line.
They said the same thing about Johnny Mize in the late summer of 1949, but he showed you naysayers, now didn't he? Ungrateful wretches, the whole bushel of ye.
I'm just trying to live up to our blog's new slogan!
I don't think the Yankees need Piazza to DH. Isn't that what we resigned Bernie for?
Also won't Giambi DH when Bernie isn't. I guess that leaves alot of playing time for Phillips.
Why is Melky Cabrera still in the majors?
I'll throw this out there too. You can post a link by using this format:
<a href = "http://www.hotmail.com">HOTMAIL</a>
Place the exact URL in between the double quotes. Place something descriptive where HOTMAIL appears.
Right now we have no offense on the bench whatsoever. Assuming Bernie is the full time DH, the leaves Kelly Stinnett, Bubba Crosby, Miguel Cairo and Andy Phillips as reserves. Not one of those guys is a pinch hit threat like Sierra. Considering that, you've got to think the Yankees are going to do something before spring training, be it getting Piazza or someone else. That would have to be among the weakest benches in the league.
RUBEN! Come back! So, having Piazza playing approximately 30-40 games a season is something Piazza would want? If that's the type of role he's willing to accept, then he best be prepared to get a contract comensurate with that workload. Having him play back-up first is silly. I do like Piazza being the homerun derby announcer with Chris Berman! Goodnight sweet prince of Pert Plus.
I propose we make a "Wall of Warriors" for those Yanks that are no longer with us, but who are not obvious Hall of Fame type guys. Since we're without him this year, and because Cano no longer has a mentor, I nominate Ruben Sierra as our Inaugural "Mr. Steiner's Warrior." Don't forget the courage he displayed last season, particularly against the Angels. Courage.
I don't think a team needs offense from the bench until the end of the season (when starters are tiring). And really, what we have isn't all that bad.
And by August we'll have a different look anyway because I'm sure the Yanks will have made some blockbuster deal during the summer.
I personally like Cairo and Crosby.
I'm back on the Piazza bandwagon. Why would Piazza only play 30 or 40 games? Ruben got 170 ABs last year and he was hurt half the year. He got 307 the year before, which would be more like what Piazza could be guaranteed. There will be plenty of room for him to play on this team. Bernie does not have to DH everyday. Hell, they didn't want him to be an everyday player last year, now he's going to get 600 ABs? I don't think so. The only problem with Mike is his defense. He's not a good first baseman, so he doesn't make sense as a backup to Giambi. But, does it matter? Ruben couldn't play the field either, but we didn't seem to mind. Piazza is simply a replacement for Ruben, and probably an upgrade. If the Yankees really intend to make Andy Phillips the backup 1B, fine. Piazza doesn't factor into that one way or another. Mike could DH 1/3 of the time and be our principle PH and occassionaly catch or play first base. The more I think about it, we *do* need Mike Piazza, because we really lack offensive depth. And I don't think they will really carry 12 pitchers (or have 12 pitchers healthy enough to carry), so there will be an open roster spot, just as there was last year when we carried Flaherty, Crosby, Womack, Ruben, and Tino. So, think of Piazza as this season's Ruben and your doubts should melt away. Also, my bet is that Andy Phillips is not the backup on opening day. I'd like to see the bring back Tino for cheap and have him play the role he did last year.
"The more I think about it, we *do* need Mike Piazza, because we really lack offensive depth" Ummm, what? Damon, Jeter, Sheff, Rod, Giambi, Matsui, Posada, Bernie, Cano. So our bench is crap in comparison, but most benches would pale. And bringing back Tino does nothing to fill this offenseive hole you're pondering.
Adam, I know my posts can be hard to follow, but I'm talking about the bench. I think our bench currently stinks. And I think that Giambi, Cano, or B. Williams could easily bomb making it all the more important.
You didn't complain about Ruben's lack of ability to play the field last year. You didn't say "we didn't need him." In fact, an hour ago you called on him to "COME BACK!" Now you're saying the Yankees don't need a Ruben like player on the bench. I think that if you look at Piazza as playing the role Ruben did last year, he makes a lot of sense.
As for Tino, he's certainly an upgrade from Phillips. Tino is still a fair fastball hitter against righties. And in that sense, he would be a good compliment to Piazza. And he's still a very good defender, which would be his principle role. And he'll come cheap.
To say this team is so good offensively it doesn't need any bats on the bench is being a tad Polyannaish in my mind. It reminds me of you saying in November that Bubba Crosby would be fine in center for opening day based on the same reasoning. Cashman disagreed, and my money is on him disagreeing here, too, and making a few moves before opening day.
I like what your brother alluded to, the fact that if we have a hole in the summer, we can go and fill it then. We are going to be in the elad to win the AL East. If anything, why aren't we talking about our starting rotation instead of obsessing over our bench players? Muss, Unit, Chacon, Pavano and Wang? No wait, we have a couple of other potential starters there in Small and Wright. And you're worried about the bench? Pitching is where we have the biggest question mark. And yes, I understand completely that youw ere obsessing specifically about our bench being weak- I mention our starting lineup because that is who is going to be on the field representing us 90 percent of the time. Courage!
I'm not talking about our starting rotation because we're not talking about the starting rotation. We're talking about Piazza coming to the Yankees, and how that might fit. Why start the season with nothing on the bench when you have a few veterns out there who would sign one-year contracts for cheap and fill the holes? It just doesn't make sense. Honestly, you said the exact same thing about Bubba in November: Wait until July, we'll get someone. Why wait? Why trade a prospect when you have guys looking to work for cheap and begging to play for the Yankees? And I'm not as sanguine about the division as you. It's going to be a battle, as always. No reason to fall behind again early this season.
"For years now I have heard the word 'Wait!'...This 'Wait' has almost always meant 'Never.'"
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from a Birmingham Jail
For the rest of the year you are barred form using the word "sanguine." Don't make me force a vote on the issue.
Otherwise, FINE, sign {iazza already so we can argue over something else already.
I would like to thank Joe for posting the html code, the same code Tony unceremoniuosly dumped last night in a fit of hubris. Thanks Joseph, I feel your pain, brother.
Doesn't Boston need a back-up catcher? Maybe Clemens will go there too, that would be rich!
Anth, I remember having conversations with you when we both agreed that Bernie's fielding is terrible but that he can still produce with his bat. He'll play 115 games this season, and bat .275. He'll produce, possibly not as much as Piazza would, but he'll produce.
I guess my only question is: why do we need him? We have two first baseman, two dh's. I agree that Phillips might not be the answer as a back up for first base (I do like Tino, and he may be an option). Does Piazza even want to play for the Yankees, in a minor role? If so what kind of money is he asking for? What should we pay?
If we can get him cheap under the premise that he'll only play in 40 games then I say go for it. Otherwise Bernie's gotta sit again, and I don't like that.
Joe raises a really good question and gets us to the bottom line. Is Bernie Williams our full time DH? In other words, is Bernie going to get 600 plate appearances this season? If the answer is yes, then it is doubtful a player like Piazza would even want to play for the Yankees. However, I think we signed Bernie for a smaller role, in fact, there was talk during his signing that he would play a "Sierra-like" role, which I take to mean 350 or so ABs.
Taking a quick look at Bernie's numbers, he batted only .231 with one homerun last season batting right handed. In the second half of the season Joe didn't even play Bernie against most lefties. That said, I think Cashman must be looking for a right handed DH/pinch hitter who will get around 250 ABs. I would say that we need a right handed slugger to play that role, whether or not its Piazza. But I think Piazza fits well into that role, and gives us more defensively than Ruben did. He can catch and he can play some first base.
The question of our backup first baseman is a separate issue. Regardless of whether we sign Piazza, we will have another backup first baseman, possible Phillips or Tino. I'm going on the assumption that we'll carry only 11 pitchers (despite early reports), leaving us five players on the bench. Right now it's Stinnett, Philips/Tino, Cairo, Crosby and X. The question here is who X will be. I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be Piazza, especially considering how that's got to be one of the worst benches in the league. If we carry 12 pitchers, the equation changes and there is no room for Mike or any other decent hitter off the bench.
My guess would be that Torre is reluctant to add Piazza at a backup catcher/DH because it infringes on the turf of both Bernie and Posada. That being said, I am going to publicly acknowledge to you gents that I am now SUPPORTING the notion of Piazza coming to the Yanks. Tony raises good points (as usual) and in addition to the obvious offensive punch Piazza provides, he is also the kind od guy that will help lead this team. My worst nightmare (and yours too if you love the Yanks) is if Posada should go down to injury. Then what? Stinett as our new everyday catcher? Not that Jorge has been lighting up the town with his offense, but without him the lineup suffers. Piazza is the single best insurance policy out there in that event. And hopefully, even with a healthy Posada all season long, Piazza and Stinett could lighten Jorge's workload and keep him fresh for the whole season. Bottom line: Piazza makes sense.
Click here
The debate may be over.
Piazza to the Padres?
Anth, you really need to stop ripping posts down. Its unfair to the group. I think the power has gotten to your head. This blog isn't professional, we're eight guys, talking about baseball.
Anyways, take a look at this article. It looks like Piazza wants a full time position.
Mike "pizza"
What are you talking about? I didn't rip any posts down other than that one you threw up there willy nilly about how to link. That's it. I don't know what else you're refering to.
Oh, haha. No, that was post was so bad Adam took it down HIMSELF! I was in the middle of writing a comment to it when it disappeared! I'm not taking anyone's posts down. So f u.
Joe, my post sucked. Even I couldn't justify it remaining. I wonder if TAJIKI-FRIGGIN-STAN has anything to say about anything whatosever. I wish I knew how he was doing... and Garboman too!
Anthony, I was joking. Sorry I should have made that clear. Its hard to convey the tone of something when you can't actually here the person say it.
Anyways, did you guys look at the "pizza" link?
I read the pizza post. Like those writers, I think Mike will be productive, in a limited role. I suppose we'll see what happens. But I still supporting getting someone in that role now. Players brought in to bolster the bench in August don't usually pan out. Matt Lawton last year was a good example. There may be someone out there more versatile than Piazza, but I think we need to do something. Also, I love Cairo, but not for the type of late inning pinch hitting we're thinking of.
I never was on the piazza bandwagon because he was so bad last season and there has to be someone in the minors we can bring up who can bat 300 times, hit .250 with 10-15 homers. If I recall, the post's main points were that we were old enough and that piazza would also screw up our chemistry. Probably right, although I think piazza is a veteran who could fall in line, so the chemistry issue is overrated.
Also, if you read bob klapisch on espn.com, he basically says the division race is over and that torre is a god like figure. I'm not sure about that. The pitching is league average at best, and toronto has made some moves. Whether those moves work, who knows? Crisp will be a good acquisition for boston as well.
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