Yankee News
According to industry sources, the Yankees have Hillenbrand high on their list. Their plan is to use Jason Giambi as a DH, thus creating a need for a first baseman who isn't a left-handed hitter because the Yankees have lefty swingers Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Robinson Cano and Giambi in the lineup. As the GM Meetings ended yesterday in Naples, Fla., Brian Cashman was asked about the Yankees' interest in Hillenbrand and said, "I couldn't comment on that." As they did a year ago, the Yankees made inquiries about Nomar Garciaparra, but believe he is returning to the Dodgers.
Dan Horwits, the agent for Octavio Dotel, said the Yankees have an interest in bringing the right-handed reliever back. "They want to re-sign him and we are working toward that." Danys Baez' agent, Greg Genske, said, "The Yankees have expressed interest in signing Danys" even though Baez wants to close.
Rumors at the (G.M.) meetings had the Yankees remaining mostly quiet and shying away from blockbuster deals this season. They are said to have some interest in getting lefty Andy Pettitte for a second tour in New York, and they also reportedly have interest in Gil Meche. . . .
Privately, Brian Cashman has said that contrary to what many seem to believe, Don Mattingly has not been designated by him as Joe Torre's successor for the simple reason that Mattingly has never managed anywhere. Based on this, Joe Girardi must be considered a candidate - a prime one - to replace Torre.
The Phillies are still hoping to re-sign lefty Randy Wolf, but he has received a lot of interest from teams including the Twins, Blue Jays, Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rangers.
GM Brian Cashman said the Yanks have a better wealth of internal options, specifically pitching, should they be shut out in landing Andy Pettitte or another starter. To that end, he said, he expects to instruct Scott Proctor to come to camp ready to be a starting pitcher, and if the club can ably fill the rotation without him, Proctor would be returned to the pen. Cashman reasoned it is easier to go from being a starter to reliever than vice versa.
Dan Horwits, the agent for Octavio Dotel, said the Yankees have an interest in bringing the right-handed reliever back. "They want to re-sign him and we are working toward that." Danys Baez' agent, Greg Genske, said, "The Yankees have expressed interest in signing Danys" even though Baez wants to close.
Rumors at the (G.M.) meetings had the Yankees remaining mostly quiet and shying away from blockbuster deals this season. They are said to have some interest in getting lefty Andy Pettitte for a second tour in New York, and they also reportedly have interest in Gil Meche. . . .
Privately, Brian Cashman has said that contrary to what many seem to believe, Don Mattingly has not been designated by him as Joe Torre's successor for the simple reason that Mattingly has never managed anywhere. Based on this, Joe Girardi must be considered a candidate - a prime one - to replace Torre.
The Phillies are still hoping to re-sign lefty Randy Wolf, but he has received a lot of interest from teams including the Twins, Blue Jays, Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rangers.
GM Brian Cashman said the Yanks have a better wealth of internal options, specifically pitching, should they be shut out in landing Andy Pettitte or another starter. To that end, he said, he expects to instruct Scott Proctor to come to camp ready to be a starting pitcher, and if the club can ably fill the rotation without him, Proctor would be returned to the pen. Cashman reasoned it is easier to go from being a starter to reliever than vice versa.
posted by Anonymous at 1:40 PM
5 Comments:
Great summary, Dan. I would love to see the Yankees move on both Lily and Pettitte and keep Proctor in the pen. They seem like they want to bring Dotel back, which is interesting considering how poorly he pitched, but I recall that Joe was even thinking about putting him on the post-season roster, so he must have seen something.
As for Shea, I he really a "clubhouse cancer"? If he's a good defender, he at least looks good for us on paper.
I really like our approach this offseason.
Wolf? Meche? Ohhhh heck no. Lilly, yes, a thousand times, yes. And Pettitte? I hear he wants to garden or learn how to cook this season. I doubt he's coming back anyways.
I like Hillenbrand as a player. He's got some pop too. What about Baez? That would be something great.
I think Dotel would be a good risk. He could be much improved after a full off season of being healthy.
Re: Shea
Ted Lilly had a fight wih the manager on the Blue Jays too. And Lilly is certainly not a cancer. Toronto has a bad clubhouse, period.
Since Delgado left there doesn't seem to be much leadership in the Bluejay clubhouse. Vernon Wells did some studio commentary for ESPN during the playoffs, and I was surprised at how soft spoken he is. I always thought he was a tough guy, but he's not, nor is he that good.
I'm for Dotel.
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