Yankees News
The wife of Yankee center fielder Johnny Damon gave birth to the couple's first child yesterday, a seven-pound, eight-ounce daughter named Devon Rose Damon. Michelle Damon and her daughter were doing fine in Orlando, Damon's hometown and where the couple makes its winter home. "We are thrilled and have been truly blessed," Damon said through Steve Fortunato, a vice president of Boras Marketing, the marketing arm of Damon's agent, Scott Boras. Damon has 7-year-old twins, Madelyn and Jackson, from his first marriage.
Bernie Williams, 38, is probably on his way out. The Doug Mientkiewicz deal ensures that the Yankees will not have a roster spot for Williams. Manager Willie Randolph admires Williams, who could try to stay in New York by signing with the Mets as a bench player. But the Mets, who are close to signing the reserve David Newhan, seem to like their bench as it is.
Roger Clemens’ agent, Randy Hendricks, has advised him to wait until midseason to return, a strategy that worked well in Houston last summer. The Yankees will let Clemens make his own timetable, but they are determined not to be outbid for him. The Astros and the Red Sox also have interest in Clemens, but Clemens seems to have grown weary of the Astros’ lack of run support. It would be surprising if Clemens chose to sign with Boston for a lower salary instead of returning to the Yankees, where he could remain teammates with Pettitte, his close friend.
The Yankees hope they have something similar to Chien-Ming Wang in young Ross Ohlendorf, the pitcher they targeted in the Randy Johnson deal with the Diamondbacks. "This kid is special," explained a National League scout last night. The scout has closely watched the development of Ohlendorf, 24, a sinkerballer, like Wang. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander struck out 125 batters and walked only 29 last year in the minors as he posted a 10-8 record with a 3.29 ERA at Double-A Tennessee and a 0-0 mark with a 1.28 ERA at Triple-A Tucson. "He's a tough kid, a smart kid," the scout said of the former Princeton star. "He got over 1,500 on his SATs."
When you add it all up, it will have cost the Yankees $43 million to have Randy Johnson win them 34 games over the past two seasons, none in the postseason.
Bernie Williams, 38, is probably on his way out. The Doug Mientkiewicz deal ensures that the Yankees will not have a roster spot for Williams. Manager Willie Randolph admires Williams, who could try to stay in New York by signing with the Mets as a bench player. But the Mets, who are close to signing the reserve David Newhan, seem to like their bench as it is.
Roger Clemens’ agent, Randy Hendricks, has advised him to wait until midseason to return, a strategy that worked well in Houston last summer. The Yankees will let Clemens make his own timetable, but they are determined not to be outbid for him. The Astros and the Red Sox also have interest in Clemens, but Clemens seems to have grown weary of the Astros’ lack of run support. It would be surprising if Clemens chose to sign with Boston for a lower salary instead of returning to the Yankees, where he could remain teammates with Pettitte, his close friend.
The Yankees hope they have something similar to Chien-Ming Wang in young Ross Ohlendorf, the pitcher they targeted in the Randy Johnson deal with the Diamondbacks. "This kid is special," explained a National League scout last night. The scout has closely watched the development of Ohlendorf, 24, a sinkerballer, like Wang. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander struck out 125 batters and walked only 29 last year in the minors as he posted a 10-8 record with a 3.29 ERA at Double-A Tennessee and a 0-0 mark with a 1.28 ERA at Triple-A Tucson. "He's a tough kid, a smart kid," the scout said of the former Princeton star. "He got over 1,500 on his SATs."
When you add it all up, it will have cost the Yankees $43 million to have Randy Johnson win them 34 games over the past two seasons, none in the postseason.
posted by Anonymous at 7:22 PM
8 Comments:
The Yankees are in some trouble if Clemens doesn't sign until midseason. Even though he's made substantial moves to gather young talent this offseason, Steinbrenner will not put his trust in a rookie for his fifth rotation spot.
This means Scott Proctor will be removed from the bullpen in order to fill the fourth spot. Igwawa will slide into the fifth spot. This leaves a fairly inexperienced back end of the starting rotation. And takes away the biggest workhorse of the bullpen.
Although the Yankees were busy this offseason, making many transactions, I believe they've come up short.
-OG
After months of middlin'-ness, I think OG has finally hit the nail on the head.
I think it's preposterous that we should have to wait until midseason for Roger Clemens to join the team. I don't really like the idea of having to depend on him, period. He's an old man. By his own admission, he was not feeling physically well at the end of last season. The party has to end at some point. I don't look at Roger Clemens as a dominant pitcher anymore, regardless of his amazing National League numbers. It goes without saying that the senior circuit is far inferior as far as offense, and the Astros handled him with kit gloves. I think having to throw $15 mils at this guy or whatever for half a season is ill-advised and unfair and would negate a lot of the sensible stuff we've done this offseason.
Like OG, I think we'll have come up short if we don't add a Livan Hernandez or Esteban Loaiza type inning-eater for the back end of this rotation. That is, unless Cashman thinks that at least one of the young crew--Sanchez, Karstens, or whomever--will be ready to pitch in that position come April.
Ordinary Guy, I want to agree with you, I really do and the Yankees will probably do that. However, I think Proctor should stay in the bullpen.
How often have the Yankees gotten a pitcher and he hasn't been able to make the transition to the Bronx? Proctor was the go to guy in the bullpen last year. If he can keep from being overworked he will be reliable.
I would rather a young guy take the 5th spot which means someone has to take the 4th spot.
Mr. Steiner, I don't know why Steinbrenner would allow Clemens to write his own ticket. There are certain things Yankees must do - cut their hair, facial hair, etc.
To let Clemens come in mid-season regardless and not including the huge salary and any days off just upsets me.
Also Bernie in another uniform is just wrong.
I'm going to stop here because I want to hear what everyone else here thinks.
You guys are absolutely right. How could we let Clemens waltz in midseason and take a rotation spot? Geez.
Keep Proctor in the pen, bring in that young kid from Arizona, Ohlendorf. This will give the fifth guy some grit and speed. And I don't think he'll be a pushover. He might even intimidate a guy or two.
I want Clemens, but only if he'll pitch a full season. But more than Clemens, I want the Yankees to have at least one power guy, one intimidater on the mound.
It's about tradition.
If Clemens comes in by his rules, then what's next. If players can make the rules then bring back Randy Johnson with a mullet because everyone knows that's where his power came from.
Paul O'Neill -Hall of Fame, 2007
I'd like to know what Adam Cohen thinks on this issue...
I would like to know who Adam Cohen is.
Wow, about $1.25 million per win, none in the postseason. That's beyond ridiculous.
Post a Comment
<< Home