Yankees sign Winn, could signal the end of Damon’s time in New York
Posted by Anthony Stalter (01/27/2010 @ 8:10 pm)
The Yankees signed free agent outfielder Randy Winn, which more than likely signals the end of Johnny Damon’s time in New York. Joel Sherman reports that the deal for Winn is a one-year contract worth around $2 million.
Brian Cashman has maintained that he won’t go higher than $2 million for Damon, who still has pop in his bat but is the worst defensive outfielder in baseball. Winn was a disaster against left-handed pitching last year, but he’s an outstanding defender and will play a great right field in New York.
Damon and his agent Scott Boras are reportedly still seeking a contract in the double-digit range, but considering he’s a defensive liability, he probably won’t get much more than $5 million guaranteed. The A’s and Rays are possible landing spots, but he’ll have to come down on his demands.
Of course, if he comes down a bit on his demands, he might be able to return to New York.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
Manny Ramirez threatens to retire
Posted by Anthony Stalter (12/12/2008 @ 10:30 am)
Upset that the offers aren’t pouring in for his services, free agent outfielder Manny Ramirez has apparently told friends that he’s willing to retire if he doesn’t get a deal soon.
Now, the truth is that Ramirez is highly unlikely to retire. But his dissatisfaction speaks to the lack of buzz that his free agency has generated, despite (or maybe because of?) his outstanding two-month stay with the Dodgers, which followed a highly contentious split with the Red Sox.
The Dodgers offered Ramirez two years and $45 million and then pulled the offer once open free agency began. The Yankees have some interest in Ramirez but are unlikely to pursue him if they land another big starting pitcher – with A.J. Burnett the most likely target – in addition to CC Sabathia.
The Nationals have been viewed as a potential landing site for Ramirez, yet for now, Washington is trying to acquire highly popular free agent Mark Teixeira.
Ramirez told a friend that he spends most of his time working out, watching cartoons and playing video games. He’d much rather be speaking to his agent Scott Boras about high-stakes negotiations.
Come on, Manny – buck up little guy. You’re 36, aren’t the best outfielder in the world and on top of that, you’re a freaking coconut. Every team would love to have your bat, but clubs aren’t going to rush to hand you a mega contract without thinking it over a few hundred times.
This situation is the equivalent to a kid who’s upset that he’s not getting enough attention at his birthday party so he threatens to run away. Then all of the parents get together, make an effort to make him the center of attention and soon enough, the kid is back to playing with his friends.
Dodgers willing to pony up for Manny Ramirez
Posted by Anthony Stalter (11/06/2008 @ 10:02 am)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are willing to spend big to retain Manny Ramirez.
General manager Ned Colletti said Wednesday the Dodgers’ pitch to the free-agent slugger would give him the second-highest average salary in the sport behind Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
“If you saw the bid, it’s nothing that we’re embarrassed by,” Colletti said at the GM meetings. “Manny was close to that number, anyway — closer to that area than the last place he’s been.”
Rodriguez currently has the top average at $27.5 million under the 10-year deal he agreed to before last season. Mets pitcher Johan Santana is second at $22.9 million under the six-season deal he agreed to this year.
Ramirez, acquired from Boston on July 31, is coming off an eight-year, $160 million contract he signed with the Red Sox before the 2001 season.
This is all well and good, but they’ll have to top whatever the Yankees offer. A couple of weeks ago, Ramirez flat out said that he wanted to see which team offered him the highest contract. If the Yankees concentrate on trying to sign ace CC Sabathia, there’s a great chance that Man-Ram will wind up back in Dodger blue. But if Sabathia re-ups with the Brewers or signs quickly with another team, I’m willing to bet the Yankees go full-blast for Ramirez.
Posted in: Fantasy Baseball, MLB
Tags: CC Sabathia, CC Sabathia Yankees, Dodgers offer Manny Ramirez contract, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez, Manny Ramirez Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB free agency rumors, MLB offseason, MLB rumors
Jake Peavy to the Yankees?
Posted by Anthony Stalter (11/04/2008 @ 9:32 am)
Jake Peavy has apparently added the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim California Santa Anita America to his list of teams he would approve a trade to.
Towers said that the five NL teams — the Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Cardinals and Astros — remain Peavy’s preferred destinations, but Towers said Peavy also expressed a willingness to consider the Angels and Yankees should it be impossible for Towers to find an equitable deal with one of the NL clubs he likes.
Peavy’s agent, Barry Axelrod, said in a recent interview with SI.com that his client has some good feelings about the Yankees. “What kid doesn’t grow up dreaming of wearing the pinstripes?” Axelrod said. Yet, for geographic reasons the Yankees remain below the five NL teams on Peavy’s list, and perhaps also the Angels, who have a distinct advantage in that they are the nearest team to Peavy’s new home in San Diego.
It’ll be interesting to see which starting pitcher the Yankees pursue more this offseason. They’re rumored to be interested in CC Sabathia, but he wants to stay in the NL so he can hit. Peavy would obviously be a great addition, but that means giving up prospects and who knows if he can make the jump into the AL. Out of the two, Sabathia might be the better fit.
