I'm sure you'll excuse my skepticism here. The only way to move Giambi to a "full time" DH is bringing in another 1B with a huge bat. You're weakening Giambi substantially by taking him out of the field and putting a sub par offensive 1B in his place? All to what, improve your 1B defense? They may try this but after a few weeks of watching Alphabet soup swing the bat that experiment will be over.
I'd imagine that Mientikiewhateverthefuck is going to be the Yankees first baseman just like Andy Phillips and Craig Wilson were the Yankees first basemen. He will see playing time, but ultimately as long as Giambi isn't actively blowing games with his defense he will be a bench player.
They'd prefer to keep him mainly at 1B, but the problem is he's reached the point physically where he can't play more than a few dozen games in the field anymore.
Deal is done. ML reliever Luis Vizcaino, and minor leaguers SS Alberto Gonzalez, P Russ Ohlendorf, and P Steven Jackson for RJ. Yankees likely didn't pick up any money. Good move, Cashmoney.
Wow. Cashman is a genuis! Nice work Brian! Now go get Roger back in here for a few months while our prospects build up experience.
Vizcaino: http://thebaseballcube.com/players/V/Luis-Vizcaino.shtml Ohlendorf: http://thebaseballcube.com/players/O/Ross-Ohlendorf.shtml Jackson: http://thebaseballcube.com/players/J/Steven-Jackson.shtml Gonzalez: http://thebaseballcube.com/players/G/Alberto-Gonzalez.shtml Vizcaino is a solid ML reliever, Ohlendorf is a solid prospect (#13 in Arizona system), Jackson and Gonzalez are more filler with small upside. The main thing is the Yankees no longer have RJ, or his $16M salary.
the yankees are getting younger and younger. out with the old in with the new. no more long term contracts with 30+ players
Getting middle relief is a BIG boost for us. Especially with the question marks of Igawa, Pavano, and the possible 5th spot that could be left in the rotation. So right now it looks like: Wang Pettite Moose Igawa Pavano That's a pretty weak back end right now. The bullpen will see a lot of time this year if we don't improve there. Is Igawa lefty or righty? We need at least 2 lefties in the rotation. Roger doesn't help there.
Very good stuff, good riddance Randy. Anyways with the Mientjsifmdkcivich signing I dont know. I thought Craig Wilson was a great fielding 1st baseman and I would rather him than Mienckshgfisowpqlxbgdidgcnvich. No big deal, Mienc..............vich is an allright player, but hes not an upgrade over Wilson.
I'm just waiting for the film to be released where Cashman is pimp smacking everyone in the Diamondbacks organization. As I've said before, he is the BEST GM in sports, period.
before we get too giddy, so far all weve gained is a decent middle reliever.....If the 16 mil goes right into the yanks pocket(not in any way accusing george of being frugal obviously) have we really gotten better? I hate Johnson as well but he did win 34 games in two years....wheres the tangible improvement?
Igawa is a lefty. It should also be noted that Vizcaino, the guy we got back in this deal, is someone the Pirates like a lot. Wouldn't surprise me to see Melky and Vizcaino go to Pittsburgh for Gonzalez, which would continue to improve the bullpen.
I totally agree. Unless we brought in a superior defensive 1B, why not get a guy with a big bat? If you are going to go subpar on D, and you are committed to Giambi at DH, bring in a bat that makes it worthwhile, or stick with what you have. Strange move here, but I'm taking a wait and see approach to anything negative at this point. Cashman has yet to let me down, and until he proves otherwise, I see no reason to doubt him.
That's 16 mil the Yanks save from that freaking bum. A flat out DISASTER of a deal and the Yankees bomed that one, it blew up in there face. The improvement is that Hughes or Igawa will get a shot sooner rather than later by about June to prove if they can be the #5 starter...
He won 34 games in two years as a result of a great offense. If some minor leaguer like Rasner or Karstens got the same innings as RJ did last year, he would've won 17 or more games. Let's remember that Johnson had a 5.00 ERA last year, and although the back surgery will probably allow him to improve, he'll still be lucky to break 4.50. He played well when he first came to the team, but when Phillips came off the DL, Torre played favorites as usual, and sat Wilson for the horrible Phillips. From that point on, Wilson got in the lineup once every 5-6 games, and couldn't get into any rhythm at all. I hope the platoon is Wilson/Mientkiewicz this season.
