Post #7: Grading Cashman So Far
The Yankees signed Pettitte to a 1 year deal for 16 million and a 2008 player option for 16 million, which is in essence signing him for 2/32 because Pettitte will jump all over that option for many reasons, including:
- The market will calm down by then
- His numbers will get worse after pitching in the AL
- 16 is a lot especially for his age and he really wants to retire soon anyway so its not like he'll not pick up to sign a 3 or 4 year deal.
I love this move, in fact I called for it in an earlier post (the plan B post) because as a short term deal, it keeps 2009 open. I'll just paste my post from an nyyfans.com forum in a thread about grading Cashman this offseason:
I give him an A- as well, but it could change to B+ or A depending on the pan-out-ness of Igawa, and the Sheffield package.
The Pettitte signing was very important. After Matsuzaka, he is the only guy available I'd be willing to give the ball to in the playoffs, and he signed him to a short term deal which is exactly like we needed. Even the 16 million dollar 2008 option doesn't bother me because 2009 (Santana and Carpenter free agents, more minor leaguers emerging) is an important year to avoid committing Pettitte to at this point.
Igawa signing I like as long as 1 of the following 2 happen: he pitches well (like a nice 3rd starter, 4.20 era or so in that division) OR if Pavano or Johnson are traded (in which case if he pitches like a #4 I still like the deal). Does that make sense? Because if they got him just for depth and not because he's good its a waste of money since Rasner and Karstens can be close to as good for free. We'll see how Igawa pitches but this is the only move that puzzled me. Note I said puzzled and not bothered - thats because its simply not a money issue. On the contrary, even is he isn't good the team is better off having him than not having him, he will just be added depth. Its not like screwing up by signing the wrong position player to a long term deal and being stuck with him. Its just money so its not a big deal, but a blemish nonetheless if it doesn't pan out.
I agree with whoever said above its possible that he misjudged the market and acted too quickly on Sheffield and maybe could have gotten an even better package, but I will not downgrade him for this right NOW, just something to keep an eye on (how exactly Sanchez and Whelan or maybe even the other guy pan out). The Wright and Phelps moves were nice little ones as well, and I won't blame him for Matsuzaka. The best and most underrated move of his, though, remains resigning Moose at a bargain both years and price wise.
Did you know? Albert Pujols is tied for 9th all time in post season home runs, with 13, tied with Chipper Jones and Jim Edmonds. Bernie Williams is the all time leader with 22, Manny right behind with 20. Oh, and Pujols will be all of 27 on January 16th.
- The market will calm down by then
- His numbers will get worse after pitching in the AL
- 16 is a lot especially for his age and he really wants to retire soon anyway so its not like he'll not pick up to sign a 3 or 4 year deal.
I love this move, in fact I called for it in an earlier post (the plan B post) because as a short term deal, it keeps 2009 open. I'll just paste my post from an nyyfans.com forum in a thread about grading Cashman this offseason:
I give him an A- as well, but it could change to B+ or A depending on the pan-out-ness of Igawa, and the Sheffield package.
The Pettitte signing was very important. After Matsuzaka, he is the only guy available I'd be willing to give the ball to in the playoffs, and he signed him to a short term deal which is exactly like we needed. Even the 16 million dollar 2008 option doesn't bother me because 2009 (Santana and Carpenter free agents, more minor leaguers emerging) is an important year to avoid committing Pettitte to at this point.
Igawa signing I like as long as 1 of the following 2 happen: he pitches well (like a nice 3rd starter, 4.20 era or so in that division) OR if Pavano or Johnson are traded (in which case if he pitches like a #4 I still like the deal). Does that make sense? Because if they got him just for depth and not because he's good its a waste of money since Rasner and Karstens can be close to as good for free. We'll see how Igawa pitches but this is the only move that puzzled me. Note I said puzzled and not bothered - thats because its simply not a money issue. On the contrary, even is he isn't good the team is better off having him than not having him, he will just be added depth. Its not like screwing up by signing the wrong position player to a long term deal and being stuck with him. Its just money so its not a big deal, but a blemish nonetheless if it doesn't pan out.
I agree with whoever said above its possible that he misjudged the market and acted too quickly on Sheffield and maybe could have gotten an even better package, but I will not downgrade him for this right NOW, just something to keep an eye on (how exactly Sanchez and Whelan or maybe even the other guy pan out). The Wright and Phelps moves were nice little ones as well, and I won't blame him for Matsuzaka. The best and most underrated move of his, though, remains resigning Moose at a bargain both years and price wise.
Did you know? Albert Pujols is tied for 9th all time in post season home runs, with 13, tied with Chipper Jones and Jim Edmonds. Bernie Williams is the all time leader with 22, Manny right behind with 20. Oh, and Pujols will be all of 27 on January 16th.
posted by Simmy Cohen at 2:35 PM
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