Interesting article by King, George A. III. I’m sure if he sees this, that reader Jeff from the ‘Burgh will chime in. McLouth? Preliminary to say the least, and it would cost plenty (not $$, but players/talent/prospects) for the soon-to-be 27 year old 20 HR/20 SB lefty swinging OF.
King also mentions Mike Cameron in his article. That, I am NOT in favor of. A-Rod, Cameron’s former teammate, might push it. But Cameron would be 36 next season. That certainly wouldn’t help a team trying to get younger. His D has been great (3 Gold Gloves), but will certainly diminish with age. A .250 career hitter who has hit .242 and .243 the past two seasons. Seven seasons in his career with 140 or more strikeouts, including this year when he missed a good portion of the season due to a stimulants suspension. (.243-25-70-17, OPS+ 109). Yes, good D. 20/20 capability. But expensive, aging, too many K’s (as Josh would point out, he doesn’t fit the “hitters, not sluggers” philosophy he espouses). Besides, why would you dump Abreu only to get Cameron, who is a year older, strikes out more, and hits 45 to 50 points less? It’d make no sense.
Hmmm….it ain’t over ’til it’s over, but something seems like it’s alive and well.
Lastly, for now, a quote from John McGraw. Lately (and beforehand, such as the Toronto incident) we’ve seen pictures of the newly available A-Rod with various women, and, of course, there are the Madonna rumors . Now I love the ladies too, but being much poorer than Alex or Jeter can only dream of the lovelies they spend money on and time with. Anyway, McGraw—one of the best, toughest, take-no-crap dictatorial managers ever (my type of guy), had this to say. Words to the wise.
“Remember this, son. One percent of ballplayers are leaders of men. The other ninety-nine percent are followers of women.”
The Sommer Frieze 
mc clouth looks like just the type guy we’re
looking for–if they wanted an older guy they should have gotten torri hunter- mike cameron is a horrible idea. i wanted them to sign aaron rowand–he’s the gamer type i like.
just what the Yankees need more Outfielders. Who plays first base next year?
it just so happen mark that abreu will be leaving- melky is a failure- gardner is unproven-damon cannot play CF anymore- matsui certainly cannot play LF anymore.
yes we do need a real first baseman but that has nothing to do with our lack of D in RF and our current lack of hitting in CF. i would absolutely LOVE to see brett gardner succeed and it might just be worth giving him a shot at it at least until the trade deadline.
why are you being so downright rude towards mike? you’re out of line.
Obviously, if there is a deal for a McLouth, some OF would be heading out (hopefully not A-Jax, but Melky, Gardner, more pitchers….).
One thing about McLouth: His 20/20 would replace Abreu’s 20/20 at a decrease in $$ and age. Not to mention he’s a lefty bat who would replace a lefty bat.
Rowand would have been nice, Mike.
We’ll have to see, Mark. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Big G back. I’m not advocating it, but if the Yanks buy him out and he accepts a one-year deal (at a MUCH lower cost, say $10-$12M) I wouldn’t be shocked in the slightest. Cashman does like him. The D and baserunning are poor. .247 nothing to brag about and he will be 38. Still, 32-96, team leader in walks and a 130 OPS+ are tough to replace.
The organizational meetings are two weeks away. Maybe something leaks then about targets we don’t know about. Until then, we can only speculate over the Kotchman’s, etc.
Giambi coming back, to be your starting first basmen. So what Cashman is looking for is stopgaps. Clever deception to create the illusion that he cares about the next two years. With Giambi at first Cano sleepwalking at second and Jeter and A-Rod you could have the worst defensive infield in baseball.
I’ve heard this rumor before. Nate is a gamer. He would make the Yankees proud. As has been pointed out, he is not a true CF, let alone one in the mold of Joe, Mickey or even Bernie. Moreover, the ONLY prospect the Buccos have (apart from Tabatha and Alvarez) is McCutcheon, apparently a dynamite 5 tool CF.
This was a breakout year for McLouth. Don’t worry about prior stats. That is attributable to management’s inability to recognize talent right before their eyes. The Buccos got nothing but third base locked up, so a multitude of high ceiling prospects (and much to the chagrin of ‘irate fans, cash) might make it happen. He is the only remaining piece of the most productive outfield in baseball in 2008. Pitching (Brackman, Coke) are interesting to me. I think such an established (yet low mileage) player requires at least that much, unless we are talking a Montero type of prospect.
I have NO interest in Melky or Gardner. CF is for McCutcheon. Melky is useless to Bucs. Gardner is more valuable to Yanks (especially since we have had Gardner-types in Chris Duffy and currently Nyger *ho-hum* Morgan.)
McLouth is okay for the Yanks, but I am hoping to sign Hudson and trade Cano to Torre for Kemp.
Have you seen the F.A. list for 1B other than Teixeira?
Here’s how it is. Outside of trading for Kotchman (or someone else), giving Miranda a shot (which I’m not sold on) or bringing the big G back for a year, the best bet is … wait for it…
bringing back Doug “The Eye Chart” Mientkiewicz to go .270-5-55, play a great D at 1B and babysit A-Rod.
Hey, with his buddy there, A-Rod had his best Yankee season in 2007.
Think I’m kidding? Here are some names. The Yanks had Ben Broussard (mostly DHing) at SWB with Miranda. Shelley Duncan could be at 1B also. Eric Duncan can play 1B, mostly 3B. I said a few years ago that Eric won’t make it, and he’s stuck in the .230-.240 mode at SWB.
Free agents: Aurilia, Sean Casey (who’d give as much as Eye Chart but not the extra credit of babysitting), Tony Clark, Delgado (probably going back to the Mets), Nomar, Hatteberg, Wes Helms, Hinske, Millar, Sexson (been there, done that), Daryle Ward…there are a few others.
Anybody there knock your socks off? I’m not sold on the Big G, but…
Besides, in saying how the Yanks will be in five years, you must also answer me this question (and I don’t know the answer):
Tell me what each free agent class will look like after the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 seasons. Give me a list of names. Also give me what kind of seasons they will be having over the next four years. You don’t know, do you? Neither do I or anyone else. You don’t know what free agent pickup the Yanks may get in 2010. So how are you predicting that the Yanks won’t be any good in five years? I don’t worry about the turnover. You GRADUALLY integrate youth into the veterans. The Yanks did this in the late 1940s, 1950s. Yogi in at C, Mantle in the OF, Coleman for Stirnweiss at 2B (then Billy for Coleman when Coleman went to Korea). McDougald to replace Johnson/Brown at 3B. Ford for the rotation. As they were winning, they were ALSO weeding out. Such must be the case now. I don’t know how Zach McAllister or Montero or a Jairo Heredia turn out. There are a few I think could be ok. Give A-Jax, Montero and McAllister shots. Don’t be down on them before they’ve even reached AAA level.
Jeff, great points on McLouth and McCutcheon, especially on who the Pirates may want in return. Thanks.
I like the Meintiewez, short term hopefully one year deal. Great defensive player, If it means better numbers for A-Rod I’m all for it. I also like Hatteberg at first, Cashman said he wants more OBP and he’s a great On base player. I am absolutely wrong for knocking double AA players.
Big problem with Hatteberg. He turns 39 in December and had just 52 ABs this year, hitting .173. He hit .310 in 2007 for the Reds, but in a platoon role. I must pass on him.