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August 15, 2005
Tom Gordon 2006
Tom Gordon will be a Free Agent at the end of this season. Funny, you do not hear much about the Yankees intentions on him.
So, what will they do?
If this was my call, I would let him go. It would not be unheard of - to let a productive RP finish out his career outside of Yankeeland. Dave Righetti did it. So did Sparky Lyle - and Goose Gossage, and Steve Farr, and Ron Davis, and John Wetteland, etc.
Gordon will be 38 in 2006. Plus, he has shown signs of being on the verge of some arm injuries. Perhaps it's time to consider giving Tanyon Sturtze the set-up role (to Mo) in 2006 - and then finding another RP to own the 7th inning?
Then again, for all we know, Team Stein is considering making a run at Billy Wagner or B.J. Ryan, paying them closer-money, and asking them to set-up for Rivera - much like the Yankees did with Gordon in the winter of 2003.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at August 15, 2005 09:24 AM
Comments
Is BJ Ryan a FA at the end of the season? If so, it seems odd that the O's didn't shop him around the deadline. They could have gotten tons back for his services. I'd like to see him in Pinstripes next year. It would help the whole LOOGY fiasco (Bye bye, Wayne Franklin).
Posted by: Nick at August 15, 2005 09:47 AM
Tanyon Sturtze... Riiiiiight
Posted by: Raf at August 15, 2005 09:51 AM
This is a very valid argument here, Steve. I personally think that the bidding war between the Yanks and the Sox for Wagner is going to be absolutely rediculous, and he's probably going to end up being the best paid pitcher on either staff (reliever that is).
On the flip side, I really can't see the O's letting Ryan go. If after the Raffy episode, Sosa being worse than ever, and not making any attempt whatsoever to really get Burnett, the let Ryan walk, they may not sell any tickets next year. O's fans are especially tired of the decisions being made in Baltimore these days.
Also, I'm with Raf on this one:
Sturtz....Riiiight.
Posted by: brad at August 15, 2005 11:58 PM
Unless MO is retiring the Yanks will not bid on Wagner. Pay him how much to set-up MO? Not happening.
Posted by: Don at August 16, 2005 12:50 AM
You can never have enough in the bullpen as far as I'm concerned. The 1996-2000 dynasty was built in large part on a 4-deep (Mendoza, Nelson, Stanton, Mo) pen--all top relievers in the prime of their careers. Joe could literally put a choke-hold on a one run playoff game with 13 or 14 outs to go. It was the difference between us and everyone else.
If Gordon is reasonable in terms of his contract, and at 38, is willing to share parts of the 6th, 7th and 8th innings, then why not re-sign him and go after B.J. Ryan? Watching Ryan blow away the likes of David Ortiz, Eric Chavez and Garret Anderson with two outs and two on in the 8th inning of a one run game in October will make him worth every penny of the $8 million he'll get next year.
Posted by: Joel at August 16, 2005 08:12 AM
Actually, Ortiz has taken him deep in the eigth and ninth in key situations.
Posted by: brad at August 16, 2005 07:42 PM