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November 08, 2005
Bye Tino, Hello Phillips?
From Newsday:
"At this stage, I'm trying to reduce payroll," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said at the GM meetings in Indian Wells, Calif. "We have a young player who's knocking on the door, Andy Phillips, who's a right-handed bat and provides flexibility to Joe Torre. We're gravitating toward that concept. We're not locked into it, but that's the current direction."
Is it just me, or, does it seem like the Yankees only have something like 11 players on their roster at this moment?
OK, I know it's closer to 18-something. And, once Matsui is nailed down it gets better. Still, it's a good thing they don't have a game to play tomorrow - or next week. There's a lot of spots on this roster that need to be figured out.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 8, 2005 10:32 PM
Comments
I don't think this is a big stretch.
Tino would have cost Millions to have on the team, Andy costs hundreds of thousands. Tino batted .241 over a full season, such as it was, with the Yankees, Andy hits well over .320 in AAA with a lot of homers.
It is time for the Yankees to give the kids a chance. I'm even willing to go without a WSeries victory to give them the space they need. Alright, let's look at it.
Andy had no chance with Tino on the team. Tino had a great May. One month. How about the other five monthts? Andy was judged on one game where he took a golden sombrero of 0-5. We have a few other players who have that honor. Andy is as able a defensive replacement for Giambi as anyone we have or might have. This is a good move.
We must always get younger and more athletic. That is my mantra for the next few years. Get younger and more athletic. We will win if we do that... You wait and see!
Posted by: Scott Coulter ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 8, 2005 10:49 PM
Go for it. I wouldn't expect too much from him, tho. Defensive replacement and backup 1B.
http://www.sports-wired.com/players/P/andy-phillips.shtml
Posted by: Raf at November 8, 2005 11:06 PM
Speaking of Matsui, how're the contract negotiations going. Unless there's a comparable replacement for him, Cashman needs to sign him in the next few days.
Posted by: rbj at November 9, 2005 08:09 AM
The deadline for Matsui is 11/15 - but, they can push that back if both sides agree.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at November 9, 2005 09:24 AM
Why do I feel like Cashman isn't working on Matsui right now? I don't like the vibe I'm getting here. They BETTER bring Mat-soo back.
Posted by: MJ at November 9, 2005 09:44 AM
MJ, Cashman and Arn Tellem, Mats' agent, are having dinner tonight at "the best sushi place in town." Rumor has it a press conference has already been tentatively scheduled for the Stadium early next week. Chill, man.
Posted by: JohnnyC at November 9, 2005 10:29 AM
No way they let Matsui go. But given that Cashman wants to 'reduce payroll', you can't blame him for trying to get a little leverage in the negotiations. Godzilla will be back, no doubt.
Posted by: Shaun P. at November 9, 2005 10:41 AM
Johnny C, that's all you had to say. I don't know where you heard that but I haven't seen one item about it so until you said it, I had a right to be worried.
Posted by: MJ at November 9, 2005 11:38 AM
On the Matsui thing, it is all over the internet MJ that they are having dinner tonight and will probably go somewhere around 4 years, $44mil. Hideki wants a comparable contract to Suzuki.
Posted by: Scott Coulter at November 9, 2005 12:18 PM
Comparable to Ichiro? Homers are much more valuable than singles. Glad to know they're having dinner.
Posted by: rbj at November 9, 2005 01:25 PM
On the Matsui thing, it is all over the internet MJ that they are having dinner tonight and will probably go somewhere around 4 years, $44mil. Hideki wants a comparable contract to Suzuki.
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I don't see a problem with that. Sign him
Posted by: Raf at November 9, 2005 01:55 PM