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December 02, 2006

Wild Man Villone

I have to say, I'm not sure why the Yankees would consider bringing back Ron Villone in 2007. Using the opposite angle of some analysis that I did yesterday, here are the Yankees pitchers with the worst command in the Joe Torre Era, via the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia:

WildVillone.jpg

Villone has a huge heart and lots of guts. But, in terms of mastering the strike-zone, he's seen better days.

The last thing the Yankees need is a 37-year old RP, who does not throw hard, and who cannot command his pitches. There's just no upside there - and if Villone was not left-handed, he probably would not get a second look.

There must be a better option than Villone, somewhere, at this point.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at December 2, 2006 04:46 PM

Comments

It makes more sense if they plan on unloading Myers in some sort of package deal. If that were to be the case, Villone would make a better LOOGY because he could also eat up some innings when called upon.

Posted by: brockdc [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 2, 2006 05:28 PM

Cashman wants to get the sandwich draft pick, especially if he plans to pick up another free agent this off-season (which would mean giving up their 1st round pick...30th by the way). If that happens, he's only picking a notch or two below their original position.

Posted by: JohnnyC [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 2, 2006 07:25 PM

The Yankees offered him arbitration which means that they get a draft pick if and when some other team signs him. If Villone accepts arbitration his deal isn't guaranteed and the Yankees can just walk away if they don't want him. It's just good business to get a sandwich pick if you don't want Villone rather than letting him leave and getting zip in return.

Posted by: Joshua Alper [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 2, 2006 07:27 PM

Part of me *wants* to believe that this is all just Cashman being smart to make sure he gets a pick when Villone signs somewhere.

But, an equal part of me *fears* this is Torre telling Cashman that Villone is his kind of guy - since Villone always wants the ball, etc.

Posted by: Steve Lombardi [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 2, 2006 09:53 PM

Torre is a lame duck. He's not making any decisions on the players.

I think Cashman sees this as a no-lose situation. Either they get a draft pick or they get Villone back. If Villone is horrible, they can dump him off like they've done with any number of other relief pitchers. What's Villone's salary? Three million maybe? It's chump change to this team.

I think it was the smart move to offer him arbitration.

Posted by: baileywalk [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 2, 2006 10:12 PM

But, an equal part of me *fears* this is Torre telling Cashman that Villone is his kind of guy - since Villone always wants the ball, etc.
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Nah, if that were the case, Sturtze would've been offered arbitration

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 3, 2006 11:12 AM

Nah, if that were the case, Sturtze would've been offered arbitration

Posted by: Raf at December 3, 2006 11:12 AM
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Sturtze would not have generated a draft pick. Only reason to offer a player arbitration is that you would get compensation were you to lose that player.

By position the top
1-20% are Type A
21-40% are Type B

Posted by: Paul [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 3, 2006 05:33 PM