|
|
|
Jon Heyman of SI.com believes the Yankees have interest in re-signing soon-to-be free-agent OF Johnny Damon.
According to Heyman, the Yankees might be willing to offer Damon a two-year, $16 million deal, with the 
Giants and White Sox among teams who will also be interested.
…in reading heyman’s report, for SI.com in late October, it sounded to me like if the Yankees bring back damon, and if Manny Ramirez executes his option to stay with the Dodgers, which it sounds like he will, then the Mets and Angels could essentially end up competing for holliday, who i have to think will end up with whomever gives him the most years and money…
Last month, in a post to his blog for Newsday, Ken Davidoff said Matt Holliday’s first choice is to sign with the Yankees, followed by the Mets.
Davidoff doesn’t believe the Yankees will be willing to take on another long-term commitment, such as Holliday.
According to Heyman’s October report, “Holliday is said to be preferred by Mets people to Jason Bay as a gung-ho clubhouse presence and a little better bat.”
I am happy if the Yankees sign Damon because that means they are probably going to be out of the mix for Hollday and Bay. I still do not get why the Mets want Holliday not Bay. Bay is cheaper and its for more power. You could say that Bay is older, but I disagree because at the end of there contracts they will get Holliday will probably be oder [Holliday will probably get a 6 or 7 year deal, Bay a 4 or 5 year deal.
Holliday is more like a David Wright and BAy is LIKE and Adam Dunn who is for power but strikes out alot
Bay is like Dunn but without the as many HRs and the Edward Scissorhands defense. Bay defense is not that good but not Adam Dunn bad, but Adam Dunn hits moon shots.
If I were an AL team, I would look into him at DH. He can push a team over the top with his bat.
yeah, Dunn hit the shot over the bridge in Citi Field
HEY! Does anyone remember last year when so many teams were happy the Yanks wouldn’t be bidding on Teixeira and were going to go with Swisher at first base. Man that worked out well for….oh yeah.
I am sure the Yankees will want to sign Holliday and Damon. It will solidify left bench for them.
Why wouldn’t they get BAy then?
Yankees spent a lot of money last year. Even they have their limits.
What are their limits. Sign Pujols to be their back-up 1st basemen!
They wouldn’t be going after Bay as he is not THE best outfielder on the market. You are also forgetting that with a huge payroll and expiring contracts, that the Yankees will also have alot of salary coming off the books in almost any given year. You have to make a concerted effort to keep payroll that high.
Yes but Bay is wanted by the Sox and the Yanks love to tweak the Sox. At the very least they will try to drive his price up.
Plus I think the Yankees have to start wondering when they are going to move Jeter to the OF at some point in the next 2-3 seasons in an effort to prolong his career.
This is good news since the YAnkees won’t be in with Holliday. I think Holliday will be in New York not only since he wants to but the Mets NEED him. The Angeld DON’T NEED him. I’d give him 6 years 105mill
That’s a good deal for the Yanks and Damon. He’s a good fit in that park and needs to stay in the AL. And if it frees up Holliday then so be it. I just don’t want the Mets to go overboard in paying him.
What do u think is a good price. I think 6 for 105 is good
Bay is not like Dunn. Dunn strikes out WAY MORE and bats like .230. Bay on the other hand will hit like 5 or 6 less home runs then Dunn and will bat about .270. Therefore Bay is better then Dunn.
He is LIKE Adam Dunn. They are similar since they both strike out but BAy less. They both hit home run’s but BAy lees. BAy has a better average than Dunn. I said LIKE not exactly the same
I agree that BAy is better than Dunn. No doubt about it
They can keep him, I’ve never really liked Damon as a player. I like Bay the most out of FA left fielders.
Why not Holliday
I just find that Bay is more consistent, and clutch and more of what the Mets need, a good cleanup or #5 spot hitter, Matt Holliday is not consistent, and he doesn’t hit very well in pitcher parks, where you’d expect him to hit for a higher average.
I disagree. First of all, Holliday is more consistent than Bay. Over their career, here are their respective batting averages per month:
April: Bay-.283, Holliday-.307
May: Bay-.307, Holliday-.309
June: Bay-.254, Holliday-.332
July: Bay-.270, Holliday-.339
August: Bay-.290, Holliday-.307
September: Bay-.273, Holliday-.320
You can clearly see Holliday is more consistent throughout the season, while Bay has more drastic ups and downs.
Also, Holliday is more of a clutch hitter than Bay. Career “clutch” stats:
2 out, RISP: Bay-.274 103 K, Holliday-.280 81K
Late & Close: Bay-.242 159 K, Holliday-.302 101K
Tie Game: Bay-.287 236 K, Holliday-.287 19 2K
Within 1 R: Bay-.287 444 K, Holliday-.304, 337 K
Within 2 R: Bay-.278 615K, Holliday-.308 416K
You get the idea. While Bay is little bit better in the field (how hard is it to make an error in LF at Fenway, though?), Holliday is better all-around at the plate. I wouldn’t mind having either of them in New York, but I’d prefer Holliday because he is exactly what the Mets need. Plus, you saw what he did once he was finally placed in a lineup with some depth…he hit .353 with 13 HR and 55 RBI in 63 games with STL. No reason to doubt he couldn’t do the same exact thing with the Mets hitting between Beltran and Wright.
We have the right to be concerned about paying him too much, because there will come a day when Wright and Reyes need a contract extension (although I see Wright playing for a discount in NY). However, for the chance to add to the core with a fairly young guy like Holliday is a great opportunity. We don’t need to add all of the superstar players in FA, but it helps to have a good mix.
Sign Matt Holliday.
I just like Holliday more than Bay. He just is beter. He get more runs in and could get 28 hr’s next year. It is possible! He could also drive in about 110
Bay will hit 35 home runs and drive in 110 but he will be less consistent and strike out more.
Bay will only hit 35 HRs in Fenway. Put him in Citi Field and he hits around 25-30, same as Holliday. The thing is, Holliday hits for average and power all season long, Bay doesn’t.
If you want the best FA this offseason, sign Matt Holliday.
Shouldn’t you be the general manager!
LOL, no way. I’m just another fan arguing my opinion.
then y am I not GM. Cause i’m too young
Also I hate his swing, too many moving parts.
Good answer. I’d take either one of them now that you said that!
Wow. It’s so funny to read about people trying to criticize All-Star major leaguers’ swings. Too many moving parts? That may be a problem for a little leaguer, high schooler, and maybe even a prospect in the low minors. But if the guy has hit over .300 every season since 2004, is a 3-time AS, and should have been the MVP in 2007, I’m willing to say he knows more about what he is doing than you do.
It’s absurd to say he has a bad swing when he’s one of the best in the business.
the reason that it’s bad, is because the more “moving parts”, the easier it is to fall into a deep slump. For example ManRam’s slump in the 2nd half happened because his time was off, because his swing is more complicated than your average swing, because it has more moving parts.
But it hasn’t happened yet in his carrer so…
what would call April and May of this last season?
You don’t have to coach me, I know why it could be a problem. My point was that it hasn’t given him any trouble throughout his career yet (6 years), so I think it’s safe to say he knows how to make adjustments when his timing is off.
I agree shorter swings are better, but for some guys its just about doing what’s comfortable. Holliday is the definition of consistent at the plate, so it’s not a problem.
3 position players make this team better! Adrian Gonzalez 1B Johnny Damon/Carl Crawford LF and Benji Molina C.
Gonzalez is a must and Damon would benefit the Mets more with his power/speed and be able to fill in CF if needed.
I like both Bay & Holliday. Holliday is a player to push you over the top but this team need much more than Holliday. Bay is the ideal cleanup hitter.
Defense, They both are average defenders. Bottomline is if your looking for defense ? They both suck!
ALright calm down. You didn’t even include pitching. I’d love to have AGON but with him, a CAtcher, Two Pitchers and Carl Crawford, Cora, and maybe a 2nd basemen. It’s unrealistic
You’re saying
Reyes
Crawford
Wright
AGON
Beltran
F-Core
Murphy
2B
P
To mine
Reyes
Hudson
Wright
Holliday
Beltran
F-Core
Murphy
Molina/BArajas/Olivo/Santos
P
Which one is more unrealistic?
Typical over-reactive New York fan.
First of all, this team needs two things to put them over the top:
1) A bat in LF
2) Starting pitching
You cannot just say “go get Gonzalez, Crawford, and Molina!” and expect things to happen, either. Of all three of them, only Molina is a FA, so you’d be adding to your biggest weakness of 2009: weak upper minors.
Secondly, I like Gonzalez, but why on earth would you lock up 1B when you’ve got a potential stud rising through the minors at the same position? Keep in mind you’d have to give up a premier package of 3 or 4 top prospects. Bye-bye F-mart. Bye-bye Davis. Bye-bye Mejia. Bye-Bye Flores.
Thirdly, it is obvious that the Mets need a good #2 to go with Santana, because Pelfrey was pitching with too much pressure this season (along with the Verducci Effect). We need a guy who can win 15 or more games and let Pelfrey and Perez slide down in the rotation.
My preferred solution: sign Holliday, Lackey, and a veteran FA catcher (maybe Molina) so Santos can become a backup and Thole can get experience in AAA.
Reyes
Castillo (idk if we can trade him)
Beltran
Holliday
Wright
Francoeur
Murphy
[catcher]
Santana, Lackey, Pelfrey, Perez, Niese
Move Maine to the bullpen to be a setup man for Frankie. I think he’d thrive in that role.
With this method, you preserve your farm system and let your prospects move up a level and get closer to the big leagues. That is really what killed the Mets last season…when guys went down, we had nobody to call up. Even though the number of injuries would have killed us anyway, we could have at least remained competitive if F-Mart, Davis, Mejia, Holt, and Thole all had another full season in AAA.
How about
Holliday
LAckey?
Bedard
Harden?
Sheets?
Molina
Hudson?
Johan
LAckey
Bedard
Pelfrey
MAine/Perez
Move one of MAine or Perez to the bullpen
That’s more possible, but I still don’t think they will risk it with Bedard or Sheets. Marquis maybe, but then you’re shutting out Niese from a well-deserved shot at the big league club next spring.
Maybe it’s just me, but I like Niese. I love giving kids a chance, especially when they have done everything you’ve asked them to do.
That’s just too much. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to have all of those guys, but it’s just not possible to bring in everyone. Keep in mind that everybody else is trying to sign people too.
Why would you sign 4 pitchers? You only need one or two, and personally I think we would do just fine with Lackey. You cannot give up on Pelfrey yet, especially since last season was his Verducci season. Perez is stuck in NY because of his contract. And Niese deserves a shot at the #5 spot outright in ST with the way he dominated AAA in his final two months there. If you sign all of those pitchers, you’re right back where you started: a group of “potential” but too many question marks.
Hudson is a good player, and I wish he would be a Met very badly, but that will only happen if the Mets can trade Castillo. I have to believe Omar will try to do so this winter, but no guarantees because he is still owed $12MM. Don’t be surprised (or disappointed) if Castillo is our 2B going into next season.
As for a catcher, I really think it’s just going to come down to who we have signed already and who is still available. I have to think Omar will go after Holliday and Lackey first, and then try and sign (or trade for) a catcher to allow Thole to spend more time in AAA catching our top pitching prospects, Mejia and Holt. I think Molina is possible, but if we have already spent money on Holliday and Lackey, I think they will go with a cheaper option like Jose Molina or possible Miguel Olivo if he becomes a FA. Bengie Molina is a Type-A free agent and is going to want a decent contract (plus he is going to cost a draft pick).
I know it’s tough not to want a great player at every position, but I really think we could win a WS with just a couple of acquisitions. We are already a good team as it is, we just need that one big arm and one solid bat to really put us over the hump.
The question marks are maybe’s. I didn’t know who to put down so I put ?’s
I know, but I was saying Harden, Sheets, and Bedard are all as much in question as Pelfrey and Perez are. In fact, I’d say Sheets and Bedard are even more risky because they are very injury-prone.
I hate Ollie, but we all know he is much better than what we saw last season. He will rebound to his normal self, which is a decent (not solid) pitcher who can win around 10-13 games. Besides, his contract makes him immovable and he is guaranteed a spot in the rotation out of ST.
I could go with LAckey and MArquis then
Agreed. But only time will tell. We still have a month or so until things really heat up.
Signing Holliday is so unralistic! You ask ? Simple, Reason is your throwing 20-22 million for 1 player when you have many needs to fill.
If the Mets didn’t need to fill 1b, C, Lf, #2 Starter, Lefty in pen. Holliday would be worth a gamble.
Trading for Gonzalez who will make roughly 6 million this year and still under contract makes alot of sense.
Add a free agent like Damon or Carl Crawford if he becomes a free agent. That’s 2 good defenders that can bat #2 and still not come close to 22 million of Holliday’s cost.
Castillo is still a met because he is untradeable and Hudson is the same player a few years younger.
Molina, Barajas, Oliva ? I like Molina best for defense but with pitching needs the Mets probably go cheap.
Starters, I like Bedard, Marquise, Wolf, Garland in that order.
Your not gonna see the mets sign 2 starters unless Pelfrey, Maine or Perez are moved in a deal.
Lackey’s command of 20 million puts the Mets out of it and Harden & Sheets are injury risks which the Mets say they plan to stay away from
I think that I just got burnt. Damn
Reyes
Crawford
Wright
Agon
Beltran
F-Core
Molina
Castillo
P
Johan
Bedard
Marquis
Pelfrey
Maine/Perez
Stokes
Parnell
Putz?
K-Rod
Feliciano
Perez/Maine
Other people
Cora
Pagan
Sullivan
Other Catcher
Reed
Murphy
I could go with that
Too bad it’s not possible. Keep the prospects, sign FAs.
Besides, who said Holliday is going to get $22MM? I bet he gets maybe $15-18MM, but not $22MM. His contract will likely be back-loaded.
He is good for 6 years for 105 mill
Not a bad number, but I’m not going to speculate on what he is going to get because it’s just that…speculation. Let’s just sit back and see what happens at the Winter Meetings. I bet the Mets make a huge splash this season. They have no choice but to get the fans’ enthusiastic next season because they’ve got to keep attendance up at Citi Field.
They have to get 2 starting pitvhers like LAckey, Bedard, HArden and Sheets but the last 2 have to much of an injury risk. We have to get Olivo/BArajas or Molina as a catcher and maybe trade Castillo and sign Hudson.
LOL I forgot Holliday!
I don’t think they have to get 2 SP, but I’m in the minority on this one. I think they should get a really solid #2 (Lackey is really the only option there) and go with Santana, Lackey, Pelfrey, Perez, and then give Niese a shot to win the #5 spot in ST.
That kid was dominating AAA after they told him to go back down and work on some things. He made the corrections, toyed with AAA hitters, and then looked very sharp after being recalled, only to tear his hamstring in his debut. Boost the kid’s confidence…give him another well-deserved shot at making the club. I got a hunch he will do okay next season (for a 22 year old #5 guy) as long as guys stay healthy and we are winning.
Yeah Niese is a beast. But the MEts should sign a back-up or something like MArquis. He’s cheap and wants to pitch with the Mets. Why not?
Indeed, why not? I’m not against it, I’m just saying there are necessary moves and then additional moves. The necessary moves are:
1) LF
2) #2 SP
3) Catcher
Additional Moves:
4) #4 or #5 SP
5) 2B
6) Bench/bullpen help
You gotta do what’s necessary first.
Anyway, I’m done for the night. Good conversations! I know I’m excited for next month, so let’s just wait and see what happens.
Peace
I like it and agree the Mets could use 2 starters and your line up looks great. I would only change Beltran batting 3rd followed by Gonzo and Wright batting 5th.
Thanks and only if I was Omar this would be your 2010 World Series champs.
Just thinking… what will the MEts give up for Gonzo? All for nothing. BAck to Holliday I guess.
Too much, because the Mets need to keep their prospects right now. If you are limited in minor league talent, you don’t go trading away what you’ve got for one player.
I thought we were past the Steve Phillips and Jim Duquette days.
What about Fielder. Never mind
just saw the pirates-rays trade, are teams allow to make trades before the end of the WS? I though you could only make trades after the WS.
let the yankees sign Damon, I don’t want him. He’s aging and everybody runs on him, he has an awful arm. If you sign Matt Holliday you give FMART time to possibly replace Fcore or Beltran in a few years time. you give him time to work out staying healthy. I love gonzo but why give up the prospects, let Murphy play, then re-evaluate at the end of next year (after our WS parade). Then you need a pitcher sign Lackey, I see no legit reason why we shouldn’t – there will always be a gamble in starting pitching, look at CC and his weight, Burnett is the biggest injury risk there is and also kind of a headcase and his team is one win away from the WS, you just have to do it, sign the best pitcher you can get. I’d also pick up Marquis and dump Perez somewhere, maybe he could help the party patrol launch t-shirts during the 7th inning
i really shouldn’t say that though, he was hurt this year and out of shape, i expect him to be come out with something to prove and to be much better, we are all giving him a lot of deserved grief about his bad year but hopefully that inspires him otherwise he can go work the kiddie field or something.
You can never have too much pitching, if things work out right we will have Neise if somebody gets hurt and a few other guys that can take a start or two, i’d also like another bullpen arm
Catcher? I like Torrelabla but i doubt he’d sign here, take somebody with good defense and a decent bat (for a catcher) sign them cheap
Holliday makes the lineup so much better
Reyes
Castillo
Wright
Holliday
Beltran
Fcore
Murphy
Santos/C
is a good solid lineup that you can go to war with
one question I have for all Met Fans:
Where does Fernando Martinez fit in???
He’s not gonna be in the minors the whole season, what the heck do you do with him if you sign a Matt Holliday?
of course he can (and heck, probably should) stay in the minors all season. He will play the year at age 21, and only has about 2 months or so in AAA. Let him have a full year to work on conditioning his body, and refining his game.
The only way he should be up is if someone gets hurt (creating his spot), of course assuming he is playing well.
I guess he could have such a monster 1st half that he forces a call up, but then you replace Francouer with him. But somehow, I don’t see this happening.
Let’s also not forget that Franceour has struggled for the past few years, and only did well with us in a shortened stint. It’s possible he could revert to his old ways next year, in which case you may need Fernando sooner than later, as a platoon partner or an all out replacement. Counting on Franceour to be good is a big risk, Holliday or not.
You put him in RF once Francoeur goes back to being the player that he was in 2008 and the first half of 2009. Or you can put him in CF after Beltran’s contract is up.
I’m late to the party here, but I want to say …
1) Why would the Yankees want to re-sign Damon? He’s 35, has missed time every year for what seems like a decade, has no arm, can’t run too well anymore (12 stolen bases) and just hit 20 homeruns for the first time in 3 years. He doesn’t really hit well enough to be a DH, and his defense isn’t that great for a .280/15 guy. He hit 17 homeruns in the new Yankee Stadium (short porch in right), but only 7 on the road. I guess if he is going to sign cheap enough it makes some sense, but the Yankees tend not to be cheap. Why wouldn’t they just put Holliday in left and enjoy his .300+ average, 35 HRs, 120 RBI and better defense?
2) If Boras really thinks the Mets are the right spot for Holliday, it’s a wise move to leak to the media that Holliday prefers the Yankees over the Mets. This would only serve to drive up his price when negotiating with the Mets, making them subconsciously feel as if they have to offer more to top a Yankee offer. The Mets are also far more desperate. If nothing else, it coaxes a more serious offer from the Mets, which in turn will qualify the Yankees offer if they are going to be involved.
The money coming off the books for Damon (13) Matsui (13) and Nady (6.5) gives them plenty to resign Damon for less, and still sign Bay to be their RF.
I see no reason for the Yanks to stand pat with their OF when its Damon-Cabrera-Swisher. There is plenty of room for improvement.
Also, over the last few months this blog and its readers have ‘nomimated’ about 30 players as being ideal DH’s. There are only 14 AL teams for those guys to play for, and maybe are happy with the DH they have. Someone, and probably some NL teams will pay these guy to play (poorly) in the field because they can hit. Matt and everyone else should see that as well.
Signing Holliday makes sense, even if you overpay a little. If we were picked by many “experts” to get to the WS last year..put Holiday in LF…with no other impact moves and what would the “experts” say…..
Getting an adaquate vet catcher to pair with Santos should not be a problem and not worth overpaying for.
Finally, I would get Lackey and get Harden. Johan,Lackey,Harden,Pelf and Neise gives us the talent to match up with any SP staff in the division. Make Ollie (a fixed cost) and Maine longmen who have to fight their way back as a replacement starter for Harden, etc,etc. Good bullpen debth with guys actually competing with each other.
Some minor moves may be to trade Pagan while is value is high for some piece and maybe get Endy back for OF defense at Citi.
Anyway you shake it, it’s do-able, won’t break the bank and you keep all your best prospects….and maybe Omar keeps his job.