I think the main reason to *not* pick up the Marte option, is if they plan on signing him to a deal for less money per-year.  I’d have a feeling too, that by the time they need to decide on his option, they’ll already have negotiated an extension for him.  E.g. I could see them declining the option and giving him a 2 yr/$8M (total) extension, or something similar.

From the Yankees’ perspective, it makes sense I guess to more evenly distribute the money.  Not sure why it would from Marte’s perspective, but it certainly could as well.

And when has George King ever been mistaken?

i think it could go either way.  i think i agree with SG and would pick up the option.  but on the other hand, it’s 2 picks for a reliever, one who doesn’t throw a lot of innings either. 

what i do find interesting is that King cites absolutely no source for this information.  is it “likely” that they won’t pick up the option just because that’s his opinion?

King doesn’t typically source anything, does he?

I can’t see the Yankees not picking up Marte’s option.  They’ve been trying to get him back for six years.

Let’s look at this from another angle.  What team would give up its first round pick for a middle reliever?  I’m not sure many would.  The Yanks will probably try to swing a deal for two years and if nothing works out they can just pick up the option.

What team would give up its first round pick for a middle reliever?

Teams in the bottom 15(?) have their first-rounder protected, so they could pick him up with no consequences, if I’m not mistaken.  The Yanks would still get two picks, but not one in the first round.

Why would a team in the bottom 15 target a middle reliever.  Presumably, their woes require they direct their cash at larger needs.  Also, they would still lost a second round pick.

Why would a team in the bottom 15 target a middle reliever.

Weren’t the Rays in the bottom 15 last year?  If Marte fills a need for a team that thinks it can contend, why wouldn’t they target him?

Let’s look at this from another angle.  What team would give up its first round pick for a middle reliever?

what about a team that already signed another Type A free agent?

let’s say the Mets sign Abreu. do you think they would let their second round pick stop them from signing Marte?

of course, that means the Yankees wouldn’t get their first rounder.  but it’s not like Marte is going to go unsigned.  he’s a good reliever, and teams ALWAYS need relievers.

Is he really that different that Linebrink from last year?  He was a Type A and was signed by the White Sox to a 4 year deal for $19M.  Someone would sign him if he went on the market, I think the question is for how much.  The yankees would have an advantage there because they wouldn’t have to give up any picks, which doesn’t hurt his value at all.

And which of the bottom 15 teams from 2008 seems a good bet to target Marte?  Just because something is possible doesn’t mean it’s probable.

And which of the bottom 15 teams from 2008 seems a good bet to target Marte?

Texas
Detroit
Atlanta

All teams that were in the bottom 15 last year, need bullpen help, and are probably just a few moves away from being contenders.

I just don’t understand why they would give up on Marte after spending so many years trying to get him back.  There must be a handshake agreement in the works or something.

Or it’s just George King pulling stuff out of his ass again.

he’s a good reliever, and teams ALWAYS need relievers.

And a left-hander to boot. If the Ron Villones of the world can have a job in the Major Leagues, Damaso Marte is a highly coveted commodity.

The team that spent $3.75m on LaTroy Hawkins is going to pass on Marte at $5.75m (6m less the 250k buyout)?

Detroit

this seems extremely plausible.

The team that spent $3.75m on LaTroy Hawkins is going to pass on Marte at $5.75m (6m less the 250k buyout)?

what does one have to do with the other?

there are 2 draft picks on the other side of the equation here.  that is one factor.

also, the Yankees really had no idea what they had in some of their relievers before the 2008 season.  Veras, Edwar, and Farnsworth were total question marks.  Melancon was a year away.  there was no Phil Coke, reliever.  Robertson was a question mark.  Bruney was a question mark.  Albadalejo was a question mark. 

it made some sense to sign a veteran reliever last winter. 

i would still pick up Marte’s option, i think, but the two situations are completely different.

i would still pick up Marte’s option, i think, but the two situations are completely different.

Agreed.  The Yankees like getting draft-picks, but they don’t like them THAT much.  Again, the only way I see them declining the option is if they are going to sign him to a 2 year (maybe 3) deal for less per year.

That’s the thing, I hope the team is looking at each one of those guys and seeing how they’re all vulnerable to drastic swings in performance.  I was pleased with the job Girardi did, but Coke’s small sample at the end of the year doesn’t give me much confidence he’s a suitable replacement for Marte.  Even Bruney, the safest bet, is prone to major control issues.  I’d much rather go in strong than sifting the scrap heap year after year.

A good rotation would help too…

Why would a team in the bottom 15 target a middle reliever.?

In addition to what everyone else has said, remember that he closed games in Pittsburgh last year, so some team may be interested in him for that.

All kinds of knuckleheads have closed, including Kyle Farnsworth.  If you want to refute my argument, fine, but saying Marte has closed before doesn’t really amount to much.  The idea that closing scares away middle relievers and that it’s just a totally different thing to pitch the ninth represents the apogee of hack sports journalism.

Any chance that the $6M (along with maybe one other tough choice re: Petite/Moose or similar) is the difference between going after Tex and CC vs. going after only one plus a guy a step down? Eg: Keeping Marte means chasing CC and Burrell, or Tex and Burnett.

In years past I would’ve scoffed at the idea of a middle reliever financially blocking a deal for MVP/CY talent, but I honestly have no idea what $6M means this offseason given the financial situation. Also, in the past, you could backload a contract, but if your finance guys are saying, “Umm, actually, revenues will probably be worse two years from now, not better” that throws a major crimp in the old way of doing things. I’m sure smarter people than me are crunching these sorts of numbers right now, but my gut tells me that teams are going to be thinking very differently about salaries this year.

Just a longshot alternate theory…

The idea that closing scares away middle relievers and that it’s just a totally different thing to pitch the ninth represents the apogee of hack sports journalism.

That is very true; yet the “WWPTE” meme is alive and well for a reason, even though j hates it.

...That reason being that a vast number of sports writers specialize in hack journalism, of course.

The idea that closing scares away middle relievers and that it’s just a totally different thing to pitch the ninth represents the apogee of hack sports journalism.

There certainly do seem to be “baseball people” - managers/GM’s - who still believe that it takes a “mindset” to be a closer.  There are less of them than before, but I think they are still out there.  I’m not saying it would happen, but I certainly *could* see a team signing Marte and as part of the press-release note that they, “have a closer with experience in that role”.

FWIW, I think there are a handful of pitchers that represent “true” closers, who would be worth paying a premium for (though not what K-Rod will be getting).  Mo obviously.  Trevor Hoffman (not current Trevor Hoffman, 10 years ago Trevor Hoffman).  Probably a few more who are still active.  But by and large, if you don’t have one of them - and it doesn’t fit your budget - you don’t need to spend 8 figures per year, when you can probably find someone for $1M or less to do it.

Just to be clear, this Marte thing is a just speculation, right?  Cause I am not certain it makes any sense.

It’s George King, dude.

I’m not saying it would happen, but I certainly *could* see a team signing Marte and as part of the press-release note that they, “have a closer with experience in that role”.

Any team that signs him should definitely say that in their press release. The press release is about making the strongest possible pitch to casual fans and beat writers, so it doesn’t matter if it “makes sense” in any sort of quantifiable way, nor does it necessarily reflect the thinking/philosophy of the signing team.

also, if you decline Marte’s option, you gave up Tabata for Nady?

Tabata for Nady, a handful of innings of Marte, and 2 draft picks.

Let Marte walk as a type A FA, get the picks and spend the money elsewhere other than a reliever that is a strenght this team has.

If you want to refute my argument, fine, but saying Marte has closed before doesn’t really amount to much.  The idea that closing scares away middle relievers and that it’s just a totally different thing to pitch the ninth represents the apogee of hack sports journalism.

not sure what you are getting so upset about.

the fact that Marte has closed before is absolutely relevant to the discussion. 

if a team is looking at Marte to be their closer, they WILL be more likely to give up more value (money/draft pick/etc) to sign him. 

whether this is silly or not based on the latest sabermetric thinking is irrelevant:  the market has shown over and over that “closers” make more money than “middle relievers”.

the fact that in theory “anyone should be able to close” is completely irrelevant to any discussion centered around MARKET VALUE.

right or wrong, the market values closers more than set-up men.

Tabata for Nady, a handful of innings of Marte, and 2 draft picks.

and the chance to make a run in 2008.  which didn’t work out.  but at the time, the Yankees were surging.

First off, the fact that this article is written by King means that anything in it means nothing. But it’s still a good excuse to talk about whether or not they will or should pick up his option.

Someone said that they’ve been trying to get him for 6 years.. that weighs heavy with me. Cashman has guys he likes and I can’t see him letting Marte go after 2 months.

Also, with regards to the draft picks, he’ll likely still be a type A after next year, so unless they see 2009 as a richer draft year than 2010, that’s sort of a push, no?

Is he really that different that Linebrink from last year?  He was a Type A and was signed by the White Sox to a 4 year deal for $19M.

Or Mike Gonzalez, who was traded for Adam LaRoche?  I’ve always thought that Marte’s highest value would come in the trade market.  He could be a cheap closer option for the Mets with some back end value from his type A status. Flipping him might yield the highest result if Cashman feels he has enough firepower in AAA to augment the bullpen.

The press release is about making the strongest possible pitch to casual fans and beat writers

I agree.  The point I was making is that I think there are teams out there who could look at Marte (experience as a closer) and pitcher “B” (too lazy to find a comparable) who does not have experience as a closer, and say, “ooh, get Marte, he’s experienced!”  Perhaps using the “press release” was a bad example, since what the team tells the press doesn’t necessarily equate the truth.

I just don’t get not resigning Marte after all the recent struggles we’ve had with our lefty relievers.  Oh well we can always reacquire Sean Henn I suppose.

But by and large, if you don’t have one of them - and it doesn’t fit your budget - you don’t need to spend 8 figures per year, when you can probably find someone for $1M or less to do it.

I like what Billy Beane has to say about closers. It’s something along the lines of the difference between a great closer and a good pitcher closing games for you is probably the difference between winning 99% of games you lead going into the 9th or 90%, so in terms of value, they’re way over valued. But that 9% has a substantial affect on the players, and it actually matters to have that shut down guy.

Not saying that I agree with that, but that’s just what he says.

He could be a cheap closer option for the Mets with some back end value from his type A status. Flipping him might yield the highest result if Cashman feels he has enough firepower in AAA to augment the bullpen.

That’s an interesting idea…I guess the question then would be what teams are willing to part with something of value for one year of Marte, and when would that thing of value be ready to play in the majors?  For example, if Texas would be interested, could Marte be used to get one of their young catchers?  I guess other than that, I’m not sure where the Yankees could trade Marte and get something that could help this year; though trading Marte for a player or two who is 2+ years away but has had success in A-ball, may be better than getting picks who haven’t played in the pros yet.

Okay j, you’re in charge: go make a trade for us!

Looks like we can forget the idea of Mike Cameron.

But that 9% has a substantial affect on the players, and it actually matters to have that shut down guy.

I kinda agree with that (and I know you don’t necessarily, so I’m not trying to be argumentative), but it brings me back to the thinking that there are only a handful of “shut down guys” in the game at any one time.  I suppose I’m saying if you have a chance to get one, it may be worth paying the premium for it (though also, only if you are a team that seriously believes they can compete for the length of the contract).

There are also probably less shut-down guys now than 30 years ago, because there are very few that EVER pitch more than one inning.

Okay j, you’re in charge: go make a trade for us!

Well, the problem with the Mets is there isn’t much of anything you want from those guys, is there? How about Marte for Church straight up? Nah, probably not .. Church is basically 0.9 * Nady.

You could also just let the market play out. See what type of deal Affeldt lands or if Fuentes is moved and then go from there. Worst case scenario is you take Marte with you into the season, which is fine.

Looks like we can forget the idea of Mike Cameron.

Here is a link to it.

Oh, and Nomaas has apparently picked up on the, “let Marte walk for picks” idea.  Perhaps I’m just stubborn that I’ve held on so long, but they are becoming less-and-less rational.

“they’ve been trying to get him for 6 years”

I wonder about his age a little.  How does he project?

“Perhaps I’m just stubborn that I’ve held on so long, but they are becoming less-and-less rational.”

You’re saying it’s irrational to disagree with you on this point?

I suppose I’m saying if you have a chance to get one, it may be worth paying the premium for it (though also, only if you are a team that seriously believes they can compete for the length of the contract).

I think that this is true if you know you are going to be fielding a 90+ win team. Forget about what the 9% does to your teams morale.. if you want to make the playoffs, you may need those extra 1 or 2 wins.

Well, the problem with the Mets is there isn’t much of anything you want from those guys, is there?
...
Worst case scenario is you take Marte with you into the season, which is fine.

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking as well.  I’m not familiar with farm systems of most other teams.  The Texas scenerio made sense; I don’t know if they could trade *just* Marte to get one of the young catchers.  But as pointed out, Texas may be interested in Marte, and might feel they can compete next year (especially if LA loses out on both Tex and KRod).  Yankees could use another young catcher with upside; if nothing else in a few years they could have a wealth of riches then! 

Other than that…I’d be comfortable having Marte next year.

And then think about what it does in the playoffs.  Winning one game with a great closer that you might not win with a decent one could be the difference between winning a series or not. 

That being said, it’s not like these arguments would be applicable to the decision to take a #1 starter and make him into the closer, not that anyone would suggest such a thing.

You know, I suppose you could do worse than an OF of Nady-Damon-Church.  You’d be well above average offensively and probably just around average defensively.

Church for Nady is probably a pipe dream though.

That being said, it’s not like these arguments would be applicable to the decision to take a #1 starter and make him into the closer, not that anyone would suggest such a thing.

Does anyone else recall Tim McCarver mentioning how everyone in the Rays organization is looking forward to David Price being a successful top of the rotation starter in 2009? Does the guy sniff glue in between innings when he’s calling Yankee games?

Hmm, here’s an idea (probably not a good one).  Tim Kurkjian posted the “Top Ten Offseason Stories” (or some-such).  He mentioned the Tigers might be in the KRod bidding because they could use a closer.  The other day on Chad Jennings’s blog (he’s doing position analysis for the NY Yankees now, and also how that could affect SWB Yankees), a poster brought up the idea of acquiring Brandon Inge.  So could the Yankees trade Marte for Inge?

Salary-wise, it would be about a wash (I think; not sure how much Inge makes in 2009 but 2008 was a little over $6M).  And I’d want something else back too.  Inge doesn’t do anything for the long-term, but he’s something the Yankees haven’t had for several years.  He’s a guy who can play corner IF spots, play the OF (including CF apparently), AND can catch.  He gives a lot of flexibility, and allows you to use both Posada and Molina in close games.  He also adds some insurance if Posada (or Molina) go down, and Cervelli isn’t ready (or able) to be a backup.

I’d want something else back because of the picks the Yankees probably lose in the 2010 draft.  Not sure how feasible it is, but I think it would definitely help the Yankees bench next year.

Brandon Inge, 2008 OPS+ = 76 (Career = 84)
Wilson Betemit, 2008 OPS+ = 86 (Career = 95)

Yeah, I know he plays more positions, but you really want to trade Marte primarily for a guy who’s a much worse hitter than Wilson Betemit?

Isn’t Inge basically their starting catcher now though?  I’m not sure what they have in the pipe-line, but I’m pretty sure he started most of the games after IRod left (He had 56 starts at C, the Tigers had 2 others with a total of 27 GS for the whole season).  i think the Tigers would be a good fit for Marte, but I’m just not sure they would give up Inge for that.

Yeah, I know he plays more positions, but you really want to trade Marte primarily for a guy who’s a much worse hitter than Wilson Betemit?

His ability to play more positions - including catch - is the ONLY reason I’d want to get him.  And yeah, one of the reasons why I said they have to get something else back, too, is because Inge hasn’t been even a decent hitter for a few years.  I have no idea what is in the Tigers’ system any more, or what they would be willing to give up.  But no, I would *not* trade Marte straight-up for Inge.

i think the Tigers would be a good fit for Marte, but I’m just not sure they would give up Inge for that.

As I said, the idea came from a poster on Chad Jennings’s blog.  Seems like a good fit for the Yankees (just Inge), and I see we have something the Tigers may want (Marte).  The poster only mentioned that he, “doesn’t think they intend on using Inge as the starting catcher next year”.  I don’t know what they would intend to do instead.  If they plan on using him as a catcher you are correct that he would be harder to pry away.

I don’t think Inge is particularly strong defensively in CF either.

Church for Nady is probably a pipe dream though.

Should read: Church for Marte

I don’t think Inge is particularly strong defensively in CF either.

It’s a very small sample size, but his career ZR in CF is .910.  He’s probably at least average out there.  He’s a great 3B, +15 RS/162 career wise.  If you look at Tom Tango’s position neutral ratings , a CF is 6 runs better than a 3B, so in theory a +15 defender at 3B could be a +9 defender in CF. 

That’s very hypothetical, but I like Inge a lot as a super-utility guy.

Wow, thats surpising about Inge.

How many players could play bother C and CF and do both without embarrassing themselves?  That’s really impressive.

I don’t see the need of Marte when we have a real strong pen who is cost controlled. Let Marte walk, take the picks and use the money for something we need more.

I don’t see the need of Marte when we have a real strong pen who is cost controlled

I think the point is that Marte is worth a lot more than $6M in 2008. Even picking up his option doesn’t lose you the draft picks, as you’ll likely be looking at him as a type A after 2009. He has trade value and value on the field based on his performance. Might as well get as much out of him as you can.

And $6M for 1 year isn’t preventing the Yankees from doing anything.

I don’t see the need of Marte when we have a real strong pen who is cost controlled. Let Marte walk, take the picks and use the money for something we need more.

I can give you three reasons.
a) We don’t know if the pen is real strong.  There’s a very good chance that some of the relievers who pitched well last year won’t pitch well again (Veras, Bruney, Coke to name three)
b) The platoon advantage is real, and having a lefty who’s consistently held lefties in check is a big deal when you have to face David Ortiz, J.D. Drew, Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, and whoever else 19 times a season
c) Like j says, there is not a single move the Yankees won’t make because of a one year, $6M outlay to Marte

What _is_ Marte worth?

Looks like they Yankees made their first move:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081103&content_id=3661349&vkey=news_mlb&fext;=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb

What _is_ Marte worth?

CAIRO says 58 IP, 5.6 RSAR.  That by itself is only worth around $2.75M or so. If you factor in leverage, then maybe he’s worth closer to $4M. 

Of course, if he can pitch say 75 innings, he’s worth $3.25M, and closer to $5M with leverage.

So his option probably overpays him by a bit, but it also protects the Yankees from possibly having to give up talent later if they decide they need a lefty reliever.

This is assuming that a marginal win for the Yankees is worth around $5M.

RAB’s version of the above for those who can’t read mlb.com’s articles.

“58 IP, 5.6 RSAR”

Aren’t we likely to get something like that from the top of the SWB relief core for free?  Maybe it’s 5.6 +/- 0.1, and that risk reduction is valuable?

core->corps

Aren’t we likely to get something like that from the top of the SWB relief core for free?  Maybe it’s 5.6 +/- 0.1, and that risk reduction is valuable?

Marte probably has tactical value above and beyond a pure runs saved above replacement analysis.  As far as figuring out that value, I’m not sure the best way to do that.  I guess you could do it retroactively by looking at the win expectancy when certain key lefties batted and if Marte supressed their WPA beyond what an average pitcher would have done or something.

Looks like they Yankees made their first move:

love it.

obviously there will be bigger fish to fry that will make this forgotten by February, but this is still a smart, no-risk move.

Nice….we signed sergio mitre. We can add him to the pile of crap that is milton, zambrano, igawa, kennedy, etc..

I’m guessing that Marte’s trade value will peak at the mid season trade deadline.

Nice….we signed sergio mitre. We can add him to the pile of crap that is milton, zambrano, igawa, kennedy, etc..

I know Kennedy hasn’t exactly set the world on fire, but I think it’s a bit unfair to lump him (23) in with the rest of that group. Sure likely as not he doesn’t get much better, but give him more than 40 innings to decide whether he’s crap or not.

Nice….we signed sergio mitre. We can add him to the pile of crap that is milton, zambrano, igawa, kennedy, etc..

One of these is not like the others…

I really don’t understand why people both being upset about signings like this.. Zambrano and Milton being similar. It’s a different type of signing than Ponson or Scott Erickson in 2006. These guys will only get a shot if they are pushing the envelope in AAA and the need is there at the MLB level. There’s really nothing not to like about it.

Now, if the Yankees had put a poll on their official website that went something along the lines of: “Should we (a) Sign Sergio Mitre to a 1 year deal for ~$1M or (b) lower the price of beer at the new stadium by 75 cents per beer?” then maybe you’d have some sort of a leg to stand on.

Zambrano and Milton are now free agents again.  i’d guess because the Yankees let them rehab in Tampa, they have first crack at signing them.  if they watched the rehab and liked what they saw, they can sign them.  if not, they won’t.  at which point, people will have to find something else to get mad about for no reason.

Zambrano, FWIW, has been pitching lights out in winter ball and pitched well in Trenton last year.  i’d take a healthy Zambrano over someone like Ponson, so if he signs a minor league deal and they can stash him in AAA for insurance on their insurance plan, there are worse things that could happened.

Odd to see “Yes on Prop Eight” ads running on the home page here - it’s a California issue, and, well, both highly controversial and very non-baseball-related.

Don’t you like seeing Biden and Palin, or Obama and McCain and know that they “agree” on something?

I think it’s most likely just that you’re in Ca, so the ad daemon puts them through to your browser.  I also see Ca-specific ads when I’m on the Washington Post or Wall Street Journal sites, as well as several other east coast sites.

Not upset about the Mitre signing. Girardi knows him and maybe he’ll give us something.

I guess that was me subliminally giving up on Kennedy. He is an annoyance to me as a fan. He talks a big game but can’t throw one.

Looks like we’ll get to see what Josh Phelps can do in full time duty against mediocre NL West pitching. I didn’t realize, but he had a bad-ass year in AAA.

Craig Wilson is also going to raise some eyebrows in 2009, I think.

Man, Chris Berman has really yellow teeth.

Phil Hughes had a nice outing tonight in the AFL.  His line was: 5IP 1H 0R 0BB 8K.  The only negative was the 0:7 gb:fb ratio - but perhaps he was laying off the ground ball inducing cutter since it caused him to tear a fingernail and miss his last start.

By the way, hasn’t RLYW heard of daylight savings time?

Phil Hughes had a nice outing tonight in the AFL.  His line was: 5IP 1H 0R 0BB 8K.  The only negative was the 0:7 gb:fb ratio - but perhaps he was laying off the ground ball inducing cutter since it caused him to tear a fingernail and miss his last start

Let’s guess how our pal Steve will spin this one…

He is already sputtering that Hughes is a bigger crybaby than Carl Pavano because he missed a start with a torn fingernail.  (Holy shit, Steve, it’s the AFL not Game 7 of the World Series).  Personally, I have trouble believing Mr. Lombardi even likes the Yankees or even baseball itself since both seem to deprive him of his sanity and intelligence on a regular basis.

I used to be lukewarm on Hughes for some reason I couldn’t describe, but now I want him to pitch to a 2.50 ERA in ‘09 with 200 K’s in 150 IP and win 3 games in the ‘09 WS so Lombardi will shut the f* up.

In the Arizona Fall League this evening, Phil Hughes faced 16 batters and retired 15 of them - 8 on strikeouts.

Coming into this game, the Surprise Rafters - who Hughes faced - were batting .243 as a team. Regardless, tomorrow, Yankees fanboy bloggers will proclaim that this is the Phil Hughes that we can expect to see pitching for the Yankees in the near future.

And when Hughes pitched eight innings against Toronto in September, giving up only two runs, Lombardi undoubtedly said something to the effect of, “It’s September and the Jays were already eliminated so it means nothing.”

“Lombardi undoubtedly said something to the effect of [...]”

Actually, I think he said that the Yankees were running out their house money lineup so it didn’t mean anything.

“I want him to pitch to a 2.50 ERA in ‘09 with 200 K’s in 150 IP and win 3 games in the ‘09 WS”

You have a very optimistic view of human nature.

I wonder what Lombardi thinks of the 1998 Yanks.  He probably can’t get over the fact that they lost 48 games, the bums.

Lombardi: “It was actually 50 wins. You can’t just discount the two losses in the playoffs.”

Goldman: “Nady is not an acceptable sequel to Abreu in right field, not on offense and not on defense…”

Defense?

Nady is an acceptable sequal to Abreu, but they probably do need to bolster the offense somewhere else. 

i really enjoyed the Bobby Abreu era, but he is 35 and wants a 3 year deal.  i just don’t see how that can possible end up working out for the Yankees.

if they didn’t pick up Nady, they would be forced to either re-sign Abreu for 3 years, give out a monster contract to a player they might not want to like Dunn or Burrell, or go with a scrap heap player that will cost them real wins.  Nady locks in at least one OF position at above average, but not superstar, performance. 

that gives them the ability to look for a bat either in LF, CF (unlikely to find one), 1B, or possibly DH. 

why not focus on what Nady DOES do for the Yankees instead of what he doesn’t?

why not focus on what Nady DOES do for the Yankees instead of what he doesn’t?

I hear he makes a really nice taco-dip!

I hear he’s not the worst (or second worst) defensive right fielder in the game