The Sommer Frieze

Not liking what I see out of the Mets. Beltran being out for a while, now Reyes’ thyroid condition. I don’t think (outside of Bay) they really had a good offseason either. Not impressed.

I see Stephen Strasburg’s spring training debut was televised back to D.C. They are hoping he’s the biggest thing there since Walter Johnson.

Heard a bit (and with the washout, it was only a bit) of Sterling and Waldman yesterday. Waldman was saying how Ivan Nova is impressing in Yankees’ camp, but said that Nova is 21. I know of the problem with Latino players, but baseball-reference.com does report that he is 23. Either Suzyn’s math is off or she has another source.

Brian Giles retired. Remember when he was in Yankees’ free agent talk a few years ago? He retires with a .291 career BA and excellent 136 OPS+. 162 g. average of .291-25-95 with 10 SB, 104 walks. The 2x All Star finished 9th in MVP (his only top 10) in 2005. The former Indian, Pirate and Padre had 1897 hits, 287 HR. No HOF, but a solid, good player. He had four monster years in Pittsburgh, 1999-2002.

Arizona’s Brandon Webb isn’t coming back from his shoulder surgery as quickly as hoped.

I see talk regarding Mauer, with some thinking he’d be traded. Of course the Yanks come into the talk. I can’t see it, although I rule nothing out. Why don’t I see it? Because after 2010, the Yanks have to come to agreements with Jeter, Rivera and Girardi (no, I don’t see Girardi being fired…). They have two young catchers in their system who are under the team’s control, salary-wise, for quite some time. It could be a Robbie Cano situation. Here is what I mean:

2005 .297-14-62, OPS+ 106, 2nd in ROY, Salary n/a
2006 .342-15-78, OPS+ 126, All Star, Silver Slugger, 22nd in MVP $381,000
2007 .306-19-97, OPS+ 119 $490,800 (salary from baseball-reference.com)
2008 .271-14-72 OPS+ 86 $3M
2009 .320-25-85 OPS+ 129, 17th in MVP Voting, $6M

For a couple of years, pretty decent bang for the buck, no? Can the Yanks get the same out of Montero or Romine? Ok, maybe the two youngsters don’t put up Mauer’s 162 g. average of .327-17-92; Montero might (although not with the defense). Say Montero could. He would certainly not cost the $20M or so a year Mauer is expected to get. If Romine does .270-8-60, it won’t be Mauer-like but would certainly be decent for a catcher in his early 20s (thinking 2012 here) who will be making probably what Cano did in 2006-2007.

In short, if you can get the production from Montero/Romine like Cano gave in 2006-2007, for the cost of what you paid Cano in those years, why spend $20m on Mauer?

It’s not that I don’t like Mauer. Who wouldn’t? But (to get Bunning-like here), where would the money come from? When the Yanks signed Teix, CC and AJ, they had money coming off the books. Mussina, Pavano, Abreu, Giambi. They don’t in this instance. They have Jeter and Rivera to worry about. They have Posada for another year. They have years left on CC, A-Rod, Teix, AJ. If Cano (27) keeps putting up .320-25-85 numbers for a 2B, more money will be needed for him unless the Yanks decided to deal him and go with a cheaper alternative like Pena or Russo. Do you want that?

Maybe a trade for Mauer happens. I’d certainly welcome Mauer to the team. I don’t feel it necessary though.

Torre and the Dodgers in Asia for a few games. Mattingly in charge back in the USA. Donnie confirms talks about replacing Torre in 2012.

Cervelli got the new batting helmet. David Wright wore it last year. Supposed to have extra padding as concern mounts after Cervelli’s concussion. Posada has given Cervelli a new nickname: Gazoo.

Cervelli modelling his new helmet?

David Wright with what I believe is the “Gazoo” model.

Just checked the LoHud blog, and any work the Yanks get today will be indoors or under the stands. Another rainout.

As for tomorrow, I’m hoping to catch the game on My9.