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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Tigers give Pudge to Yankees for nothin’

The Yankees seem to have found a replacement for Jorge Posada.

The Yankees have acquired catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers. Detroit will get right-handed pitcher Kyle Farnsworth, who played with the Tigers previously in 2005.

As god as my witness, I thought Farnsworth could pitch.

Vogon Poet Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:42 PM | 240 comment(s)
  Related News: DetroitNY Yankees

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   1. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:50 PM (#2882500)
What the hell???
   2. Joey B. Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:50 PM (#2882502)
Baseball is clearly colluding to help the Yankees make the playoffs once again.
   3. winnipegwhip Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:51 PM (#2882504)
Farnsworth gone...win....Pudge coming in .....win.
   4. snapper Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:51 PM (#2882506)
Wow!

Cashman is certainly earning his extension.

Of course, Farnsworth is probably Detroit's best relief pitcher, given that Zumaya should be injured again any hour now.
   5. Dig!!! JMM Dig!!! Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:51 PM (#2882507)
The Tigers would have been better off with nothing.
   6. Chase Utley, America's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:52 PM (#2882509)
Best trade ever....oh how I hate you Farnsworth.
   7. mopar Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:52 PM (#2882510)
A Nation anxiously awaits your response Mr Epstein
   8. hunting for a halo-red october Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:52 PM (#2882511)
When can we pronounce Dave Dombrowski utterly brainless? Are we at that point yet?
   9. aleskel Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:52 PM (#2882512)
holy crap! awesome!

I've been saying the Yankees should sell high on Farnsworth for a month now. You the man, Cash!
   10. zonk Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:52 PM (#2882514)
I suppose his defense is still good enough to make him valuable, but he's posted OPS+ of 94, 97, 85 -- and yes, 101 this year. He's 36.

Is this thread in a mid 90s timewarp?
   11. Justin Zeth Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:52 PM (#2882515)
Well, with first the Nady/Marte giveaway and now this, there go my last lingering doubts that MLB will make sure the Yankees are in the playoffs at all costs. How big a, shall we say, "subsidy" do you think Ilitch got for making this happen?
   12. Eric Bartman Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:52 PM (#2882516)
Tigers have another deal for a catcher?
   13. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:53 PM (#2882518)
The only way this (sort of but not really) makes sense for the Tigers at all is if they're still fighting for the AL Central lead.

Brandon Inge can catch full-time and leave them with little downgrade on offense, while Farnsworth upgrades the bullpen. It's still insane, though.
   14. Master of Karate and Friendship (Kyle C) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:53 PM (#2882520)
Wow, did not see this coming. He's having a decent year, and he's certainly an upgrade on Molina. I guess they can also risk offering him arbitration since Po's a huge question mark for catching next season.
   15. Chase Utley, America's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:54 PM (#2882523)
I suppose his defense is still good enough to make him valuable, but he's posted OPS+ of 94, 97, 85 -- and yes, 101 this year. He's 36.

Is this thread in a mid 90s timewarp?


You know that he's replacing Jose Molina right?
   16. SugarBear Blanks Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:55 PM (#2882525)
The Tigers have to have another deal cooking. This one makes zero sense by itself (**), as they have no catcher. Inge would prefer catching full-time over not playing, but he doesn't want to catch and he isn't a full-time catcher.

(**) Save for Dombo's inexplicable wood for Farnsworth who will now be a closer.
   17. Baseballing powerhouse Crispix Attacks Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:55 PM (#2882526)
So, nothing at all for Ivan Rodriguez. Sounds like the kind of trade that has been known to help the Yankees in the past.

Well, if trading nothing at all for Bobby Abreu in a season where they didn't have any major injuries didn't get them more than 1 postseason win that year, I guess this sickening display of plutocracy doesn't guarantee anything either.
   18. jmurph Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:55 PM (#2882527)
I suppose his defense is still good enough to make him valuable, but he's posted OPS+ of 94, 97, 85 -- and yes, 101 this year. He's 36.

Is this thread in a mid 90s timewarp?


And all of that would matter if he wasn't a free agent at the end of the season. There's no way of turning this into a bad deal for the Yankees.
   19. aleskel Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:55 PM (#2882528)
I suppose his defense is still good enough to make him valuable, but he's posted OPS+ of 94, 97, 85 -- and yes, 101 this year. He's 36.

... and his contract is up at the end of the year, as is Farnsworth's. Hard to find a better 2-month rental than that.
   20. Gamingboy Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:55 PM (#2882529)
OH MY GOD! WE HAVE A WKRP REFERENCE!


It almost makes up for this ridiculously unbalanced trade. It is both horribly scewed towards the Yankees and an insult to Pudge. I mean, seriously! C'mon!
   21. 1k5v3L Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:55 PM (#2882530)
I expect Theo to reciprocate by trading Javier Lopez for Miguel Tejada.
   22. flournoy Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:55 PM (#2882531)
I don't get it. What is in this for the Tigers?
   23. billyshears Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:56 PM (#2882534)
Dollars to donuts Pudge has a David Justice "Where the hell did that come from?" bounce after joining the Yankees.
   24. Joe C isn't Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:57 PM (#2882535)
For FARNSWORTH!?! Nice move, Cashman, you bastard.
   25. Justin Zeth Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:57 PM (#2882536)
I don't get it. What is in this for the Tigers?


Bud Selig's good graces. And Hankenstein's.
   26. JoeHova Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:58 PM (#2882538)
I suppose his defense is still good enough to make him valuable, but he's posted OPS+ of 94, 97, 85 -- and yes, 101 this year. He's 36.


In addition to what 'Joey Belle needs love too' said, an 85 OPS+ for a catcher isn't even that bad, I believe it's right around average, iirc.
   27. rconn23 Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:58 PM (#2882539)
The Pirates made out much better than the Tigers did.

A brilliant move of selling high on Farnsworth, who is a thundering dunderhead.

It's also about the draft picks as a I believe Pudge is a Type A free agent at the end of the season. I still don't think the Yankees are going anywhere this year, but this was a masterstroke by Cashman.
   28. Sometimes it Rains (sj) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:58 PM (#2882540)
Cashman, to baseball....

Drained dry! I’m so sorry. Here, if you have a milkshake, and I have a milkshake, and I have a straw. There it is, that’s a straw, you see? You watching?. And my straw reaches acroooooooss the room, and starts to drink your milkshake… I… drink… your… milkshake
   29. Lefty, Monty, And The Moose (Walewander) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:58 PM (#2882541)
Don't forget Pudge will likely be a type A, so we just missed out on a couple draft picks to rebuild our decimated system.
Good god in heaven this trade sucks.

Thanks for the memories, Pudge.
   30. AlouGoodbye Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:59 PM (#2882544)
Cross-posting from the other thread:

Farnsworth for I-Rod? Jesus H. Christ. What a disgraceful giveaway by the Tigers, and it doesn't even save them that much money - maybe $2.5m. Meanwhile the Yankees not only get a huge upgrade at catcher for the remainder of the season, but they can offer arbitration - considering the Posada situation, having I-Rod next year would be excellent, and if he goes elsewhere they get two draft picks.

Cashman is the AJ Styles of general managers, no doubt about it.

I've thought about it a little since posting that and maybe offering arb would be risky, but nevertheless this is absolute daylight robbery. The Tigers are insane - sure 5.5 back is a lot to make up but stranger things have happened, and this doesn't help them one bit for future years.
   31. Justin Zeth Posted: July 30, 2008 at 04:59 PM (#2882547)
Right. It's two months of Rodriguez PLUS two high draft picks for two months of Kyle Farnsworth.

I refuse to believe Dombrowski is stupid enough to do this without orders from above.
   32. flournoy Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:00 PM (#2882548)
Tigers will respond by acquiring Brian McCann from the Braves for Yorman Bazardo.
   33. Master of Karate and Friendship (Kyle C) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:00 PM (#2882549)
In addition to what 'Joey Belle needs love too' said, an 85 OPS+ for a catcher isn't even that bad, I believe it's right around average, iirc.


BR has C's OPS+ at 94, 88, and 94 the last three years.
   34. Chase Utley, America's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:00 PM (#2882550)
Don't forget Pudge will likely be a type A, so we just missed out on a couple draft picks to rebuild our decimated system.
Good god in heaven this trade sucks.

Thanks for the memories, Pudge.


At least you have Kyle Farnsworth.
   35. ian Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:00 PM (#2882551)
Pudge is toast. His numbers are temporarily inflated by a hot streak he's been on lately. They'll come down.

Inge is a better catcher now and for the future.
   36. Rough Carrigan Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:00 PM (#2882552)
Maybe he'll be so excited he'll be even more aggressive at the plate. Oh wait. It's not possible.
   37. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:00 PM (#2882553)
Don't forget Pudge will likely be a type A, so we just missed out on a couple draft picks to rebuild our decimated system.
Good god in heaven this trade sucks.
This trade obviously makes no sense for the future, so it must be a present-focused trade, right? They're trying to upgrade their bullpen to make a run at the AL Central. I'm just trying to wring some sort of sense out of this.
   38. Sometimes it Rains (sj) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:00 PM (#2882554)
Thats assuming someone will sign Pudge to give up a pick. He will be a 37 year old catcher.
   39. In what respect, Craig K? Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:01 PM (#2882555)
This is a dictionary definition of a "What the ####????????" trade.
   40. The Joe Mauer Power Hour (kj) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:01 PM (#2882557)
I don't get it. What is in this for the Tigers?

They get to strengthen a weak bullpen by adding a pitcher who gives up way too many homeruns but is otherwise pretty solid. Comerica Park certainly won't hurt his homerun problem.
   41. Paul M is filibustering vigilantly Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:01 PM (#2882558)
You all analyzing what I-Rod brings to the Yanks miss the true great outcome of this trade: no more Kyle Farnsworth.

Sorry, Tigers fans.
   42. Justin Zeth Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:01 PM (#2882559)
Someone will sign him. Actually, it's probable the Yankees will forego the picks and re-sign him themselves. They don't have a catcher for 2009, either.
   43. Baseballing powerhouse Crispix Attacks Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:01 PM (#2882560)
You only get the two draft picks if you give him arbitration and he refuses. However, he will accept arbitration, this year at least, because he knows the Yankees would definitely pay an eight-figure salary to their backup catcher. So those draft picks don't exist.

However, the draft picks would have existed if he was still on the Tigers, and the Tigers would get them.
   44. bonifacio's got the good face! Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:02 PM (#2882561)
the Tigers thought replacing Todd Jones was important to their immediate future, ok; replacing him with the Farns!?

but the conspiracy theorists--c'mon kids. settle down....
   45. Fat Al Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:02 PM (#2882562)
Maybe he'll be so excited he'll be even more aggressive at the plate. Oh wait. It's not possible.


I hate Pudge, but I don't care if he's wearing a blindfold, he'll be able to out-hit Molina.
   46. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:02 PM (#2882564)
A Nation anxiously awaits your response Mr Epstein


Why would he need to respond? His job is entirely different from Cashman's. Cashman's job is to make the Yankees a better team. Theo's job is to keep the Red Sox in the headlines, via controversies real or imagined. So far this trading deadline season, they've both done what they're good at.
   47. Harold Reynolds: An Erotic Life (AG#1F) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:02 PM (#2882563)
The only way this (sort of but not really) makes sense for the Tigers at all is if they're still fighting for the AL Central lead.

Brandon Inge can catch full-time and leave them with little downgrade on offense, while Farnsworth upgrades the bullpen. It's still insane, though.


Yea, but trade him to a fellow AL contender? Separate deals sending Pudge to Florida and picking up a reliever elsewhere would have made more sense.
   48. aleskel Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:02 PM (#2882566)
Pudge is toast. His numbers are temporarily inflated by a hot streak he's been on lately. They'll come down.

... he's replacing Jose Molina. Jose Molina is replacing Chad Moeller. Unless he spontaneously combusts in the next 72 hours, there's no way he doesn't help the Yankees.
   49. In what respect, Craig K? Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:02 PM (#2882567)
A Nation anxiously awaits your response Mr Epstein

Mike Timlin for Mike Piazza.
   50. JRVJ (formerly Delta Socrates) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:02 PM (#2882568)
My back of the envelope calculation is that Detroit saves about 35% (+/-) of the difference between I-Rod's ($12,379,883 for 2008) and Farns's ($5,916,666).

That's a little on the south side of $3MM, which is not chump change.
   51. Lefty, Monty, And The Moose (Walewander) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:03 PM (#2882570)
This trade obviously makes no sense for the future, so it must be a present-focused trade, right? They're trying to upgrade their bullpen to make a run at the AL Central. I'm just trying to wring some sort of sense out of this.

That's what they are going for, yes. The bullpen could easily be fine. Rodney and Zumaya are back, Jones is no longer closing, and there are guys in the minors who could have been promoted. Pudge for an SP I could see. For another ride with the Professor? Break me a #$%$#$^ give.
   52. Son of Snigglet Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:03 PM (#2882572)
Am I the only one who doesn't see this making much of a difference for the Yankees? A good trade, in that Rodriguez has more value than Farnsworth, but let's not get too riled up about Pudge cranking the Yankees up to another level.
   53. RB in NYC (Now with Jet Lag!) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:03 PM (#2882573)
Cashman is the AJ Styles of general managers, no doubt about it.
Is that a compliment this week? I can never tell with the booking down in Orlando.
   54. Justin Zeth Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:03 PM (#2882575)
but the conspiracy theorists--c'mon kids. settle down....


Theorist, in the singular. It's just me. At first I was mostly joking, but now I'm working into a conspiracy tizzy. And I'm just getting warmed up!

Seriously, I'm leaning conspiracy here because it's the kind interpretation. The only other available interpretation is that Dombrowski is either a total moron--which he has a track record that suggests he isn't--or was stoned out of his mind this afternoon. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, you know?
   55. HighandOutside Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:04 PM (#2882576)
What a minute...Why exactly is everyone thinking the Tigers got robbed? Farnsworth is having a very solid year and their bullpen is a mess. I don't have his stats in front of me, but Pudge can't have a high RCreated this year. Yes, Tigers give up a bunch of defense but they needed someone in that pen. By the way, this may spell the end of a career for Jones.
   56. Will Young Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:04 PM (#2882577)
Thats assuming someone will sign Pudge to give up a pick. He will be a 37 year old catcher.

If the Yankees offer Pudge arbitration, I would be shocked if he doesn't end up accepting. I would doubt that the market is really strong for a below-average, 37 year old catcher. He might be the most expensive backup catcher in league history next season (or Posada might be).
   57. mopar Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:04 PM (#2882579)
Getting Tejada for a reliever would be a ### to Cashman's tat, and the Nation appreciates a good ###

I think that $13M he gets next year would have Henry reaching for the veto button though
   58. Harold Reynolds: An Erotic Life (AG#1F) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:04 PM (#2882580)
I think its been said here before, but this is the kinda trade that if proposed in my fantasy league, would be vetoed by all the other owners.

This is the kinda trade that if a poster proposed it, there would be fifty replies telling him how far-fetched and ridiculous such a trade could be.
   59. Gamingboy Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:05 PM (#2882581)
(puts tongue only slightly into cheek)

This is further proof of the pro-Yankee conspiracy that Baseball has been running since 1996 (they had similar plans at other points in time, too though). Sure, they've done things like revenue sharing and the World Baseball Classic to try and put up the illusion that the Yankees are just considered another team, but I can see it now: Selig, Fehr and the heads of FOX and TBS on the phone with the Tigers telling them they have to trade Pudge to the Yanks or the terrible truth behind Kenny Rogers' hand from a few years back comes out.
   60. Lefty, Monty, And The Moose (Walewander) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:05 PM (#2882582)
However, the draft picks would have existed if he was still on the Tigers, and the Tigers would get them.

Bingo. We should have dealt Thames for a SP if we wanted to go all in.
   61. Marmaduchscherer Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:05 PM (#2882583)
Whatever Pudge's struggles, he's a major upgrade. It's hard to overstate just how terrible Jose Molina is. Pudge's Marcel for the balance of the year is ~.275/.310/.410; Molina is one of the very worst hitters in baseball, at ~.235/.280/.350. That's a ~100 point upgrade in OPS, or about the difference between Casey Kotchman and Mark Teixeira.
   62. In what respect, Craig K? Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:05 PM (#2882584)
Oh yeah:

man #### you guys rowdy kyle farnsworth is too good for new york #######
   63. SugarBear Blanks Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:06 PM (#2882586)
Don't forget Pudge will likely be a type A, so we just missed out on a couple draft picks to rebuild our decimated system.
Good god in heaven this trade sucks.

Thanks for the memories, Pudge.


I don't agree with it and don't really understand it, but it's obvious DD sees Farnsworth as a guy who can close, which the Tigers obviously need. But who's going to catch?
   64. cult of basebaal Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:06 PM (#2882587)
LOOK!

it's brian cashman saying hello to all the whiners out there!

http://tinyurl.com/dta8a
   65. The Joe Mauer Power Hour (kj) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:06 PM (#2882589)
The only other available interpretation is that Dombrowski is either a total moron--which he has a track record that suggests he isn't--or was stoned out of his mind this afternoon.

Is it though? He had another player who could take over at catcher and provide comparable offensive production, and he felt he needed to improve the bullpen. On top of it, the organization saves a little salary. I don't think it screams "moron" as badly as most of you seem to think. Then again, I have a kinder opinion of Farnsworth.
   66. Sometimes it Rains (sj) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:06 PM (#2882590)
He might be the most expensive backup catcher in league history next season (or Posada might be).

Right, that is what I am saying. I probably see the yanks signing him to like a 2/14 or something.

It all depends on how Posada's shoulder holds up, he had surgery today.
   67. Fat Al Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:07 PM (#2882591)
Am I the only one who doesn't see this making much of a difference for the Yankees? A good trade, in that Rodriguez has more value than Farnsworth, but let's not get too riled up about Pudge cranking the Yankees up to another level.


The back end of the Yankees lineup is a fright these days. If Damon isn't in the field, it's been Melky, Gardner, Molina. That's NL-like.
   68. Lefty, Monty, And The Moose (Walewander) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:07 PM (#2882592)
But who's going to catch?

Inge. He'll be fine, I see no net downgrade this season or going forward. But the return and the loss of picks have me seeing red.
   69. Justin Zeth Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:07 PM (#2882593)
I doubt 2/14 is going to get it done. If Rodriguez finishes this season reasonably well, he can go to arb and probably get about 10 for 1.
   70. Lefty, Monty, And The Moose (Walewander) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:08 PM (#2882595)
The last time Farns was on the Tigers he was awesome. Maybe DD thinks he'll get that again.
   71. The Joe Mauer Power Hour (kj) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:09 PM (#2882596)
But the return and the loss of picks have me seeing red.

It's a ballsy move to be sure. But teams with just a sliver of hope for the postseason and rosters heavy on veteran talent need to make moves like this.
   72. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:09 PM (#2882597)
That's a ~100 point upgrade in OPS, or about the difference between Casey Kotchman and Mark Teixeira.
That's a pretty good way of putting the ludicrosity of this trade into perspective.

Obviously, it's extremely rare for a deadline deal to catapult a team into the playoffs, and measured against the acquisition of Doyle Alexander, this won't have a major impact. But measured against all the other actual deadline deals that get made, this trade is groin-grabbingly lopsided to the Yankees and a major upgrade.
   73. jmurph Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:09 PM (#2882598)
Why would he need to respond? His job is entirely different from Cashman's. Cashman's job is to make the Yankees a better team. Theo's job is to keep the Red Sox in the headlines, via controversies real or imagined. So far this trading deadline season, they've both done what they're good at.


I know, seriously. When will Theo get to work and finally win a World Series?
   74. Sometimes it Rains (sj) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:09 PM (#2882599)
I doubt 2/14 is going to get it done. If Rodriguez finishes this season reasonably well, he can go to arb and probably get about 10 for 1.

I think the Yankees would pay that.
   75. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:09 PM (#2882600)
Is Pudge still considered one of the better defensive catchers, or has he declined to average or so?
   76. snapper Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:09 PM (#2882601)
If the Yankees offer Pudge arbitration, I would be shocked if he doesn't end up accepting. I would doubt that the market is really strong for a below-average, 37 year old catcher. He might be the most expensive backup catcher in league history next season (or Posada might be).

By January the Yankees should have a pretty good handle on Posada's surgery/rehab progress. At that point, if Posada looks good, I-Rod will likely go elsewhere b/c he wants to start and the Yanks get the picks. If Posada looks like he's DH bound, the Yanks re-sign I-Rod. It's perfect.

Farns is a decent reliever, he could help Detroit this year.
   77. cult of basebaal Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:10 PM (#2882602)
If Rodriguez finishes this season reasonably well, he can go to arb and probably get about 10 for 1.


if pudge finishes this season reasonably well, he's likely to find someone willing to offer him a multi-year deal ... plus the yankees can offer him whatever they feel is justified in arbitration ... he's an actual free agent and not bound by the 20% decrease rule ...
   78. zonk Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:10 PM (#2882603)
I'm not saying I-Rod isn't a quality pickup for a team starting Jose Molina... I'm just saying that I-Rod is hardly the star he used to be.

It certainly makes the Yankees better, but this wailing and gnashing of teeth over a player that is posting an OBP over .300 for the 2nd time in 4 years?

Sorry... not seeing it.

Don't look now - but I-Rod is basically Jason LaRue in his prime ... and has been for about 3 years now.
   79. Justin Zeth Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:11 PM (#2882605)
... plus the yankees can offer him whatever they feel is justified in arbitration ...


Sure, if they want to lose the arb case and end up paying him $12 million.
   80. Mike Hampton's #1 Fan Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:11 PM (#2882606)
I guess there has to be some sort of rational, non-conspiracy explanation for how the Yankees keep having something-for-less-than-nothing deals fall into their laps, but I do wonder what it is. Is it just that Cashman is a complete workaholic and jumps on deals with both feet?
   81. Justin Zeth Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:12 PM (#2882607)
It's a ballsy move to be sure. But teams with just a sliver of hope for the postseason and rosters heavy on veteran talent need to make moves like this.


Ah, yes. Stupidity is stupidity unless it's my guy displaying it. Then it's balls.
   82. aleskel Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:13 PM (#2882609)
I guess there has to be some sort of rational, non-conspiracy explanation for how the Yankees keep having something-for-less-than-nothing deals fall into their laps, but I do wonder what it is.

most of the time it's money. This is the one of the few occasions where the other team doesn't gain a lot financially.
   83. Padraic Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:13 PM (#2882610)
Yea, but trade him to a fellow AL contender? Separate deals sending Pudge to Florida and picking up a reliever elsewhere would have made more sense.

Not that it mitigates things much, but I-Rod had a no-trade clause, and could have likely pulled an Abreu and basically said "I will only go to New York." Obviously, the payroll helps, but the Yankees also benefit a lot from players wanting to play there. Very similar (though less important) than the Abreu deal*: a team wants to unload salary, the player has a no-trade clause, and the Yankees are the only option.

*And, of course, Farnsworth is a better return than the Phillies got for Abreu.
   84. Sean McNally Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:14 PM (#2882611)
Would not a Posada/I-Rod platoon not make sense on a short-term basis. Provided Rodriguez is willing to take a bit of a cut?
   85. Loren F.'s well-anchored glenoid Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:14 PM (#2882612)
I can only assume that Detroit looked at the 11 or 12 blown saves they've had this year, realized they're only 5.5 games behind Chicago, realized that the Wild Card is almost assuredly going to come from the AL East, and decided they should get a bullpen upgrade and go for it.
   86. The Joe Mauer Power Hour (kj) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:14 PM (#2882614)
Ah, yes. Stupidity is stupidity unless it's my guy displaying it. Then it's balls.

Not my guy. I'm a Twins fan.
   87. JoeHova Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:15 PM (#2882615)
BR has C's OPS+ at 94, 88, and 94 the last three years.


hmm. That's weird because they also have Pudge being above average for a catcher in 2007 (sOPS+ of 101), when his OPS+ was only 85.
   88. snapper Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:15 PM (#2882616)
I guess there has to be some sort of rational, non-conspiracy explanation for how the Yankees keep having something-for-less-than-nothing deals fall into their laps, but I do wonder what it is. Is it just that Cashman is a complete workaholic and jumps on deals with both feet?

Detroit thinks their still in it, has a better catching option (Inge) and a bull-pen held together by spit and scotchtape. It's a pretty desparate gamble to think Farnsworth is the difference maker, but they save $3M (see above). Pittsburgh took a flyer on a former top-50 prospect they think they can rehabilitate, and three mediocre arms they desperately need to avoir their pitching becoming a complete vortex of suck.

No conspiracies needed. They may be bad decisions, but they're rational.
   89. Master of Karate and Friendship (Kyle C) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:16 PM (#2882617)
I guess there has to be some sort of rational, non-conspiracy explanation for how the Yankees keep having something-for-less-than-nothing deals fall into their laps, but I do wonder what it is. Is it just that Cashman is a complete workaholic and jumps on deals with both feet?


This has something to do with it as well. The Steinbrenner brothers gave the go ahead to add payroll to improve the team, and neither they nor Cashman have wanted to give up their best prospects. I think he is a complete workaholic as well, and it seems he's very patient dealing with teams to get exactly what he wants.
   90. Marmaduchscherer Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:17 PM (#2882619)
But measured against all the other actual deadline deals that get made, this trade is groin-grabbingly lopsided to the Yankees and a major upgrade.

Bingo. I doubt that any other team will make a trade that is as much as a +1 win upgrade (which is about what this one is), and given the position they are in, that win is very important to the Yankees.

I don't get it. The Yankees to some mind-numbingly stupid things, but then they also make trades like this and the Abreu trade and the A-Rod trade. Goddamit.
   91. KJOK Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:17 PM (#2882620)
What a minute...Why exactly is everyone thinking the Tigers got robbed?


I'm not thinking they did. They weren't going to re-sign him, they weren't going to offer him arbitration (so no draft picks), and they have Inge availagble to replace him for 2 months, until they decide in the off-season what to do long-term. No one else but the Yankees likely wanted him, so they had to take whatever the Yankees would offer, which is $3 Million savings plus another bullpen arm.
   92. snapper Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:18 PM (#2882622)
Would not a Posada/I-Rod platoon not make sense on a short-term basis. Provided Rodriguez is willing to take a bit of a cut?

I don't think so. If Posada is healthy, he'll catch 120 games, and Pudge will be too expensive for a backup, and will want to play more. I'm sure he still thinks he's a starter. Matsui has DH pretty much locked up for next year.
   93. kevin Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:18 PM (#2882623)
I'm curious to see how the Yankee pitchers like pitching to him. Molina seemed to be doing an outstanding job. Look at the years Farnsowrth (now gone), Pettitte and Mussina had been having.

There was a rap on I-rod a few years back he didn't call a good dame. Maybe we can find out if that's true now.

Still, that's a heck of a catching combo - I-rod and Molina.
   94. bibigon Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:18 PM (#2882624)
I've got this as making the Yankees about 9 runs better from the Molina to Pudge transition. I don't know how to evaluate the Farnsworth loss, due to chaining effects.

A bit less than a win better thought it looks like.
   95. Lefty, Monty, And The Moose (Walewander) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:20 PM (#2882625)

There was a rap on I-rod a few years back he didn't call a good dame. Maybe we can find out if that's true now.


Why? Because the credit he got handling young staffs in 03 and 06 didn't penetrate the northeast media fog?
   96. cult of basebaal Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:20 PM (#2882626)
Sure, if they want to lose the arb case and end up paying him $12 million.


well, if pudge is worth that much in a one year deal, i'd say it's pretty damn likely he's going to get offered more than that in a multi-year deal, which he's even more likely to take if it means a choice between being a high-paid backup and getting to start ...
   97. ColonelTom Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:21 PM (#2882627)
I'd have to guess that Farnsworth has a shot at being a Type B free agent, which would net the Tigers a compensation pick.
   98. Master of Karate and Friendship (Kyle C) Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:21 PM (#2882628)
hmm. That's weird because they also have Pudge being above average for a catcher in 2007 (sOPS+ of 101), when his OPS+ was only 85.


Hmmm, maybe the page I was looking at included pitchers hitting? I had to use OPS+ compared to their teams since sOPS+ on the league pages were 100. So yeah, that's probably the difference.
   99. aleskel Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:22 PM (#2882631)
Sure, if they want to lose the arb case and end up paying him $12 million.

in the Yankees' world, there are far worse things than paying Pudge $12 mill. for one year.
   100. Sean McNally Posted: July 30, 2008 at 05:24 PM (#2882632)
W-w-w-wait? kevin praises a Yankee deal. And not in a backhanded, invective filled way?

/head asspoldes
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