“I know you really really really don’t like Cashman Steve, and anyone who tried to deny that he has a checkered past in terms of moves would be kidding themselves. But, on the other hand, who doesn’t. I would say those good to great impacts outbalance the so called “bad” impacts by a mile.” – Zack

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I thought that should be re-posted for emphasis. Is there any way that getting Duque, Sori, and keeping the reigning WS MVP and someone who would go on to throw a perfect game in the next season around, levels out evenly with butchering the draft? Especially considering, we got a helpful pitcher for Henson and both Henson and Keisler made the bigs with us. Unsuccessful as they turned out to be, that is still further than many draft picks go. Everyone praises us now, as others mentioned, for drafting risks and paying them above slot, they can’t all turn out well.

You commented about the Yankee Blinders on another post, Steve. Obviously, you aren’t the most optimistic fan. But hey, while I am optimistic about the Yanks for the most part, I’m not the same way with the Rangers for example so I understand where you’re coming from. And, more importantly, I (and obviously many others) keep coming back to the blog so don’t sweat it and keep up the good work.

~~~Also, do you have any reason to believe that Cashman wasn’t part of the Bernie signing, or that he didn’t want Bernie?~~~

It’s pretty well documented that Big Stein talked to Bernie just as he was about to go and asked him what it would take to make him stay – and then he, not Cashman, gave it to Williams.

So according to Raf’s article, the Yankees were one of the teams Prior said he’d sign with. The Yankees gave him approximately double what the current slot is, and probably triple what it would have been in ’98. He said he’d sign, they showed him the money, he said no. How is that a bad move?

Also, do you have any reason to believe that Cashman wasn’t part of the Bernie signing, or that he didn’t want Bernie?

I don’t know if it makes any difference, but Mark Prior was a sandwich pick, not a first rounder; they got Andy Brown in the first round.

http://tinyurl.com/2yopaf

“But before they settled on Brown for the first round, the Yankees thought about taking Mark Prior, a high school pitcher from San Diego who let it be known that there were only four clubs he would sign with; the Yankees were among those. But worried that Prior would be difficult to sign, the Yankees went with Brown — and lo and behold, Prior was still available at the time of their sandwich pick, between the first and second rounds (No. 43 over all). Cashman says talks with Prior, a 6-foot-5-inch, 220-pound right-hander, have begun in earnest.”

Seems that talks broke down over $$.

http://tinyurl.com/2c6fy9

“Prior led the Cubs within five outs of the World Series in 2003, when he was 18-6. The Yankees had drafted him five years earlier, but by the time they relented and offered him a $1.5 million bonus, Prior had decided to go to Vanderbilt, where he was a freshman all-American before transferring to U.S.C.”

~~~Come on Steve, you’re better than that.~~~

Shoot, Andy Van Hekken would have made more sense than a guy who was going to be impossible to sign – again, because, as a signed prospect he had some trade value.

***Gerald Laird – at least he would have had some trade value, back in the day, as opposed to a guy who didn’t sign.***

Good idea, take a projected backup catcher that was overdrafted because of position scarcity instead of the high ceiling pitcher that may or may not sign. Come on Steve, you’re better than that.

~~~Who were they supposed to take instead of Prior? ~~~

Gerald Laird – at least he would have had some trade value, back in the day, as opposed to a guy who didn’t sign.

And what is wrong with the Henson pick? Cash traded him for Denny Neagle a few years later, who helped them to a WS title. It’s not his fault Henson choose football years after signing.

Who were they supposed to take instead of Prior? The only guys worth a damn drafted after the first round of the ’98 draft are Adam Dunn, Matt Holliday (the Rox had to throw wads of cash at him to keep him from football) and Mark Teixeira (who didn’t sign anyway) and every team passed on them at least once.

You can’t expect every draft pick to work out, then blame the GM when it doesn’t.

Ben and Steve, that is the one of the dumber things that have been posted here. “The Yanks have a history of drafting big name players who have no intention of signing.” Please, the Yankees also have a history of signing big name player who DO sign. That is, in fact, exactly what has helped them rebuild their farm system so damn fast. Signing players everyone else assumed wouldn’t sign and then throwing a TON of cash at them.

Kisler started off his minor league career with a bang and then was rushed through the system, making his debut in just his 2nd full season. It was obviously a huge mistake as he clearly wasn’t ready, and like Chase Wright, Sean Henn, Clippard, and all the rest, he never recovered. Was it a bad draft pick? Yeah, with 20/20 hindsight, but had they not rushed him, who knows.

Drew Henson didn’t pan out, but that was exactly the type of move they are rightfully be praised for now: an above slot signing with a high ceiling. He didn’t pan out, but neither might Brackman, Bettences etc. You have to take those kinds of risks in the draft.

I know you really really really don’t like Cashman Steve, and anyone who tried to deny that he has a checkered past in terms of moves would be kidding themselves. But, on the other hand, who doesn’t. I would say those good to great impacts outbalance the so called “bad” impacts by a mile. Hernandez was a GREAT signing, period.

ben – ditto what christopher said