Did you see Peter Abraham’s suggested plan for the Yankees in terms of moving forward towards next season? Click here to read it. The highlights:
The Yankees should insist that Cashman hire a New York-based assistant GM with hands-on experience, a next-generation Stick Michael. The Yankees need somebody who wouldn’t be afraid to tell the GM that signing the likes of Kei Igawa is a bad idea. The Yankees need a bad cop in the room.
MAKE THE KIDS EARN IT. The Yankees gave Kennedy a $2.25 million signing bonus, had him throw only 146 innings in the minors before promoting him to the majors last season then handed him a job before spring training.
Phil Hughes had a 7.71 ERA in spring training and started the third game of the season. This isn’t Camp Pinstripe; it’s a major-league team. Nothing should be given away.
TWEAK THE COACHING STAFF. Girardi became manager with only two years of experience as a coach or manager. The Yankees did not equip him with the proper staff.
Girardi’s five coaches came into this season with a total of 10 years of experience on the major-league level as coaches or managers. The bulk of that experience — six seasons — comes from first-base coach Tony Pena.
Peter also suggested that the Yankees should let Giambi and Abreu walk after this season, they should bring back Mussina and Pettitte, and, they should convert Johnny Damon to first base in 2009.
All good points, if you ask me. What do you think? If you were in charge of the Yankees, what would you do in terms of a plan for next year?
27 Responses to “The Abraham Plan”
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August 18th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Depending on his contract demands, Giambi may be gone. Abreu should be gone after this season, replaced by Nady. Don’t think Damon’ll pick up a 1b glove just yet; you’ll see him in CF or LF next year. I think Meacham & Long will be gone.
I have a nagging feeling Sabathia will be signed. I think Cashman will stand pat with the kids and you’ll see Hughes and Kennedy next year.
The bench and bullpen will be tweaked.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I have a nagging feeling Sabathia will be signed.
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Whether or not Mussina & Pettitte resigns will be irrelevant.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I don’t understand the anti-Abreu crowd. Until Nady came aboard, he was the only reliable RBI guy. I _do_ appreciate his eye for pitches, ability to work the count and comfort hitting with 2 strikes.
Sure, he is sometimes an adventure in the field, but he’s also made some great plays and you can’t complain about his arm.
(In my book, Arod’s best moment as a Yankee was his HR against Paplebon in Fenway last year. But that HR never happens if Abreu does not make a great backhand catch on a full run in deep right-center field in the preceding half inning. Go check the video.)
August 18th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I always felt that Larry Bowa was a great asset to lose. And not just because he may have been Cano’s motivation expert (though that alone is worth it).
He is one of those experienced ‘baseball guys’ who you need on the bench and in the clubhouse. Sorta like Stottlemeyer and Zim.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I haven’t seen any evidence that Damon would be able to handle playing the infield. We just can’t assume that he would be able to field groundballs smoothly. I know Giambi isn’t the best 1B but at least he was always an infielder. Who knows what Damon would do over there. Wouldn’t Posada at 1B be more likely?
Also, if you move Damon to first and dump Abreu…that leaves you with an OF consisting of Xavier Nady….and who? Melky again?…You would basically need two more OF…because you can’t tell me Matsui can play out there.
The obvious move to me here is to keep Abreu and trade Matsui, which they should have done before this season if you ask me. He’s been hurt 2 of the past 3 seasons and he can’t play the OF anymore like he used to. I say trade him now after he shows he is somewhat healthy again, keep Abreu in right, Damon/Cabrera/Gardner in CF, and Nady in LF.
I am up in the air about 1B…I don’t think they should re-sign Giambi and if Posada can’t catch he has to be at 1B/DH…Betemit can play some 1B too…I don’t want to spend a ton on money on Texeira but it would be nice to know the Yanks have a solid 1B for the next 6-8 years because it seems like they have been messing around with that position for the past 5 years now.
Also, keep Moose and Pettite if you can.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:27 am
I think Meacham & Long will be gone.
I have a nagging feeling Sabathia will be signed.
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I think Meacham SHOULD be gone. I don’t think Long has earned a dismissal. Jeter, Cano, and Melky didn’t do squat for the team in 2008 and I’n not sure Long is to blame here. Melky wasn’t exactly a hitting prospect to begin with and Jeter’s just a guy on the downside of his career. We’re going to scapegoat him for that?
I agree, the Yanks will foolishly overspend on Sabathia or another pitcher and end up with the next Pavano situation.
As far as a “New York-based assistant GM” what does that even mean? If the Steinbrenners want to keep Cashman, they should keep Cashman. But imposing a self-punishment edict is preposterous. Either keep the guy or fire him, but don’t force him to hire someone that will be an agent of the Steinbrenners, fostering dissention and paranoia in the front office.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Why not simply allow Gene Michael (yes, I know he’s 70)to have more authority? Cashman likes him and Gene seems to know when and where to step on toes in this organization having survived more than 30 years in the Bronx. Although Abraham normally possesses a ham-fisted analytical touch, his points are valid. And Long, hale fellow well-met and all, is simply not a major league hitting coach. While obviously the contruction of the roster and its aging quotient are the main culprits in the failing offense, it’s clear that the Yankees do not make adjustments in-game, they do not know how to execute situationally, and the team’s offensive identity is to simply get walks and hit 3-run homers. Sans PEDS and amphetamines, that train has left the station. Kevin Long shows no signs of being the man to steward a new attack. Giving Girardi a staff that is less experienced than he is on Cashman, who should have known better. Look at the staff they gave Torre, a 15 year veteran in the dugout.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I don’t think Long has earned a dismissal.
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I see Long going in a “sacrificial lamb” move. Whether it’s wrong or right is irrelevant.
antone: For 2009, you’re looking at an outfield of Matsui, Damon, Nady, with Cabrera/Gardner/Christian backing up. Someone may be traded for, a FA may be signed. Abreu, depending on his contract demands, may be resigned.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Also, if you move Damon to first and dump Abreu…that leaves you with an OF consisting of Xavier Nady…and who? Melky again?…You would basically need two more OF…because you can’t tell me Matsui can play out there.
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Agree. The free agent market is extremely thin for available OF’ers over the next two winters. Matsui can no longer play in the outfield but Damon — noodle arm aside — may have to play some CF next year. The Yanks would be wise to keep Abreu around for 1-2 more years, if only to bridge the gap to either younger players on the horizon or better talent that becomes available in 2011 (Carl Crawford).
August 18th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
“The Yanks would be wise to keep Abreu around for 1-2 more years”
Fans eviscerate Jeter for being an awful fielding shortstop whose offense is declining yet willingly sign up for keeping the older Abreu, he of the declining offense and abysmal defense (worst rightfielder in the league by any measure), for another 2 years. And do you think he would stay for less than $15 million a year? I’d rather go sign Juan Rivera, who’s younger, a better fielder, right-handed, and cheaper.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
MAKE THE KIDS EARN IT. The Yankees gave Kennedy a $2.25 million signing bonus, had him throw only 146 innings in the minors before promoting him to the majors last season then handed him a job before spring training.
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Anyone else find this amusing? *Only* 146 MiL innings before his promotion?
Did he even bother to check the numbers he posted over the innings that he pitched? That would explain why he was eventually promoted to the big leagues.
With his on/off velocity (biennial fastball), I am curious to see how he will do next year.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Actually, I think Pete has it backwards here. If anything, the Yankees have been too conservative in promoting minor league talent. The self-imposed pressure or expectation of winning has made the threshold for playing in the bigs for the Yankees the highest in baseball. Almost comically, for more than a dozen years now, a kid has to essentially be a ROY candidate in order to break into the 25 man roster. Most call ups fail, some miserably. It’s part of the process of determining what you have in the system. Every other team, including the Red Sox, does this. Did the Angels make KRod “earn” his promotion in 2002? No, the decision was based on their perception of his talent. Despite the results, what the Yankees did with Hughes, Joba, and Kennedy was the right thing to do. It hasn’t worked out…yet.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Abreu is quite possibly the worst defensive right fielder in the game. His “great plays” are routine fly balls for Brian Giles and many others. I can live without his bat. Nady looks like a solid substitute. I think we’ll see a youngster in CF and Damon/Matsui sharing left. Doubt you’ll see Texiera on the FA market. Moreno will sign him and if the halos keep it up, he’ll be re-signing with the world champs. Yanks will likely continue to use 1B as the place to hide the glove they want in the lineup for offense- unless they trade Matsui and don’t have to use an OF at DH
I’m ok with going after Sabathia. Will still be cheaper than Santana (overspending AND giving up prospects). Given the Yanks new ticket prices, I am not going shed a tear for them if they overspend on FAs – especially pitchers. Igawa was embarassing and expensive but I don’t think he hurt us the way an overpaid position player does. The yanks didn’t kep playing him though months of horrible performance like they have with Giambi multiple times over the last 4 years.
if they land Sabathia and get Wang back, they should be able to piece together an adequate rotation with Mussina, Pettitte and the typical revolving door we’ve seen for 2 or 3 years. IMHO, Jeter Cano and A-Rod are the big variables. Another barelt at replacement level season from the Captain, with a dismal year from Cano and A-Rod’s bat disappearing after the 6th inning adds up to another disappointimg year no matter what the Yanks do with the OF, pitching or coaching staffs.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
If anything, the Yankees have been too conservative in promoting minor league talent.
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I agree to a certain extent. But there are also two factors to consider: first, the All-Star at every position mentality made it hard for the Yanks to promote players. Young players were constantly blocked by more expensive or better-established veterans. Second, until very recently, the Yankees didn’t have much talent in the minors that you’d even WANT to call up. This will gradually begin to change as the team spends more time and money building up its minor league system.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Is Abreu clearly the worst defensive RF? I mean we know he has issues going back near the wall and coming in for balls as well but his range is average (1.83 vs 1.82 league avg. range factor this year)and don’t you have to factor in his plus arm?
He is average at best but I don’t think he is killing the Yankees out there. He makes the plays he should make, it’s the tougher plays he has problems with. I think Matsui is much worse in the OF right now than Abreu. He has no range and his arm is much weaker. I worry about even routine plays with him.
Besides, who do you replace him with? It’s not like a young RF like Nick Markakis or someone like that is going to fall into the Yankees lap.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Looking at this list…if the Yanks don’t go after Texiera and Posada is the catcher..it wouldn’t surprise me to see Giambi back next season at a reduced price:
2009 Free Agent – First Basemen
Rich Aurilia SF
Hank Blalock * TEX
Ben Broussard TEX
Carlos Delgado * NYM
Nomar Garciaparra LAD
Jason Giambi * NYY
Wes Helms PHI
Kevin Millar BAL
Richie Sexson NYY
Mark Teixeira LAA
Frank Thomas OAK
Jim Thome CWS
Daryle Ward CHC
Who replaces Abreu from this group? Assuming Matsui has to DH. I really don’t see a better option.
Outfielders
Bobby Abreu NYY
Moises Alou NYM
Garret Anderson * LAA
Rocco Baldelli TB
Willie Bloomquist SEA
Emil Brown OAK
Pat Burrell PHI
Endy Chavez NYM
Carl Crawford * TB
Adam Dunn CIN
Jim Edmonds CHC
Cliff Floyd TB
Brian Giles * SD
Ken Griffey Jr. * CWS
Vladimir Guerrero * LAA
Raul Ibanez SEA
Jacque Jones DET
Mark Kotsay ATL
Rob Mackowiak WAS
Kevin Mench TOR
Jason Michaels * CLE
Craig Monroe MIN
Jay Payton BAL
Scott Podsednik COL
Manny Ramirez * LAD
Juan Rivera LAA
Rondell White MIN
August 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Who replaces Abreu from this group? Assuming Matsui has to DH. I really don’t see a better option.
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Exactly my point, Antone. The list of 2009 OF FA’s is pretty gruesome.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Very gruesome…all the good hitting options might be worse in the OF defensively than Abreu: Dunn/Burrell/Manny/Vlad/Ibanez/Alou…
…and for the guy who said Juan Rivera…yes, Juan Rivera who has played in all of 76 games combined the last two seasons, who has never had 450 at bats in a season and never walked more than 34 times and has posted an OPS+ of of 91 and 87 the past two seasons, that is the guy we want to replace Abreu? I don’t see that happening.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
MJ, I agree with you on Abreu ,there is no better option. Abreu likes it here and is pretty good relative to the alternatives presented.And who says that Sabathia and Texeira are both coming here? Teams are now flush with money so CC could easily go to the Angels( where he wants to play) or Texas where Hicks will make him the pitching version of Arod(paywise that is). Mark T could also land in Texas again too or even Boston. Then again Vlady would sure look good in pinstripes , even better than Abreu so who knows……..
August 18th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
No to Abreu. Declining offense and defense. If the Yankees sign him, they are dumb.
I beleive that ZR had Abreu at a -17 a week or two ago.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Who replaces Abreu from this group? Assuming Matsui has to DH. I really don’t see a better option.
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Nady replaces Abreu. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a revolving door of Damon, Melky, Christian & Gardner in L/CF. Assuming Matsui’s a fulltime DH. Duncan will probably get another crack @ the corners and 1b.
Other than that, there’s the FA route, trade route, and the non-tender route.
A lot can happen between now and Opening Day 2009.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
“Corners” meaning LF & RF.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I don’t see Abreu declining THAT MUCH offensively..he’s been pretty consistent the last 4 seasons and is actually having a better season than last year.
2005 0.286 0.405 0.474 0.879 126
2006 0.297 0.424 0.462 0.886 126
2007 0.283 0.369 0.445 0.814 114
2008 0.289 0.364 0.462 0.826 119
His walks have gone down but I’m pretty sure that is because A-Rod is batting behind him. His power has been consistent for the past 4 seasons, so his OPS decline is mostly due to the decrease in walks.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Nady replaces Abreu. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a revolving door of Damon, Melky, Christian & Gardner in L/CF. Assuming Matsui’s a fulltime DH. Duncan will probably get another crack @ the corners and 1b.
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Raf, you logic doesn’t work there because Nady is already on the team. He can’t replace Abreu because then someone has to replace Nady’s production. If you think Melky/Christian/Gardner/Duncan is good enough to do that, then god bless you because I certainly don’t.
Obviously a trade could happen but I think most are arguing that the Yankees should dump Abreu regardless of whether there is a trade or not and I don’t see them having enough in the OF to do that right now.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Further to Antone’s point, why would the Yanks want to have a Christian/Gardner/Melky platoon at one of the corners? How would Nady/Christian/Gardner/Melky be better than Nady/Abreu at the corners?
August 18th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Further to Antone’s point, why would the Yanks want to have a Christian/Gardner/Melky platoon at one of the corners?
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I don’t know about the corners (I was thinking Damon/Nady), but I think those guys may be slotted to play CF, or resting one of the regulars in the corners, or being a LIDR. But I suspect the Yanks will want to shore up their defense. Maybe they think Melky will bounce back, maybe they think they can get away with a platoon of these players, I don’t know.
Of course, as I said before, there is a lot of time between now and Opening Day 2009.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I think the Yanks are going to make a big move for Pat Burrell.