Red Sox didn't offer him, making him much more attractive to me than McCann both money wise and draft pick. The fact that the Soxs offered Drew says to me he's not worth the money or the pick. Parelta Salty Infante Pieces that fit at a price equal to just what Cano will get. Just an observation.
I would prefer McCann but Salty is my second choice. They HAVE to come away this winter with a #1 catcher. They cannot go with Stewart, Romine and Cervelli. That just cannot happen again.
He did just have a career year, and his numbers are bloated by Fenway, he could very well come to the Yankees and return to being the erratic catcher he's always been, be wary of Boston players.
I don't favor the Boston players either, let them go where they can go. Drew has never impressed me that much. Ellsbury reminds me of an MGB I had in the late 70's. When it ran it ran well but was more at home in the shop than on the road. Yankees must spend wisely to compete, with Cashman as GM I am very nervous about the potential pigs in a poke he may sign.
Ellsbury gets hurt too much, and has hand problems right now, too risky to sign IMO, and with Granderson probably gone they could use a HR/RBI OF anyway, they have enough speed/contact guys out there.
Who are the speed/contact guys? If you put power behind the plate you can do well with a trio of contact, speed/power/OBP with Soriano/Gardner/Choo. Ichiro or Wells as the 4th OFer. I like Ellsbury but he is injured way too often and Saltalamacchia is a red flag to me. Terrible in the postseason and had a career year that was mediocre in the friendly confines of Fenway. Pass on both. Give me Choo and McCann.
Zoilo is a speed guy, and considering all the complaints about the farm one would hope that a young player such as him would be given a chance by fans to play. I hope to see Ichiro gone, but that's not happening.
Unfortunately you're right, ain't happening. Would love to hear that Ichiro's decided to hang 'em up and we get to see Zoilo get that shot. I still like Choo to round out the current OF.
Agreed, Choo over Ellsbury, he can't hit lefties, but he still gets on base against them. Sorry to hijack the thread.
...there's not much difference in speed between Zoilo and Ichiro, if any...and Ichiro is a better fielder, has a better arm, better bat, doesn't strike out as often, and steals bases at a good rate. Just because Almonte is a young Yankee farm harm does not by default necessarily make him a better option. ...the Yanx need more production from a corner OFer.
Ichiro had a .640 OPS last year, and was miserable after the break, and he's ancient, they can release him for all I care.
...and again, Almonte was no better...hence, why I said "the Yanx need more production from a corner OFer".
Zoilo is 24 YO with a 100 AB's in the majors... but he's done right? I'm not saying don't get a Choo or something, but if guys like Zoilo don't get a chance then fans simply cannot complain about the farm, young players need the time and Almonte has been a solid farmhand with power, speed and patience, he deserves a shot.
...who the hell said he was "done"?...no one. Nice stick man. ...yeah, he has appeared in 34 games and had 113 PAs and finished the year at .236 .274 .302 .576...and is also a CAREER .269 hitter after 7 years in the minors...and he's got "patience"?...he's struck out 25% of the time against minor league pitching...and he was worse than Ichiro this year and NEITHER player's production will cut it as a "corner OFer" playing for the Yanx...not sure how this simple concept escapes you...but I'm not the least bit surprised.
The point is we need more production from the corner outfield spots going into 2014. Prior to acquiring Soraino, our corner outfielders of Wells and Ichiro ranked last in many categories. Take away Wells's April and May and it was worse. So I agree with 59 that neither Almonte or Ichiro can provide the desired production in right field. And the right field situation of last year was still better than our DH production which was non existent.
...MB, I think the only position the Yanx won't improve on offensively from last year might be CF because Gardner will still be there and 2B, but that's only if Cano does not return. All of the other positions should see better production than last year...it's a miracle they won as many games as they did.
Hopefully your right, with Tex back at first, Cano if he is signed, Jeter and help at shortstop, that leaves the catcher and 3B position to be determined. In the Outfield, assuming Soriano starts in left, Garner in center, and either Grandy or a player to be determined rounds out the outfield. Add Rick Rhoden or anyone better to the DH and the productivity will be greatly increased over 2013. As I keep saying, our DH's last year I believed combined to hit under 200. That would leave 3B, C, DH as holes that need to be filled going into 2014. I prefer Salty over McCann because he will not require a draft pick and we have Sanchez and Murphy in the wings, which most likely makes AJ a better dollar signing. I would like Freese at the right price and then get creative with the DH. Sign Ryan as backup SS and maybe overpay on Infante to give us 3B and 2B protection. Tanaka sounds like a must have and maybe a closer.
