...I like Choo but I think all things considered, I'd rather have this guy; http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/ya...ks-no-1-outfield-target?ex_cid=espnapi_public ...I know he's a bit older but aside from the obvious, in addition to being an exceptional all around player, he is also one of the best base stealers of all time...his success rate is unreal, and kinda surprising...and something I was unaware of.
I like Choo also but am just a tad concerned with Beltran and his age and bad knees. I hope they can do a two year deal but sounds like they might have to go three years which makes me pretty nervous. Have to wonder what will happen with Cano? If they sign Beltran they still have to add pitching and another infielder besides a 2nd baseman by my calculations so do you think they go over the 189 mandate or walk away from Cano and sign Infante?
...yeah, that's the main problem, he supposedly wants 3 years. And I think/hope his knees are OK because he has not missed many games the last 2 years. ...Depending on whether or not Hal practices what he's preaching, they may may be over the $189 mandate anyway...but then if Arod get a lengthy suspension it will be both an bonus and a blessing and could encourage going after even more FAs.
...oh, as far as Cano, best case scenario for me and the Yanx for that matter, would be for the Yanx to pull their offer off the table, then sign someone like Infante, which might scare and bring Cano and his agents back to reality, and if no one matches the Yanx' initial offer, wait for Cano to come crawling back, sign him for fewer years, and let Infante play 3B. ...unlikely it would go down like this, but hey, I can dream.
NEW YORK -- The Yankees love Carlos Beltran. They would love to see him patrolling rightfield for them next season, and the season after that. As Andrew Marchand wrote last night Beltran is their No. 1 outfield target this winter. Beltran Beltran But they're only willing to go so far. A source I spoke with this morning, who is involved in the negotiations but requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly, said that while the Yankees might be willing to go as high as $14 million a year for Beltran, they are unlikely to offer him three years. It has been reported that Beltran and his agent, Dan Lozano, are seeking a three-year deal. "I think that would probably be a deal-breaker," said the source. "The guy would be 40 years old (Beltran would turn 39 in April of a third season), and the Yankees have enough 40-year-olds now." Currently, both Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez are signed beyond their 40th birthdays, and Ichiro Suzuki turned 40 in October. The Yankees have yet to make an offer to Beltran. http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/67213/three-years-a-deal-breaker-for-beltran
Forgot to add that I am all for the Yankees signing Infante to play 3rd base and if they don't sign Cano than he can play 2nd. Win win signing either way.
...^^^yeah, I saw that earlier and I agree, and I don't see anyone giving him 3 years unless the final year, like McCann's, is a vesting option, hopefully based on PAs or maybe games played the previous year. If they meet that criteria it obviously means they were still producing. But still, I'd rather stay at 2 years. So I suppose it comes down to whether we want Beltran at 2/3 years or Choo at 5/6 years...and also, from what I've read, Beltran has wanted to be a Yankee.
I agree, Beltran is a great player and NY needs to limit the long deals, I don't like Choo being so bad against LH either (0 HR last year) let the Mets have him.
What is not making sense with the Beltran saga for me is this. The ESPN beat writers say that the Yankees are willing to offer 14 mil for 2 years. The Cards tendered him an offer, so why would he sign for that. OK it was for one year. I get it. It will be 3 years, we all know it, but for how much. liked mentioned by Rusty, 0 HR's vs. lefties doesn't cut it.
...ahhh, OK...damn, $7 Mil per year sounded good to me ... I have not even seen the amount of money he's asking for.
The Cardinals tendered an offer, so he turned down 14.1 mil but I think it's the term (years) that he wants as much as the dollars. 3 yrs 36 mil is my guess.
The Yankees are in overpay mode IMO, they're desperate to be a force again, so I think they'll buckle and offer the third year if that's what it takes, but maybe front load the contract so he gets paid less that last season, or maybe option it but doubt that works for Carlos. This is it for Beltran though so I doubt he signs soon, he'll be waiting for the best offer and that may take some time.
Sign Grandy and Beltran....and the final move should be for the Japanese pitcher...if they fail to get the Japanese pitcher...continue to try and improve the pitching staff during this off-season. This is what I think the Yanks should do. With Tex returning HOPEFULLY healthy...along with Jeter,...along with additions of Beltran AND Grandy.... this should (will be) be enough to return the offense to one of the very best in MLB.
...whether it is the Yanx or not, if a team wants to sign a FA, more times than not they are going to "overpay". (I hear this term a lot)
Grandy I don't want back at all... Beltran only if it is 1 or 2 years... and I love the idea of getting Tanaka...
...no to Grandy...they can likely get Beltran for less...or if they are willing to give Grandy 2-3 years, they might as well give Choo 4-5 years.
hind-sight is 20-20... they ended up paying Beltran the same/year as Grandy got paid with the Muts for 1 year less... too many years for Beltran IMO...
