Update: HOLLIDAY A CARD 7yr/120 million, p178

[lukethedrifter]

One day I'll quit being a baseball fan over this stuff, I'm afraid. Anyway, it seems like baseball will have to ultimately go the way of soccer with the richest teams spread around the world in New York, LA, Mexico City, Havana, Caracas, Tokyo and Seoul playing for a real World Championship.

[Michael]

From BP:

The Yankees loaded up on free agents last winter, spending an almost incomprehensible $423.5 million to sign Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett. This winter, Cashman has gone the trade route in his attempt to strengthen a team that went 103-59 and won the World Series last season, as he has dealt for Granderson and Vazquez.

While Cashman hasn’t been quite The Cash Man this time, the Yankees did take on the three years and $25.75 million remaining on Granderson’s contract and will pay Vazquez $11.5 million in 2010. That leads to the age-old question of whether the Yankees have an unlimited budget. "I do have a number I’m working under," Cashman said. "We will be under that number."

The Yankees seem determined to stay under $200 million, as even the sport’s most well-heeled franchise is sensitive to claims it bought the franchise’s 27th World Series title with last winter’s spending spree. Yet there are many people around baseball who believe owner Hal Steinbrenner will give Cashman the OK to go over the $200 million threshold to sign a premier free agent such as Matt Holliday or Jason Bay to fill the hole in left field created when they decided not to re-sign Damon last week.

Cashman, though, is adamant that neither Holliday nor Bay is coming to New York. "We’ll continue to look at any remaining pieces, but it won’t be a big piece," Cashman said. "So any speculation about some high-end players with dollars attached on a large scale would be inappropriate."

---

Holliday is still unsigned with the holidays fast approaching, and agent Scott Boras said there is no sense of urgency to have him under contract before the calendar turns to 2010 a week from Friday.

"The acquisition of a franchise talent is not about a wristwatch," Boras told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold. "That’s about all I can tell you. It’s not a particular time. It's about the club recognizing the benefit of having that player and how they'll be dramatically impacted by the loss of that player. When that realization takes place, when there is recognition of the player's place in the market, then you have an agreement.”

Boras’ clients have been noted for staying on the market longer than most. Teixeira did not agree to terms with the Yankees last winter until December 23, while left fielder Manny Ramirez did not re-sign with the Dodgers until after spring training had started. When in doubt, Boras always prefers to watch the market fully develop rather than strike a quick deal. "You can take time, because things always get more defined in time," Boras said.

And:

The Cardinals’ Plan B for left field if they are unable to resign Holliday is to bring back Mark DeRosa as a free agent, though there is some sentiment in the organization to giving the job to prospect Allen Craig

Free-agent outfielder Xavier Nady is drawing considerable interest as a free agent despite playing just seven games last season for the Yankees before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He is a possibility for the Braves, Yankees, and Cardinals, among others.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... cleid=9878

[number9]

From BP:

even the sport’s most well-heeled franchise is sensitive to claims it bought the franchise’s 27th World Series title with last winter’s spending spree.

I find it hard to believe this has any impact on what the Yankees do.

[Bama_Card_Fan]

From BP:

While Cashman hasn’t been quite The Cash Man this time, the Yankees did take on the three years and $25.75 million remaining on Granderson’s contract and will pay Vazquez $11.5 million in 2010. That leads to the age-old question of whether the Yankees have an unlimited budget. "I do have a number I’m working under," Cashman said. "We will be under that number."

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... cleid=9878

I wonder if that number is $250 million.

[Bo Hart]

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sounded what's become a familiar call on Wednesday, reiterating that the team is not interested in spending on a big-ticket player to address a need in the outfield.

"It won't be a big name situation," he said. "I can promise you that."

[Jocephus]

im thinking of that conan o'brien "liar!" stamp on cashmans head

[Hungary Jack]

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sounded what's become a familiar call on Wednesday, reiterating that the team is not interested in spending on a big-ticket player to address a need in the outfield.

"It won't be a big name situation," he said. "I can promise you that."

How do you know when a politician/lawyer/baseball GM is lying?

[redbirdjazzz]

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sounded what's become a familiar call on Wednesday, reiterating that the team is not interested in spending on a big-ticket player to address a need in the outfield.

"It won't be a big name situation," he said. "I can promise you that."

How do you know when a politician/lawyer/baseball GM is lying?

[SHOW]

[cards2468]

wtf is that?

[redbirdjazzz]

wtf is that?

Thumbscrews.