New Mets skipper Mickey Callaway indicated in his comments to reporters that he’s disinclined to utilize a traditional closer, as Mike Puma of the New York Post tweets. While Jeurys Familia has thrived in that role at times in the past, it seems the Mets may at least consider dabbling in more of a late-inning matchup approach, though surely the team’s approach will also depend upon its ensuing transactions. GM Sandy Alderson suggested to reporters, including Marc Carig of Newsday (Twitter link), that bullpen usage plans are still open for consideration.
More from the New York organizations:
- Meanwhile, recent chatter surrounding Matt Harvey does not seem likely to go anywhere. Alderson indicated (also via Carig, on Twitter) that Callaway and pitching coach Dave Eiland have recommended the organization retain the former ace. While it’s not clear that anything has changed since the rumors emerged yesterday, that viewpoint seems at least to be informing the Mets’ valuation of a pitcher that has a massive ceiling but who has struggled quite notably of late.
- While the Mets held at least some conversations with the Athletics regarding second baseman Jed Lowrie, per Puma (via Twitter), the clubs “don’t appear to match up.” That seems to remove at least one possibility from the Mets’ seemingly wide-open search for options up the middle. At this stage, it’s anyone’s guess how the open job will be filled.
- The Yankees have reached out to the Royals to express interest in lefty Danny Duffy, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports on Twitter. Kansas City seems to be in the early stages of exploring trade scenarios for Duffy and others, but we’ve heard some news trickle out on various possibilities in recent days. The Yanks, meanwhile, have been connected to a variety of names; Sherman also discusses some of the other avenues for building out the Yanks’ rotation.
- Sherman also looks at the Yankees’ situation from a higher level. Without further salary-shedding maneuvers, he tweets, the team may have something on the order of $20MM to $25MM to work with before reaching luxury tax territory. Given that the organization has possibilities for moving yet more cash off the books, it seems there’s still ample flexibility.
Cots has the Yanks at 157 million right now, that would give them 40 million to spend!
You have to go to the tax tracker tab at Cots as the $157m figure does not include the rest of the 40 man ($2.5m) or benefits ($13.5m). The Yanks payroll for luxury tax implications is about $172m
Thanks, I will remember that, so they have 25 million to spend. I would think they use that money for a starter. unless they can get one in a trade. Cashman was checking in on Cole, Duffy, Corbin, and Fullmer today.
Yeah in reality the Yankees only have about 11-14 million to play with because they have to leave about a 10 million dollar for call ups and the possibility of trying to make a trade deadline aquasistion
it was 11-14 before the Headley trade
now it’s more like 25
That is actually incorrect. Right now they are about 25 million under the tax limit yes. However that does not mean they can spend 25 million. I would assume they would not go into the season without having any wiggle room to trade for someone at the deadline. I would assume they will have to leave about 8-10 million as a buffer for call ups and a possible deadline move
Was just about to post this. So many fans think they’ll bump right up to 197M, but they will surely want some in-season flexibility.
If Ellsbury can bounce back a little Yankees are in pretty good shape. After the Headley move there should be about 45m to work with.
Bounce back how? He’s not going to get ANY playing time, outside of a spot start and the occasional pinch hit/pinch running appearance.
^ all of these figures are post Headley move already. It’s 25 million with the probability of leaving a reasonable buffer around 8-10 million
Ellsbury played well last year, he had a 1.6 WAR while not playing full time. He is worth 10 to 12 million to somebody and could start for almost all no contending teams.. He would be an upgrade for teams like the Giants and D-Backs in LF too.
Anybody think the Yankees sending Ellsbury & Frazier to the Giants for Shark & Panik would work ?
Absolutely not. they don’t need a second baseman..
if anything they need a temporary fill in until torres is ready..
They want someone better than Shark for the rotation
he might be a good trade off for ellsbury but I’m sure they yankees will look for eat 5-7 mill and trade him that way..
Panik is a good player but he doesn’t have a spot.
Andujar will be playing for them this year if they don’t sign Todd Frazier
Panic could play second. Theres no guarentee that Torres or Andujar come up and succeed right away
Would actually like to see Yankees trade for Lowrie
Thanks, I will remember that, so they have 25 million to spend. I would think they use that money for a starter. unless they can get one in a trade. Cashman was checking in on Cole, Duffy, Corbin, and Fullmer today.
Cashman’s ability to address today’s needs with an eye on the future has matured to the point where I think he’s the best big market GM. I just hope he doesn’t think he’s too smart and tries to over-do-it this winter.
I also appreciate his ability to think rationally and without emotion because signing CC seems to be the easiest way to cement the rotation yet from the reports we hear, he’s targeting young power starters with years of control remaining to fill the mid-back of rotation spot. His machinations over the last 3 years, starting with acquiring Didi, have reflected the near and future approach used regarding acquisitions. And when a chance to exploit unique opportunities the market presents like a) trading for Stanton because of the limit trade partners created by Stanton’s no-trade clause and the Yanks financial ability b) trading for Chapman when the Reds were selling low due to the domestic violence situation c) selling high by trading Chapman and Miller at a time where closers were in demand and the market over-valued relief pitchers.
Now going into the winter meetings the Yanks are in a great situation where they have viable in-house options at there areas of need….
2B and 3B can be addressed by going with youthful and cheep options (Torres, Andujar, Estrada, Wade, Torreyes or Solak.
5th starter- Adams.
4th OF-Frazier
….so they don’t NEED to do much this winter but still have financial flexibility, a deep farm they can use and a couple of valued mlb players that they can market like Headley who they traded, two closers in either Betances or Robertson who could be made available and Cliff Frazier who they can either hold until Gardner walks after 2018 season or trade now for pitching or younger prospects. Great job.
Good post.
I like Adams as 5th starter, surprised to not see it mentioned much. I would sign a respected vet on a cheap one year deal, someone who could easily be usurped by Adams after a couple of weeks, a Bartolo type.
Similarly would like a respected veteran infielder if gettable for pretty cheap one-year. Utley, Kendrick, Drew reunion, etc. To keep Torres down to start year, easily usurpable.
Leave a lot of room to add at deadline as needed.
Keep Frazier in minors to start and maybe much or all year, you have five other good outfielders, Ellsbury is good and probably won’t waive no-trade.
Duffy for Frazier and Adams – DONE!!!!! 😉
I would want a little more from KC but your not far off.
Ok. Brian Flynn then.
Duffy and MJ Melendez for Frazier, Adams and Luis Cesa
I take it back I would want Whit Merrifield but I’d add Estrada
scott alexander is a good start
Lol. When I first read this, I missed your wink face. There is no way I want to see Danny Duffy in the Bronx. He gives up a lot of hr. The stadium would eat him up.
In 146 IP Duffy gave up 13 hrs. 9 on the road. That is hardly an issue.
I like Cashman’s approach to filling the 5th spot. He’s keeping his eye on CC and at the same time looking for young and controllable power arms he could use surplus prospects as trade bait.