Monday, December 1, 2008

Heyman: Yanks Haven't Ruled Out Manny

From Jon Heyman:

Manny Ramirez still could have one chance to come home. While the Mets have all but decided they will not pursue the slugging savant from Washington Heights, in Upper Manhattan, the Yankees clearly have not ruled out a run at Ramirez.

Indications are that the Yankees are concentrating on their biggest needs first, led by a starting rotation that has only two certainties -- Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain. Superstar free agent pitcher CC Sabathia is their first target, but the Yankees are one team that isn't afraid to spend in the spiraling economy. They are also taking a look at star first baseman Mark Teixeira. But the Yankees are still believed to be considering Ramirez, as well. The Yankees already have a plethora of corner outfielders, including Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Xavier Nady, although the almost certain departure of Bobby Abreu -- whom the Yankees refused to offer salary arbitration on Monday -- means it won't be quite as crowded as it was at the end of last season.
Heyman doesn't say that he's heard anything from any sources, and it looks that this may just be speculation.

From the decision the Yankees made today not to offer Bobby Abreu and Andy Pettitte arbitration it's evident that they want to control payroll. Signing Manny Ramirez doesn't seem like it would fit into those plans very well. Especially not with a $140 million deal on the table for CC Sabathia and the Yankees interest in Mark Teixeira.

7 Comments:

Mark McCray said...

I'm confused lol

Greg Cohen said...

I think the Yankees are too.

Mark McCray said...

lol.

I'm just waiting for the Yankees to announce that since they couldn't afford to buy CC the entire state of California, they opted to sign a less glamorous free agent-- David "Boomer" Wells--to a 3 year 60 million dollar deal.

Anonymous said...

The Yankees aren't looking to save money. They are just not looking to throw it away. Giving Pettitte 16 million would be crazy considering he is a 4th starter now. The Yankees need to bring him back but not for an amount like that. It's time we get a hometown discount from a veteran.

Mike B. said...

Hometown discount from a veteran? Amen!

Mike

Anonymous said...

Lets get Manny or Tex, and 1 reliable free agent starter and we shall be OK>

Greg Cohen said...

That should work anon, and I'd prefer Teixeira, he's younger and fills two needs the Yankees have; 1B, and no. 3 hitter. Manny would be nice too, but the really don't need another corner outfielder/DH.

Although they would need to sign Pettitte or another starter in this scenario. Even with CC they only have three set starters; CC, Wang and Joba, maybe Hughes could fill in as the no. 5, but that still leaves a hole in the rotation.