Thursday, December 5, 2013

Open Letter to Robinson Cano

As we all know, Robinson Cano is an avid reader of The Greedy Pinstripes, so I wanted to write him a letter addressing his free agency:

Dear Mr. Cano,

We, the fandom of the Evil Empire known as Yankees fans, have recently heard that a team on the West Coast has offered you a substantial offer that seemingly would be crazy to refuse.  On behalf of said Yankees fans, I would like to offer you my reasoning for why you should reject that offer and finish your career as a Yankee.

1) You have only played for one team and that is the New York Yankees.  Signing with the Yankees on a 7 or 8 year deal would ensure that you only play for one team your whole career.  Look at some of your compatriots: Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada...they all only played for one team.  Andy Pettitte, although a member of the Core-Four isn't as admired as those other 3 due to his defection to Houston for a few seasons.

2) By following #1 above, you would virtually assure your place not only in Monument Park in Yankee Stadium (make sure to check out the Yankee Stadium Experience-Monument Park by the way...shameless plug) and make you an almost lock for Cooperstown.  Just don't get into any wrestling matches in the clubhouse please...

3) Playing for the Yankees assures you of playing in the playoffs almost every year.  There aren't many teams that have made it to the playoffs in 17 of the last 19 seasons...well, really only the Yankees have done that...oh and they also have 5 rings in that time...that team out west has exactly NONE in their history.
Hmmm...One, Two, Three...Twenty-seven...
4) Being a LEGEND in New York makes you a BASEBALL LEGEND...being the best player for a perennial loser just makes you Edgar Martinez or Ichiro Suzuki or Felix Hernandez...all superstars but by no means BASEBALL LEGENDS...Seattle's best 2 players of all-time, Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey, Jr., both left that city in their prime because it's not a happening place for LEGENDS such as yourself.

5) Maybe you haven't heard, but it rains A LOT in Seattle...I mean A TON...you won't be happy there and you'll have to spend all of the extra money they will pay you for umbrellas and rain boots and such.  If you should stay in New York you can just make it rain with your rapper buddies.

Cloudy Skies is No Way to Go Through Life...I live in Ohio, I should know...
6) According to the History Channel, the whole Seattle region sits on the edge of the Ring of Fire and could at any moment be subject to horrific tsunamis or earthquake/volcanic outbursts that would plunge Seattle into the Pacific Ocean.  Trust me, I'm a scientist in my day job, you don't want to be in Seattle when that most assuredly happens.  Signing with the Yankees would all but eliminate this risk as you would only have a 3 in 162 chance of being in the city as it claims the bottom of the sea during baseball season and a 0% chance of being in the city during the playoffs.  For information on the risk of total annihilation visit this website: http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/pubs/PDF/wals2794/wals2794.pdf
Just ripe for the picking Robbie...ripe for the picking...


7) Jay-Z lives in New York City bruh...who is going to buy you $3,000 bottles of champagne in Seattle?  The coolest guy out there is Bill Gates and I'm not even sure he likes baseball.

8) Once Derek Jeter retires someone on the Yankees will have to take over his bachelor-dom as the Yankees Captain and sleep with endless models and A-list actresses.  Somehow I don't think Ivan Nova is up to the task.
"And then I was like...I'll see you when I see you...have a gift basket..."
9) Seattle is best-known for its coffee...i.e. Seattle's Best Coffee...and for Bigfoot...encountering either one on a semi-daily basis is not good for your long-term baseball career.
Actually he resembles a Red Sox player...FEAR the BEARD!
10) My wife says that if you remain with the Yankees we can officially add "Cano" to the list of potential first names for our eventual 4th child along with the likes of "Mattingly" and "Jeter" (I just read this to her and she gave me a scowl...so this may have to be put into the "maybe" category).

Well, hopefully I have given you reason to pause and seriously reconsider moving out west to the land of Rain, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis, and Bigfoot.  We anxiously await your decision and hope that you have a great holiday season!

Sincerely,

Bryan Knepper (dm23HOF)

Yankees Offseason Will Be Incomplete Without Cano

The Yankees have started out this offseason with a bang by signing Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury for a combined $240 million.

However, that will all likely be for naught if they let Robinson Cano leave, and that is looking more likely than ever at this point. Cano has flown out to Seattle to meet with the Mariners, who are reportedly prepared to make him a 9-year, $225 million offer. The Yankees have only offered Cano a 7-year, $165 million contract.

McCann and Ellsbury are huge upgrades. and will be huge additions to the Yankees. McCann was a no-brainer player to sign given the Yankees' catching woes, and the fact that catchers like him do not often hit free agency.

McCann hit .256/.336/.461/.796 with 122 wRC+ last season, while Yankees catchers hit .213/.287.298/./.585 with 42 wRC+. He should approach 30 home runs with the short porch in right field. Also, McCann is a hard nosed type of leader that should be good for the clubhouse.

The Ellsbury signing was much more controversial. In my opinion the Yankees overpaid Ellsbury with their $153 million contract. However, it is their money to spend and Ellsbury can be a very good player for them. The Yankees can afford to overspent, so what Ellsybury looks like in five years does not really matter. He is one of the best players at his position, so in that sense he was a very good signing.

Ellsbury's value comes with his speed and defense. He led MLB with 52 stolen bases last season and had a 10.0 UZR last season as well. His only elite offensive season came in 2011 when he hit .321/.376/.552/.928 with 32 home runs and an incredible 9.1 WAR.

The Yankees have a similar player to Ellsbury in Brett Gardner, which was another reason that I was surprised by the signing. Gardner's value gets greatly diminished in left field since so much of his value is his defense. The Yankees should be looking to shop Gardner for a starting pitcher.

Ellsbury has had injury issues, but those were more of freak accidents than anything that can be considered worrisome going forward. If Ellsbury can produce a WAR in between the 9.1 he posted  in 2011 and the 5.8 WAR he posted last year then this deal would be worth it. However, his 2011 remains his only elite season.

Why the Yankees gave Ellsbury a $153 million deal and continue to play hardball with Cano I do not know. Cano has consistently been the much better player and is a homegrown player. Cano is by far the best player at his position in MLB, while Ellsbury can certainly not say that. Despite claims of being lazy by some ignorant Yankee fans, Cano plays every game of every season and Ellsbury certainly can not say that whether his injuries have been freakish or not.

After going all in on McCann and Ellsbury the Yankees would be foolish to let Cano go. What is the point of taking two steps forward but one big step back? Without Cano the improvement from their anemic lineup from last year will not be enough, especially with the current state of the Yankees pitching staff. The infield would have question marks at all four positions. Not good.

The Yankees need stop fooling themselves and realize how much they need Cano to come back.







Video: Brian McCann's Welcome To New York

Mariners Offered Cano 10 Years, $230-$240 Million

Holy conflicting reports, Batman!


I think we just lost Robinson Cano as the news broke that the Seattle Mariners are willing to offer Cano a ten year deal worth $230-$240 million. Whether the "baseball legend" or "Yankees legend" pitch worked or not is one thing but the money will probably do all the talking in this negotiation. This would be Cano's final contract of his career and would set him up for life, not that the Yankees potential offer wouldn't. I believe Cano will sign during next weeks Winter Meetings and I am feeling less and less confident that it will be with the Yankees.

Brian Cashman Confident About Resigning Kuroda


Brian Cashman has said that he is confident that Hiroki Kuroda wants to pitch somewhere in the United States in 2014, specifically with the New York Yankees. Cashman claims that pitching is a must have in the Bronx this winter and the Yankees have already reportedly made Kuroda a healthy contract offer to stay in New York. Kuroda would be an integral piece of the 2014 puzzle so hopefully this is a little bit of foreshadowing from Cashman and less of a gut feeling or optimism.

Brian McCann Will Wear Uniform Number #34


Brian McCann will wear the same uniform number, #34,  as a slew of recent Yankees players including AJ Burnett, Vidal Nuno, and David Aardsma. Now that we have that out of the way lets move on to Jacoby Ellsbury since I think #2 will be taken this season.

Cementing That Corey Hart Is A Better Option In RF


So this week we looked at Phil Hughes and his home run problem, Brian McCann not hitting any more home runs in Yankee Stadium, and Carlos Beltran truly benefiting from the change to New York but what about Corey Hart? As many of you know I personally would want to take the chance on Hart because he has had identical stats to Beltran over the last two or three seasons, both have knee concerns, and Hart would come for less years and a whole lot less money. Hart can also play first base and give Mark Teixeira a day or two off a week where Beltran would be stuck to right field or the designated hitter spot. I had to use 2012 stats to go with Hart since he missed the entire 2013 season with multiple knee surgeries but the stats remain the same, Hart would actually benefit more from the change from Miller Park to Yankee Stadium then Beltran would.

Information found using Katron.org

As always the dark blue dots are home runs and we would see zero difference in his home run numbers. The light blue dots are Hart's doubles and as you can see two doubles definitely turn into home runs in New York while there are another seven or eight that has legit shots at going out in New York with that wind and the humidity. Add another three home runs that would have been fly outs in Milwaukee and another six more that have real shots at going out we could see as many as 20 more home runs for a healthy Corey Hart in Yankees pinstripes then his 2012 season in Milwaukee. Let's all remember that Hart hit 30 home runs... scary when healthy and a huge low risk high reward signing. 

*this was written before we signed Jacoby Ellsbury but since the Yankees still are "interested" in Shin Soo Choo and there is always a Brett Gardner trade possibility I felt compelled to still post this*



Phil Niekro & Javy Lopez Highlight the Hot Stove Banquet


Hall of Famer Phil Niekro & Atlanta Braves All-Star Javy Lopez Highlight the Hot Stove Banquet
10th annual event is sponsored by Tom McQueeney State Farm Insurance

CHARLESTONSC - Hall of Fame Pitcher Phil Niekro and former Atlanta Braves All-Star catcher Javy Lopez will be the featured guests at the Charleston RiverDogs 10th Annual Hot Stove Banquet & Auction on January 31 in the Charleston Marriott Crystal Ballroom.

The Hot Stove Banquet is an annual event hosted by the Charleston RiverDogs that brings all baseball fans together to celebrate the magic of
 America's Favorite Pastime. These standouts will share behind-the-scenes stories, answer questions and pose for pictures all of which will create memories that last a lifetime.Greg Colbrunn, the hitting coach for the 2013 World Series champion Boston Red Sox, will join this All-Star lineup.
Tom McQueeney State Farm Insurance is the presenting sponsor for the seventh consecutive year. Proceeds from the Hot Stove Banquet benefit The Citadel, College of Charleston and Charleston Southern baseball programs and the MUSC's Storm Eye Institute, which is the RiverDogs' primary charity.
"The Hot Stove Banquet is one of the premiere baseball banquets in the region and in our 10th year, I believe this will be our best one yet," said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols.
The reception begins at 6 pm with the dinner starting at 7 o'clock. Tickets are $65 per person and include dinner, a table gift and autograph or photo opportunity. Tables of eight with preferred seating are available for $550.
Fans will also have the opportunity to bid on an exclusive meet and greet session with both Niekro and Lopez that will be held on January 31 from 4:15-5pm. There will be an opportunity to get autographs and take pictures with the two former Braves, and light food and drink will be provided by Kickin' Chicken. For more information or to bid on the meet and greet, please click here.
Niekro, who was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, had a 24-year career playing for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays. He was Nicknamed "Knucksie" for his fluttering knuckle ball that helped him achieve an impressive lifetime record of 318-274. Niekro produced a winning percentage significantly higher than the teams for which he pitched.
He twice led the National League in wins and propelled Atlanta to the National League West title in 1969, when he recorded 23 victories, 21 complete games and a 2.57 ERA. A five-time All Star and five-time Gold Glove Award winner, Niekro won 121 games after he turned 40, which is the most wins in baseball history by anyone over that age. Legendary Yankees' slugger Bobby Murcer once described trying to hit Niekro's knuckleball like "trying to eat Jell-O with chopsticks."
Lopez played for the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and most notably the Atlanta Braves.
He was a member of the Braves' 1995 World Series team and caught for John Smoltz, Tom
Glavine, Greg Maddux and Steve Avery, also known as the "Young Guns." In 1996 Lopez established himself as the Braves' regular-season catcher and helped Atlanta win the NL Championship Series, earning the series Most Valuable Player honors in the process.
Lopez had his best season in 2003 with a .328 batting average, 43 home runs and 109 RBI in 129 games. He broke Todd Hundley's record for most home runs hit in a season by a catcher (41) which propelled him to win the Silver Slugger Award and a spot on the All-Star Team for the third time. In 2003, Lopez was recognized with the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award. "Javy Lopez is the total package," said former Atlanta bullpen coach Ned Yost. "He's everything you want in a catcher. He plays hard, he gives you everything he's got, and he's tough."
Colbrunn, the RiverDogs' hitting coach for five seasons and manager for another, played in the Major Leagues for 13 years as a first baseman and pinch-hitter. He played for Atlanta Braves, Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners, and was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks World Series team in 2001. This past year, he served as the hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox and helped lead them to a World Series title. Colbrunn is one of the few in history to have won a World Series ring as a player and a coach.
For tickets and additional information, please contact the RiverDogs at (843) 577-DOGS (3647). Tickets may also be purchased online atwww.riverdogs.com or www.rileyparkevents.com.

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE

#WhereAreTheyNow : Paul Lo Duca

Paul Lo Duca was never a Yankees player, he was actually a Mets player, Dodgers, Marlins, and Nationals player but he is a New Yorker and I want to know where he has been. The latest Where Are They Now is longtime MLB catcher Paul Lo Duca.

Yankees Lost $58 Million In Ticket Revenue In 2013


The New York Yankees have to file all their financials with the great city of New York as a part of the bonds agreement for the construction of Yankee Stadium Part 3 and that includes its ticket revenue. According to those documents the Yankees lost $58 million in ticket revenue, which does not count concessions and such, from 2012 and the lack of a playoff berth is being the culprit.

Ticket sales and luxury suites totaled $295 million in 2013 which was down from $353 million in 2012, $377 million in 2011, and $384 million in 2010. Is this because of the product on the field or is it because the fans have been priced out of the new stadium? Guess that's another question for another post on another day.

Jay Z and Robinson Cano Got 99 Problems


This Day In New York Yankees History 12/5


On this day in 1975 the Yankees hired Yogi Berra as their manager after he was fired unexpectedly by New York in 1964 following a 99-63 record and an American League pennant. Billy Martin was also hired to be Yogi's bench coach this season.


On this day in 1984 the Yankees acquired Rickey Henderson and pitcher Bert Bradley from the Athletics for pitchers Jay Howell and Jose Rijo along with outfielder Stan Javier and minor league players Tim Birtsas and Eric Plunk. The Yankees, in a separate deal, also acquired pitcher Brian Fisher for catcher Rick Cerone.


On this day in 2001 mayor Rudy Giuliani announced that he wanted to get new stadium deals in place for both the New York Yankees and the New York Mets before he left office. This was coming off the heels of the September 11th attacks on New York and Washington and was thought to boost morale and finances for New York.