Budget

I am surprised at Yankees' decisions of not offering arbitration to Abreu. It takes me couple of days to determine my opinion. I understand why Yankees don't offer arbitration to I-Rod and Pettitte, but I still believe Abreu can get a multi-year contract from someone. However, Yankees front office certainly know the market better than fans. Not to mention there are quite few options available for corner outfielders.

I believe Pettitte will be back and sign with Yankees at 12-13 million during winter meeting. As for I-Rod, Yankees don't need a third catcher at an expensive price who is not suitable for them and many pitchers on the team don't want to pitch to him. I believe Posada will recover from his injury. There is a chance I-Rod will accept arbitation to get a one year deal with high salary and try to play well in order to go back to free agent market next season. If Yankees pay that kind of salary to him, there is no chance they don't play him and put him on the bench. Not to mention, Molina and Posada probably won't be happy about that.

The same goes to Abreu. He may be willing to accept a one year deal at 16-18 million and go back to free agent market next year instead of signing a multi-year deal with much lower price. Not to mention he loves to play for Yankees and hit in front of A-Rod certainly help him as well.

I really think Brian Cashman will keep doing what he has been done which is getting younger. The plan for Yankees this off-season is to improve their pitching and defense which I agree with. Nady may not put up Abreu-like number, but his defense certainly close that gap. Yankees offense should be fine if Posada and Matsui are healthy and Jeter, Cano and A-Rod have a bound back year. Swisher may not match Giambi-like number, but his defense on first base certainly close that gap as well. Not to mention Nady and Swisher have chances to match Abreu and Giambi' numbers.

Don't underestimate the importance of budget. I was a producer for documentaries, music videos, plays, films and was part of production team for TV programs. Some of them I have bigger budgets, others are at small budgets. Not matter how much money I have, I need to allocate money and resources to different areas in production. Of course, I have to go through with all pre-production meetings with the whole production teams to determine our focus and allocate money and resources. Not to mention I never decide to spend all the money I have because you never know what will happen during production and post-production.

Abreu leaves Taiwan today

(photo/Chinatimes)

Abreu came to Taiwan few days ago for his own business. He also threw out ceremony first pitch in Taiwanese high school tournament and went to one of high school baseball team for a lecture with young players to share his experience. Of course, Wang was a host to Abreu and took him around somewhere in Taiwan. For some amazing reasons, Wang was able to do it without getting caught by media.

When Abreu just arrived in Taiwan at airport station, Abreu said he is happy because he is going to meet his boy(Wang). He also said he hopes to stay with Yankees, but has to wait and see what happen in the free agent market.

By the way, Wang has a busy half month for commercial and charity events. He stays at home for his rehab and personal training that begins in December. Once he gets the documents he needs for visa, he is going to go to Arizon for personal training.

Abreu and Wang are going to meet in Taiwan in December

If you guys can read Mandarin, check out those two links(1,2) regard of Wang's latest news. The rest of you guys, read my blog. Ha!

Wang's fly is tomorrow from New York and arrive Taiwan on 11th at 6am(Taiwanese time). He will have a "huge" press conference at 11am at the same day.

Wang need to rehab 4-5 hours everyday during off-season and then he will go to Arizona Fischer to start his preparation for 2009 season. Because of that, Wang haven't decided he will be able to attend as a special guest "pitchers& catchers training camp" was held by MLB, New York Yankees and Chinese Taipei Baseball Association.

This is first this kind of training camp held in Taiwan. There are 40 pitchers and 10 catchers from many Taiwan high school teams chosen by coach. Yankees are going to send 5 coaches from farm system as lecturers in this training camp, including 3 pitching coaches, 1 catching coach and 1 fitness coach. Right now, Yankees said manager of Staten Island Yankees, Pat McMahon and Mike Wickand who is responsible for fitness program of the whole Yankees minor system will be here.

Talking about being smart. I am sure Yankees can use this opportunity to scout some young talent pitchers and catchers. Cashman already sent out invitation to Wang for this training camp. Of course, this depends on Wang's schedule.

Abreu will come to Taiwan with his brother in the beginning of December for scouting his shoe factory. Wang definitely is going to be a host to Abreu.


By the way, Wang hope he is able to go to night market to eat one kind of snack called 台南米糕( see the picture. I don't know how to translate to English. Be honest, a lot of people like it, but I don't) which he hasn't eaten for 5 years. Wang said this through spokesman of his agency because he hope he is able to go to night market and beg fans not to bother him if fans saw him in the night market.

(Dear Wang, forget it, just let someone buy for you and eat at home. PS. Don't ask family and close friends to buy because I believe most Taiwanese know how his family and close friends look like)

I know all of these sound so crazy. This is reality of Wang's life. The whole nation want to know everything about him. That's why I don't think New York's spotlight means much to Wang when coming down to pressure.

So far so good other than Pavano's shocking news

From Peter's the LoHud Yankees Blog,

Cashman said that the Yankees are interested in retaining Marte and could sign him to a new deal after they decline the option.

As for Bobby Abreu, I spoke to one of his agents today, Chris Leible. They have had no conversations with the Yankees whatsoever since the season ended. They believe Abreu can get – and should get – a three-year deal. Abreu will be 35 when next season starts and the Yankees are unlikely to bring him back for three years.

See, Cashman is not going to let Marte walk away if he is healthy after trading away young talents for him and Nady.

As for Abreu, his defense is getting a point that hurt us. No to mention he is not getting any younger. I won't bring him back for more than two year deal. The last thing we need is another aging verteran needs DH spot.

A game all about future

I am not talking about A.J. Burnett. Just Kidding!

I am talking about Phil Hughes and Juan Miranda.

I know tons of people jump on Hughes' terrible year, but I still think it's right thing not to trade him for Santana. I wrote a post earlier regard of Hughes. I stick to my words. I have faith on him.

As for Juan Miranda, he had two good at bat against A.J. Burnett and a good lefty from Blue Jays' bullpen. I really think Yankees have to reconsider if they really think about going after Mark Teixeira for a extremely long term contract at a insane price, especially when you consider how many potential first basemen we are going to have in the near future.

By the way, If we can sign A.J. Burnett and Bobby Abreu at reasonable price for reasonable years, I don't mind. This means 2 years 13 million per year for Abreu and 4 years 11-13 million per year for A.J. Burnett. But, If they ask more than that, I won't do it.

I know Yankees have "some" money to spend this off-season. I still think Yankees should keep doing this young movement. I hope Yankees front office won't spend crazily this off-season and go back to the old way about signing all aging superstars because we miss the playoff this season. I don't mind they spend money, but make sure to be selective.

When you consider how many things went wrong this season and Yankees may still end up with 90 wins that is a record better than a lot of playoff teams, Yankees still have a decent season. I don't agree on some many people say about Yankees' terrible 2008 season.

"l like fight"? Me too

I don't know what I can write about. I still watch or listen to Yankees games. It seems to me I have more interests on these games than players on the team. I don't like to think this way. Be honest with you guys, I have this feeling tonight.

The last 4 games, Yankees scored 1 run, 7 runs, 2 runs, 1 run. In fact, they score 2 runs or less in 40 games so far this season.

I know everyone will talk about the fight between Pudge and Hunter. I am not saying I don't feel Yankees fight as hard as they can because poor offense.

The one I care is Hunter stole third when Angels lead 6-1. Why Yankees don't show this kind of fight for me?

I know Brain Cashman has his meeting with Yankees players before the game. After the game, Girardi makes a interesting or meaningful comment.

He basically said, "I like fight. I don't mind my players showing their emotion on the field and showing they care about this game" when he was asked about the fight between Pudge and Hunter.

Does Girardi imply what he feel about the performance from his team in this game, even this seson? What do you think?

In fact, I don't remember exactly this happen in which inning. Abreu walked and A-Rod hit into another double play before Giambi hit a double. Think about that, If A-Rod just strike out, Yankees would be 2nd and 3rd with one out when Giambi hit that double.

This just shows Yankees' 2008 season. Everything goes wrong.

What Cashman should do before trading deadline this season?

No matter where Yankees are in the standing, I think Yankees never will be a seller before trading deadline. They won't tell fans they are giving up season. I know Yankees are in the transition year. This means they won't go crazily in the trade market, but I still believe Cashman and Hank brothers will do their best to get into playoff.

What should Cashman do before trading deadline? In my opinion, there are three things they need to do. The priority will be in this order below.

1. To get a No. 4 type starting pitcher who can eat some innings. I know our starting rotation performance fine so far, but they still don't pitch deep into the game. We can't assume both Ponson and Rasner are going to survive the rest of season. We also can't assume Andy, Moose, Joba keep pitching well the rest of season. On top of that, we can't assume Wang, Hughes and Kennedy will be able to come back in September(or Pavano? I am kidding).

2. To get a good young right hand OF hitter. There are three reasons our offense struggle so far this season, including luck(AVG in RISP), holes(too many injuries) and underperformance(too many players don't play up to their expectation). On top of that, it seems our lineup always struggle to hit lefty even when they are all healthy. This not only can help Yankees this season but also next season.

3. To get a good lefty reliever pitcher. We really need this for not only this season but also next season.

If Cashman can pull out a trade like Abreu trade in 2006, it will be great.

Man, this is priceless...

The marriage bet between Matsui, Abreu and our captain, Jeter is so funny. Just in case, you miss this story. Please use this link to check it out this story from Peter's blog.

Bobby Abreu visit Taiwan for business purpose

Well, you guys probably knew this news from Peter's blog by now. For what? Well, Bobby Abreu has his own sport brand called 30/30 which means 30 homers/30 steal bases. This short trip starts from Taiwan to Japan and then finishes at China in order to check the status of OEM(Original Equipment Manufacturer) in Taiwan, promote his brand in Japan and then visit his business in China. After this business trip, he will go to Rome for a short trip before go back to USA for spring training.

Even though Wang is not in Taiwan now, but he asked his teacher who is the general manager of one of Taiwan pro baseball team to take care of Bobby Abreu for him before he left Taiwan. Bobby jokes with Taiwan media about his goal for 2008 season. He hopes he can reach 30/30 just like his own sport brand. Of course, Later, The true goal for him is getting his first champion with Yankees this season. He even writes "Good Luck" in Mandarin to Taiwanese media.(The picture is that Good Luck autograph)(picture from自由時報)

During this whole trip in Taiwan, Bobby is very friendly and signs autographs as many as he can.