Bleacher Report - Articles by david milazzo

Dunn Bomber = Done Outfield Roster For Yanks

david milazzo — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:04:14 -0500

A lot has been said about the Yankees' outfield situation, but if Adam Dunn bears a Yankee uniform, the outfield becomes a whole lot brighter.

ESPN's Buster Olney has reported Adam Dunn will be on the Yankees radar if they are able to shed Swisher, Nady, and/or Matsui. This deal makes a ton of sense for the Yankees. They will be able to sell one or two of their unneeded out fielders for the youth they lost in bringing C.C, A.J, and Teix aboard. Then they can add a player who can bat fifth or sixth and possibly hit up to 35 home runs again.

Dunn is left handed and will be great in the new Yankee Stadium, because the dimensions are the same as the old stadium with the short porch in left. They can sign him to a three-year $30 million deal. Even if he hits .240 with 35 dingers and 90 RBIs, that is great production from a guy batting fifth or sixth.

The Yankees will probably have to wait for Manny to sign. The team that didn’t sign Manny (SF or LA) will draw interest in grabbing Nady, Swisher, or Matsui. The Giants have already expressed interest in Swisher and Matsui but appear to be setting their sights on Man Ram.

If the Yankees can get a young catcher or infielder, another arm in the bullpen, or maybe a good utility guy they forfeited when they traded Betemit to the White Sox, it will be a great trade for either one of their outfielders. Then they can then fill in the roster spot in with a slugger of Dunn’s fortitude and the lord knows they have the money to do it.

When you can go Damon, Jeter, Teix, A-Rod, Dunn, followed by Cano, who could hit .310 from the No. 6 spot, Posada, who will probably hit 20 homers with 85 RBIs from the No. 7 spot, and either Matsui, Nady, and/or Swisher batting eighth or ninth, you have a dangerous lineup.

Now that being said I think the catalyst in this whole thing is the team missing out in the Manny sweepstakes will have to want to commit to Swisher, Nady, or Matsui, via trade and not look to fix things with money on free agents.

Another scenario is also possible, that Nady is traded for Randy Winn to help solidify outfield, or Mike Cameron for Melky if the Yankees want to go back down that road. There is also a strong possibility that an outfielder (Swisher, Melky, and/or Nady) and a pitching prospect (Aceves, Hughes, and/or Kennedy) get traded mid-season for Ichiro, Vernon Wells, or even possibly Matt Holliday depending on how the A’s are doing.

Anything is possible for the Yankees and their resources. Who knows, maybe Manny might take two years for $45M from the Yankees.

As for me, I’m praying for the return of Abreu as doubtful as it seems.

Ichiro In Pinstripes? Makes Sense

david milazzo — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:42:27 -0500

The Yankees are in search of a solid out fielder and a No. 5 starter. The M’s have a big contract in Washburn on their hands, a 35-year-old star and team that needs to be rebuilt with young talent. What about this?

Swsher, Melky, Kennedy, and another prospect (aceves or hughes) go to Seattle

Washburn’s hefty contract and Ichiro head to the Bronx

If you look Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy have a tremendous up side and potential, especially leaving the player killer of the New York media. Swisher has the potential to be a huge offensive force but is limited to a DH role. Ichiro has worn his welcome in the Seattle club house in my opinion.

He can be a solid up grade at center field for the Yankees while adding a great threat of speed. The M's would get great youthful talent in kenedy aceves and melky and will get a great DH type hitter in swisher or pt him at first or in the OF. I doubt this deal will happen but it makes a whole lot of sense when you look at the big picture.

Are the New York Yankees Wrong for Spending This Winter?

david milazzo — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:21:50 -0500

OK, most people around baseball I have talked to think the way the Yankees are spending is completely irresponsible and bad for baseball. I disagree with that. As a season ticket holder I expect my team to put the best product on the field and feel owed it. Hear me out...

I'm paying into them over $100 a ticket for rather mediocre seats, the equivalent price would get me near the dug outs in most other parks. What I'm getting at, is that I pay a premium to be a fan of the Yankees and Yankee revenue is absurd. The Yankee revenue is literally 70% more than any other team in baseball (including the other so called big market teams, LA, Boston, Mets).

Going to the new stadium, Yankee revenue is predicted to be doubles that of other teams. So if my team is taking in over 700 million, it's only fair those fat cats put a large chunk of it back out onto the field, to that end I do not feel bad about it, for even a second

They also pay more in luxury taxes that are more than what some teams spend in salary! They make so much money from tickets (every game sold out) and merchandise (the Yankees hat is the No. 1 sold hat in the world) than they even spend on players. Japan has an increasing number of Yankees fans as well.

This brings the argument about a salary cap in baseball. In my opinion it’s never going to happen. I think a cap should be implemented but I believe if the cap is lower than what the Yankees are spending right now than there needs to be a minimal cap way higher than what the Marlins are spending.

It blows my mind how a team like that can complain about what the Yankees are spending, when they are not even putting money into their organization enough to be serous contenders for more than a year. What will probably happen is a revise in the collective barging agreement and arranges the luxury tax system.

I also think the “Evil Empire” spending is another reason why TV ratings in baseball will continue to rise. When the Yankees draw nearly full road stadiums where ever they go, baseball and opposing teams reap the profits generated. The Yankees are also on target to lower their payroll in 2009.

They have started a philosophy, lead by Brain Cashman last year, to hold onto and develop young players. With talent such as Austin Jackson, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Chien Ming Wang, and Ian Kennedy the Yankees have to good future ahead and chips to deal for a tweak in the summer.