11/11: Rumor: Wright to the O's
Posted by: James
Excellent. If this report from ESPN bears fruit, I would be very pleased indeed. I mentioned this earlier in the comments about the Sheffield trade but I'm glad to see the Yankees front office thinking along the same wavelengths. The Yankees are on the hook for a 4 million dollar buyout with Wright so why not pick up the option (another 3 million) and then package him and some cash and try to get something potentially useful.
I realize that Wright did go 11-7 with a 4.49 ERA last year but he rarely lasted past the sixth inning (wearing down the bullpen) and infuriated managers, coaches and fans with the way he would pitch from behind in the count. It was maddening to watch the man pitch. Also, even though he didn't give up the longball, he was plenty hittable (.283 /.355/.414/.770 line against), especially against lefties (.314/.390/.487/.876 against - in essence, he basically made every lefty who faced him into Matsui in his best year).
Still, if this were to happen, it certainly would put the onus on resigning Mike Mussina, though most sources say that those negotiations are in the bag. With Moose resigned, you would then have Chien-Ming Wang and Mussina as the only two reliable starters signed for next season. Yes, I know Randy Johnson is signed as well but the man will be coming off back surgery (and a season in which he put up a 5.00 ERA) in what could possibly be his final season in the majors so I can't think of him as a certain part of the rotation. There's always Carl Pavano...and I want to make a joke here but the situation has gone well past the point of being humorous. I wish him a speedy(-ier) recovery and hope he can actually produce for the Yankees (and regain some of his dignity) at some point in his contract. In any case, that's still only two (presumed) solid starters and one starter that's up in the air. How does the rest of the 2007 rotation get filled? Do you trust Darrell Rasner and Jeff Karstens (or Steven White) to pitch in the majors to start the season or do you look for a free-agent addition (i.e. Jeff Suppan or Barry Zito) to shore up the back end of the rotation? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
I realize that Wright did go 11-7 with a 4.49 ERA last year but he rarely lasted past the sixth inning (wearing down the bullpen) and infuriated managers, coaches and fans with the way he would pitch from behind in the count. It was maddening to watch the man pitch. Also, even though he didn't give up the longball, he was plenty hittable (.283 /.355/.414/.770 line against), especially against lefties (.314/.390/.487/.876 against - in essence, he basically made every lefty who faced him into Matsui in his best year).
Still, if this were to happen, it certainly would put the onus on resigning Mike Mussina, though most sources say that those negotiations are in the bag. With Moose resigned, you would then have Chien-Ming Wang and Mussina as the only two reliable starters signed for next season. Yes, I know Randy Johnson is signed as well but the man will be coming off back surgery (and a season in which he put up a 5.00 ERA) in what could possibly be his final season in the majors so I can't think of him as a certain part of the rotation. There's always Carl Pavano...and I want to make a joke here but the situation has gone well past the point of being humorous. I wish him a speedy(-ier) recovery and hope he can actually produce for the Yankees (and regain some of his dignity) at some point in his contract. In any case, that's still only two (presumed) solid starters and one starter that's up in the air. How does the rest of the 2007 rotation get filled? Do you trust Darrell Rasner and Jeff Karstens (or Steven White) to pitch in the majors to start the season or do you look for a free-agent addition (i.e. Jeff Suppan or Barry Zito) to shore up the back end of the rotation? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
Chris wrote: