07/08: Yankees Had Interest in Sabathia, But Wanted Negotiating Window
Posted by: Patrick
From Jack Curry:
And Tyler Kepner:
The Yankees approached this in a good way. Inevitably when these potential deals for marquee names in a contract year come up, you have some who say that we shouldn't trade our top prospects for three months of someone. Or, however many months it may be. But, that is pretty much never the case, in actuality.
The Yankees are not* going to trade top prospects for a couple of months of somebody. Not for that alone, anyway. What they are trading for, as well, is the ability to sign that player to a long term deal on the spot. Some of us act like it's a given that the player will become a free agent and the Yankees will sign him. Kind of like this is a Madden football franchise.
Another side benefit that is forgotten sometimes is that with players like Sabathia, these are Type-A free agents. In other words, when we sign them, we lose our first round pick. So, even if we are lucky enough for him to reach free agency and sign with us, we're still trading a first round pick which equals a top prospect for us, anyway. So, by trading for him now, we beat the rush, get him for sure, get him now when he can help us this season - and keep our draft pick.
Since the Indians refused to give us that negotiating window, I'm pleased with how this deal worked out. Though, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't have liked to have had Sabathia's arm in our rotation right now.
* - it could happen, but in general, it's not too likely. Not now, anyway.
Via Ben.
The Yankees had discussions with the Indians, but were unwilling to make a deal unless they could sign Sabathia beyond 2008. The Yankees will probably be serious players in trying to sign him when he becomes a free agent after the season.
And Tyler Kepner:
“We assessed the situation, and we did have some preliminary discussions with Cleveland,” Cashman said Monday. “But I’m very comfortable with the decision-making process that led to us not trying to conclude a deal.
“The bottom line is, I just felt that the assets that I would have had to part with for three months did not make sense at this time.”
The Yankees knew they would not have a window to negotiate a contract extension for Sabathia, who went to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for four prospects. Even if they had, though, Cashman did not like the idea of giving up a prospect package and a lucrative contract.
“The bottom line is, I just felt that the assets that I would have had to part with for three months did not make sense at this time.”
The Yankees knew they would not have a window to negotiate a contract extension for Sabathia, who went to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for four prospects. Even if they had, though, Cashman did not like the idea of giving up a prospect package and a lucrative contract.
The Yankees approached this in a good way. Inevitably when these potential deals for marquee names in a contract year come up, you have some who say that we shouldn't trade our top prospects for three months of someone. Or, however many months it may be. But, that is pretty much never the case, in actuality.
The Yankees are not* going to trade top prospects for a couple of months of somebody. Not for that alone, anyway. What they are trading for, as well, is the ability to sign that player to a long term deal on the spot. Some of us act like it's a given that the player will become a free agent and the Yankees will sign him. Kind of like this is a Madden football franchise.
Another side benefit that is forgotten sometimes is that with players like Sabathia, these are Type-A free agents. In other words, when we sign them, we lose our first round pick. So, even if we are lucky enough for him to reach free agency and sign with us, we're still trading a first round pick which equals a top prospect for us, anyway. So, by trading for him now, we beat the rush, get him for sure, get him now when he can help us this season - and keep our draft pick.
Since the Indians refused to give us that negotiating window, I'm pleased with how this deal worked out. Though, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't have liked to have had Sabathia's arm in our rotation right now.
* - it could happen, but in general, it's not too likely. Not now, anyway.
Via Ben.
