By GEORGE KING

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http://www.nypost.com/img/sl/yanknotes.gif December 6, 2006 -- LAKE BUENA VISTA - While the Yankees met with Shea Hillenbrand's agent yesterday, another option at first base surfaced. And while Richie Sexson is an expensive alternative, it could be one for the Yankees.

The Mariners have let teams know they are looking to move Sexson and third baseman Adrian Beltre in order to reduce payroll. It's believed the Mariners are clearing money in order to go after free agent Barry Zito.
Casey Close, Sexson's agent, had a meeting last night with Mariners brass to gauge its desire to move the right-handed slugger who batted .264 with 34 homes and 107 RBIs last season. He has two years and $28 million left on a four-year, $50 million contract he signed prior to the 2005 season.

While the Yankees aren't going to give up Chien-Ming Wang or Phil Hughes for Sexson, a package headed by Melky Cabrera could entice the Mariners if they are willing to eat some of Sexson's money. If they don't pay part of the money, they can't expect much back.
As for Hillenbrand, he won't accept a one-year deal, and that's as long as the Yankees want to go. Hillenbrand has attracted interest from the Angels and another team.

Also:
According to the New York Post, the Yankees put out feelers to Jason Giambi's camp to see if the soon-to-be 36-year-old was willing to waive his no-trade clause.

The Yanks were told Giambi has no desire to waive his no-trade provision because he wants to stay and win in New York. Giambi is owed $47.5 million for two years or $64.5 million for three, so he probably wasn't going to be moved anyway.
Source: New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/12062006/sports/yankees/no_waiving_goodbye_for_alex__jason_yankees_.htm?pa ge=0)

I wouldn't trade Melky for Sexson. Sorry. Thats a bad move. I'd rather re-sign Wilson.

We do not need a guy who adds 200Ks per season to what is for the most part a fundamentally sound line up.

We do not need a guy who adds 200Ks per season to what is for the most part a fundamentally sound line up.
K's don't hurt a team more then any other type of out. There is no correlation between high K numbers and bad teams. Sexson would be a fine option for the right price.

K's don't hurt a team more then any other type of out. There is no correlation between high K numbers and bad teams. Sexson would be a fine option for the right price.

Of course, K's are a great way of moving a runner over or getting a runner in from 3rd base with less than two outs. I know you're a stat freak and you love to think "outside the box" but if you have ever actually put on a uniform and played the game you realize that there are little things a player can do to help his team win when he has a bat in his hands and striking out is not one of them. This is just another example of a team that overpaid for a disappointing player and they are now trying to dump that salary on to the Yankees payrole. I hope Cashman is smarter than that and IF he gets this guy it's for nothing more than a couple of lower level A prospects.

Of course, K's are a great way of moving a runner over or getting a runner in from 3rd base with less than two outs. I know you're a stat freak and you love to think "outside the box" but if you have ever actually put on a uniform and played the game you realize that there are little things a player can do to help his team win when he has a bat in his hands and striking out is not one of them. This is just another example of a team that overpaid for a disappointing player and they are now trying to dump that salary on to the Yankees payrole. I hope Cashman is smarter than that and IF he gets this guy it's for nothing more than a couple of lower level A prospects.
Just because prospects are in A doesn't mean they are worthless so they still need to make sure they get a good deal if they are going to get him.

As far as moving runners goes, over the full season and multiple seasons a 850 OPS hitter who k's 150 times a year will contribute as many runs to a lineup as an 850 OPS htter who k's 50 times a year. It's only over very small sample sizes that k's matter. There is NO pattern that relates high k rates to bad teams. The team that leads the majors in k's as just as good a chance to win the world series as the team that has the least.

Just because prospects are in A doesn't mean they are worthless so they still need to make sure they get a good deal if they are going to get him.

As far as moving runners goes, over the full season and multiple seasons a 850 OPS hitter who k's 150 times a year will contribute as many runs to a lineup as an 850 OPS htter who k's 50 times a year. It's only over very small sample sizes that k's matter. There is NO pattern that relates high k rates to bad teams. The team that leads the majors in k's as just as good a chance to win the world series as the team that has the least.

Right...over the course of a season blah blah blah. I'm a Yankee fan. I'm thinking playoffs. By the time spring training rolls around, the Yankees will be good enough to make the post season with or without Richie Suxon. As a fan of baseball who understands and appreciates the fundamentals, I DO NOT want a guy at the plate in a big spot where simply making contact can change the outcome of a post season game. JMO. You can have all the 150 K 30 HR guys you want. I'll take the guy who hits 20 homers and keeps his k's well under 100. Just a difference of opinion MadMike. Just like the "Ron Villone is better than Mike Gonzalez". Fundamentals my friend. All championship teams have them. Richie Sexon does not, and I am fed up with the Yankees adding a riddiculously overpriced player that somebody else regrets signing.

Just because prospects are in A doesn't mean they are worthless so they still need to make sure they get a good deal if they are going to get him.

.


Thanks, I didn't realize that good players play A ball too.

MadMike, you love looking up numbers and stats, etc... Do me a favor and find out what percentage of A ball players make it to the majors as opposed to AA and AAA. I don't know the exact numbers, but I know there a very healthy gap. Many A ball players never even make it to AA before being cut. That's why I siad low level A. Vast majority of those guys never make it to AA.

Thanks, I didn't realize that good players play A ball too.

MadMike, you love looking up numbers and stats, etc... Do me a favor and find out what percentage of A ball players make it to the majors as opposed to AA and AAA. I don't know the exact numbers, but I know there a very healthy gap. Many A ball players never even make it to AA before being cut. That's why I siad low level A. Vast majority of those guys never make it to AA.
The Yankees have some VERY good prospects in A ball right now and next year and there is no way they will or should trade any of them in a deal for a guy like sexson. These arn't just RamdoM A players.

Right...over the course of a season blah blah blah. I'm a Yankee fan. I'm thinking playoffs. By the time spring training rolls around, the Yankees will be good enough to make the post season with or without Richie Suxon. As a fan of baseball who understands and appreciates the fundamentals, I DO NOT want a guy at the plate in a big spot where simply making contact can change the outcome of a post season game. JMO. You can have all the 150 K 30 HR guys you want. I'll take the guy who hits 20 homers and keeps his k's well under 100. Just a difference of opinion MadMike. Just like the "Ron Villone is better than Mike Gonzalez". Fundamentals my friend. All championship teams have them. Richie Sexon does not, and I am fed up with the Yankees adding a riddiculously overpriced player that somebody else regrets signing.
There are MUCH more important fundamentals then not K'ing. Also HR and K's are nowhere near enough information to judge 2 players by to say that you'll take a 20HR <100 k guy over a 30HR 150K guy. Thats just nowhere near enough information.

As far as Villone for Gonzalez I wouldn't want either of them on the yankees for next year.

Heres an atricle that can explain why K's are meaningless better then I can.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2617

Right...over the course of a season blah blah blah. I'm a Yankee fan. I'm thinking playoffs. By the time spring training rolls around, the Yankees will be good enough to make the post season with or without Richie Suxon. As a fan of baseball who understands and appreciates the fundamentals, I DO NOT want a guy at the plate in a big spot where simply making contact can change the outcome of a post season game. JMO. You can have all the 150 K 30 HR guys you want. I'll take the guy who hits 20 homers and keeps his k's well under 100. Just a difference of opinion MadMike. Just like the "Ron Villone is better than Mike Gonzalez". Fundamentals my friend. All championship teams have them. Richie Sexon does not, and I am fed up with the Yankees adding a riddiculously overpriced player that somebody else regrets signing.

Abreu who everyone loved struck out 138 times.....Jeter 102, ARod 139.
Ryan Howard k'd 181 times.....Ortiz 117....Thome 147.

Power hitters strikeout. If the Yanks can get Sexson for Melky it's a no brainer.

Abreu who everyone loved struck out 138 times.....Jeter 102, ARod 139.
Ryan Howard k'd 181 times.....Ortiz 117....Thome 147.

Power hitters strikeout. If the Yanks can get Sexson for Melky it's a no brainer.


and maybe if we're lucky the Mariners will throw in Adrian Beltre and we can take both of their riddiculously overpaid scrubs. Oh please Brian Cashman, take the Mariners to school and help them unload $100 million in contracts so we can add 40 HRs and 150 RBIs. PLEASE see the logic Brian. We need a bunch of sluggers with a 2-1 K/BB ratio.

Jeter and Abreu strike out too. So what if they're multi dimensional players who can draw a walk. We need more players who are only good for one thing. Get rid of Melky who makes league minimum, can hit, throw, get on base, run well, and swith hit.

As far as Villone for Gonzalez I wouldn't want either of them on the yankees for next year.

I wonder how many MLB GMs would walk away from a young power lefty who didn't blow a single save last season. Again, you're so obsessed with stats over results that it baffles me.

Abreu who everyone loved struck out 138 times.....Jeter 102, ARod 139.
Ryan Howard k'd 181 times.....Ortiz 117....Thome 147.

Power hitters strikeout. If the Yanks can get Sexson for Melky it's a no brainer.

And how do each of their OBP compare? The more you put the ball in play, the more you get on base.

This discussion is a perfect example of how fans have completely forgotten fundamentals in favor of the long ball.

Abreu who everyone loved struck out 138 times.....Jeter 102, ARod 139.
Ryan Howard k'd 181 times.....Ortiz 117....Thome 147.

Power hitters strikeout. If the Yanks can get Sexson for Melky it's a no brainer.


Melky for Sexson is pretty much a no brainer, but I'd much rather the Yankees look into a more balance hitter. Richie Sexson is a f'n hack. He has no plate discipline. The difference between Jeter, Arod, Abreu, Ortiz, Thome. Howard and Sexson is their OBP.

Jeter - 417 OBP
Abreu - 424 OBP
Howard - 425 OBP
Thome - 416 OBP
Arod - 392 OBP
Ortiz - 413 OBP

Sexson - 338 OBP. Sexson is a hack. I hate to have hitters on my team in the playoffs, they do nothing but strike out vs good pitching. The last thing the Yankees need is a hack like him.

And this whole "The Yankees need a RHed 1st baseman" crap I hear from reading the papers is stupid. If you can get Nick Johnson, you get him. Forget about guys like Sexson, dont overvalue them because they are RHed hitters and our lineup is in the majority a LHed hitting team. Just simply get the best hitters you can get. Not to mention, Matsui hits lefties better than RHers, as does Nick Johnson.

Melky for Sexson is pretty much a no brainer, but I'd much rather the Yankees look into a more balance hitter. Richie Sexson is a f'n hack. He has no plate discipline. The difference between Jeter, Arod, Abreu, Ortiz, Thome. Howard and Sexson is their OBP.

Jeter - 417 OBP
Abreu - 424 OBP
Howard - 425 OBP
Thome - 416 OBP
Arod - 392 OBP
Ortiz - 413 OBP

Sexson - 338 OBP. Sexson is a hack. I hate to have hitters on my team in the playoffs, they do nothing but strike out vs good pitching. The last thing the Yankees need is a hack like him.

And this whole "The Yankees need a RHed 1st baseman" crap I hear from reading the papers is stupid. If you can get Nick Johnson, you get him. Forget about guys like Sexson, dont overvalue them because they are RHed hitters and our lineup is in the majority a LHed hitting team. Just simply get the best hitters you can get. Not to mention, Matsui hits lefties better than RHers, as does Nick Johnson.

He's a one dimensional "hack" but you'd give up Melky Cabrera to get him?

He's a one dimensional "hack" but you'd give up Melky Cabrera to get him?


........I'd really consider it. But it would be a last resort. Honestly, I dont see the problem with Darin Erstad. I know madmike and the stats crew like him would call Erstad a horrible player, but he is a Gold Glove 1st baseman, which is what we need, and he always comes up clutch. A solid hitter.

........I'd really consider it. But it would be a last resort. Honestly, I dont see the problem with Darin Erstad. I know madmike and the stats crew like him would call Erstad a horrible player, but he is a Gold Glove 1st baseman, which is what we need, and he always comes up clutch. A solid hitter.

So is it a no brainer or a last resort? I agree with the Erstad comment..was thinking the same thing.

So is it a no brainer or a last resort? I agree with the Erstad comment..was thinking the same thing.

Its a last resort no brainer! :p

I have always like Erstad. I havent heard or read anything about the Yankees being interested in him though.

And how do each of their OBP compare? The more you put the ball in play, the more you get on base.

Thats just wrong.

Melky for Sexson is pretty much a no brainer, but I'd much rather the Yankees look into a more balance hitter. Richie Sexson is a f'n hack. He has no plate discipline. The difference between Jeter, Arod, Abreu, Ortiz, Thome. Howard and Sexson is their OBP.

Jeter - 417 OBP
Abreu - 424 OBP
Howard - 425 OBP
Thome - 416 OBP
Arod - 392 OBP
Ortiz - 413 OBP

Sexson - 338 OBP. Sexson is a hack. I hate to have hitters on my team in the playoffs, they do nothing but strike out vs good pitching. The last thing the Yankees need is a hack like him.

And this whole "The Yankees need a RHed 1st baseman" crap I hear from reading the papers is stupid. If you can get Nick Johnson, you get him. Forget about guys like Sexson, dont overvalue them because they are RHed hitters and our lineup is in the majority a LHed hitting team. Just simply get the best hitters you can get. Not to mention, Matsui hits lefties better than RHers, as does Nick Johnson.I would take Nick over Sexson ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. I just have no idea if he's available or what is the price tag. Sexson would be a fine 2nd option.

Thats just wrong.


Really? So how is it that a guy like Derek Jeter, who strikes out 100 times a year manages to hit fifty points higher than a guy who K's 150 times? You think if your boy Richie Sexon had put the ball in play 50 extra times it would have been an out every time? I cannot believe that you don't understand this. I wonder why Ichiro set the MLB record for hits in a season and is one of the toughest players in baseball to strike out. No correlation there either Mike? I guess everything I'm using as examples are pure coincidence. Amazing.

Answer these questions for me Mike if you could be so kind.

1) Is it good or bad for teams to have runners on base?

2) Is a player more likely to get on base if he stirkes out, or if he puts the ball in play?

Really? So how is it that a guy like Derek Jeter, who strikes out 100 times a year manages to hit fifty points higher than a guy who K's 150 times? You think if your boy Richie Sexon had put the ball in play 50 extra times it would have been an out every time? I cannot believe that you don't understand this. I wonder why Ichiro set the MLB record for hits in a season and is one of the toughest players in baseball to strike out. No correlation there either Mike? I guess everything I'm using as examples are pure coincidence. Amazing.

Answer these questions for me Mike if you could be so kind.

1) Is it good or bad for teams to have runners on base?

2) Is a player more likely to get on base if he stirkes out, or if he puts the ball in play?Jeter is a better player then Sexson so it's not a supprise that his OPB is higher but that has nothing to do with the ammount of times he's k's. It has more to do with his walks and that fact that he gets more hits.

Ichiro's hit record it pretty meaningless. He's a MUCH less productive player for his career then say bobby abreu who k's way more then you like. Abreu's hits are more valuable then ichiro's not to mention his walks.

as for your questions.
1.It's great to have runners on base but it's also good to have your hits mean something and a player who has a SLG% as high as sexon's is productive even if he gets on base less then some other players. There is a positive correlation between good hitters who K alot and a better OPB which means that the better hitters usually K a good amount. Is he a hall of famer? No but he's serviceable.

2 of course a player is more likely to get on base if they don't K but they are also more likely to hit into a DP. Over any period of time those factors even out and a productive hitter is productive no matter how much or how little they K. It's really meaningless.

Sexson isn't "my boy" i just think that he's a better option for 1st then when we have now.

Again please read that article i posted. I didn't know this stuff before someone told me about it too and there are alot of things about baseball that we take for granted that are complete baloney...

i'd be fine with Giambi* and Phillips platooning and Melky in the OF and Matsui at DH

i'd be fine with Giambi* and Phillips platooning and Melky in the OF and Matsui at DH
Andy Phillips is a really bad hitter. Sexson is a much better player then him. It's not even close. There is NO CHANCE that Giambi is gonna sit vs lefties for phillips. NONE. giambi is the full time DH so we need a full time 1B.

Yankees selected first baseman Josh Phelps from the Orioles in Thursday's Rule 5 draft.
Phelps, 28, was signed to a minor league deal by the Orioles last month. The former Blue Jay hit .308/.370/.532 with 24 homers in 464 at-bats for Triple-A Toledo last season. He'd make sense for a team with a left-handed-hitting platoon guy at first base or DH, but the Yankees aren't there yet. Phelps' defense is pretty rough, so even though he could surprise with the bat, we're skeptical he'll get a chance to win the starting job at first base.



This guy was a pretty big prospect a few years back. Not a bad move.
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I'm not psyched. He has to be on the game roster through the entirety of next season. No matter how bad he sucks.

I'm not psyched. He has to be on the game roster through the entirety of next season. No matter how bad he sucks.
No he doesn't. They can always return him.

i'm with you air force. the yankees have gone to a gorrilla ball linup since the giambi signing and it has not worked. the yankees are built like LSU and would be great in beer league softball or an aluminum bat league. the last thing the yankees need is another 150+ strikeout guy in the lineup.

No he doesn't. They can always return him.
Actually, he is not a bad choice. By the end of St, if he does not work out, return him for 25 grand. No harm, no foul.

Abreu who everyone loved struck out 138 times.....Jeter 102, ARod 139.
Ryan Howard k'd 181 times.....Ortiz 117....Thome 147.

Power hitters strikeout. If the Yanks can get Sexson for Melky it's a no brainer.

No way giving up Melky for Sexton is a good move......Dude is overpaid and another aging player, bad idea