I wouldn't mind getting him on the cheap. Okay bat but a glove that makes any infield better. Defensively in a class of his own.

Mientkiewicz's leather goods an option at first
BY KEN DAVIDOFF
Newsday Staff Writer

December 14, 2006

In their search for a first baseman, the Yankees are contemplating a platoon, a solution that would further increase the already significant possibility that Bernie Williams won't have a place on next year's roster.

The Yankees are speaking to free agent Doug Mientkiewicz, a Met in 2005 and the man who caught the last out of the 2004 Red Sox's World Series victory (and proceeded to keep the ball). Mientkiewicz, a lefthanded hitter, would share the job with Andy Phillips or Rule 5 selection Josh Phelps.

The Yankees also have considered a trade for Seattle's Richie Sexson, but in their quest to cut payroll, they have so far been willing to take Sexson, who is owed $28 million through 2008, only if there is some financial relief. The Mariners reportedly weren't amenable to the idea of taking Carl Pavano in return for Sexson.

Mientkiewicz, 32, figures to come relatively cheap, as he played only 91 games for the Royals last season. A back injury, which required season-ending surgery, prevented him from playing after July 25.

He is well known for his defense, and the Yankees, who have suffered from Jason Giambi's subpar glove for much of the past five seasons, like the idea of deploying a steady defensive presence at first. Mientkiewicz would be especially valuable in light of the throwing problems that Alex Rodriguez experienced last season and Derek Jeter's occasional short-hop throws from shortstop. In that regard, Mientkiewicz could be viewed as more useful than free agent Shea Hillenbrand, who is a better hitter and a worse fielder.

If the Yankees used a first-base platoon, they could carry seven infielders (including Giambi at designated hitter and a re-signed Miguel Cairo), two catchers, four outfielders and 12 pitchers. If they decided to go without Cairo, they might go with 13 pitchers, a nod to Joe Torre's liberal use of relievers.

There are multiple roster permutations that don't feature the ultra-popular Williams, who would like to return to the Yankees for a 17th season but has been left dangling.

Outside of settling first base, the Yankees' winter work is largely done. They need to sign Kei Igawa, the Japanese lefthander whose rights they won through the posting process, by midnight Dec. 29, and they want to sign a lefthanded reliever.

Pavano for Sexon......can't hurt to ask I guess.

Mientkiewicz would be a nice cheap addittion.

You are wrong: terrible bat, awesome glove. This would all but seal Minky's fate with Boston fans if he were to sign for the yankees.

You are wrong: terrible bat, awesome glove. This would all but seal Minky's fate with Boston fans if he were to sign for the yankees.

He is a career .360 OBP guy. Not that terrible a hitter. No power, more of a line drive type. But a really solid glove.

For the Mets he was terrible is all I know.

.270 lifetime hitter and a 1/1 BB/K ratio. Not so terrible if you ask me.

Stay far away from this guy. Please.

.270 lifetime hitter and a 1/1 BB/K ratio. Not so terrible if you ask me.
Take my word for the Mets that one year he played for us he was just terrible.

Great defensive first baseman but a terrible bat which means...

The Yankees probably will not sign up but I would hope they would. Who cares if he cannot hit. That's what we have Damon, Jeter, Giambi, Abreu, A-Rod, Mastui, Posada and Cano for.

Great defensive first baseman but a terrible bat which means...

The Yankees probably will not sign up but I would hope they would. Who cares if he cannot hit. That's what we have Damon, Jeter, Giambi, Abreu, A-Rod, Mastui, Posada and Cano for.You get into BIG trouble when you say it's OK to have automatic outs.

Darin Erstad 2X > Mientkiewicz

Darin Erstad 2X > MientkiewiczNo way. Eastad is so horrible that he's a worse hitter then Mienkiewicz he shouldn't be in the majors..

No way. Eastad is so horrible that he's a worse hitter then Mienkiewicz he shouldn't be in the majors..

Erstad is a former allstar, what the hell are you talking about? Look at the seasons he puts up when he gets the ABs. Always better than Dougie, plus Erstad is a GG 1st baseman too.

You probably looked at last years stats, where he only had 95 at bats. But look what he did in 2005, 2004 he was excellent, 2003 he was injured, and he was excellent in 2002. He's a good hitter.

Erstad is a former allstar, what the hell are you talking about? Look at the seasons he puts up when he gets the ABs. Always better than Dougie, plus Erstad is a GG 1st baseman too.

You probably looked at last years stats, where he only had 95 at bats. But look what he did in 2005, 2004 he was excellent, 2003 he was injured, and he was excellent in 2002. He's a good hitter.Erstad's lat 6 years:
01:691 OPS (worse then most AAA players)
02:702 OPS (About as good as Miguel Cairo, still worse then most AAA players)
03:642 OPS (You could probably do better then this Barton)
04:746 OPS (Decent. Still below league avg)
05:696 OPS (Back to worse then most AAA players)
06:605 OPS (LOL LMAO LOL ROFLMAO)

He's awful.

Erstad's lat 6 years:
01:691 OPS (worse then most AAA players)
02:702 OPS (About as good as Miguel Cairo, still worse then most AAA players)
03:642 OPS (You could probably do better then this Barton)
04:746 OPS (Decent. Still below league avg)
05:696 OPS (Back to worse then most AAA players)
06:605 OPS (LOL LMAO LOL ROFLMAO)

He's awful.


Injury marred seasons, I already told you that. That 605 OPS is only in 95 frickin at bats, mike. The 642 OPS was in 2003, when he only played in 60 games.

Like I said, take the years that he's healthy in recent years (2002, 2004, 2005) in those years his OPS is on average a 714 OPS

Besides, last time I checked, we arent picking him up for his bat, we're picking up a 1st baseman for his glove, and Erstads glove is just as good as Mientkiwiz, not to mention Erstad offers some versatility to be an OFer if needed be.

Injury marred seasons, I already told you that. That 605 OPS is only in 95 frickin at bats, mike. The 642 OPS was in 2003, when he only played in 60 games.

Like I said, take the years that he's healthy in recent years (2002, 2004, 2005) in those years his OPS is on average a 714 OPS

Besides, last time I checked, we arent picking him up for his bat, we're picking up a 1st baseman for his glove, and Erstads glove is just as good as Mientkiwiz, not to mention Erstad offers some versatility to be an OFer if needed be.
It's IMPOSSIBLE for him to play good enough D for him to make up for a 714 OPS. IMPOSSIBLE.

It's IMPOSSIBLE for him to play good enough D for him to make up for a 714 OPS. IMPOSSIBLE.


He'll be batting 9th, and Mientkiewicz OPS is nothing special either. I'd rather have Nick Johnson, but if its between Erstad and Doug, I'd go with Erstad. Doug was horrible in boston and NY for the Mets, he might not be a big city player.

He'll be batting 9th, and Mientkiewicz OPS is nothing special either. I'd rather have Nick Johnson, but if its between Erstad and Doug, I'd go with Erstad. Doug was horrible in boston and NY for the Mets, he might not be a big city player.So you want the worse player because he "might" be better for new york? That makes no sense.

So you want the worse player because he "might" be better for new york? That makes no sense.


Doug is the worst player, not Erstad. And Erstad is clutch, never saw Doug have a clutch hit, ever.

Doug is the worst player, not Erstad. And Erstad is clutch, never saw Doug have a clutch hit, ever.All the "Clutch" hits in the world can't make up for his horrible stats man and the stats don't lie. (I don't want either of these players though.)

You two arguing is like the Thrilla in Manila, except instead of Frazier its a retarded person, and well... instead of Ali its another retarded person. And instead of being in a ring in the Phillipines, its on a Jets message board on the Internet.
:box: :box:

Back comes first
Dec 15 - The New York Post is reporting that the Yankees first want to see the medical report on Mientkiewicz's back before offering him a contract.
The first baseman had an operation to repair a loose body pressing on a nerve. If the Yankees are satisfied with the report, they could offer him a one-year deal to play first base while Jason Giambi fills the full-time DH role.

According to The New York Daily News, Yankees GM Brian Cashman is leaning toward signing Mientkiewicz instead of Shea Hillenbrand, who wants a two-year deal.

Mientkiewicz would join Andy Phillips, Rule 5 pickup Josh Phelps and others to compete for playing time at first base.

Just get them both, use Erstad from April to June and then Mientkiewicz in July and August, and then back to Erstad for September and October.

I'm an Andy Phillips guy but hell I love Doug M's glove.

I'm an Andy Phillips guy but hell I love Doug M's glove.

Andy Phillips is an awful hitter.

I actually agree with madmike for once.

Darrin Erstad might be the most over-rated player in baseball. He ****ing sucks. Absolutely terrible. He's been living off rep for 5 years.

I dont know if I'd go as far as saying that "Darin Erstad sucks" but I am truly getting aroused thinking about Minky in a Yankee uniform.

Not only can he NOT hit a baseball if you put a gun to his head, he is likely to steal the statue of Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle's retired number from Monument Park. He'll probably swipe Bob Sheppard's microphone on the way out for good measure. Its gonna be like that Seinfeld episode where George Costanza tried to get fired by steinbrenner by destroying sacred Yankee artifacts coming to life!

I dont know if I'd go as far as saying that "Darin Erstad sucks" but I am truly getting aroused thinking about Minky in a Yankee uniform.

Not only can he NOT hit a baseball if you put a gun to his head, he is likely to steal the statue of Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle's retired number from Monument Park. He'll probably swipe Bob Sheppard's microphone on the way out for good measure. Its gonna be like that Seinfeld episode where George Costanza tried to get fired by steinbrenner by destroying sacred Yankee artifacts coming to life!
Look who crawled out of his hole to make a good point...

I dont know if I'd go as far as saying that "Darin Erstad sucks" but I am truly getting aroused thinking about Minky in a Yankee uniform.

Not only can he NOT hit a baseball if you put a gun to his head, he is likely to steal the statue of Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle's retired number from Monument Park. He'll probably swipe Bob Sheppard's microphone on the way out for good measure. Its gonna be like that Seinfeld episode where George Costanza tried to get fired by steinbrenner by destroying sacred Yankee artifacts coming to life!

Now I definitely want him!!

He just received the ultimate guarantee of having a successful season.

Thank JBF. Well done.