The trade that would send Wells and around two-thirds of the $42 million remaining on his contract to the Yankees neared completion Sunday night, only a physical and commissioner's approval left to consummate it. Seeing as the Angels considered Wells sunk cost, the idea they would get anything, let alone savings in the parameter a source said was $12 million to $14 million, made Sunday a massive win for Los Angeles.
Jerry Dipoto is a mad genius.
I honestly thought Wells would retire an Angel - or, at least, finish out his HUGE contract. It's staggering that they got ANYTHING - much less early freedom - from this hideous signing. And that it's a league rival in the Yankees!!?! That's just sauce on the steak.
It's Wells "traded" to the Yankees, not signs with them. The fact that the Angels got $12-$14 million for Wells is astounding. What are the Yankees thinking? They're pinching pennies all winter long to get under the luxury tax and yet are comfortable spending $14 million on a totally washed-up outfielder?
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." --- Bart Giamatti, on baseball
Originally posted by Big BadIt's Wells "traded" to the Yankees, not signs with them. The fact that the Angels got $12-$14 million for Wells is astounding. What are the Yankees thinking? They're pinching pennies all winter long to get under the luxury tax and yet are comfortable spending $14 million on a totally washed-up outfielder?
Not so much that they're comfortable with is as it is that they don't have a lot of options. Too many injuries and such.
You wanted the best, you got... the Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"£8.70 for a measly 16 out of your average fag machine." (dMr)
But the larger point remains - you're not buying $12-14millon of quality with Vernon Wells, you're buying a below average player. There are plenty of below average players to be had for much cheaper amounts, especially given the Yankees might not have much use for this particular player once some of their injured players return to health. This is why many teams, Yankees included, usually have some marginal major league veterans spending the year on their AAA team. Wells is probably better than that type of hitter, but doesn't seem to justify the extra cost when they're trying to save money.
Combine this with the previous talk about contacting Derek Lee & looking for Chipper Jones' number (and trading for Ichiro last year), and it begins to seem the Yankees are looking more for famous baseball players then good baseball players at the moment. Maybe it's the reporting that's been selective and not the Yankees, but that's a bad road to go down for any team (and usually a sign it's not the baseball people making the baseball decisions.)
The Angels are still on the hook for most of Wells's remaining contract, but he's been such a terrible player that I'm just glad to see him go at this point. The Yankees could send back a bag of beans and I wouldn't care.
Also, this couldn't be a better year for the Rays. Between the Yankees pulling in senior citizens for their lineup, the Blue Jays fielding the 2012 Marlins, the Red Sox in tatters, and the Orioles under pressure to repeat the success of last year, it won't get any easier than this for Tampa, right?
Originally posted by thecubsfanCombine this with the previous talk about contacting Derek Lee & looking for Chipper Jones' number (and trading for Ichiro last year), and it begins to seem the Yankees are looking more for famous baseball players then good baseball players at the moment.
I'll first say that I completely disagree regarding Ichiro, who was very valuable for NY last season, and looks great to this point in spring training. Star-power sure, but it sure looks like a good acquisition. I was about to argue your whole statement about famous vs good, but then I remember that I can't wrap my brain around this Vernon Wells thing at all. The NYY management is preaching about not spending, and they get Wells while having a few totally viable in-camp options. I'd totally rather have Mustallier, Francisco, Boesch, Rivera, or Mesa than Wells. It makes even LESS sense when you remember that Granderson will be back in May, and Teixiera shortly thereafter...it's not like they've lost anyone for the season.
I was hoping Wells would at least fail a physical or something.
Sports Illustrated last week wrote a great 15 step plan for fixing baseball. It was elaborate, but very plausible. I hope Selig checks it out and thinks about some of the things mentioned.