Yankees and Diamondbacks agree on new Randy Johnson trade (ESPN.com reports)

ESPN.com ^ | December 30, 2004 | ESPN.com

[pcgTheDestroyer]

"They [Yankee minor-leaguers] play for the AA Pittsburgh Pirates, AAA Cincy Reds, single-A KC Royals, etc. As soon as they make something of themselves they get called up to the 'big show' to play with the Yanks. :-P"

I couldn't have said it better my self.;-)

Yeah, but I didn't mean it as a compliment! ;-)

[F16Fighter]

"Yeah, but I didn't mean it as a compliment! ;-)"

Lol, I know, I know -- you're a member of Red Sox Nation, right?

[Mr. Mojo]

Beltran's got to fill the shoes of one of the most beloved Yankees of the modern era (Bernie Williams), so he'll have a little extra pressure added on. Tino Martinez filled some giant shoes (Don Mattingly's) and didn't skip a beat. It'll be interesting to see if Beltran can do the same.

I'm skeptical. Yeah, his playoff performance last year was nothing short of spectacular, but the guy's a .284 lifetime hittter who batted all of .267 last year (his supposed "breakout" year). He's a power guy people say? Sure, 27 dingers per year isn't too bad, but it doesn't put him up there with the league's power elite.

We'll just have to wait and see.

[pcgTheDestroyer]

Lol, I know, I know -- you're a member of Red Sox Nation, right?

I think you meant "member of the 2004 World Champion Red Sox Nation", but I don't fault you for forgetting. ;-)

[F16Fighter]

"Beltran's got to fill the shoes of one of the most beloved Yankees of the modern era (Bernie Williams), so he'll have a little extra pressure added on....

I'm skeptical. Yeah, his playoff performance last year was nothing short of spectacular, but the guy's a .284 lifetime hittter who batted all of .267 last year (his supposed "breakout" year). He's a power guy people say? Sure, 27 dingers per year isn't too bad,but it doesn't put him up there with the league's power elite."

True on all counts. UNLESS this is Beltran's "breakout" year. According to those stats, he's about to be OVER-paid.

The Yanks did happen to strick lightning with Paul O'Neill and caught his breakout year of 1993(?). In 1960 the same with Roger Maris. And the Red Sox hit it just right with Ortiz.

[F16Fighter]

"I think you meant 'member of the 2004 World Champion Red Sox Nation', but I don't fault you for forgetting. ;-)"

OUCH...

Hey Moj -- pcg is taking us to the wood-shed ;-D

The King WILL come back for his crown...

[pcgTheDestroyer]

Beltran is likely to break out; he's not so young as to be a *tremendous* risk, yet not so old as to be beyond the point where he might really explode. And The Boss, of all people, can risk a little on Beltran with the possible reward of having him go supernova.

Do you have any counterpoints with the Yanks not striking gold and overpaying prospects that never panned out? Just curious.

[big'ol_freeper]

Interesting note: On NESN this morning they said that the players making up both the Red Sox and Yankees starting staffs (including RJ for the Yankees)for 2005 had identical totals of 71 wins in 2004. Doesn't mean much considering that many were playing for other teams in 2004, but should make for an interesting 2005 season...at least in the northeast.

[misterrob]

Hell, they are going to be equal to the 2nd and 4th highest teams combined.

Overall it becomes bad for the game when 10-12 teams are the usual playoff contenders and one just seems to be there every year because they can just buy their way there regardless of whatever boneheaded decisions they make along the way.