I finally worked a terrible pun into the title! I feel that I have engaged in quite a bit of punnery (if that isn’t a word, it should be) with my titles, but I have never before created something capable of making most everyone roll their eyes – and I did it while remaining on-topic. No need to congratulate me.
Moving on. For those of you who have not yet heard the latest craziness to emerge from the death throes of the current incarnation of international free agency, the Cubs have inked Jorge Soler to a nine-year, $30 MM deal. Joel Sherman broke the story, if tweeting the news is considered ‘breaking,’ and Jon Heyman added some specifics here and here. Keith Law noted that there is an opt-out clause, of sorts, once Soler becomes arbitration eligible (though he will remain property of the Cubs through his arbitration years regardless).
In my mind, this is a lost opportunity for the Yankees, one that may hurt quite a bit as we move deeper into the new era of drafting and international free agency (and I would be remiss to not mention an international draft). Back in February, Kevin Goldstein mentioned that Soler would have ranked as a top-40 prospect had he been eligible at the time, and Jim Callis of Baseball America believes him to be a top-50 talent. The Cubs, of course, may not have had a breaking point in their bidding, so it stands to reason that the Yankees never really stood much of a chance. And, of course, $30 MM is a hell of a lot of money for an unproven talent.
With this sort of situation, there really isn’t a right or wrong answer – though, again, logic probably dictates it’s risky to give even $10 MM to an unproven talent. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a good old-fashioned debate. Where do you stand on the contract?
And please, don’t compare Cespedes, Darvish, or Soler to any amateur draft prospect, as they are not subject to a league-wide bidding war.
Onto the line-ups:
| New York Yankees | Atlanta Braves |
| Derek Jeter, SS | Michael Bourn, CF |
| Curtis Granderson, CF | Martin Prado, LF |
| Alex Rodriguez, 3B | Brian McCann, C |
| Robinson Cano, 2B | Dan Uggla, 2B |
| Mark Teixeira, 1B | Freddie Freeman, 1B |
| Raul Ibanez, LF | Chipper Jones, 3B |
| Nick Swisher, RF | Jason Heyward, RF |
| Russell Martin, C | Andrelton Simmons, SS |
| Ivan Nova, SP | Randall Delgado, SP |
The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., on the YES Network. Let’s go Yankees!
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
66 Responses to Game 60: No Soler Power
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
9 years is way too much for the guy. I wanted the Yankees to get him, as I think he’s a good bet to take an outfield spot in the near future, but it’s more years than I would have been comfortable with.
The Yankees get criticized for their spending. Not much about Darvish/Texas and now Soler/Cubs. I kind of like the Yankees not going crazy about these guys (include Cespedes), but I just wish I could have more faith in their drafting and development.
Besides we have a Super Nova that trumps a Soler system.
It’s a pretty rich deal for someone who ultimately is just a prospect and is probably at least 2-3 years away from the majors. It’s easy to want the heavily hyped guys like Soler, especially when the rules are about to change for international signings. The Yankees have always seemed to prefer to spread out the budget across a lot of signings rather than making the big play for the biggest names so I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that they aren’t the winning bidder.
I was hoping that they’d get him but ultimately trust their decision.
I wonder how the $189MM budget played into this. On the one hand if Soler could turn into a productive starter quickly, it would help them save money. On the other hand, if he flamed out or took longer to develop, a $3+ million salary for someone not contributing anything would make it that much harder to make budget.
If he develops into even an average corner outfielder and plays until he’s 29 it’s a steal. Buying out a players entire developmental stage, and 85% of his prime at 3 million per, Theo will look like a genius if he’s even half way decent.
Time to get a good look at this Randall Delgado kid. Apparently he is one of the best young starters in baseball.
A tank gun shot from Arod, mighty nice.
Raul picks a cherry.
Uggla really crowds the plate, his bat reaches half way past the plate. Couldn’t extend his arms on that pitch.
Nova got a hit!!!! But damn I hate seeing pitchers (Yankee ones that is) running the bases.
risky business, but well stroked.
Arod! Running those bases. Love the way he steals bases on smarts. Nice hitting Robbie. Come on, Tex, lets get a run an inning.
Game’s not on here in Houston, but with only 4 games tonight (3 being played now) MLBN has lots of look-ins and highlights.
Wow, the Braves were really playing Cano to pull the ball on the infield.
man! what happened to TBS? Not the Braves’ main carrier anymore.
No, they went regional from TBS to regional for games. I can watch any Astros or Rangers game I want to……don’t (unless Yanks play them).
Ra-a–u-uul! Bases are loaded. Unload ‘em.
Good eyes, Nick. Alright, got one.
That’s a good changeup, but he chokes it sometimes.
Aw, Russell popped it up, after Nick walked< nice at bat, from 0-2 to walk. Musta taken something outa Delgado, all that tension.
Wow! Nova like a cat, comeback liner, cannon shot that he intercepted, and doubled the man on first.
I kind of like this one run an inning thing for the Yanks.
Here comes Arod. 2 outs, but that opening shot of his…
The fix is in!!! It’s the Black Sox scandal….both pitchers have a hit!
Early on, but Bos & Tor are losing. Yanks need this win to remain tied with TB.
Nova’s cautious with McCann, who bombed out to the track in dead center. Strikes 2 and the next, a foul were on the hands (beautiful) and a slider right inside that he fouled into his ankle. Went to the well again, and McCann hit a homer that Swish leaped – and caught!
Is Nova not throwing a slider and only going fastball change and curve?
GameDay called 3 sliders and 1 curve in the 4th.
He’s using it sparingly, a weapon he saves for big spots. Esp for lefties (see my comment above on McCann). His 12 k game, 3 back, he decided he had used it too much when Joey Votto was waiting on it.
Beautiful play by Robbie, a liner, a smash, just to his right that he backhanded ona very short hop. Sweet!
Delgado looks like he has a good curve change and fastball and a smooth delivery but this kids erratic. Still only 22 though im impressed with those 3 pitches.
yep, killer change, but has to learn game mgmt and gain command. He would seem prone to mistakes for now.
I actually like Citi Jones better than Shea Jones…
who’s Citi Jones? I remember Chipper named his daughter Shea. You’re probably making a funny and I messed it up, oh, well.
Lol im not that funny I guess. When I said that Kay had mentioned something about it while he was you know not talking about the game.
yeaah, when Coney’s not around, I try to half listen, esp when they’re reminiscing.
Nova looking really good
Ivan’s curve and slider look real good, but it’s good to see the k of Bourne on a low outside fb, with that nice fade.
Hey, guys, what did I miss?
Hey, Prof! Oh, just a pretty excellent ballgame.
Had a medical emergency in the family, so got pulled off the computer the last two games, and I may be on this board only sporadically for a while. But I’ll be here when I can.
Im a big believer in Nova despite the ERA and HR numbers. I feel thats a bit of bad luck and he will in the future develop into a very solid number 3 or 4 pitcher. Say what you want about Nova’s season so far but he definitely gives you quality innings. He just runs into one innings where he blows up and gives up a homer but once he learns to stop that I think hell be a stabilizing force for years to come.
I’m not discouraged by his season. I still think he’ll be good, too.
I love his response to his game mgmt problems. He’s developing an excellent set of tactics.
In the NL, he’d be great. Even better than A.J. Burnett.
it’s good to have four working pitches
Okay jesus effing christ the Yankees cannot score runs. i was never annoyed by it until now like this is just goddamn ridiculous. and blasphemous lol
It’s mind-boggling.
we’ve been hitting plenty tonite, and with Ivan controlling to now, i have not excruciated over RISP. If they get in a better groove, RISP’ll follow.
I would keep an eye on Nova. Might have to take him out definitely after this inning he was sweating profusely earlier in the game. heat might be getting to him or something
yeah, real humid. I’ve seen Arod, Robbie and Cano take off their helmets on base. Nova is real tired.
alright: made it thru seven! I would get a new horse now.
Damnit Kay! Biting my style lol
Will we see Garcia in the 8th?
[shudder]
no, I think he’s in Venezuela. (like you didn’t know.)
I thought he was back.
oh, maybe.
He is back. Sent that Japanese pitcher back to AAA.
Excellent job Nova. Go hit the showers buddy. Couldnt have asked for better against a very good NL lineup tonight
Too bad. Ryota Igarashi has very good peripherals and would most likely be a much better option out of the pen than Garcia. Id like to send garcia to the scrap heap. I think Igarashi could be the kind of guy that the Yankees can turn around, much like Cory Wade except with an occasional 96 mph fastball
Man, $500 fine goes along with getting tossed?
I know there’s a fine, but I don’t know how much. $500 ain’t much to these guys.
I caught the end of Matt Diaz getting tossed, and Michael K, mentioned the $500. With $400k+ being the minimum, you are certainly right.
Soriano not closing? Ummmkay
Might think he is slightly injured, or just tired, to explain his poor outing. He was up in the 6th, prob testing something out.
Oh my god your right!! Its garcia!
yep, plenty sweaty.
Good, solid win! Keep the ball rolling, CC.