Yanks talking to JT Snow?

[HughesIsNasty]

I'v been saying they should get Snow for a while now

[goin for 27]

Snow would be a very capable backup to Giambi, and an upgrade from Tino of last year, and Andy Phillips for sure.

He should not cost a ton, his defense is very good, though likely no longer gold glove material.

Do it.

[gszabo]

No way to Snow. last year, in about 400 appearances, hit .275/.343/.365, with a whopping 4 HRs. Ugh. If they wanted an older 1B who can play D, Tino, even in his decline, was a much more productive option.

I'll take my chances that Phillips can exceed that.

You've gotta consider that a reason Phillips has been in the minors so long might just be that he's in the Yankees system, not that he's poor: if he were, say, a Devil Ray, he might've gotten a shot a few years back.

[yogibuck]

I would rather put money on acceptable risks in the bullpen.

For the money you can spend on Snow, you can let Phillips backup, or in a pinch, bring up Duncan (E or S) and stick two live, but possible erratic or injured arms at AAA. I'd also get Bernie some time at first during spring training just in case Giambi gets injured.

I'd sign such arms such as Boroski, W. Miller, T. Armas, etc. Hoping that they have rebound years and can help us out in the pen.

[Sam18]

You're saying that based on what? The fact that he hasn't made it yet?


This is getting ridiculous (not aimed at you). Give the guy a chance - he's put up MASSIVE AA/AAA numbers for two years now. He is a decent backup.

Seamonk is a met fan pretending to be a Yankee fan. Its not worth it gdn.

[YankClipper5]

You just disproved your own assertion! You say it's a small sample size, yet you say he's overmatched. Let him get some consistent playing time, he'll hit...

Think of what I said in comparison to Melky. His sample size was fairly small, but he looked out of his league, which is precisely the situation with Phillips, not to mention Phillips is substantially older than Melky so he has pretty much progressed to where he will be, after his time in the minors he should have good numbers. I am not knocking his minor league numbers but I really don't think he has what it takes. He isn't worth the roster spot IMO. If Giambi goes down for a week or more, do you really feel comfortable with Phillips at 1B? And whats worse is that if Giambi is down for a substantial amount of time we will be forced to trade and get dragged over the coals midseason or sign a DFA type of player. In times of plenty, prepare for times of need. Secure the best roster we can now and we will fare better than the past 2 seasons where we had to scramble at the deadline because we had glaring holes.

[gdn]

Think of what I said in comparison to Melky. His sample size was fairly small, but he looked out of his league, which is precisely the situation with Phillips, not to mention Phillips is substantially older than Melky so he has pretty much progressed to where he will be, after his time in the minors he should have good numbers. I am not knocking his minor league numbers but I really don't think he has what it takes. He isn't worth the roster spot IMO. If Giambi goes down for a week or more, do you really feel comfortable with Phillips at 1B? And whats worse is that if Giambi is down for a substantial amount of time we will be forced to trade and get dragged over the coals midseason or sign a DFA type of player. In times of plenty, prepare for times of need. Secure the best roster we can now and we will fare better than the past 2 seasons where we had to scramble at the deadline because we had glaring holes.

Melky is no Phillips... yet. Phillips minor league numbers blow Melky's out of the water. Additionally, Melky looked lost in CF and was overmatched at the plate because he was rushed. Phillips hasn't been rushed. He just hasn't been given a chance. If you look at the thread I linked to above, I looked at his progress year-by-year to see why he wasn't called up sooner. Simply put, there was no room at all. He mashed and mashed at AAA, putting up ridiculous OBPs. He needs more than 40ABs to settle in at the major league level. He deserves that one shot, IMO and comes cheap too. He's not a bad fielder, either.

[BJG]

Think of what I said in comparison to Melky. His sample size was fairly small, but he looked out of his league, which is precisely the situation with Phillips, not to mention Phillips is substantially older than Melky so he has pretty much progressed to where he will be, after his time in the minors he should have good numbers. I am not knocking his minor league numbers but I really don't think he has what it takes. He isn't worth the roster spot IMO. If Giambi goes down for a week or more, do you really feel comfortable with Phillips at 1B? And whats worse is that if Giambi is down for a substantial amount of time we will be forced to trade and get dragged over the coals midseason or sign a DFA type of player. In times of plenty, prepare for times of need. Secure the best roster we can now and we will fare better than the past 2 seasons where we had to scramble at the deadline because we had glaring holes.

The only meaning you can really pull out of Phillips age at this point is that, over the course of a whole season, this is probably as good as he's going to get. In other words, he's not projectable in a long term sense. That doesn't mean that he, or any player, is going to walk in the door and have no adjustment to a new level.

ZIPS projects .260/.326 /.471 for Phillips. That's certainly above replacement level.

[Yankyfan]

I like Snow and being he's an old Yankee farm hand who defense is second to non I'm kind of upset because I had hope Andy would get a real shot this year.

[YankClipper5]

I understand the idea that Phillips MAY perform a lot better than he has in his limited major league exposure, however it is a question mark. I just feel that it would be important to get a veteran and erase any doubt. Phillips will not get the everyday at bats to get his bat going, because Bernie will likely take on the DH role, especially given how much Joe likes him. Rather than risk it on Phillips and be forced to admit failure midseason and pay a king's ransom for a backup 1b because thats what teams will ask of the Yankees, why not get someone right now? I have nothing against Phillips but the 1B role will be a strange one for the Yankees because they will play more often than most backups but not often enough to get consistant plate appearances, IMO. I don't think it is a good environment for Phillips.

[Yankyfan]

How are you so sure JT will do well with such limited play? I don't doubt his glove but he's used to being a starter.

[JeffWeaverFan]

I think this quote from the 2005 Baseball Prospectus book fits well here:

"But sometimes it pays to take a tactical risk rather than bet on the definitively mediocre."

Now that was in reference to Robinson Cano vs. Tony Womack and that is not a fair comparison to Phillips vs. Snow, but I think Andy Phillips deserves a shot.

[Yankyfan]

I like the fact Andy is a righty also.

[haha17]

Trade Bubba Crosby for hee-sup Choi.

and Sign Eric Byrnes

[Yankyfan]

Byrnes will get more money and playing time else where.I like his game but would be suprised to see him in pinstipes.

[YankClipper5]

How are you so sure JT will do well with such limited play? I don't doubt his glove but he's used to being a starter.

He is a vet who has already proved himself at the major league level, that is owed a certain degree of trust. Phillips on the other hand is someone who needs to be developed into a major league caliber player and typically that doesn't happen when in a role that will be as limited as his. I also fear Joe overworking Giambi out of not wanting to use Phillips so much.

[SODM]

If Giambi goes down for a week or more, do you really feel comfortable with Phillips at 1B? And whats worse is that if Giambi is down for a substantial amount of time we will be forced to trade and get dragged over the coals midseason or sign a DFA type of player.

The thing is, J.T. Snow is a "DFA type of player".

[Kulish29]

Trade Bubba Crosby for hee-sup Choi.

and Sign Eric Byrnes

Why would the Dodgers trade Choi to the Yankees for someone they basically gave to the Yankees a few years ago?

Also, why would Eric Byrnes sign with the Yankees when there are places where he could get a lot more playing time? And why should the Yankees sign Eric Byrnes considering they have pretty much the same player, albeit left handed, in Bubba Crosby?

They'd be better served letting Phillips play 1B/DH and keeping Crosby as a 4th OF'er.

[Crusadecat]

I think that if the Yankees plan to offer him anything more than a 1 year contract they would be doing something foolish. I'd rather give Phillips the chance or go with someone else.

[StatenIslandYankee]

Now that would be a good pickup.

[Irabu's Son]

You're saying that based on what? The fact that he hasn't made it yet?


This is getting ridiculous (not aimed at you). Give the guy a chance - he's put up MASSIVE AA/AAA numbers for two years now. He is a decent backup.

I tried to fight this fight regarding Fernando Seguignol about 3 years ago and ended up getting RO'd. Not worth it. But I do agree with you.

[gdn]

I tried to fight this fight regarding Fernando Seguignol about 3 years ago and ended up getting RO'd. Not worth it. But I do agree with you.

Really? Hmm ok, I'll let it go. He's doing just fine in my 2k5 team, for what it's worth

[YankeePride1967]

I like this idea.

[keithf1]

One of the few benefits of getting JT Snow would be that so Boston can't.

[BJG]

One of the few benefits of getting JT Snow would be that so Boston can't.

That could also be a disadvantage. Boston would likely be much better off just playing Youkilis and Petagine.