View Full Version : Tony Graffanino approached for Utility Role
38Special
12-07-05, 01:46 PM
The Yankees are looking at free agent Tony Graffanino as a potentially utilityman.
Graffanino wants to be a regular, but the Yankees are one of the teams he may consider joining as a reserve. There was speculation that he'd become the Twins' second baseman before Minnesota acquired Luis Castillo. Dec. 7 - 2:07 pm et
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/113394108879080.xml&coll=1&thispage=2
He's good enough to start, but he's a local NY guy. Get this done.
indianyanksfan
12-07-05, 01:48 PM
Bill Buckner
:lol: but he's not that bad.
he's a decent bat isnt he and a decent glove?
JeffWeaverFan
12-07-05, 01:53 PM
He would be a great utility player.
surge511
12-07-05, 01:53 PM
He would be a perfect utility guy. Get rid of Womack, sign the new Tony. That would be a good move for the bench.
jonnyc39
12-07-05, 01:54 PM
Graff is coming off a career year and is looking for a multi year deal. He'd be absolutely nuts to take any job as a utility reserve.
Graffanino? New York already has the Lincoln, Holland, and Brooklyn-Battery Tunnels.
Use your EZ-Pass and pass on Graff, Cash.
Miguel Cairo is probably a better fielder (he and Graff are comparable hitters), and has proven he can do the job in NY. I think Cairo's a better option for the Yanks.
nnysiny
12-07-05, 01:59 PM
i would certainly take him but i would imagine he could get a better deal for a place that would play him more
JeterRodriguezSheff
12-07-05, 02:05 PM
get it done cashman hed be great in a utility role and I wouldnt mind him starting if he did end up trading cano(only for the right deal of course)
NewEraYanks2527
12-07-05, 02:18 PM
I like Graffanino alot, I don't put too much stock in the bobble he made in the playoffs, he also it a double the following inning and almost made up for it.
He would be a great pickup. It would be tough though because a team like San Diego, if that Loretta deal is for real, would probably give him a starting job.
:lol: but he's not that bad.
he's a decent bat isnt he and a decent glove?
People love to take shots at Bill Buckner. But I remember watching him when he played with the Cubs and Dodgers. Graffinino should be so fortunate someday to be the ballplayer that Bill Buckner was.
I grew up watching Bill Buckner play. Bucker was a huge fan favorite who showed up every day with a great attitude and did anything he needed to do to help the team win.
Hitting – Graffinino can only dream of being the hitter that Buckner was. Bill Buckner had more hits in his career than all but about 50 players in baseball history. In 1980, when Buckner won the NL batting crown, he didn't strike out until his 112th at-bat of the season. Twice, in 1978 and 1979, he was the toughest batter in the National League to strike out.
Buckner was an outfielder and first baseman who came up with the Dodger in 1968. He was traded to Chicago where he was finally given a chance to play on a regular basis. The left-handed hitter batted .323 his first season, and later hit .324, .311 and .306 for the Cubs.
With Chicago in 1977, Buckner suffered the first of many ankle injuries which plagued him during his career. He had once been a strong baserunner, swiping 31 bases in a season for the Dodgers.
In May of 1984 Buckner was dealt to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Dennis Eckersley in a deal which helped the Cubs win the National League East. Buckner enjoyed two full seasons with the BoSox, driving in 100 runs in both '85 and '86
In his 21 year career Buckner had a .991 fielding percentage and committed only 146 errors. In contrast Tony Graffinino has had 69 errors in a 9 year career.
The Red Sox never would have gotten to the 86 Series if not for Buckner. He played his heart out on an ankle that was so bad he could barely walk. Barely able to hobble, he went into that game and played first base because they asked him to. What does he get for his hard work and dedication - a ball goes between his legs so he is forever a lousy player, well anyone who thinks or says that is a lousy baseball fan!
I like Graffinino and would love to see the Yankees get him but he will never be the ball player that Bill Buckner was!
indianyanksfan
12-07-05, 03:07 PM
People love to take shots at Bill Buckner. But I remember watching him when he played with the Cubs and Dodgers. Graffinino should be so fortunate someday to be the ballplayer that Bill Buckner was.
I grew up watching Bill Buckner play. Bucker was a huge fan favorite who showed up every day with a great attitude and did anything he needed to do to help the team win.
Hitting – Graffinino can only dream of being the hitter that Buckner was. Bill Buckner had more hits in his career than all but about 50 players in baseball history. In 1980, when Buckner won the NL batting crown, he didn't strike out until his 112th at-bat of the season. Twice, in 1978 and 1979, he was the toughest batter in the National League to strike out.
Buckner was an outfielder and first baseman who came up with the Dodger in 1968. He was traded to Chicago where he was finally given a chance to play on a regular basis. The left-handed hitter batted .323 his first season, and later hit .324, .311 and .306 for the Cubs.
With Chicago in 1977, Buckner suffered the first of many ankle injuries which plagued him during his career. He had once been a strong baserunner, swiping 31 bases in a season for the Dodgers.
In May of 1984 Buckner was dealt to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Dennis Eckersley in a deal which helped the Cubs win the National League East. Buckner enjoyed two full seasons with the BoSox, driving in 100 runs in both '85 and '86
In his 21 year career Buckner had a .991 fielding percentage and committed only 146 errors. In contrast Tony Graffinino has had 69 errors in a 9 year career.
The Red Sox never would have gotten to the 86 Series if not for Buckner. He played his heart out on an ankle that was so bad he could barely walk. Barely able to hobble, he went into that game and played first base because they asked him to. What does he get for his hard work and dedication - a ball goes between his legs so he is forever a lousy player, well anyone who thinks or says that is a lousy baseball fan!
I like Graffinino and would love to see the Yankees get him but he will never be the ball player that Bill Buckner was!
i was not comparing the 2 but just saying that graffinino is not that bad.
indianyanksfan
12-07-05, 03:09 PM
bench of graffinino, stinnet, mark sweeney and add 2 more people is a pretty good bunch. :)
RhodyYanksFan
12-07-05, 03:10 PM
I'm not holding my breath for it to happen, but getting him would be a pleasant surprise considering he could start elsewhere.
indianyanksfan
12-07-05, 03:14 PM
oh what position did mark sweeney play other than ph?
Graffanino is a Type A. Is he not getting offered arbitration? His base salary was very low, so the risk doesn't seem great for the Sox.
I don't want him if it costs us a draft pick.
ryanthe13th
12-07-05, 04:36 PM
He's not going to come to New York when he can start some where else. Cairo is a more realistic option for the Yankees thay Graffinino.
Babe Rules
12-07-05, 04:43 PM
He would be a great utility player.
Ditto.
Yankees13
12-07-05, 04:49 PM
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/113394108879080.xml&coll=1&thispage=2
He's good enough to start, but he's a local NY guy. Get this done.
If he's willing to sign here he would be great for the bench. Would be nice to have someone on the bench who isn't an automatic out who only plays one position for a change.
Iknowcool
12-07-05, 06:24 PM
Actually, San Diego moved Loretta because they have a great prospects in AAA, Josh Barfield. (son of Jesse) He will probably start for them.
Stupid Flanders
12-07-05, 06:32 PM
oh what position did mark sweeney play other than ph?Sweeney started a number of games for the Padres at first and a few in RF
RobbiMan
12-07-05, 06:39 PM
bench of graffinino, stinnet, mark sweeney and add 2 more people is a pretty good bunch. :)
Sweeney signed with the Giants today.
ring403
12-07-05, 06:39 PM
I'm not holding my breath for it to happen, but getting him would be a pleasant surprise considering he could start elsewhere.I also don't see much chance of him choosing the bench over being an every day player, even if the Yankees offered to pay him like a starting player.
ryanm1058123
12-07-05, 06:42 PM
Graffanino is a type A free agent, and he got offered arb, so I doubt we sign him and give up a first round pick for a utility player.
Babe Rules
12-07-05, 06:53 PM
Graffanino is a type A free agent, and he got offered arb, so I doubt we sign him and give up a first round pick for a utility player.
I didn't know that. No way we should sign him.
Steph19
12-07-05, 06:58 PM
Are the Mets offering Cairo arbitration? And, if so, what class free agent is he?
Steph19
12-07-05, 07:02 PM
http://www.nydailynews.com/12-07-2005/sports/story/372501p-316825c.html
In other utility-related news, the Yankees have had conversations about bringing back Miguel Cairo, who played with the Bombers in 2004 before being replaced by Tony Womack. The Yanks are also considering Tony Graffanino in a backup role, though Graffanino is more likely to get a starting job with another team.
CelerinoSanchez
12-07-05, 08:13 PM
I wouldn't mind Cairo at all. We never should have gotten rid of him in the first place. :mad:
AMYanks
12-07-05, 08:25 PM
Considering Graffanino would cost a draft pick, I'll take Cairo.
noneckwilliams
12-09-05, 08:33 AM
I'll make my annual appeal to bring in a (real) Gold Glover who can play 2B and SS - Pokey Reese.
effdamets
12-09-05, 08:35 AM
I wouldn't mind Cairo at all. We never should have gotten rid of him in the first place. :mad:
Actually, "we" didn't let Cairo go. I believe the story goes, the Yankees (Cashman) called his agent, and the agent either did not call back or forgot to tell Miguel that they called.
wileedog
12-09-05, 08:45 AM
Actually, "we" didn't let Cairo go. I believe the story goes, the Yankees (Cashman) called his agent, and the agent either did not call back or forgot to tell Miguel that they called.
Actually I thought Cairo and his agent asked for something like $4M over 2 years, which Cashman rightly laughed at.
He wound up signing with the Mets for $800,000.
I hope he fired his agent.
effdamets
12-09-05, 08:48 AM
Actually I thought Cairo and his agent asked for something like $4M over 2 years, which Cashman rightly laughed at.
He wound up signing with the Mets for $800,000.
I hope he fired his agent.
If that was the case, Cashman was right, but that was not the story I had heard. But I am not saying I am definitely correct either...
Kulish29
12-09-05, 08:49 AM
I'll make my annual appeal to bring in a (real) Gold Glover who can play 2B and SS - Pokey Reese.
Fields like a GG'er. Hits like Tony Womack.
Kulish29
12-09-05, 08:50 AM
Graffanino is a type A free agent, and he got offered arb, so I doubt we sign him and give up a first round pick for a utility player.
Especially since that pick would go to the Sox.
DandyAndy46
12-09-05, 09:30 AM
I think bringing in Cairo would be a good idea for multiple reasons...
1) He can play multiple infield positions and has played the outfield when he was with st. Louis....again...Mr. Superutility....he has played multiple positions unlike Mr. Mia Hamm
2) He has proven he can play with the Yankees before
3) While not Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb Miguel's bat is decent enough not to be a hole in the lineup....
So Mr. Cashman....bring Miguel back!!!!!!!!
38Special
12-09-05, 09:31 AM
I'd go for Pokey the puppy now that a draft pick is involved
Archer1979
12-09-05, 09:43 AM
If you guys get Tony Graffanino, you will love him. I was sorry to see him leave the Sox.
Let's just get Cairo back and not be foolish enough to give up the 21st pick for a utilty man.
DandyAndy46
12-09-05, 09:47 AM
Let's just get Cairo back and not be foolish enough to give up the 21st pick for a utilty man.
You said it....I don't want to ship draft picks to the sox...hello!
Irabu's Son
12-09-05, 09:48 AM
Let's just get Cairo back and not be foolish enough to give up the 21st pick for a utilty man.
With or without the draft pick, Cairo is a better option.
Let's just get Cairo back and not be foolish enough to give up the 21st pick for a utilty man.
You can't lose picks you gain for losing your own free agent, only your own picks. If they signed Graffanino, their 1st round pick would go to the Braves for Farnsworth and their second round pick would go to the Red Sox for Graffanino because Farnsworth is ranked higher. Both the Braves and the Red Sox would get a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds.
Beyond that, I agree, you shouldn't give up your second round pick for a guy to sit on the bench. He does do the most important thing that the Yankees need out of a backup middle infielder, and that is hit lefties so that Cano can sit. He does it much better than Cairo. Still, not worth a pick. With that in mind, I'd actually rather skip Cairo too and if there isn't a middle infielder out there who can hit lefties well, just find a better glove than either Cairo or Graffanino.
ZIM 2002
12-09-05, 10:31 AM
Cairo did fire his agent after the fiasco with the Yankees. I think he'd be great for the bench - he was really clutch for the Yankees when he was here, and a good fielder. He also had a great attitude.
Panamaniac42
12-09-05, 11:14 AM
Give me Cairo or give me death.
Bring the MIII-GUEL CAIII-RO chants back to the Bronx. Forget Gaffe-a-nino
vin777b
12-09-05, 12:41 PM
Cairo. Get it done, NOW.
DontHateOnNumber2
12-09-05, 12:53 PM
He'd be a good bench guy, but would the Yanks have to overpay for him to sit on the bench?
DontHateOnNumber2
12-09-05, 01:00 PM
Give me Cairo or give me death.
Bring the MIII-GUEL CAIII-RO chants back to the Bronx. Forget Gaffe-a-nino
Cairo is available? I change my stance. Bring Miggy back. :D
If we have to give up anything other than money for Graf, there's no way this deal should be done.
noneckwilliams
12-09-05, 02:19 PM
Fields like a GG'er. Hits like Tony Womack.
Nomar and Pokey would cover all the IF positions (ya gotta believe Nomie could play a little 1B). With the pop Nomie could provide we can afford to carry Pokey.
iceman24
12-09-05, 02:43 PM
Nomar will probably cost alot, but he is worth every penny of it. He can play the whole infield (did it in CHI) and he can at least play LF (gives matsui and sheff days off). Not to mention his bat is a much greater upgrade then Graf's. This seems like a no brainer to me but I guess not to cash.
He prob won't come but at least worth a shot.
Has Graffy played CF in his career?
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