With the Papelbon post still raging on, here's my Cashman Vs. Epstein diologue, plus what i was going to comment on today, right here, right now...

Cashman Vs. Epstein.  Looking Into Two GM’s.

Me and Josh Q. Public got into it over Papelbon, then we got into it over Cashman and Epstein.  I promised i would profile both GM's and let everyone take a look at it.  So, let's get to it:

Accomplishments:  Cashman took over in 1998 and has won three World Championships, five American League Pennants and has won the AL East every year since he took over.  Epstein has yet win the division, but has one World Championship To His Credit.

Help From The Predecessors:  It's true that Cashman had largely inherited a World Championship team from his predecessor, Gene Michael.  However, Cashman added to it by acquiring Roger Clemens, the overrated Scott Brosius, David Justice and others to help the team whenever it looked like the Yankees were in trouble.  So, in spite of the fact that people say that the team was "Gene Michael's team", Cashman largely tinkered with it and made it his own. 

As for Epstein, Epstein inherited Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez, Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Johnny Damon, Nomar Garciaparra, and Derek Lowe, all key pieces of that 2004 Championship team.  Epstein did add Schilling (using prospects drafted by his predessor, Dan Duquette as well), and signed Bronson Arroyo, David Ortiz and Keith Foulke as well, but that team remained as much a product of Dan Duquette as it was a product of Epstein's.

Meddling By Ownership:  Cashman has had far more problems with his owner than Epstein has had.  It's common knowledge that Cashman was on the verge of signing Vlad Guerrero until Steinbrenner killed the negotiations, having already signed Gary Sheffield.  It's also believed that Steinbrenner was largely responsible for Carl Pavano, Randy Johnson, as well as Jaret Wright. 

As for Epstein, ownership has largely been good to him, though it's also thought that Larry Lucchino and he had some all out fights over some personnel decisions. 

Signings:  Cashman made several free agent signings, most have worked out to a certain extent.  Damon is one of the better ones, as well as Hideki Matsui and Mike Mussina has been a horse since joining the team.  On the other hand, he's also got Jason Giambi to answer for, as well as the money spent on disasters like Kenny Rogers and others.

Epstein's record is a bit spotty.  Adding Arroryo (after cut by Pirates) and Ortiz are solid ones, but Epstein also has Matt Clement and Edgar Renteria to answer for as well.  Both of which were made after allowing Derek Lowe (who loved Fenway and would have done well there) and Orlando Cabrera (who also would have loved to have stayed) walk.

Trades:  Cashman dealt some prospects away early in his career.  Jake Westbrook, now with the Indians, was a horse the Yankees could have used for the past two years, as well as losing other prospects in trades to other teams for veterens.  As much as he's maligned, Dioneer Navarro is sorely needed by New York, especially since Jorge Posada is getting older.  However, Bobby Abreu was a solid deal for New York, especially since they gave up almost nothing in return.

Epstein's record is much more devistating.  Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez would have kept Boston from collapsing last year.  Losing Andy Marte to Cleveland for Coco Crisp is looking worse and worse as Marte looks to be a star and Crisp is, well, still a question mark.  Damon also wanted to stay in Boston, but many in ownership, Epstein included, didn't think he was worth the money. 

Unleashing King Felix A Good Idea?  Yes and No…

Inept Mariners GM Bill Bavasi is talking about unleashing Felix Hernandez this year, saying that it's time for him to step up and start to dominate.

Is this a good idea or a bad one?

If this means that the Mariners are going to have Hernandez head the rotation, then great.  It's about time.  Hernandez is easily the best pitcher on the staff and will be one of the best young pitchers in baseball, plus a perennial Cy Young Candidate (by the way - over or under 2 Cy Youngs for Hernandez, lifetime.  I got the over.) 

But if the Mariners mean that they're going to let Hernandez do what he wants on the mound, ehhhh, I'm not to sure about that.  Hernandez is still very young and still needs to gain some experience.  And while the Mariners have been doing well with his promotion and working with him as far as his innings pitched (they've been slowly adding more and more innings per year in an effort to get him to eventually adjust to the 200 inning mark.)  He's still prone to fits of wildness and when he gets wild, Hernandez blows up bad.  Really bad.

I guess this sounds redundant, but I agree with Bavasi on wanting Felix to step up and lead the rotation.  But, he also needs to realize that "unleashing" doesn't mean the same as "leaving him alone."

Yankees Right To Not Pursue A-Rod

At the risk of being called a “Yankees Rump Swab” I will place my take on the A-Rod situation.

Yes, I think the Yankees are right to let the public know that they won’t chase A-Rod if he opts out.  First of all, Scott Boras and Alex Rodriguez appear to be laying the groundwork for a possible departure, already putting reasons why they would want to stay and why they have they would possibly want to leave, putting the onus on the fans.  Plus, Rodriguez is already under contract, hence, why would the Yankees want to re-negotiate? 

With Cashman laying down the law as far as the opt out clause is concerned, he's made it perfectly clear to Rodriguez that if he wants to remain a Yankee, he's going to have to show a little loyalty and stay put if he wants to continue playing in pinstripes..  If Rodriguez wants to play the good soldier, Cashman gets #### points for laying down the law.  If Rodriguez chooses to leave, Rodriguez is the one that takes the hit in the public relations domain and Cashman and the Yankees get off scott free.

Now, will it hurt the Yankees offensively?  Sure.  The Third Base market is thin next season and unless a team is willing to consider a trade, maybe St. Louis if they feel that it's time for Scott Rolen to go, they're pretty much stuck with whoever is in the organization.

Introducing - Prospect Versus

Me and my friends got into it about prospects during one of our memorable drinkfests at Chili’s.  However, it did give me an idea as far as a column:  Prospect Versus.  And in this case, we’ll take a look at a pair of promising young righthanders with ace potential (and the two players that started the argument).

Jeff Samardzija (Cubs) Versus Kyle Drabek (Phillies)

The Skinny:  Both players were considered to be first round talents and both fell farther in the draft that many would have thought they would have (Samardzija, now referred to as Sam for the rest of the column, because it was thought he’d be in the NFL and Drabek for questionable behavior.)  However, both are also viewed to be as frontline starter talents and they actually match up well with each other.

• Build:  Sam’s got the larger size, as he’s a massive 6-6 and he’s still got the potential to add a little weight to him.  However, Drabek himself is still pretty thin and it’s possible that he could add some more bulk and velocity if he continues to fill out.  Verdict:  Wash
• Bats/Throws: Both Are Right Handed, so this goes into the wash.  However, Drabek will be a better hitter.  Verdict:  Drabek
• Delivery:  Sam's delivery is rather straightfoward and really doesn't do much. He's going to have to change it in order to have any sort of success.  Drabek has already had to adjust his delivery, as his old one put too much stress on his arm.  He's thus far adjusting it to it admirably, but it's going to take a while.  Verdict:  Drabek
• Fastball:  Both throw in the mid 90’s, with Sam touching 99 at times.  Drabek may hit 97 as he gets older, but at the moment it looks like Sam will be the harder thrower.  Verdict:  Samardzija
• Out Pitch:  Drabek wins this hands down with a hammer curve that is just nasty as hell.  Sam has a slider that has the potential to be a solid companion to his fastball, but it is still really, really raw.  Verdict:  Drabek:
• Third Pitch:  No one knows what the hell Sam has as far as a third pitch.  It’s believed to be a really raw changeup.  Drabek also throws a changeup and it’s got the potential to be a very good third pitch.  Verdict:  Drabek
• Makeup:  Sam has had nothing but good things said about him and is generally regarded as a standup guy.  Drabek’s fell in the draft because of makeup concerns and is regarded to have a mean streak.  Verdict:  Samardzija
• Projection:  Drabek has a lot of projection on him, more so than Sam, as he was considered to be the top high school player in the draft.  He can still add some weight and can gain some velocity out of it.  Sam is older, but he’s never really dedicated himself to baseball before and as a result still has some projection left to him.  However, Drabek is still far more projectable than Sam in this category:  Verdict:  Drabek
• ETA:  Both pitchers are going to be a ways off to the majors.  However, Drabek will take a lot longer to reach the majors, considering that he’s really young and still has some growing up to do, while Samardzija will likely make the cubs in some shape or form in the next two years.  Verdict:  Samardzija
• Comparisons: Sam has earned many comparisons to John Smoltz, though whether or not it is Smoltz the starter or Smoltz the closer is unknown. Drabek, in a perfect world, should be a slightly better, more dominant version of his father.  I think you know who I’ll be going for in this one.  Verdict:  Drabek, unless Samardzija becomes a starter

   

• Final Analysis:  It’s tough to say about both of these guys.  Drabek could become a total bust if he lets his demons conquer him.  On the other hand, Sam has the same type of concerns, as no one really knows what he is at this point of his career.  Both are

   

See you all next week.  I need more time for an indepth analysis on the Epstein Vs. Cashman analysis arguement, but right now i'm due to head to the west side for a possible sale.  Expect a more detailed analysis later.  But, if you all have any other arguements, post them into the comments or drop me an email.  Credit will be given to all those that help out in the contribution. 

Any other Prospect Versus ideas would be appreciated.  Credit will also be given for the idea.