Seeing as Tampa's in the process of smashing us right now, I figure there's no better time to update the ol' blog with a series recap. We just left Kansas City, missing the 3-game sweep by a few horrid Phil Coke offerings. But more on that later.
Game 1 saw a vintage Andy Pettite performance. He was just brilliant going 7 innings, striking out 6, and allowing a lone run. He did a tremendous job mixing his pitches and utilizing the long shadows Kaufman Stadium provides the pitchers in the late afternoon sun.
In fact, both teams struck out 10 batters a piece and at one point, ex-Yank and new Royal Kyle Farnsworth came in and looked devestating by striking out the side. This was also a vintage Kyle Farnsworth performance. He looked very good while his team was down 3 runs. I don't know why he can't hold a lead, but he sure can hold a loss. Whatever, Yanks win 4-1.
Game 2 trumpeted the arrival of CC Sabathia. His fastball was on and he was lights out. The big man logged nearly 8 big innings, fanning a 6 big batters, and lowering his ERA to a big (but much smaller) 4.50 - sorry, he's a big dude.
This was also a big day for both Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada as both accounted for all 6 Yankee runs. Royals pitcher Horatio Ramirez had little to offer and was sent out after little over 4 innings. Yanks cruise to a 6-1 victory.
Which brings me to game 3. Really, everybody needs to get the kinks out early on and in the 8th inning, holding a 1 run lead, Joe Girardi completely overmanaged the situation and sent us to a heartbreaking loss when a big victory and 3 game sweep were all well within reach. It's April for managers too, I guess.
I really don't know what he was thinking. I mean it's the Kansas City Royals. It's not the Boston Red Sox circa 2003. There's no need to empty the bullpen and play the match-up game that way. There's one guy for the 8th and Brain Bruney's it. He deserves the ball. He's lost 40 pounds over the last two years and is ready for the mantle. Nah, it's Damaso Marte. Really, outside of Mo, Marte is making a ton of money. With that money comes expectation. The 8th should be his regardless of the situation. No, nix that, Jose Veras is the man. He's the longest tenured player and has the nasty stuff to do the job. I vote Veras.
The point I'm trying to make is any of the 3 is adequate. Hell, where's Edwar? Sending Phil Coke in, with the tying run at the plate made as little sense to me now as it does then. It was one of those, "Oh shit, he just lost us the game" moments I'm so very used to seeing. You know, whenever the manager takes one too many trips to the 'pen, and you can almost sense the disappointment coming around the corner. Apparently somebody else read Joe Torre's book. I just didn't think he had a chapter called "How to Misuse Your Bullpen".
The worst thing is that the press vultures seem to think they have enough evidence to thrust Joba back to the pen because we got "nobody" for the 8th. What they fail to realize is that Joba got us to the 7th and probably could have pitched into the 7th and beyond -- he looked that good. The 8th inning would be pretty much moot at that point. Stupid innings restrictions.
I still fail to realize why some people think a guy who can pitch until the 8th isn't nearly as good as a situational 8th inning pitcher. Yanks lose 6-4 and I'm pissed off.
Screw you Meatloaf, 2 out of 3 sucks!
Showing posts with label New York Yankees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York Yankees. Show all posts
13 April 2009
12 April 2009
Nick Swisher: Legit!
Nick Swisher is hotter than a female teenage pop singer right now. He's hitting at a downright absurd pace. And he's having more fun on the baseball diamond than he's ever had in his entire life. And all he's really doing is making the most of his opportunities. He's doing so well that more opportunities keep presenting themselves and more days are being spent on the field than on the bench.
I know it's early, but Nick's stats need mention. Since coming off the bench, Swish has recorded 7 hits in 13 at-bats with 9 RBI. He's hitting .538 with an OPS of 2.010 -- that's pretty insane. But he's taking it all in stride. “I’m absolutely loving it,” Swisher was quoted as saying. “It’s like I almost don’t want to wake up, I don’t want to soak it in. I want to keep that fire and keep that passion and keep that attitude going. When I go to the ballpark right now, I feel confident.”
So do we Nick, so do we.
The whole thing has me thinking though. After all, I was very much in support of just going forward with Nick Swisher at 1st when we acquired him over the winter and not pursuing Teixeira at all. In fact it appears I was not alone. Kat O'Brien, over at Newsday had a great piece a few days ago that told a very interesting story in regard to the Teixeira deal. Simply put, Teixiera was never really an option. It was only after meeting with him in December, a move Cash admitted was more to leverage CC than land Tex, where the dream signing became a reality.
"Teixeira never was really an option," Cashman said. (see) "It was something I kept pushing, but it was not really being accepted by above me . . . I guess persistence paid off. I knocked on that door, I guess, just enough that someone finally answered. Hal really gave me the OK to pursue it over a few-day period. And at that point, I still thought the Red Sox were getting him."
After the mess the Sox ownership and brain trust made with Teixeira -- by way of their ridiculous obsession with trying to outsmart Scott Boras -- Cash was obviously more than ready to pick up the pieces and provide the team with tremendous depth at the same time. So thanks for being blowhards Sox brass, it's really paying off so far.
And for those interested, the wrist injury that sidelined Teixeira last night is apparently little more than tendinitis and only prevents him from swinging the bat right-handed. He should play this afternoon and hit lefty. It's nice to have switch-hitters.
I know it's early, but Nick's stats need mention. Since coming off the bench, Swish has recorded 7 hits in 13 at-bats with 9 RBI. He's hitting .538 with an OPS of 2.010 -- that's pretty insane. But he's taking it all in stride. “I’m absolutely loving it,” Swisher was quoted as saying. “It’s like I almost don’t want to wake up, I don’t want to soak it in. I want to keep that fire and keep that passion and keep that attitude going. When I go to the ballpark right now, I feel confident.”
So do we Nick, so do we.
The whole thing has me thinking though. After all, I was very much in support of just going forward with Nick Swisher at 1st when we acquired him over the winter and not pursuing Teixeira at all. In fact it appears I was not alone. Kat O'Brien, over at Newsday had a great piece a few days ago that told a very interesting story in regard to the Teixeira deal. Simply put, Teixiera was never really an option. It was only after meeting with him in December, a move Cash admitted was more to leverage CC than land Tex, where the dream signing became a reality.
"Teixeira never was really an option," Cashman said. (see) "It was something I kept pushing, but it was not really being accepted by above me . . . I guess persistence paid off. I knocked on that door, I guess, just enough that someone finally answered. Hal really gave me the OK to pursue it over a few-day period. And at that point, I still thought the Red Sox were getting him."
After the mess the Sox ownership and brain trust made with Teixeira -- by way of their ridiculous obsession with trying to outsmart Scott Boras -- Cash was obviously more than ready to pick up the pieces and provide the team with tremendous depth at the same time. So thanks for being blowhards Sox brass, it's really paying off so far.
And for those interested, the wrist injury that sidelined Teixeira last night is apparently little more than tendinitis and only prevents him from swinging the bat right-handed. He should play this afternoon and hit lefty. It's nice to have switch-hitters.
Orioles - Yanks Game 3 Shots
I took my camera with me up to Baltimore last Thursday and got some shots of batting practice and some in-game shots. I was way out in the centerfield bleachers, so they're not the most exciting or crystal clear shots. I figured some might want to take a look though, so here you go:
Pettite and Wang spent a long time in Center, shagging fly balls and talking pitching. Let's hope whatever Andy told him sticks and the Wanger proves a bit more effective against the Rays.
You have to love Joba. Kids were hollering his name, he was yelling "what?" right back at 'em and then would bust his ass to shag a fly ball or two to give to some lucky young fans. Joba really rules.
Everybody's new favorite Yankee and Mr. 5 RBI himself (stupid Pujols and his 7 RBI a day later) Nick Swisher! This guy keeps hitting, he's gonna keep finding himself in the lineup.
I'm pretty sure this was one of A.J.'s K victims. Take a seat you blurry bastard!
10 April 2009
Orioles - Yanks Series Re-Cap
I'm giving you guys a different look. Instead of going game-by-game and covering each and every pitch, I've decided to simply take a look at the season as a number of 3 to 4 game series and spend time discussing the match-ups and the overall performance of the club during those stretches. Besides, as most of you who do read me know, I am very sporadic in my posting and updating. Covering the games this way will, hopefully, give me enough time to give you guys something tangible every few days.
Game 1
Not a great game pitching-wise. C.C. looked tentative and was missing consistently with his fastball. Overall, it was a very frustrating first impression that had all the usual suspects in the press running for the hills, more than ready to denounce the signing, his impact, and the entire season.
Revolting and typical. This type of coverage is only going to get worse with every poor performance and may get out of control when You-Know-Who come off the DL at the end of the month. Just be ready...
Anyway, C.C. is traditionally a slow starter. In fact, he was God awful last April in Cleveland going 1-4 with a 7.88 ERA. Obviously he got better throughout the season and was 9-0 in July and August. You know, when it means just a little bit more. All things considered, I can't be worried with what he does Game 1 in April and on the road.
The bullpen looked solid until Coke's leash got a bit too long. It was a garbage HR though and will probably be the only one Caesar Iszturis hits all year. That was the back-breaker though and was so late in the game that the Yanks couldn't mount another scoring spree.
Really, this game was very winnable despite Sabathia's performance. We were down 1 run late and there was a nice little small ball scoring opportunity Girardi constructed with Ramiro Pena at 3rd, having been bunted over by Brett Gardner after Pena pinch ran for the pinch hitting Nick Swisher -- who doubled. Wow. Nice use of the bench, Joe. Keep it coming.
Anyway, 3rd base is still the same Bermuda Triangle for Yankee baserunners as it ever was. Jeter couldn't knock him in after a soft grounder and Damon lifted an easy fly ball to end the inning. This situations are always unfortunate, mostly because people usually second-guess the manager for sacrificing the out to get the guy on second over to third while failing to realize that a simple, moderately deep fly ball brings the runner home from 3rd with 1 out, but I digress. Yanks lose 10-5.
Game 2
My Dad and I joked that afternoon that after C.C.'s loss Wang was sure to have no sinker and sport a flat slider. Guess what happened? Yep.
I hate to just let the excuses fly after two consecutive games, but this was an excusable performance. Wang was just off. Several times Jorge had to come out and remind Wang about release points and staying on top off the ball. And to their credit, the Baltimore hitters were taking advantage of the situation just as they did on Monday against C.C.
The Baltimore Orioles are something that's been severely missing from the coverage thus far. This is a good little team filled with emerging young players who can really play the game. Defensively, they look great in the infiled and untouchable in the outfield. And they proved that in this game. In fact, I'll put Markasis, Jones, and Pie up against any 3 outfielders playing today. I may not come out on top, but I'll be near it. They look to remain that same pesky team from Baltimore we can't put away and screws up our record.
I was proud to see the Yanks fight out of the hole again, but boys from the Bronx couldn't ultimately take this game as they fell 7-5 to the Orioles. In reality, it was another winnable contest that we failed to capitalize on. Wang's offerings were not staying on the ground off of Baltimore bats and those that were, proved just out of reach -- looking at you Cody Ransom.
It was a nice run in the 9th, but it all proved to be too little too late though.
Game 3
For some reason it was a big deal that the Yankees starters failed to strike out a single batter for the first 2 games. Sure, I expected C.C. to fan a few as that's why we got him, but he was just out of the zone for most of the game and the Baltimore hitters were very patient. Wang's another story in entirety. He doesn't strike guys out as that's usually the one bad thing his critics are quick to point out. Whatever though, A.J. soon made quick work of the K drought that plagued the Yankee rotation.
I was lucky enough to attend this game (I'll try to post some of my pics later) and was pretty impressed with Mr. Burnett. Sure the pitch count was high and he left the game a little early, but he was getting outs when he needed them and worked in and out of the zone very nicely. Stopper, I dub thee A.J Burnett.
Joe went with a different look on the field and it payed of tremendous dividends. Molina was behind the dish and saved at least one run by gunning down a runner trying to swipe a bag. I tend to believe he handles the pitchers a bit better than Jorge, based on nothing really, but this mini-theory based on nothing was proven true with a few K's and a dominant performance by the bullpen.
In other genius Giradi moves, anybody see what Swish did? Wow. He looks a bit better than a .219 hitter, huh? Again, it's early, but a 5 RBI is still a 5 RBI game, I don't care what month it is. Yanks roll 11-2 and I finally get to see a Yankee victory in 2009.
Outside of the starting pitching issues, this was a pretty good start to the season. We saw HRs from old favorites like Jeter and Cano, the DL boys in Posada and Matsui, and even the new guys in Swisher and Teixiera chipped in. We outscored the O's 21 - 19 and got a glimpse of a few very important key details necessary for success. First, the bullpen looks great. Second, Cano's hitting in April. Third, injuries don't seem to have slowed Matsui or Posada in any meaningful way. Fourth, Girardi has a plan. He's swiping bags, subbing players (I know someone saw Derek on the bench n the 9th and Pena at short yesterday) and creating runs. And finally, the offense is clicking. Different guys are getting it done up and down the lineup.
We're 1-2, yet I really like what I've seen thus far. And the season marches on...
Game 1
Not a great game pitching-wise. C.C. looked tentative and was missing consistently with his fastball. Overall, it was a very frustrating first impression that had all the usual suspects in the press running for the hills, more than ready to denounce the signing, his impact, and the entire season.
Revolting and typical. This type of coverage is only going to get worse with every poor performance and may get out of control when You-Know-Who come off the DL at the end of the month. Just be ready...
Anyway, C.C. is traditionally a slow starter. In fact, he was God awful last April in Cleveland going 1-4 with a 7.88 ERA. Obviously he got better throughout the season and was 9-0 in July and August. You know, when it means just a little bit more. All things considered, I can't be worried with what he does Game 1 in April and on the road.
The bullpen looked solid until Coke's leash got a bit too long. It was a garbage HR though and will probably be the only one Caesar Iszturis hits all year. That was the back-breaker though and was so late in the game that the Yanks couldn't mount another scoring spree.
Really, this game was very winnable despite Sabathia's performance. We were down 1 run late and there was a nice little small ball scoring opportunity Girardi constructed with Ramiro Pena at 3rd, having been bunted over by Brett Gardner after Pena pinch ran for the pinch hitting Nick Swisher -- who doubled. Wow. Nice use of the bench, Joe. Keep it coming.
Anyway, 3rd base is still the same Bermuda Triangle for Yankee baserunners as it ever was. Jeter couldn't knock him in after a soft grounder and Damon lifted an easy fly ball to end the inning. This situations are always unfortunate, mostly because people usually second-guess the manager for sacrificing the out to get the guy on second over to third while failing to realize that a simple, moderately deep fly ball brings the runner home from 3rd with 1 out, but I digress. Yanks lose 10-5.
Game 2
My Dad and I joked that afternoon that after C.C.'s loss Wang was sure to have no sinker and sport a flat slider. Guess what happened? Yep.
I hate to just let the excuses fly after two consecutive games, but this was an excusable performance. Wang was just off. Several times Jorge had to come out and remind Wang about release points and staying on top off the ball. And to their credit, the Baltimore hitters were taking advantage of the situation just as they did on Monday against C.C.
The Baltimore Orioles are something that's been severely missing from the coverage thus far. This is a good little team filled with emerging young players who can really play the game. Defensively, they look great in the infiled and untouchable in the outfield. And they proved that in this game. In fact, I'll put Markasis, Jones, and Pie up against any 3 outfielders playing today. I may not come out on top, but I'll be near it. They look to remain that same pesky team from Baltimore we can't put away and screws up our record.
I was proud to see the Yanks fight out of the hole again, but boys from the Bronx couldn't ultimately take this game as they fell 7-5 to the Orioles. In reality, it was another winnable contest that we failed to capitalize on. Wang's offerings were not staying on the ground off of Baltimore bats and those that were, proved just out of reach -- looking at you Cody Ransom.
It was a nice run in the 9th, but it all proved to be too little too late though.
Game 3
For some reason it was a big deal that the Yankees starters failed to strike out a single batter for the first 2 games. Sure, I expected C.C. to fan a few as that's why we got him, but he was just out of the zone for most of the game and the Baltimore hitters were very patient. Wang's another story in entirety. He doesn't strike guys out as that's usually the one bad thing his critics are quick to point out. Whatever though, A.J. soon made quick work of the K drought that plagued the Yankee rotation.
I was lucky enough to attend this game (I'll try to post some of my pics later) and was pretty impressed with Mr. Burnett. Sure the pitch count was high and he left the game a little early, but he was getting outs when he needed them and worked in and out of the zone very nicely. Stopper, I dub thee A.J Burnett.
Joe went with a different look on the field and it payed of tremendous dividends. Molina was behind the dish and saved at least one run by gunning down a runner trying to swipe a bag. I tend to believe he handles the pitchers a bit better than Jorge, based on nothing really, but this mini-theory based on nothing was proven true with a few K's and a dominant performance by the bullpen.
In other genius Giradi moves, anybody see what Swish did? Wow. He looks a bit better than a .219 hitter, huh? Again, it's early, but a 5 RBI is still a 5 RBI game, I don't care what month it is. Yanks roll 11-2 and I finally get to see a Yankee victory in 2009.
Outside of the starting pitching issues, this was a pretty good start to the season. We saw HRs from old favorites like Jeter and Cano, the DL boys in Posada and Matsui, and even the new guys in Swisher and Teixiera chipped in. We outscored the O's 21 - 19 and got a glimpse of a few very important key details necessary for success. First, the bullpen looks great. Second, Cano's hitting in April. Third, injuries don't seem to have slowed Matsui or Posada in any meaningful way. Fourth, Girardi has a plan. He's swiping bags, subbing players (I know someone saw Derek on the bench n the 9th and Pena at short yesterday) and creating runs. And finally, the offense is clicking. Different guys are getting it done up and down the lineup.
We're 1-2, yet I really like what I've seen thus far. And the season marches on...
30 March 2009
Gardner Tending The Field
An exciting race ends with a fairly lackluster finish as Brett Gardner beats out Melky Cabrera for the CF spot. At the very least, it was a good race that saw the speedy Gardner win the spot away from the younger and more experienced Cabrera.
Personally, I like either in this spot. With that in mind, I hope to never see Johnny Damon or Nick Swisher out in Center. In case you forgot, I need defense in that outfield. While I'm at it, I also never want to see the name Mike Cameron anywhere near the words "trade talks heat up".
The one thing that does surprise me about this move is the fact that we start Cody Ransom instead of the rehabbing Alex Rodriguez at 3rd base. I just think that Melky's experience kind of wins out in this situation. Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but an 8-9 of Cabrera, Ransom seems like it would turn over the lineup a bit better than Gardner, Ransom or Ransom, Gardner at the bottom.
I do expect to see a lot more running from this team this year though, and that seems to be the way Girardi's leaning. Melky's poor baserunning and nonexistant basestealing plus his lackluster and fading numbers are, after all, what sent him to Scranton last year. Anyone who's seen Gardner play knows that his speed is his game. And just to hammer his point on speed home, Girardi had this to say on the subject, “Speed is an interesting dimension to a club, and I like it, because it puts a lot of pressure on the defense”.
There you have it. With the Jeter-Damon flip-flop, the addition a Teixeira, a healthy Jorge and Matsui, Nady for a season with a touch of Swish, and Brett Gardner looking to swipe a few bags we've got a very new, new-look New York Yankees on our hands. This looks to be a very proactive and clever club equally adept at manufacturing runs as well as knocking them in.
Only one more week...
Personally, I like either in this spot. With that in mind, I hope to never see Johnny Damon or Nick Swisher out in Center. In case you forgot, I need defense in that outfield. While I'm at it, I also never want to see the name Mike Cameron anywhere near the words "trade talks heat up".
The one thing that does surprise me about this move is the fact that we start Cody Ransom instead of the rehabbing Alex Rodriguez at 3rd base. I just think that Melky's experience kind of wins out in this situation. Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but an 8-9 of Cabrera, Ransom seems like it would turn over the lineup a bit better than Gardner, Ransom or Ransom, Gardner at the bottom.
I do expect to see a lot more running from this team this year though, and that seems to be the way Girardi's leaning. Melky's poor baserunning and nonexistant basestealing plus his lackluster and fading numbers are, after all, what sent him to Scranton last year. Anyone who's seen Gardner play knows that his speed is his game. And just to hammer his point on speed home, Girardi had this to say on the subject, “Speed is an interesting dimension to a club, and I like it, because it puts a lot of pressure on the defense”.
There you have it. With the Jeter-Damon flip-flop, the addition a Teixeira, a healthy Jorge and Matsui, Nady for a season with a touch of Swish, and Brett Gardner looking to swipe a few bags we've got a very new, new-look New York Yankees on our hands. This looks to be a very proactive and clever club equally adept at manufacturing runs as well as knocking them in.
Only one more week...
28 March 2009
Johnny's Last Stand
It's plain to see now. In fact it's fairly obvious. Johnny Damon's tenure as a New York Yankee is officially coming to an end. I couldn't be happier.
When I first heard that Joe Girardi made an adjustment to the top of the lineup by pulling the ol' switcheroo with Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon I assumed it was more due to Jeter's new habit of grounding into double plays in key situations. The more I thought about it, the more Johnny Damon's new role started to sink in. After all, Damon was seen as a much needed savior and crucial cog in the machine when he was acquired as a free agent 3 years ago. Keep in mind, back then he was a lead-off hitting centerfielder. He begins his final tour of duty in Yankee pinstripes as a leftfielder hitting out of the 2-hole. Frankly, he's outplayed his usefulness. Good riddance.
In typical fashion Johnny Damon had something to say and didn't disappoint. He said this of the move, "I'm definitely bigger than most leadoff hitters, so it's time for me to move down, and I hit the ball on the right side a lot." Damon added, "I’m O.K. with it. It makes the team better. We know Derek’s on-base percentage is a lot higher than mine. Hopefully, we can tinker with this thing, and my production in the two-hole will increase with Derek on base quite a bit [...] He'll be on first and I can jack home runs." Curiously, he then added "Whatever Joe wants, I think how this camp has been going, you know, everyone's got to do what Joe wants."
That last line I feel is th most telling. Joe Girardi may say he's "toying" with it, but I fairly certain his mind is made up in this regard. When we open in Baltimore, Jeter will lead-off and Damon will bat second. This will be the 1-2 punch all season. Get used to it.
The CF battle between Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera has been one of the more interesting stories to keep an eye on down in Tampa. Gardner seems like he's gonna get the nod. He's often cited as Girardi favorite and looks like a Giradi disciple. Plus he's batted at a .343 clip this spring with 3Hrs. Melky isn't going quietly though. He's hit at a .313 clip and boasts 9 RBIs. Personally, I'd go with Melky in Center, shift him to left in the 7th, bench Damon, and let Gardner patrol CF during the last 3 innings. Did I mention I hate Johnny Damon? Regardless, look for the decision to be made by Monday.
Speaking of decisions, the long-man spot out of the pen is up for grabs today. Dan Geise, Brett Tomko, and Alfredo Aceves take the hill vs. The Atlanta Braves toaday a 1:15 PM ET. This may seem like a throw away position to the uninformed and nothing more than a dull battle between garbage arms, but if you remember anything about recent Yankee history, you'd know pitching is the most important thing. This is no different. We have 5 starting pitchers, yes, but none of them are without their nagging questions. The long man can either save the day like Ramiro Mendoza or compound your troubles like Ramiro Mendoza. --Sorry, I can't think of another long man besides Ramiro Mendoza.
This battle is also important because if Brett Tomko wins it out, someone will have to be sacrificed off the roster to make room as Tomko came to camp as a non-roster invitee. For the record, Tomko looks far superior to the other two this Spring posting a 1.46 ERA through 12 and 1/3 innings. Aceves has pitched to a 4.97 ERA and Geise carries an ERA of 7.43 -- pretty ugly fellas. Uglier still when I mention the 9 combined HRs the opposition has hit off you both. Today may be the last to make an impression.
When I first heard that Joe Girardi made an adjustment to the top of the lineup by pulling the ol' switcheroo with Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon I assumed it was more due to Jeter's new habit of grounding into double plays in key situations. The more I thought about it, the more Johnny Damon's new role started to sink in. After all, Damon was seen as a much needed savior and crucial cog in the machine when he was acquired as a free agent 3 years ago. Keep in mind, back then he was a lead-off hitting centerfielder. He begins his final tour of duty in Yankee pinstripes as a leftfielder hitting out of the 2-hole. Frankly, he's outplayed his usefulness. Good riddance.
In typical fashion Johnny Damon had something to say and didn't disappoint. He said this of the move, "I'm definitely bigger than most leadoff hitters, so it's time for me to move down, and I hit the ball on the right side a lot." Damon added, "I’m O.K. with it. It makes the team better. We know Derek’s on-base percentage is a lot higher than mine. Hopefully, we can tinker with this thing, and my production in the two-hole will increase with Derek on base quite a bit [...] He'll be on first and I can jack home runs." Curiously, he then added "Whatever Joe wants, I think how this camp has been going, you know, everyone's got to do what Joe wants."
That last line I feel is th most telling. Joe Girardi may say he's "toying" with it, but I fairly certain his mind is made up in this regard. When we open in Baltimore, Jeter will lead-off and Damon will bat second. This will be the 1-2 punch all season. Get used to it.
The CF battle between Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera has been one of the more interesting stories to keep an eye on down in Tampa. Gardner seems like he's gonna get the nod. He's often cited as Girardi favorite and looks like a Giradi disciple. Plus he's batted at a .343 clip this spring with 3Hrs. Melky isn't going quietly though. He's hit at a .313 clip and boasts 9 RBIs. Personally, I'd go with Melky in Center, shift him to left in the 7th, bench Damon, and let Gardner patrol CF during the last 3 innings. Did I mention I hate Johnny Damon? Regardless, look for the decision to be made by Monday.
Speaking of decisions, the long-man spot out of the pen is up for grabs today. Dan Geise, Brett Tomko, and Alfredo Aceves take the hill vs. The Atlanta Braves toaday a 1:15 PM ET. This may seem like a throw away position to the uninformed and nothing more than a dull battle between garbage arms, but if you remember anything about recent Yankee history, you'd know pitching is the most important thing. This is no different. We have 5 starting pitchers, yes, but none of them are without their nagging questions. The long man can either save the day like Ramiro Mendoza or compound your troubles like Ramiro Mendoza. --Sorry, I can't think of another long man besides Ramiro Mendoza.
This battle is also important because if Brett Tomko wins it out, someone will have to be sacrificed off the roster to make room as Tomko came to camp as a non-roster invitee. For the record, Tomko looks far superior to the other two this Spring posting a 1.46 ERA through 12 and 1/3 innings. Aceves has pitched to a 4.97 ERA and Geise carries an ERA of 7.43 -- pretty ugly fellas. Uglier still when I mention the 9 combined HRs the opposition has hit off you both. Today may be the last to make an impression.
17 March 2009
Finally, Some Good News
- Cano and Marte both received a seemingly clean bill of health after spending some time in the ol' MRI tube. Test revealed shoulder bursitis for Cano and some inflammation for Marte, confirming what Yankee trainers and officials suspected.
- The new look Brian Bruney not only reported to camp 40 pounds lighter than his '06 form, and 20 pounds lighter than last year. He also sports a new attitude, confidence, and overall level of determination. Bruney wants the 8th (despite what most Joba-to-the-pen morons think) and is prepared to take it.
I love this and think Bruney's more than capable of being the man in that situation. He was very impressive before that crazy foot injury (same one that shelved Wang and killed our season) last year and returned late in the season to finish up with some sick to fairly sick numbers. Check it:
In 34.3 innings he surrendered only 18 hits, posted 33K's, and allowed just 16 walks. That's a WHIP of 0.990 - add to that an ERA of 1.83; pretty nasty.
Sure it's an injury shortened season, but his new commitment to himself, his teammates, and the game has me thinking that 2009 will be the breakout year for Brian Bruney and will, hopefully, quiet most of the asinine waterheads who still think Joba is best suited in the 'pen. I'm looking squarely at you ESPN and MLB Network.
- Jorge Posada took his rightful spot behind the plate and caught his first game in nearly a year. He reported no difficulty after catching three innings for Andy Pettite on Sunday. The next step will be catching in consecutive games and testing out that arm during steal attempts.
- Stay tuned because Mo goes tonight.
- And on the lighter side, Manny Ramirez's triumphant return is being halted by, you guessed it Red Sox fans, a bad hamstring. Go figure, the guy hamstrings the organization all winter long by rejecting every offer laid in front of him, then he hurts his hamstring when running down a ball (at around half-speed mind you) during his first in-game action out in left.
And in reality it's never good news if a player gets hurt (unless of course they play for Boston, get well soon Dustin, you too Julio.)
15 March 2009
Since We Last Spoke...
It's been a hot minute since my last post. For that I apologize, but the stinking, festering A-Rod situation is too much to bear on a daily basis. I don't hate Alex Rodriguez for this. I hate A-Rod. I hate the public persona of the Yankees 3rd baseman. I hate the omnipresent media eye and media mouth that feeds off of and into this larger-than-life figure. It overshadows everything and is mostly meaningless, trite, and exploitative.
With that in mind, I am putting a moratorium on the nickname "A-Rod". After all, if Sean Combs can go by "Diddy" when the names "Puffy" and "Puff Daddy" held too much negative connotation and association with violence and murder, Alex can do it too when the name "A-Rod" is more a harbinger of doom, disaster, and PEDs.
It's incredibly hard to ignore the Alex Rodriguez story as it will venture on for the next nine years of all of our Yankee lives. Alex and his glove-slapping, steroid-injecting, She-Hulk loving ways will continue to weigh on and nag the most staunch of his supporters and admirers. Those who despise him will remain unaffected as every story that comes out serves only to reinforce the negative disposition and disdain they already hold towardds him.
With that in mind, the prevailing debate that rages on is whether or not the Yankees are better off without him as he rehabs the bum hip. It's an interesting debate to be sure as logic tells you no, but emotion tells you yes. Clearly, it's tough to reproduce what Alex's bat gives you on a daily basis. Then again, he's such a media magnet and lightning rod for controversy that his absence has got to be a relaxing and soothing change of pace in the already dangerous media jungle that is the Yankee Universe.
Personally, I really think we're better off without him, but for the short-term only. I don't care about missing him for a month, especially when it's the first month of the season. Those predicting doom and gloom for the Yankees because of no A-Rod in April won't even remember he was on the DL when August rolls around.
The game is still based on two things pitching and defense and Alex's presence has little to no bearing on either. In fact, after watching Cody Ransom flash the leather in a few Spring Training games, I'm fairly convinced that we're getting a bit of defensive upgrade over at the hot corner.
Yes, I expect less homeruns in April and less overall scoring for the month. It's all irrelevant though if we're able to prevent the other team for scoring any and with that rotation heathy and productive (knock on wood), we're sure to keep the crooked numbers off of the scoreboard. People still forget that during the most important stretch of the season last year we were going with Mussina, Pettite, Ponson, Pavano, and a prayer (the prayer being enough strength for Mussina to pitch everyday as he was the only effective starter from August to September). C.C., Wang, Burnett, Pettite, and Joba represent the best single-season upgrade in all of baseball and probably the best rotation in all of baseball as well. This fact is obviously being lost in the wash in the face of the Alex Rodriguez mellowdrama(s). Alas, such is life though.
Turning the page, I have been obsessed with the WBC thus far. I know, I know, Robby and Marte are hurting from their participation, but they were hurting before it started and played anyway like true Yankee A-holes. Watching the Domincan team get eliminated was both bittersweet and familiar. As a Yankee fan I can relate when an obviously more dominant team on paper loses to a team of seemingly lesser players. It was a textbook Yankee failure. A couple of poor defensive plays and an inability to hit offspeed stuff led to team DR's downfall, plus just piss poor management.
Team USA goes tonight, I think, on ESPN so check it out if you get the chance. Andy Pettite takes the hill for the Yanks against the Twins. The Gardner/Melky battle leans more toward Garnder by the day as does the Nady/Swisher battle lean toward Nady. It's definately going to be interesting to see how this shakes out as we progress towards opening day. Alex's injury also helps us out in this aspect too as we pretty much have an extra month to decide on how the outfield should look.
With that in mind, I am putting a moratorium on the nickname "A-Rod". After all, if Sean Combs can go by "Diddy" when the names "Puffy" and "Puff Daddy" held too much negative connotation and association with violence and murder, Alex can do it too when the name "A-Rod" is more a harbinger of doom, disaster, and PEDs.
It's incredibly hard to ignore the Alex Rodriguez story as it will venture on for the next nine years of all of our Yankee lives. Alex and his glove-slapping, steroid-injecting, She-Hulk loving ways will continue to weigh on and nag the most staunch of his supporters and admirers. Those who despise him will remain unaffected as every story that comes out serves only to reinforce the negative disposition and disdain they already hold towardds him.
With that in mind, the prevailing debate that rages on is whether or not the Yankees are better off without him as he rehabs the bum hip. It's an interesting debate to be sure as logic tells you no, but emotion tells you yes. Clearly, it's tough to reproduce what Alex's bat gives you on a daily basis. Then again, he's such a media magnet and lightning rod for controversy that his absence has got to be a relaxing and soothing change of pace in the already dangerous media jungle that is the Yankee Universe.
Personally, I really think we're better off without him, but for the short-term only. I don't care about missing him for a month, especially when it's the first month of the season. Those predicting doom and gloom for the Yankees because of no A-Rod in April won't even remember he was on the DL when August rolls around.
The game is still based on two things pitching and defense and Alex's presence has little to no bearing on either. In fact, after watching Cody Ransom flash the leather in a few Spring Training games, I'm fairly convinced that we're getting a bit of defensive upgrade over at the hot corner.
Yes, I expect less homeruns in April and less overall scoring for the month. It's all irrelevant though if we're able to prevent the other team for scoring any and with that rotation heathy and productive (knock on wood), we're sure to keep the crooked numbers off of the scoreboard. People still forget that during the most important stretch of the season last year we were going with Mussina, Pettite, Ponson, Pavano, and a prayer (the prayer being enough strength for Mussina to pitch everyday as he was the only effective starter from August to September). C.C., Wang, Burnett, Pettite, and Joba represent the best single-season upgrade in all of baseball and probably the best rotation in all of baseball as well. This fact is obviously being lost in the wash in the face of the Alex Rodriguez mellowdrama(s). Alas, such is life though.
Turning the page, I have been obsessed with the WBC thus far. I know, I know, Robby and Marte are hurting from their participation, but they were hurting before it started and played anyway like true Yankee A-holes. Watching the Domincan team get eliminated was both bittersweet and familiar. As a Yankee fan I can relate when an obviously more dominant team on paper loses to a team of seemingly lesser players. It was a textbook Yankee failure. A couple of poor defensive plays and an inability to hit offspeed stuff led to team DR's downfall, plus just piss poor management.
Team USA goes tonight, I think, on ESPN so check it out if you get the chance. Andy Pettite takes the hill for the Yanks against the Twins. The Gardner/Melky battle leans more toward Garnder by the day as does the Nady/Swisher battle lean toward Nady. It's definately going to be interesting to see how this shakes out as we progress towards opening day. Alex's injury also helps us out in this aspect too as we pretty much have an extra month to decide on how the outfield should look.
07 February 2009
Taking Aim at the Captain
I've wanted to write this one for a while now, but how do you even do it? I mean where do you start? He's all we've known for so long and he's done nothing but earn and deserve every NY Yankees fan's undying adoration, respect, and gratitude. Big plays? There' a library of them. I can close my eyes and see them. Key hits? Yeah, he's got 'em in spades. So many hits, really. More than any other Yankee -- at the old Stadium, to be sure.
Can you even imagine the New York Yankees without Derek Jeter?
I can. And I do. It's not that bad either.
The simplest way to state it is also the most obvious. In 2 short seasons, Derek Jeter's contract is up. One of the highest paid players in the league will run out of his multi-years and the Yankees' multi-millions. He will also be 37 years old in June that year. There is no plan, outside of silly daydream scenarios, in existence that actually addresses moving him from SS to any other position on the field. He's already, statistically speaking, the worst defensive shortstop in the game, and has been for a long, long time. See this, this, this, and this if you don't believe me. Something's got to give.
Forget for one second about who he is and what he's done. Instead, try to picture what he will be and will do, 2 years older and 2 years slower in all aspects of the game. Realize that over the past 4 years long-time Yankee mainstays we all thought we couldn't live without, Bernie, Torre, and Giambi, were all shown the door with little fanfare or remorse. Next year Damon, Matsui, and Pettite get little more than a pat on the butt for their service as their contracts run out.
Why should it be any different for Derek?
It shouldn't. Sentimentality has it's place. I want 90's grunge rock to come back, but it's not happening. Sooner or later you have to come to realize your heroes are human and the game has passed them by. No one wants to see Derek fall down rounding third a la Willie Mays in a Mets uniform, do they? I mean it's not even like Jeter provides pop or power to our lineup. His bat will be missed, no doubt, but how much? Last year he led the team in hitting into double plays and he hit second all year long. How many rallies did he kill? How many runs did that type of performance prevent?
Rob Neyer offers his perspective on the Jeter issue and comes to the conclusion that the Yankess would be wise to live through 2 more years of Jeter's ridiculous jump-turn-throw things and then let him walk in 2010. I have to agree across the board and on all accounts. I even think Jeter's performance last year was a major contribution to the team's overall failure and have given my reasons, see #6.
It's a tough decision to have to make and my dismissive attitude belies my overall appreciation of Mr. November. But you cannot hamstring the organization to avoid hurt feelings or uncomfortable conversations. My real hope is that Derek starts talking about calling it a career in 2010 by the All Star break this year. I hope he has enough of the "intangibles" we shower on him to understand that it's best to leave the stage before the curtain falls on your head.
Moving forward, replacement is obviously an issue. In hindsight, dealing Gonzalez for an arm last year was probably short-sighted as Angel Berrora is now the best in-house option in the event of Posada-esque injury. In the event of a Nady or Swisher trade, I fully expect a SS prospect or player to be in the deal. Unless of course Ramiro Pena advances his game in the next 2 seasons and lives up to his presence in last year's Futures Game.
Stay tuned to this situation though. More and more opinions, scenarios, and thoughts on Derek Jeter and his future with the New York Yankees will come out as the his contract comes to a close. You might even have the opportunity to take a peek into a crystal ball this Spring when Derek lines up in the opposite dugout when Team USA takes on the Yankees.
If I'm Davey Johnson though, I'm definitely going with Jimmy Rollins.
Can you even imagine the New York Yankees without Derek Jeter?
I can. And I do. It's not that bad either.
The simplest way to state it is also the most obvious. In 2 short seasons, Derek Jeter's contract is up. One of the highest paid players in the league will run out of his multi-years and the Yankees' multi-millions. He will also be 37 years old in June that year. There is no plan, outside of silly daydream scenarios, in existence that actually addresses moving him from SS to any other position on the field. He's already, statistically speaking, the worst defensive shortstop in the game, and has been for a long, long time. See this, this, this, and this if you don't believe me. Something's got to give.
Forget for one second about who he is and what he's done. Instead, try to picture what he will be and will do, 2 years older and 2 years slower in all aspects of the game. Realize that over the past 4 years long-time Yankee mainstays we all thought we couldn't live without, Bernie, Torre, and Giambi, were all shown the door with little fanfare or remorse. Next year Damon, Matsui, and Pettite get little more than a pat on the butt for their service as their contracts run out. Why should it be any different for Derek?
It shouldn't. Sentimentality has it's place. I want 90's grunge rock to come back, but it's not happening. Sooner or later you have to come to realize your heroes are human and the game has passed them by. No one wants to see Derek fall down rounding third a la Willie Mays in a Mets uniform, do they? I mean it's not even like Jeter provides pop or power to our lineup. His bat will be missed, no doubt, but how much? Last year he led the team in hitting into double plays and he hit second all year long. How many rallies did he kill? How many runs did that type of performance prevent?
Rob Neyer offers his perspective on the Jeter issue and comes to the conclusion that the Yankess would be wise to live through 2 more years of Jeter's ridiculous jump-turn-throw things and then let him walk in 2010. I have to agree across the board and on all accounts. I even think Jeter's performance last year was a major contribution to the team's overall failure and have given my reasons, see #6.It's a tough decision to have to make and my dismissive attitude belies my overall appreciation of Mr. November. But you cannot hamstring the organization to avoid hurt feelings or uncomfortable conversations. My real hope is that Derek starts talking about calling it a career in 2010 by the All Star break this year. I hope he has enough of the "intangibles" we shower on him to understand that it's best to leave the stage before the curtain falls on your head.
Moving forward, replacement is obviously an issue. In hindsight, dealing Gonzalez for an arm last year was probably short-sighted as Angel Berrora is now the best in-house option in the event of Posada-esque injury. In the event of a Nady or Swisher trade, I fully expect a SS prospect or player to be in the deal. Unless of course Ramiro Pena advances his game in the next 2 seasons and lives up to his presence in last year's Futures Game.
Stay tuned to this situation though. More and more opinions, scenarios, and thoughts on Derek Jeter and his future with the New York Yankees will come out as the his contract comes to a close. You might even have the opportunity to take a peek into a crystal ball this Spring when Derek lines up in the opposite dugout when Team USA takes on the Yankees.
If I'm Davey Johnson though, I'm definitely going with Jimmy Rollins.
04 February 2009
Payroll, Manny, and Future Considerations
The guys at River Avenue Blues went ahead and did my job for me again today and broke down the 2009 payroll and beyond. It's a nice and neat look at what the Yankees have commitment-wise well into the future. I definitely recommend taking a look at it if you have any interest whatsoever in figuring out what we've spent and what we can still get.
With that in mind, The New York Times has a key quote from Brian Cashman 1 day removed from Manny being Greedy and turning down, what?!, 25 million dollars from the LA Dodgers. (Doesn't he know Dunn and Hudson will basically give LA the same production at a fraction of the cost?)
Cashman had this to say in regards to the Yankees signing Manny:
“I fully expect to go to spring training with what we’ve got. And that’s a good thing. People expect us to get in on Manny, but it’s not going to happen. We’re in the nonroster invitee mode.”
So unless you expect Manny to go to Tampa as a non-roster invitee of the New York Yankees, competing for a spot on the team with no guarantees and playing purely out of his love for the game and the City of New York.... ah, I'll leave it at that, you get the point -- he's not coming.
Interestingly enough, or not interestingly enough at all, the author of that RAB article referenced above goes way out on a limb and just assumes the Yankees will target Matt Holiday at 5 years $85 mill going into 2010.
Why? I mean Matt Holiday in left just strikes me as another offense-first outfielder who is shuffled to a corner spot because of his bat and the fact that the DH spot will be used by our older players. The author even makes a few key points against his own Holiday projections when he says the Yanks 2010 payroll would be $177.35 for just 11 players and $146 million for nine players in 2011. He then says that things could clear up in 2012, but CC would have to opt out and the Yankees would have to hold options on Cano, Marte, and Swisher, but that’s still $85 million on four players.
Here's what I don't get. You're trying to write an article about payroll flexibility and you muck it all up by adding a guy who inflates the payroll to the same lofty heights we've all come to realize was our downfall circa 2001-2007. Why? Because he's got some neat offensive statistic that no one, outside of roto-geeks and stat nerds, has ever heard of? Why not project a homegrown product like Austin Jackson for 2010? He may not play left, but he helps you prove a point Cash has been trying to make for a year now. Younger, more athletic, payroll flexibility, have you guys even been paying attention?
With that in mind, The New York Times has a key quote from Brian Cashman 1 day removed from Manny being Greedy and turning down, what?!, 25 million dollars from the LA Dodgers. (Doesn't he know Dunn and Hudson will basically give LA the same production at a fraction of the cost?)
Cashman had this to say in regards to the Yankees signing Manny:
“I fully expect to go to spring training with what we’ve got. And that’s a good thing. People expect us to get in on Manny, but it’s not going to happen. We’re in the nonroster invitee mode.”
So unless you expect Manny to go to Tampa as a non-roster invitee of the New York Yankees, competing for a spot on the team with no guarantees and playing purely out of his love for the game and the City of New York.... ah, I'll leave it at that, you get the point -- he's not coming.
Interestingly enough, or not interestingly enough at all, the author of that RAB article referenced above goes way out on a limb and just assumes the Yankees will target Matt Holiday at 5 years $85 mill going into 2010.
Why? I mean Matt Holiday in left just strikes me as another offense-first outfielder who is shuffled to a corner spot because of his bat and the fact that the DH spot will be used by our older players. The author even makes a few key points against his own Holiday projections when he says the Yanks 2010 payroll would be $177.35 for just 11 players and $146 million for nine players in 2011. He then says that things could clear up in 2012, but CC would have to opt out and the Yankees would have to hold options on Cano, Marte, and Swisher, but that’s still $85 million on four players.
Here's what I don't get. You're trying to write an article about payroll flexibility and you muck it all up by adding a guy who inflates the payroll to the same lofty heights we've all come to realize was our downfall circa 2001-2007. Why? Because he's got some neat offensive statistic that no one, outside of roto-geeks and stat nerds, has ever heard of? Why not project a homegrown product like Austin Jackson for 2010? He may not play left, but he helps you prove a point Cash has been trying to make for a year now. Younger, more athletic, payroll flexibility, have you guys even been paying attention?
27 January 2009
Pettite Falls in Line
What did you want again? 16 mill? Umm, let's take the square root of your figure and add a million and a half, mmm'kay?
In a winter of low risk / high reward deals, Brian Cashman just trumped about every GM in baseball, after he already broke the bank of course, and got Andy Pettite, an experienced veteran with gobs of playoff experience, on the super-cheap.
One year, $5.5 million. That's a pretty impressive deal considering the last figure I heard floating around was one year at $10.5 million. Guess somebody wants to be a Yankee after all...
The amazing thing is that Andy was essentially our #2 starter last year considering how well Mussina did and the injury to Wang. Now he's our 4 or 5? That's pretty sick. C.C., A.J., Wang, Pettite, and Joba? Yeah, let's play ball. (I'm sure the Joba to the Bullpen crap will regurgitate itself again at this point, but let's just ignore it. Sound good?)
This rotation and the depth behind it is very reminiscent of a LoHud piece that came out right after the Yanks faced playoff exile for the first time in 13 years. Pete Abraham elaborated on a concept of a shadow rotation getting innings in and there in case of emergency. With Hughes, Kennedy, Coke, Wright, and Aceves possibly starting the season in Scranton, we have just that. A bunch of kids working to make a name for themselves only if they get the opportunity.
Depth is crucial. Looks like we finally got some.
In a winter of low risk / high reward deals, Brian Cashman just trumped about every GM in baseball, after he already broke the bank of course, and got Andy Pettite, an experienced veteran with gobs of playoff experience, on the super-cheap.
One year, $5.5 million. That's a pretty impressive deal considering the last figure I heard floating around was one year at $10.5 million. Guess somebody wants to be a Yankee after all...
The amazing thing is that Andy was essentially our #2 starter last year considering how well Mussina did and the injury to Wang. Now he's our 4 or 5? That's pretty sick. C.C., A.J., Wang, Pettite, and Joba? Yeah, let's play ball. (I'm sure the Joba to the Bullpen crap will regurgitate itself again at this point, but let's just ignore it. Sound good?)
This rotation and the depth behind it is very reminiscent of a LoHud piece that came out right after the Yanks faced playoff exile for the first time in 13 years. Pete Abraham elaborated on a concept of a shadow rotation getting innings in and there in case of emergency. With Hughes, Kennedy, Coke, Wright, and Aceves possibly starting the season in Scranton, we have just that. A bunch of kids working to make a name for themselves only if they get the opportunity.
Depth is crucial. Looks like we finally got some.
24 January 2009
Front and Center
Just because there isn't a whole lot of news out there it doesn't mean there isn't something to gripe about. Today's New York Daily News turns it's discerning eye towards Centerfield and knocks Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera for not being more like Joe DiMaggio or Mickey Mantle.
Wow. Really swinging for the fences on this one. Way to take on the only two position players you have under 25 and knocking them for their career numbers. What kind of research did this one take? Why do you need Joe DiMaggio or Mickey Mantle in center anyway when you got Babe Ruth at third and Lou Gehrig at first? I mean, isn't there already enough production on the Yankees for people to allow two kids to play center and earn the spot outright? Isn't that something to appreciate? What's the point of watching baseball if you're not willing to allow young players from your farm system to develop? And didn't we win several World Championships with the likes of Shane Spencer, Rickey Ledee, and Chad Curtis in Left?
How many other guys on this team could you knock instead? And how many are more deserving as well? You got the newly, perennially injured Matsui playing out the last year of his contract. He's done well for himself financially during his tenure in the Bronx but is severely lacking rings. Derek Jeter is an icy persona of a New York sports hero who really can't play his position any longer. When does this soap opera get played out? Jorge Posada is diluted enough to think he can, should, and will play in the World Baseball Classic after a major season-ending injury. A-Rod is, well he's A-Rod, there's always something there. Johnny Damon is a wildly overrated player who may or may not hit, and is a shocking liability defensively. Xavier Nady played with us for only a few months. Nick Swisher hit .219 last year. Mark Texiera went for the most money. Robinson Cano needs to shape up or ship out.
The point is, everybody's got their baggage. Why target the two guys who will no doubt hit 9th everyday. What does that prove?
The worst thing about it is the poll the Daily News added to get a feel for what we, the fans, think.
And you f'n fans make me sick. When asked who the Yankee Fans think should patrol Yankee Stadium between Damon, Swisher, Melky, and Gardner, the overwhelming majority chose Bernie "I can't even hack it for the Puerto Rican National Team" Williams. Look, I love Bernie. I'll be the first to start the "Retire #51 Petition". But I love 1994-2002 Bernie. That old guy he turned into sucks. It's just the harsh reality of it all and the fact that most fans still pine for him is depressingly pathetic. Let it go. And let Melky and Bret play the game, ya bunch of know-nothing dicks.
Are they All Stars? No. Will they ever be All-Stars? Probably not. Neither will ever get a single vote for MVP in their careers as well. They do possess the ability to play the game though and both have the potential to be effective at the major league level. What more is there? All we're doing is considering a 24 year-old switch-hitter and a 23 year-old with game changing speed. Both are the best you have defensively and neither will get half as embarrassed as Johnny Damon, let alone Bernie f'n WIlliams, would on a daily basis out on that island in center.
What's the big deal?
Wow. Really swinging for the fences on this one. Way to take on the only two position players you have under 25 and knocking them for their career numbers. What kind of research did this one take? Why do you need Joe DiMaggio or Mickey Mantle in center anyway when you got Babe Ruth at third and Lou Gehrig at first? I mean, isn't there already enough production on the Yankees for people to allow two kids to play center and earn the spot outright? Isn't that something to appreciate? What's the point of watching baseball if you're not willing to allow young players from your farm system to develop? And didn't we win several World Championships with the likes of Shane Spencer, Rickey Ledee, and Chad Curtis in Left?
How many other guys on this team could you knock instead? And how many are more deserving as well? You got the newly, perennially injured Matsui playing out the last year of his contract. He's done well for himself financially during his tenure in the Bronx but is severely lacking rings. Derek Jeter is an icy persona of a New York sports hero who really can't play his position any longer. When does this soap opera get played out? Jorge Posada is diluted enough to think he can, should, and will play in the World Baseball Classic after a major season-ending injury. A-Rod is, well he's A-Rod, there's always something there. Johnny Damon is a wildly overrated player who may or may not hit, and is a shocking liability defensively. Xavier Nady played with us for only a few months. Nick Swisher hit .219 last year. Mark Texiera went for the most money. Robinson Cano needs to shape up or ship out.
The point is, everybody's got their baggage. Why target the two guys who will no doubt hit 9th everyday. What does that prove?
The worst thing about it is the poll the Daily News added to get a feel for what we, the fans, think.
And you f'n fans make me sick. When asked who the Yankee Fans think should patrol Yankee Stadium between Damon, Swisher, Melky, and Gardner, the overwhelming majority chose Bernie "I can't even hack it for the Puerto Rican National Team" Williams. Look, I love Bernie. I'll be the first to start the "Retire #51 Petition". But I love 1994-2002 Bernie. That old guy he turned into sucks. It's just the harsh reality of it all and the fact that most fans still pine for him is depressingly pathetic. Let it go. And let Melky and Bret play the game, ya bunch of know-nothing dicks.
Are they All Stars? No. Will they ever be All-Stars? Probably not. Neither will ever get a single vote for MVP in their careers as well. They do possess the ability to play the game though and both have the potential to be effective at the major league level. What more is there? All we're doing is considering a 24 year-old switch-hitter and a 23 year-old with game changing speed. Both are the best you have defensively and neither will get half as embarrassed as Johnny Damon, let alone Bernie f'n WIlliams, would on a daily basis out on that island in center.
What's the big deal?
23 January 2009
Outfield Blues
Sorry I've been more sporadic than usual in regards to this place. I'm taking classes this semester and working, so finding the time to even read a sports section let alone update this blog is difficult. In all fairness though, nothing really is going on.
Sure Nady re-upped and avoided arbitration. And yeah, Melky did the same -- but giving 2 guys a combined raise of $4 MM isn't really that big a deal in a Winter where you signed 3 guys for almost a half a billion dollars. Looking at those numbers, man, I shoulda tried harder in Little League. Every fat, quasi-athletic kid from the Dominican needs a Melky Cabrera poster on his wall. Anything's possible.
Switching gears a little, the Hardball Times, via RAB, has an interesting take on the 2008 outfielders. With a bunch of math and even more free time, John Walsh of THT has produced a number that is representative of the amount of runs that a player would save in a given season playing half the season in his home ballpark. Yeah, I don't get it either so check out Mr. Walsh's site for a better explanation.
Anyway, I've been searching for the right numbers to prove how piss poor Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon were in the outfield last year. I finally found them. Thank you, Hardball Times! Both Damon and Abreu cost the Yanks -9.7 runs below the league average.
This makes perfect sense. Abreu has no range in right, it's nonexistent, and he's afraid of the padded OF walls. He's also one of the slower guys to get the ball back in too once it's past him. He never stretches out and is happy to field the ball on a hop as opposed to actually try and make the out. Wonder why he's still looking for a job?
Damon is a lousy outfielder as well. See. Line drives and fly balls he easily caught with a B on his cap were incredibly elusive once he donned the interlocking NY. Plus simple choppers that bleed through Jeter's glove side are doubles in a Johnny Damon manned CF due to how deep he needs to play and his shocking lack of arm strength. Hopefully he gets the same deal as Giambi next year, DH in Oakland.
How do I know all this? I watch the games. I have no numbers to justify this. Until now. It's great!
Oh and Melky saved 3.0 runs above average and Nady put up a positive 4.4 between Pittsburgh and New York. I tried to find Swisher's numbers, but they're not listed. Whatever. I'm just glad that slowly but surely the truth about Damon's ability is slowly leaking out in his walk year.
Hey Harball Times, next year can you rank the shortstops?
Sure Nady re-upped and avoided arbitration. And yeah, Melky did the same -- but giving 2 guys a combined raise of $4 MM isn't really that big a deal in a Winter where you signed 3 guys for almost a half a billion dollars. Looking at those numbers, man, I shoulda tried harder in Little League. Every fat, quasi-athletic kid from the Dominican needs a Melky Cabrera poster on his wall. Anything's possible.
Switching gears a little, the Hardball Times, via RAB, has an interesting take on the 2008 outfielders. With a bunch of math and even more free time, John Walsh of THT has produced a number that is representative of the amount of runs that a player would save in a given season playing half the season in his home ballpark. Yeah, I don't get it either so check out Mr. Walsh's site for a better explanation.
Anyway, I've been searching for the right numbers to prove how piss poor Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon were in the outfield last year. I finally found them. Thank you, Hardball Times! Both Damon and Abreu cost the Yanks -9.7 runs below the league average.
This makes perfect sense. Abreu has no range in right, it's nonexistent, and he's afraid of the padded OF walls. He's also one of the slower guys to get the ball back in too once it's past him. He never stretches out and is happy to field the ball on a hop as opposed to actually try and make the out. Wonder why he's still looking for a job? 
Damon is a lousy outfielder as well. See. Line drives and fly balls he easily caught with a B on his cap were incredibly elusive once he donned the interlocking NY. Plus simple choppers that bleed through Jeter's glove side are doubles in a Johnny Damon manned CF due to how deep he needs to play and his shocking lack of arm strength. Hopefully he gets the same deal as Giambi next year, DH in Oakland. How do I know all this? I watch the games. I have no numbers to justify this. Until now. It's great!
Oh and Melky saved 3.0 runs above average and Nady put up a positive 4.4 between Pittsburgh and New York. I tried to find Swisher's numbers, but they're not listed. Whatever. I'm just glad that slowly but surely the truth about Damon's ability is slowly leaking out in his walk year.
Hey Harball Times, next year can you rank the shortstops?
20 January 2009
Looking at Tax Free Bonds
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A lot has come out in regard to the new stadium deals for both the Yankees and the Mets. Lupica is in full weasel mode in regard to both deals and some minor political NY figures are taking on the Yankees, looking for political gain and press.
To me, the deals are already made. They're done. Votes were cast and the teams got the money. Both parks are built and season ticket sales are filling them. Some fines and penalties may or may not be levied, but what purpose, outside of proving to us all how corrupt everything is, does all this spilled ink for two baseball teams prove? Especially when former New York Senator and new Secretary of State of State Hilary Clinton did the same thing but with much less fanfare. (First and last politics related post, I promise)
An upstate New York developer donated $100,000 to former President Bill Clinton's foundation in November 2004, around the same time that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton helped secure millions of dollars in federal assistance for the businessman's mall project. Mrs. Clinton helped enact legislation allowing the developer, Robert J. Congel, to use tax-exempt bonds to help finance the construction of the Destiny USA entertainment and shopping complex, an expansion of the Carousel Center in Syracuse. Mrs. Clinton also helped secure a provision in a highway bill that set aside $5 million for Destiny USA roadway construction. The bill with the tax-free bonds provision became law in October 2004, weeks before the donation, and the highway bill with the set-aside became law in August 2005, about nine months after the donation.
This whole issue seems to be something much bigger than two baseball teams.
17 January 2009
News Droppings
On the Swisher and Nady front:
Tyler Kepner of The New York Times checks in today with some good stuff on the possible trades involving either corner OF, citing interest by the Reds, Nats, Braves, and Giants. From the tone of the piece, it looks like the Yankees aren't going to make a trade for the sake of clearing payroll or opening a spot on the roster. It makes sense. Nady and Swisher are two key guys who can play a meaningful factor in all 162.
Brain Cashman was quoted as well, saying:
“It depends on the trade talk, If we feel there’s a benefit, we’ll make a move. That’s basically it. We’re in a position where we don’t have to make a move, so that’s a strong position to be in. We could have them all year. We’re not going to do anything unless there’s a reason to do it.”
I wouldn't force the issue either. I think that this year will be the year of the mid-season acquisition. The free agent class next year is pretty weak and there's a lot of parity in the divisions these days. A lot of teams will be looking to pick up a key piece at the trading deadline and thinking they have enough to make a run.
The Yankees may find a better market for either player in late June than in January.
On the Spring Training front:
From mlb.com and the boys at RAB the Yankees have offered 20 players non-roster invites to Spring Training. The list is as follows:
Pitchers: Kei Igawa, Jason Johnson, Mark Melancon, Sergio Mitre
Catchers: Kyle Anson, Kevin Cash, Jesus Montero, PJ Pilittere, Austin Romine
Infielders: Doug Bernier, Angel Berroa, Eduardo Nunez, Ramiro Pena, Kevin Russo
Outfielders: Colin Curtis, Shelley Duncan, Austin Jackson, Justin Leone, Todd Linden, John Rodriguez
Notables are of course Austin Jackson, Austin Romine, Jesus Montero, and Mark Melancon as they represent the best and the best known names of our homegrown talent. Keep your eyes on Ramiro Pena, Eduardo Nunez and Kevin Russo though. They will get more opportunities in camp than they normally would due to Derek and Alex's commitments to the WBC.
Jason Johnson, Angel Berroa, Kevin Cash, Todd Linden and John Rodriguez all have MLB experience and all more notable than Kei Igawa's, Justin Leone's, Shelley Duncan's, Doug Bernier's. Berroa was in fact the rookie of the year back in 2003 when he beat out Hideki Matsui for the title.
On the Jorge Posada front:
It's not looking like the Jorge will DH for Puerto Rico in the WBC. The Yankees are telling anyone within earshot that Jorge's just not ready for that kind of commitment.
I think we may get a pissing match yet though.
Cash has decreed:
"I am sure he would love to play [in the World Baseball Classic], but he is currently rehabbing from surgery and would not be ready."
"He wouldn't be able to perform. He won't start on time as a catcher in spring training. It's just a fact. There's nothing I can do about it or the player can do about it. We're hoping to have Jorge by Opening Day, but he will not be the opening spring training catcher, I can tell you that."
Jorge's retort:
"This will be my last chance to play for Puerto Rico, and I'm very clear on that. For that reason, I'll do anything possible to be 100 percent, because it is a dream of mine to wear that uniform."
Jorge's Dad even had this to say:
"He feels fine and wants to play for Puerto Rico."
Team Puerto Rico's GM, Lou Mendez mused:
"I would love to have Posada on Team PR. I am waiting to learn his status because of insurance issues."
And finally, Joe Giradi chimed in with:
"Obviously, he's very important to this club," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said recently. "We need him. I'm encouraged right now. ... You can talk about playing three out of four [games] or four out of five, but I think early on the important thing is that we don't abuse him, and allow him to continue to gain strength in that shoulder. I plan on him being our everyday catcher."
I hope this thing dies down and Jorge realizes that he's got to learn 2 new pitchers and needs to have much more of a commitment to the team that signs his paychecks than the country where his dad knocked up his mom.
Tyler Kepner of The New York Times checks in today with some good stuff on the possible trades involving either corner OF, citing interest by the Reds, Nats, Braves, and Giants. From the tone of the piece, it looks like the Yankees aren't going to make a trade for the sake of clearing payroll or opening a spot on the roster. It makes sense. Nady and Swisher are two key guys who can play a meaningful factor in all 162.
Brain Cashman was quoted as well, saying:
“It depends on the trade talk, If we feel there’s a benefit, we’ll make a move. That’s basically it. We’re in a position where we don’t have to make a move, so that’s a strong position to be in. We could have them all year. We’re not going to do anything unless there’s a reason to do it.”
I wouldn't force the issue either. I think that this year will be the year of the mid-season acquisition. The free agent class next year is pretty weak and there's a lot of parity in the divisions these days. A lot of teams will be looking to pick up a key piece at the trading deadline and thinking they have enough to make a run.
The Yankees may find a better market for either player in late June than in January.
On the Spring Training front:
From mlb.com and the boys at RAB the Yankees have offered 20 players non-roster invites to Spring Training. The list is as follows:
Pitchers: Kei Igawa, Jason Johnson, Mark Melancon, Sergio Mitre
Catchers: Kyle Anson, Kevin Cash, Jesus Montero, PJ Pilittere, Austin Romine
Infielders: Doug Bernier, Angel Berroa, Eduardo Nunez, Ramiro Pena, Kevin Russo
Outfielders: Colin Curtis, Shelley Duncan, Austin Jackson, Justin Leone, Todd Linden, John Rodriguez
Notables are of course Austin Jackson, Austin Romine, Jesus Montero, and Mark Melancon as they represent the best and the best known names of our homegrown talent. Keep your eyes on Ramiro Pena, Eduardo Nunez and Kevin Russo though. They will get more opportunities in camp than they normally would due to Derek and Alex's commitments to the WBC.
Jason Johnson, Angel Berroa, Kevin Cash, Todd Linden and John Rodriguez all have MLB experience and all more notable than Kei Igawa's, Justin Leone's, Shelley Duncan's, Doug Bernier's. Berroa was in fact the rookie of the year back in 2003 when he beat out Hideki Matsui for the title.
On the Jorge Posada front:
It's not looking like the Jorge will DH for Puerto Rico in the WBC. The Yankees are telling anyone within earshot that Jorge's just not ready for that kind of commitment.
I think we may get a pissing match yet though.
Cash has decreed:
"I am sure he would love to play [in the World Baseball Classic], but he is currently rehabbing from surgery and would not be ready."
"He wouldn't be able to perform. He won't start on time as a catcher in spring training. It's just a fact. There's nothing I can do about it or the player can do about it. We're hoping to have Jorge by Opening Day, but he will not be the opening spring training catcher, I can tell you that."
Jorge's retort:
"This will be my last chance to play for Puerto Rico, and I'm very clear on that. For that reason, I'll do anything possible to be 100 percent, because it is a dream of mine to wear that uniform."
Jorge's Dad even had this to say:
"He feels fine and wants to play for Puerto Rico."
Team Puerto Rico's GM, Lou Mendez mused:
"I would love to have Posada on Team PR. I am waiting to learn his status because of insurance issues."
And finally, Joe Giradi chimed in with:
"Obviously, he's very important to this club," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said recently. "We need him. I'm encouraged right now. ... You can talk about playing three out of four [games] or four out of five, but I think early on the important thing is that we don't abuse him, and allow him to continue to gain strength in that shoulder. I plan on him being our everyday catcher."
I hope this thing dies down and Jorge realizes that he's got to learn 2 new pitchers and needs to have much more of a commitment to the team that signs his paychecks than the country where his dad knocked up his mom.
14 January 2009
Inmates vs. The Asylum
I alluded to this very recently in my Top Ten Reasons the Yankees Lost in 2008 post. This kind of primadonna crap gets on my nerves. Apparently Jorge Posada is gearing up to DH for Puerto Rico in the WBC. This report is coming from ESPN Deportes, but I'll give the hat tip to RAB for breaking it and the report can be reached here.
While this report is in no way confirmed, we can assume fairly easily that this is something Jorge wants to do. We can also assume, just as easily, that is certainly something that the Yankees do not want him to do. It's a tough call. I'm sure he's dying to play. He never wanted to go on the DL or even get the surgery in the first place last year, so I'm pretty sure he's itching to see some live pitches. I get it and normally I wouldn't have a problem.
The thing is, Jorge is 37 and coming off of reconstruction surgery in his shoulder. Naturally the Yankees want to keep him in-house so they can get their own readings on Jorge's recovery and rehabilitation. Also, they want to ensure that Jorge breaks camp healthy and with all his throwing strength. Any sort of head-first slide, collision at the plate, or what-have you could erase all the hard work he put in over the Winter. It's just a better way to keep tabs on a key player coming off of a serious injury. After all, the Yankees committed 4 more years to him and a bunch more millions before the injury-shortened '08 season. The least Jorge could do is obey the wishes of the team. We'll see about that.
In the interest of fairness though, if I was Jorge I'd stay as far away from any Yankee Spring Training. All the strength and conditioning work that gets done there leads to some horrific season ending injury for a hefty percentage of the team. Obviously I'd prefer Jorge to stay in Florida this Spring and root for Puerto Rico on TV, but all he's really doing is giving the Romaine's, Montero's, Molina's, Cervelli's, Cash's, and maybe even the Nutt's of the world to get some more time in behind the dish they wouldn't normally with Jorge in camp. If he does go to the WBC though, I'd just tell Jorge to get used to DH'ing. Once Matsui's gone he's got 2 more years where he'll be doing it exclusively.
13 January 2009
Honoring A Legend
You know you're getting old when your favorite baseball player gets elected to the Hall of Fame. Rickey Henderson was the first thing I ever noticed about baseball or the New York Yankees for that matter. It was pretty much over from that point on.
My Father used to go to baseball games with a guy named Red. Red knew an MLB umpire and once asked him who was the best baseball player he's ever seen. The umpire, without pause or hesitation said, "Rickey Henderson." Then the umpire did hesitate, but only before admitting "And he'd be even better if we gave him more calls."
That was Rickey Henderson. A brash, arrogant superstar of an athlete of a baseball player. Ridiculously gifted. A freak. Electrifying. A terror on the base paths and absolutely fearless. And the best damn lead-off hitter the game has ever seen.
He knew it too.
In Little League I was happy to patrol left field like Rickey used to in Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately I never got the opportunity to show off my range or wheels. I was happy to dig holes in the outfield with my cleats though and I did that often.
I was also not much of a hitter. At the end of each season the coaches would give me my fielding average instead of my batting average -- surprisingly enough, it wasn't that impressive. But I could always draw walks. I went up there looking to for walks, actually.
Whatever. That ball was scary.
Anyway, whenever I was lucky enough to draw a walk, I'd be on my toes for any opportunity to swipe a bag. Second? Yeah I'm taking second. I'm taking second, then I'm taking third. I'd take home too if it wasn't against the rules in Little League.
In all my baseball fantasies I've ever had, I was to be Rickey Henderson. Too bad for us, there is only one.
Congratulations Rickey! You deserve it. And indeed you were, much like you told us all back when you broke Lou Brock's All Time Steals Record, the greatest of all time.
10 January 2009
Nady or Swisher
As we inch closer and closer towards the beginning of Spring Training, more and more reports are surfacing in regards to the futures of Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady. It seems that because of the Mark Teixeira signing, the Yankees now have a glut of corner outfielders and DH types -- an issue I alluded to when I incorrectly predicted why Teixeira wouldn't be a Yankee. Ideally I'd love to carry both and trade Damon instead and have listed my reasons why. That doesn't seem to be the case though as the Yankees are mysteriously satisfied with Johnny Leather. Whatever, just make sure you show him the door at the end of this season.
The Washington Nationals have most recently expressed interest in both players via MLB.com. Because they are the Washington Nationals, I haven't a clue what kind of prospects we could acquire via trade, but on first inspection the most likely candidates would be one of either Elijah Dukes or Lastings Milledge.
I really wouldn't mind acquiring either, as they are both very special players with that unfortunate combination of raw talent and personal issues that may prevent them from reaching their full potentials. I figure the leadership in our clubhouse would hopefully alleviate some of those pressures and issues though. Personally, I would value Dukes more, but not by much. I just remember him crushing, what was I think, his first professional HR at the old Yankee Stadium (that feels weird to type) and I've had my eye on him since. It's pretty much a wash though as either would represent an upgrade CF. I know, I know, I've lobbied against a CF upgrade, but these 2 represent the real type of upgrade I'd gladly accept. Besides, we need some brothas on the team.
There is also interest on behalf of the Cincinnati Reds. I am less inclined to consider this one as the rumored trade chips, on the internet at least, are starting pitchers Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang. I am fine with solving the 5th starter spot internally from either Alfredo Aceves, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, or Phil Coke. I am also fine with not ever considering Bronson Arroyo for anything. Aaron Harang is certainly more intriguing, but I want to leave that 5th spot for a homegrown pitcher.
So who goes?
The most attractive trade piece is Nady as it would just be a one year commitment that would no doubt net 2 prospects when the player and his agent, the lovable Scott Boras, enter free agency at the end of the year. Swisher has 3 years and $22 million left on his deal. That plus his .219 average last year would prevent most teams from taking that entire deal on. Plus, Swisher's versatility makes him a necessary component on the 2009 Yankees.
Xavier Nady, we hardly knew ye.
The Washington Nationals have most recently expressed interest in both players via MLB.com. Because they are the Washington Nationals, I haven't a clue what kind of prospects we could acquire via trade, but on first inspection the most likely candidates would be one of either Elijah Dukes or Lastings Milledge.
I really wouldn't mind acquiring either, as they are both very special players with that unfortunate combination of raw talent and personal issues that may prevent them from reaching their full potentials. I figure the leadership in our clubhouse would hopefully alleviate some of those pressures and issues though. Personally, I would value Dukes more, but not by much. I just remember him crushing, what was I think, his first professional HR at the old Yankee Stadium (that feels weird to type) and I've had my eye on him since. It's pretty much a wash though as either would represent an upgrade CF. I know, I know, I've lobbied against a CF upgrade, but these 2 represent the real type of upgrade I'd gladly accept. Besides, we need some brothas on the team.
There is also interest on behalf of the Cincinnati Reds. I am less inclined to consider this one as the rumored trade chips, on the internet at least, are starting pitchers Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang. I am fine with solving the 5th starter spot internally from either Alfredo Aceves, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, or Phil Coke. I am also fine with not ever considering Bronson Arroyo for anything. Aaron Harang is certainly more intriguing, but I want to leave that 5th spot for a homegrown pitcher.
So who goes?
The most attractive trade piece is Nady as it would just be a one year commitment that would no doubt net 2 prospects when the player and his agent, the lovable Scott Boras, enter free agency at the end of the year. Swisher has 3 years and $22 million left on his deal. That plus his .219 average last year would prevent most teams from taking that entire deal on. Plus, Swisher's versatility makes him a necessary component on the 2009 Yankees.
Xavier Nady, we hardly knew ye.
07 January 2009
Looking at the Burrell Deal
Tampa Bay defied convention yesterday by actually going out and signing a free agent. Good for them!
Buster Olney loves the deal and now sees Tampa Bay as the team to beat in the AL East. The best thing about his article is he has the audacity to talk about the injuries that plagued the Rays in '07. Injuries? Please.
The Rays opening day rotation started 154 games. The Yankees opening day staff started 99. Yeah, Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria, BJ Upton and Carl Crawford were dogged with nagging injuries. But so were Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada. Aki Iwamura hit .220 in April. Aww, poor Aki. Too bad I was busy watching Robinson Cano hit .151 in April.
Do your homework, Buster. Especially if you're seriously trying to make the claim that Tampa is the much improved team heading into '09.
There's no real fair comparison to make on paper. Assuming that C.C. and A.J. make around 30 starts apiece, 7 less than both Pettite and Mussina, and the rest of the rotation holds on a little longer than 99 games, I like our pitching more and I still don't know who the 5th starter is. In other news, bye-bye Andy.
And if you're measuring the Burrell acquisition against the Teixeira deal, the only place the numbers match is in on-base percentage. The guys a career .257 hitter. Tex is a career .290 and has played in 3 less seasons. The only people in Philly who'll miss the guy are little girls who think he's dreamy. Trust me. I lived in Philly, the people there hated him for most of his tenure, The monniker Pat "the bat" was used more sarcastically than earnestly, especially in 2003 when he hit .209 and played in 146 games.
Let's also conveinantly avoid the fact that the Tampa bullpen is virtually non-existant. Let's also avoid the fact that the Yankees beat the Rays 11 games to 7 in the head-to-head match ups last year. Why isn't anyone in the media clamoring for David Price to solidify that bullpen like they still do with Joba? This is the same team that couldn't hold a tie in a 3 inning elimination game.
Run for the hills, here comes Pat Burrell. Not hardly.
Buster Olney loves the deal and now sees Tampa Bay as the team to beat in the AL East. The best thing about his article is he has the audacity to talk about the injuries that plagued the Rays in '07. Injuries? Please.
The Rays opening day rotation started 154 games. The Yankees opening day staff started 99. Yeah, Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria, BJ Upton and Carl Crawford were dogged with nagging injuries. But so were Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada. Aki Iwamura hit .220 in April. Aww, poor Aki. Too bad I was busy watching Robinson Cano hit .151 in April.
Do your homework, Buster. Especially if you're seriously trying to make the claim that Tampa is the much improved team heading into '09.
There's no real fair comparison to make on paper. Assuming that C.C. and A.J. make around 30 starts apiece, 7 less than both Pettite and Mussina, and the rest of the rotation holds on a little longer than 99 games, I like our pitching more and I still don't know who the 5th starter is. In other news, bye-bye Andy.
And if you're measuring the Burrell acquisition against the Teixeira deal, the only place the numbers match is in on-base percentage. The guys a career .257 hitter. Tex is a career .290 and has played in 3 less seasons. The only people in Philly who'll miss the guy are little girls who think he's dreamy. Trust me. I lived in Philly, the people there hated him for most of his tenure, The monniker Pat "the bat" was used more sarcastically than earnestly, especially in 2003 when he hit .209 and played in 146 games.
Let's also conveinantly avoid the fact that the Tampa bullpen is virtually non-existant. Let's also avoid the fact that the Yankees beat the Rays 11 games to 7 in the head-to-head match ups last year. Why isn't anyone in the media clamoring for David Price to solidify that bullpen like they still do with Joba? This is the same team that couldn't hold a tie in a 3 inning elimination game.
Run for the hills, here comes Pat Burrell. Not hardly.
29 December 2008
Looking at Finances
Disclaimer: I never took economics in college. I've never balanced a checkbook. In fact, numbers make my head hurt. I also have a very vague understanding of the rules in regard to baseball teams, their finances, the rules of profit sharing, and the salary tax. While this remedial knowledge is suspect at best, please bear with me and feel free to correct any mistakes, errors, omissions, fabrications, etc. Thank you.
Yesterday's New York Post featured an article on how the Yankees can spend so freely and not feel the pinch in these harsh economic times.
The outrage from team owners, rival GMs, and talking heads in the media has been well represented and discussed widely in the weeks since the Yankees first went out on this big name free agent safari. I will spare you those details here and (hopefully) be ahead of the curve in regards to the next big stink involving the New York Yankees and how much money they spend, or in this case, don't spend.
It's no secret that the Yankees are moving into new digs next year. A lot of questions have come up recently concerning this Stadium and how the Yankees plan to pay for it. Some sweetheart deals between the City and the organization have been discovered, but I think the most important thing to remember is that they will be paying for it. In fact they will be paying at least a hefty $1 billion over the coming years for this Stadium project.
The thing is, due to the rules of baseball, because the Yankees are paying a very large out-of-pocket expense to build their own Stadium, they can deduct at least $85 million dollars from 2009's revenue sharing expense. For the record, in 2008 the Yankees committed $100 million, or 1/3 of its revenue, to MLB's revenue sharing policy. When we put it all together, what this all means is that the rest of baseball will have to split and live on a paltry $15 million dollars in 2009.
It's also important to note that the luxury tax threshold is higher this year and will continue to rise as well. Last year the threshold was $148 million. This year it's $155. I'm pretty sure it maxes out at $174 million over the next few years. What this means is that while the Yankees continue to pay this tax every year they commit top dollar to their players, the amount will continually decrease in the coming years if the Yankees continue to cut payroll.
Basically, if they can avoid signing Andy Pettite and keep this year's payroll in the $190's, then cut 26 million plus in the salaries of Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and possibly Xavier Nady for 2010, they could easily get beneath the luxury tax threshold and keep more money out of their hands of their competition. The $126 million extra the Yankees handed MLB will be considerably less in the coming years.
Take note small market clubs. The free ride you get from Yankee money may be coming to a close. If true, the Cashman quote of:
We have the most money, no secret about that. If we combine that with the best decision-making process on a consistent basis, God help the rest of baseball becomes much more of an ominous threat than a rallying cry.
Yesterday's New York Post featured an article on how the Yankees can spend so freely and not feel the pinch in these harsh economic times. The outrage from team owners, rival GMs, and talking heads in the media has been well represented and discussed widely in the weeks since the Yankees first went out on this big name free agent safari. I will spare you those details here and (hopefully) be ahead of the curve in regards to the next big stink involving the New York Yankees and how much money they spend, or in this case, don't spend.
It's no secret that the Yankees are moving into new digs next year. A lot of questions have come up recently concerning this Stadium and how the Yankees plan to pay for it. Some sweetheart deals between the City and the organization have been discovered, but I think the most important thing to remember is that they will be paying for it. In fact they will be paying at least a hefty $1 billion over the coming years for this Stadium project.
The thing is, due to the rules of baseball, because the Yankees are paying a very large out-of-pocket expense to build their own Stadium, they can deduct at least $85 million dollars from 2009's revenue sharing expense. For the record, in 2008 the Yankees committed $100 million, or 1/3 of its revenue, to MLB's revenue sharing policy. When we put it all together, what this all means is that the rest of baseball will have to split and live on a paltry $15 million dollars in 2009.
It's also important to note that the luxury tax threshold is higher this year and will continue to rise as well. Last year the threshold was $148 million. This year it's $155. I'm pretty sure it maxes out at $174 million over the next few years. What this means is that while the Yankees continue to pay this tax every year they commit top dollar to their players, the amount will continually decrease in the coming years if the Yankees continue to cut payroll.
Basically, if they can avoid signing Andy Pettite and keep this year's payroll in the $190's, then cut 26 million plus in the salaries of Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and possibly Xavier Nady for 2010, they could easily get beneath the luxury tax threshold and keep more money out of their hands of their competition. The $126 million extra the Yankees handed MLB will be considerably less in the coming years.
Take note small market clubs. The free ride you get from Yankee money may be coming to a close. If true, the Cashman quote of:
We have the most money, no secret about that. If we combine that with the best decision-making process on a consistent basis, God help the rest of baseball becomes much more of an ominous threat than a rallying cry.
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