Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 22, 2007 
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Chien-Ming Wang showed his versatility as the Yankees beat the Red Sox 6-2 last night.
Darrell Rasner says he will return this season. This notebook also has information on Phil Hughes, Tyler Clipparrd, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada.
Jason Giambi has a sore heel and a wounded reputation, but he connected for a home run last night. Kevin Devaney has the story.
am i the only one who believes that this was the only game the yankees have played hard and aggressive baseball in?
from all the running to wang getting the big outs when he needed to… it just seemed like a different team.
maybe the sense of urgency is there? maybe they know they are putting joe’s job on the line? who knows… it was just nice to see them play with less of a malaise.
It’s not uncommon for a group of players to all slump togetherand then all come out of it together. As each player begins to hit, it provides more protection for the next, and so on down the line. It was terrific to see Abreu, Cano and A-Rod contributing last night.
Even Damon looked good. Yesterday, I was one of those calling for him to go on the DL for awhile to get his body back in order. But by the looks of things last night, it seems like he’s beginning to feel better.
For the first time all season, I have some confidence that this team is about to go on a run.
Shelly Duncan hit his 12th Homerun last night.. Its only a matter of time.
Duncan should get a look. We need power from the right side.
striking out youkillis on a 3-2 slider with the bases loaded was absolutely amazing. no wonder youkillis was so upset. it’s almost not fair when you already have a 95mph sinker.
wang seems ready now to go on a run like the seconf half last year.
tonight’s game now becomes the new biggest game of the year. if the yankees can win this game, doubt will invade the recesses of every nook and cranny of red sox nation.
mussina needs to step up. he hasn’t thrown over 86 pitches this year. he’s got three starts under his belt since coming back form the hamstring injury. the yankees need 100 pitches and 6 2/3innings of under three runs from mussina. his reputation for being soft and a prima donna is developing again. one way to dispel that is for him to shut up, toughen up, and shut down the red sox.
the yankees win tonight and it’s three in a row against good teams. they’d be back.
Story in the NY Post that Angels may be interested in a trade for Jason Giambi, in return for Figgins, Molina for starters.
“link”:http://www.nypost.com/seven/05.....e_king.htm
i wouldnt declare them back, just yet. win a couple series, not a couple games, in a row, then we can say things are in the right direction. but i like the aggressiveness they showed last night. its frustrating as hell, thats the way they should have been playing all year.
and i read that article about Giambi this morning, too… i wouldnt necessarily be opposed to the deal, but it would all be about what BC could get in return.
Another interesting tidbit in the Star-Telegram (Texas) that calls for the Rangers to get rid of, literall, everybody! Nice to know the Yankees aren’t the only team with problems.
“Texas”http://www.star-telegram.com/284/story/110547.html
Let’s try to link again:
“Texas”:http://www.star-telegram.com/284/story/110547.html
Thanks for the link Doreen. No question Figgins, Molina and a young arm would be nice to get, but I am leaning against this trade. I think his presence in the lineup is too important to the Yankees, unless Shelly Duncan is for real, that’s the wild card. If only we had a crystal ball on Shelly. Trading Giambi would also have a negative effect on the clubhouse as he is very popular with his teammates and coaches.
Jeff NJ
I agree that Giambi leaving mid-season would have a negative effect on the team. Plus, Jason would still have to okay the deal, and even if it would be close to his home, I get the feeling he really likes being a Yankee.
chone figgins is a unique player. not much ops. steals plus 50 bases. defensively can go from center field to third base. he’s used to getting 600 at bats which could be a problem because his value to the yankees would be as a super sub. if he accepted that role he’d be great on the yankees. he could pinch run in late innings to steal a base to get in scoring position. something the yankees don’t have.
i think it would be all about how well he accepted the change in role. he’d be losing a lot of money, losing at bats as he gets into his moneymaking years
I would trade Giambi TOMORROW. But, only for the right package.
For Figgins and Molina? No chance. If they want to put in Scott Shields, Jason Wood (their best prospect), Molina or Figgins, then let’s talk.
If the Yankees can get Giambi’s salary off the books, it opens up a ton of opportunities for them to upgrade the team.
The trading partner makes sense because Giambi would waive his no trade to go to Anaheim.
I just get the feeling though that this is more of a George King (the writer) dream trade than anything that has any substance.
Winning tonight but losing tomorrow pretty much renders the whole series meaningless. The Yanks need a sweep to realistically make any headway. If the situations were reversed, we would all be hoping to just get one game. That’s all Boston needs at this point.
Mussina has got to step up tonight. He always acts like a whining pussy blaming everything and everybody but himself when he loses. If he gets pounded tonight, will he still be blaming that jetlag from the Japan trip a few years ago?
Good luck in the media game! You must win or the wrath of George will be upon you!
“Rasner said the worst part was knowing the bullpen would have to go nine innings.
“I have a guilty feeling,” he said. “They’re so battered right now, for them to step up again … I feel bad about that.”"
I like that attitude — most concern is for the team. Reminds me of Matsui’s apology for breaking his wrist.
There were at least 5 fights in the upper deck last night and 2 or 3 downstairs. Looks like the bleacher creatures were the best behaved last night. Makes sense since no beer is sold out there.
I hope the people that wrote this team off as dead will stay away. Don’t infect them with your bad luck.
Just what the Yankees don’t need. Losing offense and a big power hitter for Figgins. He of the .100 batting average and no position.
They won two games in a row for the first time since May 8-9.
Please, enough with the “those who wrote the team off” posts. They don’t pass the laugh test.
Let’s see the Yankees win some series, then folks can crow.
To compare, the Red Sox are 8-0-1 in their last 9 series. The Yankees have lost their last 3 series.
Let’s hope they can get on a roll instead of getting excited over two wins in a row. They are still 9 1/2 games out of first place.
Its not “quitting on the team” if we want to see more than we have seen this year.
As far as “losing offense” if they traded Giambi, they would gain more in the long run (and in the short run if they make the right deal) with a Giambi trade.
It would take re-making the team. Something they are going to have to do this off-season, regardless of what happens the rest of the way.
If they can accelerate the process by trading Giambi, all the better.
“For Figgins and Molina? No chance. If they want to put in Scott Shields, Jason Wood (their best prospect)”
its brandon wood if you are referring to their 3b prospect
and i would do that deal
one game at a time . yanks are now 2-2 in last 4 games . forget about where clemens and phil of the future are at , forget about when and if pavano the bum will ever pitch again and forget about this whole giambi / roids spectacle – tonight is all about moose vs. tavarez – one game at a time .
When all is said and done, Giambi will have over 30 homeruns and 100 RBI’s. Then you will wonder why you wanted to get rid of him in the first place. We need to understand that for better or for worst we’re probably stuck with his contract or at least a portion of it. It was a terrible contract to begin with, but its not like its tying up the Yankees financially. The Yankees will not pass on the next big free agent because of Giambi’s contract. Cashman wants to lower payroll, but if he thinks it will better the team he is willing to dish out the money. He proved this with Clemens monstrous contract.
Anyone know what’s going on with Jesus Montero, the teenage catching prospect the Yankees signed? He was suppose to be in the minors this year, but I don’t see him in any of the rosters.
Glad to see the Yanks beat the Sox. The Yanks also beat the Red Sox on Google. http://onlinesaleschannels.wor.....all-teams/
how about figgins, jeffmathis,and Joe saunders or mosely for Giambi straight up no $ relief.
the yanks would save a ton of $, get much more flexible, andget a legit catching prospect…..
Figgins can play everywhere except 1B and Catcher, he can play every other position. We can say bye bye to Cairo, call up Duncan or whomever and remove the 2nd catcher black hole and backup bench player black hole.
true giambi can still play wnad will get 100 rbi’s this yr. and have a OBP of 400 but again they will get more well rounded and better at smallball..
they would also have more flexibility to make more trades if warranted because they would get 1 bad contract off the books..
“For Figgins and Molina? No chance. If they want to put in Scott Shields, Jason Wood (their best prospect), Molina or Figgins, then let’s talk.”
you sure you aren’t that devil ray gm who got fired who no one would trade with because he always wanted too much.
if giambi is healthy ,he’s a force. if not, he takes up a roster spot. that’s the gamble for both sides if a deal were worked out. giambi probably would zap the whole thing anyway with his no trade clause.
Just to add to what jk said, I have never seen so many fights break out at a Red Sox/Yankees game. The last three innnings it felt like there were people yelling “a**hole” every other at-bat.
One funny thing though: Because there were so many fights, a bunch of cops mistakened a group of people jockeying for a foul ball as a fight. We told the cops that it was just a foul ball, not another fight. Busy night for the men in blue.
Overall, terrific game. I really liked how agressive we were, stealing bases, and getting two-out hits for rbis. That’s the kind of playing we need to see more of. Lastly, A-Rod walking out to “This is Why I’m Hot” is totally awesome.
the problem with this trade is the Angels would now be the best team in baseball if they got Giambi. they would be great.
if the yanks got, jeff mathis, figgins, and mosely or saunders or brandon wood then the yanks are help long ans short term.
the yanks get a much better bench(bye bye cairo and nieves), much more divers offense, much more flexibilty offensively and defensivel, and save a ton of $ that allows them to make future moves.
I think it is a win win but the Angels would be loaded…
I’m not against a Giambi trade, as long as we get what we need. And what we need is a righty bat with pop, a middle reliever and a backup catcher.
We do not need Figgins. Figgins will not get enough at-bats to remain productive as long as we have Melky. We already give Damon, Matsui and Abreu days off so Melky gets his ABs. You’re not sitting Jeter or A-Rod to give Figgins some ABs. If Cano comes out of the slump, as it looks now that he is, Figgins doesn’t play over Cano. If Figgins does not get enough ABs he won’t be an offensive upgrade over Cairo.
By the way, Figgins is currently batting .108, OBP: 159, SLG: 154
You cant worry about other teams in deals like these, and really in general. BC needs to make moves that make sense for the Yankees and to help improve the ballclub. If he can get a package from the Angels that makes sense, i’d pull the trigger.
that being said, the Angels have been gunshy about moving players and prospects now for as long as i can remember, so i seriously doubt anything would happen… i’ll believe this when i see it.
I live in LA.. FIggins is just back from a finger issue. he can play, not great but a good sparkplug.
how about giambi, nieves, and Minky for Kotchman(like wally joyner), figgins, and jeff mathis.
no money from Yanks to angels.The angels have many Kotchmans laying around including quinlan, morales, etc…
the angels get a star and in my opinion would be the best team in the AL . The yanks get salary relief, a much better bench, more future options, and a more flexible lineup and team..
the yanks then have phelps as backup 1B, Mathis(and a future starter) a real catcher to backup Jorge, figgins can play everywhere except 1b and catcher, and more $ flexibilty to make future moves…The yanks bench would be melky, mathis, figgins, phelps, and whomever… that is a bench…
addition by subtraction. I like Giambi, he is a OBP machine but cannot run the bases at all, can’t play the field, and is always injured…..
Speaking from general ignorance my opinion:
Jason Giambi should be applauded and not criticized for saying what he said last week. It is time for blunt honesty about the whole steroid issue. Amnesty (at least in the baseball contractual sense) should be granted to everyone who openly discusses their experiences using (or observing the use of) steroids pre-2005 and their reasonably informed opinions about who knew and who was at fault (players, management, owners, etc.).
Bring steroids out of the closet — it should no longer be baseball’s dirty little secret.
C
The Giambi trade talk is being fueled by a perceived need on the part of the Yankees to move Giambi, not that there is a partner with the players we need.
We should go shopping in Texas if they are selling. Maybe Mark Tex can be had, although there is much disagreement over what his value really is. I’ve read some critics who say he will only be mediocre at best and is overpaid and that he slumps early every year. (He’s getting hot now). Maybe the early slumping is just a matter of being in the right spot in a great lineup like the Yankees have. But a switch hitting, young, competent 1st baseman would be well worth it and not just this year.
Maybe for starters we offer Minky and/or Phelps plus a kid pitcher and some other spare parts (Phillips, Thompson, Basak, etc) and we can eat salary. We can always work out an extension with Mark Tex next year.
The notebook that reports Rasner’s vow of timely return should also include Pavano’s “point of no return.”
Chuck:
Amnesty is an interesting idea, except that players are not very worried about being caught for past use if they have stopped using now. If they are currently clean, the idea of stigmatizing themselves by an admission of past cheating is not too attractive, amnesty from suspension and prosecution not withstanding. The players cannot get amnesty from their fans’ (and non-juiced colleagues’) contempt.
An amnesty in exchange for the truth plan would require a situation where the players were more certain to be caught so they would value amnesty more than they fear stigmatization.
“Maybe for starters we offer Minky and/or Phelps plus a kid pitcher and some other spare parts (Phillips, Thompson, Basak, etc) and we can eat salary. We can always work out an extension with Mark Tex next year.”
that “kid pitcher” would have to be Hughes or at the least Joba Chamberlain.
Minky, Phillips, Thompson, Basak – these guys have no trade value.
teams would rather get 1 A prospect than 3-4 C prospects.
Pete,
What are your thoughts about Farnsworth not hitting Ortiz in the 9th after Jeter was undoubtedbly intentionally beaned about 10 minutes prior?
Most of this is idle speculation anyway. Giambi is not going to be moved. MLB wants the door shut, not opened – and that’s what an investigation will do. Selig will have his meeting with Giambi, both with say nothing can be proven and the Yankees as a result will not be able to void his contract. The Yankees would have to eat most of his $41 mil to get anything of value in return and I seriously doubt anyone would offer a future starter for him based on the scarce market for starters these days.
That was not the time to hit Ortiz. If that led to a comeback, it would have been a disaster. I would say tonight would be better, but you know Moose won’t do it. So then it becomes a reliever hitting him and then more beanballs, ejections and suspensions. You have to make sure you throw at them first and don’t make it obvious, that way then both teams are warned. In general though, these games are so important, I would almost rather let the sleeping dogs lie and not wake them with some non baseball machismo. That gets us nowhere.
Hey,
What do you guys think of converting Chien-ming Wang to a closer when all the young guys are good enough to pitch in the major league level. I remember last year, he had a save.
Jeff,
Granted, we needed the win bad. But at what point do we retaliate for them ALWAYS hitting Jeter? A-Rod too. It’s beyond ridiculous. What if Jeter was seriously hurt and we lost the next 2 games because of it?
IMO, sans Mo, I’d give the ball to Bruney first, then go from there.
Wang as a closer? No thank you. Next.
I would think for the league, Giambi getting out of NY and into SoCal would be the best thing imaginable. They dont cover sports out there with nearly half the scrutiny the players play under on the East Coast.
Trade Giambi in a heartbeat if you can make that deal. Back up catcher is a great move.
For those on the thread, you could make the argument that with Giambi gone, Bernie Williams would prove to be a more efficient DH. Hits from both sides – Yanks need right handed hitters – and strikes out less. More likely to get a single with runners in scoring position because he uses the field. The “shift” really hurts Giambi. Makes him try to drive everything he pulls instead of going with the pitch like he did when he was in Oakland.
Pete,
Agree. Tony should have let AJ drown. Kid is annoying.
K-FINK,
There was reportedly a high level sit-down concerning this matter in Little Italy in Tampa last night. Roger Clemens was furious about the attempt on Jeter and said he would bring the hammer, not Farnsworth, who everybody agreed will be sent into “witness protection.” Only a matter of time.
Billy Connors, representing the Tampa faction of the family asked Roger to reconsider and compromise.
“Compromise?” asked Roger. “Let me tell you about compromise. From 2000-2006, I wanted a World Series ring. I compromised: I went to the World Series three times in that time period and lost. I wanted to pitch and be close to my family in Houston. I compromised: I signed with an under-achieving team and traveled only on road trips when I pitched. For three seasons, I have wanted manicotti, like they serve in NYC. I compromised and ate grilled cheese of the bullpen radiator in Houston. You see where I’m going with this?”
“Wha….Huh?” Connors replied, looking blankly at Clemens, suddenly craving grilled cheese.
interesting article on Damon on the yankees homepage:
“No, he didn’t discover some potion that cured all of his former ailments. Nor did he shake a horseshoe or throw salt over his shoulder. Nope, he just watched his weight.
“Well, son of a gun, I’m lighter now than I’ve been in six years in the game, about 206 [pounds],” Damon said. “I’ve been working hard and trying to make sure I can keep my legs healthy, and if it means I have to be lighter, so be it.”
The Yankees center fielder played the past few seasons in the 215-216 weight range. But now, after countless exercises and staying away from “the bad stuff” — meaning empty calories — Damon has shed a few pounds.
In fact, if you looked hard enough, you could see it in Monday’s win over Boston. At least manager Joe Torre did. “
Michael in Chi-town….
NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even money Tony whacks Phil.
Last night wasn’t the time for payback. We needed that game badly. But Papi, Manny, or Varitek needs to go down today or tomorrow.
Also, I love the idea that the Angels are gonna give us a bunch of top young prospects for the privelege of paying 40 mil over the next two years to a broken down, bit-spittin’, juicebag who runs like he’s carrying a piano on his back.
I’d take Figgins and Molina in a heartbeat if they’d be fool enough to take his absurd contract. The deal pays double dividends in that you know Giambi will fall apart in October, and beg out of at least one playoff game, should we meet them in Round 1.
With all the pitching we have on the come, we’ll have no problem picking up a solid bat, preferably one who isn’t made of glass.
Thanks Colorado. I think you are right, and I am dreading the next episode. I think somebody dear is going to hell in the first shots of the NYC-NJ war.
K-Fink…
Yankees need to throw more at other teams. Pinero clearly threw at Jeter last night. If I am Mussina tonight, I drill Big Papi right in the hip or just upbove the armor. This is nuts. Yankees have become such p****** when it comes to retaliating.
Jeff NJ:
I don’t think the Red Sox could be any more awake than they are now. They think they are kings of the AL East after 40 games, and I believe the comments of Tavarez and Ortiz over the past couple of weeks have backed that up.
So sticking one in the ear of a Sox batter would certainly bring a little spice back to this rivalry-become-drudgery, not to mention that it might wake up the only sleeping dog in the division: the New York Yankees.
KQ:
Ideally, you want your best pitchers to throw as many innings as possible. The closer position is best for someone who can throw as nasty as possible for 20-30 pitches and that’s it…a strike ‘em out, Gagne-Rivera-Hoffman-Papelbon mentality is what’s needed.
the story right now is that the yankees are more like themselves again. damon,cano, abreu, and giambi all contributed in the way the yankees expected. good arod is back. wang will be even more filthy for hitters if he perfects his slider and change. guidry earned his pay last night with pushing wang to change his strategy to more sliders and changes.
tavarez tonight is not the soft touch he appears because he’s getting out lefties this year. righties have a +.900 ops/ lefties .573ops
i’d start phelps tonight for sure. he’s using a change up to lefties a lot so i’d have the lefties thinking going the other way. damon and cano and matsui should have no trouble with him if they do.
the yankees need this one to keep the momentum building.
Three possibilities….Paulie, what’s his name who is married to Janice, or one of Phil’s people… Something is up with the FBI agent who claims to be working terrorists…There’s a rat in kitchen.
Jeter’s got hit by again
Proctor hits Cora to load the bases. Thats not what Proctor wanted to do. The very next inning, “oops” Jeter gets hit. That was no accident. To tell me that he gets hit the bottom of that very same inning was not on purpose is ludicrous. I wanted Farnsworth to drill one of them, but the win was more important tonight. I hope that goes in the vault though for the rest of this series. Unfortunately we have Mussina who is soft when it comes to throwing at guys. I wouldn’t put it past Tavarez to throw at one of our guys and the same goes for Schilling.
It always happens to Jeter. Will anyone in the media ask Jeter how he feels about getting hit all the time vs. the Red Sox? Will someone tell Joe that his best players constantly get hit by the Red Sox? ESPN would never dare point this out either! Its long overdue.
I promise that if Ortiz or Manny gets drilled they will have a fit. They hit us 90 times and we hit them once I promise they’ll be irate. Somehow we’re supposed to be the evil team, lol! Its ridiculous.
My theory on why they hit Jeter is because they know he won’t flip out and they continue to hit him because they want him to lose it and show anger. Jeter is always on his toes when it comes to this stuff. I wonder if he’ll ever get thrown out of a game. The umpire who throws him out if it ever happens will catch a lot of grief. Umpires know this and allow Jeter to express his opinion knowing he won’t show them up.
Second I think Redsox hits Jeter’s because He leans over the plate or They think Jeter’s some kind of scrub bench player off the bench.
I wish once just once Jeter would call out the Red Sox and say something like, “I don’t know why they’re hitting me, but I guess my success against them warrants it in their eyes.” O how his words would sting! He’s not a controversial guy. His words carry meaning.
Jeter is a lot more agile than David Ortiz. Ortiz leans over the plate and he doesn’t get hit nearly as much. How can Jeter be getting hit so much more “not on purpose?”
Where theres smoke theres fire.
Here’s a few stats on Jeter being hit:
Boston 784 PA, 15 HBP = 52 PA/HBP
Baltimore 790 PA, 12 HBP = 66 PA/HBP
Toronto 701 PA, 11 HBP = 64 PA/HBP
Tampa Bay 655 PA, 14 HBP = 47 PA/HBP
Anaheim 489 PA, 12 HBP = 40 PA/HBP
Seattle 515 PA, 7 HBP = 74 PA/HBP
Oakland 492 PA, 5 HBP = 98 PA/HBP
Texas 506 PA, 6 HBP = 84 PA/HBP
Chicago (AL) 418 PA, 3 HBP = 139 PA/HBP
Cleveland 416 PA, 6 HBP = 69 PA/HBP
Detroit 452 PA, 6 HBP = 75 PA/HBP
Kansas City 415 PA, 4 HBP = 104 PA/HBP
Minnesota 384 PA, 3 HBP = 128 PA/HBP
Interleague 796 PA, 15 HBP = 53 PA/HBP
Camden Yards and the Trop are the two road fields where Jeter has been hit the most. Although Boston is clearly in the upper half of hitting Jeter, they’re not necessarily all that out of line with the rest of the AL East or NL. Considering the plate appearances against Boston are usually quite a bit more important, there are a lot of times where pitchers try to add that little bit of extra to their pitches. (I can’t explain Tampa, except maybe that their kids are wild or they also try to add something extra when they see #2 in the box). Derek must love the AL Central trips, he can get a chance to nurse his wounds from the AL East.
hmmm:
In all sincerity, I know you are no dummy, so I’m probably missing something. (Or maybe it’s this killer headache I have today).
Mark Tex is a good to plus 1st baseman with only a year and half to go under contract. I see what you’re saying about prospects and I know Texas needs pitching. But, can Texas can seriously say, “Yankees, you take a year and half of Mark and give me a cheap Hughes or Chamberlain with a 10 year, high-quality life expectancy in the bigs.” And since Mark starts very slowly each year, it’s more like we’d be getting only a year of him. If Texas is in a selling mood and we would be taking on big salary to get a short term player, wouldn’t that drive the price down?
“Trade Giambi in a heartbeat if you can make that deal. Back up catcher is a great move. ”
actually it would be an absolutely disastrous move from a baseball perspective. you can make the salary argument, or the PR argument, or some sort of steroids-morality argument, fine.
but purely from a baseball perspective, trading your DH who has a 133 OPS+ for a backup catcher would directly lead to fewer wins for the 2007 Yankees.
“For those on the thread, you could make the argument that with Giambi gone, Bernie Williams would prove to be a more efficient DH.”
not really.
“Hits from both sides – Yanks need right handed hitters – and strikes out less. ”
well, Bernie stands in the LH batter’s box against righties, but it’s a stretch to say he “hits” from both sides.
i am not above trading Giambi if there were real players coming in return, but i just want people to be careful what they wish for. replacing Giambi with Bernie would cost the Yankees wins. there are far more RHPs in the league than LHPs.
I’d like to see Giambi replaced as much as the next guy- but the catch is that I’d want him replaced by a power hitter because I don’t think it’s safe to leave us with only ARod as a power guy in this line up. Unfortunately, there are none to be had from the Angels and I’m not so crazy about Molina and Figgins to give up Giambi. If a deal happens, Cash has to structure it so that we get some power, which probably means getting another team involved and makes it less likely that any deal like this will happen. The only thing I’d part with Giambi for from the Angels in a deal not including power is K-Rod, but I suppose I can just keep on dreaming about that one.
“But, can Texas can seriously say, “Yankees, you take a year and half of Mark and give me a cheap Hughes or Chamberlain with a 10 year, high-quality life expectancy in the bigs.”
ok, Hughes is off the table. at this point, he is not part of the conversation.
but Texas has to get at least one A prospect for their starting 1Bman. and probably more.
Teixiera is a gold glove 1Bman with a career 127 OPS+. he averages 36 HRs a year and 117 RBIs.
he is an all-star player who is only 27 years old.
Chamberlain *MIGHT* have a 10 year high quality career in the bigs. he may also NEVER pitch in the majors.
Teixiera is a sure thing.
thing about this, if the asking price for Teixiera was a B level pitching prospect plus a bunch of career minor leaguers like Phillips and Basak, wouldn’t there be 10 teams lined up to make offers?
if Cashman could do Chamberlain for Teixiera right now, he would do it and never look back.
last point on Teixiera, and it’s kindof a big one:
i am assuming the Yankees would work out a contract extension with Teixiera.
Two days ago, FR wanted to put Wanger in the pen as a middle reliever. Today KQ wants to put him in the pen as a closer. What is the problem here? The guys was 2nd in the league for the Cy Young last year, he nearly threw a perfect game this year, and people want to take him out of this role that he has performed so well in, and ask him to do something he’s never done before. I really don’t get it.
Bad idea.
hmmm
Not saying Bernie is the answer. But, Giambi is not the great producer that everyone thinks he is. He is on base but doesn’t score a lot – partially him but mainly bad support following. Had only 7 more hits than strike outs last year. Does walk but that doesn’t serve the Yankees if he is an easy double play or cannot score from second on a single.
Trade Giambi – ask for Figgins, Molina, and Hillenbrand. Or Figgins(need the speed), Hillenbrand, pitcher – won’t give up Shields. But maybe Escobar or Santana.
Basically, the Yankees need more than a home run threat, which is really what Giambi is. Only hits .206 with bases empty, slightly better with runners on base but that is more a product of who is in front of him and the threat they bring on the bases. Late innings, not so good.
So…depending on what you can get for him…..
there’s no point in speculating on Tex, because that will never happen.
The Giambi thing is fun because its the hot, new rumor, but in reality, do we really see a move like this happening? I dont…
but then again, I didnt see Sheff or Unit getting the boot, either.
They’ve had alot of problems with fights this year. Espically during the soxs games. During the previous series, on the Friday night game, there were loads of fights, girls fighting girls, girls fighting guys. Everyone I spoke to said it was totally insane.
I gotta give Wang a lot of credit for being able to throw pitches that are new to him under the pressure of a real game, specially against Boston when the Yanks backs are against the wall.
Colorado Yank,
A mosquito bite would hurt Ortiz more than being hit by Mussina! Now getting hit by Bruney would hurt…
Guys,
KQ is the same person who suggested over the weekend that Wang go to the bullpen. Has to be, cuz there’s no way you’re going to find two people in this world that think that’s a good idea.
Also, Giambi’s not going anywhere he’s got his PEO (performance enhancing orthotics) and may have just saved his job with that homerun last night. As long as he hits, Jason has a place with the Yankees (at least until his contract expires).
Jennifer,
The fights have been very bad this year, especially in the Tier where I sit. Luckily we have a pretty good community of season-ticket holders in my section so no seats fall into enemy hands. I pride myself on having never spoken to a Boston fan. That’s a good way to stay out of fights.
Bruney or Farnsworth?
Whats with Joe and not trusting our best reliever?
Lats night he walked a batter and had that slow roller/error and Joe yanks him!
Bruney for the 8th inning!
Mel…. Nice call….you are right. Soft toss never hurt anyone.
BRIAN CASHMAN PLEASE TRADE JASON GIAMBI AND SOME OF IF NOT ALL HIS REMAINING $41.75M!!! I’d be thrilled if they traded him and half his remaining salary ($20.875M) cuz it’d be like a $20.875M buyout where the Yankees get something in return, in this case the PERFECT backup catcher (Molina) who could be our backup catcher next year, the PERFECT everything-everywhere man (Figgins) who could be our super utility man next year, and if possible a young arm to further stockpile the farm system. I think Giambi would o.k. the trade because it’s not like he’s going to Baseball Siberia. If anything he’d have a chance to face and beat the Yankees in the postseason based on the Angels past history of dominating the Yankees there (2002 & 2005).
“Who would be the Yankees DH?” Hideki Matsui, a lefthanded hitter with some power & probably as much power as Giambi in the long run at this point. Matsui not playing the field next year could net the Yankees 25-30 HR from him next year, and why not? I’d be happy with 25. As for the remainder of this year, Posada, Damon, Abreu, A-Rod and Jeter could some starts at DH (just start Matsui in those games or sit him in some games vs. a lefty starter). Melky Cabrera would become the everyday LF with Figgins getting some playing time there -maybe in a platoon- or taking over the position if Cabrera struggles. Cabrera and/ or Figgins would do just fine in the #9 slot. The Yankees could also make a deal for a veteran OF, I’m thinking Reggie Sanders or Marlon Anderson. They’d have to get rid of Cairo to make room for an OF, but so what with Figgins? Plus the Yanks have Alberto Gonzalez in AAA in case Figgins got hurt. I’d try to get an OF after getting Figgins to get rid of Cairo.
Trading Giambi would be great because the Yanks could free up some money to sign Andruw Jones for CF next year (Damon moves to 1B). The Yanks would already free up money to sign Ichiro for RF (just buy out then let go of Abreu for $15M he’s making this year minus $2M buyout = $13M cleared. Damon could be eased into 1B with a re-signed Mientkiewicz and Figgins playing there a bit.
The 2008 Yankees starting nine/ batting order could be
Ichiro/Jeter/Damon/A-Rod/Matsui/Jones/Posada/Cano/Cabrera
Ichiro protected by Jeter, Damon protected by A-Rod who’s protected by Matsui and so on. Cabrera protected by Ichiro could really help Cabrera.
Our bench next year assuming we’d need a seven-man bullpen again:
Jose Molina (backup catcher, re-signed for a year)
Doug Mientkiewicz (backup 1B, re-signed for another year and $2M -give him a half a mil raise for his excellent defense)
Chone Figgins (backup 2B, 3B, and SS who could fill in at any OF position and 1B in a pinch)
Kevin Thompson (backup OF who pinch-runs makes only 5-7 starts at each OF position if the Yanks sign Andruw Jones for CF and Ichiro for RF)
Colorado Yank,
Of course he’s hurt players. He’ll sometimes throw a teammate under a bus when he’s disappointed after a loss. I like Moose because he’s cerebral, but he’s very sensitive and crochety, too. It’s almost like he doesn’t belong in the game. He also gets rattled on the mound very easily especially when his infield makes errors. BUT, a pitcher doesn’t win as many games as Moose does if they’re not good.
Re: Bruney. He’s a little scary looking, like maximum security looking scary, but I really like him. Don’t know why Torre doesn’t let his guys clean up their own mess. Bruney’s our fireman at this point anyway.
Mel
His ERA is like under 2!
“He is on base but doesn’t score a lot – partially him but mainly bad support following. Had only 7 more hits than strike outs last year. Does walk but that doesn’t serve the Yankees if he is an easy double play or cannot score from second on a single.”
last year Giambi scored 92 runs. he had 110 walks, 113 hits, and was hit by 16 pitches. ignoring errors, he was on base 239 times. he scored 92/239 = 38.5% of the times on base.
Jeter, the best baserunner on the team, had 214 hits, 69 walks, and was hit 12 times. he scored 118 runs or 40% of the time on base.
there is very little difference between the rate at which Giambi and Jeter score runs once they get on base.
Giambi does not score many runs because he can’t move.. he may not score from 2nd on a single.. that is a problem..
his lack of speed is Benji Molina like..
Screw Jose Molina I would want Jeff Mathis instead…
Um – Giambi isnt going anywhere. He has too many friends on Yankees and loves this team.
Im sure there will be a backup catcher available by the All Star break, lets not trade Giambi for Molina and Figgens who is batting .100.
Andruw Jones??? I guess folks just work off baseball cards or PlayStation and actually don’t watch the games anymore.
Andruw Jones. He is about 25 pounds overweight, a shell of his former self, and struck out 5 times against a rookie Red Sox pitcher (and others) the other day. Yeah, that’s the “perfect” guy for the Yankees.
Just what they need. Another overweight guy who will sign a highly overvalued free agent contract.
Like we don’t have enough of those guys on the team right now.
i’d love to see how many people were on here this winter saying the Yankees should trade A-Rod for Santana/Figgins/Molina…
that would have worked out just as well.
SJ44,
I agree he doesn’t have the same range anymore in the OF, maybe its the 25 extra pounds
Since there’s a lot of stupid ideas thrown out here, I’ll try one.
Maybe we can convince the White Sox to trade A.J. Pierzynski (sp?) and he can be our backup. He’s wearing out his welcome in Chicago. He’s a pain in the butt, but he can at least hit and has some power.
I’m totally not serious about this, but I would take A.J. over (fill in blank).
Doesn’t make any sense to trade Giambi for a backup catcher and a utility player.
Its like the Red Sox trading David Ortiz for Wil Nieves and Miguel Cairo.
Anaheim is the one place that probably would get Giambi to waive his no trade, since he is from that area.
But, you have to get a helluva lot more for him to do a deal with the Angels.
Good point, SJ44. I think Andruw Jones and Torii Hunter with both get too much money for too many years in the off-season. I really hope it’s not with the Yanks. I just can’t see it.
“Giambi does not score many runs because he can’t move.. he may not score from 2nd on a single.. that is a problem..”
how many times would Figgins score from the dugout on a single?
even if Giambi scores less than some players from 2nd on a single, the fact is that he is on second a lot more than other players.
i think you are overrating speed and underrating OBP here.
Hmmm I wante to trade Arod this winter but for a hell of a lot more then what you wrote.
I would have traded him and still would for; figgins, santana, jeff mathis, and brandon wood or Kendrick.
Damn right i would have made that trade.. that is 1 stud pitcher who is 24(makes little cash), and great utility guy, a real backup catcher(with upside he is young), and a potential very good player(Kendrick or wood).
Then the Yanks would have saved a ton of money not have to count on Pavano or sign Igawa but concentrate on bullpen and other things and have a more well rounded non station to station team…
Arod can walk at the end of the year if he does not they will have to pay him a kings ransom………..
hmmm:
OK, I get you. Then I say it’s a deal we don’t try real hard to make.
In effect, the Yanks would be giving up somebody like Chamberlain to have a good 1st baseman for a year and half plus the chance – no guarantee – to sign Mark to an extension before he hits the free agent market. Maybe that is worth it. On the other hand, if the Yanks want to keep A-Rod and sign Andruw Jones, Ichiro or Torii Hunter, trading for Mark Tex now really means the equivalent of paying to pick up three top dollar free agents for 2008. And that of course assumes we don’t pick up Abreu’s option and it still doesn’t get us a catcher. And by next year we need to upgrade the catcher search to include a potential starter for 2009.
(Boy, is that Giambi money going to be really be hard to swallow next year).
If you back out the 37 home runs for Giambi, his rate drops to 23%. But he would never hit 0 HR
If you use the pace number he is on for this year which is about 22 the rate is 32%.
So numbers are great becaue they can argue any point. But, look at when he gets his RBI’s, sitautions, against which teams…Yanks thought they were getting a 40HR/115+ RBI man. He has not fulfilled that contract.
There is no argument that he can be a vital part to the Yankees but when he is on…Look at the totals from April to May….huge drop off. Hitting slump, yes, but also hurt. He is hurt way to often.
Murph,
That’s why its imperative the Yankees find a home for Giambi. Whether its this season or the off-season, they have to find a way to clear his money off the books.
The contract outperforms the player at this point.
Usually, deals that are big (like a Giambi deal) don’t get done until the off-season.
If they can get him to Anaheim, and re-sign ARod, in the off-season, it gives the Yankees several intriguing options.
some folks here are annoyingly excited about gatting rid of 25/30 HR’s, good OBP for… BENCH!?!?!?
get a clue. This deal is a bust. We will make the Angels (our real nemesis) even stronger for an excellent bench!? You must be kidding me
Russell from NY-
“Ummmmm” Giambi’s friends on the Yankees don’t make the decision to trade him. First the Yankees have to want to trade him. Second the Angels have to want him. Third the two teams have to agree to what the trade will actually be. Last Giambi will have to o.k. the trade, I think he would, you don’t think so, whatever, we’ll see.
Mel-
Since you wanna bash my idea, your idea is the fucking stupidest. Yeah, the Chi-Sox are trading their everyday catcher so he can be Posada’s backup, right. Nieves for Piersynski right? And who’s the Chi-Sox new starting catcher with A.J. gone? Who’s the new backup catcher if not the current guy/ if the current guy is the starter? Why on Earth would the Chi-Sox want to trade a good veteran everyday catcher making less than $6M this year like A.J. to the Yankees and why would he want to come here and be Posada’s backup? He’s not taking over from Posada next year, Posada will be back. Take your head out your ass, jerkoff.
SJ44-
Andruw Jones BURIES Damon in CF in every way, shape, and form. Jones also buries the Red Sox CF Coco Crisp. You’re another guy who needs to take his head out of his ass. So what Jones struck out x times vs. the Red Sox in one game? A-Rod made three errors at 3B in one game, I guess the Yanks should trade him to Oakland for Eric Chavez huh? Ditto for Mike Lowell with the Red Sox. Every star player which Jones most certainly is and will be for years to come (check his stats, moron) has his bad games and stretches, and guys lose weight all the time. A-Rod lost about 15 pounds. So I guess the Yankees should’ve never signed Mike Mussina huh? Yeah, those 6 years were such a waste of money huh? I knew we should’ve signed ________ to a one-year $2M deal after 2001 instead of Moose!!!
Marc-
Molina would be an important acquistion because if Posada falls to injury -entirely possible considering his position (catcher), age (I believe 36), and the wear-and-tear catching every day does to a guy his age although he is in impeccable shape- it is Molina who plays every day, not Wil Nieves. You want Nieves starting say 30 of 40 games? I sure don’t. Figgins is not a .100 hitter, he’s just one right now. Giambi will continue to be the $41.75M total albatross and distraction he is. You’re another one who needs to get a clue and his head out of his ass.
B.t.w. I’m not the one who proposed Molina and Figgins, it was from an article from today’s N.Y. Post, but if it was my trade idea, it’s a pretty damned good one. It actually creates these six things which you people should read before you go halfcocked talking shit:
1. An upgrade at backup catcher. Molina is much better insurance for Posada falling to injury than Nieves.
2.Matsui DH.
3. Cabrera playing everyday in LF.
4. Figgins, an upgrade over Cairo. Figgins can play a little 2B and LF if need be.
5. The Yanks could pursue a veteran OF to take Cairo’s slot on the bench or take over LF if Cabrera struggles that badly.
6. Money cleared to sign the best CF on the free agent market after this season: Andruw Jones. Forget Torii Hunter with his recent injury history and career playing mostly on artificial turf -the Yanks don’t need another Rondell White.
What does Giambi create? No one being able to take a day off at DH. Mientkieiwicz, not Giambi, playing 1B almost every day. Phelps playing 1B on days Mientkiewicz doesn’t. Matsui not at DH. Cabrera not in LF every day/ playing every day, the best thing for the Yankees outfield defense. Cabrera wasted on the bench. Bernie can’t be re-signed.
Yeah let’s keep a guy so he can make $21M next year hitting
.250 with 22 HR and 75 RBI at best, what a bargain!!!
Here’s a newsflash: Chone Figgins sucks.
Trading Giambi for a backup catcher and Chone Figgins is just plain stupid. How many wins does Molina give us over our current crappy backup?
You don’t take Jason’s OBP/power out of the lineup and replace it with those two.
You go after Kasey Kotchman, and the like if you’re going to dump Giambi.
Update: Chone Figgins sucks. Except when he plays against the Yankees.
Enoch
Maybe you and the others should read the N.Y. Post article I got the info about Molina and Figgins from, and maybe you should read the part of my post where the Yanks should get them and another young arm to stockpile the farm system…
and make Matsui the DH…and start Cabrera in LF like he did when Matsui fell to injury last year. I did not say trade Giambi for Molina and Figgins straight up, neither did the article in the Post which was just a trade rumor-type story.
I’m hoping it’s true. B.t.w. the Yanks would be trading a ton of money away in trading money, so that is like acquiring players in and of itself, it’s called freeing up salary for another trade this year and/ or signings next year.
And for you other morons out there who’d rather have Damon stinking it up in CF and not Andruw Jones, who think the Chi-Sox would trade their solid everyday catcher so he can be Posada’s near $6M backup, and who think Molina and Figgins sucks when Nieves and Cairo are beyond suck: they’re useless, Molina annd Figgins would be important acquistions for these reason:
Molina is the every day catcher if Posada fell to injury and was out for 2-3 months, not Wil Nieves.
Figgins holds down 2B, SS, or 3B depending on whoever fell to injury, not Cairo.
It’s called greatly bolstering the bench and getting solid insurance policies, try learning about baseball sometime after you take your collective head out of your collective ass.
I read the Post article and still think that trade hurts us this year. I want to win this year. Adding a decent backup catcher, a fast guy who sucks, and a unspecified potential starter doesn’t offset the lost production.
The upgrade to the bench doesn’t offset what was lost, as those bench players will not equate to more wins.
I agree about Jones, though, and would take him over Damon in a second. I think passing on Beltran was one of the biggest goofs these guys have done.
“there is very little difference between the rate at which Giambi and Jeter score runs once they get on base.”
yeah, but that was because arod was hitting after jeter. just kidding. it was too tempting a fastball down the middle.
that is an interesting stat. it’s skewed though by the number of home runs that giambi hit that gave him a run scored.
Giambi is not a viable offensive threat anymore. He’s a hybrid of Dave Kingman (lots of HRs and strikeouts) and Randy Milligan (high OBP, low BA, slow as shit on the bases, can’t play 1B). Therefore, he is a waste of $41.75M. If the Yanks could trade even half that money ($20.875M), it would be a boon to the team. Here’s what they could do with that money for next year:
Use $15M of it for Andruw Jones’ 2008 salary and towards his 5 year $75M contract he will command and get (he may even command a sixth year). $5.875M left over.
Let’s say the Yanks trade Kyle Farnsworth’s 2008 salary for
another $5.25M cleared and sign someone for a year and $2M. He’d be the perfect low risk-high return cheap, stopgap or not closer for a team in need of that. Let’s also say Mo re-signs for another year and $10.5M which I think he’d take to stay with the Yanks, and the other bullpen locks are Bruney, Proctor, and Myers re-signed for another year and $1.25M which I think he’d take to stay with the Yanks. Mo and Myers are making $10.5M and $1.25M this year, respectively, so it’s not adding salary. The Yanks let go of Vizcaino for another $3M cleared and Villone for another $2M cleared. That’s $16.125M cleared for the bullpen and anything else!!! Ideally Henn and Britton fill the final slots in the bullpen so it’s Mo, Bruney, Proctor, Myers, Henn, Britton, and the new guy. The Yanks would have $14.125M left over after signing Jones. If they needed antoher low-cost one-year deal reliever, so be it.
Cabrera could be tradebait for a power-hitting LF if they want more power in the OF although I can’t see how an offense with Ichiro, Jeter, Damon, A-Rod, Matsui, Jones, Posada, Cano, and Cabrera doesn’t produce close to 1,000 runs. Truth be told I think Matsui can post at least 25 HR and 90 RBI at DH (assuming he makes 140 starts there and the other major players like Jeter, A-Rod, etc. make some starts there) thus the Yanks can keep Cabrera. If they want to pour it on, the money cleared from trading Giambi and Farnsworth, and letting go of Vizcaino and Villone can allow them to trade Cabrera.
So Pete – got any REAL news?
Actually, the trade does offset the lost production. Perhaps you need to learn to read because I said Matsui would be the DH. This trade lands us a new DH in Matsui.
Matsui > Giambi now, in 2007, o.k?
Damon/Jeter/Abreu/A-Rod/Matsui/Posada/Cano/Mientkiewicz/Cabrera
is a real suckass offense, right gotcha.
If Posada is out for 2 or more months, Jose Molina holds down C, not Wil Nieves
If Cano, Jeter, or A-Rod is out for 2 or more months, Chone Figgins holds down his spot, not Miguel Cairo.
I believe I just wrote these things, so stop listening to the voices in your head and read what I wrote.
Hey Enoch
Santos is hitting .304 and Basak is batting .280.
Lets look at our farm first.
A guy who wouldn’t cost the Yanks a top prospect in a trade. You wouldn’t have to trade Clippard, DeSalvo, Karstens, Rasner, or certainly Kennedy, Tabata, or Chamberlain, the Yankees top farm system products save Rasner who originally came from D.C.
I haven’t checked Reggie Sanders’ 2007 stats, but he had a good year last year. Assuming he was having a good 2007 and the Yanks could get him, he’d do very nicely in LF and the #9 slot.
Here’s another idea: trade Cabrera for a power-hitting OF.
I’d prefer to keep Cabrera, but if the right guy could be had, I’d make the trade as long as the player acquired is no more thna 27 years old unless it’s an exceptional guy.
I still believe the best option is to make Phelps the backup catcher, send Nieves down and new wrinkle, call up Shelley Duncan as 5th OF, backup DH, heck teach him to play a little 1B also, what the heck.
So now Matsui isn’t a power bat in LF????
Please people. Keep the lame brain trade offers to yourselves. Only sane ones apply.
I don’t know whats worse here lately. The trade proposals or the fact that people want Wang in the bullpen.
Duncan already plays OF AND 1B at Scranton
oh I didn’t realize that, DtL. Seems like a no brainer free power hitting option then. Not sure why he isn’t getting more play on these boards. If Phelps can play backup catcher, then you replace Nieves with a right handed hitting power OF/1B at the league minimum salary, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Shelley Duncan.
“that is an interesting stat. it’s skewed though by the number of home runs that giambi hit that gave him a run scored.”
you are correct.
my point really wasn’t that Giambi wasn’t slow, he is.
it was more that this notion that he hurts the Yankee offense by “clogging the bases” is silly.
if i back out those 37 HRs, let’s not forget that he hit 37 HRs!
Giambi had 76 non-HR hits, 110 BBs, and 16 HBPs. he scored 55 non-HR Runs. 55/(76+110+16) = 27.2%
The same calc on David Ortiz is 26.6%. For Vlad it’s 26.7%.
For Hafner it’s 28.3%.
maybe jeter wasn’t the right comp, but would anyone argue that Ortiz or Vlad or Hafner are dragging down their teams’ offense? Giambi is scoring at the same rate as every other big HR hitter.
why do we focus on what Giambi CAN’T do while ignoring what he DOES do?
“last year Giambi scored 92 runs. ”
and you can probably add a few for the times his pinch runner scored…. dece
Phelps can’t catch. Hasn’t caught in 6 years and when he did catch, he was awful. Its why he was moved to first base.
Not the answer to the backup catching situation.
Phelps has a career line of .269/.336/.471.
if he *could* catch he would be the best backup catcher in MLB and he could probably start for 10-15 teams. he never would have spent half his career in the minors.
with his bat, someone would have found a job for him if he was AT ALL a viable option at catcher.
“why do we focus on what Giambi CAN’T do while ignoring what he DOES do?”
you’re preaching to the choir. to me the only question with giambi is whether he’s healthy or not. i was delighted he played last night with no problems with the heel. if he can get over that, there’s no question he’s an integral part of the team. i’d keep him off first totally from now on. it’s just too risky with his flexibilty issues. there’s too many random things that happen at first base that cause sudden stretches in ways he’s not flexible enough to handle. if he’s he becomes chronically injured, i’d simply have him split time at dh with whatever outfielder needs rest.
no one knows what his health is going to be so it’s hard to speculate. like a lot of long term contracts, the team is probably going to eat salary at the end of giambi’s. teams can’t avoid long term contracts because there’s other teams giving them. it’s simply a cost of doing business in mlb today.
phelps actually received the ball well in his emergency catching appearance. he must not be able to throw runners out at all.
Good afternoon –
What a lively discussion!
This is one of the situations I could probably support either side, depending on a what a trade would actually bring.
While Giambi’s quotes the other day, and maybe his entire situation, may be a pain in the thorn of Yankees management, I don’t think the players (in general) care all that much. That’s because Giambi IS as close to a beloved teammate as there seems to be these days. Giambi is building ball fields for kids in his old California neighborhood and they will be replicas of Yankee Stadium. That’s one reason why I stated about that I think the guy really likes being a Yankee.
As far as the Yankees looking at their options — well, they have to. It’s a business and they can’t afford to not be on top of what can be done should Giambi get into real trouble with MLB. I tend to agree with sunny615, in that MLB may not want to open this particular can of worms at this particular time, with this particular plyer, and if that’s the case, the Yankees don’t have any basis for getting out of Giambi’s contract.
Chone Figgins only really interests me in that he seems to be a real pain in the butt for the Yankees, and he seems to be versatile. But I have no real idea of what he’d bring to the table on a daily basis.
“Pain in the thorn” also known as “thorn in the side”. Sorry.
To the jackass who responded to my post as “Hey Enoch”.
First, it is actually possible to disagree and have a conversation without having a condescending attitude. Try it some time. In the meantime, however, stick your comments up your hole, champ.
Anyway, the lineup you posted with Cabrerra/Doug M. is, in fact, weaker than the one with Giambi in it. To claim that Matsui > Giambi in 07 is flat out wrong, unless you’re in love with sample sizes like so many out there.
Your trade hurts the Yankees this year, with a lot of your justification leaning on someone getting hurt. We should look to the farm if we want those type of players, and look at Kotchman types if we’re going to trade Giambi.
Enjoy the today´s column of Dan Shaughnessy in The Boston Globe. The guy is a rat…