Now that’s a lot of pitches
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- July
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USA Today landed outside my hotel room door today and after reading about Lindsay Lohan, I checked out the boxscores and noticed that the Royals threw 224 pitches last night.
224!
I thought I would bring that to your attention.
Meanwhile, it may interest you to know that Roger Clemens was one of the Yankees watching last night’s game from the bench. Interesting because Clemens pitched on Monday and won’t be pitching again until Saturday.
Interesting also because Houston is a very quick private jet ride from Kansas City.
As far as I know, Clemens has missed only three innings and a half a day away from the team since he rejoined the Yankees on June 9 despite the informal agreement he has with the team allowing him to skip town when he wants.
It speaks to his commitment but also to the respect he has for Joe Torre, Derek Jeter and the rest of the Yankees. It also speaks to how silly so many people were when they criticized the Yankees for allowing such a deal in the first place.
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on Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 at 1:33 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
Pete,
I too was amazed by the Lohan saga. I mean I just never saw it coming.
C’mon Pete, if that clause wasn’t there what in the world would Baseball Tonight – Kruk, Phillips, Stark, Kurkjian – and others like the hacks at the Daily News and the Post have to write about. It is not like they can write quality insight about the Yankees and their organization. That doesn’t sell papers. Ask Rupurt Murdoch – Fair and Balanced.
lol, i was floored also. how surprising…
Whawt happened to Lohan?
Either while I was watching or listening to the game last night, the Royals broadcasters were commenting on Clemens having the luxory to leave the team when he chooses and insinuated that he has used it often, making him a poor teammate and not being committed to the team. Thanks Pete for the real story.
Pete,
We live in a world in which people talk first and think later.
The mere idea of giving someone the benefit of the doubt is (unfortunately) alien today.
The other thing all the hacks have been saying is that the Yankees are just beating up on the weaker opponents — Interesting to note that prior to this series, KC had won four out of their previous five series including the most recent two against Detroit and Boston. KC isn’t a playoff contender, but they were playing very well before the Yankees came to town. (Although I won’t say that I am unhappy that we still have eight games left against KC this season.)
Amen, Peter.
Clemens is great for that clubhouse and what he brings to the table goes far beyond what he does on the mound.
Meanwhile, I am hearing about Teixiera going to Boston as a possibility. They can have him. I won’t mind watching the Yankees drive up the price for him after next season when he becomes an FA.
caught another edition of mike and the mad dog today. usually i like listening in on a long drive just to hear some different opinions. however, today mike was echoing what he’s been saying for probably a week now: he’s not convinced with vizcaino. honestly? 4-1 record, 1.2 era in the last 15 games pitched (15 innings). 9 hits isnt spectacular, but MO has the same number of hits in 13 innings. I dont even wana bring up proctor and krazy kyle (15 and 12 hits respectively). hughes is coming back next week if not earlier, which is great, but you can’t rush Joba. The Viz has earned his place as the 8th inning guy (sorry kyle). Mo can finish it out in the 9th. My whole point was that Francesca wanted Job in the 8th. If anything, wait for a few more starts in AAA, and try and get him in as a 6/7th inning guy.
It doesn’t matter who they beat….last I checked, the object of games are to win them. Who they beat is immaterial.
You have to beat the bad teams in order to get to the playoffs. The Yankees are doing that. Who cares what the clowns at Baseball Tonight think about it?
Ever since HR got bounced from that show, its become another ESPN Scream-A-Thon show. No substance at any level.
I am waiting for Stephen A. Smith to next host the show so he can add to the moronic, screaming debates that now take the place of substantive baseball talk. Which used to be the dominant part of the show.
Just another show ruined by the suits at ESPN.
The Clemens stuff is just another example of people running at the mouth before watching how things play out.
Unfortunately, that’s what passes as “reporting” in many media circles today.
Its a shame.
Pete not a big suprise. Networks and individuals make a living making mole hills into mountains.
Clemens is alot of things but one of them is a true competitor who cares. In myb ook that is a good thing..
The Yanks will only make small moves the days of trading big prospects are over(thank god).
Hughes, chamberlin, kennedy, tabata, and other top nothc guys are not being traded. It would never happen but if Texiera signed a 4 yr extension that changes his attractiveness but he would never do that so it is a moot point..
the Yanks simply need to add 1 good player to the bench and really need Hughes to pitch and work on the pen..
A good pen is as important as a starting rotation in todays baseball..
Well, it’s nice that he stays with the team, and given that he has the option, I’m sure his teammates appreciate it.
That said, are we really going to start congratulating pitchers on their ‘commitment’ because they — gasp! — travel with their team? If this was any other player in baseball, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Real commitment would mean not even having that clause, and given the unprecedented extent to which Clemens has been able to dictate the cushy terms under which he’ll play, I can’t see patting him on the back for doing what’s required of every other player in the sport.
Giantthinker,
Lohan got in to a police chase, was drunken, had cocaine on her person, and ended up going to jail for the night.
I will enjoy seeing yet another Hollywood princess get shat on by the justice system and sent to the pen where she belongs. She got a DUI in May, so if she gets out of this one, someone is getting paid off big time.
Whoever thought a pro like Clemens would leave his team was crazy.
This is a guy who loves being in a clubhouse and loves being on a team.
Like he’d be sitting at home on the couch while his team was in a dogfight for the playoffs.
It was a laughable idea.
Glavine has missed more games than Clemens.
Who’s more “Now”?
Lohan or Michael Vick or Donaghy?
ESPN has become a joke.
His “clause” isn’t written into the contract. Its an option given to him by his employer.
If your employer gives you an option that is advantageous to you, why not take it?
I don’t think anybody with a shred of baseball knowledge can criticize the dedication of Roger Clemens.
Some folks just don’t like people who make a lot of money. Since the Yankees have a bunch of players like that, they are easy targets. Especially in the media.
However, the guy has been terrific from the first day he was back in pinstripes. Personally, I hope he is back on the team again next year.
He’s a great teammate and, CLEARLY, he can still pitch.
IMO, I keep him around as long as he wants to pitch, and I could care less about his “terms”.
The guy is great for the Yankees.
What I don’t understand is that when the Yanks get beat by Orioles, Royals or other sub .500 teams, they’re sucking, but when they beat on these very same teams, it’s now … “oh, they’re beating on bad teams, let’s see what happens when they play good teams.”… ?? They get crapped on when they do and they get crapped on when they don’t.
SJ44 and Stuart,
I couldn’t agree more with both of you.
SJ, Baseball Tonight is a joke now. I used to LOVE that show and watch it religiously when the likes of Peter Gammons and Harold Reynolds were at the podium. Kruk is a jacka$$ (even if a good player), Steve Phillips is no longer a GM for a reason, and Karl Ravech makes zero sense.
We need to address the bullpen above all. A role player for the bench is another area to address, but any of these big ticket hitters are not worth what we’d have to give up.
Let Hughes come back and address the pen. Having said this, I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing in a 27 year old world champion like Jon Garland to replace Mussina in the rotation. Mussina might be suited for long relief, he looks terrible. Maybe just a bump in teh road, I haven’t given up on him, but if one could get Garland on the cheap, why not. Opens up options.
and who cares who they beat…a win is a win.
its not like Boston hasn’t been taking advantage of lesser teams…
I kinda like the fact that all the Baseball Tonight guys openly root for the Yanks to lose.
Steve Phillips, Kruk especially. They are a reverse jinx.
I watched the Sox-Indians game on monday on ESPN and Phillips said something negative about the Yanks and got called out by his partner Orel Hershieser about it.
About how he hates the Yanks. Phillips back pedaled as fast as he could. Saying he was objective.
Orel and Gary Thorne kept it up at him.
A funny little episode.
Pete, please tell Michael Kay that when you get the chance
Hey Pete you should go straigten out the KC broadcasters. Let them know that Roger hasn’t left the team.
If the Yanks would have lost to the Royals and Rays what would everyone be saying?
You play who’s on your schedule. That’s it. Everyone plays the same teams.
i love the lindsay lohan mugshot . she looks like a crack-whore !!
as i said earlier , when this line-up is on it makes opposing pitchers toss alot of pitches but 224 is insane .
The only reason why Clemens has stayed with the team is because Farnsworth spoke out about it. He’s the only one with any guts on the team, to call Clemens on his cushy deal. It shamed Clemens into remaining with the team.
(yes folks, I’m kidding.)
Forget Garland. You want to being in a young pitcher how about Carlos Zambrano.
And he’s free come November.
Buddy Bell wishes he had Farnsworth, Myers, heck he’d even take Colter Bean right now.
I don’t want Carlos here. He has already stated he doesn’t want to play here. Plus he is a hot head. We have enough studs in our farm that we don’t need to over pay for someone.
Pete – that’s a lot of pitches – but, not a record for some facing the Yankees in a 9-inning game:
http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/XX8q
But it is the lowest scoring game requiring that many.
Good one DesignatedBlogger, lol.
A Hughes-Wang-Chamberlain-Zambrano-Pettite rotation looks mighty good on paper. Four guys under 30. All ace like ability.
Not to mention Kennedy, Horne and whoever else shoots up out of the minors.
Who is Lindsay Lohan and what did she do to make herself famous?
I’m 52 and way too old.
Lindsey Lohan was in a movie once.
Pete good Clemens stat. I knew he wouldnt make Steinbrenner look stupid by leaving after every start.
Though its not an “informal agreement”. Its in his written contract.
Get Zambrano and stack the rotation with stud arms.
There is no guarantee that Chamberlain or Kennedy will work out because that’s the nature of the beast.
Zambrano is only 26 yrs old and is a horse who eats innings.
He would be a better fit for this team than another aging bat.
They should then sign a guy like Rowand instead of Hunter or Jones.
It’s all about pitching and defense.
Maybe Lohan can pitch for the Devil Rays.
They need bullpen help and sports is known to keep giving chances to cokeheads.
I don’t know if this has been brought up already but this stretch of quality play did not start with Tampa…
The Yankees played the Angels in the previous series and took 2 out of 3 (and easily could have won 3). The Yankees played the Twins before that and took 3 out of 4 (the only loss coming against a guy named Johan).
Chuckles, agree with you totally on Zambrano. A proven stud ace. They do not come around often. They must make every attempt to sign him.
But you say pitching and defense win. Again agree. But havent Jones and Hunter proven they can play pretty good defense in CF? I don’t see Rowand even being in there class in regards to defensive abilities since those two have won basically every gold glove award the past decade.
Jennifer and Jake,
Jennifer, I agree, Carlos has too much “internal conflict” and mental baggage.
Jake, in terms of Garland, I just don’t want to see the Yanks give up too much for something they don’t necessarily need. As I said, I haven’t given up on Moose, but he has not looked strong of late. I wonder what they would have to give up. May not make sense if it is any of our young farm pitchers.
The stretch of quality play actually started in the Red Sox series in late May.
Granted they went through a tough stretch in Colorado and SF but they’ve been playing good ball for a solid month now.
Zambrano will end up re-signing with the Cubs. He is as important to the Cubs as Ichiro is to the Mariners.
They aren’t going to lose Zambrano.
If Melky keeps playing like he is, the only position they need to address (via free agency) is the bullpen. Scott Linebrink is a FA after the season. They can sign him and will be the bridge guy in the 7th/8th innings with Viz.
The interesting issue is Bobby Abreu. Right now, I wouldn’t be averse to picking up his option and keeping him in RF.
There aren’t any better options in FA and the younger kids aren’t even close to being ready.
May end up being the smart move (picking up Abreu’s option) in the long run.
Plus, you have a guy playing for a new deal for 2009. Usually, that gives you an extra bump in performance.
How can you question Zambranos mental makeup? He thrives in a pretty tough market right now. And hes quietly putting together a Cy Young year for an average team after a horrendous start.
Aces do not come around on the FA market often anymore. You have to strike while the iron is hot.
Zambranos stuff is of the highest quality. You do not find these guys free nowadays.
Adding him to Hughes, Wang, Joba, etc would be a coup.
Chuckles and Jake,
Do you guys realize what would happen after the first time Carlos Zambrano lost his mind (as he does every season)? He would get eaten alive in NY. For all of you who want to talk about Miguel Cabrera’s weight, at least he doesn’t try to sock teammates in the face.
Bad idea, plus, I am talking about options this season, we can address the offseason when we get to it.
And on another note, if you are going to dump $20 million a year on Zambrano, why not try to pull a trade for someone like Roy Oswalt if he is still around. You’d have to give up some talent, sure, but you’d get him at half the price you would for “Big Z”.
And he isn’t really a proven Ace. What has he ever REALLY done? In terms of the 200 innings, that concerns me, especially for a guy as bulky and who throws as hard as he does.
I guess for me it always comes back to the money you have spend on guys like this. Seems like there are better options to be had via the farm and trade.
Oh ya, and if they plan to keep A-Rod around, you’re looking at a large chunk of change there too.
Patrick, i’ve heard numerous times that it was a hand shake agreement. It isn’t in the contract.
There is no chance that Cashman lets Abreu walk. He’ll pick up the option and at least trade him ala Sheffield.
But they need bats because their young position prospects are 2-3 yrs away. Who that may be I have no idea.
But I think Melky is playing himself into a lock spot next yr.
And the Cubs are undergoing an ownership change. They may slack off too much to get the Z thing done.
They had him for 85 mill in March. Now?
He’ll be looking at 150 mill minimum.
Tony,
$150 million for that bozo seems like a HUGE risk. I anticipate he gets offered around 4 or 5 years at $20 per.
In regards to what SJ was saying about picking up Abreu’s option -
Besides the fact that there might not be a younger or better option, he also seems to have taken Cano and Melky under his wing and I think its kind of cool how they have all bonded.
Cool enough to warrant picking up the option alone? No. But I agree that he might be our best option next year and hopefully he’ll play 2nd half baseball all year.
Larry,
Zambrano is free. Oswalt would cost a package of 3 top notch prospects. I’d rather pay the money and keep the prospects. Money to the Yankees is nothing.
Especially for an ace type starter. You cant find more worth it money, baseball wise.
And any pitcher you sign or trade for comes with risks. Its the nature of the game.
Id rather take my chances on stuff and talent and youth than anything else.
It’s all probably a moot point since Chicago would be dumb to let him go.
Totally agree Jake.
You just cannot find #1 starters in todays day and age. Smart teams lock them up.
Zambrano for 15 mill a yr would be well worth it. Beats paying the Igawas of the world 5 mill.
We’d have a stable of young, talented hard throwing ace types.
And we have all seen that pitching wins.
I’m curious- perhaps SJ44 or CB or someone else who follows the minors could best answer this question.
What is the best case or optimistic projection on Tabata? ‘08 in AA , ‘09 in AAA, and to the Bronx in 2010? Or is he not ready to hit AA hitting next year?
Also, does he project more of a corner outfielder than CF?
Thanks in advance
“And he’s free come November.”
7 years, $126M is the craziest definition of “free” i’ve ever heard.
Jake,
Rowand is a human highlight film in his own right. He’s a lot like a young Jim Edmonds. He just doesn’t get the media attention that Jones and Hunter do because of their reputation.
Here are the main reasons why I prefer Rowand to Jones or Hunter:
First off, he’s younger.
Secondly, he’ll be cheaper in both price and commitment. They could snag him for 4 years whereas the others would command 5-6 years.
The shorter the commitment — the better — because you don’t know what kind of player these guys are going to be in 5 years and it gives them an out a year or two sooner.
I just don’t think Hunter or Jones would fit well in NY, but I think Rowand would be embraced in NY because he’s fearless and throws his body all over the place.
Ah, the difference a few weeks, a few hits make. Not too long ago, there was no discussion but that Abreu would be GONE!
Lindsay Lohan is the only one of that crowd of young girls for whom I actually do feel sorry. She does actually have acting talent. She has lousy parents (I need to be careful here, as I am a parent — don’t blame the parents!!!!) — her mother parties with her – hello??? I have a very bad feeling about her. She only just became 21……sigh.
I heard on XM today that Atlanta is the hot team to get Teixeira and that the Angels, partly because Colon is again on the DL, and there are other injuries, are probably out of the hunt for Teixeira since now they actually need the prospects they wouldn’t have wanted to part with in the first place. Buck Martinez felt that Teixeira’s going to Boston would cause some undoing of the chemistry in Boston because it would mean that Lowell would be displaced and the players really have a great deal of respect for Lowell and he’s an important person up there. Atlanta works for me, because no way Atlanta pays a huge contract for Tex after 2008, and then he’s free and the Yankees can re-visit the situation.
Zambrano said on a talk show in Chicago a week ago he is,”99% certain” is will be back with the Cubs. Also said he would give them a “hometown discount”.
I am sure his agent wasn’t happy to hear that but, that’s what he is saying right now.
I think for Tabata, and Austin Jackson for that matter, their timetable will be determined next year when they are in AA. AA seperates the men from the boys, in terms of being a fast rising prospect.
If they perfect well in AA, its not impossible to see one of them in the Bronx in 2009. Since they will be 19 and 21 respectively next year, its probably more accurate to pin a 2010 timetable on them, if they continue on their current path.
IMO, Jackson is definitely a CF prospect. He is great defensively. Tabata projects as a RF. He has good instincts out there. However, his strongest asset is his arm. Its a cannon.
Oh, another thing — it was said that Millar might be a good fit, at a better price, for the Angels. That leaves Baltimore with a need that could be filled by getting Teixeira, who wants to go to Baltimore, anyway.
“The interesting issue is Bobby Abreu. Right now, I wouldn’t be averse to picking up his option and keeping him in RF.”
i remember earlier in the season, abreu was a “dog with fleas.” i’m still not sold on him for next year, but there aren’t many other options available. i wouldn’t mind seeing them get hunter and move melky to RF, but whatever.
they need to find a way to win one of the next two, two games they have no business winning, to use the phrase you did last week. i can’t stand watching either mussina or igawa pitch.
No question you pick up Abreu, he’s a professional. Even just yesterday, we made a great slide scoring before Buck could tag him. He just has good baseball instincts. For $16M it’s a better investment than Jones or Torri Hunter I think.
Overall the team is looking strong lately. But I guess in evaluating the team, they are not as good as they look right now, just like they weren’t as bad as they looked earlier in the season.
Cashman and Torre were very close to get fired, now they both look very smart. Torre is pushing all the right buttons with the lineup, he found a reliable 8th inning guy and Mo is Mo. Cashman’s trade of the Unit is looking brilliant, his prospects are paying dividends in Duncan and Joba, his signing of Clemens and Pettitte look great and the team is in the mix and is getting stronger with Phil coming soon. Amazing how winning games changes perspective.
as far as clemens and the talking heads go, i don’t watch espn during baseball season. football and basketball, their coverage is generally fine, but their baseball coverage is atrocious.
As much I hate the idea of it, the smart move is to pick up Abreu’s option at the end of the season. It saves you paying him the buyout and getting nothing in return. It also gives Cashman the option to trade him like Sheff at any point after that — with Abreu’s approval — I think he has a no trade clause.
That said, if they can’t improve upon him in RF, let him play out his deal and hope he comes prepared to win next season. He needs a good year to get one more decent contract, so the motivation is there.
I would really hate seeing us give Andruw Jones the Brinks truck instead of Abreu for one more season since I think Jones is thankfully giving the rest of the league a preview of what the rest of his career is going to look like.
I also don’t want to see Tori Hunter here next year either. I don’t think he’s the offensive player people make him out to be and I don’t think he’s going to age well.
If they decide to go get a new CF for some reason, I’ll go to war with Rowland. He’s a FA and I think his kind of play would add something to this team. Same thing with Eric Byrnes. Professional players who play with some fire is what the Yankees need more of.
But if next season it’s Melky, Matsui, Abreu in the OF, I don’t think it will be the end of the world.
That said, if Mike Lowell is playing 3rd for us next season, it will be the end of the world.
I don’t want Abreu next season. I want someone in RF who isn’t afraid of the wall.
The Yanks won’t pitck up his option for $16M when they can get the top FA outfielders on the market for almost the same price.
What ever happened to Harold Reynolds’ sexual harassment case?? Did anything come of it?
I think Zambrano would thrive in NY in my opinion. I just wouldn’t pay $100 million+. Also, I think he might breakdown like Freddy Garcia has since he has been pitching an awful lot of innings early in his career. Zambrano’s arm slot has been dropping.
Farns should insert foot in mouth since he criticized Clemens for his contract or “terms” of his contract.
I think Cabrera is a lock for CF next year. I don’t think Gardener or Jamal Strong or anybody else challenging him. Action Jackson is moving up the system rapidly as is Tabata, but they won’t be up until at least 2009. I would have thought that Tabata would develop some power this year. Not a lot, at least more than what he has. I like Seth Fortenberry. I wish he would cut down on the strike outs.
I say we cut Abreu loose no matter what. I am tired of that guy and my opinion has not changed one bit on him all season.
Lets go after konerko.It will probably take b prospects
and we’ll throw in Damon. They have missed a cf since
Rowand left.
Speaking of Rowand, dont resign Abreau. Sign Rowand and
put Melky in right.
I vote “No” to Konerko.
I would have liked him 5 years ago, but he’s now an aging player on the decline with a contract signed through 2010.
Yankee fans often complain about immovable contracts and aging players and Konerko would eventually be on that list of dead weight on this team.
Konerko isn’t a great defensive player either.
Jamal Strong, was he ever a prospect? Gardner could be a nice 4/5th outfielder. Plus he can challenge Kendall for the lowest OPS in the majors, lol.
Chuckles,
Totally agree with Konerko.
What is the point of adding another soon to be older player with too long of a contract. Personally, I think that our 1B situation right now is perfectly okay.
PITCHING!!!!PITCHING!!!!PITCHING!!!!PITCHING!!!!PITCHING!!!!PITCHING!!!!PITCHING!!!!PITCHING!!!!PITCHING!!!!PITCHING!!!!
We need pitching….BULLPEN!