Giambi on his way to Toronto
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 05, 2007 
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A few updates:
Jason Giambi was 0 for 3 with a walk, a strikeout and a throwing error for Scranton. He is on his way to Toronto but may not be activated until Tuesday.
“Its exciting for me to get the opportunity,” Giambi said. “The injury healed a lot faster than we all thought. I’ll just go up there, and the team’s playing great, so the biggest thing is to just go up there and be a part of it.”
Of greater significance, perhaps, Ross Ohlendorf allowed one hit in two innings of relief and struck out two. Of his 35 pitches, 22 were strikes.
The Yankees also released Scott Williamson, who had been pitching for Scranton.
Id say were in good shape….if we keep playing well were in
Giambi, Ohlendorf, Chamberlain….very nice…very nice “problems” (joke) to have…It is looking VERY good !
Pete –
Do you think they might also be thinking for calling up Ohlendorf up to the Yankee bullpen?
I’m just curious. Is there something I don’t know. Ohlendorf’s numbers in Triple A are pretty bad, even over the past 10 or so games. I’m being totally serious here, but am I missing something in thinking he’d be effective in the majors? His ERA’s well over 5, more than a hit per inning, K/BB ratio isn’t anything to write home about.
So who are we getting rid of when we bring up Giambi?
I hope not Duncan. With Betemit here, Cairo should go. He’s no logner needed.
And I’d like tosee Ramirez get another chance or Britton.
Looking forward to seeing Joba up and possibly Ohlendorf too!
From what I’ve read, Ohlendorf still to work on some control issues. This may be incorrect, but whether Joba and him, Joba and Britton, Joba and Ramirez and Britton, something has to happen. When Mariano said he needed help in the ‘pen, games like today’s are what he had in mind. We can get away with this against KC and Tampa Bay, but not the contenders. I can’t imagine Cash doesn’t see the same thing. I don’t know how he makes the necessary personnel moves, but he has to do it.
Ohlendorf has to show a hell of a lot more consistency before becoming a strong candidate for a bullpen call-up. Even when he wasn’t injured he’s been up and down this year. The strike-to-ball ratio is definitely a good sign, because that means he may be back on track. (When he’s at his best, he is a strike-throwing machine as is evidenced by his k/bb rate of 124:29 last year at AA)
In the previous thread every one was talking about improving the bullpen.
We felt the same way about the bench. Cashman did a great job of making the bench very good with a couple of trades and internal options.
Show a little patience for a week or so and Cashman will come through for the bullpen as well.
Now that Giambi is coming to the big club, it will give a very good idea of if Joe Torre learnt from his failed approach last year. If he sends Melky to the bench or significantly curtails his playing time, then I see no hope. I hope somebody higher up gives him stern warning not to do it.
I’d much rather have Giambi being the DH than Damon. Johnny Damon should be a 4th Outfielder/Pinch Hitter/Runner come playoff time.
Late September/October Lineup:
S Melky CF
R Jeter SS
L Abreu RF
R A-ROD 3B
L Matsui LF
S Posada C
L Giambi DH
L Cano 2B
R Phillips/ Betimet Platoon at 1B.
Phillips plays against Lefties while Wilson B can play against Righties.
I think its great that Giambi made a throwing error at first tonight. That will make the Yankees realize he can’t play first, saving Andy Phillips.
The guy who has to worry about PT with Giambi returning is Damon, IMO. No way Melky is being taken out of the lineup the way he is playing.
I also don’t think they DFA Cairo. Betemit is too big to play SS these days. Despite the program weight, a scout told me he is closer to 240 than 225).
As we saw today with Jeter getting hit, if he gets hurt, you need somebody to play SS. That’s got to be Cairo.
Cairo has also played very well this year. I don’t think you can DFA a guy who has contributed like he has this year.
It seems, absent Cairo, or somebody else, being injured in the next 24-48 hours, Duncan is the odd man out, since he has options remaining.
Its unfair but, life isn’t fair. He will be back September 1. I wish they would find a way to keep him because he has been great for the team since he was called up.
Damon and Giambi, two close friends fighting for one spot (DH). Will be interesting to watch.
That’s good news on Ohlendorf. I would love his 97 MPH sinker in NY. By throwing two innings, you wonder if they are getting him ready for the Bronx?
Perhaps as the long guy, replacing Karstans??
NOOOOOO! Just kidding.
The cupboard runneth over with players, but if Johnny and Giambi can get used to the idea of not playing everyday then it can work. It’ll be a matter of resting guys and rotating based on matchups. And really, Johnny can still play CF, but there was a stretch when we were playing speedy teams and they ran all over us. We’ve just been spoiled by Melky who’s getting it done on both sides of the ball. But, in reality Melky’s going have to adjust to not playing everyday as well. You can’t keep good hitters out of the lineup just because it’ll jam up Melky.
What kind of sick lineup is that? Having Damon and Giambi on the bench? Wow!
I don’t want Betemit platooning at first base. As we saw yesterday, he is not a first baseman.
Andy Phillips has been playing GREAT at first base. You have to think defense.
This is a pitching staff absent strikeout guys. That means the ball is put in play for 9 innings. You need Phillips at first.
He makes plays each day around the bag that Giambi or Betemit are unable to make. He’s got to play.
If he cools off with the bat, then you may consider spotting somebody in the lineup here and there.
However, the guy is hitting over .300, moves runners and is playing Gold Glove calibur first base. I wouldn’t move him out for anybody on the roster at this time.
What I foresee is Melky, Abrue, Matsui, Damon and Giambi playing four out of five days. It will work. But, can Torre pull himself to do it.
The danger I see is that Torre also realizes that it may be his last season. So, he may be stubborn and stick with the veterans to be still viewed as players’ manager.
Fair enough but Phillips will come back down to Earth eventually and when he does I’d bet the house the Yankees will explore Betemit at First Base. He’s played the position at Winter Ball and with a little more time he can probably become adequate with it. It’s a little unfair to judge him as unable after 1 game, I see a platoon in the future and there is enough time left in the season for it to happen.
This isn’t a 37 year old Sheffield with 1 week of First Base under his belt entering the playoffs.
BB,
I have a feeling he is going to keep Melky in center. You listen to his pre-game comments and I get the feeling he isn’t that wedded to Damon.
I could see Damon being the odd man out, if Giambi is healthy enough to contribute.
I can’t tell you how disappointed I was with the way Melky got hosed last year at playoff time.
Maybe its blind hope but, I am hoping Torre learned his lesson and keeps the kid in the lineup.
You are right, this can work. You can rest guys and move guys around to get AB’s. As long as Melky is the guy that anchors CF.
So far, the times he has rested Abreu and Matsui have done wonders for them. They are both hot and staying fresh.
Now, he has to find a way to do it at the DH spot. Its certainly doable.
I love Betemit and what he brings, but really, you’re talking about a team that brought in a man with a broken back to play 1st because of his defense. In the Yankees eyes it is a defensive position, so as long as you’re able to run the basebaths and play good defense you’re in.
Besides, I don’t think Wilson makes those plays that Andy made today. Andy really stretched on a couple of those plays.
Somebody better tell Giambi not to rush – there is no place on this team for him except the bench. He should have stayed where he was getting time in the field. Just because he has a big steroid enhanced contract doesn’t entitle him to replace those who can really play all parts of the game.
This pretty much goes for Damon as well – although he should have been on the DL instead of making those suspicious trips to Orlando – he needs to realize that he’s going to be a bench warmer, too.
Joe Torre has got to recognize the value of the younger players and not cater to the ‘veterans’.
Giambi needs to stay on the bench.
Giambi is lucky I’m not the Yankees g.m. cuz if I was I’d put him on the 60-day d.l. thus shut him down for the season so he screams for a trade or buyout. The Yankees don’t need him anymore. The Duncan-Damon DH w/ a little bit of Matsui, Abreu & Matsui there is just fine & better than Giambi clogging that position & taking at-bats from Melky & Damon.
Also Giambi is an admitted steroids cheat thus a disgrace to the Yankee pinstripes & M.L.B. The Yanks should offer him a buyout of his entire $21M salary for next year to get lost &
so they can clear his buyout for 2009 ($5M). I’d love to see Shelley Duncan get a chance to be the full-time DH (w/ starts for the fielders) for only $400K next year. If he posts even just 25 HR & 80 RBI, that’s about as much as the Yanks will get frokm GiamBalco next year. Even if Giambi posted up 30 HR & 100 RBI for his new team, so what? 5 more HR & 20 more RBI than Duncan for $20.6M more. I’ll take Duncan age 25-26 making peanuts, thanks.
I meant Matsui, Abreu, A-Rod, etc. at DH from time to time.
I’m thinking Matsui DH in ’09 if Duncan doesn’t have a good ’08.
I think it’s silly to dismiss Giambi immediately. Duncan’s been doing a great job so far and I definitely don’t want to see him sent down. But to think a guy who just last year hit 37 homeruns(and gets on base 40% of the time) can’t help out our team is faulty logic, I think. Our lineup’s not gonna be this hot for the rest of the season. Unquestionably as far as defense goes, Andy Phillips is our best option at first without question with Doug gone, so he definitely needs to stay on the roster. But I’m willing to see what Giambi can do(at first and as DH) and hope Torre manages accordingly.
I was at al four games this weekend at PNC Field in Scranton and I can tell you two things: Giambi can’t hit (he was swinging at pitches 4 feet off the plate today) and he absolutely can’t play first (he had to misplays in one inning today helping to load the bases). For the weekend he had one hit in four games. He was simply awful.
Do you guys actually think Giambi will last more than a week without tearing something? I mean, he ripped up his foot rounding the bases after a homerun.
It’s ridiculous that Brower not Chamberlin got called up. One’s a 30 year old journeyman with average stuff – the other’s a high ceiling flame throwing rook.
Gimme the kid who might dazzle rather than the old guy who can just dance
I dont like this move at all. The Yanks have been playing very well and there is no reason to bring Giambi up until he is 100% ready. He was 0-3 today and I believe he has only had 3 or 4 hits so far. Torre is going to rush him into the lineup and it is going to mess everything else up. He will never play 1st base but when he is DHing then Damon and Duncan cant play. He should be in the minors for another week or 2 until he is crushing the ball. I cant wait until Giambis contract is over with he clogs up the bases and DH.
I guess I’m the only one that is looking forward to Giambi coming back. Whoever he replaces on the team, whether it be Shelley or Cairo, Giambi is an upgrade, not to mention he has something to prove big time. I like Giambi with a little chip on his shoulder and I guess you guys forget that he plays with his heart on his sleeve, something we all were missing from this team earlier in the year.
I don’t think he should start every single day, but I’m not against letting him play 6 innings at 1b some night and letting Andy Phillips come in during crunch time for defense.
As for Damon, I do not think Joe is going to give him CF back just because Giambi is back. Damon is not playing every day now. Why would Joe all of a sudden make him an every day player again? Because Giambi is back? Makes no sense.
I think the bench has gotten much stronger and I think this team has the fire right now. If they can keep this up, I think if we see the Red Sox in the playoffs, they are toast this year. They’ve been fat cats for a lot of the season. They’re in the position we’ve been in the past few years when we weren’t really challenged until the playoffs and then we get knocked out by the team playing to win, not the team play not to lose (which is what we’ve been). If the Yanks keep this up, this could be one of those special years because I see a lot of guys in the Yankee dugout who have the desire and passion and togetherness that the teams of the past few seasons have not had.
Giambi isn’t going to upset the lockeroom. I think he’s going to add to it. I, for one, remember a lot of the clutch big HR’s he’s hit in Fenway.
please dfa cairo he sucks so bad
You guys all forget what Jason can do if hes healthy.Hes a better hitter then Damon,Melky,Andy or Shelley.He deserves to play and will 90% of the time.That being said I agree with SJ44 you cant take Melky out of CF(maybe once a week).Either Jason or Damon is going to have to play some first to make this work.I hate to see Johnny Damon get the short end but the(on field) differences between him and Melky now are this:Melky switch hits,can throw and cover CF better.
Scott Williamson should get picked up by someone else. He didn’t throw for 3 weeks before the first game back that jacked his ERA up. 3.2 innings pitched 7 strikeouts – enough said.
I wish the Yankees would have let him get back into the game…