Today in The Journal News
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- October
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The wild card has opened the door for a lot of teams. Including the Yankees.
Roger Clemens will throw a simulated game in Tampa today. This notebook also has word on Joe Torre contemplating a lineup change and chilling with Bernie.
Over in Queens, the Mets packed up. John Delcos has the story there.
Two thoughts on the Mets: How can ownership leave Willie Randolph in limbo like they are? If he’s coming back, say it. Every day that passes reinforces the idea that they don’t think much of him. I think he deserves another shot even though they didn’t play very hard for him.
Also, trade Carlos Beltran for pitching. They have depth in the OF and need to get an ace. Beltran can be traded and not one Mets fan will care. He’s a good player but hardly a great one. He would be better in a smaller market and everybody in baseball knows it.
I’m headed off to Cleveland this morning and plan to cover the Indians’ workout at Jacobs Field. We’ll have reports later on from both workouts.
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Finally, the new Bruce Springsteen record drops today. So get yourself some Magic. It’s already on my iPod and it’s his best release in years.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007 at 6:22 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Pete –
I pre-ordered my “Magic” so I have to wait for the mail – but at least I got a good price.
I haven’t heard a single note of it yet; I wanted to wait so I could do the whole CD at once.
Yep, you said it. The Mets need some serious pitching help. They have too many old, decrepit starters on the team, which kind of reminds me of the Yanks of a few years ago (Kevin Brown, anyone?). I don’t follow the Mets too closely, but I don’t think it was Willie’s fault; I just don’t think he had the horses to win the race. Way too many holes in that team.
From the Daily News:
Kei Igawa, Chase Wright, Sean Henn, Brian Bruney, Tyler Clippard, Matt DeSalvo and Jeff Karstens were sent home and will not be used.
The final two spots in the bullpen are still up for grabs between Ron Villone, Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez and Ross Ohlendorf.
I hope the pen can keep it together now. The Yanks have been able to cut and paste all year to make the starting rotation work, but the relief corps has made me throw shoes at the TV more often than not, especially Farnsworth..
The Angels style of baseball will drive Boston crazy and test Varitek’s inaccurate throwing and Lugo’s hurried throws.
The 6-9 hitters in Boston’s lineup scare nobody. Mike Scioscia can easily outmanage Francona.
I’m staying away from predictions. All 4 teams in the AL are good enough to win and in these short series’ anything can and usually does happen. I don’t like to count anybody out, because it usually comes back to bite you (me?) in the end. Of course, I’m rooting for our Yankees, and I like our chances, mainly because as good as all the teams are they all have a weakness, and because I like the way the Yankees have come together as a team, and I love their enthusiasm. I just hate having to wait until Thursday. It seems like an awfully long layoff.
theirs one problem with trading beltran, the two things this weak free agent class has are yankees and cf’s. That why cashman better be ready when the season ends cuz you could argue the top 5 free agents on the market can or will be from the Bombers
1 Arod
2 Mo
3 Hip Hop Jorge
4 Pettite
5 Rocket
steve phillips just picked the yanks to beat the indians in his confidence picks on mike and mike in the morning. He says the yanks wont win and now he is saying they will based on lineup, starters, relief and manager. He ranked yanks one in lineup, three in starters, one in relief and three in manager. He ranked cleveland ONE in starters. I was surprused the yanks got one in relief- he said the combo of chamberlain and mo. torre ranked below francona and scioca is kind of stupid. They have all won the world series.
I’d be willing to bet the farm that Rocket retires for good this time. As long as Pettitte’s arm is healthy, I expect him to come back with the Yankees – I think as long as Joe Torre retires and is not summarily dismissed he’ll come back even with a different manager. The other three I have my fingers crossed. I believe Cashman will make all three very good and more than competitive offers, and then it is simply up to them. With Mo and Jorge we all naturally assume they want to stay Yankees, but, you just never ever know for sure. And of course no one knows what’s in A-Rod’s mind. If the Yankees lose all five of those guys, they’re in pretty bad shape, because at least the top 3 would be difficult if not impossible to replace, and Pettitte’s not too shabby, either. I don’t think the Yankees expected Roger to be more than a one-season help.
now, phillips says the yanks will be upset by the indians due to the starting ptiching factor. He has got to look at carmona and sabathias numbers against the yanks and on long rest. He didnt even mention that and they r so drastically bad numbers u have to mention it.
phil,
what about kennedy?
Steve “Foot-in-mouth” Phillips rides again. He’ll just never learn.
michael kay said on his radio show that the twins are openly shopping johan santana . i say trade beltran and prospect(s) to the twins for johan .
We really need to re-sign arod and mo. Id like to resign pettitte. I feel like posada is far too old to be getting 15 plus million per year for 3 plus years at ages 37-39 in catcher yrs. We already have plenty of dhes and who knows about giambi and damon next yr? Will they even be able to play the field? Can we afford to have giambi, damon and posada fighting for a dh spot? I would think twice about re-signing posada esp when considering the uncharacteristic season he had in his contract yr, his plans to test the free agent waters before the season started and his age. He is going to make a bundle and i dont know if it is worth it. I love posada but we have to do whats best for the team. We should re-sign mo to a two yr deal and extend arods contract to whatever he wants. Pettitte has a player option so it is really up to him whether he wants to come back or not – the yanks have no real choice in the matter. Moose should be traded if possible. I like Wang, pettitte, Hughes, chamberlain and kennedy as the starters next yr. Plenty of youth with one veteran to show them the way (an d a great teacher.) Then, you have your steady ace and three extremely young and rising stars. We can also sign a quality starter just in case one of the three has a set back and needs to be sent back down to the minors.
Everyone knew in November that the Mets needed pitching and they never got it. This collapse wasn’t an accident.
Dave,
Can we play the playoffs before you start working on next years roster?
Thanks
would any one trade two of chamberlain, hughes, kennedy or wang for santana. I dont think i would
The Post Season is a crapshoot. Baseball history has proven it over and over again (Just ask those surviving members of the 1960 Yankees and, sadly, the 2004 Yankees).
Last year’s World Champion Cardinals had 83 wins and were picked by most to go home after the 1st round.!
Teams that make the Post Season typically all have enough talent to win it. That’s why its so interesting to watch playoff games in October.
Here’s hoping that we see Number 27 in 2007!
Kennedy was sent to Tampa to rehab his back. He’ll stay there (except for flying to St. Louis for his wedding) and workout through the first round to see if he is needed to be activated for the second round.
Plus Carlos never wanted to be on the Mets, they were his second or maybe third choice. We wanted to take less money to play for the Yankees.
I wouldn’t trade anyone for either of the two big name pitchers rumored to be on the block. Dontrell looks like he has hit a wall, and Sanatana isn’t as good as he used to be. He threw a bunch of stinkers this year.
I never want to hear again how Hoffman is on par with Rivera.
That talk ended last night. He has never saved a big game.
Saying a Bruce Springsteen album is his best in years is like saying a Kyle Farnsworth relief appearance is his best in weeks.
Pete,
tradin away Beltran sounds good in theory…but which small martket team is pickin up that contract. The mets would have to chip in some money to make it work…they are better off jus keepin em
Pete, would you mind elaborating on this “best release in years” comment? Springsteen’s hardly been “dropping” (ugh, HATE that term) CDs at a steady pace of late … so saying something is his “best release in years” doesn’t tell us much. Are you saying it’s his best since 1995? Since 1987? Because I highly doubt it’s stronger than “Lucky Town.”
LC
“Saying a Bruce Springsteen album is his best in years is like saying a Kyle Farnsworth relief appearance is his best in weeks.”
Jim Clark, let me guess, you’re a Britney Spears fan, right?
“and there’s Suzy who got herself an Uzi and looking for some squirrel named Louie who had an overdue library book that the common man can’t seem to write”
HEY!
(Clarnence sax solo)
Beltran makes way too much money to get anything back.
They need to trade Reyes. He’s young and cheap enough and good enough for them to a get an ace back.
Who’s the real Boss? George or Bruce?
Thats true , beltran makes far too much $$ for the twins to take on .
You’re crazy Peter.
Beltran, 30, posted 33 HR and 116 RBI this year, 41 and 112 the year before. How do you propose the 2008 Mets replace that production along with his solid defense with the “depth in their OF”? What depth? B.t.w. Beltran is better than Andruw Jones and Torii Hunter.
Lastings Milledge couldn’t even take the RF job from hasbeen Shawn Green (who will probably be washed up by next year’s end with whoever he signs with if anyone wants him and if they do I doubt it’ll be as a RF) much earlier in the year.
Milledge is a clubhouse cancer and a potential sequel to Milton Bradley who recently said “So what?!” if his manager and general manager didn’t like/ approve of his onfield behavior which b.t.w. could get a teammate seriously hurt. You want the Mets to get rid of Beltran in favor of that? What if he acts like a jacka ss after hitting a homerun and David Wright or whoever is hit on the wrist and knocked out for the season? There is absolutely no guarantee he will triple the 7 HR and 29 RBI he posted in 184 AB this year next. Even if he posted 21 and 87, that’s 12 HR & 29 RBI 2007 Santana (7-14, 5.76), the Angels got a good deal. Who were Oliver Perez and John Maine when the Mets acquired them?
The Mets sign Carlos Pena for 1B.
Reyes/Castillo/Wright/Pena/Beltran/Milledge/Anderson/Castro/P
SS 2B 3B 1B CF RF LF C
WOW. Yes, Marlon Anderson in LF cuz he’s 33 (not a kid but not old) and posted .319 BA, .355 OBP, and .551 SLG in 69 AB. Small sample of AB yes, but you have to look at his OBP.
They could go with Anderson/ Easley/ Chavez in LF.
Dave, Let me get this straight, You would not sign 37 year old Posada, who is in great shape and is coming off arguably his best season. But would sign a 39 year old Rivera who is coming off arguably his worst? I would like both back, as both right now are not replaced through free agency, the farm, or a trade for the next couple of years. 3 years is not a Giambi contract and after next season Giambi will be gone…so will Damon. Anyway Damon right now is a better LF option than Matsui, so I would not limit him to DH. I also think that Posada is the kind of athlete (Former 2nd baseman) who could play 1B if he had to.
For some reason a part of my post didn’t show, so here goes again:
Even if Milledge tripled his 2007 HR & RBI in 2008 with 21 HR and 87 RBI, that’s 12 less HR and 29 less RBI than 2007 Beltran. That has to be quite a few lost wins.
Reyes
Castillo
Wright
Carlos Pena 1B*
Beltran
Milledge
Anderson/ Easley/ Chavez
Castro
Pitcher
*Delgado and Pelfrey traded to the Angels for Ervin Santana.
Pedro/ Perez/ Maine/ Santana/ El Duque, Humber, or whoever
(this job can be fought for in spring training).
Pedro could give his pal Bartolo Colon a call and ask him to sign on for a year for Pedro/ Perez/ Colon/ Maine/ Santana
w/ El Duque as the rotation insurance swingman.
i wanted use this blog to comment on the met’s meltdown…but i can say one thing it wasn’t willie’s fault that they had crappy pitching, glavine don’t let the door hit u in the ass on teh way out…
Joba Rules…
Dave,
We don’t need to resign Pettite. He signed a two-year deal with the Yanks — but the option on year 2 is his, not the Yanks’.
Pete,
What happens to the bullpen pitchers that were NOT sent home, but don’t make the team for this first round? Can they sit with the team in the dugout during games? I would guess no, but am curious what the protocol is.
Thanks!
Reyes for Santana. The Mets need to break-up the show-off mentality of their team. They would probably be able to get Minni. to throw in a releiver and a prospect. They should not sign a 1 year wonder like Pena. They have to add some character to the Team…As a Yankee fan I’d hate to say it, but the perfect guy for them to go after would be Jorge Posada….
A source close to the situation told Newsday that general manager Omar Minaya has decided to keep Randolph, who has two years and $4.25 million remaining on his contract, as the team’s manager.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3045841
Just like Jeter did in ‘95…yes, the relievers who don’t make the roster can still travel and dress with the team.
How abt Damon/Matsui and Farnsworth for Beltran. The mets get a very good outfielder (with character, which they seem to lack) and a reliever who has the potential to be great in NL and is guaranteed to be an upgrade. The yankees get rid of the log jam at DH and just rotate Giambi and Matsui/Damon (whoever remains with yankees) at DH.
Beltran Is Untouchable”
I agree, but because he is so good, but because he isn’t really what teams are looking for in a trade. If the Mets could somehow get Santana and lock him up to a long term deal then they’d have to do it. Even if that means trading a lot of prospects. Beltran is definatley better than Torri Hunter, but not by leaps and bounds.
The problem, however, is that no team will trade top line starting pitching for a very expensive CF (whether he is worth that money or not).
Pete I think it was just irresponsible of you to suggest trading a player unless you at least suggest some viable deals. Right now pitching just isn’t available anywhere and its certainly not available for contracts negotiated by Scott Boras. If anyone thinks a Carlos Beltran type is what the Twins are after is for Santana then you haven’t been paying attention to baseball for the past 5 years.
It seems odd that no baseball anaylysts mention Cleveland’s lack of postseason experience. That usually plays are part in making predictions.
“Pete I think it was just irresponsible of you to suggest trading a player unless you at least suggest some viable deals.”
What was irresponsible about his comment?
No need to overreact just because you don’t agree with Pete’s opinion.
The Yankees sign Posada because he is simply the best catcher available. And because he is Posada.
The Yankees sign Mo because he is simply the best closer available. And because he is Mo.
I so much want for ARod to sign with the Yankees, to not opt out so that there is no angst involved in the transaction, but I accept that what will be will be.
I don’t disagree that Posada is aging and we have probably witnesses the best he’s going to be able to do going forward, but I can’t see him suddenly becoming non-productive. What I am most impressed with this season, however, is his durability. If they resign Molina, then if Posada is not quite so lucky next year at least there is a viable backup in place.
Although I still believe Joba Chamberlain will be a starter in the long run, I think the Yankees will keep him as the “bridge to Mo” next year, and depending how things go, possibly close a few more games. This will be the scenario unless a viable substitute for Mo is found within the next 2 years whose name is not Joba.
I don’t know who the Yankees will look at if ARod opts out and is not re-signed. Anyone else will probably require a trade, and everyone’s going to want the Yankees’s young pitchers, who I hope will still be considered untouchable. And certainly no one will be able to match ARod in offensive ability, at least no ONE person will be able to do that.
But, that’s all for another month, right?
Torii Hunter is one of the most overrated players in all of baseball. He sure makes some great defensive plays but his offense is putrid. He strikes out too much and grounds into a lot of DPs. Which is telling something given his speed. At age 32 he is not going to be worth what he is going to get. IMHO.
Dave, I echo Eric’s sentiments. The only comment I’ll make regarding next year is that I stopped reading your post immediately after you suggested we not resign Posada, who despite his age and position, keeps getting better every year and for whom we have ZERO replacements. His leadership is underestimated and undervalued with a lot of fans, as is his handling of the pitching staff.
Ok, one other point, no, I don’t trade anyone named Hughes or Joba for ANYONE in this league not named Alex Rodriguez, and I certainly don’t trade both of them. Santana is Santana, while he’s still the best he’s no spring chicken and I don’t trade 2 21 year old front line starters for any one player.
That said, playoffs start Thursday and I don’t care about next year.
Let’s not forget that Torii is dumb as a rock, as anyone who has seen him speak for more than 15 seconds can attest to ….
Ok, Santana’s younger than I was thinking (had 32 in my head for some reason), but I still wouldn’t trade both kids for him.
Beltran is Untouchable, Carlos Pena is not a free agent. He is arbitration eligible. Who knows how good Milledge will actually be, he only recently saw playing time every day at the end of the year and he is still thought of as a potential star. You want to trade Mike Pelfrey and Delgado to the Angels for the erractic Ervin Santana? Yes that makes a lot of sense. Delgado broke his wrist and had surgery and was starting to heat up in September, do you think that possibly his wrist was still bothering him for most of the year? Bartolo Colon? Are you kidding me? Who knows if he’ll ever be the pitcher he once was, his shoulder is in even worse condition than Pedro’s.
Joba starts next year. 4 plus pitches. and 200 innings are better than 60 or 70. As appealing as it would be to have him be Mo’s successor, I think the only reason that would happen is if they assess that he/his body won’t hold up as a starter (can’t get 175 – 200 innings a year for several years).
However, I also wonder what being around Clemens and Pettitte will do for that concern, if in fact a concern even exists. I would think Clemens’s (and Clemens’) workout ethic would rub off on him and the weight concerns go away, but who knows…
People forget that Mariano wasn’t converted to a closer because he’s so nasty as a closer, but because he wasn’t that good as a starter. Joba is.
Pete, you’re right about the Mets trading Carlos Beltran. He doesn’t have the mentality for New York. I think that Beltran has probably been in the doghouse with Mets fans since he struck out looking with the bases loaded to end last year’s NLCS. I also wouldn’t be willing to give up too much for Johan Santana. Of course he’s a two-time Cy Young winner, but look at the number of home runs that he gave up this year. That stat alone would give me second thoughts.
Buster Olney thinks Reyes for Santana makes more sense.
Anyone know what TBS will do if games go into extra innings,and the next game is due to start?
Re: A-Rod, pray for 2 things –
1) he has a big October
2) he means it when he says he and his wife love NY (contrary to what her t-shirts say……..). We’ll give him the best payday, so if he wants to stay, we’ll keep him right here where he belongs. And he seems to have realized the great names he’s associated with as he climbs to the top of NYY record books. Don’t think that isn’t good for his ego and don’t underestimate how big that ego is and it’s influence on his business decisions. Highest paid player, taking over records of the most hallowed players for the most history rich team in the game, and stealing a lot of or at least some of the spotlight from Derek Jeter, Mr. Yankee himself.
Jennifer –
TNT, I think.
Once again the headlines will read The Bronx is Steaming after the Yanks lose the 1’st series.
What is this mother Russia? You can’t have opinions form the other side? There was nothing said that broke any of your “rules”.
TNT will broadcast the beginnings of any games that TBS can’t show because of an overrun, per the NY Daily News.
So that means if you tape or tivo it you are basically screwed, since you don’t know which channel it will be on.
I’m going to miss al least the first hour of Fridays game thanks to the 5pm start.
does TBS have an HD version on Cablevision? How did TBS/TNT get into the playoff baseball mix?
To cover yourself, you’ll have to Tivo both channels for that hour.
I few thoughts..
re: The Mets, that teams needs to be broken up if only to change the dynamic after this miserable collapse. As much as love Willie and as much as I believe that September was not his fault, his presence as manager next year will only serve to remind the players and the fan base of 2007. The Mets should keep Reyes, Wright, El Duque, Pedro, Maine, and Oliver Perez. The rest of the team (especially LoDuca, Beltran, Milledge, and Glavine) should either be allowed to wlak away as FAs or available for trade). That team across town needs a brand new look for 2008.
re: Joba as closer or starter. I think Mo NEEDS to be resigned and Joba should stay as his bridge for 2008. But come 2009, Joba gets the chance to start. Remember, the Yanks got Humberto Sanchez for Sheffield because they see in him the potential to be the Yanks’ future closer. Supposedly his stuff is that good and translates best as a dominant closer. They even got him knowing that he needed TJ surgery because they felt that strongly about it.
“How did TBS/TNT get into the playoff baseball mix?”
Outbidding the others.
Jennifer, leave work early, it’s a holiday. I’m going to try and do the same Thursday leaving my client in Baltimore. I’d usually leave around 3-3:30 but might have to get out of dodge by 2 in order to get home in time for Game 1. This schedule stinks.
Since the Yankees are facing the Indians, they need to channel the movie Major League and bring in a reliever named the Duke. The guy threw at his own kid in a father-son game!
Wait, I really don’t need to be watching the last game of that movie before this series because of which team won!!
I guess that’s obvious, Phil, I just don’t get where they came into play… meaning, I’ve never thought of them as in the mix. I think they have an HD channel now, right?
Chris Cablevision has TBS HD now, not sure of the channel, but if you check your guide it is supposed to be available now.
The Springsteen album is truly his best in years. I’ve had it for a couple of weeks and at least 4 songs are stuck in my head. I thought The Rising was all right and the folk stuff was fine, but this one is his best since Tunnel of Love and Human Touch.
And I don’t give a crap about the mets.
TBS/TNT have done basketball playoffs for years…they wanted to expand.
I don’t care who broadcasts the game…just as long as it isn’t the regionalized broadcasts that plagued The Baseball Network that failed.
I prefer the earlier start times so the games don’t end at midnight.
Ok, I see a TNT in HD channel (737 for cablevision in NY), but not TBS. If this means the bulk of the coverage for this year’s playoffs is going to be in garbage standard definition I’m gonna flip. It’s the PLAYOFFS!!!
Delgado had a Jeter jersey, per WFAN, in full view of reporters.
Santana is not washed up. Have any of you checked the AL leaders in ERA this year? No one had an ERA under 3. That tells me that scoring was up this year. He also pitched for a crappy team this year.
The Yanks just don’t get primetime any more as Red Sox Nation has taken over.
TBS also has an HD channel…however MLB has not announced which games are going to be in HD. One can only hope.
I don’t care who either Phil as long as it’s in HD. That was my bigger concern. I’m surprised a cable channel got the games because I’d imagine that puts some people without coverage, but I’m not one of those people, so (sorry), don’t really care. The times are good for getting to bed earlier, but I’d rather be up till 2am then miss the first couple innings or have to DVR the playoffs.
Any idea what channel that is for Cablevision? I didn’t see it listed in their channel lineup for Westchester…
Steve Phillips picked the Yankees to lose in the first round … the Yankees are going to the second round! WOOHOO! How does an unemployed GM who was responsible for Roberto Alomar and Mo Vaugh make predictions with a straight face? ESPN BLOWS!
“The Mets sign Carlos Pena for 1B.”
Pena is not a free agent. just thought i’d save everyone the time to talk about him.
Derek Jeter is a perennial all-star.
Steve Phillips is a perennial moron.
the springsteen record really grew on me over the last couple of weeks. i believe the umpteenth dylan boxed set is also released today, i believe. i’ll be a sucker and buy it. the packaging looks cool.
no more predictions from me.
i’ll be in nyc nov 6-8. nov. 6 is the show at the lakeside lounge. hope to meet some of you.
Are you sure about that? I thought I heard he is and his agent, (take a guess who) is looking for 10 milion at least.
Personally I find it interesting how his hr shot up so much.
Jennifer- Pena’s HR total is especially interesting after he struggled to make a major league roster last year. He didn’t exactly light it up for Boston. Not that I’m saying anything.
here is a picture. lol
http://c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a.....01021/1011
Victor, How can you say the Angels will run over the Sox when the Sox took 6 of 10 from them. The Angels are not playing the Yankees who lost 6 of 9.
what’s up wiht Delgado with that Jeter jersey? And why is he smiling after the Mets got their butts kicked to be eliminated to cap off the worst collapse in history?
At all indicative of how they came to collapse?
Don’t we have a hot young closing prospect in the minors? Could he take Joba’s spot next year so Joba can start? I can’t remember his name does anyone know who I’m talking about?
Joba is going to be on WFAN in the 11 o’clock hour.
Whatever people are suggesting Pena is supposedly on, it doesn’t help you hit homeruns. Perhaps Pena never got a fair chance last year with the Yankees or Bosox. Pena put up pretty good Minor League numbers if anyone would like to take a look at them. Pena actually credits Kevin Long with his resurgence, you know the same Kevin Long who AROD says is the best hitting coach he’s ever had……….
MJL you’re probably talking about Kevin Whelan, one of the other pitchers we got for Sheff.
MJL, are you talking about J Brent Cox? He was hurt last year, but I’m not sure if they still expect him to be as good as originally thought. He followed Huston Street as the University of Texas closer and I think might have been a College World Series MVP.. did very well closing for them but I don’t know if he’s had as much success in the minors, yet anyway. Broke his hand in a bar fight last year and couldn’t pitch, idiot.
oh, could be Whelan also. I think they’re pretty high on him.
Sanchez is still a possibility for the bullpen too, whenever he comes back from TJ surgery.
Whelan could close, but is the plan for him to be a starter? He was lights out in Tampa as a starter. I’m not sure what the plan is with him.
AND DON’T FORGET OHLENDORF, WHO , EVEN THOUGH IT’S ONLY A SMALL SAMPLE, HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO PROVE HE CAN PITCH AT MAJOR LEAGUE LEVEL
Jennifer: I hate when they say “11 o’clock hour.” Then I sit here listening to these jerks for an hour and this football dude. Joba probably won’t be on until 11:59. but of course I’ll listen.
Whelan never started, he’s always been a bullpen guy and a lights out one also.
for the most part , i just dont believe that players are as emotionaly invested in the team as the fans , manager or g.m. of course jeter is and maybe a-rod . i also think players , for the most part , leave everything on the field . they give it their all and if it works out fine , if not – fine too .
WFAN website says 11:30 for Joba on the guest list:
Joe Benigno & Evan Roberts
10:00AM – 1:00PM
Guest List:
Jonathan Vilma 11:05AM
Joba Chamberlain 11:30AM
Paul Lo Duca 12:05PM
Chris, the “if not” part is not fine. No athelete, pro or otherwise, should ever be “fine” with losing. Not that you should commit suicide if you lose, but you certainly shouldn’t be fine with it or laughing in the clubhouse afterwards, especially with how badly they let it run away from them. I’m not going to judge Delgado on some picture, I don’t care or follow the Mets, just saying it looks bad to be over the loss already.
I’m not disagreeing with you though, some of/a lot of the players do seem to treat the game as a job instead of treating it with the passion and respect they should. Millions of kids, has-beens, etc dream of being in the position they’re in (myself included), and it’s a waste to see guys that don’t care about winning or losing.
He is already throwing off flat ground, so i’d assume he won’t be very far behind.
A-Rod and Hamlet. To flee or not to flee; that is the question. 6 Reasons why A-Rod stays in NY.
1. Playoff Regulars.
While anything can happen, with all the young arms coming up, the Yanks chances of getting back to the playoffs/WS consistently over the term of A-Rod’s next contract are presently as good or better than any other team.
2. Closer to home?
Rod wants nothing to do with the two teams closest to where he lives in Florida, unless his new personal growth has led him to embrace masochism.
3. Better endorsements, more media elsewhere?
C’mon. Next?
4. Not moving back to SS.
His HRs over the last three years will always be in the 3d base column so he can’t get them back. And there’s much less likelihood of a collision injury playing 3d base and thus not having to cover the bag on a 4-6-3 double play.
5. It’s still about the money, but…
A-Rod will take a deal with a reasonable raise over the present one, commensurate with a three time MVP, “The Best Player in Baseball” and the slugger heir-apparent to Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle and Dimaggio. But instead of demanding an astronomical raise over the next 3-5 years, A-Rod makes his killing by forcing the Yankees to lock up his decline years (well beyond the next 4-5 years) at a price way over market value. The Yanks will do that in part just to be sure they have “HR Record A-Rod” (DH?) in pinstripes, for all the extra revenue that will generate.
6. Sign now, pay later. The beauty of creatively deferred ompensation.
There are many ways to skin a cat or make a deal. Promise him money now that you only have to pay him later. How about future compensation/permanent Yankee identification via an option to buy into Yankee/YES ownership, sort of a private stock option, exercisable only after he retires. Maybe Boras can get MLB to bless that since it is only a future option to buy an ownership interest, not a presently vested ownership interest. Or maybe A-Rod would like the Yankees to guarantee some low interest future financing so he can go into Real Estate in NYC one day. And so on….
Whelan had seven starts in Tampa with a 1.93 ERA. Wow. Technically he wasn’t a true starter, because he only threw 28 innings. Whatever he is going to be, I’m looking forward to it. He has a high-ceiling.
I’d rather see Ohlendorf start, he has some nasty movement and he’s proven he throws strikes and pitches to contact. With Cano’s range improving rapidly, DJ in his usual Gold Glove form, Dougie hopefully back next year and Melky in center, he could be a 15-game winner soon I think.
Pena got a chance in Det, NY, and Bos and failed in all three.
He succeeded in that tough media market with all that pressure, TB.
Is it just me or do Joe and Even seem to scream a lot?
Nothing worse than reading commenters/morons speculate on A-Rod’s future.
What is the big deal about Delgado and the jersey it is not like he was wearing it he was carrying it. he probably had it in his locker or got it signed for someone etc etc.
HMMc Carlos Pena is for sure a free agent and with Boras as his agent will get signed for big bucks. Unfortunately as often happens with some of his clients (see Jeff Weaver) who probably should have stayed in St Louis where he had a pitching coach who worked out some of his issues and whom he did well with he signed for the big dollars in Seattle.
Carlos Pena would probably be better to stay in Tampa and be the star and could really make a name for himself there and instead he will probably go for the big $$$
Joe and Evan are terrible together. It hurts my ears.
They have no conflict. Why would they pair together two people who like all the same teams and have all the same opinions?
Would it kill the FAN to have a Yankee fan on there besides Mike?
Carlos Pena is the cure all for the Mets??
Wow.
When you think you hear it all….
Why is everyone judging Delgado? How do you know someone didn’t say something funny and snap a picture? He’s a pretty smiley guy as it is. You never know.
I think I read on here that Ohlendorf got better when he went to the pen. Something about arm strength if I’m not mistaken (gained a few mph). I think the plan is to keep him there, given the recent starting pitching depth, but you can never have enough starting pitching, so who knows.
Andrea, that’s why I said I’m not going to judge him based on one picture…. Either way, I doubt anyone would be making Jeter or Posada laugh or smile no matter what they said anytime the Yankees lose a game, let alone a game that eliminates them from playoff contention.
Again, not judging the guy because it’s just a picture and I wasn’t there… all I said was it looks bad and makes you wonder if heart was part of the issue.
Gayle, don’t know that the jersey was a big deal at all. Certainly not for me. I was wondering what the deal was, thinking he and Jeter could be friends and it was probably some kind of gag like when he sent A-Rod one of his WS rings years ago…
Chris NY. You’ve got a point. But honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ver seen Delgado NOT smiling.
Carlos Pena is NOT a free agent he is arbitration eligible. Secondly in Detroit in 2004 he hit 27 homeruns and drove in 82 in 480 AB’s. In 2005 he hit 18 homeruns and drove in 44 in 260 AB’s. Last year he had no AB’s with NY and 33 AB’s with Boston, yes they gave him a HUGE chance. His OPS + has been over 100 in every year he’s had over 200 AB’s.
Don’t know why I’m defending this guy so much…..
So, Delgado and every Met is supposed to want to commit suicide because they lost?
Because why? Because the fans are mad?
Ray–
According to Cots Basbeball COntracts(the linkto the site is to theright) CarlosPena signed a 1 year 800K deal with the Devil Rays. he is a free agent at the end of this season.
Pena had a whole year in Trip A for the Yanks. He showed nothing.
gayle for the last time. Pena is arbitration eligible. he hasn’t had enough service time to be a FA. Read the rules.
No queens blvd, as I already said, no suicide…… and also as I already said, I’m not a Mets fan and could care less.
All I said was any athlete shouldn’t be ok with losing. If you disagree with that, go back to your online solitaire tournament.
Whelan only started this year to build up innings.
Thanks Chris NY for enlightening all of us. No offense but athletes don’t take it as hard as fans. If you can’t understand that maybe you should stick to your online chess matches.
Name me one pro athlete that jumped off a cliff because they lost.
I know you would feel better if Delgado started beating up reporters but it ain’t happening. Get with it.
Who says because a player has a smile and is genuinely happy in public that he’s “ok” with losing?
Can I second that statement about how worthless it is to hear about A-Rod’s future?
Yes, Carlos Pena showed nothing in Trip A Columbus. He only hit 19 HR’s drove in 66 walked 63 times and had an OPS of .824 in only 381 AB’s. Yes he showed nothing you’re absolutely right.
Also, Pena signed a MINOR LEAGUE free agent deal, he’s not eligible for free agency this year, he’s eligible to be outright cut or arbitration. Not free agency.
So um….Playoffs! yaaaaay….
(swift change of subject…)
By the way, Pena was named Comeback Player of the Year.
Ray, you and Carlos should get a room together. Maybe an appartment. I sense a love match.
The Yanks, Sox, and Tigers are all worthless apparently when it comes to recognizing talent. Pena had them all fooled!
Someone get his plaque ready for Cooperstown!!
It’s 11:48 and still no Joba.
very creative substituting “chess” for “solitaire,” very witty.
Since you have trouble reading, I’ll say it again, read slowly this time – I’m not saying anyone should jump off a cliff, beat up a reporter or anything of the like (that means any such thing, anything like that, etc. let me know if you need further examples). Chris Fairfield suggested that pro athletes leave it on the field and win or lose, they’re fine with it. All I suggested is anyone that’s ever competed in any sport on any level, your online solitaire aside, any REAL athlete wants to WIN and is not “fine” with losing, nor should they be.
You’ve obviously never competed for anything but hall monitor, so I don’t expect you to understand anyone wanting to win and being disappointed with a loss.
“According to Cots Basbeball COntracts(the linkto the site is to theright) CarlosPena signed a 1 year 800K deal with the Devil Rays. he is a free agent at the end of this season.”
except he’s not.
you need 6 years of major league service time to be a free agent.
he doesn’t have it.
Fans want their athletes to care as much as they do. But most athletes don’t play for the fans. They don’t show BS emotions for fans.
They don’t live and die with every pitch like a fan does. It’s a dif’ world.
You sound like you’re six if you think athletes should care as much as fans. Santa coming in two months too?
Brian F, again since so many people have issues with reading today, I said “LOOKS” bad, but also said I’m not going to judge one second in time and imply he doesn’t care. I simply asked the question for those who may have followed that situation closer than I have and was not speculating anything about Delgado.
Chris in Fairfield then suggested his take is that they leave it on the field and are fine with how ever the results fall.
I responded to that with a very GENERAL statement about athletes and sports. It was not directed at Delgado at that point, just a general conversation.
Maybe they are still working out. I am almost positive they said 11am hour.
I have to go out for lunch soon!!
Now I am very confused based on this article on the Devil Rays own web site it says he is a free agent. Carlos Pena really isn’t a big deal in my world so not real important if he is or is not
http://www.draysbay.com/story/2007/9/18/17449/2686
Chris Ny, you’re obviously a superfan who has never played any sport other than chess or solitaire like you eloquently say.
Stop making assumptions that pro athletes don’t care. Tell David Wright he didn’t care and he may snap your neck. Tell Pedro he didn’t care. The guy only came back from major surgery early to pitch.
I’d say grow up but I don’t want to wreck your fantasies.
So does that mean that Carlos is still under the control of the Drays?
Damit it where is Joba?
No offense, Chris NY, but I was speaking in general and not referring to you. I could care less about you or what you have said. Really. So, don’t take it so personally you big baby.
Queens Blvd: I don’t typically get involved in someon else’s argument, but seriously, calm down. You’ve snapped at this guy a few times and he’s explained himself. You guys really just have a difference in opinion and you’re kind of being rude. Calm down.
“Yes, Carlos Pena showed nothing in Trip A Columbus. He only hit 19 HR’s drove in 66 walked 63 times and had an OPS of .824 in only 381 AB’s. Yes he showed nothing you’re absolutely right. ”
not for nothing, but that’s not at all impressive for a 28 year old in AAA.
for example, that’s not even close to what Andy Phillips produced in the minors.
Pena in AAA last year: .260/.370/.454
Phillips in AAA this year: .301/.382/.494
you can’t just take AAA numbers and look at them like major league numbers.
Actually Rick, I think atheletes should care as much as athletes do.
I never said anything about caring as much as obsessed fans. If you think guys like Jeter, Michael Jordan, etc. wouldn’t care about losing a game that kept them out of the playoffs, you’re clueless.
And again, I’M NOT SAYING DELGADO DOESN’T CARE.
Chris please shut up. No one cares. You have posted your little explanation six times. It’s not a big deal.
Because when Jeter lost in 2004 he threw a tantrum in the locker room after Game 7. Actually the next day when reporters were there he went even more nutty. He threw a few chairs at them. He cried for weeks. Crocodile tears. He couldn’t get out of bed for months. Tragic.
Yawn.
They are pro’s for a reason.
WFAN just announced Paul Lo Duca. Seems like they just skipped over Joba. Did anyone hear them say he wasn’t coming ?
Queens can obviously say nothing other than repeating exactly what I said as if they’re his words. You made my point for me with the David Wright analogy and I’ll say one more time I wasn’t implying Delgado doesn’t care, just responding to the “fine” comment Chris in Fairfield made, and for the record, I wasn’t even disagreeing with what he said.
I’m done arguing with 12 year olds.
Pete, can we get a minimum intelligence requirement for the comments section? Thanks.
Arthur Mass- Thanks for explaining to me about Whelan. His walk totals are a bit high, but his strikeout totals are truly impressive. He’s another prospect in a long line to be excited about for the future.
Andrea, haven’t heard anything about Joba. So much for their schedule. I did hear them blab on about the Knicks and blame them for all the NBA’s problems, but nothing about Joba….
Yeah. I turned the volume down for a while. I’m tired of hearing about the Knicks.
Was I hearing things? I guess I was the only one who heard this.
Oh well I guess I’ll go out for lunch now.
Hmmmmmm Phillips was actually 30 in triple A this year. On top of that Phillips major league numbers are no where near comparable to what Pena has done in his time in the majors.
jennifer: no, if you scroll up, someone posted the schedule and it said Joba at 11:30
“Hmmmmmm Phillips was actually 30 in triple A this year. On top of that Phillips major league numbers are no where near comparable to what Pena has done in his time in the majors.”
Penas pre 2007 numbers kill anything that Phillips has done in the majors.
Livin’ in the Future (Track 3) is amazing.
Okay good to know i’m not hearing things.
I wonder if they are still working out. It would be nice if they’d tell people he is pushed back.
Oh and ESPN is reporting Willie will be back managing the Mets next year.
jennifer; on the fan website it still has the schedule saying Joba’s at 11:30. I’ve got to leave soon to go to a dr appointment!
Please never refer to Jeter as anything but a liability defensively. Gold Glove or not, he’s got the first step of a paraplegic.
I expect Willie to be back. From what I have heard, it was more about their bullpen wearing down than anything. The side stories about taking things for granted and not being up for things might fall on the manager’s shoulders, but not entirely and Minaya’s saying he’s not going to focus solely on 2 or 3 weeks of the season when making his final decisions. Willie Randolph puts them in a position to win and I don’t think he’ll be fired.
I know it is another blog, but interesting interview of alex
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/yankees/
Pete just posted audio from that interview also.
“Hmmmmmm Phillips was actually 30 in triple A this year. On top of that Phillips major league numbers are no where near comparable to what Pena has done in his time in the majors.”
the point is that those numbers you posted for Pena are nothing special.
and Phillips’ age 28 AAA numbers are even better than his age 30 numbers.
bringing up Pena’s numbers in the majors before this year is a red-herring. you were trying to argue that his .824 OPS in AAA last year proved something, i am saying it proved nothing, as scrubs like Andy Phillips had a better age 28 season in AAA than Pena did.
what i think you meant to say was this: given the fact that Pena showed glimpses of success in the majors in 2004, and the fact that he was doing OK (not great) in AAA while Andy Phillips was starting for the Yankees, he should have been called up.
that i would have agreed with. he should have been called up b/c Phillips was awful in 2006, not because he was tearing up AAA.
Personally, Espn is so bias in their reportiNG,and IT’S
sooooo watered down,that I NEVER VIEW THEM OR THEIR ANALYST
AS ARGUABLE,WHEN CRIQUITING the YANKEES.You’re never wrong
if you remember tHE “E” STANDS FOR ENTERTAINMENT. It’s all
about the ratings.Yankee” hate talk” pulls big ratings,
thanks to “bawston” for encouraging all of baseball to view
the yankees as responsble for their 86 yrs of losses
I think the deal with Pena is that he signed a 1 year minor league free agent deal. Since he doesn’t have the service time (6 years?), he is arbitration eligible. Tampa could choose to decline arbitration, thus making him a free agent. FYI, that’s how the sox got Ortiz after the twins declined arbitration in 2003.
Thanks for enlightening us all today Chris NY with your pettiness and your lack of class. Kudos!
Maybe now you can throw a chair and break a wall because you are such a fan.
The last team to repeat were the Yankees in 2000. With all their great history, they’ve done it 12 times and George Steinbrenner himself said it’s not an easy thing to do anymore with 3 tiers of playoffs needing to succeed at.
Hey Pete,
Long time reader, first time commentor. I LOVE the new album from The Boss. It’s so nice to hear the real E Street Band Springsteen again! Are you going to be catching any of the new tour that kicks off today? I’m seeing him for the first time in my life at MSG on the 17th and I can’t wait…
Frankie, even more impressive is that 2000 was a 3-peat. I don’t think a lot of people realized at the time how difficult that was. Plenty of people still don’t.
The “best” teams don’t always win, let alone win every year.
Queens blvd, I think everyone here can see who lacks the class and you’ve successfully missed every point I’ve made, so good luck to you.
steph,
If you read my entire comment you would have seen that I said the yanks really have no say with pettitte because he has a player option. I knew that.
VOIII and others,
Mo should be re-signed for a two yr deal becuase of his age and the season he has had. If he did as good as usual the yanks would end up paying much more than he is worth but as of now, it seems like they can pull of a two yr deal.
Posada just happened to have the best season of his career on his contract yr – surprise surprise. The yanks will end up paying far, far too much for him and his catching days will prolly be over next yr. With damon, matsui and giambi all vying for dh playing time next yr and matsui possibly as a permanent dh the yr after, the last thing we need is another dh. If posada agrees to play first thas a different story. I would make him agree to learn to play first before signing anything longer than a two yr deal. I dont underestimate posada’s leadership, I just think he is going to be extremely over-valued this off season because of his one season this yr. And if u dont wanna read my comment becuz it is about the off season, suit urself but there is very little to talk about for the next three days and Im tired of looking at stats to see who will win. It never matters anyway, in the postseason.
one more thing chris,
You didnt take into account the fact that we dont really know yet if kennedy and hughes will be front line starters for yrs to come. Everyone already knows how good santana is. But with that said, is till agree with you. I wouldnt trade them just because I LOVE that they r homegrown and how much talent they already have.Atleast we agree about one thing. Posada situation not so much. I prolly would change my mind if he agreed toplay first tho
I don’t think we really disagree then, Dave. I definitely see the point on knowing what you have with Santana and not as much with Hughes & Joba. I just think they’ve shown enough that you don’t trade them both. I don’t want to trade either for the same reasons you mentioned, but if a trade for Santana were to be made I think, value wise, it can only include one of them plus a lesser player or prospect (lesser than them, not saying a scrub).
With Posada, I don’t disagree we’d be overpaying, I just don’t think we have a choice. His value to this team and lack of an equal replacement (or even close to it) will make him as close to worth that money as we’re gonna get. I also think if we can sign Molina and give Jorge more days off than usual, that can help stretch out his effectiveness as a catcher over the 2 or 3 years of that new contract.
Just by not having Sheffield, Randy Johnson, or Jaret Wright on this year’s playoff roster is a plus by itself.
The chemistry is far better. Even Mussina has loosened up a little with the infusion of youth on this Yankee team.
News flashes:
(1) Jaret Wright released by Baltimore today. So it looks like Ynaks got Britton for nothing.
(2) Randy Johnson may have a comeback, just like the subprime mortgage market is going to recover tomorrow. Gonzalez and Ohlendorf make good trade bait, and Ohlendorf may be of use in this year’s playoffs. Too bad they couldn’t have grabbed Micah Owings from the Baby Backs.
(3) Sheffield is presently warming his golf clubs. Meanwhile, Humberto Sanchez at 24 continues to recover in preparation for next season.
Great job, Cashman. Great job. I’m curious to see how the postseason shakes out, hopefully after November 1 for the Yankees.
… AND … Cashman did not make the trade for Eric Gagne. Is there a GM of the Year award? Is it Executive of the Year? Huh … do you think Steve Phillips ever won it?
umm cash signed pavano, wright, farnsy, Igawa, Moose to a two yr deal and traded away sheff for sanchez to the team that knocked us out of the playoffs. Lets hold off on giving him any sort of award. He isnt even in the top 15 in GM’s the past couple of yrs. He had 200 million dollars to work with and we won the wildcard and had the fourth best record in baseball – not exactly a feat.
Why would the Mets trade Beltran? He’s a gold glove caliber CF with a middle of the order power bat, and he’s making less money than Alfonso Soriano. Get a grip. Overreacting like that is for Yankee fans. And if you think not one Mets fan would miss Beltran, let me offer myself as proof that you’re wrong.
I thought the Mets gave Beltran a no-trade clause, which was the reason he chose them over the Astros who wouldn’t grant one.
The Mets just need Pitching. Omar gave away Bell and Bannister. He’s too in love with latin Player. Remeber He gave Franco a 2 yrs contact( @ 48yr old)and moved players to get back Latin Players that don’t help.
Pitching, The Met releivers could not keep the Nat & Marlins from scoreing. Glavin will always be a Brave so his heart was never with the Mets, let is washed-up self crawl back to them, His 300th will always be in a Met Unnie.
Mets talk:
If mets get Santana, I think it will be Carlos Gomez, Fernando Martinez, Aaron Heilman and Phil Humber.
I was reading that the Tigers will decline the option on Pudge(mlbtraderumors.com has the source), if that is indeed the case, Omar loves Pudge, strong chance he could be the Mets C.
If Beltran is to get traded for young pitching, in my the 3 possible destinations are the Angels, Giants or O’s. I don’t think Beltran would waive his no trade for the O’s, or at least it’s a long shot, Eric Bedard and something else would be the thought there, but they don’t have something else O’s would deal. Giants, well Cain is a long shot, Lincecum-no shot, but is Beltran for Zito so far fetched? My best best the Angels, because they have the depth in there rotation to trade a pitcher, I think the guy they could trade is Ervin Santana. I find it hard for Angels to be willing to trade Lackey, Weaver and Escobar(coming off this year). Don’t forget, we could get some combo of Ervin Santana, Chone Figgins(Castillo no lock to come back with the knee, figs could play 2b)RP Scott Shields, CF Gary Matthews Jr.
Also, in the gossip column of the NY Post(strange to find this but true) Cindy Adams says that Barry Bonds has already talked to a NY team about playing with them for next year, I find it hard to believe that it would be the Yankees he was talking to. It’s got to be the Mets. If it is, the only way that remote possibility could take place is of a Santana trade is made, with Gomez and Martinez going in the deal. In a Bonds secernaro Bonds would play LF, Alou in right. Don’t think it is that far fetched, he made 16 mil last year, people say he is going to take 50% cut, I think will be more then that, question is how much further would the price come down for people to be willing to take a shot? If Glavine does go back to ATL or retires and either beltran is not traded or Santana thing does not work out, could see the Mets talking to FA Curt Schilling as well as far as 1 year deal goes.
Hey Pete!
Love your work but you are on crack. The Mets will not trade 30 hrs and 110 rbi away with an unproven RF, a 42 yr old LF, a prospect, a bench player and NO ONE ELSE. That have as much depth in the outfield at as a kiddie pool…after its been drained!!!
Dont let the pink elephants get to you. They go away eventually!!! Oh, and let’s be real..the only way we get Santana is if he makes it to free agency and even then its a roll of the dice.
Hope rehab helps!